System and method for tracking facial muscle and eye motion for computer graphics animation

Abstract

The invention relates to a motion tracking system enables faithful capture of subtle facial and eye motion using 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. The motion tracking electrode is 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 and EOG electrodes. The programming instructions further provide processing of the EOG data and mapping of the processed EOG data onto the animated character. As a result, the animated character will exhibit the same muscle and eye movements as the performer.

Description

[0001] relevant application data

[0002] This application for patent claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(c) to the following Provisional Patent Application: (a) Serial No. 60 / 616,049, filed October 4, 2004, entitled "System and Method for Capturing Facial and Eye Movements" (SYSTEM AND METHOD FORCAPTURING FACIAL AND EYE MOTION); and (b) Serial No. _____, filed October 1, 2004, entitled "TRACKING OF FACIAL FEATUREMOVEMENTS WITHOUT VISUAL FACE CAPTURE). technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to three-dimensional graphics and animation, and more particularly, to a motion tracking system capable of capturing the facial and eye movements of a performer for use in computer graphics animation without the use of cameras. Background technique

[0004] Use a motion capture system to capture the movement of real objects and map them onto computer-generated objects. Such systems are often applied in the production of motion pictures and video games to create digital ...

Images