Photon Map Rendering for Low-Luminance Regions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-definition image rendering using photon mapping methods is hindered by increased processing load and reduced responsiveness due to the trade-off between image quality and rendering speed, particularly when attempting to perform illumination calculations with higher accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that includes a photon map generator, a low-luminance region identifying unit, and a rendering part to reduce photon collection rates in low-luminance regions, allowing for faster radiance calculation and image generation without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of photons is increased to perform illumination calculation with higher accuracy, then image quality is improved, but rendering time increases and smooth image displaying is precluded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating photon collection strategies based on spatial location. Low-luminance regions (such as shadow areas) use reduced photon collection rates, while other regions maintain normal or higher collection rates. This localized adaptation allows the system to allocate computational resources efficiently, maintaining illumination accuracy where needed while reducing overall processing time.
2Measurement precision
If the definition of image and complexity of displaying contents are increased, then image quality is improved, but processing load increases and responsiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different photon collection rates to different spatial regions. Low-luminance regions use reduced collection rates to decrease processing load, while other regions maintain higher rates to preserve image quality. This selective approach enables high-definition rendering with improved responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by collecting photons at reduced rates in specific low-luminance regions where full photon collection would provide minimal visual benefit. This partial collection strategy reduces overall processing load while maintaining acceptable image quality in those regions, enabling faster rendering of high-definition images.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes a photon map generator that constructs a virtual three-dimensional space as a rendering target and generates a photon map by distributing photons used for a photon mapping method, a low-luminance region identifying unit that identifies a low-luminance region estimated to have low luminance when the virtual three-dimensional space is projected onto a screen corresponding to a viewpoint by a method different from the photon mapping method, and a rendering part that collects photons corresponding to all pixels based on the photon map with reduction in the collection rate of photons corresponding to a pixel included in the low-luminance region compared with the other region, and calculates radiance to decide a pixel value and generate a display image.