Apparatus for providing facial image animation
US4104625A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 1977 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10L2021/105
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An image animation apparatus includes a rotating disk having film negatives mounted around its periphery each film negative having a different facial expression on it. By use of an associated microprocessor which responds to certain control inputs the sequence of facial expressions can be selected by activating a flash tube at the proper time to project the image on the face of a featureless mannequin to cause the sequence of facial expressions to correspond to spoken phonemes which are synchronized with the facial expressions. Alternatively, instead of a rotating disk a matrix of optical cells can be selectively flashed. In addition, the image forming film negative associated with each optical cell can either contain a complete facial expression or a portion such as the eyes, mouth or eyebrows with the simultaneous activation of, for example, three cells producing a complete facial expression.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.