Method for dynamic contrast improvement

1. A method for dynamic contrast improvement of video data, comprising the steps of:

analyzing a portion of a video frame;

forcing a start of DCI transfer function computations in response to an end of the analysis of the portion of the video frame completing the DCI transfer function computations during a reception of said video frame.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forcing step includes providing an interrupt signal to a microprocessor.

3. The method of claim 2 , further including the steps of:

writing results of the DCI transfer function computations into registers during a vertical blanking interval that follows the reception of the video frame.

4. The method of claim 3 , further including the steps of:

maintaining a reset signal in a deactivated state after a reception of a first field of an interlaced video frame; and

activating the reset signal after a reception of a second field of the interlaced video frame.

5. The method of claim 1 , further including the steps of:

writing results of the DCI transfer function computations into registers during a vertical blanking interval that follows the reception of the video frame.

6. A method for dynamic contrast improvement of video data, comprising the steps of:

receiving data representing a video frame;

analyzing at least a portion, defined by an analysis window, of the data representing the video frame for an image average brightness value and a dark sample distribution value;

adjusting parameters of a dual segment transfer function based on the image average brightness value and the dark sample distribution value, the dual segment transfer function having a lower segment, an upper segment, and an adaptive pivot point which separates the lower segment and the upper segment;

triggering a commencement of the adjusting step in response to a completion of the analyzing step, said completion of said analyzing step occurring during a reception of said video frame.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the adjusting step includes moving the adaptive pivot point in response to the image average brightness value and adjusting a gain of the lower segment in response to the dark sample distribution value.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the triggering step includes providing an interrupt signal to a microprocessor.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the triggering step is completed prior to a completion of the receiving step.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the triggering step includes providing an interrupt signal to a microprocessor.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the triggering step is completed prior to a completion of the receiving step.