Spatial graphical user interface and method for using the same

• US 9,274,765 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Drawing Management, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Drawing Management, Inc.
• Inventors: Thomson, Stephen C., Albu, Peter E.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US12/315,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20100131903A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,652 Days
• Field of Search: 715/764, 715/765, 715/768, 715/835, 715/846, 715/847, 715/205, 707/1, 707/104.1, 707/705, 707/769, 707/805
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces

Abstract

A spatial graphical user interface for interfacing with a plurality of data sources to create a layered image includes a content acquisition module configured to acquire a first primary image from any one of the data sources where the primary image has at least an image of one object thereon. A transparent layer generating module generates a transparent layer to be overlaid over the primary image which spatially corresponds to the primary image. A link generating module generates an icon on the transparent layer over the at least one object such that the icon represents a link to data contained in the data sources related to the object on the primary image. The layered image is the combined view of the primary image, the transparent layer and icons on the transparent layer.

Claims

1. A system for integrating disparate data sources comprising:

a plurality of data sources each including a plurality of technical documents related to existing infrastructure or facilities, the plurality of technical documents including at least one file containing a plurality of objects, each object relating to information in at least one of the plurality of data sources;

a computer configured to, without modifying the plurality of technical documents,

(i) generate a digital overlay document having a plurality of icons in response to a user'"'"'s selection of a file, each icon representing existing infrastructure or facilities equipment and components and linking to information in at least one of the plurality of data sources relating to an object in the user-selected file,

(ii) superimpose the digital overlay document over the user-selected file and spatially register the digital overlay document to the user-selected file such that each icon superimposes an object relating to the information that the icon links to, and such that the digital over-lay document is separate from and not embedded within the user-selected file, and

(iii) store the digital overlay document in a database separate from the plurality of data sources;

a display presenting the user-selected file superimposed with the digital overlay document; and

software that, in response to the user'"'"'s subsequent selection of an icon, retrieves the information that the user-selected icon links to, wherein the display subsequently presents the retrieved information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the information that the user-selected icon links to comprises one of the plurality of technical documents.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the information that the user-selected icon links to comprises a file containing a plurality of objects.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the digital overlay document is updated in response to one or more subsequent changes to at least one object in the user-selected file, the one or more subsequent changes to the at least one object corresponding to one or more changes in the existing infrastructure or facilities.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one icon is added, modified, or deleted in response to one or more subsequent changes to at least one object in the user-selected file.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one icon is modified to link to different information in at least one of the plurality of data sources in response to one or more subsequent changes to at least one object in the user-selected file.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the digital overlay document is stored as one of the plurality of technical documents.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of technical documents relate to existing infrastructure or facilities including a power plant, an electric company, a gas company, a steam company, a communications company, a transportation company, a government entity, a medical facility, a discrete or process manufacturing facility, a data center, a trading floor, or an office building.