Planning System Using Spatial-Based Visualization Aids

Abstract

A presentation, organizational and analytical system comprises includes an information database component that allows project specific ability to organize data and observations. A computer system constructs visual overlays of spatially mapped features, quantitative and qualitative attributes and produces an analytical framework where the attributes of any spatial location change in response to changes in the features of a context.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A presentation, organizational and analytical system comprises:
 a database that stores information including statistics, photos, diagrams, maps, qualitative data, and stakeholders inputs in different formats including observations and images;   a computer system comprising a processor and memory coupled to the processor, executing a computer program that configures the processor to   construct visual overlays of spatially mapped features according to quantitative and/or qualitative attributes;   produce an analytical framework where the attributes of any spatial location change in response to changes in the features of a context;   an organizing framework structure comprised as a hierarchy of planning units, with a top level being a project planning unit, with the hierarchy having lower level units for community section, existing conditions, and proposed development as second level planning units;   apply smart planning units produced and attached to an organizing structure media/data base; and   a problem/solution/scenario building mechanism in the visual comparison system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a smart planning unit is comprised of software object that contains planning information, template of information to be collected, audience allowed to view, add or otherwise interact with the information topics, and status connection to other planning units, tools for data collection, analysis, and presentation. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein further configured to
 apply visual/spatial comparison to provide two or more view ports to display of visual/spatial information side by side in the view ports; and 
 spatial synchronization of movement among the view ports such that movement in one port also moves the other port. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the view ports are further configured to
 show different layers in each view port as different visual aspects and detail differing scales in view ports show comparisons of features, with features shown in each view port can be spatial and context sensitive. 
 
     
     
         5 . A planning system, comprises:
 one or more server computer systems;   one or more databases operatively coupled to the one or more server computer systems storing an organizational structure hierarchy and with the one or more server computer system configured to:   execute a smart planning unit tool to produce one or more smart planning unit planning objects as an initial empty object; and   instantiate and attached a populated smart planning unit to the organizational structure hierarchy with information, with the smart planning unit including a basic function that defines behavior of the smart planning unit and data required by the smart planning unit.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further configured to:
 generate queries to the databased to find in the organizational structure hierarchy, topical units of interest; and   interconnect found units to permit dynamic selection and arrangement of planning units.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , further configured to:
 display and interactive add planning data to the planning units;   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , further configured to:
 filter dynamic arrangement of planning units by one or more of audience, topic, a spatial location.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5  wherein each smart planning unit includes functions and data as default values to fit into the planning organizational structure. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5  wherein each smart planning unit contains information passed on from a prior use of the smart planning unit. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 5  wherein each smart planning unit contains links to external resources. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 5  wherein each smart planning unit configures the server to disseminate information from the smart planning tool through channels. 
     
     
         13 . A planning system, comprises:
 one or more server computer systems;   one or more databases operatively coupled to the one or more server computer systems storing an organizational structure hierarchy and with the one or more server computer system configured to:   generate two or more images each image having a spatial visualization with layered information;   synchronized the two or more images according to a spatial locations common in each image with each spatial view having as the layered information topical layers based on scale of the respective image and a topic of interest to the user.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 5  wherein when changing a view of one of the images, the system is further configured to:
 receive an indication to zoom in or zoom out on a first one of the two or more images; 
 in response to the indication to zoom, 
 constructing by the system a query to the corresponding layers in the organizational structure hierarchy for available data according to context and relevance of the data at the scale of the zoomed image and the topics relevant at the scale and to the scale of at least a second one of the images and topical layers. 
 
     
     
         15 . A computer implemented method of detecting spatial patterns comprises:
 producing by a computer two or more spatial visualizations with layered information that are synchronized to each other;   iteratively comparing the two or more views at varying scales to detect inter-scale patterns of inter-related features, factors, effects, problems and solutions; and   applying a highlighting identified inter-scale patterns of features, factors, effects, problems and solutions.   
     
     
         16 . A computer implemented method of detecting spatial patterns comprises:
 producing software objects that store planning information collected during a planning process;   tagging by a computer meta-data of each unit by spatial location, topics, audience, and status;   connecting by the computer units to each other to form an organizational structure of units by hierarchical or relational topics using one or more tools to assist in spatial reckoning, data collection, data distribution, and analysis; with   distributing the planning units over a mobile communications network.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the units assist in inter-connecting units based on topic, spatial location, audience, and data features. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the units have help tools to draw upon past uses of unit-subtypes for future use.