Shader Sequence Snapshot Error Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In computer graphics and image processing, identifying the specific shader in a sequence that causes errors, such as visual artifacts or distortions, is challenging due to the complexity of shader operations and interactions.

Innovation Solution

The technique involves capturing snapshots of image data at different points in the shader sequence and comparing them to corresponding reference snapshots, allowing for the quick identification of error-causing shaders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple shaders are employed to process the image frame in a sequence to achieve complex effects, then the image processing capability is improved, but the difficulty of identifying error-causing shaders increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage processing capabilityVSAvoiddifficulty of identifying error-causing shaders

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the shader sequence into discrete segments by capturing snapshots at intermediate points between shaders. Each snapshot represents the output of a specific shader, allowing errors to be localized to particular segments of the processing pipeline rather than searching through the entire sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces snapshots as intermediary representations between the input image and final output. These snapshots serve as mediators that capture the state of image data at specific points in the shader sequence, enabling comparison and error identification without requiring analysis of the complete processing chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If shader programming resources are increased to locate and correct errors, then the accuracy of error identification is improved, but the programming resources and time required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of error identificationVSAvoidprogramming time and resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary error detection by capturing snapshots at intermediate points in the shader sequence before final output generation. This allows errors to be identified early in the debugging process, preventing wasted time analyzing the complete processing pipeline when the error source could be located through intermediate snapshot comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copies of image data at intermediate processing stages in the form of snapshots. These copies enable direct comparison between expected and actual shader outputs without requiring re-execution of the entire shader sequence or extensive programming resources for error localization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20250200860A1Shader sequence snapshot generation

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC

AI summary

A processing unit identifies errors in a sequence of shaders by capturing snapshots at different points in the shader sequence, wherein each snapshot represents image data or other data at the corresponding point in the shader sequence. A snapshot comparer compares the snapshots to corresponding reference snapshots, wherein each reference snapshot represents the expected data at the corresponding point in the sequence of shaders. Errors in one or more of the shaders in the shader sequence are identified based on the comparison.