Dynamic Range Converter With Frame-By-Frame Metadata Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video processing technologies face challenges in accurately converting High Dynamic Range (HDR) signals to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) while maintaining the artistic intent, as existing standards like SMPTE ST 2086 do not provide sufficient metadata for optimal color transformation, leading to suboptimal display performance on SDR devices.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic range converter with a generic and reconfigurable architecture that includes color space converters, linearizers, delinearizers, color volume transformers, and metadata processors, capable of converting HDR signals to SDR signals by applying content-dependent dynamic color transforms, using metadata standards like SMPTE ST 2094, to ensure accurate color reproduction and artistic intent preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HDR signals are converted to SDR using existing standards like SMPTE ST 2086, then the conversion process is standardized, but the color transformation accuracy and artistic intent preservation deteriorate due to insufficient metadata
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary metadata structure (SMPTE ST 2094) that bridges HDR and SDR color spaces. This metadata acts as a mediator carrying essential color transformation information from HDR content to SDR display, enabling accurate color reproduction without direct lossy conversion. The intermediary metadata includes reference white points, luminance ranges, and tone mapping parameters that preserve artistic intent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary color volume transformation and tone mapping during the HDR to SDR conversion process, preparing the color data in advance with embedded metadata. By pre-calculating and embedding the necessary transformation parameters in the metadata stream, the system ensures that SDR displays receive pre-processed, optimized color information rather than attempting real-time conversion without sufficient data.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a generic and reconfigurable architecture is used for dynamic range conversion, then adaptability to various HDR standards is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal dynamic range converter architecture that can handle multiple HDR standards (SMPTE ST 2084, ARIB STD-B67, HDR10, HLG) through a single reconfigurable system. The converter uses a standardized metadata processing framework that can be configured via input metadata parameters, allowing the same hardware/software architecture to adapt to different HDR formats without requiring separate dedicated converters for each standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the converter architecture can change its operational parameters based on the input HDR standard and display capabilities. The system dynamically adjusts color transformation algorithms, metadata interpretation, and tone mapping curves according to the specific HDR format being processed, enabling flexible adaptation without permanent structural changes for each standard.
3Manufacturing precision
If content-dependent dynamic color transforms are applied, then color reproduction accuracy is improved, but processing time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs content-dependent color transformations and embeds the results in metadata during content encoding or pre-processing stages. By calculating and storing the optimized color transformation parameters in advance (during content creation or distribution), the actual display conversion requires only metadata retrieval and application, significantly reducing real-time processing latency while maintaining high color accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of the original HDR color data in the form of metadata representations that capture essential color characteristics. Instead of performing complex real-time color transformations, the system uses pre-computed metadata copies that encode the necessary color mapping information, enabling fast conversion with minimal processing while preserving color reproduction accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a dynamic range converter includes a first color space converter to convert a source color space of a source video having a source dynamic range to nonlinear color space signals. A linearizer configured converts the nonlinear color space signals to linearized color space signals having a mastering dynamic range via a piecewise linear interpolation of a transfer function. A color volume transformer applies dynamic color transform metadata associated with the source video on a frame by frame basis to generate master adjusted color space signals from the linearized color space signals. A delinearizer converts the master adjusted color space signals to nonlinearized color space signals via a piecewise linear interpolation of an inverse transfer function in accordance with a display dynamic range. A second color space converter converts the nonlinearized color space signals to display domain signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.