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Ray tracing image processing system

  • US 8,139,060 B2
  • Filed: 11/28/2006
  • Issued: 03/20/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer implemented method of performing ray tracing, wherein steps of the computer implemented method are performed by a microprocessor, the computer implemented method comprising:

  • issuing a ray into a three-dimensional scene;

    with a first processing element;

    tracing, iteratively, the ray through a spatial index having nodes representing bounding volumes within the three-dimensional scene by taking branches to nodes defining bounding volumes intersected by the ray until a first leaf node is reached, wherein the spatial index partitions the three-dimentional scene into smaller volumes through a use of splitting planes which are parallel to a selected axis; and

    sending information defining the ray and the first leaf node to a second processing element, wherein the information defining the ray is sent to the second processing element irrespective of a processing of any previously processed leaf node, and the first processing element begins tracing a subsequent ray upon sending the information;

    with the second processing element;

    performing ray-primitive intersection tests to determine if the ray intersects a primitive contained within a bounding volume defined by the first leaf node;

    generating at least one secondary ray, the secondary ray includes a shadow ray; and

    sending the secondary ray to the first processing element,wherein the first processing element and the second processing element are configured to be controlled by the microprocessor.

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