The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 10, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 18, 1997
Kathy Ryall, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Joseph Marks, Belmont, MA (US);
Stuart Merrill Shieber, Cambridge, MA (US);
Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
A system for interactive manipulation of graphs by a user applies constraints to obtain a visually pleasing display. The user adds nodes and edges to the graph. Visual Organization Feature (VOF) constraints are then applied to the nodes. The system uses a generalized spring algorithm to apply the constraints. Springs are attached to selected nodes to which a constraint is to be applied. The length and the second end-point of each spring are set based upon the constraint which is to be applied. The system then determines by simulation at-rest positions for all of the nodes based upon the springs. As the user adds, changes or deletes VOFs or changes the positions of the nodes, the graph is automatically reconfigured based upon the constraints. A user interface in connection with the graph drawing system provides a display for the graph and selection buttons for applying the VOFs.