System for Generating and Displaying Community Awareness Data

• US 20080270383A1
• Filed: 11/06/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Paradigm Alliance, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The Paradigm Alliance, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilkerson, David L., Brunett, Matthew L., Allen, Mark G.
• Application Number:
  US11/935,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20080270383A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0205 Location or geographical consideration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/10 Services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/205 Education administration or guidance

Abstract

A system and method links one or more disparate community awareness management (CAM) datasets for a community awareness program (CAP) with one or more spatial layers to create linked CAM datasets. One or more data attributes common to a CAM dataset and a spatial layer are identified, and the link is defined between the CAM dataset and the spatial layer. The spatial layer and the linked CAM dataset then may be queried using a single input query. Features from the spatial layer and features from the linked CAM dataset that match the query are generated for display. In one embodiment, a system and method manage CAP assets, transactions, interest areas for the CAP, and buffer areas for the CAP. An audience utility enables entering and maintaining audience data for the CAP. A journal utility enables making journal entries for one or more audience members, CAP assets, transactions, and/or other CAM data. A link document utility enables linking one or more documents to CAM data.

Claims

1. A computer-based method for generating and displaying community awareness data, comprising:

receiving data for at least one centerline from a client;

receiving buffer data, wherein the received buffer data defines one or more buffer areas in relation to the centerline; and

generating a map of the centerline and the buffer area for display to a user,

wherein the generated map is comprised of multiple spatial layers of information, and

wherein features displayed within the buffer area on the map are indicated by selected colors and symbols.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the buffer data represents a geographic area around the centerline.

3. The method according to claim 1, including overlaying one or more community awareness management data layers for display in the generated map.

4. The method according to claim 1, including merging spatial information from one or more databases for generating a map image having spatial features.

5. A computer-based method for selecting and displaying community awareness data, comprising:

entering a query through a user interface;

searching spatial data across linked datasets based on the query;

finding map points that match the query; and

displaying a map comprised of the matched map points.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

searching for data in a spatial layer, wherein the data resides in linked, disparate datasets; and

displaying a layered map of the data matching the query.

7. The method according to claim 6, including generating a report identifying assets matching the query.

8. A system for generating and displaying community awareness data, comprising:

an input device receiving data for at least one centerline and for receiving buffer data, wherein the buffer data defines a buffer area in relation to the centerline;

an image processor generating a map of the centerline and the buffer area;

an output device displaying the generated map; and

a spatial processor receiving spatial queries and responding with map feature data matching the query for display to a user.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the output device is a printer enabling a user to print the generated map.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the output device is a user interface displaying the generated map to a user.

11. The system according to claim 8, including a journal utility enabling a user to enter transaction information documenting communications with audience members.