Patent ID: 6377281
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: A63J,G06F,G06T

Abstract:
A method of performing a computer graphic character live, comprising the steps of:creating and storing character representation information in a first computer, the character representation information comprising information referencing one or more control data, each control data configured to represent a position of a manual input device used to manipulate the computer graphic character; information referencing one or more virtual actuator data configured to represent a position of a specified portion of the computer graphic character, each virtual actuator data associated with a communication channel over which one of the control data is received; one or more expression information, each expression information associated with a physical movement of the computer graphic character specified by one of the control data and executed by one or more corresponding virtual actuator data and configured to associate the one of the control data with the physical movement of the computer graphic character; receiving, at the first computer, performer movement information from the manual input device that receives live manual manipulations that are homologous to a puppetry performance and converts the manipulations into the performer movement information; creating and storing character motion information based on combining the performer movement information with the character representation information; receiving the character motion information at a second computer; displaying the computer graphic character substantially synchronized to the live manual manipulations using the second computer and based on the character motion information.