SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CAPTURING PARTICIPANT LIKENESS FOR A VIDEO GAME CHARACTER

• US 20170209795A1
• Filed: 01/27/2016
• Published: 07/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electronic Arts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electronic Arts Incorporated
• Inventors: Waterson, Tom, Harvey, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 10,086,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/655 by importing photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters

Abstract

Systems and methods for capturing participant likeness for a video game character are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving, at a pose generation system, multiple videos of one or more live events, the multiple videos recorded from a plurality of camera angles. A target participant may be identified, at the pose generation system, in the multiple videos. A set of poses may be generated, at the pose generation system, of the target participant from the multiple videos, the set of poses associated with a movement type or game stimulus. The set of poses may be received, at a model processing system, from the pose generation system. The method may further comprise generating, at the model processing system, a graphic dataset based on the set of poses, and storing, at the model processing system, the graphic dataset to assist in rendering gameplay of a video game.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a pose generation system including;

a motion capture analysis module configured to identify a target participant in multiple videos of one or more live events, the multiple videos recorded from a plurality of camera angles; and

a pose module configured to generate a set of poses of the target participant from the multiple videos, the set of poses associated with a movement type or game stimulus; and

a model processing system including;

a graphic processing module configured to generate a graphic dataset for the movement type or game stimulus based on the set of poses; and

a data store configured to store the graphic dataset to assist in rendering a game character representative of the target participant during gameplay of a video game.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the multiple videos comprise television broadcast videos of a plurality of live events, the television broadcast videos including video footage of the target participant from the plurality of camera angles for at least a portion of each of the plurality of live events.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the target participant is identified at least partially based on metadata associated with the multiple videos.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the metadata includes at least one of RFID tracking information associated with the target participant, a uniform number associated with the target participant, a player name associated with the target participant, or a field position associated with the target participant.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the movement type or game stimulus is selected from predetermined movement types or game stimuli.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphics processing module generates the graphic dataset by customizing a character model with physical, skeletal and movement characteristics generated from the set of poses.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphic dataset includes position information associated with the movement type or game stimulus.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphic dataset includes a customized character model associated with the target participant.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the pose module receives information identifying a time period within the multiple videos that corresponds to the movement type or game stimulus.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a simulation engine configured to generate simulation results based on user input and game rules; and

a rendering engine configured to use the graphic dataset to render the simulation results so that the game character representative of the target participant performs a movement clip that includes a likeness of the target participant.

11. A computerized method comprising:

receiving, at a pose generation system, multiple videos of one or more live events, the multiple videos recorded from a plurality of camera angles;

identifying, at the pose generation system, a target participant in the multiple videos;

generating, at the pose generation system, a set of poses of the target participant from the multiple videos, the set of poses associated with a movement type or game stimulus;

receiving, at a model processing system, the set of poses from the pose generation system;

generating, at the model processing system, a graphic dataset based on the set of poses; and

storing, at the model processing system, the graphic dataset to assist in rendering gameplay of a video game.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the multiple videos comprise television broadcast video of a plurality of live events, the television broadcast video including video footage of the target participant from the plurality of camera angles for at least a portion of each of the plurality of live events.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the target participant is identified at least partially based on metadata associated with the multiple videos.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the metadata includes any of RFID tracking information associated with the target participant, a player number associated with the target participant, or a player name associated with the target participant.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the movement type or game stimulus is selected from predetermined movement types or game stimuli.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the generating the graphic dataset includes customizing a character model based on physical, skeletal and movement characteristics generated from the set of poses.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the graphic dataset includes position information associated with the movement type or game stimulus.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the graphic dataset includes a customized character model associated with the target participant.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving information identifying a time period within the multiple videos that corresponds to the movement type or game stimulus.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

generating simulation results based on user input and game rules; and

using the graphic dataset to render the simulation results so that the game character representative of the target participant performs a movement clip that includes a likeness of the target participant.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions, the instructions being executable by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving, at a pose generation system, multiple videos of one or more live events, the multiple videos recorded from a plurality of camera angles;

identifying, at the pose generation system, a target participant in the multiple videos;

generating, at the pose generation system, a set of poses of the target participant from the multiple videos, the set of poses associated with a movement type or game stimulus;

receiving, at a model processing system, the set of poses from the pose generation system;

generating, at the model processing system, a graphic dataset based on the set of poses; and

storing, at the model processing system, the graphic dataset to assist in rendering gameplay of a video game.