This paper presents a method of reconstructing full-body locomotion sequences for virtual characters in real-time, using data from a single inertial measurement unit (IMU). This process can be characterized by its difficulty because of the need to reconstruct a high number of degrees of freedom (DOFs) from a very low number of DOFs. To solve such a complex problem, the presented method is divided into several steps. The user's full-body locomotion and the IMU's data are recorded simultaneously. Then, the data is preprocessed in such a way that would be handled more efficiently. By developing a hierarchical multivariate hidden Markov model with reactive interpolation functionality the system learns the structure of the motion sequences. Specifically, the phases of the locomotion sequence are assigned in the higher hierarchical level, and the frame structure of the motion sequences are assigned at the lower hierarchical level. During the runtime of the method, the forward algorithm is used for reconstructing the full-body motion of a virtual character. Firstly, the method predicts the phase where the input motion belongs (higher hierarchical level). Secondly, the method predicts the closest trajectories and their progression and interpolates the most probable of them to reconstruct the virtual character's full-body motion (lower hierarchical level). Evaluating the proposed method shows that it works on reasonable framerates and minimizes the reconstruction errors compared with previous approaches.
With the rapid development of computing technology, three-dimensional (3D) human body models and their dynamic motions are widely used in the digital entertainment industry. Human performance mainly involves human body shapes and motions. Key research problems in human performance animation include how to capture and analyze static geometric appearance and dynamic movement of human bodies, and how to simulate human body motions with physical effects. In this survey, according to the main research directions of human body performance capture and animation, we summarize recent advances in key research topics, namely human body surface reconstruction, motion capture and synthesis, as well as physics-based motion simulation, and further discuss future research problems and directions. We hope this will be helpful for readers to have a comprehensive understanding of human performance capture and animation. The Xsens MVN motion capture suit is an easy-to- use, cost efficient system for full-body human motion capture. MVN is based on unique, state-of-the-art miniature inertial sensors, biomechanical models and sensor fusion algorithms. MVN does not need external cameras, emitters or markers. It can thus be used outdoors as well as indoors, there are no restrictions for lighting, it does not suffer from problems of occlusion or missing markers. In addition, unique for inertial motion capture technology: the sensor-suit captures any type of movement, including running, jumping, crawling and cartwheels. 