Communication using avatar

Abstract

Generally this disclosure describes a video communication system that replaces actual live images of the participating users with animated avatars. A method may include selecting an avatar, initiating communication, capturing an image, detecting a face in the image, extracting features from the face, converting the facial features to avatar parameters, and transmitting at least one of the avatar selection or avatar parameters.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a camera configured to capture images;   a communication module configured to transmit and receive information; and   one or more storage mediums having stored thereon, individually or in combination, instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following operations comprising:
 selecting an avatar; 
 initiating communication; 
 capturing an image; 
 detecting a face in the image; 
 extracting features from the face; 
 converting the facial features to avatar parameters; and 
 transmitting at least one of the avatar selection or avatar parameters. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein extracting features from the face comprises determining a facial expression in the face. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar on a remote device, the avatar being based on the facial features. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar in a virtual space, the avatar being based on the facial features. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following additional operations:
 receiving at least one of a remote avatar selection or remote avatar parameters.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a display, wherein the instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following additional operations:
 displaying an avatar based on the remote avatar selection.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following additional operations:
 animating the displayed avatar based on the remote avatar parameters.   
     
     
         8 . A system comprising one or more storage mediums having stored thereon, individually or in combination, instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following operations comprising:
 selecting an avatar;   initiating communication;   capturing an image;   detecting a face in the image;   extracting features from the face;   converting the facial features to avatar parameters; and   transmitting at least one of the avatar selection or avatar parameters.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein extracting features from the face comprises determining a facial expression in the face. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar on a remote device, the avatar being based on the facial features. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar in a virtual space, the avatar being based on the facial features. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following additional operations:
 receiving at least one of a remote avatar selection or remote avatar parameters.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a display, wherein the instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following additional operations:
 displaying an avatar based on the remote avatar selection.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions that when executed by one or more processors result in the following additional operations:
 animating the displayed avatar based on the remote avatar parameters.   
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 selecting an avatar;   initiating communication;   capturing an image;   detecting a face in the image;   extracting features from the face;   converting the facial features to avatar parameters; and   transmitting at least one of the avatar selection or avatar parameters.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein extracting features from the face comprises determining a facial expression in the face. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar on a remote device, the avatar being based on the facial features. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the avatar selection and avatar parameters are used to generate an avatar in a virtual space, the avatar being based on the facial features. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising receiving at least one of a remote avatar selection or remote avatar parameters. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising displaying an avatar based on the remote avatar selection. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising animating the displayed avatar based on the remote avatar parameters.