Projects: Information Interfaces

Information Visualization is the use of computer-supported interactive visual representations of abstract data to amplify cognition. Whereas scientific visualization usually starts with a natural physical representation, Information Visualization applies visual processing to abstract information. This area arises because of trends in technology and information scale. Technically, there has been great progress in high-performance, affordable computer graphics. At the same time, there has been a rapid expansion in on-line information, creating a need for computer-aid in finding and understanding them. Information Visualization is a form of external cognition, using resources in the world outside the mind to amplify what the mind can do.

We have created a set of new interactive visualizations for hierarchical information (cone tree, Hyperbolic Tree, Spiral Calendar, Disk Tree), linear information (Perspective Wall), matrix information (Table Lens), information space x time (Time Tube), document visualization (Document Lens). We have also created new substrate components for 3D camera (point-of-interest flier), 3D object movement (3D object mover), scheduler (Cognitive Co-processor). We are particularly interested in Information Workspaces (Rooms, Information Visualizer).

Our group has co-started a new company, Inxight, to market the results of this research. Our research results have been part of a number of products, including Rooms, Visual Recall, Tab Works, Hyperbolic Tree, VizControls, Table Lens, Microsoft Site Analyst, Virtual Integrated Technology, ComShare, Smart Patents, Soft Quad).