Method of preprocessing a map to produce simplified, digitally-stored data for subsequent processing and restoration of same

A prescanning data storage method of digitally recoding an image or map by humanly assigning optical values to said image or map, said image or map having a plurality of bounded regions for subsequent retrieval and processing in a data processing system, comprising the steps of:

• a) humanly assigning optically-readable values to an image or map by means of:
• (i) shading at least one interior portion of each bounded region in an image or map having a plurality of bounded regions with a first predetermined shade, and
• (ii) shading boundaries of said regions of said image or map with a second predetermined shade;
• b) machine-detecting said at least one interior portion and a boundary of said image or map;
• c) assigning a first value representative of said at least one interior portion and a second value representative of said boundary, which values correspond to said predetermined humanly-selected shades;
• d) storing said first and second values in a data processing system;
• e) machine-detecting a vertex point on said boundary;
• f) assigning a third value representative of said vertex point, corresponding to a predetermined humanly-selected shade;
• and
• g) storing said third value in said data processing system.

A "main-in-the-loop" method of redefining a map or image in digital form that is representative of precise locations of commonly bounded, fixed image regions for subsequent storage and retrieval, comprising:

• a) optically digitizing a map or image to fingerprint an interior portion of a region and a boundary on said map or image, at least one point of said region having a boundary having fixed coordinate values on said map or image, said digitizing providing data that can be easily stored and retrieved, wherein said at least one point of said boundary is a vertex of several neighboring regions;
• b) optically distinguishing said boundary of said region, said interior portion and said point of said region, from one another by respectively shading them with at least three optically distinctive tones;
• c) storing said data in a boundary file for subsequent retrieval;
• d) retrieving said data;
• and
• e) recognizing said region as distinguished from other neighboring regions on said map or image.

A prescanning method of digitally recoding an image having a plurality of bounded regions for subsequent processing in a data processing system, comprising:

• a) manually shading at least one interior portion of each bounded region in an image with a first predetermined shade;
• b) manually shading the boundary-separating regions of said image with a second predetermined shade;
• c) detecting said at least one interior portion and said boundary;
• d) assigning a first value representative of said at least one interior portion and a second value representative of said boundary, which values correspond to said predetermined shades;
• and
• e) storing said first and second values in a data processing system.