Integrated system for foot measurement, last and footwear manufacture

• US 5,339,252 A
• Filed: 01/07/1993
• Issued: 08/16/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Foot Image Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Foot Image Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: White, Jay P., Sweasy, William J. Jr., Thies, Wesley A., Goggin, Joseph P.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUGGIERO, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US08/002,120
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 364/468, 364/401-403, 364/188, 364/189, 364/470, 12/1 W, 12/146 L, 12/133 R, 33/3 R, 33/3 A, 33/3 B, 33/3 C, 33/4, 33/5, 33/6, 33/512, 33/515, 128/779
• US Class Current: 700/98
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 1/025 comprising optical means, e.g. mirrors, photo-electric cells, for measuring or inspecting feet
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 119/00 Driving or controlling mechanisms of shoe machines; Frames for shoe machines
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 3/02 Lasts for making or repairing shoes making of wooden lasts B27M3/20
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41865 characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31293 Enter size measurements, store in data base, analyze and identify in size data group
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31319 Use data groups as inventory control value, adapt inventory need to new data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32024 Remote ordering, electronic selection article and fitting to form of client
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32036 Enter data, values for custom made articles
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35038 Combine, superpose model, foot data with style data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45243 Shoe, footwear making

Abstract

A system is provided for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture which comprises a foot sizing device for determining foot sizing data by empirically measuring a foot to determine proper fit of a predetermined footwear style, a data processing device for receiving the foot sizing data from the foot sizing device and for transmitting the foot sizing and footwear style data, and a computer automated design mechanism for receiving the data from the data processing device and deriving machine readable data in a form suitable for transmission to footwear last production machinery for manufacture of a footwear last. The system also may include footwear last production machinery configured to utilize the machine readable data in the manufacturing of a footwear last. The foot sizing device preferably includes an electro-optical scanner which is capable of accurately determining foot sizing data of a foot covered by stocking as well as a foot of light or dark skin tones. The system may further include a style selection mechanism for selecting a particular style of footwear to be manufactured from the foot sizing data. In addition, a method for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture is provided. In addition, a custom footwear last manufacture according to the process of measuring a foot, providing a predetermined footwear style, deriving machine readable footwear last production data, and inputting the machine readable footwear last production data into footwear last production machinery is provided.

Claims

1. A system for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture comprising:

a) foot sizing means for determining foot sizing data by empirically measuring a foot to enable proper fit of a predetermined footwear style with the measured foot, the foot sizing means including a reference surface and first means for measuring a bottom of the foot to obtain pressure data corresponding to the amount of pressure exerted against a first plurality of points of the bottom of the foot by the reference surface, the pressure data being at least a portion of the foot sizing data, the foot sizing means further including second means for measuring the bottom of the foot to obtain distance data corresponding to the distance from the reference surface of a second plurality of points of the bottom of the foot not exerting pressure against the reference surface, the distance data being a portion of the foot sizing data;

b) data processing means logically coupled to the foot sizing means for receiving the foot sizing data from the foot sizing means and for transmitting the foot sizing and footwear style data to other system components; and

c) computer automated design means for receiving the foot sizing and footwear style data from the data processing means, the computer automated design means including means for deriving machine readable data from the received foot sizing data and footwear style data, the machine readable data being in a form suitable for transmission to footwear last production machinery for manufacture of a footwear last.

2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising footwear last production machinery configured to receive and utilize the machine readable data in the manufacture of a footwear last.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the foot sizing means comprises an electro-optical scanning device.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein the electro-optical scanning device comprises:

a) a foot length measuring subsystem;

b) a foot width measuring subsystem;

c) a foot arch-line measuring subsystem; and

d) a foot curvature measuring subsystem.

5. The system according to claim 3 wherein the electro-optical scanning device accurately determines foot sizing data of a foot covered by a stocking.

6. The system according to claim 3 wherein the electro-optical scanning device accurately determines foot sizing data of a foot having light skin tones.

7. The system according to claim 3 wherein the electro-optical scanning device accurately determines foot sizing data of a foot dark skin tones.

8. A system for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture comprising:

a) foot sizing means for determining foot sizing data by empirically measuring a foot;

b) data processing means logically coupled to the foot sizing means for receiving the foot sizing data from the foot sizing means, the data processing means including style selection means for selection by a footwear user of a desired style of footwear to be manufactured from the foot sizing data, the style selection means permitting selection by the footwear user of the desired style from a plurality of predetermined styles, the data processing means further including means for automatically selecting the plurality of predetermined styles from a larger style database, based upon the foot sizing data, the data processing means further including transmitting means for transmitting the foot sizing data and footwear style data to other system components;

c) display means for displaying information related to the plurality of predetermined styles to permit selection of the desired style by the footwear user; and

d) computer automated design means for receiving the foot sizing data and the footwear style data from the data processing means, the computer automated design means including means for deriving machine readable data from the received data for subsequent transmission to footwear last production machinery which utilizes the machine readable data in the manufacture of a footwear last.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the foot sizing means includes a reference surface and means for measuring pressure data associated with pressures of the foot exerted against the reference surface, the pressure data comprising at least a part of the foot sizing data.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising user input means, logically coupled to the data processing means, for inputting desired use data of the footwear by the user, the automatic selection means selecting the plurality of predetermined styles based upon the foot sizing data and the desired use data.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the foot sizing means includes a reference surface and means for measuring distance data associated with distances of the foot from the reference surface, the distance data comprising at least a part of the foot sizing data.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising user input means, logically coupled to the data processing means, for inputting desired use data of the footwear by the user, the automatic selection means selecting the plurality of predetermined styles based upon the foot sizing data and the desired use data.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the foot sizing means includes means for measuring data associated with pressures of the foot exerted against the reference surface, the pressure data comprising a part of the foot sizing data.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising user input means, logically coupled to the data processing means, for inputting desired use data of the footwear by the user, the automatic selection means selecting the plurality of predetermined styles based upon the foot sizing data and the desired use data.

15. The system of claim 8, further comprising user input means, logically coupled to the data processing means, for inputting desired use data of the footwear by the user, the automatic selection means selecting the plurality of predetermined styles based upon the foot sizing data and the desired use data.

16. A method for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture comprising the steps of:

a) configuring a foot sizing mechanism to measure and size a foot and to provide foot sizing data for enabling proper fit of the measured foot with a predetermined footwear style, the foot sizing mechanism including a reference surface and first means for measuring a bottom of the foot to obtain pressure data corresponding to the amount of pressure exerted against a first plurality of points of the bottom of the foot by the reference surface, the pressure data being at least a portion of the foot sizing data, the foot sizing mechanism further including second means for measuring the bottom of the foot to obtain distance data corresponding to the distance from the reference surface of a second plurality of points of the bottom of the foot not exerting pressure against the reference surface, the distance data being a portion of the foot sizing data;

b) measuring and sizing a foot with the foot sizing mechanism to obtain the foot sizing data;

c) transferring electronically the foot sizing data from the foot sizing mechanism to an electronic data processor;

d) providing the predetermined footwear style data to the electronic data processor;

e) deriving machine readable footwear last production data for use by footwear last production machinery by processing the foot sizing data and the selected footwear style data with the electronic data processor; and

f) inputting the machine readable footwear last production data into footwear last production machinery to manufacture a last suitable for making footwear for the measured and sized foot.

17. The method according to claim 16 further comprising the step of utilizing the last for manufacturing custom fit footwear for the measured and sized foot.

18. The method according to claim 16 wherein the measuring and sizing step comprises the steps of:

a) placing a foot within an optical scanning field of an electro-optical scanner;

b) scanning the foot with the scanner to produce an optical image; and

c) translating the optical image to measurement system values comprising foot sizing data.

19. A custom footwear last manufactured according to the process of:

a) configuring a foot sizing mechanism to measure and size a foot and to provide foot sizing data for enabling proper fit of the measured foot with a predetermined footwear style, the foot sizing mechanism including a reference surface and first means for measuring a bottom of the foot to obtain pressure data corresponding to the amount of pressure exerted against a first plurality of points of the bottom of the foot by the reference surface, the pressure data being at least a portion of the foot sizing data, the foot sizing means further including second means for measuring the bottom of the foot to obtain distance data corresponding to the distance from the reference surface of a second plurality of points of the bottom of the foot not exerting pressure against the reference surface, the distance data being a portion of the foot sizing data;

b) measuring and sizing a foot with the foot sizing mechanism to obtain the foot sizing data;

c) transferring electronically the foot sizing data from the foot sizing mechanism to an electronic data processor;

d) providing the predetermined footwear style data to the electronic data processor;

e) deriving machine readable footwear last production data for use by footwear last production machinery by processing the foot sizing data and the selected footwear style data with the electronic data processor; and

f) inputting the machine readable footwear last production data into footwear last production machinery to manufacture a custom last for making custom footwear for the measured and sized foot.

20. A system for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture comprising:

a) foot measuring means for measuring a foot and outputting foot sizing data of the foot;

b) computer foot sizing means for determining a plurality of selected foot sizing parameters from the foot sizing data, wherein the computer foot sizing means includes means for determining;

i) a foot length parameter;

ii) a foot width parameter;

iii) a foot arch-line parameter; and

iv) a foot curvature parameter

c) style means for inputting footwear style data corresponding to a desired footwear;

d) computer automated design means for receiving the foot sizing parameters and the footwear style data, the computer automated design means including means for deriving machine readable data from the foot sizing parameters and the footwear style data, the machine readable data being in a form suitable for transmission to footwear last production machinery for manufacture of a footwear last useable to manufacture the desired footwear for the foot having the foot sizing parameters determined by the foot sizing means; and

e) display means for visually displaying the foot sizing parameters.

21. A system for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture comprising:

a) foot measuring means for measuring a foot and outputting foot sizing data of the foot, the foot measuring means including a reference surface and first means for measuring the foot to obtain pressure data corresponding to the relative pressures exerted by the foot against the reference surface when the foot is at least partially weighted, the pressure data being at least a portion of the foot sizing data, the foot measuring means including second means for measuring the foot to obtain distance data corresponding to the relative distances of the foot from the reference surface in portions of the foot not exerting pressure against the reference surface, the distance data being a portion of the foot sizing data;

b) style means for inputting footwear style data corresponding to a desired footwear; and

d) computer automated design means for receiving the foot sizing data and the footwear style data, the computer automated design means including means for deriving machine readable data from the received foot sizing data and the footwear style data, the machine readable data being in a form suitable for transmission to footwear last production machinery for manufacture of a footwear last useable to manufacture the desired footwear.