Features
User friendly interface
The technological power of Farseek Map Studio is masked in a refined interface
designed to render the system intuitive. Every detail has been carefully considered to ensure
that the application can be used efficiently on tablet computers without keypads. Learning is
easy and natural, and no previous mapping experience is required. Users draw directly on the
screen, exactly as they would do on paper.
GPS integration
A GPS receiver built into the portable
computer displays the aircraft’s position on the map. Observation sites can be located faster
and more easily when users know, at all times where they are situated on the map and in which
direction they are traveling. The GPS is supported by a range of spatial reference tools to
ensure that observations are accurate.
Free-hand drawing
An intuitive line-drawing system allows users to delimit regions directly on the map, free-hand.
Their drawings are then converted into vector information which is used in turn to build a
coherent set of polygons. The polygons generated by the application are automatically enhanced
with patterns and colours corresponding to the characteristics of the observed region.
Automatic enhancement
Symbols are placed on the map to describe the user’s observations. In some cases, data associated
to the symbols is used to determine the characteristics of a region on the map, which is
automatically enhanced on the basis of the information captured by the user.
Faster data publication
It is no longer necessary to transfer information from paper to electronic format; the
information captured during aerial surveillance is automatically geo-referenced by the system.
This technology reduces the time and effort needed to generate publications and improves data
accuracy by eliminating manual transfers.
In situations where the time element is crucial, information can now be transferred between the
aircraft and base control by means of a wireless Internet connection. In Canada, the helicopter
must first land, and the operator then connects the computer to a cell phone before transferring
the small files generated on the patrol mission.
Compliance with current standards
Computers are ideal for standardizing the data capture process. All aerial surveillance
specialists now use the same technology and must comply with an information capture methodology.
Once captured, information is converted into standardized geo-referenced data in compliance with
your organization’s current standards.
The technology includes a development environment that allows clients to adjust the system’s
performance to their specific needs.
Sharing data with the organization
Farseek offers a number of possibilities for
publishing aerial reconnaissance flight information. When Farseek is used to generate theme maps, a
complete set of functions is available to control every detail of the map’s content. When the
map’s overall appearance has been configured, the final document can be generated in several
different formats (Images, PDF,
HTML, Google Maps and more).
If Farseek is built into an existing GIS
the geo-referenced information can be converted to industry standard formats
(GML,
MID/MIF and
ShapeFile).
Software Development Kit
The technology has been developed from the standpoint that any organization may have specific
characteristics requiring adjustments to the software. With no additional costs, clients can
develop new functions in the software, such as personalized theme layers, new symbols and new
exchange formats.