Methods and apparatus for selective pixel readout for image transformation

1. An imaging apparatus, comprising:

an image signal processor comprising a spatial transform engine, wherein the spatial transform engine is configured to transform a primary image into a desired secondary image utilizing a spatial transformation algorithm;

a camera module, comprising a plurality of pixels forming rows and columns, coupled to the image signal processor and configured to:

generate a pixel signal for each pixel from the plurality of pixels;

define a first subset of pixels from the plurality of pixels;

wherein:

the first subset is defined according to the desired secondary image; and

the first subset comprises a non-rectilinear outer perimeter;

define a second subset of pixel from the plurality of pixels;

read out a first plurality of pixel signals corresponding to the first subset of pixels to the spatial transform engine; and

discard a second plurality of pixel signals corresponding to the second subset of pixels prior to being readout from the respective pixels.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a wide-angle lens positioned adjacent to the plurality of pixels.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the primary image is non-rectilinear; and

the desired secondary image is rectilinear.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first plurality of pixel signals forms the primary image; and

the first plurality of pixel signals are transformed into the desired secondary image.

5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the non-rectilinear outer perimeter of the first subset is related to the spatial transformation algorithm.

6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first subset corresponds to the spatial transformation algorithm; and

the spatial transformation algorithm is selected according to the desired secondary image.

7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the desired secondary image comprises at least one of: a backup view, a trailer hitch view, a triptych view, and a split side view.

8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first subset comprises a plurality of rows, wherein each row comprises a starting pixel and an ending pixel; and

at least one edge of the starting pixel and at least one edge of the ending pixel forms a portion of the outer perimeter of the first subset.

9. A method for forming an image with an imaging apparatus having a lens, comprising:

collecting charge with a pixel array;

selecting a desired output image;

identifying a spatial transformation algorithm based on the desired output image;

identifying a first pixel subset of the pixel array based on the desired output image, wherein the pixel subset forms a non-rectilinear shape;

reading out a first plurality of pixel signals from the first pixel subset;

discarding a second plurality of pixel signals from a second pixel subset prior to being readout from the pixel array;

forming a primary image utilizing the first plurality of pixel signals from the first pixel subset; and

transforming the primary image to the desired output image utilizing the spatial transformation algorithm.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein:

the primary image is non-rectilinear; and

the desired output image is rectilinear.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the desired output image comprises at least one of: a backup view, a trailer hitch view, a triptych view, and a split side view.

12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the non-rectilinear shape of the first pixel subset is based on the spatial transformation algorithm and a shape of the lens.

13. The method according to claim 9 , wherein:

the spatial transformation algorithm corresponds to a plurality of pixel subsets from the pixel array; and

two of the pixel subsets from the plurality of pixel subsets are mirror images of each other.

14. The method according to claim 9 , wherein:

reading out the first plurality of pixel signals from the first pixel subset comprises sequentially reading out each row of the first pixel subset;

each row comprises a starting pixel and ending at an ending pixel; and

at least one edge of the starting pixel and at least one edge of the ending pixel forms a portion of an outer perimeter of the non-rectilinear shape.

15. A system, comprising:

an imaging apparatus, comprising:

a camera module, coupled to an image signal processor, comprising:

a plurality of pixels forming rows and columns; and

a lens positioned adjacent to the plurality of pixels; and

the image signal processor, coupled to the camera module, comprising a spatial transform engine configured to:

receive first pixel data from a predetermined pixel subset of the plurality of pixels, wherein:

the pixel subset is selected according to a desired output image;

the pixel subset forms a non-rectilinear shape having an outer perimeter;

construct a primary image utilizing the first pixel data from the predetermined pixel subset; and

forming the desired output image utilizing the first pixel data from the primary image and a spatial transformation algorithm;

a host processor coupled to the imaging apparatus and configured to:

receive a signal relating to the desired output image;

transmit a readout operation instruction, corresponding to the desired output image, to the imaging apparatus; and

transmit a reset operation instruction to discard the second pixel data, wherein the second pixel data is discarded prior to being readout from the respective pixels; and

a user interface coupled to the host processor and configured to display the desired output image.

16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein:

the primary image is non-rectilinear; and

the desired output image is rectilinear.

17. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the non-rectilinear shape of the predetermined pixel subset is related to the spatial transformation algorithm.

18. The system according to claim 15 , wherein:

the predetermined pixel subset corresponds to the spatial transformation algorithm; and

the spatial transformation algorithm is selected according to the desired output image.

19. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the desired output image comprises at least one of: a backup view, a trailer hitch view, a triptych view, and a split side view.

20. The system according to claim 15 , wherein:

each row of pixels in the pixel subset comprises a starting pixel and an ending pixel; and

at least one edge of the starting pixel and at least one edge of the ending pixel forms a portion of the outer perimeter of the non-rectilinear shape.