TY - CONF T1 - A Visual Interface for Multivariate Temporal Data: Finding Patterns of Events across Multiple Histories T2 - Visual Analytics Science And Technology, 2006 IEEE Symposium On Y1 - 2006 A1 - Fails,J. A A1 - Karlson,A. A1 - Shahamat,L. A1 - Shneiderman, Ben KW - ball-and-chain visualization KW - Chromium KW - Computer science KW - Data analysis KW - data visualisation KW - Data visualization KW - Database languages KW - event pattern discovery KW - Graphical user interfaces KW - History KW - Information Visualization KW - Medical treatment KW - multivariate temporal data KW - Pattern analysis KW - pattern recognition KW - PatternFinder integrated interface KW - Query processing KW - query visualization KW - result-set visualization KW - Spatial databases KW - tabular visualization KW - temporal pattern discovery KW - temporal pattern searching KW - Temporal query KW - user interface KW - User interfaces KW - visual databases KW - visual interface AB - Finding patterns of events over time is important in searching patient histories, Web logs, news stories, and criminal activities. This paper presents PatternFinder, an integrated interface for query and result-set visualization for search and discovery of temporal patterns within multivariate and categorical data sets. We define temporal patterns as sequences of events with inter-event time spans. PatternFinder allows users to specify the attributes of events and time spans to produce powerful pattern queries that are difficult to express with other formalisms. We characterize the range of queries PatternFinder supports as users vary the specificity at which events and time spans are defined. Pattern Finder's query capabilities together with coupled ball-and-chain and tabular visualizations enable users to effectively query, explore and analyze event patterns both within and across data entities (e.g. patient histories, terrorist groups, Web logs, etc.) JA - Visual Analytics Science And Technology, 2006 IEEE Symposium On PB - IEEE SN - 1-4244-0591-2 M3 - 10.1109/VAST.2006.261421 ER -