The Use of Algorithms of Piecewise Approximations for Picture Processing Applications

Algorithms for piecewise approximations with variable breakpomts can be used for picture segmentation. The high computational requirements of many of the algorithms whmh search for optimal solutions make them unsuitable for such apphcations A fast scheme using a sphtand-merge procedure is described for functions of both one and two variables. Examples of its application on pictures are given. The present implementation is only for piecewise constant and piecewise linear approximations without continuity constraints. I t can be readily extended to higher order approximations without constraints. Theoretically the spht-and-merge procedure can also be used with continuity constraints.

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