Collecting, analyzing, consolidating, delivering and utilizing data relating to a current event

Abstract

Arrangements for collecting, analyzing, consolidating and delivering consolidated and enhanced data from a plurality of sources relating to a current event, to a third party, and reserving the consolidated and enhanced data for internal use so as to create a commercial proactive emergency management and disaster response information system that can also be used for emergent commercial purposes. A data capture device associated with an individual or a location captures data related to a current event or affected site. Incoming data may include raw data, repackaged data, or value-added data from source inputs. Captured data is sent to a centralized command center or distributed command centers where it is analyzed, resolved, correlated and repackaged for use by other parties.

1 . A method for capturing and utilizing data, comprising: providing at least one data capture device to at least one individual or mounting the at least one data capture device on at least one structure or mobile platform; resolving source data and capturing data from at least one data capture device in the proximity of a current event or nearby potentially affected sites, wherein incoming data includes at least one of raw data, repackaged data, or value-added data from source inputs; sending the captured data to at least one of a centralized command center or a distributed command center with at least one of a centralized server or a distributed server processing to resolve which data is required to go forward; storing the processed data in a server dedicated to event data; repackaging the captured data with the event data indicative of an event in progress; repackaging all the data as a composite whole, including the captured data, as composite event data; and developing an automated analysis of all the data and the current event, and providing the raw data and the repackaged data to at least one third party.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one data capture device comprises at least one of a wired data collection and dissemination device or a mobile wireless data collection and dissemination device.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a source of the captured data is resolved and the data is sent either directly to another data capture device, a computing platform such as an embedded server, or a third party.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a source of the captured data is resolved and the data is sent directly to both the at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center with at least one of the centralized server or the distributed server processing, respectively.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein each of the at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center functions as a single logical server farm or as special interest servers processing a single kind of data used by several of the servers as a single logical device that stores a comprehensive database.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the captured data is sent to other data distribution centers, and wherein data relaying is carried out between the data distribution centers with little or no command and control features.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the repackaged data is provided in real time.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the repackaged data is provided to consumers at a later time.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the repackaged data is reserved for internal use.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the captured data from the at least one data capture device is simultaneously sent to the at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center with the at least one of the centralized server or the distributed server processing, and to information storage and distribution centers having little or no command and control features.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center, with at least one of the centralized server or the distributed server processing, comprises a distributed database operating with a plurality of servers over multiple locations, with multiple mirrored versions of the distributed database.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stored data is replicated periodically to a plurality of data servers located at different places so as to prevent losing data when individual servers are lost or malfunction, wherein the plurality of the data servers perform as clustered backup servers.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the captured data related to the current event is sent from the at least one data capture device to the at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center over a variety of commercial, municipal, or private communications networks that are wired, POTS, or wireless.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one individual is a human being or a trained animal working with a human being who is close enough to the current event to capture the data related to the current event, venue, infrastructure, or a surrounding area using the at least one data capture device.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one individual may operate an individual vehicle or a fleet of vehicles, from a municipal service fleet, a commercial fleet, a military fleet, or a citizen-owned vehicle.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the current event may be at least one of a manmade or a naturally occurring accident, disaster, or medical crisis in a group or with an individual, activities surrounding a prevention of a disaster, a commercial event, a multi-media event, a public interest event, a public service announcement, a social event, a government announcement or proceeding, a military action, or any human-interest event, at any given geographic location, venue or infrastructure.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one data capture device is unmanned, operating independently or according to a schedule.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the captured data is analog, digital, RFID or a combination of inputs from the at least one data capture device.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one third party is at least one of a member of the public such as a private citizen, a municipal worker, a commercial or corporate employee, a media employee, a civilian volunteer or CERT member, a member of the military, an individual authorized to make measurements to capture a current condition of the event, a news gathering agency, a municipal or military emergency response organization, a utility company, an Internet portal, a web enabled access point, a film company, a documentary company, an insurance company, or a group or organization that desires access to the event data.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the repackaged data further comprises selling the repackaged data to the at least one third party.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the raw data further comprises selling the raw data to the at least one third party.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the raw data and the repackaged data are stored in reserve databases for internal use, and for resale to the at least one third party at a later time.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the repackaged data is value-added data.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the value-added data includes the captured data and the event composite data that describes the whole event, wherein the value-added data is being provided to the at least one third party in real-time, at a delayed time, in a programmed broadcast, on demand, event activated, and stored in reserve for internal use, and used for resale to the at least one third party at a later time.  
   
   
       25 . A method for capturing and utilizing data, comprising: providing at least one sensor for measuring data that may relate to an emergency condition and for capturing data of a current condition; using the at least one sensor for capturing data in a proximity of a current event or condition, wherein incoming data includes at least one of raw data, repackaged data, or value-added data from source inputs; sending the captured data to at least one of a centralized command center or a distributed command center with at least one of a centralized server or a distributed server processing; storing the processed data in servers dedicated to event data; repackaging the captured data with the event data indicative of an event in progress; providing the repackaged data, including the captured data, as composite event data; and developing an automated analysis of the data and the current event, providing the raw data and the repackaged data to at least one third party.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one sensor is deployed at a predetermined area to take measurements relative to any event.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the captured data is periodically sent to the at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center indicating current conditions of at least one predetermined area.  
   
   
       28 - 50 . (canceled)  
   
   
       51 . A system for capturing and utilizing data, comprising: at least one data capturing mechanism arranged to capture data related to a current event; a data sending mechanism coupled to the data capturing mechanism and arranged to send the captured data to at least one of a centralized command center or a distributed command center where the captured data is stored in a plurality of servers dedicated to event data; and a computing and analyzing mechanism coupled to the servers and arranged to repackage the captured data with the event data indicative of an event in progress, and said computing and analyzing mechanism consists of at least one centralized or distributed command center, at least one data capturing mechanism, or control unit that controls the operation of the computing and analyzing mechanism.  
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the computing and analyzing mechanism operates in real time.  
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the computing and analyzing mechanism provides the repackaged data to other consumers at a later time.  
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the captured data from the at least one data capturing mechanism is simultaneously sent to the at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center.  
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein each of the at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center comprises a distributed database operating with a plurality of servers.  
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the stored data is replicated periodically in a plurality of data servers located at different places so as to prevent losing data when individual servers are lost or malfunction, the plurality of data servers effectively performing as backup servers.  
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the at least one data capturing mechanism is a mobile device, a portable device, a household appliance such as a television or set top box, or any information terminal.  
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the at least one data capturing mechanism captures audio, video, GIS/GPS, digital imagery, text capture, or any electrical signals or instrument readings.  
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the at least one data capturing mechanism is unmanned, operating independently or according to a schedule.  
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the captured data is digital input from the at least one data capturing mechanism.  
   
   
       61 . A system for capturing and utilizing data, comprising: providing at least one sensor arranged to measure data that may relate to an emergency condition and to capture data of a current condition or event; a data sending mechanism coupled to the at least one sensor and arranged to send the captured data to at least one of a centralized or a distributed command center; and a computing and analyzing mechanism coupled to at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center to repackage the captured data with event data indicative of an event in progress, wherein the computing and analyzing mechanism further comprises a controller to control operation of the at least one of the centralized command center, the distributed command center, the at least one sensor, or the computing and analyzing mechanism.  
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one sensor is deployed at a predetermined area to make measurements relative to any event.  
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one sensor is worn by or attached to a person indicating an individual's status, including “man down” information, vital signs, vertical or horizontal orientation, and GPS location information.  
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the captured data is periodically sent to the at least one of the centralized command center or the distributed command center indicating current condition at least one of a predetermined area.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one sensor is a measurement device worn by or attached to a person indicating an individual's status, including “man down” information, vital signs, vertical or horizontal orientation, and GPS location information.  
   
   
       66 . A method for transporting a data capture device, a sensor, or a sensor array to a current event by mounting at least one data capture device on at least one mobile platform, comprising: capturing data from the at least one data capture device, the sensor, or the sensor array related to a current event; sending the captured data to at least one of a centralized command center or a distributed command center with at least one of a centralized server or a distributed server processing, wherein the captured data may be stored at the event, locally on the at least one mobile platform, communicated to a nearby server or servers dedicated to event data; repackaging the captured data with the event data indicative of an event in progress; and providing the repackaged data including the captured data and the event data to at least one third party.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one mobile platform is a satellite in low earth orbit, a satellite in a parabolic orbit, a station keeping movement of a satellite without a defined orbit, or a satellite in a geo-synchronous orbit.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one mobile platform is a person or an animal outfitted with a wearable computer, the at least one mobile platform may operate in air, on foot, on wheels, in water, or underground, and wherein the wearable computer is strapped onto at least one of a harness device, a wireless device, a PDA that is either handheld or mounted into protective clothing or supportive clothing, or a collection of devices in a Personal Area Network that coordinates communication between discrete devices worn on the person or the animal.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one mobile platform is a piloted or a driven vehicle that is waterborne, airborne, ground effect or land-based.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one mobile platform is an unmanned vehicle, a robot, or a robotic device or instrument, wherein the unmanned vehicle is driven by a remote or wireless control, preprogrammed to travel along a prescribed route, preprogrammed for station keeping via GPS/GIS, or other geographic, radar, or wireless navigation systems, or piloted remotely by human or artificial intelligence pilots, and wherein the unmanned vehicle is a waterborne, an airborne, a ground effect or land-based vehicle that is a robot, or a robotic device or instrument.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one mobile platform comprises a combination of platforms operating as a fleet, including a satellite, a person or animal outfitted with a wearable device, at least one of a manned or an unmanned vehicle working in concert, and wherein the combination of platforms is controlled by command and control instructions from a control center or by preprogrammed instructions.  
   
   
       72 . An automated data collection and dissemination system, comprising: an automated data collection and redistribution process mechanism arranged to automate the data collection and redistribution process by a single touch of a preprogrammed button on a device; and an automated push technology mechanism arranged to automate the push technology to broadcast commercial public service announcements across every commercial, municipal, military and private communication network, the automated push technology mechanism comprising at least one wired or mobile wireless data collection and dissemination device, wherein the preprogrammed single touch button is installed or manufactured on a device that is held or worn by at least an individual and mounted on at least a structure or mobile platform that is in outer space, airborne, waterborne, ground effect, on ground or underground.  
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein a human operator can activate the data collection and dissemination system by pressing the preprogrammed single touch button on a dashboard or a control panel of a vehicle that the human operator is operating, a technology harness the human operator is wearing, or a wireless device the human operator is holding to activate the system.  
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein the automated data collection and redistribution process mechanism broadcasts data gathered by a press of the single touch button using preprogrammed instructions to at least one of a centralized command and control center or a distributed command and control center.  
   
   
       75 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein preprogrammed outputs are returned to a human operator and a human operator's working team as a result of a press of the single touch button.