Structural data presentation method

• US 6,604,126 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Floorview, LLC
• Original Assignee: Floorview, LLC
• Inventors: Parsons, Michael, Neiman, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): VOELTZ, EMANUEL T
• Application Number:
  US09/681,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20030004693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 709/201, 709/217-219, 709/203, 382/113, 717/104, 703/1, 703/7, 701/213
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics

Abstract

The present invention is a method of processing and displaying structural plans responsive to emergency tactical situations, the method including the steps of receiving a heterogeneous array of structural plan files, establishing a common specification for displaying structural plans, transforming the heterogeneous array of structural plan files to a standardized plan according to the common specification, receiving a remote request for a structural plan relating to a tactical objective, and responsive to the remote request transmitting the standardized plan to a remote recipient.

Claims

1. A method of processing and displaying structural plans responsive to emergency tactical situations, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a heterogeneous array of structural plan files;

establishing a common specification for displaying structural plans;

transforming the heterogeneous array of structural plan files to a standardized plan according to the common specification;

receiving a remote request for a structural plan relating to a tactical objective; and

responsive to the remote request transmitting the standardized plan to a remote recipient.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

establishing an array of preselected tactical objectives;

establishing an array of relevant objects for each preselected tactical objectives; and

filtering the array of relevant objects from the standardized plan according to the tactical objective and transmitting the filtered plan to the remote recipient.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

establishing an array of reusable structural objects according to the common specification; and

constructing the standardized plan with the array of reusable structural objects.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of:

associating a tactical strategy with at least one object in the array of reusable structural objects;

generating a tactical recommendation display to the remote recipient responsive to a display of the at least one object.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

calculating a position of the at least one object relative to other objects; and

generating the tactical recommendation display in view of the position.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

calculating an array of dimensions of the at least one object; and

generating the tactical recommendation display in view of the array of dimensions.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

calculating a position of the at least one object relative to other objects;

calculating an array of dimensions of the at least one object; and

generating the tactical recommendation display in view of the position and array of dimensions.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the tactical strategy is to provide fire cover.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the tactical strategy is to provide pathways for equipment transport.

10. The method of claim 4 wherein the tactical strategy is to provide utility access.

11. The method of claim 4 wherein the tactical strategy is containment by lockable doors.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the tactical recommendation display is a gradient rendered over areas of concern.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the tactical recommendation display comprises warning markers rendered over pathways of insufficient dimensions to transport equipment.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the tactical recommendation display comprises a rendered trail over at least one pathway of sufficient dimensions to transport equipment.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the tactical recommendation display comprises markers rendered over utility access points.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the tactical recommendation display comprises markers rendered over lockable doors.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

establishing a communications pathway from an onsite display device viewing the standardized plan to a corresponding structural facility being viewed by the display device;

responsive to a selection of at least one lockable door on the display device, transmitting an instruction to the structural facility to engage the lock.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein responsive to a selection of at least one lockable door on the display device, transmitting an instruction to the structural facility to disengage the lock.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transforming the heterogeneous array of structural plan files to a standardized plan according to the common specification further comprises the step of recording bibliographic data relating to the origin of the heterogeneous array of structural plan files.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transforming the heterogeneous array of structural plan files to a standardized plan according to the common specification further comprises the steps of:

establishing an array of alphanumeric data related to the structural plan files;

associating the alphanumeric data with the structural plan files; and

responsive to the remote request transmitting alphanumeric data in addition to the standardized plan to the remote recipient.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein alphanumeric data is only displayed in context of associated structural plan data.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving an array of GPS coordinates from at least one person inside a facility of which the standardized structural plans are being viewed; and

displaying the at least one person“

s position in overlaying relation to the structural plans on a remote display device.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the movement of the at least one person as a function of elapsed time;

establishing a threshold movement value;

periodically calculating a movement value for the at least one person;

responsive to a movement value for the at least one person becoming equal to the threshold movement value, issuing an alert notification.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of transmitting tactical data relating to a rescue operation for the at least one person.

25. A method of processing and displaying structural plans responsive to emergency tactical situations, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a heterogeneous array of structural plan files;

establishing a common specification for displaying structural plans;

establishing an array of reusable structural objects according to the common specification;

constructing a standardized plan from the heterogeneous array of structural plan files with the array of reusable structural objects according to the common specification;

establishing an array of preselected tactical objectives;

establishing an array of relevant objects for each preselected tactical objectives;

filtering the array of relevant objects from the standardized plan according to an individual tactical objective;

receiving a remote request for a structural plan relating to a tactical objective; and

responsive to the remote request transmitting the standardized plan to a remote recipient.

26. A method of processing and displaying structural plans responsive to emergency tactical situations, the method comprising the steps of:

aggregating an array of data relating to at least one structure;

establishing a common specification for displaying structural plans;

establishing an array of objects according to the common specification;

encapsulating a logic function in at least one object of the array;

formatting the array to the common specification;

storing the array on a remotely accessible storage device;

responsive to a request, transmitting the array to a remotely located display device; and

executing the logic function.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the logic function is responsive to an identified tactical objective.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the logic function is responsive to GPS data.

29. A computer program product for processing and displaying structural plans responsive to emergency tactical situations comprising:

a computer-readable medium;

a data storage module stored on the medium, that couples to an array of digital files relating to at least one structure;

a data conversion module communicatively coupled to the data storage module to format the array of digital files into a common specification;

a network reception module communicatively coupled to the data storage module to receive requests for the array of digital files; and

a network transmission module communicatively coupled to the network reception module to transmit the array of digital files.

30. The computer program of claim 29 further comprising a security module communicatively coupled to the reception module to validate to the identity of the entity requesting the array of digital files.

31. The computer program of claim 29 further comprising a GPS reception module to receive dynamic positioning of a person.

32. The computer program of claim 31 further comprising a GPS monitoring module to monitor the person“

s movement as a function of time.

33. The computer program of claim 32 further comprising a GPS alert module to issue an alert if the person fails to move a sufficient distance during a preselected period of time.

34. The computer program of claim 31 further comprising a GPS transmission module to transmit the position of the person relative to the structure defined by the array of digital files.

35. A computer program product for processing and displaying structural plans responsive to emergency tactical situations comprising:

a computer-readable medium;

a data storage module stored on the medium, that couples to an array of digital files relating to at least one structure;

a data conversion module communicatively coupled to the data storage module to format the array of digital files into a common specification;

a network reception module communicatively coupled to the data storage module to receive requests for the array of digital files;

a security module communicatively coupled to the reception module to validate to the identity of the entity requesting the array of digital files;

a GPS reception module to receive dynamic positioning of a person;

a GPS monitoring module to monitor the person“

s movement as a function of time;

a GPS alert module to issue an alert if the person fails to move a sufficient distance during a preselected period of time;

a GPS transmission module to transmit the position of the person relative to the structure defined by the array of digital files; and

a network transmission module communicatively coupled to the network reception module to transmit the array of digital files.