3D Motion Capture Using Single Camera Cross-Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion capture systems are costly, cumbersome, and often fail to operate in real-time due to the need for markers or sensors on subjects and the complexity of multiple cameras, limiting their deployment and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that capture motion and determine shapes and positions of objects in 3D space using cross-sections obtained from reflections or shadows, analyzed through a camera, without the need for sensors or markers, by slicing 2D images and reconstructing the 3D structure using light sources and edge points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If motion capture systems use markers or sensors on subjects and multiple cameras, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for markers and sensors from the motion capture system. Instead of attaching physical markers to the subject, the system uses a single camera to capture images and computationally derive 3D position and shape information from 2D image data through mathematical reconstruction techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational copy of the 3D motion data from 2D image captures. By using a single camera to capture 2D images and then mathematically reconstructing the 3D position and shape of the object, the system generates accurate 3D motion capture data without requiring multiple physical cameras or markers.
2Measurement precision
If motion capture systems use multiple cameras and complex setups, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the operational complexity associated with multiple cameras and marker attachment procedures. The system requires only a single camera and uses computational algorithms to determine 3D position and shape, significantly simplifying the deployment and operation process while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical complexity of multiple-camera setups with a computational approach. Instead of using multiple physical cameras to capture motion from different angles, the system uses a single camera combined with mathematical reconstruction algorithms to achieve the same 3D motion capture functionality.
3Measurement precision
If motion capture systems use traditional multi-camera setups, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to real-time operation failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the computationally intensive multi-camera processing system with a single-camera computational approach. This substitution reduces the processing burden and enables real-time operation, as the system can rapidly capture images and compute 3D position and shape data without the complexity of synchronizing and processing data from multiple cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent efficiently creates 3D motion data copies from single-camera 2D captures through rapid computational reconstruction. This approach enables real-time operation by generating accurate 3D position and shape information from sequential 2D images without the processing delays associated with multi-camera systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time, cost-effective capture of motion and shape in 3D space without the need for sensors or markers, improving deployment and accuracy by using a single camera and light sources to analyze cross-sectional images and reconstruct object positions and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
capture images of the object as it moves in a three-dimensional space... capture motion and determine shapes and positions of objects in 3D space using cross-sections obtained from reflections or shadows
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for capturing motion and/or determining the shapes and positions of one or more objects in 3D space utilize cross-sections thereof. In various embodiments, images of the cross-sections are captured using a camera based on edge points thereof.