Range sliders are frequently used in dynamic query interfaces to filter the data displayed in a visualization. They are useful to define a time window for filtering spatio-temporal event data, such as a set of animal observations or storm events. Since the set of events within the selected time window can be dense, the visualization may show an aggregated representation or a representative selection. We present a method for annotating a representative selection of point events in a queried time window with labels, such as small rectangular or circular symbols carrying qualitative or quantitative information about the events. Our particular concern is to provide consistent selections during basic interactions with a range slider while ensuring that, at any time, the visualization is informative and legible.
We invite the reader to try out our prototypical implementation for the following three scenarios.
Tornados in the USA
Migration of Gulls
Earthquakes
Contact
Annika Bonerath or Benjamin Niedermann