A computing device, computer implemented method and computer readable storage medium for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports

Field of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to a computing device configured for the generation of electronic documentation generated using user selections from a hierarchical data structure stored within a database. In the embodiments described herein, the invention will be disclosed with reference to generating environmental impact assessment reports which are generated at least using user selected activities data, sub activities data relating selected activities data and hazards data relating to the selected sub activities.

Summary of the Disclosure

[2] According to one aspect, there is provided a computing device for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports, the computing device comprising a processor for processing digital data; a memory device for storing digital data including computer program code, the memory device being operably coupled to the processor; a database for storing hierarchal report object data, the hierarchal report object data comprising an activity table; a sub activity table in a l:n relation to the activity table; and a hazards table in a l:n relation to the sub activity table the database being operably coupled to the processor; and a user interface operably coupled to the processor, wherein, in use, the processor is controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user interface, activity selection data representing an activity selection; select, from the hierarchical report object data from the database, sub activity data representing a plurality of sub activities relating to the activity selection; receive, via the user interface, sub activity selection data representing a sub activity selection; and select, from the hierarchical report object data from the database, hazard data representing a plurality of hazards relating to the sub activity selection data; receive, via the user interface, hazard selection data representing a hazard selection; and generate the report data at least in accordance with the hazard selection data.

[3] In use, the processor may be further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user interface, sub-activity technical input data; and generate the report data further in accordance with the sub activity technical input data.

[4] In use, the processor may be further controlled by the computer program code to select the hazard data further in accordance with the sub activity technical input data. [5] The hierarchical report object data may further comprise a receptors table in a l:n relation to the hazards table and wherein, in use, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to select, from the hierarchical report object data from the database, receptor data representing a plurality of receptors relating to the hazard selection data; and receive, via the user interface, receptor selection data representing a receptor selection and generate the report data at least in accordance with the receptor selection data.

[6] In use, the processor may be further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user interface, hazard technical input data; and generate the report data further in accordance with the hazard technical input data.

[7] In use, the processor may be further controlled by the computer program code to select the receptor data further in accordance with the hazard technical input data.

[8] The hierarchical report object data may further comprise a controls table in a l:n relation to the receptors table and wherein, in use, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to select, from the hierarchical report object data from the database, control data representing a plurality of controls relating to the receptor selection data; and generate the report data at least in accordance with the control data.

[9] The hierarchical report object data may further comprise a controls table in a l:n relation to the receptors table and wherein, in use, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: select, from the hierarchical report object data from the database, control data representing a plurality of controls relating to the receptor selection data; and receive, via the user interface, control selection data representing a control selection; generate the report data at least in accordance with the control selection data.

[10] In use, the processor may be further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user interface, receptor technical input data; and generate the report data further in accordance with the receptor technical input data.

[11] In use, the processor may be further controlled by the computer program code to select the control data further in accordance with the receptor technical input data.

[12] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [14] Figure 1 shows a computing device for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[15] Figure 2 shows a functional schematic of the functions performed by the computing device of Figure 1 for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[16] Figure 3 shows a method before by the computing device of Figure 1 for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[17] Figure 4 shows an exemplary graphical user interface implemented by the computing device of Figure 1 for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[18] Figures 5-11 show further exemplary graphical user interfaces implemented by the computing device of Figure 1 for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Description of Embodiments

[19] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

[20] Before the structures, systems and associated methods relating to the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations and process steps disclosed herein as such configurations and process steps may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

[21] In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

[22] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. [23] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterised by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[24] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

Computing device for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports

[25] Figure 1 shows a computing device 100 for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports.

[26] In particular the steps of the method 300 of the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports, as described in further detail below with reference to figure 3, may be implemented as computer program code instructions executable by the computing device 100. The computer program code instructions may be divided into one or more computer program code instruction libraries, such as dynamic link libraries (DLL), wherein each of the libraries performs a one or more steps of the method. Additionally, a subset of the one or more of the libraries may perform graphical user interface tasks relating to the steps of the method.

[27] The device 100 comprises semiconductor memory 110 comprising volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). The memory 110 may comprise either RAM or ROM or a combination of RAM and ROM.

[28] The device 100 comprises a computer program code storage medium reader 160 for reading the computer program code instructions from computer program code storage media to 65. The storage media to 65 may be optical media such as CD-ROM disks, magnetic media such as floppy disks and tape cassettes or flash media such as USB memory sticks.

[29] The device further comprises I/O interface 135 for communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The I/O interface 135 may offer both serial and parallel interface connectivity. For example, the I/O interface 135 may comprise a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar I/O interface for interfacing with the storage medium reader 160. The I/O interface 135 may also communicate with one or more human input devices (HID) 155 such as keyboards, pointing devices, joysticks and the like. The I/O interface 135 may also comprise a computer to computer interface, such as a Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232) interface, for interfacing the device 100 with one or more personal computer (PC) devices 150. The I/O interface 135 may also comprise an audio interface for communicate audio signals to one or more audio devices 145, such as a speaker or a buzzer. [30] The device 100 also comprises a network interface 140 for communicating with one or more computer networks 170. The network 170 may be a wired network, such as a wired Ethernet™ network or a wireless network, such as a Bluetooth™ network or IEEE 802.11 network. The network 180 may be a local area network (LAN), such as a home or office computer network, or a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet or private WAN.

[31] The device 100 comprises an arithmetic logic unit or processor 120 for performing the computer program code instructions. The processor 120 may be a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) or complex instruction set computer (CISC) processor or the like. The device 100 further comprises a storage device 130, such as a magnetic disk hard drive or a solid state disk drive.

[32] Computer program code instructions may be loaded into the storage device 130 from the storage media 165 using the storage medium reader 160 or from the network 170 using network interface 140. During the bootstrap phase, an operating system and one or more software applications are loaded from the storage device 130 into the memory 110. During the fetch-decode-execute cycle, the processor 120 fetches computer program code instructions from memory 110, decodes the instructions into machine code, executes the instructions and stores one or more intermediate results in memory 110.

[33] In this manner, the instructions stored in the memory 110, when retrieved and executed by the processor 120, may configure the computing device 100 as a special-purpose machine that may perform the functions described herein.

[34] The device 100 also comprises a video interface 115 for conveying video signals to a display device 105, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode-ray tube (CRT) or similar display device.

[35] The device 100 also comprises a communication bus subsystem 125 for interconnecting the various devices described above. The bus subsystem 125 may offer parallel connectivity such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and the like or serial connectivity such as PCI Express (PCIe), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) and the like.

Generation of hierarchical data structure environmenta l im pact assessment reports [36] Now, with reference to figures 2, 3 and 4, there will be described an exemplary embodiment for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports. It should be noted that these embodiments are exemplary only and that no technical limitation should necessarily be imputed to the other embodiments described herein accordingly. Functional schematic for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports

[37] Referring to figure 2, there is shown a functional schematic 200 representing the functions performed by the computing device 100 of figure 1 for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports.

[38] The functional schematic 200 comprises a database 205 for storing hierarchical report object data. Operably coupled to the database 205 is a report generator 235 adapted for generating reports 240 in accordance with the hierarchical report object data within the database 205. Furthermore, the schematic 200 comprises a user interface 245 adapted for use by user in configuring environmental impact assessment reports, including in selecting report objects, inputting technical inputs 205 and the like.

[39] It should be noted that the functions of the functional schematic 200 may be implemented by the above-mentioned software modules executed by the processor 120.

[40] Referring specifically now to the database 205, the database 205 is employed primarily for the purposes of storing the hierarchical report object data from which environmental impact assessment reports may be generated.

[41] The hierarchical report object data comprises a plurality of report object tables in a l:n relationship.

[42] Specifically, for the purposes of generating hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports, the database 205 comprises an activity table 210 and a sub activity table 215 in a l:n relationship with the activity table 210.

[43] In this manner, in use, the processor 120 is controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user interface 245, activity selection data representing an activity selection, and select, from the hierarchical report object data from the database 205, sub activity data relating to the selected activity.

[44] For example, and as will be described in further detail below, especially with reference to the exemplary graphical user interface 245 provided in figure 4, the activity could relate to seismic exploration and the sub activities may comprise any one of ROV operations, support vessel operations, helicopter operations anchoring and the like.

[45] In this manner, the processor 120 may be further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user interface 245, sub activity selection data representing a sub activity selection, such as if the user were to select the support vessel operations sub activity, such that the processor 120 is able to generate the report data at least in accordance with the sub activity selection. [46] In receiving the sub activities selection data, in use, the processor 120 may be further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user interface 245, sub activity technical input data representing various technical inputs in relation to selected sub activity. In this manner, the processor 120 may generate the report data further in accordance with the sub activity technical input data. For example, and as will be described in further detail below, for the support vessel operations sub activity, the user interface 245 may be configured to receive technical input data in relation to the sub activity, such as, in the example provided in figure 4, the fuel type employed by the support vessel, and the quantity of fuel, for example.

[47] In a similar manner, the hierarchical report object data of the database 205 further comprises further hierarchies for the further generation of the report data.

[48] Specifically, and referring again to figure 2, the hierarchical report object data further comprises a hazards table 220 in a l:n relationship with the sub activity table 215. As will be described in further detail below, the hazards table 220 is adapted to identify particular hazards in relation to particular sub activities. For example, for the support vessel operations sub activity, the related hazards may comprise invasive species and water quality hazards.

[49] Yet further, the hierarchical report object data of the database 205 further comprises a receptors table 225 in a l:n relationship with the hazards table 220. As also be described in further detail below, the receptors table 225 may be adapted to identify particular receptors in relation to a particular hazard. For example, for the invasive species hazard, the related receptors may comprise seagrass and coral.

[50] Yet further, the hierarchical report object data of the database 205 further comprises a controls table 230 in a l:n relationship with the receptors table 225. As will yet further be described in detail below, the controls table 230 may be adapted to identify particular controls for particular receptors. For example, for the marine mammals receptors being prone to the noise emissions hazards, the controls may comprise support vessels travelling at low speed, for example.

Method for the generation of a hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment report

[51] Turning now to figure 3, there is shown a method 300 for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports.

[52] Specifically, the method 300 starts at step 305 where the computing device 100 is adapted to receive an activity selection. Specifically, the computing device 100 is adapted to select, from activity table 210 of the database 205 various activities for selection for display by the user interface 245. It should be noted that in embodiments the user may create activities (and sub activities, hazards, receptors controls and the like) also for storage within the database 205 should these new activities not presently reside within the activity table 210. As such, at step 305, the computing device 100 is adapted to receive, via the user interface 245 an activity selection. In an example that will be described in further detail below, the user selects seismic exploration as the activity.

[53] As such, at step 310, the computing device 100 is adapted to select, from the database 205 various sub activities from the sub activity table 215 in accordance with the activity selection. For example, the computing device 100 may select, from the database 205, sub activities comprising ROV operations, support vessel operations, helicopter operations and anchoring in relation to the seismic exploration activity selection.

[54] At step 315 of method 300, the computing device 100 is adapted to receive, via the user interface 245, sub activities selection 315 representing a selection of the appropriate sub activities in relation to the planned activity. For example, and as will be described in further detail below, the user could select that ROV operations, support vehicle operations and anchoring will be conducted but that helicopter operations will not.

[55] As such, upon receipt of the sub activity selection at step 315, at step 320 of method 300, the computing device 100 is adapted to select the hazards relating to the selected sub activities. For example, and as will be described in further detail below, for the support vessel operations sub activity, the computing device 100 may select, from the hazards table 220 of the database 205, hazards comprising invasive species and water quality degradation hazards.

[56] At step 325 a method 300, the computing device 100 is adapted to receive, via the user interface 245 hazard selections representing hazards selected by the user as being applicable. For example, for the support vessel operations sub activity, the user could select that both invasive species and water quality hazards are applicable. However, for the ROV operations sub activity, the user could select that the noise emissions hazard is not applicable for the reason that the ROV vehicles are electric and therefore do not emit substantial noise.

[57] At step 330 of method 300, the computing device 100 is adapted to select from the receptors table 225 of the database 205, various receptors relating to the selected hazards. For example, for the selected invasive species hazard, the computing device 100, may select from the database 205 that seagrass and coral receptors may be affected by the invasive species hazard.

[58] At step 335, the computing device 100 is adapted to receive, via the user interface 245, receptors selection data representing user selection of appropriate receptors. For example, for the coral and seagrass receptors having being identified as potential receptors to the invasive species hazard, the user may select that seagrass is applicable but that coral is not applicable because the activities will be conducted in a non-coral region. [59] At step 340 of method 300, the computing device 100 is adapted to select, from the controls table 230, various controls for the selected receptors. For example, for the marine mammals receptors being selected as a receptor for the noise emissions hazard, the computing device 100 may select that appropriate controls comprise operating support vehicles below a certain speed.

[60] At step 345, the computing device 100 is adapted to generate the report in accordance with the above data. In a preferred embodiment, the report is generated in electronic format, such as PDF format.

[61] It should be noted that, in embodiments, the computing device 100 is adapted to generate the report data further in accordance with technical input data relating to the various report objects. For example, for the support vessel operation sub activities selected by the user, the user interface 245 may be further configured to receive the fuel type and the quantity of fuel of the support vessels. In this manner, the computing device 100 may be adapted to identify further hazards further in accordance with the sub activity technical input data.

[62] In a further example, and for further illustrative purposes, for the anchoring sub activity, the user interface 245 may be adapted to receive the number of anchors and the type of anchor employed.

[63] Now, and again for example, should only one anchor be employed, the computing device 100 may be adapted not to generate the disturbance to seabed hazard. However, should more than one anchor be employed, the computing device 100 may be adapted to identify the disturbance of seabed hazard. In this manner, the disturbance of seabed hazard may further be determined further in accordance with the type of anchor employed, such as whether the anchor is a CQ anchor, graphical anchor or Danforth anchor. It should be noted that the anchor type they be used in isolation or in combination with the number of anchors for the purposes of determining whether or not a hazard exists by the computing device 100.

[64] In a similar manner, other technical input data may be employed in relation to the sub activities, hazards, receptors and controls for the purposes of identifying related sub activities, hazards, receptors and controls.

Exempla ry gra phica l user interface for the generation of hierarchica l data structure environmental i mpact assessment reports

[65] Turning now to figure 4, there is shown an exemplary graphical user interface 245 for the generation of hierarchical data structure environmental impact assessment reports. As alluded to above, the interface 245 is exemplary only and is utilised primarily herein for illustrative purposes only. [66] In this exemplary embodiment, there will be described the use of the user interface 245 for the purposes of generating an environmental impact assessment report in relation to offshore seismic operations.

[67] In the embodiment shown, the interface 245 is provided within a browser application. In this manner, in a preferred embodiment, the functionality described herein may be implemented utilising HTTP web server architecture, wherein, for example, the computing device 100 is configured with a webserver application for the purposes of serving remote web browsers. In this manner, using the browser, the user may configure the environmental impact assessment report, and receive, such as by downloading or receiving by separate email, the resultant generated report. However, it should be noted that the functionality described herein may be implemented in other manners other than using a web browser.

[68] Specifically now, the interface 245 comprises an activity portion 405, allowing the user to configure the activity. In the example, the user has specified that seismic exploration will be undertaken.

[69] In embodiments, further technical input data may be utilised for the purposes of further specifying the nature of the activity. In the provided example, the user is able to select whether the seismic exploration is onshore or offshore. In the embodiment, the user has selected that the seismic exploration is offshore. In this manner, for the selected sub activities, the selected sub activities comprise various sub activities relating to water vessels and the like which would not have otherwise been selected should the user have input that the seismic explorations were onshore.

[70] As such, upon configuration of the activity using the activity portion, the computing device 100 may be adapted to select from the database 205, and display within the sub activities portion 410 the various sub activities relating to the selected activity. In the example provided, the computing device 100 has selected, from the database 205, the sub activities comprising OV operations, support vessel operations, helicopter operations and anchoring.

[71] In this manner, using the sub activities portion 410, the user is able to select which sub activities are appropriate and further input further technical inputs in relation to each sub activity.

[72] In the example provided, the user has nominated that ROV operations, support vehicle operations and anchoring are appropriate. However, the user selected that helicopter operations are not appropriate simply for the reason that a helicopter will not be employed. In embodiments, and as will be described in further detail below with reference to the hazards portion 415 and the receptors portion 420, the user may be required to input a reason as to why the particular sub activity is not appropriate. [73] Furthermore, in relation to each nominated sub activity, the user may input further technical inputs.

[74] For example, for the support vessel operations, the interface 245 may be adapted to receive the fuel type and quantity of fuel for the support vessel. As alluded to above, the resultant hazards identified from the sub activities may be further determined by the computing device 100 from the data within the database 205 further in accordance with these technical inputs. For example, various hazards may or may not be appropriate depending on the type of fuel and/or the quantity of fuel.

[75] In a further example, for the anchoring sub activity, the interface 245 may be adapted receive the number of anchors, and the type of anchors.

[76] Having received the sub activity selections from the user via the interface 245, the computing device 100 is adapted to update the interface 245 with the hazards portion 415 hazards relating to the selected sub activities. As alluded to above, these hazards are selected from the hazards table 220 from the database 205, the hazards table 220 being in a 1: in relationship with the sub activity table 215.

[77] For example, for the selected OV operations sub activity, the computing device 100 has selected the noise emissions and invasive species are potential hazards. Furthermore, for the support vessel operations sub activities, the computing device 100 has selected the invasive species and water quality potential hazards. Yet further, for the anchoring sub activity, the computing device 100 has further selected the disturbance to seabed potential hazard.

[78] In a similar manner as above, the user, using the interface 245 could furthermore configure the hazards as are necessary. For example, for the noise emissions hazard, the user may select that the noise emissions hazard is not appropriate because the ROV vehicles are electric and therefore do not emit a substantial amount of noise.

[79] In a similar manner as above, further technical input data they be input in relation to each selected hazard, such as, for example, the type of invasive species where the invasive species hazard is selected and the like.

[80] Upon receiving the hazard selection and configuration data in the hazard portion 415, the computing device 100 is further adapted to select appropriate receptors 225 in relation to the selected and configured hazards 220.

[81] For example, for the noise emissions hazard, the computing device 100 has selected, from receptors table 225 of the database 205 that marine mammals are potentially affected by the noise emissions. Furthermore, for the selected anchoring hazard, the computing device 100 has updated the interface 245 to represent that seagrass and coral are potentially affected by anchoring. [82] Similarly also, the interface 245 represents that seagrass and coral are further receptors for the invasive species hazard.

[83] Yet further, for the water quality hazard, the computing device 100 has identified receptors including sea and migration birds, coral, invertebrates, marine mammals and reptiles.

[84] Using the receptors portion 420, the user is able to and input additional technical inputs if necessary.

[85] For example, for the anchoring hazard, the user has selected that seagrass is a potential receptor because of the prevalence of seagrass within the area. However, the user has deselected the coral receptor an input the reason that the region is a non-coral region.

[86] As such, upon receipt of the receptor selection and configuration using the receptor portion 420, the computing device 100 is adapted to select appropriate controls. Specifically, the computing device is adapted to select, from the controls table 230 of the database 205, the appropriate controls in accordance with the selected receptors. It should be noted that in one embodiment the controls are selected in relation to the identified receptors. However, in other embodiments, the controls may be selected in accordance with other information also, such as the identified hazards to account for situations where there is no specific receptor for an identified hazard.

[87] For example, to mitigate the effect of the noise emissions hazard on the marine mammals receptor, the computing device 100 may select a control relating to the maximum speed of operation of the support vessel.

[88] It should be noted that in one embodiment the interface 245 may be updated to display the appropriate controls to allow for the similar selection and further configuration of the controls as appropriate by the user. However, in other embodiments, the controls are not user configurable and, in this embodiment, the computing device 100 would generate the report once the user has configured the receptors.

Further specific em bodiment

[89] Now, for further illustrative purposes, further exemplary graphical user interfaces of a further specific embodiments are provided with reference to figure 5 - 11.

[90] As alluded to above, these exemplary embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and no technical limitation should necessarily be imputed to the other embodiments described herein accordingly. Furthermore, as can be seen, in the exemplary interface is provided in figures 5 - 11, the above-mentioned activities are referred to as projects and the above-mentioned sub activities are referred to as activities. However, the functionality remains substantially the same. [91] Specifically, considering Figure 5, the exemplary graphical user interface 500 provided allows for a user to initiate the report generation process by creating a new project (the above-mentioned activity) and input various information relating to the project such as the report title, the company, the description of the project the location of the project. As can be seen, the user must select a project type being given as inspection, maintenance and repair.

[92] Having configured the project in this manner, the user is then able to progress to the next screen described below. As can be seen, the progression of the screens described herein takes a "wizard" format leading the user through the report generation process.

[93] Now, interface 600 as substantially provided in figure 6 allows the user to identify the activities (the above-mentioned sub activities) relating to the inspection, maintenance and repair project. As can be seen, from the exemplary interface, the user has selected that the project will involve OV operations but not subsea cleaning and marine growth removal operations.

[94] Now, interface 700 as substantially provided in figure 7 allow the user to specify the hazards relating to the above-mentioned activities. As can be seen, for the selected ROV operations, the user is able to select from the interface 600 potential hazards relating to hydrocarbon spills. As can be seen from the interface, the user has further specified that the project will involve vessel operation activities. Also, the user is further able to select from the interface hazards relating to vessel movements.

[95] Now, Figure 8 shows an exemplary interface 800 allowing the user to specify receptors relating to the above described hazards. Specifically, for the above selected hydrocarbon spills and vessel movement hazards the user has specified potential receptors being reptiles, fish and marine mammals. As can be seen, the interface 800 further comprises a description of each receptor to aid in the user selection process.

[96] Now, turning now to figure 9, there is shown an exemplary interface 900 wherein, based on the activities, hazards and receptors selected by the user, the user is further able to select the potential impacts on the receptors. Specifically, and for example, as can be seen, for the fish receptor, the user is able to select the impact of a decline in water quality. Other impacts can be selected in this manner also.

[97] Now, turning now to figure 10, there is shown the exemplary interface 1000 wherein the user is able to select the controls to control the identified impacts. For example, to control the light emission impacts from the vessel operation hazards, the user is able to nominate that lighting is to be kept to a minimum.

[98] Finally, Figure 11 shows the exemplary interface 1100 wherein the user is able to generate the report. As can be seen, the interface 1100 comprises various options. A first option allows a user to export and save the report. The report may be generated in various electronic formats, including PDF, Microsoft Excel format and the like.

[99] The interface 1100 further allows the user to export various aspects of the report, such as by allowing the user to individually export the technical inputs, environment inputs, controls and hazards.

Interpretation

Wireless:

[100] The invention may be embodied using devices conforming to other network standards and for other applications, including, for example other WLAN standards and other wireless standards. Applications that can be accommodated include IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs and links, and wireless Ethernet.

[101] In the context of this document, the term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. In the context of this document, the term "wired" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices are coupled by electrically conductive wires.

Processes:

[102] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "analysing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities.

Processor:

[103] In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing device" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors.

[104] The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM.

Computer-Readable Medium :

[105] Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product. A computer program product can be stored on a computer usable carrier medium, the computer program product comprising a computer readable program means for causing a processor to perform a method as described herein.

Networked or Multiple Processors:

[106] In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

[107] Note that while some diagram(s) only show(s) a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

Additional Embodiments:

[108] Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer- readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium. The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause a processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium.

Carrier Medium :

[109] The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.

Implementation :

[110] It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system.

Means For Carrying out a Method or Function

[111] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a processor device, computer system, or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

Connected

[112] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term connected, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Embodiments:

[113] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[114] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[115] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[116] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[117] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[118] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

[119] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[120] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[121] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[122] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.