Binocular Tone Mapping with Improved Overall Contrast and Local Details

Abstract

Tone mapping is a commonly used technique that maps the set of colors in high‐dynamic‐range (HDR) images to another set of colors in low‐dynamic‐range (LDR) images, to fit the need for print‐outs, LCD monitors and projectors. Unfortunately, during the compression of dynamic range, the overall contrast and local details generally cannot be preserved simultaneously. Recently, with the increased use of stereoscopic devices, the notion of binocular tone mapping has been proposed in the existing research study. However, the existing research lacks the binocular perception study and is unable to generate the optimal binocular pair that presents the most visual content. In this paper, we propose a novel perception‐based binocular tone mapping method, that can generate an optimal binocular image pair (generating left and right images simultaneously) from an HDR image that presents the most visual content by designing a binocular perception metric. Our method outperforms the existing method in terms of both visual and time performance.

Deep binocular tone mapping

“…Many existing works study the binocular perception of brightness, contour, color and local contrast (detail). For binocular tone mapping, local details and global contrast are the most important kinds of visual content [54]. Local details perception can be estimated with local contrast perception models.…”

“…But the major drawback is that large visual difference always brings more visual content. To resolve this issue, Zhang et al [54] proposed binocular perception metrics to measure the total visual content of an image pair. Base on their proposed metrics, the two images in a pair can be simultaneously optimized in terms of local details, global contrast, and binocular fusibility.…”

“…However, although based on binocular perception models, the existing binocular tone mapping methods [14,51,54] all use monocular tone mapping operators to generate binocular image pairs. Since monocular operators are not designed for distributing visual content to an image pair, the potential of binocular perception cannot be fully utilized.…”

“…However, large visual difference between the image pair is not equivalent to more visual content. To resolve this issue, recently, Zhang et al [54] proposed binocular perception metrics to measure the total visual content of a binocular LDR pair. Moreover, the two LDR images of [54].…”

“…To resolve this issue, recently, Zhang et al [54] proposed binocular perception metrics to measure the total visual content of a binocular LDR pair. Moreover, the two LDR images of [54]. It is fusible and with high global contrast, but cannot preserve all the details in the bright areas.…”