Systems and methods for creation and sharing of selectively animated digital photos

Abstract

A method of generating distributable and/or shareable selectively animated images comprising the steps of: (a) opening a client computer program, implemented as client computer program loaded on a mobile device; (b) capturing or accessing a video content; (c) using a user interface of the client computer program, a user drawing a path or region on an image frame from the video content to be animated (“animated region”), wherein the client computer program generated based on the animated region a mask, wherein the mask represents the static portion of a selectively animated image, and the mask is operable to mask underlying animated regions; and (d) the client computer program initiating, at the mobile device or via a server linked to the mobile device, the composition of a series of images including user selected animated regions, by rendering an animated image based on mask and the underlying masked animated regions. A computer program is provided for implementing the steps of the method, which may consist of a mobile application. The computer program may include a server application that cooperates with the mobile application for enabling the animated image composition processes and/or distribution and sharing of the animated images. A computer system is provided that includes a mobile device implementing the mobile application and optionally a server implementing the server application.

1 . A method of generating distributable and/or shareable selectively animated images comprising the steps of:
 (a) opening a client computer program, implemented as a client computer program loaded on a mobile device;   (b) capturing or accessing video content;   (c) a user using a user interface of the client computer program to:
 (i) select one or more base frames from the video content for use as a still image or images; and 
 (ii) draw or paint one or more paths or regions on the one or more base frames so as to select a path or region of the one or more base frames to be animated using moving content from the video content (“animated region(s)”); 
   (d) compiling one or more parameters related to the animated region(s), and also optionally one or more other parameters generated using one or more editing features or utilities of the client computer program, so as to define a set of instructions for creating selectively animated images within the animated region(s), based on the video content, and the client computer program initiating, at the mobile device or via a server linked to the mobile device, the composition of a series of images including user selected animated regions, by rendering one or more animated images based on the one or more base frames and selected animated region(s).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the client computer program displays a mask as an overlay over the one or more base frames, wherein the mask represents the region of the one or more base frames that will remain still, wherein the user draws on or paints on the mask, and thereby removes portions of the mask, and these portions are used to select the animated region(s). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step of displaying to the user a preview of the selective animated images by displaying the one or more base images as a still image or images, and revealing underneath the aligned portions of the moving content in the animated region(s). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) playing the video content, while displaying in the background a transparency showing the currently selected one or more base frames; and   (b) the user in a selectively animated image creation mode touching selected regions of a touch screen display of the mobile device, thereby initiating the client computer program to display a mask consisting of the one or more base frames, as an overlay to the moving content, thereby permitting the user to touch the touch screen so as to select portions of the mask and thereby selected portions of the one or more base frames for animation.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising the further step of:
 (a) dynamically displaying a preview of the current selectively animated images based on the portions of the one or more base frames selected for animation, upon the user ceasing touch input to the selected regions of the touch screen display of the mobile device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising the steps of the user iteratively providing the one or more parameters for the animated region(s) by touching selected regions of the touch screen display and viewing a corresponding preview, until the user provides input to the client computer program indicating completion of the selectively animated images. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step of the client computer program automatically analyzing the video content based on one or more parameters for determining whether the video content is suitable for creating selectively animated images. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the further step of analyzing the video segment for shake. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the further step of applying an image stabilization mechanism 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the step of initiating from the mobile device, by operation of the client computer program, the distribution and/or sharing of the animated image. 
     
     
         11 . A computer system for generating distributable and/or shareable selectively animated images comprising:
 (a) one or more server computers being linked to a server computer program; and   (b) at least one mobile device linked to the one more server computers, the mobile device implementing a client computer program;   (c) the server computer program and the client computer program, when executed:
 (i) presenting at the mobile device a user interface enabling a user of the mobile device to:
 (A) select one or more base frames from the video content for use as a still image or images; and 
 (B) draw or paint one or more paths or regions on the one or more base frames so as to select a path or region of the one or more base frames to be animated using moving content from the video content (“animated region(s)”); and 
 
 (ii) compiling one or more parameters related to the animated region(s), and also optionally one or more other parameters generated using one or more editing features or utilities of the client computer program, so as to define a set of instructions for creating selectively animated images within the animated region(s), based on the video content, and the client computer program initiating, at the mobile device or at the one or more server computers, the composition of a series of images including user selected animated regions, by rendering one or more animated images based on the one or more base frames and selected animated region(s). 
   
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein the client computer program displays a mask as an overlay over the one or more base frames, wherein the mask represents the region of the one or more base frames that will remain still, wherein when executed the client computer program permits the user to draw on or paint on the mask, and thereby remove portions of the mask, and these portions are used to select the animated region(s). 
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein the client computer program when executed displays to the user a preview of the selective animated images by displaying the one or more base images as a still image or images, and revealing underneath the aligned portions of the moving content in the animated region(s). 
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein the client computer program when executed:
 (a) plays the video content, while displaying in the background a transparency showing the currently selected one or more base frames; and   (b) enables the user in a selectively animated image creation mode to touch selected regions of a touch screen display of the mobile device, thereby initiating the client computer program to display a mask consisting of the one or more base frames, as an overlay to the moving content, thereby permitting the user to touch the touch screen so as to select portions of the mask and thereby selected portions of the one or more base frames for animation.   
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the client computer program when executed:
 (a) dynamically displays a preview of the current selectively animated images based on the portions of the one or more base frames selected for animation, upon the user ceasing touch input to the selected regions of the touch screen display of the mobile device.   
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 15 , where the client computer program when executed enables the user to iteratively provide the one or more parameters for the animated region(s) by touching selected regions of the touch screen display and viewing a corresponding preview, until the user provides input to the client computer program indicating completion of the selectively animated images. 
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the client computer program when executed, based on input from the user, connects to the one or more servers so as to enable the distribution and/or sharing of the selectively images based on one or more user preferences.