Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-20
2001-10-16
Vo, Cliff N. (Department: 2772)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
C345S473000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304264
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to computer animation. Specifically, the present invention is directed to customizing a computer animation wireframe with three-dimensional range and color data.
BACKGROUND
Known systems can provide generic computer animations that integrate audio and visual information. For example, these generic computer animations typically display a talking head of a human or of a cartoon animal. These generic computer animations can be used for a number of applications. For example, some known systems display the computer animation on a computer video monitor to interface with a human user. Other known systems can convert ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) text into synthetic speech and synchronized talking-head video with realistic lip and jaw movements.
These known computer animations are based on a generic animation wireframe models. Although these generic animation wireframe models are generic in the sense that the animations do not represent a specific person; these generic models can be deformed according to a predefined set of parameters to vary the presentation from the one generic version. Deforming a generic animation wireframe model can be used to more closely resemble realistic and natural interactions, for example, human-to-human interactions. Deforming the generic model using a predefined set of parameters, however, cannot sufficiently modify the generic model to present actual people recognized by the viewer.
To produce more realistic and natural displays for human interactions, animation wireframe models should incorporate real measurements of the structure of the desired face, as well as color, shape and size. Such information can be obtained by a three-dimensional laser scanner system that scan a person's head to produce very dense range data and color data of the head.
Some known systems that incorporate measured three- dimensional information into generic animation wireframe models, however, suffer from several shortcomings. In general, accurately modifying generic animation wireframe models with measured three-dimensional range data requires extensive and expensive manual adjustments or automated computer-based adjustments. Manual adjustments of generic animation wireframe models can be time consuming and/or can require expensive human personal with specialized training. Automated adjustments of generic animation wireframe models can require expensive computer equipment that is generally cost-prohibitive for mass distribution and may require extensive maintenance performed by human personnel with specialized training.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention modifies a generic animation wireframe model with measured three-dimensional range data to produce a customized animated wireframe. The present invention produces the customized animated wireframe without requiring extensive manual adjustments or elaborate computer equipment.
The present invention modifies an animation wireframe having multiple points with three-dimensional (3D) range data. The 3D range data has a corresponding shape surface. The animation wireframe is vertically scaled based on the distances between consecutive features within the 3D range data. For each animation wireframe point, the location of the animation-wireframe point is horizontally adjusted to correspond to a point on the shape surface within a horizontal plane.
The vertical scaling factors can be calculated based on the distances between certain points within the 3D range data. A primary point within the 3D range data corresponding to a first feature within the plurality of features can be obtained. A vertical alignment line based on the primary point can be obtained. Secondary points within the 3D range data corresponding to features that lie along the vertical alignment line can be obtained. Consequently, vertical scaling factors based on the distances between consecutive features can be calculated.
A tertiary point within the 3D range data can be selected to define a vertical cut-off plane. For each animation wireframe point, the origin point within the horizontal plane can also be defined. The primary point, the secondary points and the tertiary point can be obtained manually or automatically.
In one embodiment of the present invention, horizontal scaling can be performed by defining a scaling line within the horizontal plane. The scaling line can be defined as containing the animation-wireframe point and an origin point. A shape-surface point is determined as the intersection of the scaling line and the shape surface. The location of the animation-wireframe point can be adjusted to correspond to the shape-surface point. This process can be repeated for each wireframe-animation point.
In an alternative embodiment, horizontally scaling can be performed by selecting a pair of animation-wireframe points within the same horizontal plane and then defining two individual scaling lines. Two shape-surface points can be determined as the two scaling lines and the shape surface. The location of the two animation-wireframe points are then horizontally adjusted to correspond to the two shape-surface points.
Two animation-wireframe points can be adjusted so that L
W
′/L
W
substantially equals L
R
′/L
R′
where L
W
′ is the length of a first line connecting the first animation wireframe point and the second animation wireframe point along the animation wireframe within the horizontal plane, L
W
is the length of a second line along the animation wireframe within the horizontal plane, the second line being between the limit of the horizontal plane and a first intersection point where the animation wireframe within the horizontal plane intersects a perpendicular line containing the origin point and being perpendicular from the limit of the horizontal plane, L
R
′ is the length of a third line connecting the first shape-surface point and the second shape-surface point along the shape surface within the horizontal plane, and L
R
is the length of a fourth line along the shape surface within the horizontal plane, the fourth line being between the limit of the horizontal plane and a second intersection point where the shape surface within the horizontal plane intersects the perpendicular line.
Texture mapping can be provided to the animation wireframe based on color data corresponding to the 3D range data. In an alternative embodiment, an alignment point within the 3D range data can be obtained corresponding to an object within the animation wireframe that substantially moves during animation. The alignment point can be matched with the corresponding point within the animation wireframe.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5867175 (1999-02-01), Katzenberger et al.
patent: 5880743 (1999-03-01), Moran et al.
Y. Lee et al.; “Constructing Physics-based Facial Models of Individuals” Proceedings of Graphics Interface, Jan. 1, 1993; pp. 1-8.
T. Akimoto et al.; “3D Facial Model Creation Using Generic Model and Front and Side Views of Face”;IEICE Transactions on Information and Systems, vol. E75-D, No. 2; Mar. 1, 1992 pp. 191-197.
G. XU et al.; “Three-Dimensional Face Modeling for Virtual Space Teleconferencing Systems”;Transactions of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers of Japan; vol. E73, No. 10, Oct. 1, 1990; pp. 1753-1761.
M. Patel et al.; “Faces: Facial Animation, Construction and Editing System”; Eurographics, Vienna, Sep. 2-6, 1991, No. Conf. 12; Sep. 2, 1991; pp. 33-45.
Chen Lawrence Shao-Hsien
Ostermann Joern
AT&T Corp.
Vo Cliff N.
LandOfFree
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