Virtual puppeteering using a portable device

A virtual puppeteering system of comprising:

• a portable device including a camera, a display, a hardware processor, and a system memory storing an object animation software code;
• the hardware processor configured to execute the object animation software code to:
• generate, using the camera, an image in response to receiving an activation input;
• display the image on the display;
• receive a selection input selecting an object shown in the image;
• determine a distance separating the selected object from the portable device;
• receive a first animation input including a physical movement of the portable device;
• identify, based on the selected object and in response to the first animation input, a movement for animating the selected object;
• generate an animation of the selected object using the determined distance and the identified movement, wherein the animation moves the selected object as if the selected object is connected to the portable device by a rigid rod of length equal to the determined distance;
• and
• render the animation of the selected object.

A method for use by a virtual puppeteering system including a portable device having a camera, a display, a hardware processor, and a system memory storing an object animation software code, the method comprising:

• generating, using the camera by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, an image in response to receiving an activation input;
• displaying, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, the image on the display;
• receiving, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, a selection input selecting an object shown in the image;
• determining, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, a distance separating the selected object from the portable device;
• receiving, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, a first animation input including a physical movement of the portable device;
• identifying, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, and based on the selected object and in response to the first animation input, a movement for animating the selected object;
• generating, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, an animation of the selected object using the determined distance and the identified movement, wherein the animation moves the selected object as if the selected object is connected to the portable device and maintains the determined distance separating the selected object from the portable device as a fixed distance;
• and
• rendering, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, the animation of the selected object.

A method for use by a virtual puppeteering system including a portable device having a camera, a display, a hardware processor, and a system memory storing an object animation software code, the method comprising:

• generating, using the camera by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, an image in response to receiving an activation input;
• displaying, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, the image on the display;
• receiving, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, a selection input selecting an object shown in the image;
• determining, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, a distance separating the selected object from the portable device;
• receiving, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, a first animation input including a physical movement of the portable device;
• identifying, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, and based on the selected object and in response to the first animation input, a movement for animating the selected object;
• generating, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, an animation of the selected object using the determined distance and the identified movement, wherein the animation moves the selected object as if the selected object is connected to the portable device by a rigid rod of length equal to the determined distance;
• and
• rendering, by the object animation software code executed by the hardware processor, the animation of the selected object.