Emergency response data transmission system

• US 20060059139A1
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Robinson
• Original Assignee: John Robinson
• Inventors: Robinson, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,280,038 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/10 responsive to calamitous events, e.g. tornados or earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 31/00 Predictive alarm systems characterised by extrapolation or other computation using updated historic data
• 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 system and method using low-bandwidth to deliver key data from preexisting emergency response data programs to remote computer facilities using a variety of communications capabilities is provided. Key displays are re-created with enhanced information content and for distribution to a broad user audience via the Internet. Displays are updated every few seconds to remain synchronized with the on-site emergency response data program computer'"'"'s current status.

Claims

1. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication comprising the steps of:

installing a software agent and a wireless communications device on an emergency responder computer terminal having an emergency response data program;

querying the emergency response data program upon activation by an emergency responder using the software agent to determine the state of predefined data elements generated and stored by the emergency response data program;

creating a transmission file of the data elements obtained in the query;

transmitting the transmission file to a wireless gateway;

extracting the data elements on a centralized computer system connected to the wireless gateway;

converting geographic data to a Geographic Information System formats;

converting text information to be displayed directly on screen to HTML format;

inserting other text information into database systems to retrieve associated data to be displayed on screen;

forwarding the resulting display to an Internet-based Geographic Information System and recreating the key elements of the emergency response data program display using predetermined supplemental map data; and

posting the display for web access by permitted users.

2. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of querying includes:

determining date and time of day;

determining what chemical the emergency responder has identified;

determining a geometry of the dispersion plume;

determining the level of concern identified by the emergency responder; and

,

determining the origin of the plume defined by the emergency responder.

3. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication as defined in claim 2 wherein a remote weather station is connected to the emergency responder computer terminal and wherein the step of determining a geometry includes the step of determining the wind speed and direction.

4. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication as defined in claim 2 wherein the step of converting geographic data includes converting the geometry of the plume to a Geographic Information System format.

5. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication as defined in claim 4 wherein the geometry of the plume is converted to an ESRI shapefile.

6. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication as defined in claim 1 wherein the predetermined supplemental map data includes aerial photographs.

7. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication as defined in claim 1 wherein the predetermined map data includes parameters of interest to a responding community.

8. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of posting is accomplished using a secure server.

9. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication as defined in claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

monitoring all incidents hosted through the centralized computer system;

creating common incident information for chemicals identified by the emergency responder.

10. A method for emergency response data coordination and communication as defined in claim 9 further comprising the step of cross linking incidents occurring substantially simultaneously.

11. An emergency response data coordination and communication system comprising:

a software agent inserted in an emergency responder computer terminal having an emergency response data program, the software agent having means to query the emergency response data program to determine the state of predefined data elements generated and stored by the emergency response data program and means for creating a transmission file of the data elements;

a wireless transmitter inserted in the computer terminal adapted to receive and transmit the transmission file;

a wireless gateway receiving the transmitted file;

a GIS application server operably connected to the wireless gateway and having means to extract the data elements, means to convert geographic data to a Geographic Information System format, means to convert a first set of text information to be displayed directly on the final screen to HTML format, means for inserting a second set of text information into database systems to retrieve associated data to be displayed on the screen and means for creating the resulting display; and

a web portal connected to the GIS application server for posting of the display for access by authorized users.

12. An emergency response data coordination and communication system as defined in claim 11 further comprising:

a GPS receiver attached to the computer terminal, said transmitter also transmitting position information from the GPS receiver.

13. An emergency response data coordination and communication system as defined in claim 11 further comprising:

a an automated weather station having means for wind speed and direction sensing connected to the computer terminal, said transmitter also transmitting wind speed and direction.

14. An emergency response data coordination and communication system as defined in claim 12 wherein the geographic data includes data from the GPS receiver.

15. An emergency response data coordination and communication system as defined in claim 13 wherein the geographic data includes plume geometry and said GIS application server includes means for adjusting plume geometry dependent on said wind speed and direction.