Apple's Patent Background

Some electronic devices can display three-dimensional models that a user can control as part of an electronic device operation. For example, gaming consoles can display three-dimensional avatars that represent a user, and the user can direct the avatar to perform specific actions in a game. The three-dimensional models can be constructed from the combination of several assets such as a body, head, eyes, ears, nose, hair, glasses, hat, or other accessories. The assets can be placed adjacent to the external surface of the model. To enhance the user's experience, the user can personalize a displayed model by selecting and moving specific assets with respect to the remainder of the model.

Invention: Integrating a 3D Asset with a 3D Model

Apple's invention relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for integrating a three-dimensional asset with a three-dimensional model.

According to Apple, a three-dimensional model may be displayed to an artist of the model or an end user of the model. The model can be customized by integrating assets with an external surface of the model. A user can select a particular point on the model for disposing an asset by selecting a contact point on an external surface of the model. The contact point can include a single point on the external surface of the model at which a pivot point of the asset is to be placed. A periphery of a base surface of the asset can be projected onto the external surface of the model to ensure that the asset may be smoothly integrated with the model.

In some cases, a region of the asset (e.g., a region of the asset that is adjacent to the projected base of the asset) can be changed, re-defined, re-drawn, smoother, or otherwise deformed so that the asset may have a seamless transition with the remainder of the model.

According to Apple, a future iDevice will be able to display a three-dimensional model (e.g., an avatar) that may be constructed from several assets. For example, assets corresponding to facial features can be integrated into an external surface of a head asset or base structure of a model. Each asset can be incorporated in the model in a manner that may ensure that the asset is seamlessly integrated with an external surface of the model. When a user moves an asset with respect to the remainder of the model, for example, by dragging the asset, the asset can move in a manner that maintains a seamless integration of the asset with the external surface of the model.

A future iDevice will be able to display different content for enjoyment by a user. In some cases, an electronic device can display a three-dimensional model as part of an application operating on the device.

In Apple's patent FIG. 1 we're able to see an illustrative display of an electronic device such as an iPad for displaying a three-dimensional model in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The display can include a model #110 that may be provided in front of a background #102. Model 110 can represent any suitable object including, for example, a person, an animal, a place, or a thing (e.g., an imaginary being). In some cases, the model can include an avatar.

A user will be able to create a model by selecting assets from an asset bar #120, and positioning specific assets on the model. The assets can include, for example, a face, mouth, eyes, ears, nose, mustache, beard, hair, eyebrows, glasses, hats, accessories (e.g., jewelry or Band-Aids), clothing, or other components that can be included on or integrated with a model. The assets can be provided from a source of assets (e.g., a library of assets that may be stored locally on or remotely from electronic device).

When a user selects an asset type on the asset bar such as, for example, hair asset type #122, the device can display a menu or listing of one or more different hair options (not shown). The user can select one of the hair options to be applied to the model.

Apple's patent FIG. 10 noted above is an exploded perspective view of a 3D hole asset; FIG. 11 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 10, of the 3D hole asset of FIG. 10, but assembled; FIGS. 12A-12C are a sequence of illustrative displays showing a 3D hole asset integrated with a 3D model.

Apple's patent FIG. 17 noted above is a flowchart of an illustrative process for integrating an asset with a three-dimensional model.

Patent Credits

Apple credits Thomas Goossens as the sole inventor of patent application 20140368502 which was filed in Q3 2014. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.

It should be noted that today's patent application adds different patent claims to their already granted patent 8,830,226 which was issued in September. This application is also associated with two other key patent applications that we covered back in 2012 (See reports one and two).

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