Systems and methods for processing images with edge detection and snap-to feature

• US 10,621,463 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2014
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pictometry International Corporation (Eagleview Technologies, Inc. /Wa/)
• Original Assignee: Pictometry International Corporation (Eagleview Technologies, Inc. /Wa/)
• Inventors: Adams, Steven Douglas, Wang, Yandong, Giuffrida, Frank D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amin, Jwalant
• Application Number:
  US14/341,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20150078668A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,090 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30184 Infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/153 using elastic snapping
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/12 Edge-based segmentation

Abstract

A method for creating image products includes the following steps. Image data and positional data corresponding to the image data are captured and processed to create geo-referenced images. Edge detection procedures are performed on the geo-referenced images to identify edges and produce geo-referenced, edge-detected images. The geo-referenced, edge-detected images are saved in a database. A user interface to view and interact with the geo-referenced image is also provided such that the user can consistently select the same Points of Interest between multiple interactions and multiple users.

Claims

1. A method, comprising the steps of:

capturing image data and positional data corresponding to the image data;

transforming the image data and positional data into a plurality of geo-referenced images with a computer system;

transforming the geo-referenced images into geo-referenced, edge-detected images by performing edge detection procedures on the plurality of geo-referenced images to identify edges with the computer system;

saving the geo-referenced, edge-detected images in a database, the database storing detected edge data corresponding to the geo-referenced, edge-detected images;

displaying one or more pixel representation of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images to a user, wherein a detected edge of the detected edge data is superimposed on the geo-referenced, edge-detected images;

receiving a selection of one or more points on the detected edge from the user selecting the one or more points on the detected edge on a display device displaying the detected edge superimposed on the one or more pixel representation of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images; and

measuring one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points on the detected edge.

2. A method, comprising the steps of:

transforming image data of oblique images and positional data corresponding to the image data into a plurality of geo-referenced images;

transforming the geo-referenced images into geo-referenced, edge-detected images by performing edge detection procedures on the plurality of geo-referenced images to identify edges;

storing a database of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images, the database storing detected edge data corresponding to the geo-referenced, edge-detected images;

receiving a selection of a geographic point from a user;

searching the database to find geo-referenced, edge-detected images that contain the selected geographic point;

making the geo-referenced, edge-detected images that contain the selected geographic point available to the user;

receiving input from the user of a selection of one or more of the identified edges, the input determined by the user moving a cursor over a pixel representation of one or more of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images having a detected edge of the detected edge data superimposed on the pixel representation, wherein the cursor is caused to snap-to the detected edge when the cursor is within a predetermined distance from the detected edge;

receiving input from the user to affirmatively accept the detected edge as an edge of interest;

receiving a selection of one or more points on the edge of interest; and

measuring one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of holding the cursor at the detected edge until the user has indicated acceptance or rejection of the detected edge as an edge of interest.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of indicating, marking, and storing the edge of interest on the image.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the selection of one or more points on the edge of interest comprises receiving input from the user indicative of two or more points of interest along one or more of the edges of interest;

and wherein measuring one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points comprises measuring a distance between the two or more points of interest utilizing the image data and positional data of the geo-referenced, edge-detected image.

6. A system for preparing and utilizing geo-referenced images, the system comprising:

image display and analysis software stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by a computer system to cause the computer system to;

transform image data of oblique images and positional data corresponding to the image data into a plurality of geo-referenced images;

transform the geo-referenced images into geo-referenced, edge-detected images by performing edge detection procedures on the plurality of geo-referenced images to identify edges;

store a database of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images, the database storing detected edge data corresponding to the geo-referenced, edge-detected images;

receive a selection of a geographic point from a user;

search the database to find geo-referenced, edge-detected images that contain the selected geographic point;

make the geo-referenced, edge-detected images that contain the selected geographic point available to the user;

receive input from the user of a selection of one or more of the identified edges, the input determined by the user moving a cursor over a pixel representation of one or more of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images having a detected edge of the detected edge data superimposed on the pixel representation, wherein the cursor is caused to snap-to the detected edge when the cursor is within a predetermined distance from the detected edge;

receive input from the user to affirmatively accept the detected edge as an edge of interest;

receive a selection of one or more points on the edge of interest; and

measure one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points on the edge of interest.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising image display and analysis software stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by the computer system to cause the computer system to hold the cursor at the detected edge until the user has indicated acceptance or rejection of the detected edge as an edge of interest.

8. The system of claim 6, image display and analysis software stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by the computer system to cause the computer system to indicate, mark, and store the edge of interest on the image.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein to receive a selection of one or more points on the edge of interest comprises to receive input from the user indicative of two or more points of interest along one or more of the edges of interest;

and wherein to measure one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points comprises to measure a distance between the two or more points of interest utilizing the image data and positional data of the geo-referenced, edge-detected image.