Analytical Photometric Manifold Modeling

The Air Force is soliciting the development of innovative algorithms to produce 4D models of "uncooperative" objects in near real-time. This modeling would entail high-resolution 3D shape reconstruction and motion tracing of space objects from ground-based images. In response, Intelligent Optical Systems (IOS) proposes to develop a 4D reconstruction system based on an analytical photometric manifold modeling (APM) algorithm. The proposed APM technology will build on IOS's proprietary developments in the application of catastrophe theory, and will expand these efforts to image modeling. In Phase I, IOS provided proof of feasibility and developed the APM algorithm to represent space objects as photometric polynomial models. IOS also initiated development of key 3-D concepts and relationships, and demonstrated the successful reconstruction of a 3-D structure from an acquired sequence of photographs. In Phase II, IOS will demonstrate a robust prototype software that will increase the precision of 3D position reconstruction by 5 to 10 orders of magnitude over traditional 3D image modeling and processing methods, under difficult conditions and will provide rapid 3-D model reconstruction and motion algorithms. In Phase II, IOS will also demonstrate verifiable prototype software.