Multi-level Information Representation Based LOD Streaming for Urban Navigation

Streaming of 3D data sets is a key technology for remote rendering and visualization of huge and complex geometrical models like large scale city models. Even with high speed network it is still difficult to share the 3D information of a city scene among different users. In our work, we have devised a new data representation mechanism and transmission scheme to render the 3D models with less content and less computational cost. Our approach uses light weight building geometry and multi-level textured LOD representation to transmit data via streaming. In addition, we suggest a technique for rendering with selective LODs by emphasizing the regions of interest (ROIs) depending on the importance of the building for a specific user. The LOD distribution is updated over the ROI as the gaze point of the viewer moves over the model surfaces. Preliminary tests and evaluations reveal the feasibility of our method to be extended to large scale mobile applications.