Semi-automatic detection of cartographic objects Semi-automatic detection of cartographic objects in digital images

A computer system for semi-automatic detection of specific 2-D objects in digital images of cartographic maps is presented. The system design combines image analysis methods with computer graphics and data base technologies. The purpose of this application system is to speed up the work of a cartographician, to increase its efficiency and to transform cartograhpic maps into a symbolic, vektorbased shape, i.e. to represent them in a general purpose data base. Thus, three main system modules are described: image analysis, graphic editor and data base administration. Up to now the object types being detected are: roads, cities, textured areas and some characteristic signs.