Anamorphic Lens Distortion Modeling for Precise Image Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques are insufficient for accurately characterizing and correcting the complex distortion caused by anamorphic lenses, particularly in cinematographic applications, which hinders seamless integration of real-world and computer-generated imagery.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using polynomial relations to model anamorphic lens distortion, incorporating anamorphic lens distortion and entrance pupil models, allowing transformation between distorted and undistorted images, and a pinhole camera model for precise image correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing techniques are used to characterize anamorphic lens distortion, then the process is simpler, but the measurement precision and accuracy of distortion correction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the distortion correction problem by changing the parameter representation from simple radial distortion coefficients to a polynomial model with specific symmetry properties. The distortion function is expressed as a polynomial in x and y coordinates where only certain coefficients are non-zero based on the anamorphic lens symmetry, enabling accurate characterization while maintaining computational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a mathematical model (polynomial relation) that copies and represents the complex anamorphic lens distortion characteristics without requiring the physical lens itself. This virtual model can be applied to any image captured by such lenses, enabling accurate distortion correction and transformation without repeating the complex optical setup.
2Measurement precision
If complex polynomial models are used to accurately model anamorphic distortion, then measurement precision improves, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces computational power requirements by changing which parameters are non-zero in the polynomial model. Based on the symmetry properties of anamorphic lenses, only specific polynomial coefficients are non-zero, which significantly reduces the number of computations needed compared to a general polynomial model while maintaining high transformation accuracy.
3Productivity
If traditional distortion correction methods are used, then the process is faster, but the ability to seamlessly composite real-world and computer-generated imagery is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables seamless compositing by changing the parameter model to accurately represent anamorphic distortion characteristics. This allows computer-generated imagery to be transformed with the same distortion parameters as real footage, creating visually seamless composites while maintaining processing efficiency through the constrained polynomial form.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides apparatuses, methods and computer programmes to model geometric distortion in an image captured using an anamorphic lens. The apparatus may comprise one or more processors and memory storing one or more image arrays. Each image array may store a distorted image or an undistorted image. A distorted image is representative of pixel values of an image of a scene in a three-dimensional object space captured in a two-dimensional image space on an image plane by an imaging system having an anamorphic lens. An undistorted image is representative of pixel values of a distortion-compensated image of the scene in the three-dimensional object space captured in a two-dimensional image space in which information at locations in image plane in the distorted image have been transformed to remove the geometrical distortion effects of the anamorphic lens.