Emergency management system

• US 20020143469A1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of North Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of North Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Merckel, Gerald, Lambert, J. David, Alexander, John Franklin
• Granted Patent: US 6,574,561 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/2
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A system for automating the gathering of field information that describes the condition of specific geographical locations at specific times via a field information recording device having a GPS receiver for the recording and assignment of the space-time coordinates as information is gathered. The information and space-time coordinates are transmitted to a management center for processing over a communication network. Upon receipt, the field information is integrated into a geographic database such that the information generates a template showing the current state or condition of the identified geographical location on an automated basis. The template and the associated geographical portion of the geographical database are distributed to users via the Internet, intranet or other communication means.

Claims

1. A real time management system for collecting information from geographical distributed locations comprising:

means for collecting information at geographically distribtuted locations and for assigning unique space-time coordinates associated with said infomation, said information and said associated space-time coordinates collected for subsequent transmission;

a communication network for transmitting said collected information and associated space-time coordinates;

means for establishing a connection between said information collection means and said communication network and for initiating the transmission of said collected information and associated space-time coordinates at a selected time;

said establishing means coupled to said means collecting means;

a computer, coupled to said communications network, adapted to receive said collected information and associated space-time coordinates from said information collection means and for transforming said collected information and associated space-time coordinates into an event description and associated GIS data;

said computer adapted to store said event description and associated GIS data in an event database and for accessing a reference geographic database to generate an event summary map that combines said event description with a previously generated base map; and

means for distributing said event summary map.

2. The management system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for selecting a portion of said reference geographic database based on said associated space-time coordinates;

a second computer for processing said event description and associated GIS information and for generating a summary of said events grouped by geographical location.

3. The management system of claim 2 wherein said distributing means comprises means, coupled to said second computer, for authorizing access to said summary and for distributing said summary of events in real time.

4. The management system of claim 2 wherein said information collection means comprises means for collecting audio information.

5. The management system of claim 2 wherein said information collection means comprises means for collecting image information.

6. The management system of claim 2 wherein said information collection means comprises means for collecting alpahnumeric information.

7. The management system of claim 1 wherein said information collection means further comprises means for recording voice input.

8. The management system of claim 1 wherein said information collection means further comprises a digital compass.

9. The management system of claim 1 wherein said information collection means further comprises a bar code reader.

10. The management system of claim 1 wherein said information collection means further comprises a GPS receiver for the recording and assignment of the space-time coordinates.

11. The management system of claim 1 wherein said computer further comprises:

electronic storage means;

first computer means for receiving said collected information and associated space-time coordinates;

said first computer means directed to storing geographical data in a database management system, said database maintained on said eletronic storage means and for obtaining event information in an event database, said event database maintained on said electronic storage means.

12. The management system of claim 11 wherein said computer further comprises:

second computer means for searching said databases and retrieving data responsive to said searching and for generating statistical and graphical information derived from said databases.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising means for remotely accessing said server to diseminate said reports and maps.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said communication network link is a satelitte radio network.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein said means for assessing damage comprises a portable computer having a graphical menu-driven field assessment form;

and means for generating audiovisual assessment information.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said acquiring step further comprises the step of allocating resources in response to said map overlay and reports.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said acquiring step further comprises the steps of:

generating a plurality of specific queries prompting a user for specific information;

retaining said information in a storage device; and

appending said information to an email message.

13. A system for managing the distribution of resources in response to a disaster comprising:

means for assessing damage at a location and communicating information regarding the damage, said damage assessing means comprising a portable communication device having a visual display for displaying a menu-based field assessment form displayed in a manner that prompts a user to enter information responsive to a plurality of displayed queries, a data entry device for generating data responsive to each query and means for retaining said responsive data;

said field assessment means further comprising means for determining the location of damage and for appending information specifying said location to said responsive data;

a management center for receiving said responsive information and said location information;

said management center having at least one server for parsing said responsive information and said location information to generate reports and maps; and

a communications network linking said damage assessing means and said management center for the transmission of information there between.

17. A method for obtaining and distributing information concerning field conditions in selected geographical areas comprising of the steps of:

acquiring field assessment information;

associating said field assessment information with space-time coordinates;

establishing a communication link for the transmission of said information and said coordinates at selected intervals;

transmitting said information and said coordinates to a management center;

parsing said information and said coordinates;

performing data analysis and data reduction to determine field conditions at said coordinates at a specified time;

creating reports summarizing field conditions at selected coordinates;

generating a map overlay that integrates said information and said coordinates with said reports;

distributing said map overlay and said reports.

20. A method for obtaining and distributing information regarding damage occurring over a large geographical area;

said method comprising the steps of;

acquiring field assessment information;

appending longitude and latitude of the location of the damage;

establishing a communication link for transmitting field assessment information to an emergency management center; and

transmitting field assessment information to said emergency management center;

Parsing the field assessment information to determine extent of damage;

generating a report of said damage;

generating a map overlay showing the location of said damage; and

transmitting said report and map.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said acquiring step further comprises the step of allocating resources.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said acquiring step further comprises the steps of:

selecting a series of queries;

prompting a user for specific information;

appending information obtained from an audiovisual device;

retaining said information in a storage device; and

appending said information to an email message.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said appending step further comprises the step of appending information obtained from a digital compass.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said appending step further comprises the step of appending information obtained from an inclinometer.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein said appending step further comprises the step of appending information obtained from a bar code reader.