Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for enhancing urban surface model with image data obtained from a satellite image. Three dimensional models of an urban cityscape obtained from digital surface models may comprise surface location information but lack image information associated with the cityscape, such as the color and texture of building facades. The location of the satellite at the time of recording the satellite image interest may be obtained from metadata associated with the satellite image. A 3D model of a cityscape corresponding to the satellite image may be subjected to a transformation operation to determine portions of the 3D model that are viewable from a location corresponding to the location of the satellite when taking the picture. Visible facades buildings of the 3D model ma be identified and mapped to portions of the satellite image which may then be used in rendering 2D images from the 3D model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a building/urban profile image location includes extracting a building/urban profile from an obtained image and comparing the image to a database of building/urban profiles. The database may be created by obtaining point cloud data sets scanned building/urban profiles, converting the obtained point cloud data sets to a corresponding 3D surface model, and creating the database of stored building/urban profiles viewed from multiple locations within each of the 3D surface models. By comparing the extracted building/urban profile image with the stored building/urban profiles contained within the database and finding a match the location from which the extracted building/urban profile image was taken can be determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for enhancing urban surface model with image data obtained from a satellite image. Three dimensional models of an urban cityscape obtained from digital surface models may comprise surface location information but lack image information associated with the cityscape, such as the color and texture of building facades. The location of the satellite at the time of recording the satellite image interest may be obtained from metadata associated with the satellite image. A 3D model of a cityscape corresponding to the satellite image may be subjected to a transformation operation to determine portions of the 3D model that are viewable from a location corresponding to the location of the satellite when taking the picture. Visible facades buildings of the 3D model may be identified and mapped to portions of the satellite image which may then be used in rendering 2D images from the 3D model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a building/urban profile image location includes extracting a building/urban profile from an obtained image and comparing the image to a database of building/urban profiles. The database may be created by obtaining point cloud data sets scanned building/urban profiles, converting the obtained point cloud data sets to a corresponding 3D surface model, and creating the database of stored building/urban profiles viewed from multiple locations within each of the 3D surface models. By comparing the extracted building/urban profile image with the stored building/urban profiles contained within the database and finding a match the location from which the extracted building/urban profile image was taken can be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a building/urban profile image location includes extracting a building/urban profile from an obtained image and comparing the image to a database of building/urban profiles. The database may be created by obtaining point cloud data sets scanned building/urban profiles, converting the obtained point cloud data sets to a corresponding 3D surface model, and creating the database of stored building/urban profiles viewed from multiple locations within each of the 3D surface models. By comparing the extracted building/urban profile image with the stored building/urban profiles contained within the database and finding a match the location from which the extracted building/urban profile image was taken can be determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for enhancing urban surface model with image data obtained from a satellite image. Three dimensional models of an urban cityscape obtained from digital surface models may comprise surface location information but lack image information associated with the cityscape, such as the color and texture of building facades. The location of the satellite at the time of recording the satellite image interest may be obtained from metadata associated with the satellite image. A 3D model of a cityscape corresponding to the satellite image may be subjected to a transformation operation to determine portions of the 3D model that are viewable from a location corresponding to the location of the satellite when taking the picture. Visible facades buildings of the 3D model ma be identified and mapped to portions of the satellite image which may then be used in rendering 2D images from the 3D model.