Models and algorithms for human skeleton estimation from 3D marker trajectories

The optical motion capture (MOCAP) technique is very useful in numerous applications in technology, medicine and science. The central problem in the MOCAP technology is skeleton estimation. The quality of skeleton estimation algorithms has the most significant influence on the whole process of MOCAP data processing and analysis. In this paper we describe an original algorithm for skeleton estimation which refines several methodologies available in the literature. We have performed extensive testing and accuracy comparisons of our algorithm compared to some algorithms presented in the literature. We can report that our algorithm enables estimation of a high quality skeleton, with better accuracy than previous methods.