Abstract

JIMENEZ-FERNANDEZ, Victor Manuel et al. Exploring the use of two-dimensional piecewise-linear functions as an alternative model for representing and processing grayscale-images. J. appl. res. technol [online]. 2016, vol.14, n.5, pp.311-318. ISSN 2448-6736.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jart.2016.09.001.

Traditionally, a grayscale image is represented as a rectangular array whose internal values describe a discrete level of intensity or luminance denoted as pixel. Due to its structure and complete compatibility with matrix operators, this representation is the most widely used in image processing. Although the strong robustness of this standard is not in question, it is always enriching to have an alternative description format in order to provide not only a different image representation scheme but also an additional approach to image processing. Motivated by this fact, in this paper the viability of using continuous piecewise-linear functions of two spatial variables as an alternative model description of grayscale images is explored. Moreover, the possibility of applying this type of representation in image processing is also examined by using mapping variable transformations, here denominated as functional filters. Furthermore, it is also shown that such alternative image model can also be used in more complex tasks like tridimensional volume estimation. To verify this proposal, illustrative examples are reported, showing not only an inherent improvement in the visual perception of image, but also a practical image processing capability.

Keywords : Piecewise-linear; Grayscale-images; Alternative-representation.