Hierarchical Gather Ray Clustering for Photon Mapping Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photon mapping in image rendering requires high computational complexity due to its high computational demands, particularly in ray tracing, and existing methods increase photon distribution without considering scene characteristics, leading to redundant distribution and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that clusters gather rays hierarchically based on similarity in characteristic information and shares photon gathering results between adjacent rays, rebuilding the data structure when necessary to ensure differences in photon gathering results meet specific thresholds, thereby optimizing photon distribution and reducing computational complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If photon distribution is increased to improve rendering quality, then rendering quality is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges photon gathering results from multiple gather rays by clustering them hierarchically based on similarity in characteristic information. This allows sharing of photon distribution results across similar rays, improving rendering quality through better photon utilization while reducing computational complexity by avoiding redundant photon distribution calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the set of gather rays into clusters based on their characteristic information similarity. By dividing the computation into manageable clusters and sharing results within each cluster, the system achieves higher rendering quality through more sophisticated photon mapping while keeping computational complexity manageable through structured organization
2Measurement precision
If ray tracing is performed for each gather ray independently, then rendering accuracy is improved, but computational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary clustering of gather rays based on their characteristic information before executing photon gathering. By pre-organizing rays into clusters with similar characteristics, the system can share photon gathering results within clusters, reducing the total computational time required while maintaining rendering accuracy through the hierarchical structure
3Ease of manufacture
If photon distribution is performed without considering scene characteristics, then distribution process is simplified, but rendering quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different regions of the scene differently based on their characteristic information. Gather rays with similar local characteristics are clustered together and share photon gathering results, allowing the distribution process to adapt to local scene features and improve rendering quality while maintaining reasonable process simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a memory configured to store a data structure in which gather rays generated by performing gather ray tracing from a rendering viewpoint are clustered hierarchically, the gather rays including a first gather ray and a second gather ray associated with the first gather ray in the data structure, and a processor configured to merge a photon gathering result associated with the second gather ray with a photon gathering result associated with the first gather ray in response to the photon gathering result associated with the first gather ray not satisfying a first condition.