Stereoscopic Graphics Processing Disparity Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphics processing modules face increased processing burdens when generating stereoscopic images for augmented and virtual reality applications, as they need to produce two images of the same scene simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and increased processing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and module for rendering stereoscopic images that identify and process disparate and non-disparate regions separately, allowing for common processing of non-disparate regions and separate processing of disparate regions, reducing memory usage and processing load by storing and retrieving data only once for non-disparate regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate processing is performed for left and right images in stereoscopic rendering, then image quality and disparity accuracy are improved, but processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The rendering process is segmented into distinct phases: geometry processing generates both left and right images simultaneously, disparity determination identifies regions with depth differences, and selective processing applies common processing to non-disparate regions while maintaining separate processing only for disparate regions. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by avoiding full separate processing while preserving disparity accuracy where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different processing strategies are applied to different regions of the image based on local disparity characteristics. Non-disparate regions (where left and right images are identical) receive common processing, while disparate regions (where depth differences exist) receive separate processing. This local quality approach maintains disparity accuracy in critical regions while reducing overall processing time.
2Reliability
If full separate processing is applied to left and right images, then stereoscopic depth perception is maintained, but memory usage and processing load double
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges processing operations for left and right images in regions where they are identical (non-disparate regions). By detecting that certain regions contain no disparity information, the system combines the processing streams and performs operations once rather than twice, reducing memory usage and processing load while preserving stereoscopic depth perception in disparate regions through separate processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying full separate processing to all regions (excessive action), the patent applies separate processing only partially to regions where it is actually needed (disparate regions). This partial action approach maintains the necessary stereoscopic depth perception while eliminating redundant processing operations in non-disparate regions, thereby improving processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and graphics processing modules for rendering a stereoscopic image including left and right images of a three-dimensional scene. Geometry is processed in the scene to generate left data for use in displaying the left image and right data for use in displaying the right image. Disparity is determined between the left and right data by comparing the generated left data and the generated right data used in displaying the stereoscopic image. In response to identifying at least a portion of the left data and the right data as non-disparate, a corresponding portion of the left image and the right image is commonly processed (e.g. commonly rendered or commonly stored). In response to identifying at least a portion of the left data and the right data as disparate, a corresponding portion of the left image and the right image is separately processed (e.g. separately rendered or separately stored).