System and method for avatar generation, rendering and animation

A system for avatar generation, rendering and animation during communication between a first user device and a remote user device, said system comprising:

• a camera configured to capture images;
• a communication module configured to initiate and establish communication between said first and said remote user devices and to transmit and receive information between said first and said remote user devices;
• 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 at least one of a model-based two-dimensional (2-D) avatar and a sketch-based 2-D avatar for use during communication;
• initiating communication;
• capturing an image;
• detecting a face in said image;
• determining facial characteristics from said face;
• converting said facial characteristics to avatar parameters;
• transmitting at least one of said avatar selection and avatar parameters.

An apparatus for avatar generation, rendering and animation during communication between a first user device and a remote user device, said apparatus comprising:

• a communication module configured to initiate and establish communication between said first and said remote user devices;
• an avatar selection module configured to allow a user to select at least one of a model-based two-dimensional (2-D) avatar and a sketch-based 2-D avatar for use during communication;
• a face detection module configured to detect a facial region in an image of said user and to detect and identify one or more facial characteristics of said face;
• and
• an avatar control module configured to convert said facial characteristics to avatar parameters;
• wherein said communication module is configured to transmit at least one of said avatar selection and avatar parameters.

A method for avatar generation, rendering and animation, said method comprising:

• selecting at least one of a model-based two-dimensional (2-D) avatar and a sketch-based 2-D avatar for use during communication;
• initiating communication;
• capturing an image;
• detecting a face in said image;
• determining facial characteristics from said face;
• converting said facial characteristics to avatar parameters;
• transmitting at least one of said avatar selection and avatar parameters.