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US6545682B1
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Method and apparatus for creating and customizing avatars using genetic paradigm
Assignee: Leidos Inc
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Filing: 2000-05-24
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Granted: 2003-04-08
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Expires: 2020-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for creating an avatar are described. A number of user-modifiable genes are maintained in a local processing system, each of which represents a different user-perceivable attribute of the avatar. An encoded representation of the genes is then transmitted to a remote processing system over a network. The genes represent non-geometry parameters, which are used in both the local processing system and the remote processing system to generate geometry for rendering the avatar. One or more of the genes may represent a biomechanical, behavioral, and/or biometric attribute of the avatar. One or more of the genes may be adjusted by a user to allow the user to customize the avatar, which may be performed using a graphical user interface designed for avatar customization. Adjusting one or more of the genes may generate a variation of a previously-generated avatar and may be used to control blending between two or more 3-D models or animation scripts. An avatar may be generated by using a pseudorandom number generator to generate one or more of the genes. One or more of the genes may be associated with a personality trait of the avatar, such as alertness, shiftiness, curiosity, or tendency to daydream.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey J. Ventrella
- 👤 William D. Harvey
- 👤 Benjamin M. Werther
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; G06T; G06T17/00; A; A63; A63F; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/50; A63F2300/55; A63F2300/5546; A63F2300/5553; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/65; A63F2300/66; A63F2300/6607; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/8082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of creating an avatar, the method comprising: maintaining a set of values in a first processing system, the set of values including a plurality of values that each represent a different anatomical feature of the avatar; encoding the set of values in a data structure that does not include any procedural information; and transmitting the data structure from the first processing system over a network, the data structure for use by a remote processing system to render and animate the avatar, without transmitting over the network any procedural information for rendering or animating the avatar.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of creating an avatar, the method comprising: maintaining a set of values in a first processing system, the set of values including a plurality of values that each represent a different anatomical feature of the avatar; encoding the set of values in a data structure that does not include any procedural information; and transmitting the data structure from the first processing system over a network, the data structure for use by a remote processing system to render and animate the avatar, without transmitting over the network any procedural information for rendering or animating the avatar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the set of values does not include geometry data for display purposes, and wherein the data structure is for use by the remote processing to generate geometry data for displaying the avatar on a display device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the set of values includes a value that represents functionality of an anatomical part of the avatar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the avatar includes a plurality of anatomical parts that are movable relative to each other, and wherein said functionality of an anatomical part of the avatar is an amplitude, phase, or frequency of motion of at least one of said parts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the set of values includes a value that represents a behavioral attribute of the avatar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the avatar has a face that has a plurality of facial features, each of the plurality of facial features represented by a different one of the plurality of values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the avatar has a face that can express a plurality of different facial expressions that can change dynamically during a simulation, and wherein the set of values includes a value that influences at least one of the facial expressions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the plurality of facial expressions includes a facial expression that is directly controlled by a user represented by the avatar, and wherein said facial expression is influenced by at least one value of the set values.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the plurality of facial expressions includes a facial expression controlled automatically by the processing system, and wherein said facial expression is influenced by at least one value of the set values.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the plurality of facial expressions includes a first facial expression directly controlled by a user represented by the avatar and a second facial expression controlled automatically by the processing system, and wherein the first facial expression and the second facial expression are each influenced by at least one value of the set values.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising generating a user interface to enable a user to customize attributes of the avatar by adjusting any of the values.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the user interface provides a separate control for customizing each of a plurality of attributes of the avatar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the avatar is modified dynamically during a simulation in response to a user input applied to the user interface during the simulation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: storing a plurality of models for a particular attribute of the avatar, each of the models representing an extreme case of the attribute; receiving a user input for setting a value, of said set of values, which represents the attribute; blending the plurality of models according to said value; and using a result of the blending to generate the avatar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: storing a plurality of animations scripts, wherein each of the animation scripts is dependent on one of the values; receiving a user input setting said one of the values; blending the plurality of animation scripts according to said one of the values to create a resultant animation script; and using the resultant animation script to display the avatar in motion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising generating the avatar by using a pseudo-random number generator to select at least some of the values in the set of values.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of creating an avatar, the method comprising: maintaining a set of values in a first processing system, each of the values corresponding to a different one of a plurality of user-perceivable attributes of the avatar, the set of values including: a plurality of values that each represent a different anatomical feature of the avatar, a value that represents functionality of an anatomical part of the avatar, and a value that represents a behavioral attribute of the avatar; generating a user interface to enable a user of the first processing system to customize any of the attributes of the avatar by adjusting any of the values, wherein the user interface provides a separate control for customizing each of the attributes; encoding the set of values in a data structure that includes neither procedural information nor geometry data for display purposes; and transmitting the data structure from the first processing system over a network, the data structure for use by a remote processing system to render and animate the avatar during a simulation, without transmitting over the network any procedural information or geometry data for displaying or animating the avatar, wherein the avatar can be modified dynamically during the simulation in response to a user input applied to the user interface.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of creating an avatar, the method comprising: maintaining a set of values in a first processing system, each of the values corresponding to a different one of a plurality of user-perceivable attributes of the avatar, the set of values including: a plurality of values that each represent a different anatomical feature of the avatar, a value that represents functionality of an anatomical part of the avatar, and a value that represents a behavioral attribute of the avatar; generating a user interface to enable a user of the first processing system to customize any of the attributes of the avatar by adjusting any of the values, wherein the user interface provides a separate control for customizing each of the attributes; encoding the set of values in a data structure that includes neither procedural information nor geometry data for display purposes; and transmitting the data structure from the first processing system over a network, the data structure for use by a remote processing system to render and animate the avatar during a simulation, without transmitting over the network any procedural information or geometry data for displaying or animating the avatar, wherein the avatar can be modified dynamically during the simulation in response to a user input applied to the user interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the avatar includes a plurality of anatomical parts that are movable relative to each other, and wherein said functionality of an anatomical part of the avatar is an amplitude, phase, or frequency of motion of at least one of said parts.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the avatar has a face that has a plurality of facial features, each of the plurality of facial features represented by a different one of the plurality of values.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the avatar has a face that can express a plurality of different facial expressions that can change dynamically during a simulation, and wherein the set of values includes a value that influences at least one of the facial expressions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as recited in claim 20 , wherein the plurality of facial expressions includes a facial expression that is directly controlled by a user represented by the avatar, and wherein said facial expression is influenced by at least one value of the set values.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited in claim 20 , wherein the plurality of facial expressions includes a facial expression controlled automatically by the processing system, and wherein said facial expression is influenced by at least one value of the set values.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as recited in claim 20 , wherein the plurality of facial expressions includes a first facial expression directly controlled by a user represented by the avatar and a second facial expression controlled automatically by the processing system, and wherein the first facial expression and the second facial expression are each influenced by at least one value of the set values.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: storing a plurality of models for a particular attribute of the avatar, each of the models representing an extreme case of the attribute; receiving a user input for setting a value, of said set of values, which represents the attribute; blending the plurality of models according to said value; and using a result of the blending to generate the avatar.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: storing a plurality of animations scripts, wherein each of the animation scripts is dependent on one of the values; receiving a user input setting said one of the values; blending the plurality of animation scripts according to said one of the values to create a resultant animation script; and using the resultant animation script to display the avatar in motion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising generating the avatar by using a pseudo-random number generator to select at least some of the values in the set of values.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-04-07 | 2006-10-07 | 2007-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-07 | 2010-10-07 | 2011-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-07 | 2014-10-07 | 2015-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |