System and method for generating an animatable character

• US 6,384,819 B1
• Filed: 10/15/1998
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Planet Electric Incorporated
• Inventors: Hunter, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Cliff N.
• Application Number:
  US09/173,583
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 345/418, 345/471, 345/472, 345/473, 345/474, 345/441, 345/423, 345/428, 345/429, 345/430, 345/431, 345/432, 345/433
• US Class Current: 345/418
• 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. A method for generating a character in a computer system comprising:

constructing a skeleton of a predetermined object; and

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

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the skeleton is constructed of at least one predetermined component.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined component is a rod.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined component is a joint.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of laminating a texture map to the skeleton.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of adjusting a skeleton parameter to correspond with the desired object.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of adjusting includes adjusting the skeleton parameter to approximate a parameter of the desired object.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of determining a topology of the skeleton.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of determining where a motion will occur.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the personalized character can be animated.

11. A method for animating an object in a computer system comprising:

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.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the steps of transmitting occur via a network.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the steps of transmitting occur via an Internet.

14. A system for generating a character in a computer system comprising:

means for constructing a skeleton of a predetermined object; and

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

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the skeleton is constructed of at least one predetermined component.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined component is a rod.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined component is a joint.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a means for laminating a texture map to the skeleton.

19. The system of claim 14, further comprising a means for adjusting a skeleton parameter to correspond with the desired object.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the personalized character can be animated.

21. A system for animating an object in a computer system comprising:

means 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

means for transmitting data related to an animation of the object.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein transmitting the data occurs via a network.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein transmitting the data occurs via an Internet.

24. A method for compressing video data comprising:

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.

25. A method as recited in claim 24 wherein said initial representation is a skeleton representation.

26. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein said description includes a description at least one of a rod and a joint position.

27. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein description includes a description of said at least one of a rod and a joint position is a relative position.

28. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein said description includes a description of at least one of a rod and a joint position is an absolute position.

29. A method as recited in claim 24 wherein said description is transmitted over a network.