MEETING OF THE AUTOMAP DATA BANK STUDY GROUP, 26 FEBRUARY 1969

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01153A000100010009-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 1, 1999
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: February 27, 1969
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release A000100009-1
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
27 February 1969
SUBJECT: Meeting of the Automap.Data Bank Study Group,
26 February 1969
25X1A9a
1. The group met for the sixth time on 26 February 1969. Pres-
ent at this working session were
The subject was retrieval and this was
subdivided into the hardware and software aspects.
2. The hardware aspects of retrieval began with a. description of
the proposed stages of Automap development. Stage 1 calls for the a-
daption of the plot and retrieval programs for on-line entry via the
IBM 2741 terminal. Data Banks I and II would be accessed. Stage 2
would use an IBM 2250 Visual Display Console to both input and view
the image. If satisfactory, the operator could signal for the creation
of a plot tape. The stages would be due completed 90 days and 9 months
respectively after the acceptance of the IBM 360 Model 67 computer.
25X1A9a =questioned the inclusion of Data Bank II in an on-line system at
this time. Allowing 50% compaction of our present format, 750,000
points could be put on one disk pack. However, Bank II calls for over
2,000,000 points and would occupy at least three packs. With only one
or two disk drives available to the system, Bank II seems incompatible
in the remote system anticipated. In brief, it can be assumed that on-
line retrieval via a keyboard is required and that the plot and retrieval
programs, index, and some of the data banks must also be on-line.
3. Turning to software, the group reviewed the retrieval events
25X6A observed in the - experiment. A chart; showing the event, desired
type of action, and comments was constructed.
Event Action
a. projection selected keyboard
b. frame delineated keyboard
c. center computed keyboard
d. scale chosen keyboard
e. plate separation established manual
f. separation elements picked manual
g. sub-elements picked keyboard
h. operator instructions prepared keyboard
Comments
items a-d must
be initial
planning process
planning process
will define below
incorporate with g,
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP79-01153A000100010009-1
 Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP79-01153A000100010009-1
IkL
The chart was made to emphasize the need to integrate the plot and re-
trieval programs. A consensus on this matter now exists. Operator
instructions,should be incorporated with each file to be plotted. At
the time of retrieval, plate and file identifiers, mode (pen, scribe,
light), line weight, and color would be entered. At plot time this
information would be automatically typed out on the teletypewriter
for the plotter operator before each file to be plotted.
4. The terms "sub-element" and "file" used above interchangeably
need further definition and amplification. Any map feature or group
of map. features plotted in the same manner and on the same separation
plate would be a file or sub-element. For example,a map grid, coast-
lines and rivers appearing on the same plate, or cities would all be
files to be plotted separately. These features can be derived from
the plot program (CAM), the data banks, or other records introduced
on an ad hoc basis for a particular map.
grids symbols
range rings characters
azimuths registration ticks*
circles
*used with every file.
The need exists to retrieve all items (coastline and
boundaries) for small scale plots at the world-hemisphere-continent
levels and selected items for larger scale plots at the continent-
region-country-locale levels. After discussion, it was agreed that
no change in the manner in which we process Data Bank I (ex-Small
Scale) is warranted. Even after allowing for an increase to a final
100,000 points, it is less trouble for the computer to process all
points and reject up to two-thirds than it would be to selectively
retrieve from the same Data Bank. Retrieval from Data Banks II (ex-
Page-Size) and the hypothetical III must be selective for two reasons.
The first reason is that selection is a function of design--there will
always be more data in these banks than will be wanted on any one map.
Secondly, selection will reduce computer processing time, plotting
time and
l
li
i
ti
f
manua
e
m
na
on o
unwanted detail. As we found out in
25X6A , index selection was primarily by feature and scale, and sec-
ondarily by area and line segment number. The update program estab-
lishes the criteria, usually feature, and then the qualifiers--scale,
area and line segment number. Three examples were cited from the
25X6A iiii exercise. The first one required the coastlines, islands, and,
lakes be plotted at the same line weight on the same plate. The re-
quest or specification read?,"Feature C, Feature I (Scales 1-4 only),
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RQP79-,Q1153A000100010009-1
 .a
Approved For Release 1920/09/081-6-S
/09/081 1 UJI1,104 IA0001000U0 09-1
Feature L." The next example specified "Feature B, Scales 3 and 6,
H 217 only to generate first order administrative and international
water boundaries in only.. The third example asked for "Feature
R, Scale 1 plus line segments 502103 and 502131+" to obtain a general
river pattern plus two other selected streams from the Scale 3 level.
The program for retrieving should be altered and the eventual struc-
turing will be dependent on the storage utilized.
25X1A2g
Two types of information to be plotted, other than that
supplied by the data bank or CAM, have been experienced. One type
may already be in machine form--cards, magnetic tape, or disk. These
could be in the Computer Center, Cartography Division, or supplied by
the map requester. Maintaining in or converting these to the Automap
format may be a problem considers the dynamic nature of some of the
files The second type is that point
data en ere on he keyboard with the map. This is presently handled
within the CAM system.
5. Session 7 will be in Room GH-08 from .0900 to 1045 on Wednesday,
5 March 1969. Retrieval strategies and storage will be the topics for
discussion.
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP79-01153A000100010009-1
71.11