Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for creating a computerized 3D model to include material property information for one or more regions of image textures of the computerized 3D model, including a method comprising: creating a computerized 3D model having image textures; examining a portion of a first image texture of the computerized 3D model having unknown material properties; assigning a material having a material property to the portion of the first image texture to indicate a physical material of a physical object represented by the portion of the first image texture, the material property having material property information about the physical materials; associating the material property information with the portion of the first image texture; and replacing the portion of the first image texture in the 3D model with a simulated texture of the assigned material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for creating a mosaic image of two or more geo-referenced source images, the geo-referenced source images having the same orientation, based on a ground confidence map created by analyzing pixels of one or more of the geo-referenced source images, the ground confidence map having values and data indicative of particular geographic locations represented by the values, at least one of the values indicative of a statistical probability that the particular geographic locations represented by the values represents the ground; and using routes for steering mosaic cut lines based at least in part on the values indicative of the statistical probability that the particular geographic locations represented by the values represents the ground of the ground confidence map, such that the routes have an increased statistical probability of cutting through pixels representative of the ground versus routes not based on the ground confidence map.

Abstract: Image capture systems are disclosed, including an image capture system, comprising: an image capture device mounted on a moving platform, the image capture device having a sensor for capturing an aerial image having pixels; and a detection computer executing an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in the pixels of the aerial image immediately after the aerial image is captured by scanning the aerial image utilizing predetermined parameters indicative of characteristics of the abnormality and then automatically scheduling a re-shoot of the aerial image such that the re-shoot occurs prior to landing of the moving platform, wherein the abnormality detection algorithm causes the detection computer to scan the aerial image using pattern recognition techniques to detect the abnormality in the pixels of the aerial image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for creating a computerized 3D model to include material property information for one or more regions of image textures of the computerized 3D model, including a method comprising: creating a computerized 3D model having image textures; examining a portion of a first image texture of the computerized 3D model having unknown material properties; assigning a material having a material property to the portion of the first image texture to indicate a physical material of a physical object represented by the portion of the first image texture, the material property having material property information about the physical materials; associating the material property information with the portion of the first image texture; and replacing the portion of the first image texture in the 3D model with a simulated texture of the assigned material.

Abstract: Image capture systems are disclosed, including an image capture system, comprising: an image capture device mounted on a moving platform, the image capture device having a sensor for capturing an aerial image having pixels; and a detection computer executing an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in the pixels of the aerial image immediately after the aerial image is captured by scanning the aerial image utilizing predetermined parameters indicative of characteristics of the abnormality and then automatically scheduling a re-shoot of the aerial image such that the re-shoot occurs prior to landing of the moving platform, wherein the abnormality detection algorithm causes the detection computer to scan the aerial image using pattern recognition techniques to detect the abnormality in the pixels of the aerial image.

Abstract: A method of automatically transforming a computerized 3D model having regions of images utilized as textures on one or more physical objects represented in the 3D model (such as building sides and roofs, walls, landscapes, mountain sides, trees and the like) to include material property information for one or more regions of the textures of the 3D model. In this method, image textures applied to the 3D model are examined by comparing, utilizing a computer, at least a portion of each image texture to entries in a palette of material entries. The material palette entry that best matches the one contained in the image texture is assigned to indicate a physical material of the physical object represented by the 3D model. Then, material property information is stored in the computerized 3D model for the image textures that are assigned a material palette entry.

Abstract: Image capture systems including a moving platform; an image capture device having a sensor for capturing an image, the image having pixels, mounted on the moving platform; and a detection computer executing an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in the pixels of the image immediately after the image is captured by scanning the image utilizing predetermined parameters indicative of characteristics of the abnormality and then automatically and immediately causing a re-shoot of the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating oblique-mosaic image(s) for geographical area(s) are disclosed, including a computer system running software that when executed causes the system to create a mathematical model of a sensor of a virtual camera having an elevation greater than an elevation of a desired geographical area to be imaged, the mathematical model having an oblique-mosaic pixel map; determine surface locations for pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map; select source oblique images of the surface locations of the pixels captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to an oblique angle and compass direction of the virtual camera; and reproject source oblique image pixels for pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map such that reprojected pixels have differing sizes determined by matching projections from the virtual camera so as to present an oblique appearance, and thereby create the oblique-mosaic image of the desired geographical area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for creating a mosaic image of two or more geo-referenced source images, the geo-referenced source images having the same orientation, based on a ground confidence map created by analyzing pixels of one or more of the geo-referenced source images, the ground confidence map having values and data indicative of particular geographic locations represented by the values, at least one of the values indicative of a statistical probability that the particular geographic locations represented by the values represents the ground; and using routes for steering mosaic cut lines based at least in part on the values indicative of the statistical probability that the particular geographic locations represented by the values represents the ground of the ground confidence map, such that the routes have an increased statistical probability of cutting through pixels representative of the ground versus routes not based on the ground confidence map.

Abstract: A method of automatically transforming a computerized 3D model having regions of images utilized as textures on one or more physical objects represented in the 3D model (such as building sides and roofs, walls, landscapes, mountain sides, trees and the like) to include material property information for one or more regions of the textures of the 3D model. In this method, image textures applied to the 3D model are examined by comparing, utilizing a computer, at least a portion of each image texture to entries in a palette of material entries. The material palette entry that best matches the one contained in the image texture is assigned to indicate a physical material of the physical object represented by the 3D model. Then, material property information is stored in the computerized 3D model for the image textures that are assigned a material palette entry.

Abstract: Image capture systems including a moving platform; an image capture device having a sensor for capturing an image, the image having pixels, mounted on the moving platform; and a detection computer executing an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in the pixels of the image immediately after the image is captured by scanning the image utilizing predetermined parameters indicative of characteristics of the abnormality and then automatically and immediately causing a re-shoot of the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for creating a mosaic image of two or more geo-referenced source images, the geo-referenced source images having the same orientation, based on a ground confidence map created by analyzing pixels of one or more of the geo-referenced source images, the ground confidence map having values and data indicative of particular geographic locations represented by the values, at least one of the values indicative of a statistical probability that the particular geographic locations represented by the values represents the ground; and using routes for steering mosaic cut lines based at least in part on the values indicative of the statistical probability that the particular geographic locations represented by the values represents the ground of the ground confidence map, such that the routes have an increased statistical probability of cutting through pixels representative of the ground versus routes not based on the ground confidence map.

Abstract: A method of automatically transforming a computerized 3D model having regions of images utilized as textures on one or more physical objects represented in the 3D model (such as building sides and roofs, walls, landscapes, mountain sides, trees and the like) to include material property information for one or more regions of the textures of the 3D model. In this method, image textures applied to the 3D model are examined by comparing, utilizing a computer, at least a portion of each image texture to entries in a palette of material entries. The material palette entry that best matches the one contained in the image texture is assigned to indicate a physical material of the physical object represented by the 3D model. Then, material property information is stored in the computerized 3D model for the image textures that are assigned a material palette entry.

Abstract: Image capture systems including a moving platform; an image capture device having a sensor for capturing an image, the image having pixels, mounted on the moving platform; and a detection computer executing an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in the pixels of the image immediately after the image is captured by scanning the image utilizing predetermined parameters indicative of characteristics of the abnormality and then automatically and immediately causing a re-shoot of the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating oblique-mosaic image(s) for geographical area(s) are disclosed, including a computer system running software that when executed causes the system to create a mathematical model of a sensor of a virtual camera having an elevation greater than an elevation of a desired geographical area to be imaged, the mathematical model having an oblique-mosaic pixel map; determine surface locations for pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map; select source oblique images of the surface locations of the pixels captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to an oblique angle and compass direction of the virtual camera; and reproject source oblique image pixels for pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map such that reprojected pixels have differing sizes determined by matching projections from the virtual camera so as to present an oblique appearance, and thereby create the oblique-mosaic image of the desired geographical area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for creating a mosaic image of two or more geo-referenced source images, the geo-referenced source images having the same orientation, based on a ground confidence map created by analyzing pixels of one or more of the geo-referenced source images, the ground confidence map having values and data indicative of particular geographic locations represented by the values, at least one of the values indicative of a statistical probability that the particular geographic locations represented by the values represents the ground; and using routes for steering mosaic cut lines based at least in part on the values indicative of the statistical probability that the particular geographic locations represented by the values represents the ground of the ground confidence map, such that the routes have an increased statistical probability of cutting through pixels representative of the ground versus routes not based on the ground confidence map.

Abstract: A computer system running image processing software receives an identification of a desired scene of a geographical area for which an oblique-mosaic image is desired including one or more geometry parameters of a virtual camera; creates a mathematical model of the virtual camera having mathematical values that define the camera geometry parameters that configure the model to capture the geographical area, and looking down at an oblique angle; creates a ground elevation model of the ground and vertical structures within the oblique-mosaic pixel map, wherein source images were captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to the oblique angle and compass direction of the virtual camera; and reprojects, with the mathematical model, source oblique image pixels of the overlapping source images for pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map using the ground elevation model to thereby create the oblique-mosaic image of the geographical area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a ground confidence map of a geographic area, comprising the steps of creating a ground confidence map of a geographic area, the ground confidence map having a plurality of pixels with each pixel corresponding to a particular geographic location; assigning the pixels in the ground confidence map with pixel values indicative of composite ground confidence scores; and storing pixel values indicative of a statistical probability that the geographical location represented by the particular pixels represent the ground.

Abstract: A method of automatically transforming a computerized 3D model having regions of images utilized as textures on one or more physical objects represented in the 3D model (such as building sides and roofs, walls, landscapes, mountain sides, trees and the like) to include material property information for one or more regions of the textures of the 3D model. In this method, image textures applied to the 3D model are examined by comparing, utilizing a computer, at least a portion of each image texture to entries in a palette of material entries. The material palette entry that best matches the one contained in the image texture is assigned to indicate a physical material of the physical object represented by the 3D model. Then, material property information is stored in the computerized 3D model for the image textures that are assigned a material palette entry.

Abstract: Image capture systems including a moving platform; an image capture device having a sensor for capturing an image, the image having pixels, mounted on the moving platform; and a detection computer executing an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in the pixels of the image immediately after the image is captured by scanning the image utilizing predetermined parameters indicative of characteristics of the abnormality and then automatically and immediately causing a re-shoot of the image.