What's New in eCognition 9

Christian Weise | Product Manager

APRIL 2016

Introduction

Background

eCognition® Suite

� Advanced analysis software and development environment available for geospatial applications

� Enables users to create feature extraction or change detections solutions to transform geospatial data into geo-information

Image Data

Elevation Data

Land Cover Map

Impervious Map

Tree Map

Real World

Overview

� eCognition Suite offers three different components which

can be used stand-alone or in combination to cover even

the most challenging fully automatic and semi-automated

production workflows

eCognition

Developer

eCognition

Developer

eCognition

Server

eCognition

Architect

eCognition

Server

eCognition

Architect

eCognition

Architect

− eCognition Developer:

development & analysis

environment for applications

− eCognition Architect:

front-end for applications

created in Developer

− eCognition Server:

processing environment

Use Cases

EXTRACT INFORMATION

UPDATE INFORMATION

Unique Features

Geospatial Data Fusion

– Fuse and use a variety of geospatial

data, such as images, point clouds

and GIS vectors � Use the full

information potential of your data

Dynamic Analysis

Raster

Vector

Point

cloud

GIS AnalyticsSegmentation Classification

Input Raster

Vector

Point

cloud

Result

Report

Abstraction

Controlled with RuleSetCombines analysis

steps Segmentation,

Classification, Object

Manipulation, and GIS

Analytics dynamically

�Unique approach to

translate your mind

model (why you see

something in the data)

into computer

understandable code

(eCognition Solution

[Rule Set])

Highlights in Version 9.2

eCognition 9.2 Highlights

� Extended Multi-Core processing

capabilities for faster project

completion

� Advanced Data Support to

reduce time taken in converting

and loading data

Extended

Multi-Core

processing

capabilities

Extended Multi-Core processing capabilities

� Further multi-core enhancements in

eCognition 9.2 allow users to utilize up to

8 CPU cores with selected functions that

typically require longer processing times:

– Multi-Core powered Multiresolution

Segmentation

– Multi-Core powered Template Matching

– Multi-Core powered Feature Calculations

� The new multi-core capabilities maximize

the power of computing hardware,

reduce processing bottlenecks and allow

users to complete projects in up to a third

of the time taken with prior versions 50 100 150 200 megapixel

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

seconds

1 core

4 cores

8 cores

Advanced Data Support

� Reduced time taken in converting and loading data -

eCognition 9.2 includes a new driver for a faster import

of JPEG2000 files and now supports the usage of

MrSID image data. Furthermore a new point cloud

driver allows the usages of compressed point clouds in

the LASzip format.

� Direct access to latest image and point cloud

compression technology

� Offers faster turnaround times for projects using the

newest set of earth observation sensors

JP2

SID

LAZ

Highlights in Version 9.1

eCognition 9.1 Highlights

� Performance improvements, significantly reducing processing time

� Better utilization of GIS-Data in image analysis workflows

� Improved mapping capabilities for robust and accurate classification results

� Packaging and installation of customized eCognition applications

� Enhanced mobile mapping support for Trimble MX2 systems

Application

Packaging

Performance Improvement

� Feature:Multi-core support in “Multiresolution Segmentation”

� Background:– “Multiresolution Segmentation” is the first and most successful object

creation technique in the remote sensing market & the most time-consuming process of an typical eCognition analysis (~45% of the overall processing time)

– General trend in CPU development has moved from dual-core to quad-or hex-core chips - parallel programming techniques can benefit from multiple cores directly

� Benefits:– Performance improvements of up to 50% during object creation

freeing time to focus on the interpretation of results and decision making

– Reduced overall processing time allowing users to faster produce results

– Utilize the power of current desktop systems by using up to 4 CPU cores

Performance Improvement

35% 34% 34% 34%

47%48%

44%47%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

225.000.000 (15k x 15k) 400.000.000 (20k x 20k) 625.000.000 (25k x 25k) 900.000.000 (30k x 30k)

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

In

cre

ase

[%

]

Scene Size [pxl]

Performance increase with 2 cpu cores Performance increase with 4 cpu cores

Better Utilization of GIS-Data

� Feature:

New integrated GIS-techniques to inspect and analyze vector

data, this includes:

– Buffering

– Conversions

– Distance calculations

� Benefits:

– Supports the dynamic combination of image and GIS

analysis capabilities on a high level of automation which

help reducing project turnaround times

– Further bridging the gap between GIS and Remote Sensing

Improved Mapping Capabilities

� Feature:

Load, save and use sample statistics

� Background:

– Supervised learning algorithms analyzes spectral signatures obtained from sample areas and produces an classification model, which will be used for mapping (1 convert pixel data into thematic information)

– Samples represent the class examples and can be stored in GIS layers to save time if users want to re-do or to modify the selection

– Problem is that new sample locations have to be selected for every new data set, because (beside atmospheric and spectral effects) they could not covered by the new scene(s)

� Benefits:

– Extend and transfer sample statistics for classifications make a re-selection of sample areas superfluous and allowing users to faster produce results

– Combine sample statistics from different scenes offers the creation of transferable classification models which produce robust and accurate results

Other new features included

� Features:

1. Packaging and installation of

customized eCognition

applications

� Benefits:

1. Allows an easier roll out and

commercialization of eCognition-based

applications

2. Enhanced mobile mapping support for Trimble MX2 systems

2. Allow creation of mapping solution based on Trimble MX2 systems

Other new features included

� License Borrowing

� Customer Feedback Program

Highlights in Version 9.0

eCognition 9.0 Highlights

� Native Vector HandlingExtend OBIA with GIS operations

� Template MatchingExtend OBIA with computer vision based Object

Detection

� Point Cloud ViewerIncrease the productivity of creating Rule Sets

� JPEG2000 SupportIntegrate JPEG2000 images in OBIA Workflows

� Trusted StorageFlexible License Management

Trusted

Storage

Template

Matching

Point

Cloud

Viewer

JPEG

2000

Native

Vector

Handling

and

more

Native Vector Handling

Efficient GIS data management inside eCognition, this includes

� Functions to visualize and inspect GIS vector data

� Common used GIS operations

� Algorithms to update and export GIS vectors

This improved integration of GIS techniques into Remote Sensing workflows is further bridging the gap between the two domains

Native Vector Handling

� Visualize and inspect

GIS vector layer (1)

� No Rasterization

� No Pixel Snapping

Native Vector Handling

� Visualize and inspect GIS vector layer (2)

– ‘Edit Vector Layer Mixing’ dialog

– Vector related Features

+

+

+

+

Native Vector Handling

� Manipulate Vector Data (1)

– Combine GIS vector layers

– Simplify/Smooth GIS vector layers

Union Subtract Intersect DifferenceInput

Input

Simplified

Smoothed

Native Vector Handling

� Manipulate Vector Data (2)

– Orthogonalize GIS data layers

i.e. Reshape Building Objects

– Integrate GIS data layers

i.e. Combine Input/Result Layers

– Create GIS data layers

i.e. Convert OBIA-Results into

Vector Layers

– Update GIS data layers

i.e. Write Results back in Databases

+ +

++

+

+

+

+

+ +

++FileGDB

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

++++++++++

++++++

++++++++++++

Template Matching

� Extends the existing eCognition classification methods with computer vision based object detection, this includes

– GUI to collect Samples

– GUI to create and evaluate Templates

– Algorithm to execute Template Matching

� Provides additional value remote sensing experts by improving classification results and extending eCognition to new fields of use

Template Matching

� Template Matching Algorithm� algorithm to execute matching procedure

� If standard deviation of the template image compared to the source image is small

enough, template matching may be used

� Templates are most often used to identify printed characters, numbers, and other

small objects (i.e. Trees)

Template Matching

� Template Editor (Template Generation)

– Functions to define

and select Samples

– Functions to create

Template(s)

– Functions to test

Template(s) and

generate additional

Samples

Point Cloud Viewer

� Visualize Point Clouds for an easier and better data and result assessment

– Functions to render points by classification, intensity, RGB values

– Functions to define class colors

� This can significantly increase the productivity of creating rule sets as well as improving the classification quality

Trusted Storage

License handling based on files is replaced with Trusted Storage� Secure environment for license management

� Online license activation and re-hosting

� VM support

Provides a Flexible eCognition License Management

Return

License

Activation

Entitlement ID

Summary

JPEG2000

Conversion

Analyze

• GIS Vectors

• Classified Points

• Statistics

MapInspect

• Fusion

• Interpretation

• Generalize Results

• Combine Results

• Create Maps

3rd Party

Tools

3rd Party

Tools

View PCs Check PCs

3rd Party

Tools

CV based

Object Detection

Ordering, Availability, and Resources

Ordering, Availability, and Resources

eCognition Suite 9.2

� Release Date: 13 April 2016

� Who´s eligible?

All users with a valid maintenance contract as of April 13th, 2016

� The software is available in the Customer Download Area: http://www.trimble.com/imaging/downloads

� Get the Free Trial and learn more about Trimble eCognition on http://www.eCognition.com

� Visit the eCognition Community (more than 12.000 users) to ask questions, follow discussions, download guided tours, and give feedback on http://www.eCognition.com/community

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