Interchangeable Lens Distortion Correction via Interpolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras with interchangeable lenses face challenges in distortion correction, as the varying specifications of lenses lead to different distortion characteristics, requiring extensive correction information, which increases data transmission time and reduces start-up speed, while reducing correction information accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The imaging device performs interpolation or extrapolation operations on the limited correction information held in the interchangeable lens unit to generate sufficient correction data for accurate distortion correction, ensuring high accuracy and convenience by reducing the need for extensive data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the amount of correction information is increased to ensure accurate distortion correction, then distortion correction accuracy is improved, but data transmission time increases and start-up speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential correction information (correction coefficients at specific focal lengths and aperture values) from the complete correction data set, storing only these key points in the lens unit while keeping the camera body capable of generating full correction data through interpolation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the correction information by representing the complete correction characteristics through a small set of key correction coefficients, which are then used to reconstruct the full correction data through interpolation operations in the camera body
2Productivity
If the amount of correction information is reduced to decrease data transmission time, then start-up speed is improved, but distortion correction accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation by storing correction coefficients at discrete, key settings (specific focal lengths and aperture values) rather than storing complete correction data for all possible settings, enabling rapid transmission while maintaining accuracy through mathematical reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary selection of key correction coefficients during lens manufacturing and storage, so that the camera body only needs to perform interpolation operations rather than receiving complete correction data, thereby accelerating start-up while preserving correction accuracy
3Reliability
If complete correction information is transmitted from the interchangeable lens to the camera body, then distortion correction accuracy is ensured, but the complexity of data transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the correction information into two parts: key correction coefficients stored in the lens unit and interpolation algorithms executed in the camera body, dividing the complex task of distortion correction into manageable components that reduce transmission requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A digital camera comprises an interchangeable lens unit and a camera body. The interchangeable lens unit is provided to form an optical image of a subject. A flash memory is configured to hold a correction coefficient table used to electrically correct distortion produced by the optical system. The camera body has a CCD image sensor, a correction coefficient acquisition part, an operation part, and a correction processor. The correction coefficient acquisition part is configured to acquire the correction coefficient table held in the flash memory. The operation part is configured to produce correction data by performing an interpolation operation or an extrapolation operation on the information obtained from the correction coefficient table. The correction processor is configured to correct distortion in the image data on the basis of information produced by the operation part.