AN IMAGE-ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC DATA-ACQUISITION FROM COLORED SCANNED MAPS

Many maps [an important source of information for efficient spatial da ta evaluation using a Geographic Information System (GIS)] must still be digitized manually, a time-consuming and error-prone process. There fore, we developed the processing of maps (PROMAP) system, which incor porates adequate image analysis. The system can generate a symbolic de scription of the map that can be imported into a GIS. A color scanner generates a multicolor raster image of the map. This image is split in to layers of predefined map colors. Each layer is vectorized and metho ds like neural network-based symbol and object recognition for the ext raction of attributed structure primitives and knowledge-directed imag e interpretation are applied. The map scene is structured hierarchical ly. The interface to the GIS is represented by the map objects at the upper levels of hierarchy. These investigations described are part of the interdisciplinary project Environmental Planning System. The scope of this project is the combination of data acquisition, the developme nt of an evaluation scheme, and GIS in an integrated concept.