TITLE: Generalize the Proj construction?
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: I'm wondering if there is a generalization of the Proj construction used in algebraic geometry. Given a graded ring R, which is a monoid homomorphism $R\to \mathbb{N}$, we can form the scheme Proj(R), which is the union of Spec$(R_f)_0$. 
I'm wondering if there is a way to extend this construction to general homomorphisms from a ring to a (sharp) monoid. 
In particular, I want to see if there is a ``Proj'' construction which gives the product $\mathbb{P}^m\times\mathbb{P}^n$ from the bidegree $k[x_0,\ldots,x_m,y_0,\ldots,y_n]\to\mathbb{N}^2$. 
(I know this can be seen via two consecutive Proj, but want to see if this generalizes, as I want to see what happens if the degree map take value in a general toric monoid.)

REPLY [5 votes]: The monoid and the sharpness condition feel misplaced to me. After all, there's no reason a ring must be positively graded in order to take Proj of it.
A grading on $R$ is "really" a $\mathbb G_m$-action on $R$, which happens to be the same as a monoid homomorphism from $R$ to the character group of $\mathbb G_m$. $Proj(R)$ is obtained by cutting the $\mathbb G_m$-fixed locus out of $Spec(R)$ and quotienting what's left by the action of $\mathbb G_m$. So it feels like the more natural generalization to shoot for is "Proj" of a ring with group action.
But maybe not. I think a productive case to think about is $R=k[x,xy,x^2y]$ with the bi-grading inherited from $k[x,y]$. It seems to me unlikely that any reasonable generalized $Proj(R)$ would depend on which specific monoid you take, whether its $\mathbb N\times \mathbb N$, or something bigger, or something smaller. It may as well be $\mathbb Z\times \mathbb Z$.