Visualization solutions in four dimensions

Summary form only given. Geospatial information is not static. It changes and expands over time. The sources for gathering real-time geospatial information are proliferating at a rapid pace. Large numbers of multi-media sensors, from video surveillance cameras to personal cell phones, can now capture activities of the population within regions of interest that can be integrated with the terrain and features in the region. This comprehensive set of historical and current geospatial information has the potential to provide substantial situation awareness of the current environment, as well as predictive analysis of the geospatial trends over time. Balfour Technologies understands the challenges presented in correlating, visualizing, and utilizing geospatial-temporal data, and has the talent, experience and technology necessary to deploy innovative four-dimensional solutions. Balfour Technologies has developed a patented fourDscapereg browser/server and have created several operational solutions using this technology, including an automated situation awareness (ASA) system architecture based on fourDscapereg which creates a virtual, high-resolution four-dimensional (4D) landscape represented in a single common operating picture (COP) that effectively provides automated situation awareness for human interaction, analysis and response by integrating, correlating and fusing raw data derived from a variety of sensor and data sources over time. The layered ASA system architecture works by refining raw sensor data as it propagates up each layer until it is visually represented in a fourDscapereg browser as a temporally- spatially correlated set of dynamic objects in a 4D scene. This scalable, network-based architecture is capable of managing large arrays of surveillance sensor suites. The natural, visual user interface delivers to the user full contextual and interactive situation awareness. Balfour Technologies has been working on initial deployments of fourDscapereg applic- - ations in security, surveillance and emergency response, including projects with: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology; NYC in their Broadband Wireless Public Safety Network (with Northrop Grumman) and in the Times Square District with a major corporation; the U.S. Capitol Police; L.A. County Sheriffs Department at the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade and an associated tactical exercise; the "Golden Phoenix" Homeland Security Emergency Response tactical exercise in SanDiego, providing an effective common operating picture in an interactive, live 4D Landscape. Balfour Technologies is also working on initial integration of a fourDscapereg Emergency Response Tracking System (ERTS) capable of visualizing the tracking of first responders inside buildings, with initial deployments planned with a number of Fire Departments in major U.S. cities.