verification and editing is here to stay, especially in difficult 
terrain and at large scales. Digital ortho-images are being 
produced routinely on a daily basis and are being inte- 
grated into geographic information systems (GIS). There is 
a need especially for large scale applications to use true 
ortho-images, i.e. to correct for effects from 3D topo- 
graphic objects. 
Semi-automatic extraction of GIS and CAD (computer 
aided design) data is still mostly restricted to research and 
development. Implemented algorithms combine computer 
vision approaches with rigorous photogrammetric model- 
ling. Some results indicate that future systems will be 
equipped with more powerful tools. The human-computer 
interface is increasingly being seen as an important factor. 
In practice, GIS and CAD data are often still acquired from 
film imagery using analytical plotters. The term ‘semi-auto- 
matic' is interpreted in at least two different ways: it is used 
to mean (1) post-editing of automatically generated 
results, and (2) a close interrelationship between human 
operator and computer in the actual data acquisition 
phase. Clarification of the term is needed. 
Photogrammetric and remote sensing imagery play a sig- 
nificant role in spatial data base revision. As compared to 
map revision, there are many more attribute data to be 
acquired. The research arena is starting to develop inte- 
grated updating concepts, including various data sources 
and automation. The workflow in practice is still highly 
manual and GIS data capture often occurs from paper 
plots showing the actual GIS objects, even though digital 
imagery might be used for acquiring the object geometry. 
Relatively little attention is being paid to data compression 
and its effects on photogrammetric and remote sensing 
processing. It is estimated that this topic will receive more 
attention once digital cameras become available. 
The major project of the WG was a multi-site test on the 
"Performance of tie point extraction in automatic aerial tri- 
angulation", carried out in co-operation with OEEPE. The 
final report of the test was published in December 1998 in 
the official OEEPE series No. 35, pp. 125-185. The WG 
also initiated and edited the theme issue 'Automatic Image 
Orientation' in the ISPRS Journal for Photogrammetry and 
Remote Sensing, Vol. 52 No. 3, June 1997. 
Progress, Achievements and Trends 
Commission Il has made good progress towards its objec- 
tives and these culminate in the ISPRS Congress in Am- 
sterdam. The main achievements of the 4 years can be 
summarised as: 
- Progress towards establishing Image Transfer Stan- 
dards though collaboration with OGC and ISO; 
- Test on Performance of tie point extraction in auto- 
matic aerial triangulation, carried out in co-operation 
with OEEPE; 
- Collaboration with CEOS in the areas of information sys- 
tems and services, calibration and validation and IGOS; 
- Promotion of technical advances in the areas of mobile 
mapping and integration of photogrammetric tech- 
niques with automatic processes, through workshops 
and other meetings; 
- Promotion of knowledge of SAR through tutorials. 
It is recommended that work in all areas of commission 
activity be continued and that collaboration with other 
organisations be intensified. In particular, there is a need 
for further study of techniques in GIS for efficient acquisi- 
tion and revision of geospatial information and for an 
increase in knowledge of Digital Photogrammetric Work- 
stations by making available training and information on 
the skills needed to select and use them. 
  
Technical Commission Ill: Theory and Algorithms 
Submitted by T. Schenk 
1. Mandate of Commission III 
The scientific agenda of a Commission is determined by the 
resolutions and the terms of reference. These resolutions 
have been translated into the following terms of reference: 
- Algorithms for geometric determination and analysis of 
photogrammetric data 
- Feature extraction from multi-sensor, multi-resolution, 
multi-temporal imagery 
- Image understanding 
- Integrated sensor orientation 
- Image sequence analysis 
- Algorithms for digital photogrammetric systems and 
their GIS integration 
- GIS concepts, with particular emphasis on integration 
of image data 
- Merging theories from remote sensing and computer 
vision to interpret multi-sensor, multi-spectral and 
multi-resolution imagery 
- Quality control, verification and performance meas- 
  
- 
© 
o 
ures of algorithms 
- Theory and algorithms for synthetic aperture radar 
2. Organisation of Commission lll 
President: Toni Schenk 
Scientific Secretary: Kim Boyer 
Administrative Secretary: Ayman Habib 
The position of the scientific secretary was created in order 
to have a direct link with the computer vision community. 
Kim Boyer is Director of the Machine and Robot Vision 
Laboratory at The Ohio State University. 
In order to effectively address the issues raised by the terms 
of reference, the following working groups were created: 
WG 1/1 Integrated Sensor Calibration and Orientation 
Chair Peggy Agouris 
Co-chair Ismael Colomina 
Secretary Anthony Stefanidis 
International Archives of Photogrammerty and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part A. Amsterdam 2000.