127 results about "Aerial imagery" patented technology

A method for assigning of geocodes to addresses identifying entities on a street includes ordering a set of entity geocodes associated with a street segment based on ordering criteria such as the linear distance of the geocodes along the length of the street segment. Assignable addresses are matched with the ordered geocodes creating a correspondence between a numerical order of the assignable addresses and a linear order of the ordered set of geocodes, consistent with address range direction data and street segment side data. The geocodes may be implicit or explicit, locally unique or globally unique. The set of entity geocodes may be obtained by identifying image features in aerial imagery corresponding to streets and buildings and correlating this information with data from a street map database.

A method of generating a geodetic reference database product is disclosed The method comprises acquiring mobile mapping data captured by means of digital cameras, range sensors and position determination means including GPS and IMU mounted to a vehicle driving across the earth surface, the mobile mapping data comprising simultaneously captured image data, range data and associated position data in a geographic coordinate system. Linear stationary earth surface features are derived from the mobile mapping data by processing the image data, range data and associated position data. 3D-models are generated for the linear stationary earth surface features in the geographic coordinate system from the image data, range data and associated position data and stored in a database to obtain the geodetic reference database product. A 3D-model could include an image representing the colors of the surface of the 3D model or a set of smaller images representing photo-identifiable objects along the model. The 3D-models could be used to rectify aerial imagery, to correct digital elevation models and to improve the triangulation of digital elevation models.

Novel tools and techniques for generating survey data about a survey site. Aerial photography of at least part of the survey site can be analyzed using photogrammetric techniques. In some cases, an unmanned aerial system can be used to collect site imagery. The use of a UAS can reduce the fiscal and chronological cost of a survey, compared to the use of other types aerial imagery and / or conventional terrestrial surveying techniques used alone.

A method of generating a geodetic reference database product is disclosed The method comprises acquiring mobile mapping data captured by means of digital cameras, range sensors and position determination means including GPS and IMU mounted to a vehicle driving across the earth surface, the mobile mapping data comprising simultaneously captured image data, range data and associated position data in a geographic coordinate system. Linear stationary earth surface features are derived from the mobile mapping data by processing the image data, range data and associated position data. 3D-models are generated for the linear stationary earth surface features in the geographic coordinate system from the image data, range data and associated position data and stored in a database to obtain the geodetic reference database product. A 3D-model could include an image representing the colors of the surface of the 3D model or a set of smaller images representing photo-identifiable objects along the model. The 3D-models could be used to rectify aerial imagery, to correct digital elevation models and to improve the triangulation of digital elevation models.

A computer implemented method for determining a vehicle type of a vehicle detected in an image is disclosed. An image having a detected vehicle is received. A number of vehicle models having salient feature points is projected on the detected vehicle. A first set of features derived from each of the salient feature locations of the vehicle models is compared to a second set of features derived from corresponding salient feature locations of the detected vehicle to form a set of positive match scores (p-scores) and a set of negative match scores (n-scores). The detected vehicle is classified as one of the vehicle models models based at least in part on the set of p-scores and the set of n-scores.

A method and system for multi-spectral imagery acquisition and analysis, the method including capturing preliminary multi-spectral aerial images according to pre-defined survey parameters at a pre-selected resolution, automatically performing preliminary analysis on site or location in the field using large scale blob partitioning of the captured images in real or near real time, detecting irregularities within the pre-defined survey parameters and providing an output corresponding thereto, and determining, from the preliminary analysis output, whether to perform a second stage of image acquisition and analysis at a higher resolution than the pre-selected resolution. The invention also includes a method for analysis and object identification including analyzing high resolution multi-spectral images according to pre-defined object parameters, when parameters within the pre-defined object parameters are found, performing blob partitioning on the images containing such parameters to identify blobs, and comparing objects confined to those blobs to pre-defined reference parameters to identify objects having the pre-defined object parameters.

A system for aerial image detection and classification is provided herein. The system comprising_an aerial image database storing one or more aerial images electronically received from one or more image providers, and an object detection pre-processing engine in electronic communication with the aerial image database, the object detection pre-processing engine detecting and classifying objects using a disparity mapping generation sub-process to automatically process the one or more aerial images to generate a disparity map providing elevation information, a segmentation sub-process to automatically apply a pre-defined elevation threshold to the disparity map, the pre-defined elevation threshold adjustable by a user, and a classification sub-process to automatically detect and classify objects in the one or more stereoscopic pairs of aerial images by applying one or more automated detectors based on classification parameters and the pre-defined elevation threshold.

A miniature, unmanned aircraft having interchangeable data handling modules, such as sensors for obtaining digital aerial imagery and other data, and radio transmitters and receivers for relaying data. The aircraft has a microprocessor for managing flight, remote control guidance system, and electrical supply system. The data handling modules have an aerodynamic housing and manual fasteners enabling ready installation and removal. One or more data acquiring sensors or data transferring apparatus and support equipment such as batteries and communications and power cables are contained within the module. A plurality of different modules are preferably provided. Each module, when attached in a preferred location below the wing, does not significantly alter the center of gravity of the airframe. Preferably, each module contains the supervisory microprocessor so that the microprocessor need not be part of the airframe.

A system and method for determining the pervious and impervious area within parcels associated with a municipality for purposes of generating bills for storm water runoff to parcel owners. Aerial imagery, collected from an aircraft and / or satellite, of the relevant municipality, or portion thereof, is collected, processed, and analyzed to determine the amount of water impervious area associated with each relevant parcel within the municipality. This information for each parcel may then be used to determine an appropriate amount of money to be charged to the owner of each respective parcel. The amount of impervious area per parcel is calculated based on parcel boundary information specific to the municipality that may contain spatial domain errors.

A system receives a request from a client and provides an aerial image to the client in response to the request. The aerial image includes an advertisement superimposed on the aerial image.

Methods and systems for detecting trees in aerial imagery are provided. A method for detecting trees in aerial imagery may include training a pixel-level classifier to assign a tree or non-tree label to each pixel in an aerial image. The method may further include segmenting tree and non-tree regions of the labeled pixels. The method may also include locating individual tree crowns in the segmented tree regions using one or more tree templates. A system for detecting trees in aerial imagery may include a trainer, a segmenter and a tree locator.

A computer-implemented method for safely routing a soldier to a destination on the battlefield. The method includes a Threat Analyzer (100) for assessing threats to the soldier, a Graph Builder (102) for building a graph representing the battlefield, a Route Generator (104) for generating a route that avoids the threats, and a Route Presenter (106) for guiding the soldier along the route. The Threat Analyzer (100) includes an Enemy Analyzer (200) for determining the attack range of enemy units and an Obstruction Analyzer (202) for detecting obstructions in aerial imagery. The Graph Builder (102) includes a Cost Evaluator (712) that takes into account traversal speeds for soldiers across various types of terrain. The Route Presenter (106) overlays the route on live video in the soldier's heads-up display.

The invention discloses an optimal route selection method for overhead transmission line route. Onboard lidar equipment is adopted to acquire laser point cloud data and aerial digital photo data of the transmission line route corridor range; the onboard lidar data is processed after the wave filtering and the sorting of the laser point cloud data, and the points of the ground surface are made into a digital elevation model with high precision; then data processing is carried out by utilizing the data of the digital elevation model with high precision and ortho-rectification is carried out to the aerial photo by utilizing the internal and external orientation elements of the aerial digital photo to generate digital orthophoto maps; through the overlying of the digital elevation model and the digital orthophoto maps, the tridimensional visualization of the transmission line route corridor can be realized to optimize the transmission line route selection; finally prearrangement of power pole and power pole arrangement are carried out according to the data of plane cross sections. The route selection platform of the invention has simple operation and lifelike tridimensional scene, thus being convenient for full roaming and multi-view observation and greatly improving the efficiency of the inner plane cross section survey operation. Compared with the optimal route selection technology based on the aerial photographing measuring method, the efficiency of the inner plane cross section survey operation can be improved by about 75 percent.

Digital watermarking technology is used in conjunction with map data, such as is acquired by satellite and other aerial sensors, and as may be generated from databases based on such aerial data. The watermarks can be used, e.g., to track meta data, provide serialization and forensic tracing, and various other benefits. The disclosure also contemplates that incoming imagery is automatically geo-referenced and combined with previously-collected data sets so as to facilitate generation of revised composite maps.

Novel tools and techniques for generating survey data about a survey site. Aerial photography of at least part of the survey site can be analyzed using photogrammetric techniques. In some cases, an unmanned aerial system can be used to collect site imagery. The use of a UAS can reduce the fiscal and chronological cost of a survey, compared to the use of other types aerial imagery and / or conventional terrestrial surveying techniques used alone.

A method, system and computer-readable medium are provided for performing a property inspection using aerial images, the method including the steps of receiving an indication of a request from a user to receive a quote regarding a property, identifying the property, retrieving one or more aerial images associated with the property, extracting information regarding the property from the one or more aerial images and providing an insurance decision for the property to the user according to the extracted information from the one or more aerial images in response to the request from the user.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus to generate visualizations of aerial imagery capable of simulating movement as if the image capturing device had captured image frames at a much higher rate than the rate captured. More specifically, the visualizations of the aerial imagery which can include orthogonal approaching and departing view perspectives to generate simulated smooth flyby videos.

A computer-implemented method for generating and presenting off-road travel routes based on terrain and obstruction analysis. The method includes a Threat Analyzer (100) for assessing threats that may impede progress, a Graph Builder (102) for constructing a graph representing an individual's environment, a Route Generator (104) for generating a route that avoids the threats, and a Route Presenter (106) for guiding the individual along the route. The Threat Analyzer (100) includes an Obstruction Analyzer (202) for detecting obstructions in aerial imagery. The Graph Builder (102) includes a Cost Evaluator (712) that takes into account traversal speeds for individuals across various types of terrain. The Route Presenter (106) overlays the route on aerial imagery and provides real-time guidance as the individual traverses the route.

A method for searching a building roof facet and reconstructing a roof structure line, in which the searching is performed automatically and without limitation of how slope of the roof facet, and the building structure line is constructed through aerial imagery. At first, lidar point clouds on the roof are extracted to compose a roof facet by using coplanarity analysis, and the roof is differentiated to a possible flat roof and a pitched roof. An optimal roof facet is obtained by analyzing lidar point clouds to overcome the low pitched facet issue. A relationship of a roof facet on a 2-dimensional space is analyzed to ascertain an area of a roof structure line. An initial boundary is generated. Line detection is performed on the images and a roof structure line segment is composed. All the structure line segments are used to reconstructing a 3-dimensional building pattern in object space.

A computer implemented system and method is disclosed for generating realistic three-dimensional models of roadway overpass structures. An example system comprises a segmentation module configured to identify roadway overpass regions, based on existing map data containing locations of roadway intersections, aerial imagery, and a digital surface model (DSM). A roadway overpass region is assumed to have at least a first and second road segment. A DSM provides an elevation z for each two-dimensional point (x, y). The segmentation module identifies the upper and lower roadway sections of an overpass structure and an extraction module generates a three-dimensional model of the overpass based on the segmented regions identified by the segmentation module. The extraction module combines aerial images with 3D computer models of overpass structures to generate a realistic 3D rendering of surface topography of the earth including roadway overpass structures.

A mass notification push application and a civic-communication application combined into one with the primary purpose of allowing up-to-the-minute UAV aerial imagery as selected by drone ground-based commanders to be automatically transmitted to subscribed end-users via the current OS mobile operating systems for smartphones, iPads, laptops, and web-enabled devices in a manner comprised of separate technologies such as voice (voice to text, voice recognition), video stills (embedded with personalized iconographic identifiers), and with a secondary purpose of allowing the notified recipients to engage others by allowing the retransmitting of received messages along with (or without) registered user annotations so as to create a civil communications hub for wider, real-time dissemination of ongoing situational awareness data.

In one aspect, a system for adjusting the operational settings of an agricultural implement includes at least one imaging system configured to generate aerial imagery of a geographic area, an agricultural implement configured to work the geographic area, and one or more computing devices in operative communication with the at least one imaging system and the agricultural implement. The computing devices are configured to process aerial imagery of the geographic area and create an operations-based geographic coordinate map including a set of operational settings for the agricultural implement based at least in part on the initial aerial imagery. The operations-based geographic coordinate map correlates the set of operational settings to the plurality of geographic coordinates. The computing devices are also configured to process updated aerial imagery of the geographic area and update the operations-based geographic coordinate map based on a comparison between the aerial imagery and the updated aerial imagery.

Computer-implemented methods of estimating insurance risk of one or more structures are described. The computer-implemented methods may be based on a combination of tree characteristic information and insurance loss data that are used together to calculate a Tree Proximity Score for the one or more structures through a computer processor. The tree characteristic information may include vegetation density data, tree height, tree geometric characteristics, and tree species information, and may be based on tree sensor data which may include satellite imagery, aerial imagery, or LiDAR. The insurance loss data may include wind loss data such as a wind loss frequency, severity, or ratio. The high level of correlation between the Tree Proximity Score and insurance loss data is shown in an example. The Tree Proximity Score may be used in the insurance industry in insurance policy implementation and underwriting.

A method for generating a simulated aerial image of a mask projected by an optical system includes determining a coherence characteristic of the optical system. A coherent decomposition of the optical system is computed based on the coherence characteristic. The decomposition includes a series of expansion functions having angular and radial components that are expressed as explicit functions. The expansion functions are convolved with a transmission function of the mask in order to generate the simulated aerial image.

System and methods for performing a risk management assessment of a property using at least aerial imagery of the property and additional data about the property that is evaluated against risk management criteria. Data acquired through aerial imagery includes identifying buildings and floor area of the buildings, condition of the buildings including roof and exterior walls, and identifying other property hazards. Additional data may include property information coming from multiple sources including city and County governments, contractors and insurance companies. The resulting risk management assessment may be used to settle insurance claims and to determine insurance products and premium rates offered on the property.

Systems and methods for property feature detection and extraction using digital images. The image sources could include aerial imagery, satellite imagery, ground-based imagery, imagery taken from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mobile device imagery, etc. The detected geometric property features could include tree canopy, pools and other bodies of water, concrete flatwork, landscaping classifications (gravel, grass, concrete, asphalt, etc.), trampolines, property structural features (structures, buildings, pergolas, gazebos, terraces, retaining walls, and fences), and sports courts. The system can automatically extract these features from images and can then project them into world coordinates relative to a known surface in world coordinates (e.g., from a digital terrain model).

A laser-point cloud and image fusion data classification method based on multi-characteristic comprises the following steps: 1, data preprocessing: preprocessing aviation image and unmanned plane laser-point cloud data; 2, sample extraction: fully utilizing geometry characteristics of the point cloud data and spectrum characteristics of the aviation images so as to carry out sample extraction of various types; 3, fusion data classification based on multi-characteristic: using a vector description model to classify the sample data; 4, precision evaluation: evaluating the precision of the classified data. The method is complete in surface object extraction and high in classification precision. The method starts from the angle of the fusion image spectrum information, carries out data fusionaccording to application purposes and surface object classification demands, sets corresponding classification rules for classification of main surface objects, and builds a corresponding relation between classification types and classification characteristics, thus extracting complete surface object areas, and reducing misclassification phenomenon.

A computer implemented method for determining a vehicle type of a vehicle detected in an image is disclosed. An image having a detected vehicle is received. A number of vehicle models having salient feature points is projected on the detected vehicle. A first set of features derived from each of the salient feature locations of the vehicle models is compared to a second set of features derived from corresponding salient feature locations of the detected vehicle to form a set of positive match scores (p-scores) and a set of negative match scores (n-scores). The detected vehicle is classified as one of the vehicle models models based at least in part on the set of p-scores and the set of n-scores.

The present inventors have developed a ground station that, when installed in a field, can collect upwelling and downwelling radiation, and GPS location coordinates, Data from remotely sensed imagery (RSI) can he used to monitor crop health. Use of the ground station can obviate the need for personnel to he deployed into the field during drone overflights for management of agriculture.