An extensible interactive 3D visualization framework for N-dimensional datasets used in heterogeneous software display environments

Abstract

Although many automated techniques exist to mine large N-dimensional databases, understanding the results is nontrivial. Data visualization can provide perceptual insights leading to the understanding of the results as well as the raw data itself. A particular application domain where the use of high-dimensional interactive data visualization has proven useful is in the exploratory analysis of disease spread through populations, especially in the case of livestock epidemics. However, designing effective visualization tools for domain practitioners presents many challenges that have not been resolved by traditional interactive high-dimensional data visualization frameworks. To address these issues, we introduce a novel visualization system developed in conjunction with a livestock health surveillance network for interactive 3D visualization of high-dimensional data. Among the key features of the system is an XML framework for deployment of any high-dimensional data visualization tool to multiple heterogeneous display environments, including 3D stereoscopic displays and mobile devices. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.