Computer-related method, system, and program product for controlling data visualization in external dimension(s)

A method for controlling data visualization in at least one external dimension using a graphical user-interface, comprising the steps of:

• displaying a data visualization in a first display window;
• displaying a summary of data for said data visualization over said at least one external dimension in a summary display window;
• permitting a user to select a path in said summary window to navigate through said data visualization over said at least one external dimension;
• displaying an animation of said data visualization based on said selected path, wherein said animation is displayed over actual and interpolated data points approximately along said selected path made with respect to said summary window;
• and
• permitting the user to pause said animation, wherein said paused animation is displayed over the closest actual data points along said selected path with respect to said summary window.

A system for controlling data visualization in at least one external dimension using a graphical user-interface, comprising:

• means for displaying a data visualization in a first display window;
• means for displaying a summary of data for said data visualization over said at least one external dimension in a summary display window;
• means for permitting a user to select a path in said summary window to navigate through said data visualization over said at least one external dimension;
• means for displaying an animation of said datam visualization based on said selected path, wherein said animation is displayed over actual and interpolated data points approximately along said selected path made with respect to said summary window;
• and
• means for permitting the user to pause said animation, wherein said paused animation is displayed over the closest actual data points along said selected path with respect to said summary window.

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor in a computer system to control a data visualization in at least one external dimension using a graphical user-interface, the computer programm logic comprising:

• means for enabling the processor to display a data visualization in a first display window;
• means for enabling the processor to display a summary of data for said data visualization over said at least one external dimension in a summary display window;
• means for enabling the processor to permit a user to select a path in said summary window to navigate through said data visualization over said at least one external dimension;
• means for enabling the processor to display an animation of said data visualization based on said selected path, wherein said animation is displayed over actual and interpolated data points approximately along said selected path made with respect to said summary window;
• and
• means for enabling the processor to permit the user to pause said animation, wherein said paused animation is displayed over the closest actual data points along said selected path with respect to said summary window.