Character animation
First Claim
1. Apparatus for generating an animated character representation, the apparatus comprising a processing system having:
- an input for receiving marked-up input data including;
i. content data representing speech to be presented; and
, ii. presentation data representing the manner in which the speech is to be presented;
a processor coupled to the input for generating data according to a defined time-base, the data including;
i phoneme data generated in accordance with the content data; and
, ii viseme data generated in accordance with the phoneme data and the presentation data;
the processor being further adapted to;
iii. generate audio data in accordance with the phoneme data;
iv. generate image data in accordance with the viseme data and the presentation data; and
, v. synchronise the output of the audio and image data in accordance with the defined time-base.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating an animated character representation. This is achieved by using marked-up data including both content data and presentation data. The system then uses this information to generate phoneme and viseme data representing the speech to be presented by the character. By providing the presentation data this ensures that at least some variation in character appearance will automatically occur beyond that of the visemes required to make the character appear to speak. This contributes to the character having a far more lifelike appearance.
42 Citations
41 Claims
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1. Apparatus for generating an animated character representation, the apparatus comprising a processing system having:
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an input for receiving marked-up input data including;
i. content data representing speech to be presented; and
,ii. presentation data representing the manner in which the speech is to be presented;
a processor coupled to the input for generating data according to a defined time-base, the data including;
i phoneme data generated in accordance with the content data; and
,ii viseme data generated in accordance with the phoneme data and the presentation data;
the processor being further adapted to;
iii. generate audio data in accordance with the phoneme data;
iv. generate image data in accordance with the viseme data and the presentation data; and
,v. synchronise the output of the audio and image data in accordance with the defined time-base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of generating an animated character representation using a processing system, the method comprising:
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receiving marked-up input data including;
content data representing speech to be presented; and
,presentation data representing the manner in which the speech is presented;
generating data according to a defined time-base, the data including;
phoneme data generated in accordance with the content data; and
,viseme data generated in accordance with the phoneme data and the presentation data;
generating audio data in accordance with the phoneme data;
generating image data in accordance with the viseme data and the presentation data; and
,synchronising the output of the audio and image data in accordance with the defined time-base. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification