Blendshapes set index and type in avatar representation format

Abstract

Some embodiments of a method may include: obtaining a MPEG Avatar Representation Format (ARF)- based file, wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises information corresponding to a set of blendshapes to animate an avatar; populating a blendshapes data structure with the information corresponding to a description of the set of blendshapes, wherein the blendshapes data structure comprises an animation framework type, an animation framework index, and a semantic mapping; and animating the avatar using the populated blendshapes data structure.

Description

BLENDSHAPES SET INDEX AND TYPE IN AVATAR REPRESENTATION FORMATCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims benefit of European Patent Application No. EP25305099, entitled "BLENDSHAPES SET INDEX AND TYPE IN AVATAR REPRESENTATION FORMAT” and filed January 27, 2025, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] The present application incorporates by reference in their entirety the following applications: European Patent Application Serial No. EP25305070, entitled "BLENDSHAPES RESCALING SIGNALING IN MPEG AVATAR REPRESENTATION FORMAT” and filed January 20, 2025 ("‘070 application”); European Patent Application Serial No. EP25305060, entitled "INDEXING SIGNALING IN MPEG AVATAR REPRESENTATION FORMAT” and filed January 17, 2025 ("‘060 application”); European Patent Application Serial No. EP25305036, entitled "CONTROLLERS SIGNALING IN MPEG AVATAR REPRESENTATION FORMAT” and filed January 14, 2025 ("‘036 application”); European Patent Application Serial No. EP23305405, entitled "Avatar signaling on MPEG-I Scene Description” and filed March 24, 2023 ("‘405 application”); International Patent Application Serial No. PCT / EP2024 / 057092, entitled "Avatar Signaling on MPEG-I Scene Description” and filed March 15, 2024 ("‘092 application”); European Patent Application Serial No. EP23306167, entitled "Controllers on MPEG-I Scene Description” and filed July 10, 2023 ("‘167 application”); International Patent Application Serial No. PCT / EP2024 / 068034, entitled "Controllers on MPEG-I Scene Description” and filed June 26, 2024 ("‘034 application”); European Patent Application Serial No. EP24305094, entitled "Avatar JSON Interchange File Format” and filed January 15, 2024 ("‘094 application”); International Patent Application Serial No. PCT / EP2024 / 078214, entitled "Avatar JSON Interchange File Format” and filed October 8, 2024 ("‘214 application”); European Patent Application Serial No. EP24305458, entitled "Avatars Controllers in Scene Descriptions” and filed March 27, 2024 ("‘458 application”); and European Patent Application Serial No. EP24306850, entitled "Controllers in MPEG Avatar Representation Format” and filed November 1, 2024 ("‘850 application”).BACKGROUND2025P00027WG

[0003] The present application is related to avatars.SUMMARY

[0004] An example method in accordance with some embodiments may include: obtaining a MPEG Avatar Representation Format (ARF)-based file, wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises information corresponding to a set of blendshapes to animate an avatar; populating a blendshapes data structure with the information corresponding to a description of the set of blendshapes, wherein the blendshapes data structure comprises an animation framework type, an animation framework index, and a semantic mapping; and animating the avatar using the populated blendshapes data structure.

[0005] For some embodiments of the example method, the animation framework type indicates a face animation, a body animation, or a hand animation corresponding to the avatar.

[0006] For some embodiments of the example method, the animation framework index indicates an index into an animation framework array, and the animation framework array comprises two or more entries.

[0007] Some embodiments of the example method may further include populating a preamble data structure with preamble information corresponding to the avatar, wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises the preamble information corresponding to the avatar, and wherein the preamble data structure comprises information indicating supported animation frameworks.

[0008] Some embodiments of the example method may further include determining a location of specification of a semantic of avatar animation data using the animation framework type, the animation framework index, and the preamble data structure.

[0009] For some embodiments of the example method, animating the avatar further comprises obtaining the semantic of the avatar animation data using the determined location of the specification of the semantic of the avatar animation data, and wherein animating the avatar further uses the obtained semantic of the avatar animation data.

[0010] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the semantic mapping comprises a first mapping between a first blendshape set and a first set of semantic blendshape labels specified in a first animation framework of a first animation type, and wherein the first animation framework is one of the supported animation frameworks.

[0011] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the first set of semantic blendshape labels is a subset of a larger set of semantic blendshape labels, and wherein the larger set of semantic blendshape labels comprises at least one blendshape label outside of the first set of blendshape labels.2025P00027WC

[0012] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the semantic mapping comprises a second mapping between a second blendshape set and a second set of animation labels specified in a second animation framework of a second animation type, and wherein the second animation framework is one of the supported animation frameworks.

[0013] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the second set of semantic blendshape labels is a subset of a larger set of semantic blendshape labels, and wherein the larger set of semantic blendshape labels comprises at least one blendshape label outside of the second set of blendshape labels.

[0014] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the semantic mapping comprises a first mapping between a first blendshape set and a first set of semantic blendshape labels specified in a first animation framework of a first animation type, wherein the first set of semantic blendshape labels corresponds to a first external resource data set, wherein the semantic mapping comprises a second mapping between a second blendshape set and a second set of animation labels specified in a second animation framework of a second animation type, and wherein the second set of semantic blendshape labels corresponds to a second external resource data set.

[0015] For some embodiments of the example method, the second external resource data set is nonsequential to the first external resource data set.

[0016] For some embodiments of the example method, the animation framework specification comprises information indicating a link to a universal resource name (URN).

[0017] For some embodiments of the example method, the MPEG ARF-based file comprises information indicating a Facial Animation Coding System (FACS)-based semantic labeling of the blendshapes of the animation framework.

[0018] An example apparatus in accordance with some embodiments may include: a processor; and a memory storing instructions operative, when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to perform any one of the methods listed above.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which there are shown examples of one or more of the multiple embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments described herein are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings. In the drawings:2025P00027WG

[0020] FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating an example set of interfaces for a system according to some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing an example set of MPEG ARF properties according to some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for obtaining the semantic mapping of a set of blendshapes according to some embodiments.

[0023] The entities, connections, arrangements, and the like that are depicted in— and described in connection with— the various figures are presented by way of example and not by way of limitation. As such, any and all statements or other indications as to what a particular figure "depicts,” what a particular element or entity in a particular figure "is” or "has,” and any and all similar statements— that may in isolation and out of context be read as absolute and therefore limiting— may only properly be read as being constructively preceded by a clause such as "In at least one embodiment, ... " For brevity and clarity of presentation, this implied leading clause is not repeated adnauseum in the detailed description.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In describing the various embodiments of the present disclosure, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and should not be considered as limiting such embodiments. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements throughout the several figures and the present description.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating an example set of interfaces for a system according to some embodiments. An extended reality display device, together with its control electronics, may be implemented using a system such as the system of FIG. 1. System 140 can be embodied as a device including the various components described below and is configured to perform one or more of the aspects described in this document. Examples of such devices, include, but are not limited to, various electronic devices such as personal computers, laptop computers, smartphones, tablet computers, digital multimedia set top boxes, digital television receivers, personal video recording systems, connected home appliances, and servers. Elements of system 140, singly or in combination, can be embodied in a single integrated circuit (IC), multiple ICs, and / or discrete components. For example, in at least one embodiment, the processing and encoder / decoder elements of system 140 are distributed across multiple ICs and / or discrete components. In various embodiments, the system 140 is communicatively coupled to one or more other systems, or other electronic devices, via, for example, a communications bus or through dedicated input and / or output ports.2025P00027WQIn various embodiments, the system 140 is configured to implement one or more of the aspects described in this document.

[0026] The system 140 includes at least one processor 142 configured to execute instructions loaded therein for implementing, for example, the various aspects described in this document. Processor 142 may include embedded memory, input output interface, and various other circuitries as known in the art. The system 140 includes at least one memory 144 (e.g., a volatile memory device, and / or a non-volatile memory device). System 140 may include a storage device 148, which can include non-volatile memory and / or volatile memory, including, but not limited to, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), flash, magnetic disk drive, and / or optical disk drive. The storage device 148 can include an internal storage device, an attached storage device (including detachable and non-detachable storage devices), and / or a network accessible storage device, as non-limiting examples.

[0027] System 140 includes an encoder / decoder module 146 configured, for example, to process data to provide an encoded video or decoded video, and the encoder / decoder module 146 can include its own processor and memory. The encoder / decoder module 146 represents module(s) that can be included in a device to perform the encoding and / or decoding functions. As is known, a device can include one or both of the encoding and decoding modules. Additionally, encoder / decoder module 146 can be implemented as a separate element of system 140 or can be incorporated within processor 142 as a combination of hardware and software as known to those skilled in the art.

[0028] Program code to be loaded onto processor 142 or encoder / decoder 146 to perform the various aspects described in this document can be stored in storage device 148 and subsequently loaded onto memory 144 for execution by processor 142. In accordance with various embodiments, one or more of processor 142, memory 144, storage device 148, and encoder / decoder module 146 can store one or more of various items during the performance of the processes described in this document. Such stored items can include, but are not limited to, the input video, the decoded video or portions of the decoded video, the bitstream, matrices, variables, and intermediate or final results from the processing of equations, formulas, operations, and operational logic.

[0029] In some embodiments, memory inside of the processor 142 and / or the encoder / decoder module 146 is used to store instructions and to provide working memory for processing that is needed during encoding or decoding. In other embodiments, however, a memory external to the processing device (for example, the processing device can be either the processor 142 or the encoder / decoder module 142) is used2025P00027WGfor one or more of these functions. The external memory can be the memory 144 and / or the storage device 148, for example, a dynamic volatile memory and / or a non-volatile flash memory. In several embodiments, an external non-volatile flash memory is used to store the operating system of, for example, a television. In at least one embodiment, a fast external dynamic volatile memory such as a RAM is used as working memory for video coding and decoding operations, such as for MPEG-2 (MPEG refers to the Moving Picture Experts Group, MPEG-2 is also referred to as ISO / IEC 13818, and 13818-1 is also known as H.222, and 13818-2 is also known as H.262), HEVC (HEVC refers to High Efficiency Video Coding, also known as H.265 and MPEG-H Part 2), or VVC (Versatile Video Coding, a new standard being developed by JVET, the Joint Video Experts Team).

[0030] The input to the elements of system 140 can be provided through various input devices as indicated in block 162. Such input devices include, but are not limited to, (i) a radio frequency (RF) portion that receives an RF signal transmitted, for example, over the air by a broadcaster, (ii) a Component (COMP) input terminal (or a set of COMP input terminals), (iii) a Universal Serial Bus (USB) input terminal, and / or (iv) a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) input terminal. Other examples, not shown in FIG. 1, include composite video.

[0031] In various embodiments, the input devices of block 162 have associated respective input processing elements as known in the art. For example, the RF portion can be associated with elements suitable for (i) selecting a desired frequency (also referred to as selecting a signal, or band-limiting a signal to a band of frequencies), (ii) downconverting the selected signal, (iii) band-limiting again to a narrower band of frequencies to select (for example) a signal frequency band which can be referred to as a channel in certain embodiments, (iv) demodulating the downconverted and band-limited signal, (v) performing error correction, and (vi) demultiplexing to select the desired stream of data packets. The RF portion of various embodiments includes one or more elements to perform these functions, for example, frequency selectors, signal selectors, band-limiters, channel selectors, filters, downconverters, demodulators, error correctors, and demultiplexers. The RF portion can include a tuner that performs various of these functions, including, for example, downconverting the received signal to a lower frequency (for example, an intermediate frequency or a near-baseband frequency) or to baseband. In one set-top box embodiment, the RF portion and its associated input processing element receives an RF signal transmitted over a wired (for example, cable) medium, and performs frequency selection by filtering, downconverting, and filtering again to a desired frequency band. Various embodiments rearrange the order of the above-described (and other) elements, remove some of these elements, and / or add other elements performing similar or different functions. Adding2025P00027WQelements can include inserting elements in between existing elements, such as, for example, inserting amplifiers and an analog-to-digital converter. In various embodiments, the RF portion includes an antenna.

[0032] Additionally, the USB and / or HDMI terminals can include respective interface processors for connecting system 140 to other electronic devices across USB and / or HDMI connections. It is to be understood that various aspects of input processing, for example, Reed-Solomon error correction, can be implemented, for example, within a separate input processing IC or within processor 142 as necessary. Similarly, aspects of USB or HDMI interface processing can be implemented within separate interface ICs or within processor 142 as necessary. The demodulated, error corrected, and demultiplexed stream is provided to various processing elements, including, for example, processor 142, and encoder / decoder 146 operating in combination with the memory and storage elements to process the datastream as necessary for presentation on an output device.

[0033] Various elements of system 140 can be provided within an integrated housing, Within the integrated housing, the various elements can be interconnected and transmit data therebetween using suitable connection arrangement 164, for example, an internal bus as known in the art, including the Inter-IC (I2C) bus, wiring, and printed circuit boards.

[0034] The system 140 includes communication interface 150 that enables communication with other devices via communication channel 152. The communication interface 150 can include, but is not limited to, a transceiver configured to transmit and to receive data over communication channel 152. The communication interface 150 can include, but is not limited to, a modem or network card and the communication channel 152 can be implemented, for example, within a wired and / or a wireless medium.

[0035] Data is streamed, or otherwise provided, to the system 140, in various embodiments, using a wireless network such as a Wi-Fi network, for example IEEE 802.11 (IEEE refers to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The Wi-Fi signal of these embodiments is received over the communications channel 152 and the communications interface 150 which are adapted for Wi-Fi communications. The communications channel 152 of these embodiments is typically connected to an access point or router that provides access to external networks including the Internet for allowing streaming applications and other over-the-top communications. Other embodiments provide streamed data to the system 140 using a set-top box that delivers the data over the HDMI connection of the input block 162. Still other embodiments provide streamed data to the system 140 using the RF connection of the input block 162. As indicated above, various embodiments provide data in a non-streaming manner. Additionally, various embodiments use wireless networks other than Wi-Fi, for example a cellular network or a Bluetooth network.2025P00027WG

[0036] The system 140 can provide an output signal to various output devices, including a display 166, speakers 168, and other peripheral devices 170. The display 166 of various embodiments includes one or more of, for example, a touchscreen display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a curved display, and / or a foldable display. The display 166 can be for a television, a tablet, a laptop, a cell phone (mobile phone), or other device. The display 166 can also be integrated with other components (for example, as in a smart phone), or separate (for example, an external monitor for a laptop). The other peripheral devices 170 include, in various examples of embodiments, one or more of a stand-alone digital video disc (or digital versatile disc) (DVR, for both terms), a disk player, a stereo system, and / or a lighting system. Various embodiments use one or more peripheral devices 170 that provide a function based on the output of the system 140. For example, a disk player performs the function of playing the output of the system 140.

[0037] In various embodiments, control signals are communicated between the system 140 and the display 166, speakers 168, or other peripheral devices 170 using signaling such as AV. Link, Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), or other communications protocols that enable device-to-device control with or without user intervention. The output devices can be communicatively coupled to system 140 via dedicated connections through respective interfaces 154, 156, and 158. Alternatively, the output devices can be connected to system 140 using the communications channel 152 via the communications interface 150. The display 166 and speakers 168 can be integrated in a single unit with the other components of system 140 in an electronic device such as, for example, a television. In various embodiments, the display interface 154 includes a display driver, such as, for example, a timing controller (T Con) chip.

[0038] The display 166 and speaker 168 can alternatively be separate from one or more of the other components, for example, if the RF portion of input 162 is part of a separate set-top box. In various embodiments in which the display 166 and speakers 168 are external components, the output signal can be provided via dedicated output connections, including, for example, HDMI ports, USB ports, or COMP outputs.

[0039] The system 140 may include one or more sensor devices 160. Examples of sensor devices that may be used include one or more GPS sensors, gyroscopic sensors, accelerometers, light sensors, cameras, depth cameras, microphones, and / or magnetometers. Such sensors may be used to determine information such as user's position and orientation. Where the system 140 is used as the control module for an extended reality display (such as control modules), the user's position and orientation may be used in determining how to render image data such that the user perceives the correct portion of a virtual object or virtual scene from the correct point of view. In the case of head-mounted display devices, the position and orientation of the device itself may be used to determine the position and orientation of the user for the purpose of rendering virtual content. In the case of other display devices, such as a phone, a tablet, a computer monitor, or atelevision, other inputs may be used to determine the position and orientation of the user for the purpose of rendering content. For example, a user may select and / or adjust a desired viewpoint and / or viewing direction with the use of a touch screen, keypad or keyboard, trackball, joystick, or other input. Where the display device has sensors such as accelerometers and / or gyroscopes, the viewpoint and orientation used for the purpose of rendering content may be selected and / or adjusted based on motion of the display device.

[0040] The embodiments can be carried out by computer software implemented by the processor 142 or by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. As a non-limiting example, the embodiments can be implemented by one or more integrated circuits. The memory 144 can be of any type appropriate to the technical environment and can be implemented using any appropriate data storage technology, such as optical memory devices, magnetic memory devices, semiconductor-based memory devices, fixed memory, and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. The processor 142 can be of any type appropriate to the technical environment, and can encompass one or more of microprocessors, general purpose computers, special purpose computers, and processors based on a multi-core architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0041] A User Equipment (UE) may correspond to any extended Reality (XR) device / node which may come in variety of form factors. Typical UE (e.g., XR UE) may include, but not limited to the following: Head Mounted Displays (HMD), optical see-through glasses and video see-through HMDs for Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR), mobile devices with positional tracking and camera, wearables etc. In addition to the above, several different types of XR UE may be envisioned based on XR device functions for e.g., as display, camera, sensors, sensor processing, wireless connectivity, XR / Media processing, and power supply, to be provided by one or more devices, wearables, actuators, controllers and / or accessories. One or more device / nodes / UEs may be grouped into a collaborative XR group for supporting any of XR application s / experi en ce / servi ces .

[0042] This application relates to the encoding of avatar blendshapes in the MPEG Avatar Representation Format (ARF). See Avatar Representation Formats, ISO / IEC 23090-39, MDS24542, MPEG Systems - WD, WG03, N01398, version 1 (Dec. 16, 2024) (“N01398'). More precisely, this application adds to the blendshapes component type and index properties that reference supported animation frameworks.

[0043] The Avatar Representation Format (ARF) was introduced in the MPEG-I ISO / IEC 23090 standard though MPEG input contribution m69882, MPEG Meeting No. 148 (Kerner, Turkey, Nov. 2024).MPEG-ARF Structure

[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing an example set of MPEG ARF properties according to some embodiments. MPEG ARF is based on a set of containers regrouped into categories as illustrated in2025P00027WGthe ARF data model of FIG. 2. The example structure 200 has an ARF document 202 and several categories of containers hanging off the ARF document.

[0045] The "preamble” container 204 is used to uniquely identify the format and characteristics of the file. In particular, the "preamble” container 204 contains a "supportedAnimation” property 214 which lists the streaming animation formats that the file supports.

[0046] The "metadata” container 206 contains main information, such as age or gender, of the avatar.

[0047] The "data” container 208 contains low-level data, like arrays of values, tensors, or references to external files specifying, e.g., the geometry and texture of the avatar. Items of the "data” container 208 are referenced by component items.

[0048] The "components” container 210 contains several component containers (skeletons 216, nodes 218, skins 220, blendshapes 222, and meshes 224), which are dedicated to a type of component.

[0049] The "structure” container 212 contains the "assets” component 228, which defines the modeling assets for avatar parts (body, hand, head, ...) which may be at several levels of detail (LOD) 230, 232.

[0050] Table 1 shows the structure of a "blendshapes” component of ARF.Table 1.

[0051] For some embodiments, a blendshapes component defines a set of blendshapes that deform a given base mesh. The properties shown in Table 1 include a name, an ID, an array of references to the blendshape geometries, and a reference to the base mesh that is deformed by the blendshapes.

[0052] In the Avatar Representation Format (ARF), blendshape geometries are represented by the blendshapes.shapes array of geometrical shapes, but the semantics of these geometries are not specified. As understood, an application that receives an ARF description cannot know what deformation of the avatar mesh that each blendshape represents, e.g., whether a blendshape deformation of the mesh of the avatar2025P00027WQface is meant to express fear or happiness. The semantics of the blendshapes may be defined in one of the supported animation frameworks, which are defined in the preamble of the ARF description, but the links between these semantics in the preamble and the blendshape geometries in blendshapes.shapes are not specified.

[0053] As understood, a first issue is that the ARF WD of N01398 specifies the faceAnimation, bodyAnimation, and handAnimation animation frameworks as arrays of URNs, which provides the possibility of defining several such animation frameworks in one ARF description. As a result, for want of an index into these arrays, a set of blendshape geometries defined in blendshapes.shapes is understood to have no way of knowing to which animation framework within these arrays the geometries refer.

[0054] As understood, a second issue is that the blendshape geometries of an avatar may be defined by a user outside of an animation framework and may not map the list of blendshapes in the animation frameworks one-to-one. For instance, extension 12.55 (XR_FB_face_tracking2) of the specification OpenXR, version 1.1.43, available at registry. khronos.org / OpenXR / specs / 1.1 / html / xrspec.html#XR_FB_face_tracking2 (“XR_FB_face_trackingZ) specifies a face animation framework that defines the semantics of 70 blendshapes. A user may not need or even want to define geometries for all 70 of these blendshapes. He or she may want to create geometries for only a subset of these 70 blendshapes, say 15 blendshapes, using some asset creation tool outside of the tracking framework. The user may later want to map these 15 blendshapes to the semantics of the 70 blendshapes of the animation framework, by referring to only 15 of these 70 blendshapes. To this purpose, the index of each blendshape geometry in the ARF blendshapes.shapes array needs to be mapped to a corresponding index of the enumeration defining the semantics of the 70 blendshapes of the animation framework. With the current version of the ARF WD of N01398, such a mapping is understood to not be possible.

[0055] Properties may be added to the ARF blendshapes component to specify which animation framework, as defined in section 7.2.2 of N01398, the blendshape set described by the blendshapes component is associated.

[0056] The animationFrameworkType property is a string that defines the type of animation framework with which the current blendshape set is associated. In compliance with section 7.2.2 of N01398, this property MUST be set to “faceAnimation" , “bodyAnimation", or “handAnimation". Based on the value of this property, an ARF parser may determine whether the animation framework associated with the blendshape set described by the blendshapes component is a face animation, a body animation, or a hand animation framework.2025P00027WC

[0057] The animationFrameworklndexpmpe y is the integer index of the animation framework associated with the current blendshape set in the array of URNs specifying the list of supported animation frameworks in the ARF description (section 7.2.2 of N01398). For instance, if animationFrameworkType is set to “faceAnimation" , and the faceAnimation property specified in section 7.2.2 of N01398 is an array containing more than one entry, then animationFrameworklndex specifies the index of the face animation framework entry in the array with which the current blendshape set is associated.

[0058] The semanticsMapping property is an array of integers that maps each blendshape in the blendshape.shapes array to the index of a blendshape label in the enumeration that describes the semantics of the blendshapes. This enumeration is provided in the animation framework specified by the properties animationFrameworkType and animationFrameworklndex, as described above.

[0059] To illustrate the semanticsMapping property, assume, for instance, that the animation framework associated with the blendshape.shapes blendshape set is “urn:khronos:openxr:facial-animation:fb-tracking2”. The enumeration describing the semantics of the blendshapes in this framework is XrFaceExpression2FB, which is described in the XR_FB_face_tracking2 reference. A list of 70 blendshape labels, such asXR_FACE_EXPRESSION2_DIMPLER_L_FB, is provided mXR_FB_face_tracking2. Setting semanticsMapping[4] to 10, for example, means that the blendshape whose geometry is defined by blendshapes.shapes[4] is mapped to the semantic defined by XrFaceExpression2FB

[0010] , Index 10 of XrFaceExpression2FB defines the semantic of the blendshape as “XR_FACE_EXPRESSION2_DIMPLER_L_FB', which is the left side "dimpler” Action Unit in the Facial Animation Coding System (FACS) framework. The FACS framework is described by webpage Facial Action Coding System, WIKIPEDIA, en<dot>Wikipedia<dot>org / wiki / Facial_Action_Coding_System. The "dimpler” Action Unit in the FACS framework corresponds to the activation of the buccinator muscle on the face.

[0060] For some embodiments, what is referenced in a supported animations section is the specification of the semantic and format of animation data. The animation data may be located elsewhere for some embodiments.

[0061] Table 2 shows a structure of a blendshapes component with multiple properties added.2025P00027WC" " "" "Table 2.

[0062] Code Listing 1 shows an example of an avatar description encoded in ARF. For the example shown in Code Listing 1, the "preamble” structure has 3 entries in the supportedAnimation object: faceAnimation,2025P00027WCbodyAnimation, and handAnimation. The faceAnimation entry is an array that contains a unique Universal Resource Name (URN) item, while the bodyAnimation and handAnimation entries are empty arrays.

[0063] Further down in the code listing, the blendshapes item component is specified as an array containing a unique item. This item is described by the properties listed in Table 2. The animationFrameworkType property is set to faceAnimation. The animationFrameworklndex element is set to 0, which indicates that the supported animation framework that defines the semantic labels for the blendshapes is the first element (index 0) of the faceAnimation array of the supportedAnimation object defined in the preamble section. Combining the information from the animationFrameworkType element and the information from the animationFrameworklndex element provides a reference to the URN ("urn:khronos:openxr:facial-animation:fb-tracking2" for this example code listing) at index 0 of the faceAnimation entry of the supportedAnimation element.

[0064] The semanticsMapping element of the unique item in the blendshapes array shows an entry of "[10,3]”. This entry is an array of two elements. Each of these elements defines the semantic of the blendshape with the same index in the blendshape.shapes array. The first element, with index 0, is set to 10, indicating that the corresponding first blendshape geometry (index 0) in the blendshape.shapes array is mapped to the semantic defined by XrFaceExpression2FB

[0010] , The second element, with index 1, is set to 3, indicating that the corresponding second blendshape geometry (index 1) in the blendshape.shapes array is mapped to the semantic defined by XrFaceExpression2FB[3], As mentioned earlier, index 10 of the XrFaceExpression2FB enum, for example, is the semantic “XR_FACE_EXPRESSION2_DIMPLER_L_FB', which is the left side "dimpler” Action Unit in the Facial Animation Coding System (FACS) framework. The semanticsMapping] array is index-aligned with the blendshapes.shapes] array, and both arrays have 2 elements.

[0065] For some embodiments, the semanticsMapping element, which has an entry of "[10,3]” in Code Listing 1 may be considered to have a "first mapping” that corresponds to the "10” and a "second mapping” that corresponds to the "3”."""" " """ " """" " " """ """""" """ " "" " """ " "" "" "" " """ "" " "" " " "" " " """ "" "" "" "" " ""2025P00027WG"" """ "" " " " " "" "" """""" """ " "" " " "" " " "" """ """ " " """ " "" """ " "" " " """ " "Code Listing 1.FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for obtaining the semantic mapping of a set of blendshapes according to some embodiments. For some embodiments, an example process 300 may2025P00027WGinclude obtaining 302 a MPEG Avatar Representation Format (ARF)-based file, wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises information corresponding to a set of blendshapes to animate an avatar. For some embodiments, the example process 300 may further include populating 304 a blendshapes data structure with the information corresponding to a description of the set of blendshapes, wherein the blendshapes data structure comprises an animation framework type, an animation framework index, and a semantic mapping. For some embodiments, the example process 300 may further include animating 306 the avatar using the populated blendshapes data structure.

[0066] An example apparatus in accordance with some embodiments may include at least one processor configured to perform any one of the methods described within this application. An example apparatus in accordance with some embodiments may include a computer-readable medium storing instructions for causing one or more processors to perform any one of the methods described within this application. An example apparatus in accordance with some embodiments may include at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for causing the at least one processor to perform any one of the methods described within this application. An example signal in accordance with some embodiments may include a bitstream generated according to any one of the methods described within this application.

[0067] While the methods and systems in accordance with some embodiments are generally discussed in context of extended reality (XR), some embodiments may be applied to any XR contexts such as, e.g., virtual reality (VR) / mixed reality (MR) / augmented reality (AR) contexts. Also, although the term "head mounted display (HMD)” is used herein in accordance with some embodiments, some embodiments may be applied to a wearable device (which may or may not be attached to the head) capable of, e.g., XR, VR, AR, and / or MR for some embodiments.

[0068] An example method in accordance with some embodiments may include: obtaining a MPEG Avatar Representation Format (ARF)-based file, wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises information corresponding to a set of blendshapes to animate an avatar; populating a blendshapes data structure with the information corresponding to a description of the set of blendshapes, wherein the blendshapes data structure comprises an animation framework type, an animation framework index, and a semantic mapping; and animating the avatar using the populated blendshapes data structure.

[0069] For some embodiments of the example method, the animation framework type indicates a face animation, a body animation, or a hand animation corresponding to the avatar.

[0070] For some embodiments of the example method, the animation framework index indicates an index into an animation framework array, and the animation framework array comprises two or more entries.2025P00027WG

[0071] Some embodiments of the example method may further include populating a preamble data structure with preamble information corresponding to the avatar, wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises the preamble information corresponding to the avatar, and wherein the preamble data structure comprises information indicating supported animation frameworks.

[0072] Some embodiments of the example method may further include determining a location of specification of a semantic of avatar animation data using the animation framework type, the animation framework index, and the preamble data structure.

[0073] For some embodiments of the example method, animating the avatar further comprises obtaining the semantic of the avatar animation data using the determined location of the specification of the semantic of the avatar animation data, and wherein animating the avatar further uses the obtained semantic of the avatar animation data.

[0074] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the semantic mapping comprises a first mapping between a first blendshape set and a first set of semantic blendshape labels specified in a first animation framework of a first animation type, and wherein the first animation framework is one of the supported animation frameworks.

[0075] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the first set of semantic blendshape labels is a subset of a larger set of semantic blendshape labels, and wherein the larger set of semantic blendshape labels comprises at least one blendshape label outside of the first set of blendshape labels.

[0076] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the semantic mapping comprises a second mapping between a second blendshape set and a second set of animation labels specified in a second animation framework of a second animation type, and wherein the second animation framework is one of the supported animation frameworks.

[0077] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the second set of semantic blendshape labels is a subset of a larger set of semantic blendshape labels, and wherein the larger set of semantic blendshape labels comprises at least one blendshape label outside of the second set of blendshape labels.

[0078] For some embodiments of the example method, wherein the semantic mapping comprises a first mapping between a first blendshape set and a first set of semantic blendshape labels specified in a first animation framework of a first animation type, wherein the first set of semantic blendshape labels corresponds to a first external resource data set, wherein the semantic mapping comprises a second mapping between a second blendshape set and a second set of animation labels specified in a second2025P00027WCanimation framework of a second animation type, and wherein the second set of semantic blendshape labels corresponds to a second external resource data set.

[0079] For some embodiments of the example method, the second external resource data set is nonsequential to the first external resource data set.

[0080] For some embodiments of the example method, the animation framework specification comprises information indicating a link to a universal resource name (URN).

[0081] For some embodiments of the example method, the MPEG ARF-based file comprises information indicating a Facial Animation Coding System (FACS)-based semantic labeling of the blendshapes of the animation framework.

[0082] An example apparatus in accordance with some embodiments may include: a processor; and a memory storing instructions operative, when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to perform any one of the methods listed above.

[0083] One or more embodiments provide a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by one or more processors cause such processors to perform the encoding and / or decoding methods according to any of the embodiments described above. One or more embodiments also provide a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions for encoding or decoding video data according to the methods described above.

[0084] One or more embodiments provide a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon video data generated according to the methods described above. One or more embodiments also provide a method and apparatus for transmitting or receiving video data generated according to the methods described above.

[0085] The embodiments described herein may be implemented in, for example, a method or a process, an apparatus, a software program, a data stream, or a signal. Even if only discussed in the context of a single form of implementation (e.g., as a method), the implementation of such features may also be implemented in other forms. An apparatus may be implemented in, for example, appropriate hardware, software, and firmware. Corresponding methods may be implemented in, for example, a processor.

[0086] Various numeric values are used in the present application. Such specific values are for example purposes and the embodiments described are not limited to these specific values.

[0087] Various methods are described herein, and such methods comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. Unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for the proper2025P00027WQoperation of the method, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified or combined. Additionally, terms such as "first”, "second”, etc. may be used in various embodiments to modify an element, component, step, operation, etc., for example, a "first decoding” and a"second decoding”. Use of such terms does not imply an order to the operations unless specifically required.

[0088] The present disclosure may refer to "determining” various pieces of information. Determining information may include one or more of, for example, estimating, calculating, predicting, or retrieving (e.g., from memory) the information.

[0089] The present disclosure may refer to "accessing” various pieces of information. Accessing information may include one or more of, for example, receiving, retrieving (e.g., from memory), storing, moving, copying, calculating, determining, predicting, or estimating the information. Similarly, the present disclosure may refer to "receiving” various pieces of information. Receiving information may include one or more of, for example, accessing or retrieving (e.g., from memory) the information.

[0090] It is to be understood that use of any of the following " / ”, "and / or”, and "at least one of is intended to encompass all possible selections of listed items, taken either individually or in any combination thereof.

[0091] While specific embodiments have been described in the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that embodiments described herein are examples only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present disclosure or the following claims. Although features and elements are described herein in particular combinations, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such features or elements may be used alone or in any combination with the other features and elements. It is understood, therefore, that the overall teachings of the present disclosure are not limited to the particular embodiments, implementations, and examples disclosed herein, but are intended to cover variations, modifications, and alternatives as defined by the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

[0092] This disclosure describes a variety of aspects, including tools, features, embodiments, models, approaches, etc. Many of these aspects are described with specificity and, at least to show the individual characteristics, are often described in a manner that may sound limiting. However, this is for purposes of clarity in description, and does not limit the disclosure or scope of those aspects. Indeed, all of the different aspects can be combined and interchanged to provide further aspects. Moreover, the aspects can be combined and interchanged with aspects described in earlier filings as well.

[0093] Various numeric values may be used in the present disclosure, for example. The specific values are for example purposes and the aspects described are not limited to these specific values.2025P00027WQ

[0094] Embodiments described herein may be carried out by computer software implemented by a processor or other hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. As a non-limiting example, the embodiments can be implemented by one or more integrated circuits. The processor can be of any type appropriate to the technical environment and can encompass one or more of microprocessors, general purpose computers, special purpose computers, and processors based on a multi-core architecture, as nonlimiting examples.

[0095] When a figure is presented as a flow diagram, it should be understood that it also provides a block diagram of a corresponding apparatus. Similarly, when a figure is presented as a block diagram, it should be understood that it also provides a flow diagram of a corresponding method / process.

[0096] The implementations and aspects described herein can be implemented in, for example, a method or a process, an apparatus, a software program, a data stream, or a signal. Even if only discussed in the context of a single form of implementation (for example, discussed only as a method), the implementation of features discussed can also be implemented in other forms (for example, an apparatus or program). An apparatus can be implemented in, for example, appropriate hardware, software, and firmware. The methods can be implemented in, for example, a processor, which refers to processing devices in general, including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. Processors also include communication devices, such as, for example, computers, cell phones, portable / personal digital assistants ("PDAs”), and other devices that facilitate communication of information between end-users.

[0097] Reference to "one embodiment” or "an embodiment” or "one implementation” or "an implementation”, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment” or "in an embodiment” or "in one implementation” or "in an implementation”, as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout this disclosure are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0098] Additionally, this disclosure may refer to "determining” various pieces of information. Determining the information can include one or more of, for example, estimating the information, calculating the information, predicting the information, or retrieving the information from memory.

[0099] Further, this disclosure may refer to "accessing” various pieces of information. Accessing the information can include one or more of, for example, receiving the information, retrieving the information (for example, from memory), storing the information, moving the information, copying the information, calculating the information, determining the information, predicting the information, or estimating the information.2025P00027WC

[0100] Additionally, this disclosure may refer to "receiving” various pieces of information. Receiving is, as with "accessing”, intended to be a broad term. Receiving the information can include one or more of, for example, accessing the information, or retrieving the information (for example, from memory). Further, "receiving” is typically involved, in one way or another, during operations such as, for example, storing the information, processing the information, transmitting the information, moving the information, copying the information, erasing the information, calculating the information, determining the information, predicting the information, or estimating the information.

[0101] It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the following"and / or”, and "at least one of, for example, in the cases of “A / B”, "A and / or B” and "at least one of A and B”, is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A and B). As a further example, in the cases of "A, B, and / or C” and "at least one of A, B, and C”, such phrasing is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listed option (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listed options (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listed options (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listed options (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and B and C). This may be extended for as many items as are listed.

[0102] Implementations can produce a variety of signals formatted to carry information that can be, for example, stored or transmitted. The information can include, for example, instructions for performing a method, or data produced by one of the described implementations. For example, a signal can be formatted to carry the bitstream of a described embodiment. Such a signal can be formatted, for example, as an electromagnetic wave (for example, using a radio frequency portion of spectrum) or as a baseband signal. The formatting can include, for example, encoding a data stream and modulating a carrier with the encoded data stream. The information that the signal carries can be, for example, analog or digital information. The signal can be transmitted over a variety of different wired or wireless links, as is known. The signal can be stored on a processor-readable medium.

[0103] Note that various hardware elements of one or more of the described embodiments are referred to as "modules” that carry out (i.e., perform, execute, and the like) various functions that are described herein in connection with the respective modules. As used herein, a module includes hardware (e.g., one or more processors, one or more microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more microchips, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more memory devices) deemed suitable by those of skill in the relevant art for a given implementation. Each described module may also include instructions executable for carrying out the one or more functionsdescribed as being carried out by the respective module, and it is noted that those instructions could take the form of or include hardware (i.e., hardwired) instructions, firmware instructions, software instructions, and / or the like, and may be stored in any suitable non-transitory computer-readable medium or media, such as commonly referred to as RAM, ROM, etc.

[0104] Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with the other features and elements. In addition, the methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs). A processor in association with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for use in a WTRU, UE, terminal, base station, RNC, or any host computer.

Claims

2025P00027WGCLAIMS1. A method comprising:obtaining a MPEG Avatar Representation Format (ARF)-based file,wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises information corresponding to a set of blendshapes to animate an avatar;populating a blendshapes data structure with the information corresponding to a description of the set of blendshapes,wherein the blendshapes data structure comprises an animation framework type, an animation framework index, and a semantic mapping; andanimating the avatar using the populated blendshapes data structure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the animation framework type indicates a face animation, a body animation, or a hand animation corresponding to the avatar.

3. The method of any one of claims 1-2,wherein the animation framework index indicates an index into an animation framework array, and wherein the animation framework array comprises two or more entries.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising:populating a preamble data structure with preamble information corresponding to the avatar, wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises the preamble information corresponding to the avatar, andwherein the preamble data structure comprises information indicating supported animation frameworks.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:determining a location of specification of a semantic of avatar animation data using the animation framework type, the animation framework index, and the preamble data structure.

6. The method of claim 5,wherein animating the avatar further comprises obtaining the semantic of the avatar animation data using the determined location of the specification of the semantic of the avatar animation data, and wherein animating the avatar further uses the obtained semantic of the avatar animation data.

7. The method of any one of claims 4-6,wherein the semantic mapping comprises a first mapping between a first blendshape set and a first set of semantic blendshape labels specified in a first animation framework of a first animation type, andwherein the first animation framework is one of the supported animation frameworks.

8. The method of claim 7,wherein the first set of semantic blendshape labels is a subset of a larger set of semantic blendshape labels, andwherein the larger set of semantic blendshape labels comprises at least one blendshape label outside of the first set of blendshape labels.

9. The method of any one of claims 4-8,wherein the semantic mapping comprises a second mapping between a second blendshape set and a second set of animation labels specified in a second animation framework of a second animation type, andwherein the second animation framework is one of the supported animation frameworks.

10. The method of claim 9,wherein the second set of semantic blendshape labels is a subset of a larger set of semantic blendshape labels, andwherein the larger set of semantic blendshape labels comprises at least one blendshape label outside of the second set of blendshape labels.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 -6,wherein the semantic mapping comprises a first mapping between a first blendshape set and a first set of semantic blendshape labels specified in a first animation framework of a first animation type, wherein the first set of semantic blendshape labels corresponds to a first external resource data set,wherein the semantic mapping comprises a second mapping between a second blendshape set and a second set of animation labels specified in a second animation framework of a second animation type, andwherein the second set of semantic blendshape labels corresponds to a second external resource data set.2025P00027WG12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second external resource data set is non-sequential to the first external resource data set.

13. The method of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the animation framework specification comprises information indicating a link to a universal resource name (URN).

14. The method of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises information indicating a Facial Animation Coding System (FACS)-based semantic labeling of the blendshapes of the animation framework.

15. An apparatus comprising:a processor; anda memory storing instructions operative, when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 through 14.

16. A method comprising:obtaining a MPEG Avatar Representation Format (ARF)-based file,wherein the MPEG ARF-based file comprises information corresponding to a set of blendshapes to animate an avatar;populating a blendshapes data structure with the information corresponding to a description of the set of blendshapes,wherein the blendshapes data structure references an animation framework type, an animation framework index, and a semantic mapping; andanimating the avatar using the populated blendshapes data structure.

17. The method of claim 16,wherein the animation framework index indicates an index of a bound framework in supported animation frameworks.

18. An apparatus comprising:a processor; anda memory storing instructions operative, when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 16 through 17.

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