Automatic Camera Calibration (#)

7. To perform Crime Scene Measurement using images it is crucial to compute the relationship between the camera and the 3D world that is being captured by this camera. The mathematical parameters of this relationship are called ‘Camera calibration’ parameters. Cognitech’s patented automatic test pattern recognition method, Automatic Camera Calibration, detects a calibration pattern (designed by Cognitech) in test images.

8. Once a calibration pattern has been detected, Automatic Camera Calibration accurately removes camera lens distortion and estimates internal camera parameters (such as focal length and optical center deviation), which provides more accurate results than traditional camera test pattern methods.

9. *NEW* Improved Algorithm for camera calibration provides more accurate measurement.

10. *NEW* Easier to use stand-alone program for camera calibration that displays calibration pattern on screen preventing “warping” or “stretching” of the calibration pattern.

3D MultiView Measure (#) and Crime Scene Reconstruction

12. With a single frame information (Single Frame Metrology used by competition) only very limited Crime Scene Measurements are possible. For a complete Crime Scene Measurements the MultView Photogrammetry has to be used. 3D MultiView Measure provides the same, or higher, accuracy as the Single Frame Measure since it only requires a single scale measurement instead of manual measurements of the XYZ positions of all reference points. 3D MultiView Measure provides more accurate measurement results when using multiple images.

13. 3D MultiView Measure provides height, area, and distance measurements of objects from a single scale measurement, whether or not the original camera source is available. Single frame metrology, the only method the competition is currently using,  estimates scene dimensions related to vanishing points and lines, determined from the man-made structures in the field. While Cognitech tools can do all of that, Cognitech Auto Measure is the best forensic photogrammetry software because it does not require the presence of the linear structures, as these may be absent in the natural scenes, like gardens or heavy vegetation etc.

14. 3D MultiView Measure does not require that any linear structures be visible in the evidence image (i.e. no vanishing points are required). Crime scene measurements may involve measuring subjects and vehicles in the surveillance video or measuring distances, angle and areas of the scene surrounding these subjects.

15. Additional photos required for MultiView Measure can be taken at any time as long as there are enough similar features present from the evidence image. This process increases measurement accuracy and allows measurements to cover larger crime scenes.

16. MultiView Measure is designed to be used not just for measuring the height of an individual in the evidence image, but also to measure any geometric attributes of the crime or accident scene (*) captured in multiple images..

3D RAMA® Panorama Measure: Measuring in the Entire 360º Visual Sphere of View (#)

3D RAMA® Panorama Measure tools are described in the Measurement Tools Section.

26. 3DRAMA® Panorama Measure utilizes different advanced photogrammetric method than the MultiView Measure, allowing for much more flexible measurements of people, objects, accidents and crime scenes. Recently the high-quality affordable 360 degree technology cameras became available. Using 360 degree pictures from the crime scene is preferential to using the traditional DSLR cameras. That is particularly true when doing Forensic Photogrammetry from the video evidence. The 360 degree photogrammetry extends MultiView Measure method by having all visible points present, which simplifies stereo-photogrammetric matching of points. This saves the user time in performing photogrammetry and is what makes Cognitech AutoMeaure64 the best forensic photogrammetry software, as compared to the competition.

27. With 3D RAMA® Panorama Measure, the evidence image can be matched to multiple test images without the careful positioning of the test image camera in order to capture as many points in common as possible. This significantly simplifies crime scene data collection and eliminates point omission errors.

28. 3D RAMA® Panorama Measure provides the ability to measure all the same geometrical quantities as in 3D MultiView Measure, e.g. height, area, and various distance measurements. However, measurement points do not need to belong to the same captured image, thus allowing the distances between the points, that are separated by occlusions (e.g. walls, trees) and large distances, to be measured.

29. The 3D RAMA® Panorama Measure method provides the most efficient method of capturing scene images and producing accurate measurements.

30. Ricoh’s Theta 360° full panoramic camera data is seamlessly integrated for viewing an entire real-world 360°sphere of view.

31. By taking two or more panoramic images with Ricoh’s Theta 360° camera and using 3D RAMA® Panorama Measure, the user can perform all geometric measurements that the 3D MultiView Measure provides with the added convenience of operating and measuring in the entire 360°visual sphere of view (#).

*NEW* 3D Tour: 360° Stitching Extended Crime Scenes

32. Setup tours that allow the user to “walk through” a 360°stitched crime scene. The walk through automatically determines the closest camera view by clicking anywhere on the floor.

33. Photogrammetrically Measure distances, angles and objects within the scene Tour. Distances may be measured between points even if visible only on different cameras.

34. Combine 360°camera images into a single tour that can be displayed via web browser.

35. Measure from within your standard web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) no software required.

36.  Labeling object within the scene.

37. Saving Measurements as an independent overlay dynamically visible while moving through the scene.

Measurement Tools (*)

38. Cognitech® AutoMeasure® provides automatic error feedback (#), which helps the end-user to determine and correct inaccurate point placements and increase measurement accuracy.

39. The Base Triangle allows the end-user to define a 3D plane by clicking any three points in the image. This 3D plane can be used to compute the XYZ coordinates of any point that lies on the plane by just clicking on that point.

40. The Virtual Ruler Height Measurement Tool (*) provides a real-world perpendicular digital ruler tool to measure the height of any object or individual whose base can be seen.

41. When points and planes are defined by clicking the image, real-world distances can be measured with the Distance Measure Tools (*) from point to point, plane to point, or plane to plane. This capability of measuring distances and therefore angles (through simple trigonometry) is useful in crime scene ballistics investigations.

42. By simply clicking the sequence of points in the image and delineating the area, any real-world region can be measured with the Area Measure Tool (*). This is often useful in blood spatter analysis.

43. A digital magnifying glass is provided in the Cognitech AutoMeasure® software allowing for detailed point placement.

44. The World Coordinate Tool allows the end-user to manually set a known coordinate system, which allows the end-user to incrementally unify coordinates of all measured points in all images under a single 3D coordinate system.

*Above items marked with a hashtag (#) indicate unique forensic video capabilities that are proprietary ONLY to Cognitech, Inc. due to issued and pending US and International patents of Cognitech, Inc.

*Above items marked with an asterisk (*) are designated computational design capabilities that are the leading edge of forensic video technology and are not commonly available to other competitors in the field.

Click here to download a PDF brochure for AutoMeasure!