Foot measuring and sizing application

#The present invention relates generally to foot-sizing applications. More particularly, and in one aspect, the invention relates to a foot measuring application running on a mobile computing device with an integrated camera that can quickly and accurately inform the user the dimensions of the foot being measured through an image capture process, and give accurate and real-time feedback during the measuring process.

#Traditionally, the size of a foot is determined by a physical device, such as a “Brannock” device, which is common in many footwear stores. A Brannock device includes a sliding element to line up with the forward edge of a toe, where a heel of the foot is braced against an opposite end of the device. This same device can also measure foot width with a separate sliding element.

#One advantage of these traditional devices is that the user, or those accompanying the user, can see the dimensions generated in real-time. These individuals can agree with the measurements, dispute them, attempt further adjustment of the sliding elements or foot position, and therefore, adjust the foot measurements.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary process for determining measurement of a foot based on at least one captured image of a foot and a horizontal reference object.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a screen view of the application, viewable by the user, depicting a first step in the measurement process and the alignment guides for the reference object.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a visualization of the application process, depicting the measurement algorithm processes of corner and vertex detection, reference establishment, and perspective transformation.

#The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

#Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined.

#In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.