METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SHARING INFORMATION BETWEEN DISPARATE DATA SOURCES IN A NETWORK

• US 20090138521A1
• Filed: 09/17/2007
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Buster, Duke
• Application Number:
  US11/856,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20090138521A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/21 Design, administration or maintenance of databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/25 Integrating or interfacing systems involving database management systems

Abstract

A system and method for sharing information in a network are provided. The system comprises a database module operative to maintain an information database identifying one or more items-of-interest. One or more data source communication modules are operatively connected to the database module. The one or more data source communication modules are configured to transmit one or more items-of-interest to the information database, or listen for one or more items-of-interest in the information database. A situation display module is operatively connected to the database module. The situation display module is configured to transmit one or more items-of-interest to the information database, or listen for one or more items-of-interest in the information database.

Claims

1. A system for sharing information in a network, the system comprising:

a database module operative to maintain an information database identifying one or more items-of-interest;

one or more data source communication modules operatively connected to the database module, the one or more data source communication modules configured to transmit one or more items-of-interest to the information database, or listen for one or more items-of-interest in the information database; and

a situation display module operatively connected to the database module, the situation display module configured to transmit one or more items-of-interest to the information database, or listen for one or more items-of-interest in the information database.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the database module, the one or more data source communication modules, and the situation display module are implemented in software programs.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the information database comprises a software blackboard.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the items-of-interest each comprise a synopsis of information from the one or more data source communication modules.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data source communication modules comprise:

a watch and control assets module operatively connected to the database module and configured to post items-of-interest to the information database, or listen for items-of-interest in the information database;

an automated support functions module operatively connected to the database module and configured to post items-of-interest to the information database, or listen for items-of-interest in the information database; and

a send and receive messages module operatively connected to the database module and configured to post items-of-interest to the information database or listen for items-of-interest in the information database.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising an edit plans module operatively connected to the database module and configured to post items-of-interest to the information database, or listen for items-of-interest in the information database.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the database module maintains the information database such that the items-of-interest are arranged in a hierarchy based on common data types.

8. A method of sharing information in a network, the method comprising:

maintaining an information database for identifying one or more items-of-interest;

creating one or more items-of-interest from relevant data;

transmitting one or more items-of-interest to the information database; and

listening for one or more items-of-interest in the information database.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

notifying one or more users in the network that one or more items-of-interest are in the information database; and

displaying the one or more items-of-interest to the one or more users.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more users can request additional information related to the one or more items-of-interest.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising updating the one or more items-of-interest when information related to the one or more items-of-interest changes.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more users can listen for updates of the one or more items-of-interest.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising notifying the one or more users when the one or more items-of-interest are updated.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein an autolook function module listens for a detection item-of-interest related to an intruder report and is notified when the detection item-of-interest is posted to the information database.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the autolook function module uses an asset item-of-interest in:

finding an available asset nearest to an intruder; and

sending commands to the available asset to monitor the intruder.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein a map display module listens to asset items-of-interest, unit items-of-interest, and path items-of-interest in order to build a route plan on a map.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein an automated function alerts a user when a new task has arrived for the user.

18. A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for a method of sharing information in a network, the method comprising:

maintaining an information database for identifying one or more items-of-interest;

creating one or more items-of-interest from relevant data;

transmitting one or more items-of-interest to the information database; and

listening for one or more items-of-interest in the information database.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

notifying one or more users in the network that one or more items-of-interest are in the information database; and

displaying the one or more items-of-interest to the one or more users.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises:

updating the one or more items-of-interest when information related to the one or more items-of-interest changes; and

notifying the one or more users when the one or more items-of-interest are updated.