System and method for generating an animatable character

• US 20070211067A1
• Filed: 02/27/2007
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Planet Electric Incorporated
• Inventors: Hunter, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,746,345 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/581
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/40 of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/20 Movements or behaviour, e.g. gesture recognition recognition of facial expressions G06V40/16

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for generating an animatable object. A skeleton of the desired character is constructed by the user utilizing various predetermined components. These predetermined components include a various selection of rods and joints. The rods are static components which remain rigid during motion, while the various joints are moveable components. A static digitized image, for example, an image of the user, is utilized and a constructed skeleton is superimposed onto it. The desired object, such as the image of the user, can then be extracted from the background of the digital image and the resulting personal character can then be animated, for instance by selecting and dragging one of the hands with a mouse.

Claims

1-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A computer program product for generating a character, the computer program product being embodied in a tangible computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:

constructing a skeleton of a predetermined object; and

superimposing the skeleton with a digital image wherein the digital image includes the predetermined object.

33. A computer program product as recited in claim 32, wherein the skeleton is constructed of at least one predetermined component.

34. A computer program product as recited in claim 32, further comprising adjusting a skeleton parameter to correspond with the desired object.

35. A computer program product as recited in claim 32, further comprising preparing the digital image.

36. A computer program product as recited in claim 32, wherein the skeleton can be animated.

37. A computer program product for animating an object, the computer program product being embodied in a tangible computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:

transmitting data related to a generation of the object, wherein the data related to the generation of the object is no longer transmitted once the object is generated; and

transmitting data related to an animation of the object.

38. A computer program product as recited in claim 37, wherein the data related to the generation of the object and the data related to the animation of the object are transmitted via a network.

39. A computer program product for compressing video data, the computer program product being embodied in a tangible computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:

developing an initial representation from an initial image of a known object;

comparing a current image of said known object with said initial representation; and

developing a description of a position change of said known object between said current image and said initial representation.

40. A computer program product as recited in claim 39, wherein said initial representation is a skeleton representation.

41. A computer program product as recited in claim 39, wherein said description is transmitted over a network.

42. A system for animating an object, comprising:

a communication interface configured to

transmit data related to a generation of the object, wherein the data related to the generation of the object is no longer transmitted once the object is generated, and

transmit data related to an animation of the object; and

a processor coupled to the communication interface.

43. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein the data related to the generation of the object and the data related to the animation of the object are transmitted via a network.

44. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein the data related to the generation of the object and the data related to the animation of the object are transmitted via an Internet.

45. A system for compressing video data, comprising:

a processor configured to develop an initial representation from an initial image of a known object, compare a current image of said known object with said initial representation, and develop a description of a position change of said known object between said current image and said initial representation; and

a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with instructions.

46. A system as recited in claim 45, wherein said initial representation is a skeleton representation.

47. A system as recited in claim 45, wherein said description includes a description at least one of a rod and a joint position.

48. A system as recited in claim 47, wherein said at least one of a rod and a joint position is a relative position.

49. A system as recited in claim 47, wherein said at least one of a rod and a joint position is an absolute position.

50. A system as recited in claim 45, wherein said description is transmitted over a network.

51. A system as recited in claim 45, wherein said description is transmitted over an Internet.