Method and apparatus for eliminating artifacts in data processing and compression systems

A method of eliminating edge effects from a transformed image, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) selecting a wavelet basis function which approximates a sequence of data values wherein the sequence of data values define an image region and wherein a first data value in the sequence of data values corresponds to a first boundary of the image and a second data value in the sequence of data values corresponds to a second boundary of the image;
• (b) selecting a first predetermined number of data values inside the predetermined boundary region of the image region;
• (c) generating a polynomial having a predetermined order and having a predetermined characteristic inside a predetermined boundary region of the image region wherein the polynomial is representative of selected data values inside the boundary region, wherein the first predetermined number of data values correspond to at least twice the predetermined order of the polynomial;
• (d) extrapolating the polynomial a predetermined length outside the boundary region;
• (e) generating a second predetermined number of exterior data values from the portion of the polynomial extrapolated outside the boundary region of the image region;
• and
• (f) expressing the plurality of exterior data values in terms of data values inside the boundary region of the image region.