Patent Document ID: 6121969
Application ID: 08902493
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. An image data presentation system comprising: a data store means for holding a multiplicity of images; an input means for permitting an operator to query the multiplicity of images; a computer means for ranking the multiplicity of images that are within the data store means in response to a query received from the input means on the basis of preattentive similarity, meaning that the multiplicity of images are endowed with a metric structure, rising from the query, so as to create a Riemann manifold of N dimensions A, B, C,. .. L, M, N within which Riemann manifol the multiplicity of images are ordered so as to preserve information about their relationships; and a display means for displaying in three dimensions the ranked images within the N-dimensional Riemann manifold as (i) a perceptual space having a three-dimensional geometry X, Y, and Z in accordance with some arbitrary three dimensions B, E and H of the metric of the Riemann manifold, with (ii) the ranked images being located within the X, Y and Z coordinates of the three-dimensional perceptual space in accordance with their ranked relationships in the arbitrary three dimensions B, E and H; wherein the relationship of the displayed images is, at least insofar as regards the X, Y and Z metric of the three-dimensional geometry of the three-dimensional perceptual space, made visible, the images being both (i) located in the perceptual space in accordance with their properties in the arbitrary three dimensions B, E and H of the N-dimensional Riemann manifold, and (ii) located elative to one another in accordance with the similarities or distinctions of these properties.