US6466213B2
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Method and apparatus for creating personal autonomous avatars
Assignee: Majandro LLC
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Filing: 1998-02-13
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Granted: 2002-10-15
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Expires: 2018-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for facilitating communication about a document between two users creates autonomous, animated computer characters, or avatars, which are then attached to the document under discussion. The avatar is created by one user, who need not be the author of the document, and is attached to the document to represent a point of view. The avatar represents the physical likeness of its creator. The avatar is animated, using an avatar scripting language, to perform specified behaviors including pointing, walking and changing facial expressions. The avatar includes audio files that are synchronized with movement of the avatar's mouth to provide an audio message.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy W. Bickmore
- 👤 Joseph W. Sullivan
- 👤 Elizabeth F. Churchill
- 👤 Sara A. Bly
- 👤 Linda K. Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T13/00; G06T13/20; G06T13/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for interactively creating an avatar, comprising: receiving an input from a user defining an avatar reference point; creating a head and a body of the avatar, the head and the body being independent, the head and the body tied to the avatar reference point; receiving at least one input from a user defining a plurality of control points for each of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; receiving at least one input from a user defining a plurality of polygons, each polygon associated with a physical feature of one of the head and the body of the avatar; receiving at least one input from a user associating each polygon with at least one of the plurality of control points of one of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; and associating, for each of at least one of the plurality of polygons, a range of motion indicator with that polygon.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for interactively creating an avatar, comprising: receiving an input from a user defining an avatar reference point; creating a head and a body of the avatar, the head and the body being independent, the head and the body tied to the avatar reference point; receiving at least one input from a user defining a plurality of control points for each of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; receiving at least one input from a user defining a plurality of polygons, each polygon associated with a physical feature of one of the head and the body of the avatar; receiving at least one input from a user associating each polygon with at least one of the plurality of control points of one of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; and associating, for each of at least one of the plurality of polygons, a range of motion indicator with that polygon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar represents a likeness of a person, and includes at least one of the person's recorded voice, visual likeness, physical mannerisms and personality.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the visual likeness is created by tracing an image of the person.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the physical mannerisms include facial expressions and gestures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: defining at least one avatar behavior; and associating the at least one avatar behavior with the avatar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein defining the at least one avatar behavior includes creating at least one animation sequence for the avatar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least animation sequence includes changing facial expressions, making gestures, changing poses and idling.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the facial expressions include moving pupils, raising eyebrows and opening a mouth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein opening the mouth is synchronized with a recorded utterance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the gestures include pointing, shrugging shoulders, waving hands, and scratching.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the poses include standing, walking and crouching.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein, for each at least one animation sequence, that animation sequence is performed by the avatar over a specified time duration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein defining at least one avatar behavior comprises: defining a change of location of at least one of the avatar reference point and at least one control point relative to the avatar reference point; and defining a duration over which the change of location of the at least one of the avatar reference point and the at least one control point occurs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
163 words
An avatar, comprising: an avatar description, comprising: a n avatar reference point, a head and a body of the avatar, the head and the body being independent, the head and the body tied to the avatar reference point, a plurality of control points for each of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; a plurality of polygons, each polygon associated with at least one of the plurality of control points of one of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; and for at least some of the plurality of polygons, a range of motion indicator associated with that polygon; and at least one avatar behavior; wherein: each avatar behavior is associated with the avatar description; the avatar description represents the likeness of a person, including at least one of the person's recorded voice, visual likeness, visual mannerisms and personality; and the at least one avatar behavior includes at least one animation sequence for the avatar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
163 words
An avatar, comprising: an avatar description, comprising: a n avatar reference point, a head and a body of the avatar, the head and the body being independent, the head and the body tied to the avatar reference point, a plurality of control points for each of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; a plurality of polygons, each polygon associated with at least one of the plurality of control points of one of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; and for at least some of the plurality of polygons, a range of motion indicator associated with that polygon; and at least one avatar behavior; wherein: each avatar behavior is associated with the avatar description; the avatar description represents the likeness of a person, including at least one of the person's recorded voice, visual likeness, visual mannerisms and personality; and the at least one avatar behavior includes at least one animation sequence for the avatar.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The avatar of claim 14 , wherein each animation sequence includes at least one of changing facial expressions, making gestures and assuming poses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The avatar of claim 14 , wherein the physical mannerisms are coordinated with the recorded voice.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The avatar of claim 14 , wherein the at least one avatar behavior includes activating at least one hypertext link in a document, the activation allowing the avatar to navigate a user through the document.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for interactively creating an avatar, comprising: receiving an input from a user defining an avatar reference point; creating a head and a body of the avatar, the head and the body being independent, the head and the body tied to the avatar reference point; receiving at least one input from a user defining a plurality of control points for each of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; receiving at least one input from a user defining a plurality of polygons, each polygon associated with a physical feature of one of the head and the body of the avatar; receiving at least one input from a user associating each polygon with at least one of the plurality of control points of one of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; and associating and selectively displaying, for each of at least one of the plurality of polygons, a range of motion indicator with that polygon in which the shape of the polygon is modifiable by the motion of the control point.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for interactively creating an avatar, comprising: receiving an input from a user defining an avatar reference point; creating a head and a body of the avatar, the head and the body being independent, the head and the body tied to the avatar reference point; receiving at least one input from a user defining a plurality of control points for each of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; receiving at least one input from a user defining a plurality of polygons, each polygon associated with a physical feature of one of the head and the body of the avatar; receiving at least one input from a user associating each polygon with at least one of the plurality of control points of one of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; and associating and selectively displaying, for each of at least one of the plurality of polygons, a range of motion indicator with that polygon in which the shape of the polygon is modifiable by the motion of the control point.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
193 words
An avatar, comprising: an avatar description, comprising: an avatar reference point, a head and a body of the avatar, the head and the body being independent, the head and the body tied to the avatar reference point, a plurality of control points for each of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; a plurality of polygons, each polygon associated with at least one of the plurality of control points of one of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar and modifiable by the motion of the control point; and for at least some of the plurality of polygons, a range of motion indicator associated with that polygon; selectively displaying the range of motion indicator associated with that polygon; and the polygon is modifiable by the motion of the control point; at least one avatar behavior; wherein: each avatar behavior is associated with the avatar description; the avatar description represents the likeness of a person, including at least one of the person's recorded voice, visual likeness, visual mannerisms and personality; and the at least one avatar behavior includes at least one animation sequence for the avatar.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
193 words
An avatar, comprising: an avatar description, comprising: an avatar reference point, a head and a body of the avatar, the head and the body being independent, the head and the body tied to the avatar reference point, a plurality of control points for each of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar; a plurality of polygons, each polygon associated with at least one of the plurality of control points of one of the head of the avatar and the body of the avatar and modifiable by the motion of the control point; and for at least some of the plurality of polygons, a range of motion indicator associated with that polygon; selectively displaying the range of motion indicator associated with that polygon; and the polygon is modifiable by the motion of the control point; at least one avatar behavior; wherein: each avatar behavior is associated with the avatar description; the avatar description represents the likeness of a person, including at least one of the person's recorded voice, visual likeness, visual mannerisms and personality; and the at least one avatar behavior includes at least one animation sequence for the avatar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-14 | 2006-04-15 | 2006-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-14 | 2010-04-15 | 2010-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-14 | 2014-04-15 | 2014-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |