Scalable data segmentation and visualization system

A method of visualizing relatively large amounts of data within a limited display space, said method comprising the steps of:

• segmenting said data into at least one relation responsive to a user's query;
• specifying a layout of at least one node within said display space for displaying said segmented data;
• mapping said segmented data to said nodal layout;
• texture mapping said segmented data with respect to said nodal layout;
• for each said at least one node generating substantially all available scales of said segmented, texture mapped data viewed from a single orientation normal to a surface of a display;
• caching said generated scales in available memory;
• and
• retrieving and displaying said cached scales when prompted by said user.

A method of analyzing data, said data stored in at least one relation, said method comprising the steps of:

• formulating a query based on the schema of said at least one relation of said data;
• segmenting said data;
• specifying a nodal layout of said segmented data;
• mapping the schema of said segmented data to said nodal layout;
• texture mapping each segment of said segmented data to its respective node in said nodal layout;
• for each node of said specified nodal layout generating scales of said segmented, texture mapped data, each said generated scale viewed from a single orientation normal to a surface of a display;
• caching said generated scales in memory;
• retrieving and displaying said segmented, texture mapped data on said display;
• and
• exploring said displayed data, said exploring including continuously scaling at least one segment of said displayed data.