Abstract: A sampling and weighting technique is presented. Given a 3D model that is composed out of n separated entities, a set of parameters is obtained for each entity. A weight is calculated for each entity, giving higher weight for entities corresponding to rarer parameters. Entities are assigned to components based on their corresponding parameters. Entities are sampled based on the weights or based on the components. A new 3D model is constructed from the sampled entities.

Abstract: Apparatus for capturing images while in motion, including at least one CCD camera housed within an aircraft traveling along a flight path, for capturing aerial images of ground terrain, a motor for rotating an axis on which the at least one CCD camera is mounted, and for generating a sweeping back-and-forth motion for a field of view of the at least one CCD camera, the sweeping motion being transverse to the aircraft flight path, and an optical assembly connected to said at least one CCD camera.

Abstract: A sampling and weighting technique is presented. Given a 3D model that is composed out of n separated entities, a set of parameters is obtained for each entity. A weight is calculated for each entity, giving higher weight for entities corresponding to rarer parameters. Entities are assigned to components based on their corresponding parameters. Entities are sampled based on the weights or based on the components. A new 3D model is constructed from the sampled entities.

Abstract: A technique for 3D registration of three or more 3D models using parallel computing. The technique treats the pairwise 3D registration problem as an atomic sub-problem, and solves in parallel a plurality of pairwise 3D registration. The initial guess for the pairwise 3D registration is calculated based on the, possibly incomplete, information available at the moment the calculation is made. At each point the available pairwise transformations are examined based on current available information. Transformations that are identified as outliers or as inaccurate are marked for repeated pairwise 3D registration when additional information relevant for the calculation of the initial guess becomes available.

Abstract: An adaptive error measure, weights and sampling criterion for 3D registration algorithms. Adjusting a sampling criterion for each entity of the 3D model by a factor controlled by a value associated with the expected error for the particular entity, derived from parameters such as accuracy and local 3D model density. Similar adjusted error measure that evaluates the quality of the 3D registration result at different regions of the 3D models, and an adjusted weighting scheme, that assign weight for each entity of the 3D model, are also discussed. In an iterative 3D registration algorithm, adjusted outlier detection criterion after each iteration according to the convergence rate of the algorithm is presented, therefore allowing iterative 3D registration algorithms to escape areas of slow convergence rate and local minima.

Abstract: A technique for 3D registration of three or more 3D models using parallel computing. The technique treats the pairwise 3D registration problem as an atomic sub-problem, and solves in parallel a plurality of pairwise 3D registration. The initial guess for the pairwise 3D registration is calculated based on the, possibly incomplete, information available at the moment the calculation is made. At each point the available pairwise transformations are examined based on current available information. Transformations that are identified as outliers or as inaccurate are marked for repeated pairwise 3D registration when additional information relevant for the calculation of the initial guess becomes available.

Abstract: A sampling and weighting technique is presented. Given a 3D model that is composed out of n separated entities, a set of parameters is obtained for each entity. A weight is calculated for each entity, giving higher weight for entities corresponding to rarer parameters. Entities are assigned to components based on their corresponding parameters. Entities are sampled based on the weights or based on the components. A new 3D model is constructed from the sampled entities.

Abstract: Apparatus for capturing images while in motion, including at least one CCD camera housed within an aircraft traveling along a flight path, for capturing aerial images of ground terrain, a motor for rotating an axis on which the at least one CCD camera is mounted, and for generating a sweeping back-and-forth motion for a field of view of the at least one CCD camera, the sweeping motion being transverse to the aircraft flight path, and an optical assembly connected to said at least one CCD camera.