Volumetric data exploration using multi-point input controls

• US 8,745,536 B1
• Filed: 11/25/2009
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Perceptive Pixel Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Davidson, Philip L.
• Primary Examiner(s): SONG, DAEHO D
• Application Number:
  US12/625,773
• Time in Patent Office: 1,651 Days
• Field of Search: 715/850, 715/848, 715/702
• US Class Current: 715/850
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/41 Medical
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/008 Cut plane or projection plane definition
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/028 Multiple view windows (top-side-front-sagittal-orthogonal)
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2016 Rotation, translation, scaling

Abstract

A three-dimensional data set is accessed. A two-dimensional plane is defined that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set. The two-dimensional plane defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets. A three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set is rendered on such that at least a portion of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set is removed and at least a portion of the two-dimensional data set is displayed. A two-dimensional view of a first subset of the two-dimensional data set also is rendered. Controls are provided that enable visual navigation through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device that correspond to either the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set and/or the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of enabling visual navigation through a three-dimensional data set on a multi-touch display device, the method comprising:

accessing a three-dimensional data set from a computer memory storage device;

rendering, on a first region of a multi-touch display device, a three-dimensional view based on the accessed three-dimensional data set;

specifying an equation that defines a two-dimensional plane that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set, that defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set, and that divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set, the two-dimensional plane having a normal defining a positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane and a negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set being disjoint and corresponding to points located on opposing sides of the two-dimensional plane from one another, the first subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane;

specifying, on the two-dimensional plane, a bounded area defining first and second subsets of the two-dimensional data set, the first and second subsets of the two-dimensional data set being disjoint, the first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie outside of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

updating the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set to visually depict the two-dimensional plane by;

removing at least a portion of the visual display of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set,

displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, a visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set;

rendering, on a second region of the multi-touch display device that is distinct from the first region of the multi-touch display device, a two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set such that the multi-touch display device concurrently displays both the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set and the updated three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set that visually depicts the two-dimensional plane;

providing a first control set that enables a user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the second region of the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set, the first control set including;

a first translation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

translate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to a new position on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the translated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by translating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to reflect the new position of the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

a first scale control configured to;

detect engagement by at least two input mechanisms of at least two points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set,

track movement of the at least two input mechanisms while the at least two input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

scale dimensions of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the at least two input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by scaling, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to reflect the scaled dimensions of the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

a first rotation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

rotate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane in two-dimensions around a point within the bounded area as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by rotating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to reflect the rotation of the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

providing a second control set that enables a user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display within the three-dimensional data set based on the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, the second control set including;

a second translation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

translate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to a new position on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the translated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by translating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to reflect the new position of the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

a second scale control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

scale dimensions of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by scaling, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area of the two-dimensional plane to reflect the scaled dimensions of the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

a second rotation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

rotate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane in two dimensions around a point within the bounded area as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by rotating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area of the two-dimensional plane to reflect the rotation of the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the first control set that enables the user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the second region of the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set and providing the second control set that enables the user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display within the three-dimensional data set of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane includes enabling the user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging one or more points on the second region of the multi-touch display device while concurrently engaging one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display within the three-dimensional data set of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a data set rotation control configured to:

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set;

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

rotate the three-dimensional data set about a point within the three-dimensional data set as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that the two-dimensional plane defines a different two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set, the different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set being disjoint and on opposing sides of the two-dimensional plane from one another, the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the different second subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane defining first and second subsets of the different two-dimensional data set, the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data corresponding to points that lie within the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data corresponding to points that lie outside of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set to reflect the rotation of the three-dimensional data set including;

rotate the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set,

remove at least a portion of the visual display of the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, and

display, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set; and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising defining a boundary of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, wherein the data set rotation control is configured to:

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by detecting engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the boundary of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set; and

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device by tracking movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the boundary of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising rendering, on the multi-touch display device, a visual indication of the boundary of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the second control set that enables a user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display within the three-dimensional data set of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane further comprises providing a third rotation control configured to:

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device;

modify the equation for the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms to rotate the two-dimensional plane in three dimensions about a point on the two-dimensional plane such that the two-dimensional plane defines a different two-dimensional data set of the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set, the different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set being disjoint and on opposing sides of the two-dimensional plane from one another, the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the different second subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane defining first and second subsets of the different two-dimensional data set, the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie within the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie outside of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set to reflect the rotation of the two-dimensional plane including;

remove at least a portion of the visual display of the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set,

display, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set, and

rotate through the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a two-dimensional plane depth control configured to:

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the visual display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set;

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device;

modify the equation for the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms to translate the two-dimensional plane in a direction along the normal of the two-dimensional plane such that the two-dimensional plane defines a different two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set, the different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set being disjoint and on opposing sides of the two-dimensional plane from one another, the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the translated two-dimensional plane, the different second subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the translated two-dimensional plane, the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane defining first and second subsets of the different two-dimensional data set, the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie within the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie outside of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set to reflect the translation of the two-dimensional plane including;

remove at least a portion of the visual display of the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display based on the three-dimensional view of the three-dimensional data set,

display, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set, and

translate through the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein removing at least a portion of the visual display of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set includes removing all of the visual display of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display based on the three-dimensional view of the three-dimensional data set.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set includes displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, all of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set includes displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, all of the two-dimensional data set.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first subset of the three-dimensional data set only includes data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first subset of the three-dimensional data set includes all of the data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the two dimensional plane.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the second subset of the three-dimensional data set only includes data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the two-dimensional data set or that is in the negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the second subset of the three-dimensional data set includes all of the data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the two-dimensional data set and all of the data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to:

access a three-dimensional data set from a computer memory storage device;

render, on a first region of a multi-touch display device, a three-dimensional view based on the accessed three-dimensional data set;

specify an equation that defines a two-dimensional plane that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set, that defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set, and that divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set, the two-dimensional plane having a normal defining a positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane and a negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set being disjoint and corresponding to points located on opposing sides of the two-dimensional plane from one another, the first subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane;

specify, on the two-dimensional plane, a bounded area defining first and second subsets of the two-dimensional data set, the first and second subsets of the two-dimensional data set being disjoint, the first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie outside of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set to visually depict the two-dimensional plane by;

removing at least a portion of the visual display of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set,

displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, a visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set;

render, on a second region of the multi-touch display device that is distinct from the first region of the multi-touch display device, a two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set such that the multi-touch display device concurrently displays both the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set and the updated three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set that visually depicts the two-dimensional plane;

providing a first control set that enables a user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the second region of the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set, the first control set including;

a first translation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

translate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to a new position on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the translated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by translating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to reflect the new position of the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

a first scale control configured to;

detect engagement by at least two input mechanisms of at least two points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set,

track movement of the at least two input mechanisms while the at least two input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

scale dimensions of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the at least two input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by scaling, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to reflect the scaled dimensions of the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

a first rotation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

rotate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane in two-dimensions around a point within the bounded area as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by rotating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to reflect the rotation of the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

providing a second control set that enables a user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display within the three-dimensional data set based on the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, the second control set including;

a second translation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

translate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to a new position on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the translated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by translating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to reflect the new position of the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

a second scale control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

scale dimensions of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by scaling, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to reflect the scaled dimensions of the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

a second rotation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

rotate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane in two dimensions around a point within the bounded area as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by rotating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area of the two-dimensional plane to reflect the rotation of the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 15 wherein the instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to provide the first control set that enables the user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the second region of the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set and to provide the second control set that enables the user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display within the three-dimensional data set of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane include instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to enable the user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging one or more points on the second region of the multi-touch display device while concurrently engaging one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display within the three-dimensional data set of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 15 further storing instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to provide a data set rotation control configured to:

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the three-dimensional view of the three-dimensional data set;

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device,

rotate the three-dimensional data set about a point within the three-dimensional data set as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that the two-dimensional plane defined through the three-dimensional data set defines a different two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set, the different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set being disjoint and on opposing sides of the two-dimensional plane from one another, the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the different second subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane defining first and second subsets of the different two-dimensional data set, the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie within the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie outside of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set to reflect the rotation of the three-dimensional data set including;

rotate the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set,

remove at least a portion of the visual display of the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display based on the three-dimensional view of the three-dimensional data set, and

display, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set; and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 15 wherein the instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to provide the second control set that enables a user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display within the three-dimensional data set of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane further comprise instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to provide a third rotation control configured to:

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device;

modify the equation for the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms to rotate the two-dimensional plane in three dimensions about a point on the two-dimensional plane such that the two-dimensional plane defines a different two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set, the different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set being disjoint and on opposing sides of the two-dimensional plane from one another, the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the different second subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane defining first and second subsets of the different two-dimensional data set, the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie within the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie outside of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set to reflect the rotation of the two-dimensional plane;

remove at least a portion of the visual display of the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set,

display, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set, and

rotate through the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 further comprising instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to provide a two-dimensional plane depth control configured to:

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch display device corresponding to the visual display of the three-dimensional view of the three-dimensional data set;

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch display device;

modify the equation for the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms to translate the two-dimensional plane in a direction along the normal of the two-dimensional plane such that the two-dimensional plane defines a different two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set, the different first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set being disjoint and on opposing sides of the two-dimensional plane from one another, the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the translated two-dimensional plane, the different second subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the translated two-dimensional plane, the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane defining first and second subsets of the different two-dimensional slice of the three-dimensional data set, the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie within the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the different two-dimensional data set including data from the different two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie outside of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set to reflect the translation of the two-dimensional plane;

remove at least a portion of the visual display of the different first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set,

display, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set, and

translate through the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

update the rendering, on the multi-touch display device, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the first subset of the different two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.

20. A multi-touch display device comprising:

a display;

a multi-touch input sensor;

a processor; and

a computer memory device storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

access a three-dimensional data set;

render, on a first region of the display, a three-dimensional view based on the accessed three-dimensional data set;

specify an equation for a two-dimensional plane that defines a two-dimensional plane that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set, defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set, and that divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set, the two-dimensional plane having a normal defining a positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane and a negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, the first and second subsets of the three-dimensional data set being disjoint and corresponding to points located on opposing sides of the two-dimensional plane from one another, the first subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the positive direction relative to the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the three-dimensional data set including data from the three-dimensional data set that is in the negative direction relative to the two-dimensional plane;

specify, on the two-dimensional plane, a bounded area, the bounded area defining first and second subsets of the two-dimensional data set, the first and second subsets of the two-dimensional data set being disjoint, the first subset of the two-dimensional data set including data from the two-dimensional data set that corresponds to points that lie within the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and the second subset of the two-dimensional data set including data from the two-dimensional data set that lies outside of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

update the rendering, on the display, of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set to visually depict the two-dimensional plane by;

removing at least a portion of the visual display of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set from the visual display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set,

displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, a visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

displaying, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, at least a portion of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set;

render, on a second region of the display that is distinct from the first region of the display, a two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set such that the display concurrently displays both the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set and the updated three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set that visually depicts the two-dimensional plane;

provide a first control set that enables a user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the second region of the multi-touch input sensor corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional slice of data intersected by the two-dimensional plane, the first control set including;

a first translation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional slice of data,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor,

translate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to a new position on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the translated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by translating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area of the two-dimensional plane to reflect the new position of the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the display, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

a first scale control configured to;

detect engagement by at least two input mechanisms of at least two points on the multi-touch input sensor corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set,

track movement of the at least two input mechanisms while the at least two input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor,

scale dimensions of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the at least two input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional slice of data corresponds to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the display of the three-dimensional view of the three-dimensional data set by scaling, within the three-dimensional view of the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area of the two-dimensional plane to reflect the scaled dimensions of the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the display, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

a first rotation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor corresponding to the display of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor,

rotate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane in two-dimensions around a point within the bounded area as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the display, of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by rotating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area of the two-dimensional plane to reflect the rotation of the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the display, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

provide a second control set that enables a user of the multi-touch display device to visually navigate through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch input sensor corresponding to the display within the three-dimensional data set of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, the second control set including;

a second translation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor,

translate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane to a new position on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the translated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by translating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area of the two-dimensional plane to reflect the new position of the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the display, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the translated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane;

a second scale control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor,

scale dimensions of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the scaled bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by scaling, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area of the two-dimensional plane to reflect the scaled dimensions of the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the display, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the scaled bounded area on the two-dimensional plane; and

a second rotation control configured to;

detect engagement by one or more input mechanisms of one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor corresponding to the display of the visual indication of the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane,

track movement of the one or more input mechanisms while the one or more input mechanisms remain engaged with the one or more points on the multi-touch input sensor,

rotate the bounded area on the two-dimensional plane in two dimensions around a point within the bounded area as a function of the tracked movement of the one or more input mechanisms such that a new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane and a new second subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponds to points that lie outside of the rotated bounded area on the two dimensional plane,

update the rendering, on the display of the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set by rotating, within the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set, the visual indication of the bounded area of the two-dimensional plane to reflect the rotation of the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane, and

update the rendering, on the display, of the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set to display a two-dimensional view of the new first subset of the two-dimensional data set corresponding to points that lie within the rotated bounded area on the two-dimensional plane.