Non-Parametric Multiscale Curve Smoothing

Lowe 8 demonstrated a method for automatically segmenting and smoothing image curves by varying degrees. It was intended to remove noise and unnecessary fine detail, aiding subsequent processing such as grouping and matching. An alternative technique is described in this paper that is based on recursively subdividing the curve into alternative sets of sections. Rather than use thresholds on the values of curvature and its derivatives to determine the segmentation and degree of smoothing our technique is driven by three qualitative measures: (1) a criterion for selecting potential breakpoints, (2) a criterion for determining the amount of smoothing for curve sections, (3) a significance measure that determines which sections form the best selection. The advantages of the technique are robustness, scale invariance, and the absence of parameters.