Magic Leap, Inc.

Other

James Jonathan Bancroft

Sean Michael Comer

Geoffrey Wedig

Thomas Marshall Miller, Iv

Nafees Bin Zafar

Various examples of cross-application systems and methods for authoring, transferring, and evaluating rigging control systems for virtual characters are disclosed. Embodiments of a method include the steps or processes of creating, in a first application which implements a first rigging control protocol, a rigging control system description; writing the rigging control system description to a data file; and initiating transfer of the data file to a second application. In such embodiments, the rigging control system description may be defined according to a different second rigging control protocol. The rigging control system description may specify a rigging control input, such as a lower-order rigging element (e.g., a core skeleton for a virtual character), and at least one rule for operating on the rigging control input to produce a rigging control output, such as a higher-order skeleton or other higher-order rigging element.

Systems and methods for cross-application authoring, transfer, and evaluation of rigging control systems for virtual characters

Various examples of cross-application systems and methods for authoring, transferring, and evaluating rigging control systems for virtual characters are disclosed. A first application, which implements a first rigging control protocol, can provide an input associated with a request for a behavior from the rig for the virtual character. The input can be converted to be compatible with a second rigging control protocol that is different from the first rigging control protocol. One or more control systems can be evaluated based on the input to determine an output to provide the requested behavior from the virtual character rig. The one or more control systems can be defined according to the second rigging control protocol. The output can be converted to be compatible with the first rigging control protocol and provided to the first application to manipulate the virtual character according to the requested behavior.

Systems and methods for displaying a virtual character in a mixed reality environment are disclosed. In some embodiments, a view of the virtual character is based on an animation rig comprising primary joints and helper joints. The animation rig may be in a pose defined by spatial relationships between the primary joints and helper joints. The virtual character may be moving in the mixed reality environment. In some instances, the virtual character may be moving based on a comparison of interestingness values associated with elements in the mixed reality environment. The spatial relationship transformation associated with the movement may be indicated by movement information. In some embodiments, the movement information is received from a neural network.

Photoreal character configurations for spatial computing

Skinning parameters used to animate a virtual avatar can include mesh weights and joint transforms of a skeleton. Systems and methods are provided for determining skinning parameters using an optimization process subject to constraints based on human-understandable or anatomically-motivated relationships among skeletal joints. Input to the optimization process can include a high-order skeleton and the applied constraints can dynamically change during the optimization. The skinning parameters can be used in linear blend skinning (LBS) applications in augmented reality.

Skeletal systems for animating virtual avatars

A mouthguard for protecting lips against impact trauma on orthodontic appliances (braces), protecting teeth from sports trauma, protecting teeth from clashing together or grinding; and, protecting the temporomandibular joint (T.M.J.) from traumas due to a blow to the mandible. The mouthpiece comprises a curved flexible element, having two or more substantially central apertures extending therethrough and a notched portion on the upper and lower surface thereof. On the inner posterior surface of the element, an inwardly projecting portion extends at right angles thereto on each side of the aperture and designed to be grasped by the teeth. The mouthguard lays against the outer surface of the teeth with the curved flexible element and extends into the buccal folds superiorly and interiorly of the cheek where the muscles hold it in place. A groove is positioned lengthwise along the posterior curved element above and below the right angle of the projecting portion for purposes of flexibility and to allow the muscles of the cheek to press the element close to the bone for better retention and comfort. The teeth engage both sides of the inwardly projecting element which prevent the teeth from clashing together and protects the temporomandibular joint (T.M.J.). The anterior central apertures permit easy breathing. The mouthguard is retained by the muscles of the lips and cheeks, causes no gag reflex and is simple, comfortable and protective.

Growing community of inventors

Culver City, CA, United States of America

James Jonathan Bancroft