Orbit Visualization for Hierarchical Data on Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional visualizations for hierarchically related data, such as pivot grids and sunburst visualizations, are ineffective on small mobile device displays like smartphones and tablets, leading to inhibited understanding of data and hierarchical relationships due to space constraints and touch-screen limitations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves representing data objects as central nodes with orbiting nodes and petals, where hierarchical relationships are visually encoded through node and petal positions, colors, and distribution, allowing users to navigate and expand nodes to reveal deeper hierarchy levels, maintaining context and simplicity on small displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional visualizations (pivot grids, sunburst) are used to display hierarchical data, then complete data representation is achieved, but understanding and accessibility are inhibited on small mobile displays
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical data is segmented into multiple levels, with only the top few levels displayed simultaneously on the mobile device screen. Lower levels are hidden and can be revealed through user interaction (drill-down), preventing information overload while maintaining access to complete data through progressive disclosure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D flat visualizations to a 3D orbit visualization where data nodes are arranged in circular orbits around central nodes. This spatial arrangement allows hierarchical relationships to be conveyed through depth and position rather than requiring extensive horizontal or vertical space, making complex hierarchies comprehensible on small screens
2Loss of information
If all hierarchical levels are displayed simultaneously, then complete data context is provided, but display complexity increases beyond what small screens can handle
Solution Approach 1:
The visualization divides hierarchical data into discrete levels, displaying only the top N levels at any given time on the mobile device. This segmentation reduces the visible complexity to a manageable amount while preserving the complete hierarchical context through the ability to drill down into lower levels as needed
Solution Approach 2:
The visualization dynamically adjusts the number of displayed hierarchical levels based on user interaction. Users can drill down to view deeper levels or drill up to return to higher levels, allowing the system to adapt the complexity of displayed information to user needs rather than presenting static maximum complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for facilitating graphically conveying information via a visualization. An example method includes accessing a first set of data characterized by hierarchically related data objects; representing a first object as a first central node in a visualization; displaying one or more additional second objects via one or more second nodes that are positioned on a first orbit path around the central node; determining if an additional object of the one or more second objects exhibits a superior hierarchical relationship relative to one or more third objects; and then illustrating the one or more third objects as petals that are circumferentially displayed about one or more outer edges of one or more nodes of the one or more second objects. The example method further includes enabling conversion of petals to planet nodes that orbit one of the second nodes.