System and method of rapidly obtaining, processing, and disseminating geospatial data

Abstract

A system and method of utilizing aerial image capture technology such as digital cameras carried aboard satellites, processing digitized data derived therefrom, and rapidly disseminating the processed data to remote locations by existing commercial communications systems and radio telecommunication via commercial communications satellites for dissemination of processed data to a remote receiving site. Images obtained from imagery satellites are transmitted by radio to a receiver in communication with the Internet. A computer connected to the Internet receives and selectively modifies raw imagery data. Modified images are transmitted over the Internet either directly to a user for download, or alternatively to a radio transmitter which transmits corresponding signals to a commercial communications satellite. The satellite in turn transmits signals to a ground receiving station. A computer in communication with the ground receiving station then generates visual images incorporating the modifications on a screen such as a CRT or flat screen, or prints out the images. Image modification includes data compression and decompression, geocoding images, orthorectifying images, and adding data from a storage medium. Illustratively, added data includes features such as roads and political boundaries, among others, to the raw image.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.