Affine combination of B-spline subdivision masks and its non-stationary counterparts (Q981674)

A \textit{mask} is a sequence of real numbers \({\pmb a}=(a_i)\), only a finite number of which are nonzero; its \textit{symbol} is the series \(a(z)=\sum_ia_iz^i\). A \textit{subdivision scheme} is a sequence \({\pmb a}^k\) of masks; the scheme is said to be \textit{stationary} if the sequence is constant. The prototypical stationary subdivision scheme is the \textit{B-spline} of degree \(n\), whose symbol is \(b_n(z)=(1+z)^{n+1}/2^n\). Given a sequence \({\pmb q}^0=(q_i^0)\) of real numbers, a subdivision scheme generates a sequence \({\pmb q}^k\) of sequences via the rule \(q_i^{k+1}=\sum_ja_{i-2j}^kq_j^k\). Any real-valued function \(f\) generates a sequence \({\pmb f}^k\) of sequences by \(f_i^k=f(i/2^k)\); the subdivision scheme is said to \textit{converge} to \(f\) if the maximal difference between \({\pmb f}^k\) and \({\pmb q}^k\) goes to zero as \(k\) approaches infinity. In this case, one says that the scheme \textit{generates} \(f\); and if \({\pmb q}^0={\pmb f}^0\), then it is said to \textit{reproduce} \(f\). The authors first consider affine combinations of B-splines; that is, stationary subdivision schemes whose symbols are of the form \(c(z)=z^s\sum_{i=0}^M\lambda_iz^ib_n(z)\), with \(\sum_{i=0}^M\lambda_i=1\) and \(s\) an integer. An interpolatory subdivision scheme previously considered by the authors is recast into this form, and criteria for polynomial generation and reproduction are discussed. The case when \(M=4\), which includes previously known subdivision schemes, as well as two new families, is discussed in some detail. The authors then go on to examine non-stationary affine combinations of B-splines: schemes of the same form as above, except now the affine parameters \(\lambda_i\) depend on the index \(k\). The case when the corresponding symbols \(c^k(z)\) yield an interpolatory non-stationary subdivision scheme is briefly discussed; criteria for continuity to a desired order is given, as well as for exponential spline reproduction, are given. The special case when \(M=4\) is then discussed; this includes several known non-stationary subdivision schemes and one new scheme. Finally, the authors consider subdivision schemes of the form \(c^k(z)\) with \(b_n(z)\) now replaced with what they term a ``generalized B-spline''; this includes known schemes and results in two new ones. Even though a brief section on background material is provided, the article makes extensive use of other works, and is more suitable for an audience that is already familiar with subdivision schemes, exponential splines, and their symbols.