High dynamic range processing

1. An image processor for enhancing an image for display with an adjusted contrast, the image processor comprising:

an image converter configured to convert image data of an image from a first imaging domain to a second imaging domain;

a parameter adjustment selector configured to select an image adjustment modifier by comparing an image parameter of the converted image data with an imaging characteristic of a display device;

an image enhancer configured to enhance the image for display on the display device by applying the selected image adjustment modifier to the converted image data to adjust a contrast value of the image based on the selected image adjustment modifier;

an image display configured to display the enhanced image on the display device;

wherein the image adjustment modifier comprises a gamma contrast curve;

wherein the imaging characteristic of the display device is an imaging sensitivity level of the display device;

wherein the parameter adjustment selector comprises a gamma contrast curve selector configured to select a first gamma contrast curve as the image adjustment modifier when the image parameter of the converted image data is less than the imaging sensitivity level of the display device and a second gamma contrast curve as the image adjustment modifier when the image parameter of the converted image data is greater than the imaging sensitivity of the display device;

wherein the gamma contrast curve selector is configured to compare a luminance value of the converted image data with a luminance value associated with the imaging sensitivity level of the display device to select either the first or second gamma contrast curve; and

wherein the parameter adjustment selector is configured to select the adjustment modifier to set a desired luminance level for the captured image when displayed on the display device.

2. The image processor of claim 1 , further comprising:

an imaging apparatus configured to generate the image data of the image; and

an imaging sensitivity determiner configured to determine the imaging sensitivity level of the display device based on a input value of the display device that provides a predetermined output luminance at the display device.

3. The image processor of claim 2 , wherein the imaging sensitivity determiner is configured to determine the imaging sensitivity level of the display device when the input value results in the predetermined output luminance as a set breakpoint of candela per square meter (cd/m2) at the display device.

4. The image processor of claim 3 , wherein the set breakpoint is 100 candela per square meter (cd/m2) at the display device.

5. The image processor of claim 1 , wherein the parameter adjustment selector is further configured to select a first luminance adjustment modifier to attenuate a luminance of the captured image when the luminance of the captured image is less than the imaging sensitivity level of the display device and to select a second luminance adjustment modifier to amplify the luminance of the captured image when the luminance of the captured image is greater than the imaging sensitivity level of the display device.

6. The image processor of claim 1 , wherein the first imaging domain is a linear domain and the second imaging domain is a logarithmic domain.

7. An image processor for enhancing an image for display with an adjusted contrast, the image processor comprising:

an image converter configured to convert image data of an image from a first imaging domain to a second imaging domain;

a parameter adjustment selector configured to select an image adjustment modifier by comparing an image parameter of the converted image data with an imaging characteristic of a display device;

an image enhancer configured to enhance the image for display on the display device by applying the selected image adjustment modifier to the converted image data to adjust a contrast value of the image based on the selected image adjustment modifier;

an image display configured to display the enhanced image on the display device;

wherein the image adjustment modifier comprises a gamma contrast curve;

wherein the imaging characteristic of the display device is an imaging sensitivity level of the display device;

wherein the parameter adjustment selector is configured to compare a luminance value of the converted image data with a luminance value associated with the imaging sensitivity level of the display device to select the image adjustment modifier to set a desired luminance level for the captured image when displayed on the display device.

8. The image processor of claim 7 , wherein the parameter adjustment selector comprises a gamma contrast curve selector configured to select a first gamma contrast curve as the image adjustment modifier when the image parameter of the converted image data is less than the imaging sensitivity level of the display device and a second gamma contrast curve as the image adjustment modifier when the image parameter of the converted image data is greater than the imaging sensitivity of the display device.

9. The image processor of claim 7 , further comprising:

an imaging apparatus configured to generate the image data of the image; and

an imaging sensitivity determiner configured to determine the imaging sensitivity level of the display device based on a input value of the display device that provides a predetermined output luminance at the display device.

10. The image processor of claim 9 , wherein the imaging sensitivity determiner is configured to determine the imaging sensitivity level of the display device when the input value results in the predetermined output luminance as a set breakpoint of candela per square meter (cd/m2) at the display device.

11. The image processor of claim 10 , wherein the set breakpoint is 100 candela per square meter (cd/m2) at the display device.

12. The image processor of claim 7 , wherein the parameter adjustment selector is further configured to select a first luminance adjustment modifier to attenuate a luminance of the captured image when the luminance of the captured image is less than the imaging sensitivity level of the display device and to select a second luminance adjustment modifier to amplify the luminance of the captured image when the luminance of the captured image is greater than the imaging sensitivity level of the display device.

13. The image processor of claim 7 , wherein the first imaging domain is a linear domain and the second imaging domain is a logarithmic domain.

14. An image processor for enhancing an image for display with an adjusted contrast, the image processor comprising:

an image converter configured to convert image data of an image from a first imaging domain to a second imaging domain;

a parameter adjustment selector configured to select an image adjustment modifier by comparing an image parameter of the converted image data with an imaging characteristic of a display device;

an image enhancer configured to enhance the image for display on the display device by applying the selected image adjustment modifier to the converted image data to adjust a contrast value of the image based on the selected image adjustment modifier,

wherein the image adjustment modifier comprises a gamma contrast curve and the imaging characteristic of the display device is an imaging sensitivity level of the display device.

15. The image processor of claim 14 , further comprising an image display configured to display the enhanced image on the display device.

16. The image processor of claim 14 , wherein the parameter adjustment selector comprises a gamma contrast curve selector configured to select a first gamma contrast curve as the image adjustment modifier when the image parameter of the converted image data is less than the imaging sensitivity level of the display device and a second gamma contrast curve as the image adjustment modifier when the image parameter of the converted image data is greater than the imaging sensitivity of the display device.

17. The image processor of claim 16 , wherein the gamma contrast curve selector is configured to compare a luminance value of the converted image data with a luminance value associated with the imaging sensitivity level of the display device to select either the first or second gamma contrast curve.

18. The image processor of claim 14 , wherein the parameter adjustment selector is configured to select the adjustment modifier to set a desired luminance level for the captured image when displayed on the display device.

19. The image processor of claim 14 , wherein the parameter adjustment selector is further configured to select a first luminance adjustment modifier to attenuate a luminance of the captured image when the luminance of the captured image is less than the imaging sensitivity level of the display device and to select a second luminance adjustment modifier to amplify the luminance of the captured image when the luminance of the captured image is greater than the imaging sensitivity level of the display device.

20. The image processor of claim 14 , wherein the first imaging domain is a linear domain and the second imaging domain is a logarithmic domain.

21. An image processor for enhancing an image for display with an adjusted contrast, the image processor comprising:

an image converter configured to convert image data of an image from a first imaging domain to a second imaging domain;

a parameter adjustment selector configured to select an image adjustment modifier by comparing an image parameter of the converted image data with an imaging characteristic of a display device;

an image enhancer configured to enhance the image for display on the display device by applying the selected image adjustment modifier to the converted image data to adjust a contrast value of the image based on the selected image adjustment modifier;

an imaging apparatus configured to generate the image data of the image; and

an imaging sensitivity determiner configured to determine the imaging sensitivity level of the display device based on a input value of the display device that provides a predetermined output luminance at the display device.

22. The image processor of claim 21 , wherein the imaging sensitivity determiner is configured to determine the imaging sensitivity level of the display device when the input value results in the predetermined output luminance as a set breakpoint of candela per square meter (cd/m2) at the display device.

23. The image processor of claim 22 , wherein the set breakpoint is 100 candela per square meter (cd/m2) at the display device.