Apparatus and method for measuring the pressure distribution generated by a three-dimensional object
First Claim
1. A self-calibrating apparatus for measuring a pressure distribution generated by a three-dimensional object, comprising:
- a plurality of first non-linear force sensors arranged in an array, the measured pressure distribution being based on output of the first non-linear sensors;
a second force sensing device having a linear or linearisable output for measuring a total force applied to the first force sensors, and means for calibrating the first non-linear force sensors based on the output of the first non-linear sensors and the second force sensing device.
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Abstract
A self-calibrating apparatus and a self-calibrating method for measuring the pressure distribution generated by a three-dimensional object, is described which includes a plurality of first non-linear force sensors arranged in an array; and a second force sensing device (3) having a linear or linearisable output for measuring the total force applied to the first force sensors. The first sensors are dynamically calibrated based on the results of the comparison. The three-dimensional object may be a human foot and the apparatus and method amy be sued for fitting shoes or for determining irregularities or ailments of the human foot or leg.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A self-calibrating apparatus for measuring a pressure distribution generated by a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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a plurality of first non-linear force sensors arranged in an array, the measured pressure distribution being based on output of the first non-linear sensors;
a second force sensing device having a linear or linearisable output for measuring a total force applied to the first force sensors, and means for calibrating the first non-linear force sensors based on the output of the first non-linear sensors and the second force sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A self-calibrating apparatus for measuring a pressure distribution generated by a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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a substantially rigid plate;
a plurality of first force sensors arranged in an array, the array of first force sensors being arranged to be on one side of the plate;
a second force sensing device for measuring a total force applied to the plate, and means for calibrating the first non-linear force sensors based on the output of the first non-linear sensors and the second force sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
9.The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means for calibrating comprises a device for calibrating the first force sensors depending on the result of the comparison. -
9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the array of first sensors is included in one pressure sensing device and the second sensing device is included in a second pressure sensing device.
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10. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a device for determining an individual calibration factor of each first sensor.
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11. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the three dimensional object is a human foot.
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12. A method of measuring a pressure distribution generated by a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of first non-linear force sensors arranged in an array, the measured pressure distribution being based on output of the first non-linear sensors;
providing a second force sensing device having a linear or linearisable output for measuring a total force applied to the first force sensors;
obtaining readings of the force on each sensor of the array of first pressure sensors;
adding together the readings from all the first force sensors in the array;
comparing this result with the output of the second force sensing device, and calibrating the first non-linear force sensors based on the result of the comparison.
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- 13. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of calibrating the first force sensors depending on the result of the comparison.
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16. A method of measuring a pressure distribution generated by a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of:
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providing a substantially rigid plate;
providing a plurality of first force sensors arranged in an array, the array being arranged to be on one side of the plate;
providing a second force sensing device for measuring a total force applied to the plate;
scanning the array of first force sensors to obtain readings of the force on each sensor;
adding together the readings from all the first force sensors in the array, comparing this result with the output of the second force sensing device, and calibrating the first non-linear force sensors based on the result of the comparison.
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- 17. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of calibrating the first force sensors depending on the result of the comparison.
Specification