IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,483,436
Granted Patent B2
US 8,483,436 · App. 13/289,823 · Granted Jul 9, 2013

Systems and methods for tracking a model

Inventors: Johnny Chung Lee (Bellevue, WA); Tommer Leyvand (Seattle, WA); Simon Piotr Stachniak (Kirkland, WA); Craig Peeper (Kirkland, WA)
Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,483,436
App. No.
13/289,823
Granted
Jul 9, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image such as a depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device. A grid of voxels may then be generated based on the depth image such that the depth image may be downsampled. A model may be adjusted based on a location or position of one or more extremities estimated or determined for a human target in the grid of voxels. The model may also be adjusted based on a default location or position of the model in a default pose such as a T-pose, a DaVinci pose, and/or a natural pose.

Claims (50)

1. A method for tracking a user comprising:

receiving a depth image that was captured by a depth camera;

identifying an estimated location or position of a part of the user in the depth image;

adjusting a model of the user based on the estimated location or position of the part of the user; and

in response to a failure to identify a location or position of the part of the user in a second depth image, adjusting the model to move the location or position of the part of the user in the model to a default position of the part of the user.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

mapping the model to an on screen avatar.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing the model to a gesture library.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the model comprises a skeletal model having joints and bones.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein adjusting the model comprises:

adjusting a joint of the skeletal model to the estimated location or position.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that the estimated location or position is valid.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

adjusting the model based on a geometric constraint.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the default pose comprises:

a T-Pose, a Di Vinci pose, or a natural pose.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

magnetizing the model to one or more of the pixels in the depth image.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that a pose associated with the model is valid.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

refining the model based on the received depth image.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

downsampling the pixels in the depth image before identifying the estimated location or position of the extremity of the user.

13. A computer readable storage medium for tracking a user, the computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:

receiving a depth image;

identifying an estimated location or position of a part of the user in the depth image;

adjusting a model of the user based on the estimated location or position of the part of the user; and

in response to a failure to identify a location or position of the part of the user in a second depth image, adjusting the model to move the location or position of the part of the user in the model to a default position of the part of the user.

14. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 , further bearing computer-executable instructions that, when executed on the computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:

mapping the model to an on screen avatar.

15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 , further bearing computer-executable instructions that, when executed on the computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:

providing the model to a gesture library.

16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the model comprises:

a skeletal model having joints and bones.

17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the instructions further comprise:

determining whether the estimated location or position is valid.

18. A system for tracking a user comprising:

a processor; and

a memory communicatively coupled to the processor when the system is operational, the memory bearing processor-executable instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the system to at least:

receive a depth image;

identify an estimated location or position of a part of the user in the depth image;

adjust a model of the user based on the estimated location or position of the part of the user; and

in response to a failure to identify a location or position of the part of the user in a second depth image, adjust the model to move the location or position of the part of the user in the model to a default position of the part of the user.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the memory further bears processor-executable instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the system to at least:

map the model to an on screen avatar.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the memory further bears processor-executable instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the system to at least:

provide the model to a gesture library.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2014
From: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 034544/0001 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13156457 · Jun 9, 2011
Continuation 12621013 · Nov 18, 2009
Continuation In Part 12575388 · Oct 7, 2009
Related Publication 20120057753A1 · Mar 8, 2012