US Patent 11460973 User interfaces for converting node-link data into audio outputs

Node-link data can be converted into audio outputs. For example, a system can generate a graphical user interface (GUI) depicting a node-link diagram having nodes and links. The GUI can include a virtual reference point in the node-link diagram and a virtual control element that is rotatable around the virtual reference point by a user to contact one or more of the nodes in the node-link diagram. The system can receive user input for rotating the virtual control element around the virtual reference point, which can generate a contact between the virtual control element and a particular node of the node-link diagram. In response to detecting the contact, the system can determine a sound characteristic configured to indicate an attribute associated with the particular node. The system can then generate a sound having the sound characteristic, for example to assist the user in exploring the node-link diagram.