Pictometry is a patented

aerial survey Aerial survey is a method of collecting geomatics or other imagery by using airplanes, helicopters, UAVs, balloons or other aerial methods. Typical types of data collected include aerial photography, Lidar, remote sensing (using various visible ...

technique for producing

oblique Oblique may refer to: * an alternative name for the character usually called a slash (punctuation) ( / ) *Oblique angle, in geometry *Oblique triangle, in geometry * Oblique lattice, in geometry * Oblique leaf base, a characteristic shape of the b ...

georeferenced imagery showing the fronts and sides of buildings and locations on the ground. Photos are captured by low-flying airplanes, depicting up to 12 perspectives (shot from a 40 degree angle) as well as an orthogonal (overhead) view of every location flown. These perspectives are then stitched together to create composite aerial maps that may span many miles of terrain. Because they are captured at an angle, the

pixels In digital imaging, a pixel (abbreviated px), pel, or picture element is the smallest addressable element in a raster image, or the smallest point in an all points addressable display device. In most digital display devices, pixels are the sm ...

in the resulting images are trapezoidal, rather than rectangular. This necessitates special software and algorithms to accurately determine objects’ size and position on the maps.

Uses

Pictometry imagery can be overlaid with various shapefiles and GIS information because every pixel is

georeference Georeferencing means that the internal coordinate system of a map or aerial photo image can be related to a geographic coordinate system. The relevant coordinate transforms are typically stored within the image file ( GeoPDF and GeoTIFF are exam ...

d to its exact location on the earth. This allows pictometry imagery to be integrated into many existing GIS software applications for use in many businesses, while creating a much richer database of the real world. Measurements that can be made directly on pictometry imagery include area, distance, height, elevation, pitch, and bearing, among others. Pictometry imagery is used by federal, state and local governments for emergency response/9-1-1, GIS, planning and development, and assessment. Commercial industries including insurance, construction, utilities, and real estate utilize such imagery to streamline business activities.

Legal protection

Pictometry was invented by the Pictometry International Corporation, now EagleView Technologies. It is protected under US law, including

Patent A patent is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited period of time in exchange for publishing an enabling disclosure of the invention."A ...

Ser. No. 60,425,275, filed Nov. 8, 2002,Method and apparatus for capturing, geolocating and measuring oblique images - Pictometry International Corporation
/ref> and licensed to companies across the globe

References

{{reflist Aerial photography