CA2582451C - System and method for tracking facial muscle and eye motion for computer graphics animation - Google Patents
System and method for tracking facial muscle and eye motion for computer graphics animation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2582451C CA2582451C CA2582451A CA2582451A CA2582451C CA 2582451 C CA2582451 C CA 2582451C CA 2582451 A CA2582451 A CA 2582451A CA 2582451 A CA2582451 A CA 2582451A CA 2582451 C CA2582451 C CA 2582451C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- performer
- emg
- electrodes
- data
- eog
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- G06T13/00—Animation
- G06T13/20—3D [Three Dimensional] animation
- G06T13/40—3D [Three Dimensional] animation of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
- A61B5/1113—Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
- A61B5/1114—Tracking parts of the body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
- A61B5/1126—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb using a particular sensing technique
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
- A61B5/316—Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
- A61B5/389—Electromyography [EMG]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/011—Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality
- G06F3/013—Eye tracking input arrangements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/011—Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality
- G06F3/015—Input arrangements based on nervous system activity detection, e.g. brain waves [EEG] detection, electromyograms [EMG] detection, electrodermal response detection
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B2562/00—Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
- A61B2562/04—Arrangements of multiple sensors of the same type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
- A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
- A61B5/6813—Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part
- A61B5/6814—Head
Abstract
An animation system using motion tracking to capture subtle facial and ocular motion. This system uses a surface electromyography (EMG) detection method to detect facial muscle movements (Figure 2, Items 1-26) and an electrooculography (EOG) detection method to detect eye movements (Figure 2, Items EO1-EO4). Signals corresponding to the detected muscle and eye movements are used to control an animated character to exhibit the same movements performed by a performer. The motion tracking electrodes are affixed to the face of a performer at plural locations corresponding to respective muscles, and a processor operatively coupled to the plurality of pairs of EMG and EOG electrodes. The electrode data is processed to provide a digital model of the muscle movements, and subsequently mapped from the digital model onto an animated character. As a result, the animated character will exhibit the same muscle and eye movements as the performer.
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING FACIAL MUSCLE AND EYE MOTION FOR
COMPUTER GRAPHICS ANIMATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to three-dimensional graphics and animation, and more particularly, to -a motion tracking system that enables capture of facial and eye motion of a performer without the use of cameras for use in producing a computer graphics animation.
COMPUTER GRAPHICS ANIMATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to three-dimensional graphics and animation, and more particularly, to -a motion tracking system that enables capture of facial and eye motion of a performer without the use of cameras for use in producing a computer graphics animation.
2. Description of Related Art Motion capture systems are used to capture the movement of -a real object and map it onto a computer generated object. Such systems are often used in the production of motion pictures and video games for creating a digital representation of a person that is used as source data to create a computer graphics (CG) animation. In a typical system, a performer wears a suit having markers attached at various locations (e.g., having. small reflective markers attached to the body and limbs) and digital cameras record the movement of the performer from different angles while illuminating the markers. The system then analyzes the images to determine the locations (e.g., as spatial coordinates) and orientation of the markers on the performer's suit in each frame. By tracking the locations of the markers, the system creates a spatial representation of the markers over time and builds a digital representation of the performer in motion. The motion is then applied to a digital model, which may then be textured and rendered to produce a complete CG representation of the actor and/or performance. This technique has been used by special effects companies to produce incredibly realistic animations in many popular movies.
Motion capture systems are also used to track the motion of facial features of an actor to create a representation of the actor's facial motion and expression (e.g., laughing, crying, smiling, etc.). As with body motion capture, markers are attached to the actor's face and cameras record the actor's expressions. Since facial movement involves relatively small muscles in comparison to the larger muscles involved in body movement, the facial markers are typically much smaller than the corresponding body markers, and the cameras typically have higher resolution than cameras usually used for body motion capture. The cameras are typically aligned in a common plane with physical movement of the actor restricted to keep the cameras focused on the actor's face. The facial motion capture system may be incorporated into a helmet or other implement that is physically attached to the actor so as to uniformly illuminate the facial markers and minimize the degree of relative movement between the camera and face.
An advantage of motion capture systems over traditional animation techniques, such as keyframing, is the capability of real-time visualization. The production team can review the spatial representation of the performer's motion in real-time or near real-time, enabling the actor to alter the physical performance in order to capture optimal data.
Moreover, motion capture systems detect subtle nuances of physical movement that cannot be easily reproduced using other animation techniques, thereby yielding data that more accurately reflects natural movement. As a result, animation created using source material that was collected using a motion capture system will exhibit a more lifelike appearance.
Notwithstanding these advantages of motion capture systems, a drawback of conventional motion capture systems is that they cannot capture eye motion.
Since the markers cannot be affixed to the performer's eyes, the eye movement is not detected by the motion capture cameras. This eye movement must then be added during the subsequent CG animation process. In addition to making the animation process more cumbersome, the resulting animation product is less realistic since it may not include subtle eye movement that occurs during a performance.
Another drawback of conventional motion capture systems that rely upon cameras is that motion data of a performer may be occluded by interference with other objects, such as props or other actors. Specifically, if a portion of the body or facial markers is blocked from the field of view of the digital cameras, then data concerning that body or facial portion is not collected. This results in an occlusion or hole in the motion data. While the occlusion can be filled in later during post-production using conventional computer graphics techniques, the fill data lacks the quality of the actual motion data, resulting in,a defect of the animation that may be discernable to the viewing audience. To avoid this problem, conventional motion capture systems limit the number of objects that can be captured at one time, e.g., to a single performer. This also tends to make the motion data appear less realistic, since the quality of a performer's performance often depends upon interaction with other actors and objects.
Moreover, it is difficult to combine these separate performances together in a manner that appears natural.
Outside of the entertainment industry, there are many other circumstances in which it would be desirable to capture or track facial muscle and/or eye movement without reliance upon optical cameras. For example, automatic speech recognition devices, access control systems, electronic storage and retrieval systems for personal profiles and medical/dental screening systems could make use of such analysis techniques. Speech recognition systems that utilize analyses of facial features may find wide application in 'noisy environments where it is difficult to utilize acoustic speech recognition alone, e.g., in a military aircraft or in a factory. Each of these potential applications presently lack an effective means for accurately translating an individ ual's facial features into useful electronic data. This is particularly problematic where the individual is continually changing facial orientation with respect to the detection equipment.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a motion tracking system that overcomes these and other drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it would be desirable to provide a motion tracking system that enables faithful capture of subtle facial and eye motion of a performer without the use of cameras.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a motion tracking system that enables faithful capture of subtle facial and eye motion.
The invention uses a surface electromyography (EMG) detection method to detect muscle movements, and an electrooculogram (EOG) detection method to detect eye movements. Signals corresponding to the detected muscle and eye movements are used to control an animated character to exhibit the same movements performed by a performer.
More particularly, an embodiment of the motion tracking animation system comprises a plurality of pairs of electromyography (EMG) electrodes adapted to be affixed to a skin surface of a performer at plural locations corresponding to respective muscles, and a processor operatively coupled to the plurality of pairs of EMG
electrodes. The processor includes programming instructions to perform the functions of acquiring EMG data from the plurality of pairs of EMG electrodes. The EMG
data comprises electrical signals corresponding to muscle movements of the performer during a performance. The programming instruction further include processing the EMG data to provide a digital model of the muscle movements, and mapping the digital model onto an animated character. As a result, the animated character will exhibit the same muscle movements as the performer.
In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of pairs of electrooculogram (EOG) electrodes are adapted to be affixed to the skin surface of the performer at locations adjacent to the performer's eyes. The processor is operatively coupled to the plurality of pairs of EOG electrodes and further includes programming instructions to perform the functions of acquiring EOG data from the plurality of pairs of EOG electrodes.
The EOG
data comprises electrical signals corresponding to eye movements of the performer during a performance. The programming instructions further provide processing of the EOG data and mapping of the processed EOG data onto the animated character.
This permits the animated character to exhibit the same eye movements as the performer.
A more complete understanding of the motion tracking system that enables capture of facial and eye motion of a performer for use in producing a computer graphics animation will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a motion tracking system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view of a human facial muscular structure including exemplary electrode placement locations;
Fig. 3 is a method for producing an animation frame using electromyography (EMG) signals in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a method for processing an EMG signal;
Fig. 5 is a method for processing a calibration pose;
Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of a human eye showing the voltage potential that exists between cornea and the ocular fundus;
Figs. 7A and 7B are schematic drawings showing the electrical field measurement corresponding to eye movement;
Fig. 8 is a photograph of a performer having facial muscular and eye potential electrodes affixed; and Fig. 9 is a depiction of an animated character rendered using facial muscular and eye movement data acquired from the performer of Fig. 8.
Motion capture systems are also used to track the motion of facial features of an actor to create a representation of the actor's facial motion and expression (e.g., laughing, crying, smiling, etc.). As with body motion capture, markers are attached to the actor's face and cameras record the actor's expressions. Since facial movement involves relatively small muscles in comparison to the larger muscles involved in body movement, the facial markers are typically much smaller than the corresponding body markers, and the cameras typically have higher resolution than cameras usually used for body motion capture. The cameras are typically aligned in a common plane with physical movement of the actor restricted to keep the cameras focused on the actor's face. The facial motion capture system may be incorporated into a helmet or other implement that is physically attached to the actor so as to uniformly illuminate the facial markers and minimize the degree of relative movement between the camera and face.
An advantage of motion capture systems over traditional animation techniques, such as keyframing, is the capability of real-time visualization. The production team can review the spatial representation of the performer's motion in real-time or near real-time, enabling the actor to alter the physical performance in order to capture optimal data.
Moreover, motion capture systems detect subtle nuances of physical movement that cannot be easily reproduced using other animation techniques, thereby yielding data that more accurately reflects natural movement. As a result, animation created using source material that was collected using a motion capture system will exhibit a more lifelike appearance.
Notwithstanding these advantages of motion capture systems, a drawback of conventional motion capture systems is that they cannot capture eye motion.
Since the markers cannot be affixed to the performer's eyes, the eye movement is not detected by the motion capture cameras. This eye movement must then be added during the subsequent CG animation process. In addition to making the animation process more cumbersome, the resulting animation product is less realistic since it may not include subtle eye movement that occurs during a performance.
Another drawback of conventional motion capture systems that rely upon cameras is that motion data of a performer may be occluded by interference with other objects, such as props or other actors. Specifically, if a portion of the body or facial markers is blocked from the field of view of the digital cameras, then data concerning that body or facial portion is not collected. This results in an occlusion or hole in the motion data. While the occlusion can be filled in later during post-production using conventional computer graphics techniques, the fill data lacks the quality of the actual motion data, resulting in,a defect of the animation that may be discernable to the viewing audience. To avoid this problem, conventional motion capture systems limit the number of objects that can be captured at one time, e.g., to a single performer. This also tends to make the motion data appear less realistic, since the quality of a performer's performance often depends upon interaction with other actors and objects.
Moreover, it is difficult to combine these separate performances together in a manner that appears natural.
Outside of the entertainment industry, there are many other circumstances in which it would be desirable to capture or track facial muscle and/or eye movement without reliance upon optical cameras. For example, automatic speech recognition devices, access control systems, electronic storage and retrieval systems for personal profiles and medical/dental screening systems could make use of such analysis techniques. Speech recognition systems that utilize analyses of facial features may find wide application in 'noisy environments where it is difficult to utilize acoustic speech recognition alone, e.g., in a military aircraft or in a factory. Each of these potential applications presently lack an effective means for accurately translating an individ ual's facial features into useful electronic data. This is particularly problematic where the individual is continually changing facial orientation with respect to the detection equipment.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a motion tracking system that overcomes these and other drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it would be desirable to provide a motion tracking system that enables faithful capture of subtle facial and eye motion of a performer without the use of cameras.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a motion tracking system that enables faithful capture of subtle facial and eye motion.
The invention uses a surface electromyography (EMG) detection method to detect muscle movements, and an electrooculogram (EOG) detection method to detect eye movements. Signals corresponding to the detected muscle and eye movements are used to control an animated character to exhibit the same movements performed by a performer.
More particularly, an embodiment of the motion tracking animation system comprises a plurality of pairs of electromyography (EMG) electrodes adapted to be affixed to a skin surface of a performer at plural locations corresponding to respective muscles, and a processor operatively coupled to the plurality of pairs of EMG
electrodes. The processor includes programming instructions to perform the functions of acquiring EMG data from the plurality of pairs of EMG electrodes. The EMG
data comprises electrical signals corresponding to muscle movements of the performer during a performance. The programming instruction further include processing the EMG data to provide a digital model of the muscle movements, and mapping the digital model onto an animated character. As a result, the animated character will exhibit the same muscle movements as the performer.
In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of pairs of electrooculogram (EOG) electrodes are adapted to be affixed to the skin surface of the performer at locations adjacent to the performer's eyes. The processor is operatively coupled to the plurality of pairs of EOG electrodes and further includes programming instructions to perform the functions of acquiring EOG data from the plurality of pairs of EOG electrodes.
The EOG
data comprises electrical signals corresponding to eye movements of the performer during a performance. The programming instructions further provide processing of the EOG data and mapping of the processed EOG data onto the animated character.
This permits the animated character to exhibit the same eye movements as the performer.
A more complete understanding of the motion tracking system that enables capture of facial and eye motion of a performer for use in producing a computer graphics animation will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a motion tracking system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view of a human facial muscular structure including exemplary electrode placement locations;
Fig. 3 is a method for producing an animation frame using electromyography (EMG) signals in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a method for processing an EMG signal;
Fig. 5 is a method for processing a calibration pose;
Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of a human eye showing the voltage potential that exists between cornea and the ocular fundus;
Figs. 7A and 7B are schematic drawings showing the electrical field measurement corresponding to eye movement;
Fig. 8 is a photograph of a performer having facial muscular and eye potential electrodes affixed; and Fig. 9 is a depiction of an animated character rendered using facial muscular and eye movement data acquired from the performer of Fig. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As will be further described below, the present invention satisfies the need for a motion tracking system that enables faithful capture of subtle facial and eye motion of a performer without the use of cameras. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements illustrated. in one or more of the drawings.
Referring first to Fig. 1, a block diagram illustrates a motion tracking system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The motion tracking system 100 includes a motion tracking processor 108 adapted to communicate with a plurality of facial muscular electrode pairs and a plurality of eye motion electrode pairs through a suitable electrode interface 112. The motion tracking processor 108 may further comprise a programmable computer having a data storage device 106 adapted to enable the storage of associated data files. As known in the art, one or more computer workstations may be coupled to the motion tracking processor 108 using a network to enable multiple graphic artists to work with the stored data files in the process of creating a computer graphics animation. The motion tracking processor 108 may further include a computer graphics animation system such as provided by a commercial software package that enables the creation of 3D graphics and animation for the entertainment industry, such as the Maya software product line sold by AliaslWavefrontTM or other like products. It should be understood that the computer graphics animation system may comprise an entirely separate computer hardware and software system from the motion tracking processor 108, or alternatively, may be incorporated with the motion tracking processor 108 (e.g., as a "plug-in") as part of a common hardware and software system.
The muscular electrode pairs include electrodes 1201, 122, through 120N, 122N, which are coupled to the electrode interface 112 through respective electrical conductors 1161, 118, through 116N, 118N. Also, a ground electrode 126 is coupled to the electrode interface 112 through electrical conductor 124. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the muscular electrode pairs comprise surface electromyography (EMG) electrodes that measure a voltage difference caused by a depolarization wave that travels along the surface of a muscle that occurs when the muscle flexes.
The signals detected by the surface electrodes are typically in the range of 5 mV.
The electrodes should be aligned with expected direction of an electrical impulse (or aligned perpendicular to impulses that should be excluded).
The eye motion electrode pairs include electrodes 1361, 138, and 1362, 1382, which are coupled to the electrode interface 112 through respective electrical conductors 1321, 134, and 1322, 1342. Also, a ground electrode 144 is coupled to the electrode interface 112 through electrical conductor 142. In a. preferred embodiment, eye motion is detected by acquiring and measuring electro-oculogram (EOG) from the eyes.
Fig. 2 illustrates a human anatomical model 200 showing a facial muscular system having exemplary designated facial muscle locations for the EMG
electrode pairs. A pair of EMG electrodes is used to capture data from each respective muscle group. For example, electrode pair location 1 L corresponds to muscles responsible for raising the left inner brow, electrode pair location 2L corresponds to muscles responsible for raising the left outer brow, electrode pair location 3 corresponds to muscles responsible for lowering the brow, etc. The electrode pairs are affixed to the skin surface of the performer at the designated locations by conventional manner, such as using a cosmetic glue. It should be appreciated that movement of the corresponding muscles by a performer will produce associated electrical signals that are detected by the corresponding electrodes. Since the muscles of every person are slightly different, it may require a certain amount of experimentation accurately locate and position the electrodes for each performer to achieve optimum data collection.
As known in the medical art, the upper facial muscles are responsible for changing the appearance of the eyebrows, forehead, and upper and lower eyelids. The Frontalis muscles in the upper portion of the face contract isotonically towards static insertion points on the cranium, enabling the surface tissue (i.e., skin) to bunch and wrinkle perpendicularly to the direction of the muscle. The lower facial muscles are made up of several distinct groups, including the Zygomaticus major muscles that contract in an angular direction from the lips toward the cheekbones, the Orbicularis Oculi muscles that are circular or elliptical in nature and extend around the eyes, the Obicularis Oris muscles that extend around the mouth, the Buccinator muscles that contract horizontally toward the ears, and others controlling various miscellaneous actions. The muscles of the mouth have particularly complex muscular interaction. The Obicularis Oris is a sphincter muscle with no attachment to bone. Three primary muscles, i.e., M. Levator, Labii Superioris and Alaeque Nasi, join from above, while the M. Buccinator joins at the major node of the mouth and contracts horizontally.
The M.
Depressor, Anguli Oris, M. Depressor Labii Inferioris and Mentalis each contract obliquely and vertically. Facial expressions are formed by complex and combined movements of these upper and lower facial muscles.
Fig. 2 also shows exemplary designated locations for the EOG electrode pairs.
Electrode pair locations E01 and E02 adjacent to the eyes are suitable to detecting signals associated with left/right movement of the eyes. Electrode pair locations E03 and E04 below and above one of the eyes are suitable to detecting signals associated with up/down movement of the eyes. A ground electrode location GD is positioned on the forehead. It is noted that the ground electrode could be affixed anywhere on the body where it will not interfere with the application and action of the facial muscles, such as the neck, shoulder, elbow, etc. The forehead represents a convenient location for the ground electrode since it is close in proximity to the other electrodes without interference with facial muscle action. It is noted that a second ground electrode may be necessary for the EMG electrodes, and this second ground electrode may be positioned in the same region as the EOG ground electrode. Since the dipoles representing the performer's two eyes will move in parallel, it is only necessary to collect up/down motion from one of the eyes. As with the EMG electrodes, the EOG
electrodes are affixed to the -skin surface of the performer at the designated locations by conventional manner, such as using a cosmetic glue.
As will be further described below, the present invention satisfies the need for a motion tracking system that enables faithful capture of subtle facial and eye motion of a performer without the use of cameras. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements illustrated. in one or more of the drawings.
Referring first to Fig. 1, a block diagram illustrates a motion tracking system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The motion tracking system 100 includes a motion tracking processor 108 adapted to communicate with a plurality of facial muscular electrode pairs and a plurality of eye motion electrode pairs through a suitable electrode interface 112. The motion tracking processor 108 may further comprise a programmable computer having a data storage device 106 adapted to enable the storage of associated data files. As known in the art, one or more computer workstations may be coupled to the motion tracking processor 108 using a network to enable multiple graphic artists to work with the stored data files in the process of creating a computer graphics animation. The motion tracking processor 108 may further include a computer graphics animation system such as provided by a commercial software package that enables the creation of 3D graphics and animation for the entertainment industry, such as the Maya software product line sold by AliaslWavefrontTM or other like products. It should be understood that the computer graphics animation system may comprise an entirely separate computer hardware and software system from the motion tracking processor 108, or alternatively, may be incorporated with the motion tracking processor 108 (e.g., as a "plug-in") as part of a common hardware and software system.
The muscular electrode pairs include electrodes 1201, 122, through 120N, 122N, which are coupled to the electrode interface 112 through respective electrical conductors 1161, 118, through 116N, 118N. Also, a ground electrode 126 is coupled to the electrode interface 112 through electrical conductor 124. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the muscular electrode pairs comprise surface electromyography (EMG) electrodes that measure a voltage difference caused by a depolarization wave that travels along the surface of a muscle that occurs when the muscle flexes.
The signals detected by the surface electrodes are typically in the range of 5 mV.
The electrodes should be aligned with expected direction of an electrical impulse (or aligned perpendicular to impulses that should be excluded).
The eye motion electrode pairs include electrodes 1361, 138, and 1362, 1382, which are coupled to the electrode interface 112 through respective electrical conductors 1321, 134, and 1322, 1342. Also, a ground electrode 144 is coupled to the electrode interface 112 through electrical conductor 142. In a. preferred embodiment, eye motion is detected by acquiring and measuring electro-oculogram (EOG) from the eyes.
Fig. 2 illustrates a human anatomical model 200 showing a facial muscular system having exemplary designated facial muscle locations for the EMG
electrode pairs. A pair of EMG electrodes is used to capture data from each respective muscle group. For example, electrode pair location 1 L corresponds to muscles responsible for raising the left inner brow, electrode pair location 2L corresponds to muscles responsible for raising the left outer brow, electrode pair location 3 corresponds to muscles responsible for lowering the brow, etc. The electrode pairs are affixed to the skin surface of the performer at the designated locations by conventional manner, such as using a cosmetic glue. It should be appreciated that movement of the corresponding muscles by a performer will produce associated electrical signals that are detected by the corresponding electrodes. Since the muscles of every person are slightly different, it may require a certain amount of experimentation accurately locate and position the electrodes for each performer to achieve optimum data collection.
As known in the medical art, the upper facial muscles are responsible for changing the appearance of the eyebrows, forehead, and upper and lower eyelids. The Frontalis muscles in the upper portion of the face contract isotonically towards static insertion points on the cranium, enabling the surface tissue (i.e., skin) to bunch and wrinkle perpendicularly to the direction of the muscle. The lower facial muscles are made up of several distinct groups, including the Zygomaticus major muscles that contract in an angular direction from the lips toward the cheekbones, the Orbicularis Oculi muscles that are circular or elliptical in nature and extend around the eyes, the Obicularis Oris muscles that extend around the mouth, the Buccinator muscles that contract horizontally toward the ears, and others controlling various miscellaneous actions. The muscles of the mouth have particularly complex muscular interaction. The Obicularis Oris is a sphincter muscle with no attachment to bone. Three primary muscles, i.e., M. Levator, Labii Superioris and Alaeque Nasi, join from above, while the M. Buccinator joins at the major node of the mouth and contracts horizontally.
The M.
Depressor, Anguli Oris, M. Depressor Labii Inferioris and Mentalis each contract obliquely and vertically. Facial expressions are formed by complex and combined movements of these upper and lower facial muscles.
Fig. 2 also shows exemplary designated locations for the EOG electrode pairs.
Electrode pair locations E01 and E02 adjacent to the eyes are suitable to detecting signals associated with left/right movement of the eyes. Electrode pair locations E03 and E04 below and above one of the eyes are suitable to detecting signals associated with up/down movement of the eyes. A ground electrode location GD is positioned on the forehead. It is noted that the ground electrode could be affixed anywhere on the body where it will not interfere with the application and action of the facial muscles, such as the neck, shoulder, elbow, etc. The forehead represents a convenient location for the ground electrode since it is close in proximity to the other electrodes without interference with facial muscle action. It is noted that a second ground electrode may be necessary for the EMG electrodes, and this second ground electrode may be positioned in the same region as the EOG ground electrode. Since the dipoles representing the performer's two eyes will move in parallel, it is only necessary to collect up/down motion from one of the eyes. As with the EMG electrodes, the EOG
electrodes are affixed to the -skin surface of the performer at the designated locations by conventional manner, such as using a cosmetic glue.
Referring briefly to Fig. 6, a side sectional view of a human eye 600 is shown.
The cornea 602 is located at the front surface of the eye, and provides a surface that transmits light rays reflected from an object. The light rays are bent, refracted and focused by the cornea 602, lens 604, and vitreous 612. The ocular fundus 608 provides the concave interior of the eye, which includes the retina 606. The lens 602 focuses an image of the object onto the retina 606, which converts the light rays into electrical impulses that are transmitted to the brain through the optic nerve 610. As understood in the art, a voltage potential exists between the cornea 602 and the ocular fundus 608.
This voltage potential comprises a dipole that emits a measurable electric field such that the variations of the electric field is related to the movement of the eyes.
Figs. 7A and 7B illustrate two dipoles surrounded by an electrode pair 1361, 1381.
The two dipoles correspond to each of a performer's eyes 600L, 600R. As shown in Fig. 7A, the electric field measured between the electrodes 1361, 138, is null when the dipoles (i.e., eyes) are facing in a forward direction. In Fig. 7B, the dipoles are oriented to the right, thereby inducing a positive electric field between the electrodes 1361, 1381.
The electric field variation between the electrodes 1361, 138, relative to ground provides suitable positional information for the eyes. This electrical field variation remains fairly linear with respect to eye movement for a range of roughly 20 from the nominal forward direction.
Returning now to Fig. 1, the motion tracking processor 108 provides signal processing and amplification of the signals detected by the EMG and EOG
electrodes.
With regard to the EMG electrodes, the signal processing may include rectification of the received signals. Because the raw signal is biphasic, its mean value is zero.
Rectification allows current flow in only one direction, and so "flips" the signal's negative content across the zero axis, making the whole signal positive. The phase component of the signals received from the EOG electrodes is critical to determining the direction of the eyes, and so no rectification of these signals would not be performed. The signal, processing may also include filtering and linear envelope detection of the received signals. The EMG signal is actually a composite of many signals,* as well as some noise. These voltages also rise and fall at various rates or frequencies, forming a frequency spectrum. The motion tracking processor 108 may filter the composite signal and eliminate unwanted and meaningless electrical noise such as movement artifact.
Most EMG exists in a frequency range between 20 and 200 Hz. Movement artifacts have frequencies less than 10 Hz, and noise has a frequency range above the desired EMG range. Accordingly, the movement artifacts and noise can be removed by passing the signal through a band-pass filter. The electrode interface 112 and/or motion tracking processor 108 may also amplify the received signals to raise them to a level suitable for signal processing. In an embodiment of the invention, the electrode interface may be provided by the Myopac system made by Run Technologies.
Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a facial tracking method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method initially involves acquiring the EMG signal at step 302, which includes placing electrodes on specific parts of the face as discussed above. For example, the electrodes may be placed above selected facial muscle groups. Thus, when the performer makes facial expressions, the facial muscles involved create a muscle action potential in accordance with movements of the facial muscles. The acquired EMG signal is processed at step 304 to create a well-behaved signal. The EMG signal processing includes processing of the plurality of EMG channels for each frame of a facial expression. A set of calibration expressions or poses defining an n-dimensional "expression space"
is then generated at 306. The calibration expressions or poses may be mathematically expressed by creating a matrix representing a matrix product of the calibration poses and the EMG channel values. To produce each calibration expression, the performer causes certain isolated muscle groups to actuate in order to calibrate the collected data.
For example, the performer causes the eyebrows to move upward, and the signal from the associated EMG electrodes is measured. A calibration factor may be applied to the detected signal in order to achieve corresponding movement of the digital model. The position of the EMG electrodes may also be moved slightly in order to detect a stronger signal or to avoid cross-talk from adjacent EMG sensors. A similar process would then be repeated for each other muscle group.
The EMG signal from subsequent performances is fitted to the calibration expressions to generate weighted coefficients for each expression component at step 308. The weighed coefficients (x) are generated by solving an equation F(x) =
B for x, where F is the set of calibration expressions generated at step 306, and B is the plurality of EMG channels for each frame processed at step 304. For each facial expression component, an analogous 3D computer graphics model of a face is generated at step 310. The 3D computer graphics model represents the same facial expression using a different set of parameters. For example, geometric coordinates can be used as parameters to represent the facial expression. In another example, muscle strengths can be used as parameters to represent the facial expression. When the weighted components are combined with the 3D computer graphics model at step 312, the result is a facial expression geometry matching that of the original performance.
The final geometry of the facial expression is expressed as a sum of the 3D
computer graphics model configured with a set of parameters and the weight components, and rendered as an animation frame at step 314.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating in greater detail an electrical circuit for processing of an EMG signal as described above in step 304. The EMG signal is acquired at 402, such as using electrodes placed on facial muscles as substantially described above. The acquired analog EMG signal is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 404. The high-pass filter 206 filters and the rectifier 208 rectifies the EMG signal. The noise is then subtracted from the rectified EMG signal by the noise subtraction circuit 410. The noise-reduced signal is integrated by the integrator 412, and is low-pass filtered by the low-pass filter 414. Lastly, the EMG channel values are processed by the processor 416.
Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating in greater detail a process for generating the calibration expression as described above in step 306. Step 502 performs acquisition of EMG signals for calibration poses. The acquired EMG signals are processed at step 504. Then, step 506 generates a set of calibration expressions or poses defining an n-dimensional "expression space." As mentioned above, the calibration expressions or poses are mathematically expressed by creating a matrix representing a matrix product of the calibration poses and the EMG channel values.
Referring now to Fig. 8, an actual performer is shown having a plurality of EMG
and EOG electrodes affixed to his face. With the electrodes affixed to the performer's face, the performer may carry out the desired performance. The electrical signals from the electrodes would be received and processed by the electrode interface 112, and communicated to the motion tracking processor 108 for storage and processing into an animation, as depicted in Fig. 9.
The bundle of electrode conductors may be bound together to facilitate ease of movement of the performer. The electrode interface 112 may multiplex the various signals onto a single conductor for communication to the motion tracking processor 108.
The electrode interface 112 may be tethered to the motion tracking processor 108 by an electrical or fiberoptic conductor, or a wireless connection may be utilized to further enhance freedom of movement of the performer. Alternatively, the electrode interface 112 may include a storage device, such as a hard disk drive or flash memory module, that permits the performance data to be stored locally, and then downloaded to the motion tracking processor 108 at a later time. In an embodiment of the invention, the electrode interface 112 may be carried on the back of the performer, with the bundle of electrode conductors directed to the back of the performer's head and down along the spine to the electrode interface 112. In another alternative, the electrode interface 112 may be carried in a hat worn by the performer, which would promote free movement of the head and neck without interference by the bundle of electrode conductors.
It should be appreciated that the electrodes and conductors may be integrated with a flexible mask that is form-fitted to the performer's face.
The motion tracking processor will produce a digital model of an animation character using known techniques. The digital model may be based on a plurality of digital photographs taken of the actor from various angles that are assembled together to produce a three-dimensional (3D) image file or digital model. Software tools to produce a 3D image file are well known in the art, as discussed above. For example, a 3D facial structure may be generated from a plurality of spline surfaces that each define a portion of the surface of the facial structure. The spline surfaces are formed from individual line segments that are collectively referred to as a "wire frame."
The facial structure represents a sub-facie structure that lies below the skin surface.
An outer surface tissue having desired texture and color will be applied to this sub-facie structure as part of a subsequent animation process to produce an animated character. It should be understood that the shape of the facial structure will control the facial expressions formed by the animated character.
Once the digital model is created, a virtual facial muscle structure is overlaid onto the digital model of the facial structure. The human facial muscle structure is well understood in the medical literature, and the position and interconnection of the individual muscles can be readily mapped onto the digital model. Muscle actuation is achieved in the digital model by compressing a selected muscle vector or group of muscle vectors to accomplish repositioning of the corresponding plurality of vertices and thereby reshape the surface of the digital model. The facial and eye motion data captured from the performer is then mapped to the respective muscle vectors of the digital model. As a result, the animated digital model will exhibit the same facial and eye movements from the captured performance. It should be appreciated that the performer's actions and expressions can be mapped onto any other kind of animated face, such as a child, animal or different looking adult face.
As noted above, the foregoing motion tracking system will enable the close coordination of facial muscle and eye motion. For example, an eye blink will be detected as a spike of the EMG data for the muscles surrounding the eyes. When the spike is detected, the animation process could insert an eye blink to correspond with the data. This would add significantly to the realism of the resulting animation.
The above-described motion tracking system has advantages over traditional facial motion tracking systems because the implementations of the present invention require no camera or motion capture volume. This means that the implementation will still work even if the face to be tracked is occluded from view. Further, the implementations of the present invention automatically parameterize motion capture into muscle activity, independent of final geometry, and thus aid facial motion capture re-targeting.
While the foregoing description addressed only the capture of facial muscle movement, it should be appreciated that the same technology would permit capture of body muscle movement. The electrode pairs could be affixed to various body muscle groups in the same manner as the facial muscles described above. Likewise, a form-fitted body suit could be arranged with the EMG electrodes provided therein to improve the ease and accuracy of affixing the electrodes to the performer's body. This form of body muscle capture could further be an enhancement to conventional motion capture using optical systems, in that muscle flexure could be captured in addition to joint rotation. This would result in more lifelike animation of human movement.
It should be understood that the eye motion process described above could also be used with conventional motion capture systems using optical data to capture motion.
The eye motion could then be synchronized with the optically captured body and/or facial motion is the same manner as described above. Moreover, an EMG data capture system used in conjunction with a convention optical motion capture system would provide enhanced data regarding a performance, and could be used at times where optical data is occluded due to optical interference during a performance.
Having thus described a preferred embodiment of a system and method that enables capture of facial and eye motion of a performer without the use of cameras, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the invention have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims.
The cornea 602 is located at the front surface of the eye, and provides a surface that transmits light rays reflected from an object. The light rays are bent, refracted and focused by the cornea 602, lens 604, and vitreous 612. The ocular fundus 608 provides the concave interior of the eye, which includes the retina 606. The lens 602 focuses an image of the object onto the retina 606, which converts the light rays into electrical impulses that are transmitted to the brain through the optic nerve 610. As understood in the art, a voltage potential exists between the cornea 602 and the ocular fundus 608.
This voltage potential comprises a dipole that emits a measurable electric field such that the variations of the electric field is related to the movement of the eyes.
Figs. 7A and 7B illustrate two dipoles surrounded by an electrode pair 1361, 1381.
The two dipoles correspond to each of a performer's eyes 600L, 600R. As shown in Fig. 7A, the electric field measured between the electrodes 1361, 138, is null when the dipoles (i.e., eyes) are facing in a forward direction. In Fig. 7B, the dipoles are oriented to the right, thereby inducing a positive electric field between the electrodes 1361, 1381.
The electric field variation between the electrodes 1361, 138, relative to ground provides suitable positional information for the eyes. This electrical field variation remains fairly linear with respect to eye movement for a range of roughly 20 from the nominal forward direction.
Returning now to Fig. 1, the motion tracking processor 108 provides signal processing and amplification of the signals detected by the EMG and EOG
electrodes.
With regard to the EMG electrodes, the signal processing may include rectification of the received signals. Because the raw signal is biphasic, its mean value is zero.
Rectification allows current flow in only one direction, and so "flips" the signal's negative content across the zero axis, making the whole signal positive. The phase component of the signals received from the EOG electrodes is critical to determining the direction of the eyes, and so no rectification of these signals would not be performed. The signal, processing may also include filtering and linear envelope detection of the received signals. The EMG signal is actually a composite of many signals,* as well as some noise. These voltages also rise and fall at various rates or frequencies, forming a frequency spectrum. The motion tracking processor 108 may filter the composite signal and eliminate unwanted and meaningless electrical noise such as movement artifact.
Most EMG exists in a frequency range between 20 and 200 Hz. Movement artifacts have frequencies less than 10 Hz, and noise has a frequency range above the desired EMG range. Accordingly, the movement artifacts and noise can be removed by passing the signal through a band-pass filter. The electrode interface 112 and/or motion tracking processor 108 may also amplify the received signals to raise them to a level suitable for signal processing. In an embodiment of the invention, the electrode interface may be provided by the Myopac system made by Run Technologies.
Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a facial tracking method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method initially involves acquiring the EMG signal at step 302, which includes placing electrodes on specific parts of the face as discussed above. For example, the electrodes may be placed above selected facial muscle groups. Thus, when the performer makes facial expressions, the facial muscles involved create a muscle action potential in accordance with movements of the facial muscles. The acquired EMG signal is processed at step 304 to create a well-behaved signal. The EMG signal processing includes processing of the plurality of EMG channels for each frame of a facial expression. A set of calibration expressions or poses defining an n-dimensional "expression space"
is then generated at 306. The calibration expressions or poses may be mathematically expressed by creating a matrix representing a matrix product of the calibration poses and the EMG channel values. To produce each calibration expression, the performer causes certain isolated muscle groups to actuate in order to calibrate the collected data.
For example, the performer causes the eyebrows to move upward, and the signal from the associated EMG electrodes is measured. A calibration factor may be applied to the detected signal in order to achieve corresponding movement of the digital model. The position of the EMG electrodes may also be moved slightly in order to detect a stronger signal or to avoid cross-talk from adjacent EMG sensors. A similar process would then be repeated for each other muscle group.
The EMG signal from subsequent performances is fitted to the calibration expressions to generate weighted coefficients for each expression component at step 308. The weighed coefficients (x) are generated by solving an equation F(x) =
B for x, where F is the set of calibration expressions generated at step 306, and B is the plurality of EMG channels for each frame processed at step 304. For each facial expression component, an analogous 3D computer graphics model of a face is generated at step 310. The 3D computer graphics model represents the same facial expression using a different set of parameters. For example, geometric coordinates can be used as parameters to represent the facial expression. In another example, muscle strengths can be used as parameters to represent the facial expression. When the weighted components are combined with the 3D computer graphics model at step 312, the result is a facial expression geometry matching that of the original performance.
The final geometry of the facial expression is expressed as a sum of the 3D
computer graphics model configured with a set of parameters and the weight components, and rendered as an animation frame at step 314.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating in greater detail an electrical circuit for processing of an EMG signal as described above in step 304. The EMG signal is acquired at 402, such as using electrodes placed on facial muscles as substantially described above. The acquired analog EMG signal is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 404. The high-pass filter 206 filters and the rectifier 208 rectifies the EMG signal. The noise is then subtracted from the rectified EMG signal by the noise subtraction circuit 410. The noise-reduced signal is integrated by the integrator 412, and is low-pass filtered by the low-pass filter 414. Lastly, the EMG channel values are processed by the processor 416.
Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating in greater detail a process for generating the calibration expression as described above in step 306. Step 502 performs acquisition of EMG signals for calibration poses. The acquired EMG signals are processed at step 504. Then, step 506 generates a set of calibration expressions or poses defining an n-dimensional "expression space." As mentioned above, the calibration expressions or poses are mathematically expressed by creating a matrix representing a matrix product of the calibration poses and the EMG channel values.
Referring now to Fig. 8, an actual performer is shown having a plurality of EMG
and EOG electrodes affixed to his face. With the electrodes affixed to the performer's face, the performer may carry out the desired performance. The electrical signals from the electrodes would be received and processed by the electrode interface 112, and communicated to the motion tracking processor 108 for storage and processing into an animation, as depicted in Fig. 9.
The bundle of electrode conductors may be bound together to facilitate ease of movement of the performer. The electrode interface 112 may multiplex the various signals onto a single conductor for communication to the motion tracking processor 108.
The electrode interface 112 may be tethered to the motion tracking processor 108 by an electrical or fiberoptic conductor, or a wireless connection may be utilized to further enhance freedom of movement of the performer. Alternatively, the electrode interface 112 may include a storage device, such as a hard disk drive or flash memory module, that permits the performance data to be stored locally, and then downloaded to the motion tracking processor 108 at a later time. In an embodiment of the invention, the electrode interface 112 may be carried on the back of the performer, with the bundle of electrode conductors directed to the back of the performer's head and down along the spine to the electrode interface 112. In another alternative, the electrode interface 112 may be carried in a hat worn by the performer, which would promote free movement of the head and neck without interference by the bundle of electrode conductors.
It should be appreciated that the electrodes and conductors may be integrated with a flexible mask that is form-fitted to the performer's face.
The motion tracking processor will produce a digital model of an animation character using known techniques. The digital model may be based on a plurality of digital photographs taken of the actor from various angles that are assembled together to produce a three-dimensional (3D) image file or digital model. Software tools to produce a 3D image file are well known in the art, as discussed above. For example, a 3D facial structure may be generated from a plurality of spline surfaces that each define a portion of the surface of the facial structure. The spline surfaces are formed from individual line segments that are collectively referred to as a "wire frame."
The facial structure represents a sub-facie structure that lies below the skin surface.
An outer surface tissue having desired texture and color will be applied to this sub-facie structure as part of a subsequent animation process to produce an animated character. It should be understood that the shape of the facial structure will control the facial expressions formed by the animated character.
Once the digital model is created, a virtual facial muscle structure is overlaid onto the digital model of the facial structure. The human facial muscle structure is well understood in the medical literature, and the position and interconnection of the individual muscles can be readily mapped onto the digital model. Muscle actuation is achieved in the digital model by compressing a selected muscle vector or group of muscle vectors to accomplish repositioning of the corresponding plurality of vertices and thereby reshape the surface of the digital model. The facial and eye motion data captured from the performer is then mapped to the respective muscle vectors of the digital model. As a result, the animated digital model will exhibit the same facial and eye movements from the captured performance. It should be appreciated that the performer's actions and expressions can be mapped onto any other kind of animated face, such as a child, animal or different looking adult face.
As noted above, the foregoing motion tracking system will enable the close coordination of facial muscle and eye motion. For example, an eye blink will be detected as a spike of the EMG data for the muscles surrounding the eyes. When the spike is detected, the animation process could insert an eye blink to correspond with the data. This would add significantly to the realism of the resulting animation.
The above-described motion tracking system has advantages over traditional facial motion tracking systems because the implementations of the present invention require no camera or motion capture volume. This means that the implementation will still work even if the face to be tracked is occluded from view. Further, the implementations of the present invention automatically parameterize motion capture into muscle activity, independent of final geometry, and thus aid facial motion capture re-targeting.
While the foregoing description addressed only the capture of facial muscle movement, it should be appreciated that the same technology would permit capture of body muscle movement. The electrode pairs could be affixed to various body muscle groups in the same manner as the facial muscles described above. Likewise, a form-fitted body suit could be arranged with the EMG electrodes provided therein to improve the ease and accuracy of affixing the electrodes to the performer's body. This form of body muscle capture could further be an enhancement to conventional motion capture using optical systems, in that muscle flexure could be captured in addition to joint rotation. This would result in more lifelike animation of human movement.
It should be understood that the eye motion process described above could also be used with conventional motion capture systems using optical data to capture motion.
The eye motion could then be synchronized with the optically captured body and/or facial motion is the same manner as described above. Moreover, an EMG data capture system used in conjunction with a convention optical motion capture system would provide enhanced data regarding a performance, and could be used at times where optical data is occluded due to optical interference during a performance.
Having thus described a preferred embodiment of a system and method that enables capture of facial and eye motion of a performer without the use of cameras, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the invention have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims.
Claims (11)
1. A motion tracking animation system, comprising:
a plurality of pairs of electromyography (EMG) electrodes adapted to be affixed to a skin surface of a performer at plural locations corresponding to respective muscles, wherein at least one pair of EMG
electrodes is aligned along an expected direction of an electrical signal corresponding to muscle movements of the performer when the electrical signal is to be read, and at least one pair of EMG electrodes is aligned along a direction perpendicular to the expected direction of the electrical signal when the electrical signal is to be excluded;
a processor operatively coupled to said plurality of pairs of EMG electrodes, said processor including programming instructions to perform the functions of:
acquiring EMG data from said plurality of pairs of EMG electrodes, said EMG data comprising electrical signals corresponding to muscle movements of the performer during a performance;
processing the EMG data to provide a digital model of the muscle movements, wherein the digital model further comprises a virtual facial muscle structure; and mapping the digital model onto an animated character, wherein the animated character will exhibit the same muscle movements as the performer when corresponding muscle vectors within the virtual facial muscle structure are actuated in response to the acquired EMG data; and a plurality of pairs of electrooculogram (EOG) electrodes adapted to be affixed to said skin surface of the performer at locations adjacent to the performer's eyes, said processor operatively coupled to said plurality of pairs of EOG electrodes and including programming instructions to perform the functions of:
acquiring EOG data from said plurality of pairs of EOG
electrodes, said EOG data comprising electrical signals corresponding to orientations of the performer's eyes during a performance;
processing the EOG data by determining a magnitude and a polarity of a dipole electric field associated with the performer's eyes in order to reconstruct the orientations of the eyes; and mapping the processed EOG data onto the animated character, wherein the animated character will exhibit the same eye orientations as the performer when corresponding muscle vectors within the virtual facial muscle structure are actuated in response to the acquired EOG data.
a plurality of pairs of electromyography (EMG) electrodes adapted to be affixed to a skin surface of a performer at plural locations corresponding to respective muscles, wherein at least one pair of EMG
electrodes is aligned along an expected direction of an electrical signal corresponding to muscle movements of the performer when the electrical signal is to be read, and at least one pair of EMG electrodes is aligned along a direction perpendicular to the expected direction of the electrical signal when the electrical signal is to be excluded;
a processor operatively coupled to said plurality of pairs of EMG electrodes, said processor including programming instructions to perform the functions of:
acquiring EMG data from said plurality of pairs of EMG electrodes, said EMG data comprising electrical signals corresponding to muscle movements of the performer during a performance;
processing the EMG data to provide a digital model of the muscle movements, wherein the digital model further comprises a virtual facial muscle structure; and mapping the digital model onto an animated character, wherein the animated character will exhibit the same muscle movements as the performer when corresponding muscle vectors within the virtual facial muscle structure are actuated in response to the acquired EMG data; and a plurality of pairs of electrooculogram (EOG) electrodes adapted to be affixed to said skin surface of the performer at locations adjacent to the performer's eyes, said processor operatively coupled to said plurality of pairs of EOG electrodes and including programming instructions to perform the functions of:
acquiring EOG data from said plurality of pairs of EOG
electrodes, said EOG data comprising electrical signals corresponding to orientations of the performer's eyes during a performance;
processing the EOG data by determining a magnitude and a polarity of a dipole electric field associated with the performer's eyes in order to reconstruct the orientations of the eyes; and mapping the processed EOG data onto the animated character, wherein the animated character will exhibit the same eye orientations as the performer when corresponding muscle vectors within the virtual facial muscle structure are actuated in response to the acquired EOG data.
2. The system of Claim 1, wherein said processing function further includes generating a set of calibration poses based in part on the processed EMG
data.
data.
3. The system of Claim 1, wherein said acquiring function further includes rectifying the electrical signals.
4. The system of Claim 1, wherein said processor further comprises a computer graphics animation processor.
5. The system of Claim 1, further comprising an electrode interface coupled to said plurality of EMG electrodes, said electrode interface providing a composite signal to said processor.
6. The system of Claim 5, wherein said electrode interface is adapted to be carried on a body of the performer.
7. The system of Claim 5, wherein said electrode interface has a wireless connection to said processor.
8. A method of animating using motion tracking, comprising:
affixing a plurality of pairs of electromyography (EMG) electrodes to a skin surface of a performer at plural locations corresponding to respective muscles, wherein at least one pair of EMG electrodes is aligned along an expected direction of an electrical signal corresponding to muscle movements of the performer when the electrical signal is to be read, and at least one pair of EMG electrodes is aligned along a direction perpendicular to the expected direction of the electrical signal when the electrical signal is to be excluded;
acquiring EMG data from said plurality of pairs of EMG electrodes, said EMG data comprising electrical signals corresponding to muscle movements of the performer during a performance;
processing the EMG data to provide a digital model of the muscle movements, wherein the digital model further comprises a virtual facial muscle structure; and mapping the digital model onto an animated character, wherein the animated character will exhibit the same muscle movements as the performer when corresponding muscle vectors within the virtual facial muscle structure are actuated in response to the acquired EMG data;
affixing a plurality of pairs of electooculogram (EOG) electrodes to said skin surface of the performer at locations adjacent to the performer's eyes;
and acquiring EOG data from said plurality of pairs of EOG electrodes, said EOG data comprising electrical signals corresponding to orientations of the performer's eyes during a performance;
processing the EOG data by determining a magnitude and a polarity of a dipole electric field associated with the performer's eyes in order to reconstruct the orientations of the eyes; and mapping the processed EOG data onto the animated character, wherein the animated character will exhibit the same eye orientations as the performer when corresponding muscle vectors within the virtual facial muscle structure are actuated in response to the acquired EOG data.
affixing a plurality of pairs of electromyography (EMG) electrodes to a skin surface of a performer at plural locations corresponding to respective muscles, wherein at least one pair of EMG electrodes is aligned along an expected direction of an electrical signal corresponding to muscle movements of the performer when the electrical signal is to be read, and at least one pair of EMG electrodes is aligned along a direction perpendicular to the expected direction of the electrical signal when the electrical signal is to be excluded;
acquiring EMG data from said plurality of pairs of EMG electrodes, said EMG data comprising electrical signals corresponding to muscle movements of the performer during a performance;
processing the EMG data to provide a digital model of the muscle movements, wherein the digital model further comprises a virtual facial muscle structure; and mapping the digital model onto an animated character, wherein the animated character will exhibit the same muscle movements as the performer when corresponding muscle vectors within the virtual facial muscle structure are actuated in response to the acquired EMG data;
affixing a plurality of pairs of electooculogram (EOG) electrodes to said skin surface of the performer at locations adjacent to the performer's eyes;
and acquiring EOG data from said plurality of pairs of EOG electrodes, said EOG data comprising electrical signals corresponding to orientations of the performer's eyes during a performance;
processing the EOG data by determining a magnitude and a polarity of a dipole electric field associated with the performer's eyes in order to reconstruct the orientations of the eyes; and mapping the processed EOG data onto the animated character, wherein the animated character will exhibit the same eye orientations as the performer when corresponding muscle vectors within the virtual facial muscle structure are actuated in response to the acquired EOG data.
9. The method of Claim 8, wherein said processing step further includes generating a set of calibration poses based in part on the processed EMG
data.
data.
10. The method of Claim 8, wherein said acquiring step further includes rectifying the electrical signals.
11. The method of Claim 8, further comprising carrying an electrode interface operatively coupled to said plurality of EMG electrodes on a body of the performer.
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US61526804P | 2004-10-01 | 2004-10-01 | |
| US60/615,268 | 2004-10-01 | ||
| US61604904P | 2004-10-04 | 2004-10-04 | |
| US60/616,049 | 2004-10-04 | ||
| US10/984,488 | 2004-11-08 | ||
| US10/984,488 US7554549B2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2004-11-08 | System and method for tracking facial muscle and eye motion for computer graphics animation |
| PCT/US2005/035206 WO2006039497A2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2005-09-29 | System and method for tracking facial muscle and eye motion for computer graphics animation |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2582451A1 CA2582451A1 (en) | 2006-04-13 |
| CA2582451C true CA2582451C (en) | 2012-03-06 |
Family
ID=36143086
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2582451A Active CA2582451C (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2005-09-29 | System and method for tracking facial muscle and eye motion for computer graphics animation |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US7554549B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1797537B1 (en) |
| JP (2) | JP5047798B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100917486B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2005291927B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2582451C (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ554589A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2006039497A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (63)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8654815B1 (en) | 2004-04-02 | 2014-02-18 | Rearden, Llc | System and method for distributed antenna wireless communications |
| US9819403B2 (en) | 2004-04-02 | 2017-11-14 | Rearden, Llc | System and method for managing handoff of a client between different distributed-input-distributed-output (DIDO) networks based on detected velocity of the client |
| US10425134B2 (en) | 2004-04-02 | 2019-09-24 | Rearden, Llc | System and methods for planned evolution and obsolescence of multiuser spectrum |
| US10277290B2 (en) | 2004-04-02 | 2019-04-30 | Rearden, Llc | Systems and methods to exploit areas of coherence in wireless systems |
| US9826537B2 (en) | 2004-04-02 | 2017-11-21 | Rearden, Llc | System and method for managing inter-cluster handoff of clients which traverse multiple DIDO clusters |
| AU2006225115B2 (en) | 2005-03-16 | 2011-10-06 | Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. | Three- dimensional motion capture |
| US7830384B1 (en) * | 2005-04-27 | 2010-11-09 | Image Metrics Limited | Animating graphical objects using input video |
| US8659668B2 (en) | 2005-10-07 | 2014-02-25 | Rearden, Llc | Apparatus and method for performing motion capture using a random pattern on capture surfaces |
| US7978081B2 (en) * | 2006-01-09 | 2011-07-12 | Applied Technology Holdings, Inc. | Apparatus, systems, and methods for communicating biometric and biomechanical information |
| CN101473352A (en) * | 2006-04-24 | 2009-07-01 | 索尼株式会社 | Performance driven facial animation |
| US7961947B2 (en) * | 2006-07-28 | 2011-06-14 | Sony Corporation | FACS cleaning in motion capture |
| US8130225B2 (en) | 2007-01-16 | 2012-03-06 | Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. | Using animation libraries for object identification |
| US8199152B2 (en) * | 2007-01-16 | 2012-06-12 | Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. | Combining multiple session content for animation libraries |
| US8542236B2 (en) * | 2007-01-16 | 2013-09-24 | Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. | Generating animation libraries |
| US20080221487A1 (en) * | 2007-03-07 | 2008-09-11 | Motek Bv | Method for real time interactive visualization of muscle forces and joint torques in the human body |
| US8452458B2 (en) * | 2007-05-03 | 2013-05-28 | Motek Bv | Method and system for real time interactive dynamic alignment of prosthetics |
| US8144153B1 (en) | 2007-11-20 | 2012-03-27 | Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. | Model production for animation libraries |
| US9037530B2 (en) | 2008-06-26 | 2015-05-19 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Wearable electromyography-based human-computer interface |
| US8170656B2 (en) * | 2008-06-26 | 2012-05-01 | Microsoft Corporation | Wearable electromyography-based controllers for human-computer interface |
| US8289443B2 (en) * | 2008-09-29 | 2012-10-16 | Two Pic Mc Llc | Mounting and bracket for an actor-mounted motion capture camera system |
| US9325972B2 (en) * | 2008-09-29 | 2016-04-26 | Two Pic Mc Llc | Actor-mounted motion capture camera |
| US9390516B2 (en) * | 2008-09-29 | 2016-07-12 | Two Pic Mc Llc | Asynchronous streaming of data for validation |
| WO2010074786A2 (en) * | 2008-12-04 | 2010-07-01 | Total Immersion Software, Inc. | System and methods for dynamically injecting expression information into an animated facial mesh |
| US9142024B2 (en) * | 2008-12-31 | 2015-09-22 | Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. | Visual and physical motion sensing for three-dimensional motion capture |
| US9275487B1 (en) * | 2009-04-08 | 2016-03-01 | Pixar Animation Studios | System and method for performing non-affine deformations |
| WO2011007569A1 (en) * | 2009-07-15 | 2011-01-20 | 国立大学法人筑波大学 | Classification estimating system and classification estimating program |
| US8738122B2 (en) * | 2009-08-21 | 2014-05-27 | The Chinese University Of Hong Kong | Systems and methods for reproducing body motions via networks |
| WO2011034963A2 (en) * | 2009-09-15 | 2011-03-24 | Sony Corporation | Combining multi-sensory inputs for digital animation |
| KR101119618B1 (en) | 2011-01-31 | 2012-03-13 | 김응수 | Communication system using motion of tongue and chin, and the method thereof |
| KR101819535B1 (en) | 2011-06-30 | 2018-01-17 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method and apparatus for expressing rigid area based on expression control points |
| JP2013048717A (en) * | 2011-08-31 | 2013-03-14 | Sony Corp | Image processing device and method, recording medium, and program |
| US9508176B2 (en) | 2011-11-18 | 2016-11-29 | Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. | Path and speed based character control |
| KR101456695B1 (en) * | 2012-09-21 | 2014-11-04 | 연세대학교 산학협력단 | Bite force measurement system |
| US11189917B2 (en) | 2014-04-16 | 2021-11-30 | Rearden, Llc | Systems and methods for distributing radioheads |
| WO2014113621A1 (en) * | 2013-01-18 | 2014-07-24 | Augment Medical, Inc. | Gesture-based communication systems and methods for communicating with healthcare personnel |
| US9923657B2 (en) | 2013-03-12 | 2018-03-20 | Rearden, Llc | Systems and methods for exploiting inter-cell multiplexing gain in wireless cellular systems via distributed input distributed output technology |
| US10488535B2 (en) | 2013-03-12 | 2019-11-26 | Rearden, Llc | Apparatus and method for capturing still images and video using diffraction coded imaging techniques |
| US9973246B2 (en) | 2013-03-12 | 2018-05-15 | Rearden, Llc | Systems and methods for exploiting inter-cell multiplexing gain in wireless cellular systems via distributed input distributed output technology |
| RU2767777C2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2022-03-21 | Риарден, Ллк | Systems and methods of radio frequency calibration using the principle of reciprocity of channels in wireless communication with distributed input - distributed output |
| US10048748B2 (en) * | 2013-11-12 | 2018-08-14 | Excalibur Ip, Llc | Audio-visual interaction with user devices |
| WO2016070653A1 (en) | 2014-11-07 | 2016-05-12 | Beijing Zhigu Rui Tuo Tech Co., Ltd. | Dominant eye determining method and device |
| JP2018505505A (en) * | 2015-01-31 | 2018-02-22 | モファット，ブライアン，リー | Computer control by facial geometric distortion. |
| WO2016165052A1 (en) * | 2015-04-13 | 2016-10-20 | Empire Technology Development Llc | Detecting facial expressions |
| GB2537644A (en) * | 2015-04-22 | 2016-10-26 | Tintro Ltd | Electronic equipment for the treatment and care of living beings |
| KR101633057B1 (en) * | 2015-04-22 | 2016-06-23 | 재단법인 실감교류인체감응솔루션연구단 | Facial Motion Capture Method for Head-Mounted Display System |
| US9910275B2 (en) | 2015-05-18 | 2018-03-06 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Image processing for head mounted display devices |
| US10055948B2 (en) | 2015-11-30 | 2018-08-21 | Nike, Inc. | Apparel with ultrasonic position sensing and haptic feedback for activities |
| WO2017184274A1 (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2017-10-26 | Alpha Computing, Inc. | System and method for determining and modeling user expression within a head mounted display |
| US10203751B2 (en) | 2016-05-11 | 2019-02-12 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Continuous motion controls operable using neurological data |
| US9864431B2 (en) | 2016-05-11 | 2018-01-09 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Changing an application state using neurological data |
| CN107518895B (en) * | 2016-06-22 | 2020-07-17 | 宁波工程学院 | Same muscle detection method for rehabilitation training |
| EP3571627A2 (en) * | 2017-01-19 | 2019-11-27 | Mindmaze Holding S.A. | Systems, methods, apparatuses and devices for detecting facial expression and for tracking movement and location including for at least one of a virtual and augmented reality system |
| US10515474B2 (en) | 2017-01-19 | 2019-12-24 | Mindmaze Holding Sa | System, method and apparatus for detecting facial expression in a virtual reality system |
| US10943100B2 (en) | 2017-01-19 | 2021-03-09 | Mindmaze Holding Sa | Systems, methods, devices and apparatuses for detecting facial expression |
| US10701253B2 (en) | 2017-10-20 | 2020-06-30 | Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. | Camera systems for motion capture |
| US11328533B1 (en) | 2018-01-09 | 2022-05-10 | Mindmaze Holding Sa | System, method and apparatus for detecting facial expression for motion capture |
| WO2019157360A1 (en) | 2018-02-09 | 2019-08-15 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. | Use of periauricular muscle signals to estimate a direction of a user's auditory attention locus |
| US20200090392A1 (en) * | 2018-09-19 | 2020-03-19 | XRSpace CO., LTD. | Method of Facial Expression Generation with Data Fusion |
| KR102243040B1 (en) * | 2019-04-10 | 2021-04-21 | 한양대학교 산학협력단 | Electronic device, avatar facial expression system and controlling method threrof |
| US11786694B2 (en) | 2019-05-24 | 2023-10-17 | NeuroLight, Inc. | Device, method, and app for facilitating sleep |
| KR102331694B1 (en) * | 2019-11-14 | 2021-11-29 | 한국생산기술연구원 | Mask to get dynamic movement of face and its operation method |
| US11393149B2 (en) * | 2020-07-02 | 2022-07-19 | Unity Technologies Sf | Generating an animation rig for use in animating a computer-generated character based on facial scans of an actor and a muscle model |
| CN113855019B (en) * | 2021-08-25 | 2023-12-29 | 杭州回车电子科技有限公司 | Expression recognition method and device based on EOG (Ethernet over coax), EMG (electro-magnetic resonance imaging) and piezoelectric signals |
Family Cites Families (35)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4320768A (en) * | 1979-07-17 | 1982-03-23 | Georgetown University Medical Center | Computerized electro-oculographic (CEOG) system |
| US4690142A (en) * | 1980-12-10 | 1987-09-01 | Ross Sidney A | Method and system for utilizing electro-neuro stimulation in a bio-feedback system |
| CA1213329A (en) * | 1983-10-14 | 1986-10-28 | Roger Broughton | Muscle tone detector for sleep analysis |
| US4836219A (en) * | 1987-07-08 | 1989-06-06 | President & Fellows Of Harvard College | Electronic sleep monitor headgear |
| JPH01126692A (en) * | 1987-07-24 | 1989-05-18 | Univ Leland Stanford Jr | Biopotential digital controller for music and video |
| JP2648682B2 (en) * | 1992-07-17 | 1997-09-03 | 正重 古川 | Reproduction display of expression element code and processing / generation device of emotion / expression |
| US5517021A (en) * | 1993-01-19 | 1996-05-14 | The Research Foundation State University Of New York | Apparatus and method for eye tracking interface |
| JP3455921B2 (en) * | 1993-12-24 | 2003-10-14 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Voice substitute device |
| JPH0934630A (en) * | 1995-07-13 | 1997-02-07 | Suzuki Motor Corp | Computer input device |
| US5694939A (en) * | 1995-10-03 | 1997-12-09 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Autogenic-feedback training exercise (AFTE) method and system |
| US6026321A (en) | 1997-04-02 | 2000-02-15 | Suzuki Motor Corporation | Apparatus and system for measuring electrical potential variations in human body |
| US6324296B1 (en) | 1997-12-04 | 2001-11-27 | Phasespace, Inc. | Distributed-processing motion tracking system for tracking individually modulated light points |
| US6032072A (en) * | 1998-01-30 | 2000-02-29 | Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. | Method for enhancing and separating biopotential signals |
| US6249292B1 (en) * | 1998-05-04 | 2001-06-19 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Technique for controlling a presentation of a computer generated object having a plurality of movable components |
| WO2000015157A1 (en) * | 1998-09-14 | 2000-03-23 | Rutgers, The State University Of New Jersey | Prosthetic, orthotic, and other rehabilitative robotic assistive devices actuated by smart materials |
| US6774885B1 (en) * | 1999-01-20 | 2004-08-10 | Motek B.V. | System for dynamic registration, evaluation, and correction of functional human behavior |
| US6079829A (en) * | 1999-11-04 | 2000-06-27 | Bullwinkel; Paul E. | Fiber optic eye-tracking system utilizing out-of-band light source |
| US20020009222A1 (en) | 2000-03-27 | 2002-01-24 | Mcgibbon Chris A. | Method and system for viewing kinematic and kinetic information |
| US6673027B2 (en) * | 2000-04-13 | 2004-01-06 | Peter Fischer | Posture measurement and feedback instrument for seated occupations |
| US7925354B2 (en) * | 2000-05-26 | 2011-04-12 | Second Sight Medical Products, Inc. | Video processing methods for improving visual acuity and/or perceived image resolution |
| US6720984B1 (en) * | 2000-06-13 | 2004-04-13 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Characterization of bioelectric potentials |
| US6788333B1 (en) | 2000-07-07 | 2004-09-07 | Microsoft Corporation | Panoramic video |
| FR2811792B1 (en) * | 2000-07-13 | 2002-12-06 | France Telecom | FACIAL ANIMATION PROCESS |
| US8988419B2 (en) * | 2000-11-27 | 2015-03-24 | Ding Huang | Parameterization of deformation and simulation of interaction |
| US20020188216A1 (en) * | 2001-05-03 | 2002-12-12 | Kayyali Hani Akram | Head mounted medical device |
| US7012637B1 (en) | 2001-07-27 | 2006-03-14 | Be Here Corporation | Capture structure for alignment of multi-camera capture systems |
| US20030215130A1 (en) | 2002-02-12 | 2003-11-20 | The University Of Tokyo | Method of processing passive optical motion capture data |
| US7012634B2 (en) | 2002-03-28 | 2006-03-14 | Eastman Kodak Company | System and method for calibrating an image capture device |
| US6702691B2 (en) | 2002-08-12 | 2004-03-09 | Callaway Golf Company | Static pose fixture |
| US20040092801A1 (en) * | 2002-11-13 | 2004-05-13 | Budimir Drakulic | System for, and method of, acquiring physiological signals of a patient |
| US7106358B2 (en) | 2002-12-30 | 2006-09-12 | Motorola, Inc. | Method, system and apparatus for telepresence communications |
| US9177387B2 (en) | 2003-02-11 | 2015-11-03 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. | Method and apparatus for real time motion capture |
| US7068277B2 (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2006-06-27 | Sony Corporation | System and method for animating a digital facial model |
| US20050261559A1 (en) * | 2004-05-18 | 2005-11-24 | Mumford John R | Wireless physiological monitoring system |
| US7447541B2 (en) * | 2004-06-30 | 2008-11-04 | Instrumentarium Corporation | Monitoring subcortical responsiveness of a patient |
-
2004
- 2004-11-08 US US10/984,488 patent/US7554549B2/en active Active
-
2005
- 2005-09-29 NZ NZ554589A patent/NZ554589A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-09-29 AU AU2005291927A patent/AU2005291927B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2005-09-29 KR KR1020077009860A patent/KR100917486B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2005-09-29 WO PCT/US2005/035206 patent/WO2006039497A2/en active Application Filing
- 2005-09-29 EP EP05815085.5A patent/EP1797537B1/en active Active
- 2005-09-29 JP JP2007534804A patent/JP5047798B2/en active Active
- 2005-09-29 CA CA2582451A patent/CA2582451C/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-03-01 JP JP2011043650A patent/JP5662203B2/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP5662203B2 (en) | 2015-01-28 |
| KR100917486B1 (en) | 2009-09-16 |
| NZ554589A (en) | 2010-09-30 |
| JP2011108281A (en) | 2011-06-02 |
| US20060071934A1 (en) | 2006-04-06 |
| CA2582451A1 (en) | 2006-04-13 |
| AU2005291927B2 (en) | 2009-11-12 |
| EP1797537A2 (en) | 2007-06-20 |
| EP1797537A4 (en) | 2011-10-26 |
| JP5047798B2 (en) | 2012-10-10 |
| WO2006039497A3 (en) | 2007-04-05 |
| KR20070057997A (en) | 2007-06-07 |
| AU2005291927A1 (en) | 2006-04-13 |
| JP2008515113A (en) | 2008-05-08 |
| WO2006039497A2 (en) | 2006-04-13 |
| EP1797537B1 (en) | 2016-08-24 |
| US7554549B2 (en) | 2009-06-30 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2582451C (en) | System and method for tracking facial muscle and eye motion for computer graphics animation | |
| US7606392B2 (en) | Capturing and processing facial motion data | |
| JP5468047B2 (en) | System and method for animating a digital face model | |
| Lee et al. | Realistic modeling for facial animation | |
| US7239321B2 (en) | Static and dynamic 3-D human face reconstruction | |
| Waters et al. | The computer synthesis of expressive faces | |
| Pelachaud et al. | Final report to NSF of the standards for facial animation workshop | |
| US20220092840A1 (en) | Systems and Methods for Generating a Skull Surface for Computer Animation | |
| KR101276429B1 (en) | Apparatus for replacing eye movement data in motion capture and computer-readable storage medium | |
| Zhang et al. | Constructing a realistic face model of an individual for expression animation | |
| JP2627487B2 (en) | Real-time image recognition and synthesis device | |
| Xuan et al. | SpecTracle: Wearable Facial Motion Tracking from Unobtrusive Peripheral Cameras | |
| Hamilton | Facial Animation Driven by X-Ray Microbeam Data | |
| Borghese | Virtual reality and neural networks | |
| GFY | HMD-Based Facial Performance Capture |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |