IP Library Granted Patent US 11,003,943
Granted Patent B2
US 11,003,943 · App. 16/846,527 · Granted May 11, 2021

Systems and methods for processing images with edge detection and snap-to feature

Inventors: Steven Douglas Adams (Rush, NY); Yandong Wang (Webster, NY); Frank D. Giuffrida (Honeoye Falls, NY)
Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
G06K9/4604G06F16/50G06T3/0081G06T7/12G06T2207/30184
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,003,943
App. No.
16/846,527
Granted
May 11, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for creating image products includes the following steps. Image data and positional data corresponding to the image data are captured and processed to create geo-referenced images. Edge detection procedures are performed on the geo-referenced images to identify edges and produce geo-referenced, edge-detected images. The geo-referenced, edge-detected images are saved in a database. A user interface to view and interact with the geo-referenced image is also provided such that the user can consistently select the same Points of Interest between multiple interactions and multiple users.

Claims (27)

1. A method, comprising the steps of:

performing, with a computer system, edge detection procedures on a plurality of geo-referenced images to identify edges in the plurality of geo-referenced images and produce geo-referenced, edge-detected images and detected edge data;

displaying one or more pixel representation of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images to a user, wherein a detected edge of the detected edge data is superimposed on the geo-referenced, edge-detected images;

receiving a selection of one or more points on the detected edge from the user selecting the one or more points on the detected edge on a display device displaying the detected edge superimposed on the one or more pixel representation of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images; and

measuring one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points on the detected edge.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the selection of one or more points on the detected edge comprises receiving input from the user indicative of two or more points of interest along the detected edge; and wherein measuring one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points comprises measuring a distance between the two or more points of interest utilizing image data and positional data of the geo-referenced, edge-detected image.

3. A method, comprising the steps of:

performing edge detection procedures on a plurality of geo-referenced images to identify edges in the plurality of geo-referenced images and produce geo-referenced, edge-detected images and detected edge data;

displaying the geo-referenced, edge-detected images to a user;

receiving input from the user of a selection of one or more of the identified edges, the input determined by the user moving a cursor over a pixel representation of one or more of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images having a detected edge of the detected edge data superimposed on the pixel representation, wherein the cursor is caused to snap-to the detected edge when the cursor is within a predetermined distance from the detected edge;

receiving input from the user to affirmatively accept the detected edge as an edge of interest;

receiving a selection of one or more points on the edge of interest; and

measuring one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of holding the cursor at the detected edge until the user has indicated acceptance or rejection of the detected edge as an edge of interest.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the steps of indicating, marking, and storing the edge of interest on the pixel representation of the one or more of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein receiving the selection of one or more points on the edge of interest comprises receiving input from the user indicative of two or more points of interest along one or more of the edges of interest; and wherein measuring one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points comprises measuring a distance between the two or more points of interest utilizing image data and positional data of the geo-referenced, edge-detected image.

7. A system for preparing and utilizing geo-referenced images, the system comprising:

image display and analysis software stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by a computer system to cause the computer system to:

perform edge detection procedures on a plurality of geo-referenced images to identify edges in the plurality of geo-referenced images and produce geo-referenced, edge-detected images and detected edge data;

make the geo-referenced, edge-detected images available to a user;

receive input from the user of a selection of one or more of the identified edges, the input determined by the user moving a cursor over a pixel representation of one or more of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images having a detected edge of the detected edge data superimposed on the pixel representation, wherein the cursor is caused to snap-to the detected edge when the cursor is within a predetermined distance from the detected edge;

receive input from the user to affirmatively accept the detected edge as an edge of interest;

receive a selection of one or more points on the edge of interest; and

measure one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points on the edge of interest.

8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising image display and analysis software stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by the computer system to cause the computer system to hold the cursor at the detected edge until the user has indicated acceptance or rejection of the detected edge as an edge of interest.

9. The system of claim 7 , image display and analysis software stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by the computer system to cause the computer system to indicate, mark, and store the edge of interest on the pixel representation of the one or more of the geo-referenced, edge-detected images.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein to receive a selection of one or more points on the edge of interest comprises to receive input from the user indicative of two or more points of interest along one or more of the edges of interest; and wherein to measure one or more objects or between one or more objects within the geo-referenced, edge-detected image using the selected one or more points comprises to measure a distance between the two or more points of interest utilizing image data and positional data of the geo-referenced, edge-detected image.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 9, 2025
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.; EAGLE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; OMNIEARTH, INC.
Reel/Frame 070786/0022 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 28, 2025
From: EAGLE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 070671/0078 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2025
From: EAGLE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; OMNIEARTH, INC.; PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070096/0485 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2020
From: ADAMS, STEVEN DOUGLAS; WANG, YANDONG; GIUFFRIDA, FRANK
To: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Reel/Frame 052376/0430 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 14341213 · Jul 25, 2014
Continuation 12972088 · Dec 17, 2010
Related Publication 20200311461A1 · Oct 1, 2020