摘要 |
A method for facsimile representation of a sending user at a receiving computer, the method including a) creating a source digital image of the sending user's face at a sending computer, b) identifying in a first database a previously-recorded digital image of the sending user corresponding to the source digital image, c) identifying a facial expression in the source digital image, d) transmitting to the receiving computer an image identifier identifying the previously-recorded digital image and an expression identifier identifying the facial expression, e) retrieving at the receiving computer the facsimile digital image from a second database of previously stored digital images using the image identifier, f) creating a composite facsimile digital image by applying the facial expression to the facsimile digital image, and g) displaying at the receiving computer the composite facsimile digital image. If no match is found in the first or second database, no transmission or retrieval is made. Speech recognition may be included so that a phoneme sequence is transmitted, and lip animation and synchronisation can be added at the receiver. The use of a database of facial images can prevent unauthorised users of the system. |