U.S. patent application number 10/847883 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for system and method for foot measurement for athletic footwear.
Invention is credited to Pattillo, David A., Simon, Benjamin L..
Application Number | 20040260508 10/847883 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33490488 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040260508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pattillo, David A. ; et
al. |
December 23, 2004 |
System and method for foot measurement for athletic footwear
Abstract
A method of recommending an appropriate size of athletic foot
wear utilizing a gradiated pad. The method comprises: receiving a
heel-to-toe length measurement into a computer, wherein the
foot-to-toe length measurement is a first shoe size; receiving an
arch length measurement into the computer, wherein the arch length
measurement is a second shoe size; if the first shoe size is
greater than the second shoe size, then using the computer to
recommend an athletic foot wear size equal to first shoe size plus
an additional one-half to full size; and if the first shoe size is
less than the second shoe size, then using the computer to
recommend an athletic foot wear size equal to the second shoe size
plus an additional zero to one-half size.
Inventors: |
Pattillo, David A.;
(Atlanta, GA) ; Simon, Benjamin L.; (Atlanta,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER
LLP
1300 I STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
33490488 |
Appl. No.: |
10/847883 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60472133 |
May 21, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
702/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43D 1/027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
702/155 |
International
Class: |
A43C 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of recommending an appropriate size of athletic foot
wear utilizing a gradiated pad, comprising: receiving a heel-to-toe
length measurement into a computer, wherein the foot-to-toe length
measurement is a first shoe size; receiving an arch length
measurement into the computer, wherein the arch length measurement
is a second shoe size; if the first shoe size is greater than the
second shoe size, then using the computer to recommend an athletic
foot wear size equal to first shoe size plus an additional one-half
to full size; and if the first shoe size is less than the second
shoe size, then using the computer to recommend an athletic foot
wear size equal to the second shoe size plus an additional zero to
one-half size.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the foot-to-toe length is
measured using the gradiated pad.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the arch length is measured using
the gradiated pad.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the arch length measurement is
based on the position of the mp joint.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the gradiated pad is a pressure
pad and further wherein receiving a heel-to-toe length measurement
further comprises: receiving an input into the computer from the
pressure pad, wherein the input comprises an x,y input from the
pressure pad; and translating, in the computer, the x,y input into
a heel-to-toe length measurement.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the gradiated pad is a pressure
pad and further wherein receiving an arch length measurement
further comprises: receiving an input into the computer from the
pressure pad, wherein the input comprises an x,y input from the
pressure pad; and translating, in the computer, the x,y input into
an arch length measurement.
7. A system for recommending an appropriate size of athletic foot
wear utilizing a gradiated pad, the system comprising: a display
for displaying the recommended size of athletic foot wear; a
memory; and a processor, coupled to the memory and the display, the
processor operable to: receive a heel-to-toe length measurement,
wherein the foot-to-toe length measurement is a first shoe size;
receive an arch length measurement, wherein the arch length
measurement is a second shoe size; if the first shoe size is
greater than the second shoe size, then recommend an athletic foot
wear size equal to first shoe size plus an additional one-half to
full size; and if the first shoe size is less than the second shoe
size, then recommend an athletic foot wear size equal to the second
shoe size plus an additional zero to one-half size.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the arch length measurement is
based on the position of the mp joint.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the gradiated pad is a pressure
pad and further wherein the processor is operable to: receive an
input from the pressure pad, wherein the input comprises an x,y
input from the pressure pad; and translate the x,y input into a
heel-to-toe length measurement.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein the gradiated pad is a pressure
pad and further wherein the processor is operable to: receiving an
input into the computer from the pressure pad, wherein the input
comprises an x,y input from the pressure pad; and translate the x,y
input into an arch length measurement.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/472,133, entitled
"System and Method for Foot Measurement for Athletic Footwear",
filed May 21, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to the field of foot measurement, and
more specifically, a system for and method of automating the
measurement of a foot using a foot pad and associated computing
platform.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Proper foot measurement is critical to providing
appropriately sized footwear. Unfortunately, few people realize
that one's shoe size is not the same across various types of
footwear. For example, in an athletic shoe, one will often wear a
size to a size and a half larger shoe than in a dress shoe. This is
due to the fact that when placing repeated stress on the foot, for
example when running, the foot will spread out. While various shoe
sizing devices exist, none provide sizing directed at the athletic
shoe market.
[0004] The Brannock Device, designed in 1927, has been the standard
foot measuring device employed in retail stores for over
seventy-five years. The Brannock Device measures heel-to-toe
length, heel-to-ball length ("arch length"), and foot width to
provide a recommended shoe size and width. The Brannock Device
comprises a pair of heel cups (right heel cup and left heel cup), a
moveable arch length pointer, and a moveable width bar. The
Brannock Device is complex to use and if often improperly used by
sales associates. The following illustration of the operation of
the Brannock Device will demonstrate its complexity.
[0005] To use the device, the width bar should be set to its widest
position and the arch length indicator should be slid back, so the
foot can be positioned easily on the device. Next, the customer
removes his footwear and stands, placing his right heel into the
right heel cup. The customer should stand with equal weight on both
feet to ensure that the foot being measured has elongated and
spread to it's maximum size. The heel is properly located against
the back of the heel cup, by grasping the customer's ankle and
device together. The associate presses the customer's toes flat
against the base of the device and looks straight down over the
longest toe (not necessarily the first toe) to read toe length.
[0006] Next, the associate places his thumb on the ball joint of
the foot, and slides the moveable arch length pointer forward, so
that the inside curve of the pointer fits the ball joint of the
foot and two high ribs on the pointer come in contact with the
associate's thumb. When the pointer is properly located, the lower
middle rib will be against the ball joint on the side of the foot.
This yields the arch measurement.
[0007] Finally, the associate compares the arch length to the
heel-to-toe length and uses the larger of the two measurements as
the correct shoe size. If the arch length and heel-to-toe length
are the same, this will be the shoe size. If the heel-to-toe length
is larger than the arch length, then fit to the heel-to-toe size.
If arch length is larger than heel-to-toe, then fit to arch length.
Unfortunately, even if used properly, the Brannock Device is
designed to provides appropriate shoe sized for dress shoes and not
athletic footwear. In athletic footwear, the shoe size needs to by
1/2 size to a full size larger than in a dress shown. Also, as can
be seen from the above description, few sales associates have been
properly trained to used the Brannock Device and fewer still
actually go through these complex steps.
[0008] Others have attempted to overcome the deficiencies of the
Brannock Device, but, as is evident from their lack of commercial
success, they have failed to gain a toe hold in the market. In
general, a great deal of their effort has been in making electronic
or optical gradiated platforms intended to take measurements of the
foot through pressure readings or light sensor readings,
respectively. However, these systems are inadequate because
pressure readings from the feet may fail to account for curved
areas of the foot that do not place pressure on the pad, yet may
result in additional, unaccounted for length and width of the foot.
In addition, none of these efforts have been directed at sizing
feet for athletic footwear.
[0009] The present invention is directed to overcoming the one or
more problems or disadvantages associated with the prior art.
SUMMARY
[0010] A method of recommending an appropriate size of athletic
foot wear utilizing a gradiated pad is disclosed. The method
comprises: receiving a heel-to-toe length measurement into a
computer, wherein the foot-to-toe length measurement is a first
shoe size; receiving an arch length measurement into the computer,
wherein the arch length measurement is a second shoe size; if the
first shoe size is greater than the second shoe size, then using
the computer to recommend an athletic foot wear size equal to first
shoe size plus an additional one-half to full size; and if the
first shoe size is less than the second shoe size, then using the
computer to recommend an athletic foot wear size equal to the
second shoe size plus an additional zero to one-half size.
[0011] 7. A system for recommending an appropriate size of athletic
foot wear utilizing a gradiated pad is further disclosed. The
system comprises: a display for displaying the recommended size of
athletic foot wear; a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory
and the display. The processor is operable to: receive a
heel-to-toe length measurement, wherein the foot-to-toe length
measurement is a first shoe size; receive an arch length
measurement, wherein the arch length measurement is a second shoe
size; if the first shoe size is greater than the second shoe size,
then recommend an athletic foot wear size equal to first shoe size
plus an additional one-half to full size; and if the first shoe
size is less than the second shoe size, then recommend an athletic
foot wear size equal to the second shoe size plus an additional
zero to one-half size.
[0012] The foregoing summarizes only a few aspects of the invention
and is not intended to be reflective of the full scope of the
invention as claimed. Additional features and advantages of the
invention are set forth in the following description, may be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the
invention. Moreover, both the foregoing summary and the following
detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended
to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a system
consistent with the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment
consistent with the present invention in its operating
environment.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a gradiated platform for use in
an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration of operational measurement of foot
length using the gradiated platform in an exemplary embodiment
consistent with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an illustration of operational measurement of arch
length using the gradiated platform in an exemplary embodiment
consistent with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a system diagram of hardware elements within the
computing platform in an exemplary embodiment consistent with the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a foot measurement process of an
exemplary embodiment consistent with the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a foot length and arch length
measuring process of an exemplary embodiment consistent with the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an athletic shoe size
calculation process of an exemplary embodiment consistent with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
exemplary embodiments consistent with the invention, examples of
which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever
possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the
drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0023] In general, the measurement system according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention operates by taking two or more
foot measurements from one or more feet, for example right foot
length and right arch length, and, utilizing a series of equations
or lookup tables, provides a recommended athletic shoe size.
Athletic shoe sizes tend to run zero to a full size larger than
dress shoe sizes. The system uses an algorithm that recommends 0.5
to 1 size larger than dress shoe size if the foot length is larger
than the arch length and 0 to 0.5 sizes larger than dress shoe size
if the foot length is less than the arch length.
[0024] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment
consistent with the present invention in its operating environment.
A customer 110 wishing to have measurements taken of her feet
stands without shoes upon a gradiated platform 120. The gradiated
platform 120 is in communication with a computing platform 130.
Computing platform 130, in connection with gradiated platform 120,
measures the heel-to-toe length ("foot length") and the length from
the heel to the metatarsal-phalangeal joint ("mp joint") ("arch
length") to compute a recommended athletic shoe size.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a gradiated platform for use in
an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present invention. The
gradiated platform 120 may be coupled to the computing platform 130
via Universal Serial Bus, USB2, Firewire, PCI, or serial
connection, for example. A gradiated platform utilized in an
exemplary embodiment of the invention is the Medicapteurs PEL 38
Platform. This platform can acquire pressure data from a
32.times.32 sensor pad of sensors of 1 cm..times.1 cm. at over 100
images per second. Further advanced Medicapteurs platforms suitable
for use with the invention feature a 48.times.48 sensor pad of
sensors of 0.8 cm.times.0.8 cm. As will be seen from the following
description, a pressure platform, such as the Midcapteurs PEL 38
Platform, is not necessarily required to practice the present
invention; other non-output producing platforms can be used in
conjunction with a text or mouse input device to replace the output
producing functions of the pressure pad, with the non-output
producing platform containing comparable markings and fittings.
[0026] Gradiated platform 120 may comprise a heel resting T-bar
210, foot length gradiations 220, arch length gradiations 230, an
input slider 240, and input gradiations 250. As a customer stands
on gradiated platform 120, resting her heels against T-bar 210,
foot length gradiations 220 indicate the length of the customer's
feet. Arch length gradiations 230 provide measurements of the arch
length of the customer. Input slider 240 slides up and down the
central column of T-bar 210 and comprises a button 242 and a sight
244. As a measurement needs to be entered into the measurement
system, sight 244 may be lined up with the foot length measurement
taken from foot length gradiations 220 and button 242 pressed down
upon the pad to indicate the foot length. Similarly, where the
customer's mp joint lines up with arch length gradiations 230,
sight 244 may be aligned with arch length gradiations 230 and
button 242 pressed down upon the pad to indicate arch length. While
slider 240 and gradiated platform 120 are utilized to provide the
inputs to computing platform 130, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that visual readings could be taken off gradiated
platform 120, with the data being entered by the customer or
another directly into computing platform 130 without computing
platform 130 receiving any direct, electrical input from gradiated
platform 120.
[0027] For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate
operation of the system with respect to only the right foot. The
same procedure would apply to measurement of the left foot. FIG. 3
is an illustration of operational measurement of foot length using
the gradiated platform in an exemplary embodiment consistent with
the present invention. As the customer stands upon gradiated
platform 120, her foot print 310 is shown on the gradiated platform
120. To measure the foot length, the foot length is measured from
the longest portion of her foot 320. In this example, this would
indicate a length of 11 from the foot length gradiations 220. Once
the foot length is determined, input slider 240 is slid along the
central column of T-bar 210 until sight 244 aligns over the 11 on
input gradiations 250. At this point, button 242 may be pressed
providing a pressure input to gradiated platform 120. Gradiated
platform 120 will provide this y coordinate to computing platform
130 which may use a lookup table or equation to determine that an
11 has been input as the right foot length.
[0028] FIG. 4 is an illustration of operational measurement of arch
length using the gradiated platform in an exemplary embodiment
consistent with the present invention. Appropriate arch length
gradiation 230 is selected based on which arch length gradiation
230 aligns with the customer's mp joint. Slider 240 is slid along
T-bar 210 until sight 244 aligns with this gradiation 230. At this
point, button 242 is pressed providing a pressure input to
gradiated platform 120. Gradiated platform 120 will provide this y
coordinate to computing platform 130 which may use a lookup table
or equation to determine the measured arch length of the right
foot.
[0029] A similar process may be repeated for the left foot.
Computing platform 130 may provide visual or audio prompts to the
operator of the measurement system to prompt for the series of
inputs: right length, right arch, left length, left arch. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the system will function
comparably with different ordered input or even with measurement
being only taken for a single foot. Once the measurements are
taken, computing platform 130 will provide a recommended athletic
shoe size or range of athletic shoe sizes.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a system diagram of hardware elements within the
computing platform in an exemplary embodiment consistent with the
present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a system environment
of the computing platform 130 may include a display 510, a central
processing unit 520, an input/output interface 530, a network
interface 540 and memory 550 coupled together by a bus. Computing
platform 130 is adapted to include the functionality and computing
capabilities to implement the described measuring and computing
functions of the measurement system. The input, output, and
monitoring of the system may be provided on display 510 for
viewing.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, Computing platform 130 may comprise a PC
or mainframe computer for performing various functions and
operations of embodiments of the invention. Computing platform 130
may be implemented, for example, by a general purpose computer
selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored
in the computer, or may be a specially constructed computing
platform for carrying-out the features and operations of the
present invention. Computing platform 130 may be separate or
integral to the platform 120. Computing platform 130 may also be
implemented or provided with a wide variety of components or
subsystems including, for example, one or more of the following:
one or more central processing units 520, a co-processor, memory
550, registers, and other data processing devices and subsystems.
Computing platform 130 may also communicate or transfer customer
records and reports via I/O interface 530 and/or network interface
540 through the use of direct connections or communication links to
other elements of the measurement system. For example, a firewall
in network interface 540, prevents access to the platform by
unpermitted outside sources.
[0032] Alternatively, communication between computing platform 130
and modules 510, 530, and 540 can be achieved through the use of a
network architecture (not shown). In the alternative embodiment
(not shown), the network architecture may comprise, alone or in any
suitable combination, a telephone-based network (such as a PBX or
POTS), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a
dedicated intranet, and/or the Internet. Further, it may comprise
any suitable combination of wired and/or wireless components and
systems. By using dedicated communication links or shared network
architecture, computing platform 130 may be located in the same
location or at a geographically distant location from modules 510,
530, and 540.
[0033] I/O interface 530 of the system environment shown in FIG. 3
may be implemented with a wide variety of devices to receive and/or
provide the data to and from the measurement system and platform.
I/O interface 530 may include an input device, a storage device,
and/or a network. The input device may include a keyboard, a mouse,
a disk drive, video camera, magnetic card reader, or any other
suitable input device for providing records to the measurement
system.
[0034] Network interface 540 may be connected to a network, such as
a Wide Area Network, a Local Area Network, or the Internet for
providing read/write access to records.
[0035] Memory device 550 may be implemented with various forms of
memory or storage devices, such as read-only memory (ROM) devices
and random access memory (RAM) devices. Memory device 550 may also
include a memory tape or disk drive for reading and providing
records on a storage tape or disk as input to the measurement
system. Memory device 550 may comprise: an operating system 552, a
fitting module 554 for measuring and calculating foot size and
recommended athletic footwear size; and a platform interface module
356 for reading information from platform 120.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a foot measurement process of an
exemplary embodiment consistent with the present invention.
Initially, a customer stands upon the gradiated platform or pad. At
stage 610, the first foot, e.g., the right foot, heel-to-toe, or
foot length, reading is taken. At stage 620, the first foot arch
length reading is taken. At stage 630, the second foot foot length
reading is taken. At stage 640, the second foot arch reading is
taken. Finally, at stage 650, the recommended athletic shoe size is
calculated and provided to the customer.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a foot length and arch length
measuring process of an exemplary embodiment consistent with the
present invention. At stage 710, the user places her foot on the
pad. At stage 720, the user views the length of the foot, from the
foot length gradiations, and enters this length into the system
using, for example, the input slider at stage 730. At stage 740,
the user views the position of the mp joint, follows the arch
length gradiations from the input joint to the input gradiations on
the pad, and, at stage 750, enters the mp joint position into the
system using, for example, the input slider. A similar process may
be repeated for the second foot.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an athletic shoe size
calculation process of an exemplary embodiment consistent with the
present invention. At stage 810, the calculation process 650
begins. At stage 820, the first foot foot length is compared to the
first foot arch length. If the first foot foot length is greater
than the first foot arch length, then, at stage 830, the
recommended first foot athletic shoe size is set to the first foot
foot length plus another one-half to full size. If the first foot
foot length is less than the first foot arch length, then, at stage
840, the recommended first foot athletic shoe size is set to the
first foot arch length plus another zero to one-half size.
[0039] At stage 850, the second foot foot length is compared to the
second foot arch length. If the second foot foot length is greater
than the second foot arch length, then, at stage 870, the
recommended second foot athletic shoe size is set to the second
foot foot length plus another one-half to full size. If the second
foot foot length is less than the second foot arch length, then, at
stage 860, the recommended second foot athletic shoe size is set to
the second foot arch length plus another zero to one-half size.
[0040] At stage 880, the recommended athletic shoe size is set to
the larger of the first foot recommended athletic shoe size and the
second foot recommended athletic shoe size.
[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of
systems and methods consistent with the present invention may be
stored on or read from other computer-readable media, such as:
secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, and
CD-ROM; a carrier wave received from the Internet; or other forms
of computer-readable memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) or
random-access memory (RAM).
[0042] Furthermore, one skilled in the art will also realize that
the processes illustrated in this description may be implemented in
a variety of ways and include multiple other modules, programs,
applications, scripts, processes, threads, or code sections that
all functionally interrelate with each other to accomplish the
individual tasks described above for each module, script, and
daemon. For example, it is contemplated that these programs modules
may be implemented using commercially available software tools,
using custom object-oriented code written in the C++ programming
language, using applets written in the Java programming language,
or may be implemented as with discrete electrical components or as
one or more hardwired application specific integrated circuits
(ASIC) custom designed just for this purpose.
[0043] It will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art
that various changes and modifications of an obvious nature may be
made, and all such changes and modifications are considered to fall
within the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments of the
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the invention
disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and
examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and
spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *