METHOD FOR CREATING, STORING, AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO THREE-DIMENSIONALLY SCANNED IMAGES

• US 20100110073A1
• Filed: 12/07/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TAHG LLC
• Original Assignee: TAHG LLC
• Inventors: GONZALEZ, HENRY, ABRAHAM, THOMAS G.
• Application Number:
  US12/632,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20100110073A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/420
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/04 Manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/30 Computing systems specially adapted for manufacturing

Abstract

A method is provided for creating, storing, and providing access to three-dimensional (3D) image files for subsequent use in virtual world environments. The method includes receiving 3D data generated through scanning of a person or object; recording and formatting the data into a digital image file; storing the digital image file in a 3D digital image file library located in a machine readable storage; providing access to the 3D digital image file library; retrieving the digital image file, from the 3D digital image file library; and uploading the digital image file into an interactive virtual world environment.

Claims

1. A method of creating, storing, and providing access to a 3D image using a computer connected to a network, said computer having a machine readable storage, having stored thereon a computer program comprising a plurality of code sections executable by a machine, said method comprising the steps of

receiving 3D data generated through scanning of a person or object;

recording and formatting said data into a digital image file;

storing said digital image file in a 3D digital image file library located in said machine readable storage;

providing access to said 3D digital image file library;

retrieving said digital image file from said 3D digital image file library;

and uploading said digital image file into an interactive virtual world environment.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of electronically protecting said digital image file from public access through said network.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of creating a unique digital key to access said 3D digital image file library and providing said digital key to a user authorized to access said 3D digital image file library.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of transmitting a copy of said digital image file to said authorized user via said network upon presentation of said unique digital key.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of limiting access to said network only to users who are subscribing members of said network.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of recording said digital image file on an electronic card.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of formatting the digital image file by modifying or enhancing geometry and texture of said file.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating data related to mesh, color, texture, and rigging.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the scanning of a person or object comprises applying laser and/or stereo-matching technology to obtain full body color data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the scanning of a person or object comprises photo capturing of close-up facial detail data.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the scanning of a person or object comprises recording movement data corresponding to movement of person for a period of time;

and further includes the step of storing said movement data in said digital image file.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein recording movement data comprises storing 3D point clouds of each frame per second during movement of the person.