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Method and apparatus for increasing the displayed detail of a tree structure

  • US 5,786,820 A
  • Filed: 09/23/1996
  • Issued: 07/28/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A computer controlled display system for displaying three dimensional visualizations of hierarchically related information, said hierarchically related information comprised of a node link structure, said computer controlled display system comprising:

  • a display for displaying said node-link structure on a viewing area of said display;

    receiving means for receiving a node-link structure, said node-link structure having multiple levels;

    layout means coupled to said receiving means, said layout means for creating planar addresses for each of said nodes in said node-link structure, said planar addresses representing a layout of said node link structure on a plane;

    warping means coupled to said layout means, said warping means for transforming said planar addresses into three dimensional display addresses using a surface function for each of a plurality of nodes in said node-link structure, said surface function corresponding to a surface shape;

    rendering means coupled to said warping means and said display, said rendering means for causing nodes in said node-link structure to be displayed in said viewing area of said display at said created three dimensional display addresses so that said entire node-link structure appears to be warped about said surface shape; and

    scrolling means coupled to said warping means, said scrolling means for causing scrolling of said node-link structure so that said node-link structure scrolls about said surface shape.

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