Parsing Segmented Digital Images

Computer interpretation of images requires a decision on what to look for and a strategy exploiting this knowledge. A generic model for which objects make up the image is designed, assum ing low altitude aerial images. The generic model is exploited first to choose a representation of the image suitable for parsing, secondly for defining a parsing procedure. As representation, a segmentation is chosen consisting of segment boundaries plus descriptions of segment interiors. Segment boundaries are only of the kind recognized by the parsers, in this case straight line and smooth curve segments represented using strip trees. Secondly, this segmentation is used as an input to a set of parsers which use a list of properties of buildings in order to interpret the input. Both line parsers and region parsers are used. Each parser is successful for a limited task. A set of parsers is scanned until the parse is accepted in a consistency test. This strategy is chosen as it is considered easier to test if a parse is acceptable than to design a well performing general parser.