Ray Tracing Prediction for Mobile Rendering Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ray tracing technologies are computationally intensive, leading to long computation times and degraded user experience, especially in rendering high-resolution images on mobile devices, as they require tracing numerous rays to achieve realistic shadow and lighting effects.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a feasibility criterion to predict the outcome of ray tracing operations for elements based on stored results, reducing redundant tracing by skipping unnecessary traversal and intersection tests, and using multithreading to process elements efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional ray tracing is performed for all elements to achieve accurate shadow and lighting effects, then rendering quality is improved, but computational complexity and rendering time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs ray tracing operations on a first set of elements (e.g., every other pixel or element in a grid pattern) before processing the second set of elements. This preliminary action creates a result set that can be used to predict outcomes for subsequent elements, reducing redundant computations while maintaining rendering quality through selective prediction versus full tracing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates predictions for ray tracing results by copying and adapting information from previously computed elements in the result set. Instead of performing full ray tracing on every element, the system copies relevant ray tracing information from proximate elements and applies it to predict results for current elements, significantly reducing computational complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If ray tracing is performed for all elements at high resolution to maintain image quality, then rendering accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By performing ray tracing on a subset of elements first and using those results to predict outcomes for remaining elements, the system reduces the total number of computationally intensive ray tracing operations required. This preliminary computation approach maintains rendering accuracy through prediction validation while significantly reducing power consumption on mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing strategies to different sets of elements: full ray tracing is performed on the first set where accurate baseline data is needed, while predictions are used for the second set where approximate results suffice. This local differentiation of quality requirements reduces overall power consumption while maintaining acceptable rendering accuracy across the entire image.
3Manufacturing precision
If full ray tracing operations are performed for every element to ensure accurate intersection detection, then rendering precision is improved, but rendering time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs ray tracing operations on a first set of elements to establish accurate baseline results in a result set. These preliminary results are then used to predict outcomes for a second set of elements, allowing the system to skip redundant full ray tracing operations while maintaining rendering precision through prediction validation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies ray tracing information from previously computed elements in the result set to predict results for current elements. By copying and adapting proven ray tracing data from proximate elements rather than performing full intersection detection for every element, the system maintains rendering precision while significantly improving rendering speed.
4Reliability
If redundant ray tracing operations are performed for all elements to handle complex scenes with multiple objects and lights, then completeness of rendering is improved, but computational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By performing ray tracing on a first set of elements and storing results in a result set before processing the second set, the system ensures completeness of rendering for critical elements while using predictions for less critical elements. This preliminary action guarantees that essential ray tracing operations are completed accurately while improving overall computational efficiency through selective prediction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies ray tracing results from the result set to predict outcomes for elements in the second set, reducing redundant operations. This copying approach maintains completeness of rendering by validating predictions against stored results while improving computational efficiency by avoiding duplicate full ray tracing operations for elements with similar characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method and apparatus for supporting an image rendering using ray tracing. For at least some elements (e.g. pixels), ray tracing results for previously evaluated elements are used to predict ray tracing results for the current element. These previously evaluated elements can be elements which are proximate to the current element. Feasibility testing and prediction can be performed to determine whether a prediction can be made, and the ray hit test and the opaqueness testing can determine whether the prediction is valid. If testing fails, a full ray tracing operation can be performed for the current element. The operations can be implemented using multithreading. Ray tracing patterning and resolution of elements used for prediction purposes can be adjusted based on prior performance.