Communication assets survey and mapping tool

• US 8,024,461 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2009
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Evans, Scott T., Jensen, Eric I., Ryder, Robert J., Seay, Walter M., Lee, Jeffrey B., Peterson, Alan O., Seay, Kathy, Drew, Robert S., Moore, Alice
• Primary Examiner(s): WASEL, MOHAMED A
• Application Number:
  US12/365,540
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 709/224
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/173 using an interconnection network, e.g. matrix, shuffle, pyramid, star, snowflake
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/06 Generation of reports

Abstract

A Communication Assets Survey and Mapping Tool. The method includes collecting and storing agency, communication asset and interoperability data in a database, receiving a request for a display of agency, communication asset and interoperability of a geographic area, retrieving data regarding agency, communication asset and interoperability information from the database, determining interoperability between agencies based on their communication assets data and displaying interoperability information. Features include prioritizing interoperability solutions (a need vs ability analysis), data entry graphical user interface, data export, and community forum.

Claims

1. In a computer system, a method comprising:

a) collecting agency data that identifies local, state, and federal entities in a geographic region;

b) collecting communication asset data that identifies the communication equipment used by each entity in the geographic region;

c) calculating interoperability data based upon the collected communication asset data, wherein the interoperability data represents the interoperability of the communication equipment used by emergency and first responders between the various entities in the geographic region, including prioritizing interoperability communications to provide a communication need vs ability analysis between the various agencies;

d) storing the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data in a computer database;

e) receiving a request from a user to display the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data for the geographic region; and

f) displaying the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data for the geographic region to the user on a geo-spatial referenced map, including displaying the prioritized interoperability communications.

2. The method as in claim 1 comprising exporting the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data to allow for review, manipulation or visualization.

3. The method as in claim 1 comprising sharing the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data with other users.

4. The method as in claim 1 comprising graphically entering the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data without the selection of one of the agencies upon log-in.

5. The method of claim 1 including identifying interoperable gaps between the respective agencies.

6. The method of claim 1 including identifying interoperable gaps between the respective agencies prior to an emergency incident.

7. The method of claim 6 including making an analysis of highest needs and least ability to communicate between the respective agencies.

8. In a computer system, a method comprising:

a) collecting agency data that identifies local, state, and federal entities in a geographic region;

b) collecting communication asset data that identifies the communication equipment used by each entity in the geographic region;

c) calculating interoperability data based upon the collected communication asset data, wherein the interoperability data represents the interoperability of the communication equipment used by emergency and first responders between the various entities in the geographic region, including prioritizing interoperability communications between the various agencies to provide a communication need vs ability analysis;

d) storing the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data in a computer database;

e) receiving a request from a user to display the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data for the geographic region;

f) displaying the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data for the geographic region to the user on a geo-spatial reference map, including displaying the prioritized interoperability communications;

g) exporting the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data to allow for review, manipulation or visualization;

h) sharing the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data with other users; and

i) graphically entering the agency data, the communication asset data, and the interoperability data without the selection of one of the agencies upon log-in.

9. The method of claim 8 including identifying interoperable gaps between the respective agencies.

10. The method of claim 8 including identifying interoperable gaps between the respective agencies prior to an emergency incident.

11. The method of claim 10 including making an analysis of highest needs and least ability to communicate between the respective agencies.