Wide-Angle Image Distortion Reduction via Spatially Variable Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide-angle images often suffer from significant distortions, including perspective distortions, bending of straight lines, and non-uniform scaling, which can make it difficult to accurately represent the real-world view.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves receiving a wide-angle image, identifying salient features, and calculating a spatially variable mapping to project the image onto a sphere or cylinder, using constraints such as conformality, line, and smoothness to reduce distortions, and then rendering the image in a two-dimensional plane using a least-squares method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a wide-angle lens is used to capture a larger field of view, then the field of view is improved, but distortion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a spatially variable mapping that treats different regions of the image differently. The mapping function adjusts distortion correction parameters based on local image characteristics and salience, allowing aggressive distortion correction in some regions while preserving others. This resolves the contradiction by enabling wide-angle capture while applying localized distortion management rather than uniform correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through a non-uniform, adaptive mapping function that varies spatially across the image. The mapping is not fixed but dynamically adjusts based on salient feature detection and local image properties. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain large field of view while adaptively correcting distortions where needed, resolving the trade-off between wide-angle coverage and distortion control.
2Area of moving object
If a fisheye lens is used to provide a wide angle hemispherical image, then the field of view is improved, but the image shape is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transforming the hemispherical fisheye image into a planar representation through a carefully designed mapping function. The system maps the spherical coordinate system to a 2D plane while preserving the essential geometric relationships and salient features. This dimensional transformation resolves the contradiction by enabling wide-angle hemispherical capture while producing a usable rectangular or planar output image shape.
3Area of moving object
If multiple overlapping images are stitched together to form a composite image, then the field of view is improved, but distortion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by processing the composite image by identifying and treating different regions independently based on their salience and distortion characteristics. The spatially variable mapping divides the image into regions with different correction requirements, allowing the system to manage perspective distortions in stitched composite images by applying localized correction strategies to each segment.
Data Source
AI summary
This specification describes technologies relating to digital images. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving a source wide-angle image; identifying one or more locally salient features of the source wide-angle image; calculating a mapping from the source wide-angle image to a two-dimensional mapped wide-angle image according to constraints using the identified one or more spatially variable salient features; and rendering the mapped wide-angle image using the calculated mapping such that the mapped wide-angle image reduces distortion of the locally salient features relative to the distortion of the source wide angle image.