Dynamic comprehensive distortion correction in a real time imaging system

Abstract

A real time computer image generation system incorporating comprehensive distortion correction in which a predistorted image is computed and placed on a projection raster prior to projection onto a view screen in order that the image as seen by a viewer appears correct. A method for implementing comprehensive distortion correction in real time utilizes fixed transfer characteristics of a projection lens coupled with scene by scene translation of each of a plurality of predetermined points from a projection raster to a location on a view screen. Each image is divided into a plurality of spans and the span corners are mapped from the projection raster to the view screen. The location of image vertices on the view screen are determined with respect to the viewer and the vertices are mapped to corresponding locations on the projector raster. An image is then generated by locating the spans within which each of the vertices is positioned and constructing an image on the projection raster using the map span corners in viewer space and the mapped vertices in projector space. The reconstructed predistorted image is then projected onto the view screen so that it appears correct to a viewer.