Communication using interactive avatars

Abstract

Generally this disclosure describes a video communication system that replaces actual live images of the participating users with animated avatars. A method may include selecting an avatar; initiating communication; detecting a user input; identifying the user input; identifying an animation command based on the user input; generating avatar parameters; and transmitting at least one of the animation command and the avatar parameters.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . At least one memory comprising instructions to cause at least one processor of an electronic device to at least:
 identify selection of a first avatar by a first user of the electronic device, the first avatar having a first color and a first feature;   cause a first display of the electronic device to present the first avatar with a second color different from the first color based on a first user input;   cause the first display of the electronic device to present the first avatar with a second feature different from the first feature based on a second user input;   access images of the first user from a camera associated with the electronic device;   cause communication circuitry of the electronic device to transmit first data based on the images to enable the first avatar to mimic motion of the first user on a second display of a remote electronic device during a video meeting;   cause the first display of the electronic device to present a second avatar of a second user during the video meeting; and   cause a speaker associated with the electronic device to output sound representative of speech of the second user during the video meeting.   
     
     
         22 . The at least one memory of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second colors correspond to a color of a face of the first avatar. 
     
     
         23 . The at least one memory of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second features are on a face of the first avatar. 
     
     
         24 . The at least one memory of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions cause the at least one processor of the electronic device to cause the first display to present the first avatar and the second avatar simultaneously on the first display during the video meeting. 
     
     
         25 . The at least one memory of  claim 24 , wherein the instructions cause the at least one processor of the electronic device to cause the display to present the first avatar in a rectangular area. 
     
     
         26 . The at least one memory of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions cause the at least one processor of the electronic device to identify selection of the first avatar by the first user during the video meeting. 
     
     
         27 . The at least one memory of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions cause the at least one processor of the electronic device to cause the communication circuitry to transmit second data indicative of speech of the first user. 
     
     
         28 . The at least one memory of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions cause the at least one processor of the electronic device to cause the communication circuitry to communicate with a server hosting the video meeting in a virtual space. 
     
     
         29 . The at least one memory of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions cause the at least one processor of the electronic device to cause the communication circuitry to transmit the first data to the remote electronic device over a network. 
     
     
         30 . An electronic device comprising:
 a display;   a camera;   a speaker;   communication circuitry;   memory;   instructions; and   processor circuitry to execute the instructions to:
 cause the display of the electronic device to present a first avatar of a first user of the electronic device, the first avatar having a first color and a first feature; 
 cause the display of the electronic device to present the first avatar with a second color different from the first color, the second color corresponding to a first user input; 
 cause the display of the electronic device to present the first avatar with a second feature different from the first feature, the second feature corresponding to a second user input; 
 cause the communication circuitry to transmit first data associated with images of the first user to enable the first avatar to mimic motion of the first user on a second display of a remote electronic device during a video meeting; 
 cause the display of the electronic device to present a second avatar of a second user during the video meeting; and 
 cause the speaker to output sound representative of speech of the second user during the video meeting. 
   
     
     
         31 . The electronic device of  claim 30 , wherein the first and second colors correspond to colors of a face of the first avatar. 
     
     
         32 . The electronic device of  claim 30 , wherein the first and second features are on a face of the first avatar. 
     
     
         33 . The electronic device of  claim 30 , wherein the processor circuitry is to cause the display to present the first avatar and the second avatar simultaneously on the display during the video meeting. 
     
     
         34 . The electronic device of  claim 33 , wherein the processor circuitry is to cause the display to present the first avatar in a rectangular area. 
     
     
         35 . The electronic device of  claim 30 , wherein the processor circuitry is to identify selection of the first avatar by the first user during the video meeting. 
     
     
         36 . The electronic device of  claim 30 , wherein the processor circuitry is to cause the communication circuitry to transmit second data corresponding to speech of the first user. 
     
     
         37 . The electronic device of  claim 30 , wherein the processor circuitry is to cause the communication circuitry to communicate with a server hosting the video meeting in a virtual space. 
     
     
         38 . The electronic device of  claim 30 , wherein the processor circuitry is to cause the communication circuitry to transmit the first data to the remote electronic device over a network. 
     
     
         39 . An electronic device comprising:
 means for displaying avatars;   means for obtaining images;   means for generating sound;   means for communicating via a network; and   means for processing instructions to:
 cause the means for displaying to present a first avatar of a first user of the electronic device, the first avatar having a first color and a first feature; 
 cause the means for displaying to present the first avatar with a second color different from the first color based on a first user input; 
 cause the means for displaying to present the first avatar with a second feature different from the first feature based on a second user input; 
 cause the means for communicating to transmit first data based on images collected by the means for obtaining images, the first data to enable the first avatar to mimic motion of the first user on a display of a remote electronic device during a video meeting; 
 cause the means for displaying to present a second avatar of a second user during the video meeting; and 
 cause the means for generating sound to output sound representative of speech of the second user during the video meeting. 
   
     
     
         40 . The electronic device of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second colors correspond to a color of a face of the first avatar. 
     
     
         41 . The electronic device of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second features are on a face of the first avatar. 
     
     
         42 . The electronic device of  claim 39 , wherein the means for processing is to cause the means for displaying to present the first avatar and the second avatar simultaneously during the video meeting. 
     
     
         43 . The electronic device of  claim 39 , wherein the means for processing is to identify selection of the first avatar by the first user during the video meeting. 
     
     
         44 . The electronic device of  claim 39 , wherein the means for processing is to cause the means for communicating to transmit second data indicative of speech of the first user. 
     
     
         45 . The electronic device of  claim 39 , wherein the means for processing is to cause the means for communicating to communicate with a server hosting the video meeting in a virtual space.