Data processing, analysis, and visualization system for use with disparate data types

Abstract

A system or method consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is useful in analyzing large volumes of different types of data, such as textual data, numeric data, categorical data, or sequential string data, for use in identifying relationships among the data types or different operations that have been performed on the data. A system or method consistent with the present invention determines and displays the relative content and context of related information and is operative to aid in identifying relationships among disparate data types. Various data types, such as numerical data, protein and DNA sequence data, categorical information, and textual information, such as annotations associated with the numerical data or research papers may be correlated for visual analysis. A variety of user-selectable views may be correlated for user interaction to identify relationships that exist among the different types of data or various operations performed on the data. Furthermore, the user may explore the information contained in sets of records and their associated attributes through the use of interactive 2-D line charts and interactive summary miniplots.

1 . A method for visualization of multiple queries to a database, comprising: 
 selecting multiple queries to a database;    querying records in the database based on the multiple queries;    creating a query matrix indexed based on the selecting; and    populating the query matrix based on the querying.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein selecting includes defining a query of an attribute of a record versus a record in the database.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the creating includes indexing the query matrix using a cluster corresponding to a plurality of records.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the populating includes statistically combining query results for the plurality of records corresponding to the cluster.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the selecting includes defining a query of a first attribute of a record versus a second attribute of a record.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the selecting includes defining a query of current data versus historical data.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the selecting includes defining a query of experimental data versus expert data.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , further including visualizing the populated query matrix.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the visualization includes creating a visualization matrix indexed based on the selecting, wherein the visualization matrix is populated using a scale of color corresponding to values of the populated query matrix.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , further including: 
 detecting a user selection of a portion of the visualization matrix; and    displaying features of records in the database corresponding to the portion of the visualization matrix selected by the user.    
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for visualization of multiple queries to a database, comprising: 
 an input device which permits a user to select multiple queries to a database;    an database tool to query records in the database based on the multiple queries;    a calculation device which creates a query matrix indexed based on the selecting and populates the query matrix based on the querying.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the multiple queries include a query of an attribute of a record versus a record in the database.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the calculation device indexes the query matrix using a cluster corresponding to a plurality of records.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein query results for the plurality of records corresponding to the cluster are statistically combined.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the multiple queries include a query of a first attribute of a record versus a second attribute of a record.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the multiple queries include a query of a current data versus historical data.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the multiple queries include a query of experimental data versus expert data.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , further including a display that visualizes the populated query matrix.