HDR Video Tone Mapping Parameter Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tone mapping methods for high dynamic range (HDR) video on low dynamic range (LDR) displays fail to effectively handle varying lighting conditions, leading to loss of details due to overexposure or underexposure, as they apply fixed parameters across frames with changing lighting.

Innovation Solution

A method that partitions HDR video frames into static and transient segments based on luminance information, generates tone mapping parameter sets for each, and interpolates parameters for transient segments using adjacent static segments, allowing for dynamic adjustment of tone mapping parameters to maintain image quality across varying lighting conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed tone mapping parameters are applied to all frames in HDR video, then the processing is simple and fast, but the tone mapping quality deteriorates when lighting conditions vary between frames

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetone mapping processing speedVSAvoidtone mapping quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The video frames are segmented into different groups based on lighting condition changes. The method identifies when lighting conditions change between frames and creates separate tone mapping parameter sets for different lighting segments, allowing each segment to receive optimized parameters while maintaining processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tone mapping parameters are made dynamic rather than fixed. The system automatically adjusts parameters based on detected lighting conditions in each frame or group of frames, transitioning from static parameter application to adaptive parameter adjustment that responds to real-time lighting changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If tone mapping parameters are adjusted for each frame to adapt to varying lighting conditions, then the tone mapping quality improves, but the processing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetone mapping qualityVSAvoidparameter adjustment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of processing every frame individually, the method segments frames into groups based on lighting condition stability. This reduces the number of parameter adjustments needed while maintaining quality, as multiple frames with similar lighting can share a single parameter set

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies parameter adjustment partially by only modifying parameters when lighting conditions change, rather than continuously adjusting for every frame. This selective adjustment maintains quality where needed while avoiding unnecessary processing complexity in stable lighting conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If tone mapping parameters are changed frequently to match lighting changes, then the visual fidelity improves, but the loss of information increases due to overexposure or underexposure in transient transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual fidelityVSAvoiddetail loss from overexposure/underexposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of lighting condition changes before applying parameter adjustments. By identifying transition points in advance and preparing appropriate parameter sets ahead of time, the method prevents sudden exposure issues while maintaining smooth transitions and preserving detail information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The method incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor lighting conditions and adjust parameters accordingly. The system continuously evaluates lighting changes and modifies parameter sets in response, ensuring that tone mapping adapts to lighting conditions while preventing information loss from improper exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8737738B2Parameters interpolation for high dynamic range video tone mapping

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HLDG

AI summary

A method for toning mapping high dynamic range (HDR) video for display in low dynamic range display comprises accessing the HDR video; producing a luminance information for the individual frames; partitioning different consecutive groups of frames into segments responsive to the luminance information; classifying the segments into static luminance segments and transient luminance segments; producing a tone mapping parameter set for the static luminance segments; producing a tone mapping parameter set for at least one of the transient luminance segments responsive to the tone mapping parameter set of an adjacent static luminance segment; and tone mapping the static luminance segments and transient luminance segments according to the respective tone mapping parameter sets.