Non-Contact Exercise Tracking via Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking physical activity, such as GPS and accelerometer-based systems, are limited in accurately measuring indoor workouts and subtle movements, often resulting in false readings and requiring direct contact with the individual, which is inconvenient and inaccurate for many common exercises.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact system that uses image processing to analyze movement by capturing time sequences of images, generating maps of body movement, identifying body portions, and computing indices to characterize physical activity, including effort, intensity, and energy expenditure, without direct contact with the individual.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If GPS tracking methods are used, then outdoor activities can be tracked, but indoor workouts and subtle movements cannot be accurately measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/wearable sensor systems (GPS, accelerometers) with an optical imaging system that uses cameras to capture and analyze body movements. This substitution enables accurate tracking of both outdoor and indoor activities, as well as subtle movements, without requiring physical contact or wearables on the individual.
2Productivity
If accelerometer-based tracking methods are used, then physical activity can be quantified, but false readings occur and direct contact with the individual is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces accelerometer-based mechanical sensing with non-contact optical imaging and image processing algorithms. This eliminates the need for physical contact or wearables, removes false readings caused by sensor placement issues, and provides reliable measurement of actual body movements including subtle exercises.
3Ease of operation
If wearable devices are used, then personalized tracking becomes easier, but the devices cannot distinguish between different activities with similar movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the body into multiple regions (head, torso, arms, legs) and tracks movements of each segment independently through image processing. By analyzing the coordinated movement patterns of different body segments, the system can distinguish between various activities even when they involve similar overall movements, such as differentiating push-ups from sit-ups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces single-point wearable sensors with multi-point optical tracking of body segments. This substitution provides comprehensive movement data from multiple body regions simultaneously, enabling accurate activity classification without requiring the individual to wear or carry any devices.
4Measurement precision
If imaging-based systems with markers are used, then body movement can be tracked, but the system becomes inconvenient for most people
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces marker-based optical tracking with markerless image processing techniques. By using advanced algorithms to automatically identify and track body contours and key points in video frames, the system achieves accurate movement tracking without requiring participants to wear or attach any markers, making it convenient for general use.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for tracking and analysis physical activity is disclosed. In some aspects, a provided method includes receiving a time sequence of images captured while with an individual is performing the physical activity, and generating, using the time sequence of images, at least one map indicating a movement of the individual. The method also includes identifying at least one body portion using the at least one map, and computing at least one index associated with the identified body portions to characterize the physical activity of the individual. The method further includes generating a report using the at least one index.