- Number
- 9839844
- Published
- 2017-12-12
- Filed
- 2011-06-09
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- Dunstan; Jackson, Ogrin; Robert Todd
- CPC
- G06T13/80; A63F13/52; G06T15/20; A63F13/355
- Verdict
- Low Notable software
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
Renders 2D sprite images of a customizable 3D avatar from multiple angles server-side so thin clients can display it without local 3D rendering.
Abstract
Techniques are disclosed for generating 2D images of a 3D avatar in a virtual world. In one embodiment, a request is received specifying customizations to the 3D avatar. The 2D images aregenerated based on the request, each 2D image representing the 3D avatar from a differentviewing angle in the virtual world. Advantageously, the 2D images may be sent to a clientfor display, without requiring the client to render the 3D avatar.
Background
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) So that the manner in which the above recited features,advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.(2)It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.(3) FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for generating a sprite strip for a three-dimensional avatar in a virtual world, according to one embodiment of the invention.(4) FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate ways in which a three-dimensional avatar may be customized, according to one embodiment of the invention.(5) FIG. 3 illustrates avatar customizations sent to a virtual world server application, according to one embodiment of the invention.(6) FIG. 4 illustrates a three-dimensional avatar rendered by the application, according to one embodiment of the invention.(7)FIG. 5 illustrates a sprite strip generated by the application, according to one embodiment of the invention.(8) FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting a method for providing a sprite strip for a three-dimensional avatar, according to one embodiment of the invention.(9) FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method for generating a sprit
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving, from a first client, a first request specifying to customize a first 3D avatar to include one or more desired visual aspects; generating the customized 3D avatar based on the first 3D avatar and the one or more desired visual aspects; generating a plurality of 2D views of the customized 3D avatar, based on rendering the customized 3D avatar and by operation of one or more computer processors, each 2D view representing solely the customized 3D avatar in its entirety and from a respective, distinct viewing angle; sending the plurality of 2D views to the first client, wherein the first client is configured to generate, based on the plurality of 2D views and user input controlling movement of the customized 3D avatar in a virtual world of a computer game, and without having to render the customized 3D avatar, an animation of the customized 3D avatar in the virtual world, the animation including each 2D view, thereby avoiding a processing cost associated with client rendering of the customized 3D avatar; generating a data structure that identifies the customized 3D avatar and that includes the plurality of 2D views, wherein the data structure is stored; receiving, from a second client different from the first client, a second request specifying to customize a second 3D avatar to include at least one desired visual aspect; and upon determining that the second 3D avatar, customized to include the at least one desired visual aspect, is visually identical to the customized 3D avatar, retrieving the plurality of 2D views from the data structure, wherein the plurality of 2D views is sent to the second client without having to re-render the customized 3D avatar; wherein multiple copies of the data structure are stored on a plurality of view servers spread across different geographic regions, wherein the first client is designated to receive the plurality of 2D views from a first view server of the plurality of view servers based on the first client being most geographically proximate to the first viewserver, in order to improve scalability of and reduce latency associated with the virtualworld.
3. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation comprising: receiving, from a first client, a first request specifying to customize a first 3D avatar to include one or more desired visual aspects; generating the customized 3D avatar based on the first 3D avatar and the one or more desired visual aspects; generating a plurality of 2D views of the customized 3D avatar, based on rendering the customized 3D avatar and by operation of one or more computer processors whenexecuting the program, each 2D view representing solely the customized 3D avatar in its entirety and from a respective, distinct viewing angle; sending the plurality of 2D views to the first client, wherein the first client is configured to generate, based on the plurality of 2D views and user input controlling movement of the customized 3D avatar in a virtual world of a computer game, and without having to render the customized 3D avatar, an animation of the customized 3D avatar in the virtual world, the animation including each 2D view, thereby avoiding a processing cost associated with client rendering of the customized 3D avatar; generating a data structure that identifies the customized 3D avatar and thatincludes the plurality of 2D views, wherein the data structure is stored; receiving, froma second client different from the first client, a second request specifying to customizea second 3D avatar to include at least one desired visual aspect; and upon determining that the second 3D avatar, customized to include the at least one desired visual aspect, is visually identical to the customized 3D avatar, retrieving the plurality of 2D views from the data structure, wherein the plurality of 2D views is sent to the second client withouthaving to re-render the customized 3D avatar; wherein multiple copies of the data structure are stored on a plurality of view servers spread across different geographic regions, wherein the first client is designated to receive the plurality of 2D views from a first view server of the plurality of view servers based on the first client being most geographically proximate to the first view server, in order to improve scalability of and reduce latency associated with the virtual world.
5. A system, comprising: one or more computer processors; and a memory containing a program, which when executed by the one or more computerprocessors is configured to perform an operation comprising: receiving, from a first client, a first request specifying to customize a first 3D avatar to include one or more desired visual aspects; generating the customized 3D avatar based on the first 3D avatar and the one or more desired visual aspects; generating a plurality of 2D views of the customized3D avatar, based on rendering the customized 3D avatar, each 2D view representing solely the customized 3D avatar in its entirety and from a respective, distinct viewing angle; sending the plurality of 2D views to the first client, wherein the first client is configured to generate, based on the plurality of 2D views and user input controlling movement of the customized 3D avatar in a virtual world of a computer game, and without having to render the customized 3D avatar, an animation of the customized 3D avatar in the virtual world,the animation including each 2D view, thereby avoiding a processing cost associated with client rendering of the customized 3D avatar; generating a data structure that identifies the customized 3D avatar and that includes the plurality of 2D views, wherein the data structure is stored; receiving, from a second client different from the first client, a second request specifying to customize a second 3D avatar to include at least one desired visual aspect; and upon determining that the second 3D avatar, customized to include the at least one desired visual aspect, is visually identical to the customized 3D avatar, retrieving the plurality of 2D views from the data structure, wherein the plurality of 2D views is sent to the second client without having to re-render the customized 3D avatar; wherein multiple copies of the data structure are stored on a plurality of view servers spread across different geographic regions, wherein the first client is designated to receive the plurality of 2D views from a first view server of the plurality of view servers based on the first client being most geographically proximate to the first view server, in order to improve scalability of and reduce latency associated with the virtual world.