Integrating graphics and abstract data to visualize temporal constraints

Traditionally, visualization is the transformation of data into information that can be rendered using computer graphics techniques. Visualization combines techniques and representations from computer graphics, computer vision, and image processing. In distributed and hierarchical operations and processes, such as for command and control or logistics and planning, visualization is the central mechanism for communicating the state of the situation and operations. The major challenge of visualization is to filter, tailor, and present the information in compact forms that can be efficiently created and displayed. In contrast to many visualization problems, these domains have what seems to be an overwhelming variety and quantity of information. We address aspects of this problem with the graphical visualization of abstract temporal information in a concrete spatio-temporal framework.