Z Buffer Depth Check for Near-Camera Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems face challenges in efficiently detecting objects near a virtual camera while maintaining high accuracy and reducing processing costs, particularly in scenarios where frequent detection is required.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a storage medium and image processing method that utilizes a Z buffer to perform drawing processing and detect objects near a virtual camera by determining depth values, allowing for reduced processing costs and high detection accuracy by restricting detection to situations where objects are near the camera, and using simple shapes for collision determination and transparency adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If detection is performed every time drawing processing is executed, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic detection by checking depth values in the Z buffer only at specific intervals rather than continuously. The system determines whether to perform detection based on whether objects are near the camera, creating a periodic detection pattern that reduces processing load while maintaining necessary detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies detection selectively based on local conditions - specifically, only when objects are determined to be near the virtual camera. By using the Z buffer to identify regions with depth values smaller than a predetermined threshold, the system performs detection only in relevant local areas rather than uniformly across the entire scene.
2Productivity
If detection is restricted only when depth values indicate objects are near the camera, then processing cost is reduced, but detection accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination using the Z buffer to check if any objects are near the camera before executing the actual detection process. This preliminary action filters out cases where detection is unnecessary, allowing the system to restrict detection to situations where objects are actually present near the camera, thus reducing processing cost without compromising accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The Z buffer serves as an intermediary data structure that provides depth information without requiring full detection processing. By checking depth values in the Z buffer first, the system uses this intermediate check to determine whether subsequent detection is necessary, efficiently bridging the gap between continuous monitoring and selective detection.
3Measurement precision
If complex shape models are used for all objects, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different levels of processing complexity based on local object characteristics. For objects determined to be near the camera through Z buffer checking, the system performs detailed detection using appropriate shape models. For distant objects, simpler processing is applied. This local differentiation reduces overall processing complexity while maintaining detection accuracy for objects that require it.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-limiting example game apparatus includes a display device, and a game screen is displayed on the display device. For example, a player character, a non-player character, a background object, etc. are displayed in the game screen. When finishing the drawing of a game image corresponding to the game screen, the smallest value of a Z value is acquired from a Z buffer. If the smallest value is less than a predetermined threshold value, when drawing a game image of a next frame, a target object that is near to a virtual camera is detected, and transparency of the target object that is nearer than a predetermined criterion is made to be increased.