All-hazards information distribution method and system, and method of maintaining privacy of distributed all-hazards information

Abstract

An information distribution method includes: gathering all-hazards information into an information exchange from a first information source; gathering all-hazards information into the information exchange from a second information source; distributing the all-hazards information from the information exchange to a first independently-controlled alert network; distributing the all-hazards information from the information exchange to a second independently-controlled alert network.

1 . An information distribution method, comprising:
 gathering all-hazards information into an information exchange from a first information source;   gathering all-hazards information into the information exchange from a second information source;   distributing the all-hazards information from the information exchange to a first independently-controlled alert network;   distributing the all-hazards information from the information exchange to a second independently-controlled alert network.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the all-hazards information includes at least one of weather information, traffic information, earthquake information, epidemic information and fire information. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information exchange includes:
 one or more handlers that receive all-hazards information from the first and second information sources; and   one or more handlers that distribute all-hazards information to the first and second independently-controlled alert networks.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of independently controlled alert networks include a plurality of independently-controlled alert origination and distribution networks. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information exchange receives and distributes all-hazards information from one of the independently-controlled alert networks to another one of the independently-controlled alert networks. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising distributing the all-hazards information from the first and second information sources to an independently-controlled entity other than an independently-controlled alert network. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the independently-controlled entity other than an independently-controlled alert network includes one of a hospital, a school, a volunteer organization and an infrastructure provider. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising processing the gathered all-hazards information from the first and second information sources prior to distribution. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the processing includes normalizing the gathered all-hazards information from the first and second information sources. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 ,
 wherein a format of the all-hazards information from the first information source is different than a format of the all-hazards information from the second information source, and   wherein the normalizing includes reducing the different formats of the first and second information sources to the same format.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the processing includes filtering the gathered all-hazards information from the first and second information sources. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the filtering includes removing a redundant content from the gathered all-hazards information. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the filtering includes removing an extraneous content from the gathered all-hazards information. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the processing includes parsing the gathered all-hazards information from the first and second information sources into pieces of all-hazards information. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein processing includes storing all-hazards information from the first and second information sources. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the storing includes entering the gathered all-hazards information into a database. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the processing includes analyzing all-hazards information from the first and second information sources. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the analyzing includes analyzing the all-hazards information from the first information source together with the all-hazards information from the second information source. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the processing includes formatting all-hazards information from the first and second information sources. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the formatting includes formatting the gathered all-hazards information into a plurality of different formats. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein all-hazards information having the plurality of different formats have substantially the same content. 
   
   
       22 . A national information distribution method, comprising:
 gathering all-hazards information into a national information exchange from a plurality of information sources;   distributing the all-hazards information from the national information exchange into a first regional information exchange corresponding to a first region;   distributing the all-hazards information from the national information exchange into a second regional information exchange corresponding to a second region;   distributing the all-hazards information from the first regional information exchange to a plurality of independently-controlled alert networks corresponding to the first region; and   distributing the all-hazards information from the second regional information exchange to a plurality of independently-controlled alert networks corresponding the second region.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the all-hazards information includes at least one of weather information, traffic information, earthquake information, epidemic information and fire information. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the independently controlled alert networks corresponding to the first region include a plurality of independently-controlled alert origination and distribution networks, and   wherein the independently controlled alert networks corresponding to the second region include a plurality of independently-controlled alert origination and distribution networks.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the national information exchange receives and distributes all-hazards information from one of the regional information exchanges to another one of the regional information exchanges. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising distributing the all-hazards information from the plurality of information sources to an independently-controlled entity other than an independently-controlled alert network. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the independently-controlled entity other than an independently-controlled alert network includes one of a hospital, a school, a volunteer organization and an infrastructure provider. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the national information exchange receives all-hazards information from national information sources,   wherein the first regional information exchange receives all-hazards information from regional information sources corresponding to the first region, and   wherein the second regional information exchange receives all-hazards information from regional information sources corresponding to the second region.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 ,
 wherein the national information exchange processes the all-hazards information received from the national information sources,   wherein the first regional information exchange processes the all-hazards information received from the regional information sources corresponding to the first region, and   wherein the second regional information exchange processes the all-hazards information received from the regional information sources corresponding to the second region.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the processing of the national and first and second regional information exchanges includes normalizing the gathered all-hazards information from the national and first and second regional information sources. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the processing of the national and first and second regional information exchanges includes filtering the gathered all-hazards information from the national and first and second regional information sources. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the processing of the national and first and second regional information exchanges includes parsing the gathered all-hazards information from the national and first and second regional information sources into pieces of all-hazards information. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the processing of the national and first and second regional information exchanges includes storing all-hazards information from the national and first and second regional information sources. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the processing of the national and first and second regional information exchanges includes analyzing all-hazards information from the national and first and second regional information sources. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the processing of the national and first and second regional information exchanges includes formatting all-hazards information from the national and first and second regional information sources. 
   
   
       36 . An information distribution system, comprising:
 a first independently-controlled all-hazards alert network;   a second independently-controlled all-hazards alert network;   an information exchange connected to the first and second independently-controlled all-hazards alert networks.   
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the all-hazards includes at least one of weather, traffic, earthquake, epidemic and fire. 
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 36 , further comprising an independently-controlled entity other than an independently-controlled alert network connected to the information exchange. 
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the independently-controlled entity other than an independently-controlled alert network includes one of a hospital, a school, a volunteer organization and an infrastructure provider. 
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the information exchange includes:
 one or more information receiving handlers for receiving all-hazards information from a plurality of information sources; and   one or more information distributing handlers connected to the first and second independently-controlled all-hazards alert networks.   
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the information exchange includes one or more processors connected to the one or more information receiving handlers and the one or more information distributing handlers. 
   
   
       42 . A national information distribution system, comprising:
 a plurality of first independently-controlled all-hazards alert networks corresponding to a first region;   a plurality of second independently-controlled all-hazards alert networks corresponding to a second region;   a first regional information exchange connected to the first independently-controlled all-hazards alert networks;   a second regional information exchange connected to the second independently-controlled all-hazards alert networks;   a national information exchange connected to the first and second regional information exchanges.   
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the all-hazards includes at least one of weather, traffic, earthquake, epidemic and fire. 
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 42 , further comprising an independently-controlled entity other than an independently-controlled alert network connected to the first or second regional exchanges. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 44  wherein the independently-controlled entity other than an independently-controlled alert network includes one of a hospital, a school, a volunteer organization and an infrastructure provider. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 42 ,
 wherein the independently controlled alert networks corresponding to the first region include a plurality of independently-controlled alert origination and distribution networks, and   wherein the independently controlled alert networks corresponding to the second region include a plurality of independently-controlled alert origination and distribution networks.   
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 42 ,
 wherein the national information exchange connects to national information sources,   wherein the first regional information exchange connects to regional information sources corresponding to the first region, and   wherein the second regional information exchange connects to regional information sources corresponding to the second region.   
   
   
       48 . A method of maintaining privacy of distributed information, comprising:
 receiving a determination that an information source is publishable;   receiving a determination that another information source is authorized-only;   receiving a determination that another information source is approved-only;   offering a potential subscriber a subscription to the publishable information source;   receiving a request for subscription to the publishable information source from the offered potential subscriber;   accepting the request for subscription to the publishable information source;   receiving authorization evidence from a potential subscriber to the authorized-only information source;   offering the authorized potential subscriber a subscription to the authorized-only information source;   receiving a request for subscription to the authorized-only information source from the offered potential subscriber;   accepting the request for subscription to the authorized-only information source;   offering a potential subscriber a subscription to the approved-only information source;   receiving a request for subscription to the approved-only information source from the offered potential subscriber;   transmitting to a provider of the approved-only information source the request for subscription to the approved-only information source;   receiving an approval of the request from the provider;   accepting the approved request for subscription to the approved-only information source;   receiving all-hazards information into an information exchange from the publishable information source;   receiving all-hazards information into the information exchange from the authorized-only information source;   receiving all-hazards information into the information exchange from the approved-only information source;   distributing the publishable all-hazards information to the accepted subscriber to the publishable information source;   distributing the authorized-only all-hazards information to the accepted subscriber to the authorized-only information source; and   distributing the approved-only all-hazards information to the accepted subscriber to the approved-only information source.   
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the determinations are received from the providers of the information sources. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the authorization evidence includes an authorization code. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the authorization code is an alphanumeric authorization code. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the request for subscription to the approved-only information source includes identification information of the potential subscriber. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 transmitting to a provider of the authorized-only information source the request for subscription to the authorized-only information source; and   receiving an approval of the request from the provider of the authorized-only information source,   wherein the accepted request for subscription to the authorized-only information source is an approved request.   
   
   
       54 . A method of maintaining privacy of distributed information, comprising:
 receiving a determination that an information source is publishable;   receiving a determination that another information source is non-publishable;   offering a potential subscriber a subscription to the publishable information source;   receiving a request for subscription to the publishable information source from the offered potential subscriber;   accepting the request for subscription to the publishable information source;   receiving authorization evidence from a potential subscriber to the non-publishable information source;   offering the authorized potential subscriber a subscription to the non-publishable information source;   receiving a request for subscription to the non-publishable information source from the offered potential subscriber;   accepting the request for subscription to the non-publishable information source;   receiving all-hazards information into an information exchange from the publishable information source;   receiving all-hazards information into the information exchange from the non-publishable information source;   distributing the publishable all-hazards information to the accepted subscriber to the publishable information source; and   distributing the non-publishable all-hazards information to the accepted subscriber to the non-publishable information source.   
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the determinations are received from the providers of the information sources. 
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the authorization evidence includes an authorization code. 
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the authorization code is an alphanumeric authorization code. 
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising:
 transmitting to a provider of the non-publishable information source the request for subscription to the non-publishable information source; and   receiving an approval of the request from the provider of the non-publishable information source,   wherein the accepted request for subscription to the non-publishable information source is an approved request.   
   
   
       59 . A method of maintaining privacy of distributed information, comprising:
 receiving a determination that an information source is publishable;   receiving a determination that another information source is non-publishable;   offering a potential subscriber a subscription to the publishable information source;   receiving a request for subscription to the publishable information source from the offered potential subscriber;   accepting the request for subscription to the publishable information source;   offering a potential subscriber a subscription to the non-publishable information source;   receiving a request for subscription to the non-publishable information source from the offered potential subscriber;   transmitting to a provider of the non-publishable information source the request for subscription to the non-publishable information source;   receiving an approval of the request from the provider;   accepting the approved request for subscription to the non-publishable information source;   receiving all-hazards information into an information exchange from the publishable information source;   receiving all-hazards information into the information exchange from the non-publishable information source;   distributing the publishable all-hazards information to the accepted subscriber to the publishable information source; and   distributing the non-publishable all-hazards information to the accepted subscriber to the non-publishable information source.   
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the request for subscription to the non-publishable information source includes identification information of the potential subscriber. 
   
   
       61 . An information distribution method, comprising:
 receiving a plurality of different formats of all-hazards information from a plurality of information sources;   processing the different formats of all-hazards information into normalized information;   distributing all-hazards messages corresponding to the normalized all-hazards information to the plurality of entities, wherein a plurality of the all-hazards messages are distributed in different formats with substantially the same content.   
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the all-hazards information includes at least one of weather information, traffic information, earthquake information, epidemic information and fire information. 
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the receiving includes receiving a plurality of different formats of pushed all-hazards information. 
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the receiving includes retrieving all-hazards information through polling one or more of the information sources. 
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising maintaining polling parameters for the one or more information sources. 
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising accepting the polling parameters from one or more information source providers. 
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein processing the different formats of all-hazards information into normalized information includes reducing the number of different formats of all-hazards information. 
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein processing the different formats of all-hazards information into normalized information includes reducing the different formats to a standard format of all-hazards information. 
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the processing includes extracting payloads from the received information. 
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein the processing includes assigning one or more feeds to the payloads. 
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the processing includes identifying pieces of information included in the payloads of each assigned feed. 
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising enhancing the content of the received information. 
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the enhancing includes expanding abbreviations, translating, and attaching timestamps to the received information. 
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the enhancing includes connecting visual or audio information to a text-based received information. 
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the enhancing includes geolocating affected areas of the received information for providing visual displays of the affected areas to the entities. 
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising entering the normalized information into one or more databases. 
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising initiating all-hazards messages from the normalized information. 
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 76 , further analyzing the normalized information across multiple entries and initiating an all-hazards message resulting from the analysis. 
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 77 , where the distributing includes identifying the entities that are subscribed to receive the initiated all-hazards messages. 
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 79 , further comprising maintaining subscription parameters for the entities. 
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 80 , further comprising accepting the subscription parameters provided by the entity. 
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the distributing includes composing one or more all-hazards messages corresponding to each initiated all-hazards message. 
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein the distributing includes pushing the one or more all-hazards messages to the identified entities. 
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein the distributing includes composing a plurality of all-hazards messages in different formats with substantially the same content. 
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising receiving a response to an all-hazards message. 
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 85 , further comprising identifying the all-hazards message corresponding to the response. 
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 86 , further comprising identifying the information source corresponding to the all-hazards message. 
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 87  further comprising pushing the response to a provider of the information source. 
   
   
       89 . An information exchange, comprising:
 one or more information receiving handlers capable of receiving a plurality of information formats;   one or more processors capable of converting different all-hazards information formats into normalized all-hazards information, wherein the one or more processors are connected to the one or more information receiving handlers;   one or more information distributing handlers connected to the one or more processors capable of distributing all-hazards information in a plurality of information formats.   
   
   
       90 . The exchange of  claim 89 , wherein the one or more information receiving handlers include a plurality of push handlers. 
   
   
       91 . The exchange of  claim 89 , wherein the one or more processors include one or more poller daemons. 
   
   
       92 . The exchange of  claim 91 , further comprising one or more information source managers connected to the one or more poller daemons. 
   
   
       93 . The exchange of  claim 92 , further comprising one or more information source application programming interfaces (API) connected to the one or more information source managers. 
   
   
       94 . The exchange of  claim 89 , wherein the one or more processors include one or more content extractors connected to the one or more information receiving handlers. 
   
   
       95 . The exchange of  claim 94 , wherein the one or more processors include one or more feed parsers connected to the one or more content extractors. 
   
   
       96 . The exchange of  claim 95 , wherein the one or more processors include one or more information enhancers connected to the one or more feed parsers. 
   
   
       97 . The exchange of  claim 96 , wherein the one or more information enhancers include at least one of an abbreviation expander, a translator and a timestamp attacher. 
   
   
       98 . The exchange of  claim 96  wherein the one or more information enhancers connect visual or audio information to a text-based received information. 
   
   
       99 . The exchange of  claim 96 , wherein the one or more information enhancers geolocate affected areas of the received information for providing visual displays of the affected areas to the entities. 
   
   
       100 . The exchange of  claim 89 , further comprising one or more databases connected to the one or more processors. 
   
   
       101 . The exchange of  claim 89 , further comprising one or more controllers connected to the one or more processors. 
   
   
       102 . The exchange of  claim 100 , further comprising one or more controllers connected to the one or more databases. 
   
   
       103 . The exchange of  claim 101  where the one or more distributing handlers include one or more message dispatchers connected to the one or more controllers. 
   
   
       104 . The exchange of  claim 103 , where the one or more distribution handlers include one or more subscription managers connected to the one or more message dispatchers. 
   
   
       105 . The exchange of  claim 104 , further comprising one or more subscription management application programming interfaces connected to the one or more subscription managers. 
   
   
       106 . The exchange of  claim 103 , wherein the one or more distributing handlers includes one or more subscription handlers connected to the one or more message dispatchers. 
   
   
       107 . The exchange of  claim 89 , further comprising one or more response handlers that receive a response to an all-hazards message. 
   
   
       108 . The exchange of  claim 107 , further comprising a response dispatcher connected to the one or more response handlers.