System and method for interactive visual analytics of multi-dimensional temporal data

Abstract

Multi-dimensional temporal data can provide insight into patterns, trends and correlations. Traditional 2D-charts are widely used to support domain analysts' work, but are limited to present large-scale complicated data intuitively and do not allow further exploration to gain insight. A visual analytics system and method which supports interactive analysis of multi-dimensional temporal data, incorporating the idea of a novel visualization method is provided. The system extends the ability of mapping techniques by visualizing domain data based on a 3D geometry enhanced by color, motion and sound. It allows a compact universal overview of large-scale data and drilling down for further exploration. By customizable visualization, it can be adapted to different data models and applied to multiple domains. It helps analysts interact directly with large-scale data, gain insight into the data, and make better decisions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer implemented visual analytics method for determining the evolution of a data set with respect to a baseline standard presented as a global sphere that is segmented according to predetermined rules for separating the data set for disposition in segmented portions of the global sphere, comprising the steps of:
 (A) the computer receiving inputs from one or more data feeds and creating and displaying on a display electronically connected to the computer a three-dimensional global sphere according to first predetermined rules for determining a radius of the global sphere, with the global sphere serving as a baseline standard index by which the evolution of the data set will be measured;   (B) the computer segmenting the global sphere according to longitudinal sections to define a first criterion for locating a data point in one of the longitudinal segments;   (C) the computer segmenting the global sphere according to latitudinal segments to define a second criterion for locating the data point in one of the latitudinal segments;   (D) the computer determining a location of each data point with respect to the global sphere according to steps (B) and (C) from information about each data point received by the computer from the one or more data feeds;   (E) at time T 0 , the computer representing each data point at a surface location on the global sphere determined according to step (D) as a three-dimensional sphere having a radius determined by second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the global sphere and by at least a first performance criterion; and   (F) the computer tracking an evolution of each data point from time T 0  to time T N  according to information about each data point received from the one or more data feeds and displaying on the display with respect to each data point one of the following,
 (1) the computer changing a length of the radius of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at step (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a first predetermined way if the performance of the data point exceeds the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (2) the computer changing the length of the radius of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at step (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a second predetermined way if the performance of the data point is less than the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (3) the computer maintaining the length of the radius of the three dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at step (E) and maintaining a current state of the first performance criterion if the performance of the data point is unchanged; and 
   (G) selecting a data point according to the evolution of the data point from T 0  to T N .   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first criterion is selected from a group including color and sound. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (E) includes a first color. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(1) includes a second color. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(2) includes a third color. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the global sphere baseline standard index includes a financial index. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the financial index includes the S & P 500 index. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each data point includes representing an individual mutual fund. 
     
     
         9 . A computer implemented visual analytics method for determining the evolution of a data set comprising the steps of:
 (A) the computer receiving inputs from one or more data feeds and creating a virtual three-dimensional global sphere;   (B) the computer segmenting the virtual three-dimensional global sphere according to longitudinal sections to define a first criterion for locating a data point in one of the longitudinal segments;   (C) the computer segmenting the virtual three-dimensional global sphere according to latitudinal segments to define a second criterion for locating the data point in one of the latitudinal segments;   (D) the computer determining a location of each data point with respect to the virtual three-dimensional global sphere according to steps (B) and (C) from information about each data point received by the computer from the one or more data feeds;   (E) at time T 0 , the computer representing each data point at a surface location on the virtual three-dimensional global sphere determined according to step (D) as a three-dimensional sphere having a radius determined by predetermined rules and by at least a first performance criterion; and   (F) the computer tracking an evolution of each data point from time T 0  to time T N  according to information about each data point received from the one or more data feeds and displaying on the display with respect to each data point one of the following,
 (1) the computer changing a length of the radius of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at step (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a first predetermined way if the performance of the data point exceeds the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (2) the computer changing the length of the radius of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at step (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a second predetermined way if the performance of the data point is less than the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (3) the computer maintaining the length of the radius of the three dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at step (E) and maintaining a current state of the first performance criterion if the performance of the data point is unchanged; and 
   (G) selecting a data point according to the evolution of the data point from T 0  to T N .   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first criterion is selected from a group including color and sound. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (E) includes a first color. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(1) includes a second color. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(2) includes a third color. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the global sphere baseline standard index includes a financial index. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the financial index includes the S & P 500 index. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each data point includes representing an individual mutual fund. 
     
     
         17 . A computer implemented visual analytics method for determining the evolution of a data set with respect to a baseline standard presented as a global sphere that is segmented according to predetermined rules for separating the data set for disposition in segmented portions of the global sphere, comprising the steps of:
 (A) the computer receiving inputs from one or more data feeds and creating and displaying on a display electronically connected to the computer a three-dimensional global sphere having a global sphere center according to first predetermined rules for determining a radius of the global sphere, with the global sphere serving as a baseline standard index by which the evolution of the data set will be measured;   (B) the computer segmenting the global sphere according to longitudinal sections to define a first criterion for locating a data point in one of the longitudinal segments;   (C) the computer segmenting the global sphere according to latitudinal segments to define a second criterion for locating the data point in one of the latitudinal segments;   (D) the computer determining a location of each data point with respect to the global sphere according to steps (B) and (C) from information about each data point received by the computer from the one or more data feeds;   (E) at time T 0 , the computer representing each data point at a surface location on the global sphere determined according to step (D) as a three-dimensional sphere having a distance from the global sphere center determined by second predetermined rules and by at least a first performance criterion; and   (F) the computer tracking an evolution of each data point from time T 0  to time T N  according to information about each data point received from the one or more data feeds and displaying on the display with respect to each data point one of the following,
 (1) the computer changing the distance from the global sphere center of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the distance from the global sphere center for the data point at step (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a first predetermined way if the performance of the data point exceeds the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (2) the computer changing the distance from the global sphere center of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the distance from the global sphere center for the data point at step (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a second predetermined way if the performance of the data point is less than the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (3) the computer maintaining the distance from the global sphere center of the three dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at step (E) and maintaining a current state of the first performance criterion if the performance of the data point is unchanged; and 
   (G) selecting a data point according to the evolution of the data point from T 0  to T N .   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the first criterion is selected from a group including color and sound. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (E) includes a first color. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(1) includes a second color. 
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(2) includes a third color. 
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the global sphere baseline standard index includes a financial index. 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the financial index includes the S & P 500 index. 
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein each data point includes representing an individual mutual fund. 
     
     
         25 . A computer-based method for interactive analysis of multi-dimensional data stored in a database, comprising the steps of:
 (A) on a computer-based device receiving the multi-dimensional data from the database, the multi-dimensional data being characterized by at least a name, a type, and a data value associated with at least a point in time, with the multi-dimensional data having the same name being associated with a same entity and the multi-dimensional data having the same type being associated with a same category;   (B) on a computer display electronically connected to the computer-based device providing a user-interface for the display of the interactive analysis of the multi-dimensional data, the user-interface displaying a virtual three-dimensional space;   (C) on the computer display coupled to the computer-based device displaying a baseline sphere in the virtual three-dimensional space that has been generated by the computer based on multidimensional data received from the database, with a radius of the baseline sphere from a virtual baseline sphere center corresponds to a first index the baseline sphere being capable of being segmented by longitudinal and latitudinal sectors;   (D) on the computer-based device calculating for each multi-dimensional data a corresponding longitudinal and latitudinal coordinate value, with the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinate value of each multi-dimensional data being calculated based on the multi-dimensional data name defining the longitudinal coordinate and the associated the multi-dimensional data type defining the latitudinal coordinate;   (E) on the computer display coupled to the computer-based device, for each multi-dimensional data, displaying a sphere corresponding to each multi-dimensional data, with each sphere being placed in the virtual three-dimensional space according to the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinate values calculated in step (D), and the radius of the sphere associated with each multidimensional data being calculated based on a data value for the multidimensional data, and a distance from a center of each multidimensional data sphere to a center of the baseline sphere being calculated based on a data value for the multidimensional data; and   (F) selecting with the computer-based device multidimensional data according to its position relative to the baseline sphere.   
     
     
         26 . The computer-based method of  claim 25 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data having a same name include being displayed on a same longitudinal sector. 
     
     
         27 . The computer-based method of  claim 25 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data having a same type includes being displayed on a same latitudinal sector. 
     
     
         28 . The computer-based method of  claim 25 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed outside the baseline sphere if the data value of the multi-dimensional data is greater than the first index; the spheres of the multi-dimensional data including being displayed inside the baseline sphere if the data value of the multi-dimensional data is less than the first index; and the spheres of the multi-dimensional data including being displayed on the baseline sphere if the data value of the multi-dimensional data is equal to the first index. 
     
     
         29 . The computer-based method of  claim 25 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed in a first color when the data value of the multi-dimensional data is greater than the first index; the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed by a second color when the data value of the multi-dimensional data is less than the first index; and the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed by a third color if the data value of the multi-dimensional data is equal to the first index. 
     
     
         30 . The computer-based method of  claim 25 , wherein the user-interface further includes displaying an interactive timeline corresponding to a time range. 
     
     
         31 . The computer-based method of  claim 30 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed in the virtual three dimensional space when the time value of the multi-dimensional data corresponds to a selected time value on the timeline. 
     
     
         32 . A visual analytics system for determining the evolution of a data set with respect to a baseline standard presented as a global sphere that is segmented according to predetermined rules for separating the data set for disposition in segmented portions of the global sphere, comprising:
 a display; and   a computer electronically connected to the display and configured to:
 (A) receive inputs from one or more data feeds and creating and displaying on the display a three-dimensional global sphere according to first predetermined rules for determining a radius of the global sphere, with the global sphere serving as a baseline standard index by which the evolution of the data set will be measured; 
 (B) segment the global sphere according to longitudinal sections to define a first criterion for locating a data point in one of the longitudinal segments; 
 (C) segment the global sphere according to latitudinal segments to define a second criterion for locating the data point in one of the latitudinal segments; 
 (D) determine a location of each data point with respect to the global sphere according to (B) and (C) from information about each data point received by the computer from the one or more data feeds; 
 (E) represent at time T 0  each data point at a surface location on the global sphere determined according to (D) as a three-dimensional sphere having a radius determined by second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the global sphere and by at least a first performance criterion; and 
 (F) track an evolution of each data point from time T 0  to time T N  according to information about each data point received from the one or more data feeds and display on the display with respect to each data point one of the following,
 (1) changing a length of the radius of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a first predetermined way if the performance of the data point exceeds the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (2) changing the length of the radius of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a second predetermined way if the performance of the data point is less than the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (3) maintaining the length of the radius of the three dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at (E) and maintaining a current state of the first performance criterion if the performance of the data point is unchanged; and 
 
 (G) enable a user to select a data point according to the evolution of the data point from T 0  to T N . 
   
     
     
         33 . The system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the first criterion is selected from a group including color and sound. 
     
     
         34 . The system as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (E) includes a first color. 
     
     
         35 . The system as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(1) includes a second color. 
     
     
         36 . The system as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(2) includes a third color. 
     
     
         37 . The system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the global sphere baseline standard index includes a financial index. 
     
     
         38 . The system as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the financial index includes the S & P 500 index. 
     
     
         39 . The system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein each data point includes representing an individual mutual fund. 
     
     
         40 . A visual analytics system for determining the evolution of a data set comprising:
 a display; and   a computer electronically connected to the display and configured to:
 (A) receive inputs from one or more data feeds and creating a virtual three-dimensional global sphere; 
 (B) segment the virtual three-dimensional global sphere according to longitudinal sections to define a first criterion for locating a data point in one of the longitudinal segments; 
 (C) segment the virtual three-dimensional global sphere according to latitudinal segments to define a second criterion for locating the data point in one of the latitudinal segments; 
 (D) determine a location of each data point with respect to the virtual three-dimensional global sphere according to (B) and (C) from information about each data point received by the computer from the one or more data feeds; 
 (E) represent on the display at time T 0  each data point at a surface location on the virtual three-dimensional global sphere determined according to (D) as a three-dimensional sphere having a radius determined by predetermined rules and by at least a first performance criterion; and 
 (F) track an evolution of each data point from time T 0  to time T N  according to information about each data point received from the one or more data feeds and display on the display with respect to each data point one of the following,
 (1) changing a length of the radius of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a first predetermined way if the performance of the data point exceeds the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (2) changing the length of the radius of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a second predetermined way if the performance of the data point is less than the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (3) maintaining the length of the radius of the three dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at (E) and maintaining a current state of the first performance criterion if the performance of the data point is unchanged; and 
 
 (G) enable a user to select a data point according to the evolution of the data point from T 0  to T N . 
   
     
     
         41 . The system as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the first criterion is selected from a group including color and sound. 
     
     
         42 . The system as recited in  claim 41 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (E) includes a first color. 
     
     
         43 . The system as recited in  claim 41 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(1) includes a second color. 
     
     
         44 . The system as recited in  claim 41 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(2) includes a third color. 
     
     
         45 . The system as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the global sphere baseline standard index includes a financial index. 
     
     
         46 . The system as recited in  claim 45 , wherein the financial index includes the S & P 500 index. 
     
     
         47 . The system as recited in  claim 45 , wherein each data point includes representing an individual mutual fund. 
     
     
         48 . A visual analytics system for determining the evolution of a data set with respect to a baseline standard presented as a global sphere that is segmented according to predetermined rules for separating the data set for disposition in segmented portions of the global sphere, comprising:
 a display; and   a computer electronically connected to the display and configured to:
 (A) receive inputs from one or more data feeds and create and display on the display electronically connected to the computer a three-dimensional global sphere having a global sphere center according to first predetermined rules for determining a radius of the global sphere, with the global sphere serving as a baseline standard index by which the evolution of the data set will be measured; 
   (B) segment the global sphere according to longitudinal sections to define a first criterion for locating a data point in one of the longitudinal segments;   (C) segment the global sphere according to latitudinal segments to define a second criterion for locating the data point in one of the latitudinal segments;   (D) determine a location of each data point with respect to the global sphere according to (B) and (C) from information about each data point received by the computer from the one or more data feeds;   (E) represent at time T 0  each data point at a surface location on the global sphere determined according to (D) as a three-dimensional sphere having a distance from the global sphere center determined by second predetermined rules and by at least a first performance criterion; and   (F) track an evolution of each data point from time T 0  to time T N  according to information about each data point received from the one or more data feeds and display on the display with respect to each data point one of the following,
 (1) changing the distance from the global sphere center of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the distance from the global sphere center for the data point at (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a first predetermined way if the performance of the data point exceeds the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (2) changing the distance from the global sphere center of the three-dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the distance from the global sphere center for the data point at (E) and changing the first performance criterion in a second predetermined way if the performance of the data point is less than the global sphere baseline standard index; 
 (3) maintaining the distance from the global sphere center of the three dimensional sphere associated with the data point in accordance with the second predetermined rules for determining the radius for the data point at (E) and maintaining a current state of the first performance criterion if the performance of the data point is unchanged; and 
   (G) enable a user to select a data point according to the evolution of the data point from T 0  to T N .   
     
     
         49 . The system as recited in  claim 48 , wherein the first criterion is selected from a group including color and sound. 
     
     
         50 . The system as recited in  claim 49 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (E) includes a first color. 
     
     
         51 . The system as recited in  claim 49 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(1) includes a second color. 
     
     
         52 . The system as recited in  claim 49 , wherein the first performance criterion at step (F)(2) includes a third color. 
     
     
         53 . The system as recited in  claim 48 , wherein the global sphere baseline standard index includes a financial index. 
     
     
         54 . The system as recited in  claim 53 , wherein the financial index includes the S & P 500 index. 
     
     
         55 . The system as recited in  claim 48 , wherein each data point includes representing an individual mutual fund. 
     
     
         56 . A system for interactive analysis of multi-dimensional data stored in a database, comprising:
 a display; and   a computer electronically connected to the display and configured to:   (A) receive the multi-dimensional data from the database, the multi-dimensional data being characterized by at least a name, a type, and a data value associated with at least a point in time, with the multi-dimensional data having the same name being associated with a same entity and the multi-dimensional data having the same type being associated with a same category;   (B) provide on the display a user-interface for the display of the interactive analysis of the multi-dimensional data, the user-interface displaying a virtual three-dimensional space;   (C) display on the display a baseline sphere in the virtual three-dimensional space that has been generated by the computer based on multidimensional data received from the database, with a radius of the baseline sphere from a virtual baseline sphere center corresponds to a first index the baseline sphere being capable of being segmented by longitudinal and latitudinal sectors;   (D) calculate for each multi-dimensional data a corresponding longitudinal and latitudinal coordinate value, with the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinate value of each multi-dimensional data being calculated based on the multi-dimensional data name defining the longitudinal coordinate and the associated the multi-dimensional data type defining the latitudinal coordinate;   (E) for each multi-dimensional data, display on the display a sphere corresponding to each multi-dimensional data, with each sphere being placed in the virtual three-dimensional space according to the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinate values calculated in (D), and the radius of the sphere associated with each multidimensional data being calculated based on a data value for the multidimensional data, and a distance from a center of each multidimensional data sphere to a center of the baseline sphere being calculated based on a data value for the multidimensional data; and   (F) enable a user to select with the computer-based device multidimensional data according to its position relative to the baseline sphere.   
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data having a same name include being displayed on a same longitudinal sector. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data having a same type includes being displayed on a same latitudinal sector. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed outside the baseline sphere if the data value of the multi-dimensional data is greater than the first index; the spheres of the multi-dimensional data including being displayed inside the baseline sphere if the data value of the multi-dimensional data is less than the first index; and the spheres of the multi-dimensional data including being displayed on the baseline sphere if the data value of the multi-dimensional data is equal to the first index. 
     
     
         60 . The computer-based method of  claim 56 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed in a first color when the data value of the multi-dimensional data is greater than the first index; the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed by a second color when the data value of the multi-dimensional data is less than the first index; and the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed by a third color if the data value of the multi-dimensional data is equal to the first index. 
     
     
         61 . The computer-based method of  claim 56 , wherein the user-interface further includes displaying an interactive timeline corresponding to a time range. 
     
     
         62 . The computer-based method of  claim 61 , wherein the spheres of the multi-dimensional data include being displayed in the virtual three dimensional space when the time value of the multi-dimensional data corresponds to a selected time value on the timeline.