System and Method for Motion Capture

Abstract

A system and method for measuring, animating, and analyzing motion in real-time is provided which operates with or without markers. System variables are used with a motion model to restrict the number of possible locations of a subject. The system variables are based on known or detected relationships between the motions of the various elements of the model. Visual comparisons and quantitative comparisons provide feedback and help a subject learn or improve a motor skill.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 528,666 entitled “System and Method for Motion Capture,” U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 528,880 entitled “System and Method for Measuring, Animating and Analyzing Motion,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 528,735 entitled “Camera for Measuring, Animating and Analyzing Motion,” all of which were filed Dec. 11, 2003 and all of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Serial No. (TBD) entitled “Method for Capturing, Measuring and Analyzing Motion” filed Dec. 13, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention is directed in general to providing a system and method for capturing and analyzing motion, and in particular to restricting the number of possible locations of a subject so that motion is captured and analyzed more efficiently, providing motion comparisons, and dete...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention meets the needs described above by providing a motion capture system that can measure, animate, and analyze the motion of humans, animals, and mechanical devices in real-time. If markers are used, the system does not require specific locations for the markers. Any number and any locations can be used, so long as the system variables can be determined. The system variables address known or detected relationships between the motions of various elements of the model. System variable rules can be configured to restrict the possible positions of the elements. The rules are applied when certain predetermined conditions are satisfied. Because the rules limit the number of possible positions for the model, the motion capture can be performed more quickly and efficiently.

[0007]The system can create a virtual training environment where a stored motion of an individual performing the desired movement is used as the target motion for the subject to literally “step into”. This instantaneous feedback permits the subject to “feel” the exact motion required to learn a specific task, and is one of the most effective methods to learn and understand a desired task or activity. The motions can be viewed from any angle in 3D, and subjects can see themselves move in real-time using video displays or head mounted display units. In addition to this real-time visual feedback, real-time performance data is also simultaneously displayed as the subject moves, providing real-time diagnostics of the subject's motions.

Problems solved by technology

However, current systems do not provide the real-time performance and accuracy demanded by many applications.

One disadvantage of these types of systems is that the limitation on the position and number of the markers leads to accuracy problems.

Another disadvantage is that the markers can interfere with the subject's motion.

Those systems that provide real-time performance typically sacrifice accuracy or limit the type or scope of motion that can be analyzed.

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