Spatial Index for Transparent Pixel Rendering Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rendering transparent pixels in computer-implemented graphics systems is slow due to the need for expensive pixel-by-pixel blending or merging calculations.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a spatial index to determine if anything exists behind an object, converting transparent pixels to a background color and rendering them as opaque if nothing is present, thereby avoiding costly blending calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If transparent pixels are rendered using pixel-by-pixel blending or merging calculations, then rendering accuracy is improved, but rendering speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering accuracyVSAvoidrendering speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary spatial indexing and visibility determination before actual pixel rendering. By pre-processing the scene to identify which transparent pixels are visible and require blending, the system avoids performing expensive blending calculations on all transparent pixels, thus resolving the contradiction between rendering accuracy and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the rendering process into distinct phases: spatial indexing, visibility determination, and conditional blending. By dividing the work and only applying blending operations to specific visible transparent pixels identified through spatial indexing, the system maintains accuracy where needed while improving overall rendering speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If transparent pixels are converted to background color and rendered as opaque pixels, then rendering speed is improved, but rendering accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering speedVSAvoidrendering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different rendering strategies to different regions based on visibility information. Invisible transparent pixels are converted to background color and rendered as opaque pixels for speed, while visible transparent pixels undergo proper blending calculations for accuracy. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between speed and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If spatial index is used to determine visibility behind objects, then unnecessary blending operations are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spatial index is constructed in advance before rendering begins, allowing the system to quickly determine visibility relationships during rendering without performing complex real-time calculations. This pre-processing approach improves rendering efficiency while managing system complexity through organized data structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7701463B2Accelerated rendering of images with transparent pixels using a spatial index

Publication Date: 2010.04.20 AUTODESK INC

AI summary

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for accelerated rendering of images with transparent pixels using a spatial index. A determination is made whether anything exists behind an object in an image. If not, then transparent pixels within the object are converted to a background color and rendered as opaque pixels.