Lockheed Martin Corporation

Marc Blais

Ira S Glickstein

Peter N Stiles

Mark Allstadt

Ronald Vienneau

A system and method for efficient intervisibility determination. The intervisibility determination method of the present invention provides a multiple threat processing capability within a specified area of terrain using a common database. Computation is simplified through the method of processing data posts in the terrain elevation database. By taking integer steps and incrementing distance, x or y, and a predicted elevation value at each step, a small number of operations may be performed. Recomputing a change in elevation value may be reduced. An umbra database provides an enhanced look-up capability for displaying and updating the intervisibility display information. The systems and methods of the present invention may be suitable for use on a vehicle and in mission management activities.

Intervisibility determination

A system and method for multiple map image projecting and fusing in an object oriented computer environment. The multiple map image projecting and fusing method may provide a flexible and efficient architecture for generating combined map images from one or more map data sources. One or more map image objects may be coupled to map data objects, map projection objects and other map image objects according to a contemplated use of the invention.

Multiple map image projecting and fusing

A system and method for creating a connectivity framework between map image objects and map data objects in an object oriented computer environment. The connectivity framework may provide a flexible and efficient architecture for generating multiple map images from one or more map data sources. The map image objects may be coupled to map data objects and map projection objects.

Map image object connectivity

Compressed graphic image data files, such as Compressed ARC (Arc-second Raster Chart/map) Digitized Raster Graphics (CADRG) map files for a region of interest, are stored in blocks of memory (nodes) preferably arranged as a linked list. Portions of files containing data for an area of interest including an image of interest are decompressed before the data are sent to a frame buffer for display. Nodes that do not contain requested data are flagged as unused, but not deallocated, making the data in such nodes available for use or replacement.

System and method for managing compressed graphic image data

A system and method of re-projecting a map image using graphical techniques is provided. A digital map image, in a first projection, may be divided into a number of rectangular sub-images, the geographic coordinates for the four corners of the rectangular sub-image may be computed, the planar coordinates in a second projection may be computed for the four corners of each rectangular sub-image, and each sub-image and its corresponding second projection coordinates may be supplied to a texture mapping subroutine with optional hardware acceleration of the texture mapping process in order to create a second map image in a second projection.

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Endicott, NY, United States of America

Marc Blais