LOC8

Introduction:
LOC8 is an application that allows the user to choose a specific pixel of color and insert it into the program in order to pinpoint that color in images. This program is used for search and rescue operations, allowing the search party to choose, for example, the color of the subject's shirt and search it over hundreds of images. This can help immensely to speed up the process during an operation where time may be crucial. For this lab, a pair of blue jeans and a black shirt were selected and used to find them in a large area (hundreds of pictures).

Method:

(Figure.1 - Color selection in LOC8)

(Figure.2 - Blue jeans located)

Starting with the blue jeans, a color was selected from the pair and a template was made in LOC8. (Figure.1) This color was then run through all of the pictures from the target area. LOC8 would then circle every instance of this color in these images. After the program was done generating, all of the images were then shuffled through to locate the pair of blue jeans. Once the blue jeans were found, LOC8 lets the user zoom in very close to ensure that the subject is in the image. (Figure.2) After the blue jeans were found, the same process had to be completed for the black shirt. A color was chosen from the black shirt and the template was made. Unfortunately, after a long search, the black shirt was unable to be located. The start and end colors for the black were narrowed to try and pinpoint the black shirt more precisely but it was not effective.

Discussion/Conclusion:
LOC8 is a very useful program for search and rescue operations. With it, teams can easily pinpoint targets with the use of color bands from sample images provided. Finding the black shirt and blue jeans took an extended period of time and were very tedious. A single person going through hundreds of images would be very ineffective, especially during an operation where time is crucial. With a team of people looking through the images, LOC8 can be immensely useful in the process.