Patent Publication Number: US-7220001-B2

Title: Defect correction based on “virtual” lenslets

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present application relates, in general, to imaging. 
   SUMMARY 
   In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to: capturing a primary image representation with a photo-detector array at a primary position; associating a primary set of discrete portions of the primary image representation with one or more defined virtual lenslets of a lens; moving the photo-detector array to another position; capturing another image representation with the photo-detector array at the other position; associating another set of discrete portions of the other image representation with the one or more defined virtual lenslets of the lens; and assembling an image from those virtual lenslet associated portions of the primary and the other image representation that have relatively sharper focuses. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. 
   In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. 
   In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to: a lens associated with one or more virtual lenslets; a controller configured to position a photo-detector array at a primary and another position; an image capture unit configured to capture a primary image at the primary position and another image at the other position; and an image construction unit configured to utilize at least a part of the one or more virtual lenslets in association with at least one of the primary image and the other image. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. 
   In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system aspects are set forth and described in the text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present application. 
   The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes described herein, as defined by the claims, will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  shows a front-plan view of image  100  of a person (e.g., person  202  of  FIG. 2 ) projected onto photo-detector array  102 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side-plan view of lens system  200  that can give rise to image  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of lens  204  positioned to focus light onto an imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the perspective view of  FIG. 3  wherein exemplary “virtual lenslets” are illustrated. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the perspective view of  FIG. 4  wherein projections of the exemplary virtual lenslets onto the imaging surface of photo-detector array  102  are illustrated. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a high level logic flowchart of a process. Method step  600  shows the start of the process. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  depict partial perspective views of the system of  FIG. 2  wherein photo-detector array  102  is being moved in accordance with aspects of processes shown and described herein (e.g., in relation to  FIG. 6 ). 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  wherein photo-detector array  102  is being moved in accordance with aspects of processes shown and described herein (e.g., in relation to  FIG. 6 ). 
   

   The use of the same symbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identical items. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   With reference to the figures, and with reference now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a front-plan view of image  100  of a person (e.g., person  202  of  FIG. 2 ) projected onto photo-detector array  102 . Image  100  is shown as distorted due to defects in a lens through which image  100  has been projected (e.g., lens  204  of lens system  200  of  FIG. 2 ). First portion  104  of image  100  is illustrated as large and blurry, which can occur when a lens defect causes portion  104  of image  100  to come to a focus in front of a surface of photo-detector array  102 . Second, third, and fourth portions  106  are illustrated as right sized, which can occur when the lens causes portions  106  of image  100  to correctly focus on an imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 . Fifth portion  108  is shown as small and faint, which can occur when a lens defect causes portion  108  of image  100  to come to a focus (virtual) behind an imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 . In addition, although not expressly shown, those having skill in the art will appreciate that various lens defects could also cause the image to be distorted in x-y; those having skill in the art will also appreciate that different colored wavelengths of light can in and of themselves focus at different positions due to differences in refraction of the different colored wavelengths of light. In addition, although not expressly shown herein, those having skill in the art will appreciate that the subject matter disclosed herein may serve to remedy misfocusings/distortions arising from defects other than lens defects, such as, for example, defects in the imaging surface of photo-detector array  102  and/or defects in frames that hold one or more lenses. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , depicted is a side-plan view of lens system  200  that can give rise to image  100  of  FIG. 1 . Lens  204  of lens system  200  is illustrated as located at a primary position and having defects that give rise to the five different portions of image  100  shown and described in relation to  FIG. 1 . First portion  104  of image  100  is illustrated as focused in front of an imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 . Second, third, and fourth portions  106  are illustrated as right sized and focused on an imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 . (It is recognized that in side plan view the head and feet of person  202  would appear as lines; however, for sake of clarity, they are shown in profile in  FIG. 2  to help orient the reader relative to  FIG. 1 .) Fifth portion  108  is shown as small and faint, and virtually focused behind an imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 . In addition, although not expressly shown herein, those having skill in the art will appreciate that the subject matter of  FIG. 2  is also illustrative of those situations in which one or more individual photo-detectors forming part of the imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 —rather than one or more lenses of lens system  200 —deviate from one or more predefined positions by amounts such that image misfocuses/distortions arising from such deviations are unacceptable. That is, insofar as image misfocusing and/or distortion could just as easily arise from photo-detector array  102  having mispositioned photo-detectors as from lens system  200  having mispositioned/defective lenses, the subject matter disclosed herein may serve to remedy misfocusings/distortions arising from defects in the imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 . 
   Continuing to refer to  FIG. 2 , further shown are components that can serve as an environment for one or more processes shown and described herein. Specifically, controller  208  is depicted as controlling the position of photo-detector array  102  (e.g., via use of a feedback control subsystem). Image capture unit  206  is illustrated as receiving image data from photo-detector array  102  and receiving control signals from controller  208 . Image capture unit  206  is shown as transmitting captured image information to focus detection unit  210 . Focus detection unit  210  is depicted as transmitting focus data to image construction unit  212 . Image construction unit  212  is illustrated as transmitting a composite image to image store/display unit  214 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is a perspective view of lens  204  positioned to focus light onto an imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 . The focused light is illustrated as projecting a geometric pattern  300  onto the imaging surface of photo-detector array  102  that is more or less the same shape as lens  204 . Image  100  (e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is shown being projected within the confines of geometric pattern  300 . As noted, lens  204  gives rise to portions  104 ,  106 , and  108  of image  100 . The inventors have discovered that the misfocused/distorted portions  104  and  108  can be corrected by using a virtual lens technique. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , shown is the perspective view of  FIG. 3  wherein exemplary “virtual lenslets” are illustrated. Lens  204  is depicted as having inscribed within it several small circles that may be conceived of as “virtual lenslets”  400 . The term “virtual” is used herein to indicate that in most instances these virtual lenslets are conceptual overlays (e.g., mathematical constructs) onto at least a portion of the actual physical lens  204 . In various implementations, the overlays are done mathematically and/or computationally. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 5 , depicted is the perspective view of  FIG. 4  wherein projections of the exemplary virtual lenslets onto the imaging surface of photo-detector array  102  are illustrated. Virtual lenslets  400  are shown as geometrically projected within the confines of geometric pattern  300  on the imaging surface of photo-detector array  102 . In various implementations, the projections are done mathematically and/or computationally. 
   As noted elsewhere herein, lens defects and/or other factors may give rise to z-axis misfocusing and/or x-y plane distortion in all or part of image  100 . In one implementation, all or part of such z-axis misfocusing and/or x-y plane distortion is corrected by using one or more virtual lenses in conjunction with tilting and/or rotation of photo-detector array  102 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , depicted is a high level logic flowchart of a process. Method step  600  shows the start of the process. Method step  601  depicts associating/generating virtual lenslets that overlay a lens at a known position. For example, for any particular lens, a pre-stored set of virtual lenses for such a particular lens might be recalled or might be calculated in near real-time. In some instances, the calculation is keyed to image requirements (e.g., higher resolution requirements would typically engender more virtual lenslets and lower resolution requirements would typically engender fewer virtual lenslets). 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2 , one specific example of method step  601  ( FIG. 6 ) would be image capture unit  206  recalling a set of mathematical functions defining virtual lenslets (e.g., virtual lenslets  400  of  FIG. 4 ) from memory storage and thereafter fitting the recalled virtual lenslet mathematical functions onto/into a likewise recalled known mathematical geometry of lens  204  of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 . Another specific example of method step  601  ( FIG. 6 ) would be image capture unit  206  calculating set of mathematical functions defining virtual lenslets (e.g., virtual lenslets  400  of  FIG. 4 ) in response to user resolution requirements, and thereafter fitting the calculated virtual lenslet mathematical functions onto/into an either a measured, a calculated, or a recalled known mathematical geometry of lens  204  of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 . 
   Method step  602  illustrates projecting the virtual lenslets onto an imaging surface of a photo-detector at a known primary position (e.g., a mathematical projection). 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2 , one specific example of method step  602  ( FIG. 6 ) would be image capture unit  206  obtaining from lens system  200 &#39;s control system (not shown) positioning information of lens  204  and thereafter using that position information, in conjunction with the mapped virtual lenslets (e.g., method step  601 ), to mathematically project the virtual lenslets onto a known imaging surface primary position of photo-detector array  102 . In one specific example, image capture unit  206  obtains the imaging surface primary position from controller  208 . 
   Method step  603  depicts capturing a primary image with a photo-detector array at a primary position. In one implementation, method step  603  includes the sub-step of capturing the primary image at an average primary focal surface location of a lens. In another implementation, method step  603  includes the sub-step of capturing the primary image with a photo-detector array at the average primary focal surface location of a lens (e.g., positioning the lens such that a defined focal surface of the lens coincides with an imaging surface of a photo-detector array). 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2 , one specific example of method step  603  ( FIG. 6 ) would be controller  208  positioning photo-detector array  102  at a primary position, and thereafter instructing image capture unit  206  to capture an image from photo-detector array  102 . 
   Method step  603 A depicts associating portions of the captured primary image with the projections of the virtual lenslets. In one implementation, method step  603 A includes the sub-step of associating portions of the captured primary image with mathematical projections of the virtual lenslets. 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5 , one specific example of method step  603 A ( FIG. 6 ) would be image capture unit  206  mapping the mathematical projections of the virtual lenslets  400  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) into the primary image captured from photo-detector array  102 . 
   With reference again to  FIG. 6 , method step  604  illustrates determining focused and/or out-of-focus portions of the primary image that map with the projected virtual lenslets. In one implementation, method step  604  includes the sub-step of calculating a Fourier transform of at least a part of the primary image that maps to a virtual lenslet (e.g., sharp, or in-focus images produce abrupt transitions that often have significant high frequency components). 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2 , one specific example of method step  604  ( FIG. 6 ) would be focus detection unit  210  performing a Fourier transform and subsequent analysis on those virtual-lenslet mapped parts of an image that has been captured by image capture unit  206  when photo-detector array  102  was at the primary position. In this example, focus detection unit  210  could deem portions of the image having significant high frequency components as “in focus” images. As a more specific example, the Fourier transform and analysis may be performed on one or more parts of the image that are associated with one or more virtual lenslets  400  of lens  204  (e.g.,  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
   With reference again to  FIG. 6 , method step  605  shows moving the photo-detector array to another position. In one implementation, method step  605  further includes the sub-step of moving at least a part of the photo-detector array to the other position while the lens is held stationary (e.g., photo-detector array  102  is moved to another position, while lens  204  remains stationary, such as shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In another implementation, the step of moving at least a part of the photo-detector array to the other position further includes the sub-step of tilting the photo-detector array. In another implementation, the step of moving at least a part of the photo-detector array to the other position further includes the sub-step of rotating the photo-detector array. In another implementation, the step of moving at least a part of the photo-detector array to the other position further includes the sub-step of tilting and rotating the photo-detector array. In another implementation, the step of moving at least a part of the photo-detector array to the other position further includes the sub-step of distorting the photo-detector array such that the at least a part of the photo-detector array resides at the other position (e.g., a part of photo-detector array  102  is moved to another position, such as might happen if photo-detector array  102  were to be compressed laterally in a controlled manner or moved using micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) techniques, while lens  204  remains stationary, such as shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and/or  9 ). Those having skill in the art will appreciate that the herein described tilting and/or rotating will move the photo-detector array in x, y, and/or z directions such that other image surfaces of lens  204  may be captured. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  7 ,  8 , and/or  9 , one specific example of method step  605  ( FIG. 6 ) would be controller  208  positioning photo-detector array  102  at the other position using feedback control sub-systems (not shown). Those having skill in the art will appreciate that the herein described tilting and/or rotating will move photo-detector array  102  in x, y, and/or z directions such that other image surfaces of lens  204  may be approximately captured. As a specific example, successively tilting photo-detector array  102  such that successive relatively-in-focus virtual lenslet projections of first portion  104  or fifth portion  108  may be captured at or near the focused and/or undistorted first portion  104  or fifth portion  108  (e.g., as shown and described in relation to  FIG. 2 ). 
   With reference again to  FIG. 6 , method step  606  shows capturing another image with the photo-detector array at the other position. In one implementation, method step  606  further includes the sub-step of extracting at least one of a red, blue, and green color component of the other image. In another implementation, the step of extracting at least one of a red, blue, and green color component of the other image further includes the sub-step of numerically filtering the other image. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  7 ,  8 , and/or  9 , one specific example of method step  606  ( FIG. 6 ) would be image capture unit  206  capturing an image from photo-detector array  102  at the other position. In one implementation, logic of image capture unit  206  communicates with logic of controller  208  to capture the other image when photo-detector array  102  is as the other position. In one implementation, logic of image capture unit  206  extracts at least one of a red, blue, and green color component of the other image. In one implementation, logic of image capture unit  206  extracts the at least one of a red, blue, and green color component by use of numerical filtering techniques. 
   Method step  607  depicts associating portions of the captured other image with the projections of the virtual lenslets. In one implementation, method step  607  includes the sub-step of associating portions of the captured other image with mathematical projections of the virtual lenslets through a volume of space and onto an imaging surface of the photo-detector array at the other position. 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 2 ,  7 ,  8 , and/or  9 , one specific example of method step  607  ( FIG. 6 ) would be image capture unit  206  mapping the mathematical projections of the virtual lenslets  400  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) into the other image captured from photo-detector array  102 . In one implementation of method step  607 , logic of image capture unit  206  maps the mathematical projections of virtual lenslets  400  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) into the other image captured from photo-detector array  102 . In one implementation of method step  607 , logic of image capture unit  206  determines where on re-positioned photo-detector array  102  the virtual lenslets  400  will project (e.g., mathematically projecting the virtual lenslets onto a known imaging surface location of the re-positioned photo-detector array). 
   With reference again to  FIG. 6 , method step  608  depicts determining the focuses of the portion(s) of this other image that map with the projected virtual lenslets (e.g., the virtual lenslets of method step  601 ). 
   In one implementation, method step  608  includes the sub-step of calculating a Fourier transform of at least a part of at least one region of the other image that maps with the projected virtual lenslets (e.g., sharp or in-focus images produce abrupt transitions that often have significant high frequency components). In one implementation, the step of calculating a Fourier transform of at least one region of the other image that maps with the projected virtual lenslets includes the sub-step of determining the Fourier transform and analysis on one or more parts of the image that are associated with one or more virtual lenslet projections intersecting the re-positioned photo-detector array. 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 2 ,  7 ,  8 , and/or  9 , one specific example of method step  608  ( FIG. 6 ) would be focus detection unit  210  performing a Fourier transform and subsequent analysis on at least a part of an image captured by image capture unit  206  when photo-detector array  102  was at the other position specified by controller  208 . In one specific example, focus detection unit  210  receives an image and its associated virtual lenslet projections from image capture unit  206  and thereafter performs the Fourier transforms and subsequent analyses on a per-virtual-lenslet basis, and thereafter stores the results of the transforms and analyses in memory. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such Fourier transforms and subsequent analyses constitute specific examples of more general “image scores,” and that other suitable image analysis techniques, consistent with the teachings herein, may be substituted for the Fourier transform and analysis. 
   With reference again to  FIG. 6 , method step  610  depicts constructing a composite image by replacing the out-of-focus virtual lenslet portion(s) of the primary image with their more in-focus counterparts. In one implementation, method step  610  includes the sub-step of replacing at least a part of one out-of-focus virtual-lenslet region of the primary image with at least a part of one more-in-focus virtual-lenslet region of the other image. In yet another implementation, method step  610  includes the sub-step of utilizing at least one of tiling image processing techniques, morphing image processing techniques, blending image processing techniques, and stitching image processing techniques. 
   In yet another implementation, method step  610  includes the sub-steps of correlating a feature of the primary image with a feature of the other image; detecting at least one of size, color, and displacement distortion of at least one of the primary image and the other image; correcting the detected at least one of size, color, and displacement distortion of the at least one of the primary image and the other image; and assembling the composite image using the corrected distortion. In yet another implementation, these sub-steps are performed on a per-virtual-unit basis. In yet another implementation, method step  610  includes the sub-step of correcting for motion between the primary and the other image. In yet another implementation, this sub-step is performed on a per-virtual-lenslet basis. 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 2 ,  7 ,  8 , and/or,  9  one specific example of method step  610  ( FIG. 6 ) would be logic of image construction unit  212  creating a composite image by replacing those virtual lenslet associated portions of an image captured at a primary position with more in-focus virtual lenslet associated portions of an image captured by image capture unit  206  when photo-detector array  102  was at the other position. In one implementation of the example, image construction unit  212  corrects for the motion between images using conventional techniques if such correction is desired. In another implementation of the example, motion correction is not used. 
   With reference again to  FIG. 6 , method step  612  shows a determination of whether an aggregate change in photo-detector position, relative to the primary position of method step  602 , has exceeded a maximum specified change in photo-detector position. For example, even with a relatively poor quality lens, there will typically be an upper manufacturing limit beyond which lens deviations are not expected to go (e.g., the lens has manufacturing criteria such that the lens provide a focal length of 5 mm+/−0.05 mm). 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 2 ,  7 ,  8 , and/or  9 , one specific example of method step  612  ( FIG. 6 ) would be controller  208  comparing an aggregate movement in a defined direction against a pre-stored upper limit value. In an implementation of the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 , if lens  204  has manufacturing criteria such as a focal length of 5 mm+/−0.05 mm, controller  208  will determine whether the total forward movement of photo-detector array  102  is greater than 0.05 mm relative to the primary position. In an implementation of the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , if lens  204  has manufacturing criteria such as a focal length of 5 mm+/−0.05 mm, controller  208  will determine whether the total rearward movement of lens  204  is greater than 0.05 mm relative to the primary position. In other implementations, manufacturing criteria in x-y provide analogous tolerances in x-y distortion which likewise give rise to pre-stored upper limit values in x-y rotation. 
   With reference again to  FIG. 6 , if the inquiry of method step  612  yields a determination that the aggregate change in position has met or exceeded the maximum specified change in photo-detector position, the process proceeds to method step  614 . Method step  614  illustrates that the current composite image (e.g., of method step  610 ) is stored and/or displayed. One specific example of method step  614  would be image store/display unit  214  either storing or displaying the composite image. 
   Method step  616  shows the end of the process. 
   Returning to method step  612 , shown is that in the event that the upper limit on maximum specified change in photo-detector position has not been met or exceeded, the process proceeds to method step  605  and continues as described herein (e.g., moving the photo-detector to yet another position (method step  605 ) and capturing yet another image (e.g., method step  606 ) . . . ). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , depicted are partial perspective views of the system of  FIG. 2  wherein photo-detector array  102  is being moved in accordance with aspects of processes shown and described herein (e.g., in relation to  FIG. 6 ). Photo-detector array  102  is illustrated as being rotated through other positions different from the primary position which gave rise to the five different portions of image  100  shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 1–5 . The remaining components and control aspects of the various parts of  FIGS. 7 and 8  (shown and unshown) function as described elsewhere herein. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , illustrated is a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  wherein photo-detector array  102  is being moved in accordance with aspects of the processes shown and described herein (e.g., in relation to  FIG. 6 ). Photo-detector array  102  is illustrated as being tilted through other positions different from the primary position which gave rise to the five different portions of image  100  shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The remaining components and control aspects of the various parts of  FIG. 9  (shown and unshown) function as described elsewhere herein. 
   Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a solely software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will require optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware. 
   The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood as notorious by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the present invention are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, and computer memory; and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links using TDM or IP based communication links (e.g., packet links). 
   In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by various types of electromechanical systems having a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range of components that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigid bodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, and electro-magnetically actuated devices, or virtually any combination thereof. Consequently, as used herein “electromechanical system” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with a transducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, etc.), electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment), and any non-electrical analog thereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that examples of electromechanical systems include but are not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems, factory automation systems, security systems, and communication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognize that electromechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to a system that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except as context may dictate otherwise. 
   Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use standard engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into image processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into an image processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical image processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing lens position and/or velocity; control motors for moving/distorting lenses to give desired focuses. A typical image processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in digital still systems and/or digital motion systems. 
   The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected” or “operably coupled” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. 
   While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).