Shoe size selection system and apparatus therefor
AssigneeBrown Group, Inc.
InventorsCharles Wolfersberger, Mark D. Linneman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shoe size selection system using a foot image to obtain measurement information in three dimensions leading to a proper shoe size recommendation. The system provides a computer program that interprets three-dimensional information about a foot and calculates the key features that relate foot length and girth data that affect the comfort and fit of a shoe. Apparatus is used to allow the computer to reproduce on a viewing screen the results of a scan of a foot and to indicate on a chart a preferred shoe size for a foot that may be normal as to physical form or abnormal as to physical form.
Claims10
A shoe size selection system for determining a size acceptable to the shape of a foot that is intended to wear the shoe, in which the improvement comprises:
- (a) a support to receive a foot to be measured for size;
- (b) a laser light source;
- (c) means to structure and move said laser light for scanning over a foot on said support;
- (d) camera means positioned to view a foot on said support during laser light scanning;
- (e) computer means connected to said laser light source and said camera means to calculate three-dimensional size information about a foot on said support;
- (f) program means in said computer means to compare shoe length and girth with a foot on said support;
- and
- (g) viewing means connected to said computer means for displaying the calculated three-dimensional size information about a foot on said support.
In foot measuring apparatus for determining a shoe size that is acceptable to the characteristics of the shape of the foot that is to wear the shoe, the improvement comprising:
- (a) a foot supporting surface having a foot heel backstop for setting the starting position from which the shoe size is to be determined;
- (b) means for scanning the foot while on said foot support surface;
- (c) means for illuminating the foot to activate said scanning means to produce an image of the foot and its shape characteristics;
- (d) computer means for storing a shoe size chart having foot girth and length blocks thereon;
- (e) means in said computer means for reproducing said computer-stored chart, said image of said foot and its shape characteristics and an indication of the girth and length of the foot on said computer-stored chart for visual comparison with said girth and length blocks;
- and
- (f) means in said computer means to produce a printout graphically indicating a shoe size responsive to the shape of the foot to wear the shoe.
A method of selecting a shoe size for a foot having a predetermined shape and length in which the method includes:
- (a) supporting a foot in a pre-determined position to expose its shape and length in two dimensions;
- (b) illuminating the foot to provide a lighted image thereof;
- (c) developing a two-dimensional view of the lighted image;
- (d) subjecting the lighted two dimensional view to triangulation calculations to obtain three-dimensional information which describe the exposed surface of the foot;
- (e) providing a chart relating foot length and girth to a group of representative shoe sizes;
- (f) displaying an image of the foot described by the three-dimensional information thereof;
- and
- (g) indicating on the chart at least one shoe size to accommodate the foot.
In a shoe size determination method, the improvement of:
- (a) providing a software program which relates foot length, width and thickness data to shoe size;
- (b) scanning a foot with a laser beam from a given angular location relative to the foot;
- (c) creating a camera visual image of the foot during the laser beam scanning;
- (d) electronically transmitting the camera created visual image into the software program;
- and
- (e) producing a size chart of shoe length to girth with the shoe size indicated on the size chart to suit the foot size.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.