Risk mapping system

• US 20050086227A1
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Interfaces Limited
• Original Assignee: Industrial Interfaces Limited
• Inventors: Sullivan, Andrew, Sullivan, Victor, Thompson, Diana, O'Donovan, Fergal, Duane, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 7,483,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A risk mapping system (1) for use in crises management comprises a database (2) having a plurality of risk maps and hazard data associated with each risk map stored thereon. The database is accessible by one or more of personal computers (3), laptops (4) and hand held devices (5) by way of communication channels (6). The risk maps stored on the database comprise three dimensional graphical representations of specific locations and for each specific location having a three dimensional graphical representation there are provided a plurality of three dimensional, graphical representations from different aspects of that location. The hazard data is represented by way of a hazard icon superimposed on the risk map.

Claims

1. A risk mapping system for use in crisis management comprising a database having a plurality of risk maps stored thereon, hazard data associated with each risk map stored on the database, means to access the database and select a particular risk map and associated hazard data, and means to display said selected risk map and associated hazard data characterised in that:

a plurality of the risk maps stored on the database are three-dimensional graphical representations of specific locations and in which, for each location having a three-dimensional risk map, there are provided a plurality of three dimensional risk maps from different aspects of that location.

2. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the means to display the selected risk map and associated hazard data further comprises means to select a particular three dimensional aspect view of a specific location having a plurality of three dimensional risk maps.

3. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which there are additionally provided two dimensional risk maps of specific locations.

4. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which for each specific location, there is provided an internal view risk map and an external view risk map.

5. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 4, in which the external view risk map further comprises hazard data relating to other locations within a predetermined radius of the selected location.

6. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the hazard data associated with each risk map comprises a hazard icon superimposed on the risk map.

7. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 6, in which the hazard icon representing hazard data may have further accessible data associated therewith.

8. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which there are a plurality of risk maps for each aspect view of a particular location taken from different distances.

9. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which there is provided a surrounding area map showing access routes linked to each risk map.

10. The risk mapping system as claimed claim 1, in which there is provided a perimeter zone map displaying a predetermined distance perimeter zone surrounding a desired location linked to each risk map.

11. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which a neighbour area map showing nearby buildings is linked to each risk map.

12. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 11, in which a neighbouring building which stores hazardous materials is given a hazard icon.

13. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 4, in which there is provided an internal view risk map for each floor of the particular location and in which each floor may be accessed one at a time.

14. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 4, in which the individual accessing the risk map is diverted sequentially through a series of linked risk maps from the outermost view to the innermost view.

15. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the specific location comprises a building.

16. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 15, in which there is provided contact details for each building shown in the risk map.

17. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the system is linked to an existing legacy G.I.S. system.

18. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1 in which the system is linked to a Global Positioning System (GPS).

19. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1 in which the database is located remote from the means to access the database and select a particular risk map and associated hazard data and the means to display said selected risk map and associated hazard data.

20. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1 in which the means to access the database and select a particular risk map and associated hazard data and the means to display said selected risk map are located remote from the database.

21. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which individual buildings on risk maps may be colour coded to indicate types of materials contained therein.

22. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the risk maps and the associated hazard data and the means to access and select a particular risk map and associated hazard data are stored as a computer program.

23. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 22, in which the computer program is embodied on a record medium.

24. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 22, in which the computer program is embodied on a carrier signal.

25. The three dimensional risk map for use with the system of claim 1.

26. The risk map as claimed in claim 25, in which the risk map is stored as a computer program.

27. The risk map as claimed in claim 26, in which the risk map is embodied on a record medium.

28. The risk map as claimed in claim 26, in which the risk map is embodied on a carrier signal.

29. A method of generating a risk mapping system comprising the steps:

converting the architectural plans of a specific location into computer readable format;

forming a three dimensional schematic representation of the specific location;

collecting hazard data for the specific location;

generating hazard icons for each piece of hazard data and further generating hazard control information associated with each hazard icon;

superimposing the hazard icons generated for the hazard data of the specific location onto the three dimensional schematic representation of the specific location; and

storing said schematic representations with hazard icons superimposed thereon in a database.

30. The method of generating a risk mapping system as claimed in claim 29 in which the method further comprises the steps of storing any further generated hazard control information in the database.

31. The method of generating a risk mapping system as claimed in claim 29 in which the step of forming a three dimensional schematic representation of the specific location further comprises generating at least one internal view risk map and at least one external view risk map.

32. The method of generating a risk mapping system as claimed in claim 31, in which an internal view risk map is generated for each level in the specific location.

33. The method of generating a risk mapping system as claimed in claim 29 in which the method further comprises forming a plurality of three dimensional schematic representations of the specific location from a plurality of different aspect views of the location.

34. The method of generating a risk mapping system as claimed in claim 29 in which the method further comprises the step of gathering contact details for individuals responsible for safety of a specific location and storing the contact details of that individual in the database.