CAREER/EPSCoR: Geospatial Database-Driven Extraction of Information from Digital Aerial Imagery

该项目旨在提高从数字航空图像中提取空间信息的能力，方法是利用地理空间数据库支持和指导目标提取行动。它处理航空图像，表示已经存在先验信息或补充信息的场景。这类信息的例子包括预先存在的数字地图、数字地形模型和一般的空间信息系统。研究计划包括：(1)将图像与现有数据库进行匹配以检测变化；(2)分析数据库信息与图像之间的比例尺差异；(3)开发元数据结构，以传达地理空间数据库中包含的对象的准确信息。通过在空间信息系统的框架内嵌入目标提取过程，数字图像分析将能够利用从各种来源以不同格式提供空间数据所提供的优势，进而有助于提高这些来源所载数据的时间和数量质量及完整性。该项目的教育方面包括旨在利用项目研究进展并将其纳入研究生和本科生课程以及空间信息工程系高中推广计划的举措。还计划举办一个为期3天的研讨会，有美国和国际专家参加。综合起来，该项目涉及的问题将极大地推动数字图像处理和分析领域的科学发展，并将补充各种相关学科的并行进展，尤其是数字图书馆、地理信息系统和遥感技术。

This project aims at the advancement of the ability to extract spatial information from digital aerial imagery by taking advantage of geospatial databases to support and guide object extraction operations. It deals with aerial images representing scenes for which prior or complementary information already exists. Examples of such information are pre-existing digital maps, digital terrain models, and spatial information systems in general. The research plan involves: (1) matching images to existing databases for change detection; (2) analysis of scale differences between database information and image; and (3) developing metadata structures to convey accuracy information for objects contained in geospatial databases. By embedding object extraction processes within the framework of spatial information systems, digital image analysis will be able to exploit the advantages offered by the availability of spatial data from various sources and in diverse formats, and, in turn, contribute to the improvement of the temporal and quantitative quality and completeness of the data contained in those sources. The educational aspect of the project includes initiatives designed to take advantage of and incorporate the project research advancements in the graduate and undergraduate curriculum, as well as in the high-school outreach program of the Department of Spatial Information Engineering. A 3-day workshop, with participation of U.S. and international experts is also planned. Combined, the issues addressed in this project will substantially advance science in digital image processing and analysis, and will complement parallel advancements in a variety of related disciplines, most notably digital libraries, geographic information systems, and remote sensor technology.