An interpretation system for cadastral maps

To create a spatial database for some GIS applications, it is a challenge to recognize automatically all the simple and complex map objects on scanned maps. This paper presents a robust map interpretation system developed to process Hungarian land register maps (cadastral maps). Processing starts with a raster-to-vector conversion generating a raw vector image from the scanned map. All recognition steps are performed on this raw vector image: segmentation, recognition of separated and not separated symbols, recognition of more complex objects (buildings and parcels). Finally, drawing quality is enhanced utilizing the recognition results. Interpretation is supported by a special data structure, called DG, ensuring dynamic description of hierarchical structures of drawing objects. This data structure is an essential part of our concept, therefore it is discussed in the paper.