Virtual space moving apparatus and method

Abstract

Provided is a virtual space moving apparatus and method. To this end, a Three-Dimensional (3D) image corresponding to a subject is skeletonized to generate skeletal data. Object data corresponding to the skeletal data is generated and mapped in a virtual space. The mapped object in the virtual space is displayed. Upon selection of an accelerated-movement mode for virtual space movement, motion of the subject is selected. The object data in the virtual space is moved at a movement ratio previously set corresponding to the determined motion of the subject, such that a user can move as desired in the virtual space without being limited by a real space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A virtual space moving apparatus comprising:
 a skeletonization unit which skeletonizes a Three-dimensional (3D) image corresponding to a subject to generate skeletal data;   a skeletal data processor which generates object data corresponding to the skeletal data and mapping the object data in a virtual space; and   a graphic user interface which displays the mapped object data in the virtual space,   wherein upon selection of an accelerated-movement mode for virtual space movement, the skeletal data processor determines motion of the subject and moves the object data in the virtual space at a movement ratio previously set corresponding to the determined motion of the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The virtual space moving apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a 3D camera unit which outputs the 3D image corresponding to the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The virtual space moving apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the skeletonization unit separates a subject region and a background region from the 3D image by recognizing an outline of the subject, and generates the skeletal data by skeletonizing the separated subject region. 
     
     
         4 . The virtual space moving apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the skeletal data processor maps a plurality of set accelerated-movement regions to create a motion of the object in the virtual space per motion of the subject in a real space at a previously set movement ratio in a sensor-recognizable space of the 3D camera unit upon selection of the accelerated-movement mode. 
     
     
         5 . The virtual space moving apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein when motion of the subject is sensed, the skeletal data processor calculates position information of the subject and detects an accelerated-movement region including the calculated position information of the subject from among the plurality of set accelerated-movement regions. 
     
     
         6 . The virtual space moving apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the skeletal data processor identifies a movement ratio of motion of the object in the virtual space per motion of the subject, which is previously set corresponding to the detected accelerated-movement region, and moves the object in the virtual space at the identified movement ratio. 
     
     
         7 . The virtual space moving apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein for each of the plurality of accelerated-movement regions, a movement ratio is previously set corresponding to motion of the object in the virtual space per motion of the subject. 
     
     
         8 . A virtual space moving method in a virtual space moving apparatus, the virtual space moving method comprising:
 skeletonizing, upon input of a Three-Dimensional (3D) image corresponding to a subject, the 3D image to generate skeletal data;   generating object data corresponding to the skeletal data and mapping the generated object data in a virtual space;   displaying the mapped object data in the virtual space;   determining motion of the subject upon selection of an accelerated-movement mode for virtual space movement; and   moving the object data in the virtual space at a movement ratio previously set corresponding to the determined motion of the subject.   
     
     
         9 . The virtual space moving method of  claim 8 , wherein generating the object data and mapping of the object data in the virtual space comprises:
 separating a subject region and a background region from the 3D image by recognizing an outline of the subject; and   generating the skeletal data by skeletonizing the separated subject region, and mapping the skeletal data in the virtual space.   
     
     
         10 . The virtual space moving method of  claim 9 , further comprising mapping a plurality of set accelerated-movement regions to create motion of the object in the virtual space per motion of the subject in a real space at a previously set movement ratio in a sensor-recognizable space of a 3D camera unit, upon selection of the accelerated-movement mode. 
     
     
         11 . The virtual space moving method of  claim 10 , wherein moving the object data in the virtual space comprises:
 calculating position information of the subject, when motion of the subject is sensed; and   detecting an accelerated-movement region including the calculated position information of the subject from among the plurality of set accelerated-movement regions.   
     
     
         12 . The virtual space moving method of  claim 11 , wherein moving the object data in the virtual space comprises:
 identifying a movement ratio of motion of the object data in the virtual space per motion of the subject, which is previously set corresponding to the detected accelerated-movement region; and   moving the object data in the virtual space at the identified movement ratio.   
     
     
         13 . The virtual space moving method of  claim 12 , wherein a movement ratio for each of the plurality of accelerated-movement regions is previously set corresponding to motion of the object in the virtual space per motion of the subject.