Image Pickup System HDR SDR Dynamic Range Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image pickup systems face challenges in simultaneously generating High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) videos from pixel signals, particularly in maintaining consistent brightness across both formats, especially during real-time HDR video creation and coexistence with SDR videos.

Innovation Solution

An image pickup system with a processing circuit that generates both HDR and SDR videos from pixel signals, where the processing circuit sets a correlated second dynamic range for the SDR video based on the first dynamic range of the HDR video, allowing for equivalent brightness adjustments between the two formats through gain ratio settings and gamma processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If HDR video is generated from pixel signals, then wide dynamic range and high-luminance expressions are achieved, but brightness consistency with SDR video becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic rangeVSAvoidbrightness consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the second dynamic range parameter based on the first dynamic range parameter. The processing circuit changes the correlation parameter between HDR and SDR videos in real-time, allowing brightness consistency to be maintained while preserving the wide dynamic range characteristics of HDR video.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If simultaneous generation of HDR and SDR videos is implemented, then both formats can coexist, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformat compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing circuit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both HDR and SDR video generation simultaneously. It can process pixel signals to produce both formats with correlated dynamic ranges, enabling universal compatibility with different display devices while managing processing complexity through integrated circuit design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If iris adjustment is applied to change brightness appearance, then brightness control is improved, but maintaining equivalent brightness change in correlated video becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrightness controlVSAvoidbrightness correlation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the first dynamic range parameter and automatically adjusting the second dynamic range parameter to maintain the correlation relationship. When iris adjustment changes the brightness appearance, the feedback mechanism ensures equivalent brightness change in the correlated video by dynamically updating the correlation parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11895408B2Image pickup system, image pickup method, and computer readable storage medium for generating video signals having first and second dynamic ranges

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

This image pickup system includes an image pickup unit that captures a subject to obtain a pixel signal, and a processing circuit that generates a first video signal having a first dynamic range from the pixel signal generated by the image pickup unit, and generates a second video signal having a second dynamic range correlated with the first dynamic range.