Importance

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Abstract

To improve the quality of the raster scan display on a video monitor or two-dimensional infrared satellite cloud imagery so as to provide it with a three-dimensional appearance, the satellite data is computer processed to first convert from satellite image to Cartesian coordinates and then combined with localized weather information obtained from ground observations and radiosonde data, such weather information including temperatures, humidity readings, pressures and other earth conditions at gridded locations within predetermined global regions. In this fashion, the satellite cloud base and cloud top temperatures are determined and converted into altitude profiles at each of 640.times.480 pixel locations comprising the satellite imagery. The resulting raster scan bit stream is representative of a 3-D display of the cloud formations. By using time-lapse animation, a four-dimensional presentation, i.e., one including time as a factor, can be displayed.

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First Claim