Digital Photogrammetry On An Advanced Data And Picture Transformation System (ADAPTS)

Digital Photogrammetry is a recently developed area in which classical photogrammetric algorithms are applied to digitized high resolution imagery instead of using film mensuration. The major advantages of this technique are flexibility in such staple photogrammetric operations such as pass and control point selection, data reduction and the ability to enhance images digitally before measurements are made. Disadvantages include large amounts of storage required to perform many of the photogrammetric tasks and image display and review capabilities required to perform these tasks - all in a cost effective manner. In this paper we describe the architecture of a system with all the attributes of speed, storage, cost and flexibility. The characteristics of this advanced data and picture transformation system (ADAPTS) that are especially tuned to the digital photogrammetry will be highlighted. Examples of at least three photogrammetric applications will be provided. The role of these digital photogrammetric techniques in visual system data base development (a unique non-cartographic application) will be described.