Dance learning system using a computer

• US 20140118522A1
• Filed: 11/01/2012
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Josh Heath Zuniga
• Original Assignee: Josh Heath Zuniga
• Inventors: Zuniga, Josh Heath
• Application Number:
  US13/666,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20140118522A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/77
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/2726 for simulating a person's appearance, e.g. hair style, glasses, clothes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/272 Means for inserting a foreground image in a background image, i.e. inlay, outlay

Abstract

The invention describes an interactive dance learning tool for novice as well as professional dancers, using interactive video based tutorials. The tool comprises software using which dancing steps can be taught to the dancer. Further, the tool also helps capturing dancing the steps of the dancer and his/her partner. It allows shadowing or highlighting the dancer'"'"'s steps in accordance with the partner'"'"'s steps, so that the dancer can clearly see its moves. The tool may use a gesture recognition technique and a webcam to capture the dancer'"'"'s movement. The tool may also use an avatar to be placed along with the dancer to make him/her learn correct steps. The software applies image/video processing techniques and algorithms to extract user'"'"'s movements. The tool helps a user to learn dance in privacy and without requiring a professional instructor. The tool also provides feedback to the learner based on alerts or notification, which is a voice or visual alert.

Claims

1. A method for learning dance by a user using a networked computer, the method comprising the steps of:

Capturing a sequence of images of a user using a camera;

Creating an avatar using the sequence of images on a screen of the computer;

Playing a recorded dance sequence of an instructor on the screen of the computer;

Superimposing the avatar to the instructor'"'"' dance moves to highlight the move difference; and

Indicating the user with the difference in move;

Wherein, the user learns the dance sequence of the instructor by imitating the instructor'"'"'s dance movements.

2. The capturing of dance sequence according to claim 1, is aided by a game controller which captures the gesture of the user.

3. The game controller according to claim 2, is a Nintendo Wii controller.

4. The game controller according to claim 2, is Kinect.

5. The game controller according to claim 2, is Razer Hydra.

6. The networked computer according to claim 1, is a mobile phone.

7. The networked computer according to claim 1, is a handheld portable device.

8. The networked computer according to claim 1, is connected to internet.

9. The avatar according to claim 1, is a real image of the user.

10. The camera according to claim 1, is a web camera attached to the computer.

11. The indication according to claim 1, further comprises providing an alert to the user based on the deviation of user'"'"'s performance from the standard.

12. A system for learning the dance by a user, the system comprising:

A camera unit for capturing the images of the dance sequence;

A recording unit for recording the dance sequence and creating a dance avatar;

A player for playing the recorded dance sequence;

A processing unit for matching the dance sequence and calculate the difference of the dance movement, using a matching algorithm.

13. The system according to claim 12, is a computer system.

14. The camera unit according to claim 12 is attached to the recording and processing unit using computer network.

15. The camera unit according to claim 12, is a video camera.

16. The camera unit according to claim 12, is a web camera.

17. The processing unit according to claim 12, indicates if there is any difference between the dance sequence of the user and avatar, based on the result of the matching algorithm.