System and method for predicting human posture using a rules-based sequential approach

1. A computerized method for predicting posture of a physical object, comprising:

storing a plurality of posturing rules for a respective activity in a storage location;

receiving a start posture of a physical object for the activity;

receiving a location of a target for the activity;

dividing the activity into a plurality of movements based on the start posture and the location of the target; and

determining, without using motion capture data, an end posture of the physical object for the activity, comprising:

positioning the physical object using an action specified by at least one of the posturing rules for each of the movements;

checking a resulting state of the physical object against at least one of a plurality of constraints associated with each of the movements; and

adjusting an intermediate posture of the physical object based on a result of the checking step.

2. The computerized method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting one of a plurality of modules for the respective activity.

3. The computerized method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of posturing rules comprises:

horizontally positioning the physical object relative to the target;

flexing a torso of the physical object;

rotating a pelvis of the physical object around a vertical axis;

vertically positioning the pelvis of the physical object; and

posturing legs of the physical object.

4. The computerized method of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of movements further comprises posturing a head of the physical object.

5. The computerized method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of constraints are selected from the group consisting of:

a balance for the physical object;

a location of a barrier;

a sight line for the physical object;

reachability of the target;

physiological correctness; and

a strength of the physical object.

6. The computerized method of claim 1 , wherein the physical object is a human.

7. Logic encoded in media for predicting posture of a physical object, the logic operable to perform the following steps:

store a plurality of posturing rules for a respective activity in a storage location;

receive a start posture of a physical object for the activity;

receive a location of a target for the activity;

divide the activity into a plurality of movements based on the start posture and the location of the target; and

determine, without using motion capture data, an end posture of the physical object for the activity by:

positioning the physical object using an action specified by at least one of the posturing rules for each of the movements,

checking a resulting state of the physical object against at least one of a plurality of constraints associated with each of the movements; and

wherein the logic is further operable to adjust an intermediate posture of the physical object based on a result of the checking step.

8. The logic encoded in media of claim 7 , the logic further operable to select one of a plurality of modules for the respective activity.

9. The logic encoded in media of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of posturing rules comprises:

horizontally positioning the physical object relative to the target;

flexing a torso of the physical object;

rotating a pelvis of the physical object around a vertical axis;

vertically positioning the pelvis of the physical object; and

posturing legs of the physical object.

10. The logic encoded in media of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of movements further comprises posturing a head of the physical object.

11. The logic encoded in media of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of constraints are selected from the group consisting of:

a balance for the physical object;

a location of a barrier;

a sight line for the physical object;

reachability of the target;

physiological correctness; and

a strength of the physical object.

12. The logic encoded in media of claim 7 , wherein the physical object is a human.

13. A computerized method for predicting posture of a physical object, comprising:

selecting one of a plurality of modules for a respective activity;

storing a plurality of posturing rules for the respective activity in a storage location, the plurality of posturing rules comprising:

horizontally positioning the physical object relative to the target;

flexing a torso of the physical object;

rotating a pelvis of the physical object around a vertical axis;

vertically positioning the pelvis of the physical object; and

posturing legs of the physical object;

receiving a start posture of a physical object for the activity;

receiving a location of a target for the activity;

determining, without using motion capture data, an end posture of the physical object for the activity by:

positioning the physical object using an action specified by at least one of the posturing rules for each of the movements;

checking a resulting state of the physical object against at least one of a plurality of constraints associated with each of the movements; and

adjusting an intermediate posture of the physical object based on a result of the checking step.

14. The computerized method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of constraints are selected from the group consisting of:

a balance for the physical object;

a location of a barrier;

a sight line for the physical object;

reachability of the target;

physiological correctness; and

a strength of the physical object.

15. The computerized method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of movements further comprises posturing a head of the physical object.

16. The computerized method of claim 13 , wherein the physical object is a human.