Database display and search method

• US 6,202,068 B1
• Filed: 07/02/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles E. Brisbin, Thomas A. Kraay
• Original Assignee: Charles E. Brisbin, Thomas A. Kraay
• Inventors: Kraay, Thomas A., Brisbin, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DO, THUY T
• Application Number:
  US09/109,491
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/100, 707/102, 707/200, 707/205, 707/10, 382/4, 382/177, 345/471, 395/139
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/2137 based on criteria of topology preservation, e.g. multidimensional scaling or self-organising maps
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/40 Software arrangements specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. user interfaces or toolboxes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/03 Data mining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A method for efficiently and expediently searching a database so that large quantities of data may be visualized to reveal and readily identify underlying patterns and/or obscure, latent relationships among the individual data elements, comprising: selecting a particular aspect of relationship information; scanning the data items and their associated information to determine the existence of the selected aspect of relationship information; selecting an object data item from the data items; grouping a plurality of data items related to the object data item into a specific group having a defined relationship with at least one other related data item contained within the specific group; identifying each data item contained within the same group as the object data item; tallying the magnitude associated with the selected aspect of relationship information for each data item with respect to every other data item in the database; and mapping the object data item and the other data items identified as being contained within the same group as the object data item onto a Cartesian coordinate, thus generating an image for display.

Claims

1. A method of analyzing, using a computer, an existing database of data items and associated information, said associated information comprising relationship information associated with its respective data item, said relationship information defining relationships among data contained within said database, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a particular aspect of relationship information;

(b) scanning the data items and their associated information to determine the existence of said selected aspect of relationship information;

(c) selecting an object data item from said data items;

(d) grouping a plurality of data items related to said object data item into a specific group, each of said related data items contained within said specific group having a defined relationship with at least one other related data item contained within said specific group, and each of said related data items contained within said specific group not having a defined relationship with any of said data items outside said specific group;

(e) identifying each data item contained within the same group as said object data item;

(f) defining mathematical relationships among said data items and tallying the magnitude associated with said selected aspect of relationship information for each data item with respect to every other data item in the database;

(g) mapping the object data item and the other data items identified as being contained within said same group as said object data item onto a Cartesian coordinate, to generate a map image; and

(h) displaying said map image.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said mapping comprises the steps of:

(i) mapping a first data item to the origin of said Cartesian coordinates, said first data item being the data item with respect to which said selected aspect exists most frequently;

(ii) mapping a second data item to a location along the x-axis of said Cartesian coordinate at a distance inversely related to the magnitude of the relationship between said first data item and said second data item, said second data item being the data item with the highest magnitude with respect to the first data item; and

(iii) mapping successive data items to a location, within said Cartesian coordinates, at a distance inversely related to the magnitude of the relationship between the data item currently being mapped and all previously mapped data items, and which substantially represents the relative distance between the data item currently being mapped and all previously mapped data items, said successive data items being selected based on the magnitude associated with said selected aspect of relationship information and the previously mapped data items.

3. A method of analyzing, using a computer, an existing database of data items and associated information, said associated information comprising relationship information associated with its respective data item, said relationship information defining relationships among data contained within said database, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a particular aspect of relationship information;

(b) scanning the data items and their associated information to determine the existence of said selected aspect of relationship information;

(c) selecting an object data item from said data items;

(d) grouping a plurality of data items related to said object data item into a specific group, each of said related data items contained within said specific group having a defined relationship with at least one other related data item contained within said specific group, and each of said related data items contained within said specific group not having a defined relationship with any of said data items outside said specific group;

(e) identifying each data item contained within the same group as said object data item;

(f) tallying the magnitude associated with said selected aspect of relationship information for each data item with respect to every other data item in the database;

(g) mapping the object data item and the other data items identified as being contained within said same group as said object data item onto a Cartesian coordinate, to generate a map image, wherein said mapping comprises the steps of;

(i) mapping a first data item to the origin of said Cartesian coordinates, said first data item being the data item with respect to which said selected aspect exists most frequently;

(ii) mapping a second data item to a location along the x-axis of said Cartesian coordinate at a distance inversely related to the magnitude of the relationship between said first data item and said second data item, said second data item being the data item with the highest magnitude with respect to the first data item; and

(iii) mapping successive data items to a location, within said Cartesian coordinates, at a distance calculated by approximating a least squares solution to said location of said successive data items, said least squares approximation being based on the magnitude of the relationship between the data item currently being mapped and all previously mapped data items, said successive data items being selected based on the magnitude associated with said selected aspect of obtained in step (a), wherein x represents the position of said third data item along the x-axis of said Cartesian coordinates, and y represents the position of said third data item along the y-axis of said Cartesian coordinates.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the positions of said successive data items are calculated by:

(a) solving a set of equations for constants, said constants being represented by A, B, C, and D, said set of equations using the plotted points (x_i, y_i) through (x_k, y_k) for i=1, comprising;

$\begin{array}{cc}A=\frac{1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\left(3<br><br>x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(i\right)\\ B=\frac{-1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>x_i<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\left(x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(\mathrm{ii}\right)\\ C=\frac{1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\left(x_i^2+3<br><br>y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(\mathrm{iii}\right)\\ D=\frac{-1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>y_i<br><br>\left(x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(\mathrm{iv}\right)\end{array}$

 

wherein k represents the number of previously plotted data items, x_i represents the x-axis Cartesian coordinates of the corresponding data item numbered i, y_i represents the y-axis Cartesian coordinates of the corresponding data item numbered i, and d represents the relative distance between said data items;

(b) solving x(x²+y²+A)+B=0 and y(x²+y²+C)+D=0, using said constants item being represented on said display by a second visual representation, third order data items having said selected aspect in common with said second order data items being represented by a third visual representation, subsequent order data items having said selected aspect in common with the immediate preceding order data items but not with prior preceding data items being represented by subsequent visual representations.

5. A method as in claim 3, wherein the positions of said successive data items are calculated by:

(a) solving a set of equations for constants, said constants being represented by A, B, C, D, and K, said set of equations using the plotted points (x_i, y_i) through (x_k, y_k) for i=1, comprising;

$\begin{array}{cc}A=\frac{1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\left(3<br><br>x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(i\right)\\ B=\frac{-1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>x_i<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\left(x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(\mathrm{ii}\right)\\ C=\frac{1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\left(x_i^2+3<br><br>y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(\mathrm{iii}\right)\\ D=\frac{-1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>y_i<br><br>\left(x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(\mathrm{iv}\right)\\ K=\frac{1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>{\left(x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)}^2& \left(v\right)\end{array}$

 

wherein k represents the number of previously plotted data items, x_i represents the x-axis Cartesian coordinates of the corresponding data item numbered i, y_i represents the y-axis Cartesian coordinates of the corresponding data item numbered i, and d represents the relative distance between said data items;

(b) solving x(x²+y²+A)+B=0 and y(x²+y²+C)+D=0, using said constants obtained in step (a), wherein x represents the position of said third data item along the x-axis of said Cartesian coordinates, and y represents the position of said third data item along the y-axis of said Cartesian coordinates.

6. A method as in claim 3, wherein said map image is displayed with said object data item being represented on the display by a first visual representation, second order data items having said selected aspect in common with said object data item being represented on said display by a second visual representation, third order data items having said selected aspect in common with said second order data items being represented by a third visual representation, subsequent order data items having said selected aspect in common with the immediate preceding order data items but not with prior preceding data items being represented by subsequent visual representations.

7. A method as in claim 3, wherein a different object data item can be selected from said mapped data items, said selection of a different object data item generating a new map image wherein said new map image is displayed with said different object data item being represented on the display by a first visual representation, second order data items having said selected aspect in common with said different object data relationship information and the previously mapped data items;

and (h) displaying said map image.

8. A method as in claim 3, wherein each of said related data items contained within said specific group having a defined relationship with a plurality of other related data item contained within said specific group.

9. A method as in claim 3, wherein said particular aspect of relationship information is the placing or receiving of a telephone call to or from a selected number.

10. A method as in claim 4, wherein said map image is displayed with said object data item being represented on the display by a first visual representation, second order data items having said selected aspect in common with said object data item being represented on said display by a second visual representation, third order data items having said selected aspect in common with said second order data items being represented by a third visual representation, subsequent order data items having said selected aspect in common with the immediate preceding order data items but not with prior preceding data items being represented by subsequent visual representations.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein a different object data item can be selected from said mapped data items, said selection of a different object data item generating a new map image wherein said new map image is displayed with said different object data item being represented on the display by a first visual representation, second order data items having said selected aspect in common with said different object data item being represented on said display by a second visual representation, third order data items having said selected aspect in common with said second order data items being represented by a third visual representation, subsequent order data items having said selected aspect in common with the immediate preceding order data items but not with prior preceding data items being represented by subsequent visual representations.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein each of said related data items contained within said specific group has a defined relationship with a plurality of other related data item contained within said specific group.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein said particular aspect of relationship information is the placing or receiving of a telephone call to or from a selected number.

14. A method as in claim 3, wherein said map image is displayed with said object data item being represented on the display by a first visual representation, second order data items having said selected aspect in common with said object data item being represented on said display by a second visual representation, third order data items having said selected aspect in common with said second order data items being represented by a third visual representation, subsequent order data items having said selected aspect in common with the immediate preceding order data items but not with prior preceding data items being represented by subsequent visual representations.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein a different object data item can be selected from said mapped data items, said selection of a different object data item generating a new map image wherein said new map image is displayed with said different object data item being represented on the display by a first visual representation, second order data items having said selected aspect in common with said different object data item being represented on said display by a second visual representation, third order data items having said selected aspect in common with said second order data items being represented by a third visual representation, subsequent order data items having said selected aspect in common with the immediate preceding order data items but not with prior preceding data items being represented by subsequent visual representations.

16. A method as in claim 3, wherein said particular aspect of relationship information is the placing or receiving of a telephone call to or from a selected number.

17. A method as in claim 4, wherein said particular aspect of relationship information is the placing or receiving of a telephone call to or from a selected number.

18. A method of analyzing, using a computer, an existing database of data files, said data files containing data items, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a particular data file;

(b) assigning a numerical value to each data item contained within said selected data file;

(c) comparing the data items of said selected data file to the data items contained within the other data files contained within said database;

(d) for each data item contained within said selected data file that matches a data item contained within said other data file, registering the numerical value assigned to said data item;

(e) defining a mathematical relationship among said data items and tallying the respective numerical values associated with said other data files;

(f) mapping the data files one at a time onto a Cartesian coordinate to generate a map image; and

(g) displaying said map image.

19. A method as in claim 18, wherein said mapping comprises the steps of:

(a) mapping a first data file to the origin of said Cartesian coordinates, said first data file being the data file with the highest tally;

(b) mapping a second data file to a location along the x-axis of said Cartesian coordinate at a distance inversely related to the tally between said first data file and said second data file, said second data file being the data file with the highest tally with respect to the first data file; and

(c) mapping successive data files to a location, within said Cartesian coordinates, at a distance inversely related to the tally of the relationship between the data file currently being mapped and all previously mapped data files, and which substantially represents the relative distance between the data file currently being mapped and all previously mapped data files, said successive data files being selected based on the tally associated with said previously mapped data files.

20. A method of analyzing, using a computer, an existing database of data items and associated information, said associated information comprising relationship information associated with its respective data item, said relationship information defining relationships among data contained within said database, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a particular aspect of relationship information, wherein said specific aspect is the placing or receiving of a telephone call to or from a selected number;

(b) scanning the data items and their associated information to determine the existence of said selected aspect of relationship information;

(c) selecting an object data item from said data items;

(d) grouping a plurality of data items related to said object data item into a specific group, each of said related data items contained within said specific group having a defined relationship with at least one other related data item contained within said specific group, and each of said related data items contained within said specific group not having a defined relationship with any of said data items outside said specific group;

(e) identifying each data item contained within the same group as said object data item;

(f) tallying the magnitude associated with said selected aspect of relationship information for each data item with respect to every other data item in the database;

(g) mapping the object data item and the other data items identified as being contained within said same group as said object data item onto a Cartesian coordinate, said mapping comprises the steps of;

(i) mapping a first data item to the origin of said Cartesian coordinates, said first data item being the data item with respect to which said selected aspect exists most frequently;

(ii) mapping a second data item to a location along the x-axis of said Cartesian coordinate at a distance inversely related to the magnitude of the relationship between said first data item and said second data item, said second data item being the data item with the highest magnitude with respect to the first data item; and

(iii) mapping successive data items to a location, within said Cartesian coordinates, at a distance inversely related to the magnitude of the relationship between the data item currently being mapped and all previously mapped data items, and which substantially represents the relative distance between the data item currently being mapped and all previously mapped data items, said successive data items being selected based on the magnitude associated with said selected aspect of relationship information and the previously mapped data items, to generate a map image; and

(h) displaying said map image, with said object data item being represented on the display by a first visual representation, second order data items having said selected aspect in common with said object data item being represented on said display by a second visual representation, third order data items having said selected aspect in common with said second order data items being represented by a third visual representation, subsequent order data items having said selected aspect in common with the immediate preceding order data items but not with prior preceding data items being represented by subsequent visual representations.

21. A method as in claim 20, wherein a different object data item can be selected from said mapped data items, said selection of a different object data item generating a new map image wherein said new map image is displayed with said different object data item being represented on the display by a first visual representation, second order data items having said selected aspect in common with said different object data item being represented on said display by a second visual representation, third order data items having said selected aspect in common with said second order data items being represented by a third visual representation, subsequent order data items having said selected aspect in common with the immediate preceding order data items but not with prior preceding data items being represented by subsequent visual representations.

22. A method as in claim 20, wherein the positions of said successive data items are calculated by approximating a least squares solution to said position of said successive data items, said least squares approximation being based on the magnitude of the relationship between the data item currently being mapped and all previously mapped data items.

23. A method as in claim 20, wherein the positions of said successive data items are calculated by:

(a) solving a set of equations for constants, said constants being represented by A, B, C, and D, said set of equations using the plotted points (x_i, y_i) through (x_k, y_k) for i=1, comprising;

$\begin{array}{cc}A=\frac{1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\left(3<br><br>x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(i\right)\\ B=\frac{-1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>x_i<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\left(x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(\mathrm{ii}\right)\\ C=\frac{1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\left(x_i^2+3<br><br>y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(\mathrm{iii}\right)\\ D=\frac{-1}{k}<br><br>\underset{i=1}{\overset{k}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>y_i<br><br>\left(x_i^2+y_i^2-d_i^2\right)& \left(\mathrm{iv}\right)\end{array}$

 

wherein k represents the number of previously plotted data items, x_i represents the x-axis Cartesian coordinates of the corresponding data item numbered i, y_i represents the y-axis Cartesian coordinates of the corresponding data item numbered i, and d represents the relative distance between said data items;

(b) solving x(x²+y²+A)+B=0 and y(x²+y²+C)+D=0, using said constants obtained in step (a), wherein x represents the position of said third data item along the x-axis of said Cartesian coordinates, and y represents the position of said third data item along the y-axis of said Cartesian coordinates.

24. A method of analyzing, using a computer, an existing database of data items and associated information, said associated information comprising relationship information associated with its respective data item, said relationship information defining relationships among data contained within said database, comprising the steps of:

(a) defining mathematical relationships among the data items;

(b) grouping said data items into specific groups in a manner such that each of said specific groups comprises data items having a defined relationship with at least one other related data item in each of said specific groups, said related data items contained within said specific group having no defined relationship with any of said data items in any other of said specific groups;

(c) selecting an object data item from said data items;

(d) identifying the specific group of data items containing said object data item;

(f) tallying the magnitude of the relationships among the data items in said the specific group of data items containing said object data item;

(g) mapping the object data item and the other data items identified as being contained within said specific group of data items containing said object data item onto a Cartesian coordinate, to generate a map image; and

(h) displaying said map image.