View-based 3D model transmission via mesh segmentation

For network-based graphics applications, a key challenge is how to efficiently transmit complex three-dimensional (3D) models over bandwidth-limited communication channels such as wireless links. Most existing 3D mesh coding algorithms do not consider the view-dependent rendering issue, and therefore result in transmitting unnecessary portions of 3D mesh models which leads to the waste in precious network bandwidth. In this paper, we propose a novel view-dependent 3D model transmission scheme, where a 3D model is partitioned into a number of segments, each segment is then independently coded using the MPEG-4 3DMC coding algorithm, and finally only the visible segments are selected and delivered to the client. Such a view-based 3D model transmission is able to substantially save the transmission bandwidth and therefore has a significant impact on wireless network based graphics applications.