Dolby tackles poor phone camera photos

TechSpot reports.

JPEG-HDR is designed to improve the quality of images shot with mobile phones by creating HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos, similar to what Apple has accomplished on the iPhone 4 and 4S and HTC's upcoming One X.

HDR photography is often used to bridge the gap when trying to photograph a scene that contains poorly lit areas and overexposed sections. To do this, the camera will take multiple photos of the same scene in rapid succession using a range of exposures. These images can then be stitched together on a computer using software to bring out the full range of detail that would otherwise be lost in the under- or overexposed areas of the picture.

JPEG-HDR was originally created by Greg Ward of BrightSide Technology and Maryann Simmons, then working for Walt Disney's animation department, PC Mag writes.

In April 2007, Dolby completed its acquisition of BrightSide, bringing the JPEG-HDR technology into the Dolby fold.

Creating composite pictures using HDR technology evolved from the problem that most camera phones have been unable to solve: Non-HDR cameras take pictures at a single exposure level with a limited contrast range, meaning that detail is often lost in either dark or highly exposed segments of the image. A picture of a sunset, for example, generally renders the ground as a uniformly dark image. HDR technology takes two or more images - one optimised for a low exposure, one optimised for high exposure - then intelligently combines them together to create a new image.

Dolby audio technologies are found in more than 150 handsets and 12 tablets, Dolby said. Phones from Nokia, Pantech and LG use the Dolby Digital Plus technology.