Platform for management of Internet based public communications and public comment

• US 20050240623A1
• Filed: 10/20/2003
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: INgage Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neighborhood America
• Inventors: Bankston, David A., Kobza, Kim Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,548,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

An Internet-based integrated technology platform that simultaneously supports the management of Public Information Sites—Web sites used to both (1) inform the public; and (2) capture and manage public comment (including submission of images)—while at the same time providing support for electronic communication for project teams that manage public involvement projects. The support includes sharing of graphic, text and collaborative tasks. The system and method allow revisions to comments and dynamic feedback in agency decision making based on comments with greater responsiveness. The system is also suited for implementing charettes with a large number of participants.

Claims

1. A system for managing public communications, comprising:

a server computer operatively connected to a network;

a communications manager having;

an information module;

a project team tools module;

a communications tools module;

site management tools module; and

wherein the server computer provides access, following authentication, to one or more of the information module, the project team tools module, the communications tools module, and the site management tools module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the information module provides one or more of project overview, recent project changes, and project status

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one software interface for receiving public comments.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one software interface comprises:

a first sub-interface for creating and submitting authenticating an individual; and

a second sub-interface for receiving information about the individual.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second interfaces are presented to the individual in a seamless manner.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the project team tools module provides one or more of a task manager, related links, a project calendar, an image manager, a document library, a project showcase, a directory, a listing of team members, and electronic communications with team members.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications tool module provides one or more of web conferencing and message board.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the site management tools module provides one or more of site maintenance, survey maintenance, web trend tools, survey reports, public comment and public comment reports.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a backend software interface for interactions with team members, the backend interface comprising:

an option for uploading documents;

an option for one or more of sorting and searching public submissions and documents in accordance with a specified search criteria; and

an option for filtering public submissions.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the site management tools module include screening public submission to identify presence of inappropriate subject matter.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the identified inappropriate subject matter is sequestered for detailed review.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the project team tools include searching for public submissions in accordance with one or more of a keyword, a time of submission, an identifier, an idea, a theme, and a vision.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications management module comprises:

shared modular code; and

means for responding to different browser implementations by invoking corresponding code.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the communications management module further supports Web site maintenance by one or more of updating dynamic text areas, creating Web sites by using templates, handling multiple Web sites by using customizations of at least one shared feature, providing a separate address linked to a Web site for accepting public comments, providing a separate address for accepting comments, automatic font and color adjustments, and supporting substantially unlimited number of active pages.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein work product is published on a Website substantially concurrently with its generation to invite comments to complete a feedback loop.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication management module enables one or more of a public agency, a quasi public agency and an enterprise to manage public comments, managing comments from a select audience, support one or more teams of consultants, agency staff, stakeholder organizations relevant to one or more projects at the same time

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication management module provides one or more of a public agency, a quasi public agency and an enterprise electronic project management with work-flow, document and image management, content management, Web-site management, and reporting technologies.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein access is provided at a plurality of levels.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of access levels include User Manager for adding and assigning users to projects, Project Manager for creating new projects and having full access to the communications management module, and Team Member for having access to a limited number of modules with read/update privileges.

20. The system of claim 1 further comprising a public website maintenance interface for providing access to one or more of project overview, a timeline, a document repository, an events calendar, an image manager, a public comment manager module, and a survey module

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the communications management module can access the public website maintenance interface via a project site maintenance interface.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the public comment module includes providing a submitter with one or more of an option of being notified of additional developments and participating in at least one survey.

23. The system of claim 1 further comprising modules for one or more of general information about a project, project goals, a project team, public documents, public notices, an image resource library, a project calendar, a project showcase, and a public comment module with one or more of a notification and survey functionality.

24. A communications manager module comprising:

an information module;

a project team tools module;

a communications tools module;

site management tools module; and

wherein the communication manager provides access, following authentication, to one or more of the information module, the project team tools module, the communications tools module, and the site management tools module.

25. The communications manager module of claim 24 further having a plurality of access levels including User Manager for adding and assigning users to projects, Project Manager for creating new projects and having full access to the communications management module, and Team Member for having access to a limited number of modules with read/update privileges.

26. An interface for a Web site coupled to the communications manager of claim 24 comprising a plurality of links selected from links to general information about a project, project goals, a project team, documents, notices, an image resource library, a project calendar, a project showcase, and a comment module.

27. The interface of claim 26, wherein the comment module further includes one or more of a notification and survey functionality.

28. The interface of claim 26, wherein the single point of entry is provided by requiring authentication of one or more of a username, a password, a encrypted session, and a challenge-response protocol.

29. A method of using updated comments from a Web site coupled to the communications manager of claim 24, comprising:

authenticating a submitter;

receiving a plurality of comments from the submitter;

storing the plurality of comments from the submitter with other comments received at the Web site;

retrieving comments by the submitter by carrying out a search;

organizing the retrieved comments chronologically to prepare an updated comment; and

using the updated comment in a comment report.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein a proposed rule is modified in response to the comment report.

31. A method of updating a posted issue inviting comments at a public Web site coupled to the communications manager of claim 24, comprising:

posting an issue at the public Web site with a specified date for receiving responses;

reviewing submissions received on the posted issue at the public Web site; and

modifying the posted issue in response to the comments prior to the expiry of the specified date for receiving responses, whereby subsequent responses are directed to the modified posted issue.