Image Processing Cache Unit for Distortion Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing techniques require multiple iterations to determine and read uncorrected pixels for distortion correction, leading to inefficiencies due to the need for repeated processes, especially when using low-speed storage devices for large image data.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that determines a second pixel range of an uncorrected image necessary for generating a first pixel range of a corrected image, utilizing a cache unit to pre-read and store the necessary pixel range, allowing for faster correction processing by specifying positions corresponding to the corrected image pixels and reading the required pixel range before execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If uncorrected pixels are determined and read for each unit of image processing, then corrected pixels can be generated accurately, but the processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel determination accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and storing the mapping relationship between corrected image pixels and uncorrected image pixels before the actual correction process. The correspondence table is pre-computed based on distortion parameters, allowing the system to quickly retrieve necessary pixel data without performing complex calculations during real-time processing. This resolves the contradiction by preparing pixel location information in advance, maintaining accuracy while dramatically reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If low-speed storage device is used to store large image data, then storage cost is reduced, but the processing speed of reading image data decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage data capacityVSAvoiddata reading speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary uncorrected pixel data from the large image dataset based on pre-calculated correspondence relationships. Instead of reading entire frames or excessive pixel data, the system precisely identifies and retrieves only the specific pixels needed for correction. This extraction approach allows using cost-effective low-speed storage for complete images while maintaining high processing speed by reading minimal necessary data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculation of pixel correspondence between corrected and uncorrected images, storing this mapping information in advance. This pre-computation enables the system to quickly determine which specific pixels to read from storage without performing complex calculations during real-time processing, thereby improving data reading efficiency when using low-speed storage devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple iterations are performed to determine uncorrected pixels for distortion correction, then correction accuracy is improved, but processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by pre-calculating the correspondence table that maps corrected image pixels to uncorrected image pixels based on distortion parameters. This preliminary action eliminates the need for multiple iterative calculations during actual correction processing. The system achieves high correction accuracy by using the pre-computed mapping relationships while maintaining high processing efficiency by avoiding repeated iterations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3441934B1Image processing device and image processing method
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP3441934B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3441934B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A
  • EP3441934B1 patent drawingFigure 4B~5

AI summary

An image processing apparatus, which determines a second pixel range of an uncorrected image necessary to generate a first pixel range consisting of pixels in a preset range of a corrected image, includes a cache unit that determines the second pixel range and reads and holds the second pixel range from a memory before executing correction. Correspondences indicating positions of the uncorrected image corresponding to positions of pixels of the corrected image, respectively, are preset. The cache unit specifies a position of the uncorrected image corresponding to a pixel of one of four corners of a rectangular third pixel range including the first pixel range based on the correspondence, specifies pixel ranges of the uncorrected image necessary for generation of pixel values of pixels, respectively, at the four corners of the third pixel range based on the specified position, and determines a pixel range that includes a convex set including all the specified pixel ranges as the second pixel range.