Edinburgh Napier University

  Methods and systems employing augmented reality techniques via real-world objects for various purposes. Computer implemented methods are provided for animated augmentation of real-time video of static real-world objects. A computing device receives first data defining features and movements of a human subject, captures a video image of an object having features corresponding to human features, maps features defined by first data to corresponding features of the object, and uses the first data to animate the corresponding features of the object to correspond with the movements of the human subject defined by the first data. The object may be a physical 3D object. Embodiments may include positioning and orienting a 3D mesh representation of the object in registration with the object video image, prior to mapping the features defined by the first data to corresponding features on the 3D mesh. Recorded audio messages may be played in synchronism with the object.