Ambient-Light Adaptive Gray-Level Conversion for Image Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image display technologies struggle to effectively improve gray level expression in response to varying ambient illumination conditions, particularly with high dynamic range content.

Innovation Solution

The image display apparatus incorporates an illuminance sensor and a signal processing unit that adjusts gray level conversion modes based on ambient light conditions, using artificial intelligence and deep neural networks to enhance gray level expression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed gray level conversion mode is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different ambient illumination conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to ambient illuminationVSAvoidcomplexity of gray level conversion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic gray level conversion by switching between first and second conversion modes based on ambient illumination conditions detected by an illuminance sensor. The system transitions from a static conversion approach to a dynamic one that adapts to changing environmental lighting, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through condition-based mode selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of gray level conversion mode based on ambient illumination levels. By detecting illuminance and selecting between different conversion modes (first mode for low illumination, second mode for high illumination), the system adjusts its processing parameters to optimize image quality for specific lighting conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If gray level conversion is performed without considering ambient illumination, then the processing speed is maintained, but the image quality in terms of gray level expression deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegray level expressionVSAvoidimage processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces feedback from the illuminance sensor to the signal processing unit, which adjusts gray level conversion based on detected ambient illumination. This feedback mechanism enables the system to optimize gray level expression dynamically, improving image quality while maintaining processing efficiency through automated adaptation without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting ambient illumination and selecting the appropriate gray level conversion mode without external control. The signal processing unit autonomously optimizes image processing based on environmental conditions, improving gray level expression while maintaining processing speed through self-service adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Illumination intensity

If high dynamic range content is displayed without adaptive conversion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the luminance expression capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminance expressionVSAvoidcomplexity of signal processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic gray level conversion for HDR content by switching between conversion modes based on ambient illumination. This dynamic approach enhances luminance expression capability by optimizing the conversion process for different lighting conditions, while managing processing complexity through automated mode selection rather than requiring complex manual processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach improves the display's ability to adapt to different lighting environments, enhancing the gray level expression and overall image quality.

Implementation Method 1

an illuminance sensor configured to sense an ambient illumination of the display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3903304B1Image display apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3903304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3903304B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3903304B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a(c)

AI summary

Disclosed is an image display apparatus. The image display apparatus includes: a display; an illumination sensor configured to sense ambient illumination of the display; and a signal processing unit configured to output an image-quality-processed image signal to the display, wherein the signal processing unit is configured to, based on information on the illumination sensed by the illumination sensor, convert gray level of an input image according to a first gray level conversion mode or according to a second gray level conversion mode in which an amount of increase in gray level is greater than in the first gray level conversion mode. Accordingly, it is possible to improve gray level expression of a displayed image in response to ambient illumination of the display.