Abstract: A dynamic image masking system for providing a filtered autonomous remote sensing image through a dynamic image masking process is provided. The dynamic image masking system has a remote sensing platform and an imaging system associated with the remote sensing platform. The imaging system has an optical system and an image sensing system. The dynamic image masking system further has a multi-level security system associated with the imaging system and one or more image alteration locations located in the imaging system and the multi-level security system, wherein alteration of one or more images takes place via the dynamic image masking process. The dynamic image masking system further has a computer system associated with the imaging system. The computer system has a gatekeeper algorithm configured to send gatekeeper commands to one or more controllers that control the one or more image alteration locations through the dynamic image masking process.

Abstract: A dynamic image masking system for providing a filtered autonomous remote sensing image through a dynamic image masking process is provided. The dynamic image masking system has a remote sensing platform and an imaging system associated with the remote sensing platform. The imaging system has an optical system and an image sensing system. The dynamic image masking system further has a multi-level security system associated with the imaging system and one or more image alteration locations located in the imaging system and the multi-level security system, wherein alteration of one or more images takes place via the dynamic image masking process. The dynamic image masking system further has a computer system associated with the imaging system. The computer system has a gatekeeper algorithm configured to send gatekeeper commands to one or more controllers that control the one or more image alteration locations through the dynamic image masking process.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing stereoscopic imaging. The method may involve obtaining a first image of a scene, at a first time, using a camera disposed on a platform, where the distance between the camera and the scene is changing. The camera may be used to obtain a second image of the scene, at a second time, with one of the first and second images being larger than the other. One of the images that is larger than the other may be resized so that the sizes of the two images are substantially similar. Both of the images may be rotated a predetermined degree so that the images form a stereo pair that may be viewed with a stereoscope viewing component or made into an anaglyph for viewing with an anaglyph viewing component.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing stereoscopic imaging. The method may involve obtaining a first image of a scene, at a first time, using a camera disposed on a platform, where the distance between the camera and the scene is changing. The camera may be used to obtain a second image of the scene, at a second time, with one of the first and second images being larger than the other. One of the images that is larger than the other may be resized so that the sizes of the two images are substantially similar. Both of the images may be rotated a predetermined degree so that the images form a stereo pair that may be viewed with a stereoscope viewing component or made into an anaglyph for viewing with an anaglyph viewing component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing image data/information products to customers are provided. A data management facility generates a graphical user interface that is viewed by customers on computer systems coupled to a processor of the data management facility over a network. The graphical user interface allows a customer to search at least one of stored image data/information products or algorithms, to select at least one of the stored image data/information products or algorithms, and to select a desired geographic location. The data management facility generates a data/information product based on the selected image data/information product and the selected geographic location, and receives a request for an image data/information product, if a desired image data/information product cannot be found in the data management facility. In addition, the processor sends the generated image data/information product to the customer and bills the requestor based on the generated image data product.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and computer-program products for correcting image streaking, light scattering, and other effects in digital images generated by multispectral sensors. An image frame, a plurality of image frames from the digital sensor when exposed to dark, and a plurality of image frames from the digital sensor when exposed to light are received. The received image frame is corrected based on the received plurality of image frames exposed to dark and the plurality of image frames exposed to light. The received image frames are enhanced based on characteristics of the digital sensor. Light scattering effects are removed from the corrected image frame based upon characteristics of the digital sensor.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for sharpening bands of sensor data in the visual spectrum. Blue, green, red, near-infrared, and panchromatic bands of data are received. Data of the panchromatic band is corrected based on the blue, green, red, and near-infrared bands of data, and the data of one or more of the green, red, and near-infrared bands is sharpened based on the corrected data of the panchromatic band. The sharpened data of the green, red, and near-infrared bands is combined with the received panchromatic band of data and then displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program for generating an image based on thermal data. The invention receives an array of pan band data having units of data in a first resolution, converts the received pan band data into a radiance value, and converts the radiance value into a power value. An array of thermal band data is received that has units of data in a second resolution. The received thermal band data is converted into a temperature value and the resolution of the temperature value is changed to match the resolution of the received pan band data. A color array is generated based on the received array of the pan band data and the array of the changed thermal band data. The color array, includes units having red, green, and blue values. An image is generated based on the generated color array.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the slope of a ground imaged area. The system includes a camera, a memory, and a processor. The camera generates a first and a second image of an area of ground from an aircraft. The memory stores bi-directional characteristic information for associated materials. The processor determines a material type associated with a plurality of the pixels based on a color value of the pixels. The processor retrieves bi-directional characteristic information from the memory for a pixel based on the determined material type. A slope value at a pixel location is determined based on the associated viewing angle values, a determined radiance change value, and the retrieved bi-directional characteristic information.

Abstract: The remote sensing apparatus and method include optical fibers and detectors. One end of the optical fibers is located in a focal plane of an optical system, with the end of each optical fiber collecting spectral energy arriving at a particular location in the focal plane. Each detector is coupled to the other end of a single optical fiber, and the detector measures the intensity of the spectral energy emitted by the optical fiber. Sets of detectors may also be utilized, such that each set of detectors is optically coupled to a respective fiber, and at least one separation element separates the spectral energy emitted by each optical fiber into a plurality of spectral bands. Each detector in each set of detectors then receives a respective spectral band emitted by a respective optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and computer-program products for correcting image streaking, light scattering, and other effects in digital images generated by multispectral sensors. An image frame, a plurality of image frames from the digital sensor when exposed to dark, and a plurality of image frames from the digital sensor when exposed to light are received. The received image frame is corrected based on the received plurality of image frames exposed to dark and the plurality of image frames exposed to light. The received image frames are enhanced based on characteristics of the digital sensor. Light scattering effects are removed from the corrected image frame based upon characteristics of the digital sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program for generating an image based on thermal data. The invention receives an array of pan band data having units of data in a first resolution, converts the received pan band data into a radiance value, and converts the radiance value into a power value. An array of thermal band data is received that has units of data in a second resolution. The received thermal band data is converted into a temperature value and the resolution of the temperature value is changed to match the resolution of the received pan band data. A color array is generated based on the received array of the pan band data and the array of the changed thermal band data. The color array, includes units having red, green, and blue values. An image is generated based on the generated color array.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for sharpening bands of sensor data in the visual spectrum. Blue, green, red, near-infrared, and panchromatic bands of data are received. Data of the panchromatic band is corrected based on the blue, green, red, and near-infrared bands of data, and the data of one or more of the green, red, and near-infrared bands is sharpened based on the corrected data of the panchromatic band. The sharpened data of the green, red, and near-infrared bands is combined with the received panchromatic band of data and then displayed.

Abstract: The remote sensing apparatus and method include optical fibers and detectors. One end of the optical fibers is located in a focal plane of an optical system, with the end of each optical fiber collecting spectral energy arriving at a particular location in the focal plane. Each detector is coupled to the other end of a single optical fiber, and the detector measures the intensity of the spectral energy emitted by the optical fiber. Sets of detectors may also be utilized, such that each set of detectors is optically coupled to a respective fiber, and at least one separation element separates the spectral energy emitted by each optical fiber into a plurality of spectral bands. Each detector in each set of detectors then receives a respective spectral band emitted by a respective optical fiber.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the slope of a ground imaged area. The system includes a camera, a memory, and a processor. The camera generates a first and a second image of an area of ground from an aircraft. The memory stores bi-directional characteristic information for associated materials. The processor determines a material type associated with a plurality of the pixels based on a color value of the pixels. The processor retrieves bi-directional characteristic information from the memory for a pixel based on the determined material type. A slope value at a pixel location is determined based on the associated viewing angle values, a determined radiance change value, and the retrieved bi-directional characteristic information.

Abstract: A two axis gimbal is provided comprising a support structure, a spherical bearing mounted to the support structure and defining a channel therethrough, and a shaft extending through the channel. The gimbal may also include a reflector connected to the shaft. A drive mechanism, such as a spherical motor, is mounted to the support structure and is adapted to rotate the shaft in two orthogonal axes, i.e., pitch and roll. Power and signal cables are connected to the drive mechanism. The gimbal of the present invention may also include pairs of sensors and sensor triggers for monitoring the position of the shaft and the reflector relative to the pitch and roll axes. The design of the two axis gimbal of the present invention permits the cables to remain stationary during operation of the gimbal.