Risk mapping system

• US 7,483,917 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Industrial Interfaces Limited
• Original Assignee: Industrial Interfaces Limited
• Inventors: Sullivan, Andrew, Sullivan, Victor, Thompson, Diana, O'Donovan, Fergal, Duane, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Tim T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gortayo; Dangelino N
• Application Number:
  US10/505,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20050086227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,161 Days
• Field of Search: 707/100, 707/1, 707/102, 703/1, 434/72
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• 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 risk mapping system (1) for use in crises management comprises a database (2) having a plurality of risk maps and hazard data associated with each risk map stored thereon. The database is accessible by one or more of personal computers (3), laptops (4) and hand held devices (5) by way of communication channels (6). The risk maps stored on the database comprise three dimensional graphical representations of specific locations and for each specific location having a three dimensional graphical representation there are provided a plurality of three dimensional, graphical representations from different aspects of that location. The hazard data is represented by way of a hazard icon superimposed on the risk map.

Claims

1. A risk mapping system for use in crisis management comprising:

a database having a plurality of risk maps stored thereon,

hazard data associated with each risk map stored on the database, the hazard data associated with the plurality of the risk maps including a hazard icon superimposed on the risk map,

means to access the database and select a particular risk map and associated hazard data, and

means to display said selected risk map and associated hazard data including;

the plurality of the risk maps stored on the database being three-dimensional graphical representations of specific locations and in which, for each location having a three-dimensional risk map, there are provided a plurality of three dimensional risk maps of the location from different aspects of that location and in which for each specific location, there is provided an internal view risk map and an external view risk map,

the internal view risk map including a view of the interior of the location permitting direction of emergency services personnel through the interior of the location,

the external view risk map including a view of the exterior of the location including the height of the location and the physical appearance of the location thereby allowing a user of the risk mapping system to determine whether additional equipment is required,

and the user accessing the risk map being diverted sequentially through a series of linked risk maps from the outermost view external view risk map to the innermost view internal view risk map.

2. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the means to display the selected risk map and associated hazard data further comprises means to select a particular three dimensional aspect view of a specific location having a plurality of three dimensional risk maps.

3. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which there are additionally provided two dimensional risk maps of specific locations.

4. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the external view risk map further comprises hazard data relating to other locations within a predetermined radius of the selected location.

5. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the hazard icon representing hazard data may have further accessible data associated therewith.

6. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which there are a plurality of risk maps for each aspect view of a particular location taken from different distances.

7. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which there is provided a surrounding area map showing access routes linked to each risk map.

8. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which there is provided a perimeter zone map displaying a predetermined distance perimeter zone surrounding a desired location linked to each risk map.

9. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which a neighbor area map showing nearby buildings is linked to each risk map.

10. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 9, in which a neighbor building which stores hazardous materials is given a hazard icon.

11. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which there is provided an internal view risk map for each floor of the particular location and in which each floor may be accessed one at a time.

12. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the specific location comprises a building.

13. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 12, in which there is provided contact details for each building shown in the risk map.

14. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which the system is linked to an existing legacy G.I.S. system.

15. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1 in which the system is linked to a Global Positioning System (GPS).

16. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1 in which the database is located remote from the means to access the database and select a particular risk map and associated hazard data and the means to display said selected risk map and associated hazard data.

17. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1 in which the means to access the database and select a particular risk map and associated hazard data and the means to display said selected risk map are located remote from the database.

18. The risk mapping system as claimed in claim 1, in which individual buildings on risk maps may be color coded to indicate types of materials contained therein.

19. The three dimensional risk map for storage in the database of the risk mapping system of claim 1, the three dimensional risk map having hazard data associated therewith, the hazard data comprising a hazard icon superimposed on the three dimensional risk map.