System and method of generating light maps

• US 20080158244A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Hulet, Scott S., Burky, John J., Curless, Stephen A., Curless, Este-Lela F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,098,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/592
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/205 Image-based rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/50 Lighting effects
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/30 Simulation of view from aircraft

Abstract

A method and system for generating light maps for use with an out the window, or a night vision goggles display utilizes inputs from a variety of different geographical and structural data sources. These data sources are then used to determine the locations of structures, roads, and areas of interest within a selected land area. Realistic light maps can then be created quickly and automatically.

Claims

1. A method of constructing luminance terrain light maps comprising:

defining a region of interest;

combining multi-layer lineal data selected from a class which includes roads, and highways, interchanges, railroad features in the region with multi-layer areal data from a class which includes airfield geometric information, information pertaining to commercial or industrial areas, residential areas and vegetated areas in the region;

responsive to the combining, deriving spatial areas and associated data for use in visual or sensor based displays;

filtering the visual related data; and

utilizing random noise inputs to selectively turn off light elements in the region in producing a light map for the region.

2. A method as in claim 1 which includes creating at least one of glowing areas and street networks on the light map.

3. A method as in claim 2 which includes colorizing selected portions of the light map.

4. A method as in claim 3 which includes incorporating the light map into an out the window display, or, night vision goggles-type display.

5. A method as in claim 4 which includes presenting at least one of the displays as part of a simulation.

6. A method as in claim 3 which includes storing the light map.

7. A method as in claim 3 which includes rendering the light map as a rasterized image.

8. A method as in claim 7 which includes storing the light map.

9. A method as in claim 8 which includes incorporating the light map into at least one of an out the window display, or, night vision goggles-type display.

10. A method implemented by computer software encoded on a computer readable medium, the method comprising:

reading selected terrain related inputs pertaining to a region of interest;

establishing a plurality of multi-layer terrain related files, responsive to the inputs;

automatically defining structures and buildings built on the region;

creating light pools around the buildings;

overlaying processed light points on the region;

building paths around the buildings;

establishing light points on the paths;

establishing traffic signals on the paths;

adjusting lighting of commercial areas; and

establishing an out the window graphical display file.

11. A method as in claim 10 which includes:

establishing a night vision goggles output file.

12. A method as in claim 11 which includes storing the display file on a computer readable medium.

13. A method as in claim 12 which includes storing the output file on a computer readable medium.

14. A method as in claim 13 which includes presenting at least one of the display file on an out the window display device or the output file on night vision goggles.

15. A method as in claim 13 which includes conducting a simulated flight;

and

presenting at least one of the display file on an out the window display device or the output file on night vision goggles.