Rendering Transparent Assembling Elements via Albedo Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for generating 3D images of assembling toys, particularly those with transparent or milky elements, face challenges in accurately rendering elements behind transparent components and efficiently managing computation for ray tracing, leading to increased complexity and noise in the rendering process.

Innovation Solution

A rendering method that considers the transmittance and reflectance albedos of transparent assembling elements, calculates final albedo values based on these properties, and optimizes ray tracing by reducing the number of virtual rays and accumulating roughness to prevent computation increases, allowing for clear rendering of elements behind transparent components and effective rendering of milky or pearl materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional ray tracing is used to generate 3D images of assembling toys with transparent elements, then photorealistic rendering is achieved, but the amount of computation increases and noise is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverendering accuracyVSAvoidcomputation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the rendering process by separating transparent assembling elements from opaque ones. The transparent elements are identified and processed using a simplified method that considers only their transmittance properties, while opaque elements use traditional ray tracing. This segmentation reduces overall computation complexity while maintaining rendering accuracy for transparent elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the transmittance property from the full material properties of transparent elements. By isolating and processing only the transmittance characteristic of transparent assembling elements, the method eliminates unnecessary computation related to other material properties, thereby reducing computation complexity while preserving rendering precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If multiple virtual rays are traced through transparent elements to accurately render elements behind them, then rendering quality improves, but computation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverendering qualityVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by tracing virtual rays only through transparent assembling elements rather than all elements in the scene. By limiting ray tracing to only those elements that require it (transparent ones), the method maintains rendering quality for elements behind transparent components while significantly reducing overall computation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional rendering methods are used for milky or pearl materials, then material diversity is achieved, but rendering accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial diversityVSAvoidrendering accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different rendering approaches to different material types. Milky and pearl materials are identified and processed with specific considerations for their light scattering properties, while other materials use standard rendering. This localized approach ensures high rendering accuracy for specialized materials while maintaining overall material diversity in the scene.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the generation of accurate and efficient 3D images of assembling toys with transparent elements, preventing computation increases and effectively rendering complex materials like milky or pearl surfaces, while minimizing noise and computational overhead.

Implementation Method 1

emitting a virtual ray from the virtual camera; and determining a pixel value of a pixel corresponding to the virtual ray among pixels of the image in consideration of characteristic information of a transparent assembling element when the virtual ray hits the transparent assembling element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRay tracing: Light

Implementation Method 2

characteristic information includes at least a transmittance albedo and a reflectance albedo

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTransmittance: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

characteristic information includes at least a transmittance albedo and a reflectance albedo

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflectance: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4000045B1Rendering method and rendering device performing the same
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 LEGO AS
  • EP4000045B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4000045B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4000045B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a rendering method for generating an image of an assembling toy formed by coupling a plurality of assembling elements arranged in a virtual space. The rendering method includes placing a virtual camera, which is an origin of a ray of light traveling in the virtual space, in the virtual space; emitting a virtual ray from the virtual camera; and determining a pixel value of a pixel corresponding to the virtual ray among pixels of the image in consideration of characteristic information of a transparent assembling element when the virtual ray hits the transparent assembling element among the plurality of assembling element wherein the characteristic information includes at least a transmittance albedo and a reflection albedo.