Image Processing Color Mapping Dynamic Range Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital imaging systems face a significant loss of dynamic range when capturing images with high bit width, as they often require reducing the bit width to store images on lower-capacity storage devices, resulting in a less satisfactory visual effect and underutilization of the image sensor's capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system that includes a first color mapping module for color correction and a second color mapping module for compressing the image, allowing the image to be processed and stored with reduced bit width while minimizing dynamic range loss, utilizing techniques such as logarithmic functions to reallocate bits and preserve intensity values, particularly at low intensities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the bit width of the image is reduced to store it on an 8-bit digital image storage device, then the image can be stored on the storage device, but the dynamic range is reduced by 36 dB resulting in less satisfactory visual effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing color correction and bit reallocation before storage. The first color mapping module corrects colors in the high-bit-width image, and the second color mapping module reallocates bits to preserve dynamic range information before the image is downconverted to 8-bit for storage. This preliminary processing ensures that when the bit width is reduced, the dynamic range loss is minimized through the established color mapping relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by transforming the image from high bit width to 8-bit representation while maintaining dynamic range through color mapping. The system modifies the bit depth parameter from 14-bit or higher to 8-bit, but uses color mapping functions to preserve the dynamic range characteristics, effectively changing how the parameter transition affects image quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bit width of the image is reduced to match the storage device capability, then the image can be stored, but the capability of the image sensor is not fully utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary color correction and bit reallocation to preserve the high dynamic range information captured by the image sensor before downconverting to 8-bit for storage. This ensures that the full capability of the image sensor is utilized in the intermediate representation, even though the final stored format has reduced bit width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage with two color mapping modules that act as mediators between the high-capacity image sensor and the 8-bit storage device. These modules preserve the sensor's full capability during processing while enabling compatibility with the limited storage device, effectively bridging the gap between sensor capability and storage limitations.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional truncation methods are used to reduce bit width, then the image can be stored on lower-capacity devices, but the visual effect deteriorates with gray appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach to bit width reduction by using color mapping transformations instead of simple truncation. The first color mapping module corrects color parameters, and the second module reallocates bit distribution across color channels, transforming how the reduction from high-bit to 8-bit is achieved to preserve visual quality and avoid gray appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary color correction and bit reallocation before the final 8-bit conversion. This preliminary processing establishes proper color relationships and dynamic range distribution, ensuring that when bits are reduced for storage efficiency, the visual quality is maintained through the pre-established color mapping framework rather than deteriorating to a gray appearance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for image processing includes color correcting an image via a first color mapping process to obtain a color corrected image, and compressing the color corrected image via a second color mapping process to obtain a compressed image.