Distributed Rendering System for Multiuser Game Screens

Solution Overview

Problem

Current multiuser online network games require high-performance client devices for rendering, limiting the number of users due to the expense and availability of such devices, and there is a lack of practical methods for sharing rendering processing among multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

A rendering system where multiple devices share rendering processing by one device generating a first screen using texturing and basic illumination, while another device generates a second screen applying global illumination, with both screens being composited to create the final displayed screen, allowing for efficient distribution of rendering tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If rendering processing is executed by client devices, then the number of users is limited by device performance requirements, but high-performance rendering quality is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering qualityVSAvoidnumber of users

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rendering processing is divided into multiple independent processes that can be executed by different devices. Each device executes specific rendering tasks (such as texturing, illumination, global illumination) and sends the generated screen portions to a composition device, which combines them into the final display. This segmentation allows multiple users with varying device performances to access high-quality rendering content simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A composition device is introduced as an intermediary between the rendering devices and the display. The composition device receives screen portions from multiple rendering devices, composites them together, and outputs the final rendered image. This intermediary enables coordination and integration of rendering tasks across multiple devices without requiring each device to perform all rendering operations independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If all rendering processing is executed by a single device, then rendering quality is maintained, but device complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering qualityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rendering processing is divided into multiple independent processes that can be executed by different devices. Each device executes specific rendering tasks (such as texturing, illumination, global illumination) and sends the generated screen portions to a composition device, which combines them into the final display. This segmentation allows multiple users with varying device performances to access high-quality rendering content simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring a single device to execute all rendering processing, each device performs only the necessary rendering tasks for its specific view or portion. The composition device then integrates these partial results. This approach reduces the processing burden on individual devices while maintaining overall rendering quality through the collaborative effort of multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If rendering processing is shared by multiple devices, then the number of users is increased, but coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of usersVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A composition device is introduced as an intermediary between the rendering devices and the display. The composition device receives screen portions from multiple rendering devices, composites them together, and outputs the final rendered image. This intermediary enables coordination and integration of rendering tasks across multiple devices without requiring each device to perform all rendering operations independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The rendering processing is divided into multiple independent processes that can be executed by different devices. Each device executes specific rendering tasks (such as texturing, illumination, global illumination) and sends the generated screen portions to a composition device, which combines them into the final display. This segmentation allows multiple users with varying device performances to access high-quality rendering content simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9665334B2Rendering system, rendering server, control method thereof, program, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 SQUARE ENIX HLDG CO LTD

AI summary

One device generates a first screen by executing some processes including a first process of rendering processing of the screen to be displayed in accordance with the information required to determine the rendered contents. On the other hand, devices except for the one device generates a second screen by executing some processes, which do not include the first process but include a second process different from the first process, of the rendering processing of the screen to be displayed in accordance with that information, and sends the second screen to the one device. Then, the one device receives the second screens generated by the respective devices except for the one device, and generates the screen to be displayed by compositing the first and second screens.