US 5,689,446 A · Foot contour digitizer

Abstract

Apparatus for determining a contour of the underside of a person's foot includes an array of gauge pins supported by a first support structure and disposed in spaced relation for independent, guided movement along their longitudinal axes. An inflatable diaphragm elevates the gauge pins into extended positions until they contact the underside of the foot. A camera, forward of the gauge pin array, is pointed towards the gauge pin array. An initial reference image is captured of the gauge pins in their retracted position. The person's foot is then placed on the first support structure and the gauge pins are elevated (by means of the diaphragm). The gauge pins are locked in place; the foot is removed and an image of the conforming gauge pin array is acquired by the camera, using ambient light. The image is sent to a processor which analyzes the image and compares it to the reference image to determine the new location of the tops of the gauge pins. The apparatus also allows measurement of the top surface of the foot, including the heel. This is accomplished via an optical scanning system which makes use of a light bar projector in conjunction with a camera to first scan the top of the gauge element array to acquire a reference image for each light bar position. Then, a person's foot is placed on the gauge pin array and the entire foot is scanned. The resulting images enable the processor to determine the contour of the upper portion of the foot.

Claims28

Dependent claims

Apparatus for determining a contour of a portion of a person's foot, said apparatus including an array of gauge elements supported by a first support structure and disposed in spaced relation for independent guided movement along longitudinal axes of said gauge elements, from a home position to an extended position, and first control means for urging said gauge elements into extended positions so as to contact said portion of the person's foot, said apparatus further comprising:

camera means for acquiring a reference image of reflections of said gauge elements when said gauge elements are disposed in a reference position, and for further acquiring a contour image of reflections of said gauge elements in extended positions after contact with the person's foot;
and
control means for receiving said reference image and contour image and calculating therefrom, a digital value indicative of a linear measure of an amount of extension of each said gauge element to enable said determination of said contour.

A method for determining a contour of a portion of a person's foot, said method employing apparatus including an array of rows of gauge elements supported by a support structure and disposed in spaced relation for independently guided movement along longitudinal axes, from a home position towards said portion of a person's foot, and control means for urging said gauge elements into extended positions in contact with said portion of the person's foot, said method comprising the steps of:

acquiring a first image of reflections of ambient light from said gauge elements when in a reference position;
elevating said gauge elements to extended positions into contact with the person's foot;
acquiring a second image of reflections of said ambient light from said gauge elements after said person's foot has been removed therefrom;
determining from said first image and second image and known mechanical dimensions of said support means, a digital value indicative of a linear measure of an amount of extension of each said gauge element to enable determination of said contour.

1 more element

projection means for projecting a light bar across said array of gauge elements when said gauge elements are disposed in a reference position;
camera means for acquiring images of reflections of said light bar;
means for locking said gauge elements into said extended positions after contact with said portion of the person's foot;
control means coupled to said projection means and said camera means, for operating said projection means to project said light bar along said gauge elements when positioned in said reference position and, further, along a person's foot positioned on said gauge elements, said control means receiving images of reflections of said light bar from said camera means and calculating therefrom, digital values indicative of a contour of said person's foot.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Foot contour digitizer

Life of this patent

Foot contour digitizer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28