Emergency management system

• US 6,574,561 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of North Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of North Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Alexander, John Franklin, Merckel, Gerald, Lambert, J. David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US09/822,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20020143469A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 702/5, 711/100
• US Class Current: 702/5
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A system for automating the gathering of field information that describes the condition of specific geographical locations at specific times via a field information recording device having a GPS receiver for the recording and assignment of the space-time coordinates as information is gathered. The information and space-time coordinates are transmitted to a management center for processing over a communication network. Upon receipt, the field information is integrated into a geographic database such that the information generates a template showing the current state or condition of the identified geographical location on an automated basis. The template and the associated geographical portion of the geographical database are distributed to users via the Internet, intranet or other communication means.

Claims

1. A method for dynamically assessing field conditions over a specified geographic area, said method comprising of the steps of:

receiving field assessment information from one or more of a plurality of mobile field devices in response to a task-specific and location-specific assignment specified on the one or more mobile field devices, wherein said field assessment information is associated with space-time coordinates, and wherein said field assessment information and associated space-time coordinates are received over a communication link established over either a land-based communication system or a satellite-based communication system depending on the present availability of the land-based or satellite-based communication systems; and

responsive to receiving the field assessment information and associated space-time coordinates from the one or more mobile field devices, assigning and transmitting to said plurality of mobile field devices a next task-specific and location-specific assignment in accordance with the received field assessment information and associated space-time coordinates utilizing the communication link over which the field assessment information and associated space-time coordinates were received.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating a map overlay that integrates the field assessment information and space-time coordinates with a summary report.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of allocating resources within said specified geographic region in accordance with said map overlay and summary report.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step is preceded by the step of utilizing each of said one or more mobile field devices to collect said field assessment information by:

displaying a plurality of specific queries prompting a user for specific field assessment information;

inputting and storing said field assessment information in a storage device; and

appending said field assessment information to an email message.

5. A method for dynamically coordinating field condition assessments over a specified geographic area, said method comprising the steps of:

acquiring field assessment information utilizing one of a plurality of mobile field devices, wherein said field assessment information is acquired by the mobile field device at a specified location in accordance with a task-specific field assessment form resident on the mobile field device;

appending the longitude and latitude corresponding to the location of the mobile field device from which said field assessment information was acquired;

establishing a communication link for transmitting the field assessment information to an emergency management center using a land-based communication system, or if said land-based communication system is unavailable, a satellite communication system;

transmitting said field assessment information to said emergency management center; and

responsive to the emergency management center receiving the transmitted field assessment information;

parsing the field assessment information;

updating a field assessment report in accordance with the parsed field assessment information;

generating a map overlay displaying the parsed field assessment information as relating to a specific location within said specified geographic area;

delivering a next assignment to one or more of said plurality of mobile field devices in accordance with the updated field assessment report, wherein said next assignment specifies a next location to which the mobile field device is directed or a next field assessment form to be utilized to collect field assessment information; and

transmitting said next assignment to one or more of said plurality of mobile field devices over the communication link corresponding to the communication link over which the transmitted field assessment information was received.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of allocating resources to locations within said specified geographic area in accordance with said updated field assessment report.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said acquiring step further comprises the steps of:

selecting a series of queries from the task-specific field assessment form, wherein said series of queries prompts a mobile field device user to enter specified field assessment information;

entering field assessment information into said mobile field device utilizing a user input device;

retaining said information in a storage device resident on said mobile field device; and

appending said field assessment information to an email message.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said appending step further comprises the step of appending information obtained from a digital compass.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said appending step further comprises the step of appending information obtained from an inclinometer.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said appending step further comprises the step of appending information obtained from a bar code reader.