Variational approximation of a second order free discontinuity problem in computer vision (Q2706229)

A version is considered of the functional proposed in [\textit{A. Blake} and \textit{A. Zisserman}, ``Visual Reconstruction'', MIT Press, Cambridge, MA (1987)] for computer vision problems. This functional depends on free discontinuities, free gradient discontinuities, and second order derivatives. It is shown that this functional can be approximated by elliptic functionals defined on Sobolev spaces. Approximation is done in a variational sense (namely, in the sense of the De Giorgi \(\Gamma\)-convergence) and extends an approximation procedure presented in [\textit{L. Ambrosio} and \textit{V. M. Tortorelli}, Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 43, No. 8, 999-1036 (1990; Zbl 0722.49020), and Boll. Unione. Mat. Ital., VII. Ser. B, No. 1, 6, 105-123 (1992; Zbl 0776.49029)]. An application to the problem of computing depth form stereo images is discussed. Some numerical examples are presented.