Technique for visualizing large web-based hierarchical hyperbolic space with multi-paths

Abstract

A system and a method in accordance with the invention utilize hidden links, mapping and unmapping to enable single-screen visualization of hyperbolic space with multiple path links. In the preferred embodiment, the hyperbolic space is a display of a tree structure having nodes in which each child node has a single primary parent that is linked to the child node by a primary path. The nodes also include secondary paths. The system includes a multi-path processor that is used to manage three basic processing elements. As a first element, a multi-path property is added to each child node to indicate whether the child node has at least one secondary path in addition to its primary path. As a second element, an examiner checks each child node's multi-path property when a user focuses on that child node. If the node has at least one secondary path, the multi-path processor invokes the proper actions, such as mapping and unmapping. A third processing element is the mapper/unmapper which simultaneously maps and unmaps the secondary sub-tree nodes that are associated with the secondary path. Following the navigation of the secondary path, the multi-path processor reverses the operations, unmapping the sub-tree nodes and restoring the nodes to the original tree structure, simultaneously restoring the nodes.