AD-RI54 966 REALIZING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THE VIDEO DISC FOR /

MAPPING AlPPLICATIONS(U) ARMY ENGINEER TOPOGRAPHIC LABS

FORT BELVOIR VA R B LAMBERT MAR 85 ETL-R-871

UNCLASSIFIED F/G 8/2 NL

-- 4.

A"~ 1322

L6,,.ou iIt~~ Woj

IL3 -

MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS.963 -A

. .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

S.. . ... .

UNCLASSIFIED* SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE (When Date Entered)

i EOT rU-ETTO READ DisTRucTIoNs 'REPO T D CUM NTATON AGEBEFORE COltPLE'rMG FORMA

"... l~l REPORT ]NUMBER 2.GOT " /b'ACCESSION NO. 3. RECIPIENT'S CATALOG NUMBER

Q TITLE (and Subtitle) S. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED

] .lealizing the Full Potential of the Video DiscEor Mapping ApplicationsE a g l i6. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER

AUTHOR(s) S. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER().

Robin B. Lambert

• PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT, PROJECT. TASKAREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS

IS Army Engineer Topographic Laboratories

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5546

.. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS 12. REPORT DATE

March 19851S. NUMBER OF PAGES

14. MONITORING AGENCY NAME & ADDRESS(If different from Contlrolling!Offce) IS. SECURITY CLASS. (of this report)

UNCLASSIFIED1Sa. DECLASSIFICATION/DOWNGRAOING

SCHEDULE

16. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of this Report)

*Approved for Public Release: distribution unlimited. BLEL CT"VA

17. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of the abstract entered In Block 20. It different trom Report)

". Is. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

C1_. Presented at 1985 ASP-ACSM Convention, Washington, D.C. March 10-15, 1985

. J ,IS. KEY WORDS (Coninue on reverse aide It neceo ,a., -n-4 Identify by block number)

*L.. I mapping displays

C optical storage9video disc

2&t'MAft Moct~us s reerse atob I nneesa an Identli by block number)

*Today, scientists at the US Army Engineer Topographic Laboratories (ETL) are in-vestigating mapping applications of optical storage technology. Research effort

at ETL gver the last several years have shown that a great-potential exists forinteractive optical video disc systems in storing and displaying maps, photograp s

and other graphic materials. ETL's resident demonstration video disc system hasserved well but cannot be easily adapted to new mapping applications. A new sysl embeing developed at ETL uses state-of-the-art Direct Read After Write (DRAW) vide,-disc technology for in-house recording of video discs. ETL's hybrid approach to

DO I , . , 73 Emu Or t NOV 65is OBSOLETE UNCLASSIFIED

SECURITY CLASSIFICATIOON OF THIS PAGE (Whan Date Stered)

UNCLASSIFIEDSECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF TH4IS PAS(Whm Dots thmetm

DATA STORAGE BRINGS ANALOG AND DIGITAL MAPPING DATA TOGETHER FOR THE FIRSTtime on the same video disc. Planning and production operations for video discsare being streamlined and cartographic standards are being developed to improvethe quality of video map displays.

A :ceslon Fo

'-C TAB E

1I

rS

SCCRIY CASIFIATON F HISPAE(M" O* nt-p

REALIZING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THE VIDEO DISC

FOR MAPPING APPLICATIONS

Robin B. Lambert

United States Army Engineer Topographic Laboratories

Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-55.6

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Mr. Lambert is a cartographer with the US Army EngineerTopographic Laboratories. A project engineer in theAutomated Cartography branch, he is currently responsiblefor developing mapping applications of video disc tech-nology. From late 1980 to mid-1984, Mr. Lambert wasemployed by the Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic/Topo-graphic Center in Louisville, Kentucky. He holds degreesfrom Bowling Green State University of Ohio (M.A. 1980) andthe State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A. 1978).

ABSTRACT

Today, scientists at the US Army Engineer TopographicLaboratories (ETL) are investigating mapping applicationsof optical storage technology. Research efforts at ETLOover the last several years have shown that a great.potential exists for interactive optical video disc systemsin storingtand displaying maps, photographs and othergraphic materials. ETL's resident demonstration video discsystem has served well but cannot be easily adapted to newmapping applications. A new system being developed at ETLuses state-of-the-art Direct Read After Write (DRAW) videodisc t.echnology for in-house recording of video discs.ETL's hybrid approach to data storage brings analog anddigital mapping data together for the first time on thesame video disc. Planning and production operations forvideo discs are being streamlined and cartographicstandards are being developed to improve the quality ofvideo map displays.

INTRODUCTION

For the past several years, scientists at the US ArmyEngineer Topographic Laboratories (ETL) have been investi-gating potential mapping applications for optical storagetechnology. These investigations have shown that the video

* disc Is a viable medium for storing and retrieving mappingdata. An interactive video disc system can provide theease and flexibility for maintaining a collection of maps,photographs and related information that civilian andmilitary users alike are looking for. There are

85*51 060

o o, . .

limitations to this medium, as our investigations at ETLreveal. The first mapping video disc project that involvedETL scientists back in 1983 proved to be a good learningexperience, helping to shape later investigations.

THE VIDEO DISC DEMONSTRATION SYSTEM

ETL's current mapping video disc system was originallydeveloped in 1983 for demonstrating the storage andretrieval capabilities of a micro-computer controlled plaserdisc player reading a video disc containing overforty-thousand images of maps, graphics and photographs.This video disc was produced in 1983 as one of ETL'sinitial optical video disc tasks. It represented a jointeffort with the US Army Corps of Engineers Water ResourcesSupport Center, the US Geological Survey National Carto-graphic Information Center and the US Navy Civil Engineer-ing Research Laboratory. The video disc contained imagesselected by each of the co-producers. This projectprovided ETL scientists with a good understanding of thelogistics involved in producing a mapping video disc.

The unique problems associated with putting mapping data ona video disc had not been fully known until actual produc-tion work had started. Problem areas encountered duringproduction, testing and evaluation include the lack ofcartographic standards for video maps, disc content,planning and production methods, software development andhardware compatibility. The completed video disc did, Lhowever, reveal the applicability of this medium for thestorage, retrieval, display and manipulation of mappingdata.

A second video disc, now undergoing test and evaluation, Lhas been produced with marked improvement in all areas overthe initial attempt. The second disc will serve to supporthighly refined demonstrations of the capabilities of inter-active video disc systems. It is important to rememberthat both of these discs are designed as demonstrators;that is, they are not intended to be used apart from thevideo disc demonstration system. They are dependent on thesoftware that has been developed to provide specificcomputer-controlled demonstrations. The software will onlyrun on our custom-built micro-computer, thereby restrictingat least the initial demonstrations to be performed on theETL facility. .

Recognizing the limitations of our present system, itbecame clear that a more versatile and expandable systemwas needed. Central to this concept was the desire to keepit simple, using compatible off-the-shelf components.State-of-the-art hardware would be needed. A user-friendlymicro-computer compatible with other systems and manyperipherals, and capable of running many programs, would beessential to this system. Direct Read After Write (DRAW)technology was considered essential for the video disccomponent of the system. This technology would allowin-house recording of video discs without having to

in-house

• '.l' ".'. '-'.-'. . ,_'._'._'._Z.'.'_'2. "-'%"," ". .. "."... .''.."...............".."."."."."-..."-.....-...."-..".."..".......".....",""..."..",.....

contract out for disc mastering and replication services.A plan was formulated that addressed all of the issuespertinent to designing a system that was not limited toproviding just a small number of canned demonstrations.The system would be a testbed for wide,-ranging mapping andmap-related applications.

Such a system would be needed to exploit the true potentialof the video disc for'mapping applications. Up to thispoint, disc content had been limited to video images storedin analog form. Why not expand the range of mapping datastored on the disc by adding digital data? Digital terrainelevation data (DTED) was determined to be a good candidatefor storage on a DRAW video disc. Once it is stored on thedisc, DTED can then be used to generate 3-D perspectiveviews corresponding to the video map images stored on thedisc and generate terrain masking displays for fields offire. The software needed to generate these displays isalready available and will be modified to run on our

-system.

THE HYBRID DRAW VIDEO DISC SYSTEM

Interest in developing and demonstrating more fully thepotential of video disc technology for mapping applicationson a more powerful video disc system culminated in twostudies. The first study, underway since late 1984, hasconcentrated on the storage, retrieval, manipulation anddisplay of digital data using a DRAW video disc system.This has been named the Hybrid DRAW study since, for thefirst time at ETL, digital data bases have been stored onthe video disc with the analog images of maps; photographsand text. In addition, the operating system software wouldbe stored on that same disc. Also considered in this studyare functional/performance requirements, and a costanalysis.

A closer look at the Hybrid DRAW study reveals thedirection that our video disc program is headed. We areheading toward the development of a potentially effectivetactical decision aid and briefing tool. To accomplishthis, we have identified three (3) characteristics for all-new system.

Initially, the video disc must be integrated into a micro-computer controlled system. While this may appear to be anobvious conclusion, the only way to realize the fullpotential of an interactive video disc system is to developsoftware for the micro-computer that will access mostefficiently the stored mapping information. For example,the same information stored on the video disc can beaccessed in a different way or sequence for each user. Asingle video disc or a set of video discs can be accessedby any number of users; each one accessing the disc ordiscs with his own application software.

Secondly, informativn stored on the disc must be categor-ized as to its permanence. The read-only replicated discis a permanent storage medium. The resident information isunalterable and cannot be erased. This holds true for DRAW

'. . , . .

video discs as well. The DRAW disc can have informationadded, provided there are blank tracks available. Foreither type, however, the resident information is per-manent. This being the case, mapping information destinedfor video disc storage should be viewed as being permanentand not requiring frequent changes. Planimetric bases,relief data, and topographic features may not changeoften. On the other hand, cultural features, such astransportation networks, obviously are more dynamic. Theremust be a provision for updating any dynamic informationstored on the video disc. A magnetic disc may be needed tomaintain a record of updates until a video disc can beprepared that contains the updated map graphics or text.

Knowing the relative permanence of the information storedon the video disc can be part of a strategy to segregatemapping information. Static information can reside on adisc that will be filled to capacity. Dynamic informationcan be spread over several discs, each having a pre-determined number of blank tracks to accommodate updates.There are two drawbacks to this approach. Storing dynamicinformation on several partially-filled video discs reducesstorage available for permanent information for each discand also requires having two or more disc players inoperation at the same time for immediate access of anyavailable information. There may be applications for whichthis approach is acceptable, and we will look into thisfurther. For our hybrid DRAW system, regardless of how thevideo disc storage space is allocated, it appears thatuntil an erasable video disc is available a magnetic discwill have to be incorporated into the system to maintainfiles for updating.

Thirdly, the video disc system must meet certain high-levelcriteria. System compatability and flexibility arenecessary. This will be largely determined through G;oodchoices of hardware and software. Flexible softwareprograms will be needed for information management. Thestorage and retrieval of analog and digital mappinginformation is necessary. The hybrid approach toinformation storage, as already described, will be adoptedhere. In-house recording of this information on a DFAWvideo disc is necessary for future applications develop-ment.

The second study, for the Hybrid DRAW system, will evaluatethe specific software and hardware choices made in thefirst study. The impact of these choices on issues such asframe referencing and hardcopy output of displayinformation will be examined.

VIDEO DISC PLANNING AND PRODUCTION

Commercial video disc production, mastering and replicationprocedures are well-known and are considered very reli-able. Exacting mapping requirements, however, can disruptan otherwise smooth video production. In the discussion ofETL's first mapping video disc, planning and productionwere two operations identified as problem areas. Thisneedn't be so. Planning and producing a mapping video disc

.,..................... .... "

should be functions of the application for which it isintended. A well-defined application or set ofapplications will dictate a disc layout that is best-suitedfor the Job. Tight production specifications designed forthat application or set of applications can keep costs to aminimum and reduce turn-around time. This was evidencedduring the production of our second video disc. Difficultfilming sessions and an inferior product can usually betraced back to (a) a poor concept of what the video discwas intended for, (b) inadequate planning and scheduling,or (c) both. ETL scientists have prepared a comprehensivestandards document for the production of optical videodiscs to minimize future problems.

An example of a production operation that calls forextensive planning is that of filming the panning andzooming sequences for a mapping video disc. The NationalTelevision Standards Committee (NTSC) 525-line broadcastvideo format poses a serious limitation to preserving finedetail on maps and graphics. The low resolution displaysof standard television monitors do not faithfully reproducemaps in full detail at original map scale. Therefore,small map sections must be filmed, appearing as greatly-enlarged images when accessed from the completed video discand displayed on the monitor. Early ETL research led tothe filming of 2" x 3" map units for finely detailed,1:50,000 scale topographic maps. To assist the user inreading the map, now dissected into hundreds of smallunits, panning and zooming techniques were devised. Zoomtechniques allow the user to locate oneself on a larger,less readable map section, and then move in for a closerlook at a selected 2" x 3" map unit that fills thescreen. Panning techniques allow the user to move aroundthe map at a particular zoom level. Smoothness of thepanning operation is a function of the amount cf frame-to-frame overlap. Horizontal land vertical panning directionsare standard although diagonal panning is also possiblewith additional filming. Both the panning and zoomingtechniques have been researched, developed and applied atETL and elsewhere and will not be addressed further here.One factor common to all panning and zooming techniquesused in the display of maps from video discs is that theyinvolve sequential accessing of stored frames, i.e., theydo not represent digital movements. The panning andzooming sequences must be finalized before filmingbegins. The filming process itself has been automatedlargely with computer-controlled camera systems. Theiraccuracies make possible excellent frame-to-frameregistration for the 75 percent overlap frame sequencesprovided the materials are properly edge-matched andmosaicked prior to filming.

In-house recording sessions using DRAW video discs may notachieve the same accuracy as commercially-prepared discs,especially if the maps, photographs and text materials arebeing recorded directly from a video camera input. Specialin-house techniques may have to be devised as applicationsof DRAW video disc technology are explored further.

.. . . . . . . .. . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..-."-., -"''""-'"".-.-.--> .--' -[,1-" '' ",.-'""'-."" ." ". -. '.."'."'",,"--..".. ," .,''"-'"..' ,, ,.,"..

CARTOGRAPHIC STADARDS.

ETL's development of mapping applications for the videodisc has fostered two map graphics design studies. Thesestudies are concerned with identifying the cartographicproducts tk)at are best-suited for video display. A basicmap graphics study was completed in mid-1984. This studydefined the now well-known 2" x 3" map capture unit for "filming 1:50,000 scale topographic products. The studyindicated that more research was necessary to identify theoptimum sizes for map symbols and lettering. The influenceof color on video map images was identified as a factorthat could affect map communication. De-clutteringstandard map products was suggested as a way to simplify.the video images for overlaying with computer graphicsdisplays. An advanced map graphics study, now underway, isaddressing these cartographic concerns.

The principal issue in designing maps for video display islegibility. Point, line and area symbology, lettering andcolor usage are all factors that will be tested and evalu-ated for ease of recognition and visual communication whenmaps are viewed on a standard television monitor. Thesubject of the advanced graphics study is a 1:50,000 scaletopographic map product.

Symbol types and sizes will be tested and evaluated forvideo display. Type styles and sizes will be treated inthe same way. Re-orientation of symbols and type on themap sheet will be attempted in an effort to improvelegibility in particularly dense areas. Tests will oeconducted to identify any map color that is either intensi-fied or subdued by the video system and identify any coloron the display that is not being interpreted as the coloron the original map.

Scale indicators will be evaluated and cne will be selectedfor use on video map frames. Intuitive reasoning favorsthe graphic bar scale through fractional and represertativefraction scale indicators will be tested and evaluated aswell. Size, placement, color and ease of re-locatior, onthe screen are all factors to be considered.

Finally, de-cluttered color proofs of the entire 1:50,000scale map sheet will be prepared. These will be made fromcolor separation negatives and feature separates, preparedfrom these negatives, to maximize the number of possiblecombinations. The negatives will be re-composited withwith one or more separates deleted to make the de-clutteredcolor proofs. Sections from each of the color proofs willthen be filmed and displayed on a standard televisionmonitor and the images will then be evaluated for ease ofrecognition and visual communication. This advanced mapgraphics study, when completed, will provide the basis forthe careful selection and preparation of maps for videodisplay.

.~~° . •. . . ..

CONCLUSION

The video disc program at ETL is growing and much progresshas been made already in developing mapping applications ofthis technology with out video disc demonstrators. We areinvolved in technology transfer with government agenciesand businesses more frequently now that general interest inoptical media widens. Future studies of the video disc atETL will need to be responsive to practical field applica-tions. Potential users within the US Government willcontinue to be identified and briefed on our system and ourin-house capability to develop/identify mapping and map-related applications. We will continue to refine our videodisc system and intensify our efforts to stay abreast ofadvances in technology. The anticipated release of acommercially-available erasable video disc in the next fewyears is expected to foster development of new mappingapplications. Further down the road, the optical disc mayhold the key to total digital storage, retrieval, displayand manipulation of mapping information. Wherever futureresearch in optical storage technology leads, ETL scien- -tists will be there to identify, demonstrate and developinnovative mapping applications.

..

FILMED

7-85

DTIC