Methods and apparatus for data visualization of hierarchical data structures

A system for creating an output graphic using a processing device, the system comprising:

• a component operable to receive one or more elements of a hierarchical data structure, wherein each of the one or more elements includes a value;
• a component operable to calculate a total value for the hierarchical data structure by adding the value from the one or more elements;
• a component operable to create relationships that associate the one more elements with the total value;
• a component operable to generate a diagram to illustrate the total value and the relationships among the one or more elements and the total value;
• and
• a component operable to transmit the diagram for presentation on a display or printing device,
• wherein the component operable to generate a diagram is further operable to:
• draw a shape for each of the one or more elements of the hierarchical data structure, wherein the shape comprises a circle;
• determine an area of a parent circle based on the total value of the hierarchical data structure;
• calculate a radius of the parent circle;
• draw the parent circle based on the radius;
• insert a parent circle label in the parent circle;
• determine children of the parent circle based on the one or more elements of the hierarchical data structure;
• calculate for each child of the parent circle a percentage the child is of the parent circle;
• calculate for each child an area of the child circle based on the hierarchical data structure and a radius for the child circle;
• calculate an angle increment for spacing the children circles around the parent circle;
• select a largest circle of the children circles and draw the largest circle directly below the parent circle;
• and
• draw remaining children circles largest to smallest around the parent and to use the angle increment for spacing among the remaining circles.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to create an output graphic, the control logic comprising:

• at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive one or more elements of a hierarchical data structure, wherein each of the one or more elements includes a value;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to calculate a total value for the hierarchical data structure by adding the value from the one or more elements;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to create relationships that associate the one more elements with the total value;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to generate a diagram to illustrate the total value and the relationships among the one or more elements and the total value;
• and
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to transmit the diagram for presentation on a display or a printer,
• wherein the at least one instruction for causing the computer to generate a diagram further includes:
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to draw a shape for each of the one or more elements of the hierarchical data structure, wherein the shape comprises a circle;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to determine an area of a parent circle based on the total value of the hierarchical data structure;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to calculate a radius of the parent circle;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to draw the parent circle based on the radius;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to insert a parent circle label in the parent circle;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to determine children of the parent circle based on the one or more elements of the hierarchical data structure;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to calculate for each child of the parent circle a percentage the child is of the parent circle;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to calculate for each child an area of the child circle based on the hierarchical data structure and a radius for the child circle;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to calculate an angle increment for spacing the children circles around the parent circle;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to select a largest circle of the children circles and draw the largest circle directly below the parent circle;
• and
• at least one instruction for causing the computer to draw remaining children circles largest to smallest around the parent and to use the angle increment for spacing among the remaining circles.