Bright Scenes Research Articles

Study on Cyberpunk Style in Movies

Cyberpunk is a fusion of cybernetics and punk, also known as digital punk. It originates from science fiction and primarily explores the future development of humanity in relation to artificial intelligence. The purpose of this thesis is to study the influence of cyberpunk style on film-making's theme, graphics, and post-effects. The movies theme mainly centers around anti-Utopian ideas, exploring the future fate of mankind and artificial intelligence with a pessimistic prediction. It explores the potential threat that artificial intelligence poses to the future society under the civilization of high mechanical development so as to criticize the contemporary society and cause self-reflection of human beings. Cinematography mainly utilizes colorful sci-fi elements such as skyscrapers and neon lights to create a futuristic world. In terms of color matching, dark scenes use low saturated dark colors to create a gloomy rainy day feeling while bright scenes employ reds, purples, and other highly saturated hues for a magical atmosphere that increases contrast between light and dark colors for visual impact. The post-film picture effects and background sound effects are very important for cyberpunk movies. Picture effects adjust the hue, saturation and lightness of the bright parts and enhance 3D buildings and cars to create a futuristic intoxicating atmosphere. Meanwhile, the music combines industrial, rock and other music styles to collide with special effects and sound effects, creating a virtual future space. Analyzing the western movie The Matrix and the Chinese movie Heaven Sent confirms our viewpoints and put forward expectations for human society. Ultimately, it comes to the conclusion that cyberpunk is not only a style, but also a way to convey new ideas.

Image Dehazing Technique Based on Sky Weight Detection and Fusion Transmission

<p>Computer vision techniques are widely applied to the object detection, license plate recognition, remote sensing, and outdoor monitoring system. The performance of these applications mainly relies on the high quality of outdoor image. However, an outdoor image can be led to contrast decrease, color distortion, and unclear structure by poor weather conditions and human factors such as haze, fog, and air pollution. These issues may lower down the sharpness of a photo. Despite of the single-image dehazing is used to solve these issues, it cannot achieve a satisfactory result when the method deals with the bright scene and sky area. In this article, we aim to design an adaptive dehazing technique based on fusion transmission and sky weight detection. The sky weight detection is employed to distinguish the foreground and background, while detected results are applied to the fusion strategy to calculate deep and shallow transmissions. Thus, this can get rids of the subject of over-adjustment. Experimental results have demonstrated that the new method can outperform the latest state-of-the-art methods in terms of subjective and the objective assessments.</p> <p> </p>

Non-Contact Heart Rate Estimation via Adaptive RGB/NIR Signal Fusion.

We propose a non-contact heart rate (HR) estimation method that is robust to various situations, such as bright, low-light, and varying illumination scenes. We utilize a camera that records red, green, and blue (RGB) and near-infrared (NIR) information to capture the subtle skin color changes induced by the cardiac pulse of a person. The key novelty of our method is the adaptive fusion of RGB and NIR signals for HR estimation based on the analysis of background illumination variations. RGB signals are suitable indicators for HR estimation in bright scenes. Conversely, NIR signals are more reliable than RGB signals in scenes with more complex illumination, as they can be captured independently of the changes in background illumination. By measuring the correlations between the lights reflected from the background and facial regions, we adaptively utilize RGB and NIR observations for HR estimation. The experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Illumination-Aware Multi-Task GANs for Foreground Segmentation

Foreground-background segmentation has been an active research area over the years. However, conventional models fail to produce accurate results when challenged with the videos of challenging illumination conditions. In this paper, we present a robust model that allows accurately extracting the foreground even in exceptionally dark or bright scenes and in continuously varying illumination in a video sequence. This is accomplished by a triple multi-task generative adversarial network (TMT-GAN) that effectively models the semantic relationship between the dark and bright images and performs binary segmentation end-to-end. Our contribution is twofold: first, we show that by jointly optimizing the GAN loss and the segmentation loss, our network simultaneously learns both tasks that mutually benefit each other. Second, fusing features of images with varying illumination into the segmentation branch vastly improve the performance of the network. Comparative evaluations on highly challenging real and synthetic benchmark datasets (ESI and SABS) demonstrate the robustness of TMT-GAN and its superiority over state-of-the-art approaches.

A global evaluation of discomfort glare metrics in real office spaces with presence of direct sunlight

Existing glare metrics are usually tested in controlled studies and have certain limitations when predicting extremely bright scenes typical of clear sky with great daylight availability. A field-based research was carried out, where 26 real offices with direct sunlight were evaluated. Different daylight glare metrics were selected (luminance and illuminance levels, luminance ratios, luminance distribution). These were divided into two categories: "absolute glare values" and “relative glare values” following a study made by Suk et al. [22]. The contributions of these metrics about glare sensation (GSV scale) were statistically analyzed. In addition, the DGP model and uniformity values were calculated to complement this analysis. This paper demonstrates that Suk's proposal is a viable alternative; however, the “percentage of central and near FOV with luminance greater than 2000 cd/m2” metric showed a better correlation with the subjective response. Finally, a glare equation based on an absolute and a relative glare factor was proposed. This model is recommended to be used specifically when direct sunlight is present in the work area.

Towards an automatic correction of over-exposure in photographs: Application to tone-mapping

A common artifact in photographs is over-exposure due to bright scene features exceeding the abilities of the camera, and causing image areas to appear flat and lacking in detail. Although a wider luminance range could be captured with HDR techniques, this is often not possible, especially in moving scenes. To address this issue, we propose a novel solution for recovering lost details in clipped and over-exposed areas by taking advantage of channel cross-correlation in RGB images. To automate our approach we propose two improvements: (1) using the image white point, we adaptively estimate a clipping threshold value per image, and (2) to better understand the forms of over-exposure, for an optimal selection of parameters, we construct an image database focusing on over-exposed areas and automatically classify over-exposure as light sources, specular highlights or diffuse surfaces. We evaluate our solution using objective metrics and a subjective study based on an ITU standard protocol, showing that our correction leads to improved results compared to previous related techniques. We explore several potential applications of our method, including extending to video as well as using it as a preprocessing step prior to reverse tone mapping.

An Operational Radiometric Landsat Preprocessing Framework for Large-Area Time Series Applications

We developed a large-area preprocessing framework for multisensor Landsat data, capable of processing large data volumes. Cloud and cloud shadow detection is performed by a modified Fmask code. Surface reflectance is inferred from Tanre's formulation of the radiative transfer, including adjacency effect correction. A precompiled MODIS water vapor database provides daily or climatological fallback estimates. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) is estimated over dark objects (DOs) that are identified in a combined database and image-based approach, where information on their temporal persistency is utilized. AOD is inferred with consideration of the actual target reflectance and background contamination effect. In case of absent DOs in bright scenes, a fallback approach with a modeled AOD climatology is used instead. Topographic normalization is performed by a modified C-correction. The data are projected into a single coordinate system and are organized in a gridded data structure for simplified pixel-based access. We based the assessment of the produced data set on an exhaustive analysis of overlapping pixels: 98.8% of the redundant overlaps are in the range of the expected ±2.5% overall radiometric algorithm accuracy. AOD is in very good agreement with Aerosol Robotic Network sunphotometer data ( $R^{2}$ : 0.72 to 0.79, low intercepts, and slopes near unity). The uncertainty in using the water vapor fallback climatology is approximately ±2.8% for the TM SWIR1 band in the wet season. The topographic correction was considered successful by an investigation of the nonrelationship between the illumination angle and the corrected radiance.

Homogeneous codes for energy-efficient illumination and imaging

Programmable coding of light between a source and a sensor has led to several important results in computational illumination, imaging and display. Little is known, however, about how to utilize energy most effectively, especially for applications in live imaging. In this paper, we derive a novel framework to maximize energy efficiency by "homogeneous matrix factorization" that respects the physical constraints of many coding mechanisms (DMDs/LCDs, lasers, etc. ). We demonstrate energy-efficient imaging using two prototypes based on DMD and laser illumination. For our DMD-based prototype, we use fast local optimization to derive codes that yield brighter images with fewer artifacts in many transport probing tasks. Our second prototype uses a novel combination of a low-power laser projector and a rolling shutter camera. We use this prototype to demonstrate never-seen-before capabilities such as (1) capturing live structured-light video of very bright scenes---even a light bulb that has been turned on; (2) capturing epipolar-only and indirect-only live video with optimal energy efficiency; (3) using a low-power projector to reconstruct 3D objects in challenging conditions such as strong indirect light, strong ambient light, and smoke; and (4) recording live video from a projector's---rather than the camera's---point of view.

Management of Multi-Operator Interconnection through Interconnection Exchange - A Case Study of Bangladesh

The liberalization/opening of telecom markets has brought significant value to customers and markets. The open market contributed to improve quality of service, price reduction and introduction of competition among service providers. An operator can no longer prosper simply by offering basic telephone services. Operators are growing very fast and expanding into all types of telephone services – fixed, mobile, Long Distance (National & International) and also into convergent networks. The geographical spread is also increasing at a fast pace. Operators worldwide are realizing need for fixed-mobile, voice-data and carrier-enterprise convergence. But, behind this bright scene, a complexity is also developing, which has not been addressed with a long term perspective at its inception. These developments could lead to a complex situation resulting in monopolistic behaviour by a market leader or incumbent operators, or an increase in cost of interconnecting networks in a multi-operator and multi-service scenario. is one of most important areas which may emerge as a problem with increase in number of operators with open market conditions. With increase of number of operators in different services, number of interconnecting links between operators increase in multiples and will be very soon unmanageable. Incumbents' networks generally in all developing countries do not have adequate interconnection facilities for new entrants. As a result investments made by new entrants are required to wait for availability of interconnect facilities. It leads to higher cost of service, inefficient handling of call, sub-optimal utilization of network and serious increase of CAPEX and OPEX. The research question in this paper is – how can regulators or operators overcome problem arising from bi-lateral interconnection regime in multi operator and multi service environment? The concept of Interconnection Exchange (ICX) can be a solution to above mentioned problem. ICX is a step towards creation of a modern and efficient telecommunications infrastructure. With introduction of ICX, operators can combine their services in most flexible way. This concept refers to an arrangement which provides interconnection among existing/future telecommunication network of operators and allows monitoring, lawful Interception (LI) facilities and roaming number portability. This paper on the case study of ICX based regime in addresses key issues related to Architecture. The paper explains a totally new approach which possibly may provide a solution to facilitate further competition and could be a mechanism as well as launching pad for ICT density growth in multi-operator multi-service scenario in developing countries. It could also provide a solution to a number of issues that are coming in way of getting best results from investments being made in telecom sector. It could further lead to many new value additions for consumers at competitive tariffs. The paper gives opportunity to discuss model, suggest for betterment and in best case, gives chance of framing/replicating ICX model in other developing countries. This paper on Bangladesh gives an overview of:- Objectives of ICX- Policy Background (that guided introduction of ICX in Bangladesh)- Details of existing ICX infrastructure in Bangladesh- Network Architecture- Revenue sharing model- Billing & payment settlement - Traffic distribution pattern- Implication on current interconnection regime

26.4: Algorithm for Contrast Reserve, Backlight Dimming, and Backlight Boosting on LCD

This paper presents an algorithm for controlling the signals to an LCD panel and its backlight. The objective is to maximize the signal to the display and to perform the dynamic backlight dimming very effectively. Then the average power can be limited, e.g. to 500 cd/m2 average screen brightness, and on occasional bright scenes the backlight can be boosted significantly, e.g. to 800 cd/m2 peak screen brightness during a few minutes.

A visual mechanism tuned to black

Chubb et al. [Journal of the Optical Society of America A 11 (1994) 2350] investigated preattentive discrimination of achromatic textures comprising random mixtures of 17 Weber contrasts ranging linearly from −1 to 1. They showed that only a single mechanism B is used to discriminate between textures whose histograms are equated in mean and in variance. Although they provided a partial characterization of B, their methods did not allow them to measure the sensitivity of B to texture mean and variance. Here, additional measurements are performed to complete the functional characterization of B. The results reveal that B (i) is strongly activated by texture elements of the lowest contrast (near −1), (ii) is slightly activated by texture elements of contrast −0.875, and (iii) barely distinguishes the 15 contrasts ranging from −0.75 all the way up to 1. To reflect the sharpness of its tuning to very dark, sparse elements in a predominantly bright scene, we call B the blackshot mechanism.

Automatic Gain Control for Image-Intensified Camera

Stability of a nonlinear, sampled-data automatic gain control (AGC) for image-intensified cameras is described. The AGC increases the intensifier gain if the video scene is too dim and decreases the gain if the video scene is too bright. Otherwise, the AGC does not alter the gain. The gain of the system is stable, i.e., the gain does not oscillate between two values, for all possible static video scenes if the thresholds for defining both dim and bright scenes and the gain factor are chosen properly. This paper derives the regions for gain stability and provides the criteria for choosing the thresholds and the gain factor.

Rapid Calibration of Operational and Research Meteorological Satellite Imagers. Part I: Evaluation of Research Satellite Visible Channels as References

Operational meteorological satellites generally lack reliable onboard calibration systems for solar-imaging channels. Current methods for calibrating these channels and for normalizing similar channels on contemporaneous satellite imagers typically rely on a poorly calibrated reference source. To establish a more reliable reference instrument for calibration normalization, this paper examines the use of research satellite imagers that maintain their solar-channel calibrations by using onboard diffuser systems that rely on the sun as an absolute reference. The Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission(TRMM) satellite and the second Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR-2) on the second European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS-2) are correlated with matched data from the eighth Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-8), the fifth Geostationary Meteorological satellite(GMS-5), and with each other to examine trends in the solar channels. VIRS data are also correlated with the Terra satellite’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provisional data as a preliminary assessment of their relative calibrations. As an additional check on their long-term stability, the VIRS data are compared to the relevant corresponding broadband shortwave radiances of the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) scanners on TRMM. No statistically significant trend in the calibration of the VIRS 0.65- and 1.64-mm channels could be detected from the comparisons with CERES data taken during 1998 and 2000. The VIRS-to-GOES-8 correlations revealed an annual degradation rate for the GOES-8 visible (0.67 mm) channel of ;7.5% and an initial drop of 16% in the gain from the prelaunch value. The slopes in the GOES-8 visible-channel gain trend lines derived from VIRS data taken after January 1998 and ATSR-2 data taken between October 1995 and December 1999 differed by only 1%‐2% indicating that both reference instruments are highly stable. The mean difference of 3%‐4.8% between the VIRS‐GOES-8 and ATSR-2‐GOES-8 gains is attributed to spectral differences between ATSR-2 and VIRS and to possible biases in the ATSR-2 channel-2 calibration. A degradation rate of 1.3% per year found for the GMS-5 visible channel was confirmed by comparisons with earlier calibrations. The MODIS and VIRS calibrations agreed to within 21% to 3%. Some of the differences between VIRS and the provisional MODIS radiances can be explained by spectral differences between the two instruments. The MODIS measures greater reflectance than VIRS for bright scenes. Although both VIRS and ATSR-2 provide temporally stable calibrations, it is recommended that, at least until MODIS calibrations are finalized, VIRS should be used as a reference source for normalizing operational meteorological satellite imagers because of its broader visible filter.

DLP Cinema™ projection: A hybrid frame‐rate technique for flicker‐free performance

Abstract— Film is recorded at 24 Hz, which is sufficient to achieve the effect of motion but is well within the flicker sensitivity of the human‐visual system (HVS) and thus would result in severe flicker. To avoid this, film projectors project at twice this rate, using a 48‐Hz screen refresh rate. While this greatly mitigates flicker, projected film images still exhibit considerable flicker in bright scenes. DLP Cinema™ projection technology allows us to display images at any frame rate, and in practice we have been able to match the 48‐Hz refresh rate of film projectors. This paper describes a technique by which we take advantage of the fact that the HVS temporal sensitivity curve shows more sensitivity with bright content but much less sensitivity as content dims. This is done using the control versatility of the Digital Micromirror Device™ (DMD™), which allows independent control of every bit. The result is an overall image signal that is beyond the HVS temporal sensitivity curve, resulting in the complete removal of any visible flicker. This technique gives DLP Cinema™ projection its characteristic “solid” and “stable” appearance that standard film projection does not provide.

Use of ScaRaB Measurements for Validating a GOES-Based TOA Radiation Product

Lack of calibrated radiation measurements at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) between major spaceborne radiation missions entails inference of the TOA radiation budget from operational weather sensors. The inferred data are subject to uncertainties due to calibration, narrow- to broadband conversion, etc. In this study, a surrogate TOA earth radiation budget product generated from GOES-7 (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) imagery data for use in the U.S. Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program was validated using measurements from the ScaRaB radiometer flown on board the METEOR-3/7 satellite. Comparisons were made between coincident and collocated shortwave and longwave radiative quantities derived from GOES and ScaRaB sensors over an ARM experimental locale in the South Great Plains of Oklahoma, during April and July 1994. The comparisons are proven to be instrumental in validating the calibration and narrow- to broadband conversion used to obtain broadband radiative quantities from GOES digital counts. Calibrations for both visible and infrared window channels have small uncertainties, whereas narrow- to broadband conversion of shortwave measurements contains large systematic errors. The caveat stems from use of a quadratic conversion equation instead of a linear one, as was found from ScaRaB narrow- and broadband measurements. The ensuing errors in the estimates of broadband albedo depend on scene brightness, underestimation for bright scenes, and overestimation for dark scenes. As a result, the magnitude of the TOA cloud radiative forcing is underestimated by about 14 W m−2 or 7.5% on a daytime mean basis. After correcting this error, the ratio of cloud radiative forcing (a measure of the impact of clouds on atmospheric absorption) derived from ARM measurements turns out to be 1.07, which is in even closer agreement with radiative transfer models than found from previous studies using original GOES products.

Henry James's Pastoral Fallacy

AbstractIn his early fiction, Henry James’s characters tend to see reality in terms of an idealized pastoral image. This “fallacy” is paradoxical, being both a romantic falsification and an imaginative creation of values. The pastoral complex associates images of frail, vulnerable, but perfect and innocent figures; bright, tranquil, but diminutive fragile scenes; an intruding horror; and a resultant redoubling of efforts to transform the ideal into a perfect harmony. The Europeans and “An International Episode” exploit this Arcadian motif, and in “Brooksmith” the mode is thoroughly explored, even to the elegiac apotheosis of the dead “shepherd.” In the highly ambiguous late novels, The Turn of the Screw and The Golden Bowl, the residual power of the pastoral impulse remains ironically operative. For James the process of life is not to be denied, but the stasis of art and the need to create it are requisite for meaning, richness, and worth in the “felt” life.

Crosstalk in Phototransistor Imaging Mosaics at Very High Light Levels

Measurements were made using a 200 X 256 element solid-state imaging system to determine and characterize the behavior of XY interconnected pulse-biased phototransistors in the presence of high light levels such as can occur when the sun or other discrete sources are focused on a part of the mosaic. Wavefom photographs depicting operation under these conditions are presented, along with the conclusions reached from their analysis. Operation was found to agree with previously published results over a wide range of light levels, but at unusually high light levels, a photovoltaic mode becomes significant. Under these conditions desensitization of the mosaic occurs along the affected emitter bus, while parts of the mosaic in which photovoltaic action does not occur are unaffected. At very low image rates, mosaic operation changes from frame integration to line integration. This mode of operation appears applicable to some special imaging conditions of potential interest-most notably, applications in which it is desirable to image very bright scenes with transmission of the signal over very narrow bandwidths.