Concepts of use in contour map processing

ABSTRACT

Generalized techniques are developed whose use can simplify the solution of problems relating to contour maps. One of these techniques makes use of the topological properties of contour maps. The topology is represented by a graphical structure in which adjacent contour lines appear as connected nodes. Another generalized technique consists of utilizing geometrical properties to determine the characteristics of straight lines drawn on the contour map. Both of these techniques have been applied to the problem of locating the ground track of an aircraft from elevation readings obtained during a flight.

REFERENCES

• 1: FREEMAN, H. On the encoding of arbitray geometric configurations. IRE Trans. EC-IO, 2 (June 1961), 260-268.
• 2: FREEMAN, H. Techniques for digital computer analysis for chain encoded arbitrary plane curves. Proc. Nat. Electron Conf., Chicago, Illinois, Vol. 17, Oct. 1961.
• 3: S. P. Morse, Computer storage of contour-map data, Proceedings of the 1968 23rd ACM national conference, p.45-51, August 27-29, 1968 [doi>10.1145/800186.810564]
• 4: MORSE, S.P. Analysis of a contour map on a closed surface. NYU Tech. Rep. 400-123, Dep. of Electr. Eng., New York U., Sept. 1965.
• 5: Stephen P. Morse, A Mathematical Model for the Analysis of Contour-Line Data, Journal of the ACM (JACM), v.15 n.2, p.205-220, April 1968 [doi>10.1145/321450.321454]
• 6: MORSE, S.P. A topological approach to the problem of searching on a contour map. NYU Tech. Rep. 400-129, Dep. of Electr. Eng., New York U., Jan. 1966.
• 7: MORSE, S.P. Generalized computer techniques for the solution of contour-map problems. Ph.D. Diss., Dep. of Electr. Eng., New York U., Jan. 1967.
• 8: FREEMAN, H., AND MORSE, S.P. On searching a contour map for a given terrain elevation profile. J. Franklin Institute 285, 1 (July 1967).
• 9: Barry W. Boehm, Tabular representation of multivariate functions—with applications to topographic modeling, Proceedings of the 1967 22nd national conference, p.403-415, January 1967, Washington, D.C., United States [doi>10.1145/800196.806009]

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  G. Mathematics of Computing
  G.2 DISCRETE MATHEMATICS

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.8 Database applications
          Subjects: Spatial databases and GIS

  J. Computer Applications
  J.2 PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
      Subjects: Earth and atmospheric sciences

General Terms:
Design, Theory

Keywords:
contour lines, contour map, geometrical properties, graph of contour map, map, navigation, topological properties