Using a multiple view system in a virtual environment to explore and interpret communication data sets

ABSTRACT

We present a virtual environment (VE) where point-to-point radio communication data sets can be explored and interpreted. A data set can be viewed with multiple viewing options: spatial mode for an overview of the spatial relationship of the transmitters, abstract mode to recognize patterns in communication relations and hierarchical mode for viewing the structural organization of the participating communicators.It is possible to switch sequentially between the three views of a data set. With each view the user can select several tools to interpret the data set, like text and audio drilldown tools. To be able to extract persistent information, tools like markers and a report writer are available which store the information in text files. Because of the inherent three-dimensional nature of the three views, we implemented the system as a VE utilizing our two-sided Responsive Workbench, an L-shaped stereo projection table. An intuitive user interface is available through the use of the Cubic Mouse, an interaction device developed at GMD.

REFERENCES

• 1: Michelle Q. Wang Baldonado , Allison Woodruff , Allan Kuchinsky, Guidelines for using multiple views in information visualization, Proceedings of the working conference on Advanced visual interfaces, p.110-119, May 2000, Palermo, Italy [doi>10.1145/345513.345271]
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• 3: Bernd Fröhlich , John Plate, The cubic mouse: a new device for three-dimensional input, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems, p.526-531, April 01-06, 2000, The Hague, The Netherlands [doi>10.1145/332040.332491]
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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.7 Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism
          Subjects: Virtual reality

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.3 Picture/Image Generation
      I.3.6 Methodology and Techniques
          Subjects: Interaction techniques

General Terms:
Human Factors

Keywords:
Multiple View System, Virtual Environments, Visualization