Automatic generation of built-up layers from high resolution satellite image data

Abstract

A system for automatically extracting interesting structures or areas (e.g., built-up structures such as buildings, tents, etc.) from HR/VHR satellite imagery data using corresponding LR satellite imagery data. The system breaks down HR/VHR input satellite images into a plurality of components (e.g., groups of pixels), organizes the components into a first hierarchical data structure (e.g., a Max-Tree), generates a second hierarchical data structure (e.g., a KD-Tree) from feature elements (e.g., spectral and shape characteristics) of the components, uses LR satellite imagery data to categorize components as being of interest or not, uses the feature elements of the categorized components to train the second data structure to be able to classify all components of the first data structure as being of interest or not, classifies the components of the first data structure with the trained second data structure, and then maps components classified as being of interest into a resultant image.