Patent ID: 8542234

Claim:
A method for generating a graphical layout for a plurality of nodes based on the presence of predetermined inter-nodal relationships between the nodes, the method being computer-implemented using a computer comprising a processor and a computer memory, comprising: within computer memory, grouping nodes into one or more clusters, each containing one or more nodes, based on the inter-nodal relationships; within computer memory, determining inter-cluster relationships from the inter-nodal relationships; within computer memory, determining a spatial layout of the clusters based on the determined inter-cluster relationships; within computer memory, for each cluster containing multiple nodes, prior to determining positions for nodes, determining a fixed boundary for the cluster; classifying the nodes in the cluster as either internal or boundary nodes; projecting the boundary nodes to the boundary of the cluster and determining a spatial layout of the boundary nodes such that each boundary node abuts or straddles the boundary for the cluster; and determining a spatial layout of the internal nodes such that multiple internal nodes are laid out with reference to one another; and providing from computer memory a graphical representation of the plurality of nodes in accordance with the spatial layout.