Mask Surface Visualization for 3D Data Highlighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visualization techniques struggle to effectively highlight areas of interest in large-scale data sets, particularly in 3D spaces, due to complex data arrangements and high processing loads, making it difficult for users to discern important phenomena in fields like biology and nanotechnology.
Innovation Solution
A mask processing method is introduced, where a mask surface is generated and positioned in a virtual 3D space to selectively highlight areas of interest by arranging it perpendicular to the user's sight line, allowing only relevant data to be displayed clearly, with the ability to adjust its position, shape, and transparency based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all 3D data is displayed without selection, then complete data coverage is achieved, but areas of interest cannot be observed due to complex spatial arrangement and data obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the 3D data space into multiple selectable regions or layers, allowing users to focus on specific areas of interest while maintaining the option to view complete data. This segmentation enables selective display of data portions, resolving the contradiction between complete coverage and focused observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary selection mechanism (such as a picking tool or region selector) that mediates between the user and the complex 3D data. This intermediary allows users to easily designate and isolate areas of interest without directly manipulating the entire data set, improving observability while preserving data integrity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional blur techniques are applied to 3D data, then depth perception is improved, but processing load increases significantly for enormous data sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential depth information needed for perception and applies blur selectively to specific data elements or regions rather than processing the entire 3D data set. This extraction approach maintains depth perception benefits while significantly reducing the processing load by focusing computational resources only where necessary.
3Loss of information
If mask surface is dynamically positioned and oriented, then areas of interest are effectively highlighted, but calculation processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations to establish initial mask surface positions and orientations based on predefined criteria or user preferences. By pre-positioning mask surfaces before the main visualization process, the system reduces real-time calculation requirements while still achieving effective highlighting of areas of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask surface automatically adjusts its position and orientation based on the distribution and characteristics of the 3D data itself, without requiring extensive external calculation or user intervention. The mask surface serves itself by detecting data density patterns and autonomously positioning to optimize area of interest visibility, reducing overall processing load.
Data Source
AI summary
This method includes: generating data of a mask surface with respect to visualization data arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, for calculation values at respective calculation points; identifying, from a first data storage storing, as time-series data, positions of the calculation points and calculation values at the calculation points, a first point whose position is closest to a predetermined point on the mask surface; reading out, from the first data storage, a position of the identified first point in each time; arranging the mask surface in each time based on a direction of a user's sight line and the read position in each time so as to make the mask surface perpendicular to the direction of the user's sight line and have the predetermined point on the mask surface arranged at the read position; and drawing polygon data of the visualization data and the mask surface in time series.