Image Rendering With Depth and Normal Maps for Efficient 3D Occlusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image rendering methods for three-dimensional objects require complex three-dimensional modeling, leading to high computational demands and poor occlusion effects due to non-conforming models.

Innovation Solution

An image rendering method that utilizes object depth and normal maps to determine occlusion and illumination information, enabling efficient and realistic rendering of three-dimensional objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If three-dimensional modeling is used for illumination rendering, then rendering quality can be improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverendering qualityVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses depth maps and normal maps as simplified copies of three-dimensional object data instead of full three-dimensional models. These maps contain essential geometric information (depth) and surface orientation information (normals) needed for rendering, while requiring significantly less computational resources to process than complete three-dimensional models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the necessary components from three-dimensional models - specifically depth information and normal vector information - and uses these extracted elements for rendering calculations. This extraction approach eliminates the need to process entire three-dimensional models while retaining the essential data needed for quality rendering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If pre-established three-dimensional occlusion models are used, then occlusion effects can be achieved, but the models do not conform to various object forms resulting in poor rendering quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveocclusion effectVSAvoidrendering quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamic depth maps that can adapt to different object forms rather than static pre-established models. The depth map is generated specifically for each target object, allowing the occlusion rendering to conform accurately to the actual geometry of any object form, thereby improving both occlusion effect reliability and rendering quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent determines occlusion information locally for each pixel based on its depth value and comparison with other pixels. This local processing approach allows the occlusion effect to adapt to the specific local geometry of each object surface, improving conformance to various object forms rather than applying a universal pre-established model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If full three-dimensional models are created for rendering, then comprehensive object information is available, but rendering efficiency decreases due to large computational requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject information completenessVSAvoidrendering efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simplified map representations (depth maps and normal maps) as copies that contain the essential information needed for rendering. These maps preserve the critical geometric properties required for occlusion and illumination calculations while occupying minimal storage space and enabling rapid processing, thus maintaining information completeness while dramatically improving rendering efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms three-dimensional object data into a different parameter representation - from full three-dimensional model coordinates to two-dimensional depth and normal map values. This parameter transformation reduces the data dimensionality and complexity while retaining the essential information needed for rendering calculations, thereby improving processing efficiency without significant information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250252649A1Image rendering method and apparatus, device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.08.07 BEIJING ZITIAO NETWORK TECH CO LTD
  • US20250252649A1 patent drawing
  • US20250252649A1 patent drawing
  • US20250252649A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An image rendering method and apparatus, a device, and a storage medium are provided. The image rendering method includes: obtaining an object depth map and an object normal map of a target object in an image; determining occlusion information based on the object depth map; determining illumination information based on the object normal map; and rendering the target object in the image based on the occlusion information and the illumination information to obtain a target image.