Abstract: A coarse or rough segmentation apparatus has been developed for use in a sensor system for analyzing half-tone images. In contrast with previously employed methods, the apparatus is based on the pipeline principle. In the image picked up by the camera, edges of an object are represented in the form of a sequence of points of high contrast as compared with the surroundings. These edges are initially sought out and tracked by so-called edge tracking. Subsequently, in a rough or coarse segmentation, this line is divided into as large as possible contiguous pieces or sections of equal curvature and pieces or sections with a strong directional change.