Virtual Manikin Alignment Through Joint Offset Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The positioning of virtual manikins in CAD systems is complex and time-consuming, lacking an efficient method for automatic alignment, especially when different manikins with varying joint configurations need to mimic the same gesture, leading to interoperability issues and manual repositioning.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for aligning a first virtual manikin with a second by determining joint offsets, maintaining these offsets during gesture reproduction, and deforming the mesh to match surface landmarks, allowing automatic and accurate alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual manikins with different joint configurations are used for various design purposes, then the versatility and applicability of the system is improved, but the interoperability and alignment between manikins deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveversatilityVSAvoidinteroperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary alignment system that mediates between virtual manikins with different joint configurations. The system uses correspondence relationships between joints and segments to translate gestures between manikins, enabling interoperability without requiring identical configurations. This intermediary layer resolves the conflict between versatility (different configurations) and reliability (alignment accuracy).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts parameters such as joint offsets, segment lengths, and correspondence relationships to align manikins with different configurations. By changing these parameters based on the specific manikin pair being compared, the system maintains accurate gesture reproduction across diverse virtual human models, resolving the versatility-interoperability contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If manual repositioning is performed to align virtual manikins, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the time consumption and operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-alignment of virtual manikins through computational methods. Instead of requiring manual intervention, the system automatically determines joint correspondences, calculates offsets, and reproduces gestures across manikins. This self-service capability maintains high alignment accuracy while eliminating the time-consuming manual repositioning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process with an automated computational system. The system uses algorithms to calculate joint correspondences and transform gestures between manikins, substituting the manual positioning mechanism with an automated information-processing approach that achieves both accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If complex positioning methods are used to achieve accurate joint alignment, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint alignment precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the alignment problem into manageable components: joint correspondence identification, offset calculation, segment length adjustment, and gesture transformation. By dividing the complex positioning task into these discrete segments, the system achieves high joint alignment precision while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through modular processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If automatic alignment methods are implemented, then the productivity is improved, but the measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment efficiencyVSAvoidjoint position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust joint alignments during the automatic positioning process. By comparing the actual joint positions with the target positions and making real-time corrections, the system maintains high measurement precision while benefiting from the efficiency of automated operation. The feedback loop ensures that productivity gains do not compromise alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250259391A1Alignment of virtual manikins

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 DASSAULT SYSTEMES SA

AI summary

The disclosure notably relates to a computer-implemented method for aligning a first virtual manikin with a second virtual manikin. The method includes obtaining a first posture of the first virtual manikin matching a first posture of the second virtual manikin. The method includes determining an offset between the positions of the joints of the first virtual manikin associated with the joints of the second virtual manikin. The method includes obtaining a gesture of the second virtual manikin. The method includes, for each second posture of the gesture, determining a second posture of the first virtual manikin matching the second posture of the second virtual manikin. The determined offsets between the associated joints are maintained in each determined second posture. Such a method forms an improved solution for aligning a first virtual manikin with a second virtual manikin.