Abstract: A method for representing an image includes identifying characteristic lines of the image and the visual relationships among the characteristic lines. The visual relationships include proximities and crossings of the characteristic lines. The method further includes defining a background of the image, the background including a slow-scale background, background patches and background textures. Mathematical models representing the characteristic lines, the visual relationships among the characteristic lines and the background, respectively, are assembled and aggregated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for analyzing and processing images by identification of characteristic lines and corresponding parameters. More particularly, the method and apparatus transforms an image into mathematical models derived from the characteristic lines and parameters, based on repetitive image patterns. The parameters include central lines, signatures, cross-sections, characteristic strips, margins, end areas, fitting transformations and fitting sequences. Each of the parameters associated with the identified characteristic lines are representable by mathematical models, which accurately approximate the geometric and brightness (or color) attributes of the respective characteristic lines.