Compact encoding of 3-D voxel surfaces based on pattern code representation

We propose a lossless compression algorithm for three-dimensional (3-D) binary voxel surfaces, based on the pattern code representation (PCR). In PCR, a voxel surface is represented by a series of pattern codes. The pattern of a voxel v is defined as the 3 × 3 × 3 array of voxels, centered on v. Therefore, the pattern code for v informs of the local shape of the voxel surface around v. The proposed algorithm can achieve the coding gain, since the patterns of adjacent voxels are highly correlated to each other. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using various voxel surfaces, which are scan-converted from triangular mesh models. It is shown that the proposed algorithm requires only 0.5∼1 bits per black voxel (bpbv) to store or transmit the voxel surfaces.