Segmented Optical Distortion Correction for Helmet Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-order polynomial algorithms used for optical distortion correction in helmet-mounted displays are computationally intensive and difficult to implement in real-time systems, especially when processing video images, due to their high resource requirements and slow processing speeds.
Innovation Solution
The system subdivides the curved optical surface into smaller segments, characterizing each with a lower-order polynomial for distortion correction, allowing a computer processor to apply these segment polynomials to improve image quality efficiently, reducing computational complexity and enabling real-time processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-order polynomial algorithms are used for optical distortion correction, then distortion correction accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the curved optical surface into multiple smaller segments, each characterized by its own lower-order polynomial. This segmentation allows the system to use simpler polynomials (lower computational complexity) for each region while collectively achieving accurate distortion correction across the entire surface, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different polynomial orders to different regions of the optical surface based on their specific distortion characteristics. Each segment uses the minimum necessary polynomial order to accurately characterize its distortion, optimizing the balance between correction accuracy and computational efficiency for each local region rather than using a uniform high-order approach everywhere.
2Measurement precision
If high-order polynomial algorithms are used for optical distortion correction, then distortion correction accuracy is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the optical surface into smaller regions, the patent enables parallel processing of multiple segments simultaneously. Each segment can be processed independently with lower-order polynomials, significantly increasing overall processing speed while maintaining accurate distortion correction through the combined effect of all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lower-order polynomials (partial action) for each segment rather than applying the full high-order polynomial across the entire surface. This partial approach reduces computational operations per segment while the collective effect of multiple segments provides sufficient correction accuracy, thereby improving processing speed.
3Measurement precision
If high-order polynomial algorithms are used for optical distortion correction, then distortion correction accuracy is improved, but computing resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distortion correction task into multiple smaller sub-tasks, each handled by a separate lower-order polynomial. This segmentation reduces the computing resource requirement for each individual polynomial while the sum of all segments provides comprehensive correction, effectively reducing total resource consumption compared to a single high-order polynomial approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allocates computing resources efficiently by assigning lower-order polynomials to regions with simpler distortion characteristics. This local optimization ensures that computing resources are used only where necessary, reducing overall resource requirements while maintaining accurate distortion correction in all regions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for custom efficient optical distortion reduction where an image is pre-distorted based on the characterization of an optical system, so that when projected onto a curved optical surface the viewer sees a non distorted image. The approach involves characterizing an optical system with an optical distortion polynomial and then segmenting the field of view into smaller segments. Each segment is characterized with a lower order polynomial. The image is segmented and a computer processor applies distortion correction to each image segment based on the polynomial determined for the associated smaller segment. Alternately, two or more of the image segments may be processed simultaneously using a plurality of microprocessors. The data associated with each image segment is then stitched together to recreate a pre-distorted version of the original image.