Management of Imagery Data in Simulation Training Systems Via Content Based Retrieval and Indexing

Diamond Visionics will develop new and automated processes for the creation of training simulator databases with scaleable fidelity and worldwide coverage. Diamond Visionics will provide tools that can automatically index large amounts of geo-specific imagery from various sources and provide a mechanism for incorporating this data into synthetic environments without manual intervention. We will provide innovative solutions based on our extensive background in spatial indexing and the run-time construction of synthetic environments using PC technology. In Phase I, Diamond Visionics will develop a proof-of-concept PC-based IG capable of automatically incorporating imagery at run-time. This system will greatly reduce the amount of effort required to improve the fidelity of visual databases. The Phase I Option effort will focus on implementing an integrated system prototype based on the algorithm that shows the best performance characteristics in the Phase I evaluation. Given tools that allow for the automatic and rapid incorporation of newly available imagery data into synthetic environments, the simulation community would be able to increase the effectiveness of simulator training. These tools would provide critical functions for both mission rehearsal and after-action review.