Apple has been granted a patent (number 20200234481) for “virtual avatar animation based on facial feature movement” that hints at fun new features for its Animoji’s and Memoji.
Animojis enable users to create personalized versions of emojis in a fun and creative way. Memoji is the name used for Apple’s personalized Animoji characters that can be created and customized right within Messages by choosing from a set of inclusive and diverse characteristics to form a unique personality.
Apple wants an iPad, iPhone, or Mac to be able to display a virtual avatar (a graphical representation of a user) that changes appearance in response to changes in a face in a field of view of the camera. In response to detecting changes in one or more physical features of the face in the field of view of the camera, the electronic device modifies one or more features of the virtual avatar.
