Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-14
2003-10-14
Jankus, Almis R. (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
C345S629000, C345S215000, C345S960000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06633289
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and a device for displaying at least part of a person's body with a modified appearance by providing first image data representative of the unmodified appearance of said body part, second image data representative of a modification in the appearance of said body part and position data representative of the position and spatial orientation of said body part, wherein said first and second image data are linked to produce and to display third image data representative of said modified appearance of said body part, in dependence on said position data, such that said displayed modified appearance follows changes in the position of said body part in a dynamic
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many clients of hairdressers, beauticians, jewellers, dentists, opticians or boutiques have a need for support and advice in the selection of their purchases-or treatment. A person's imaginative powers continue to play an important role in this respect. Not everybody possesses the same talents in this regard and consequently it is attractive to be more sure of the result in advance by being given an adequate personal visualisation thereof. This applies in particular in those cases where the result cannot be immediately undone, as may for example be the case with a hairstyle. The decision to take a particular treatment and the selection of a particular type of treatment can be made more efficiently when said decisions are supported by such a visualisation, as a result of which the time involved in said treatment can be reduced.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,285 discloses a method for representing a person with a modified hairstyle by means of a computer, a television camera and a viewing screen. A static video image of the respective person's head is made, which is displayed on the screen. After a new hairstyle has been selected from a data file, the original hairstyle is substituted on the screen for the selected new hairstyle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,426 discloses a method and a device for visualising hairstyles, using graphic computer techniques. Unlike the presentation of static hairstyles as disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,285, a system is disclosed by means of which the hairdo can be modified interactively on the screen. To this end a computing model is used, by means of which modifications in an artificially formed hairstyle resulting from external forces are represented. Said external forces, among which the influence of gravity or the forces resulting from the modelling of a hairdo by means of a comb or the like, can be simulated via a computer mouse or a computer keyboard.
It has become apparent that such a visualisation will only have the intended supporting effect in selecting a purchase or a treatment if said visualisation can appeal to a person's intuitive behaviour, wherein perception plays an important role. Said perception is considerably enhanced by movement.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,585 discloses a previewer for the dynamic viewing of article desired to be worn by a user in a complete series of poses without actually trying on the article. In an embodiment, the user creates in real time a series of poses which are time-framed and position orientation coded. The image of the article is computer generated and re-imaged in accordance with the coded position information of the user. The re-imaged article image and the user video image are than video mixed, optically mixed or superimposed in digital image storage memory, such that a composite image may be viewed by the user in a dynamic viewing mode.
Unlike the above-described prior art, this previewer makes it possible to present the modified appearance of a user in a dynamical manner, such that the person in question can evaluate the effect of the modified appearance in several positions thereof. However, because the position coding depends on coded indicia segments, which segments in toto form a composite image of the article, only a limited number of poses can be actually covered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,268 discloses a previewer essentially of the type disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,585, however enhanced with shape sensor means.
Although these known previewers appeal more to a person's intuitive behaviour than the static presentations, in practice, there is a need for a more sophisticated presentation technique such that a modified appearance of at least part of the human body can be displayed in a true-to-life manner, as if the person is looking at himself in a mirror with the modified body part.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved technique for displaying a body part with a modified appearance, which enables the person in question to evaluate the effect of the modified appearance in a more true-to-life manner.
According to the invention for linking said first and second image data a virtual image data space is created comprising an aspect or aspects of said appearance of said body part to be modified, wherein said second image data comprise virtual image data elements, and wherein said modification of said appearance of said body part is provided by modifying said virtual image data space using virtual image data elements of said second image data, wherein said virtual image data space thus formed and said first image data not comprised thereof are linked to produce said third image data in dependence on said position data.
The term virtual image data space is to be construed in that a real image data space of the first image data representative of the unmodified appearance of the body part and comprising the aspect or aspects of the body part to be modified, is virtually reconstructed. Next, the actual modification is carried out by modifying the virtual image data space using second image data comprised of virtual image data representative of the intended modification. The modified appearance is than created by suitable linking of the modified virtual image data space and the first image data, providing third image data representing the modified appearence of the body part.
The virtual image data space concept according to the invention is essentially able to cope with any changes in the position and spatial orientation of the body part with respect to its environment, such as shading due to differences in the incident light, hiding of portions of the environment due to movement of the body part, etc. This, because the influences of such changes on the appearance to be displayed are virtually constricted in the virtual image data space comprising the modified aspect or aspects of the appearance using respective virtual image data elements.
Unlike the above-described prior art, the invention makes it possible to present the modified appearance in a more dynamical and true-to-life manner, such that the person in question can evaluate the effect of the modified appearance in essentially unrestricted positions thereof. It will be appreciated that such a dynamic, interactive representation is a more efficient support of a person's imagination, as a result of a stronger true-to-life perception. That is, the modified appearance directly follows the changes in the position of the body part in a true-to-life manner, as if the person is looking at it in a front mirror with the body part thus modified.
The method according to the invention provides to select patterns or models in connection with a desired modification, which patterns or models may be selected from a data file, if desired. The actual modified appearance is than created in accordance with the patterns or models selected and composed of virtual image data elements.
Selection of a respective pattern or model may take place in several manners, for example by making a selection from a pattern or model book, whether or not electronically, whereby the appearance of a respective body part is shown commensurately with a respective pattern or model.
The selection of a particular pattern or model may be provided in an efficient manner by first dis
De Boevere Markus Camiel Bernardus
Lotens Wouter Adrie
Sanders Franciscus Josephus Ricardo
Sanders-Smets Johanna Jacoba Maria
Jankus Almis R.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
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