Patent Document

This is a Continuation application of prior application Ser. No. 09/328,051 filed on Jun. 8, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,988, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This invention involves creation and display of multi-dimensional content arrangements using a computer. 
     Content will be considered within this document to refer to at least one instance of text, visual content, audio content or audio-visual content. Visual content as used herein includes still video, motion video and interactive video. Still video is composed of a still frame. Motion video is displayed as a temporal succession of still frames. The exact storage and transfer mechanisms of motion video data are available in a wide variety of mechanisms which are well known to those of skill in the art. Interactive video incorporates at least still video content with an interactive response from at least one user. Certain implementations of interactive video incorporate motion video content as well as interactive user response. 
     FIG. 1 displays a prior art one-dimensional table of content. Such prior art implementations can be found in a variety of settings, such as channel guides for show times on cable or satellite television in a variety of locations throughout the United States. A video display device enclosure  10 , with a display device  12 , interfaces with a selector device  18  by a physical transport mechanism  16  to an interface  14 . 
     Relevant prior art display devices  12  are also widely varied in form and specifics of operation. Relevant prior art display devices  12  may present black and white or color images. Relevant prior art display devices  12  may support either a vector or raster format. Relevant prior art display devices  12  may present images in either a 2-D, 3-D or multi-dimensional presentation view or collection of views. 
     Relevant embodiments of selector device  18  include but are not limited to contemporary television channel selectors, home entertainment center remote controls, computer pointing devices including but not limited to 3-D and 2-D mouse-style pointers, pen tablets, track balls, touch pads and joy sticks. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the selector device communicates via physical transport mechanism  16  with an interface  14  housed in enclosure  10 . Relevant physical transport mechanisms  16  include but are not limited to infra-red, micro-wave and other similar wireless transport layers, as well as wires and optical fiber. The mechanism by which communication is carried out based upon the specific physical transport mechanism employed is not relevant to this invention and will not be discussed for that reason. Additional IO devices such as printers and keyboards may be attached to various relevant, prior art systems. Keyboards may house touch pads and mouse sticks which in certain cases are the relevant selector device of that system. 
     Typical prior art implementations often incorporate a time setting  20  shown here at the top and center of the display area. This can be altered using the selector device  18  to increment forward or backward in time, sometimes traversing days. Note that time setting  20  often incorporates a day and/or date component as well. The time setting  20  often denotes a half hour viewing period starting the displayed time, often referred to as a time slot. 
     Typical prior art implementations are further composed of multiple rows of information depicted as  22 ,  30  and  32 , each representing specific entertainment events. Each row is typically, further composed of a channel component  24 , a show component  26  and a show time component  28 . The exact ordering of these components within each row may vary from one implementation to another. The channel component  24  often incorporates a numeric and a call sign designation. The show component  26  often incorporates notations indicating whether there is more detailed programming information available regarding the entertainment represented. The show time component  28  often incorporates a starting time and an ending time. 
     Typical prior art implementations are used in television systems involving many different channels, frequently supporting over one hundred channels broadcasting simultaneously. It is common for such systems to possess many more channels than can be displayed at one time. Traversal of such implementations is supported by use of specific selector device  18  manipulations, which either change which channels are displayed, the time slot starting time, or trigger playing the content of the entertainment designated by a row. 
     While such display technology represents a distinct advance over previous approaches to representing and traversing entertainment offering, there are some inherent frustrations. It is difficult if not impossible to perform searches of the entertainment schedule database. The arrangement is fixed, unable to be configured to reflect what the user considers most relevant. One user may focus on team sporting events, while a different user is strongly interested in gardening and travel shows, and yet another user favors news shows and court room news shows. When the user interests cross more than one standard topic area there is no mechanism to support selection and access by users today. What would be useful is a flexible, user configurable interface to a sorting engine, which could sort an entertainment content database, based upon user selected fields of relevance which could then be traversed with content to be played selected and played. 
     FIG. 2 presents a display of a prior art two-dimensional table of contents. Various simulated buttons appear on the display file  52 , edit  54  and  56 . There is also a background area  12 , a button area  50 , a vertical slider bar area  70 , and a vertical scroll bar  72 . A horizontal scroll bar area  74  and a horizontal scroll bar  76  are also provided to move the display area in a horizontal two-dimensional manner. Various columns  60 ,  62   63 ,  64  and  66  are also provided to organize information in two-dimensional columnar fashion and similarly, there are rows provided to further organize information. Finally, tabs  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88  are also provided to further organize information into tabbed partitions giving the illusion of another dimension of organization. However, all of the organizational devices are predefined mechanisms that must be carefully defined to match the information in a manual manner by a user. The two-dimensional organization is clumsy and bulky and would not lend itself to multi-dimensional, free form information. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method in accordance with a preferred embodiment includes logic that maps content by determining a field of relevance and at least one topic in the field of relevance. The method determines at least one content pertaining to the topic, retrieves a representation of the content and maps the representation of the content onto the field of relevance. This method advantageously provides an extremely flexible presentation mechanism where the content may be organized by multi-dimensional mappings to show relevance in multiple dimensions that may vary through presentation of the content. 
     This method facilitiates the organization of results of database interrogations, web searches and other large data situations, creating a multi-dimensional topic space of content and the tools to navigate the space effectively. The method advantageously supports use of a created multi-dimensional topic space by determining the focal vector and displaying the distinguishable entities. The resultant interface is an ergonomic, natural way to permit the traversal of otherwise large, unwieldy databases. The invention represents a novel, unique approach that matches nicely with the requirements of the Internet to efficiently examine the often enormous results from search engines in a reasonable amount of time and effort. The invention is further responsive to either user or software agent direction. 
     The invention comprises a computer device containing software that enabling a navigation tool for a multi-dimensional topic space implemented on a computer readable medium comprising a multi-dimensional vector space and a multiplicity of content elements. Each of the content elements includes a location in the multi-dimensional vector space; and a content representation. This content storage provides a multi-dimensional approach to referencing and managing content, supporting access and traversal by a variety of mechanisms based upon a paradigm of the multi-dimensional vector space. 
    
    
     These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed descriptions and studying the various figures of the drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art one-dimensional table of content; 
     FIG. 2 displays a prior art two-dimensional table of content; 
     FIG. 3 displays a relevance field versus topic space mapping as a table in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 displays an independent salience weighting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5A displays an interdependent salience weighting of two relevance fields in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5B displays an independent salience weighting of two relevance fields in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6A displays an interdependent salience weighting of three relevance fields; 
     FIG. 6B displays an independent salience weighting of three relevance fields in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7A displays an interdependent salience weighting of four relevance fields using a triangle and a slider in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7B displays an independent salience weighting of four relevance fields using a tetrahedron in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 8A displays a truncated octahedron composed of planar faces as used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 8B displays the planar faces of the truncated octahedron of FIG. 8A as used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 displays the system block diagram of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention supporting the making, displaying, traversal and playing of a multi-dimensional topic space; 
     FIG. 10A is a user&#39;s view of a display in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 10B is another user&#39;s view of a display in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 11A is a three dimensional cube diagram in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 11B is a three dimensional cube diagram superimposed on another three dimensional cube diagram displaced from the first cube diagram in a fourth dimension in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 12 is a four dimensional cube diagram formed by the translation of the first three dimensional cube diagram to the displaced second three dimensional cube diagram as used for user navigation in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 13 is a tabular graph of points of the four dimensional cube of FIG.  12  and the locations of those points in the four dimensional space in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 14 is a tabular graph of the two dimensional faces of the four dimensional cube, their identification numbers and the named points and their locations in each two dimensional face in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 15A is a diagram of a user interface showing the two dimensional faces of the four dimensional cube of FIG. 12, topic space parameter controls, focal location and orientation controls in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 15B is a diagram of a user interface showing the display region  1048  of two dimensional faces, topic space parameter controls, focal location and orientation controls in accordance with another preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 15C is a detail diagram showing a portion of the display region  1048  in which four exemplary two dimensional faces are displayed in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 16 is a diagram showing several transformations of selected content as displayed in response to changes in focal location and/or orientation in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 17A is a diagram depicting the display of several content representations in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 17B is a diagram further depicting a transformation of several content representations in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 18A is a diagram showing interrelationships between content and a map in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 18B is a diagram showing interrelationships between content and a map in accordance with another preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 18C is a diagram showing interrelationships between content and a map in accordance with another preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 18D is a diagram showing interrelationships between content and a map in accordance with another preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the relationship between content in a multi-dimensional topic space and the traversal of content by a viewer over time; 
     FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a method of displaying, traversing, and displaying content in a multi-dimensional topic space in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 21A is a detailed flowchart showing a preferred determination of content related to topics with reference to operation  1504  in FIG. 20 in accordance with a further preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 21B is another detailed flowchart showing a preferred determination of content related to topics with reference to operation  1504  in FIG. 20 in accordance with an alternative further preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart showing mapping a representation of content in topic space and display with reference to operation  1508  in FIG. 20 in accordance with a further preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 23A is a diagram showing a topic space with a focal point and three topics, each possessing a voice in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and 
     FIG. 23B is a block diagram showing one channel of the displayed (generated) audio content as a function of focal point and the voices of displayed topics in accordance with FIG. 23A in a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 were discussed previously with reference to the prior related art. A display in accordance with a preferred embodiment has the capability of displaying information as multi-dimensional, visual information. In addition the display can also convey audio or tactile information to present for example, surround sound location, environmental feel and even such qualities as heat or texture. FIG. 3 displays a relevance field versus topic space mapping as a table in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Multi-dimensional as used in this document refers to information spans at least two axes providing an ordering in as many dimensions as there are axes. Thus, two-dimensional organization refers to two axes providing a two dimensional ordering. Three-dimensional organization refers to three axes providing a three dimensional ordering. Four-dimensional organization refers to four axes providing a four dimensional ordering. Five-dimensional organization refers to five axes providing a five dimensional ordering. And so on. 
     A field of relevance as used in this document refers to axes in a multi-dimensional organization. Two or more fields of relevance may be either interdependent or independent. 
     A topic refers to any entity that may appear on a display or is associated with content that appears on the display, which may be either a single location or a collection of locations in a multi-dimensional organization. Content entities may further be related to topics that provide an organizational mechanism for information. The term mapping as used in this document refers to translating a particular dimension to a particular content entity to provide organization and navigational features for the content. 
     The first row  100  of the table in accordance with a preferred embodiment contains headings for the various columns of the table  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110 . Cell  102  contains a heading for a field of relevance also labeled as FIELD 1 . Cell  104  contains a heading for a field of relevance also labeled as FIELD 2 . Cell  106  contains a heading for a field of relevance also labeled as FIELD 3 . Cell  108  contains a heading for a field of relevance also labeled as FIELD 4 . Cell  110  contains a heading for a topic also labeled as TOPIC DESCRIPTION. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment, there may be fewer fields of relevance evidenced by fewer columns in such a table. There may be more fields of relevance evidenced as more columns in such a table. All the topics may be present in a single table similar to this, or at least two tables, with different fields of relevance, may be used to map some or all of the topics to these different collections of fields of relevance or the number of fields of relevance in these different tables may vary from one table to another. What has been described above as columns can be implemented as rows and what has been described above as rows may instead be implemented as columns. In other alternative embodiments, what has been described as a row may be implemented as an instance of a data structure or object class. In other alternative preferred embodiments of the invention, what has been described as a row may be implemented as a linked list, with the entire table being further implemented as a linked list of linked lists. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the cells of a specific column of the table are associated with a field of relevance. Cells of a specific column can be organized as a specific collection of acceptable values in certain preferred embodiments of the invention. The acceptable value collection may be implemented as a binary set. Examples of such preferred embodiment implementations include but are not limited to {0, 1}, {TRUE, FALSE} or {MALE, FEMALE}. The acceptable value collection may be implemented as a finite set of discrete elements in certain further preferred embodiments of the invention. Examples of such preferred embodiment implementations include but are not limited to {RED, GREEN, BLUE} or {CANADA, FRANCE, MEXICO, UK, US}. 
     Alternatively, the acceptable value collection may be implemented as a set of numeric elements. Examples of such preferred embodiment implementations include but are not limited to a specific numeric notation, such as bit length of integers or a specific floating pointing notation. The acceptable value collection may be further implemented as a set, which is a specified numeric range, in certain further preferred embodiments of the invention. Examples of such preferred embodiment implementations include but are not limited to a percentages (which may be represented as integers, fixed point or floating point numbers) or a specific floating pointing range [−1.234 to π/4]. The acceptable value collection may be implemented as a set of elements, each element being a specific numeric range, in certain further preferred embodiments of the invention. Examples of such preferred embodiment implementations include but are not limited to sets of percentage ranges with elements such as [0% to 10%] and [15% to 100%] as well as numeric ranges with elements such as [−5 to +3.12159] and [all numbers at least as big as 10.512] and [all numbers not larger than −1234]. 
     FIG. 4 displays an independent salience weighting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A field of relevance FIELD 1 , denoted by  102 , has an associated slider represented by line  154  with endpoints  150  and  156 . Slider  154  uses points  152  and  153  representing a range of relevance in certain preferred embodiments. In certain preferred embodiments, point  153  is not visible and point  152  then represents a specific relevance value. 
     Field of relevance FIELD 2 , denoted by  104 , has an associated slider represented by line  160  with endpoints  158  and  164 . Slider  160  setting  162  is shown at the endpoint  164 . In certain further preferred embodiments, additional interface controls, such as arrow buttons are implemented to extending the range of the slider on one or both ends of the line  160 . 
     Field of relevance FIELD 3 , denoted by  106 , has an associated slider represented by line  170  with endpoints  166  and  172 . Slider  170  setting  168  is between endpoints  166  and  172 . In certain preferred embodiments, the setting  168  may visit a limited collection of values, sometime as little as two values. 
     Field of relevance FIELD 4 , denoted by  108 , has an associated slider represented by line  178  with endpoints  174  and  180 . Slider  178  setting  176  is approximately at endpoint  174 . In certain further preferred embodiments, additional interface controls, such as arrow buttons are implemented to extending the range of the slider on one or both ends of the line  178 . 
     FIG. 5A displays an interdependent salience weighting of two relevance fields  190  in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The points  192 ,  194 ,  195  and  196  represent particular data associated with a field of interest. FIG. 5A illustrates that data split between two vertices can be represented on a line. The closer to one end of the line or another is an indication of how strong the influence of the end&#39;s characteristics play in the datum being represented. Points  192  and  196  represent the endpoints of the range of relevance between the two fields of relevance in certain preferred embodiments. Points  194  and  195  represent a range of relevance in certain preferred embodiments. In certain preferred embodiments, point  195  is not visible and point  194  then represents a specific ratio of relevance between the two relevance fields. 
     FIG. 5B displays an independent salience weighting of two relevance fields in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The first relevance field is plotted on the X axis  200  and the second relevance field is plotted on the Y axis  198 . The intersection of a particular relevance field in the Y axis  204  and a relevance field in the X axis  206  is shown at point  202  which represents the interdependent salience weighting. 
     FIG. 6A displays an interdependent salience weighting of three relevance fields in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The three relevance fields represent a way of plotting three vectors  240 ,  242  and  244  which determine a unique area  230  determined by the points  232 ,  234  and  236  that form a triangle. Certain unique areas within the relevant field are also defined  238 . Data split between three vertices can be represented in a triangle as shown in FIG.  6 A. Data points located at the vertex  232 ,  234  and  236  are wholly related to one variable and not at all to the other two. Moreover, data points located on one edge may be influenced by two of the vertices but not at all by the third, and data points located with the space of the triangle  238  would be to varying degrees influenced by all three of the vertices  232 ,  234  and  236 . Finally a data point located at the center of the triangle, would be equally influenced by the three vertices  232 ,  234  and  236 . 
     FIG. 6B displays an independent salience weighting of three relevance fields represented as a three dimensional plot in accordance with a preferred embodiment. A first relevance field is plotted on the X axis  254 , a second relevance field is plotted on the Y axis  250  and a third relevance field is plotted on the Z axis  252 . A particular set of defining vectors  260 ,  262  and  258  uniquely define a volume  256  representing a particular independent salience weighting in accordance with a preferred embodiment, where the defining vectors  260 ,  262  and  258  are seen as ranges on the respective coordinate axes. 
     FIG. 7A displays an interdependent salience weighting of four relevance fields using a triangle and a slider in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Three relevance fields are plotted as a triangle as described with reference to FIG.  6 A. Then, a slider  270  represented as a line segment with endpoints  272  and  274  is used to provide a fourth relevance field and when a point such as  276  is selected on the slider bar, it uniquely defines the area  238  in the triangle. Area  238  may be regarded as the product of ranges of interdependent fields of relevance in certain preferred embodiments. 
     FIG. 7B displays an independent salience weighting of four relevance fields using a tetrahedron in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this Figure, three triangles  230 ,  242  and  280  are combined with two points  298  and  300  just below the face of the triangle  242  to uniquely define an enclosed region  290 . Region  290  in certain preferred embodiments may be chosen to be a rectangular prism or “cube”. Region  290  in certain preferred embodiments may be chosen to be a tetrahedron. Adding a fourth vertex naturally results in a tetrahedron as illustrated in FIG. 7B where the rules of a three sided form would be multiplied by four (one set of three for each side), and thickened by the three dimensional space residing within the tetrahedron, the space providing a space for varying degrees of influence by all four vertices. A problem arises in trying to fit this model onto a two dimensional display device using opaque representations such as photographic or video still images. 
     To begin to solve this problem, the model was simplified by eliminating the inner space where all four vertices interact and by placing data at discrete locations between vertices. Effectively, a surface is defined on which data points can be located and modeling this surface as a virtually three dimensional object. A camera, represented by the screen display, is placed at the center of the object looking out at the surface and the observer is given a means for moving around the outside of the object to view all the sides of the surface. This allows the user to navigate around the space, select and focus on data points of interest residing on the virtual display surface and observe the object in detail. 
     The model utilizes the limited placement of data points, so for example, a point located on the vertex, a point halfway between two vertices and a point midway between three vertices. The resultant form is one in which each potential datum placement location forms a flat side of a fourteen sided object as illustrated in FIG.  8 A and FIG.  8 B. On these flat sides sit the opaque representations. The space of a vertex is represented by a hexagon, the space between two vertices is a square and the space between three is again a hexagon. 
     FIG. 8A illustrates a truncated octahedron composed of planar faces as used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The surfaces that make up the truncated octahedron are shaped much like a soccer ball, and when they are cut to transform a three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional object, the resultant surface is illustrated in FIG.  8 B. FIG. 8B displays the planar faces of the truncated octahedron of FIG. 8A in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 displays the system block diagram of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention supporting the making, displaying, traversal and playing of a multi-dimensional topic space. The apparatus includes an external interface circuit  500 , writeable content store  502 , digital controller  504 , display circuit  518  and selector circuit  522  and speaker circuit  524 . Digital controller  504  embodiments include but are not limited to one or more of the following: general purpose microprocessors, DSPs, parallel processors, embedded controllers and special purpose system controllers. General purpose microprocessors include but are not limited to various word width CISC and RISC. DSPs include but are not limited to various word width computers employing instruction sets allowing at least one add/subtract operation as well as at least one operation comparable to multiplication to be performed in a single instruction cycle. Parallel processors include but are not limited to SIMD, MIMD, and hybrid SIMD/MIMD organizations of either uniform or non-uniform processors. 
     Digital controller  504  embodiments further include but are not limited to one or more microprocessors or DSPs along with additional circuitry performing specialized data processing. Digital controller  504  embodiments may further include but are not limited to capabilities for MPEG stream partitioning and/or decoding, copy protection processing, decryption, authentication and block data error detection and correction. Digital controller  504  embodiments may further include but are not limited to various implementations as PLAs, CPLDs, FPGAs, ASICs and ASSPs. 
     Digital controller  504  embodiments may further include but are not limited to local memory resources in the form of RAM and/or nonvolatile memory and may further include but are not limited to various forms of RAM and one or more caching banks of RAM. Digital controller  504  embodiments of the invention may further include but are not limited to one or more of memory caches physically proximate to and possibly contained within the digital controller  504  embodiments package or packages. Memory caching may include but is not limited to separate caching of memory and data. Memory caching may further include but is not limited to multiple layers of cache structures. Distinct processors within the digital controller  504  embodiments of the invention may further possess distinct caches as well as further localized memory which may in turn include RAM and/or nonvolatile memory. Digital controller  504  embodiments of the invention nonvolatile memory may further include but is not limited to boot ROMs and flash memory circuits which may further emulate disk drives with a form of file management system. 
     The external interface circuit  500  is coupled to digital controller  504  as shown by arrow  508 . One external interface circuit  500  embodiment of the invention incorporates a RF tuner including but not limited to demodulators and/or modulators for various broadcast protocols such as FM, FDMA, TDMA, various spread spectrum protocols, Wavelength Division Multiple Access and wavelet division multiple access. Embodiments of external interface circuit  500  RF tuners may employ wireline or wireless physical transport layers. Embodiments of external interface circuit  500 , wireline physical transports include but are not limited to twisted pair, coaxial cable and various optical fiber mechanisms. Embodiments of external interface circuit  500 , wireless physical transports include but are not limited to contemporary broadcast television, HDTV, as well as various radio frequency, microwave and infra red implementations which incorporate an antenna, sensor or array of antennas or sensors. 
     Certain preferred embodiments of external interface circuit  500  include but are not limited to modems. Embodiments of external interface circuit  500 , modems include but are not limited to telephone line modems incorporating various transceiver rates which may not be the same for reception as for transmission, as well as various DSL, ADSL, XDSL, ISBN, Ethernet, Token Ring and ATM interfaces. Embodiments of external interface circuit  500 , modem physical transport layers include but are not limited to wire line and wireless transport layers. Embodiments of external interface circuit  500 , modem wire line physical transport layers include but are not limited to telephone lines, twisted pair wire lines, coaxial cabling and various optical fiber technologies. Embodiments of external interface circuit  500 , modem wireless transport layers include but are not limited to directional and non-directional radio, microwave, infrared and optical schemes. 
     Embodiments of external interface circuit  500  may access external content located at a substantial distance, often embodied within a server supporting a network of user systems via interconnections embodiments of external interface circuit  500 . Such networks may further support TCP/IP thereby enabling support for the Internet. Such networks may further support one or more Intranets. Such networks may further support one or more Extranets. 
     Embodiments of external interface circuit  500  may include but are not limited to video input devices, often possessing external interfaces including video frame capturing circuitry. Embodiments of external interface circuit  500  may further include image processing circuitry further supporting MPEG compatible compression and/or decompression of the captured video stream. 
     Coupling  508  can be implemented as a set of connections directly between external interface circuit  500  and digital controller  504  in certain preferred embodiments of the invention. This coupling  508  can also be implemented as a shared set of connections with other circuitry in other preferred embodiments of the invention. Further preferred embodiments include effecting these couplings as transactions on the shared set of connections. Further preferred embodiments of the invention include these shared connections forming a bus possessing a bus protocol. Further preferred embodiments of the invention include the bus supporting a digital bus protocol. Other preferred embodiments of the invention include the bus supporting and encoded digital signaling within an essentially analog protocol, including but not limited to protocols such as Firewire (P1394) and other optical fiber communications protocols. 
     The external interface circuit  500  is also coupled to writeable content store  502  as shown by arrow  512 . Coupling  512  may be effected by a dedicated interconnection in certain preferred embodiments of the invention. Coupling  512  may be further effected by a shared interconnection with other couplings, such as coupling  508  in certain further preferred embodiments. 
     The writeable content store  502  is coupled to a digital controller  504  as shown by arrow  510 . This coupling  510  may be a direct interface to digital controller  504  as a collection of electrical connections to electrical contacts between the package of digital controller  504  and writeable content store  502 . In certain other preferred embodiments of the invention, the coupling  510  may be effected by a high speed communications line including but not limited to Fiber Channel or ATM-SONET between digital controller  504  and writeable content store  502 . 
     The writeable content store  502  is coupled to a display circuit  518  as shown by arrow  514 . This coupling  514  in certain preferred embodiments of the invention may be a direct interface between display circuit  518  and writeable content store  502 . In certain other preferred embodiments of the invention, the coupling  514  may be effected by a high speed communications line including but not limited to Fiber Channel or ATM-SONET between display circuit  518  and writeable content store  502 . 
     Display circuit  518  is coupled to digital controller  504  as shown by arrow  516 . This coupling  516  in certain preferred embodiments of the invention may be a direct interface between display circuit  518  and writeable content store  502 . In certain other preferred embodiments of the invention, the coupling  516  may be effected by a high speed communications line including but not limited to Fiber Channel or ATM-SONET between display circuit  518  and writeable content store  502 . Display circuit  518  embodiments may further include but are not limited to capabilities for MPEG stream partitioning and/or decoding, copy protection processing, decryption, authentication and block data error detection and correction. 
     Selector circuit  522  is coupled to digital controller  504  by arrow  520 . This coupling  516  in certain preferred embodiments of the invention may be a direct interface between display circuit  518  and writeable content store  502 . In certain other preferred embodiments of the invention, the coupling may be effected by a communications line protocol including but not limited to RS-232, USB or RS-485 between display circuit  518  and writeable content store  502 . 
     Note that in certain preferred embodiments of the invention, display circuit  518  includes but is not limited to format translation capabilities. In further preferred embodiments of the invention, the format translation capabilities further include and are not limited to MPEG stream decompression capabilities. In other further preferred embodiments of the invention, the format translation capabilities include wavelet algorithmic decompression capabilities. In other further preferred embodiments of the invention, the format translation capabilities include fractal algorithm decompression capabilities. Further preferred embodiments of the invention include but are not limited to 3-D displays as well as multiple perspective displays of higher dimensional continuous content. 
     Speaker circuit  524  is coupled to digital controller  504  as shown by arrow  526 . In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, coupling  526  is implemented as a separate physical interface such as wires directly coupling speaker circuit  524  to digital controller  504 . In other preferred embodiments of the invention, coupling  526  is implemented as a collection of at least one kind of bus transaction on a shared bus. In further preferred embodiments of the invention, the shared bus is a USB bus. In other further preferred embodiments of the invention, the shared bus is an ISA bus. 
     In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, speaker circuit  524  may share coupling  514  to topic space content store  502  with display circuit  518 . In certain preferred embodiments, this shared coupling may be implemented as a shared bus with addressable devices. Note that further preferred embodiments include but are not limited to audio presentation circuitry. Further preferred embodiments include but are not limited to force feedback tactile interfaces. 
     FIG. 10A is a user&#39;s view of a display in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Box  600  depicts a region of display  12  further partitioned into regions  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  608 ,  610 ,  612 ,  614  and  616  corresponding to faces  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  400 ,  414 ,  416 ,  420  and  418  of FIG. 8B, respectively. The user has selected a focal point and orientation in which these faces are visible at the relative proportions projected as displayed. 
     FIG. 10B is another user&#39;s view of a display in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Box  600  depicts a region of display  12  further partitioned into regions  602 ,  604 ,  608 ,  612 ,  614  and  616  corresponding to faces  402 ,  404 ,  400 ,  416 ,  420  and  418  of FIG. 8B, respectively. The user has selected a focal point and orientation in which these faces are visible at the relative proportions projected as displayed. In comparing this figure with FIG. 10A, it can be seen that the orientation has essentially not changed from the previous figure, but the focal point has moved closer to the face  402  of FIG. 8B as shown in the enlargement of region  602 . Alternatively, the change in view may be effected by narrowing the field of view in certain preferred embodiments. 
     FIG. 11A is a three dimensional cube diagram in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The cube contains points  700 ,  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 ,  712  and  714 . These points are connected by lines  750 ,  752 ,  754 ,  756 ,  758 ,  760 ,  762 ,  764 ,  766 ,  768  and  770 . 
     FIG. 11B is a three dimensional cube diagram superimposed on another three dimensional cube diagram displaced  772  from the first cube diagram in a fourth dimension in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The first cube contains points  700 ,  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 ,  712  and  714 . The second cube contains points  716 ,  718 ,  720 ,  722 ,  724 ,  726 ,  728  and  730  which have been displaced from points  700 ,  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 ,  712  and  714 , respectively of the first cube in a fourth dimensional direction  772 . 
     FIG. 12 is a four dimensional cube diagram formed by the translation of the first three dimensional cube diagram to the displaced second three dimensional cube diagram as used for user navigation in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The first cube contains points  700 ,  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 ,  712  and  714 . The second cube contains points  716 ,  718 ,  720 ,  722 ,  724 ,  726 ,  728  and  730  which have been displaced in parallel from points  700 ,  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 ,  712  and  714 , respectively of the first cube in a fourth dimensional direction  772 . 
     Displacement  772  connects points  700  and  716  along a fourth dimension. 
     Displacement  774  connects points  702  and  718  along this fourth dimension. 
     Displacement  776  connects points  704  and  720  along this fourth dimension. 
     Displacement  778  connects points  706  and  722  along this fourth dimension. 
     Displacement  780  connects points  708  and  724  along this fourth dimension. 
     Displacement  782  connects points  710  and  726  along this fourth dimension. 
     Displacement  784  connects points  712  and  728  along this fourth dimension. 
     Displacement  786  connects points  714  and  730  along this fourth dimension. 
     The points of the first three-dimensional cube are connected by lines  750 ,  752 ,  754 ,  756 ,  758 ,  760 ,  762 ,  764 ,  766 ,  768  and  770 . The points of the second three-dimensional cube are connected by lines  800 ,  802 ,  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810 ,  812 ,  814 ,  816 ,  818  and  820 . The parallel displacements along this fourth dimension provide the remaining lines of the four-dimensional cube, namely displacements  772 ,  774 ,  776 ,  778 ,  780 ,  782 ,  784  and  786 . 
     Note that in certain embodiments, the dimensions of the topic space are not related to physical dimensions, such a length, width, depth or temporal displacement. They often refer to other entities, such as coloration, scores on specific tests, etc. 
     FIG. 13 is a tabular graph of points of the four dimensional cube of FIG.  12  and the locations of those points in the four dimensional space in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Associated with each point is a location, denoted by four numerals. Each numeral component of a location is either ‘0’ or ‘1’. 
     The first cube contains points  700 ,  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 ,  712  and  714  which share a first location component of ‘0’. The second cube contains points  716 ,  718 ,  720 ,  722 ,  724 ,  726 ,  728  and  730  which have been displaced from points  700 ,  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 ,  712  and  714 , which share a first location component of ‘1’. The choice of these designations is in accordance with a preferred embodiment chosen to minimize notational and conceptual complexity. The four dimensional cube is the cube occupying the range from 0 to 1 in each of the four dimensions. The original is point  700 , with location ‘0000’. The four coordinate axes are associated with lines through origin  700  to  702 ,  704 ,  706  and  716 . 
     FIG. 14 is a tabular graph of the two dimensional faces of the four dimensional cube, their identification numbers and the named points and their locations in each two dimensional face in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Examining FIG. 12 shows that the four dimensional cube can be seen to contain 24 two-dimensional faces, known hereafter as faces. These faces will be identified by the numbers:  900 ,  902 ,  904 ,  906 ,  918 ,  910 ,  912 ,  914 ,  916 ,  918 ,  920 ,  922 ,  924 ,  926 ,  928 ,  930 ,  932 ,  934 ,  936 ,  938 ,  940 ,  942 ,  944  and  946 . Each face is determined by four points of the four dimensional cube. The four points determining a face vary in only two of the location components across all four of these points. The provided table shows the four points, both in terms of the point identifiers and also in terms of the location notation presented in FIG.  13 . 
     Face  900  is determined by points  700 ,  702 ,  704  and  708 . Face  902  is determined by points  700 ,  702 ,  706  and  714 . Face  904  is determined by points  700 ,  704 ,  706  and  710 . Face  906  is determined by points  706 ,  710 ,  712  and  714 . Face  908  is determined by points  704 ,  710 ,  712  and  708 . 
     Face  910  is determined by points  702 ,  714 ,  712  and  708 . Face  912  is determined by points  716 ,  718 ,  720  and  724 . Face  914  is determined by points  716 ,  718 ,  722  and  730 . Face  916  is determined by points  716 ,  720 ,  722  and  726 . Face  918  is determined by points  722 ,  726 ,  728  and  730 . 
     Face  920  is determined by points  720 ,  726 ,  728  and  724 . Face  922  is determined by points  718 ,  730 ,  728  and  724 . Face  924  is determined by points  700 ,  716 ,  718  and  702 . Face  926  is determined by points  700 ,  716 ,  722  and  706 . Face  928  is determined by points  702 ,  718 ,  730  and  714 . 
     Face  930  is determined by points  706 ,  714 ,  730  and  722 . Face  932  is determined by points  704 ,  720 ,  724  and  708 . Face  934  is determined by points  704 ,  720 ,  710  and  726 . Face  936  is determined by points  708 ,  724 ,  728  and  712 . Face  938  is determined by points  726 ,  712 ,  728  and  710 . 
     Face  940  is determined by points  700 ,  716 ,  704  and  720 . Face  942  is determined by points  706 ,  722 ,  710  and  726 . Face  944  is determined by points  702 ,  718 ,  708  and  724 . Face  946  is determined by points  714 ,  730 ,  712  and  728 . 
     The contents of the four-dimensional cube can be examined by presenting the projections of those contents upon one or more of these faces. Such a representation is two-dimensional, since the projections onto each face must be two-dimensional. 
     FIG. 15A is a diagram of a user interface showing the two dimensional faces of the four dimensional cube of FIG. 12, topic space parameter controls, focal location and orientation controls in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
     Regions  1000 ,  1002 ,  1004 ,  1006 ,  1018 ,  1010 ,  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016 ,  1018 ,  1020 ,  1022 ,  1024 ,  1026 ,  1028 ,  1030 ,  1032 ,  1034 ,  1036 ,  1038 ,  1040 ,  1042 ,  1044  and  1046  are used to display the four-dimensional cube contents onto faces  900 ,  902 ,  904 ,  906 ,  918 ,  910 ,  912 ,  914 ,  916 ,  918 ,  920 ,  922 ,  924 ,  926 ,  928 ,  930 ,  932 ,  934 ,  936 ,  938 ,  940 ,  942 ,  944  and  946 . Identifier  1048  will hereafter represent the collection of displayed face projections, which will be considered to be all of the regions  1000 ,  1002 ,  1004 ,  1006 ,  1018 ,  1010 ,  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016 ,  1018 ,  1020 ,  1022 ,  1024 ,  1026 ,  1028 ,  1030 ,  1032 ,  1034 ,  1036 ,  1038 ,  1040 ,  1042 ,  1044  and  1046 . 
     Note that in certain preferred embodiments, each of the regions corresponds to a distinct face projection of the four dimensional cube. In certain other embodiments, there are fewer than 24 regions, so that less than all the face projections are displayed. In certain other embodiments, one or more of the regions may display the same face. In certain further embodiments, there are more than the displayed 24 regions, with the contents of certain regions being identical, except perhaps for being rotated or flipped. In certain preferred embodiments, the regions are not all the same size. 
     Sliders  1050 ,  1052 ,  1054  and  1056  control the range of each coordinate axis of the topic space four-dimensional cube as diagrammed and discussed in FIGS. 11A,  11 B,  12 ,  13  and  14  above. Slider  1050  contains a selection range  1060 . Slider  1052  contains a selection range  1062 . Slider  1054  contains a selection range  1064 . Slider  1056  contains a selection range  1066 . 
     Sliders  1070 ,  1072 ,  1074  and  1076  control the focal point with regards to the four-dimensional cube as diagrammed and discussed in FIGS. 11A,  11 B,  12 ,  13  and  14  above. Slider  1070  contains setting  1080 . Slider  1072  contains setting  1082 . Slider  1074  contains setting  1084 . Slider  1076  contains setting  1086 . Dials  1090 ,  1092 ,  1094  and  1096  control and display the current orientation of the focal point with regards to the four-dimensional cube as diagrammed and discussed in FIGS. 11A,  11 B,  12 ,  13  and  14  above. 
     FIG. 15B is a diagram of a user interface showing the display region  1048  of two-dimensional faces, topic space parameter controls, focal location and orientation controls in accordance with another preferred embodiment. Sliders  1050 ,  1052 ,  1054  and  1056  controlling the range of each coordinate axis of the topic space four-dimensional cube are distributed along each side of display regions  1048 . Sliders  1070 ,  1072 ,  1074  and  1076  each controlling one coordinate setting of the focal point of the four-dimensional cube are distributed along each side of display regions  1048 . 
     Dials  1090 ,  1092 ,  1094  and  1096  control and display the current orientation of the focal point with regards to the four-dimensional cube are distributed in each of the corners of the display regions  1048 . 
     FIG. 15C is a detail diagram showing a portion of the display region  1048  in which four exemplary two-dimensional faces,  1000 ,  1002 ,  1012  and  1014  are displayed in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Region  1000  presents the projection upon face  900 , as determined by points  700 ,  702 ,  704  and  708 . Region  1002  presents the projection upon face  902 , as determined by points  700 ,  702 ,  706  and  714 . Region  1012  presents the projection upon face  912 , as determined by points  716 ,  718 ,  720  and  724 . Region  1014  presents the projection upon face  914 , as determined by points  716 ,  718 ,  722  and  730 . 
     Note that each region is oriented in its display by the corner placement of each determining point in certain preferred embodiments. Certain further preferred embodiments use a location notation such as found FIG. 13 to denote the determining points of a region&#39;s face. These point notations may appear outside their associated region in certain preferred embodiment. In certain further preferred embodiments, these locations are denoted by graphical symbols. In certain preferred embodiments, adjacent regions may share a pair of common points, thus share a common line segment. 
     FIG. 16 is a diagram showing several transformations of selected content as displayed in response to changes in focal location and/or orientation in accordance with a preferred embodiment. By way of example, three content representations A, B and C are presented in the presentations  1100 ,  1102 ,  1104 ,  1106 ,  1108 ,  1110  and  1112 . Lines  1120 ,  1122 ,  1124 ,  1126 ,  1128 ,  1130 ,  1134 ,  1136 ,  1138 ,  1140 ,  1142  and  1144  represent display transitions effected by motion of the focal point determined by the system. A user or software agent may effect such focal point motion in certain preferred embodiments. 
     Transition  1120  is between display combination  1100  and  1102 . Display combination  1100  shows a large displayed content region A, with smaller regions B and C. Display combination  1102  shows displayed content regions A and C comparable in size and slightly overlapping, with region B being smaller and non-overlapping. Suppose that display combination  1100  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward the display region C. The system would display combination  1102  by way of transition  1120 . Suppose instead that display combination  1102  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward the display region A. The system would display combination  1100  by way of transition  1120 . 
     Note that this symmetry of moving a pointing device toward something and a particular transition occurs, move it in the opposite direction and the reverse transition occurs will be assumed from hereon in the discussion of this and other figures. This has been done to simplify the discussion and is not meant to communicate a lack of symmetry between the motion of the focal point and the displayed contents. 
     Transition  1122  is between display combination  1102  and  1106 . Transition  1124  is between display combination  1100  and  1106 . Display combination  1106  shows displayed content regions A, B and C where the three regions are approximately the same size and all of them overlap. Suppose that display combination  1100  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward midpoint between display region B and C. The system would display combination  1106  by way of transition  1124 . Suppose instead that display combination  1102  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward the display region B. The system would display combination  1106  by way of transition  1122 . 
     Transition  1126  is between display combination  1102  and  1104 . Transition  1128  is between display combination  1106  and  1104 . Display combination  1104  shows a large displayed content region C, with smaller regions B and A. Suppose that display combination  1102  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward display region C. The system would display combination  1104  by way of transition  1126 . Suppose instead that display combination  1106  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward the display region C. The system would display combination  1104  by way of transition  1128 . 
     Transition  1130  is between display combination  1104  and  1108 . Transition  1134  is between display combination  1106  and  1108 . Display combination  1108  shows displayed content regions B and C approximately the same size and overlapping with displayed content region A smaller and non-overlapping. Suppose that display combination  1106  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse downward near the midpoint between display regions B and C. The system would display combination  1108  by way of transition  1134 . Suppose instead that display combination  1104  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward the display region B. The system would display combination  1108  by way of transition  1130 . 
     Transition  1136  is between display combination  1108  and  1112 . Transition  1138  is between display combination  1106  and  1112 . Display combination  1112  shows displayed content region B larger in size and overlapping with displayed content regions A and C, which are smaller and overlap with B. Suppose that display combination  1106  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward display region B. The system would display combination  1112  by way of transition  1138 . Suppose instead that display combination  1108  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward the display region B. The system would display combination  1112  by way of transition  1136 . 
     Transition  1142  is between display combination  1106  and  1110 . Transition  1140  is between display combination  1112  and  1110 . Display combination  1110  shows displayed content regions A and B comparable in size and slightly overlapping, with region C being smaller and non-overlapping. Suppose display combination  1106  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward the midpoint between display regions A and B. The system would display combination  1110  by way of transition  1142 . Suppose instead that display combination  1112  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward the display region A. The system would display combination  1110  by way of transition  1140 . 
     Transition  1144  is between display combination  1100  and  1110 . Suppose that display combination  1100  is presented, and that a user moves a pointing device such as a mouse toward display region B. The system would display combination  1110  by way of transition  1144 . 
     FIG. 17A is a diagram depicting the display of several content representations in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Display region  1210  contains regions  1200 ,  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208 . Content  1200  is approximately the same size as  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208 . Note that the sides of content  1200  are not parallel to the sides of  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208 . 
     Regions  1200 ,  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208  show diverse forms of content. Region  1200  may present objects which may each expand into their own presentations. Region  1202  may represent a multimedia sequence in motion. Region  1204  may represent a program interface, such as a user interface to a simulation environment or video game. Region  1206  may represent a text window, which may automatically be scrolling. Region  1208  may represent a still frame, such as a map of San Francisco. 
     Suppose the user directs a pointing device to move the focal point closer to the content  1200 . 
     FIG. 17B is a diagram further depicting a transformation of several content representations in accordance with a preferred embodiment, which results from moving the focal point closer to content  1200 . Note that content region  1200  has grown significantly larger than regions  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208 . 
     FIG. 18A is a diagram showing interrelationships between content  1302  and a map  1300  in accordance with a preferred embodiment. A preferred embodiment alternatively displays map  1300  and content  1302 . The map  1300  influences the traversal and display of content  1302  as represented by arrow  1306 . Arrow  1304  represents the referencing of the map  1300  by movement and manipulation of content  1302 . 
     FIG. 18B is a diagram showing interrelationships between content  1302  and a map  1300  in accordance with another preferred embodiment, where map  1300  and content  1302  are displayed simultaneously. Boundary  1308  between the displayed content region  1302  and the displayed map region  1300  may be further shown with additional attributes in certain preferred embodiments. 
     FIG. 18C is a diagram showing interrelationships between content  1302  and a map  1300  in accordance with another preferred embodiment, where content  1302  is displayed within map  1300 . Boundary  1308  between the displayed content region  1302  and the displayed map region  1300  may be further shown with additional attributes in certain preferred embodiments. 
     FIG. 18D is a diagram showing interrelationships between content  1302  and a hidden map  1310  in accordance with another preferred embodiment. The hidden map  1310  interacts with displayed content  1302  in a fashion transparent to a user as represented by the ‘+’ sign  1312 . A selector device  1314  may be used to direct the system to present content  1302  based upon the hidden map  1310  across a transport mechanism  1316 . Alternatively, a system agent may direct the system to present content  1302  based on the hidden map  1310 . 
     FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the relationship between content in a multi-dimensional topic space and the traversal of content by a viewer over time. Content presentations A, B, C and D each take place of a perceptible interval of time for a user. During each presentation, any moment in a presentation may vary in relevance to the presented material the other content presentations. By way of example, a presentation sequence on Thomas Jefferson may at certain times be close in relevance to the subject of patents, and at other moments in the presentation, be close to the subject of religion, slavery, architecture or languages. This diagram shows by way of example how four illustrative content presentations might be annotated and display such relationships. 
     Line  1400  shows the time line for a user viewing presentation A, with a user progressing forward in time by progressing from left to right along line  1400 . Line  1402  shows the time line for a user viewing presentation B, with a user progressing forward in time by progressing from left to right along line  1402 . Line  1404  shows the time line for a user viewing presentation C, with a user progressing forward in time by progressing from left to right along line  1404 . Line  1406  shows the time line for a user viewing presentation D, with a user progressing forward in time by progressing from left to right along line  1406 . 
     Box  1410  represents a given moment  1412  for a user viewing presentation A with presentations B and C being close to presentation A as shown in box  1414 . Box  1420  represents a given moment  1422  for a user viewing presentation A with only presentation B being close to presentation A as shown in box  1424 . Box  1430  represents a given moment  1432  for a user viewing presentation A with only presentation D being close to presentation A as shown in box  1434 . Box  1440  represents a given moment  1442  for a user viewing presentation A with presentations D and B being close to presentation A as shown in box  1444 . 
     In certain preferred embodiments, more than one content region would be essentially displayed at the same time. In certain other preferred embodiments, the relations of where content is displayed within the display content boxes may be governed by the geometry inherent in a multi-dimensional space such as displayed and discussed in FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  10 A and  10 B. In certain other preferred embodiments, the relations of where content is displayed within the display content boxes may be governed by the geometry inherent in a multi-dimensional space such as displayed and discussed in FIGS. 11A,  11 B,  12  as well as FIGS. 13,  14 ,  15 A,  15 B and  15 C. 
     FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a method of displaying, traversing, and displaying content in a multi-dimensional topic space in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Operation  1500  starts the method, which in certain preferred embodiments, incorporates temporary allocation of required system resources for the operations to follow. 
     Arrow  1502  is the first iteration point of this flowchart, directing execution toward operation  1504 , which determines topics in the field of relevance. Operation  1504  will be discussed in greater detail during the discussion of FIGS. 21A and 21B. Operation  1505  determines content related to the topics determined by operation  1504 . 
     Operation  1506  causes the retrieval of content representations. This operation effects transfers between External Interface circuit  500 , Topic Space Content Store  502 , controlled by Digital Controller  504 . 
     Operation  1508  maps the retrieved content representations into topic space and displays the results. Operation  1508  will be discussed in greater detail during the discussion of FIG.  22 . 
     Arrow  1510  directs execution to operation  1512 , which determines whether there has been a change in the field of view. In certain preferred embodiments, such changes may be determined by action of a selector device such as  1314  in FIG.  18 D. In certain other preferred embodiments, changes in the field of view may be determined by sliders such as shown in FIGS. 4,  5 A and  7 A. In certain other preferred embodiments, changes in the field of view may be determined by sliders such as  1070 ,  1072 ,  1074  and  1076  as well as dials  1090 ,  1092 ,  1094  and  1096  as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In certain other preferred embodiments, changes in the field of view may be determined by one or more system agents. 
     If there has been no change in the field of view, arrow  1514  directs execution to operation  1516 , which determines whether content has been selected. Such selection may be determined by the use of a selection device  1314  in FIG. 18D, or by a system agent. If no content has been selected, arrows  1518  and  1510  direct execution to iterate by executing operation  1512  again. 
     If operation  1516  determines that some content has been selected, arrow  1520  directs execution to operation  1522 , which displays the selected content. This operation may present content including but not limited to motion video, audio sequences and programs executing to portray interactions, such as simulations. 
     If operation  1512  determined a change of field of view has occurred, arrows  1526 ,  1524  and  1502  direct execution to operation  1504 , discussed above. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, arrows  1524  and  1502  direct execution to operation  1504  before completion of operation  1522 . In certain other preferred embodiments, operations  1512  and/or  1516  may occur essentially concurrently with operation  1522 . In certain preferred embodiments, more than one content may be displayed at essentially the same time. 
     FIG. 21A is a detailed flowchart showing a preferred determination of content related to topics with reference to operation  1504  in FIG. 20 in accordance with a further preferred embodiment supporting a projection method of mapping the retrieved content representations into topic space and displaying the results. 
     Operation  1602  determines the orientation and zoom level from the focal point. The zoom level is inversely proportional to the distance between a face and the focal point. This determination can be performed by monitoring sliders and/or dials of a user interface as shown in FIGS. 15A or  15 B. 
     Operation  1604  calculates the field of view given the zoom level and orientation. The field of view will intersect with some, or all, of the bounding surface of the topic space such as the results shown in FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  10 A and  10 B or alternatively as shown in FIGS. 12,  15 A and  15 C. 
     Operation  1606  calculates the visual surface area based upon the field of view, zoom level and orientation such as shown in FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  10 A and  10 B or alternatively as shown in FIGS. 12,  15 A and  15 C. 
     Operation  1608  determines which topics and subtopics are present in the visible surface area. FIGS. 16,  17 A,  17 B and  19  provide examples of the results of such determinations. 
     FIG. 21B is another detailed flowchart showing a preferred determination of content related to topics with reference to operation  1504  in FIG. 20 in accordance with an alternative further preferred embodiment supporting a volumetric projection method of mapping the retrieved content representations into topic space and displaying the results. This approach is particularly useful when the topic space contents contains a large number of items. 
     Operation  1620  determines the location, orientation, zoom level, depth of field and focus. These parameters operate similarly to comparable imaging parameters in cameras in certain preferred embodiments. In other preferred embodiments, the depth of field and focus can work to chop out rather than fade or blur anything not within a given range of a parameter including but not limited to radial distance from the focus. This determination can be performed by monitoring sliders and/or dials of a user interface as shown in FIGS. 15A or  15 B. 
     Operation  1622  calculates the field of view given the location, orientation, zoom level, depth of field and focus. Operation  1624  calculates the visible spatial boundary area determined by field of view, depth of field and focus. The field of view will intersect with some, or all, of the bounding surface of the topic space such as shown in FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  10 A and  10 B or alternatively as shown in FIGS. 12,  15 A and  15 C. 
     Operation  1626  determines which topics and subtopics are present in the visible boundary area. FIGS. 16,  17 A,  17 B and  19  provide examples of such determinations. 
     FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart mapping a representation of content in topic space and display with reference to operation  1508  in FIG. 20 in accordance with a further preferred embodiment. 
     Operation  1640  determines salience of found content objects to currently present topics and subtopics. Found content objects may represent the coordinate axes in certain preferred embodiments. Examples of these embodiments may be seen in FIGS. 4,  5 A,  5 B,  6 B,  11 A and  12 . Found content objects may represent interdependent relationships in certain alternative embodiments as shown in FIGS. 6A,  7 A and  7 B. 
     Operation  1642  calculates the spatial location of each content object on relative position to spatial location of each element topic and subtopic and operation  1644  displays each content object representation. Examples of the results of these operations are seen in FIGS. 7B,  16 ,  17 A and  17 B. 
     FIG. 23A is a diagram showing a topic space with a focal point and three topics, each possessing a voice in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The topic space  1700  is an interrelated topic space with topical objects  1704 ,  1706  and  1708 . The focal point  1702  is a distance from each of the topic objects  1704 ,  1706  and  1708 . Each voice can be considered to be playing a different melodic component, so that the user virtually located at focal point  1702  experiences proximity and direction based upon the mixing of the voices of the content objects in proportions relative to the respective distances from topics  1704 ,  1706  and  1708 . 
     FIG. 23B is a block diagram showing one channel of the displayed (generated) audio content as a function of focal point and the voices of displayed topics in accordance with FIG. 23A in a preferred embodiment. 
     Box  1710  generates the voice for topic object  1704  as signal  1720  which is amplified by  1730  based upon control signal  1750  from box  1760  to create signal  1740 . Box  1712  generates the voice for topic object  1706  as signal  1722  which is amplified by  1732  based upon control signal  1752  from box  1760  to create signal  1742 . Box  1714  generates the voice for topic object  1708  as signal  1724  which is amplified by  1734  based upon control signal  1754  from box  1760  to create signal  1744 . Node  1762  effectively adds signals  1740 ,  1742  and  1744  to generate signal  1764  which then drives output speaker  1766 . Note that node  1762  may further incorporate power amplification in certain preferred embodiments. In certain other preferred embodiments, signal  1720 ,  1722  and  1724  are combined prior to amplification. 
     The invention is implemented on an interactive video composition tool built in Macromedia Director on a PowerPC processor utilizing a MacOS operating system. The topic space was modeled in Strata Studio Pro and rendered into a QuickTime virtual reality scene with hot-spots using Apple&#39;s QuickTime VR software development toolkit extensions to the Macintosh Programmers Workshop application. Pan and zoom controls are provided to facilitate direct manipulation navigation and a set of four topic focusing toggle buttons are provided for specifying interest in the presence of individual vectors or intersections of the vectors which can be set by a user to rotate and zoom the view to focus on that surface of the TopicSpace. A status bar is also provided to indicate and detail the current topic focus. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily comprehend that a VRML version of the system could place a user in the center of a volumetric representation and provide the illusion of the display occurring around the user. As the video which is annotated with topics distributed in the space is played, the user&#39;s point of view traverses the space coordinated with the track of the video. 
     An alternative embodiment consists of a series of software filters set by check boxes or state buttons with resultant intersections displayed in a dedicated window pane. This technique requires a targeted search and a separate visualization step to allow a user to navigate through the information. Because the range of potential advantage extends across a variety of applications for a variety of media types, operating system and development system vendors will incorporate this functional capability into products to provide application developers access to these powerful tools. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Technology Category: 4