Noninvasive Posture Observer for Digital Human Simulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for observing and recording passenger behavior in vehicles, such as airplanes, are either invasive or lack the ability to reconstruct steps of action accurately, especially in environments with occlusions, and do not allow for digital human simulation or detailed design parameter determination.
Innovation Solution
A noninvasive system and method for postural analysis that uses a protocol-based observation of video or real-time situations to reconstruct passenger actions in a digital environment, integrating with digital human simulation and CAD systems to generate three-dimensional representations of activities, allowing for the identification of occupied volumes and dimensions for design optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive sensors are attached to capture and record movements, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to physical interference with the observed person
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses video recording to create a visual copy of the person's movements and postures, eliminating the need for physical sensors attached to the body. The video camera captures images that are then processed to extract posture information, allowing observation without physical interference while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive sensor systems with an optical system using video cameras and image processing algorithms. Instead of attaching motion sensors or markers to the body, the system uses computer vision to detect and track body segments from video frames, substituting mechanical measurement with optical-field-based measurement
2Ease of operation
If noninvasive video recording is used to observe behavior, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to occlusions preventing full capture of body segments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the body into multiple segments (head, torso, arms, legs, feet) and tracks each segment independently through video analysis. By segmenting the body and using a protocol that identifies relative positions of these segments, the system can reconstruct complete postures even when some segments are occluded, as the relative position relationships can be inferred from available visual information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protocol-based observation system as an intermediary between the video recording and the final posture analysis. This protocol provides a structured framework for identifying and recording the relative positions of body segments, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between incomplete visual data and complete posture reconstruction
3Ease of operation
If traditional ergonomics protocols are used for posture recording, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases due to inability to reconstruct steps of action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses continuous video recording to capture the temporal sequence of postures and actions, maintaining continuity of the observation data throughout the activity. This allows reconstruction of the complete sequence of actions over time, preserving the temporal dimension that traditional snapshot-based ergonomics protocols miss, while still using a systematic protocol for analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for analysis of steps of action of a person in activity in an environment with potential occlusion and without the need to use of invasive equipment. Non-limiting implementations use posture registration and postural analysis based on an observation protocol that allows reconstruction, in a digital human simulation environment, of the adopted postures observed in a real time situation or by video.