Context-Preserving Visual Links

Abstract

Evaluating, comparing, and interpreting related pieces of information are tasks that are commonly performed during visual data analysis and in many kinds of information-intensive work. Synchronized visual highlighting of related elements is a well-known technique used to assist this task. An alternative approach, which is more invasive but also more expressive is visual linking in which line connections are rendered between related elements. In this work, we present context-preserving visual links as a new method for generating visual links. The method specifically aims to fulfill the following two goals: first, visual links should minimize the occlusion of important information; second, links should visually stand out from surrounding information by minimizing visual interference. We employ an image-based analysis of visual saliency to determine the important regions in the original representation. A consequence of the image-based approach is that our technique is application-independent and can be employed in a large number of visual data analysis scenarios in which the underlying content cannot or should not be altered. We conducted a controlled experiment that indicates that users can find linked elements in complex visualizations more quickly and with greater subjective satisfaction than in complex visualizations in which plain highlighting is used. Context-preserving visual links were perceived as visually more attractive than traditional visual links that do not account for the context information.

The personal cockpit

“…For example, multiple data views are useful for making side-by-side comparisons, or for viewing an overview and a detailed view simultaneously [192].…”

“…Such links have been shown to help users find related entities more quickly than highlights alone in a desktop environment [192]. On physical displays, visual links can only connect items across views within the same display space, whereas with virtual 'floating' displays, such links can connect views across interstitial space.…”

“…From this we can assume that it is a best-practice for SAIs to make individual application windows self-contained, such that all of the information required for a particular task is present on a single interface. However, information is sometimes easier to interpret when spread between multiple, simplified visualizations [15,192]. Also, these windows may be interlinked such that manipulating content on one window may affect the information displayed on other windows.…”

“…SAIs leverage the benefits Introduction situated displays by turning one's head [192]. With robust spatial tracking, these devices essentially provide unlimited 'display' space; multiple information visualizations can be integrated directly into the appropriate home, work or mobile environment.…”

Interactive Exploration of Asynchronous Conversations: Applying a User-centered Approach to Design a Visual Text Analytic System

“…While a common way to relate various elements in multiple views is synchronized visual highlighting, we choose visual links to connect related entities. This was motivated by the findings that users can locate visually linked elements in complex visualizations more quickly and with greater subjective satisfaction than plain highlighting (Steinberger et al, 2011). Finally, the Conversation View displays the actual text of the comments in the discussion as a scrollable list.…”