Real-Time Diffuse Reflection via Lookup Table Superposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for adding a diffuse reflection effect to projection images require significant computing resources, making them unsuitable for devices with limited capabilities, such as mobile phones, due to the need for multiple illumination models and complex calculations.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method that uses pre-designed images and dynamic masking based on orientation information to superpose a diffuse reflection effect, reducing the computational load by eliminating the need for multiple illumination models and performing simple calculations, allowing devices with limited resources to achieve real-time diffuse reflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple illumination models are configured to achieve diffuse reflection effects under different illumination conditions, then the realism of the projection image is improved, but the computing resources required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverealism of diffuse reflection effectVSAvoidcomputing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores illumination models in a lookup table during an offline phase. During real-time rendering, the terminal device simply queries the pre-computed lookup table based on illumination parameters rather than performing complex calculations, thereby achieving realistic diffuse reflection effects with minimal computing resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the complex illumination model by pre-computing illumination data for various lighting conditions and storing it in a lookup table. This copy allows the terminal device to achieve realistic lighting effects through simple table lookups instead of executing complex physical illumination calculations in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If complex illumination models are used to calculate light intensity for each pixel, then the accuracy of the diffuse reflection effect is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of light intensity calculationVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs accurate light intensity calculations in advance and stores the results in a lookup table. During real-time image rendering, the system achieves the same accuracy by simply retrieving pre-computed values from the lookup table, eliminating the time-consuming calculation step while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, time-consuming real-time illumination calculations with a cheap, fast lookup operation. The lookup table acts as a pre-computed resource that can be queried instantly, trading the heavy computational cost of accurate light intensity calculation for a simple memory access operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If real-time diffuse reflection effect is implemented on embedded terminals, then the user experience is improved, but the computing capability requirements exceed the device limits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time rendering capabilityVSAvoidcomputing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent shifts the computational burden from the resource-constrained embedded terminal to an offline preprocessing stage. By pre-computing illumination models and storing them in a lookup table, the terminal device can achieve real-time diffuse reflection effects through simple table lookups, well within its limited computing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical computation process (real-time illumination calculations) with a data retrieval process (lookup table query). This substitution eliminates the need for complex real-time mathematical computations on the embedded terminal, enabling real-time rendering within device power and processing limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3618006B1Image processing method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3618006B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3618006B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3618006B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application relates to the field of image processing, and provides an image processing method and an apparatus, so as to add a diffuse reflection effect to a projection image in real time and reduce a calculation volume required for adding the diffuse reflection effect. The specific solution includes: obtaining a first image that includes a diffuse reflection object, where the first image is an image obtained when the diffuse reflection object is illuminated by a light source; obtaining a mask image corresponding to the diffuse reflection object; obtaining orientation information of a terminal; and obtaining a second image based on the orientation information, the first image, and the mask image, where the second image is an image that includes the diffuse reflection object and a diffuse reflection effect and that is generated by superposing the first image and the mask image moved based on the orientation information.