Google Inc.

Eastman-kodak Company

Skc Haas Display Films Co., Ltd.

Rohm and Haas Denmark Finance A/s

Randall Wilson

Charles C Rhodes

Andrew Robert Kirmse

Randolph Brost

Stephen David Zelinka

David R Strip

Junwon Lee

Robert P Bourdelais

Peter T Aylward

Marek W Kowarz

Charles M Rankin

Qi Hong

Stephen C Meissner

Yong Koo Hwang

Paul J Guiguizian

Embodiments of this invention relates to orthorectifying oblique imagery to a nadir view. In an embodiment, a method orthorectifies oblique photographic imagery. An oblique photographic image is projected onto a three-dimensional model of terrain. Points are sampled from the projected photographic image at the intersection of the three-dimensional model of terrain and parallel rays extended from a virtual viewport having a nadir perspective. The sampled points are assembled into an orthorectified image. Finally, the orthorectified image or the sampled points are adjusted approximately according to a difference in tilt angle between a camera that captured the oblique photographic image and the viewport having the nadir perspective to generate a foreshortened orthorectified image. Each location in the foreshortened orthorectified image corresponds linearly to a corresponding location in a two-dimensional map.

Orthorectifying stitched oblique imagery to a nadir view, and applications thereof

A method for reducing building lean in stitched images includes accessing overlapping images of a geographic area, and calculating a pixel preference cost for each pixel region of a plurality of pixel regions in each image based on a location of the respective pixel region in a three-dimensional projection of each image. The method also includes selecting a pixel region from the images for each of a plurality of pixel region positions in the geographic area by reducing a cost function that includes the pixel preference cost, and assigning the respective selected pixel region to each of the pixel region positions to create the stitched image containing the building with reduced lean. In another embodiment, the pixel preference cost includes a distance from center cost that is based on a distance to the respective pixel region from the center of the image. Corresponding systems and computer readable media are also disclosed.

Reducing building lean in stitched images

An oblique photographic image is projected onto a three-dimensional model of terrain. Points are sampled from the projected photographic image at the intersection of the three-dimensional model of terrain and parallel rays extended from a virtual viewport having a nadir perspective. The sampled points are assembled into an orthorectified image. Finally, the orthorectified image or the sampled points are adjusted approximately according to a difference in tilt angle between a camera that captured the oblique photographic image and the viewport having the nadir perspective to generate a foreshortened orthorectified image. Each location in the foreshortened orthorectified image corresponds linearly to a corresponding location in a two-dimensional map.

A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises an elongated illuminator that is disposed to direct light towards the display panel and a light diffusing element for uniformizing the light redirected from the two or more elongated illuminators to provide backlight illumination. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

LCD display backlight using elongated illuminators

The invention relates to a light redirecting film comprising a thin optically transparent substrate having opposite sides, one side of the substrate substantially covered by elongated individual optical elements whose longest dimensions are substantially aligned in a lengthwise direction, wherein the shape of at least some of the optical elements have a visually significant difference, and wherein the layout of optical element shapes and locations is such that objectionable patterns are not visible in the film under standard LCD backlight viewing conditions.

Light redirecting film having varying optical elements

Illumination apparatus and film

A method of randomizing elements into a random pattern on a surface so the random pattern of elements substantially entirely consumes a region of the surface includes choosing an overlap distance and creating an initial pattern of elements that substantially entirely consumes a region of the surface, wherein neighboring elements overlap by the overlap distance. The method also includes choosing a maximum displacement distance, and displacing the elements by random displacement distances from their positions in the initial pattern, the random displacement distances being less than the maximum displacement distance. Moreover, a signed difference in displacement between two neighboring elements is not greater than the overlap distance. An apparatus including the elements is also disclosed.

Randomized patterns of individual optical elements

A method for registering machine tool and profilometer coordinates, wherein the machine tool defines a C-axis having a zero position, C=0, comprises loading a sacrificial workpiece into the machine tool; cutting several first features in a surface of the sacrificial workpiece and producing a linear machine tool motion across the workpiece; determining the centroid of each first cut feature; fitting a line to the centroids of the first cut features; and measuring angle &#x3b8;of the line relative to the C-axis zero position. The angle &#x3b8;is the departure in profilometer coordinates from the C=0 line. The method includes moving the machine tool to a fixed radius; cutting several second features in a surface of the sacrificial workpiece and producing a circular machine tool motion across the workpiece; determining the centroid of each second cut feature; fitting a circle to the centroids of the second cut features; and determining a center of the circle. The center of the circle is the machine tool center in profilometer coordinates.

Method for machine tool and profilometer coordinate registration

An apparatus and method of measuring an article is provided. The method includes providing an article having a feature to be measured, the article having a surface; measuring the surface of the article with a measuring instrument to obtain article surface data; and analyzing the article surface feature data such that data on the feature to be measured is developed. Measuring the surface of the article can include scanning the measuring instrument over the article surface. Analyzing the article surface feature data can include associating portions of the article surface data with individual features thereby producing associated feature surface data; and analyzing the associated feature surface data. The measuring instrument can be, for example, a contact measuring instrument or an interference measuring instrument. A computer storage medium having instructions stored therein for causing a computer to perform the method described above is also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Randall Wilson