Windows-Based Scaling and Measurement Software for Photographic Images (KSC-12505)

Abstract:
Remote measurement of small features on an object can be accomplished by projecting a set of parallel laser points on the object with NASA's Scaling Device, where the distance between points is a known value. By first acquiring a digital image of the object's features with the superimposed laser points, the size of the object's features can be found by processing the digital image using appropriate software. The software first calibrates the laser points and then transfers the calibration to the features to be measured and scales the unknown dimensions. The software was developed so that Shuttle Operations personnel could take photographs of hail impact sites on the External Tank Thermal Protection System and determine the size of the resultant foam insulation damage. The software was developed to work with the Scaling Device, a tool that attaches directly to a charge-coupled device (CCD) or film camera and projects a known distance pattern (two laser points, 1 inch apart) into the field of view of the camera. After installing the software, the user opens a dialog window and sets a known distance between two laser points in the image by inserting two +'s on or near each point. Next, the user opens the "Set Actual Distance" window and inserts the known length in inches.

The user measures other objects in the image by creating a measurement line between two points by clicking and dragging the mouse between the starting point and the fi nal destination point. Once released, a rectangle is displayed with a diagonal line corresponding to the measurement line. The distance between the two points of this line is instantly displayed.

Additional measurements are shown vertically and horizontally. Potential commercial uses include: photography; crime scene investigation; aerial mapping; oil and chemical tank monitoring; and digital image analysis.

Type of Offer: Licensing



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