Control for rapidly exploring relationships in densely connected networks

Abstract

Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include an apparatus comprising one or more processor units and a computer-readable storage device. The computer-readable storage device can include a data set containing data fields and data field elements. The computer-readable storage device can include instructions to visually represent the data set. The computer-readable storage device can include instructions for a circular user interface configured to process user input, and to reorganize the visual representation of the data set based on the user input.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor configured to execute instructions;   a computer-readable storage device including,
 a data set, wherein the data set comprises data fields and data field elements; 
 instructions to visually represent the data set; 
 instructions for a circular user interface configured to process user input, and to reorganize the visual representation of the data set based on the user input. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a sort-precedence indicator is configured to indicate the sort-precedence of each data field with respect to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein rotation of the circular user interface with respect to the sort-precedence indicator reorganizes the sort precedence of the visual representation of the data set. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein data fields can be dragged from the circular user interface, excluding the data field from the circular user interface and the visual representation of the data set. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein selection of a data field element on the circular user interface hides all other data fields within the data field. 
     
     
         6 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A computer program product comprising:
 a computer readable storage medium having computer usable program code embodied therewith, the computer usable program code configured to:
 present a circular user interface, wherein the circular user interface contains data fields and data field elements consistent with a data set; 
 present a visual representation of the data set; 
 receive user input via the circular user interface, wherein the user input indicates a reorganization of the visual representation of the data set; 
 present the circular user interface consistent with the user input; and 
 present the visual representation of the data set consistent with the reorganization of the visual representation of the data set. 
   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein the circular user interface contains a sort-precedence indicator to indicate the sort-precedence of each data field with respect to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the sort-precedence of each data field decreases in a clockwise manner proceeding away from the sort-precedence indicator. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the sort-precedence of each data field decreases in a counterclockwise manner proceeding away from the sort-precedence indicator. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , further configured to:
 receive user input, via the circular user interface, indicating a rotation of the circular user interface with respect to the sort-precedence indicator, wherein the rotation of the circular user interface indicates a new sort-precedence;   reorganize the sort-precedence of the circular user interface with respect to the user input;   reorganize the sort-precedence of the visual representation of the data set with respect to the user input;   present the circular user interface consistent with the new sort-precedence; and   present the visual representation of the data set consistent with the new sort-precedence.   
     
     
         17 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , further configured to:
 receive user input, via the circular user interface, indicating a reordering of the data fields in the visual representation of the data set to a new data field ordering;   reorganize the circular user interface consistent with the new data field ordering;   reorganize the visual representation of the data set consistent with the new data field ordering;   present the circular user interface consistent with the new data field ordering; and   present the visual representation of the data set consistent with the new data field ordering.   
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled)