Automated 3-D modeling of shoe parts
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for analyzing scans of a shoe part to generate dimension data, which is useable to model three-dimensional (3-D) features of the shoe part, the method comprising:
- modifying a setting of a camera and/or a laser based on a color of the shoe part;
projecting a laser beam from the laser onto a shoe-part surface of the shoe part, which is comprised of a surface topography, such that a projected laser line extends across at least a portion of the shoe-part surface;
recording a first image of the projected laser line using the camera, wherein the first image comprises a first representation of the projected laser line;
recording a second image of the projected laser line using the camera, wherein the second image comprises a second representation of the projected laser line;
determining a first set of coordinate points that define the first representation of the projected laser line from the first image;
determining a second set of coordinate points that define the second representation of the projected laser line from the second image;
combining the first and second sets of coordinate points to generate a combined set of coordinate points that represent at least a portion of the surface topography;
converting the combined set of coordinate points into a set of geometric coordinate points that represents a 3-D model of the at least a portion of the surface topography; and
generating a tool path for a manufacturing process to be applied to the shoe-part surface, the tool path generated based at least in part on the 3-D model.
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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.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for analyzing scans of a shoe part to generate dimension data, which is useable to model three-dimensional (3-D) features of the shoe part, the method comprising:
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modifying a setting of a camera and/or a laser based on a color of the shoe part; projecting a laser beam from the laser onto a shoe-part surface of the shoe part, which is comprised of a surface topography, such that a projected laser line extends across at least a portion of the shoe-part surface; recording a first image of the projected laser line using the camera, wherein the first image comprises a first representation of the projected laser line; recording a second image of the projected laser line using the camera, wherein the second image comprises a second representation of the projected laser line; determining a first set of coordinate points that define the first representation of the projected laser line from the first image; determining a second set of coordinate points that define the second representation of the projected laser line from the second image; combining the first and second sets of coordinate points to generate a combined set of coordinate points that represent at least a portion of the surface topography; converting the combined set of coordinate points into a set of geometric coordinate points that represents a 3-D model of the at least a portion of the surface topography; and generating a tool path for a manufacturing process to be applied to the shoe-part surface, the tool path generated based at least in part on the 3-D model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for analyzing scans of shoe parts to generate dimension data, which is useable to model three-dimensional (3-D) features of the shoe parts for use in generating tool paths, the method comprising:
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positioning a first shoe part on at least a portion of a second shoe part, wherein an edge where the first shoe part meets the second shoe part comprises an interface line; projecting a laser beam onto the first shoe part and the second shoe part such that a first segment of a projected laser line extends on the first shoe part and a second segment of the projected laser line extends on the second shoe part; recording an image of the projected laser line that depicts a first-segment representation and a second-segment representation, wherein an interface region between the first-segment representation and the second-segment representation represents a portion of the interface line between the first shoe part and the second shoe part; identifying a coordinate point of the interface region that defines a position of the interface region as depicted in the image; converting the coordinate point to a geometric coordinate point that defines in part the interface line between the first shoe part and the second shoe part; and generating a tool path for a manufacturing process based at least in part on the interface line, the tool path generated so that the manufacturing process can be applied to an area of the first shoe part enclosed by the interface line that is to be covered by the second shoe part upon assembly of the first shoe part and the second shoe part. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for analyzing scans of shoe parts to generate dimension data that is useable to model three-dimensional (3-D) features of the shoe parts for generating tool paths for automated shoe manufacturing processes, the system comprising:
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a shoe-part moving apparatus that retains at least a first shoe part against a second shoe part and moves the first shoe part and the second shoe part in a line of travel, wherein the first shoe part is positioned such that an edge where the first shoe part meets the second shoe part comprises an interface line; one or more lasers that project laser beams onto the first shoe part and the second shoe part, each of the one or more lasers positioned such that a first segment of a respective projected laser line extends on the first shoe part and a second segment of the respective projected laser line extends on the second shoe part; at least a first camera and a second camera that record a plurality of images of the projected laser lines, wherein each one of the plurality of images depicts a first-segment representation and a second-segment representation, and wherein an interface region between the first-segment representation and the second-segment representation represents the interface line between the first shoe part and the second shoe part; and computer storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to; (1) derive coordinate points from the plurality of images that define a position of the interface region; (2) compile the coordinate points into a set of coordinate points; (3) convert the set of coordinate points into geometric coordinate points that define the interface line between the first shoe part and the second shoe part; and generate a tool path based at least in part on the geometric coordinate points that define the interface line, the tool path generated so that a manufacturing process can be applied to an area of the first shoe part enclosed by the interface line. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification