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Method, system, and computer program product for visualizing data using partial hierarchies
| Details |
Inventors: Tesler, Joel D.;
Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc. (Mountain View, CA)
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Phu K.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC
A method, system, and computer program product provides data visualization which optimizes visualization of and navigation through hierarchies. A partial hierarchy is generated and displayed. The partial hierarchy consists of a number levels at least equal to a predetermined depth and less than a total number of levels included in a corresponding complete hierarchy. Parent nodes in the bottom level of the partial hierarchy have segments of connection lines extending toward child nodes not included in the partial hierarchy. A user is permitted to mark selected nodes or locations in a displayed partial hierarchy. Partial hierarchies are generated and stored in a cache or generated on-the-fly. Each partial hierarchy ends at a progressively deeper level. An interpolator interpolates a partial hierarchy layout by interpolating corresponding nodes in two partial hierarchies. A hierarchy manager manages partial hierarchies in response to requests from a viewer to move a camera to camera positions. Partial hierarchies are fetched from the cache or the interpolator. A display then displays display views of fetched partial hierarchies corresponding to the camera positions. During free-form navigation, a hierarchy manager determines and maintain an orientation based on at least one reference object. During zooming, an angular orientation is maintained through successive partial hierarchies. Mapping is also provided between a three-dimensional 3D partial hierarchy and a two-dimensional 2D overview of a complete hierarchy. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION As discovered by the inventor, what is needed is a method and system for generating a partial hierarchy such that parent nodes are not forced apart to make room for child nodes in all lower levels.
Partial hierarchies need to be generated that allow a greater number of nodes closest to the user to be displayed without sacrificing quick and smooth navigation through the overall hierarchy.
Only nodes lying within a predetermined depth from a user's effective camera position need to be laid out and stored for rendering in a single display view.
Further, as a user traverses through a hierarchy, space for lower nodes is allocated first, driving higher nodes apart.
This apparent motion needs to be compensated for during navigation to provide a user with the perception of navigating in a straight line.
While three-dimensional (3D) partial hierarchies will display only a part of an entire complete hierarchy, a two-dimensional 2D overview can be used to show the full hierarchy.
The 2D overview provides the user with context showing where the user is located within the overall hierarchy.
A mapping between a 2D overview and a 3D partial hierarchy, according to the present invention, is needed.
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for data visualization which optimizes visualization of and navigation through hierarchies.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a partial hierarchy is generated and displayed.
The partial hierarchy consists of a number levels at least equal to a predetermined depth and less than or equal to a total number of levels included in a corresponding complete hierarchy.
In a partial hierarchy according to the present invention, parent nodes are not forced apart to make room for child nodes in all lower levels.
A partial hierarchy further allows a greater number of nodes closest to the user to be displayed without sacrificing quick and smooth navigation through data in the complete hierarchy.
Only nodes lying within a predetermined depth from a user's effective camera position need be laid out and stored for rendering in a single display view
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