View Dependent Query of Multi-Resolution 3D Dataset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques face challenges in displaying large three-dimensional surface data sets, such as digital terrain models (DTMs), at a resolution suitable for visualization, often resulting in overwhelming images due to high point densities exceeding screen resolution, especially when dealing with multi-resolution data sets and non-uniform distributions.
Innovation Solution
A view-dependent query process that employs spatial indexing to select the appropriate resolution for data display by comparing point density against a threshold, progressively increasing resolution until the density meets the requirements for effective visualization, using either a generic or camera-specific approach for affine and projective visualizations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all geometry from a large DTM data set is loaded for display, then the completeness of the three-dimensional surface representation is improved, but the display becomes overwhelming and almost completely solid due to exceeding screen resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the DTM data into multiple resolution levels (coarse and fine) organized in a multi-resolution data structure. The system selectively loads and displays only the appropriate resolution level based on the view-dependent criteria, preventing overwhelming display while maintaining representational completeness through hierarchical data organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different resolution levels to different regions of the DTM based on local requirements. High-resolution data is displayed in regions requiring detail while lower-resolution data is used in regions where less detail is needed, optimizing the balance between representational completeness and displayability.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution data is displayed to maintain detail, then the visualization quality is improved, but the processing time and system resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the resolution level of displayed data based on real-time view-dependent criteria. The system automatically selects appropriate resolution levels during rendering operations, optimizing visualization quality while minimizing processing time by avoiding unnecessary loading of ultra-high-resolution data when lower resolution suffices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resolution parameter dynamically during data display operations. By adjusting which resolution level is selected based on view-dependent factors, the system optimizes the balance between visualization quality and processing requirements without fixed resolution constraints.
3Device complexity
If simple geometry is converted to pixels for display, then the rendering process is simplified, but the resulting image becomes almost entirely solid when point density exceeds screen resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the geometry into manageable portions at different resolution levels. By processing and displaying segmented data portions rather than the complete geometry at once, the system maintains rendering simplicity while preventing information loss through selective display of appropriate resolution levels.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, data of a data set that describes the topography of a three-dimensional surface (e.g., a DTM) is obtained at a resolution appropriate for visualization on a display screen. The data is organized into a number of resolutions by spatial indexing. A lowest resolution cluster of data is selected. For any visible data in the selected cluster of data for a type of visualization to be shown on the display screen, a point density in a coordinate system of the display screen resulting from data is compared to a configured threshold. If the point density in the display screen's coordinate system is below the configured threshold, visible data in the selected cluster of data is returned for display. If the point density in the display screen's coordinate system is above the configured threshold, one or more next-higher resolution clusters of data are selected, and the technique repeated.