Single Camera System

An integrated software & hardware application designed using the latest advances in spatially referenced video technology. At the heart of the system is GPS encoded video engine which when linked to maps enables rapid construction of customised multimedia databases. CamNav comes with it's own browser which can be used for monitoring, mapping, & documentation of natural and man made features. Alternatively, CamNav's spatial multimedia data can be integrated within a Geographical Information System (GIS) enabling more complex modeling and database queries to be performed.

Data Acquisition:

CamNav™ is the small electronic ‘black box’ unit that is used with CamNav Mapper™. This electronic encoder/decoder unit encodes the digital GPS position data onto the audio track of the videotape as a series of audio tones via a single phone lead into the external microphone input jack of a camcorder or video recording unit.

 

Processing Data:

Processing is performed post-sortie. The data is decoded from the audio track of the videotape by switching the CamNav unit to decode mode. Video is 'frame-grabbed' using the Picolo card installed in the processing PC. Simultaneously, the GPS data is read at the serial com port using a standard RS-232 cable and logged to a file. Each video frame has an associated GPS time which is used to identify individual frames. The video data is then de-interlaced and a navigation shape (default ESRI format) file is produced using the logged GPS data.

 

Browser:

The browser enables the user to access the spatial multimedia image repository and extract data or construct application specific databases. The browser consists of three main modules or display; the video display, the mapping or GIS window and the database table. 

 
 

Mapping based on Ordnance Survey of Ireland No. NE0001402 - ©Ordnance Survey Ireland and Government of Ireland  

 

Standard GIS functionality is available in the browser such as data import/export, pan/zoom, query and print. Standard video tools enable the user to review the encoded video. The user can also navigate through the spatial video by pulling the 'video play' tab forward or backward or clicking on a navigation point within the GIS display. Alternatively, video frames can be retrieved by clicking on a database record. 

In frame measurement is possible if the camera has been calibrated. This is a relatively simple procedure and monoscopic measurements can be made using a perspective transformation algorithm. The user can then store measurement as well as attribute data for using customised data entry forms. Standard image processing functions such as brightness, contrast stretch and edge-enhancement are available.

Additional functionality such as advanced  image processing, reporting modules, inter-frame digitising and interactive web based modules can be provided.  Please talk to our software design team for more information.

CamNav™ Features

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dependant on GPS (S/A off = 10 meter accuracy)

Links geo-referenced maps with GPS encoded video

GIS based engine with a comprehensive range of add-on modules to cater for a wide range of user requirements

Designed for PC desktop or Laptop (Win98, WinNT, Win2000, Win XP)  

Compatible with Analogue (Hi8, S-VHS, Video 8) or DV camcorders

Facilitates rapid and inexpensive construction of multimedia databases & image libraries 
Television systems (PAL, NTSC, SECAM)

Easy to use, fast setup time, rapid data turn-around time of data

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Benefits

Dynamic GPS referenced imagery of objects and features

Cost-effective, rapid data collection system

 Browser system can be easily customised

No need for site-revisit since data can be quickly retrieved on user PC

Image data is an intuitive information medium which can be used to explain complicated geo-technical or environmental issues.

Light-weight and easy to install

Multi-temporal data can be gathered enabling comparison of historic with present conditions

User can access spatial video data using browser or through conventional GIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Standard CamNav Mapper™ Functions
On the fly co-ordinate transformation On the fly datum to datum conversion, national grid & customised projections (industry standard, over 200 predefined projections)
Data format Export/import ESRI, export MapInfo, generic text
Processing Module This module enables large spatially referenced multimedia databases to be automatically constructed.  This data can then be rapidly accessed within the CamNav Mapper browser.  Attribute information can be readily ‘tagged’ to this data, thus extending the potential uses of the spatial dataset
Map functions Standard pan, zoom, print, measure, identify
Presentation Record moving map & video sequences that can be sent to other project participants and decision makers via email, ftp or CD. Most significantly is that this visual report can then be viewed on all Microsoft operating systems without the need for any software installation.
Spatial Video Interaction Interactive selection and display of frame grabbed images. 
Image Processing Image processing (contrast, brighten, sharpen)
Additional Modules - available for customisation
Navigation Encode using external GPS normally assumes a NMEA 2.0 compliant navigation message
Data Format Display of DXF & DWG files, export of single and/or multiple shape files into .dfx & dwg file format.  (Handles layer, block & line attribute properties)
Co-ordinate Transformation Customised datum & projections
Data Interpolation Basic interpolation of missing or erroneous GPS, moving average algorithm (Processing module)
Smart Batch Processing Smart batch mode processing controlled by variable time, speed or user defined attribute
Feature Digitising Intra/Inter video frame digitising.  Point &  lines calculations (simple monoscopic model)
Report Module Automatically query and print out database hardcopy
Data Input Forms Customised data input forms depending on user requirement
Screen-resize Variable browser screen sizing
Metadata & Database Design Management modules for organising user video survey data and customised database design
Deployment Packaging of browser and data on CD-ROM or DVD
Download pdf                                    CamNav Mapper product sheet (240KB)

Download pdf                                 CamNav Mapper™ Supplied Hardware (196KB)

Download pdf                       Preconditions for Operation of CamNav Mapper™ (140KB)
Copyright © 2003 BlueGlen Technology Limited