Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed for generating an image from another image of contiguous polygons and a vector containing values to which areas of corresponding polygons are scaled. The method embodiment relates to generating an image from a plurality of contiguous polygons having vertices. The method comprises calculating a shape value associated with a polygon, calculating an altered shape value associated with an altered polygon, the altered polygon being an altered version of the polygon, calculating a shape distortion by comparing the shape value and the altered shape value and determining whether to accept the altered polygon based on the calculated shape distortion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new visualization platform for the interactive exploration of large datasets. The present invention integrates a collection of relevant visualization techniques to provide a new visual metaphor for viewing large datasets. It is capable of providing comprehensive support for data exploration, integrating large-scale data visualization with querying, browsing, and statistical evaluation. A variety of techniques are utilized to minimize processing delays and the use of system resources, including processing pipelines, direct IO, memory mapping, and dynamic linking of “on-the-fly” generated code.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed for generating an image from another image of contiguous polygons and a vector containing values to which areas of corresponding polygons are scaled. The method embodiment relates to generating an image from a plurality of contiguous polygons having vertices. The method comprises calculating a shape value associated with a polygon, calculating an altered shape value associated with an altered polygon, the altered polygon being an altered version of the polygon, calculating a shape distortion by comparing the shape value and the altered shape value and determining whether to accept the altered polygon based on the calculated shape distortion.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for generating cartograms using a base map of contiguous polygons and a vector containing values to which areas of corresponding polygons are scaled. The general problem is intractable, so an iterative heuristic is proposed. The heuristic is based on “scanlines.” The scanlines may be defined automatically (typically, by placing a grid over the map) or entered manually (to provide finer control over the results). At each step, one scanline is chosen and a new candidate map is made by adjusting the vertices of polygons intersected by the scanline, moving them orthogonally to the scanline. A candidate solution is accepted if it improves the solution and preserves the input mesh's topology. Improvement depends on metrics for area and shape error.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a convenient framework for container applications and controls. A customizable embeddable container is provided, and client objects of the container may be positioned dynamically by an external layout agent. The container manages toolbars and user interface modes, integrating disparate components into a single consistent interface. Group repositories of related objects for data transfer operations such as cut-and-paste, drag-and-drop, save-and-load, can be supported. The present invention advantageously does not rely on large external libraries and, thus, is relatively lightweight.