Patent Application
20090249234
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to human/computer interfaces, and more particularly to systems and methods for displaying information about or related to individuals, which provide intuitive graphical information based on characteristics of objects in the display.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many online surveys and personality websites provide questionnaires to compile data on a person, business or other entity. Once completed the results are displayed as text in a formatted manner. These results are often difficult to read quickly and are often complex to the point that merely perusing the profile or results sheet is inadequate.
Further, comparing user's profiles or results is often impossible or difficult since multiple screens are needed or the user needs to go back and forth between the results sheet or profiles. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a system and method which enable intuitive interpretation of display information and provides intuitive comparisons between profiles.
A system and method for graphically presenting profile data includes providing a plurality of fields on a display, each field representing a different trait. The fields are populated with representative shapes, each shape representing a sub trait where the shape represents a magnitude of the sub trait. The sub trait contributes to an overall value of the trait of that field such that the traits and sub traits collectively provide an entity profile. Graphic modification to the representative shapes is permitted so that a query can be made to find another entity profile with similar graphically depicted traits in accordance with the graphic modification.
A system and method for graphically presenting profile data includes providing a plurality of fields on a display, each field representing a different trait. The fields are populated with a representative shape. Each shape represents a trait or sub trait where the shape represents a magnitude of the trait or sub trait. The traits and sub traits collectively provide an entity profile. Graphic modification to the representative shape permits a comparison with another entity profile with graphically depicted traits in accordance with the graphic modification.
These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The disclosure will provide details in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:
In accordance with the present principles, quantitative data representing characteristics of an entity are displayed in a way that is easy to understand and interpret. In particularly useful embodiments, display screens associated with web applications or database queries are contemplated. The display screens provide intuitive and useful information regarding traits of characteristics of an entity or entities. The entities may include an individual, a social group, a business organization, or any other entity.
In one example, users take surveys in different domains like personality, media/music preferences, career, management style, parenting style, vocational interests, avocational interests, values, beliefs, brand personality, etc. Scores or results that are generated upon completion of the survey or through other means may include scores of different traits. For example, traits may include hands-on/off (management style), extraversion/introversion and agreeableness/disagreeableness (personality), loud, aggressive, instrumental (music preferences), etc.
Users are then presented with a visual component that permits the users to perform tasks on their own profiles, on other users' profiles or both. This may include viewing personal results and navigating through these results in greater depth, e.g., zoom into groups of traits for a more detailed breakdown, receive explanations on the different traits, etc.
In another application, one user's results can be compared graphically to someone else's results, for example, compare the most distinctive traits of both individuals, contrast—which traits are the most similar and which are the most different between the two individuals or make any other comparisons.
In still other applications, searches of/for other users may include searching for users who are the most similar to one's traits within the entire pool of users, searching for users who are similar to a person who is a modified version of traits, for example, “people like John” only more sociable, much friendlier, and less emotional (personality); “people like John”, but who like music that is less aggressive and more vocal.
These profiles and comparisons are graphically generated and displayed. The displayed features are fully interactive and can be modified to pose a query, and can be compared graphically These properties of a visual display will illustratively be described with reference to survey results, and interaction paths in a user experience that the graphics drive.
Embodiments in accordance with present principles may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment including both hardware and software elements. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is implemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.
Furthermore, the present embodiments can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any apparatus that may include, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.
A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code may include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code to reduce the number of times code is retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) may be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.
Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements and initially to
Inside each portion 18 are shapes or objects 20. Each object 20 represents a subset of each general personality trait category. For example, in the agreeable portion 18, a circle is labeled sympathetic 24 to indicate that magnitude of this person's sympathy score. The size of the circle 20 provides a relative score value for that subset trait. The labels 24 are activated by selecting a “top ten traits” item 23 in a view results panel 12. In this way, the ten most dominant subset traits 20 are displayed. Other options may also be made available, e.g., display all traits 24, display all factors (shapes 20). Shapes 20 may have different colors or textures to represent other features or to distinguish from shapes 20 in other sectors 18. Advantageously, based upon the density of and size of shapes 20 in each sector 18 of wheel 15, a user can instantaneously obtain valuable information about an entity.
It should be understood that that only traits and not sub traits may be employed in providing a profile, conducting queries or providing any other functions as described herein.
Referring to
Searching for other users: After a particular entity's profile is displayed comparisons with other entities can be made. For example, by selecting a “search for people” panel 14, e.g., a search by trait or other search type can be performed. Such comparisons may be made without performing a search. For example, two known profiles may be compared or a personal profile can be compared to any other profile. A comparison between two individuals does not have to follow search. For example, a user can find a person to compare with by using a known connection (e.g., use Facebook profile) or by browsing profiles randomly.
Referring to
In accordance with the present embodiment, users can search for users/profiles like themselves or users/profiles like a particular profile or selected user. For example, a user may graphically create an imaginary profile and search for similar profiles. In another example, a user may select John Wayne's profile and search for similar profiles. This in general can be referred to as Query By Example (QBE) of people. The concepts of QBE are discussed in U.S. Ser. No. 11/581,051, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND USING PERSONALITY MODELS FOR USER INTERACTIONS IN A SOCIAL NETWORK”, filed on Oct. 13, 2006, and U.S. Ser. No. 11/888,974, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN USERS FROM IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON WEB PAGES”, filed on Aug. 3, 2007, both incorporated herein by reference.
When a QBE is initiated, a display screen 100 may show a panel 102 showing all of the closest matches 108. Matches 108 may include links to other profiles, thumbnails of pictures, text description, other information or any combination thereof. Display screen 100 may also include other panels 104 and 106 which may be used for other networking or information functions, for example, returning to a personal profile 106 (“more about you”), showing comparisons to other 104 (“your connections”), etc.
Referring to
These adjustments are available for all the traits and sub traits. An entire sector's score may likewise be adjusted as an overall adjustment. This may have the effect of proportionally increasing or decreasing all of the shapes in the sector 18 to achieve the adjusted score. This can be done automatically or the user may adjust the shapes 20 (and even the colors or textures) in accordance with their preferences (e.g., to set up query information).
The query is than implemented and returns the closest or the best matches 108 in accordance with the modified graphics of the initially selected profile.
Referring to
A comparison panel 306 may be provided, which provides a side-by side comparison of traits between a reference profile 310 and a queried profile 312 (matched profile). Each profile may display a portion or all of the traits 320, and a brief textual description 322 of each. Each profile may include other information as well, for example, a picture of the entity or person represented by the profile, a motto, a name, etc.
Referring to
The present principles may be directed to other interfaces and other graphical applications as well. In addition to profiles or representations of entities, a user's or entity's preferences may be mapped out and used to find other preference maps that are the same, similar or modified as set forth above for profiles. For example, information collections for vocational interests, avocational interests, values and beliefs, parenting style, media/genre preferences, brand personality, etc. may be provided and employed. An illustrative example of a music preference map for an individual will now be employed to explain another exemplary embodiment.
Referring to
A user can view their preferences by selecting a “view results” control 410. Advantageously, the user's results are graphically displayed as analog meters for categories 402 and “equalizer-like” displays for attributes 404.
If a user decides to user their own preference map, a modified version of their preference map, someone else's preference map or a modified version of someone else's preference map, the user can select search for people 412.
Referring to
The user may return to his/her preference map by selecting panel 426, or may look at friends or “buddy” information by selecting panel 424.
Referring to
Referring to
A comparison panel 512 may be provided, which provides a side-by side comparison of traits between a reference profile 520 and a queried or selected profile 522 (e.g., matched profile), as before. Each profile may display a portion or all of the preferences, and a brief textual description of each. Each preference map may include other information as well, for example, a picture of the entity or person represented by the profile, a motto, a name, etc.
Referring to
The present principles may be directed to other interfaces and other graphical applications as well. In addition to profiles or representations of entities, a user's or entity's preferences may be mapped out and used to find other preference maps that are the same, similar or modified as set forth above for profiles.
Referring to
In block 604, the fields may be populated with one or more representative shapes or may simply employ a shape to represent traits. Each shape represents a sub trait (or trait) where the shape represents a magnitude of the sub trait (or trait). Sub traits can contribute to an overall value of the trait of that field such that the traits and sub traits collectively provide an entity profile. The fields may include sectors such that opposite personality traits are disposed on directly opposite sides of the circle. The shapes may represent a personality sub trait value by its size. The fields may include bar segment columns with bars where a number of bars represents a preference for a musical attribute.
In block 606, graphic modification is permitted to the representative shapes to permit a query or comparison to find/compare another entity profile with graphically depicted traits in accordance with the graphic modification. A graphic control element is employed to adjust sizes of shapes to permit adjustment to the query or comparison. The graphic control element may be employed to adjust the number of bars in a bar segment column in an equalizer display to permit adjustment to the query/comparison.
In block 608, a search or comparison is performed, and results are output. In block 610, query or comparison results are graphically provided by superimposing two or more graphic profiles on the display. Alternately or in addition, in block 612, query or comparison results are graphically provided by providing a side-by-side comparison of two or more graphic profiles on the display. In addition, in block 614, a side-by-side comparison of two or more profiles where traits or sub traits of each profile are displayed next to one another may be provided. A common graphical element may also be employed with an indicator showing a position for each profile. In an alternate embodiment, a search may be performed based upon a graphic pattern represented by the shapes in block 616.
Having described preferred embodiments of a system and method for efficiently displaying score information related to entities (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described aspects of the invention, with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
