Abstract:
A method is provided for creating, storing, and providing access to three-dimensional (3D) image files for subsequent use in virtual world environments. The method includes receiving 3D data generated through scanning of a person or object; recording and formatting the data into a digital image file; storing the digital image file in a 3D digital image file library located in a machine readable storage; providing access to the 3D digital image file library; retrieving the digital image file from the 3D digital image file library; and uploading the digital image file into an interactive virtual world environment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/632,109, incorporated herein by reference, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/873,679, incorporated herein by reference and which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/865,852 filed on Nov. 15, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of the creation, storage, and access of three dimensionally scanned images of persons or objects for use in virtual world environments. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The use of current scanning technology to create a three-dimensional (“3D”) image of a person or object is known in the art. The use of a person&#39;s 3D image, or avatar, in various virtual world environments is also known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent App. No. 2008/0163054 teaches the use of a virtual avatar to evaluate product designs and consumer purchase decisions in virtual world environments. U.S. Patent App. No. 2003/0172174 provides a “virtual space” representing a product catalog, wherein the user can interact with the product catalog, through a personalized or default avatar. 
         [0004]    However, the prior art does not disclose a method of storing a 3D image of a scanned object or person into a secured database, and furthermore, providing access to the secured database so that a registered user may thereafter use the stored image in a virtual world environment. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention defines a convenient, user-friendly solution for the creation, storage, and access of 3D scanned images so that a user with no prior experience with 3D imaging can easily create at least one 3D scanned image and subsequently access the image for use in various virtual world environments, either from their personal computer over the Internet or by visiting a retail store or third-party vendor location. 
         [0006]    A user may interact with the system of present invention through a remotely-accessible user interface via the Internet or at a retail or third-party location, for example. The user may upload digital images and convert 2D images into 3D images, upload a digital image of a customizable video game and/or virtual world character, or scan a person or other model using a 3D scanner. Once uploaded, the 3D image is stored in a secured database. 
         [0007]    The present invention allows users to access 3D images from a secured database and load their 3D images into an interactive 3D virtual environment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the system in which the different embodiments of the present invention may operate. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2   a  is an overhead view of one embodiment of the present invention deployed at a retail store where users may purchase 3D models or create 3D images using 3D scanning cylinders. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2   b  is a first-person view of one embodiment of the present invention accessed from a retail store. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   c  is an illustration of one embodiment of a Body Scanning Image card. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a Digital Lock Box system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a Mobile-PMP File Uploader system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of the functionality of one embodiment of the 3D body and foot scanning cylinders. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a Distributed Parallel Computing Scanning system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a diagram of the system  100  processes in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The system  100  may interface with multiple users  101  through one of the following means: a retail store  102 ; a customer home PC  103 ; or a third-party entity  104 . 
         [0018]    The interface  106  to the system  100  is accessible over a wide-area network (WAN)  105 , such as the Internet, extranet, LAN, satellite communications or a suitable equivalent thereof. The World Wide Web environment also known as “the Web” may be used to exchange data or transact business. Users can connect via a personal or network computer, workstation, minicomputer, or suitable equivalent thereof using any applicable operating system. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the communication medium between the system  100  and the various users  101  is a direct link via a network interface  105  or via the Internet  105  using a commercially available browser. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user connection to the system  100  may use a system to protect server data and algorithms from unauthorized access by intruders. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the system  100  architecture may use an N-tier and/or service oriented approach, implemented in a multi-platform (platform independent) format using any high-level programming language. Information stored by the system  100  may be stored in a computerized database  130 , such as a relational, hierarchical, model-oriented database, or any equivalent thereof. The system  100  storage devices  131  (e.g., optical discs, magnetic storage-like hard disks) may be implemented using any acceptable storage architectures. The system  100  is not limited to the type of documents and applications described herein that might be used to interact with the user. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the interface  106  is the gateway or entry point to the system  100 . User several ways may enter the system  100  by several means. In one embodiment, users may log in through a web page  107  or via an application interface or web service  108 . The log-in web pages  107  will have markup language-based information, such as hypertext markup language (HTML), extensible markup language (XML), or a suitable equivalent thereof. The log-in web page  107  may request the user to enter their log-in information. In one embodiment, the user&#39;s identity may be authenticated via a password and a personal identification number (PIN). If the user is not a member of the system  100 , a subscription-based membership and registration web page may load allowing the user to register to become a member. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the users agree to assign the right to his or her 3D image with respect to all aspects of their image. When the user completes the subscription-based membership and registration, the system administrator and the new user will receive notification of membership. The new user membership information may be stored in several databases  130  and the new user&#39;s personal, portal  109  is created. Once the user&#39;s membership information is registered in the system  100 , the user is directed back to the log-in web page  107 . Here, the user supplies new log-in information to enter the system. If a user enters invalid log-in information, the system  100  may alert the user of the error. Users who are validly logged in will be taken directly to their personal portal  109 . 
         [0023]    In another embodiment of the invention, the user may connect through a third-party entity  104  (e.g., retail business, partnerships, corporations, companies, non-profit organizations, etc.). The interface  106  may use web services  108  in conjunction with extensible mockup language (XML), simple object access protocol (SOAP), and/or any equivalent thereof, which provide a medium for companies to communicate via their servers to the system  100 . In this particular embodiment, the user does not need to interact with the system  100  directly, but may also interact via the third-party entity&#39;s  104  online retail website. A third-party entity  104  may embed the system  100  inside their web site while still providing the user the option to manage models and images. By making the system  100  a part of the third-party&#39;s website, the third-party entity  104  eliminates the need to add special features to their own site to accommodate the users. Additionally, the system  100  may be customized to blend in with a third-party&#39;s web site theme. 
         [0024]    The portal  109  is the core navigation menu system  110  which provides the user with numerous options, including but not limited to the following: managing personalized 3D digital image files  111 ; the 3D image wizard  112  which allows the user to alter and/or create new 3D images from a user&#39;s existing 3D image library  119 ; and/or managing a membership account  115 . A third-party entity that is interfacing with the system  100  may limit or expand the menu options available to users on their web site. 
         [0025]    The ability to manage 3D image files  111  is another aspect of this invention. Users can manage their own 3D image library  119  via the file control interface  117  of the digital lock box system  118 , for example, users can group their 3D images by category (key words defined by the user), by image file name, by image file date, by available images that have not yet been manufactured, and by images that have already been manufactured. Users can add new 3D images to their library  119  by uploading valid image files that meet the file format requirements of the system  100 . The images are then stored in the user&#39;s private account in the digital lock box system  118 . 
         [0026]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a third-party entity  104  interfacing with the system  100  has the option to transfer specific 3D images that the customer selects on the third-party web site. Before transferring any images to the system  100 , a user preferably should first have an account. For new customers, the third-party entity  104  transmits the customers&#39; membership information via the API/web service interface  108  for registration in the system  100 . Once the membership information is available, the third-party entity  104  uses this information to interface  106 ,  108  with the system  100 . Then, the selected images on the third-party web site may be placed into the user&#39;s system digital lock box  118  user account. In one embodiment, a “push” technology over a secure wide-area network (WAN) used by the third-party entity  104  may be implemented to send the 3D images to the system  100  servers. Other technologies, such as web or window services  108  may also be implemented. The process uploads the files automatically to the digital lock box system  118  while updating the user&#39;s image library information in the database. The images may then be viewed in the user&#39;s 3D image library  119 . 
         [0027]    In another embodiment of the invention, a 3D Image Wizard  112  may contain software that allows a user to modify or enhance an existing 3D image&#39;s geometry and texture information into a new 3D image file which is then stored back into the user&#39;s digital lock box  118  account. Rendering software may be accessed by a user through the system to allow the user to convert a 2D image into a 3D image. The wizard  112  allows users to add realistic or aesthetic depth to a 3D image through a process known as “texture mapping,” “mapping,” or “applying.” A texture map may be represented by a bitmap or other picture file formats such as JPEG, GIF, TIFF, or a suitable equivalent thereof. For example, the artwork of a painter may be scanned or photographed to a bitmap and then mapped onto a sculpture-like 3D image. This mapping can be accomplished through the use of any commercially available software tool. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the menu system  110 , includes an option to manage the membership account  115  where the user can update and/or change their user information. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  both illustrate another embodiment of the invention in various angles. The retail store  102 ,  200  may serve as a vehicle to bring together various users (e.g., customers) with various vendors and retailers in a digital retail environment that will allow them to buy, sell, market, advertise, and exchange products through the system  100 . When the user goes to the retail store  102 ,  200  for body or model scanning, prior to any scanning, the user should preferably have a membership account in the system  100 . If it is a new user the user should preferably register as a member in the system  100  via any of the computer workstations  203   a,    203   b  at the retail store  102 ,  200 . Each retail store  102 ,  200  may have a direct link via a network interface or via the Internet that has access to the system  100 . 
         [0030]    When the user is ready to create a 3D image, the user may present the membership number to the customer service technician and then the user enters the 3D image capturing cylinders  201   a,    201   b  to create a digital 3D image. Also, the user may bring other non-human objects to scan for creation of 3D images. 
         [0031]    The 3D imaging cylinders  201   a,    201   b  may be implemented as 3D color or black/white body or foot scanners that generate a 3D point cloud of the user or object. This 3D point cloud is generally composed of several million 3D points of data to assist in creating an accurate rendering of the 3D model. Since the scanning device  201   a,    201   b  can record color and texture; it provides a realistic 3D image of the user or object. The user or object is simply positioned in the center of the 3D imaging cylinder, within a circle which has been marked for ensuring equal measurements between the scanning columns  201   a,    201   b,  while a digital source or any equivalent thereof scans to collect the necessary data to create a 3D image. In addition to color and texture, the scanning device  201   a,    201   b  is also capable of recording the mesh and movement of the scanned user. The scanning device  201   a,    201   b  can be composed of several types of camera devices, including but not limited to: laser or digital source for full body color scanning; photo capturing camera for close-up 3D facial detail data; motion camera that records the movements of the user during a period of time. These camera devices allow the ability to scan different range of data of the user or object. The motion capturing camera device can store the 3D point clouds of each frame per second during the user&#39;s movements inside the 3D imaging cylinders  201   a,    201   b.  When scanning device  201   a,    201   b  is done capturing the user&#39;s movements, the customer can use system  100  to review the complete scanned motion file and select the particular frame that he or she would like to generate into a 3D product. 
         [0032]    When scanning is complete, the user can view the results of the 3D image on the computer monitors at the customer service stations  202   a,    202   b.  When the user decides which 3D image(s) to save, the user pays for the scanning service. Then, the retail store technician transfers the 3D image(s) into the user&#39;s system digital lock box  118  user account. The user has the option to place the order while being at the retail store  102 ,  200  using one of the computer workstations  203   a,    203   b  to gain access to the system  100 , or simply place the order at a later time. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2C  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention where the user (e.g., customer) visits one of the stores  102 ,  200  and has the option of receiving a body scanning image (“BSI”) card  205   c  that records certain information about the user&#39;s BSI. While receiving the BSI card  205   c,  the user may enter a unique BSI PIN at a customer service station  202   a,    202   b  in the retail store  102 ,  200  to secure card access. The card may record and contain information such as the following: the BSI PIN; user name; body-shape information (i.e., body measurements or sizes); membership information; and anything else a customer would need when they visit any third-party entity that has an agreement with the retail store  102 ,  200 . This electronic card  205   c  may either have a magnetic storage medium and/or microprocessor chip that is compatible with magnetic card readers (i.e., credit card, debit card), smart card reader (i.e., smart card), or any other technology available to allow the storage of all necessary body shape information on the card. Each third-party entity that has an agreement with the retail store  102 ,  200  may have a card reader device that interfaces with the system  100 . When the user visits one of these third-party entities, the user may swipe or insert the electronic card  205   c  (depending on the electronic card reader technology being used) at the customer service counter of the third-party entity and then enter the unique BSI PIN which authenticates the card user. In another embodiment, at the card reader station, a monitor (e.g., LCD, plasma, TV) may display a 3D virtual dressing room with all the apparel pieces that is recommended based on using the customer&#39;s measurements. 
         [0034]    If the user enters the wrong BSI PIN value a specified number of times, the system  100  may lock the card access and the user has to reset the account, for example, at a retail store  102 ,  200 . Also, this electronic card can be updated by visiting any retail store  102 ,  200  for a new body-shape image or to change other information stored on the card. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the system  100  for locking and securing the 3D digital image files. The digital lock box system interface  118  is developed using any high-level programming language that produces an application programming interface (“API”)-compatible executable program. The API constitutes means for the digital lock box system  300  to communicate with other components in the system  100 . The interface built-in logic  301  processes the request from the system  100  to add or retrieve 3D digital files. When a 3D image file is sent by the user to be added into the user&#39;s library (while inside the system  100  or via third-party entity  104 ), the validation engine  302  processes the file for, including but not limited to the following: file format (e.g., OBJ, STL, PLY, VRML); file size; duplications; and anything else that would restrict the ability to manufacture 3D models. A QA process  303  is applied to eliminate problems with the digital file and protect the 3D images from unauthorized copying (e.g., copyright validation process). If the 3D image file passes validation, then it is stored  303  in a storage device  131  with a unique key created from the lock box database  130 . This unique key is then returned  303  and added to the user&#39;s 3D image library. Any 3D digital file that does not pass the validation returns an unsuccessful confirmation via the interface  118 . 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the retrieving logic  304  of the lock box system validates the submission of the key that was submitted by the user while inside the system  100 . If the key does not exist, the validation process  304  returns an invalid confirmation to the user via the interface  118 . If the key is already used, the copyright validation process  306  notifies the user. If the key refers to copyrighted images, the validation process  306  returns a copyright confirmation to the user via the interface  118 . If the key is open, then the key is processed  305  by changing the key&#39;s status (e.g., Copyright, Pending, Edit) in the database  130  and returns the 3D digital image file back to the user in the portal  109 . Depending on which component inside the portal  109  is interfacing with the digital lock box system  300 , the 3D image key status changes. For example, the interface from the 3D image engine  112  would change the 3D image key status to “Edit” while the interface from the shopping cart  121  would make the status “Pending.” 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, providing the user the option to create an assortment of 3D products for mobile and portable media player devices  407 . These mobile and portable media player devices  407  should preferably have sufficient display and audio capabilities to play different types of video and digital image formats, including but not limited to the following: mpeg; 3g2; Divx; Xvid; SigmaTel Motion Video (SMV); jpeg; gif; interactive media (i.e., flash animation); or any equivalent thereof. The mobile devices  407  should have at least some basic telephony functions, including but not limited to the following: a cellular phone  407 ; a wireless communication device (e.g., Blackberry, Treo, PocketPC, SmartPhone)  407 , or any equivalent thereof. The invention may interface with several types of portable media player devices  407 , including but not limited to the following: a PMP device  407 ; a media player device (e.g., iPod, Creative Zen, Archos, Iriver Clix)  407 ; or any equivalent thereof. These portable media player devices  407  may have wireless functionalities. The mobile and portable media player devices  407  may connect via a direct cable link (i.e., in any of the stores or third-party entity facilities)  405 , Bluetooth connection, or any cellular network (e.g., W-CDMA, Third Generation (3G), GSM, PDC, FLEX, CDPD)  405  using a wireless communication protocol (e.g., Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)) to download content files  403 . These communication protocols interface with several types of operating systems, including but not limited to the following: PalmOS; EPOC; Windows CE; FLEXOS; OS/9; JavaOS; in-house operating system; or any equivalent thereof. These cellular networks  406  may use either a “push” or “pull” technology to deliver content to the user&#39;s mobile and/or portable media player device  407  with or without user interaction. Some examples of 3D products the user can manufacture for their mobile and/or portable media player device  407  while using a 3D image in the 3D image library include, but are not limited to the following: 3D screensavers; 3D video; short clip-films; animated background image; or any equivalent thereof  403 , the applications and/or systems mentioned above are not meant as limitations to the implementation of delivering content to the mobile and portable media player devices  407 . 
         [0038]    To create the 3D product using the center  123 , for either the mobile or portable media player device  407 , the mobile-PMP file interface  401  retrieves the 3D image file from the users&#39; 3D image library  119 . A manufacture technician may evaluate the 3D image and apply the proper rendering process. Depending on the option the user picks for the type of 3D product for the user&#39;s mobile or portable media player device  407 , different software solutions may be used. The mobile-PMP file process  402  may apply several steps, including but not limited to the following: converting a 2D image into a 3D image; “texture mapping,” “mapping,” or “applying” to manipulate the 3D image geometry points into a series of frames to create an animated short-film; and/or any equivalent thereof. The manufacture technician may use any available software tool (e.g., 3D Max studio, Autodesk Maya, Cinema 4D), or any other tool that becomes available in the future to create the user&#39;s 3D content  403 . When the manufacture technician has created the 3D product, the content file is transferred to the mobile-PMP file uploader  404 . The mobile-PMP file uploader  404  is the service that may be used to deliver the 3D product to the user&#39;s mobile or portable media player device  407 . This service  404  may deliver the 3D product using a cable link  405 , or using a cellular network  406 . When the user places the order for a 3D product, he or she has the option to choose which delivery method to use. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the interface between the system  100  and the 3D image capturing cylinder  201   a,    201   b,  and 3D foot scanning cylinder  509 . In one embodiment, when the user or object to be scanned is standing on the platform  504 ,  510  inside the 3D imaging capturing cylinder  201   a,    201   b  and 3D foot scanning cylinder  509 , the customer service technician may log into the system  100  and accesses the managing scanning  501  feature to activate the scanning process. The technician may swipe the customer&#39;s BSI Card  205   c  if available, or enter information including but not limited to the following: user&#39;s membership number; number of scans; scan type (e.g., body, foot); and other specific information to store the 3D image file inside the user&#39;s 3D image library  119 . The system  100  may communicate via an application interface or web service  502  and send several commands to the PC scan system  503 . The first command may communicate with either the 3D imaging capturing cylinder  201   a,    201   b,  or 3D foot scanning cylinder  509  and launch a video on the monitor (e.g., LCD, plasma, TV)  508   a,    508   b  which may be positioned adjacent to the outside of the scanning columns (e.g., pillars)  506 ,  511  area. This video may be a short-clip instruction film for illustrating to the user the proper scanning pose, and responding to displaying frequently asked questions and answers thereto. As the video ends, the second command triggers and launches a count-down video or audio informing the user of the time remaining before the 3D scanning system begins scanning. When the scanning device(s)  507   a,    507   b  complete scanning, they  507   a,    507   b  generate a 3D point cloud of the user or object (e.g., body, foot) and transfer the raw data file to the PC scanning system  503 . The PC scanning system  503  may then “push” the new raw data file to the raw data converter utility  512  via an application interface or web service  502 . The raw data converter utility  512  inputs the raw data file and applies a rendering process, including but not limited to the following: converting the raw data file into a CAD file format (e.g., OBJ, STL, PLY, VRML); data compression; data cleaning; hole filling; and/or any equivalent thereof. The rendering process may output several files depending on the required file formats needed inside the system  100 . 
         [0040]    The 3D imaging capturing cylinder  201   a,    201   b  may be comprised of several configurations, depending on the detail level of the 3D image file required to be able to manufacture the 3D model. There are several 3D scanning technologies that may be used, including but not limited to the following: stereo-matching; laser scanning; projection of white light patterns; active sensors; modeling and image processing; or any equivalent thereof. Several of the 3D scanning technologies use columns (e.g., pillars, metal poles)  506 , which may, for example, range from two to eight, to hold and/or house the scanning device  507   a.  The height of the columns  506  should be high enough to capture tall human beings. These columns  506  may have a chain pulley device to help maneuver the scanning device  507   a  from top to bottom while scanning. Other 3D scanning technology may have extra non-moving scanning devices  507   a  to help capture the complete body or object. In another embodiment of this invention, these columns  506  may be attached to a metal base track  505  providing the flexibility to widen or reduce the scanning range for the scanning devices  507   a.  This enables zooming in closer to capture detailed head scans as well as scan larger objects or users. A platform  504  may be positioned in the center of the columns  506  where the object or user stands to ensure that the proper scanning is captured correctly. Other facets of body or object scanning, the 3D scanning applications and systems mentioned above are not meant as limitations to the implementation of the system  100 . 
         [0041]    In one embodiment to the present invention the 3D foot scanning cylinder  509  optionally scans both feet at the same time. Also, it may have a single foot configuration depending on the detail level of a 3D foot image file to be able to manufacture a 3D model, depending on the requirements. The 3D foot scanning system  509  may use the same 3D scanning technology that 3D imaging capturing cylinder  201   a,    201   b  is using. The 3D foot scanning may use a rectangle box or columns to hold and/or house the scanning device  507   b.  This rectangle box or column  511  should be high and wide enough to capture a tall human being and/or large feet. A platform  510  may be positioned at the center of the rectangle box or column  511  where the user stands to ensure that the proper foot scanning is captured correctly. The applications and systems for foot scanning mentioned above are not meant as limitations to the implementation of the system  100 . 
         [0042]    The body scan data may be converted into a 3D image of the user or an “avatar.” Once the avatar is created, it may be uploaded and stored in the user&#39;s 3D digital image file. The user can then access the avatar from secured 3D digital image file and upload the avatar into a virtual world environment. In one embodiment of the present invention, these virtual world environments allow the user&#39;s avatar to engage in a number of virtual world activities, including but not limited to the purchase and sale of goods; engaging in art, entertainment, sporting, and various other social events; engaging in business opportunities that may or may not include the purchase or sale of goods and services. In another embodiment of the present invention, as the avatar&#39;s interaction with one or more virtual world environments becomes more frequent, software tracking a particular avatar&#39;s behavioral patterns, which may include but are not limited to types of purchases the avatar has made, particular virtual world environments the avatar frequents often, etc., translates these behavioral patterns into user preferences or “favorites” whenever the user engages his or her particular avatar in a virtual world environment. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the interface  106  serves as the gateway to connect users of the system  100  with other third-party virtual world entity  104 . This interface  106  may use one or more communication technologies (e.g., web services  108  in conjunction with extensible mockup language (XML) or web browser plug-ins) and/or use a third party 3D web browser that would provide the ability for a two-way interaction between system  100  and a third party virtual world. The user&#39;s membership information (e.g., personal identification number (PIN)) stored in system  100  may be part of the interface to generate an entry key into other third party virtual world environments, while providing the ability for the member&#39;s 3D avatar to jump between virtual worlds. The 3D avatar may be stored in a shareable file format, such as a format adopted by standards organizations (e.g., the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)), so it can be used within the web 3D community. As the member&#39;s 3D avatar move between third party virtual worlds, the system  100  may collect statistical data so that the system  100  can keep track and learn which products and/or virtual environments the member enjoys, this data collection may also help provide the user with additional information, including but not limited to: discount coupons for apparel; 3D products that can be ordered using the virtual environment elements; and/or any equivalent thereof. 
         [0044]    The following are various examples of how a user can use a 3D avatar in various virtual world environments. 
       EXAMPLE 1 
       [0045]    The user to use his/her 3D avatar for the creation of customized apparel. This provides the option for the user to load his or her 3D avatar in an interactive 3D virtual environment, such as a changing-room with apparel items from third-party entities  104 . The user may apply various pieces of apparel and/or accessories on his/her avatar and view how it will look on him/her while also receiving apparel size information from the third-party entities  104 . 
       EXAMPLE 2 
       [0046]    The user may use his/her 3D avatar to assume the role of an athlete in a virtual sport world. This provides the ability for the user to participate in a game with other system  100  users. While being an athlete in the virtual sport world, based on the progress of the user&#39;s avatar performance the user can receive sponsorships that will provide him with the funds to buy and wear additional apparel to help improve the user&#39;s performance. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of this invention where multiple scanning devices  507   a  are utilized in a distributed parallel computing scanning system  600  to scan a user or object. The distributed parallel computing scanning system  600  is able to reduce several bottlenecks in the 3D model processing pipeline, such as but not limited to, the image download path, imaging processing CPU power, and storage I/O bandwidth. The 3D image capturing cylinder  201   a,    201   b  is illustrated from a top view down with such components, the platform  504 , columns (e.g., pillars, metal poles)  506 , and scanning device(s)  507   a.  The columns  506  may be connected by a frame bridge ring that can house additional lighting source (e.g., LED panels, flash, etc.) or additional scanning device(s)  507   a,  depending on the range and details needed for the scan. A scanning device  507   a  may include several types of components, including but not limited to: high digital photo capturing camera; motion camera; and any other electronic boards. The cameras used inside the scanning device(s)  507   a  may be configured to capture each frame per second during the scanning session. The distributed parallel computing scanning system  600  uses a network  606  for communication and 3D data transfer. This network  606  may be a high speed TCP/IP network and/or any other protocol that provides many systems to communicate with each other. 
         [0048]    The API/web service interface  601  may receive scanning job(s) from a command file from several systems through the network  606 . This scan job command file may be formatted, including but not limited to, extensible mockup language (XML), comma delimited, and/or any equivalent thereof. One of these systems, the PC scanning system  503 , may send scan job commands to the master PC system  607  to scan a user or object. The scan job commands may contain information such as the following: membership information; scanning location; distributed file location; local-setting information; or other information necessary to complete the scanning session. This API/web service interface  601  can be developed using an object oriented programming approach to deliver a scalable component such that objects can be accessed via many types of systems while still accomplishing the parallel processing requirements. 
         [0049]    Beside PC scanning system  503 , another option to communicate to the distributed parallel computing scanning system  600  is via the controller PC system  602  which resides outside of the system  100 . The controller PC system  602  may send scan job commands to the master PC system  607 . This controller PC system  602  may contain a (“parallel processing”) pp client module  603  that has a user interface that provides the retail store technician with several options, included but not limited to, initiate a scanning session, download the 3D image files, scanning status, any errors, and complete the rendering process for the 3D model. Before the retail store technician can start the scanning session, he/she may manually enter such information, including but not limited to, customer name, email, phone number, address, notes, and any other needed information. Then after entering the proper information, the retail store technicians can proceed with the scanning session when he/she presses the “start scan” option and monitor the progress of the parallel data processing of the scanned 3D files. The pp client module  603  includes the following functionalities but not limited to: store locally customer information, preview of scanned images, monitoring tool of the parallel data processing inside the master PC system  607  and PC systems  611 , configuration user interface for the master PC system  607  and PC systems  611 , file management, ability to retrieve scanned model from the parallel processing network, or any other administrative operation needed to manage the distributed parallel computing scanning system  600 . On the network  606 , PC systems  604  may be connected using an Ethernet cable to provide access for users to preview their scanned images. In one embodiment, the PC system  604  may include a built-in pp viewing module  605  that has some of the functionality from the pp client module  603 . This viewing module  605  may contain the core functionalities to retrieve 3D model files from the distributed parallel computing scanning system  600  and may provide the user the ability to view them. 
         [0050]    In one embodiment, the master PC system  607  is the main parallel processing system that contains two separate modules. The pp module  608  receives the scan job commands from the API/web service interface  601 . The pp module  608  parses the scan job command and performs the proper scanning operation. Also, the pp module  608  may act as the parallel processing manager and communicate with the other PC systems  611 . To provide for the time and storage space needed to process the 3D models efficiently, the distributed parallel computing scanning system  600  can be composed of several PC systems  611 . The PC systems  611  may be connected through data cables (e.g., USB, FireWire IEEE 1394, etc.)  610  from one to several scanning device(s)  507   a,  depending on the parallel processing configuration. 
         [0051]    In one embodiment of the present invention, after the pp module  608  completes parsing of the scan job commands and is ready to perform the scan of the user or object, it first communicates via data cable  610  to the main controller  612  to initial the scanning session. The main controller  612  may also include an electronic trigger device to allow the retail store technician to override the scan job command and manually do a scanning session. This provides the ability to test the distributed parallel computing scanning system  600  without requiring scan job commands and assist in the camera calibration process. Moreover, the main controller  612  may also be connected to several lighting sources (e.g., LED panels, flash) to control the turning on and off sequence of the lights individually and/or grouped together to improve the quality of the scan capture in the distributed parallel computing scanning system  600  configuration. This main controller  612  may be connected via custom cables  613  to secondary controllers  614  which may control capture sequence of the scanning device(s)  507   a  individually and/or grouped together during a scanning session. The main controller  612  and secondary controllers  614  may be implemented as hard-wired devices, as microprocessors specifically programmed to execute controller functions, or as software agents running in general purpose computers. Depending on the parallel processing configuration, several secondary controllers  614  may be used. These secondary controllers  614  may be connected via custom cables  613  to several pattern projectors with built-in texture flashes  615  to assist in capturing the proper scanning data. The custom cables  613  may be combined data cables with other required cables based on the scanning device(s)  507   a  being used in the distributed parallel computing scanning system  600 . The secondary controllers  614  may be connected to one to many scanning device(s)  507   a  while sending the scan command to capture the scan of the user or object. When the scanning device(s)  507   a  finishes capturing the user or object, scan data may be transmitted via data cable  610  to PC systems  611  and master PC system  607 . PC systems  611  as well as a master PC system  607  may include the pp server module  609 . The pp server module  609  perform certain tasks, such as but not limited to, communication with the scanning device(s)  507   a  via data cable  610 , downloading of images from the scanning device(s)  507   a,  reporting any errors and/or problems, processing specified images, saving the processed 3D model, registering the processed images, 3D model alignment, and notification to the pp module  608  with process status information. The pp module  608  may then close the scanning session and retrieve all the 3D model files to be stored locally on master PC system  607  to complete the 3D model alignment and have the 3D model available for any of the systems connected on the network  606 . Modules being used in the distributed parallel computing scanning system  600 , such as the pp client module  603 , pp viewing module  605 , pp module  608 , and pp server module  609 , may be developed using an object oriented programming approach to deliver a scalable component such that objects can be accessed via many types of systems. Also, the pp module  608  may communicate back to the system that sent the scanning job with scanning status information as well as any other information. The user may then request the 3D model from master PC system  607  for further use or viewing. 
         [0052]    Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.