Geocoding Field Survey Images for Oil Spill and Emergency Response
Ministry of Environment Gordon Oliphant Chelsea Rieu Geocoding Field Survey Images for Oil Spill and Emergency Response
Overview:
Geocoding is the process of adding geographical identification metadata, notably location coordinates such as latitude and longitude, to various media formats such as images or video clips. This paper discusses the need and recommended method of geocoding field survey images for environmental emergency response, oil spill assessment work and for regular Environmental Protection Officers (EPO's) work.
The recommendations made should also be strongly considered by other ministries such as forestry, mining and highways where geocoding is deemed important. Parks, compliance and ecosystems information have already expressed strong interest in this technology for litigation, trail location and inventory purposes. It is recommend that if widespread support of this idea occurs that the Information Management Branch (IMB) becomes involved to spearhead any corporate planning required. An example of this would be making the geocoding software available under shared license under Citrix and/or ArcGIS shared licensing.
Easy to use, relatively inexpensive technology that makes geocoding of every field image possible is now available. The main product that this paper presents is called GPS-Photo Link® Standard software by a company named GeoSpatial Experts®. http://www.geospatialexperts.com/productstd.html GPS-Photo Links has been found to be the leading software product in all areas. It is the best value given the features available and it is the most widely endorsed of all the products investigated. The software is endorsed by the U.S. National Spill Control School as well as many others. http://www.geospatialexperts.com/news.html In addition, a fully functional ruggedized and waterproof GPS camera unit is available at about 20% of the cost of the early models that first appeared about five or six years ago. Competitor products with comparable features are listed in table format in Appendix 2.
This paper started about a week ago with the idea to address inadequacies found while working on recent SCAT duties. Talking to a few individuals lead to a very fast and favourable response about the same need for the geocoding of images and videos to occur in a wide scope of other areas. We recommend that the idea be widely distributed & if interest warrants the scope of distribution then the initiative be led by IMB (Integrated Management Branch). Unmanaged laptops are recommended for all field use and this is deemed to be a requirement from a user perspective. In many areas such as inventories, geocoding images should be written into the standards of data collected. The main cost savings areas will be seen in any processing and recording time which will no longer be required and major litigation cost savings due to increased accuracy and virtually no processing time when compared to the current manual method. Fully documented photos will be available on demand for discovery purposes.
The Present Situation:
Individual photo images taken during oil spill assessment and at environmental emergency response sites are presently not geocoded or geopositioned unless it is done manually. That fact alone creates a situation where images are very often not available for distribution until a long time after a response person or unit is finished their work. Even then, the general area or the unit section is known but the exact location the photo was taken within the defined zone remains unknown. This situation needs to be addressed to enable staff to do on-time, safe and efficient response and reporting of environmental emergency response situations.
This paper discusses two main solutions as options:
The first option is aimed directly at using existing hardware for Environmental Emergency Response and SCAT Oil Spill duties. The second option is the ideal geocoding solution for full time use for Environmental Emergency Response officers and EPO's. Both options and the recommended approach are discussed later in the document. Essentially the deciding factors should be whether to implement just the software if an existing GPS unit and digital camera is already in place or to implement the full Ricoh 500SE GPS camera. The latter is recommended for users that will be using them on a daily basis such as in compliance work. The full feature Ricoh 500SE GPS camera option is also the option recommended as a replacement for currently used GPS units as they go out of date. Again, ministries such as forests may want to use the Trimble link software option instead due to more exacting precision and accuracy requirements.
Interest in this type of technology is high at this time because major GPS technological advances have occurred so quickly and because previous pricing barriers were recently removed. In short, users have wanted this functionality for a long time but the monetary cost of early technology outweighed the benefits. Further, the early products were not as robust as features now offered at about 20% of the cost five to six years ago.
Discussion Specific to Oil Spills and Emergency Response:
The present situation of handling field images for emergency response and oil spill situations is grossly inadequate to meet user requirements. This is especially frustrating to the people doing the field work and incident command duties. The only method that some images are geocoded at this time is by the operational person recording the UTM coordinate of the position where the photo was taken in their field book after determining that information with a portable GPS unit. Not every image location is recorded - just the single ones of special concern. Normally there is no processing or embedding the photos with any geocoded data at all at this time. The pictures are turned in and are known to be in a certain section, predefined segment or zone but no other information is available to someone who might be viewing the image in hand for the first time. Normally, the UTM coordinates remain with the person recording the notes unless a copy is turned over with the images. For emergency situations, it is not unusual to shoot 300 to 400 photos a day. If litigation occurs, a single day of manually geocoding that many photos takes many hours and even then, accuracy is often in question. GPS-Photo Link takes approximately 1 second for each photo to be processed and hundreds can be processed at the same time.
Discussion on General Features:
This section applies to the Standard version GPS-Photo Links software including that used by the Ricoh 500SE GPS camera. Specialized software for use with Trimble GPS units is also available but is beyond the scope of this discussion.
GPS-Photo Link Software Main Features:
General Description:
GPS –Photo Link software can bring together the information from almost any digital camera and GPS unit. Garmin, Trimble and Magellan GPS units are especially recommended. The software downloads both the images and the GPS data. Next it synchronises the two and creates an output file of the user's choice as either simple watermarked photos, html web pages with associated overview maps, ESRI shape files for use in ARCGis software, or GoogleEarth files. Anyone viewing the photos from that point on will see all of this information on each image as watermarks. Custom logos such as Ministry logos can be displayed in addition to the location and time information. Full feature software is available at a cost of $229 USD per transferable copy.
The Time Synching Process
Unlike other products available the standard edition GPS-Photo Link by GeoSpatial Experts does not require a specialized camera. For most users who have access to a GPS and a digital camera, the only expense will be a software license. The operator is able to use any digital camera that records the date and time for each photo. The program only requires that the camera and the GPS unit are time synched. After the photos and track log has been uploaded to the program, GPS- Photo Link matches the photos to the point where the picture was taken on the GPS’s track log using the time stamps embedded in the photos.
The software program allows automatically downloads location information from GPS receiver, including track logs and waypoints. Either the track logs or waypoints can be used to geolocate the photos. This is an important feature as it means that the user does not have to make a waypoint for each photo. In other words, a picture taken at time X will be placed at spot Y because both the GPS and the camera know when the photo was taken, and the GPS “knows” where it was at time X by using the GPS track.
All Garmin, Trimble and Magellan GPS receivers are directly supported.
The Ricoh 500SE camera is a special combined single unit GPS camera that comes with GPS-Photo Link standard software and can record the direction that the camera is pointing (azimuth) at the time the photo was taken. This camera is presented separately in Appendix 1. This is the unit that is recommended for users that will be in the field a high percentage of the time. We are recommending that this particular camera and software become the standard when ever it becomes necessary to upgrade GPS units. The exception would be special units that require accuracy less than one metre. In those case the high end Trimble or Garmin GPS units should be used in conjunction with the same camera & software.
Watermarking/Photo Labelling/Editing
Camera photos are uploaded directly to a folder on the computer ensuring that the original photos are not modified. Only copies of the digital photos are used by the program. The program also allows photos to be edited for brightness, contrast and location and rotation.
GPS-Photo Link is capable of adding watermarks to images for efficient and uniform labelling of photos in the html output pages. The watermark screen in the GPS-Photo Link’s wizard gives user more options for adding key information to photos and deciding where to place the watermarks. The following data labels can be added to or omitted from the photo’s watermark; Latitude and Longitude, grid coordinates (UTM), Date and Time, Elevation, Datum (WGS84, NAD27, etc), Direction of Photo (N, SW, etc.), Title (same on all photos), Photo Comment (different for each photo) and a user’s logo (optional). The watermark labels can be edited for color, location, size and font. Comment fields can also be used to contain barcodes which could be highly useful sorting hundreds of photos that might look similar such as oil covered rocks. This would allow for full database storage on larger projects.
Photo watermarked with comment, title, coordinates, time and date.
GPS-Photo Link Web Output Examples
Photos can be uploaded to GoogleEarth as an output option. However, for privacy and security reasons this is not practical for the Oil Spill/Emergency Response team. A more functional method of presenting the images is by the html export option. These html pages can be stored in local folders (shared or private) and viewed using a web browser program while remaining out of the public domain. Using the easy step-by-step wizard GPS-Photo Link is able to automatically generate web pages similar to the following:
Overview map
Photo with overview maps below
Users can create web-based GIS reports complete with watermarked images, and a choice of satellite photos, topographic maps, or street maps.
The website output includes a large overview map of the area with icons representing the location of each photo. The color high resolution urban aerial photos are automatically downloaded from GoogleEarth®. The overview maps can then be saved as a part of the html file in a local folder. Once the maps are embedded in the web page it can be viewed without requiring a download from live GoogleEarth each time it is opened. Therefore, the map is viewable without an internet connection as long as the html files are also stored on the user's network.
The icons which pinpoint the photo’s location on the overview maps can be selected from several icon images (including arrows to indicate direction of photograph). Once selected, the icons can be used to view the picture which corresponds to the point.
A directory on the left side of the index webpage allows for all the photos to be quickly viewed. An image can be selected to see it in a larger size on the right hand side and view its position on the overview map which is displayed below.
The html output web pages are customizable depending on the user’s organizational needs. In direct reference to the Emergency Response Team, websites could be created for each zone that is surveyed after a spill has taken place just by making a separate folder for each shoreline segment. For example if there are 3 segments surveyed, one could create 3 separate index web pages each cataloguing the images from one of the three zones. The group of photos from zone A and the associated html pages would be in a separate folder from the photos taken at zone B and C.
Appendix 1. Ricoh 500 SE Camera 1.1. Overview of Ricoh 500 SE Camera features
Although GPS-Photo Link® can be used with any modern digital camera capable of recording the time and date, the Ricoh 500 SE digital camera has several features which make it the best camera to use with the GPS-Photo Link® software. The Ricoh digital camera comes equipped with GPS allowing it to automatically geocode images. Therefore, it is able to act as a camera and a GPS unit, and reducing the amount of equipment a surveyor must handle in the field. In addition, the Ricoh 500 SE is able to produce high resolution images while standing up to rough field conditions. The Ricoh is “ruggedized”, waterproof (JIS Class 7), dust proof (JIS Class 6), and has a shock resistant design. It boasts 8.0 mega pixels with ultra-rapid shutter response, 3x optical zoom and image stabilization, optional wide-angle 28 MM lens and comes with built-in Bluetooth.
The camera has an on-board ‘data-dictionary’ which allows for additional user-defined information, such as the geographic location, a barcode, or comments to be embedded into the images. When the resulting 'data-image' is transferred to a computing device all of the embedded 'meta-data' is extracted automatically and used to perform a variety of automated tasks such as renaming the image based on the meta-data.
1.2. Memos
The Ricoh camera is able to store 5 different memos or field notes for each picture taken. List with predetermined fields are created using Ricoh’s List Editor Software before heading out into the field. The lists can then be uploaded to the camera and edited in the field. The information in the lists becomes embedded into the picture’s JPEG file. The GPS-Photo Link® software is able to extract the memos and use them as a part of the output html pages as watermarks, data or comments.
Memo and corresponding photograph
1.3. GPS Capabilities
There are two options which allow for GPS coordinate data to be automatically encoded into the pictures taken by the Ricoh 500 SE. The first option is a WAAS/GPS Receiver which comes as a part of the camera and captures the geographic location as pictures are taken. The camera stores the geographic data in the photo’s JPEG file. This system is accurate to three meters with WAAS and 10 meters when not receiving WAAS. With the pictures automatically coded by your Ricoh camera, you have one less piece of equipment to carry.
ALL-In-One System
The second method of automatically geocoding the photographs involves Bluetooth. When Bluetooth is enabled it allows the camera to read GPS coordinates from a Trimble or another GPS unit equipped with Bluetooth and embed that information in each photo's JPEG file. With the GPS data and the images stored in the same file, it simplifies the process. One only has to download the photos to the GPS-Photo Link® software and the program then is able to geolocate the photos base on the embedded GPS data.
Bluetooth System
1.4. Laser Range Finder
A laser rangefinder is a device which uses a laser beam to determine the distance to a reflective object. If the Ricoh’s Bluetooth capabilities are enabled a laser range finder can be incorporated into the system wirelessly. The recommended product to use with the Ricoh 500 SE is the TruPulse Laser. TruPulse Lasers determine the distance to the object of the photo and send that information via Bluetooth to the camera. This would be useful in determining the distance and extent of spills from the ground.
“TruPulse Lasers Determine the distance to the object of your photo and send that information via Bluetooth to the camera with the TruPulse from LTI inc. NEW TruPulse 360 includes a compass allowing you to accurately show the field of view from your Ricoh camera or our offset position.”
1.5. AVI Movies
The Ricoh 500 SE is able to record AVI videos. AVI movies taken with the Ricoh camera can be linked a geographic location using the Ricoh version of GPS-Photo Link®. A normal picture is taken first, after which a movie is captured at the same location. The movie is then matched to the picture point using GPS-Photo Link® and the html web page created will play the video.
1.6. Barcode Reading Capabilities
The Ricoh 500SE camera is able to scan in barcodes and embed the barcode data directly into high-resolution images.
Camera equipped with the SE-4 laser-scanning module.
The 500SE supports most 1D barcodes and can scan barcodes optically through its lens. It may also be augmented with the SE-4 laser-scanning module for project that requires laser scanning. The scanned barcode information is embedded directly into a data area in the JPEG files as they are captured. When the resulting 'data-image' is transferred to a computing device all of the embedded 'meta-data' is extracted automatically and used to perform a variety of automated tasks such as renaming the image based on the barcode data, imprinting the information on the image or even creating a complete database of all the images and their related meta-data. The barcode allows for the unique identification of each data-image which is essential for all image databases.
For More Information Visit: http://www.ricoh-usa.com http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi- bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/01-24- 2008/0004742692&EDATE http://www.geospatialexperts.com/productadv.html
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GPS-Photo Link: Ricoh Edition software creates: • ArcGIS shape files • Google Earth views • GPS labeled photos • Web pages
Google Earth Output with Thumbnail Photo Order now! www.GeoSpatialExperts.com ArcGIS Extension (303) 255-2908 GPS-Photo Link: Ricoh Edition Features
GeoSpatial Experts developed a customized version of GPS-Photo Link software to capitalize on the Ricoh Camera-GPS combination. With the GPS data and the images stored in the camera, all you have to do is download your photos and let GPS-Photo Link do the rest. Software Features: • Output ArcGIS Personal GeoDatabase or ESRI Shape Files. • Use arrow symbol rotated to direction. • 2d and 3d perspectives available in Google Earth & ArcGIS. • Play recorded audio in extra data screen. • Click on a point, and the photo will be displayed. • Supports GPX files to use in Garmin’s MapSource. Ricoh 500SE Camera Features: • 8.0 mega pixels and 3x optical zoom • Ruggedized, waterproof & shock resistant with image stabilization • WAAS GPS module, Built in Bluetooth, optional WiFi • Native wide-angle 28 MM lenses (also accepts 37mm screw on lenses) • The Ricoh camera can store 5 different memos or field notes for each picture taken. These memos can be used to name the photos so they are easy to find later. Barcodes can be scanned into memos. • Connect the camera to a Bluetooth Laser Rangefinder, and the distance to the object can be recorded. • Link AVI movies taken with the Ricoh camera. • GPS Lock feature allows you to store the location of an object then walk back and take the picture.
Watermarked Photo Website overview Google Earth
ESRI ArcView 8. x & 9.x Features: • GPS-Photo Link: Ricoh Edition allows you to process your photos with one click using our ArcGIS Plug-in. • Output Personal GeoDatabase or Shapefiles. • Output field of view layer based on field of view of cam- era, distance, and heading. Utilize a Wedge or Arrow symbol rotated to direction photo was taken. • ESRI ArcView extension for hot linking images to shape- files. Just click on the feature point, and the geo- referenced photo will be displayed! Hover over a point, and a thumbnail of the photo pops up! • Display watermarked or original photo. Download a Free Trial at www.GeoSpatialExperts.com
Phone: 303.255.2908 Fax: 303.362.7129 E-mail: [email protected] The Ricoh 500SE GPS-ready Digital Camera Capture Location Data with Your Images
• Automatically embeds GPS coordinates with captured images • Seamless transfer of pictures and data to mapping software • Rugged field-ready Geo-imaging solution • Superior resolution and ease of use
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Ricoh understands the needs of the GIS professional. The 500SE provides the definitive streamlined process to integrate quality images into mapping software applications.
From the flood waters of New Orleans to the sands of Iraq, the Ricoh Geo-imaging solution has passed the test of time in the most demanding of conditions. To understand how your workflow can benefit from Geo-imaging, dial 909-890-9040 for more information.
Complete Geo-imaging Solution
Wireless Imaging Simplified Embedded Attribute Data Bidirectional communication capabilities allow for instant In addition to storing GPS data in image and video, the 500SE transfer of images to mobile devices via Bluetooth or provides a user-defined data-dictionary for tagging the media WiFi*. Alternately, the camera accepts NMEA data from with workflow-related information. This ‘meta-data’ becomes external Bluetooth-enabled GPS devices. attributes in any GIS system and may be automatically imprinted on the images. *WiFi version required.
Geo-coded Images and Video Automatic Map Integration The 500SE’s large LCD provides precise real-time WGS-84 Geo-coded images and video are automatically converted or MGRS position information derived from either the into ‘layer files’ by available GIS plug-ins. Hovering over a camera’s detachable GPS module or from external GPS point displays a thumbnail with the user-defined attributes, devices. As content is captured, this data is embedded into while clicking on the point opens the full-size image. the media file’s header.
Designed to Deliver Machine reliability and image quality are the foundation of the 500SE’s design. Built to withstand the harshest of outdoor environments, the 500SE is easy to operate and captures stunning 8MP images and superb video in any condition. www.ricohsolutions.com/geo
Page The Ricoh 500SE GPS-ready Digital Camera
Camera Shake Blur Reduction Large shutter button The 500SE reduces camera shake blur by combining high ISO settings Large dial Accessory shoe with fast shutter speeds. Now you can shoot with greater confidence in dark situations. High-luminance flash
Powerful Built-in Flash High-performance zoom lens The built-in flash unit allows clearer shooting in a wider range of situations. (9 elements in 7 groups) Its powerful illumination extends 10 meters in wide-angle shots and 6.5 Dust-proof armored glass meters in telephoto shots. Grip Finder Power button Large, Easy-to-view 2.5-inch LCD Screen
The large LCD screen features an anti-reflection coating to preserve Optical 3x zoom buttons screen readability in high ambient light environments. You can easily adjust (28-85mm, 35mm film equivalent) screen brightness to optimize image clarity. There is also an optical Large 2.5” TFT LCD monitor viewfinder, so you can use whichever is right for the situation, for more reliable photography.
(Accessories Included) 5 2 Wide Coverage with 28mm Wide-angle Zoom Lens 1. USB Cable 2. CD-ROM Ricoh’s 28mm wide-angle zoom lens can capture larger areas than the 4 3. Neck Strap 35mm lenses of conventional digital cameras. When there is limited space 4. Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery: DB-43 3 to maneuver, you can more easily capture an entire building or construction 1 5. Battery Charger: BJ-2e site with the 500SE. Instruction Manuals(Camera, Introduction)*, Warranty Card Vivid 1cm Macro Photography *Software manual supplied on CD-ROM Capture subjects as close as 1cm away in the macro wide-angle mode or 10cm away in the tele-macro mode. The built-in flash unit illuminates subjects as close as 20cm from the camera. 500SE Major Specifications
Item Description Large Buttons and Dials CCD Effective 8.13 million pixels (8.30 million square pixels), All buttons and dials are large enough to ensure you can easily operate the 1/1.8-inch primary-color CCD camera even when wearing gloves. Lens Focal length f: 5.8-17.4mm (equivalent to 28-85mm for 35mm film cameras), Step-zoom intervals: 4 steps (28mm, Memo Function for More Convenient Data Management 35mm, 50mm, 85mm), Aperture F: 2.5(W)-4.3 (T) Keep memos as part of your photo information. Memos are particularly Recording Media SD Memory CardTM (3.3V 32/64/128/256/512MB/1GB), handy for distinguishing numerous similar photographs and can dramatically Multi Media Card, Built-in Memory 26MB heighten management efficiency. Recording Mode Still mode (Continuous, S-Continuous, M-Continuous), Scene mode (High-sensitivity, Fire, Skew Correction, Text, Zoom Macro), Motion mode, Sound mode Barcode Memo Function for Temporary Memos LCD Monitor 2.5” translucent amorphous silicon TFT LCD Keep memos as part of your photo information. Memos are particularly (approx. 153,000 pixels) handy for distinguishing numerous similar photographs and can dramatically Dimensions (W x D x H) 133.0 x 78.5 x 74.0mm (excluding projections) heighten management efficiency. Weight Approx. 430g (excluding battery, SD Memory Card, hand strap), Accessories (battery, hand strap) approx. 50g Your Authorized Ricoh Reseller Power Source Rechargeable battery (DB-43) x 1, AA battery x 2 , AC adaptor (AC-4d) GeoSpatial Experts Bluetooth Specifications Communication scheme: Bluetooth® standard version Makers of GPS-Photo Link 2.0+EDR, Output: Bluetooth® standard Power Class 2 www.GeoSpatialExperts.com Supported Bluetooth® profiles: BIP, OPP, SPP [email protected] Wireless LAN Interface standard: IEEE802.11b/g 303-255-2908 specifications Security: WEP (64/128 bit), WPA-PSK (TKIP/AES), WPA2- PSK (TKIP/AES)
The Bluetooth® word mark and logo are registered trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Bluetooth® technology is used by Ricoh Co., Ltd. under licensing agreement with Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Microsoft,Windows and Direct X are regis- tered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Apple, Macintosh and Mac OS are registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. The SD logo is a trademark. Compatible with EPSON PRINT Image Matching III. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
www.ricohsolutions.com/geo Page Appendix 2. GPS-Photo Link's Features and Competitor's Products
Table 2.1
Comparison of GPS-Photo Link’s Features to Competitor’s Products Product Name GPS-Photo Link GeoIPTC bbPlaces nireblog Media Mapper PixPoint RoboGEO Version Standard Edition - 4 1.0.1 only only Photo Edition ESRI ArcGIS 8.3 v5.3 Company Geospatial Experts Soft Experience bbPlaces nirudia blog Red Hen, Inc. Red Hen, Inc. / http://www.geospatialexpert http://www.geoip www.bbplaces.com http://nirudia- http://www.redhensyste http://www.redhens http://www.robogeo.com s.com/productstd.html tc.com/EN/Index. en.nireblog.com/ ms.com ystems.com Website html Cost (USD) $229 $100 free free $595 $395 $400 GPS Camera X Camera with DCF XX XXX GPS Unit XX XXX BlackBerry X Image XX X X Stamps/Watermark Google Earth Output X X X HTML Export X X Web based xX X OS pc pc mac/pc mac/pc pc pc pc Anywhere that a GPS and Photographers, travellers on travellers on field data collection field data collection personal, real estate, camera are used in the photo journalists, vacation wanting to vacation wanting semi profession/small field; Natural Resources & stock photo share interesting to share business data collection Environmental agencies, places or interesting places Management, Military and libraries and monuments or or monuments or Main Usage/Audience Homeland Security, image fund places they have places they have Emergency response, companies photographed photographed Utilities, Oil & Gas, Survey & Engineering Companies, Department of Transportation. Shape files used in ArcGIS . X can now be arrows that Azimuth indicate the direction of the photos. ArcGIS Compatible X X X X GPS-Photo Link Software that maps your photos GPS-Photo Link is user friendly PC software that downloads your digital photos and GPS data, then matches them for you.
Create: • ARCGIS shape files • Google Earth views • Photos marked with GPS position • Web pages with maps
Watermarked Photo with Lat/Lon
ArcGIS Extension
Google Earth Output with Thumbnail Photo GPS-Photo Link Features: Works with nearly any digital camera and GPS . $229 Direct support for Garmin, Trimble, Magellan, and Leica GPS receivers. Datum and Grid coordinate support: NAD 27, NAD 83, WGS 84, UTM, MGRS, plus most international datums. Creates: • Watermarked photos showing Lat/Lon, Direction, Name, Title, Comments, Elevation, your company’s logo placed where you need them on the photo. • Web sites with overview map and detailed maps for each photo showing where the photo was taken. Automatically downloads background maps from high resolution urban aerial photos, Tiger Street, Aerial Photo, or Topo Maps. • Google Earth maps which show your photo anywhere on the earth. • ESRI Shape files to use with ArcGIS software. Features: • Download Garmin GPS data through USB. • Use arrow symbol rotated to direction. • 2d and 3d perspectives available in Google Earth & ArcGIS. • Play recorded audio in extra data screen. • Click on a point, and the photo will be displayed. • Supports GPX files to use in Garmin’s MapSource.
Watermarked Photo Website overview Google Earth
ESRI ArcView 8. x & 9.x Features: • Output Personal GeoDatabase or Shapefiles. • Output field of view layer based on field of view of camera, distance, and heading. Utilize a Wedge or Arrow symbol rotated to direction photo was taken. • ESRI ArcView extension for hot linking images to shapefiles. Just click on the feature point, and the geo-referenced photo will be displayed! Hover over a point, and a thumbnail of the photo pops up! • Display watermarked or original photo. Download a Free Trial at www.GeoSpatialExperts.com
Phone: 303.255.2908 Fax: 303.362.7129 E-mail: [email protected] GeoSpatial Experts - Standard Solutions
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GPS-Photo Link System Requirements: Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, NT 4.0, Me or XP Operating System
GPS-Photo Link Software GPS-Photo Link Flyer (PDF, 400 KB)
PowerPoint Description of GPS-Photo Link Standard Digital Camera and GPS-Photo Link User Manual GPS Solutions
● GPS-Photo Link: Standard Edition is PC software that links
digital camera photos with the latitude and longitude of where the GPS-Photo Link Web Output photo was taken. A GPS receiver is used to determine the Examples location of the photo, without physically connecting the camera to the GPS receiver. No wires needed! Garmin GPS Specifications ● Now offering 1 and 2 year software maintenance agreements for GPS-Photo Link software. Get free upgrades and support
● GPS 60 for only $30 for 1 year or $50 for two years! ● ● GPSMap 60 Garmin GPS: 60 Series: waterproof GPS units are easy to use
● GPSMap 60Cx and WAAS enabled for accuracy. ● Use with any digital camera capable of storing date and time. ● GPSMap 60CSx
● MapSource City Select GPS-Photo Link: Standard Edition
GPS-Photo Link is PC software that links digital camera photos with the latitude and longitude of where the photo was taken. A GPS receiver is used to determine the location of the photo, without physically connecting the camera to the GPS receiver. No wires needed!
GPS-Photo Link: Standard Edition - For any camera & GPS
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New
Version 4.0 Feature include:
● Google Earth output (sample) You will need to download the free viewer from Google Earth before you can view the sample. Google Earth recently came out with a new beta version (Version 4). Download free
● Redesigned watermark screen gives user more options for adding key information to photos and deciding where to place the watermarks. ● User logos can now be added to watermarked photos. ● Photos can be processed in any directory on the user’s computer. ● GPX File Format Support (GPX) enables users to interface with a greater variety of programs, including Garmin’s MapSource for GPS data input and photo viewing. ● GPS track logs can be represented in Google or MapSource to display the sequence in which digital photos were acquired. ● Users can select from many icons (including rotated arrows) to portray photo locations on the automatically generated web pages.
Version 3.5 Features include:
● Shape files used in ArcGIS can now be arrows that indicate the direction of your photos ● You can now download Color High Resolution urban aerial photos ● Download Garmin GPS data through USB ● Will play recorded audio in Extra Data Screen ● Rename files based on Comment + Date/Time making photos easier to find ● Waypoint names from GPS will automatically be included as
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comments with your picture ● Added support for GPS Utility output making it easier to download information from even more GPS products ● Outputs camera parameters (Focal Length, F Number, Aperture, Exposure, and ISO).
Other FEATURES
● Easy to use wizard interface. ● Use any digital still camera that has date and time capability. Copies digital photos directly from camera or a memory card reader. Original photo is not modified. ● Automatically downloads location information from GPS receiver. All GARMIN and Magellan GPS receivers are directly supported. Can use waypoints on some GARMIN's. Trimble, Leica and most other GPS receivers supported through track log importing. ● Ability to load pre- defined comments for easy labeling. ● Output consists of web pages with: ❍ Thumbnail listing of all photos. ❍ Clickable overview map indicating where all the photos were taken. ❍ Detailed maps for each photo showing where the photo was taken using MapBlast, Tiger, USGS Aerial Photo, or USGS Topo Maps. ❍ Watermarked photo. ❍ All data elements (see Watermarks above). ❍ Links to TopoZone topographic maps and TerraServer satellite photos. ❍ Web pages are customizable. ● Labels photos with watermarks including any of the following data: ❍ Extensive watermarking options (font, size, color, location). see Watermark in Help File
❍ Edit pictures for brightness, contrast, and rotation. ❍ Latitude and Longitude ❍ Grid Coordinates (UTM, MGRS, etc.) ❍ Date and Time (local or UTC) ❍ Elevation (feet or meters)
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❍ Datum (WGS84, NAD27, etc) ❍ Direction of photo (N, SW, etc.) ❍ Title (same on all photos) ❍ Photo Comment (different for each photo) ● Datums Support ❍ NAD 27, NAD 83, WGS 84 ❍ Most other International Datums ❍ Datum can be displayed in watermarked photos. ❍ ESRI Shape files uses selected datum ● Grid Coordinates ❍ UTM, MGRS/USNG. ❍ British Gird, Irish Grid. ❍ Dutch RD Grid (Netherlands). ❍ Grid Coordinates can be displayed in watermarked photos. ❍ ESRI Shape files uses selected grid. ● Creates ESRI Shape Files for input into desktop GIS systems such as ArcView. Shape file projection uses datum and grid coordinates selected. ❍ ArcView 3.x Extension ■ See ArcView 3.x Extension in Help File.
■ Allows "hot linking" shape files to photos. ■ Click on feature, see associated photo. ■ Can display photos as internal view or using external program. ❍ ArcView 8.x & 9.x Extension ■ See ArcView Extension in Help File
■ Allows "hot linking" shape files to photos. ■ Click on feature, see associated photo. ■ Hover over point, and thumbnail pops up. ■ Automatically load background maps (aerial or topo). See the online Help Filefor even more information.
GPS-Photo Link System Requirements: Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, NT 4.0, Me or XP Operating System
Garmin GPS Options
The GPS 60 is a non-mapping unit that comes factory pre-loaded with a 1 MB marine point database that includes worldwide cities. Like the other products in the 60 series, this trusty handheld is compact and lightweight, with a user-friendly interface. It's reliable and extra-precise as WAAS can make it.
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Garmin GPSMap 60: Like the other products in the 60 series, this trusty handheld is compact and lightweight, with a user- friendly interface. It's reliable, and extra-precise as WAAS can make it. Special geocaching and geolocation gaming modes provide entertainment, as well as trailblazing navigation capability. The unit also includes an alarm clock, sunrise/sunset and moon phase tables, optimal hunting and fishing times — plus much more. Fully compatible with the entire line of MapSource products, the GPSMAP 60 makes it easy to navigate the great outdoors.
The GPSMAP 60Cx and 60CSx are a refreshing upgrade of the GPSMAP 60C and CSx , two of the most popular models for outdoor and marine use. This unit features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory and a waterproof, rugged housing. The microSD card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment. Users can load map data and transfer routes and waypoints through the unit’s fast USB connection. In addition, this unit features a new, highly sensitive GPS receiver that acquires satellites faster and lets users track their location in challenging conditions, such as heavy foliage or deep canyons.
Considered the mainstay among serious outdoor enthusiasts, the GPSMAP 60Cx and GPSMAP 60CSx offer a large color TFT display and turn-by-turn routing capability. Each unit comes with a blank 64 MB microSD card. Owners of these new x-series handhelds can also purchase new microSD cards that are pre-loaded with MapSource® Topo and inland lake maps, BlueChart® marine cartography, and City Navigator™ street maps.
Garmin Software
MapSource City Select provides detailed maps of major metro areas as well as rural coverage. Each CD also contains points of interest and automatic routing, giving you the capability to generate point-to-point routes in MapSource and on compatible Garmin units. There are three versions:
1. US Topo 2. Europe: City Select 3. North America: City Select
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Appendix 3. User Testimonials
3.1. GPS-Photo Link and Ricoh Pro G3 Helps US Forces in Iraq Route catalogue would not be possible without software
Thornton, CO, April 8, 2005 -- Over the past few years GPS-Photo Link has been utilized by countless organizations, government agencies, and universities – now it is being used to help the keep our troops safe while helping to build democracy in Iraq. Along with the Ricoh Pro G3 GPS-ready digital camera, GPS-Photo Link is allowing US forces in Iraq to map and catalogue travel routes. Units are then able to identify exactly where an image was taken rather than just the general area, allowing a unit to safely scout a specified route. “We are currently working on creating an extensive imagery catalogue to make available to units traveling our routes,” says Lt. Ben Hodgins of the 2nd Marine Logistics Brigade. “These units will then be able to download the appropriate route section and ‘travel’ the route through the pictures…this route database would not be possible without being able to easily associate photos with locations using GPS-Photo Link.” The Ricoh Pro G3 GPS-ready digital camera, introduced this January, has also been indispensable to the project. The digital camera has a CompactFlash GPS unit inserted into its base which automatically geocodes images as they are captured – this eliminates the need for troops to operate a camera and a separate GPS devise, saving valuable time and increasing accuracy. “The ability to take a picture and have the camera note your position removes many of the errors that occur in reporting,” says Lt Hodgins. “The individual is able to concentrate on the event and, later, during the debrief, he or she can refer to the time and location that was recorded on the image rather than some hastily scribbled notes.”
GPS-Photo Link and the Ricoh Pro G3 digital camera are both available through Colorado-based Geospatial Experts. About GPS-Photo Link: GPS-Photo Link, the premiere digital image mapping software, saves you time and money by automatically linking your digital images to GPS data and producing a web page with satellite photos, watermarked photos, street maps and topographic maps. GPS-Photo Link also maps an overview map tracking where the pictures were captured.
3.2. GeoSpatial Experts Adds Google Earth Functionality to GPS-Photo Link
Software THORNTON, COLO., 3 April 2006 – GeoSpatial Experts today introduced Version 4.0 of its popular GPS-Photo Link digital image mapping software. Among the many upgrades in Version 4.0, GPS-Photo Link now allows users to display their digital photographs in the Google Earth environment. “GPS-Photo Link offers users greater flexibility in watermarking their photos with critical information and outputting them for access in Google Earth or other web-based mapping environment,” said Rick Bobbitt, GeoSpatial Experts President. “As before, the upgraded version is available free to existing customers on our web site.” GPS-Photo Link is a digital image mapping software that saves time and money by automatically linking digital photographic images to GPS location data in the GIS environment. GPS-Photo Link creates web pages in which the watermarked photographs are integrated with satellite imagery, street maps, or other GIS-based mapping layer. The Ricoh edition of GPS-Photo Link provides additional features for users of the Ricoh GPS-enabled camera, including the ability to use a laser rangefinder to record the distance to an object in a photo. New functionality enables users to display their photo locations as icons in a Google Earth map layer and add an arrow indicating the direction in which the photo was taken. This direction information can be input manually or extracted automatically by GPS-Photo Link from the Ricoh digital camera. The photo mapping software can also determine the zoom angle of the Ricoh camera lens during photo acquisition and display the field of view as a two-dimensional triangle or three-dimensional cone in the 2D or 3D Google Earth map. “Just by looking at the direction and field of view displayed at each photo location onscreen in Google Earth, a viewer gets a good idea of what ground-level features are included in the photograph,” said Bobbitt. “Another major advantage of the new release is that GPS-Photo Link customers can now map their photos world-wide.” Other upgrades in GPS-Photo Link 4.0 include the following: • Redesigned watermark screen gives user more options for adding key information to photos and deciding where to place the watermarks. • User logos can now be added to watermarked photos. • Photos can be processed in any directory on the user’s computer. • GPX File Format Support (GPX) enables users to interface with a greater variety of programs, including Garmin’s MapSource for GPS data input and photo viewing. • GPS track logs can be represented in Google or MapSource to display the sequence in which digital photos were acquired. • Users can select from many icons (including rotated arrows) to portray photo locations on the automatically generated web pages. “Our goal at GeoSpatial Experts is to constantly enhance our GPS- Photo Link software to keep pace with the continuous advancements being made in web mapping, digital photography and portable GPS technology,” said Bobbitt.
3.3. Case 1 – National Spill Control School Recommends GPS Photo Mapping for Disaster Response.
THORNTON, COLO., 29 June 2006 – The National Spill Control School in Corpus Christi, Texas, is using GPS-Photo Link software from GeoSpatial Experts of Thornton, Colo., to teach emergency personnel how to respond to spills of oil, chemicals and other hazardous materials. The school recommends using GPS photo mapping techniques in a GIS environment as part of response preparedness. “The National Spill Control School utilizes GIS to create spill simulations for the U.S. Navy, oil companies and pipeline utilities,” said Devon Humphrey, a GIS Instructor with the School. “We have found that using GPS-based cameras and software to photo-map both man- made and natural features including creeks, ditches, wetlands and resources at risk on a large facility provides valuable visual intelligence in the event of a real disaster.”
GPS-Photo Link is a digital image mapping software that saves time and money by automatically linking digital photographic images to GPS location data in the GIS environment. GPS-Photo Link creates web pages in which the watermarked photographs are integrated with satellite imagery, street maps, or other GIS-based mapping layer. New functionality added in the most recent software version enables users to display their photo locations as icons in a Google Earth map layer and add an arrow indicating the direction in which the photo was taken.
Affiliated with Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi, The National Spill Control School opened in 1977 to focus on oil spill response tactics but has since expanded to include courses on emergency procedures related to hazardous material spills and other natural disasters. In preparation for GIS-simulated training exercises, school instructors photograph features and areas across the host facility taking part in the drill. GPS-Photo Link software is used to integrate these photos into the GIS map so that participants can click on a geocoded icon to view a feature that may be affected by a spreading oil spill or chemical plume.
“On very large military bases, refineries and ports, managers seldom know every square inch or all critical features that may be damaged due to spills, severe weather or other types of disasters. We have had participants who didn’t even know that there was a running creek containing fish and other wildlife on their base until they clicked on the GIS map to see the photo,” said Humphrey. “We use the GPS-Photo Link system to show how simple it is to take a photo inventory of the facility and integrate those photos into their GIS in advance. This provides a baseline of location and time-stamped visual intelligence for use during a disaster. The same technique is used for rapid and detail rich damage assessment purposes during and after an actual incident.” Rick Bobbitt, president of GeoSpatial Experts, concurs with Humphrey’s assessment of the value of GPS photo mapping for emergency preparedness, saying, “There is nothing complicated about the GPS photo mapping process; if you can point and shoot a digital camera and use a GPS receiver, you can create a time- and location- stamped photographic inventory of your facility in a single day.”
More details about The National Spill Control School may be found at the following web site: http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/nscs/.
3.4. GPS-Photo Link Software Speeds Damage Assessment after California Fires
THORNTON, Colorado, USA. 6 December 2007 – The U.S. Forest Service deployed GeoSpatial Experts’ GPS-Photo Link software in the Cleveland National Forest to speed the creation of soil burn severity maps following the devastating California wildfires in October 2007. The software enabled Forest Service personnel to complete the damage assessment more rapidly than would have otherwise been possible, so that plans could quickly be made to protect surviving infrastructure from flooding, landslides and debris flows.
The GPS-Photo Link software maps digital photographs to their correct georeferenced locations in geospatial map layers. Requiring only a standard digital camera and handheld GPS device, the software links the photographic images with GPS location data and then accurately integrates them into a geospatial data set along with important attribute data, such as the time, date, and location coordinates of each photo. The software enables users to display their photo locations as icons in digital mapping environment, including GIS and Google Earth map layers.
The Forest Service office in the nearby Sierra National Forest bought the photo-mapping software from GeoSpatial Experts last year and uses it routinely in the activities of Burn Area Emergency Response Assessment Teams. Immediately following wildfires, these teams evaluate the damage and assess potential consequences relating to the heightened risk of uncontrolled water runoff over the exposed soil. This can lead to erosion, flash floods and debris flows that can destroy buildings, homes and buildings in the downslope areas.
“We bought the GPS-Photo Link software primarily for use in our air assessments to verify the accuracy of BARC maps,” said Alan Gallegos, a Forest Service Geologist in the Sierra National Forest. Development of a soil burn severity map involves several steps. Initially, a Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) map is created using post-fire multispectral satellite imagery. The initial damage assessment is made by field teams on the ground in coordination with Forest Service remote sensing analysts examining post-fire multispectral satellite imagery.
The field teams classify individual burn areas by severity of damage and provide this information to the analysts to create a digital classification map of the entire burn zone. Accuracy of the BARC maps is then verified by aerial teams who photograph multiple burn sites from helicopters to determine if the severity of damage matches their classification. After the accuracy of the map is determined the map is then referred to as a soil burn severity map.
“Correlating the photos with their correct locations on the BARC maps was very difficult and time-consuming until we bought the photo- mapping software,” said Gallegos, adding that he took more than 400 photographs of the Santiago Fire burn area.
Gallegos explained that he now only has to upload his photos into ArcGIS where the GPS-Photo Link software is running, and the photo locations are immediately displayed as icons on the BARC map layer. During classification verification of the BARC map, the user just clicks on the icon to view the photograph so the degree of damage can be assessed visually. The GPS-Photo Link software has cut hours from this process, according to Gallegos. “When we do BARC map validation, we can do it faster, and my colleagues think [the photo mapping] is the greatest thing they’ve ever seen,” said Gallegos.
For more information: Rick Bobbitt or Linda Bobbit Geospatial Experts Phone: 303.255.2908 Fax: 303.362.7129 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.GeoSpatialExperts.com