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.