Geospatial modeling system using single optical images and associated methods

• US 8,239,179 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cook, Elizabeth, Duncan, Gilbert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Hugh
• Application Number:
  US12/637,257
• Publication Number:
  US 20110144954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 703/6
• US Class Current: 703/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models

Abstract

A geospatial modeling system includes a display, a geospatial database, and a processor. The processor generates a model based upon a single optical image and a digital elevation model (DEM), and without registration of multiple optical images. The processor also generates time-lapsed models based upon single time-lapsed optical images and the DEM, and without registration of multiple time-lapsed optical images. Regions of interest are user selected from the time-lapsed models, and are displayed along with the model.

Claims

1. A geospatial modeling system comprising:

a display;

a geospatial database; and

a processor cooperating with said geospatial database and said display and configured to;

generate a model based upon a single optical image and a digital elevation model (DEM) and without registration of multiple optical images, with the single optical image including at least one initial region of interest;

generate a time-lapsed model based upon a single time-lapsed optical image and the DEM and without registration of multiple time-lapsed optical images;

permit user selection of at least one region of interest in the time-lapsed model; and

display the model along with the at least one initial region of interest and the at least one region of interest from the time-lapsed model to provide situational awareness.

2. The geospatial modeling system according to claim 1 wherein said processor is further configured to store in said geospatial database the at least one region of interest from the time-lapsed model and not the entire time-lapsed model.

3. The geospatial modeling system according to claim 1 wherein said processor is further configured to permit user modification of the at least one region of interest in the time-lapsed model.

4. The geospatial modeling system according to claim 3 wherein the user modification comprises at least one of height and texturing adjustments.

5. The geospatial modeling system according to claim 1 wherein said processor is further configured to:

remove user selected areas from the model;

permit user modification of the removed user selected areas; and

permit user insertion of the modified selected areas back into the model.

6. The geospatial modeling system according to claim 1 wherein the display by said processor comprises overlaying the at least one region of interest on the model.

7. The geospatial modeling system according to claim 6 wherein the at least one region of interest has metadata associated therewith, and wherein said processor determines placement of the at least one region of interest on the model based on the metadata.

8. The geospatial modeling system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one region of interest in the time-lapsed model corresponds to a same region of interest in the model, and wherein the display by said processor comprises positioning the at least one region of interest laterally adjacent the model.

9. A processor for a geospatial modeling system comprising:

a first module configured to generate a model based upon a single optical image and a digital elevation model (DEM) and without registration of multiple optical images, with the single optical image including at least one initial region of interest;

a second module configured to generate a time-lapsed model based upon a single time-lapsed optical image and the DEM and without registration of multiple time-lapsed optical images;

a third module configured to permit user selection of at least one region of interest in the time-lapsed model; and

a fourth module configured to display the model along with the at least one initial region of interest and the at least one region of interest from the time-lapsed model to provide situational awareness.

10. The processor according to claim 9 wherein said third module is further configured to store in a geospatial database the at least one region of interest from the time-lapsed model and not the entire time-lapsed model.

11. The processor according to claim 9 wherein said second module is further configured to permit user modification of the at least one region of interest in the time-lapsed model.

12. The processor according to claim 9 wherein said first module is further configured to:

remove user selected areas from the model;

permit user modification of the removed user selected areas; and

permit user insertion of the modified selected areas back into the model.

13. The processor according to claim 9 wherein said fourth module is further configured to overlay the at least one region of interest on the model.

14. The processor according to claim 13 wherein the at least one region of interest has metadata associated therewith, and wherein said fourth module determines placement of the at least one region of interest on the model based on the metadata.

15. A method for operating a geospatial modeling system comprising a display and a processor cooperating with the display, the method comprising:

operating the processor to

generate a model based upon a single optical image and a digital elevation model (DEM) and without registration of multiple optical images, with the single optical image including at least one initial region of interest;

generate a time-lapsed model based upon a single time-lapsed optical image and the DEM and without registration of multiple time-lapsed optical images;

permit user selection of at least one region of interest in the time-lapsed model; and

display the model along with the at least one initial region of interest and the at least one region of interest from the time-lapsed model on the display to provide situational awareness.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising storing in a geospatial database the at least one region of interest from the time-lapsed model and not the entire time-lapsed model.

17. The method according to claim 15 further comprising modifying the at least one region of interest in the time-lapsed model.

18. The method according to claim 15 wherein generating the model comprises:

removing user selected areas from the model;

modifying the removed user selected areas; and

inserting the modified selected areas back into the model.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein the displaying comprises overlaying the at least one region of interest on the model.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the at least one region of interest has metadata associated therewith, and wherein the displaying comprises determining placement of the at least one region of interest on the model based on the metadata.