JPH0743775B2 - Parallel image generation system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [Outline] In a parallel image generation system in the field of computer graphics, a plurality of processors are arranged in a two-dimensional grid, and an array similar to the two-dimensional grid is used to share the scattered pixels, thereby causing errors and the like. In this way, a processor that cannot generate an image receives image data from an adjacent processor and averages the received image data to generate image data of its own missing pixel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to computer-generated image generation, and more particularly to a high-speed image generation system based on a parallel system.

In the field of computer image generation, that is, in the field of computer graphics, due to the demand for high-speed image generation,
Video generation is performed by a parallel system, but an error in one processor causes an incomplete video that consumes a huge amount of processing time and time.

Therefore, it is often the case that the image is not perfect but completed.

[Prior Art] In a video generation system using a parallel system, there are two methods of dividing an image area for averaging the load on each processor: a dynamic method and a static method.

When static load balancing is performed, there is no complicated process like dynamic load balancing, and it is possible to pursue higher speed.However, since the image area in charge is determined, a certain processor may cause a program error or other error. When the image cannot be generated for some reason, the image area is lost. With the dynamic load balancing method,
There is no such problem because the executable processors are processed one after another.

For the purpose of static load distribution, this method is the only method that allows each processor to take charge of each pixel and generate an image. Therefore, the prior art of image restoration for error processors is inconceivable.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] With dynamic load balancing, it was possible to solve the problem by dynamically allocating the area in charge of the processor in which an error occurred during video generation to another processor. In static distribution, the processor in error needs to perform some processing for its own area.

The present invention is intended to provide an image restoration method for an error processor in such a static load balancing method.

[Means for Solving Problems] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the image restoration method of the parallel image generation system of the present invention.

In the figure, P1, P2, P3, and P4 are processors arranged in a two-dimensional grid pattern, and an image is generated by sharing discrete pixels in an array similar to this two-dimensional grid pattern.

L12, L13, L24, L34 are communication paths, which connect adjacent upper, lower, left and right adjacent processors.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a normal time image generating means provided in each processor, which generates an image by a normal image generating procedure in a normal time.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an abnormal-time image generating means provided in each processor, which receives image data generated by an adjacent processor in an abnormal state and averages the image data to obtain image data of its own pixel.

[Operation] In the parallel image generation system of the present invention, a plurality of processors are arranged in a two-dimensional grid pattern, and each processor, as shown in FIG. 2, randomly shares pixels in an array similar to this two-dimensional grid pattern. And generate an image.

That is, the processor P1 shown in FIG. 1 is in charge of the pixel of ◯ shown in FIG. 2, P2 is in charge of the pixel of Δ, P3 is in charge of the pixel of □, P4 is in charge of the pixel of ◇. Generate an image.

The processor that has generated an error and cannot generate an image reports to the host computer to that effect, and the abnormal-time image generation means receives the image data generated by the adjacent processor and averages the received image data. It is output as image data of the pixel in charge. The processor in which the error has occurred may be reported to the host computer, and the host computer may instruct the processor to shift to the abnormal image generation.

As a result, it is possible to restore the entire image that can be practically used even if there are incomplete points.

[Examples] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the examples shown in FIG.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is a system in which an image of a three-dimensional object viewed from a certain viewpoint is generated by nine processors.

The nine processors P1 to P9 are arranged in a two-dimensional grid,
Each adjacent processor is connected by a communication path. The processor in the last column of each row is connected to the processor in the first column,
The processor in the last row of each column is connected to the processor in the first row.

In image generation, a line of sight from a viewpoint crosses a plane of a three-dimensional object through a two-dimensional display screen, calculates a brightness determined by a crossing angle, and outputs the brightness to an image memory (not shown).

It is necessary to process as many lines of sight as possible through all the pixels on the display screen. Therefore, if there are 525 × 525 pixels, intersection calculation processing is performed for 275,625 lines of sight.

The processor P1 is in charge of the pixels of ..., And the processor P2 is in charge of the pixels of.

Similarly, processors P3 to P9 are respectively
In charge of the pixels of, ....

Now, if it is detected that an error has occurred in the processor P6 and it is impossible to generate an image under normal conditions, the processor P6 receives the image data of the images generated by the processors P3, P5, P9, and The image data of the pixel generated by the processor P4 is received, and these four image data are averaged and output as image data of the pixel.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, an image cannot be completed due to the occurrence of an error in a certain processor, and the effect of contributing to the improvement of the processing efficiency of the image generation system is extremely large.

[Brief description of drawings]

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of pixel sharing according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, P1 to P9 are processors, L12, L13, L24, and L34 are communication paths, 10 is a normal-time image generating means, 11 is an abnormal-time image generating means, ..., ○, △, □, and ◇ are pixels, respectively. Show.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A parallel image generation system for generating an image by sharing the processing among a plurality of processors (P1, P2, P3, P4), wherein the plurality of processors (P1, P2, P3, P4) are arranged in a two-dimensional grid pattern. And the communication paths (L12, L34) connecting the adjacent processors (P1, P2, P3, P4) in the horizontal direction and the communication paths (L13, L24) connecting in the vertical direction. In (P1, P2, P3, P4), a normal-time image generation means (10) for generating and outputting an image by a normal image generation procedure, and the adjacent communication paths (L13, L24, L13, L24) An abnormal time image generation means (11) for requesting the transmission of the image data generated by the processor, calculating the average value of the received image data values generated by the adjacent processors, and outputting it as the image data value of the pixel in charge , Each processor (P1, P2, P3, P4) has an array similar to the two-dimensional grid. The image is generated by the normal-time image generating means (10) by distributing the scattered pixels, and an error occurs and the processor in which the normal-time image generating means (10) cannot generate the image is detected. When the error occurs, the parallel image generating system is configured to cause the processor in which the error has occurred to restore the image by the abnormal time image generating means (11).