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Continuous representation methods, theories, and applications: an overview and perspective

delete2026-04-14
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PRE
AI
Y
Yisi Luo
X
Xile Zhao *
D
Deyu Meng *
DOI:10.1007/s11432-025-4819-5delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Recently, continuous representation methods have emerged as novel paradigms that characterize the intrinsic structures of real-world data through function representations that map positional coordinates to their corresponding values in the continuous space. As compared with the traditional discrete framework, the continuous framework demonstrates inherent superiority for data representation and reconstruction (e.g., image restoration, novel view synthesis, and waveform inversion) by offering inherent advantages including resolution flexibility, cross-modal adaptability, inherent smoothness, and parameter efficiency. In this review, we systematically examine recent advancements in continuous representation frameworks, focusing on three aspects: (i) continuous representation method designs, such as basis function representation, statistical modeling, tensor function decomposition, and implicit neural representation; (ii) theoretical foundations of continuous representations, such as approximation error analysis, convergence property, and implicit regularization; (iii) real-world applications of continuous representations derived from computer vision, graphics, bioinformatics, and remote sensing. Furthermore, we outline future directions and perspectives to inspire exploration and deepen insights to facilitate continuous representation methods, theories, and applications.
Keywords:
continuous representation
implicit neural representation
tensor decomposition
compressed sensing
optimization
convergence and generalization

Journal

Science China Information Sciences cover
Science China Information Sciences
IF:
7.6
Papers:
4.9K
Citations:
8.9K

Organization

M
mathematical sciences
Scholars:
383
Papers: 240
Citations: 0
M
ministry of education
Scholars:
3.7K
Papers: 1.0K
Citations: 0
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