Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8189000?dq=patent:6144888
Timestamp: 2014-11-23 06:22:55
Document Index: 359172123

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 00', 'Application No. 00', 'Application No. 00', 'Application No. 00']

Patent US8189000 - Method and system for a computer-rendered three-dimensional mannequin - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA computerized method and system for displaying garments on a computer-rendered three-dimensional rotatable model in an interactive virtual reality software product, comprising: storing information related to a computer-rendered three-dimensional model; storing information related to a plurality of computer-rendered...http://www.google.com/patents/US8189000?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8189000 - Method and system for a computer-rendered three-dimensional mannequinAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8189000 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/343,144Publication dateMay 29, 2012Filing dateDec 23, 2008Priority dateJun 11, 1999Also published asCA2376772A1, CA2376772C, DE60041286D1, EP1407423A1, EP1407423A4, EP1407423B1, US6404426, US7212202, US7522165, US20020021297, US20070182736, US20090213117, US20120293497, WO2000077744A1Publication number12343144, 343144, US 8189000 B2, US 8189000B2, US-B2-8189000, US8189000 B2, US8189000B2InventorsChristopher S. WeaverOriginal AssigneeZenimax Media, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (23), Non-Patent Citations (17), Referenced by (2), Classifications (19), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod and system for a computer-rendered three-dimensional mannequinUS 8189000 B2Abstract A computerized method and system for displaying garments on a computer-rendered three-dimensional rotatable model in an interactive virtual reality software product, comprising: storing information related to a computer-rendered three-dimensional model; storing information related to a plurality of computer-rendered three-dimensional garments; accepting a selection of a three-dimensional garment from the user; accessing the information related to a plurality of computer-rendered three-dimensional garments in order to transform information related to the selection of a three-dimensional garment into a display of the selection of the three-dimensional garment on the computer-rendered three-dimensional model; accepting a rotation command on a rotational control, the rotational control being in a vertical axis to simulate a person turning left and/or right; accepting a camera command allowing the display of the selection of the three-dimensional garment to be shown from a variety of camera distances.
1. A computerized method for displaying garments on at least one computer-rendered three-dimensional rotatable model in at least one interactive virtual reality software product, comprising:
storing information related to at least one computer-rendered three-dimensional model;
storing information related to a plurality of computer-rendered three-dimensional garments;
accepting at least one selection of at least one three-dimensional garment from the user;
accessing the information related to a plurality of computer-rendered three-dimensional garments in order to transform information related to the at least one selection of at least one three-dimensional garment into a display of the at least one selection of the at least one three-dimensional garment on the at least one computer-rendered three-dimensional model;
accepting at least one rotation command on at least one rotational control, the at least one rotational control being in a vertical axis to simulate a person turning left and/or right;
accepting at least one camera command allowing the display of the at least one selection of the at least one three-dimensional garment to be shown from a variety of camera distances.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one rotational control provides rotation of the at least one model about the vertical axis.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one rotational control is illustrated as a double arrow.
4. A computerized system for displaying garments on at least one computer-rendered three-dimensional rotatable model in at least one interactive virtual reality software product, comprising:
at least one terminal coupled to the at least one network;
at least one server coupled to the at least one network, wherein the at least one server comprises at least one application configured for:
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one rotational control provides rotation of the at least one model about the vertical axis.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one rotational control is illustrated as a double arrow.
This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/627,549 filed Jan. 26, 2007. Application Ser. No. 11/627,549 is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/923,410 filed Aug. 8, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,212,202, issued May 1, 2007. Application Ser. No. 09/923,410 is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/329,995 filed Jun. 11, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,404,426, issued Jun. 11, 2002. The entirety of all above-listed applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Various methods and systems for illustrating the look of a garment on a particular person have been attempted. U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,222 to Cone, has attempted a �virtual dressing room�, in which a person's measurements are used to create a body data structure that represents the person's figure, by adjusting a standard body data structure. Unfortunately, a garment is represented by a two-dimensional image of the garment worn by a physical mannequin; the garment is inaccurately �stretched� to approximate the adjusted body structure, rather than representing the actual garment.
In a different field of application, computers have been used to study fabric characteristics, such as friction and wear. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,568 to Beavin, a three dimensional model moves, such as raising the arms, bending, walking or running, and the response of a fabric model to motion, stretching and friction is evaluated. Computers have also been used to create and alter garment patterns to fit standard or individualized body measurements, as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,344 to Collins et al.
It is generally known in the field of computer graphics to manipulate three-dimensional objects, including shape and texture (U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,420 to Mitsumine et al.); to render three-dimensional objects in two-dimensional space (U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,666 to Gilley et al.) and vice-versa (U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,476 to Kurashige et al.); to manipulate two-dimensional objects in three-dimensional space (U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,673 to Cooper et al.); and to move or animate three-dimensional objects (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,665 to Sugiura et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,175 to Naka et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,630 to Unuma et al.).
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a portion of a screen showing a computer-rendered model of a person prior to personalization, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3. is a block diagram showing the model database and virtual garment database, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference is made to FIG. 1, illustrating a personalized, computer-rendered three-dimensional model of a person 1 wearing a garment 3. The model is provided with a rotational control 5. The user interface provides for a size selection control 7, a proportion selection control 9 and a clothing selection control 21. Further, the user interface provides for a motion selection control 11, an action/environment selection control 13, and controls for selection of skin tone, hair color, and hair length 15, 17, 19.
In the preferred embodiment, the computer model 1 of a person is rendered by any appropriate computer software for creating and displaying three-dimensional models. Preferably such software initially creates the model based on measurements and accurately depicts the sizing and proportion of the subject person. Alternatively, the model 1 may be based on standard sizes. It is advantageous for the computer model to be stored as a mesh database, further described below. One appropriate software package is sold by Autodesk� of San Rafael, Calif., under the trademark 3D Studio Max�.
Similarly, the garment 3 is rendered by appropriate computer software for creating three-dimensional models, preferably based on accurate measurements of the garment. Moreover, such software preferably takes into consideration garment qualities such as fabric drape, flow, and reflectivity. Advantageously, garment information may be stored in mesh format. Where the garments are sold in various sizes, a measurement of a garment of each size should be taken, and separate information on each garment size should be stored. An appropriate package for creating and displaying such mesh databases is sold under the aforementioned trademark 3D Studio Max�.
Since most individuals are not perfect fits for standardized sizes, the proportion selection control 9 is provided so that the user may fine-tune proportions. Advantageously, it is the most significant proportions, in terms of garment fit and appearance, that may be modified by the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the proportion selection control 9 allows selection of cup size A, B, C, or D. The cup size proportion selection is particularly suitable in connection with high-end designer clothing and lingerie applications. It may be desirable in other applications to include additional or alternative proportion selections, such as hips, derriere, waist, etc. Notably, the suggested and preferred proportion selection and its effect on the garment 3 may be observed in the rotated appearance of the model 1 in a three-dimensional aspect, rather than a rotated 2-dimensional aspect.
To further illustrate features of the garments, there is provided an action/environment selection control 13. This control places the model 1 into action in a specific environment. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided for each garment 3 a specific pattern of action for the model and environment that is displayed when the user selects the action/environment selection control 13. For example, when clothing control 21 specifies �suit�, the computer determines that the model 1 is displayed with the suit 3, and the corresponding action/environment �discotech� is displayed. This particular action/environment provides numerous bright lights, such as would occur in a discotech; the model 1 strides in a pattern about the virtual discotech, while modeling the garment, in three dimensions. The action/environment illustrates the response of the garment to particular activity, such as stretching, fluttering, flow, highlights, sheerness, etc. Moreover, the action/environment permits the garment 3 to be illustrated in a setting designed to evoke a mood appropriate to the particular garment 3.
Preferably, additional controls are provided to permit adjustments to tailor the model's appearance to closely resemble a particular person. Such appearance controls advantageously include the skin tone selection control 15; the hair color selection control 17; and the hair length control 19. The skin tone selection control 15 allows the user to select one of a variety of skin tones and to apply the skin tone to the model 1. In the embodiment, the skin tones include none (a neutral gray), light, olive and dark. Of course, additional or fewer skin tones could be provided. The hair color control 17 similarly allows the user to select one of several hair colors and to apply the hair color to the model. In the preferred embodiment, the hair colors include blond, brunette and red; alternative or additional colors could be provided. The preferred embodiment also provides for selection of hair length via the hair length control 19. Here, two hair lengths are provided�short or long. Additional lengths or hair styles could be provided changing a texture. It will be appreciated that other controls could be provided to tailor the model's appearance, such as eye color and hair style; or that the controls could provide many more choices of hair color, for example.
The clothing selection control 21 provides the ability for the user to select one of several garments 3 which the model 1 will �wear�. The preferred embodiment provides for a selection of no clothing, a suit or a dress as a selected garment 3. When the user selects a garment listed in the clothing selection control 21, the garment 3 is displayed on the model 1 as follows. The vertice information is stored in a mesh database. The set of garments from which a user may select should correspond to the garments available in a garment database, discussed in greater detail below. Where there are provided numerous garments in the garment database, the user interface may become more elaborate to permit selection of a particular garment, in accordance with known techniques. Further, it is possible for the user to select a combination of garments for the model 1 to �wear�, for example, a skirt and blouse combination.
Scenery Lighting Special effects Model motion (scenery, light, textures, sound, music, streaming video. A script determines the model movement and other action in the scenery such as waves on a beach birds, etc.) FIG. 5 illustrates the model 1 with selections different from that illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrated as rotated 180 degrees. Here, the model 1 has a size selection control 7 at �small�, proportion selection control 9 at �A�, skin tone selection control 15 at �dark�, hair color selection control 17 at �brunette�, and hair length selection control 19 at �short.� The clothing selection control 21 has selected �suit� as the garment 3.
Utilizing the selection and feature controls 7, 9, 11, 1, 15, 17, 19 and 21, in no particular order, the user personalizes the model 1. The user selects one of several sizes using the size selection control 7; and selects one of several proportions using the proportion selection control 9. Although the illustrated embodiment provides proportion selection control only for cup size, alternative or additional proportions may be provided for, as discussed above. If desired, the user selects one of several features via the feature controls 15, 17, 19 for skin tone, hair color and hair length. Preferably, as each selection is made by the user, the model 1 is automatically modified to reflect the selection.
The user utilizes the clothing selection control 21 to select one of several garments that may be �worn� by the model 1. The clothing selection control 21 also provides for a garment selection of �none�, in which the model 1 is unclothed. When utilized in connection with an on-line or interactive catalog, the clothing selection control 21 provides a selection of garments corresponding to those garments available from the catalog or manufacturer. Where there are numerous garments, a more detailed user interface should be provided to select an appropriate garment, garment color, etc. from the catalog.
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Amsterdam, NL vol. 19, No. 2, May 1, 1992, pp. 185-191,193.* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8818883 *Jul 23, 2009Aug 26, 2014Apple Inc.Personalized shopping avatarUS20110022965 *Jul 23, 2009Jan 27, 2011Apple Inc.Personalized shopping avatar* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification345/420, 382/111, 700/130, 700/131, 345/473, 345/629, 703/6, 700/132, 345/419International ClassificationG06T17/00, G06T19/00Cooperative ClassificationA41H3/007, G06Q10/00, G06T17/00, G06T19/00European ClassificationA41H3/00D, G06T19/00, G06Q10/00, G06T17/00Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionSep 17, 2009ASAssignmentOwner name: ZENIMAX MEDIA, INC., MARYLANDFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WEAVER, CHRISTOPHER;REEL/FRAME:023248/0937Effective date: 19990903RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google