Abstract: Information indicative discrete events of interest imbedded in raw data are globally classified, or filtered with respect to scale and changes in the scale of observation to effect intelligent perception of phenomena. Large scale components are classified as events while small scale components of an identified event designate points of occurrence of the event. The invention has broad application in artificial intelligence and signal processing wherein perceived discrete events, including minima, maxima, inflections, cusps, and discontinuities have a significance other than as noise. Methods and apparatus are described which utilize the subject invention in signal processing applications.