Spine Edge Point Cloud Posture Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion evaluation systems, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, are unable to accurately evaluate posture based on the spine shape due to representing the trunk as a straight line or rectangle, and require expensive specialized equipment for accurate spine shape measurement.
Innovation Solution
A posture evaluation apparatus that extracts a spine edge point cloud from a side surface image of a body, calculates feature values based on this point cloud and position information of key joints, and estimates the state of the spine using these feature values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a depth camera, acceleration sensor, or measuring probe is used to measure spine shape, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a standard camera to capture images of the subject's back, then creates a digital copy or representation of the spine shape through image processing. Instead of using expensive specialized measurement equipment, the system processes regular camera images to extract spine curvature information, effectively creating a digital model that replicates the measurement function of sophisticated devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems (depth cameras, acceleration sensors, measuring probes) with an optical system using standard cameras and image processing algorithms. The mechanical or electronic sensing approach is substituted with optical capture and computational analysis of spine shape from regular images
2Device complexity
If a standard camera is used to capture body images, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of spine shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary processing to the captured images, including noise reduction, edge detection, and feature point extraction before spine shape analysis. By preparing and pre-processing the image data in advance, the system enhances the quality and measurability of spine features from standard camera images, compensating for the lower inherent precision of regular cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the image data by changing parameters such as contrast, brightness, and geometric features to enhance spine shape visibility. Through image processing operations that modify pixel values and extract structural parameters, the system improves the measurability of spine curvature from standard camera captures
Data Source
AI summary
A posture evaluation apparatus, a posture evaluation system, a posture evaluation method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that are able to evaluate a posture with high accuracy at a relatively low cost are provided. A posture evaluation apparatus includes a spine extracting means for extracting, based on an image acquired by imaging a side surface of a body of a subject person and position information about at least a cervical vertebrae, hip joints, and knee joints of the body on the image, a spine edge point cloud constituted of a predetermined number of points representing a spine shape on the image, a feature value calculating means for calculating a feature value about at least a spine, based on the position information and the spine edge point cloud, and a state estimating means for estimating a state of at least the spine, based on the feature value.