360-Degree Image Processing Using Valid Pixel Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The processing of 360-degree image views in virtual reality environments is time-consuming and resource-intensive, particularly due to the need to perform computations on pixels that are not necessary for rendering, leading to delays in real-time storage and rendering.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for image processing that involves precomputing, where a computing device analyzes pixels in an image space for validity, stores and processes only valid pixel groups, and uses a mask to ignore invalid pixels, thereby optimizing resource utilization by avoiding unnecessary computations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all pixels in the image space are processed to create a 360 degree view, then the completeness of the virtual reality environment is improved, but the processing time and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the valid pixel groups that are actually needed for rendering the 360-degree view, separating them from the invalid pixels. By identifying and isolating only the necessary pixels through validity analysis and masking, the system avoids wasting computational resources on pixels that will not contribute to the final rendered image, thus reducing processing time while maintaining completeness of the virtual reality environment.
2Ease of manufacture
If computations are performed on all pixels including invalid ones, then the processing is simpler to implement, but the resource utilization decreases and unnecessary computations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing validity analysis on pixels before the actual rendering computation. The system pre-identifies which pixels are valid and will be needed for the 360-degree view, creating a mask that guides subsequent processing. This preliminary step ensures that only necessary computations are performed, optimizing resource utilization while maintaining implementation feasibility through structured processing pipelines.
3Productivity
If real-time storage and rendering of 360 degree view is achieved, then the user experience is improved, but the processing delays occur due to time-consuming computations
Solution Approach 1:
To achieve real-time rendering, the patent extracts and processes only the valid pixel groups that contribute to the final 360-degree view. By separating valid pixels from invalid ones through validity analysis and using masks to guide processing, the system reduces the computational workload to only the necessary pixels, enabling real-time storage and rendering without significant processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the necessary portion of pixels (valid pixel groups) rather than all pixels in the image space. This selective processing approach reduces the total computational effort required while still achieving complete and accurate 360-degree view rendering in real-time, as only the partial set of valid pixels is needed for the final output.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of precomputing includes capturing a first image by a first image capturing device. An image space for the first image is defined and pixels in the image space are analyzed for validity. Valid pixels are stored as valid pixel groups and the valid pixel groups are processed.