Abstract: A graph exploration module is described which displays graph data (or any data set) using any one of an extensible collection of chart types. Some of the chart types may present aggregated results associated with the graph data. One chart type provides bars which represent aggregations of nodes in the graph data and a collection of links which represent relationships among the bars. The graph exploration module may present the chart in the context of an interactive exploration panel within an exploration canvas. A user can make various selections which prompt the graph exploration module to generate a new exploration panel, together with a link which connects to the new panel to the previous panel. This process can be repeated any number of times to produce one or more exploration paths which reveal a history of exploration actions made by the user(s). That history can be saved and later retrieved.

Abstract: A communication system is described herein which provides an indicator that helps hub participants of a meeting (or other environmental setting) determine a direction of attention of a satellite participant (who is not physically present at the meeting). The indicator can be implemented as a mechanical pointer, a solid-state display mechanism, a rotating display mechanism, a display mechanism which presents visual information that reflects directionality, and so on. The communication system can assess the directionality of the satellite participant based on any combination of control inputs from explicit input mechanism(s) and/or implicit input mechanism(s). The communication system can also choose between explicit and/or implicit control of the indicator based on at least one selection criterion.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can construct a map for summarizing analyses with respect to data included in a database. In addition, the architecture can display the map in a special canvas area. Generally, the map is a hub-and-spoke-style map in which a hub is associated with an entity (e.g., a related set of records) included in a database. Likewise, the spokes are typically representative of operations (e.g., filter, join, transform) that act upon the hub/entity from which it extends. The map can aid with open-ended analysis on complex databases by recording and ordering competing hypotheses and can also further collaborative efforts with respect to analysis.

Abstract: A home device management technique is described that allows a user to manage a network of distributed home devices. Special application modules, driver modules, and service exchange ports are employed. Each application modules implements some functionality in the home, preferably using one or more devices in the home distributed system. Each driver module provides the logic for operating one or multiple distributed home devices and is capable of receiving commands from application modules and sending them to devices, detecting events for an associated type of home device, translating the detected event into a format usable by the application modules and notifying the application modules of the events. Events are communicated between the application modules and the driver modules by using one or more service exchange ports. Access control policies are employed to control access to the home devices.

Abstract: A multi-modal search system (and corresponding methodology) that employs wildcards is provided. Wildcards can be employed in the search query either initiated by the user or inferred by the system. These wildcards can represent uncertainty conveyed by a user in a multi-modal search query input. In examples, the words “something” or “whatchamacallit” can be used to convey uncertainty and partial knowledge about portions of the query and to dynamically trigger wildcard generation.

Abstract: A “Memory Allocation Visualizer” provides a dynamic visualization that animates memory allocation event trace information over a time period of execution of a program. Consequently, the Memory Allocation Visualizer provides a visualization and understanding of a program's memory system behavior. Various modes of display with custom color mappings and zooming allow the user to see how heaps are used over time (e.g., by allocation type, age, size, thread id, etc.). Custom displays also allow the user to detect potential memory leaks and fragmentation problems. Composable filters enable the user to focus on specific issues. Various techniques are used to enable processing of a very large numbers of trace events while enabling rapid response to visualization view changes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein that facilitate file management on a computing device and/or across multiple computing devices. Actions of a user with respect to digital items on a computing device can be monitored and utilized to build a relationship table, wherein the relationship table comprises identities of digital items and data that describes relationships between particular digital items. Such a relationship table is analyzed to provide a user with information pertaining to relationships between digital items captured in the relationship table. Relationship tables from different devices can be merged to analyze relationships between digital items across devices.

Abstract: Non-linguistic signal information relating to one or more participants to an interaction may be determined using communication data received from the one or more participants. Feedback can be provided based on the determined non-linguistic signals. The participants may be given an opportunity to opt in to having their non-linguistic signal information collected, and may be provided complete control over how their information is shared or used.

Abstract: An interactive tool is described for modifying the behavior of a system, such as, but not limited to, the behavior of a classification system. The tool uses an interface mechanism to present a current global state of the system. The tool accepts one or more refinements to this global state, e.g., by accepting individual changes to parameter settings that are presented by the interface mechanism. Based on this input, the tool computes and displays the global implications of the updated parameter settings. The process of iterating over one or more cycles of user updates, followed by computation and display of the implications of the attempted refinements, has the effect of advancing the system towards a global state that exhibits desirable behavior.

Abstract: Described is a visual analytics system for network diagnostics. The visual analytics system obtains network diagnostic-related information from a diagnostic system. The visual analytics system includes an interactive user interface that displays the representations of network components, including network machines and, zero or more links between those components, (e.g., as appropriate based upon selection or dynamic conditions). The user interface includes a main network view that displays representations of network components, a diagnostics view that displays suggested diagnosis results obtained from the diagnostic system, and a performance counter view that displays performance counter data. User interaction with one of the views correspondingly changes the displays in the other views. The system allows effective exploration of multiple levels of detail, e.g.

Abstract: A graph layout technique that creates a layered graph layout with a given aspect ratio. The present layered graph layout technique better utilizes the available space and, at the same time, creates an aesthetically pleasing drawing of a directed graph. In one embodiment it determines the layout of the new graph based on a modified Sugiyama technique combined with a modified Coffman-Graham scheduling algorithm. Given a directed graph and a desired aspect ratio, it uses a binary search and the Coffman-Graham scheduling algorithm to find a layout of the graph that has an aspect ratio that matches the given aspect ratio of the available space.

Abstract: A real-time visual feedback ensemble classifier generator and method for interactively generating an optimal ensemble classifier using a user interface. Embodiments of the real-time visual feedback ensemble classifier generator and method use a weight adjustment operation and a partitioning operation in the interactive generation process. In addition, the generator and method include a user interface that provides real-time visual feedback to a user so that the user can see how the weight adjustment and partitioning operation affect the overall accuracy of the ensemble classifier. Using the user interface and the interactive controls available on the user interface, a user can iteratively use one or both of the weigh adjustment operation and partitioning operation to generate an optimized ensemble classifier.

Abstract: An augmented large index searching system and method for searching a database of items using a device having a limited input mechanism. Embodiments of the system and method present to a user in an augmented list view or a regular list view a list of items matching a sub-string search. The augmented list view contains a list of sub-group representations so that each sub-group is represented by an item in the sub-group most likely to be selected by the user. The user can select an item wanted by the user or refine the sub-string search by pinning a character to append the character to the sub-string and generated a revised sub-string. The above process is repeated using the revised sub-string. The list can be augmented by displaying visual features that indicate quantity and distinguish between items or characters by using coloring, highlighting, shading, size, and so forth.

Abstract: Real-time query expansion (RTQE) is a process of supplementing an original query with addition terms or expansion choices that are ranked according to some figure of merit and presented while users are still formulating their queries. As disclosed herein, phrases may be presented and one or more terms of a focused-on phrase may be pinned (as desirable to the user). Subsequent lists may be presented as a function of pinned terms and/or user input. In one embodiment, a placeholder may be substituted for one or more pinned terms if less than some predetermined threshold of phrases is able to be presented based upon the pinned terms and/or user input, and another list of phrases may be presented as a function of a query using fewer than all the pinned terms. The placeholder may allow out-of-index phrases to be formed, for example, based upon two or more phrases and/or terms input by the user.

Abstract: Various types of data can be collected into a data set and related content and/or related concepts across the data in the data set and/or across search histories can be displayed as a visual representation. The related content/concepts can be presented as a function of incremental revealing of relationships. After reviewing the visual representation, a user can customize the data set and relationships by specifically excluding a related data segment. The visual representation can be applied across multiple searches or other obtained data. Through interaction with the visual representation, a user can drill down into common linkages of the data to more narrowly focus on a subset of the data and/or to refocus a search result and/or to provide annotations.

Abstract: A system (and corresponding methodology) by which a user can interact directly with visual data is provided. The system employs associations and relationships between visual data objects to automatically update objects based upon a change in other objects. The innovation also provides specialized controls (e.g., dashboard tools/controls) that facilitate manipulation of visual data. As there can be numerous manners in which a user can interact with visualization data, the innovation enables a specialized set of controls to be identified and provided to a user thereby reducing overwhelming effects of a large number of controls.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can support a declarative model-based approach to designing, constructing, and rendering visualizations. By complying with a declarative descriptor, components can be readily customized by way of modifications to the model—declaratively specifying suitable features, behaviors, appearances and so forth. The descriptors that conform to the model can also facilitate connecting to various data sources and performing data transformation operations. Moreover, the descriptors that conform to the model can declaratively specify relationships based upon a scene layout. Accordingly, the architecture can further describe the scene layout and provide features based upon the layout.

Abstract: A data trends static visualization system and method including a data trends static visualization diagram for statically visualizing changes in data. The data trends static visualization diagram is a multi-dimensional static diagram including plots of multiple data items, where each data item is a set of related data having associated nodes and links. Each node represents a data point of the data item and links are used to connect at least some of the nodes. The data trends static visualization diagram uses a variety of visualization components to accentuate data changes and indicate a direction (or flow) of data trends. The visualization components include a node opacity visualization component, a link opacity visualization component, and a node size visualization component. The data trends static visualization diagram includes a traces diagram, for plotting trace lines in one diagram, and a small multiples diagram, for plotting individual trace lines in multiple diagrams.

Abstract: Modifications to a collection of data are maintained in chronological order and selectively rendered as a function of time. The selective rendering can include an animated version of the modification, which can include a timeline of events. The modifications can be associated with related data that includes information as to who made the modification, when the modification was made, and so forth. The related data can also include a motivation behind the modification. Further, confidence information can be related to the modification to add further detail to the modifications and events surrounding the collection of data.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can construct a map for summarizing analyses with respect to data included in a database. In addition, the architecture can display the map in a special canvas area. Generally, the map is a hub-and-spoke-style map in which a hub is associated with an entity (e.g., a related set of records) included in a database. Likewise, the spokes are typically representative of operations (e.g., filter, join, transform) that act upon the hub/entity from which it extends. The map can aid with open-ended analysis on complex databases by recording and ordering competing hypotheses and can also further collaborative efforts with respect to analysis.