Digital Perspective Correction in Image Capture Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image capture devices lack cost-effective methods for perspective correction without the need for orientation sensors, additional lenses, or lens adjustments, particularly when capturing tall subjects with a non-upright orientation.

Innovation Solution

An image-capture system with an image processor that applies a perspective-correction factor to image data using an image-processing algorithm, allowing for manual adjustment and storage of the corrected image with metadata, enabling perspective correction without additional hardware or sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bellows-type view cameras are used to control perspective, then perspective correction capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperspective correction capabilityVSAvoidcamera structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies digital copying by capturing the perspective-corrected image through a conventional camera and then applying perspective correction algorithms to the captured image data. This creates a digital copy of the scene with corrected perspective, eliminating the need for complex mechanical view cameras while achieving the same perspective correction effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical bellows and lens shift system with digital image processing. Instead of physically moving the lens or image plane to correct perspective, the system captures the image and applies computational algorithms to correct the perspective distortion in the digital domain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If shift lenses are used for perspective control, then perspective correction is improved, but lens quality and features deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperspective control capabilityVSAvoidlens feature quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital copying to capture the scene with a conventional lens and then applies perspective correction algorithms to the captured image. This avoids the need for specialized shift lenses while achieving perspective control, thereby maintaining full lens feature quality including autofocus, aperture control, and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical shift lens system with digital image processing. Instead of relying on optical mechanisms to control perspective, the system captures the image and corrects perspective through computational methods, preserving all the advantages of conventional lenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If the camera is repositioned to achieve correct perspective, then perspective accuracy is improved, but positioning flexibility and subject coverage worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperspective accuracyVSAvoidpositioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing the image first with the camera in its convenient position, and then applying perspective correction algorithms to achieve the correct perspective in post-processing. This allows the photographer to position the camera flexibly while still achieving accurate perspective correction through digital processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical requirement for precise camera positioning with digital image processing. Instead of needing to physically position the camera at specific locations to achieve correct perspective, the system captures the image and corrects the perspective digitally, providing both accuracy and positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If orientation sensors are added to digital image-capture devices, then perspective correction capability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperspective correction capabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies digital copying by processing the captured image data through perspective correction algorithms. This digital processing approach provides perspective correction capability without requiring additional physical sensors or hardware, thereby avoiding increased device cost while maintaining the ability to correct perspective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS7990412B2Systems and methods for correcting image perspective

Publication Date: 2011.08.02 SNAPTRACK INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for correcting perspective in an image are invented and disclosed. One embodiment comprises capturing image data responsive to light incident upon an image-capture device, wherein the image data includes a first perspective of a subject-of-interest, providing an image-processing algorithm executable by the image-capture device, the image-processing algorithm configured to generate modified data responsive to the image data and a perspective-correction factor, and executing the image-processing algorithm over the image data in accordance with the perspective-correction factor to generate modified data that includes a second perspective of the subject-of-interest.