| Home | Results | Papers | References | People |
Current analytical methods in visualization often fail to accomodate the complexity of large heterogeneous datasets. The rapid rate at which researchers and analysts acquire data of differing modalities magnifies this problem. We present a system that allows users to efficiently navigate and explore an expansive set of temporally marked spatial and abstract data. A concentric ring information visualization technique provides a graphical interface for navigation across data contexts and interaction methodologies. The graphical interface facilitates data mapping to an extendible library of visualization methods through the assistance of an internal ontology. The plug-in system architecture also lays the foundation for an environment that supports the exploration of new visualizations in a coherent and extendible manner for a variety of data modalities.
A problem facing the visualization community is how to make results both repeatable and accessible. Generally, visualization methods store their viewing parameters implicitly, making it difficult to share or repeat a given technique. Our environment tracks which visualization methods are used, the data sources, and the parameter mappings for each viewing context. This metadata is stored as header information and can be reloaded to recreate the original visualization context. An internal ontology establishes mappings between data and visualization methods to facilitate workflow and user interaction.