Abstract: A method of taking an aerial survey maps boundaries of a first image and a second image from a first plane to a second plane to determine boundaries of an output image in the second plane. For a plurality of pixels in the output image, the method determines a corresponding pixel of either the first image or second image in the first plane.

Abstract: A method of taking an aerial survey maps boundaries of a first image and a second image from a first plane to a second plane to determine boundaries of an output image in the second plane. For a plurality of pixels in the output image, the method determines a corresponding pixel of either the first image or second image in the first plane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilizing image frames in a video data stream. A weighted average or centroid of the intensity or hue associated with pixels vs. the horizontal and vertical position of each pixel is calculated for a reference frame in the video data stream. A corresponding centroid is calculated for a subsequent frame in the stream. This image frame is then translated so that the centroid of the subsequent frame and the centroid of the reference frame coincide, reducing artifacts from shaking of the video capture device. Alternatively, the video stream frames may be divided into tiles and centroids calculated for each tile. The centroids of the tiles of a subsequent frame are curve fit to the centroids of tiles in a reference frame. An affine transform is then performed on the subsequent frame to reduce artifacts in the image from movements of the video capture device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for editing and displaying cartographic data are described. Cartographic source data is retrieved from a first record set and displayed in a display device. Based on a selection by a user of a feature in the display device, source data corresponding to the selected feature is selected. Based on a modification of the selected feature by the user in the display device, cartographic edit data is created. The cartographic edit data is associated with the cartographic source data for the feature and the associated cartographic edit data is stored within a second record set that is editable by the user. An output record set is created for display on the display device, at least in part, from the associated cartographic edit data for the feature.

Abstract: A method of transforming an input image from a hemispherical source to an output image in rectilinear coordinates is disclosed. The method includes receiving data representative of an input image originating from a hemispherical camera and having a size defined by an input image height and an input image width. Once the data is received, an output image width and output image height representative of a size of a rectilinear output image is calculated based on the size of the input image. A rectilinear output image is then generated by mapping input image pixels to locations within the width and height of the output image, without reference to the optical characteristics of the hemispherical camera.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a composite image from a video data stream and for identifying changed features in two composite images. Frames from the video data stream are transformed to a projected 2D image, aligned with adjacent frames and overlapping areas are averaged to provide a higher apparent resolution. The composite image can be stored in real-time. As a second composite image is prepared of the same location at a later time, portions of the second image can be compared to corresponding portions of the stored image after the intensities of the images are equalized. Image areas whose absolute difference exceeds a threshold are again intensity equalized. Areas that are again above threshold can be flagged for further scrutiny, either by a human or by a machine that performs object recognition. In this way, composite video images of a scene can be prepared and compared in real-time.

Abstract: A method of taking an aerial survey maps boundaries of a first image and a second image from a first plane to a second plane to determine boundaries of an output image in the second plane. For a plurality of pixels in the output image, the method determines a corresponding pixel of either the first image or second image in the first plane.

Abstract: A method for establishing or reinforcing a path through an asymmetric network of interconnected nodes includes storing navigation data at one or more nodes, for use by an agent in traveling from that node to a subsequent node, while ultimately traveling from a first terminal node (for example, a source node) to a second terminal node (for example, a destination node). As the agent travels from a first terminal node to a second terminal node via an intermediate node, the agent modifies the navigation data intended for use by an agent traveling from the second terminal node to the first terminal node via the intermediate node. Agents traveling complementary routes reinforce each other paths, allowing paths to be determined and reinforced.

Abstract: A method for generating automated scripts for installing objects into databases on database servers. A script generator inputs parameters such as the target database server identifier and a list of target databases for the installation. The script generator also inputs a hierarchical directory tree with files at the child nodes containing object installation instructions. The script generator traverses the directory tree, starting with the root node, and generates an installation script. The script generator can also input a time/date at which the installation script will be automatically executed, allowing for unattended operation of the object installation procedure. Thus, a database administrator is substantially shielded from the complexity of the installation process and installations can be standardized across multiple database servers and databases.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for editing and displaying cartographic data are described. Cartographic source data is retrieved from a first record set and at least one feature of the source data is displayed in a display device. Based on a user's selection of a feature in the display device, source data corresponding to the selected feature is selected. Based on the user's modification of the selected feature in the display device, cartographic edit data, representing the user's modification of the feature, is created. The cartographic edit data is associated with the cartographic source data for the feature and the associated cartographic edit data is stored within a second record set. The source data and edited data may also be displayed by retrieving the cartographic source data for a feature from the first record set and retrieving the cartographic edit data associated with the source data from the second record set.

Abstract: A method for viewing a first object that is obstructed by a second object. In such a method, the first object has a contrasting color to the second object and the second object is constructed from a material that allows visible light to pass therethrough. The amount of visible light that passes through the second object is not enough such that the first object is visible to the human eye. The method involves taking a digital image of the first and second object using a visible light sensor, such as a CCD camera sensor. The digital image data that is received into a computer system contains both first object data and second object data. It should be understood that the first object data and the second object data include color information. The amount of contrast between the first and the second object should be approximately 10% of the total scale such that on a 256 color scale the difference is approximately 25 levels.

Abstract: A method for image stabilization of at least two digital images is disclosed. In such an embodiment, a first digital image having a plurality of pixels and at least a second image having a plurality of pixels are provided. Each pixel has an associated address for display and is representative of a color. Either a user of the system provides a color match range or the system provides a predetermined color matched range. A pixel is selected within the first digital image. Preferably the pixel is one that represents an item within the image that is either blurry due to movement of the item or appears jittery due to camera movement. Due to the vast number of available colors a pixel selected in a first image can be matched to a pixel in a second image within a range. The range allows for compensation due to lighting changes. Once the pixel in the first image is selected it can be compared to all pixels within the second image.

Abstract: A method for demultiplexing time-division multiplexed digital video data which originates from multiple sources in which the time-division multiplexed images are not indexed nor is there identification information provided to differentiate sources. The sources are generally cameras which may be stationary cameras or moving cameras that rotate as are commonly used in the surveillance industry. A first set of digital video data representative of a first image is retrieved from a memory source or from a video tape. The first set of digital video data is stored to a memory location associated with a first source. The first set of video data is also identified as representative video data of the first source. A second set of digital video data representative of a current image is then retrieved. A difference ratio is calculated using the representative digital video data and the current set of digital video data.

Abstract: A method for demultiplexing digital video data which originates from multiple sources in which the multiplexed images are not indexed nor is there identification information provided to differentiate sources. The sources are generally cameras which may be stationary cameras or moving cameras that rotate as are commonly used in the surveillance industry. A first set of digital video data representative of a first image is retrieved from a memory source or from a video tape. The first set of digital video data is stored to a memory location associated with a first source. The first set of video data is also identified as representative video data of the first source. A second set of digital video data representative of a current image is then retrieved. A difference ratio is calculated using the representative digital video data and the current set of digital video data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the collaborative design, construction, and maintenance of fluid processing plants are provided. A collaborative commerce application may provide project management utilities, visualization utilities, dynamic pricing utilities, material procurement utilities, and certification utilities. These features may be integrated seamlessly into the collaborative commerce application. Communication among project team members in the design and construction of fluid processing plants may be made more efficient by providing automatic notifications via the collaborative commerce application. Version control may be used to ensure project team members are working with the latest designs and revisions. Access controls and other security features may be used to prevent confidential data from being disseminated unnecessarily.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the collaborative design, construction, and maintenance of fluid processing plants are provided. A collaborative commerce application may provide project management utilities, visualization utilities, dynamic pricing utilities, material procurement utilities, and certification utilities. These features may be integrated seamlessly into the collaborative commerce application. Communication among project team members in the design and construction of fluid processing plants may be made more efficient by providing automatic notifications via the collaborative commerce application. Version control may be used to ensure project team members are working with the latest designs and revisions. Access controls and other security features may be used to prevent confidential data from being disseminated unnecessarily.

Abstract: Forming a single image from multiple images is described. A first image and a second image partially overlap to define a common overlap region, and each image has multiple pixels. A boundary between the first image and the second image is automatically calculated based on processed pixel values in the common overlap region. Then the first and second image may be integrated along the boundary to form a single image.

Abstract: A method for maintaining relationships between entities in a computer system, each entity having a plurality nodes, includes the steps of: modifying one of the plurality of nodes; searching for a plurality of dependent nodes from the plurality of nodes coupled to the one node; ordering the plurality of dependent nodes into an order; and evaluating the plurality of dependent nodes in the order.