Intuitive hierarchical time-series data display method and system

Abstract

The present invention provides a time-series data display method and system for displaying time-series data items so that a user can grasp time more intuitively. First data associated with a desired date is retrieved and displayed, second data associated with a contiguous date is retrieved, and a display screen for the second data is displayed smaller than that for the first data in a temporal direction starting with the desired date. Third data is associated with a date contiguous to the second date retrieved, and is displayed inside the second data with a smaller display area. Also, in a hierarchical data display method and browser system, a display area is divided into an area where icons representing data items belonging to one level are displayed, and an area where child levels are displayed. As hierarchical depth increases, the data icons are made smaller and simpler. The hierarchical structure of a file system or data base can be displayed as a Venn diagram. Data items belonging to child levels are not hidden but displayed as reduced images, whereby intended data can be located effortlessly. A cutout form and image are registered mutually independently. An identifier, position, and size of the cutout form are specified as the attributes of the image. Thus, an image can be fetched into album software by performing a simple operation, or a cutout can be changed in size.