Three-dimensional volume rendering using an in-memory database

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a rendering request for a volume rendering of data of a three-dimensional volume dataset;

calling one or more database-layer rendering procedures to perform the rendering request;

for each rendering procedure:

retrieving data volume metadata consistent with the rendering request; and

retrieving data volume data consistent with rendering request;

generating, by a computer and using the data volume metadata and data volume data, an image intensity buffer for image generation storing intensity and illumination data for each pixel of the three-dimensional volume dataset, an intensity value of each pixel determined by a combination of a projection calculation by a viewing calculator, an interpolation of intensity value by an intensity calculator, and an intensity scaling by an intensity scaling calculator, the determined intensity value of each pixel projected into a two-dimensional image space taking into account an actual position of an observer and a viewing direction, and the illumination data calculated for each pixel using a gradient calculation generating geometric vectors; and

generating an image from the pixel intensity and illumination data contained in the image intensity buffer.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rendering request is received by a database-layer volume rendering service.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the one or more database-layer rendering procedures are called by the volume rendering service.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the image intensity buffer includes calling one or more database-layer stored procedures.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more database-layer stored procedures further calls one or more low level processes to perform high-computation processing functions.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, for each pixel associated with the retrieved data volume data:

calculating a pixel intensity value; and

using the pixel intensity, calculating a pixel illumination value.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intensity values stored in the intensity buffer correspond to visible parts of the three-dimensional volume dataset from the perspective of the actual position of the observer and the viewing direction.

8. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions executable by a computer and configured to:

receive a rendering request for a volume rendering of data of a three-dimensional volume dataset;

call one or more database-layer rendering procedures to perform the rendering request;

for each rendering procedure:

retrieve data volume metadata consistent with the rendering request; and

retrieve data volume data consistent with rendering request;

generate, by a computer and using the data volume metadata and data volume data, an image intensity buffer for image generation storing intensity and illumination data for each pixel of the three-dimensional volume dataset, an intensity value of each pixel determined by a combination of a projection calculation by a viewing calculator, an interpolation of intensity value by an intensity calculator, and an intensity scaling by an intensity scaling calculator, the determined intensity value of each pixel projected into a two-dimensional image space taking into account an actual position of an observer and a viewing direction, and the illumination data calculated for each pixel using a gradient calculation generating geometric vectors; and

generate an image from the pixel intensity and illumination data contained in the image intensity buffer.

9. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the rendering request is received by a database-layer volume rendering service.

10. The medium of claim 9 , wherein the one or more database-layer rendering procedures are called by the volume rendering service.

11. The medium of claim 8 , wherein generating the image intensity buffer includes calling one or more database-layer stored procedures.

12. The medium of claim 11 , wherein the one or more database-layer stored procedures further calls one or more low level processes to perform high-computation processing functions.

13. The medium of claim 8 , further comprising, for each pixel associated with the retrieved data volume data, instructions to:

calculate a pixel intensity value; and

using the pixel intensity, calculate a pixel illumination value.

14. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the intensity values stored in the intensity buffer correspond to visible parts of the three-dimensional volume dataset from the perspective of the actual position of the observer and the viewing direction.

15. A system, comprising:

a memory;

at least one hardware processor interoperably coupled with the memory and configured to:

receive a rendering request for a volume rendering of data of a three-dimensional volume dataset;

call one or more database-layer rendering procedures to perform the rendering request;

for each rendering procedure:

retrieve data volume metadata consistent with the rendering request; and

retrieve data volume data consistent with rendering request;

generate, by a computer and using the data volume metadata and data volume data, an image intensity buffer for image generation storing intensity and illumination data for each pixel of the three-dimensional volume dataset, an intensity value of each pixel determined by a combination of a projection calculation by a viewing calculator, an interpolation of intensity value by an intensity calculator, and an intensity scaling by an intensity scaling calculator, the determined intensity value of each pixel projected into a two-dimensional image space taking into account an actual position of an observer and a viewing direction, and the illumination data calculated for each pixel using a gradient calculation generating geometric vectors; and

generate an image from the pixel intensity and illumination data contained in the image intensity buffer.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the rendering request is received by a database-layer volume rendering service.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the one or more database-layer rendering procedures are called by the volume rendering service.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein generating the image intensity buffer includes calling one or more database-layer stored procedures.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the one or more database-layer stored procedures further calls one or more low level processes to perform high-computation processing functions.

20. The system of claim 15 , further configured, for each pixel associated with the retrieved data volume data, to:

calculate a pixel intensity value; and

using the pixel intensity, calculate a pixel illumination value.

21. The system of claim 15 , wherein the intensity values stored in the intensity buffer correspond to visible parts of the three-dimensional volume dataset from the perspective of the actual position of the observer and the viewing direction.