SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A 3-D MODEL OF A USER FOR A VIRTUAL TRY-ON PRODUCT

- 1-800 CONTACTS, INC.

A computer-implemented method for generating a three-dimensional (3-D) model of a user. A plurality of images of a user are obtained. An angle of view relative to the user pictured in at least one of the plurality of images is calculated. It is determined whether the calculated angle of view matches a predetermined viewing angle. Upon determining the calculated angle of view matches the predetermined viewing angle, at least one of the plurality of images is selected.

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Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 61/650,983, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO VIRTUALLY TRY-ON PRODUCTS, filed on May 23, 2012; and U.S. application Ser. No. 61/735,951, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO VIRTUALLY TRY-ON PRODUCTS, filed on Jan. 2, 2013, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference.

BACKGROUND

The use of computer systems and computer-related technologies continues to increase at a rapid pace. This increased use of computer systems has influenced the advances made to computer-related technologies. Indeed, computer systems have increasingly become an integral part of the business world and the activities of individual consumers. Computers have opened up an entire industry of internet shopping. In many ways, online shopping has changed the way consumers purchase products. For example, a consumer may want to know what they will look like in and/or with a product. On the webpage of a certain product, a photograph of a model with the particular product may be shown. However, users may want to see more accurate depictions of themselves in relation to various products.

SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for generating a three-dimensional (3-D) model of a user is described. A plurality of images of a user may be obtained. An angle of view relative to the user pictured in at least one of the plurality of images may be calculated. It may be determined whether the calculated angle of view matches a predetermined viewing angle. The predetermined viewing angle may include a plurality of evenly spaced 10-degree rotation steps. Upon determining the calculated angle of view matches the predetermined viewing angle, at least one of the plurality of images may be selected.

In one embodiment, a real-time image of the user may be displayed while obtaining the plurality of images of the user. A guideline may be displayed in relation to the displayed real-time image of the user. A cross-correlation algorithm may be performed to track a feature between two or more of the plurality of images of the user. A 3-D model of the user may be generated from the detected features of the user. Texture coordinate information may be generated from the determined 3-D structure of the user. The texture coordinate information may relate a two-dimensional (2-D) coordinate of each selected image to a 3-D coordinate of the 3-D model of the user. At least one geometry file may be generated to store data related to a 3-D structure, wherein each at least one geometry file comprises a plurality of vertices corresponding to a universal morphable model.

In some configurations, a coefficient may be calculated for each generated geometry file based on the determined 3-D structure of the user. Each generated geometry file may be combined linearly based on each calculated coefficient to generate a polygon mesh of the user. Each selected image may be applied to the generated polygon mesh of the user according to the generated texture coordinate information.

A computing device configured to generate a three-dimensional (3-D) model of a user is also described. The device may include a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The memory may store instructions that are executable by the processor to obtain a plurality of images of a user, calculate an angle of view relative to the user pictured in at least one of the plurality of images, determine whether the calculated angle of view matches a predetermined viewing angle, and upon determining the calculated angle of view matches the predetermined viewing angle, select at least one of the plurality of images.

A computer-program product to generate a three-dimensional (3-D) model of a user is also described. The computer-program product may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions. The instructions may be executable by a processor to obtain a plurality of images of a user, calculate an angle of view relative to the user pictured in at least one of the plurality of images, determine whether the calculated angle of view matches a predetermined viewing angle, and upon determining the calculated angle of view matches the predetermined viewing angle, select at least one of the plurality of images.

Features from any of the above-mentioned embodiments may be used in combination with one another in accordance with the general principles described herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantages will be more fully understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an environment in which the present systems and methods may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of an environment in which the present systems and methods may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a model generator;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one example of an image processor;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example arrangement for capturing an image of a user;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device for capturing an image of a user;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example arrangement of a virtual 3-D space including a depiction of a 3-D model of a user;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for generating a 3-D model of a user;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for applying an image of a user to a polygon mesh model of the user;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for displaying a feedback image to a user; and

FIG. 11 depicts a block diagram of a computer system suitable for implementing the present systems and methods.

While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The systems and methods described herein relate to the virtually trying-on of products. Three-dimensional (3-D) computer graphics are graphics that use a 3-D representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering two-dimensional (2-D) images. Such images may be stored for viewing later or displayed in real-time. A 3-D space may include a mathematical representation of a 3-D surface of an object. A 3-D model may be contained within a graphical data file. A 3-D model may represent a 3-D object using a collection of points in 3-D space, connected by various geometric entities such as triangles, lines, curved surfaces, etc. Being a collection of data (points and other information), 3-D models may be created by hand, algorithmically (procedural modeling), or scanned such as with a laser scanner. A 3-D model may be displayed visually as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3-D rendering, or used in non-graphical computer simulations and calculations. In some cases, the 3-D model may be physically created using a 3-D printing device.

A device may capture an image of the user and generate a 3-D model of the user from the image. A 3-D polygon mesh of an object may be placed in relation to the 3-D model of the user to create a 3-D virtual depiction of the user wearing the object (e.g., a pair of glasses, a hat, a shirt, a belt, etc.). This 3-D scene may then be rendered into a 2-D image to provide the user a virtual depiction of the user in relation to the object. Although some of the examples used herein describe articles of clothing, specifically a virtual try-on pair of glasses, it is understood that the systems and methods described herein may be used to virtually try-on a wide variety of products. Examples of such products may include glasses, clothing, footwear, jewelry, accessories, hair styles, etc.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an environment 100 in which the present systems and methods may be implemented. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be performed on a single device (e.g., device 102). For example, a model generator 104 may be located on the device 102. Examples of devices 102 include mobile devices, smart phones, personal computing devices, computers, servers, etc.

In some configurations, a device 102 may include a model generator 104, a camera 106, and a display 108. In one example, the device 102 may be coupled to a database 110. In one embodiment, the database 110 may be internal to the device 102. In another embodiment, the database 110 may be external to the device 102. In some configurations, the database 110 may include polygon model data 112 and texture map data 114.

In one embodiment, the model generator 104 may enable a user to initiate a process to generate a 3-D model of the user. In some configurations, the model generator 104 may obtain multiple images of the user. For example, the model generator 104 may capture multiple images of a user via the camera 106. For instance, the model generator 104 may capture a video (e.g., a 5 second video) via the camera 106. In some configurations, the model generator 104 may use polygon model data 112 and texture map data 114 to generate a 3-D representation of a user. For example, the polygon model data 112 may include vertex coordinates of a polygon model of the user's head. In some embodiments, the model generator 104 may use color information from the pixels of multiple images of the user to create a texture map of the user. In some configurations, the model generator 104 may generate and/or obtain a 3-D representation of a product. For example, the polygon model data 112 and texture map data 114 may include a 3-D model of a pair of glasses. In some embodiments, the polygon model data 112 may include a polygon model of an object. In some configurations, the texture map data 114 may define a visual aspect (e.g., pixel information) of the 3-D model of the object such as color, texture, shadow, or transparency.

In some configurations, the model generator 104 may generate a virtual try-on image by rendering a virtual 3-D space that contains a 3-D model of a user and a 3-D model of a product. In one example, the virtual try-on image may illustrate the user with a rendered version of the product. In some configurations, the model generator 104 may output the virtual try-on image to the display 108 to be displayed to the user.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of an environment 200 in which the present systems and methods may be implemented. In some embodiments, a device 102-a may communicate with a server 206 via a network 204. Example of networks 204 include, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), virtual private networks (VPN), wireless networks (using 802.11, for example), cellular networks (using 3G and/or LTE, for example), etc. In some configurations, the network 204 may include the internet. In some configurations, the device 102-a may be one example of the device 102 illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the device 102-a may include the camera 106, the display 108, and an application 202. It is noted that in some embodiments, the device 102-a may not include a model generator 104. In some embodiments, both a device 102-a and a server 206 may include a model generator 104 where at least a portion of the functions of the model generator 104 are performed separately and/or concurrently on both the device 102-a and the server 206.

In some embodiments, the server 206 may include the model generator 104 and may be coupled to the database 110. For example, the model generator 104 may access the polygon model data 112 and the texture map data 114 in the database 110 via the server 206. The database 110 may be internal or external to the server 206.

In some configurations, the application 202 may capture multiple images via the camera 106. For example, the application 202 may use the camera 106 to capture a video. Upon capturing the multiple images, the application 202 may process the multiple images to generate result data. In some embodiments, the application 202 may transmit the multiple images to the server 206. Additionally or alternatively, the application 202 may transmit to the server 206 the result data or at least one file associated with the result data.

In some configurations, the model generator 104 may process multiple images of a user to generate a 3-D model of the user. The model generator 104 may render a 3-D space that includes the 3-D model of the user and a 3-D polygon model of an object to render a virtual try-on 2-D image of the object and the user. The application 202 may output a display of the user to the display 108 while the camera 106 captures an image of the user.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a model generator 104-a. The model generator 104-a may be one example of the model generator 104 depicted in FIGS. 1 and/or 2. As depicted, the model generator 104-a may include a scanning module 302, an image processor 304, and a display module 306.

In some configurations, the scanning module 302 may obtain a plurality of images of a user. In some embodiments, the scanning module 302 may activate the camera 106 to capture at least one image of the user. Additionally, or alternatively, the scanning module 302 may capture a video of the user.

In some embodiments, the image processor 304 may process an image of the user captured by the scanning module 302. The image processor 304 may be configured to generate a 3-D model of the user from the processing of the image. Operations of the image processor 304 are discussed in further detail below.

In some configurations, the display module 306 may display a realtime image of the user on a display (e.g. display 108) while obtaining the plurality of images of the user. For example, as the camera 106 captures an image of the user, the captured image of the user may be displayed on the display 108 to provide a visual feedback to the user. In some embodiments, the display module 306 may display a guideline on the display in relation to the displayed real-time image of the user. For example, one or more guidelines may provide a visual cue to the user. For instance, a guideline may provide a visual cue of the direction in which the user should be holding the device 102 (e.g., a tablet computing device in landscape or portrait mode). Additionally, a guideline may provide a visual leveling cue to assist the user in maintaining the device relatively level or in the same plane while the user pans or rotates the device 102 around him- or herself. Additionally, a guideline may provide the user a visual depth cue to assist the user in maintaining the device at a relatively same depth (e.g., at arm's length) while the user pans or rotates the device 102 around the user.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one example of an image processor 304-a. The image processor 304-a may be one example of the image processor 304 illustrated in FIG. 3. As depicted, the image processor 304 may include a viewpoint module 402, a comparison module 404, a selection module 406, and a cross-correlation module 408. Additionally, the image processor 304-a may include a texture mapping module 410, a geometry module 412, a coefficient module 414, a linear combination module 416, and an application module 418.

In some configurations, the viewpoint module 402 may calculate an angle of view relative to the user pictured in at least one of the plurality of images. For example, the viewpoint module 402 may determine that in one image of the user's head, the user held the device 102 10-degrees to the left of center of the user's face. The comparison module 404 may determine whether the calculated angle of view (e.g., 10-degrees to the left of center of the user's face) matches a predetermined viewing angle. In some embodiments, the predetermined viewing angle includes a plurality of evenly spaced 10-degree rotation steps. For example, a head-on image showing the user facing the camera directly may be selected as a viewing angle reference point, or 0-degrees. The next predetermined viewing angles in either direction may include +/−10-degrees, +/−20-degrees, +/−30-degrees, and so forth, in 10-degree increments. Thus, the comparison module 404 may determine that an image depicting the user holding the device 102 10-degrees to the left of center of the user's face matches a predetermined viewing angle of +10-degrees (or −10-degrees).

In some embodiments, upon determining the calculated angle of view matches the predetermined viewing angle, the selection module 406 may select at least one of the plurality of images. For example, the selection module 406 may select an image for further processing. The cross-correlation module 408 may perform a cross-correlation algorithm to track a feature between two or more of the plurality of images of the user. For example, the image processor 304-a, via the cross-correlation module 408, may perform template matching. Additionally, or alternatively, the image processor 304-a, via the cross-correlation module 408, may perform a structure from motion algorithm to track features in the images of the user. From the detected features of the user, the image processor 304-a may construct a 3-D model of the user.

In some configurations, the texture mapping module 410 may generate texture coordinate information from the determined 3-D structure of the user. The texture coordinate information may relate a two-dimensional (2-D) coordinate (e.g., UV coordinates) of each selected image to a 3-D coordinate (e.g., XYZ coordinates) of the 3-D model of the user.

In one embodiment, the geometry module 412 generates at least one geometry file to store data related to a 3-D structure. Each at least one geometry file may include a plurality of vertices corresponding to a universal morphable model. For instance, each geometry file may include a different generic model of a user, where each model depicts a user with certain features and characteristics. For example, one geometry file may include a polygon mesh depicting characteristics typical of a male-looking face. Another geometry file may include a polygon mesh depicting characteristics of a female-looking face, and so forth.

In some configurations, the coefficient module 414 calculates a coefficient for each generated geometry file based on the determined 3-D structure of the user. The linear combination module 416 may combine linearly each generated geometry file based on each calculated coefficient to generate a polygon mesh of the user. In other words, each coefficient may act as a weight to determine how much each particular geometry file affects the outcome of linearly combining each geometry file. For example, if the user is a female, then the coefficient module 414 may associate a relatively high coefficient (e.g., 1.0) to a geometry file that depicts female characteristics, and may associate a relatively low coefficient (e.g., 0.01) to a geometry file that depicts male characteristics. Thus, each geometry file may be combined linearly, morphing a 3-D polygon mesh to generate a realistic model of the user based on the 3-D characteristics of the user calculated from one or more captured images of the user. The application module 418 may apply each selected image to the generated polygon mesh of the user according to the generated texture coordinate information, resulting in a 3-D model of the user.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example arrangement 500 for capturing an image 504 of a user 502. In particular, the illustrated example arrangement 500 may include the user 502 holding a device 102-b. The device 102-b may include a camera 106-a and a display 108-a. The device 102-b, camera 106-a, and display 108-a may be examples of the device 102, camera 106, and display 108 depicted in FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

In one example, the user 502 holds the device 102-b at arm's length with the camera 106-a activated. The camera 106-a may capture an image 504 of the user and the display 108-a may show the captured image 504 to the user 502 (e.g., a real-time feedback image of the user). In some configurations, the camera 106-a may capture a video of the user 502. In some embodiments, the user may pan the device 102-b around the user's face to allow the camera 106-a to capture a video of the user from one side of the user's face to the other side of the user's face. Additionally, or alternatively, the user 502 may capture an image of other areas (e.g., arm, leg, torso, etc.).

FIG. 6 is a diagram 600 illustrating an example of a device 102-c for capturing an image 602 of a user. The device 102-c may be one example of the device 102 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and/or 2. As depicted, the device 102-c may include a camera 106-b, a display 108-b, and an application 202-a. The camera 106-b, display 108-b, and application 202-a may each be an example of the respective camera 106, display 108, and application 202 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

In one embodiment, the user may operate the device 102-c. For example, the application 202-a may allow the user to interact with and/or operate the device 102-c. In one embodiment, the application 202-a may allow the user to capture an image 605 of the user. For example, the application 202-a may display the captured image 602 on the display 108-b. In some cases, the application 202-a may permit the user to accept or decline the image 602 that was captured.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example arrangement 700 of a virtual 3-D space 702. As depicted, the 3-D space 702 of the example arrangement 700 may include a 3-D model of a user's head 704. In some embodiments, the 3-D model of the user's head 704 may include a polygon mesh model of the user's head, which may be stored in the database 110 as polygon data 112. The polygon data 112 of the 3-D model of the user may include 3-D polygon mesh elements such as vertices, edges, faces, polygons, surfaces, and the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the 3-D model of the user's head 704 may include at least one texture map, which may be stored in the database 110 as texture map data 114.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 800 for generating a 3-D model of a user. In some configurations, the method 800 may be implemented by the model generator 104 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and/or 4. In some configurations, the method 800 may be implemented by the application 202 illustrated in FIG. 2.

At block 802, a plurality of images of a user may be obtained. At block 804, an angle of view relative to the user pictured in at least one of the plurality of images may be calculated. At block 806, it may be determined whether the calculated angle of view matches a predetermined viewing angle. In some configurations, the predetermined viewing angle includes a plurality of rotation steps. As explained above, in some configurations, the predetermined viewing angle includes a plurality of evenly spaced 10-degree rotation steps. At block 808, upon determining the calculated angle of view matches the predetermined viewing angle, at least one of the plurality of images may be selected. Upon determining the calculated angle of view does not match the predetermined viewing angle, the method returns to block 804.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 900 for applying an image of a user to a polygon mesh model of the user. In some configurations, the method 900 may be implemented by the model generator 104 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and/or 4. In some configurations, the method 900 may be implemented by the application 202 illustrated in FIG. 2.

At block 902, a cross-correlation algorithm to track features in the images of the user to determine a 3-D structure of the user. At block 904, texture coordinate information may be generated from the determined 3-D structure of the user. As explained above, the texture coordinate information may relate a 2-D coordinate (e.g., UV coordinates) of each selected image to a 3-D coordinate (e.g., XYZ coordinates) of the 3-D model of the user.

At block 906, at least one geometry file may be generated to store data related to a 3-D structure. As explained above, each at least one geometry file may include a plurality of vertices corresponding to a universal morphable model. At block 908, a coefficient for each generated geometry file based on the determined 3-D structure of the user may be calculated. At block 910, each generated geometry file may be combined linearly based on each calculated coefficient to generate a polygon mesh of the user. At block 912, each selected image may be applied to the generated polygon mesh of the user according to the generated texture coordinate information.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 1000 for displaying a feedback image to a user. In some configurations, the method 1000 may be implemented by the model generator 104 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and/or 4. In some configurations, the method 1000 may be implemented by the application 202 illustrated in FIG. 2.

At block 1002, a real-time image of the user may be displayed on a display (e.g., display 108) while obtaining the plurality of images of the user. As explained above, as the camera 106 captures an image of the user, the captured image of the user may be displayed on the display 108 to provide a visual feedback to the user. At block 1004, a guideline on the display in relation to the displayed realtime image of the user may be displayed. One or more guidelines may provide a visual cue to the user while an image is being captured.

FIG. 11 depicts a block diagram of a computer system 1100 suitable for implementing the present systems and methods. The depicted computer system 1100 may be one example of a server 206 depicted in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the system 1100 may be one example of a device 102 depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and/or 6. Computer system 1100 includes a bus 1102 which interconnects major subsystems of computer system 1100, such as a central processor 1104, a system memory 1106 (typically RAM, but which may also include ROM, flash RAM, or the like), an input/output controller 1108, an external audio device, such as a speaker system 1110 via an audio output interface 1112, an external device, such as a display screen 1114 via display adapter 1116, serial ports 1118 and mouse 1146, a keyboard 1122 (interfaced with a keyboard controller 1124), multiple USB devices 1126 (interfaced with a USB controller 1128), a storage interface 1130, a host bus adapter (HBA) interface card 1136A operative to connect with a Fibre Channel network 1138, a host bus adapter (HBA) interface card 1136B operative to connect to a SCSI bus 1140, and an optical disk drive 1142 operative to receive an optical disk 1144. Also included are a mouse 1146 (or other point-and-click device, coupled to bus 1102 via serial port 1118), a modem 1148 (coupled to bus 1102 via serial port 1120), and a network interface 1150 (coupled directly to bus 1102).

Bus 1102 allows data communication between central processor 1104 and system memory 1106, which may include read-only memory (ROM) or flash memory (neither shown), and random access memory (RAM) (not shown), as previously noted. The RAM is generally the main memory into which the operating system and application programs are loaded. The ROM or flash memory can contain, among other code, the Basic Input-Output system (BIOS) which controls basic hardware operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices. For example, a model generator 104-b to implement the present systems and methods may be stored within the system memory 1106. The model generator 104-b may be one example of the model generator 104 depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and/or 3. Applications resident with computer system 1100 are generally stored on and accessed via a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as a hard disk drive (e.g., fixed disk 1152), an optical drive (e.g., optical drive 1142), or other storage medium. Additionally, applications can be in the form of electronic signals modulated in accordance with the application and data communication technology when accessed via network modem 1148 or interface 1150.

Storage interface 1130, as with the other storage interfaces of computer system 1100, can connect to a standard computer readable medium for storage and/or retrieval of information, such as a fixed disk drive 1152. Fixed disk drive 1152 may be a part of computer system 1100 or may be separate and accessed through other interface systems. Modem 1148 may provide a direct connection to a remote server via a telephone link or to the Internet via an internet service provider (ISP). Network interface 1150 may provide a direct connection to a remote server via a direct network link to the Internet via a POP (point of presence). Network interface 1150 may provide such connection using wireless techniques, including digital cellular telephone connection, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connection or the like.

Many other devices or subsystems (not shown) may be connected in a similar manner (e.g., document scanners, digital cameras and so on). Conversely, all of the devices shown in FIG. 11 need not be present to practice the present systems and methods. The devices and subsystems can be interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 11. The operation of at least some of the computer system 1100 such as that shown in FIG. 11 is readily known in the art and is not discussed in detail in this application. Code to implement the present disclosure can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as one or more of system memory 1106, fixed disk 1152, or optical disk 1144. The operating system provided on computer system 1100 may be MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, Linux®, or another known operating system.

Moreover, regarding the signals described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that a signal can be directly transmitted from a first block to a second block, or a signal can be modified (e.g., amplified, attenuated, delayed, latched, buffered, inverted, filtered, or otherwise modified) between the blocks. Although the signals of the above described embodiment are characterized as transmitted from one block to the next, other embodiments of the present systems and methods may include modified signals in place of such directly transmitted signals as long as the informational and/or functional aspect of the signal is transmitted between blocks. To some extent, a signal input at a second block can be conceptualized as a second signal derived from a first signal output from a first block due to physical limitations of the circuitry involved (e.g., there will inevitably be some attenuation and delay). Therefore, as used herein, a second signal derived from a first signal includes the first signal or any modifications to the first signal, whether due to circuit limitations or due to passage through other circuit elements which do not change the informational and/or final functional aspect of the first signal.

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments using specific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagram component, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/or illustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively, using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or any combination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure of components contained within other components should be considered exemplary in nature since many other architectures can be implemented to achieve the same functionality.

The process parameters and sequence of steps described and/or illustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied as desired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed. The various exemplary methods described and/or illustrated herein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

Furthermore, while various embodiments have been described and/or illustrated herein in the context of fully functional computing systems, one or more of these exemplary embodiments may be distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, regardless of the particular type of computer-readable media used to actually carry out the distribution. The embodiments disclosed herein may also be implemented using software modules that perform certain tasks. These software modules may include script, batch, or other executable files that may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or in a computing system. In some embodiments, these software modules may configure a computing system to perform one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present systems and methods and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present systems and methods and various embodiments with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” In addition, the term “based on” as used in the specification and the claims is to be construed as meaning “based at least upon.”

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for generating a three-dimensional (3-D) model of a user, the method comprising:

obtaining a plurality of images of the user;
calculating an angle of view relative to the user pictured in at least one of the plurality of images;
determining whether the calculated angle of view matches a predetermined viewing angle; and
upon determining the calculated angle of view matches the predetermined viewing angle, selecting at least one of the plurality of images.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a real-time image of the user on a display while obtaining the plurality of images of the user; and
displaying a guideline on the display in relation to the displayed real-time image of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing a cross-correlation algorithm to track a feature of the user in the plurality of images, the tracked features being used to generate a 3-D model of the user.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

generating texture coordinate information from the determined 3-D structure of the user, wherein the texture coordinate information relates a two-dimensional (2-D) coordinate of each selected image to a 3-D coordinate of the 3-D model of the user.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

generating at least one geometry file to store data related to a 3-D structure, wherein each at least one geometry file comprises a plurality of vertices corresponding to a universal morphable model.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

calculating a coefficient for each generated geometry file based on the determined 3-D structure of the user.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

combining linearly each generated geometry file based on each calculated co-efficient to generate a polygon mesh of the user.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

applying each selected image to the generated polygon mesh of the user according to the generated texture coordinate information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined viewing angle comprises a plurality of evenly spaced 10-degree rotation steps.

10. A computing device configured to generate a three-dimensional (3-D) model of a user, comprising:

a processor;
memory in electronic communication with the processor;
instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to: obtain a plurality of images of the user; calculate an angle of view relative to the user pictured in at least one of the plurality of images; determine whether the calculated angle of view matches a predetermined viewing angle; and upon determining the calculated angle of view matches the predetermined viewing angle, select at least one of the plurality of images.

11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

display a real-time image of the user on a display while obtaining the plurality of images of the user; and
display a guideline on the display in relation to the displayed real-time image of the user.

12. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

perform a cross-correlation algorithm to track a feature of the user in the plurality of images, the tracked features being used to generate a 3-D model of the user.

13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

generate texture coordinate information from the determined 3-D structure of the user, wherein the texture coordinate information relates a two-dimensional (2-D) coordinate of each selected image to a 3-D coordinate of the 3-D model of the user.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

generate at least one geometry file to store data related to a 3-D structure, wherein each at least one geometry file comprises a plurality of vertices corresponding to a universal morphable model.

15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

calculate a coefficient for each generated geometry file based on the determined 3-D structure of the user.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

combine linearly each generated geometry file based on each calculated coefficient to generate a polygon mesh of the user.

17. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

apply each selected image to the generated polygon mesh of the user according to the generated texture coordinate information.

18. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the predetermined viewing angle comprises a plurality of evenly spaced 10-degree rotation steps.

19. A computer-program product for generating a three-dimensional (3-D) model of a user, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by a processor to:

obtain a plurality of images of the user;
calculate an angle of view relative to the user pictured in at least one of the plurality of images;
determine whether the calculated angle of view matches a predetermined viewing angle; and
upon determining the calculated angle of view matches the predetermined viewing angle, select at least one of the plurality of images.

20. The computer-program product of claim 19, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

perform a cross-correlation algorithm to track a feature of the user in the plurality of images, the tracked features being used to generate a 3-D model of the user;
generate texture coordinate information from the determined 3-D structure of the user;
generate at least one geometry file to store data related to a 3-D structure;
calculate a coefficient for each generated geometry file based on the determined 3-D structure of the user; and
combine linearly each generated geometry file based on each calculated coefficient to generate a polygon mesh of the user.
Patent History
Publication number: 20130314401
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 22, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 28, 2013
Applicant: 1-800 CONTACTS, INC. (Draper, UT)
Inventors: Ryan Engle (Pflugerville, TX), Darren Turetzky (Cedar Park, TX)
Application Number: 13/774,983
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Three-dimension (345/419)
International Classification: G06T 17/00 (20060101);