Abstract: A method for producing panoramic images whereby a shot is made from a desired shooting position, with the use of a camera having fish eye optics whereby the image is scanned and then digitized, images are transformed into a panoramic image with the use of a computer and software. The digital image is scanned by dividing the image into narrow radial segments, each of which is divided into a number of parts of equal length whereafter each segment part is depicted as a point on a straight line, whereby the grey tint of each segment part is corrected for the modified surface on which it is depicted. Apparatus comprises a camera with fish eye optics and a CCD matrix imager upon which the image to be obtained is projected, obtaining immediately an image in digital form.

Abstract: Method of surveying for the compilation of digital files of detailed, three-dimensional, topographic data, consisting of co-ordinates of points in the terrain and the corresponding topographic point codes, line codes and plane codes 1. From at least three successive station positions, either photographically or electronically panoramic recordings are made of the terrain surrounding each station position. Each recording contains the entire horizon, from the zenith to far under the horizon, so that a sequence of recordings are obtained. Compared to the local horizon-plane, the spatial directions are determined of points in the terrain to-be-defined using measurement means and calculation means, which allow the determination with high precision, of the distance between the center of the recording and points to-be-defined in co-ordinates and of the direction of the line between the center of the recording and the point to-be-defined in relation to a fixed orientation taken at random in that recording.

Abstract: A road inventory system includes a mobile unit and a stationary unit. The mobile unit includes a vehicle which has a metric database for delivering information relating to an area to be surveyed, a plurality of video cameras taking pictures of respective parts of the area on a first recording medium with associated address signals, and a data recording apparatus which records on a second recording medium relevant data from the database together with vehicle motion information, the data recording apparatus producing the address signals. The stationary unit includes a video display for reproducing on several screens the video information on the first recording medium, a data reproducing apparatus for reproducing the data recorded on the second recording medium and storing it in a data inventory system, and a data processing arrangement for combining and recording on a third recording medium a selection of the video and data information from the first and second recording mediums.