Abstract: In general, one or more aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can include associating with each clip in a sequence of one or more clips a copy of a three dimensional (3D) scene that was used to create the clip, where the clip is a sequence of one or more images that depict the clip's respective 3D scene from the perspective of one or more virtual cameras. Input identifying a clip in the sequence is received. In response to the receiving, a copy of the identified clip's associated copy of the 3D scene is presented in an editor.

Abstract: In various embodiments, virtual universe regions are dynamically generated within a virtual universe based on user requests. Dynamic generation allows virtual universe users or “residents” to create virtual universe regions that are tailored to their desired specifications. Additionally, in some implementations, virtual universe users may have the option to instantly discard or retain a created region after evaluation based on whether the region meets the user's expectations. Furthermore, dynamic generation of regions may increase user satisfaction and provide additional means for revenue generation for the virtual universe administrator and for virtual universe businesses and entrepreneurs.

Abstract: Movies of volume rendered medical images that give an impression of the anatomy, become more and more important, because this type of visualization comes close to reality. An apparatus for creating a fly-path movie of a volume rendered medical image dataset is provided. The apparatus is configured to perform segmentation of an object, such as the coronary arteries, in the medical image dataset, such that key images on the fly-path may be defined with different classification and opacity. By fading from one to the other the coronaries are visualized one by one in an optimal way. A method, computer-readable medium and use are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods and products for animating non-humanoid characters with human motion are described. One aspect includes selecting key poses included in initial motion data at a computing system; obtaining non-humanoid character key poses which provide a one to one correspondence to selected key poses in said initial motion data; and statically mapping poses of said initial motion data to non-humanoid character poses using a model built based on said one to one correspondence from said key poses of said initial motion data to said non-humanoid character key poses. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A game developer can “tag” an item in the game environment. When an animated character walks near the “tagged” item, the animation engine can cause the character's head to turn toward the item, and mathematically computes what needs to be done in order to make the action look real and normal. The tag can also be modified to elicit an emotional response from the character. For example, a tagged enemy can cause fear, while a tagged inanimate object may cause only indifference or indifferent interest.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for performing an analysis and other activities using one or more two- or three-dimensional representational images, presenting a two- or three-dimensional representational image containing analytical information to assist in the analytical process. One or more two- or three-dimensional representational images are created, e.g., using standard photography, holography or computer imaging, and are placed in a positioner for use by the analyst. The representational images are illuminated using a light source and the analyst utilizes the information released from the representational image to perform an analysis.

Abstract: A method for generating motion synthesis data from two recorded motion clips comprises transforming the motion frames to standard coordinates, separating HF motion data of the motion frames from LF motion data, determining from different motion clips at least two motion frames whose frame distance is below a threshold, and defining a transition point between the at least two motion frames, interpolating motion data between said determined motion frames separately for HF and LF motion data, and generating a motion path from three segments: one segment is transformed motion data from a first motion clip up to the transition point, one segment is the interpolated motion data, and one segment is transformed motion data from a second motion clip, starting from the transition point.

Abstract: A graphics development framework for designing physics-based graphical user interfaces is described herein. According to one embodiment, visually linkable patches are displayed in a first window of a graphics development framework, where the patches represent a graphics composition which when rendered, animate a physical movement of a graphics object of the physics-based GUI. A feedback patch is displayed to visually provide a feedback from an output of the composition to an input of the composition, such that a subsequent physical movement of the graphics object is determined based on a previous physical movement of the graphics object, without requiring a user to program source code of the displayed patches. A result of rendering is instantly displayed in a second window of the graphics development framework, simulating the physical movement of the graphical object. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A method and mobile terminal for enabling a screen-switching animation The method comprises the following steps of: setting color values for all the pixel points in a first and a second training image, wherein the colors values are different from one another; generating a training sequence with the color values of all the pixel points in the first and the second training image according to the conversion rule of each frame in a screen-switching animation; and playing a screen-switching animation between the current screen and the next screen according to the training sequence. The present invention increases the smoothness of a screen-switching animation and improves user experience.

Abstract: A system for creating cartoons for mobile devices facilitates the creation and dissemination of cartoons to a plurality of mobile devices and computers. A cartoon can comprise of multiple panels, and each panel, in addition to graphics and text, can have an ordered set of audio (voice, music, etc.) provided, which are played back in a mobile device by a cartoon client component in the specified order for each of the panels. A computer or PC comprising the cartoon creator functionality is used to generate cartoons and communicate it to a cartoon distribution server. Mobile devices have a cartoon client component to receive and present the cartoon to a user. A cartoon creator device makes it possible for a user to create and distribute cartoons.

Abstract: A computing device in a system for motion detection comprises an image processing device to determine a motion of an object of interest, and a graphical user interface (GUI) module to drive a virtual role based on the motion determined by the image processing device.

Abstract: The application programming interface operates in an environment with user interface software interacting with multiple software applications or processes in order to synchronize animations associated with multiple views or windows of a display of a device. The method for synchronizing the animations includes setting attributes of views independently with each view being associated with a process. The method further includes transferring a synchronization call to synchronize animations for the multiple views of the display. In one embodiment, the synchronization call includes the identification and the number of processes that are requesting animation. The method further includes transferring a synchronization confirmation message when a synchronization flag is enabled. The method further includes updating the attributes of the views from a first state to a second state independently.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the present disclosure may include one or more of a method, computing device, computer-readable medium, and system for animating geology. An example embodiment of a method may include providing a geological model that includes a first object and a second object, wherein the first and second objects comprise geological data relating to a first and second geological time respectively. The method may also include interpolating a property value of the first object and a property value of the second object to produce an interpolated property value. The representation of the interpolated property value may be output along with an animation that comprises the representation of the interpolated property value.

Abstract: A first user's avatar in a virtual world environment may be controlled by using a virtual world application enabling access to a virtual world environment within which the first user has an avatar associated with the first user. A virtual world location corresponding to the first avatar is identified. At least one second avatar proximate to the virtual world location is identified. Filtering information is accessed. Profile information related to the second avatar is accessed. Filtering information is compared to the accessed profile information. Based on the comparison results, a metric related to the second avatar is determined. The metric is related to a threshold. It is determined whether relating the metric to the threshold supports enabling communications between the first and second avatars, and if so, communications to be exchanged between the first and second avatars are enabled.

Abstract: A method for generating a looping motion space for real-time character animation may include determining a plurality of motion clips to include in the looping motion space and determining a number of motion cycles performed by a character object depicted in each of the plurality of motion clips. A plurality of looping motion clips may be synthesized from the motion clips, where each of the looping motion clips depicts the character object performing an equal number of motion cycles. Additionally, a starting frame of each of the plurality of looping motion clips may be synchronized so that the motion cycles in each of the plurality of looping motion clips are in phase with one another. By rendering an animation sequence using multiple passes through the looping motion space, an animation of the character object performing the motion cycles may be extended for arbitrary length of time.

Abstract: A method for creating an animation message includes generating input information containing information regarding input time and input coordinates according to input order of drawing information input through a touch screen; dividing an image containing the drawing information and background information into a plurality of blocks; creating an animation message by mapping the input information to the plurality of blocks so that the drawing information can be sequentially reproduced according to the input order; allocating a parity bit per pre-set block range of the animation message in order to detect an error occurring in the animation message; and transmitting the created animation message.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described, which create a mapping from a space of a source object (e.g., source facial expressions) to a space of a target object (e.g., target facial expressions). In certain implementations, the mapping is learned based a training set composed of corresponding shapes (e.g. facial expressions) in each space. The user can create the training set by selecting expressions from, for example, captured source performance data, and by sculpting corresponding target expressions. Additional target shapes (e.g., target facial expressions) can be interpolated and extrapolated from the shapes in the training set to generate corresponding shapes for potential source shapes (e.g., facial expressions).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for simulating the motion of three dimensional models, toys, games, etc. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a plurality of three dimensional objects for motion simulation. The method may also include determining at least two three dimensional objects from the plurality of three dimensional objects that do not move relative to each other during motion simulation. A super body may then be constructed that represents the determined at least two three dimensional objects, and a motion of the super body computed at a physics simulation engine to simulate motion of the super body and any remaining three dimensional objects that are not part of the super body.

Abstract: A system and method includes using a side simulation device for: receiving a scene description of a virtual world scene from a virtual world simulator, including a description of a special object that requires modification, and descriptions of other objects in an immediate vicinity of the special object; receiving a description of a desired modification to the special object; performing the modification of the special object to provide an enhanced special object such that the enhanced special object can be fully integrated with the other objects in the scene; transmitting the enhanced special object to a data store; and transmitting a proxy object signal to the simulator means to be placed in the virtual world scene to alert any viewers of the virtual world scene to refresh their view by adding the enhanced special object to their simulation by accessing the enhanced special object from the data store.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for animating a display region, windows, or views displayed on a display of a device. The method includes starting at least two animations. The method further includes determining the progress of each animation. The method further includes completing each animation based on a single timer.

Abstract: Over the past few years there has been a dramatic proliferation of digital cameras, and it has become increasingly easy to share large numbers of photographs with many other people. These trends have contributed to the availability of large databases of photographs. Effectively organizing, browsing, and visualizing such .seas. of images, as well as finding a particular image, can be difficult tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate that knowledge of where images were taken and where they were pointed makes it possible to visualize large sets of photographs in powerful, intuitive new ways. We present and evaluate a set of novel tools that use location and orientation information, derived semi-automatically using structure from motion, to enhance the experience of exploring such large collections of images.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system transforms a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene to a second sequence of at least two video frames depicting a second dynamic scene. A subset of video frames in the first sequence is obtained that show movement of at least one object having a plurality of pixels located at respective x, y coordinates and portions from the subset are selected that show non-spatially overlapping appearances of the at least one object in the first dynamic scene. The portions are copied from at least three different input frames to at least two successive frames of the second sequence without changing the respective x, y coordinates of the pixels in the object and such that at least one of the frames of the second sequence contains at least two portions that appear at different frames in the first sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for displaying animated objects smoothly on a mobile device. A scrollable list may be displayed on a touch sensitive display device, and a user may make a gesture on the device to cause the list to appear as an animated scrolling list. The user may then make a halting gesture to cause the list to stop. While the list is animated, a screen distance adjustment value is calculated to determine the time taken for a command to be executed by a graphics processing unit. The list may then stop at a location corresponding to the a current position of the list and taking into account the screen distance adjustment value.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for grouping complementary sets of standard gestures into gesture libraries. The gestures may be complementary in that they are frequently used together in a context or in that their parameters are interrelated. Where a parameter of a gesture is set with a first value, all other parameters of the gesture and of other gestures in the gesture package that depend on the first value may be set with their own value which is determined using the first value.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for providing animation in electronic communications. An image is generated by capturing multiple photographs from a camera or video camera. The first photograph is called the “naked photo.” Using a graphics program, photos subsequent to the naked photo are edited to cut an element common to the subsequent photos. The cut images are pasted into the naked photo as layers. The modified naked photo, including the layers, is stored as a web-enabled graphics file, which is then transmitted in conjunction with electronic communication. When the electronic communication is received, the naked photo is displayed and each of the layers is displayed and removed in the order that each was taken with a short delay between photos. In this manner, a movie is generated with much smaller files than is currently possible.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining or specifying an arbitrary set of one or more animation control elements or variables (i.e., “avars”), and for associating the set with a model object or part of a model object. Once a set of avars (“avarset”) is associated with an object model, a user is able to select that model or part of the model, and the avarset associated with that part of the model is made available to, or enabled for, any animation tool that affords avar editing capabilities or allows manipulation of the model using animation control elements. This enables users to create and save sets of avars to share between characters, or other objects, and shots. In certain embodiments, the user can associate multiple avarsets with a model part and can designate one of those sets as “primary” so that when that model part is selected, the designated primary avarset is broadcast to the available editing tools.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To naturally and smoothly move a control target such as a virtual actor by using a small data amount and effectively perform data setting for it. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A computer system includes means for storing node data on a key frame and edge data such as a transition direction between nodes and a frame rate and execution means for shifting to another node by a morphing process determined by the edge data when shifting from one node to another node. Moreover, when inputting data, node icons are connected by an edge icon so as to enable effective data input. In data registration of the morphing process, feature line data is manually inputted for one image of an image pair and then a feature point in the vicinity of the both ends of the feature line is searched so as to automatically compensate the feature line data.

Abstract: Over the past few years there has been a dramatic proliferation of digital cameras, and it has become increasingly easy to share large numbers of photographs with many other people. These trends have contributed to the availability of large databases of photographs. Effectively organizing, browsing, and visualizing such .seas. of images, as well as finding a particular image, can be difficult tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate that knowledge of where images were taken and where they were pointed makes it possible to visualize large sets of photographs in powerful, intuitive new ways. We present and evaluate a set of novel tools that use location and orientation information, derived semi-automatically using structure from motion, to enhance the experience of exploring such large collections of images.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for displaying sequential information representing a path. The sequential information can include a number of tokens representing a path. A representation of the tokens and path of the sequential information can be displayed. An instruction to adjust the representation of the path of the sequential information can be received. For example, instruction can comprise user instruction, including but not limited to a user manipulation of a slider control of a user interface through which the representation of the sequence is displayed. The displayed representation of the path of the sequential information can be updated based on and corresponding to the instruction. So for example, the user can click and drag or otherwise manipulate the slider control above and the displayed representation of the path can be expanded and/or contracted based on the user's movement of the slider control.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for creation, modification and implementation of dither pattern structures. The dither pattern structures may be at least one of spatially interrelated, chromatically interrelated, or temporally interrelated using feedback.

Abstract: The examples of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for generating a video animation, and the method and apparatus relate to the animation field. The method includes: receiving a command sent by a user, determining an action corresponding to the command according to the command, and determining the total number of frames corresponding to the action and a motion coefficient of each frame; calculating an offset of each control point in each frame according to the motion coefficient of each frame, and generating a video animation according to the offset of each control point in each frame and the total number of frames. An apparatus for generating a video animation is also provided.

Abstract: An animation creator authors a transition between two different pre-authored motions of a degree of freedom of an object such as an animatronic or virtual character. The author selects an arbitrary position to begin the transition and the transition ends at the position where a subsequent state of a degree of freedom of the object begins. The selected position is arbitrary because an initial state of the degree of freedom of the object is not known until the complete motion of the object is determined. The transition is transformed to begin where the initial state ends and to end where the subsequent state begins. The transition is transformed to retain the general shape of the authored transition and to provide the same quality of motion as the pre-authored motions. The transformed transition may be scaled in time such that limits of velocity and/or acceleration for the object are not violated.

Abstract: Motion blur is created in images by utilizing a motion vector. Vertices are developed with each vertex including a motion vector. The motion vector is indicative of how far vertices have moved since a previous frame in a sequence of images. The vertices are converted to an image and motion blur is added to the image as a function of the motion vector for each vertex.

Abstract: Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method for generating a surface representation of an item includes identifying, for a point on an item in an animation process, at least first and second transformation points corresponding to respective first and second transformations of the point. Each of the first and second transformations represents an influence on a location of the point of respective first and second joints associated with the item. The method includes determining an axis for a cylindrical coordinate system using the first and second transformations. The method includes performing an interpolation of the first and second transformation points in the cylindrical coordinate system to obtain an interpolated point. The method includes recording the interpolated point in a surface representation of the item in the animation process.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for generating video data derived from the execution of a computer program. In a first mode, the apparatus is operable to (a) execute a computer program comprising one or more components executed in a sequence of execution frames, each execution frame having a given state; and (b) record video data comprising a sequence of video data frames corresponding to the sequence of execution frames. In a second mode, the apparatus is operable to (c) process video data which have been recorded during the previous execution of the program, to allow a visualization of the execution of that program; and (d) allow a user, at any frame of the sequence of video data frames, to change the mode to the first mode and to obtain from the video data the state of the corresponding execution frame of the program.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes identifying a representation of a feature of an animated character by inverting an skinned representation of the feature in one position. The inversion includes a non-linear inversion of the skinned representation of the feature. The method also includes skinning the identified feature representation to produce the animated character in another position.

Abstract: An embedded, programmable motion blur system and method is described herein. Embodiments include applying displacement on a vertex level and amplification on a primitive level within a graphics pipeline. Embodiments include receiving a plurality of vertices in a first component of a graphics processing unit (GPU), displacing each of the plurality of vertices, receiving a primitive that includes at least one of the displaced vertices in a second component of the GPU, and transforming the primitive. In one embodiment, transforming comprises at least one of translation, scaling, and rotation. Further included are generating a plurality of primitive samples over a time aperture, and outputting the plurality of primitive samples to further components of the GPU for further processing for display of the scene with motion blur.

Abstract: A method for use in animation includes establishing an influence primitive, associating the influence primitive with a model having a plurality of model points, and for each of the plurality of model points on the model, determining an offset primitive that passes through the model point. Another method includes deforming the model, and determining a deformed position of each of the plurality of model points by using a separate offset primitive for each model point. A computer readable storage medium stores a computer program adapted to cause a processor based system to execute one or more the above steps.

Abstract: A method and system for interactive simulation of materials. The method and system provide flexible simulation, the ability to combine rigid and flexible simulation, a collision-detection method for simulating objects and other entities, and a system for displaying and interacting with simulated objects which includes a harness for registering the hardware components of the simulation with respect to each other.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facial animation using motion capture data are described herein. A mathematic solution based on minimizing a metric reduces the number of motion capture markers needed to accurately translate motion capture data to facial animation. A set of motion capture markers and their placement on an actor are defined and a set of virtual shapes having virtual markers are defined. The movement of the virtual markers are modeled based on an anatomical model. An initial facial capture is correlated to a corresponding virtual reference shape. For each subsequent facial capture, a delta vector is computed and a matrix solution determined based on the delta marker, initial positions, and set of virtual shapes. The solution can minimize a metric such as mean squared distance. The solution can be manually modified or edited using a user interface or console.

Abstract: An electronic entertainment system for creating a video sequence by executing video game camera behavior based upon a video game sound file includes a memory configured to store an action event/camera behavior (AE/CB) database, game software such as an action generator module, and one or more sound files. In addition, the system includes a sound processing unit coupled to the memory for processing a selected sound file, and a processor coupled to the memory and the sound processing unit. The processor randomly selects an AE pointer and a CB pointer from the AE/CB database. Upon selection of the CB pointer and the AE pointer, the action generator executes camera behavior corresponding to the selected CB pointer to view an action event corresponding to the selected AE pointer.

Abstract: Mechanisms for accessorizing avatars with animated items. Avatars may be accessorized by items that have animations that are item specific, or they may be accessorized by items that apply to the entire body of the avatars. In addition, such item accessories may apply to avatars across different game titles and they may be added during the execution of a game, whether using a user interface or the game itself (e.g. receiving accessories for achieving certain milestones in a game). Such accessories may also be obtained from remote sources as packages, and then applied locally to avatars.

Abstract: A color-processing method includes: selecting a target color gamut to produce an input color signal; calculating a mixture ratio enabling primary colors of the target color gamut to be created by mixing primary colors of a color gamut of the color reproduction apparatus to reproduce the input color signal therewith; producing primary colors reconfigured by mixing the primary colors of the color gamut of the color reproduction apparatus according to the calculated mixture ratio; adjusting an illuminant to match an output signal to a color gamut determined by the reconfigured primary colors; and converting the input color signal to match to the primary colors determined by the reconfigured primary colors. Further a user can arbitrarily set a color gamut in a range that a color reproduction apparatus can reproduce regardless of an input color signal without a quantization errors.

Abstract: A method for generating a looping motion space for real-time character animation may include determining a plurality of motion clips to include in the looping motion space and determining a number of motion cycles performed by a character object depicted in each of the plurality of motion clips. A plurality of looping motion clips may be synthesized from the motion clips, where each of the looping motion clips depicts the character object performing an equal number of motion cycles. Additionally, a starting frame of each of the plurality of looping motion clips may be synchronized so that the motion cycles in each of the plurality of looping motion clips are in phase with one another. By rendering an animation sequence using multiple passes through the looping motion space, an animation of the character object performing the motion cycles may be extended for arbitrary length of time.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a multimedia scene including at least one object animation, designed to be reproduced on at least one radio communication terminal. At least one of the animations is associated with a non-temporal animation variable, representing a state of at least one object of the scene, of at least one element of the terminal, and/or a state of at least one associated communication network. The variable provides a time-based function for the animation. A method is also provided for reproducing a multimedia scene comprising at least one object animation, on a radio communication terminal.

Abstract: A content generation system includes a host terminal and an encode terminal. The host terminal has: a lecture material display unit for displaying a lecture material on a desk top; and a desk top image transmission unit for transmitting a desk top image. The encode terminal has: a lecturer imaging data generation unit which generates lecturer imaging data by capturing a lecture performed by the lecturer; an animation data generation unit which generates animation data from the image on the desk top received from the host terminal in synchronization with the lecturer imaging data; and a content data transmission unit which transmits content data containing the lecturer imaging data and the animation data.

Abstract: Systems and methods of producing video data and/or audio-photos from a static digital image are disclosed. One such method, among others, comprises receiving input from a user indicating sequentially, in real time, a plurality of regions of the static digital image. The method also includes processing the user input to determine the visual content of each of a sequence of video frames and generating output data representative of the sequence of video frames. The sequence and composition of the video frames are determined such that the visual content of the video frames is taken from the static digital image. For each region of the static image indicated by the user, a video frame is composed such that the said region occupies a substantial part of the video frame. The sequence of video frames shows the regions indicated by the user in sequential correspondence with the sequence in which the user indicated the regions and substantially in pace with the time in which the user indicated the regions.

Abstract: The pose of the model at an evaluation time is determined by interpolating pose attributes of the unconstrained pose degrees of freedom from previously defined poses. A neutral value of an attractor function at the evaluation time is based at least on the pose attributes of the unconstrained pose degrees of freedom. Because of this, the attractor function is time coherent. Similarly, pose constraints are determined by interpolating from previously defined pose constraints. Inverse kinematics or error minimization techniques modify the pose attributes of the unconstrained pose degrees of freedom to minimize the difference between the attractor function value for the pose attributes and the neutral value of the attractor function. The final pose of the model at the evaluation time is specified by the pose attributes corresponding with this minimization.

Abstract: In various embodiments, virtual universe regions are dynamically generated within a virtual universe based on user requests. Dynamic generation allows virtual universe users or “residents” to create virtual universe regions that are tailored to their desired specifications. Additionally, in some implementations, virtual universe users may have the option to instantly discard or retain a created region after evaluation based on whether the region meets the user's expectations. Furthermore, dynamic generation of regions may increase user satisfaction and provide additional means for revenue generation for the virtual universe administrator and for virtual universe businesses and entrepreneurs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer useable program code to offer to move an avatar in a virtual universe. A computer predicts a location selection to form a prediction. The computer renders a first viewport in a computer display, based on the prediction. The first viewport includes a first user-control; a first coordinate; and a first attitude. The computer renders a second viewport comprising a second user-control, a second coordinate and a second attitude wherein at least one object is rendered in a computer display from a perspective distinct from a perspective of the first viewport. The computer receives an instruction corresponding to the first user-control.