Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system in a specific environment – Earth science
Patent
1997-09-19
2000-07-04
McElheny, Jr., Donald E.
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system in a specific environment
Earth science
G06F 1900
Patent
active
06085152&
ABSTRACT:
A weather monitoring, measuring and reporting system which uses unattended, high-resolution digital cameras and laser rangers to both measure and display weather conditions in a local region, such as the region surrounding an airport. Visibility is estimated by processing images in the camera's field of view at known range distances. The light response of the camera is matched to the light response of the human eye. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the camera generates a digital pixel image of range objects; that is, prominent terrain objects such as, buildings, water towers, etc. in the camera's field of view. The digital pixel values of these range objects are stored in system memory at known address locations. The contrast between an average background pixel value in a region adjacent to an object and the average object pixel value is used to determine if the object is visible. Objects in the field of view are sequentially examined until the contrast to an object falls below the established threshold at which point the visibility is reported as extending to the next closest object with a contrast above the threshold. If the contrast for all objects exceeds the threshold, the process stops and the visibility range is reported as unlimited.
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Cambridge Management Advanced Systems Corporation
McElheny Jr. Donald E.
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