Progressive Mesh Compression With Encoding-Cost-Aware Edge Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing progressive mesh compression methods do not efficiently balance quality and cost, as they do not consider both error metric values and encoding costs when selecting edges for collapse, leading to suboptimal compression rates.

Innovation Solution

An encoding cost aware edge selection mechanism that determines priority values for edges based on both error metric values and estimated encoding costs, prioritizing edges with lower residual values for better entropy encoding and improved compression rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If edge selection is based only on error metric values, then quality is maintained, but encoding cost increases and compression rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovequalityVSAvoidencoding cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the selection criterion from using only error metric values to using a combined parameter that includes both error metric values and encoding costs. This allows the system to optimize for both quality and compression efficiency simultaneously by evaluating edges based on multiple parameters rather than a single metric.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamic edge selection process where the priority of edges is determined adaptively based on both error metrics and encoding costs. The selection mechanism dynamically adjusts which edges to collapse by considering the combined impact on quality and compression rate, rather than following a static error-metric-only approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If more edges are selected for collapse, then compression rate improves, but quality deteriorates due to higher error metric values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression rateVSAvoidquality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the edge selection parameters to include both error metric values and encoding costs in the priority calculation. This dual-parameter approach enables the system to achieve higher compression rates by selecting edges that offer better overall value, rather than simply selecting edges with lowest error metrics, thus improving compression without excessive quality loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial collapse actions by selectively choosing edges based on combined criteria rather than collapsing all edges or following a rigid error-metric-based selection. This allows for optimized partial collapse that achieves good compression rates while maintaining acceptable quality levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If encoding cost is considered in edge selection, then compression rate improves, but device complexity increases due to additional calculations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression rateVSAvoidselection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the selection parameters to include encoding cost estimates alongside error metric values. While this increases the complexity of the selection mechanism, it enables significantly improved compression rates by making more informed edge selection decisions that account for both quality and efficiency metrics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3759688B1Encoding cost aware edge selection for improved progressive mesh compression
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3759688B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3759688B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3759688B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An encoder includes a processor and a memory. The encoder may perform a method of progressive compression. In one example implementation, the method may include determining a priority value for each edge of a plurality of edges, the priority value of an edge of the plurality of edges determined based on an error metric value and an estimated encoding cost associated with the edge. The method may further include determining a set of edges for collapse, the set of edges determined from the plurality of edges based on the priority values and collapsing the set of edges and generating vertex split information. In some implementations, the method may include entropy encoding the vertex split information.