| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080204570 | Event Multiplexer For Managing The Capture of Images - An image capture system for capturing images of an object, such as the Earth. The image capture system includes a moving platform, at least two image capture devices, a position system, an event multiplexer and a computer system. The image capture devices are mounted to the moving platform. Each image capture device has a sensor for capturing an image and an event channel providing an event signal indicating the capturing of an image by the sensor. The position system records data indicative of a position as a function of time related to the moving platform. The event multiplexer has at least two image capture inputs and at least one output port. Each image capture input receives event signals from the event channel of one of the image capture devices. The event multiplexer outputs information indicative of an order of events indicated by the event signals, and identification of image capture devices providing the event signals. The computer system receives and stores the information indicative of the order of events indicated by the event signals, and identification of image capture devices providing the event signals. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080231700 | Computer System for Continuous Oblique Panning - A computer system for continuously panningoblique images. More particularly, the computer system uses a methodology whereby separate oblique images are presented in a manner that allows a user to maintain an understanding of the relationship of specific features between different oblique images when panning. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080273753 | System for Detecting Image Abnormalities - An image capture system for capturing images of an object, the image capture system comprising a moving platform such as an airplane, one or more image capture devices mounted to the moving platform, and a detection computer. The image capture device has a sensor for capturing an image. The detection computer executes an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in an image immediately after the image is captured and then automatically and immediately causing a re-shoot of the image. Alternatively, the detection computer sends a signal to the flight management software executed on a computer system to automatically schedule a re-shoot of the image. When the moving platform is an airplane, the detection computer schedules a re-shoot of the image such that the image is retaken before landing the airplane. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20090097744 | System and Process for Color-Balancing a Series of Oblique Images - An automated process for color-balancing a series of oblique images captured from one or more positions and from one or more orientations. The automated process includes the step of selecting a series of color-balanced images to use as reference images. Then, on an oblique image by image basis (1) a portion(s) of a reference image(s) that overlaps the oblique image is located, (2) multiple color-balancing transformations are created that approximately matches the color distribution of the oblique image to the color distribution of the overlapping portion(s) of the reference image(s), (3) pixels in the oblique image are transformed according to the multiple color-balancing transformations created for that oblique image; and (4) the transformed pixel value is transformed in the oblique image or a copy of the oblique image. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20100034483 | Cut-line steering methods for forming a mosaic image of a geographical area - A method for automatically steering mosaic cut lines along preferred routes to form an output mosaic image includes the step of creating an assignment map corresponding to the output mosaic image where each pixel has an initial designation of unassigned. Then, each pixel of the assignment map that intersects the preferred routes is marked as being a Preferred Cut Line pixel to divide the Assignment Map into one or more regions. For each region, a search is conducted to locate one or more source images that completely cover that region. If multiple source images completely covering the region are located, the method uses a Selection Heuristic to determine quality of coverage, and then designates each pixel in that region as being assigned to the source image determined to be best by the Selection Heuristic. For any remaining unassigned regions, the method searches for two or more source images whose combined footprint completely covers the region, and for each set of two or more combined images, a Pairing Heuristic is used for determining quality of coverage. Each pixel in the region is designated as being assigned to the two or more combined images determined best by the Pairing Heuristic. Then, the Preferred Cut Line pixels are redesignated to match the image assignments of their bounded regions, and the output mosaic image is formed by contributing pixel values from the source images based upon the designations set forth in the assignment map. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20110102461 | Mosaic oblique images and methods of making and using same - A system, including a computer system running image processing software, receives an identification of a desired area to be imaged and collected into an oblique-mosaic image. The computer system creates a mathematical model of a virtual camera having a sensor higher in elevation from which the source oblique images were captured and looking down at an oblique angle, the mathematical model having an oblique-mosaic pixel map for the sensor of the desired area encompassing multiple source images. The computer system assigns a surface location to each pixel included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map and selects source oblique images of the geographic coordinates captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to the oblique angle and compass direction of the virtual camera. The computer system reprojects at least one source oblique image pixel of the area to be imaged for each pixel included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map to create the oblique-mosaic image. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20120113256 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTING IMAGE ABNORMALITIES - An image capture system for capturing images of an object, the image capture system comprising a moving platform such as an airplane, one or more image capture devices mounted to the moving platform, and a detection computer. The image capture device has a sensor for capturing an image. The detection computer executes an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in an image immediately after the image is captured and then automatically and immediately causing a re-shoot of the image. Alternatively, the detection computer sends a signal to the flight management software executed on a computer system to automatically schedule a re-shoot of the image. When the moving platform is an airplane, the detection computer schedules a re-shoot of the image such that the image is retaken before landing the airplane. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120183217 | SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR COLOR-BALANCING A SERIES OF OBLIQUE IMAGES - An image processing system, comprising a computer running image processing software and selecting a series of color-balanced images to use as reference images. On an oblique image by image basis, the computer performs the following steps: (a) locate a portion(s) of a reference image(s) that overlaps the oblique image; (b) create multiple color-balancing transformations that approximately match a color distribution of the oblique image to a color distribution of overlapping portion(s) of the reference image(s); (c) transform pixels in the oblique image according to more than one of the multiple color-balancing transformations created for the oblique image; and (d) store the transformed pixel value in at least one of the oblique image or a copy of the oblique image. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120201478 | Mosaic oblique images and methods of making and using same - A system, including a computer system running image processing software, receives an identification of a desired area to be imaged and collected into an oblique-mosaic image, creates a mathematical model of a virtual camera having a sensor higher in elevation from which the source oblique images were captured and looking down at an oblique angle, the mathematical model having an oblique-mosaic pixel map for the sensor of the desired area encompassing multiple source images, determines geographic coordinates for pixels, and selects source oblique images of the geographic coordinates captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to the oblique angle and compass direction of the virtual camera. The computer system reprojects at least one source oblique image pixel of the area to be imaged for each pixel included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map to create the oblique-mosaic image. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20130208116 | COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS OBLIQUE PANNING - A computer system for continuously panning oblique images. More particularly, the computer system uses a methodology whereby separate oblique images are presented in a manner that allows a user to maintain an understanding of the relationship of specific features between different oblique images when panning. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130208996 | MOSAIC OBLIQUE IMAGES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME - A computer system running image processing software receives an identification of a desired geographical area to be imaged and collected into an oblique-mosaic image; creates a mathematical model of a virtual camera looking down at an oblique angle, the mathematical model having an oblique-mosaic pixel map of the desired area encompassing multiple source images; assigns surface locations to pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map; creates a ground elevation model of the ground and vertical structures within the oblique-mosaic pixel map using overlapping source images of the desired geographical area, wherein the source oblique images were captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to that of the virtual camera; and reprojects, with the mathematical model, source oblique image pixels of the overlapping source images for pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map using the ground elevation model to thereby create an oblique-mosaic image of the desired area. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130315503 | CUT-LINE STEERING METHODS FOR FORMING A MOSAIC IMAGE OF A GEOGRAPHICAL AREA - A method for automatically steering mosaic cut lines along preferred routes to form an output mosaic image includes creating an assignment map corresponding to the output mosaic image where each pixel has an initial designation of unassigned; marking each pixel of the assignment map that intersects the preferred routes as being a Preferred Cut Line pixel to divide the Assignment Map into one or more regions; searching for each region to locate one or more source images that cover that region; and using a Selection Heuristic or Pairing Heuristic to determine quality of coverage. The Preferred Cut Line pixels are redesignated to match the image assignments of their bounded regions, and the output mosaic image is formed by contributing pixel values from the source images based upon the designations set forth in the assignment map. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20140029867 | CUT LINE STEERING METHODS FOR FORMING A MOSAIC IMAGE OF A GEOGRAPHICAL AREA - Systems and methods for creating a ground confidence map of a geographic area, comprising the steps of creating a ground confidence map of a geographic area, the ground confidence map having a plurality of pixels with each pixel corresponding to a particular geographic location; assigning the pixels in the ground confidence map with pixel values indicative of composite ground confidence scores by calculating composite ground confidence scores for the pixel values of common geographic regions within the overlapping portions of the source images within a kernel corresponding to the particular geographic location of the pixels; and storing pixel values indicative of a statistical probability that the geographical location represented by the particular pixels represent the ground. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140111554 | Computer System for Continuous Oblique Panning - A computer system for continuously panning oblique images is disclosed. More particularly, the computer system uses a methodology whereby separate oblique images are presented in a manner that allows a user to maintain an understanding of the relationship of specific features between different oblique images when panning. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140126816 | SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR COLOR-BALANCING A SERIES OF OBLIQUE IMAGES - Image processing systems and methods are disclosed, including an image processing system comprising a computer running image processing software causing the computer to divide a captured oblique image into a plurality of oblique image sections, the oblique image sections determined at least in part on a path length distance between the location of a point in the scene in the captured oblique image and the location of the camera when the oblique image was captured; and apply a varying amount of color correction to the sections based in part on the determined path length, thereby reducing variation in the captured oblique image caused by specular reflection and atmosphere depicted in the sections prior to color balancing. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140126838 | Mosaic Oblique Images and Methods of Making and Using Same - A computer system running image processing software receives an identification of a desired geographical area to be imaged and collected into an oblique-mosaic image; creates a mathematical model of a virtual camera looking down at an oblique angle, the mathematical model having an oblique-mosaic pixel map of the desired area encompassing multiple source images; assigns surface locations to pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map; creates a ground elevation model of the ground and vertical structures within the oblique-mosaic pixel map using overlapping source images of the desired geographical area, wherein the source oblique images were captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to that of the virtual camera; and reprojects, with the mathematical model, source oblique image pixels of the overlapping source images for pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map using the ground elevation model to thereby create an oblique-mosaic image of the desired area. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140283086 | System and Method for Performing Sensitive Geo-Spatial Processing in Non-Sensitive Operator Environments - Methods and systems are disclosed including transmitting, by processor of a server computer, image raster content of a geo-referenced aerial image to an operator user device without the geo-referencing information of the geo-referenced aerial image; receiving, by the processor of the server computer from the operator user device, image coordinates, which may be in the form of pixel row/column, representing an object or region of interest selected within the image raster content of the geo-referenced aerial image by a data processing operator of the operator user device; and translating the image coordinates into real-world geographic coordinates. The processor may calculate measurements based on the real-world geographic coordinates and may store real-world geographic coordinates and/or measurements. The geo-referenced aerial image may be isolated such that a data processing operator may not be able to pan or zoom outside of the isolated geo-referenced aerial image. | 09-18-2014 |
