1. A method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) personalized figure, the method being performed by an apparatus for creating a 3D personalized figure, comprising:
acquiring face data of a user corresponding to a reconstruction target;
extracting feature points for respective regions from the face data, and reconstructing unique 3D models of the user’s face, based on the extracted feature points;
creating 3D figure models based on the unique 3D models and previously stored facial expression models and bodyadornment models; and
verifying whether each 3D figure model has a structure and a shape corresponding to actual 3D printing, correcting and editing the 3D figure model based on results of verification, and outputting a 3D figure model corresponding to 3D printing.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein reconstructing the unique 3D models of the user’s face comprises:
generating a front image based on the face data;
detecting a face area from the front image;
detecting feature points for respective regions from the face area;
detecting 3D corresponding points of the face data corresponding to the feature points of a 3D standard model, based on the feature points for respective regions, and then matching and transforming appearance information of the 3D standard model;
generating a face texture map using the transformed appearance information of the 3D standard model and the front image; and
creating the unique 3D models of the user’s face using the face texture map.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein creating the unique 3D models of the user’s face comprises creating the unique 3D models of the user’s face based on a procedure of causing a color of a remaining area of the face, which is not captured, to match a color of the face area, which is captured, using the face texture map.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the 3D figure models comprises:
generating facial expressions that match an actually input facial expression of the user, based on the unique 3D models and the previously stored facial expression models;
creating adorned unique 3D models by combining the previously stored bodyadornment models with the unique 3D models; and
selecting a facial expression and a bodyadornment model that stochastically match those of the actual user from among the created facial expressions and from among the adorned unique 3D models, respectively, and creating the 3D figure models based on the results of selection.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the face data corresponds to a 3D unrefined mesh model.
6. An apparatus for creating a 3D personalized figure, comprising:
an information acquisition unit for acquiring face data of a user corresponding to a reconstruction target;
a face reconstruction unit for extracting feature points for respective regions from the face data, and reconstructing unique 3D models of the user’s face, based on the extracted feature points;
a model creation unit for creating 3D figure models based on the unique 3D models and previously stored facial expression models and bodyadornment models; and
a model verification unit for verifying whether each 3D figure model has a structure and a shape corresponding to actual 3D printing, correcting and editing the 3D figure model based on results of verification, and outputting a 3D figure model corresponding to 3D printing.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires the face data of the user corresponding to the reconstruction target using heterogeneous sensors.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the face data corresponds to a 3D unrefined mesh model.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the face reconstruction unit comprises:
a generation unit for generating a front image based on the face data;
a face area detection unit for detecting a face area from the front image;
a feature point detection unit for detecting feature points for respective regions from the face area;
a matching and transformation unit for detecting 3D corresponding points of the face data corresponding to the feature points of a 3D standard model, based on the feature points for respective regions, and then matching and transforming appearance information of the 3D standard model;
a texture map generation unit for generating a face texture map using the transformed appearance information of the 3D standard model and the front image; and
a unique 3D model creation unit for creating the unique 3D models of the user’s face using the face texture map.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the unique 3D model creation unit creates the unique 3D models of the user’s face based on a procedure of causing a color of a remaining area of the face, which is not captured, to match a color of the face area, which is captured, using the face texture map.
11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the model creation unit comprises:
a facial expression generation unit for generating facial expressions that match an actually input facial expression of the user, based on the unique 3D models and the previously stored facial expression models;
a bodyadornment model creation unit for creating adorned unique 3D models by combining the previously stored bodyadornment models with the unique 3D models; and
a selection unit for selecting a facial expression and a bodyadornment model that stochastically match those of the actual user from among the created facial expressions and from among the adorned unique 3D models, respectively, and creating the 3D figure models based on the results of selection.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the model creation unit is configured such that a facial expression model storage unit including the facial expression models and a bodyadornment model storage unit including the bodyadornment models are operated in conjunction with each other.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A sand-forming apparatus comprising:
a core box comprising a cavity having a shape corresponding to a desired sand-shape; and
a blow tube assembly comprising a sand passageway through which sand is blown into the cavity, a catalyst passageway for introducing catalyst into the sand blown into the cavity, and sealing between the sand passageway and the catalyst passageway, whereby sand in the sand passageway is isolated from catalyst in the catalyst passageway.
2. A sand-forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is convertible between a sand-blowing state, whereat sand is blown into the cavity through the sand passageway, and a catalyst-introducing state, whereat catalyst is introduced to the sand blown into the cavity.
3. A sand-forming apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein, when the apparatus is in its sand-blowing state, the sand passageway communicates with the cavity and the catalyst passageway is sealed from a catalyst supply, and wherein, when the apparatus is in its catalyst-introducing state, the catalyst-introducing passage communicates with the catalyst supply and the sand passageway is sealed from the cavity.
4. A blow tube assembly for blowing sand into a cavity of a core box to form a sand core, comprising:
a sand passageway through which sand is blown into the cavity;
a catalystpurge passageway for introducing catalyst to the blown sand in the cavity and for thereafter introducing purge air;
and sealing between the sand passageway and the catalystpurge passageway, whereby the passageways do not communicate with each other.
5. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein the blow tube assembly comprises an inner tube and an outer tube, which at least partially surrounds the inner tube.
6. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein relative movement between the inner tube and the outer tube converts the assembly between a sand-blowing position, whereat sand is blown into the cavity through the sand passageway, and a catalyst-introducing and purging position, whereat catalyst is introduced to the sand blown into the cavity.
7. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein, when the assembly is in its sand-blowing position, the sand passageway communicates with the cavity and the catalyst passageway is sealed from a catalyst supply, and wherein, when the assembly is in its catalyst-introducing state, the catalyst-introducing passage communicates with the catalyst supply and the sand passageway is sealed from the cavity.
8. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein the inner tube also tamps sand as the assembly is converted from the sand-blowing position to the catalyst-introducing position.
9. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein the inner tube defines the sand passageway and the catalyst passageway.
10. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the inner tube comprises an annular wall, and wherein an inner surface of the annular wall forms the sand passageway.
11. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein the sand passageway comprises a sand inlet and a sand outlet, wherein the sand inlet is formed by a top edge of the annular wall, and wherein the sand outlet is formed by an opening in a side portion of the annular wall.
12. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein the area of the sand inlet is equal to the area of the sand outlet, with friction and other flow losses being factored into consideration.
13. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein the outer tube has an exit which communicates with the cavity, and wherein the sand outlet communicates with the exit.
14. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein a clearance area between the outer tube and the inner tube approximately equals the area of the sand inlet and the area of the sand outlet, with friction and other flow losses being factored into consideration.
15. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein the sand outlet comprises a plurality of sand outlets, which are each formed by an opening in a side portion of the annular wall.
16. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the inner tube comprises an annular wall, and wherein the catalyst passageway is formed within the annular wall.
17. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein the catalyst passageway comprises a catalyst inlet and a catalyst outlet, wherein the catalyst inlet is defined by a passageway in the annular wall, and wherein the outer tube provides a path from a catalyst supply to the catalyst inlet in the inner tube.
18. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein the path from the catalyst supply to the catalyst inlet is blocked when the assembly is in its sand-blowing position and is open when the assembly is in its catalyst-introducing position.
19. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein the inner tube comprises a tip having a sealing diameter, and wherein the catalyst outlet is positioned within the sealing diameter.
20. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 19, wherein the outer tube has an exit that communicates with the cavity, wherein the catalyst outlet conveys the catalyst through this exit, and wherein the outer tube seals the catalyst from access to the sand passageway.
21. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 19, comprising a plurality of catalyst passageways, each having a catalyst outlet positioned within the sealing diameter.
22. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 4, comprising a plurality of catalyst passageways.
23. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein the inner tube comprises an annular wall, wherein an inner surface of the annular wall forms the sand passageway, and wherein the catalyst passageway is formed within the annular wall.
24. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein:
the sand passageway comprises a sand inlet and a sand outlet, the sand inlet is formed by a top edge of the annular wall, and the sand outlet is formed by an opening in a side portion of the annular wall; and
the catalyst passageway comprises a catalyst-inlet and a catalyst outlet, the catalyst inlet is defined by a groove in the annular wall, and the outer tube provides a path from a catalyst supply to the catalyst inlet in the inner tube.
25. A blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 24, wherein the outer tube has an exit that communicates with the cavity, and wherein the sand outlet and the catalyst outlet communicate with the exit.
26. A sand-forming apparatus comprising a core box defining a cavity having shape corresponding to a desired sand-shape, a blow tube assembly as set forth in claim 4, a sand magazine for supplying sand, and a manifold for supplying catalyst.
27. A sand-forming apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein the inner tube is mounted to the sand magazine, wherein the outer tube is mounted to the manifold, and wherein relative movement between the sand magazine and the manifold moves the apparatus between a sand-blowing state and a catalyst-introducing state.
28. A sand-forming apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein the inner tube is adjustably mounted to the sand magazine andor the outer tube is adjustably mounted to the manifold.
29. A sand-forming apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the manifold has an opening for receiving the blow tube assembly, whereby the manifold can remain clamped to the core box when sand is being blown into the cavity, and whereby the blow tube assembly can remain received when catalyst is being introduced into the sand blown cavity.
30. A sand-forming apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the core box has passages that extend between the cavity and a chamber of the manifold, and wherein catalyst can be introduced into said cavity through said passages.
31. A method of forming a sand-shape with the apparatus of claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:
converting the apparatus to a sand-blowing state, whereat the sand passageway communicates with the cavity in the core box;
blowing sand into the cavity;
converting the apparatus to a catalyst-introducing state, whereat the catalyst passageway communicates with the cavity in the core box; and
introducing catalyst into the sand blown into the cavity.
32. A method as set forth in claim 31, wherein a manifold remains clamped to the core box during said converting, blowing, and introducing steps.
33. A method as set forth in claim 31, further comprising the step of venting exhaust air through the manifold during said blowing step.
34. A method as set forth in claim 33, further comprising the step of purging the catalyst after the catalyst introducing step, and wherein the purging fluid passes through the manifold.
35. A method as set forth in claim 33, further comprising the step of tamping excess sand after said sand-blowing step, and wherein said tamping step is accomplished by relative movement between an inner tube and an outer tube of the blow tube assembly.
36. A sand-forming apparatus comprising:
a core box defining a cavity having a shape corresponding to a desired sand-shape;
a blow tube assembly having a sand passageway through which sand is blown into the cavity; and
a manifold clamped to the core box for supplying catalyst to the sand blown cavity;
wherein the manifold has an opening for receiving the blow tube assembly, whereby the manifold can remain clamped to the core box while sand is being blown into the cavity.
37. A sand-forming apparatus as set forth in claim 36, wherein the core box includes cope passages which extend between the cavity and a chamber of the manifold.
38. A method of forming a sand-shape with the apparatus of claim 36, said method comprising the steps of blowing sand into the cavity and introducing catalyst into the sand blown into the cavity, wherein the manifold remains stationary relative to the core box during said blowing and introducing steps.
39. A method as set forth in claim 38, further comprising the step of exhausting air from the cavity during said sand-blowing step, and wherein said exhaust air is exhausted through said manifold.
40. A method of converting an existing sand-forming apparatus comprising a core box, a manifold, and a blow tube assembly, into a sand-shape apparatus convertible from a sand-blowing state to a catalyst-introducing state without removal of the blow tube assembly andor un-clamping of the manifold from the core box, said method comprising the steps of:
removing the existing manifold;
removing the existing blow tube assembly;
sealingly securing a manifold having an opening to the core box; and
inserting the blow tube assembly set forth in claim 4 through an opening in the manifold and into the core box so that the sand passageway and the catalyst can be in communication with the cavity of the core box.