IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,897,495
Granted Patent B2
US 8,897,495 · App. 13/889,901 · Granted Nov 25, 2014

Systems and methods for tracking a model

Inventors: Johnny Chung Lee (Mountain View, CA); Tommer Leyvand (Seattle, WA); Simon Piotr Stachniak (Kirkland, WA); Craig C. Peeper (Kirkland, WA)
Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
G06F3/017G06T7/2046G06T2207/30196G06T15/00G06T2200/04G06K9/00362G06T2207/10016G06T2207/10028H04N13/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,897,495
App. No.
13/889,901
Granted
Nov 25, 2014
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, associating the part of the user with a portion of the second depth image based on a location or position of 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 associating the part of the user with the portion of the second depth image:

adjusting a joint of the skeletal model to the portion of the second depth image.

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

13. A computer readable storage device 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, associating the part of the user with a portion of the second depth image based on a location or position of a default position of the part of the user.

14. The computer readable storage device 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 device 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 device of claim 13 , wherein the model comprises:

a skeletal model having joints and bones.

17. The computer readable storage device 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, associate the part of the user with a portion of the second depth image based on a location or position of 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 (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2014
From: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 034544/0541 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2014
From: LEE, JOHNNY CHUNG; LEYVAND, TOMMER; STACHNIAK, SIMON PIOTR; PEEPER, CRAIG
To: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033404/0774 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 13289823 · Nov 4, 2011
Continuation 13156457 · Jun 9, 2011
Continuation 12621013 · Nov 18, 2009
Continuation In Part 12575388 · Oct 7, 2009
Related Publication 20130243257A1 · Sep 19, 2013