Mr. Floris M. Gretzmacher Profile

Floris M. Gretzmacher

at Ministry of Defense

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (6)

Proceedings Article | 5 September 2003 Paper

Cost-effective and promising approach for camouflage assessment of MUSTAFA targets in motion imagery

Floris Gretzmacher, Georg Ruppert

Proc. SPIE. 5075, Targets and Backgrounds IX: Characterization and Representation

KEYWORDS: Visualization, Sensors, Video, Computer programming, Quantization, Neural networks, Reconnaissance, Analytical research, Camouflage, Motion analysis

Read Abstract +

The camouflage assessment tool LOAT was introduced to the Austrian Air Reconnaissance Center at the end of 1999. This segmentation based and texture oriented method was already presented at AeroSense Conferences. For the new task of assessing video sequences of partly moving objects this single image method seemed to be too time consuming - a different approach relying on former experiences seemed to be feasible. In June 2002 a three nation (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) camouflage-field-campaign "MUSTAFA" was conducted on an Austrian proving-ground; data was recorded for the following expert analysis of the participants. Motion imagery was recorded in visual and thermal infrared bands. The scenario was the approach of an attack-helicopter towards typical military targets which were camouflaged with multi spectral measures. Besides a validation of the LOAT-System by selecting a small sample of the collected video frames a so called "videobase analysis method" is being developed and is scheduled for examining the videos for motion-camouflage-assessment. The "videobase analysis method" (it will become LOMAT-system = low observables motion assessment tool if successful) is based on a very fast video-processing software. The assessment algorithm to be implemented is based on a MDL clustering algorithm in conjunction with a database for numerical inter frame analysis. Features are the results of the clustering process like information content of the data, number of classes found and the like. We consider it a very promising approach for the projected real-time task mainly because there is no calibration process involved. The research done by D2K Solutions Ruppert&Partner OEG, an Austrian spin-off company of Joanneum Research is scheduled to provide the basic tool with end of 2002; the examination of the MUSTAFA data is due until May 2003. The approach of the "videobase-analysis method", the introduction of the MDL based assessment method will be presented together with some preliminary visualizations e.g. screenshots of the work done so far. Samples of the collected motion-image will also be presented.

Proceedings Article | 18 September 2001 Paper

Minimum description length principle applied to camouflage assessment

Georg Ruppert, Andreas Wimmer, Horst Bischof, Floris Gretzmacher, Guenter Wendner

Proc. SPIE. 4370, Targets and Backgrounds VII: Characterization and Representation

KEYWORDS: Detection and tracking algorithms, Image processing, Video, Computer programming, Quantization, Neural networks, Machine learning, Camouflage, Algorithm development, Evolutionary algorithms

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 24 July 2000 Paper

Robust measure for camouflage effectiveness in the visual domain

Georg Ruppert, Reinhard Beichel, Floris Gretzmacher

Proc. SPIE. 4029, Targets and Backgrounds VI: Characterization, Visualization, and the Detection Process

KEYWORDS: Defense and security, Eye, Digital image processing, Seaborgium, Visualization, Image analysis, Quality measurement, Distance measurement, Camouflage, Systems modeling

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 24 July 2000 Paper

Fuzzy logic approach for the quantitative assessment of camouflage effectiveness in the thermal infrared domain

Reinhard Beichel, Georg Ruppert, Floris Gretzmacher

Proc. SPIE. 4029, Targets and Backgrounds VI: Characterization, Visualization, and the Detection Process

KEYWORDS: Thermography, Infrared sensors, Infrared imaging, Visualization, Reliability, Quantization, Thermal effects, Infrared radiation, Camouflage, Fuzzy logic

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 24 July 2000 Paper

FFT-descriptors for shape recognition of military vehicles

Andreas Wimmer, Georg Ruppert, Oliver Sidla, Harald Konrad, Floris Gretzmacher

Proc. SPIE. 4029, Targets and Backgrounds VI: Characterization, Visualization, and the Detection Process

KEYWORDS: Infrared cameras, Data modeling, Cameras, Sensors, Databases, Image segmentation, Video, Fourier transforms, Data processing, Object recognition

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 7 July 1998 Paper

Camouflage assessment considering human perception data

Floris Gretzmacher, Georg Ruppert, Sten Nyberg

Proc. SPIE. 3375, Targets and Backgrounds: Characterization and Representation IV

KEYWORDS: Visualization, Image segmentation, Image processing, Computing systems, Computer vision technology, Distance measurement, Machine vision, Neural networks, Feature selection, Camouflage

Read Abstract +

Shape and shape disruption have significant influence to the human target acquisition mechanism. A special testing method (the so called `photo-simulation') was developed in the eighties to present a set of image slides of camouflaged and not camouflaged objects in preferably natural backgrounds to military personnel to quantify differences in object camouflage effectiveness. Statistically significant results were achieved, however, the high test requirements limited its practical use. The project is motivated by an urgent need for a camouflage evaluation system based on computer vision with a fast response so that the user in a field test can be supported to further improve his camouflage skills. Hence, the photo simulation method cannot be regarded as obsolete, it can be used to compare the results of the camouflage evaluation system with the results of human perception. With an human-in-the-loop computer based camouflage assessment system, processing should be sped up by some orders of magnitude, could be automated for field tests and would yield several additional features. To overcome the problem of quantifying e.g. texture similarity of different camouflage nets to blend into the natural background, an image processing/visualization method was pursued by the Austrian Ministry of Defense. Now the same image-sets can be used for the human photo-simulation as well as for segmentation/classification by the camouflage assessment tool. Today a modified Euclid-distance measurement for visual images is being used while similarity of shapes (gestalt) to a selected region can be visualized. Feature selection is being done by training a neural network with the results of the human perception data. A cost effective prototype of a camouflage assessment tool based on standard hardware can be presented. Its promising performance gives hope to get beyond subjective camouflage experts stimuli. In the next project phase also thermal images shall be handled with the camouflage assessment tool.

Showing 5 of 6 publications

View contact details

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE

Is this your profile? Update it now.

Sign into your SPIE.org account

Don’t have a profile and want one?

Create an account on SPIE.org

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years