Abstract: A method for processing and analyzing digital terrain data utilizing Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED). The method comprises defining approach azimuth and visibility limitations angle which are used for defining directional fans by determining fan opening angle, fan azimuth, and maximal range for terrain analysis. At least one directional fan data set is constructed from at least one source point within the DTED, where the directional fan includes line of sight information between said source point and DTED points located within said directional fan. The method further comprises interrogating said data sets by one or more queries to obtain terrain information for given approach conditions.

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 relates to a system and method for automated location-dependent recognition of flood risks, whereas a central unit (20) comprises a lookup table (203) corresponding to a spatial high resolution grid (60/61) based on decentralized measurements of flood risk factors of a specific territory, whereas the system comprises distributed gauging stations (5/30/31/32), to measure river discharge parameters (T) within a grid cell (60/61), whereas the central unit (20) comprises a correlation-module (21) generating an event-specific averaged probabilistic water depth value (H) for an flood event based on the linked flood risk factors and the river discharge values, and whereas the system comprises an cell arbitrator module (22) accting on at least on grid-based composition module (23) according to the avaraged probabilistic water depth values (H).

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: Embodiments consistent with the present disclosure provide method and systems for providing customized augmented reality data comprising. The method includes Some embodiments consistent with the present disclosure provide a method for providing customized augmented reality data. The method includes receiving geo-registered sensor data including data captured by a sensor and metadata describing a position of the sensor at the time the data was captured and receiving geospatial overlay data including computer-generated objects having a predefined geospatial position. The method also includes receiving a selection designating at least one portion of the geo-registered sensor data, said at least one portion of the geo-registered sensor data including some or all of the geo-registered sensor data, and receiving a selection designating at least one portion of the geospatial overlay data, said at least one portion of the geospatial overlay data including some or all of the geospatial overlay data.

Abstract: Provided is a method for storing multipurpose geographic information, capable of integrating, storing, managing and using vector data (numerical map) and image, digital elevation model (DEM), three-dimensional (3D) point cloud data, and facility texture information. The method for storing multipurpose geographic information in a computing system includes the steps of: dividing geographic information data to be stored into minimum units; classifying the divided geographic information data into geometric information (geographic position information) and attribute information; and storing the geometric information (geographic position information) in a vector format and storing the attribute information in an attribute information linked to a vector.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for visualizing a scene that is monitored for substance contamination. The scene is scanned with a substance detector to detect a substance, such as a harmful chemical or biological substance. The position of the substance is determined. Graphical element data that represents the detected substance in the scene is generated. A displayed view of the scene is augmented with the graphical element data based on the position of the detected substance to show the detected substance in the view of the scene and provide the user with the location and type of detected substance shown with reference to the environment.

Abstract: A weather-based activity advisor that provides activity recommendations to a user based on location and a time parameters. The activity recommendations are based on assessments of the desirability of potential activities such as weather-based index values. The weather-based activity advisor may present recommended activities, facilities offering the activities, information about the activities, and information about weather conditions influencing the desirability of the activities. The activity advisor may also present supplemental information such as advertisements and related web links.

Abstract: A geospatial modeling system may include a geospatial model database and a processor. The processor may cooperate with the geospatial model database for extracting ground data from foliage and building data, performing at least one noise filtering operation on the foliage and building data including at least one sum of differences operation, and separating foliage data from the building data based upon the at least one noise filtering operation.

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 and apparatus for performing wide area terrain mapping. The system comprises a digital elevation map (DEM) and mosaic generation engine that processes images that are simultaneously captured by an electro-optical camera (RGB camera) and a LIDAR sensor. The image data collected by both the camera and the LIDAR sensor are processed to create a geometrically accurate three-dimensional view of objects viewed from an aerial platform.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of making airborne geophysical measurements. Such measurements may be made from fixed or moving wing airplanes or dirigibles. The method comprises the following steps: taking first real time measurements from one, or more, geophysical instruments mounted in an aircraft to produce geophysical data related to the ground below that instrument. Taking second real time measurements from navigation and mapping instruments associated with or carried by the aircraft. Computing a background response of each geophysical instrument using the second real time measurements to take account of its time varying altitude, and the time varying topography of the ground below it. Adjusting an operating or data processing condition of each geophysical instrument using the respective background response and the instrument's attitude to enhance the performance of that instrument.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing wide area terrain mapping. The system comprises a digital elevation map (DEM) and mosaic generation engine that processes images that are simultaneously captured by an electro-optical camera (RGB camera) and a LIDAR sensor. The image data collected by both the camera and the LIDAR sensor are processed to create a geometrically accurate three-dimensional view of objects viewed from an aerial platform.

Abstract: A system for facilitating pipeline management, software, and methods are provided. The system includes a pipeline company computer positioned at a pipeline company site to define a pipeline company server, having a processor, memory coupled to the processor to store software and database records therein, a graphical display coupled to the processor for displaying graphical images and a user interface coupled to the processor to provide a user access to manipulate the software and database records, and pipeline information management analyzing software to analyze pipeline management requirements.

Abstract: A method for interpreting transient electromagnetic survey data includes measuring transient response of a medium over a plurality of switching events. The measured transient response to a first one of the current switching events is modeled. Transient response to the model for at least one current switching event prior in time to the at least a first current switching event is calculated. The calculated transient response is summed with the first event measured response and the sum is compared to the electromagnetic survey measurements. The model is adjusted and the calculating summed transient responses is repeated until a difference between the summed calculated responses and the survey measurements falls below a selected threshold.

Abstract: Interactive geographic information systems (GIS) and techniques are disclosed that provide users with a greater degree of flexibility, utility, and information. A markup language is provided that facilitates communication between servers and clients of the interactive GIS, which enables a number of GIS features, such as network links (time-based and view-dependent dynamic data layers), ground overlays, screen overlays, placemarks, 3D models, and stylized GIS elements, such as geometry, icons, description balloons, polygons, and labels in the viewer by which the user sees the target area. The markup language is used to describe a virtual camera view of a geographic feature. A compressed file format holds multiple files utilized to display a geographic feature in a single file.

Abstract: A method for predicting water clarity at a plurality of water depths for a location including providing training data to a neural network, the training data representative of water measurements at the location, thereafter receiving inputs including temperature, salinity, tidal information, water depth, and sediment data, and generating values for optical attenuation at a wavelength at a plurality of depths. In one embodiment, a default cloudy day algorithm operates at all times and a clear sky algorithm operates only when clear satellite images are available.

Abstract: A method for irrigating an irrigation region (30) with an irrigation unit (20) includes the steps of subdividing the irrigation region (30) into a plurality of subregions (34), establishing a sequence for irrigating the subregions (34) based on irrigation requirements for the irrigation region (30), and directing a fluid (19) to one or more of the subregions (30) using the irrigation unit (20) based on the sequence. The irrigation regions (30) can be rectangular, square, or hexagonal, and can each have non-overlapping rectangular, square or triangular, similarly-sized subregions (34). The irrigation requirements can include the color of the subregions (34), the elevation of one subregion (34) relative to another subregion (34) and/or other physical conditions. The sequence can be established entirely within a housing (200) of the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: A medium having a plurality of computer readable files relating to geophysical seismic data recorded thereon. The files include a map display having multiple levels of geographic detail and including a plurality of surface seismic data lines. A plurality of compressed seismic data files is also included, each file producing a corresponding geophysical display when its corresponding surface seismic data line is selected. The files also include a plurality of references to a plurality of full seismic data files. Each of the compressed seismic data files has less information content than its corresponding full seismic data file.

Abstract: This invention discloses several improved methods of correcting for atmospheric effects on a remote image of the Earth's surface taken from above, wherein the image comprises a number of simultaneously acquired images of the same scene, each including a large number of pixels, each at a different wavelength band, and including infrared through ultraviolet wavelengths. One method is for retrieving the aerosol/haze amount (i.e., visible range) from an assumed ratio of in-band reflectances, rather than from an assumed reflectance value. Another method is for identifying cloud-containing pixels. This is used to improve the calculation of the spatially averaged radiance L*e and reflectance ?e images in standard equations. Another method greatly reduces the number of mathematical operations required to generate the reflectance values.

Abstract: A method for assigning of geocodes to addresses identifying entities on a street includes ordering a set of entity geocodes associated with a street segment based on ordering criteria such as the linear distance of the geocodes along the length of the street segment. Assignable addresses are matched with the ordered geocodes creating a correspondence between a numerical order of the assignable addresses and a linear order of the ordered set of geocodes, consistent with address range direction data and street segment side data. The geocodes may be implicit or explicit, locally unique or globally unique. The set of entity geocodes may be obtained by identifying image features in aerial imagery corresponding to streets and buildings and correlating this information with data from a street map database.

Abstract: A method is provided for updating a legend of a spatial display for use with graphical user interface of a field computer linked to one or more sensors for sensing data or information from a piece of equipment performing an agricultural operation. The method provides a field computer with a graphical user interface, at least one sensor operatively linked to the field computer, and a piece of equipment performing an agricultural operation and in operative communication with the at least one sensor for sensing data or information for display on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method of processing marine magnetic data is disclosed which comprises towing first and second magnetometers M1 and M2 behind a ship (10). Raw magnetic gradient data is obtained from the sensors and the trend of the gradient of the ship bias detected by the sensors determined. The method includes subtracting the trend from the raw magnetic gradient data to obtain corrected gradient data, and processing the corrected gradient data to provide a data output.

Abstract: A method for determining field readiness using moisture modeling of a plurality of fields in a region of interest includes (a) generating a detailed set of moisture factors covering a plurality of scenarios for each field element of the plurality of field elements for a particular field; (b) repeating act (a) for each field of the region of interest; (c) generating a general set of moisture factors for a particular field of the plurality of fields to be applied to each field element of the plurality of field elements in the particular field; (d) repeating act (c) for each field of the plurality of fields in the region of interest; and (e) estimating soil moisture for each field element in the region of interest based on the detailed set of moisture factors and the general set of moisture factors.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, system, and apparatus for visually displaying digitized information in a way that allows a human operator to detect easily patterns and characteristics within the data. A personal computer is used to extract raw data and to perform Boolean operations at the behest of a user. The manipulated information is then converted into a false-color image and displayed on an output screen. The images can be compared to known data, called a template, in order to detect one or more desired patterns that indicate desirable features. The desired pattern can then be highlighted (or illuminated) and be displayed to the operator so that the location of the desired feature may be identified.

Abstract: A precision farming method including a stochastic parameter , which is continuously optimized to adjust the model to the latest prevailing working conditions. Such parameter may be considered to constitute a variable which characterizes the instantaneously prevailing readiness of the harvesting process. Such variable can be used for establishing field maps showing the evolution of the harvesting operation itself. It can also be used in automatic routines which adjust the harvester speed in order to limit the grain losses.

Abstract: Integrated computing systems and methods for applying sub-surface material location and composition information to engineering plans for designing, e.g., highways and other roadways, are provided. Utilizing the described systems and methods, surfaces, such as highways, may be more efficiently designed in a timely fashion, requiring less format conversion for inputs and outputs to be compatible throughout the design process. Additionally, adjustments for changes in alignments for the desired surfaces are more easily taken into account than in conventional design systems, permitting quicker design corrections and more accurate results.

Abstract: Provided is a method of generating a magnetic field map including obtaining magnetic field information, the magnetic field information being information on a magnetic field affecting a mobile body, for each position of the mobile body, and building a magnetic field map based on the magnetic field information for each position of the mobile body. The pose of a mobile body can be statistically checked by the probability obtained using the difference between the magnetic field information observed from the magnetic field map and the actually measured magnetic field information. Although the pose of the mobile body is estimated using a camera that is sensitive to an illumination state where the mobile body is placed, the pose of the mobile body can be relatively accurately checked using the magnetic field map obtained in a situation regardless of illumination, with being less affected by the illumination state where the mobile body is placed. Thus, the pose of the mobile body can be checked with reliability.

Abstract: A method (300) for extracting a digital elevation model from a plurality of raw topographical points representing a plurality of frames representing a plurality of perspectives of a multi-dimensional object comprising a surface and above-surface obstructions, comprises steps or acts of: finding the surface (304) by filtering out data points produced by the above-surface obstructions to provide a plurality of surface data points representing the surface; and filtering the surface data points (306) with a competitive filter to provide a multi-dimensional surface shell of digital elevation model data points. The above-described method can also be carried out by a specialized or programmable information processing system (200) or as a set of instructions in a computer-readable medium such as a CD ROM or DVD or the like.

Abstract: A geospatial modeling system may include a geospatial model database and a processor. The processor may cooperate with the geospatial model database for extracting ground data from foliage and building data, and performing a plurality of noise filtering operations on the foliage and building data including a first loose tolerance filtering to determine an inclusive estimate of building locations and a second strict tolerance filtering to reduce false building locations. The processor may also cooperate with the geospatial model database for performing at least one edge recovery operation to compensate for noisy building perimeters, and separating foliage data from the building data based upon the noise filtering operations and the at least one edge recovery operation.

Abstract: This invention is the NOAA Deep ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) system, which utilizes a seafloor tsunameter linked to an ocean surface buoy via bi-directional communication system for near real-time measurement and reporting of tsunamis. The buoy is equipped with a bi-directional satellite and acoustic modem communication system for transmitting data between remote locations, such as tsunami warning centers and the tsunameter on the seafloor.

Abstract: A method for prospecting for oil and gas deposits is provided, said method comprising: outlining of highly permeable collecting basins development zones, performing an aerospace survey of a landscape, determining a spectral reflectivity over the landscape, and incorporating the height profile, block fields, aerospace survey and spectral relativity in order to produce a predictiveis provided.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating ocean surface height and currents at points within a geographic grid. The method includes receiving a user selected location, receiving bathymetric data from a global database, determining whether the user selected location corresponds to a land location or a water covered location by referring to the bathymetric data. If the user selected location is a water-covered location, current and ocean height deviation are estimated for the user selected location. If the user selected location is a land location, current and ocean height deviation for the closest grid point that is water covered are estimated. In exemplary embodiments, the system is rapidly relocatable, has worldwide coverage, and can run on a PC.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for overlaying orthorectified aerial images with map information tied to a state plane coordinate system. Computer media storing a computer program implementing an embodiment of the method of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method includes providing a database having a plurality of damage characterization data and a geographical location associated with each. A first and a second portable communication unit are associated, respectively, with a first subscribing party and a second subscribing party. A sharing privilege list identifies, for the first subscribing party, parties authorized to receive damage assessment data. A damage assessment report is transmitted from the first of the portable communication units to the database. The database is updated based on the damage assessment report. Then, depending on whether or not the second subscribing party is on the sharing privilege list, a data is communicated to the second of the portable communication units reflecting, or based on, the damage assessment report.

Abstract: A data acquisition and retrieval system (11) for fishing. Input means (37) are provided for inputting: (i) geographical positioning data indicating the geographical position of a point for fishing in substantially real-time relative to a region: (ii) weather data indicating the prevailing weather conditions applying to the geographical position of the point in the region; (iii) fish data characterising the fish located at or obtained at the point; (iv) time data specifying the date, time or season corresponding to the real-time at the point; and (v) water condition data of the prevailing environment at the point. A database (60) is provided for storing the data input by the input means (35) relative to the geographical position of the point and linking the data to any previous data stored for the particular geographical position of the point.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating ocean surface height and currents at points within a geographic grid. The method includes receiving bathymetric data from a global database, generating atmospheric forcing information based on a hurricane model, and estimating current and ocean height deviation for at least one grid point. In exemplary embodiments, the system is rapidly relocatable, has worldwide coverage, and can run on a PC at user selected frequencies and worldwide locations.

Abstract: A base station is installed in a predetermined area where a large number of target points are studded around the station. When the operator moves a mobile station around the base station, display means is provided for both or either of the base station that guides the operator and the mobile station, and a display screen of the display means displays 2 kinds of a Forward (foreground) mode and a Back (background) mode. In the Forward (foreground) mode, the display screen of the display means displays a landscape in a forward direction (opposite direction to the mobile station by 180° when seen from the base station) of the operator (mobile station) when the operator sees the base station from the current position of the mobile station, or from the next target point if the operator reaches the next target point.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a hi-accuracy three-dimensional cutting apparatus for topographic modeling that is electronically coupled with a computer. The computer has a central processor that executes instructions, a memory for storing instructions to be executed, and non-volatile storage for storing the messages. The executable computer instructions of the system include one or more algorithms for converting the complex and randomly-occurring contours found in natural terrain into an efficient series of modeling material removal swaths defined in simplified 2-axis cross-sections that are cut adjacent and parallel to one another. The swaths are defined in a simplified 2-axis surface contour-following rotation cutting device moved by the system's CPU, driver software, driver circuitry and/or logic circuitry.

Abstract: A device for guiding a person along a traveled path enables the wearer of the device to be guided back along the traveled path in an electronically supported manner even under conditions under which orientation is difficult. The device has a portable ejection means (2), in which a container (14) for accommodating a plurality of transponders (7) and an ejection mechanism (10), which is actuated by a control device (6) to eject a transponder (7) from the container (14), are present. A control unit (6) is prepared such as to actuate the ejection mechanism (10) at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined distances in space. A portable transmitter/receiver device (8) is designed to detect at least one of the transponders (7) dropped off and to generate a signal representative of the direction in which that transponder (7) is located. A portable display device (4) receives the direction signal of the transmitter/receiver means (8) and offers the wearer a visual and/or acoustic display of the direction.

Abstract: A method for controlled source electromagnetic Earth surveying includes deploying a plurality of electromagnetic sensors in a selected pattern at the top of an area of the Earth's subsurface to be surveyed. At least one of a transient electric field and a transient magnetic field is applied to the Earth in the vicinity of the sensors at a plurality of different positions. At least one of electric field amplitude and magnetic field amplitude at each of the sensors is recorded each time the transient electric field and/or magnetic field is applied. Each recording is adjusted for acquisition geometry. An image is generated corresponding to at least one sensor position using at least two stacked, adjusted recordings.

Abstract: An improved method and system for storage of data that represent geographic features in a region. The data are organized into parcels each of which contains data that represent those geographic features that are located within a separate one of a plurality of rectangular areas into the region is divided. The method identifies linearly extending features that extend across multiple rectangular areas so that data representing the linearly extending feature can be included in each parcel that contains data that represents a rectangular area in which the linearly extending feature extends at least in part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a target or targets in a surrounding background locale based on target signatures obtained by a hyperspectral imaging sensor used the hyperspectral imaging sensor to collect raw target signature data and background locale data during a first data collection mission. The data is processed to generate a database including a plurality of target signatures and background data relating to the background locale. The hyperspectral imaging sensor is later used to collect further background data during a further, current data collecting mission so as to provide continuously updated background data, in real time. A covariance equalization algorithm is implemented with respect to the background data contained in the database and the updated background data collected during the current mission to effect transformation of each target signature of the database into a transformed target signature.

Abstract: A method for in-season macro and micronutrient application based on predicted yield potential, coefficient of variation, and a nutrient response index. The inventive method includes the steps of: determining a nutrient response index for a field; determining the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of an area to fertilize; determining the coefficient of variation of NDVI over a plot; determining a predicted crop yield for the area without additional nutrient; determining an attainable crop yield for the area with additional nutrient; determining the nutrient requirement for the area as the difference between the nutrient removal at the attainable yield minus the nutrient removal at the predicted yield, adjusted by the efficiency of nutrient utilization in the particular crop as indicated by the coefficient of variation.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is for processing a digital elevation model (DEM) including data for a plurality of objects. The method includes determining a perimeter versus area parameter for each object in the DEM, and comparing the perimeter versus area parameter for each object to a threshold to identify whether each object in the DEM is a building or foliage.

Abstract: A method for surface estimation of reservoir properties, wherein location of and average earth resistivities above, below, and horizontally adjacent to the subsurface geologic formation are first determined using geological and geophysical data in the vicinity of the subsurface geologic formation. Then dimensions and probing frequency for an electromagnetic source are determined to substantially maximize transmitted vertical and horizontal electric currents at the subsurface geologic formation, using the location and the average earth resistivities. Next, the electromagnetic source is activated at or near surface, approximately centered above the subsurface geologic formation and a plurality of components of electromagnetic response is measured with a receiver array. Geometrical and electrical parameter constraints are determined, using the geological and geophysical data.

Abstract: A method for surface estimation of reservoir properties, wherein location of and average earth resistivities above, below, and horizontally adjacent to the subsurface geologic formation are first determined using geological and geophysical data in the vicinity of the subsurface geologic formation. Then dimensions and probing frequency for an electromagnetic source are determined to substantially maximize transmitted vertical and horizontal electric currents at the subsurface geologic formation, using the location and the average earth resistivities. Next, the electromagnetic source is activated at or near surface, approximately centered above the subsurface geologic formation and a plurality of components of electromagnetic response is measured with a receiver array. Geometrical and electrical parameter constraints are determined, using the geological and geophysical data.