METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING PERSONAL AUTONOMOUS AVATARS
First Claim
1. A method for creating an avatar, comprising:
- defining the avatar;
defining at least one avatar behavior; and
associating the at least one avatar behavior with the avatar.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for facilitating communication about a document between two users creates autonomous, animated computer characters, or avatars, which are then attached to the document under discussion. The avatar is created by one user, who need not be the author of the document, and is attached to the document to represent a point of view. The avatar represents the physical likeness of its creator. The avatar is animated, using an avatar scripting language, to perform specified behaviors including pointing, walking and changing facial expressions. The avatar includes audio files that are synchronized with movement of the avatar'"'"'s mouth to provide an audio message.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for creating an avatar, comprising:
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defining the avatar;
defining at least one avatar behavior; and
associating the at least one avatar behavior with the avatar. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An avatar, comprising:
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an avatar description; and
at least one avatar behavior;
wherein;
each avatar behavior is associated with the avatar description;
the avatar description represents the likeness of a person, including at least one of the person'"'"'s recorded voice, visual likeness, visual mannerisms and personality; and
the at least one avatar behavior includes at least one animation sequence for the avatar. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for creating an avatar, comprising:
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a display for displaying an avatar frame;
an overlay for placing a likeness of a person on the avatar frame; and
an animator for specifying at least one behavior of the avatar. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification