Abstract: A method to stitch images includes the steps of: determining a template window in the first digital image and a target window in the second digital image and extracting selected features from the selected windows and a template in the template window; extracting selected features from within the template at a first resolution; matching the selected features in the target window; extracting selected features from within the template and target window at a second resolution higher than the first resolution; matching the selected features in the target window; performing a first evaluation of the second estimate of the stitching location; blending the second estimate of the stitching location; performing an evaluation of the stitching location; stitching the first digital image and a second digital image using the stitching location to create a stitched image; and saving the stitched image to memory. A system to perform the method is also described.

Abstract: A method to identify a Region Of Interest (ROI) within an image includes the steps of: reading a digital image; finding predetermined brightness values; analyzing lines near a plurality of outer edges of the digital image; identifying an entire area of the digital image as the ROI if the found brightness values are also found in lines near the plurality of outer edges of the digital image; computing Radon transforms to generate one dimensional (1D) projections of the digital image if the found brightness values are not found in the lines; detecting a set of edges within the 1D projections; selecting edges from the set of edges; validating the selected edges to identify a set of validated edges; computing the ROI from the set of validated edges of the 1D projections; and saving the computed ROI to memory. A system to perform the method is also described.

Abstract: A method to stitch images includes the steps of: determining a template window in the first digital image and a target window in the second digital image and extracting selected features from the selected windows and a template in the template window; extracting selected features from within the template at a first resolution; matching the selected features in the target window; extracting selected features from within the template and target window at a second resolution higher than the first resolution; matching the selected features in the target window; performing a first evaluation of the second estimate of the stitching location; blending the second estimate of the stitching location; performing an evaluation of the stitching location; stitching the first digital image and a second digital image using the stitching location to create a stitched image; and saving the stitched image to memory. A system to perform the method is also described.

Abstract: A method to identify a Region Of Interest (ROI) within an image includes the steps of: reading a digital image; finding predetermined brightness values; analyzing lines near a plurality of outer edges of the digital image; identifying an entire area of the digital image as the ROI if the found brightness values are also found in lines near the plurality of outer edges of the digital image; computing Radon transforms to generate one dimensional (1D) projections of the digital image if the found brightness values are not found in the lines; detecting a set of edges within the 1D projections; selecting edges from the set of edges; validating the selected edges to identify a set of validated edges; computing the ROI from the set of validated edges of the 1D projections; and saving the computed ROI to memory. A system to perform the method is also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining a target fluid map of a survey area using a differential absorption LIDAR (DIAL) system are provided. Pulse bursts are transmitted toward the survey area, where each pulse burst includes an off-line pulse and at least one on-line pulse. Pulse bursts, each being associated with a measurement point, are received from the survey area. A concentration path length (CPL) corresponding to a respective on-line pulse, a spatial location associated with the CPL, and an error associated with the CPL are determined for each measurement point. The CPL for each measurement point is arranged within the survey area to form the target fluid map.

Abstract: A multi-line tunable laser system, which uses lasers as light sources to illuminate, identify and or quantify one or more targets based on multi-dimensional spectral characteristics of each target. The system includes a plurality of laser sources, each tunable to emit an electromagnetic wave, and at least one tuning controller for tuning and locking each beam of light to a wavelength of required spectral line-width. The system also includes a transmitter for transmitting each beam of light to illuminate one or more targets, and a receiver for receiving light returning from the targets and converting the returned light to electrical signals for identifying and or quantifying the targets. The system further includes N tunable lasers where, M of the N lasers are each tuned to a wavelength that is partially absorbed by the targets, and L of the N (one or more) of the lasers are each tuned to a wavelength that is absorption-free of the targets.

Abstract: A method of acquiring data uses multiple sensors in an aircraft. The method includes the steps of: (a) turning ON a DIAL sensor to detect a target of interest during a first flight pass over a region of interest (ROI), wherein the target of interest is a gas or oil pipeline leak; (b) detecting the target of interest using the DIAL sensor; and (c) storing location of the detected target in a look up table (LUT). The method also includes the steps of: (d) during a second flight pass over the ROI, triggering another sensor to turn ON at or about the location stored in the LUT; and (e) confirming presence of the target of interest using both ON-sensors. If necessary, a third flight pass over the ROI is conducted and yet another sensor is triggered to turn ON at or about the location stored in the LUT. Presence of the target of interest is confirmed using all three ON-sensors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of generating multi-resolution images using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) phase history data. A high resolution SAR image may be formed from the phase history data, or a lower resolution SAR image may be formed from a sub-aperture of the phase history data. The multi-resolution images may also be compressed. Compressed multi-resolution images are progressively transmitted to a client until the client receives an image with adequate image quality and/or resolution. Compressed multi-resolution images may also be used for iterative target detection, where images are analyzed by a target detection processor, starting with a lowest resolution image, going to a highest resolution image, until an adequate image of the target or scene is obtained. If a target is not found in the multi-resolution images, a new sub-aperture is chosen on the phase history data, and the target detection process repeats for the new sub-aperture.

Abstract: A system for remote quantitative detection of fluid leaks from a natural gas or oil pipeline by use of an airborne platform; including at least one laser light source for nearly simultaneous illuminating two or more target fluids and a background, wherein the two or more target fluids are characterized by two or more absorption wavelengths, and wherein the background has a different wavelength than either of the two or more target fluids. The illumination source is pointed based on a positioning system while in a geometric area along a path two or more target fluids are scanned for using the illumination sources. A signal detector detects the two or more target fluids using quantitative signal processing. Also included are a controller, a path planning and path finding tool for the positioning of the airborne platform, and a communicator for communicating the presence of the detected leak.

Abstract: A system for remote quantitative detection of fluid leaks from a natural gas or oil pipeline by use of an airborne platform; including at least one laser light source for nearly simultaneous illuminating two or more target fluids and a background, wherein the two or more target fluids are characterized by two or more absorption wavelengths, and wherein the background has a different wavelength than either of the two or more target fluids. The illumination source is pointed based on a positioning system while in a geometric area along a path two or more target fluids are scanned for using the illumination sources. A signal detector detects the two or more target fluids using quantitative signal processing. Also included are a controller, a path planning and path finding tool for the positioning of the airborne platform, and a communicator for communicating the presence of the detected leak.

Abstract: A sorting system (110) conveys articles, such as peaches (114) on a conveyor belt (112) past an inspection zone (126) that is lighted by an illumination source (90) radiating a number of emission peaks over visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The illumination source generates the radiation from an Indium Iodide lamp (92) that is reflected off a parabolic reflector (94) and through a “soda straw” collimator (100) to illuminated the peaches. A detector system (118) employs line scanning visible and infrared cameras (142, 140) to sense visible and IR wavelength reflectance values for the peach meat (124) and peach pit or pit fragments (126). Various image processing and analysis methologies, such as subtraction, ratio, logarithmic, regression, combination, angle, distance, and shape may be employed to enhance the image contrast and classify the resulting data for sorting the peaches.

Abstract: A sorting system (110) conveys articles, such as peaches (114) on a conveyor belt (112) past an inspection zone (126) that is lighted by an illumination source (90) radiating a number of emission peaks over visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The illumination source generates the radiation from an Indium Iodide lamp (92) that is reflected off a parabolic reflector (94) and through a “soda straw” collimator (100) to illuminated the peaches. A detector system (118) employs line scanning visible and infrared cameras (142, 140) to sense visible and IR wavelength reflectance values for the peach meat (124) and peach pit or pit fragments (126). Various image processing and analysis methologies, such as subtraction, ratio, logarithmic, regression, combination, angle, distance, and shape may be employed to enhance the image contrast and classify the resulting data for sorting the peaches.

Abstract: Accessing the exterior points of an object is used in the area of object identification when it is important to use the information in the local exterior environment of an object in order to extract a feature which may be useful for object recognition. Examples of this type of feature which are important for recognizing and classifying objects occur in the area if bacterial detection. Adaptive classification is a way of making the analysis independent of variations in imaging conditions, such as lighting, positioning, electronic amplification, etc. Two general methods can be used to access the local exterior environment of an object, knowing the perimeter points of the object. In the first method, the shape of an annular exterior region around the object of interest can be made to follow the shape of the object itself. In the second method, an known exterior shape, such as a circle, is used to characterize the exterior contour region, approximating the shape of the object.