Posture estimating apparatus, posture estimating method and storing medium

An image processing method which estimates an orientation of a multi-joint object by determining joint positions of the multi-join object, the method comprising:

• inputting an image including the multi joint object;
• estimating at least one first joint position candidate for a first joint and at least one second joint position candidate for a second joint of the multi-joint object, from the input image, and respective likelihoods of the at least one first joint position candidate and the at least one second joint position candidate;
• calculating respective evaluation values for a plurality of combinations of one of the at least one first joint position candidate and one of the at least one second joint position candidate based on the respective likelihoods of the at least one first joint position candidate and the at least one second joint position candidate in a combination and a positional relationship between the at least one first joint position candidate and the at least one second joint position candidate;
• and
• determining respective joint positions of the first joint and the second joint by selecting one of the plurality of combinations of one of the at least one first joint position candidate and one of the at least one second joint position candidate, on a basis of the respective evaluation values for the plurality of combinations.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium which stores a program for causing a computer to perform an image processing method which estimates an orientation of a multi-joint object by determining joint positions of the multi-join object, the method comprising:

• inputting an image including the multi joint object;
• estimating at least one first joint position candidate for a first joint and at least one second joint position candidate for a second joint of the multi-joint object, from the input image, and respective likelihoods of the at least one first joint position candidate and the at least one second joint position candidate;
• calculating respective evaluation values for a plurality of combinations of one of the at least one first joint position candidate and one of the at least one second joint position candidate based on respective likelihoods of the at least one first joint position candidate and the at least one second joint position candidate in a combination and a positional relationship between the at least one first joint position candidate and the at least one second joint position candidate;
• and
• determining respective joint positions of the first joint and the second joint by selecting one of the plurality of combinations of one of the at least one first joint position candidate and one of the at least one second joint position candidate, on a basis of the respective evaluation values for the plurality of combinations.