Layered Digital Image Data Reordering for Rendering Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital image rendering systems require rendering each layer of layered digital image data individually, leading to slow display rendering due to the need for intermediate images, high memory usage, and processor intensity.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method reorders original layered image data by extracting specific image objects from multiple layers and creating reordered digital image data, allowing for rendering without intermediate images, reducing the number of layers, and assigning z-values based on relative depth, thereby improving rendering efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If each layer of layered digital image data is rendered individually to form intermediate images, then the rendering process maintains layer structure and depth information, but the display rendering speed decreases and processor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple layers of digital image data into a single consolidated data structure that preserves depth information through z-values. Instead of rendering each layer separately as intermediate images, the system combines all layer data into one optimized rendering pipeline, eliminating the need for multiple intermediate image generations while maintaining the visual depth relationships through proper z-value assignment and sorting.
2Manufacturing precision
If intermediate images are used to store rendered layer data, then the rendering process can maintain image quality and depth relationships, but the memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential depth information from the layered structure and represents it compactly using z-values associated with image objects. Instead of storing complete intermediate images for each layer in memory, the system extracts only the necessary depth metadata and stores it in a compact format, significantly reducing memory requirements while preserving the ability to render layers with proper depth relationships.
3Reliability
If multiple layers are processed sequentially through the rendering pipeline, then the depth relationships and layer ordering are maintained, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sorting of image objects based on their z-values and layer relationships before the actual rendering process. By pre-ordering all image objects from all layers according to their depth and layer hierarchy, the system eliminates the need for sequential layer-by-layer processing during rendering. The renderer can process objects in the pre-sorted order directly, maintaining depth accuracy while significantly reducing processing time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A digital image rendering system, such as a geographic map rendering system, receives image data from an image database, such as a map database, in the form of data having image features defined as sets of image objects arranged in a series of layers. The image rendering system processes the received data in a manner that allows for rendering the original layered data without rendering each original layer separately by reordering the original layered digital image data into fewer layers.