Ray Intersection API for Direct Access to Ray Tracing Hardware

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Solution Overview

Problem

Performing operations using rays can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, particularly in parallel computing platforms.

Innovation Solution

An application programming interface (API) is introduced to directly utilize ray tracing hardware for object intersection operations, enabling faster and more efficient use of ray tracing hardware resources by integrating it into parallel computing systems without the need for separate pipelines or kernels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ray tracing hardware is used for object intersection operations through separate pipelines or kernels, then the operations can be performed, but the time and computing resources required are significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject intersection operation speedVSAvoidtime required for ray operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges ray tracing hardware access directly into the kernel execution flow, eliminating separate pipelines or kernels for ray operations. This integration allows object intersection operations to be performed as part of the main kernel execution, reducing overhead and improving productivity while decreasing the time required for ray operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If ray tracing hardware is accessed through separate pipelines or kernels, then the system architecture is simpler to implement, but resource utilization efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveray tracing hardware resource utilizationVSAvoidintegration of ray tracing hardware into kernels

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables ray tracing hardware to serve multiple functions by allowing direct access from within kernels. The same hardware resources can be utilized for both traditional ray tracing tasks and object intersection operations, improving resource utilization efficiency without requiring dedicated separate pipelines, thus achieving multi-functionality from existing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250342647A1Application programming interface to indicate object intersected by ray

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 NVIDIA CORP

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to indicate one or more objects intersected by one or more rays. In at least one embodiment, one or more circuits are to perform an application programming interface (API) to cause one or mor objects intersected by one or more rays to be indicated to a user.