Runtime Terrain Visualization System for Real-Time Database Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating real-time terrain databases for simulators are costly, time-consuming, and inflexible, requiring extensive offline processing, manual expertise, and are not scalable with hardware advancements, limiting the fidelity and efficiency of terrain visualization.
Innovation Solution
The Worldwide Runtime Terrain Visualization System (WRTVS) allows for real-time generation of high-resolution terrain images directly from source data in any format, using freely available worldwide data, with minimal offline manipulation, and enables user-configurable data processing and attribute interpretation, leveraging commercial off-the-shelf graphics hardware for scalable fidelity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional VDBDS methods are used to generate terrain databases, then database fidelity can be improved, but processing time increases to days or weeks and requires dedicated CPU resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the VDBDS with multiple data format support and processing rules in advance. This allows the system to immediately process new data sources without requiring reconfiguration, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining database fidelity through pre-established processing parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of data format compatibility by implementing a configurable framework that accepts multiple input formats (JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, BMP, PCX, XPM, XWD, PPM, PGM, PNG, JPEG 2000). This allows the system to process diverse data sources efficiently without sacrificing output quality, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive support and processing efficiency
2Reliability
If VDBDS is reconfigured to utilize new data sources, then database currency is improved, but reprocessing time requires days or weeks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration of the VDBDS with universal data format support and processing rules before new data becomes available. When new data sources are introduced, the pre-configured system can immediately process them without reconfiguration delays, maintaining database currency while avoiding lengthy reprocessing periods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a universal processing framework that handles multiple data formats and sources through a single configured system. This multi-functionality allows the VDBDS to accept various new data sources (updated aerial imagery, different format inputs) without requiring separate configurations, thereby maintaining currency efficiently
3Manufacturing precision
If VDBDS output detail is increased to utilize improved graphics capabilities, then visualization fidelity is improved, but processing time and database size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic processing where the VDBDS can adjust output detail levels based on hardware capabilities and requirements. The configurable framework allows dynamic scaling of processing intensity and output fidelity, enabling high-detail visualization when needed while reducing processing time for less demanding applications
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes processing parameters to optimize the relationship between output detail and processing time. By configuring the VDBDS with appropriate processing rules and parameters for different data formats and target platforms, the system can achieve high visualization fidelity without proportionally increasing processing time and resource requirements
4Quantity of substance
If comprehensive data processing is performed offline prior to run-time, then database completeness is improved, but system resources are taxed and many LODs are never visualized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration of processing rules and data format support, but defers actual data processing until run-time when needed. This approach maintains database completeness through on-demand processing while avoiding the waste of computing resources on generating all possible LODs in advance, especially those that will never be visualized
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system to provide visualization of high resolution terrain for use in real-time simulation for digital image displays that is derived directly from source data including imagery, classification, elevation and vector data at run-time with little or no off-line manipulation of the source data. The fidelity of the visualization is scaled while based on the graphic system's capability readily available worldwide data exists for elevation vector and import runway data. System provides for facilitating run-time processing of source data utilizing a project file which lists each source file, desired attribute mapping and whether the source is enabled or disabled. For each source file a source proxy object is created in memory which references the target source file. The source proxy objects are stored in a vector manager in a spatial index to quickly determine which data sources intersect a given area. A spatial index can be queried for the proxies covering a requested geographical location. The resulting proxies are then accessed for the data within the query boundary. The system determines how attributes should be mapped from the source into what the internal algorithms need to process the data. The system defines how the data can be processed using a plurality of filter chains with a terminating filter which produces a result which is added to the scene imagery.