Computer-related method and system for controlling data visualization in external dimension(s)

• US 6,842,176 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2002
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Silicon Graphics Incorporated (Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sang'udi, Gerald P., Bott, Ross A., Tesler, Joel D., Hawkes, John R., Xiong, Rebecca W., Schkolnick, Mario
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gao, Huedung X.
• Application Number:
  US10/199,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20030030634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 345/440, 345/473, 345/441, 345/419, 345/474, 345/475
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90328 using search space presentation or visualization, e.g. category or range presentation and selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour

Abstract

A computer graphics display method and system for controlling data visualization in at least one external dimension is provided which allows better querying and navigation of data in external dimension space. A data visualization is displayed in a first display window. A summary window provides summary information on data for the data visualization across one or more external dimensions. First and second controllers are displayed for controlling the variation of the data visualization in respective first and second external dimensions. A user queries the data visualization in the first and second external dimensions by selecting a point in the summary window. A user navigates through the data visualization in the first and second external dimensions by defining a path in the summary window. Grid points are also displayed in the summary window to facilitate data queries and navigation based on actual data points. The first and second controllers can be first and second sliders, such as, slide buttons, dials, or any other type of input. An animation control panel, including tape-drive controls, a path control, and a speed control, controls an animation of the data visualization over a selected navigation path through external dimension space.

Claims

1. A method for controlling data visualization in at least one external dimension through a graphical user-interface, comprising the steps of:

displaying a data visualization in a first display window;

displaying a summary window containing a summary of data for said data visualization over a first external dimension;

displaying a first controller for varying said data visualization in said first external dimension;

displaying a second controller for varying said data visualization in a second external dimension, and wherein,

said summary window displaying step further comprises displaying a summary window containing a summary of the data for said data visualization over first and second external dimensions.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

permitting a user to query said data visualization in said first and second external dimensions by selecting a point in said summary window; and

displaying said data visualization based on said query.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

navigating through said data visualization in said first and second external dimensions by selecting a path in said summary window; and

displaying an animation of said data visualization based on said selected path.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of displaying an animation control panel for controlling an animation of said data visualization along said selected path.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

displaying grid points in said summary window;

permitting the user to select a point in said summary window to query said data visualization in said first and second external dimensions; and

displaying said data visualization in said first display at first and second external dimensions based on a grid point closest to the selected point in said query.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

displaying grid points in said summary window;

permitting the user to select a path in said summary window to navigate said data visualization in said first and second external dimensions; and

displaying said data visualization in said first display window at first and second external dimensions based on grid points closest to said selected path.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein said animating displaying step includes the step of displaying an animation of said data visualization over actual and interpolated data points approximately along said selected path.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said summary window displaying step displays said summary data based on actual and interpolated data points.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said summary window displays a visual null representation for null data points.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein said navigating step includes the step of permitting a user to select a path by selecting start and end points in said summary window.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein said navigating step includes the step of permitting a user to select a path by tracing a free-form path in said summary window.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein said navigating step includes the step of permitting a user to select a path by selecting a start point in said summary window and moving at least one of said first and second controllers to direct said path.

13. The method of claim 3, wherein said navigating step includes the step of permitting a user to select a predefined path.

14. A computer graphics display system for controlling data visualization in at least one external dimension using a graphical user-interface, comprising:

a first display window for displaying a data visualization;

a summary display window containing a summary of data for said data visualization over said at least one external dimension;

a first controller for varying said data visualization in said first external dimension; and

a second controller for varying said data visualization in said second external dimension.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

means for permitting a user to select a point in said summary window to query said data visualization in said at least one external dimension.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

means for permitting a user to select a path in said summary window to navigate through said data visualization over said at least one external dimension; and

means for displaying an animation of said data visualization based on said selected path.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an animation control panel for controlling said animation of said data visualization.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

means for displaying grid points in said summary window;

means for permitting a user to select a point in said summary window to query said data visualization in said at least one external dimension; and

means for displaying said data visualization in said first display window based on a grid point closest to the selected point.

19. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

means for displaying grid points in said summary window;

means for permitting a user to select a path in said summary window to navigate said data visualization over said at least one external dimension; and

means for displaying said data visualization in said first display window based on grid points closest to the selected path.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said first and second controllers comprise first and second sliders.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein said data visualization includes at least one of a map, graph, chart, histogram, figure, virtual reality data representation, information landscape, hierarchy, and tree.

22. The system of claim 14, further comprising an animation control panel for controlling animation of said data visualization along a path through said at least one external dimension.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said animation control panel includes at least one of tape drive controls, a path slider, and a speed slider.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one external dimension includes first and second external dimensions.