CAMERA SYSTEMS FOR MOTION CAPTURE

Number: 20190124244
Published: 2019-04-25
Filed: 2018-08-13
Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
Inventors: Knoll; John, Estebecorena; Leandro, Grabli; Stephane, Karefelt; Per, Helman; Pablo, Levin; John M.
CPC: G01S3/7864; G06T13/40; G06T7/246; G06T7/292; G06T7/73; G06V40/23; G11B27/031; G11B27/10; H04N23/11; H04N23/20; H04N23/54; H04N23/56; H04N23/90; H04N23/957; H04N5/2224; H04N5/272
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Camera systems for motion capture (Lucasfilm/ILM).

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for motion capture to generate content (e.g., motion pictures, television programming, videos, etc.). An actor or other performing being can have multiple markers on his or her face that are essentially invisible to the human eye, but that can be clearly captured by camera systems of the present disclosure. Embodiments can capture the performance using two different camera systems, each of which can observe the same performance but capture different images of that performance. For instance, a first camera system can capture the performance within a first light wavelength spectrum (e.g., visible light spectrum), and a second camera system can simultaneously capture the performance in a second light wavelength spectrum different from the first spectrum (e.g., invisible light spectrum such as the IR light spectrum). The images captured by the first and second camera systems can be combined to generate content.

Background

BACKGROUND

Computer animation is the process of generating animated images of objects in a computer environment. In the film industry, computer animation is often used to animate the natural movement of humans for creating realistic characters in a film that have humanoid features and mannerisms. This type of animation is known in the film industry as motion-capture or performance capture. To capture the natural movements of a human, an actor is equipped with a number of markers, and a number of cameras track the positions of the markers in space as the actor moves. This technique allows the actor's movements and expressions to be captured, and the captured movements and expressions can then be manipulated in a digital environment to produce content, e.g., footage for a motion picture.

Such motion capture systems however have shortcomings. For instance, some such systems may include additional equipment and markers that interfere with the performance of the actor. Accordingly, improved systems and methods for motion capture are desired.SUMMARY

Embodiments provide systems and methods for motion capture to generate content (e.g., motion pictures, television programming, videos, etc.). In some embodiments, an actor or other performing being can have multiple markers on his or her face that are essentially invisible to the human eye, but that can be clearly captured by camera systems of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the disclosure can capture the perfor

Claims

1. A system for motion capture, comprising: a first set of one or more cameras operable to capture first light at wavelengths in a first spectrum, the first set of one or more cameras positioned around a performance area to capture a first series of images of an actor during a performance by the actor in the performance area; one or more light sources configured to emit first light at wavelengths in the first spectrum to illuminate at least a portion of the actor during the performance with the first light; and a second set of one or more cameras operable to capture light at wavelengths in a second spectrum different from the first spectrum, the second set of one or more cameras positioned around the performance area to capture a second series of images of the actor during the performance simultaneously with the first set of one or more cameras so that the first and second set of one or more cameras are configured to capture images of the performance at the same time, but the content of the first series of images are different from the second series of images due to the different spectrums of light in which each set of one or more cameras operates. 11. A system for motion capture, comprising: a plurality of wheels; a frame mounted on the plurality of wheels, the plurality of wheels configured to allow the frame to be carted to different positions around a performance area; a first camera mounted to the frame and operable to capture first light at wavelengths in a first spectrum; second and third cameras mounted to the frame at specific locations relative to the first camera, the second and third cameras operable to capture second light at wavelengths in a second spectrum different from the first spectrum, the first, second, and third cameras being configured to simultaneously capture images of an actor in the performance area during a performance. 16. A system for motion capture, comprising: a set of one or more witness cameras positioned on stands that holds the set of one or more witness cameras in an elevated positioned around a performance area to capture a first series of images of an actor during a performance by the actor in the performance area, the set of one or more witness cameras being operable to capture first light at wavelengths in a first spectrum; one or more light sources positioned around the performance area and configured to emit first light at wavelengths in the first spectrum to illuminate at least a portion of the actor during the performance with the first light; and a taking camera operable to capture light at wavelengths in a second spectrum different from the first spectrum, the taking camera positioned around the performance area to capture a second series of images of the actor during the performance simultaneously with the first set of one or more cameras so that the taking camera and the set of one or more witness cameras are configured to capture images of the performance at the same time, but the content of the first series of images are different from the second series of images due to the different spectrums of light in which the cameras operate.