703 
nostic 
ned 
A substantial research software system embodying accurate and efficient 
procedures and techniques for information extraction exists at ERIM. It is a 
» 
single system of flexible, user tested algorithms as well as research techniques 
still under development (whose use is optional). A computer-based data 
management system for fast data location and retrieval also is employed routinely 
sing 
ing 
As for the future, we believe that substantial improvements in the 
technology will yet be made and we look forward eagerly to participating 
in the further developments for the benefit of the users of these information 
systems. The potential of multitemporal coverage may lead to accuracy 
mplished 
user 
improvements particularly for agricultural surveys and possibly efficiency 
improvements as well if the ground observation requirements are reduced more 
than the registration requirement imposes. With the availability of satellite 
veys. 
" until 
coverage providing the needed repetitive data in quantity, the development 
of multitemporal techniques, already begun, can proceed. Spectral-spatial 
features also show potential for improvements over instantaneous spectral 
features. 
iqueness 
racy in 
ss and 
r 
s, and 
which 
assive 
Greater spectral coverage in more bands than ERTS-1 at some finer 
spectral resolution (narrower bands) and radiometric sensitivity (higher 
signal-to-noise) for automatic processing of future MSS satellite data may 
also yield benefits. S-192 was a step in this direction but finer spatial 
resolution may also be needed by the users interested in terrain as opposed 
to oceanography applications. 
ation 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
I wish to acknowledge my co-workers at the Environmental Research 
Institute of Michigan whose work I have drawn so heavily upon for this paper. 
2 eded. 
accuracy 
The work discussed here was performed by various ERIM staff, especially 
Robert Crane, Wyman Richardson, Richard Kauth, Richard Nalepka, Frank 
Kriegler, Ed Work, Norman Roller, and Fred Thomson. Various contracts supported 
the work, including NAS5-21783, NGR23-005-552, NAS1-11979, NAS9-9784, and 
Battelle subcontract to contract DAAK02-73-C-0438. This paper is largely 
iniques 
based on (Erickson, 1972) and (Erickson, 1974). 
>r 
without 
t to use 
:ome 
lented 
lations, 
iral 
i been 
.on. 
>ry 
REFERENCES 
Crane, R.B., Crimmins, T, & Reyer, J.F. 
1973: Feature Extraction of Multispectral Data, Conf. Proc. of 
Machine Processing of Remotely Sensed Data, Purdue Univ., 
P. 4B-6. 
Crane, R.B. 
1974: Adaptive Processing with a Decision-Directed Kalman Filter and 
Feature Extraction of Multispectral Data, ERIM Report 190100-31-T. 
Erickson, J.D. 
1972: Automatic Extraction of Information from Multispectral Scanner 
Data, delivered to the 12th International Congress 1972 of the 
International Society for Photogrammetry Civic Centre, Ottawa, 
Canada.