Operation Estimating Apparatus Using Transitional Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques cannot estimate whether a human operator is going to perform an operation on specific operational objects or which object they will operate, limiting their functionality in recognizing and assisting the operator's actions.
Innovation Solution
An operation estimating apparatus that includes an image obtaining means, a human body feature point specifying means, and an operation estimating means. It repeatedly obtains images of the operator and operational objects, specifies human body feature points, and estimates the operation by comparing the actual posture locus with transitional estimation models to determine the degree of approximation, thereby identifying the intended operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing posture estimation techniques are used, then the posture of a human being can be estimated, but the technique cannot estimate whether or not the human being is going to operate operational objects or which operational object to be operated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by estimating the operator's future operation intent before the actual operation occurs. It compares the actual posture locus with pre-established transitional estimation models to predict which operational object the operator will operate next, enabling advance preparation and support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transitional estimation models as an intermediary between posture detection and operation prediction. These models serve as a bridge that translates raw posture data into meaningful operation intent, enabling the system to infer operational goals from body movements.
2Measurement precision
If the operation estimating apparatus compares actual posture locus with transitional estimation models to estimate the operation, then the operation can be accurately predicted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transitional estimation models serve multiple functions: they store historical posture data, define operation patterns, enable prediction, and provide comparison benchmarks. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each task, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high estimation accuracy.
3Reliability
If the system repeatedly obtains images and specifies human body feature points to track the operator's posture, then the operation intent can be continuously monitored, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential human body feature points needed for posture analysis rather than processing entire images. By focusing on key anatomical landmarks, it reduces computational load and processing time while maintaining continuous monitoring capability for reliable operation intent detection.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation estimating apparatus includes an image obtaining unit, a human body feature point specifying unit, and an operation estimating unit. The image obtaining unit repeatedly obtains images. The human body feature point specifying unit specifies a predetermined human body feature point of an operator in each of the images. The operation estimating unit estimates one of operations based on the human body feature points. The operation estimating unit compares an actual posture locus of the operator with a transitional estimation model for each of the operations by the operator to obtain a degree of approximation of the transitional estimation model to the actual posture locus. The operation estimating unit estimates that the operator is going to perform the one of the operations that corresponds to an estimated posture locus of the transitional estimation model having the degree of approximation that satisfies a predetermined threshold.