A GIS-based system and method for simulating, viewing, analyzing and managing emergency or other events is provided. A multi-layered map of the event location (220) and surrounding area is displayed by a computer. A cordon area (230) around the event location (220) may be displayed as an additional layer and affected facilities may be highlighted. Traffic control points (TCPs) (240) around the periphery of the cordon area (230) may also be identified on the map. Thus, emergency personnel may be efficiently dispatched to assist evacuations and restrict access to the cordon area (230). If the event includes a hazardous material spill or threat, the computer may generate a plume dispersion model (250) and display the estimated plume (250) as another layer on the map whereupon an extended cordon area (230) may be displayed and additional affected facilities and new TCPs (240) highlighted. Real-time information may be received from on-scene personnel, remote sensors and other means and the map may thus be kept current.

Gis-based emergency management

A benefit is obtained for sending digital information over a network. The digital information is representative of three-dimensional images which include photographic images. The receiving computer renders the images from the received digital information, and a viewer at the receiving computer can interactively choose a viewpoint or perspective to view the images on a display of the receiving computer. The benefit to the sender can be monetary compensation and/or increased recognition of the sender, for example.

Sending Three-Dimensional Images over a Network

Method (300) for registration of n frames 3D point cloud data. Frame pairs (200i, 200j) are selected from among the n frames and sub-volumes (702) within each frame are defined. Qualifying sub-volumes are identified in which the 3D point cloud data has a blob-like structure. A location of a centroid associated with each of the blob-like objects is also determined. Correspondence points between frame pairs are determined using the locations of the centroids in corresponding sub-volumes of different frames. Thereafter, the correspondence points are used to simultaneously calculate for all n frames, global translation and rotation vectors for registering all points in each frame. Data points in the n frames are then transformed using the global translation and rotation vectors to provide a set of n coarsely adjusted frames.

Registration of 3d point cloud data using eigenanalysis

Method and system for registration of a two dimensional image data set and a three-dimensional image comprising point cloud data. The method begins by cropping a three-dimensional volume of point cloud data comprising a three-dimensional image data to remove a portion of the point cloud data comprising a ground surface within a scene, and dividing the three-dimensional volume into a plurality of m sub-volumes. Thereafter, the method continues by edge-enhancing a two-dimensional image data. Then, for each qualifying sub-volume, creating a filtered density image, calculating a two-dimensional correlation surface based on the filtered density image and the two-dimensional image data that has been edge enhanced, finding a peak of the two-dimensional correlation surface, determining a corresponding location of the peak within the two-dimensional image, defining a correspondence point set; and storing the correspondence point set in a point set list. Finally, a transformation is determined that minimizes the error between a plurality of the correspondence point sets contained in the point set list.

Registration of 3d point cloud data to 2d electro-optical image data

A system comprising a self-propelled device and an accessory device. The self-propelled device includes a spherical housing, and a drive system provided within the spherical housing to cause the self-propelled device to roll. When the self-propelled device rolls, the self-propelled device and the accessory device magnetically interact to maintain the accessory device in contact with a top position of the spherical housing relative to an underlying surface on which the spherical housing is rolling on.

Magnetically coupled accessory for a self-propelled device

A computer-based thermal scene simulation system and method for generating synthetic images to facilitate the design and test of missile-borne electro-optical seeker systems. A scene is comprised of objects and a background selected from available target and background database files. Stationary or mobile objects are modeled by combining small planar facets to cover their three dimensional surface. Each facet is associated in the database files with the thermal and optical properties of the surface that is modeled. The background is modeled on the interior surface of a pyramid defining the extent of the scene, with the floor of the pyramid representing the surface of the earth and the sides of the pyramid representing an above horizon image. The pyramid surface is then divided into triangular facets that represent portions of the surface. Each facet is assigned a uniform texture selected from the background database files comprising background materials. The simulation is designed to be used with missile six degree of freedom simulations, and generates images as seen by a missile seeker based on instantaneous seeker line of sight, seeker position, seeker orientation, object orientations and positions, and background. Seeker-to-object aspect angles and range closure rates are processed by an image generation procedure. A projected image is then convolved with the optical point spread function of the seeker to generate a radiance distribution on the focal plane of the seeker. Sampling of the focal plane radiance distribution is modeled and an output data stream from the seeker to a signal processor is generated.

Electro-optical target and background simulation

A system and method for tracking an airborne target including an illumination source (e.g., a diode laser array) is used to enhance a target signature and a detector (e.g., a passive high-speed camera) is used to detect to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared radiation) reflected off the target. The received electromagnetic radiation may be processed by a digital computer and passed through a spatial filter that implements a band limited edge detection operation in the frequency domain. The filter may remove low spatial frequencies that attenuate soft edged clutter such as clouds and smoke as well as filter out artifacts and attenuated medium to high spatial frequencies to inhibit speckle noise from the detector as well as speckle from the laser return off the target.

Semi-active optical tracking system

A beam director subsystem (12) and method for use in a weapons system. The beam director subsystem includes a source (20) of electromagnetic radiation for generating a high energy laser (HEL) beam (18). The electromagnetic radiation is directed to a secondary mirror (22) that reflects the electromagnetic radiation to a primary mirror (24) for output of the HEL beam. The secondary mirror is generally curved and expands the electromagnetic radiation received from the source prior to outputting the HEL beam from the primary mirror. The subsystem further includes a track telescope (28) coupled to the housing. The track telescope has a track detector (30) configured to receive electromagnetic radiation originating from the HEL and electromagnetic radiation emitted from an illuminator (32) and reflected from an airborne target.

Dwight L. Denney

Papers

Electro-optical target and background simulation

Semi-active optical tracking system

A high energy laser beam director system and method

Elektro-optische Simulation von Ziel und Hintergrund.