Digital gamma correction system for low, medium and high intensity video signals, with linear and non-linear correction

A method of capturing and displaying an image, comprising the steps of:

• transforming incident light from an input image signal into electrical signals;
• gamma correcting said electrical signals to apply a linear correction to low intensity levels of said electrical signals to produce low intensity level gamma corrected signals;
• gamma correcting said electrical signals to apply a linear correction to high intensity levels of said electrical signals to produce high intensity level gamma corrected signals;
• gamma correcting said electrical signals to apply an adjustable non-linear correction to medium intensity levels of said electrical signals to produce medium intensity level gamma corrected signals;
• and
• transforming said low intensity, said high intensity, and said medium intensity level gamma corrected signals into a visual display of said input image signal.

A method for gamma correcting an electrical signal, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving the electrical signal having low, medium, and high intensity level ranges;
• (b) receiving the low intensity level signal and applying a linear gamma correction to said low intensity level signal;
• (c) receiving the medium intensity level signal and applying a non-linear gamma correction to said medium intensity level signal;
• (d) receiving the high intensity level signal and applying a linear gamma correction to said high intensity level signal;
• and
• (e) outputting low, medium and high intensity level gamma corrected electrical signals.

A circuit for gamma correcting electrical signals having a low, a medium, and a high intensity range, corresponding to an image to be displayed, comprising:

• (a) a first means for receiving the low intensity range electrical signals and for applying a linear gamma correction to said low intensity range signals;
• (b) a second means for receiving the medium intensity range electrical signals and for applying a non-linear gamma correction to said medium intensity range signals;
• (c) a third means for receiving the high intensity range signals and for applying a linear gamma correction to said high intensity range signals;
• and
• (d) an output means for outputting low, medium and high intensity range gamma corrected electrical signals.