Description:
TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Info Systems, Sensors, Electronics
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this topic is to develop an innovative and computationally efficient method for processing high resolution, still-frame images and/or Full Motion Video (FMV) from handheld devices into a photo-realistic, textured, high resolution, 3D model of a building’s interior. The automated workflow should take input from the imagery/video files, generate a 3D scene model, and save it in an open standard data format capable of being rendered and explored in OpenFlight software.
DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks innovative proposals for a computationally efficient method for processing high resolution, still-frame images and/or Full Motion Video (FMV) from handheld devices into a photo-realistic, textured, high resolution, 3D model of a building’s interior. This topic does not seek to develop new cameras, LiDARs, or other sensors, rather, emphasis is placed on the hardware and software ecosystem needed and on improving existing algorithms or developing new algorithms to create the models. Models should be able to be updated and refined if more data becomes available. Systems must support Special Operations Forces (SOF) missions including, but not limited to Operational Planning and Rehearsal and Hostage Rescue. Proposals will be expected to address the positive influences the proposed solution will exert on: force-employment concepts and the SOF mission set.
PHASE I: Conduct a feasibility study and initial system design to assess what is in the art of the possible that satisfies the requirements specified in the above paragraph entitled “Description.” As a part of this feasibility study, proposers shall address all viable overall system design options that meet or exceed the following objective (O) and threshold (T) performance parameter specifications: 1. Maximum overlap of still images or FMV frame necessary: O=T=60%. 2. Level-of-Detail (LOD) (greatest detail around center of field of view or “objective area”): O=Continuous, T=6. 3. Model Resolution (at greatest level of detail): O=T=Photo Realistic. 4. Objective Area (as a percentage of field of view): O=T=50%h x 50%w The objective of this USSOCOM Phase I SBIR effort is to conduct and document the results of a thorough feasibility study to investigate what is in the art of the possible within the given trade space. The feasibility study should investigate all known options that meet or exceed the minimum performance parameters specified in this topic. It should also address the risks and potential payoffs of the innovative technology options that are investigated, recommend the option that best achieves the objective of this technology pursuit, and provide an initial, system-level design. The funds obligated on the resulting Phase I SBIR contracts are to be used for the sole purpose of conducting this study using scientific experiments and laboratory studies as necessary. Operational prototypes will not be developed with USSOCOM SBIR funds during Phase I feasibility studies. An operational prototype delivered at the end of a Phase I feasibility study, even if developed with non-SBIR funds, will not be considered in deciding if a firm will be selected for Phase II.
PHASE II: Develop, build, and demonstrate a prototype system determined, during the Phase I feasibility study, to be the most feasible solution to meet the stated Government requirements. Phase II may include additional requirements specifying the ability to use the presented model to perform analytics such as mensuration, line of sight analysis, augmentation with data from others, and others.
PHASE III: This system could be used in a broad range of military and non-military applications where it is desirable to construct 3D models from sparse data sets of still-frame images or short video clips.
REFERENCES:
1: "Level of Detail", 26 June 2017, at 11:18; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_of_detail
2: "Texture Mapping", 30 June 2017, at 22:52; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_mapping
3: "AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma", 25 April 2017, at 00:30; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroVironment_RQ-20_Puma
4: "United States Special Operations Command", 30 June 2017, at 22:20; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Special_Operations_Command
5: "Joint Publication 3-05 Special Operations", 16 July 2014; http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/new_pubs/jp3_05.pdf
6: "Special Forces, Primary Missions", 21 March 2016;http://www.goarmy.com/special-forces/primary-missions.html
KEYWORDS: Building Interior Model, BIM, 3D, Image Processing, Video Processing, Special Operations
