Image distortion transformation method and apparatus

1. An image distortion transformation method for transforming an original image by an imager having an original distortion profile to a transformed image optimized for a distortion processing unit, the method being used for creating an area of interest in the transformed image, the method comprising:

a) inputting the original image from the imager into the transformation unit;

b) inputting an original image distortion profile into the original distortion profile memory of the transformation unit;

c) inputting a target distortion profile into the target distortion profile memory of the transformation unit, the target distortion profile being different from the original distortion profile;

d) transforming the original image into a transformed image by transforming the distortion profile of the original image from the original image distortion profile to the target image distortion profile, the transformed image not being a linear scale of the original image; and

e) outputting the transformed image from the transformation unit.

2. The image distortion transformation method of claim 1 , wherein the area of interest in the original image is adjusted dynamically according to moving content inside the original image.

3. The image distortion transformation method from claim 1 , wherein the original image from the imager is a panoramic image.

4. The image distortion transformation method from claim 1 , wherein the original image and the transformed image have a similar field of view.

5. The image distortion transformation method from claim 1 , wherein the original image from the imager is composed of multiple images.

6. The image distortion transformation method of claim 1 , wherein the target distortion profile is selected by the transformation unit according to a parameter of the imager.

7. The image distortion transformation of claim 6 , wherein the parameter is the orientation of the imager.

8. The image transformation method of claim 1 , wherein the transformed image is outputted to a processing unit.

9. The image transformation method of claim 8 , wherein the target distortion profile is supported by the processing unit.

10. The image distortion transformation method of claim 8 , wherein the distortion profile is transmitted from the transformation unit to the processing unit or the distortion profile is transmitted from the processing unit to the transformation unit.

11. The image distortion transformation method of claim 10 , wherein the distortion profile is transmitted with the transformed image.

12. The image distortion transformation method of claim 1 , further comprising a display device, wherein the distortion profile is transmitted from the display device to the transformation unit.

13. The image distortion transformation method from claim 1 , wherein the transformed image is outputted to a display device, the method further comprising:

f) adjusting, by the display device, the inputted target distortion profile of the transformation method according to a specific application required by the display device.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the inputted target distortion profile of the transformation method is adjusted to modify the position, size or magnification of an area of interest.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the original distortion profile is inputted in the transformation unit either from a manual selection through a user interface, automatically from analyzing the content of the original image, automatically transmitted directly from the imager or hard-coded inside the original distortion profile memory.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the target distortion profile is inputted in the transformation unit either from a manual selection through a user interface, automatically transmitted from either the distortion processing unit, the display device or an algorithm unit or hard-coded inside the target distortion profile memory.

17. An image distortion transformation method inside an image distortion transformation unit used in combination with a distortion processing unit, the method being used for creating an area of interest in the transformed image, the method comprising:

a) a distortion processing unit configured to process a distortion profile;

b) an image distortion transformation unit transforming an original image to a transformed image according to said distortion profile, the transformed image not being a linear scale of the original image.

18. An image capturing system for transforming an original image by an imager having an original distortion profile to a transformed image optimized for a distortion processing unit, the system being used for creating an area of interest in the transformed image, the system comprising a transformation unit having an original distortion profile memory and a target distortion profile memory, the transformation unit being configured to:

a) receive the original image from the imager;

b) input an original image distortion profile into the original distortion profile memory;

c) input a target distortion profile into the target distortion profile memory, the target distortion profile being different from the original distortion profile;

d) transform the original image into a transformed image by transforming the distortion profile of the original image from the original image distortion profile to the target image distortion profile, the transformed image not being a linear scale of the original image; and

e) output the transformed image.