Automated 3-D modeling of shoe parts
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsPatrick C. Regan, Chih-Chi Chang, Kuo-Hung Lee, Ming-Feng Jean
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Manufacturing of a shoe is enhanced by creating 3-D models of shoe parts. For example, a laser beam may be projected onto a shoe-part surface, such that a projected laser line appears on the shoe part. An image of the projected laser line may be analyzed to determine coordinate information, which may be converted into geometric coordinate values usable to create a 3-D model of the shoe part. Once a 3-D model is known and is converted to a coordinate system recognized by shoe-manufacturing tools, certain manufacturing steps may be automated.
Claims20
A method for generating three-dimensional models of shoe parts using a system that comprises a camera, a laser, and a shoe-part moving apparatus, the method comprising:
- adjusting, in a coordinated manner, settings of the camera, the laser, and the shoe-part moving apparatus to enhance a representation of a laser beam projected onto a shoe part;
- projecting, from the laser and subsequent to the adjusting, a laser beam onto the shoe part;
- capturing, using the camera, a plurality of images of the laser beam as it is scanned across the shoe part;
- and
- using the plurality of images to generate a three-dimensional surface map of at least a portion of the shoe part.
A system for generating three-dimensional models of shoe parts, the system comprising:
- a camera;
- a laser;
- a shoe-part moving apparatus;
- and
- a computer system configured to:
- adjust, in a coordinated manner, settings of the camera, the laser, and the shoe-part moving apparatus to enhance a representation of a laser beam projected onto a shoe part;
- direct the laser to project the laser beam onto the shoe part while the camera captures a plurality of images of the laser beam as it is scanned across the shoe part;
- and
- use the plurality of images to generate a three-dimensional surface map of at least a portion of the shoe part.
A method for generating three-dimensional models of shoe parts using a system that comprises a camera, a laser, and a shoe-part moving apparatus, the method comprising:
- adjusting, in a coordinated manner, settings of the camera and the laser to enhance a quality of an image of a laser beam projected onto a shoe part;
- projecting, from the laser and subsequent to the adjusting, the laser beam onto the shoe part;
- capturing, with the camera, a plurality of images of the laser beam as it is scanned across the shoe part;
- and
- using the plurality of images to generate a three-dimensional surface map of at least a portion of the shoe part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.