Animated Character Head Control Using Eye-Tracked Facial Animation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Performers wearing animated character heads face difficulties in providing realistic interactions due to limitations in controlling facial gestures and expressions, which can detract from the amusement park experience.
Innovation Solution
The animated character head system incorporates processors and sensors to receive inputs from eye movements, facial gestures, and vocal commands, allowing performers to select and execute a variety of animations, including eye blinks, eyebrow positioning, and lip shapes, with feedback displayed on a built-in display for improved interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a performer operates an animated head with a costume covering their face, then the character can interact with guests, but it becomes difficult for the performer to control the animated head for realistic interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated eye-tracking system. Sensors detect the performer's eye movements and automatically translate them into control signals for the animated head's facial muscles, eliminating the need for complex manual操纵 while maintaining realistic expressions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the performer's own physiological signals (eye movements) to control the animated head directly. The performer's natural gaze direction automatically determines the character's facial expressions and head movements, creating a direct映射 between the performer's intentions and the character's actions
2Reliability
If the animated head includes multiple animation selections for realistic gestures, then the interaction realism improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that translates simple eye-tracking data into complex facial animation sequences. The control system acts as a mediator between the performer's simple gaze movements and the multiple animation selections, automatically selecting and combining appropriate facial expressions without requiring the performer to manually choose from numerous animation options
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes an animated character head having one or more processors configured to receive an input, to make an animation selection based on the input, and to provide a first control based on the animation selection. The animated character head also includes a display configured to provide an indication of the animation selection for visualization by a performer operating the animated character head.