Method and apparatus for storing 3D information with raster imagery
View Patent ↗The present invention meets the above-stated needs by providing a method and apparatus that allows for X parallax information to be stored within an image pixel information. Consequently, only one image need be stored, whether it's a mosaic of a number of images, a single image or a partial image for proper reconstruction. To accomplish this, the present invention stores an X parallax value between the stereoscopic images with the typical pixel information by, e.g., increasing the pixel depth.
1. A method for analyzing elevation differences between at least a first and second three-dimensional images of a region of interest, the first and second three-dimensional images having been taken at different times, wherein the three-dimensional images are generated based on combining a plurality of two-dimensional images, and the three-dimensional images are stored as a plurality of pixels containing pixel data and X parallax information derived from the plurality of two dimensional images, the method comprising:
registering the first and second three-dimensional images for the region of interest so that corresponding overlapping pixels are identified;
on a pixel-by-pixel basis, comparing data for corresponding overlapping pixels of the registered first and second three-dimensional images;
if compared pixel data is different outside of a predetermined tolerance, then flagging a difference;
using the X parallax information, determining elevation differences between compared pixels; and
based on determined elevation differences of compared pixels, determining elevation changes that have occurred in the region of interest over time.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of calculating a rate of change of elevations in the region of interest based on the determined elevation differences over time.
3. A computer system for analyzing elevation differences between at least a first and second three-dimensional images of a region of interest, the first and second three-dimensional images having been taken at different times, the system comprising:
a storage device in which the three-dimensional images are stored, the three-dimensional images having been generated based on combining a plurality of two-dimensional images, and the storage device is configured to store the three-dimensional images as a plurality of pixels containing pixel data and X parallax information derived from the plurality of two dimensional images;
a processor configured to:
register the first and second three-dimensional images for the region of interest so that corresponding overlapping pixels are identified;
on a pixel-by-pixel basis, compare data for corresponding overlapping pixels of the registered first and second three-dimensional images;
if compared pixel data is different outside of a predetermined tolerance, then flag a difference;
using the X parallax information, determine elevation differences between compared pixels; and
based on determined elevation differences of compared pixels, determine elevation changes that have occurred in the region of interest over time.
4. The system of claim 3 further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to calculate a rate of change of elevations in the region of interest based on the determined elevation differences over time.