Displaying multi-ownership in a tree-map visualization

• US 8,077,178 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2008
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Uthe, Robert Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery A
• Application Number:
  US12/209,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20090007022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 345/440
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs

Abstract

A multi-ownership tree-map visualization system can include a tree-map configured to visualize a set of interrelated nodes in which at least one individual node in the set is related to at least two parent nodes in the set. The system further can include an event handler programmed to process a proximity event associated with a specific portion of the tree-map by highlighting multiple portions of the tree-map in which the portions represent a single node in the set. In this regard, the proximity event can include a mouse-over event, a mouse-click event, or a keyboard selection event, to name a few. The system yet further can include logic for displaying a call-out box for each portion of the tree-map associated with the single node in the set.

Claims

1. A multi-ownership tree-map visualization system comprising:

a tree-map configured to visualize a set of interrelated nodes in which at least one individual node in said set is related to at least two parent nodes in said set; and

,

an event handler, executed by a hardware processor, programmed to process a proximity event associated with a specific portion of said tree-map by highlighting multiple portions of said tree-map in which said portions represent a single node in said set.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising logic for displaying a call-out box for each portion of said tree-map associated with said single node in said set.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said proximity event is selected from the group consisting of a mouse-over event, a mouse-click event, and a keyboard selection event.

4. A machine readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program for presenting multi-ownership in a tree-map, the computer program comprising a routine set of instructions for causing the machine to perform the steps of:

detecting a proximity event about a representation for a node in the tree-map;

determining through said representation a unique identifier for said node;

locating all other representations in the tree-map which corresponding to said unique identifier; and

,

highlighting each of said representations in the tree-map.

5. The machine readable storage medium of claim 4, wherein said step of highlighting comprises displaying a call-out box for each of said representations.

6. The machine readable storage medium of claim 4, wherein said detecting step comprises the step of receiving a mouse-over event in an event handler for the tree-map.

7. The machine readable storage medium of claim 4, wherein said detecting step comprises the step of receiving a mouse-over event in an event handler for said representation about which said proximity event is detected.

8. The machine readable storage medium of claim 4, wherein said detecting step comprises the step of receiving a mouse-click event in an event handler for the tree-map.

9. The machine readable storage medium of claim 4, wherein said detecting step comprises the step of receiving a mouse-click event in an event handler for said representation about which said proximity event is detected.