Graphic-information flow for visually analyzing patterns and relationships

Abstract

A display control and information management system seamlessly integrates layered and slotted formatted data from local and remote sources to provide a highly versatile information display. The system permits selective control of display and display features so that complex data and data flows can be seamlessly accessed with enhanced cognition of salient information by a user.

1 . A method comprising:
 displaying a visual representation of selected subset elements effective to enable comparison with:   individual different, user-selected subsets having their own symbol or common image format; and   individual element symbols or images given a slot on a display, wherein the slot is designated by x, y, or z locations representing a real or symbolic relationship to other elements, or a grid; and   showing or hiding subsets on the visual representation, which visual representation includes:   display control panel(s) with graphic and text-list selectors that, in response to user events or automatic updating systems, are configured to call to a database to determine subset elements to be added or subtracted from the visual representation; and   alternatives to scroll bars which enable graphic and text-list selectors to be displayed in discrete, layered blocks, individual ones of which can be called forward by clicking, or otherwise signaling, on a segmented bar, arrowhead, or other symbol.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said elements relate to an interactive two-, three-, or four-dimensional map or diagram of a place, topic, or thing. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said elements comprise information forming a computer or online alternative to reference documents, including atlases, encyclopedias, text books, natural history guides, travel guidebook listings, yellow pages directories, product catalogues, machine manuals, or land-use planning reports. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said elements comprise information forming a computer or online specialty store where consumers can ask to see and compare available offerings for a particular category of product from one or more manufacturers and distributors. 
     
     
         5 . A method comprising:
 presenting one or more display control panels for receiving user commands relative to a rendered base presentation;   responsive to one or more user commands, causing retrieval of one or more data elements from a database; and   using the one or more data elements to selectively layer data in the form of graphics, text and/or images onto the base presentation in accordance with a pre-programmed hierarchy, wherein said one or more display control panels comprise control icons and text lists for manipulating content of selective data layers in accord with user defined objectives.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said one or more data elements comprise data elements configured to support slotted map data for incorporation into selectively layered data. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said using comprises presenting a two-dimensional matrix of pixel elements characterizing said data elements. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 maintaining a first database having a plurality of data elements on a subject and associated graphic information, said data elements being stored in volatile memory and said first database being capable of being refreshed with current data from a second database;   refreshing said first database with current data from said second database;   receiving user commands generated from hideable control icons that are mappable to data elements in said first database;   responsive to receiving said user commands, returning one or more data elements configured to be layered in a multi-dimensional presentation.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said refreshing is performed using a public access network. 
     
     
         10 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coordinates represent an x and y coordinate system. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coordinates represent an x, y and z coordinate system. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatic updating is triggered by a user event. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the further information comprises annotation data for the selected element including at least one of: an identifier of a location, an offer, an image, a title, or a slogan. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the additional information comprises annotation data for the selected actionable graphics, text or images including at least one of: an identifier of a location, an offer, an image, a title, or a slogan. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the additional information comprises annotation data for the selected data element including at least one of: an identifier of a location, an offer, an image, a title, or a slogan.