System and method for portrayal of object or character target features in an at least partially computer-generated video

Abstract

Consumers may appear to be featured in videos by being appropriately photographed and their image mapped onto a character in a video. A pre-existing video file has a computer-generated (“CG”) actor rendered throughout, except in, e.g., a head region, where a consumer's image data will be mapped. The consumer's image data is mapped onto the CG actor, and the CG actor's animation track is mixed with the remainder of the video, completing the same. The consumer may choose from among several videos, depending on the genre they prefer. The system and method may also apply to marketing and advertising methods, especially with regard to targeted advertising and product placement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a video employing a target visual image, comprising:
 a. receiving a target image;   b. receiving a source file including a plurality of computer-generated components, the source file including a track in which a computer-generated object is defined;   c. using the target image to form at least a portion of the computer-generated object;   d. rendering at least the computer-generated object into a video format; and   e. combining the rendered computer-generated object and the source file to form a final file.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving a target image includes capturing an image of a face of the consumer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the capturing an image includes photographing a head of the consumer from multiple angles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source file is pre-rendered. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving a source file includes:
 a. receiving a video including raw object data;   b. replacing the raw object data with a computer-generated object to produce a source file.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target image is of a subject selected from a media library. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the using the target visual image includes mapping data corresponding to the image onto a pre-defined mesh constituting the computer-generated object to generate image textures thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving a target image includes receiving a data file including visual information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising creating a medium with the final file thereon, posting the final file to a file-sharing site, or emailing the final file to an email address. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target image is selected from the group consisting of: a consumer's body, a consumer's head, a consumer's face, and a product. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving a source file includes selecting a source file in which the size or shape of a computer-generated object within the source file corresponds to the size or shape of the target image. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the selecting is performed by an operator or by a software application. 
     
     
         13 . A system for making a video employing a target image from a consumer, comprising:
 a. a target image acquisition module to receive target image data;   b. a database to store one or more source files, each source file including a track in which a computer-generated object is defined;   c. a mapping module to map the target image data onto at least a portion of a mesh corresponding to the computer-generated object;   d. a rendering module to render the computer-generated object into a video format; and   e. a combining module to combine the rendered portion of the computer-generated object with the source video to produce a final file.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a post-production module which creates a DVD with the final file stored thereon, posts the final file to a file-sharing site, or emails the final file to an email address. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer-generated object is a computer-generated character, and wherein the target image reception module receives head image data, and wherein the mapping module maps the head image data onto a head area of a mesh corresponding to the computer-generated character. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the target image reception module includes a camera or a data carrier receiver. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of advertising within videos employing targeted images, comprising:
 a. receiving a target visual image from a library of target images;   b. receiving a source file, the source file including a track in which a computer-generated object is defined;   c. using the target image to form at least a portion of the computer-generated object;   d. rendering at least the computer-generated object into a video format; and   e. combining the rendered computer-generated object and the source file to form a final file.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising receiving demographic information about a target audience of the final file, and wherein the receiving a target image step includes choosing a target image from a library based on the demographic information.