System and method for organizing two and three dimensional image data
View Patent ↗A method and system are disclosed for storing, retrieving and otherwise handling two and/or three dimensional image data forming a picture or image. The picture is defined by a plurality of levels, each level including a plurality of subpicture areas corresponding to a different level of image data resolution relative to image data resolution levels corresponding to subpicture areas in other levels. The method and system include selecting a subpicture element having image data for inclusion in the picture and identifying a subpicture area in which the subpicture element may be placed. The method and system further include placing the image data of the subpicture element in the identified subpicture area. Upon a determination that the amount of image data in the identified subpicture area exceeds a predetermined maximum amount following the placing operation, the system and method identify overlapping subpicture areas in a level corresponding to the next higher image data resolution level that overlaps the identified subpicture area. Following the identifying operation, the system and method place image data of one or more subpicture elements from the identified subpicture area into at least one of the overlapping subpicture areas.
1. A method of storing image data of a picture in a plurality of levels, each level corresponding to a specific resolution level of the image data, said method comprising:
receiving an element of the picture for storing on one of the plurality of levels of image data;
wherein each level of the plurality of levels comprises a set of subpictures having an amount of image data resolution that is different from an amount of image data resolution at other levels, each said level having a different number of subpictures;
wherein the set of subpictures in each said level of the plurality of levels is operable to cover an entire coordinate space of the picture without overlap;
identifying a subpicture in a lowest one of the plurality of levels in which the received element may be placed, wherein the lowest level represents a lowest resolution of image data, and wherein each subpicture stores a predetermined maximum amount of elements;
determining whether the identified subpicture has previously been loaded;
if the identified subpicture is determined not to have been loaded, loading the identified subpicture;
placing the received element in the identified subpicture;
determining if a number of elements in the identified subpicture exceeds the predetermined maximum;
if the number of elements in the identified subpicture exceeds the predetermined maximum, identifying a number of overlapping subpictures, in a higher one of the plurality of levels, into which the received element may be placed, wherein the higher level represents a higher resolution of image data than the lowest level, and wherein the subpicture in the higher level is capable of storing a larger number of elements than the subpicture in the lowest level; and
wherein each subpicture of the plurality of subpictures is created by successively filling a limited predetermined size of memory with image data.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining if a number of elements in the identified subpicture of the higher level exceeds the predetermined maximum; and
if the number of elements in the identified subpicture of the higher level exceeds the predetermined maximum, identifying a number of overlapping subpictures, in a next higher one of the plurality of levels, into which the received element may be placed, wherein the next higher level represents a higher resolution of image data than the higher level.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein if the number of overlapping subpictures is zero, the method further comprises redefining the subpictures of the picture.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a new element of the picture for storing in one of the plurality of levels of image data; and
repeating the steps of identifying, placing, and determining for the new element of the picture.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
loading the identified subpicture prior to placing the received element in the identified subpicture.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying a number of overlapping subpictures further comprises:
sorting a list of overlapping subpictures; and
examining an overlapping element in the list.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
adding the overlapping subpicture to an instantiation list; and
instantiating the overlapping subpictures from the instantiation list.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the picture comprises an image with three-dimensional data.
9. A system for storing image data related to a picture, the system comprising:
a processor;
a memory interoperably coupled with the processor and having computer software code stored therein;
wherein the processor and memory operate in combination on the picture;
at least one extent defining a dataset position in coordinate space by defining a coordinate position and a size in coordinate directions around the coordinate position;
at least one element defining a set of data belonging to the picture and having a common extent;
a plurality of subpictures defining a portion of the picture, each subpicture capable of storing a predetermined maximum amount of data;
a plurality of levels arranged in a stacked relationship, wherein each level of the plurality of levels comprises a set of subpictures having an amount of image data resolution that is different from an amount of image data resolution at other levels, each said level having a different number of subpictures;
wherein the set of subpictures in each said level of the plurality of levels is operable to cover an entire coordinate space of the picture without overlap;
wherein a subpicture in a higher level of the plurality of levels is capable of storing a larger predetermined maximum amount of data than a subpicture in a lower level of the plurality of levels; and
wherein each subpicture of the plurality of subpictures is created by successively filling a limited predetermined size of memory with image data.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein a lowest one of the plurality of levels has a lower resolution level and fewer subpictures than a higher one of the plurality of levels.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein a level of the plurality of levels represents the picture in its entirety.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein a lowest one of the plurality of levels includes one subpicture representing the picture in its entirety.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein a higher one of the plurality of levels includes a plurality of subpictures having a higher resolution than the lowest level.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the picture comprises three-dimensional image data.
15. A graphics system for organizing and storing a picture, the graphics system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory having computer software code stored therein, the processor and the memory being capable of:
receiving an element of the picture for storing on one of the plurality of levels of image data;
wherein each level of the plurality of levels comprises a set of subpictures having an amount of image data resolution that is different from an amount of image data resolution at other levels, each said level having a different number of subpictures;
wherein the set of subpictures in each said level of the plurality of levels is operable to cover an entire coordinate space of the picture without overlap;
identifying a subpicture in a lowest one of the plurality of levels in which the received element may be placed, wherein the lowest level represents a lowest resolution of image data, and wherein each subpicture stores a predetermined maximum amount of elements;
determining whether the identified subpicture has previously been loaded;
if the identified subpicture is determined not to have been loaded, loading the identified subpicture;
placing the received element in the identified subpicture;
determining if a number of elements in the identified subpicture exceeds the predetermined maximum;
if the number of elements in the identified subpicture exceeds the predetermined maximum, identifying a number of overlapping subpictures, in a higher one of the plurality of levels, into which the received element may be placed, wherein the higher level represents a higher resolution of image data than the lowest level, and wherein the subpicture in the higher level is capable of storing a larger number of elements than the subpicture in the lowest level; and
wherein each subpicture of the plurality of subpictures is created by successively filling a limited predetermined size of memory with image data.
16. The graphics system of claim 15 , further comprising a display for displaying the picture.
17. The graphics system of claim 15 , wherein the processor and memory are further capable of:
determining if a number of elements in the identified subpicture of the higher level exceeds the predetermined maximum; and
if the number of elements in the identified subpicture of the higher level exceeds the predetermined maximum, identifying a number of overlapping subpictures, in a next higher one of the plurality of levels, into which the received element may be placed, wherein the next higher level represents a higher resolution of image data than the higher level.
18. The graphics system of claim 15 , wherein the processor and memory are further capable of, if the number of overlapping subpictures is zero, redefining the subpictures of the picture.
19. The graphics system of claim 15 , wherein the processor and memory are further capable of:
receiving a new element of the picture for storing in one of the plurality of levels of image data; and
repeating the steps of identifying, placing, and determining for the new element of the picture.
20. The graphics system of claim 15 , wherein the picture comprises three-dimensional image data.