An image algebra for pictorial data manipulation

Abstract Manipulation and transformation of symbolic images requires, in order to become efficient, various high-level data structures and procedures. This is especially true for applications of heuristic type. This paper introduces an image algebra which is based on symbolic projections and includes three fundamental aspects, i.e., a set of powerful relational operators, a generalized representation of "empty space" objects, and multilevel data representation for hierarchical data. Application to spatial reasoning is discussed.