Wide-Angle Camera Chromatic Aberration Correction for Real-Time Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide-angle cameras used in vehicle imaging systems are prone to significant chromatic aberrations, especially in areas of high contrast, which current correction methods require complex and expensive hardware or unpredictable computational loads, making them unsuitable for real-time applications like vehicle mirror replacements.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects and corrects chromatic aberrations on tangentially oriented edges by pre-calculating and using lookup tables for edge positions, independent of image content, allowing for efficient implementation on low-power processors using different memory types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wide-angle cameras are used to capture larger area with limited number of cameras, then the field of view and information coverage are improved, but chromatic aberration becomes more visible and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively correcting chromatic aberration only on tangentially oriented edges rather than uniformly across the entire image. The method identifies specific regions (tangential edges) where chromatic aberration is most visible and applies correction algorithms only to those regions, while leaving other areas unchanged. This localized approach maintains image quality in corrected regions without degrading overall image characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by using different correction algorithms and parameters for different types of edges. Specifically, it applies distinct correction methods for tangentially oriented edges versus radially oriented edges, and adjusts correction intensity based on the specific characteristics of each edge region. This allows optimization of correction parameters for each local area to maintain image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex correction methods are used to reduce chromatic aberration, then image quality is improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task by dividing it into distinct stages: edge detection, edge orientation classification (radial vs. tangential), and selective correction application. This segmentation allows the system to use simpler, more efficient algorithms for each specific task rather than employing a single complex correction method for the entire image, thereby reducing overall hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by correcting only the portions of the image where chromatic aberration is most problematic (tangential edges in high-contrast areas) rather than applying full correction across the entire image. This selective approach achieves sufficient image quality improvement while minimizing the computational resources and hardware complexity required.
3Manufacturing precision
If full image correction is applied to reduce chromatic aberration, then image quality is improved, but processing time increases making real-time application difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing edge detection and classification before applying correction algorithms. By pre-identifying and categorizing edges (distinguishing between radial and tangential orientations) before correction, the system avoids unnecessary computation on regions that don't require correction, significantly reducing processing time for real-time applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by restricting correction operations only to tangentially oriented edges where chromatic aberration is most visible, rather than processing the entire image. This selective correction approach maintains image quality in critical regions while minimizing overall processing time, enabling real-time performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for reducing the chromatic aberration in an image, more particularly using a data processing apparatus or system for reducing the chromatic aberration in an image of an environment that has been captured by an image capturing sensor and which is supposed to be displayed to a user. In particular, this method can be used on an image that has been captured by a wide-angle camera with the aim of displaying it to the driver of a vehicle (passenger car, transport truck, motorcycle, etc.) in order for instance to replace the internal and external mirrors of the vehicle.