SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING ANIMATED VIDEO WITH PERSONALIZED ELEMENTS

• US 20070008322A1
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pandoodle Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pandoodle Corporation
• Inventors: Ludwigsen, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,077,179 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/473
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/80 2D [Two Dimensional] animation, e.g. using sprites
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/02 Non-photorealistic rendering

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for cartoonizing an image and incorporating the image into an animated video based upon a predefined animated story. In alternate embodiments of the invention, multiple images may be incorporated into the animated video. In further embodiments, the animated video may be output from the system in printed, hard copy.

Claims

1. A system for cartoonizing an image and incorporating said image into an animated video, comprising:

a cartoonizing application to cartoonize said image and create a cartoonized output; and

an animation application to incorporate said cartoonized output into an animated video based on an animated story selected from a database of predefined animated stories.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said image is obtained from a photograph or other two-dimensional depiction of a subject.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said cartoonizing application includes at least one graphics editing option.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said at least one graphics editing option is selected from the group consisting of an option to select a portion of the photograph or other two-dimensional depiction of a subject to be cartoonized, an option to adjust the size of the image, and combinations thereof.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to display said cartoonized output as a preview prior to said animation application incorporating said cartoonized output into said animated video.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said animation application further comprises said database of predefined animated stories.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each predefined animated story in said database of predefined animated stories further comprises a series of templates with positions assigned on each template for insertion of said cartoonized output on those of said templates in which said cartoonized output is predetermined to appear.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein each template is assigned at least one feature to further modify or select a version of said cartoonized output.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said version of said cartoonized output is selected from the group consisting of facial position type, palette of skin tone, and combinations thereof.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said animation application is configured to receive at least one user input selected from the group consisting of a selection of a predefined animated story from said database of predefined animated stories, a selection of a character parameter, a selection of a format of a system output, and combinations thereof.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to produce a system output comprising an animated video.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said system is configured to store said system output on an electronic medium, to transmit said system output through an electronic communications network, or both.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to produce a system output comprising a printed version of some or all of said animated video.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said cartoonizing application is configured to cartoonize an image for each of a number of subjects and create a cartoonized output for each such cartoonized image, and wherein said animation application is configured to incorporate each of said cartoonized outputs into said animated video based on said animated story selected from said database of predefined animated stories.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein each predefined animated story in said database of predefined animated stories further comprises a series of templates with positions assigned on each template for insertion of one or more of said cartoonized outputs on those of said templates in which one or more of said cartoonized outputs is predetermined to appear.

16. A method for cartoonizing an image and incorporating said image into an animated video, comprising:

providing a system comprising;

a cartoonizing application to cartoonize said image and create a cartoonized output,

an animation application to incorporate said cartoonized output into an animated video based on an animated story selected from a database of predefined animated stories, and

the database of predefined animated stories;

providing a photograph or other two-dimensional depiction of a subject;

selecting a portion of said subject from said photograph or other two-dimensional depiction of said subject;

cartoonizing said portion of said subject to create said cartoonized output;

selecting an animated story from said database of predefined animated stories;

incorporating said cartoonized output into said animated story; and

outputting said animated video comprising said cartoonized output incorporated into said animated story.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising selecting one or more additional features for said animated video.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying said cartoonized output as a preview prior to said incorporating said cartoonized output into said animated story.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said outputting said animated video further comprises outputting said animated video in a format selected from the group consisting of a video format, a print format, and combinations thereof.

20. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that when executed perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving an image comprising a portion of a subject from a photograph or other two-dimensional depiction of said subject;

cartoonizing said image to create a cartoonized output;

receiving a selection of an animated story from a database of predefined animated stories;

incorporating said cartoonized output into said animated story; and

outputting an animated video comprising said cartoonized output incorporated into said animated story.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, further comprising said database of predefined animated stories.