Lens Interface Matrix for Media Data Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in efficiently navigating and selecting specific media items from large data sets due to inadequate user interfaces that lack robust metadata search and sorting capabilities, leading to difficulties in finding relevant content among vast collections of audio, video, and image files.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a 'lens' interface to search, sort, and filter data sets by using metadata, presenting a matrix view with dynamic organization and navigation tools, allowing users to quickly access and select relevant data elements through associative and temporal recall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If users search through large data sets using traditional interfaces, then they can access stored media elements, but the time required to locate desired items increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large data set into smaller, manageable subsets organized by multiple metadata dimensions (e.g., temporal, spatial, categorical). Users can navigate through these segmented subsets using a matrix interface with row and column headers representing different metadata fields, dramatically reducing the time to locate desired items compared to linear browsing through the entire collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a matrix-based navigation interface that adds dimensional organization to data retrieval. Instead of single-dimensional linear lists, the system presents data in a two-dimensional matrix where rows and columns represent different metadata dimensions, enabling users to quickly filter and locate items by intersecting multiple criteria simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If users employ simple keyword searches, then the search process is quick, but the precision and relevance of results decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal matrix interface that handles multiple search functions simultaneously. The same matrix structure supports filtering by different metadata types (temporal, spatial, categorical), sorting operations, and navigation through various data subsets, providing high retrieval precision without requiring separate complex interfaces for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic changing of metadata parameters that define the matrix structure. Users can modify row and column headers to represent different metadata fields based on their search needs, enabling flexible and precise retrieval without committing to a fixed complex interface structure.
3Loss of information
If the interface displays all metadata fields, then complete information is available, but the interface becomes overwhelming and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix interface is dynamically configurable, allowing users to adjust which metadata fields appear as row or column headers based on their current information needs. The system adapts the display structure dynamically rather than presenting a static overwhelming view of all possible metadata, maintaining both completeness and navigability.
4Measurement precision
If the system processes and sorts large data sets in real-time, then the most relevant results are provided, but the processing time and system resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization of the data set into metadata-based subsets and pre-computes sorting structures before user queries. This preliminary action enables rapid real-time filtering and sorting when users interact with the matrix interface, providing relevant results without the full processing burden during actual search operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of accessing a data set. The data set includes a set of data elements. The method collects the data elements of the data set. The method receives a lens item. The lens item provides a set of parameters for searching the data set. The method searches the data set by using the lens item to identify a data subset. The method sorts a list of data elements based on the data subset. The sorting generates an ordered list. The method filters the data subset. Filtering the data subset comprises excluding the data elements that are not relevant to the lens item. The method presents the ordered list in a first column of a matrix. The matrix has several cells. The cells of the matrix are based on the data subset. The method selects column headings for the matrix and populates the cells of the matrix. Some embodiments provide a system for providing access to a data set. The system has a set of data elements that comprises a first data source. The system has a first device for collecting the set of data elements. The first device receives a first lens item for searching the data elements. The first device filters the data elements by using the first lens item to generate a first subset. The first device presents the first subset in a variety of views for navigation through the first subset.