Distortion Correction Modeling Method for Zoom Lens Cameras with Bundle Adjustment

Abstract

For visual measurement under dynamic scenarios, a zoom lens camera is more flexible than a fixed one. However, the challenges of distortion prediction within the whole focal range limit the widespread application of zoom lens cameras greatly. Thus, a novel sequential distortion correction method for a zoom lens camera is proposed in this study. In this paper, a distortion assessment method without coupling effect is depicted by an elaborated chessboard pattern. Then, the appropriate distortion correction model for a zoom lens camera is derived from the comparisons of some existing models and methods. To gain a rectified image at any zoom settings, a global distortion correction modeling method is developed with bundle adjustment. Based on some selected zoom settings, the optimized quadratic functions of distortion parameters are obtained from the global perspective. Using the proposed method, we can rectify all images from the calibrated zoom lens camera. Experimental results of different zoom lens cameras validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.