Collaborative environments in a graphical information system

• US 8,199,156 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2009
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intergraph Corporation (Hexagon AB)
• Original Assignee: ERDAS, Inc. (Hexagon AB)
• Inventors: Antoine, Lennox Bertrand
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Jacinta M
• Application Number:
  US12/422,202
• Publication Number:
  US 20090251472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 345/502
• US Class Current: 345/502
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/80 2D [Two Dimensional] animation, e.g. using sprites
• 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 2219/024 Multi-user, collaborative environment
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/125 wherein one of the images is motion video

Abstract

Collaborative environments in a geographic information system (GIS) are disclosed. Collaboration between multiple processors can be provided within the GIS. A first processor can stream a scenario describing geo-spatial analysis of the image conducted by the first processor. The scenario can include a set of parameters executed by the first processor for review by a user of a second processor. The user of the second processor can transmit a response back to the first processor. The response can include an addition to the scenario, an edit to the scenario, a comment, or acceptance of the scenario. The server can stream the scenario, and/or the images as well as the response between the first and second processors. The image can include three dimensional data and streaming of data can occur across networks such as the Internet.

Claims

1. In a geographic information system (GIS), a method performed by a first processor of multiple processors in communication with a server over a network, the method for collaboration between users of the multiple processors, the method comprising:

receiving, at the first processor, a first scenario generated by a second processor of the multiple processors, the first scenario including a first set of parameters which are viewable and editable by a first user at the first processor and executed at the second processor for conducting geo-spatial analysis of image data representing a physical environment, the parameters including manipulators, addition of nodes, addition of data layers, changes to properties of a node, alterations of image data geometry, and addition of attribute data, wherein the first scenario represents a first potential physical alteration of the physical environment represented by the image data;

presenting the first set of parameters to the first user thereby enabling the first user to view and edit the first set of parameters prior to performing a first geo-spatial analysis;

performing, at the first processor, the first geo-spatial analysis at least partially based on the first set of parameters and edits of the first scenario on the image data;

further presenting to the first user the image data after the first geo-spatial analysis at least partially based on the first set of parameters is performed and the result of the first geo-spatial analysis;

receiving from the first user a response to the first scenario via a user input device; and

transmitting the response for receipt by the second processor, the response being viewable and editable at the second processor.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the response includes a second scenario, the second scenario representing a second potential physical alteration of the physical environment represented by the image data and including a second set of parameters which are viewable and editable at the second processor prior to conducting a second geo-spatial analysis of the image data.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein:

the second scenario is performed at the first processor on the image data in addition to the first set of parameters; and

the response suggests the second scenario as being executed in addition to the first scenario.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the response suggests the second scenario as a substitute to the first scenario.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the response includes a comment by the first user, the comment regarding the first scenario.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the response includes an acceptance of the first scenario.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving an edit to the first set of parameters from the first user, the response including the edit to the first set of parameters.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first set of parameters includes parameters for addition of a building to the image data.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first scenario relates to a first location of a dam, the first set of parameters including geo-spatial analysis to determine an effect of the first location of the dam, wherein the response includes a different set of parameters including a different location of the dam or a different size of the dam.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first user of the first processor is assigned a higher level of privileges than a level of privileges assigned to a second user of the second processor.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein, as a result of the higher level of privileges, the first user is allowed to make permanent changes to the image data, and as a result of the lower level of privileges, the second user is not allowed to make permanent changes to the image data.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first set of parameters includes a cut, feather, normalization, or transparency manipulator.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the response and the first scenario are transmitted to a third processor in communication with the server.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein distribution of the first scenario and response is controlled by the server.

15. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving at the first processor the image data from the server, the server storing the image data and providing communication of scenarios and changes to the image data between the multiple processors.

16. A computer program product including physical storage computer readable medium for storing computer executable instructions configured to cause a computer to perform the method of claim 1.

17. In a graphical information system (GIS), a method performed by a server in communication with multiple processors over a network, the method for streaming a scenario between the multiple processors for collaboration between users of the multiple processors for the purpose of planning placement and specifications of a dam, the method comprising:

receiving a scenario relating to a potential placement of the dam at least partially within a geographic location represented by image data from a first processor, the scenario comprising;

parameters for conducting geo-spatial analysis of image data, the parameters being performed by a user of the first processor, the parameters including a Level of Detail (LOD) that specifies a threshold determining what objects of the scenario are to be viewed; and

a result of geo-spatial analysis conducted on the image data by the user at the first processor; and

transmitting the scenario to a second processor.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising receiving a response to the scenario from the second processor, wherein the response includes a comment about the scenario.

19. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

receiving an acceptance of the scenario from the second processor; and

transmitting the acceptance to the first processor.

20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

receiving a change to the scenario performed at the second processor; and

transmitting the change to the first processor.

21. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

receiving a second scenario from the second processor; and

transmitting the second scenario to the first processor.

22. A method according to claim 17, wherein the scenario includes an analysis of at least one of, or a combination of, earth-related phenomena or land based activity.

23. A method according to claim 17, further comprising receiving the image data along with the scenario including parameters for conducting geo-spatial analysis of the image data for execution of the scenario at the second processor.