MatthiasM Software Hardware Vehicles Mixed
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FaceTracker design

The FaceTracker was developed for Vivality. Vivality, and therefore FaceTracker were acquired by Eyematic Interfaces in 2001. Please contact Eyematic for more information.

The face tracker shown in the pictures below was a prototype built in 1998. This particular one survived several live shows and many studio recordings witout harm.
A marker based face tracker is used to recognize points in the wearer face using a camera. When the actor moves his face, the markers motion is easily detectable in the video signal. Marker motions generate a function over time which in turn can drive animations, i.e. computer graphics or animatronics.
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Total view of complete FaceTracker.

This head mounted device is about 40cm (5") long. It weighs only a few gramms (about an ounce) due to its construction from aluminum pipe, plastic cover and ultrlight camera. It still is sturdy enough to survive a live video production.
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The tracker attaches is held on the head by an elastic band. The band leaves a lot of flexibility for the rig to move, so collisions will not bend the piping.

A software must be able to detect a moving rig and compensates accordingly. Even when the rig is swept off the head by accident, no recalibration should be needed when put back on.
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This is a close-up of the camera, light and microfon module. The module based on a custom etched PCB. The protypes camera enclosure lived its former live as a ping-pong ball.

FaceTracker developed by Matthias Melcher for Vivality and Eyematic.

This web-site is for information only. Nothing depicted here shall be construed as an offer for sale or a claim to intellectual property ownership...
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