Graphic-information flow method and system for visually analyzing patterns and relationships

Abstract

A novel 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 - 133 . (canceled) 
     
     
         134 . A method comprising:
 maintaining a first database having a plurality of data elements on a subject and associated graphical information, wherein the data elements are stored in volatile memory;   automatically refreshing the first database with updated data from a second database;   receiving user commands generated from user interaction with control icons, wherein the control icons are individually hideable and wherein the control icons are mapped to the data elements in the first database;   responsive to receiving the user commands, returning one or more of the data elements; and   layering, in a multi-dimensional presentation, the returned data elements such that the returned data elements are actionable by user selection, wherein selection of an actionable data element causes display of a details layer over a portion of the previously displayed layers, the details layer comprising additional information regarding the selected element.   
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein automatically refreshing the first database is performed using a public access network. 
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein the additional information comprises annotation data associated with the selected data element including at least one of: an identifier of a location, an offer, a title, or a slogan. 
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein the details layer comprises at least one of: a photograph, animation, sound, and video footage. 
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein automatically refreshing the first database with updated data from a second database comprises updating data for a set of features which are updated dynamically as time-sensitive information is changed in the second database. 
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein display of the details layer comprises displaying a message box configured to receive typed text input. 
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein selection in a retrieval bar separate from the details layer causes the information displayed in the details layer to be switched to alternate information. 
     
     
         141 . A computer readable memory storing instructions configured to, in response to being executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 maintaining a first database having a plurality of data elements on a subject and associated graphical information, wherein the data elements are stored in volatile memory;   automatically refreshing the first database with updated data from a second database;   receiving user commands generated from user interaction with control icons, wherein the control icons are individually hideable and wherein the control icons are mapped to the data elements in the first database;   responsive to receiving the user commands, returning one or more of the data elements; and   layering, in a multi-dimensional presentation, the returned data elements such that the returned data elements are actionable by user selection, wherein selection of an actionable data element causes display of a details layer over a portion of the previously displayed layers, the details layer comprising additional information regarding the selected element.   
     
     
         142 . The computer readable memory of  claim 141 , wherein automatically refreshing the first database is performed using a public access network. 
     
     
         143 . The computer readable memory of  claim 141 , wherein the additional information comprises annotation data associated with the selected data element including at least one of: an identifier of a location, an offer, a title, or a slogan. 
     
     
         144 . The computer readable memory of  claim 141 , wherein the details layer comprises at least one of: a photograph, animation, sound, and video footage. 
     
     
         145 . The computer readable memory of  claim 141 , wherein automatically refreshing the first database with updated data from a second database comprises updating data for a set of features which are updated dynamically as time-sensitive information is changed in the second database. 
     
     
         146 . The computer readable memory of  claim 141 , wherein display of the details layer comprises displaying a message box configured to receive typed text input. 
     
     
         147 . The computer readable memory of  claim 141 , wherein selection in a retrieval bar separate from the details layer causes the information displayed in the details layer to be switched to alternate information. 
     
     
         148 . A system comprising:
 a first database having a plurality of data elements on a subject and associated graphical information, wherein the data elements are stored in volatile memory;   wherein the first database is automatically refreshed with updated data from a second database;   a coupling between a user input and the first database, configured to transfer user commands generated from user interaction with control icons, wherein the control icons are individually hideable and wherein the control icons are mapped to the data elements in the first database;   wherein the first database is configured to, responsive to receiving the user commands, return one or more of the data elements; and   a multi-dimensional presentation in which the returned data elements are layered, wherein the returned data elements are actionable by user selection, and wherein selection of an actionable data element causes display of a details layer over a portion of the previously displayed layers, the details layer comprising additional information regarding the selected element.   
     
     
         149 . The system of  claim 148  further comprising a retrieval bar separate from the details layer, wherein selection in the retrieval bar causes the information displayed in the details layer to be switched to alternate information. 
     
     
         150 . The system of  claim 148 , wherein the additional information comprises annotation data associated with the selected data element including at least one of: an identifier of a location, an offer, a title, or a slogan. 
     
     
         151 . The system of  claim 148 , wherein the details layer comprises at least one of: a photograph, animation, sound, and video footage. 
     
     
         152 . The system of  claim 148 , wherein the first database is automatically refreshed with updated data from a second database comprising a set of features which are updated dynamically as time-sensitive information is changed in the second database. 
     
     
         153 . The system of  claim 148 , wherein display of the details layer comprises displaying a message box configured to receive typed text input.