Method and apparatus for data visualization

A system for visualization of information stored in a database record comprising:

• a means for creating a visualization point representing the database record;
• a means for rendering the visualization point representing the database record;
• a means for associating the visualization point with an entire database record and providing a link to the entire database record;
• a means for providing a navigational interface for processing a user interaction with the visualization point;
• wherein the navigational interface presents the visualization point along a number line representing a time line, the time line comprising:
• a first displayed scale representing a full range of dates for database records;
• a second displayed scale, separate from the first displayed scale, representing a subset of the first displayed range of dates for the database records associated with the visualization points;
• and
• a slider mechanism for adjusting the ratio of the first displayed scale representing the fall range of dates to the second displayed scale representing a subset of the first displayed range of dates;
• and
• wherein the user interaction provides direct access to the entire database record.

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable medium for visualization of information stored in a database record;
• a set of computer program instructions embodied on the computer usable medium, including instructions to:
• create a visualization point representing the database record;
• render the visualization point representing the database record;
• associate the visualization point with and entire database record and providing a link to the entire database record;
• provide a navigational interface for processing a user interaction with the visualization point;
• wherein the navigational interface presents the visualization point along a number line representing a time line, the time line comprising:
• a first displayed scale representing a fill range of dates for the database records;
• a second displayed scale, separate from the first displayed scale, representing a subset of the first displayed range of dates for the database records associated with the visualization points;
• and
• a slider mechanism for using the ratio of the first displayed scale representing the full range of dates to the second displayed scale representing a subset of the first displayed range of dates;
• and
• wherein the user interaction provides direct access to the entire database record.

A carrier wave carrying a propagated signal for visualization of information stored in a database record, the signal comprising a set of computer program instructions to:

• create a visualization point representing the database record;
• render the visualization point representing the database record;
• associate the visualization point with an entire database record and provide a link to the entire database record;
• provide a navigational interface for processing a user interaction with the visualization point;
• wherein the navigational interface presents the visualization point along a number line representing a time line, the time line comprising:
• a first displayed scale representing a fall range of dates for the database records;
• a second displayed scale, separate from the first displayed scale, representing a subset of the first displayed range of dates for the database records associated with the visualization points;
• and
• a slider mechanism for adjusting the ratio of the first displayed scale representing the full range of dates to the second displayed scale representing a subset of the first displayed range of dates;
• and
• wherein the user interaction provides direct access to the entire database records.

A system for visualization of information stored in a database record comprising:

• an initializer creating a visualization point representing the database record;
• a renderer rendering the visulization point representing the database record;
• a mapper associating the visulization point with an entire database record and providing a link to the entire database record;
• a user interface providing a navigational interface for processing a user interaction with the visualization point;
• wherein the navigational interface presents the visualization point along a number line representing a time line, the time line comprising:
• a first displayed scale representing a fill range of dates for the database records;
• a second splayed scale, separate from the first displayed scale, representing a subset of the first displayed range of dates for the database records associated with the visualization points;
• and
• a slider mechanism for adjusting the ratio of the first displayed scale representing the full range of dates to the second displayed scale representing a subset of the first displayed range of dates;
• and
• wherein the user interaction provides direct access to the entire database record.