Steven S Rosenbluth

US Patent:

6377281, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Feb 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/506679

Inventors:

Steven Rosenbluth - Burbank CA
Jeffrey S. Forbes - Valencia CA
Timothy Magill - St. Petersburg FL

Assignee:

The Jim Henson Company - New York NY

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

345700, 345706, 345473, 7075001

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided for performing a computer graphic character live in a manner homologous to a live puppetry performance. Character representation information is created and stored using a first computer. Performer movement information is received at the first computer from a manual input device that receives live manual manipulations and converts the manipulations into the performer movement information. Character motion information is created and stored based on combining the performer movement information with the character representation information. The character motion information is communicated in real time to a second computer. The second computer converts the character motion information into movements of a computer graphic character, which is displayed substantially synchronized to the live manual manipulations. Control objects define elements of the manual input device. Actuators define movable elements of the computer graphic character.