Display Region Luminance Control for Medical Image Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical imaging displays often face challenges in enhancing the visibility of subtle image features, as higher luminance levels lead to faster degradation and decreased efficiency, and existing methods fail to effectively increase contrast in specific regions of interest without altering the entire image.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enhance perceived contrast within a defined region of interest (ROI) by modifying the luminance and driving levels of display layers, using both software and hardware solutions, without altering the source image, applicable to both transmissive and emissive displays, allowing for increased visibility of subtle features without degrading the entire display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the luminance of the entire display is increased to improve visibility of subtle features, then the visibility of subtle features is improved, but the degradation of the display increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by increasing luminance only in the region of interest (ROI) rather than across the entire display. The backlight unit selectively increases luminance in specific areas where subtle features need to be viewed, while maintaining normal luminance levels in other areas. This localized approach improves visibility of subtle features in the ROI without causing display degradation across the entire display, thus resolving the contradiction between improving illumination intensity and preventing display degradation.
2Power
If the current (drive level) is increased to produce maximum luminance output, then the luminance output is maximized, but the rate of degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by controlling the backlight to provide increased luminance output only in the region of interest rather than across the entire display. The drive level is increased locally in the ROI area, allowing maximum luminance output where needed while keeping the drive level normal in other areas. This selective approach maximizes luminance output in the ROI without accelerating overall display degradation, thus extending display lifespan while maintaining high power output where required.
3Illumination intensity
If the luminance of the display is increased in the ROI, then the perceived contrast in the ROI is improved, but the complexity of controlling individual light sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the backlight control into multiple independently controllable light source regions. The backlight unit is configured with multiple light sources that can be controlled separately, allowing the system to increase luminance in the region of interest while maintaining normal luminance in other areas. This segmented control approach enables improved perceived contrast in the ROI without requiring complex global control mechanisms, as each light source region can be independently adjusted based on the ROI position and size.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method provide enhanced perceived contrast within a region of interest (102) of an image being displayed in order to enable viewers to more easily perceive subtle features in images, such as during medical diagnostics. The enhanced perceived contrast may be implemented using software only, hardware only, or a combination of hardware and software. If the backlight of a display includes only one or few light sources, the enhanced perceived contrast can be achieved through a software only solution in which the area (104) outside of the ROI (102) is darkened. If the backlight of the display comprises, for example, an LED matrix, enhanced perceived contrast may be implemented through a hardware only solution in which the luminance of the display is increased in the ROI (102). In addition, enhanced perceived contrast may also be achieved through a solution utilizing both hardware and software.