Warp Map Distortion Correction for Low-Latency Image Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing pipelines incur substantial latency due to multiple stages of distortion correction and image operations, which is problematic for performance-demanding applications like image streaming and autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that consolidate distortion correction and image operations into a single stage by performing these operations on a warp map instead of the input image, reducing computational workload and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple stages of distortion correction and image operations are performed sequentially on the input image, then processing completeness is improved, but latency increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sequential stages (distortion correction, cropping, geometric transformation, stitching) into a single unified stage by combining their operations into composite warp maps. This consolidation maintains complete image processing functionality while reducing the number of sequential stages from multiple to one, thereby significantly reducing latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing composite warp maps that encode multiple operations (cropping, geometric transformation, stitching) in advance. During real-time processing, these pre-computed warp maps are directly applied to the input image, eliminating the need for sequential execution of individual operations and reducing processing latency.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple sequential stages are used for distortion correction and image operations, then processing thoroughness is improved, but system load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple image processing operations (distortion correction, cropping, geometric transformation, stitching) into unified composite warp maps. This merging reduces the number of separate processing stages and system components needed, thereby reducing system load while maintaining processing thoroughness through the integrated operations in the composite maps.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite warp maps serve multiple functions simultaneously: they perform distortion correction, apply cropping, execute geometric transformations, and handle stitching operations all in a single unified data structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall system load.
3Productivity
If warp map operations are performed instead of input image operations, then computational efficiency is improved, but processing complexity shifts to warp map manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces composite warp maps as intermediary data structures that mediate between the input image and the various image processing operations. Instead of directly manipulating the input image through multiple complex operations, the system uses these intermediary warp maps to encode and apply all transformations in a single efficient step, improving computational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a distortion correction method that integrates image operations. The method includes reforming a warp map through one or more image operations. The image operations include cropping, geometric transformation, stitching, or a combination thereof. The method further includes using the reformed warp map to transform an input image into an output image.