System and method for avatar management and selection

• US 9,357,174 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2012
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Li, Wenlong, Tong, Xiaofeng, Du, Yangzhou, Hu, Wei, Zhang, Yimin
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Hemant
• Application Number:
  US13/997,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20150312523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,513 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1401- 1416, 370259-271, 370351-357, 709201-207, 709217-248
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/166 using acquisition arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/157 defining a virtual conference space and using avatars or agents computer conference optimisation or adaptation H04L12/1827

Abstract

A video communication system that replaces actual live images of the participating users with animated avatars. A method may include selecting an avatar, initiating communication, capturing an image, detecting a face in the image, extracting features from the face, converting the facial features to avatar parameters, and transmitting at least one of the avatar selection or avatar parameters. The system is configured to allow a user to select a new avatar during active communication with a remote user.

Claims

1. A system for avatar management and selection during active communication between a first user device and a remote user device, said system comprising:

a first user device configured to capture user input, said first user device comprising;

a display;

communication circuitry configured to transmit information to and receive information from said remote user device;

one or more storage mediums having stored thereon, individually or in combination, instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following operations comprising;

initiating communication between said first user device and said remote user device;

identifying said user input;

identifying an avatar selection command based on said user input, said avatar selection command comprising selecting an avatar file from an avatar database during active communication between said first user device and said remote user device;

transmitting identifying data corresponding to said selected avatar file to said remote user device;

receiving a signal from said remote user device indicating an avatar file stored in an avatar database of said remote user device matches said selected avatar file; and

displaying a feedback avatar based on said selected avatar.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote user device comprises one or more storage mediums having stored thereon, individually or in combination, instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following operations comprising:

receiving said avatar selection from said first user device; and

identifying a matching avatar file stored in said avatar database having identifying data matching said identifying data of said selected avatar file.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein identifying a matching avatar comprises comparing said identifying data of said selected avatar file with identifying data of at least one avatar file of said avatar database of said remote user device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following additional operations:

displaying an avatar model associated with said selected avatar from said first user device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said first user device further comprises a camera configured to capture images, wherein the instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following additional operations:

capturing an image;

detecting a face in the image;

extracting features from the face;

converting said features into avatar parameters; and

transmitting at least one of said avatar parameters to said remote input device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein extracting features from said face comprises determining a facial expression in said face.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar on said remote user device, the avatar being based on the facial features.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar in a virtual space, said avatar being based on said facial features.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first user device comprises a touch-sensitive display and said user input is a touch event.

10. A method for avatar management and selection during active communication between a first user device and a remote user device, said method comprising:

initiating communication from said first user device to said remote user device, said first user device configured to capture user input;

identifying, by said first user device, said user input;

identifying, by said first user device, an avatar selection command based on said user input, said avatar selection command comprising selecting an avatar file from an avatar database during active communication between said first user device and said remote user device;

transmitting, by said first user device, identifying data corresponding to said selected avatar file to said remote user device

receiving, by said first user device, a signal from said remote user device indicating an avatar file stored in an avatar database of said remote user device matches said avatar selection; and

displaying a feedback avatar based on said selected avatar.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving, by said remote user device, said avatar selection from said first user device; and

identifying, by said remote user device, a matching avatar file stored in said avatar database having identifying data matching said identifying data of said selected avatar file.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said remote user device comprises a display configured to display an avatar model associated with said selected avatar from said first user device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein identifying a matching avatar comprises comparing said identifying data of said selected avatar file with identifying data of at least one avatar file of said avatar database of said remote user device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said first user input device further comprises a camera configured to capture images.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

capturing, by said camera, an image;

detecting, by said first user device, a face in the image;

extracting, by said first user device, features from the face;

converting, by said first user device, said features into avatar parameters; and

transmitting, by said first user device, at least one of said avatar parameters to said remote user device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein extracting features from said face comprises determining a facial expression in said face.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar on said remote user device, the avatar being based on the facial features.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar in a virtual space, said avatar being based on said facial features.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the first user device comprises a touch-sensitive display and the user input is a touch event.

20. At least one computer accessible non-transitory storage medium to store instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

initiating communication from a first user device to a remote user device, said first user device configured to capture user input;

identifying, by said first user device, said user input;

identifying, by said first user device, an avatar selection command based on said user input, said avatar selection command comprising selecting an avatar file from an avatar database during active communication between said first user device and said remote user device;

transmitting, by said first user device, identifying data corresponding to said selected avatar file to said remote user device

receiving, by said first user device, a signal from said remote user device indicating an avatar file stored in an avatar database of said remote user device matches said avatar selection; and

displaying a feedback avatar based on said selected avatar.