Segmentation of Plane Curves

Abstract

Piecewise approximation is described as a way of feature extraction, data compaction, and noise filtering of boundaries of regions of pictures and waveforms. A new fast algorithm is proposed which allows for a variable number of segments. After an arbitrary initial choice, segments are split or merged in order to drive the error norm under a prespecified bound. Results of computer experiments with cell outlines and electrocardiograms are reported.