Apparatus and method for constructing a mosaic of data

• US 5,742,297 A
• Filed: 11/04/1994
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nevada Asset Liquidators LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Logan, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K.
• Application Number:
  US08/334,292
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 395/133, 395/136, 395/137, 395/138, 345/117, 345/118
• US Class Current: 345/672
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/153 using elastic snapping
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/4038 Image mosaicing, e.g. composing plane images from plane sub-images

Abstract

Apparatus and method combine, in real time, weather radar data in digital format from multiple radar sites into a mosaic covering a regional or national area (e.g., the continental United States). Such apparatus and method are implementable as computer software that can be run on a general purpose computer such as a personal computer. Preferably, a database of "lookup tables" are used to project individual radar data bins directly to a grid of the desired coordinate system for that mosaic. Using these lookup tables, each of a plurality of radar data bins is converted to a corresponding grid location or box in a mosaic image. While each radar data bin is mapped to a grid box for the mosaic, not every such grid box within the coverage area of the radar may receive such a data bin. Any resulting holes in the produced mosaic are then identified using yet another grid whose locations correspond to those of the mosaic but which instead provide information regarding the data then appearing in corresponding locations in that mosaic. Each such hole is then filed with data from the locationally closest data bin.

Claims

1. A method for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising the steps of:

converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first distance from a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second distance from a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known; and

converting the second distance to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

after said step of converting into the first distance, determining whether the first distance exceeds a preset value.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises converting the first distance to a latitude and longitude position.

4. A method for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising the steps of:

forming for the first set of data a table having a plurality of entries, each such entry having a coordinate position in the first coordinate system having any of the first set of data, and each coordinate position in the second coordinate system corresponding to that coordinate position in the first coordinate system, said forming step comprising the steps of;

converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first distance from a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second distance from a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the second distance to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system; and

after said forming step, using the table, converting each of a plurality of coordinate positions in the first coordinate system having at least some of the first set of data to one or more coordinate positions in the second coordinate system.

5. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said forming step further comprises the step of:

after said step of converting into the first distance, determining whether the first distance exceeds a preset value.

6. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said step of converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises converting the first distance to a latitude and longitude position.

7. A method for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising the steps of:

converting first coordinate positions for the first set of data in the first coordinate system into second corresponding coordinate positions in the second coordinate system;

before, during or after said converting step, defining an array of data of a first value in the second coordinate system, the array including at least all of the second corresponding coordinate positions;

after said defining step, changing the value of each of a first subarray of the array of data from the first value to a second value, the first subarray consisting of all coordinate positions in the second coordinate system that could be mapped into any of the first coordinate positions in the first coordinate system;

after said above changing step, changing the value of each of the second corresponding coordinate positions in the first subarray from the second value to a third value;

after said converting step and said changing steps, for a location in the array having the second value, determining the positionally closest corresponding one of the first coordinate positions; and

after said determining step, inserting the value of the positionally closest corresponding one of the first coordinate positions in a coordinate position of the second coordinate system corresponding to the coordinate position in the array having the second value.

8. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein said step of converting first coordinate positions into second corresponding coordinate positions comprises the steps of:

converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first distance from a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second distance from a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known; and

converting the second distance to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 wherein said step of converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises converting the first distance to a latitude and longitude position.

10. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein said step of converting first coordinate positions into second corresponding coordinate positions comprises the steps of:

converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first relative coordinate position relative to a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second relative coordinate position relative to a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known; and

converting the second relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system.

11. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said step of converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises converting the first relative coordinate position to a latitude and longitude position.

12. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein said step of converting first coordinate positions into second corresponding coordinate positions comprises the steps of:

forming for the first set of data a table having a plurality of entries, each such entry having a coordinate position in the first coordinate system having any of the first set of data, and each coordinate position in the second coordinate system corresponding to that coordinate position in the first coordinate system, said forming step comprising the steps of;

converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first distance from a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second distance from a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the second distance to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system; and

after said forming step, using the table, converting each of a plurality of coordinate positions in the first coordinate system having at least some of the first set of data to one or more coordinate positions in the second coordinate system.

13. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said step of converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises converting the first distance to a latitude and longitude position.

14. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein said step of converting first coordinate positions into second corresponding coordinate positions comprises the steps of:

forming for the first set of data a table having a plurality of entries, each such entry having a coordinate position in the first coordinate system having any of the first set of data, and each coordinate position in the second coordinate system corresponding to that coordinate position in the first coordinate system, said forming step comprising the steps of;

converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first relative coordinate position relative to a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second relative coordinate position relative to a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the second relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system; and

after said forming step, using the table, converting each of a plurality of coordinate positions in the first coordinate system having at least some of the first set of data to one or more coordinate positions in the second coordinate system.

15. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said step of converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises converting the first relative coordinate position to a latitude and longitude position.

16. Apparatus for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising:

means for converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first distance from a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

means for converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second distance from a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known; and

means for converting the second distance to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, further comprising:

means for determining whether the first distance exceeds a preset value.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises means for converting the first distance to a latitude and longitude position.

19. Apparatus for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising:

means for forming for the first set of data a table having a plurality of entries, each such entry having a coordinate position in the first coordinate system having any of the first set of data, and each coordinate position in the second coordinate system corresponding to that coordinate position in the first coordinate system, said means for forming comprising;

means for converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first distance from a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

means for converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second distance from a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the second distance to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system; and

means, using the table, for converting each of a plurality of coordinate positions in the first coordinate system having at least some of the first set of data to one or more coordinate positions in the second coordinate system.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for forming further comprises:

means for determining whether the first distance exceeds a preset value.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises means for converting the first distance to a latitude and longitude position.

22. Apparatus for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising:

means for converting first coordinate positions for the first set of data in the first coordinate system into second corresponding coordinate positions in the second coordinate system;

means for defining an array of data of a first value in the second coordinate system, the array including all of the second coordinate positions;

means for changing the value of each of a first subarray of the array of data from the first value to a second value, the subarray consisting of all coordinate positions in the second coordinate system that could be mapped into any of the first coordinate positions in the first coordinate system;

means for changing the value of each of the second coordinate positions in the array of data from the second value to a third value;

means, for a location in the array having the second value, for determining the positionally closest corresponding one of the first coordinate positions; and

means for inserting the value of the positionally closest corresponding one of the first coordinate positions in a location of the second coordinate system corresponding to the coordinate position in the array having the second value.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said means for converting first coordinate positions into second corresponding coordinate positions comprises:

means for converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first distance from a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

means for converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second distance from a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known; and

means for converting the second distance to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said means for converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises means for converting the first distance to a latitude and longitude position.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said means for converting first coordinate positions into second corresponding coordinate positions comprises:

means for converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first relative coordinate position relative to a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second relative coordinate position relative to a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known; and

means for converting the second relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a latitude and longitude position.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said means for converting first coordinate positions into second corresponding coordinate positions comprises:

means for forming for the first set of data a table having a plurality of entries, each such entry having a coordinate position in the first coordinate system having any of the first set of data, and each coordinate position in the second coordinate system corresponding to that coordinate position in the first coordinate system, said means for forming comprising;

means for converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first distance from a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

means for converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second distance from a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the second distance to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system; and

means, using the table, for converting each of a plurality of coordinate positions in the first coordinate system having at least some of the first set of data to one or more coordinate positions in the second coordinate system.

28. Apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein said means for converting the first distance to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises means for converting the first distance to a latitude and longitude position.

29. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said means for converting first coordinate positions into second corresponding coordinate positions comprises:

means for forming for the first set of data a table having a plurality of entries, each such entry having a coordinate position in the first coordinate system having any of the first set of data, and each coordinate position in the second coordinate system corresponding to that coordinate position in the first coordinate system, said means for forming comprising;

means for converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first relative coordinate position relative to a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second relative coordinate position relative to a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the second relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system; and

means, using the table, for converting each of a plurality of coordinate positions in the first coordinate system having at least some of the first set of data to one or more coordinate positions in the second coordinate system.

30. Apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a latitude and longitude position.

31. A method for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising the steps of:

converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first relative coordinate position relative to a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second relative coordinate position relative to a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known; and

converting the second relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system.

32. A method as defined in claim 31 wherein said step of converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises converting the first relative coordinate position to a latitude and longitude position.

33. A method for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising the steps of:

forming for the first set of data a table having a plurality of entries, each such entry having a coordinate position in the first coordinate system having any of the first set of data, and each coordinate position in the second coordinate system corresponding to that coordinate position in the first coordinate system, said forming step comprising the steps of;

converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first relative coordinate position relative to a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second relative coordinate position relative to a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

converting the second relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system; and

after said forming step, using the table, converting each of a plurality of coordinate positions in the first coordinate system having at least some of the first set of data to one or more coordinate positions in the second coordinate system.

34. A method as defined in claim 33 wherein said step of converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises converting the first relative coordinate position to a latitude and longitude position.

35. Apparatus for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising:

means for converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first relative coordinate position relative to a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second relative coordinate position relative to a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known; and

means for converting the second relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system.

36. Apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein said means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a latitude and longitude position.

37. Apparatus for inserting a first set of data having a first coordinate system into a data mosaic having a second coordinate system which may be different from the first coordinate system, comprising:

means for forming for the first set of data a table having a plurality of entries, each such entry having a coordinate position in the first coordinate system having any of the first set of data, and each coordinate position in the second coordinate system corresponding to that coordinate position in the first coordinate system, said means for forming comprising;

means for converting the coordinate position of one item of the first set of data into a first relative coordinate position relative to a first reference point in the first coordinate system;

means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the first reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the coordinate position in the third coordinate system to a second relative coordinate position relative to a second reference point in the second coordinate system, wherein the coordinate position of the second reference point in the third coordinate system is known;

means for converting the second relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in the second coordinate system; and

means, using the table, for converting each of a plurality of coordinate positions in the first coordinate system having at least some of the first set of data to one or more coordinate positions in the second coordinate system.

38. Apparatus as defined in claim 37 wherein said means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a coordinate position in a third coordinate system comprises means for converting the first relative coordinate position to a latitude and longitude position.