Method and system for generating an image-textured digital surface model (DSM) for a geographical area of interest

1. A computer-implemented method for generating an image-textured digital surface model (DSM) for a geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain, the method comprising:

generating a digital elevation model (DEM) of both the buildings and terrain for the geographical area of interest using a computer;

providing a collection of optical images including oblique optical images for the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain; and

selectively superimposing, using the computer, oblique optical images from the collection of optical images onto the DEM of both the buildings and terrain for the geographical area of interest and based upon respective amounts of obscuration associated with each image at a given position to thereby generate the image-textured DSM for the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain for use in digital surface modelling.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein generating the DEM comprises using the computer to generate continuous gridded data of elevation versus position conforming to a predetermined position grid.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined position grid comprises a plurality of spaced apart posts.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the collection of optical images further comprises at least one nadir optical image of the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain; and wherein generating the DEM comprises using the computer to generate the DEM based upon the at least one nadir optical image and at least one of the plurality of oblique optical images.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the at least one nadir optical image comprises a pair of stereo nadir optical images.

6. A computer-implemented method for generating an image-textured digital surface model (DSM) for a geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain, the method comprising:

generating a digital elevation model (DEM) of both the buildings and terrain for the geographical area of interest using a computer by generating continuous gridded data of elevation versus position conforming to a predetermined position grid;

providing a collection of optical images including oblique optical images for the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain; and

selectively superimposing oblique optical images from the collection of optical images onto the DEM of both the buildings and terrain for the geographical area of interest using the computer based upon respective amounts of obscuration associated with each image at a given position and to thereby generate the image-textured DSM for the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain for use in digital surface modelling by

generating a plurality of polygons corresponding to the gridded elevation versus position data for the DEM, and

selectively superimposing the oblique optical images within respective polygons.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the polygons comprise triangles.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the predetermined position grid comprises a plurality of spaced apart posts; and wherein the polygons have vertices positioned on the posts.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the collection of optical images further comprises at least one nadir optical image of the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain; and wherein generating the DEM comprises using the computer to generate the DEM based upon the at least one nadir optical image and at least one of the plurality of oblique optical images.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one nadir optical image comprises a pair of stereo nadir optical images.

11. A computer system for generating an image-textured digital surface model (DSM) for a geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain and comprising:

a database for storing a collection of optical images including oblique optical images for the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain; and

a processor for generating a digital elevation model (DEM) of both the buildings and terrain for the geographical area of interest, and for selectively superimposing oblique optical images from the collection of optical images onto the DEM of both the buildings and terrain for the geographical area of interest and based upon respective amounts of obscuration associated with each image at a given position to thereby generate the image-textured DSM for the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain for use in digital surface modelling.

12. The computer system of claim 11 wherein the collection of optical images further comprises at least one nadir optical image of the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain; and wherein said processor generates the DEM based upon the at least one nadir optical image and at least one of the plurality of oblique optical images.

13. The computer system of claim 11 wherein said processor generates the DEM by generating continuous gridded data of elevation versus position conforming to a predetermined position grid.

14. The computer system of claim 13 wherein said processor selectively superimposes the oblique optical images by:

generating a plurality of polygons corresponding to the gridded elevation versus position data for the DEM; and

selectively superimposing the oblique optical images within respective polygons.