3D Image Memory Management via Tile Subdivision and Dynamic Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory management systems for generating 3-dimensional computer images face challenges with increased complexity, leading to memory overflow issues and image corruption, particularly when dealing with complex scenes that require more storage and increased memory bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A memory management system that subdivides the image into rectangular areas, dynamically allocates memory for object and depth data, and employs a global list to reduce memory usage and optimize storage by allowing object data to be written once for multiple areas, thereby minimizing memory requirements and improving processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the display list memory stores all object data for each tile to handle complex scenes, then the rendering completeness is improved, but the memory storage requirement increases causing memory overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display list memory into multiple memory blocks that can be dynamically allocated and deallocated. Each memory block can store object data for specific tiles, allowing the system to segment the storage requirement and process only necessary data for visible tiles rather than loading all scene data into memory at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic memory allocation where memory blocks are allocated when needed and deallocated when no longer required. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt memory usage to the actual rendering requirements of each tile, preventing memory overflow while maintaining complete rendering capability for complex scenes.
2Manufacturing precision
If the system loads all object data into display list memory before rendering, then the rendering accuracy is improved, but the memory bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary tile classification to identify which tiles contain visible objects and which are completely invisible. By pre-determining the necessary object data to load based on tile visibility, the system avoids loading unnecessary data into memory, reducing memory bandwidth consumption while maintaining rendering accuracy for visible areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different memory loading strategies to different tiles based on their visibility and object distribution. Visible tiles with objects have their object data loaded into memory blocks, while invisible tiles do not require memory allocation. This localized approach reduces overall memory bandwidth consumption while ensuring accurate rendering of visible regions.
3Ease of operation
If the system uses fixed memory allocation for each tile, then the memory management simplicity is improved, but the memory utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed memory allocation with dynamic memory block allocation. Memory blocks are allocated from a pool of available memory when needed and deallocated when tiles are processed. This dynamic system maintains operational simplicity through automated block management while significantly improving memory utilization efficiency by avoiding wasted space from fixed allocations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple small memory blocks into a unified memory management system with a free store list. Instead of managing separate fixed memory allocations for each tile, the system combines all available memory into a pool that can be dynamically allocated and deallocated as needed, simplifying memory management operations while improving overall utilization efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Memory management system and method for use with systems for generating 3-dimensional computer generated images are provided. The system includes a) a device for subdividing the image into rectangular areas, b) a memory for storing object data for each rectangular area and depth data derived from the object data, c) a device for storing the object data in the memory, d) a device for deriving the depth data for each rectangular area from the object data, e) a device for storing the depth data for each rectangular area in the memory, f) a device for loading further object data into the memory to replace part of the existing contents, g) a device for retrieving the stored depth data, h) a device for deriving updated depth data for each picture element of each rectangular area from the new object and stored depth data, and storing the updated depth data to replace the previously stored depth data, i) a device for causing features e), f), g) and h) to repeatedly perform the functions until there is no further object data to load to the 1 memory, and j) a device for deriving image data and shading data from the depth data for display.