Method and apparatus for HDR on-demand attenuation control

1. A method of attenuating image brightness in a high dynamic range (HDR) display device, the method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, an incoming video data stream comprising image data;

detecting, by the processor, a trigger from the incoming video data stream for attenuating a brightness level of a first image corresponding to the image data, wherein the trigger is indicative of a commercial break;

generating, by the processor, output image data for a second image based on the first image, wherein the second image has a lower average brightness level than the first image; and

displaying, by the processor, the second image on the HDR display device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the trigger comprises:

monitoring, by the processor, metadata of the incoming video data stream; and

identifying, by the processor, a change in a characteristic of the metadata corresponding to the commercial break.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the trigger further comprises:

receiving, by the processor, an indicator from a sensor indicating a user-supplied input to request a subdued display mode.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the sensor is configured to receive a signal from a remote control operated by a user as the user-supplied input.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the sensor is configured to receive a voice command from a user as the user-supplied input.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second image comprises a composite of the first image and a third image, wherein the first image is located at a sub-region of a display area smaller than an entirety of the display area and the third image is located outside the sub-region.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising retrieving, by the processor from a memory, the third image, wherein the third image has a different average brightness than the first image.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising retrieving, by the processor from an external source, an advertisement for display as the third image.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the trigger further comprises:

receiving, by the processor from a camera, an image of an environment in proximity to the HDR display device; and

detecting, by the processor, a lack of user attentiveness based on the image of the environment.

10. A system for attenuating image brightness, the system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive an incoming video data stream comprising image data;

detect a trigger for attenuating a brightness level of a first image corresponding to the image data, wherein the trigger corresponds to a commercial break;

generate output image data for a second image based on the first image, wherein the second image has a lower average brightness level than the first image; and

transmit a signal to display the second image.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

monitor metadata of the incoming video data stream; and

identifying, by the processor, a change in a characteristic of the metadata corresponding to the commercial break.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

receive an indicator from a sensor indicating a user-supplied input to request attenuation of the brightness level.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the sensor is configured to receive a signal from a remote control operated by a user as the user-supplied input.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second image comprises a composite of the first image and a third image, wherein the first image is located at a sub-region of a display area smaller than an entirety of the display area and the third image is located outside the sub-region.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to retrieve, from the memory, the third image, wherein the third image has a different average brightness than the first image.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to retrieve, from an external source, an advertisement for display as the third image.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

receive, from a camera, an image of an environment in proximity to an HDR display device; and

detect a lack of user attentiveness based on the image of the environment.

18. A high dynamic range (HDR) display device comprising:

an HDR display panel;

a processor coupled to the HDR display panel; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive an incoming video data stream comprising image data;

detect a trigger for attenuating a brightness level of a first image corresponding to the image data, wherein the trigger corresponds to a commercial break;

generate output image data for a second image based on the first image, wherein the second image has a lower average brightness level than the first image; and

display the second image on the HDR display panel.