Frame-based modelling and image interpretation of topographic maps

A new method for automatic data acquisition from colored topographic maps is presented. Cartographic paper-based maps describe the real landscape in a symbolic and reduced form. The data acquisition from maps provides a spatial reference and a data basis for geographic information systems (GISs). GISs are data processing systems that are used in geographic disciplines, e.g. for environmental planning tasks. In comparison to known algorithms, the development of the interpretation strategy described has included both the modelling and the evaluation of recursive structures, conflicts and identities, and the enormous data amount caused by the high information density of topographic maps