Hardware Methods to Extend the Dynamic Range

High dynamic range images can be generated by several imaging system architectures. This chapter does not cover scene-dependent optical veiling glare, focusing instead on sensor design. The methods in this chapter use a special pixel design or a special pixel control, said to belong to the "hardware methods" category. Several of the described methods have been patented. The last method uses a standard sensor (linear or nonlinear) or camera and processes the data to generate HDR images. This method, referred to here as the "software method," works with any type of sensor but is usually used with S-curve or linear sensors.