Patent ID: 8412724

Claim:
A satellite image retrieving system ( 20 ) comprising electronic input means ( 21 ), electronic retrieving means ( 22 ), and electronic storing means ( 23 ), the electronic retrieving means ( 22 ) being coupled with the electronic input means ( 21 ) and the electronic storing means ( 23 ); wherein the electronic input means ( 21 ) is configured to generate input data of a given geographic area and to provide the electronic retrieving means ( 22 ) with said input data; wherein the electronic storing means ( 23 ) is configured to store: (i) satellite images each representing a corresponding area of the earth's surface and (ii) for each stored satellite image, corresponding telemetry data generated and associated with the stored satellite image by a satellite that has remotely sensed the stored satellite image, said corresponding telemetry data including: (i) positioning data indicative of a position of said satellite when it has remotely sensed the stored satellite image, and (ii) remote sensing data indicative of a field of view and a spatial resolution of a remote sensing device by means of which said satellite has remotely sensed the stored satellite image; wherein the electronic retrieving means ( 22 ) is configured to: (i) store, for each satellite that has remotely sensed at least one satellite image stored on the electronic storing means ( 23 ), corresponding orbital data indicative of a corresponding space orbit of said satellite; (ii) select a satellite image stored on the electronic storing means ( 23 ); (iii) compute a space location of the satellite that has remotely sensed the selected satellite image on the basis of the positioning data included in the telemetry data associated with said selected satellite image and stored on the electronic storing means ( 23 ), and also on the basis of the stored orbital data corresponding to the satellite that has remotely sensed the selected satellite image; (iv) generate georeferencing data of the selected satellite image on the basis of the computed space location of the satellite that has remotely sensed said selected satellite image and also on the basis of the remote sensing data included in the telemetry data associated with said selected satellite image and stored on the electronic storing means ( 23 ), the georeferencing data being indicative of an area of the earth's surface shown in the selected satellite image; (v) check whether the given geographic area is represented, even if only partially, in the selected satellite image by comparing the generated georeferencing data of said selected satellite image with the input data; and (vi) retrieve the selected satellite image from the electronic storing means ( 23 ) if the given geographic area is represented, even if only partially, in the selected satellite image.