Real-Time Network Streaming of Dynamic 3D Content with In-frame and Inter-frame Compression

Abstract

Real-time 3D content distribution over a network (either LAN or WAN) has many possible applications, but requires facing several challenges, most notably the handling of the large amount of data usually associated with 3D meshes. The scope of the present paper falls within the well-established context of real-time capture and streaming of OpenGL command sequences, focusing in particular on data compression schemes. However, we advance beyond the state-of-the-art improving over previous attempts of "in-frame" geometric compression on 3D structures inferred from generic OpenGL command sequences and adding "inter-frame" redundancy exploitation of the traffic generated by the typical architecture of interactive applications. Measurements reveal for this combination of techniques a very effective reduction of network traffic and a CPU overhead compatible with the requirements of interactive applications, suggesting a significant application potential for Internet-based 3D content streaming.