System an method for the visual display of data in an interactive split pie chart

A method for comparing a first set of data having two or more data, and a second set of data having two or more data in a split pie chart comprising the steps of:

• splitting a pie chart into a first half and a second half to generate said split pie chart, said splitting creating an angle of 180 degrees between said first half and said second half;
• generating a first plurality of wedges with a first plurality of sizes for said first set of data in said first half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said first plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said first set of data;
• generating a second plurality of wedges with a second plurality of sizes for said second set of data in said second half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said second plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said second set of data;
• measuring the relative sizes of said first set of data and said second set of data;
• and
• altering the area of said first half or the area of said second half of said split pie chart based on said measuring.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, said plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to display a first set of data having two or more data, and a second set of data having two or more data by performing the steps of:

• splitting a pie chart into a first half and a second half to generate said split pie chart, said splitting creating an angle of 180 degrees between said first half and said second half;
• generating a first plurality of wedges for said first set of data in said first half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said first plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said first set of data;
• generating a second plurality of wedges for said second set of data in said second half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said second plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said second set of data;
• measuring the relative size of said first set of data and said second set of data;
• and
• altering the area of said first half or the area of said second half of said split pie chart based on said measuring.

A system for displaying data to a user in a split pie chart said system comprising:

• a user interface configured to receive from the user a selection sufficient to identify a first set of data having two or more data and a second set of data having two or more data stored in a database;
• a query subsystem for formulating a database query for said database based on said selection;
• an interface for communicating said database query to a data storage mechanism associated with said database;
• an interface for retrieving said first and said second sets of data to a visual display system;
• and
• said visual display system generating and displaying said split pie chart such that said split pie chart has a first plurality of wedges for said first set of data on a first 180 degree side of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said first plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said first set of data, and a second plurality of wedges for said second set of data on a second 180 degree side of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said second plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said second set of data, said pluralities of wedges each having a respective total area derived dependent on a total of values of the associated set of data.

A system for obtaining and displaying data to a user, said system comprising:

• a user interface adapted to receive input from said user and to derive from said input a selection identifying data stored by a database storage system;
• a query subsystem communicating with said database storage system, said query subsystem preparing at least one query from the selection and transmitting said query to the database storage system;
• a display system including a display device generating an image that can be seen by said user, said display device receiving a plurality of sets of data responsive to said query, each of said sets of data comprising a plurality of numerical data values, the number of said sets being at least three;
• said display system preparing a split pie chart from the plurality of sets of data, said split pie chart including a split for each of the sets of data, said splits all having an equal split angle determined by dividing a circle by the number of sets of data in said plurality of sets of data, the split angle of said splits being 120° or less;
• said splits each having a respective area derived based on a total of the numerical data values of the associated set of data;
• said splits each being further divided into wedges, each representing an angular proportion of a respective numerical data value of the associated set of data;
• and
• said display device displaying said split pie chart to said user.

A method of obtaining and displaying data to a user, said method comprising:

• deriving from an input from said user a selection identifying data in a database;
• querying said database using a query derived from said selection;
• receiving from said database a plurality of sets of data responsive to said querying, said sets of data each comprising a plurality of numerical data values;
• preparing a split pie chart for said user from said plurality of sets of data, wherein each set of data is associated respectively with a split, said preparing of said split pie chart including:
• deriving a split angle for said splits of said sets of data, said split angles of said splits all being equal and being derived by dividing a circle by the number of data sets in said plurality of data sets, the number of data sets being three or more, and the split angle of the splits being 120° or less;
• deriving areas of said splits, each area being determined dependent on a total of said numerical data values for said set of data associated therewith;
• and
• displaying said split pie chart to said user.