Patent ID: 6366284
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A method for generating a bar chart to display three-dimensional data values, comprising:receiving a set of three-dimensional data values to be displayed in the bar chart; representing a first subset of three-dimensional data values from the set as a plurality of rectangular boxes projecting from a two-dimensional grid, each rectangular box having a height above the two-dimensional grid, so that a height of a given rectangular box bears a functional relationship to a three-dimensional data value being displayed by the given rectangular box; wherein a first dimension and a second dimension of the three-dimensional data value specify a two-dimensional location within the two-dimensional grid, and a third dimension specifies the height of the given rectangular box above the two-dimensional grid; representing a second subset of three-dimensional data values from the set as non-rectangular shapes projecting from the two-dimensional grid and interspersed between the plurality of rectangular boxes, each non-rectangular shape having a height above the two-dimensional grid, so that a height of a given non-rectangular shape bears a functional relationship to a three-dimensional data value being displayed by the given non-rectangular shape; wherein interspersing the non-rectangular shapes between the plurality of rectangular boxes involves alternating the non-rectangular shapes with the plurality of rectangular boxes, so that larger data values represented by the non-rectangular shapes do not obscure smaller data values represented by the rectangular shapes; computing a three-dimensional view of the two-dimensional grid, including the plurality of rectangular boxes and the non-rectangular shapes; and outputting the three-dimensional view to a display device.