Abstract: A radiative transport band model method for prediction and analysis of high spectral resolution radiometric measurements. Atomic and molecular line center absorption is determined from finite spectral bin equivalent widths. A mathematically exact expansion for finite bin equivalent widths provides high accuracy at any desired spectral resolution. The temperature and pressure dependent Voigt line tail spectral absorption contributing to each spectral bin is pre-computed and fit to Padé approximants for rapid and accurate accounting of neighboring-to-distant lines. A specific embodiment has been incorporated into the MODTRAN™ radiation transport model.

Abstract: A system and method identifies road features that may not appear on a map database, such as paths not described as roads on the map database, and whether all the roads at a crossing cross at the same grade level. The system and method may thus be used to identify points of departure from, or points of merging onto, a road described by the map database or a path identified as described herein, but not described by the map database.

Abstract: A method of locating difficult access points on a topological map includes: analyzing curvilinear distances using a chamfer mask to catalogue approximate values C(V) of the Euclidean distances separating a point C00 of the map from its nearest neighbors V; determining therefrom, at each point C00 of the map of curvilinear distances, the discrepancies |DT(V)?DT(0)| of curvilinear distances separating the point considered C00 from its nearest neighbors V; comparing these discrepancies with the approximate values C(V); determining the point as a difficult access point based upon a difference between the Euclidean distance and the determined discrepancies of curvilinear distances; and rendering a display of a map indicating difficult to access points.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing and making use of excess and/or wasted energy within fluid distribution networks are disclosed. In particular, a process for identifying a location within a network where energy is otherwise dissipating or wasted is disclosed. Geographical information is accessed for determining location(s) within the fluid distribution network suited for energy capture. Once the location(s) is identified, an appropriate power recovery system(s) suited for each location is determined. Captured energy can be used within the fluid distribution network, outside of the fluid distribution network, and/or stored for future use.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved techniques for processing potential field measurement data from airborne surveys such as gravity surveys, and to improved techniques for data acquisition which are enabled by the improved data processing techniques.

Abstract: A method for the cost-effective transmission of electricity to a power grid capable of receiving it from a wind farm located remote from the power grid is provided wherein mapping information available for unused or abandoned pipelines, high voltage electrical transmission lines and average wind power locations is utilized to select sites where the building of a wind farm is not prohibited because of environmental and land use restrictions and which are situated near an unused or abandoned pipeline that intersects a power grid capable of receiving the energy produced by the wind farm. When a wind farm is built on a selected site, the energy may be efficiently transmitted to the power grid through an underground high voltage electric line installed in the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of interpolation between a plurality of field gradient tensors including the steps of: accessing a plurality of field gradient data; formatting said plurality of field gradient data into 3-dimensional tensors of rank 2; determining a rotational matrix and a structural matrix for each tensor; interpolating said structural matrices; detecting errors in the raw data only apparent using the rotational component. interpolating said rotational matrices as quaternions on the surface of a unit 4-sphere; reconstructing said structural matrices and said rotational matrices to yield field gradient tensors at the interpolation points, wherein the interpolation is between two said field gradient tensors, the field gradient tensors being expressed as 3×3 matrices of values, each resolved into a rotational matrix and a structural matrix with three diagonal components.

Abstract: A method for mapping a railroad track is provided. The method includes defining a plurality of track segments that form the railroad track and determining coordinates of each track segment. The method also includes storing the coordinates of each track segment in a database as map segments and linking the map segments stored in the database to create a multi-dimensional railroad track map.

Abstract: A method of coordinating surveys of different origins and which may be projected into different coordinate systems. The method provides a translation and rotation of the surveys to be coordinated without disturbing the internal geometry of each survey. A geographic information system including a procedure for coordinating surveys of different origins and/or which surveys which projected in different coordinate systems.

Abstract: A method of coordinating surveys of different origins and which may be projected into different coordinate systems. The method provides a translation and rotation of the surveys to be coordinated without disturbing the internal geometry of each survey. A geographic information system including a procedure for coordinating surveys of different origins and/or which surveys which projected in different coordinate systems.

Abstract: A method of coordinating surveys of different origins and which may be projected into different coordinate systems. The method provides a translation and rotation of the surveys to be coordinated without disturbing the internal geometry of each survey. A geographic information system including a procedure for coordinating surveys of different origins and/or which surveys which projected in different coordinate systems.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring an underground cable in a site of interest, multiple samples of magnetic field data and corresponding location data are collected periodically over a sampling period of extended time. The magnetic field data samples and corresponding location data are processed to determine respective topologies of one or more current-carrying conductors in the site and for each of the conductors respective magnetic field data relating to each sampled point are integrated with respect to a predetermined parameter of the respective conductor so as compute an integrated contribution of each sampled span along the respective conductor. The data relating to different conductors in the site are output in a manner that allows determination of a conductor for which the parameter changes during the sampling period.

Abstract: Weather forecasting systems and methods for deriving and producing very short-term weather forecasts. Weather data and forecast information maybe input to derive very short-term weather forecasts in the 0-6 hour time frame. The system and methods include an expert system employing a hybrid or blending of forecasting approaches, with dynamic or intelligent arbitration of the different numerical, statistical, and human-driven techniques to produce more accurate weather forecasts for very short-term time periods. A calibration or internal verification against ground truth may be run independently with a time lag to produce more accurate future predictions of atmospheric state. The systems and methods may run in modes that produce either high resolution weather forecasts in the short-term period of 0-6 hours or a combination of synthetic, real-time weather observations/conditions and high resolution, short-term weather forecasts.

Abstract: A method of data acquisition during survey of buried linear conductors. A first step involves passing a dynamic data stream of data from survey instruments through a filtering software adapted to reduce the volume of data being processed. A second step involves setting a survey interval within the software, the survey interval being a selected distance between survey points in order to provide a desired survey point density. A third step involves setting a geographic activation buffer within the software in relation to the survey interval. The filtering software is programmed to process data within the activation buffer separately from the dynamic data stream.

Abstract: A geospatial modeling system may include a geospatial model database containing geospatial model data, a display, and a processor. The processor may cooperate with the geospatial model database and the display for determining a respective group of tree crown vegetation points from the geospatial model data for each tree of a plurality of trees, and for displaying a respective simulated tree trunk beneath each group of tree crown vegetation points. The processor may generate each simulated tree trunk to have a tree trunk height based upon heights of the respective group of tree crown vegetation points.

Abstract: In some aspects, locations of geospatial entities in a map image are identified. A record of entity model-to-tag mappings is accessed so that tag data corresponding to a geospatial entity in the map image can be identified. Both the tag data and an outline surrounding the location of the geospatial entity corresponding to the tag data is displayed on the map image. In other aspects, a user selection of a location on a map image is received. A record of entity models is accessed to identify an entity model corresponding to a geospatial entity at that location on the map image. An outline of the geospatial entity is displayed on the map image and tag data for the geospatial entity is identified. The tag data is also displayed on the map image, and a record mapping the tag data to the identified entity model is created.

Abstract: A mobile soil mapping system includes an implement for traversing a field to be mapped, and a reflectance module carried by the implement for collecting spectroscopic measurements of soil in the field. The reflectance module has a light source, an optical receiver for transmitting light to a spectrometer, and a shutter system that alters the optical path between the light source and the optical receiver. The shutter system allows the system to automatically collect a dark reference measurement and a known reference material measurement at timed intervals to compensate for drift of the spectrometer and the light source. A self-cleaning window on the reflectance module has a lower surface maintained in firm contact with the soil during operation. External reference blocks are used to calibrate the system to ensure standardized, repeatable data. Additional sensors are carried by the implement to collect other soil data, such as electrical conductivity and temperature.

Abstract: A weather forecast providing easy access to Internet, a subscriber's network, and a computer connected to Internet or the subscriber's network for retrieving correct weather forecast information in time without being vulnerable to interference includes a casing; and a sensor unit to detect ambient weather information, a sensor signal process and data output unit to process those signals, a display unit to display weather data, and a key-in unit disposed to the casing; and further includes an interface unit to capture data from a network, and a unit to process data captured by the interface unit and convert them into that is identified by and inputted into the display unit.

Abstract: Position measurements by a tracking system associated with a survey tool are corrected for tilt. The tracking station typically incorporates some offset from the surface across which a survey is conducted, and the offset will be subject to angular displacement as the tool tilts with respect to its normal orientation. The tracking system records the 3D position of the survey tool, with angular offset errors. In the disclosed examples, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a dual axis inclinometer or a combination of two single axis inclinometers measures the amount of angular offset. The angular offset data is used to correct the position data, e.g. to reduce or eliminate errors caused by the angular offset, e.g. from vertical. If the tool provides measurement data, e.g. GPR readings, processing of the measurement data from the survey tool uses the corrected position data, e.g. to produce images of sub-surface features or objects.

Abstract: A geospatial modeling system may include at least one geospatial information database to store stereo-geographic image data and geographic feature data. A processor may cooperate with the geospatial information database for generating cost coefficients defining a three-dimensional (3D) cost cube using image matching operators based upon the stereo-geographic image data, adjusting the cost coefficients of the 3D cost cube based upon the geographic feature data to generate an adjusted 3D cost cube, and generating a geospatial model based upon solving the adjusted 3D cost cube, e.g. for a best cost surface. The system and method provide an integrated approach to creating a geospatial model using available data from multiple sources.

Abstract: On the basis of rainfall amount data (24) representing a timeseries change in the amount of rainfall in a district as an estimation target and unascertained water amount data (23) representing a time-series change in the amount of unascertained water at a base point located downstream of each district, an unascertained water occurrence distribution estimating unit (12) of a control unit (10) calculates a correlation value between the rainfall amount data (24) in each district and the unascertained water amount data (23), and outputs each correlation value as an unascertained water occurrence distribution in each district.

Abstract: A National Online Parcel-Level Map Data Portal (NPDP) is provided that optimizes online delivery of parcel-level maps and linked attribute data. To do this, the NPDP manages a database of assembled and current vector based parcel data in a spatial format (GIS) that enables geocoded parcel boundaries to be linked to property tax records. A user enters a street address into an appropriate screen window to call up and view road right-of-ways, all parcel boundaries and the “exact” address location as a highlighted parcel area. In addition, a list of property record attributes such as owner, use code, assessed value and year constructed can be displayed. Other on screen parcels can likewise be selected if one wishes to view their linked attributes. Subscribers may customize the NPDP to perform a variety of spatial analysis/reporting functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods using a temporal-frequency sensitive receiver to detect laser light that is scattered by an oscillating object, thereby allowing remote monitoring of the object's position and movement.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a state of a planetary atmosphere or of a part of the atmosphere, especially of the ionosphere of the earth includes determining values of an ionization state, especially of an electron density and/or of an electron content, in the atmosphere or in the part of the atmosphere as a function of a location variable and as a function of a time variable and determining at least one characteristic quantity for the atmosphere or the part of the atmosphere. The characteristic quantity is determined on the basis of the values of the ionization state found for the atmosphere or the part of the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for simplifying a point cloud is provided. The method includes: (a) acquiring a point cloud; (b) establishing a topological structure for the point cloud; (c) selecting a maiden point from the point cloud as a selected point; (d) searching a plurality of points which are near to the selected point from the point cloud according to the topological structure as near points of the selected point; (e) fitting the selected point and the near points to form a paraboloid, obtaining curve equations of the paraboloid, and computing a curvature of the selected point according to the curve equations and a curvature formula; (f) repeating the steps from (c) to (e) until the curvatures of all points in the point have been computed; and (g) simplifying the point cloud according to the curvatures of the points and a preconfigured parameter. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-scale finite-volume (MSFV) method to solve elliptic problems with a plurality of spatial scales arising from single or multi-phase flows in porous media is provided. The method efficiently captures the effects of small scales on a coarse grid, is conservative, and treats tensor permeabilities correctly. The underlying idea is to construct transmissibilities that capture the local properties of a differential operator. This leads to a multi-point discretization scheme for a finite-volume solution algorithm. Transmissibilities for the MSFV method are preferably constructed only once as a preprocessing step and can be computed locally.

Abstract: A method for filtering a point cloud is provided. The method includes: (a) acquiring a point cloud of an object from a point cloud obtaining device; (b) establishing a topological structure for the point cloud; (c) selecting a maiden point from the point cloud as a selected point; (d) searching a plurality of points which are near to the selected point from the point cloud according to the topological structure as near points of the selected point; (e) determining whether the selected point is a noise point by comparing coordinate values of the selected point and coordinate values of the near points; (f) deleting or smoothing the noise point from the point cloud; and repeating steps from (c) to (f), until all points in the point cloud have been selected. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A geospatial modeling system may include a geospatial model database and a processor cooperating therewith for performing at least one noise filtering operation on data comprising elevations associated with respective location points. The at least one noise filtering operation may include determining a respective center point elevation difference for each location point and based upon a sum of differences between elevations of a given location point and a plurality of neighboring location points.

Abstract: A method for irrigating terrain comprising the following steps: generating field surface relative elevation data set using Monte-Carlo simulation; adjusting the simulation data set to ensure it falls in a reasonable numerical range; adjusting the data set to establish certain spatial dependence using Kriging interpolation method; and making further statistical characteristics parameter modification to the data set, so that the final corrected field surface relative elevation data shares the same or similar statistics characteristics parameters as the initial simulation. The method factors in both the randomness and spatial dependence of the field relative elevation distribution, which brings the simulation result closer to the actual micro-topography.

Abstract: A system and method of mapping underground utilities and other subsurface objects involves one or more of acquiring utility location data using a number of different detectors and sensors, processing the multiple detector/sensor output data to produce mapping data, storing the mapping data in a database, and providing access to and use of the stored mapping data by subscribing users on a usage fee basis.

Abstract: The invention comprises a survey pole having a survey pole bottom end, with a position-transducer coupled to a survey pole top end. A ground contact spike is on the bottom end. The survey pole uses an AINS as a combined tilt and heading sensor. The AINS provides heading and Euler angle outputs characterizing the tilt of the survey pole. The heading and Euler angle outputs are used by a computer and program to perform position transfers from a position-transducer at the pole top end to the GCZVI switch or spike on the ground using a set of position offset or transfer equations. The position-transducer is either a GNSS or an RTS serving as a position-transducer. The transfer of the position data from the position of the position-transducer provides the earth referenced or grid referenced position of the spike at the survey pole survey bottom end.

Abstract: A method for detecting a hot target on the Earth by a satellite is disclosed. The satellite includes a sensor for acquiring data in spectral channels in the IR spectrum, and a navigation system for detecting position and orientation data of the satellite. The method includes the steps of subjecting the acquired data to a system correction by radiometric and geometric calibration files stored on the satellite; detecting a hot target on board from the system-corrected data by multi-channel thresholding; geo-referencing the hot target by the position and orientation data of the satellite and the geometric calibration files; temporarily storing the geo-referenced hot target on the satellite; and transmitting the temporarily stored hot target by a transmitting unit to a receiving unit on the Earth.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at using LiDAR data to identify attributes of vegetation. In this regard, a method is provided that allocates points to individual items of vegetation from raw LiDAR data. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a coordinate position represented in the LiDAR data that generated a return signal. Then, a determination is made regarding whether the selected coordinate position is inside a geographic area allocated to a previously identified item of vegetation. If the selected coordinate position is not within a geographic area allocated to a previously identified item of vegetation, the method determines that the selected coordinate position is associated with a new item of vegetation. In this instance, a digital representation of the new item of vegetation is generated.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at estimating the value of an attribute at a specified geographic location. In one embodiment, a method is provided that estimates the elevation at a principal point using LiDAR data that was collected from spatially related secondary points. More specifically, the method includes identifying secondary points where sample attribute data was obtained that are within a predetermined distance to the principal point where the attribute is being estimated. A secondary point may be selected and allocated a masking zone and a determination made regarding whether one or more distant secondary points are within the area of the masking zone. In this regard, more distant secondary points that are inside a masking zone may be assigned less relevance when estimating the value of the attribute.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying predictions on a spatial map includes using a data analyzer for analyzing heterogeneous data having a spatial component to find utilizable data and using machine learning to automatically extract relationships from the utilizable data. The extracted relationships are used to make a prediction about at least one location on the spatial map and present that prediction in an oblique or perspective view. An interface presents the prediction on the spatial map in the form of a heat map overlying a 3-D topographical map. Although the 3-D map can be shown as any form of graphical projection including an oblique projection or orthographic projection, preferably a perspective view is used. It is also preferred that the graphical projection be interactive. The heat map may be 2-D or 3-D and be selectively displayed depending on the preference of a user.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an electronic system is provided in which it is possible to predefine the n parameters of the system which correspond to an n-dimensional adjustment space, wherein at the start of the adjustment each parameter has predefined for it two limit values that delimit an appropriate initial range in the n-dimensional adjustment space, and wherein the following steps are repeated until a termination condition is achieved: evaluating a target function that quantifies the achievement of an adjustment target for the limit values that delimit the initial range, wherein the evaluation includes the measurement and/or evaluation of at least one physical quantity of the system that is a function of the specific parameter or its limit value, and wherein appropriate target function values associated with the limit values are obtained, defining a modified, in particular reduced, initial range for a subsequent iteration as a function of the target function values obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of stabilizing a beach which includes the steps of producing an engineering design for placement of one or more sand filled, low profile geotextile tubes in proximity to the beach to produce a groin field; and implementing the engineering design to place the one or more sand filled, low profile geotextile tubes in proximity to the beach in accordance with the engineering design to produce the groin field. The method includes an iterative process using multiple model executions to produce an engineering design of a discrete, porous, geotextile groin field for engineering site adaptation and implementation at a specific beach site. The solution may further include post-installation monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the solution and to modify the solution for future erosion mitigation efforts.

Abstract: A system and method for generating custom geospatial information maps and precision corrected images allows real-time interactive production of a desired output image by incorporating user selectable parameters that define various image synthesizing operations. A graphical user interface allows a user to specify parameters that define the desired output image via a remote computing device over a public access network such as the Internet. The parameters define image synthesizing operations such as area, projection, datum, fusion, masking, blending, mosaiking, resampling, and others. The desired output image is processed by an image assembly server according to the parameters and a variety of geospatial image data sources, and electronically delivered to a user via a public access network. The geospatial information may also be correlated with non-georeferenced data such that relevant associations between non-georeferenced data and the geospatial data are integrated in the output information product.

Abstract: A method of estimating the impulse response of a channel is disclosed. The method includes transmitting an impulse signal to the channel, detecting a received signal from the channel, and calculating an estimate of the impulse response of the channel by applying a calculated inverse matrix of the impulse signal to the received signal.

Abstract: A “near wellbore modeling” software will, when executed by a processor of a computer, model a localized area of a reservoir field which surrounds and is located near a specific wellbore in the reservoir field by performing the following functions: (1) receive input data representative of a reservoir field containing a plurality of wellbores, (2) establish a boundary around one specific wellbore in the reservoir field which will be individually modeled and simulated, (3) impose an “fine scale” unstructured grid inside the boundary consisting of a plurality of tetrahedrally shaped grid cells and further impose a fine scale structured grid about the perforated sections of the specific wellbore, (4) determine a plurality of fluxes/pressure values at the boundary, the fluxes/pressure values representing characteristics of the reservoir field located outside the boundary, (5) establish one or more properties for each tetrahedral cell of the unstructured grid and each cylindrical grid cell of the structured grid, (6

Abstract: A geospatial modeling system may include a geospatial database for storing geospatial data points each having respective elevations associated therewith. The system may further include a processor for data thinning the geospatial data points by selecting discriminant points therefrom.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collection network. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a mobile electronic device that was not originally intended for use as a GIS data collector. The present invention further comprises a data dictionary forwarding device communicatively coupled with the mobile electronic device and a GIS data management component communicatively coupled with the data dictionary forwarding device for receiving GIS data collected by the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for creating a flexible Geographic Information Systems (GIS) network. In one embodiment, a data dictionary is assigned to a mobile electronic device. In one embodiment, the data dictionary comprises a definition of at least one desired GIS feature type which was not originally intended to be recordable by the mobile electronic device. The method further comprises uploading the data dictionary onto the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for predicting the grain size distribution at a designated location within a water-lain sedimentary deposit. Initially, the vertical thickness of the sedimentary deposit at the designated location must be determined, as well as the vertical thickness and grain size distribution at a second location different from the designated location. Second, a distance parameter corresponding to the two locations must be determined. Finally the distance parameter is used, along with the initially determined vertical thickness at both locations and the grain size distribution at the second location to calculate the grain size distribution at the designated location.

Abstract: Described are a method and system for describing a position of an entity in a three-dimensional coordinate system with respect to the reference model. The reference model is of a three-dimensional curved surface defined in the three-dimensional coordinate system. The three-dimensional curved surface is divided into a set of cells. Each cell is a subset of the three-dimensional curved surface and has a curved surface. A three-dimensional curvilinear coordinate system is defined for each cell in the set of cells. The three-dimensional curvilinear coordinate system for each cell has a curvilinear axis that extends along the curved surface of that cell.

Abstract: A method for processing multi-component, multi-offset electromagnetic data measured at at least one multi-component receiver, the data representative of electric and magnetic fields due to a source, the at least one multi-component receiver being disposed at a depth greater than that of the source. The method includes decomposing the measured multi-offset electric and magnetic fields into upgoing and downgoing components; and formulating a noise removal operator from the downgoing components and the properties of the medium surrounding the at least one receiver.

Abstract: In a method for modeling a reservoir having a horizon surface with a reverse fault, a volume of the reservoir is partitioned into fault blocks. A bounding surface of each of the fault blocks includes a portion of the reverse fault. The interior of each of the fault blocks includes only single valued horizon surfaces. Horizon data describing the reservoir is partitioned into patches, each patch corresponding to a fault block. A horizon surface patch model is derived from the data patch in the interior of each fault block. The horizon patch model includes an up-thrown or down-thrown fault trace, which defines the intersection of the surface patch with the bounding reverse fault. Continuity constraints are defined to ensure that horizon surface patch models on the opposite sides of the reverse fault coincide outside of the real fault.

Abstract: A system and method for generating weather reports and the like which are precisely computed automatically for a particular individual user's geographic location, e.g., home or work, and which are provided to the individual user in both graphical and textual format in a user interactive manner. A personalized weather report presentation in accordance with the present invention may include a tabular presentation of a plurality of forecast weather conditions for the user location of interest throughout a day, along with a linked graphical representation of at least one of those weather conditions overlaid on a map centered at the user location of interest. Under user control, the user may select the time of the forecast weather conditions shown in the graphical portion of the presentation.

Abstract: A facility for producing a composite aerial image is described. The facility receives information specifying a geographic area. The facility obtains an aerial image showing the specified geographic area that was prepared using one or more aerial image sections. Each aerial image section covers a geographic area defined in terms of spherical coordinates, and was constructed by copying a portion of a master aerial image that was selected using rectangular coordinates into the master image that were determined by directly transforming the spherical coordinates defining the covered geographic area. The facility obtains information indexed to one or more distinguished geographic locations within the specified geographic area and, for each distinguished geographic location, composites into the obtained aerial image a visual indication of the information that is indexed to the distinguished geographic location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of tracking individual plants growing and/or taken from a growing location, such as a field, growing bed, plot or greenhouse. Machine-readable data related to selected individual plants is maintained in close association with corresponding plants while growing or if the plant is taken from the growing location. Information about each plant, e.g. traits, characteristics, genetic make-up, can be added to a database that correlates the information to the machine-readable data. Thus, individual plants can be tracked and information about the plant is available by maintaining the machine-readable data with the plant. The machine-readable data can be read by a machine operatively communicated with a computer on which is stored the database. Identity and information about the plant is therefore available, without keeping specific track of a plant.