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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A method for generating a raster display map having expandable graphic
representations, said generating method employing an existing map and an
object database containing information on addresses located within the
territory represented by the existing map, said generating method
comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining and displaying a raster map corresponding to said existing
map;
(b) providing a preexisting vector database having information
characteristic to the territory represented by the raster map;
(c) displaying a vector map from said vector database, said displayed
vector map containing said information characteristic to the territory
depicted in said raster map;
(d) aligning corresponding areas of said raster map and said vector map;
(e) geocoding said object database information with X,Y coordinates
relative to said vector database, at least some of said X,Y coordinates
identifying addresses within the areas depicted by said aligned raster and
vector maps; and
(f) displaying said raster map and a graphical representation of an address
located within the area represented by the raster map, said graphical
representation being expandable to provide object database information on
said address.
2. The generating method of claim 1, wherein said object database
information includes an address identification for each address
represented therein, and wherein said geocoding step (e) includes
assigning X,Y coordinates to said object database information using said
address identifications.
3. The generating method of claim 2, wherein each of said address
identifications includes a name identification and a number identification
and wherein said geocoding step (e) includes the steps of:
(i) separating each of said addresses by name identification and number
identification;
(ii) selecting one of the name identifications and searching said vector
database for vector matches with said selected name; and
(iii) locating a selected address relative to the vectors identified as
corresponding to said name identification match using said address number
identification.
4. The generating method of claim 3, wherein said vector database comprises
a TIGER vector database and said locating step (iii) includes:
searching said TIGER vector database to identify the particular vector
having said name identification match and having said corresponding number
identification disposed thereon; and
locating said selected address along said identified vector.
5. The generating method of claim 4, further comprising the step of
converting said TIGER vector database information from Lat/Lon coordinates
into X,Y coordinates prior to said geocoding step (e).
6. The generating method of claim 3, further comprising the step of
repeating steps (i)-(iii) for each address identification in said object
database.
7. The generating method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
repeating steps (a)-(f) for a plurality of existing maps.
8. The generating method of claim 1, wherein said existing map comprises a
network distribution map for a utility company and said addresses
represented in said object database include customer locations, each
customer location having an address identification associated therewith.
9. The generating method of claim 1, wherein said obtaining step (a)
includes the step of rasterizing said existing map to obtain said raster
map.
10. The generating method of claim 1, wherein said displaying step (f)
includes displaying said aligned raster and vector maps and a graphical
representation of at least one of said addresses located within the areas
depicted by said aligned maps.
11. The generating method of claim 10, further comprising the step of
removing said vector map from the display of aligned maps such that only
the raster map and said graphical representation located therein appear in
said display.
12. The generating method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
(g) saving said raster map and said X,Y object database coordinates in a
database for subsequent selective display.
13. The generating method of claim 12, wherein said method is utilized by a
utility company for displaying a serviceable event on a rasterized image
of a network distribution map, said method further including the steps of:
(h) accomplishing steps (a)-(e) and (g) prior to receiving a customer call
on a serviceable event for display;
(i) receiving a customer service call and identifying an address associated
with a serviceable event;
(j) identifying from said database the X,Y coordinates of said address
associated with said serviceable event; and
(k) displaying said raster map and a graphical representation of said
serviceable event using the X,Y coordinates of the event address.
14. The generating method of claim 13, wherein said steps (a)-(e) and (g)
are accomplished for a plurality of existing maps, and wherein said method
includes the step of selecting the appropriate raster map for display,
said appropriate raster map having said X,Y coordinates of the event
address located thereon.
15. The generating method of claim 13, further comprising the step of
expanding said graphical representation of said serviceable event to
obtain relevant information thereon from said database saved in step (g).
16. The generating method of claim 13, wherein said displaying step (k)
includes displaying said raster map and said graphical representation of
said serviceable event on a workstation monitor.
17. The generating method of claim 13, wherein said displaying step (k)
includes displaying through a projector said raster map and said graphical
representation of said serviceable event.
18. A system for generating a raster display map having expandable graphic
representations, said generating system employing an existing territorial
map and an object database containing information on addresses located
within the territory represented by the existing map, said generating
system comprising:
means for rasterizing said existing map to obtain a computerized raster
map;
first computer storage means for containing an existing vector database
having information characteristic to the territory represented by the
rasterized map;
means for displaying a vector map from said vector database, said vector
map containing said information characteristic to the territory depicted
in the raster map;
means for aligning corresponding territories depicted in said raster map
and said vector map;
means for assigning X,Y coordinates to said object database information
using said vector database, wherein at least some of said X,Y coordinates
assigned to said object database information identify addresses within the
territory depicted by said aligned raster and vector maps; and
means for displaying said raster map with an appropriately positioned
graphical representation of an address located within the territory
represented by the raster map.
19. The generating system of claim 18, wherein said object database
information includes an address identification for each address
represented therein, and wherein said X,Y coordinate assigning means
includes means for assigning X,Y coordinates to said object database
information using said address address identifications.
20. The generating system of claim 19, wherein each of said address
identifications includes a name identification and a number identification
and wherein said X,Y coordinate assigning means includes:
means for separating each of said facility addresses by name identification
and number identification;
means for selecting one of the name identifications and searching said
vector database for vector matches with said selected name; and
means for locating the selected address relative to the vectors identified
as corresponding to said name identification match using said address
number identification.
21. The generating system of claim 20, wherein said existing map comprises
a network distribution for a utility company and said addresses
represented in said object database comprise customer locations, each
customer location having an address identification associated therewith. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to visual display of information and,
more particularly, to a method and system for adapting existing drawings
and related information for intelligent display on a graphics display
monitor or other viewing means.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One important application for intelligent visual display of information is
in the display of cartographic drawings. For example, in many utility
industries easy reference to cartographic drawings can be critical at
certain times, such as during a storm induced power outage. As a more
specific example, today in the electrical power industry a company will
typically have a regional coordination center for handling service
interruptions/disturbances in the distribution network. During a
thunderstorm or other type of disturbance inducing event, the coordination
center will operate as a hub from which service crews are dispatched,
primarily in response to customer service calls received either at the
coordination center or at a location remote therefrom and forwarded to the
coordination center. In most cases, the coordination center will possess
many distribution maps of the particular region of responsibility. These
distribution maps may be large, extending for example from floor to
ceiling and wall to wall.
During a storm, information on each service outage or other serviceable
event (i.e., any disturbance in the distribution network) is transferred
to the coordination center (e.g., via a communication link with a printer
located within the room which prints out a line failure report containing
relevant information on the disturbance event, or a physical memo received
at the center). Once received, the serviceable event is posted on one of
the maps in the room, for example, in the form a colored pin or other type
of marker. (Typically, different colors are used to create an approximate
chronology of events as a way of sorting a large number of
interruptions/disturbances. For example, if a storm begins at 12 P.M., red
event markers may be used from 12 P.M.-3 P.M., blue from 3 P.M.-5 P.M.,
orange from 5 P.M.-5:30 P.M., etc. The length of each interval would
depend upon the progress of the storm and the number of service calls
received.)
After posting an event marker at an appropriate location on the appropriate
map, the corresponding line failure report is usually placed in a bin to
await assignment of a repair crew. During heavy storms with significant
numbers of power interruptions/disturbances, this tracking system can
become unwieldy (if not completely unworkable), irrespective of the number
of operators in the coordination center. This is largely because there is
no easy connection between a marker on a network wall map and a
corresponding line failure report filed in the bin. Consequently, with a
large number of service calls, confusion is easily created. At times with
a dispatch of a crew, the line failure reports in the bins must be
manually searched to locate the appropriate paper record. Prioritization
of calls is also often difficult, again, especially if a large number of
customer interruption/disturbance calls are received.
One possible solution to the above-noted problems with the existing
approach is to computerize coordination center operations by completely
digitizing all network maps and combining the digitized maps with relevant
customer database information generated by the utility. The problem with
this approach, however, is that map digitization can be extremely
expensive, since the process is very labor intensive and time consuming.
For a typical size utility company, having tens of thousands of
distribution maps, the cost of such an approach is prohibitive. Further,
creating a digitized map database containing maps of all company territory
and facilities would be duplicative of effort already expended by most
companies in producing their network drawings. Over the years, most
utility companies have compiled thousands of two-dimensional cartographic
drawings which show various aspects of their distribution network.
Typically, these drawings include a number of different types of maps,
such as primary maps, feeder maps, storm maps, etc., all of which are
usually hand-drawn. The digitization approach would be unable to take
advantage of any of this previous work.
Therefore, a need exists in the industry for a method and system to
streamline operation of a utility's coordination center, while still
taking advantage of effort already expended in producing maps and other
related information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly explained, the present invention comprises in a first aspect a
method for generating a raster display map having expandable graphic
representations. The generating map employs an existing map and an object
database containing information on addresses located within the territory
represented by the existing map. The generating method includes the steps
of: obtaining a raster image of the existing map; providing a vector
database having information characteristic to the territory represented by
the rasterized map; displaying a vector map from the vector database, the
displayed vector map containing information characteristic to the
territory depicted in the rasterized map; substantially aligning
corresponding areas of the raster map and the vector map; geocoding the
object database information with X,Y coordinates relative to the vector
database, at least some of the X,Y coordinates identifying locations of
addresses within the territory depicted by the aligned raster and vector
maps; and displaying the raster map with at least one graphical
representation of an address located within the territory represented by
the raster map, the graphical representation being expandable to provide
object database information on the at least one address.
In a more specific embodiment the generating method includes saving the
raster map and the X,Y object database coordinates in a database for
subsequent selective display. Using this prestored information, a method
for displaying a serviceable event on a rasterized image of a utility
network distribution map is also provided. This displaying technique
includes the steps of: receiving a customer service call and identifying
an address associated with the serviceable event; identifying from the
restored database the X,Y coordinates of the address associated with the
serviceable event; and displaying the appropriate raster map and a
graphical representation of the serviceable event using the X,Y
coordinates of the event address.
A system corresponding to the generating and display methods of the present
invention is also provided. The system includes rasterization means for
obtaining a computerized raster image of the existing map and a first
computer storage means for containing a vector database having information
characteristic to the territory represented by the rasterized map. A
vector map is produced by display means using the vector database. The
displayed vector map contains information characteristic to the territory
depicted in the rasterized map. Alignment means provide for alignment of
corresponding areas of the raster map and the vector map. Geocoding means
are provided for assigning X,Y coordinates to the object database
information using the vector database. At least some of the X,Y
coordinates assigned to the object database information identify addresses
within the territory depicted by the aligned raster and vector maps.
Lastly, display means are provided for displaying the raster map with a
graphical representation of at least one of the addresses, the graphical
representation being expandable to provide additional information
contained in the object database regarding the address.
A significant feature of both the method and system of the present
invention is the provision of a technique for adapting existing,
hand-drawn drawings and other pre-existing information for intelligent
display in a rasterized form on a graphics monitor or other viewing means.
The method and system are particularly applicable to use by a utility
company, such as an electrical power company. Addresses located within the
area depicted by a rasterized map are graphically represented with each
address having a definite X,Y coordinate relative to the displayed raster
map. Each graphical representation can be expanded to provide relevant
company information maintained on the subject address. The method and
system greatly enhance coordinated receiving and prioritization of
customer service calls, for example, during a service interruption or
other disturbance resulting from a passing storm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention
will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of
certain preferred embodiments thereof, when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one system embodiment of the/present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a functional flowchart of one data compilation embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a functional flowchart of one geocoding technique useful in the
data compilation approach of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is one operational overview of the present invention which uses the
information compiled during the processing steps of FIGS. 2 & 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Pursuant to a first aspect of the present invention, a computerized display
system 10 (FIG. 1) is provided for improved utility company management of
customer service calls, such as the service interrupt/disturbance calls
received by an electrical power company during a storm. In the embodiment
of FIG. 1, system 10 includes at least one workstation 12 having a display
monitor 14. Workstation 12, which is programmed to accomplish the
operations described herein, comprises any one of numerous commercially
available such units (e.g., workstations marketed by Data General, Sun
Microsystems or IBM could be used).
In a preferred embodiment, workstation 12 is programmed with a commercially
available computer aided drafting (CAD) geographical information system
(GIS) package having raster/vector overlaying capabilities, such as
InFoCAD.TM. marketed by Digital Matrix Services Inc. (DMS) of Miami, Fla.
InFoCAD.TM. is designed to operate in a mini/mainframe environment and is
available on multiple hardware platforms from DEC, Data General, IBM and
Sun Microsystems.
Besides raster/vector overlaying capabilities, this multi/simultaneous user
software includes CAD capabilities to create nested drawings and maps with
graphical tools, complete coordinate geometry features to facilitate the
designing and inputting of field and map surveying information for
highways, waterways, etc., a graphical relations database system for
tracking information contained on maps and drawings, information
manipulation capabilities including the ability to zoom and pan maps, and
an advanced programmers toolkit which allows users with programming
experience to customize the software to particular applications using a
high level interface language such as Fortran 77.
As described below, workstation 12 is also programmed to reference a storm
database 16 which contains rasterized information of various utility
company maps, along with customer records relevant to addresses located
therein. A separate on-line service database 18 is also coupled to
workstation 12. Database 18 contains a history of service
interruption/disturbance calls, which if desired may be compiled in the
form of a report and printed in hardcopy format, e.g., from a printer 22
connected to workstation 12. Printer 22, which comprises any one of
numerous commercially available such units, also preferably prints out
separate "line failure reports" with each interruption/disturbance call 20
received at workstation 12. The communications interface between an
incoming service interruption call and workstation 12 can be assembled by
one of ordinary skill in the art. By way of example, a fiber optic link
could couple a remotely located operator receiving the service calls and
the workstation located at a regional coordination center.
In addition to terminal display monitor 14, workstation 12 can be coupled
to a video projection unit 24 for enlarged display of information such as
network distribution maps. If desired, projection unit 24 could be
suspended from a ceiling and positioned to display information
substantially on an entire wall of a control room. Such a display approach
would be to enhance information viewing by many individuals.
Alternatively, multiple workstations could be networked together within
the coordination center as needed for multiple simultaneous system access.
FIG. 2 depicts a general overview of one approach to construction of a
storm database pursuant to the present invention.
First, if not already rasterized, an existing cartographic drawing must be
scanned into the system, 30 "Raster Scan Map Into System." Various raster
scanning software and hardware equipment are available in the open market.
Utilities, such as commercial power companies, typically possess thousands
of very detailed, hand-drawn network drawings, each of which normally
shows only a certain aspect of the distribution network. These
two-dimensional maps, which may be indexed according to U.S. geographical
survey zones such as those set up under the State Plane Coordinate System,
depict various network levels of company facilities. For example, primary
maps, feeder maps, storm maps, etc., may each be used by a utility company
to depict various components of the utility's distribution network. Major
components in a power distribution network would include electrical
distribution lines, transformers, power poles, switch relays, capacitors,
etc.
Depending upon the rasterizing system used, it may be necessary to convert
raster scanned images into a different format for system manipulation, 32
"Convert Scanned Maps To Appropriate Format." For example, one preferred
type of scanning software is marketed as Re:Vision by ABB of Germany. This
software has the ability to revise raster images in a CAD-like format.
Assuming this software is used, then the raster image will need to be
converted from ABB's implementation of CCITT Group 4 format to one of the
formats accepted by the system software, which in the embodiment discussed
above comprises InFoCAD.TM.. The InFoCAD.TM. software can support numerous
formats, including, GIF and PCX.
Along with raster scanning existing distribution drawings, system 10 will
need to receive vector information corresponding to the rasterized maps,
34 "Import Vector Background Into System." One preferred vector background
is the TIGER database produced by the United States Census Bureau. This
particular vector database, along with providing information on individual
names and addresses, provides latitude/longitude identifiers for each
vector. Before this information can be accepted into the processing
system, however, the latitude/longitude readings must be converted to X,Y
coordinate pairs, 36 "Convert Lat/Lon to X,Y Coordinate Pairs." Although
this step is straightforward, several companies (such s Digital Matrix
Services, Inc. of Miami, Fla.) will contract to perform the service if
desired.
Next, the raster scanned images and the vector maps generated from the
vector background database (TIGER) are overlayed and aligned, 38 "Overlay
Raster Scan and Vector Background Images." This operation can be manually
accomplished or, if desired, software can be used to automate the process.
Approximations in alignment will be necessary since the raster maps were
created from hand-drawn maps. In certain applications, "eyeballing" of the
raster image to the vector map may produce a sufficient degree of accuracy
for a utility company. However, this approach may result in an
unacceptable degree of accuracy for a different utility company.
For example, a fifty to one hundred foot error in location of the raster
map relative to the vector map may be acceptable for a power company
attempting to identify a house having an interruption in electrical
service, but would be unacceptable for a gas company attempting to
identify a valve buried beneath ground. If greater accuracy is required,
commercially available software can be purchased which will assist in
automated rectification of the raster map relative to the vector map.
Again, use of rectification software depends upon the particular degree of
accuracy required by a given utility company.
After overlaying the images (and performing any necessary rectification)
information from the utility's existing customer database is brought into
the system, 40 "Obtain Customer Database (CDB)," after which CDB schema is
defined in the system, 42 "Define CDB Schema in System" to facilitate
importing of the CDB data into the system, 44 "Import CDB Data Into
System." The CDB schema is needed for the system to emulate management's
existing customer database. For example, a customer name field will be
defined (e.g., having 40 characters), along with an address field (having
30 characters), a zone field (having 10 characters), etc. One example of
typical customer database information fields for an electrical power
utility is set forth in Table 1.
TABLE 1
______________________________________
CUSTOMER DATABASE (CDB)
______________________________________
Name
Address
Zone
Service Pole
Transformer Pole
Meter Location
Circuit
Phone Number
Substation
Zone Map
Storm Map
______________________________________
Obviously the type of information in the customer database will vary
between types of utility companies, and even between companies in the same
utility industry. X,Y coordinates are the link used to tie this imported
CDB data to the raster scanned image having vector background aligned
thereto. As explained further below, one preferred approach is to define
X,Y coordinates for each address in the address field of the CDB schema.
Thus, after importing the CDB data, X,Y coordinates for each entry
(name/address) are assigned, 46 "Geocode CDB Data," subsequent which the
data is saved for latter retrieval, for example, during a storm or other
service disturbing event, 48 "Save Data for Subsequent Retrieval."
One overview of a geocoding routine pursuant to the present invention is
set forth in FIG. 3. After entering the routine, 50 "Enter Geocoding
Routine," processing begins by breaking the CDB address field into street
names and street numbers, 52 "Break CDB Address Field Into Names and
Numbers." An initial address is selected, 54 "Select Address," and a
search is begun in the vector background database (TIGER) for a street
name match, 56 "Search Vector Background for Name Match." Once completed,
inquiry is made as to whether a name match has been found, 58 "Name Match
Found?" If not, then the processor is directed to select the next address
for name match processing, 60 "Select Next Address," and return to
instruction 56. If a name match is identified, the vector background
database is searched for a number match within the address number ranges
contained therein for the vectors associated with the identified name, 62
"Search Vector Background for Number Match Within Address Number Ranges."
In the converted TIGER vector database, (Step 36, FIG. 2), roadways (and
waterways) are represented as vectors with known X,Y terminal coordinates.
Table 2 sets forth as an example the terminal address numbers for two
imaginary segments of an arbitrary roadway.
TABLE 2
______________________________________
From To
______________________________________
Left 100 200
Right 101 201
Left 202 402
Right 203 403
. . .
. . .
. . .
______________________________________
Instruction 62 essentially directs the processor to inquire whether the
number of the corresponding address is on the left side of the street from
100 to 200 or on the right side of the street from 101 to 201, on the left
side of the street from 202 to 402 or on the right side of the street from
203 to 403, etc. (i.e., .gtoreq.left from and .ltoreq.left to) or
(.gtoreq.right from and .ltoreq.right to). The process determines whether
a number range match is found for the street number associated with the
given address, 64 "Number Range Match Found?" If not, then the next
address is selected for name match processing, 60 "Select Next Address,"
and return is made to instruction 56. Assuming a number range match is
found, the specific location of the subject address is identified on the
vector, 66 "Determine Length of Corresponding Vector and Bearing" and 68
"Locate Address on Corresponding Vector." The particular location along
the vector of the subject address can be readily determined by one skilled
in the art using point/slope geometry. After specifically locating the
address (i.e., assigning definite X,Y coordinates), the processor inquires
whether all addresses have been processed, 70 "All Addresses Processed?"
and if not, then selects the next address (at instruction 60) for
processing. After all addresses have been processed, return is made, 72
"RET," to the main loop of FIG. 2.
Once compiled, the storm database is used to greatly enhance control room
coordination and response time to service interruption/disturbance calls.
FIG. 4 depicts one example of system operation. As already noted, a
customer service call is initially received by an operator either at the
regional coordination center or at a location remote from the system, 74
"Customer Service Call". A customer service representative (CSR)
identifies the caller's name and address in the utility's customer
database (CDB) on the corporate mainframe and records any relevant
information concerning the service interruption or other type of
disturbance (e.g., downed line, arcing wire, emergency, etc.), 76 "CSR
Locates Caller's Name and/or Address in CDB and Records Outage
Information." This information is then transferred to the storm management
system, for example, via an optical fiber link or other communication
link, 78 "Transfer Information to Storm Management System." The
transferred information is received by the storm management system 10
(FIG. 1) in an on-line service database 18 (FIG. 1), 80 "Storm Management
System Receives Outage Information in On-line Service Database."
Thereafter, the storm database 16 (FIG. 1), which contains the information
compiled using the techniques set forth in FIGS. 2 & 3, is referenced to
obtain the X,Y coordinate information for the disturbance, 82 "Reference
Storm Database For (X,Y) Coordinates of Outage." Once obtained, the X,Y
coordinates of the service problem are transferred to the on-line service
database, 84 "Transfer (X,Y) Coordinates of Outage to On-line Service
Database," from which the system can display the location of the
interruption/disturbance on display monitor 14 (FIG. 1) and/or wall 26
(via projector 24) so as to appear overlapped on the raster scanned map,
86 "Display Outage Coordinates in On-line Service Database on Raster
Scanned Map." As noted, the TIGER vector background need not appear on
screen at this stage. Preferably, the processor also will save in on-line
service database 18 (FIG. 1) a chronology of the service
interruptions/disturbances for the subsequent generation of reports, 88
"Save Chronology of Outage Information." The particular type and format of
the reports to be generated can be programmed by one skilled in the art.
It will be observed from the above that the present invention provides a
technique for adapting existing, hand-drawn drawings and other
pre-existing information for intelligent display in a rasterized form on a
graphics monitor or other viewing means. The method and system are
particularly applicable to use by a utility company such as an electrical
power company. Addresses located within the area depicted by a rasterized
map are graphically represented, with each address having a definite X,Y
coordinate relative to the displayed raster map (and the underlying vector
map). Each graphical representation can be expanded to provide relevant
company information maintained on the subject address. The method and
system described herein greatly enhance coordinated receiving and
prioritization of customer service calls, for example, during a service
interruption or other disturbance resulting from a passing storm.
While the invention has been described in detail herein in accordance with
several preferred embodiments thereof, certain modifications and changes
therein may be affected by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is
intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and
changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *
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