Information visualization system

Abstract

A Web browsing and visualization system and method wherein: (i) Web data is retrieved and displayed in real-time (i.e., Web data is not pre-recorded), (ii) browsing and visualization are synchronized together in the same interface, (iii) a tree-based, rings-type visualization engine, (iv) space-efficient display of visualization, and (v) the amount of resources needed from the host computer is comparatively modest. In addition, the tree-based rings engine used to create the visualization displays the information in a smaller area than previous systems. Thus, the system requires less screen space to display the same amount of information as comparable systems. Alternatively, it can display more information to the user in the same amount of screen space as comparable systems. Moreover, although the present invention is disclosed herein in connection with visualizing Web data, it can be applied to portray any information hierarchy.

1 . A computer-based information visualization system comprising:
 a browser window visible on a first region of a screen of a computer monitor; and   a visualization window containing an animated graphical map of an information hierarchy visible on another region of a screen of a computer monitor, wherein said visualization window contains hyperlinks (“links”) and nodes wherein animation of said graphical map is achieved by selecting a node contained in said visualization window, wherein said animation of said graphical map comprises: (1) enlarging a selected node and concurrently reducing a parent node containing said selected node, (2) creating space for the reduced former parent node in the enlarged selected node, and (3) placing the reduced former parent node in the space created in the enlarged selected node, whereby the enlarged selected node becomes the new parent node.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein, at the conclusion of said animation, a change of appearance in visited links represents the newest to oldest selected links. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said change in appearance is represented by a thickest one of a link between a parent node and a selected node being the most recently selected link between a parent node and a selected node. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said change in appearance is represented by a darkest shade of a link between a parent node and a selected node being the most recently selected link between a parent node and a selected node. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said change in appearance is represented by a predetermined color of a link between a parent node and a selected node being the most recently selected link between a parent node and a selected node. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said change in appearance is represented by a solid line link between a parent node and a selected node being the most recently selected link between a parent node and a selected node.