Lens Flare Rendering via Linear Paraxial Approximation and Blending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating lens flare effects in real-time applications are inefficient, as they either consume high computational resources or fail to accurately represent non-linear patterns, leading to unrealistic simulations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a blending-based approach to generate lens flare effects by simulating light path changes through a lens system, incorporating both linear and non-linear patterns, using a light path conversion equation and a look-up table to blend linear and pre-generated non-linear patterns for realistic rendering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complete light path tracking is used to calculate lens flare, then image quality is improved, but computation load increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential light path information needed for lens flare rendering from the complete light tracking process. Instead of tracking every light ray through the entire optical system, the method extracts key projection positions and light path changes specific to lens flare effects, significantly reducing computational load while maintaining rendering accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of light path changes and projection positions before actual lens flare rendering. By pre-computing the light path conversion equations and storing them in lookup tables, the system avoids repeated complex calculations during real-time rendering, thus reducing computation load while preserving accuracy.
2Productivity
If texture sprites are used for lens flare rendering, then real-time performance is achieved, but physical accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from using fixed texture sprites to dynamically calculating light path parameters based on actual lens physical characteristics. By using lens-specific parameters such as focal length, aperture shape, and optical element positions in light path conversion equations, the system generates physically accurate lens flare patterns in real-time rather than relying on pre-designed textures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual artist-designed texture sprite system with an automated physical optics-based calculation system. Instead of relying on artistic interpretation and manual arrangement of flare sprites, the system uses mathematical models of light reflection and refraction to automatically generate accurate lens flare patterns that reflect the actual physical behavior of the lens.
3Speed
If linear approximation is used for light path calculation, then computation speed is improved, but non-linear patterns are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light path calculation into two parts: linear approximation for basic projection position calculation (for speed) and non-linear correction terms for pattern deformation (for accuracy). By separating these calculations and applying them at different stages, the system achieves both real-time performance and realistic non-linear lens flare patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines linear approximation results with non-linear correction factors to create a composite calculation model. The final lens flare pattern is formed by blending the computationally efficient linear projection with physically accurate non-linear deformations, achieving both speed and pattern diversity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables fast and accurate generation of lens flare effects, achieving high-quality simulations with reduced computational load and improved realism by incorporating physical characteristics of the lens system, while maintaining real-time performance.
Implementation Method 1
A lens is designed to refract incident light to reach a sensor
Implementation Method 2
light rays passing through the optical system are reflected towards an unintended direction by the lens surface
Data Source
AI summary
A lens flare generation method and apparatus simulates lens flare effects through paraxial approximation-based linear approximation to generate a lens flare utilizing physical characteristics of a lens system while generating a lens flare at high speed. A non-linear effect may be added to a linear pattern-based lens flare effect to generate an actual lens flare reflecting most of physical characteristics generated from the lens system. A pre-recorded non-linear pattern may be used.