HDR

High-dynamic-range imaging (HDR) is used in photography to reproduce a greater dynamic range of luminosity than is possible with standard digital imaging or photographic techniques. The aim is to present a similar range of luminance as that experienced through the human visual system. 

Professor Mann developed and patented the global-HDR method for producing digital images having extended dynamic range at the MIT Media Laboratory in 1998 [1].  HDR is now used in virtually every commercially available camera and smart-phone and camera, including the Apple iPhone.

Real-Time HDR Video

MannLab is currently developing the world’s first integrated semiconductor chip to offer an embedded HDR engine that supports streamed rendering of HDR content in various standards.  MannLab has created real-time HDR videography algorithms and firmware/IP cores that run about 5,000 times faster than any other HDR imaging implementations.  

While Professor Mann’s original motivation to invent HDR was to help people see better, the current motivation driving MannLab’s real-time HDR technology develop is to help machines see better.  

Commercial applications include vehicle-mounted sensors, self-driving cars, video surveillance and sousveillance, networked smart cities, intelligent traffic monitoring, welding helmets and medical imaging, among others.