Production of statistically-based network maps
First Claim
1. A network display system comprising:
- a node database;
a connectivity database;
a processor, coupled to said node database and to said connectivity database;
a network map generator for generating a network map display, coupled to said processor, to said node database, and to said connectivity database, said network map generator including;
means for representing a network as a plurality of nodes selectively interconnected by a plurality of inter-node connections,first means for selectively combining said plurality of nodes into a plurality of supernodes, andsecond means for selectively combining said plurality of inter-node connections into a plurality of inter-supernode connections; and
a user interface, coupled to receive said network map display, for displaying said network map display to a user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for representing a network according to a hierarchy of views of varying detail. The system models networks as a plurality of interconnected nodes. The display is made more simple by combining network elements (i.e., nodes and connections) in two ways. Nearby nodes within a user-selectable proximity are displayed as a single "supernode." Similarly, connections between all the nodes represented by two supernodes are displayed as a single connection between the supemodes. The system adjusts the relative size of each supernode in proportion to the number of nodes each supernode represents. Similarly, the thickness of each inter-supernode connection is adjusted in proportion to the number of inter-node connections it represents. The system allows a user to conveniently "zoom-in" or "zoom-out," and to adjust the level of detail depicted in the display.
100 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A network display system comprising:
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a node database; a connectivity database; a processor, coupled to said node database and to said connectivity database; a network map generator for generating a network map display, coupled to said processor, to said node database, and to said connectivity database, said network map generator including; means for representing a network as a plurality of nodes selectively interconnected by a plurality of inter-node connections, first means for selectively combining said plurality of nodes into a plurality of supernodes, and second means for selectively combining said plurality of inter-node connections into a plurality of inter-supernode connections; and a user interface, coupled to receive said network map display, for displaying said network map display to a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer program product for displaying a network map display on the user interface, the computer program product comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for enabling the computer system to provide a network map display, said computer readable program code means comprising; computer readable first program code means for enabling the computer system to represent a network as a plurality of nodes selectively interconnected by a plurality of inter-node connections; computer readable second program code means for selectively combining said plurality of nodes into a plurality of supernodes; and computer readable third program code means for selectively combining said plurality of inter-node connections into a plurality of inter-supernode connections.
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19. A method for displaying a network on a computer display comprising the steps of:
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(1) receiving input from a user; (2) creating a network map display based on said input, including the steps of; (a) representing a network as a plurality of nodes selectively interconnected by a plurality of inter-node connections, (b) selectively combining said plurality of nodes into a plurality of supernodes, and (c) selectively combining said plurality of inter-node connections into a plurality of inter-supernode connections; and (3) displaying said network map display. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification