17456483. Ray Intersection Testing with Quantization and Interval Representations simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)

Ray Intersection Testing with Quantization and Interval Representations

Organization Name

Apple Inc.

Inventor(s)

Christopher A. Burns of Austin TX (US)

Ray Intersection Testing with Quantization and Interval Representations - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17456483 titled 'Ray Intersection Testing with Quantization and Interval Representations

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes techniques for primitive intersection testing in ray tracing for graphics processors. These techniques aim to improve performance and reduce power consumption compared to traditional methods.

• The graphics processor includes ray intersection circuitry that performs an intersection test.
• The test involves quantizing the representation of the primitive and the ray to generate reduced-precision interval representations.
• Interval arithmetic is used to determine an initial intersection result based on the coordinates of the interval representations.
• The initial intersection result is a conservative result that guarantees a miss if indicated, meaning it is not a hit for the original representations of the primitive and the ray.

Potential applications of this technology:

• Graphics processing in video games and virtual reality applications.
• Computer-generated imagery in movies and animations.
• Scientific simulations and visualizations.

Problems solved by this technology:

• Traditional intersection testing methods can be computationally expensive and power-intensive.
• High precision calculations for intersection testing can lead to unnecessary calculations and slower performance.

Benefits of this technology:

• Improved performance in ray tracing by reducing the computational load.
• Reduced power consumption in graphics processors.
• More efficient rendering of complex scenes with multiple primitives and rays.

Original Abstract Submitted

Techniques are disclosed relating to primitive intersection testing for ray tracing in graphics processors. In some embodiments, a graphics processor includes ray intersection circuitry configured to perform an intersection test, which includes to: quantize a first representation of the primitive to generate a reduced-precision interval representation of the primitive, quantize a first representation of the ray to generate a reduced-precision interval representation of the ray, and determine, using interval arithmetic, an initial intersection result based on coordinates of the interval representation of the primitive and coordinates of the interval representation of the ray. The initial intersection result may be a conservative result such that a miss indicated by the initial intersection result is guaranteed not to be a hit for the first representation of the primitive and first representation of the ray. Disclosed techniques may improve performance, reduce power consumption, or both, relative to traditional techniques.