Patent ID: 7791608
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. A method for use with a single performer having a body, the method animating a computer generated character in real-time based on a performance provided by the single performer, the method comprising: providing a first mobile input device configured to be operated by the single performer during the performance, and when so operated, to receive a first hand puppetry movement as an input from the single performer, and transmit first input device data to a computer; providing a second mobile input device configured to be operated by the single performer during the performance, and when so operated, to receive a second hand puppetry movement as an input from the single performer, and transmit second input device data to a computer, the second mobile input device being operable independently from the first mobile device; providing a motion capture device that includes a plurality of markers, configured to be worn on the body of the single performer during the performance, the motion capture device being connected to the computer, and configured to transmit motion capture data to the computer, the motion capture data being independent of both the first input device data transmitted by the first mobile input device and the second input device data transmitted by the second mobile input device; receiving the motion capture data at the computer, the motion capture data being representative of the positions of the plurality of markers; receiving the first input device data from the first mobile input device at the computer, the first input device data representing the first hand puppetry movement of the single performer; receiving the second input device data from the second mobile input device at the computer, the second input device data representing the second hand puppetry movement of the single performer; and generating a computer generated animated character, the body movements of the character being based on the motion capture data received from the motion capture device for the single performer, head and facial movements being based on the first input device data received from the first mobile input device for the single performer, and hand movements being based on the second input device data received from the second mobile input device for the single performer.