Distortion Correction Using Power Function Approximation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems face challenges in achieving high distortion correction accuracy while minimizing the amount of information required for distortion correction, leading to increased information complexity and variability based on camera specifications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves approximating distortion coefficients using power functions that represent distortion amount distributions as curved surfaces, reducing the number of required data points and coefficients, and storing these in a compact form for efficient retrieval and processing during image correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lens position steps are set finer or function order is increased to improve correction accuracy, then distortion correction accuracy is improved, but information amount of the table becomes enormous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distortion correction information into two parts: a small set of coefficient data stored in the table and calculation formulas that generate the full distortion amount distribution. Instead of storing complete distortion data for every lens position, the patent stores only essential coefficients (a1, a2, a3) and uses power functions to segment and reconstruct the complete distortion profile when needed, dramatically reducing table information requirements while maintaining correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the representation of distortion information from storing complete distortion amount distributions to storing compact coefficient parameters. By changing the parameter representation from full distribution data to condensed coefficients that can be mathematically expanded, the patent reduces the information quantity in the table while preserving the ability to accurately represent distortion across all lens positions through parameter-based reconstruction.
2Measurement precision
If lens position steps are set finer or function order is increased to improve correction accuracy, then distortion correction accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential distortion characteristics into compact coefficient parameters (a1, a2, a3) that can be stored in a small table. By taking out only the critical information needed to represent distortion and separating it from the complete distortion distribution data, the patent simplifies the information structure while maintaining the ability to reconstruct accurate distortion profiles through mathematical relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses power functions as mathematical templates that can be copied and applied to generate distortion amount distributions for any lens position. Instead of storing unique distortion data for each lens position, the patent creates a copyable mathematical model using coefficients and power function relationships that can be repeatedly applied across different lens positions, reducing complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
In a distortion correcting method for an image taken by an optical system, the invention makes it possible to increase the calculation accuracy of distortion of an image while reducing the amount of information to be prepared in advance. To this end, approximation information that is obtained when distortion aberration (A) of the optical system is approximated by a function (SA: A(f, d)) of a shooting condition (d, f) that is set in the optical system is prepared in advance, and distortion of an image taken by the optical system is calculated based on the shooting condition that was set when the image was taken and the approximation information prepared in advance. Though being small in information amount, this approximation information makes it possible to calculate distortion aberration under every shooting condition.