Patent Publication Number: US-2009222412-A1

Title: Facet visualization

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In the recent past, computing devices have increased in functionality and storage capacity while decreasing in cost. Accordingly, more and more people have access to computing devices that are capable of performing a myriad of tasks. Example tasks include document creation and editing; photograph, audio and/or video creation and editing; tracking investments; creation and editing of presentations; Internet browsing; amongst many other tasks. 
     Furthermore, many individuals who create content are becoming interested in sharing such content with others. For example, many individuals that create videos now desire to share such videos with others, wherein the videos may be accessible by way of the Internet, for example. In another example, individuals that publish scholarly articles may wish to have such articles published and accessible to the entire world. Currently, web sites exist that are dedicated to hosting content that has been created by many different individuals. 
     To aid users in locating certain content amongst a large amount of content, various search tools have been designed. Most of these search tools are textual in nature, wherein a user proffers a textual query and items in a data repository are searched over using such textual query. These search tools typically include rankers that are designed to rank items such that relevant items are displayed more prominently to the user when compared to less relevant items. For certain data, however, these text-based search tools are suboptimal, as the user may not know an acceptable manner for formulating a query. If the user does not formulate a suitable query, desired content may not be provided to a user or may be ranked in a position where the user will never see the desired content. 
     In another example, the user may wish to search a database for an item without having a solid idea of an identity of the item. For instance, the user may wish to search a database of scholarly articles, but may be unaware of the title of the article and unable to recollect the name of the author of the article (but would recognize the name if presented). In such a situation, options of the user are limited and results of a search are typically undesirable. For example, the user may type in a query such as “author”, but such query would be unlikely to return a desired result. 
     In a further example, the user may wish to understand certain aggregate characteristics of the data that are not expressible by way of a targeted search. For example, a user may want to know which authors published the most articles in 2004, which is not an attribute of any one item in the database that can be searched for. Current tools which are optimized for targeted item search are inadequate for accomplishing these types of tasks. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claims. 
     Various technologies pertaining to visualized searching for items in a dataset are described herein. A dataset may include several items, wherein items in the dataset are associated with metadata that describe attributes of the items. Based at least in part upon the metadata and attributes of items, certain items in the dataset may be grouped together in groupings of items. These groupings of items, referred to herein as “facets”, can be visually displayed on a graphical user interface and selected by a user, which may initiate visualization of “sub-facets” (further sub-groupings of attributes or items) that are defined by the facet. 
     Pursuant to an example, different facets (e.g., represented as selectable icons) can be rendered concurrently on a graphical user interface. For instance, a first facet can be represented as a selectable graphical icon, wherein selection of the first facet may cause presentation of a sub-facet or an item included in the facet. A second facet can be represented using multiple axes, wherein information is visually conveyed to the user by way of the multiple axes. More particularly, the second facet can be rendered so as to represent a first attribute that corresponds to the second facet (such as a number of items in the second facet) with respect to a second attribute (e.g., a linear attribute). For instance, the second facet may be rendered to illustrate a number of items in the second facet over certain periods of time (e.g., to illustrate a trend). In another example, the second facet may be rendered to illustrate a number of items in the second facet with respect to certain geographic locations. 
     In yet another example, items in the dataset and/or groupings of items in a particular facet may be searched over using a textual query, and results of such query can be presented to the user in a list fashion. Thus, a combination of visual searching and textual querying can be used in connection with locating desired information. 
     In yet another example, items and/or facets can be highlighted if a cursor is detected as hovering over a particular item and/or facet. For instance, an item in a facet may be represented as a graphical icon, and a cursor may be positioned so as to hover over the graphical icon. Each instance of the item that is represented on the graphical user interface may be highlighted upon detection of a hover. 
     Other aspects will be appreciated upon reading and understanding the attached figures and description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an example system that facilitates rendering various facets on a graphical user interface. 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of an example system that facilitates searching for information by way of textual queries. 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of an example system that facilitates generating a list of items. 
         FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of an example system that facilitates highlighting instances of items in a graphical user interface. 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of an example system that facilitates filtering data from a dataset. 
         FIG. 6  is a functional block diagram of an example system that facilitates automatically determining an amount of information to present to a user. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram that illustrates an example methodology for rendering differing facets concurrently on a graphical user interface. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram that illustrates an example methodology for searching by way of selecting facets. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram that illustrates an example methodology for highlighting instances of items on a graphical user interface. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram that illustrates an example methodology for filtering a dataset. 
         FIGS. 11-18  are example graphical user interfaces. 
         FIG. 19  is an example computing system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various technologies pertaining to a visual manner for searching for and locating content will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. In addition, several functional block diagrams of example systems are illustrated and described herein for purposes of explanation; however, it is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system components may be performed by multiple components. Similarly, for instance, a component may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple components. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an example system  100  that facilitates visualizing digital content is illustrated. The system  100  includes a data store  102  that comprises a dataset  104 . Pursuant to an example, the dataset  104  may include items, metadata that describe the items (e.g., attributes of the items), and defined relationships between items. For instance, items in the dataset may be scholarly articles, wherein the scholarly articles have one or more particular authors, are published on a certain date, have specific subject matter, are sponsored by certain entities, have particular titles and/or subtitles, amongst other attributes. In another example, items in the dataset may be videos, wherein a video in the dataset may have metadata that describes a video recorder that created the video, an author or authors, a topic that corresponds to the video, a genre (e.g., thriller, comedy, . . . ), a resolution, amongst other attributes. In still yet another example, the dataset  104  may include different types of items (e.g., scholarly articles, videos, and audio files), wherein each item may be associated with metadata that describes the items. 
     The dataset  104  may also include defined relationships between items therein. For instance, the relationships may indicate which items are to be logically grouped together, wherein a grouping of items created by way of the defined relationships between items is hereinafter referred to as a “facet.” In an example, items in a facet may share at least one common attribute. In addition, it is to be understood that a grouping defined by a facet may include other sub-facets, and that a common item may be located by traversing through different facets and/or sub-facets. 
     To aid in explanation of facets, an example is provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that such example is intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the hereto-appended claims. As noted above, items in the dataset  104  may include scholarly articles and metadata corresponding thereto. Accordingly, a first facet may facilitate filtering of the dataset  104  based at least in part upon names of authors and a second facet may facilitate filtering of the dataset  104  based at least in part upon the topics of articles. Accordingly, a user may select an author name grouping within the first facet, which facilitates further filtering of the dataset based on other attributes of papers authored by the selected author within other facets or sub-facets, such as names of co-authors or other information. In another example, the user may select a topic value within the second facet, which facilitates further filtering the dataset based at least in part upon names of authors with articles in that topic, for example. It can be ascertained, then, attributes can be grouped into multiple orthogonal categories, and such categories can be facets. 
     The system  100  further includes a receiver component  106  that receives a subset of the dataset  104  and the defined relationships therein. As discussed above, the relationships are indicative of identities of facets in the dataset  104 , and each facet includes at least one item. A renderer component  108  receives facets from the receiver component  106  and concurrently renders a first facet  110  and a second facet  112  on a graphical user interface  114 . 
     The first facet  110  may be rendered on the graphical user interface  114 , and may be displayed as including other facets or as being included in another facet. The second facet  112  may also be displayed on the graphical user interface  114 , wherein at least one attribute of the second facet  112  (e.g., a number of items in the facet, a number of items that have a particular topic, a number of items that have a certain author, . . . ) is displayed with respect to another attribute. In a specific example, at least one of the attributes may be a linear attribute, such as time or space. For example, the second facet  112  may illustrate a number of items or a number of items with a certain attribute or attributes  116  with respect to time. In another example, the second facet  112  may illustrate a number of items or a number of items with a certain attribute or attributes with respect to spatial location. It is understood, however, that items or attributes may be displayed with respect to any suitable attribute. For instance, any suitable attribute may be assigned to be a linear attribute, and can be selected by a user. Pursuant to an example, items in the dataset  104  may be scholarly articles that have a variety of topics. Accordingly, a facet directed to topics may be illustrated as a bar graph that graphically illustrates a number of items in a plurality of topics (e.g., a height of a bar in the bar graph can be indicative of a number of items that correspond to a certain topic). In this example, a topic attribute can be selected by the user as being a linear attribute. 
     In a specific example, items in the dataset  104  may be scholarly articles, the first facet  110  may facilitate filtering by topic of the articles, and the second facet  112  may illustrate a number of items in the dataset  104  with respect to time (e.g., a number of items per year). In yet another example, the second facet  112  may illustrate an attribute over another attribute, such as topics of articles with respect to time. 
     As will be shown in greater detail below, the graphical user interface  114  can be presented to a user. The user may, for instance, select the first facet  110  to filter the dataset  104  such that items that are not included in the first facet  110  (e.g., items that do not include an attribute that defines the first facet  110 ) are filtered from the dataset  104  and are not presented to the user. Selection of the first facet  110  may cause another graphical user interface to be presented to the user, wherein such interface may include other facets that can be used to further filter the dataset  104  and/or may include items that are in these facets. An item or items can be searched for and located in a visual manner through use of facets. 
     In another example, the user may select the first facet  110  (which includes a plurality of items), and the renderer component  108  may render a subset of items that correspond to the first facet concurrently with trend information pertaining to such items. For instance, items corresponding to the first facet  110  may be displayed as a list, and such list of items may be displayed concurrently with an indication of how such items relate to particular periods of time (e.g., months, years, or other suitable period of time). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an example system  200  that facilitates searching for information by way of facets is illustrated. The system  200  includes the data store  102 , the dataset  104 , the receiver component  106 , and the renderer component  108 , which operate as described above in connection with concurrently rendering the first facet  110  and the second facet  112  on the graphical user interface  114 . 
     The system  200  further includes a query component  202  that receives a textual query from a user that is searching for one or more items in the dataset  104 . The textual query may be a Boolean query, a natural language query, or any other suitable type of textual query. An executor component  204  may receive the textual query and search the dataset  104  for attributes and/or items using the textual query. Attributes and/or items located by the executor component  204  may be provided to the renderer component  108 , which can render a subset of the located attributes and/or items on the graphical user interface  114  (e.g., as a facet or as an item). The located attributes and/or items may be rendered concurrently with one or more facets (e.g., the first facet  110  and/or the second facet  112 ). 
     The system  200  may also include an interface component  206  that receives a user selection of at least one facet that is rendered on the graphical user interface  114 . In this example, the selected facet is illustrated as being the first facet  110 . It is to be understood, however, that any facet or sub-facet rendered on the graphical user interface  114  may be selected by the user. The query component  202  may receive a textual query from the user, and the executor component  204  may execute the query against attributes and/or items in the selected facet (rather than the entirety of the dataset  104 ). Pursuant to an example, a facet rendered on the graphical user interface  114  may include an icon that causes a query field to be presented, wherein entrance of a query into the query field is used to search the facet for attributes and/or items. An example graphical user interface depicting such features is provided herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an example system  300  that facilitates searching for items in a dataset by way of visualized facets is illustrated. The system  300  includes a lister component  302  that can generate a list of items in the data set  104 . The renderer component  108  may render the list as a list of items  304  on the graphical user interface  114 . In an example, the renderer component  108  may render the list of items  304  on the graphical user interface  114  concurrently with the first facet  110  and/or the second facet  112 . 
     The system  300  further includes a selection receiver component  306  that is configured to receive a user selection of a facet on the graphical user interface  114  or an item in the list of items  304 . Pursuant to an example, the selection receiver component  306  can receive an indication that a user desires to select the first facet  110 , and the first facet  110  may include a plurality of sub-facets. In response to the indication received by the selection receiver component  306 , the renderer component  108  can render a subset of the plurality of sub-facets of the first facet  110  on the graphical user interface  114 . 
     In another example, the selection receiver component  306  can receive an indication from a user that the user wishes to select an item in the list of items  304 . In response to such indication, the renderer component  108  can render the item and details pertaining thereto on the graphical user interface  114 . 
     In yet another example, the selection receiver component  306  can receive an indication from a user that an attribute of the second facet  112  is desirably selected. For instance, the second facet  112  may illustrate a number of items with respect to certain time periods. The user may wish to select a certain time period (e.g., a certain year). In response to the received indication, the renderer component  108  can render items and/or facets corresponding to the selected attribute on the graphical user interface  114 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , an example system  400  that facilitates locating items is illustrated. The system  400  includes the data store  102 , the dataset  104 , and the receiver component  106  which operate as described above. The system  400  further includes the renderer component  108  that can render a plurality of facets and sub-facets in a graphical user interface  402 . In this example, the facets rendered by the renderer component  108  in the graphical user interface  402  include a first facet  404 , a second facet  406 , and a third facet  408 . In addition, the renderer component  108  can display a list of items  410  in the graphical user interface  402 , wherein the list of items  410  may correspond to a selected facet, for instance. 
     In addition to rendering facets, the renderer component  108  can render graphical icons that are representative of items in facets. In the example system  400 , the renderer component  108  may represent a first item  412  in the first facet  404  and the third facet  408 , wherein such item  412  is represented by a graphical icon in the facets  404  and  408 . 
     The system  400  optionally includes a detector component  414  that can detect that a graphical icon (representing an item) rendered by the renderer component  108  is being hovered over by, for instance, a cursor  416 . In response to a detection by the detector component  414 , the renderer component  108  can highlight each representation of the item that is rendered on the graphical user interface  402 . For example, a representation of the item in the first facet  404 , a representation of the item in the third facet  408 , and a representation of the item (e.g., a textual representation) in the list of items  410  can be highlighted. Highlighting may include providing a “halo” of color around each instance of the item. In another example, highlighting may include rendering text or graphics in a darker shade when compared to non-lighted portions of the graphical user interface  402 . Any suitable manner of highlighting instances of items is intended to fall under the scope of the hereto-appended claims. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an example system  500  that facilitates displaying an item to a user is illustrated. The system  500  includes the data store  102 , the dataset  104 , the receiver component  106 , and the renderer component  108 , which act in conjunction as described above in connection with rendering the first facet  110  and the second facet  112  in the graphical user interface  114 . Furthermore, the renderer component  108  can render a graphical representation of an item  502  in a facet (e.g., the first facet  110 ). 
     A selection detector component  504  can detect that the item  502  (e.g., the graphical representation) has been selected by a user. For instance, the user may select the item  502  by way of a pointing and clicking mechanism, voice command, and/or the like. A provider component  506  can analyze the selected item  502  and output one or more attributes of the item  502  that may be used as search filters over the dataset  104 . For instance, the item may be a scholarly article that is written by several authors. The provider component  506  may output identities of the authors. Such attributes may be used as a search filter over the dataset  104 . In an example, a user can select an attribute output by the provider component  506 , and a filter component  508  can filter that dataset  104  using the selected attribute. The filter component  508  can output a filtered dataset to the renderer component  108 , which can then render facets and/or items in the filtered dataset in the graphical user interface  114 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an example system  600  that facilitates searching for items in a dataset is illustrated. The system  600  includes the data store  102 , the dataset  104 , the receiver component  106 , and the renderer component  108 , which act in conjunction as described above. The system  600  further includes a size determiner component  602  that determines an amount of real-estate on the graphical user interface  114  that is used to display facets. For instance, the size determiner component  602  can determine and output an amount of display screen real estate that is utilized to display the first facet  110 . The renderer component  108  can receive data from the size determiner component  602  and can determine an amount of information to render with respect to facets based at least in part upon such data. The size determiner component  602  may determine that the first facet  110  will use approximately thirty percent of display screen real-estate. Based at least in part upon such information, the renderer component  108  can render certain details pertaining to the first facet  110  with the first facet  110 , such as render sub-facets in the first facet  110 , render attributes used in connection with the first facet  110 , and/or the like. In addition, while not shown, the size determiner component  602  can determine an amount of display screen real estate that is used to display items, and the renderer component  108  can render details pertaining to the items based at least in part upon the determined amount of display screen real estate. 
     The system  600  can also include a combiner component  604  that receives an indication that a user has selected one facet and dragged it over another facet (e.g., click and drag). In an example, the combiner component  604  can determine that a user has selected the first facet  110  and dragged it over a portion of the linear attribute of the second facet  112 . For instance, the second facet  112  may represent an attribute over time, and the user may drag the first facet  110  over a particular region of time displayed in connection with the second facet  112 . The combiner component  604  can be used to filter contents of the first facet  110  by the portion of the aforementioned linear attribute of the second facet  112 . Continuing with the above example, if the first facet  110  is dragged over a particular time period corresponding to the second facet  112 , then contents of the first facet  110  may be filtered by the particular time period. 
     In another example, the combiner component  604  can “transform” the first facet  110  into a form that is consistent with that of the second facet. More specifically, the first facet  110  can be selected and dragged into a field that includes the second facet  112 . In a particular example, the second facet  112  may visually depict a number of scholarly articles per year. The first facet  110  may be used to filter a dataset by topic of scholarly articles (e.g., the first facet  110  may be directed towards a particular topic). When the first facet  110  is dragged into a field that includes the second facet  112 , the first facet  110  may be re-rendered with respect to the linear attribute used to visualize the second facet. Thus, the first facet  110  can be used to visualize a number of items in the dataset that are directed towards the particular topic per year. The re-rendered first facet  110  and the second facet  112  may be displayed in the field used to display the second facet (as will be shown below). In another example, a different (new pop-up) window can be rendered by the renderer component  108 , and the re-rendered first facet  110  and the second facet  112  may be displayed in the different window. 
     In yet another example, the combiner component  604  can be employed in connection with “combining” facets that are rendered in a form consistent with the second facet  112 . For instance, the dataset may include scholarly articles, and a facet may be represented as a bar graph that illustrates a number of articles in a dataset over particular time periods (e.g., years). A different facet may be illustrated as a number of articles that correspond to certain topics. These two facets can be combined, which may result in multiple facets that illustrate a number of items in a particular topic over particular periods of time. The renderer component  108  can render facets resulting from combination of facets (as undertaken by the combiner component  604 ). 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 7-10 , various example methodologies are illustrated and described. While the methodologies are described as being a series of acts that are performed in a sequence, it is to be understood that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the sequence. For instance, some acts may occur in a different order than what is described herein. In addition, an act may occur concurrently with another act. Furthermore, in some instances, not all acts may be required to implement a methodology described herein. 
     Moreover, the acts described herein may be computer-executable instructions that can be implemented by one or more processors and/or stored on a computer-readable medium or media. The computer-executable instructions may include a routine, a sub-routine, programs, a thread of execution, and/or the like. Still further, results of acts of the methodologies may be stored in a computer-readable medium, displayed on a display device, and/or the like. Further, it is to be understood that at least some of the acts may be supplemented by functionality, acts, and/or features described above. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 7 , an example methodology  700  for concurrently rendering different facets on a graphical user interface is illustrated. The methodology  700  starts at  702 , and at  704  a dataset that includes a plurality of facets is received. Each facet in the plurality of facets can include at least one item, and each item can include at least one attribute. In addition, items in a facet can share at least one common attribute. 
     At  706 , a first facet is rendered on a graphical user interface, wherein the first facet is represented as a selectable graphical icon. For instance, the first facet may be rendered as a bubble that is selectable by way of a pointing and clicking mechanism, wherein the bubble is configured to present information pertaining to the facet to the user (such as title of the facet, sub-facets that reside in the facet, amongst other data). In another example, the first facet may be rendered as a selectable hyperlink, wherein hovering over the hyperlink causes information pertaining to the facet to be presented to the user. Other manners of rendering the first facet are contemplated and intended to fall under the scope of the hereto-appended claims. 
     At  708 , a second facet is rendered on the graphical user interface, wherein the second facet is represented as a plurality of selectable graphical icons. In an example, the facet rendered at  706  and the facet rendered at  708  can be rendered concurrently on the graphical user interface. Pursuant to an example, the plurality of selectable graphical icons can represent at least one attribute of the second facet with respect to a linear attribute of the second facet. In an example, the linear attribute may be an attribute that is selected as being linear by the user. For instance, the linear attribute may be time, such that a certain attribute of the second facet is represented with respect to time. In another example, the linear attribute may be spatial location, such that a certain attribute of the second facet is represented with respect to time. In yet another example, the linear attribute may be topic, author, and/or the like. The methodology  700  completes at  710 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , an example methodology  800  for rendering a sub-facet is illustrated. The methodology  800  starts at  802 , and at  804  an indication that a user has selected a first facet is received. Such selection may be made by way of a pointing and clicking mechanism, a pressure-sensitive screen, and/or the like. 
     At  806 , the dataset is filtered based at least in part upon the received indication. For instance, the dataset may include a plurality of videos, and the first facet may include items with a common topic. Upon selection of such facet, the dataset is filtered such that items/facets that do not include the topic are filtered from the user. 
     At  808 , a second facet is graphically rendered on a graphical user interface in response to user-selection of the first facet, wherein the second facet is a sub-facet of the first facet. For instance, the second facet may include videos with a particular author. Thus, the second facet is representative of items of a certain topic generated by the particular author. The methodology  800  completes at  810 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , an example methodology  900  for presenting information to a user is illustrated. The methodology  900  starts at  902 , and at  904  an indication is received that a user is hovering over an item (e.g., a graphical icon that represents the item) on a graphical user interface. For instance, the user may be hovering over the item with a cursor. 
     At  906 , the item that is subject to hovering is highlighted. As noted above, highlighted can include rendering a ring of a particular color, such as yellow, around the item. Highlighting may also include rendering graphics and/or text more boldly when compared to other items that are not subject to highlighting. 
     At  908 , other instances of the item that are displayed concurrently with the item that is subject to hovering are highlighted. Additionally or alternatively, facets that include the item that are displayed concurrently with such item can be highlighted. 
     In another example, when a detection is made that a cursor is hovered over a facet or sub-facet, other facets and/or sub-facets visually presented to the user can be highlighted based at least in part upon an amount of overlap with respect to items that correspond to the facets and/or sub-facets. For instance, a detection can be made that a first facet is hovered over and that a second facet has 90% similarity with respect to items that are covered by the first facet and second facet. The second facet can be color-coded a particular color based upon such overlap. The methodology  900  completes at  910 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 10 , an example methodology  1000  for filtering a dataset is illustrated. The methodology  1000  starts at  1002 , and at  1004  an indication is received that a user has selected an item on a graphical user interface. At  1006 , a selectable attribute that corresponds to the item is illustrated. For instance, if the item is a scholarly article, an attribute such as “papers by author” can be provided to the user. 
     At  1008 , an indication is received that the user has selected the attribute (e.g., by way of a pointing and clicking mechanism). At  1010 , a dataset is filtered based at least in part upon the selected attribute. In practice, such methodology  1000  can be used to “pivot” about an attribute of a located item. The methodology  1000  completes at  1012 . 
     Referring collectively to  FIGS. 11-18 , various example graphical user interfaces that can be rendered by the renderer component  108  ( FIGS. 1-6 ) are illustrated. Such graphical user interfaces may be depicted on a personal computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable telephone, or other suitable display screen. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the example graphical user interfaces are provided for illustrative purposes as examples, and the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the depicted example interfaces. 
     Turning specifically to  FIG. 11 , an example graphical user interface  1100  that can be used in connection with visualizing facets is illustrated. The graphical user interface  1100  includes a query field  1102 , wherein a user can provide a textual query into the query field  1102 . The graphical user interface  1100  also includes a search button  1104 , wherein depression of such search button  1104  when a query is provided in the query field  1102  may initiate a search over a dataset or a subset of the dataset using the query. 
     The graphical user interface  1100  is also depicted as including two facet fields  1106  and  1108 . The first facet field  1106  is shown as including a first facet  1110 , a second facet  1112 , and a third facet  1114 . The first facet  1110  is depicted as including three displayed sub-facets  1116 ,  1118 , and  1120 , the second facet  1112  is depicted as including three sub-facets  1122 ,  1124 , and  1126 , and the third facet  1114  is depicted as including three sub-facets  1128 ,  1130 , and  1132 . Each of the facets in the first facet field  1106  may include a grouping of items, wherein each item in a grouping of items shares at least one common attribute. In addition, facets in the first facet field  1106  are rendered as selectable graphical icons. If a user selects one of the facets in the first facet field  1106 , items in a dataset are filtered based at least in part upon such selection (e.g., the dataset is filtered based at least in part upon the attribute that is common amongst items in a grouping of items corresponding to a selected facet). 
     With more specificity with respect to facets and sub-facets in the first facet field  1106 , such facets and/or sub-facets  1110 - 1132  are displayed in a two-dimensional space. It can be discerned, however, that with respect to the first facet field  1106  the two-dimensional space is used to visualize the facets  1110 - 1114  and sub-facets  1116 - 1132  therein. In other words, the X-axis and Y-axis of the two-dimensional space are equivalent and are not utilized to encode additional information. 
     The second facet field  1108  includes a facet  1134  that is rendered as a plurality of selectable graphical icons, wherein each of the selectable graphical icons may be sub-facets. The facet  1134  corresponds to a grouping of items that share at least one common attribute. In this example interface  1100 , the facet  1134  is rendered with respect to two attributes, wherein at least one of the attributes is linear. For instance, the facet  1134  may depict a number of items in a dataset with respect to time. In another example, items in the dataset may be scholarly articles, and the facet  1134  may depict topics of articles with respect to time. In yet another example, the facet  1134  may depict topics of articles with respect to location. 
     With more specificity regarding visualization of facets in the facet field  1108 , the Y-axis of the two-dimensional space used to depict the facet  1134  encodes additional data pertaining to the facet  1134  and/or sub-facets. For instance, the facet  1134  may include several sub-facets that are based at least in part upon a linear attribute, such as time. The Y-axis can be used to encode information such as a number of items in each of the sub-facets. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 12 , an example graphical user interface  1200  is illustrated. The interface  1200  includes a query field  1202  and a search button  1204 , similar to what has been described above. The interface  1200  also includes a first facet field  1206 , a second facet field  1208 , and an items list field  1210 . The first facet field  1206  includes facets  1212  and  1214 , and sub-facets  1216 ,  1218 ,  1220 ,  1222 ,  1224 , and  1226 , which are similar to the facets in the field  1106  of the interface  1100  ( FIG. 11 ). 
     The second facet field  1208  includes a facet  1228  that is similar to the facet  1134  depicted in  FIG. 11 . The items list field  1210  includes a list of items  1230  in the dataset, wherein displayed items in the list of items  1230  are a subset of items in the dataset. The list of items  1230  may be dynamically updated responsive to user input. For instance, if a user selects the facet  1216 , the list of items  1230  may be updated to display items that correspond to the selected facet  1216 . Similarly, if the user selects a selectable graphical icon of the facet  1228 , the list of items  1230  can be updated to display items that correspond to the selected graphical icon. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 13 , an example graphical user interface  1300  is illustrated. The interface  1300  includes a query field  1302  and a search button  1304 . The interface  1300  further includes a first facet field  1306 , a second facet field  1308 , and an items list field  13   10 . Facets and/or sub-facets  1312 - 1322  in the facet fields  1306  and  1308  are similar to facets and sub-facets described above. In addition, a list of items  1324  in the items list field  1310  is similar to the list of items described above. 
     The second facet field  1308  includes two facets  1326  and  1328  that are displayed such that an axis of the two-dimensional space is utilized to encode information pertaining to the facets  1326  and  1328  and/or the sub-facets of such facets. Pursuant to an example, the facets  1326  and  1328  may be assigned a collective title (e.g., such as a title that is indicative of a linear attribute used when rendering the facets  1326  and  1328 ). Furthermore, each of the facets  1326  and  1328  may have a title that describes contents of such facets  1326  and  1328 , wherein such titles may be placed to the left or to the right of the facets  1326  and  1328 . Such facets are similar to those depicted in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     The example interface  1300  illustrates that two different facets can be displayed in a multi-dimensional manner in a particular field for sake of comparing a grouping of items within the two facets. For instance, the facet  1326  may represent papers written by an author A with respect to time while the facet  1328  represents papers written by another author B with respect to time. A user, reviewing the facet field  1308 , can quickly compare two different facets with respect to a common linear attribute, for example. 
     Furthermore, in an example, a facet from the facet field  1306  may be selected and dragged to the facet field  1308 , which may cause the facet to be rendered in a multi-dimensional manner. Thus, multiple facets may be displayed with respect to a common linear attribute in the facet field  1308 . Furthermore, selecting and dragging a facet from the facet field  1306  into the facet field  1308  may cause a new window to be generated, and at least the selected facet from the facet field  1306  is depicted in the new window with respect to a linear attribute (wherein the linear attribute may be selected as an attribute that is desirably treated as linear by a user). In another example, the selected facet from the facet field  1306  may be displayed in a new window together with one or more facets from the facet field  1308  (e.g., with respect to a substantially similar linear attribute). 
     Now referring to  FIG. 14 , an example graphical user interface  1400  is illustrated. The interface  1400  is similar to the example interface  1100  ( FIG. 11 ), and for the sake of brevity aspects described above will not be repeated. A subset of the facets and/or sub-facets in the graphical user interface  1400  include a query button  1402 . Upon user selection of a query button, a query field  1404  is presented to the user, wherein the query field corresponds to a facet or sub-facet that includes the selected query button. The user may then begin typing a query into the query field  1404 . A query presentation field  1406  may present facets and/or items that correspond to the query received by the query field  1404 . The user may select one of the presented facets or sub-facets in the presentation field  1406 , and a different graphical user interface may be generated. 
     In addition, as depicted, a facet may include several sub-facets, such that all sub-facets cannot be displayed. In such situations, a link  1408  (e.g., a “more” link) can be provided to the user for selection, wherein selection of such link may initiate presentation of additional sub-facets. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 15 , an example graphical user interface  1500  is illustrated. The graphical user interface  1500  is similar to the example graphical user interface  1200  ( FIG. 12 ), and for the sake of brevity aspects described above will not be repeated. In this example graphical user interface  1500 , the facet  1216  is depicting as including a first item  1502  and a second item  1504 , the facet  1218  is depicted as including a third item  1506 , and the facet  1224  is depicting as including a fourth item  1508  and a fifth item  1510 . In this example interface  1500 , the facets  1220 ,  1222 , and  1226  may correspond to numerous items, wherein it may be undesirably to display each of such items in the facets. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , an example graphical user interface  1600  is illustrated. The interface  1600  includes a query field  1602  and a search button  1604 . The interface  1600  additionally includes a first facet field  1606 , a second facet field  1608 , and an item list field  1610 . The first facet field  1606  includes a first facet  1612 , wherein such facet  1612  is depicted as including three items  1614 ,  1616 , and  1618 . Such items, for example, may be the sole items remaining after a user has filtered a dataset by way of selection of facets and/or querying. The first facet field  1606  additionally includes a second facet  1620 , which is depicted as including sub-facets  1622 ,  1624 , and  1626 . Selection of one of such facets and/or sub-facets  1620 - 1626  may initiate a new search over a dataset, for example. 
     The second facet field  1608  includes a facet  1628 , wherein an attribute of the facet may be displayed with respect to a linear attribute. 
     The item list field  1610  includes a list of items  1630 , which includes the first item  1614 , the second item  1616 , and the third item  1618 . In addition to listing the item, due to an amount of space available in the item list field  1610 , information with respect to the items  1614 - 1618  can be presented to the user. For instance, information fields  1632 - 1636  can be presented to the user, wherein such fields include information pertaining to the items  1614 - 1618  (e.g., information that is in addition to information that identifies the items  1614 - 1618 ). A size of an information field may correspond to available space in the items list field  1610 . For instance, if five items were to be displayed in the items list field  1610 , an amount of space for each information field would be less when compared to an amount of space for an information field if three items were to be displayed in the items list field  1610 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , an example graphical user interface  1700  is illustrated. The interface  1700  includes a query field  1702  and a search button  1704 . The interface  1700  additionally includes first facet field  1706 , a second facet field  1708 , and an item list field  1710 . The first facet field  1706  includes a plurality of facets and sub-facets  1712 - 1726 . The second facet field  1708  includes a facet  1728  that is displayed with respect to an attribute (e.g., an attribute selected to be a linear attribute). 
     The facet  1716  in the first facet field is rendered to include icons  1730  and  1732  that are representative of first and second items. The facet  1718  is rendered to include an icon  1734  that is representative of the first item. Additionally, the facet  1724  is rendered to include icons  1736  and  1738  that are representative of third and fourth items, respectively. 
     The items list field  1710  includes a list of items  1740 , wherein items represented by the icons  1730 - 1738  are included in the list of items. A cursor  1742  is shown as hovering over the first item as rendered in the list of items  1740 . Such hovering can result in the first item as rendered being highlighted when compared to other items in the list of items  1740 . Additionally, such hovering may cause the icons  1730  and  1734  that are representative of the first item to be highlighted. While not shown, the cursor  1742  may be used to hover over one of the icons (e.g., the icon  1730 ). In such an instance, the icon  1730 , the icon  1734 , and the item as rendered in the list of items  1740  may be highlighted. 
     Now turning to  FIG. 18 , an example graphical user interface  1800  is illustrated. The interface  1800  includes a query field  1802  and a search button  1804 . The interface  1800  additionally includes a first facet field  1806 , a second facet field  1808 , and an item list field  1810 . The first facet field includes a first facet  1812  that is illustrated as comprising a plurality of items  1814 ,  1816 , and  1818 . The first facet field also includes facets  1820 ,  1822 ,  1824 , and  1826 , wherein the facets  1822 ,  1824 , and  1826  are sub-facets of the facet  1820 . The second facet field  1808  includes a facet  1828  that is represented as a plurality of selectable graphical icons. In an example, the facet  1828  may represent a first attribute with respect to a second, linear attribute such as time. 
     The item list field  1810  includes information fields  1830 ,  1832 , and  1834  that present information pertaining to the items  1814 ,  1816 , and  1818 . The item list field  1810  additionally includes a pivot filter  1836 . The pivot filter  1836  can present filter criteria that is related to current filter criteria (e.g., facet selections) that have been used to locate one or more of the items  1814 - 1818 . Pursuant to an example, the items presented may be authors of a paper. The pivot filter  1836  may reset the filter to related filter criteria, such as “papers by author.” Selection of the pivot filter  1836 , then, may initiate a search for items in the dataset that are papers prepared by at least one of the authors of the paper. Such items (or facets) may be presented to the user on a different graphical user interface. 
     In addition, filtering can be accomplished by filtering by an attribute of an item. For instance, one or more of the items  1814 - 1818  may be scholarly articles that have several attributes. These attributes may be displayed in the item list  1810 . Upon selection of one of the attributes, contents of a dataset may be filtered by the selected attribute. In an example, the item  1814  may be a scholarly article that has a particular author. Upon selection of the author, for instance, content of the dataset may be filtered, such that the filtered set includes scholarly articles that are authored by the selected author. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 19 , a high-level illustration of an example computing device  1900  that can be used in accordance with the systems and methodologies disclosed herein is illustrated. For instance, the computing device  1900  may be used in connection with visual search system, such as a system that facilitates search by way of facets. Accordingly, the computing device  1900  may be or be included within a server system. In another example, the computing device  1900  may be or be included in a client device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, and the like. The computing device  1900  includes at least one processor  1902  that executes instructions that are stored in a memory  1904 . The instructions may be, for instance, instructions for implementing functionality described as being carried out by one or more components discussed above or instructions for implementing one or more of the methods described above. Additionally or alternatively, the instructions may be instructions for rendering graphical user interfaces, such as the example graphical user interfaces described above. The processor  1902  may access the memory by way of a system bus  1906 . In addition to storing executable instructions, the memory  1904  may also store items, relationships between items, metadata, etc. 
     The computing device  1900  additionally includes a data store  1908  that is accessible by the processor  1902  by way of the system bus  1906 . The data store  1908  may include executable instructions, items, relationships, attributes, etc. The computing device  1900  also includes an input interface  1910  that allows users or external devices to communicate with the computing device  1900 . For instance, the input interface  1910  may be used to receive instructions from an external computer device, input or commands from a user, etc. The computing device  1900  also includes an output interface  1912  that interfaces the computing device  1900  with one or more external devices or allows information to be provided to a user. For example, the computing device  1900  may display images, facets, search results, or the like by way of the output interface  1912 . 
     Additionally, while illustrated as a single system, it is to be understood that the computing device  1900  may be a distributed system. Thus, for instance, several devices may be in communication by way of a network connection and may collectively perform tasks described as being performed by the computing device  1900 . 
     As used herein, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to encompass hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Thus, for example, a system or component may be a process, a process executing on a processor, or a processor. Additionally, a component or system may be localized on a single device or distributed across several devices. Further, a component may be computer-executable. 
     It is noted that several examples have been provided for purposes of explanation. These examples are not to be construed as limiting the hereto-appended claims. Additionally, it may be recognized that the examples provided herein may be permutated while still falling under the scope of the claims.