System and method for visualization of objects using energy minimization of customized potential functions

A system which positions objects on a viewing area, comprising:

• a processing system configured to determine position of a plurality of objects;
• a memory residing in the processing system;
• and
• logic residing in the memory, the logic configured to perform the steps of:
• receiving a specification of a plurality of objects;
• receiving a specification of a plurality of object pairs from the plurality of objects;
• receiving a specification of a potential function for each one of the specified object pairs;
• receiving a specification of a similarity value (s) for each one of the specified object pairs;
• determining an energy (e) for each one of the potential functions;
• and
• solving for a minimum total energy (E) of the plurality of potential functions such that a distance (r) between each of the specified object pairs is determined.

A system for positioning objects on a viewing area, comprising:

• means for specifying a plurality of objects;
• means for specifying a plurality of object pairs from the plurality of objects;
• means for specifying a potential function for each one of the specified object pairs;
• means for specifying a similarity value (s) for each one of the specified object pairs;
• means for determining an energy (e) for each one of the potential functions;
• and
• means for solving for the minimum total energy (E) of the plurality of potential functions such that a distance (r) between each of the specified object pairs is determined.