Method for directly scanning a rectilinear imaging element using a non-linear scan

A method for providing a distortion-free image for use in an image processing system comprising the steps of:

• capturing, by a picture element sensor array, picture elements for a hemispherical/two-dimensional light image;
• and
• using a digital image transform processor for directly addressing the picture elements in a non-linear sequence determined by a de-warping logic circuit of the digital image transform processor in real-time to eliminate predetermined distortion introduced by the array and sending output data to vertical line averaging circuitry followed by post-processing circuitry.

A processing terminal comprising:

• an imaging system comprising a two-dimensional array of a plurality of picture element sensors for capturing a hemispherical/two-dimensional light image;
• and
• a digital image transform processor for scanning said array in a non-linear sequence determined by a de-warping logic circuit of the digital image transform processor for selecting an image portion, the digital image transform processor eliminating predetermined distortion introduced by the imaging system and outputting a real-time distortion corrected image and sending output data to vertical line averaging circuitry followed by post-processing circuitry, wherein intermediate storage of data in random access memory after scanning is avoided.

An image processing device for directly de-warping data collected by a plurality of image sensors using a directly addressable non-linear scan of a rectilinear imaging element comprising:

• the plurality of the image sensors, arranged to capture a light image to provide an array of data;
• a converter engine having a video input unit for providing camera synchronization, camera control and host control and timing and address generation and a video processing unit with a digital image transform processor, where the video input unit and the video processing unit are coupled to a random access memory multiplexer which receives the array from the image sensors, where the video processing unit includes a digital application specific integrated circuit for implementing a direct scan of said array by directly addressing selected pixels determined by a de-warping logic circuit of the digital image transform processor to select an image portion and use vertical line averaging circuitry to eliminate distortion of the light image and output a real-time distortion corrected image.