Patent Document ID: 8194093
Application ID: 10942413
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method, comprising: specifying a predefined facial curve pattern comprising a mesh of intersecting curves, wherein each individual curve in the mesh is uniquely identifiable; applying the predefined facial curve pattern to a performer's face; storing the predefined facial curve pattern as curve data on a storage device, the curve data usable by a camera controller; processing sequences of real-time visual images taken of said curves as said curves move during a motion capture session, including, processing visual images taken from regions of the curves residing between intersection points amongst the curves, said processing including correlating each of the captured real-time video images with the curve data read by one or more of the camera controllers to uniquely identify each of the curves, and intersection points between the curves, the operation of processing further comprising: (i) identifying a first set of positions of the curves, the first set of positions of the curves forming a first set of surface tiles having curved edges; and (ii) identifying a second set of positions of the curves, the second set of positions of the curves forming a second set of surface tiles having curved edges; generating motion data from the recorded first and second sets of positions of the curves captured in the sequences of real-time visual images, the motion data representing movement of the performer's face during the motion capture session; and storing the motion data on a storage device, the motion data usable to graphically reconstruct movement of the curves during the motion capture session; wherein a first set of one or more cameras capture a first sequence of real-time video images of a adjusted, predefined facial curve pattern from a first orientation as the performer makes facial movements during a performance and a second set of one or more cameras capture a second sequence of real-time video images of the adjusted, predefined facial curve pattern from a second orientation as the performer makes facial movements during a performance; and wherein specifying the predefined facial curve pattern comprises defining a plurality of curve types and categorizing each of the uniquely identifiable curves as one of the defined curve types, the curve types including contours, radials, and transition curves; wherein the predefined facial curve pattern is generated such that no curve can intersect another curve of the same curve type.