Facial Animation System Multi-Layer Character Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D facial animation systems face challenges in producing natural and consistent animations due to the reliance on two-dimensional video data, where insufficient character points lead to inconsistency and insufficient animation similarity, and excessive points result in high data quantity requirements.

Innovation Solution

A facial animation system employing a multi-layer character verifying mechanism to ensure accurate character point information by selectively obtaining character points of varying fineness levels based on image quality, using a character acquiring device and verifying device to compare outline data with model data to determine the reliability of character points and adjust the number of points accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If many reliable character points are adopted to produce natural and fine 3D facial animation, then the animation quality is improved, but the data quantity requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanimation qualityVSAvoiddata quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments character verification into multiple layers (first-layer character outline data, second-layer character outline data, etc.), where each layer verifies a subset of character points. This allows the system to process and verify character points in manageable portions rather than all at once, reducing the immediate data handling burden while maintaining comprehensive verification coverage across all character points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multi-layer verification dimension, transforming the single-layer character point verification into a multi-layer process. Each layer operates at a different verification level, allowing the system to progressively refine character point accuracy without requiring all character points to be verified simultaneously, thus managing data quantity more effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If character points are obtained from less information to reduce inconsistency, then the data quantity is reduced, but the animation similarity becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacter point accuracyVSAvoidanimation similarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary character point verification through multiple layers before final 3D model generation. The first-layer verification identifies basic character points, and subsequent layers refine and verify additional points. This preliminary multi-layer verification ensures character point accuracy is established early, allowing the system to proceed with sufficient information for high-quality animation while avoiding the need to process all possible character point data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each verification layer's results inform the next layer. The system uses the verification outcomes from previous layers to adjust and improve subsequent verification processes, ensuring that character point accuracy is continuously refined. This feedback loop allows the system to achieve high reliability without requiring complete information from all possible sources simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a multi-layer character verifying mechanism is implemented to ensure accurate character points, then the character point reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacter point reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the character verification process into multiple sequential layers, where each layer handles a specific subset of verification tasks. The first-layer verification module handles basic character point verification, while subsequent layers handle more refined verification. This segmentation reduces the complexity of any single verification module while maintaining comprehensive verification through the layered approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic verification process where the system adapts the verification depth and layer activation based on input conditions. Not all verification layers are necessarily executed for every input; the system can dynamically adjust which layers are activated based on the required accuracy level and available resources, making the complex multi-layer system more manageable and adaptable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8648866B2Facial animation system and production method
Publication Date: 2014.02.11 IND TECH RES INST
  • US8648866B2 patent drawing
  • US8648866B2 patent drawing
  • US8648866B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A facial animation production method for producing 3-dimensional (3D) facial animation data in response to input video data includes the following steps. First, data positioning and character sorting processes are performed on the input video data to acquire first-layer character data, for indicating multiple first-layer character points, and first-layer model data. Next, first-layer model outline data and first-layer character outline data are respectively obtained according to the first-layer model data and the first-layer character data. Then, the first-layer character outline data is compared with the first-layer model outline data to judge whether a judgment condition is satisfied. If not, output character data are produced according to the first-layer character data, and fundamental facial-mesh transformation data are thus produced. Thereafter, the 3D facial animation data are displayed according to the fundamental facial-mesh transformation data.