Time-Sequential Image Roaming System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image analysis systems are inefficient in searching and maintaining context while examining large numbers of images across spatial and temporal domains, as they require manual selection and processing of images one at a time, lacking seamless integration of temporal and spatial analysis.
Innovation Solution
The system automatically queues and displays images in a time-sequential order, allowing users to roam both spatially and temporally, with features like incremental or blended transitions between images, maintaining context and reducing processing demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional mosaic formation is used to combine large numbers of images, then large area coverage is achieved, but system memory and processor capabilities are overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large mosaic into multiple smaller image tiles that can be independently loaded and processed. Instead of loading the entire mosaic into memory, the system segments it into manageable chunks that can be accessed on-demand, reducing memory requirements while maintaining the ability to view large areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hierarchical structure where the large mosaic is composed of nested smaller tiles, which themselves can be further divided. This nested organization allows the system to manage vast datasets by breaking them down into progressively smaller manageable units that fit within available memory constraints.
2Area of stationary object
If traditional mosaic files are formed with tens or hundreds of images, then large area coverage is achieved, but storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary image data needed for the current view rather than storing and processing the complete mosaic. By extracting and loading only relevant image tiles into memory when needed, the system reduces storage requirements and improves processing efficiency while maintaining full coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization of image data into tile structures and metadata indexes before actual viewing occurs. This preliminary action enables rapid retrieval and loading of specific tiles without needing to process the entire mosaic, reducing both storage overhead and access time.
3Ease of operation
If image processing systems are optimized to roam across single images, then navigation performance is improved, but performance deteriorates when presented with traditional mosaics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic tile loading and unloading based on the current view position and user navigation. As the user roams across the mosaic, the system dynamically loads new tiles into memory and unloads tiles that are no longer visible, maintaining optimal performance regardless of the total mosaic size or the user's current position within it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tile management system that acts as an intermediary between the user's navigation requests and the actual image data. This intermediary layer handles tile loading, caching, and unloading transparently, allowing users to roam across large mosaics with the same ease as navigating single images, while the system manages the complexity of large data access.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for examining images on a computer display comprising the steps of: a) defining a geographic area of interest for a plurality of images; b) selecting a set of images from the plurality of images within the geographic area of interest for display; c) ordering the set of images according to their acquisition date and/or acquisition time; d) examining the set of images across a spatial domain; and e) examining the set of images across one or more time domains.