Patent ID: 8203553
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. A method for calculating an image in the context of a volume visualization by ray casting using a plurality of computing nodes, the method including: subdividing a volume that is to be visualized into subvolumes assigned to the plurality of computing nodes; assigning a subdivision of data to volume points and storing the subdivision of data in a memory associated with the plurality of computing nodes, the subdivision corresponding to the assignment of the subvolumes to the plurality of computing nodes; computing at least one pixel by generating a ray leading through the volume, wherein computing includes taking into account points lying on the ray one after another, a first node is specified for a first calculation in accordance with data required for the first calculation and an at least partial storage of the data in the memory associated with the first node, and a second node is specified for a second calculation in accordance with data required for the second calculation and an at least partial storage of the data in the memory associated with the second node, wherein one computing node of the plurality of computing nodes calculates pixels encompassed by a patch of the image collectively, wherein the patch is assigned to one computing node of the plurality of computing nodes in accordance with a projection of the patch onto the volume according to rays for the calculation of the encompassed pixels, and wherein an image area is assigned to a node based on a size of the projection of the patch onto a subvolume of the subvolumes associated with the node; changing the assignment to a node based on a progression of the projection of the patch according to the inclusion of points lying on the rays through the volume; and assigning responsibility to a different node based on a criterion for a position of the patch in the volume.