Visualization tools are being developed to allow the scientists, teachers and students to view and manipulate representations of the ocean floor directly on the screens of their desktop computers. Many different types of pictures can be examined, including maps, perspective views, pseudocolor imagery, shaded relief diagrams and 3-D stereograms. The raw data from which the views are created include bathymetry from multibeam and phase intererometric sonars and backscatter from side-looking sonars. Using electronic communication over Internet, the users connect from their computer (the server) into a client computer at Columbia University to begin the visualization session. The client returns to the user with menus and dialog boxes for the purpose of selecting the display type, map boundaries, color tables, fonts, data files, etc.. Moments later the representation appears in a window on the user's screen with computations run in the client computer. The user, given a responsive, intuitive and interactive interface, is liberated from the chores of locating and maintaining large complex databases and software code. The users find their work accelerated by an immediate response to a query and by a greater depth of understanding from advanced graphic representations of very large datasets.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS)
Application #
9120358
Program Officer
Program Director
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1992-08-01
Budget End
1995-01-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
$124,485
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rhode Island
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Kingston
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02881