Automated Posture Analysis via Image-Based Landmark Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing posture, particularly in physiotherapy, rely heavily on manual identification of anatomical landmarks, which can be inaccurate and labor-intensive, especially for junior practitioners, and lack efficient automated systems for detecting key body part positions like the jugular notch, central ray, and spinal cord vertebrae.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a processor to detect and estimate body part positions from images, including frontal and sagittal plane views, to determine posture deviations by identifying landmarks such as the jugular notch, central ray, and spinal cord vertebrae, thereby providing a more accurate and automated posture analysis system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual identification of anatomical landmarks is used for posture assessment, then the method is simple to implement, but the accuracy and reliability of the assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical assessment method with an automated image processing system. The processor detects body part positions from images and estimates anatomical landmarks (jugular notch, central ray, spinal cord vertebrae) automatically, substituting human manual identification with computational algorithms to improve accuracy while maintaining ease of use.
2Device complexity
If manual identification of anatomical landmarks is used, then the equipment requirements are minimal, but the time consumption and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting body part positions and estimating anatomical landmarks without requiring manual intervention. The processor analyzes images and generates posture assessment results autonomously, eliminating the time-consuming manual landmark identification process while keeping equipment requirements minimal (only an image capture device and processor).
3Measurement precision
If automated systems are introduced for detecting body part positions, then the assessment accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an image as an intermediary medium between the physical body and the analysis system. The image capture device captures the patient's posture, and the processor analyzes the image to detect body part positions and estimate anatomical landmarks. This intermediary approach improves accuracy while keeping the actual device complexity low, as it only requires standard imaging equipment and software processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for estimating a body part position of a person, the method comprising: detecting, by a processor, a plurality of body part positions of the person from an image in which the person is detected, wherein each of the plurality of body part positions corresponds to a body part of the person; and estimating, by the processor, a body part position of the person based on the detected plurality of body part positions.