March 02, 2012 -- Carlsbad, Calif. – Geo Tactical Solutions (GTS) is in the final stages of development for its new digital camera GPS module—
GeoMapr.
GeoMapr, planned to be released during first quarter 2012, will offer advanced capabilities to support geospatial photo intelligence collection. The module is designed to work with any digital camera compatible with SDHC cards and meet the demanding requirements of military and federal users. Noteworthy features of the GeoMapr include greater speed and accuracy of GPS readings, automatic photo ‘memos’, recording ‘object’ location, tracklogs, multiple GPS coordinate formats, on-board 3D compass, selective availability anti-spoofing module (SAASM) compatibility, and GIS integration.
Recording ‘Object’ Location
Laser range finders may be connected to the GepMapr module via a WiFi-enabled SDHC card or cable connection to record distance and GPS coordinates of objects. GeoMapr combines the range finder’s data with GPS positional data to calculate the location of an ‘object’ within a photograph. All GPS coordinates collected with GeoMapr may be stored in a variety of formats including LAT/LONG, MGRS, Decimal Degrees, DMS, UTM and State Plane depending on user requirements.
SAASM Compatibility
GeoMapr’s Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module (SAASM) is used to allow decryption of precision GPS coordinates in order to obtain accurate GPS readings in a GPS compromised environment. These secure and decrypted GPS signals can be recorded using the GeoMapr by itself or by connecting to a Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) depending on the specific requirements of the user. This feature ensures accurate GPS readings even in the presence of jamming or spoofing.
Automatic ‘Memos’
GeoMapr supports up to 20 attribute fields called ‘memos’ which are used to tag photographs with relevant information such as photographer’s name, operation ID, operation type, unit ID, and so on. This information, along with GPS coordinates, GPS date and time, are automatically stored as metadata in each image file on the GeoMapr module. “Memo fields are created and stored within the GeoMapr module before photographs are recorded thereby automating the process of capturing the who, what, when, where and why of each photo with a simple press of the shutter button,” explained Andy Shannon, Sales and Support Manager at Geo Tactical Solutions. “Collecting this information not only transforms a photograph into a powerful information source, it keeps photographs organized by common attributes and facilitates more complete, accurate and simplified mapping and reporting.”
3D Compass and Tracklogs
GeoMapr’s on-board 3D compass allows users to record the direction a photograph was taken in addition to GPS coordinates which is also a major component of its ability to record ‘object’ location. In addition, GPS tracklogs can be recorded that, when mapped, show the geographic path by which photographs were collected. After images are collected in the field, GeoMapr uploads the data to a computer in preparation for analysis, mapping and reporting.
GIS Integration
GTS offers photo mapping and management software (PhotoGIS) along with GeoMapr and GPS cameras for mapping, editing and reporting photos collected in the field. Digital photographs collected with GeoMapr can be converted into a number of file formats suitable for mapping in popular GIS applications such as ArcGIS, FalconView, TIGR and Google Earth for further geographic analysis. The images are plotted as a separate spatial data layer along with their associated attribute information (‘memos’).
“As a direct result of customer feedback, we designed and developed the GeoMapr GPS module to be extremely lightweight, water-resistant rugged, versatile and affordable while still providing all the capabilities required by the most demanding operations and workflows,” noted Mr. Shannon. “GeoMapr is truly a great accomplishment for GTS and a noteworthy innovation in GPS photo technology.”
About Geo Tactical Solutions
Geo Tactical Solutions is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that provides advanced GPS cameras, military camera systems, GPS modules, and photo mapping software to government and commercial customers.
