FI20215872A1 - Point cloud -based foot measurement for selecting ready-made footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure allows point cloud-based foot measurement. A computing device (200) accesses a point cloud-based three-dimensional, 3D, model of a foot generated by a 3D model generator (121) based on digital images of the foot captured by a 3D capture device (110). The computing device (200) determines a first measure (301) of the foot from the accessed point cloud-based 3D model of the foot, the first measure (301) being a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel. The computing device (200) determines a second measure (302) of the foot from the accessed point cloud-based 3D model of the foot, the second measure (302) being a circumference around a ball of the foot. The computing device (200) determines a shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure (301) and second measure (302).

Description

POINT CLOUD -BASED FOOT MEASUREMENT FOR SELECTING READY-

MADE FOOTWEAR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to foot measurement. In particular, the present application relates to point cloud -based foot measurement to allow accurate selection of ready-made shoes or footwear.

BACKGROUND

Over the years, shoemakers have developed and optimized shoe lasts to represent the inner space of a shoe in a way that fits as large a portion of general populace as possible. As a result, the proportions of various shoe lasts around the world nowadays tend to fit as much as approximately 80% of the general populace.

These various shoe lasts and their proportions provide a basis for the shoe sizing systems or charts that are used today. Examples of these shoe sizing systems or charts include the French shoe sizing chart and the English shoe sizing chart.

Generally speaking, the shoemaking industry is comprised of manufacturing ready-made (or industrial or non-tailored) footwear and manufacturing tailored, i.e., personalized footwear.

For ready-made footwear, a purchaser needs to

N either try on footwear samples in a shop or the like to

N find a fitting size, or when physical samples are not 3 available (such as with Internet shopping), to measure

D 30 his/her foot accurately enough to allow determining a

Ek best-fitting size. a

Traditionally, foot measurement has been

S performed by hand, using, e.g., a cobbler’s or = shoemaker’s tape measure. For example, it is possible

S 35 to measure length of a foot and express the measurement result in centimeters or in different sizing systems.

Correspondingly it is possible to measure the width of the same foot and express if a wide or narrow fit should be chosen. However, foot measurement by hand requires experience and skill to provide accurate results. Also, foot measurement by hand is often considered cumbersome and too time consuming by modern Internet shoppers and the like.

As a result, particularly in case of Internet shopping, the person buying new footwear is not visiting any store for measuring or consultation but tries to guess the correct size based on his/her own knowledge and/or past experience and without possibility to try the product before placing an order. In recent years, this has led to a significant rise in the amount of returns of ordered products when the shopper receives the product and finds out that it does not fit after all. Since the returned and tried-at-home footwear are now non-marketable, they represent a significant loss to the shoemaking industry worldwide.

Accordingly, there is a need for foot measurement for selecting ready-made footwear that provides accurate results efficiently, easily and with low costs, and which can be performed both at home and at stores and the like.

SUMMARY

- The scope of protection sought for various

S example embodiments of the invention is set out by the

A independent claims. The example embodiments and = 30 features, if any, described in this specification that

TY do not fall under the scope of the independent claims

E are to be interpreted as examples useful for

N understanding various example embodiments of the 5 invention.

N 35 An example embodiment of a computing device

N comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the computing device to at least perform accessing a point cloud - based three-dimensional, 3D, model of a foot generated by a 3D model generator based on digital images of the foot captured by a 3D capture device. The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the computing device to perform determining a first measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the first measure being a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel. The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the computing device to perform determining a second measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the second measure being a circumference around a ball of the foot. The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the computing device to perform determining a shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure and second measure.

In an example embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above-described example embodiments, the determining of the shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure and second measure comprises

N accessing a shoe sizing database, comparing the

N determined first measure and second measure to 3 30 corresponding data in the accessed shoe sizing database, > and determining a shoe size for the foot based on the =E comparison. * An example embodiment of a computing device

S comprises means for performing: = 35 accessing a point cloud -based three-

S dimensional, 3D, model of a foot generated by a 3D model generator based on digital images of the foot captured by a 3D capture device; determining a first measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the first measure being a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel; determining a second measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the second measure being a circumference around a ball of the foot; and determining a shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure and second measure.

An example embodiment of a method comprises accessing, by a computing device, a point cloud -based three-dimensional, 3D, model of a foot generated by a 3D model generator based on digital images of the foot captured by a 3D capture device. The method further comprises determining, by the computing device, a first measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the first measure being a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel. The method further comprises determining, by the computing device, a second measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the second measure being a circumference around a ball of the foot.

The method further comprises determining, by the computing device, a shoe size for the foot based on the

N determined first measure and second measure.

N In an example embodiment, alternatively or in 3 30 addition to the above-described example embodiments, the 2 determining of the shoe size for the foot based on the z determined first measure and second measure comprises * accessing, by the computing device, a shoe sizing

S database, comparing, by the computing device, the = 35 determined first measure and second measure to

S corresponding data in the accessed shoe sizing database,

and determining, by the computing device, a shoe size for the foot based on the comparison.

An example embodiment of a computer program comprises instructions for causing a computing device 5 to perform at least the following: accessing a point cloud -based three- dimensional, 3D, model of a foot generated by a 3D model generator based on digital images of the foot captured by a 3D capture device; determining a first measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the first measure being a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel; determining a second measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the second measure being a circumference around a ball of the foot; and determining a shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure and second measure.

An example embodiment of a system comprises a three-dimensional, 3D, capture device, configured to capture digital images suitable for generating point cloud -based 3D models. The system further comprises a 3D model generator, configured to generate a point cloud -based 3D model based on the captured digital images.

The system further comprises the computing device according to the above-described example embodiments.

N In an example embodiment, alternatively or in

N addition to the above-described example embodiments, the 3 30 3D capture device comprises a 3D capture device based > on at least one of lidar technology, truedepth =E technology, time-of-flight technology, depth mapping * technology, or photogrammetry technology.

S At least some of the embodiments allow foot = 35 measurement for selecting ready-made footwear that

S provides accurate results efficiently, easily and with low costs, and which can be performed both at home and at stores and the like.

Since the disclosed foot measurement can be performed with a commonly available smartphone having a digital camera, without requiring expensive laser scanners or the like, at least some of the embodiments allow foot measurement for selecting ready-made footwear that provides accurate results with low costs.

Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments allow distributing the software needed in the disclosed systems and methods of foot measurement via easily available smartphone software distribution systems (such as the various application stores and the like).

Since the disclosed apparatuses, systems and methods of foot measurement require measuring a single circumference metric in addition to measuring the length of the foot, at least some of the embodiments allow foot measurement for selecting ready-made footwear that provides accurate results with efficiency and ease.

Using only two metrics and still getting accurate results is possible because the chosen metrics are the defining ones in every shoe last and shoe sizing system worldwide. All the other metrics used in a shoe last or shoe sizing system automatically adapt to these chosen two metrics well enough for the purposes of selecting ready-made footwear. For this reason, at least some of the embodiments also allow globally applicable

N foot measurement for selecting ready-made footwear that

N provides accurate results. 3 30 o

A DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

I

E The accompanying drawings, which are included

N to provide a further understanding of the invention and

D constitute a part of this specification, illustrate

S 35 embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating an example system, where various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

Fig. 2 shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating a computing device;

Fig. 3 illustrates an example diagram of foot measurements;

Fig. 4 illustrates an example chart of a shoe size system;

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a shoe last;

Fig. 6 shows an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein illustrating a method; and

Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a point cloud -based 3D model of a foot.

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description — provided below in connection with the appended drawings

N is intended as a description of the present examples and

A is not intended to represent the only forms in which the = 30 present example may be constructed or utilized. The

T description sets forth the functions of the example and

E the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the

N example. However, the same or equivalent functions and 5 seguences may be accomplished by different examples.

N 35 Industrial (or ready-made or non-tailored)

N footwear or shoes are made with industrial lasts. The last creates the inner volume for the shoe. An industrial last is the result of a long-time evolution.

The goal for industrial lasts has been for decades that they would suit and cover as much as possible of the genre that a shoe type is meant for.

It has been found that out of 100% of potential customers, typically approximately 80% of persons have such consistent feet that a normal industrial last shape suits them. The rest, i.e., 203, consists of two categories: people with such differences and/or problems with their feet that they must seek specially made or orthopaedic footwear, and people who are somewhere in between a normal need and an orthopaedic need. In other words, normal industrially made shoes are a compromise to serve the normally footed 80%.

Thus, the shoes in normal shoe shops are meant for normally footed customers and the basic shapes are a result of this evolution. The basic shape of an industrial last is graded to different sizes by choosing one of known standard sizing systems which chart the way length and girth grows from size to size.

The shoes are produced on the last and delivered to shops. A customer visits a shop looking for a style and size. A style is something he/she likes, and the size is something he/she thinks might fit his/her foot. By trying several sizes and several styles a shoe is chosen. In practice, the shoe size number can vary depending on the manufacturer and/or country that the

N product is coming from. This is how the shoe selection

N process traditionally goes. It is very time and work 3 30 consuming, and this is a reason why the process is > difficult to arrange via Internet. =E The customer comes to a decision after being * attracted to a shoe type/style and after the length and

S girth ratio is correct for that particular customer's = 35 feet. In regards to length, the shoe must be longer than

S the foot. The girth measurement, around the ball of the foot, is responsible for the feel and usability of the shoe.

There may be, e.g., three basic types of customers: 1) Standard. Here, the relation between foot length and girth is standard and fits the international last grading/size charts. Shoe selection is easy. 2) Short length / large girth. Here, the main factor is the girth which governs the selection.

It is still quite easy to choose shoes. Usually, this type of customer achieves good comfort but has some extra room on the toes due to the fact that he/she had to choose a bigger size due to the measurement in girth. 3) Long length / small girth. Here, the main factor is the length which governs the selection.

Usually, this type of customer also achieves good comfort, but the shoe length is as short as possible compared to the foot length. This means that this type of customer has some extra room in the girth.

The above describes how the customer shoe selection process conventionally works among normally footed customers. It is inconvenient, and it is becoming even more so with the internet shopping of shoes.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a shoe last 500. A shoe last is typically a wooden, plastic or metal form that has multiple functions in the industry. The

N shoe is designed on the last, and the shoes are produced

N on the lasts. A last gives the inner volume to the shoe. 3 30 It is also used in a factory in each process stage. The 2 last also gives the shoe the functionality in use and z in the purpose for which the product is intended. * The last represents the knowledge and knowhow

S of that particular shoe type. It also represents = 35 information concerning the type of production,

S machinery, shoe components and materials used and information about shoe construction and design. For this reason, an industrial shoe last is the result of a long evolution.

A shoe last also represents an image of the foot. Thus, the last is also the result of a long evolution in the sense that the basic shape fits as many persons as possible within the intended customer genre.

In addition to the foot shape, the last has additional shapes that will give room to certain areas (toes, etc.). It may have aspects from the design, such as heel height, toe roll and/or toe shape.

An industrial last is not a "one-off” piece.

This would not work since there are so many requirements for it. Instead, an industrial last is a carefully tuned result of long experience.

Industrial shoe lasts have been made for over 150 years. This means that, depending on the style and purpose of the footwear, each company has a good reserve of current and previous lasts that can be modified and fine-tuned by utilizing the evolution of a given last and shoe genre.

Once the basic size of a last is finished, it can be described with size tables for the grading of the last to different lengths and girths. The customer chooses the length and girth via a "shoe size” resulting from these international size tables.

Examples of the size tables include "French system” (also known as "Paris point” and "EU size”,

N example sizes including ..41,42,43..), “English sizes”

N (example sizes including ..7, 7 %, 8, 8 %.), American 3 30 sizing, and MondoPoint system. Fig. 4 illustrates an 2 example chart 400 of a shoe size system. More z specifically, Fig. 4 illustrates an example chart 400 * of the French system. The last illustrated in Fig. 5 is

S of size "42” in the French system, i.e., it has girth = 35 245 mm and length 280 mm.

S These size systems describe for a basic last the way how the last is graded to different lengths and girths. The lengths and girths in the size systems are in millimeters.

Shoe manufacturers use one of these international grading systems for their last. Otherwise, they could not use ready-made components (soles, insoles, stiffeners, tools, machinery, etc.) that are offered within the industry. Furthermore, by using these international grading charts the manufacturers can offer their shoes to shoe retailers such that the products will be compatible with other shoes offered by the same retailer.

The following example illustrates the way a customer may choose a shoe from a shoe shop. The example uses the French size system with girth "7". The three example customers below illustrate how a customer chooses a shoe from a given industrial shoe range. They are all normal customers with different length / girth ratios.

Size number Lenght mm Girth mm 34 226,7 213,0 233,3 217,0 36 240,0 221,0 37 246,7 225,0 38 253,3 "Foot3" 229,0 39 260,0 <259 233,0 266,7 237,0 41 273,3 "Footl" 241,0 "Footl, 2 & 3"

N 42 280,0 <276 245,0 <244

N 43 286,7 249,0 s 44 293,3 "Foot2" 253,0 o 45 300,0 <294 257,0 46 306,7 261,0

E 47 313,3 265

A 20 00 The example customer "Footl" has length 276 mm

N and girth 244 mm. Thus, the best fitting size number for

N this particular model is number "42".

The example customer "Foot2" has length 294 mm and girth 244 mm. Thus, the best fitting size number for this particular model is number "45". In this case, the length is the governing factor whereas the girth will be too loose. The customer lives with this fact or chooses another shoe model that has a different length / girth ratio.

The example customer "Foot3" has length 259 mm and girth 244 mm. Thus, the best fitting size number for this particular model is number "42". In this case, the girth is the governing factor whereas there will be extra room in toes. The customer lives with this fact or chooses another shoe model that has a different length / girth ratio.

The above illustrates how the customer shoe selection conventionally works in a shoe shop and why many pairs will typically have to be fitted in the shop.

The above also illustrates the reason why shoe purchasing is difficult to arrange via Internet.

In the following, various example embodiments will be discussed. At least some of these example embodiments may allow capturing an image of a human foot in a digital form, and determining that this foot is measured from the same places that govern the places of the sizes of the shoe lasts on which the shoe is produced.

An advantage of a digital 3D point cloud model

N of the foot is that the measurement can now be taken

N from the exact same points each time. This allows a new 3 30 situation where a manufacturer or a shoe retailer can 2 have comparable information from the foot despite of the

Ek how long or short the foot is compared to the * circumferences of the foot.

S For example, the place of the ball area of the = 35 foot is in different places inside the shoe, depending

S on the ratio between foot length and circumferences of the foot. At least some of the embodiments described herein may allow programming the measurements to be taken from the right places that correlate with the inner volumes of the shoe and this way shoes that have similar ratios to the measured foot can now be offered to the customer.

At least some of the embodiments described herein may allow feedback information from customers to cumulate to the footwear producer. The producer can finetune their shoe lasts and other production tooling

Lowards shapes and measurements that cover the intended customers base and footwear genre better.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example system 100, where various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. An example representation of the system 100 is shown depicting a three-dimensional (3D) capture device 110 and a computing device 200, both of which may be used by a user 140 to measure his/her foot, e.g., in order to find a best-fitting shoe or footwear size from among a selection of standard shoe sizes.

The 3D capture device 110 is configured to capture digital images that are suitable for generating point cloud -based 3D models. For example, the 3D capture device 110 may comprise a 3D capture device based on lidar technology, truedepth technology, time- of-flight technology, depth mapping technology, and/or photogrammetry technology.

Raw data for a 3D picture, i.e., a "point

N cloud” representing a foot of the user 140 may be

N captured by moving the 3D capture device 110 around the 3 30 foot/feet or by moving the foot/feet in presence of the > 3D capture device 110. =E More specifically, at least in some * embodiments, the 3D capture device 110 may be used to

S capture a video stream (comprising video frames) of the = 35 foot of the user 140.

S As used herein, the term "point cloud” refers to a collection of points that represent a 3D shape or feature. Each point may have its own set of X, Y and Z coordinates, and in some cases additional attributes (e.g., colour). In photogrammetry, a combination of photographs taken at many angles can be used to create point clouds.

At least in some embodiments, the 3D capture device 110 may comprise a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or the like that includes a digital camera 111, as shown in the example embodiment of Fig. 1.

The system 100 may further comprise a database 122 comprising one or more shoe sizing charts. The database 122 may be included, e.g., in a server device 120.

The system 100 further comprises a 3D model generator 121 that is configured to generate a point cloud -based 3D model based on the captured digital images. At least in some embodiments, the 3D model generator 121 may be implemented as software and/or hardware -based application/module. At least in some embodiments, the 3D model generator 121 may be integrated in the server device 120. In other embodiments, the 3D model generator 121 may be integrated in the computing device 200, the 3D capture device 110, and/or another computing or server device (not illustrated in Fig. 1). At least in some embodiments, the 3D model generator 121 may utilize

N triangulation in generating the point cloud -based 3D

N model based on the captured digital images. More 3 30 specifically, at least in some embodiments, the 3D model 2 generator 121 may utilize triangulation in generating a

Ek surface of the point cloud -based 3D model of the foot * based on the captured digital images.

S A network 130 may connect the server device = 35 120, the computing device 200, and/or the 3D capture

S device 110 to each other. The network 130 may be a centralized network or it may comprise a plurality of sub-networks that may offer a direct communication between the entities or may offer indirect communication between the entities. Examples of the network 130 include wireless networks, wired networks, and combinations thereof. Some non-exhaustive examples of wireless networks may include wireless local area networks (WLANs), Bluetooth or Zigbee networks, cellular networks and the like. Some non-exhaustive examples of wired networks may include Local Area Networks (LANs),

Ethernet, Fiber Optic networks and the like. An example of a combination of wired networks and wireless networks may include the Internet. Examples of the server device 120 include, but are not limited to, a desktop computer running a service, a laptop computer running a service, and/or a network server running a service.

Examples of the computing device 200 include, but are not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and a desktop computer.

At least in some embodiments, the 3D capture device 110, the 3D model generator 121, and/or the computing device 200 may be integrated together into a single apparatus, such as a smartphone or the like.

Alternatively/additionally, the computing device 200 itself may comprise the database 122 that may comprise e.g. one or more shoe sizing charts.

An example use case 1s described next.

A bare foot or both feet are placed on the

N floor. The person stands on the floor, or on a contrasty

N material between the floor and the foot. A "measuring 3 30 sock” may also be used to create a specific color, 2 contrast and/or layer of thickness for the situation. = The 3D capture device 110 is aimed at the foot > or both feet. This may involve one shot, several shots

S around the foot/feet or a continuous movement of the 3D = 35 capture device 110 around the foot/feet. The 3D capture

S device 110 may be, for example, a mobile phone with depth sensing technology (such as truedepth technology and/or time-of-flight technology), lidar technology, depth mapping technology, and/or photogrammetry technology.

Thus, the 3D capture device 110 captures images showing the shape of the foot/feet.

The captured images may be transferred to the 3D model generator 121 (e.g., a computer program) from which both straight lines and circumferences of the foot/feet may be measured from the image.

The computing device 200 may determine the measurements from the point cloud -based 3D model in an exact and accurate way identically every time from different feet.

These measurements may be taken from the strategic points of the feet that correlate with the strategic points of the shoe lasts. This way, the foot is now compared with the inside volume of the shoe.

As a result, the right size and type of footwear can be offered to the customer.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the computing device 200, in accordance with an example embodiment.

The computing device 200 comprises one or more processors 202 and one or more memories 204 that comprise computer program code. The computing device 200 may also include other elements, such as a transceiver 206 configured to enable the computing device 200 to transmit and/or receive information to/from other

N devices, as well as other elements not shown in Fig. 2A.

N In one example, the computing device 200 may use the 3 30 transceiver 206 to transmit or receive signaling > information and data in accordance with at least one =E cellular communication protocol. The transceiver 206 may * be configured to provide at least one wireless radio

S connection, such as for example a 3GPP (3rd Generation = 35 Partnership Project) based mobile connection (e.g., 3G

S (third generation), 4G, 5G, or the like). The transceiver 206 may comprise, or be configured to be coupled to, at least one antenna to transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals.

Although the computing device 200 is depicted to include only one processor 202, the computing device 200 may include more processors. In an embodiment, the memory 204 is capable of storing instructions, such as an operating system and/or various applications.

Furthermore, the memory 204 may include a storage that may be used to store, e.g., at least some of the information and data used in the disclosed embodiments.

Furthermore, the processor 202 is capable of executing the stored instructions. In an embodiment, the processor 202 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors. For example, the processor 202 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. In an embodiment, the processor 202 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. In an embodiment, the

N processor 202 is embodied as an executor of software

N instructions, wherein the instructions may specifically 3 30 configure the processor 202 to perform the algorithms 2 and/or operations described herein when the instructions

Ek are executed. * The memory 204 may be embodied as one or more

S volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory = 35 devices, and/or a combination of one or more volatile

S memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. For example, the memory 204 may be embodied as semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM),

EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.).

The computing device 200 may comprise, e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or the like.

The at least one memory 204 and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor 202, cause the computing device 200 to at least perform accessing a point cloud -based 3D model of a foot. The point cloud -based 3D model of the foot has been generated by the 3D model generator 121 based on digital images of the foot captured by the 3D capture device 110.

The at least one memory 204 and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor 202, cause the computing device 200 to perform determining a first measure 301 of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot. The first measure 301 is a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel.

The at least one memory 204 and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor 202, cause the computing device 200 to perform determining a second measure 302 of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot. The second measure 302 is a circumference around

N a ball of the foot.

N In other words, as further illustrated in 3 30 diagram 300 of Fig. 3, the foot has the first measure > 301, i.e., the length from the tip of the longest toe

I to the back of the heel, and the second measure 302, * i.e., the circumference around the ball of the foot.

S More specifically, the second measure 302 is the = 35 circumference around the joints between toes and

S metatarsals. Accordingly, the second measure 302 represents the largest circumference around the foot.

The second measure 302 is also known as girth. The term “girth” is typically used in the context of lasts, whereas the term "ball” is typically used in the context of feet.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a point cloud -based 3D model 700 of a foot in which the first measure 301 and the second measure 302 are indicated. As discussed above, each point (or at least some of the points) of the point cloud -based 3D model of the foot may, e.g., have its own set of X, Y and Z coordinates (e.g., in percentages or in absolute values).

Accordingly, the determination of the first measure 301 may comprise, e.d., determining/measuring/calculating by the computing device 200 the length 301 from the tip of the longest toe to the back of the heel from the point cloud -based 3D model 700 of the foot, as illustrated in Fig. 7, e.g., based on the X, Y and/or Z coordinate values of the point cloud -based 3D model 700 of the foot.

The determination of the second measure 302 may comprise, e.g., determining by the computing device 200 a horizontal measuring location (i.e., location in the direction of the length of the foot) in the point cloud -based 3D model 700 for measuring the circumference. At least in some embodiments, the horizontal measuring location may be determined by the computing device 200 as a given percentage 302, or 302 of the total foot

N length (i.e., as a given percentage of the first measure

N 301). This horizontal measuring location, e.g., 3 30 percentage of the length, may be determined, e.g., 2 starting from the heel of the foot (percentage 302) or

Ek starting from the toes of the foot (percentage 302,). * The determination of the second measure 302 may further

S comprise determining by the computing device 200 a = 35 measuring angle or orientation 3023 in the point cloud

S -based 3D model 700 for measuring the circumference as a given number of degrees. Then, the second measure 302 at the determined horizontal measuring location and determined measuring angle/orientation may be determined/measured/calculated by the computing device 200, e.g., based on the X, Y and/or Z coordinate values of the point cloud -based 3D model 700 of the foot.

The at least one memory 204 and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor 202, cause the computing device 200 to perform determining a shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure 301 and second measure 302. The determining of the shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure 301 and second measure 302 may comprise accessing the shoe sizing database 122.

The shoe sizing database 122 may comprise shoe sizing related data, such as one or more shoe sizing charts, including but not limited to, e.g., a French shoe sizing chart, an English shoe sizing chart, a custom-made shoe sizing chart, or the like.

The determining of the shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure 301 and second measure 302 may further comprise comparing the determined first measure 301 and the determined second measure 302 to corresponding data in the accessed shoe sizing database 122. The determining of the shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure 301 and second measure 302 may further comprise determining a shoe size for the foot based on the comparison.

N At least in some of the embodiments, the input

N girths and lengths may be stored in millimeters. 3 30 Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments may be > used to measure, in shop or at home, the length and

Ek girth of the customer’s foot, thereby allowing combining * the right products with the right feet. At least some

S of the embodiments may allow measuring the foot from the = 35 same places (length and girth) where the industrial

S lasts are graded. When the millimeters from the girth and length of the foot are obtained, they can be compared to the millimeters of the girth and length of any industrial last regardless of what the sizing system is.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example flow chart of a method 600, in accordance with an example embodiment.

At operation 601, the computing device 200 accesses a point cloud -based 3D model of a foot generated by the 3D model generator 121 based on digital images of the foot captured by the 3D capture device 110.

At operation 602, the computing device 200 determines a first measure 301 of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the first measure 301 being a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel.

At operation 603, the computing device 200 determines a second measure 302 of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the second measure 302 being a circumference around a ball of the foot.

Then, the computing device 200 determines a shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure 301 and second measure 302. The determining of the shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure 301 and second measure 302 may comprise optional operations 604 to 606 described next.

At optional operation 604, the computing device 200 may access the shoe sizing database 122.

N At optional operation 605, the computing device

N 200 may compare the determined first measure 301 and 3 30 second measure 302 to corresponding data in the accessed 2 shoe sizing database 122. z At optional operation 606, the computing device * 200 may determine a shoe size for the foot based on the

S comparison. = 35 The method 600 may be performed by the

S computing device 200 of Fig. 2. The operations 601-606 can, for example, be performed by the at least one processor 202 and the at least one memory 204. Further features of the method 600 directly result from the functionalities and parameters of the computing device 200 and the system 100, and thus are not repeated here.

The method 600 can be performed by computer program(s).

At least some of the embodiments described herein may allow point cloud -based foot measurement to allow accurate selection of ready-made shoes or footwear.

At least some of the embodiments described herein may allow processing a 3D image of the foot in a way that a computer program is capable to take measurements from this 3D foot image. The measurements can be predetermined, or they can be determined by a program operator while working with the foot object.

At least some of the embodiments described herein may allow a computer program to be pre-programmed to take pre-determined and necessary measurements from the foot object.

This may create new opportunities for shoe manufacturers or shoe retailers to compare the volume, shapes, and measurements of the foot and at the same time compare these findings to the inside volume, shapes, and measurements of the shoe.

Advantages of the digital 3D object of the foot include, e.g.: as the foot is an object in which there are no visible measuring points, this can be compensated

N for by using a computer program that determines the

N points for measurement in an exact, identical and 3 30 accurate way each time when measuring feet and despite > of the vast variations of feet in the world. =E At least some of the embodiments described * herein may allow determining not only straight

S measurements like foot length, height, and width, but = 35 also the circumference(s) of the foot. Circumferences

S are important data when dealing with foot comfort.

At least some of the embodiments described herein may allow the measurements to be accurately placed and repeated each time when operated.

At least some of the embodiments described herein may allow the measurement of the circumference (s) to be determined in a 3D way so that the orientation of

X, Y and Z coordinates can be programmed. This allows repeating important measurements of the foot. These measurements can be compared to the inner volume of the shoes.

At least some of the embodiments described herein may allow the foot to be measured with accuracy.

In footwear, the tolerance in circumferences is between 1-2 millimeters, and the disclosure allows placing the measurement in an exactly correct place of the foot compared to footwear, and repeating a same measurement with multiple persons in exactly the same way and accuracy.

At least some of the embodiments described herein may allow the place of measurement to be placed in percentages of the foot length. This allows obtaining 3D X, Y and % circumference measurements from an exact place. This measuring point, e.g., percentage of the length, may be determined starting from the heel of the foot or starting from the toes of the foot. This allows new opportunities to measure the foot flexibly and accurately, and it allows repeating the measurement in

N an identical way, thus providing not only accurate

N information but information that is comparable with all 3 30 other measurements that are similarly taken. This makes > it possible to sell the right footwear to right

Ek customers and it also provides new feedback to the * production of shoes, thus developing the lasts and

S general fitting of the footwear. = 35 At least some of the embodiments described

S herein may allow new opportunities to use and rely on foot measuring. The results are accurate and comparable.

The place of the foot measurements can be placed to the strategical points of various inside volumes of shoes, shoe lasts, or any other known reason to measure feet for a special purpose.

The computing device 200 may comprise means for performing at least one method described herein. In one example, the means may comprise the at least one processor 202, and the at least one memory 204 including program code configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computing device 200 to perform the method.

The functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more computer program product components such as software components.

According to an embodiment, the computing device 200 may comprise a processor or processor circuitry, such as for example a microcontroller, configured by the program code when executed to execute the embodiments of the operations and functionality described. Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs),

Program-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program- specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices

N (CPLDs), and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).

N Any range or device value given herein may be 3 30 extended or altered without losing the effect sought. > Also, any embodiment may be combined with another =E embodiment unless explicitly disallowed. * Although the subject matter has been described

S in language specific to structural features and/or acts, = 35 it is to be understood that the subject matter defined

S in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims and other eguivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to 'an' item may refer to one or more of those items.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the effect sought.

The term 'comprising' is used herein to mean including the method, blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

It will be understood that the above

N description is given by way of example only and that

N various modifications may be made by those skilled in 3 30 the art. The above specification, examples and data > provide a complete description of the structure and use =E of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments * have been described above with a certain degree of

S particularity, or with reference to one or more = 35 individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could

S make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specification.

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Claims (7)

1. A computing device (200), comprising: at least one processor (202); and at least one memory (204) including computer program code; characterized in that the at least one memory (204) and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor (202), cause the computing device (200) to at least perform: accessing a point cloud -based three- dimensional, 3D, model of a foot generated by a 3D model generator (121) based on digital images of the foot captured by a 3D capture device (110); determining a first measure (301) of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the first measure (301) being a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel; determining a second measure (302) of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the second measure (302) being a circumference around a ball of the foot; and determining a shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure (301) and second measure (302).

2. The computing device (200) according to — claim 1, wherein the determining of the shoe size for O the foot based on the determined first measure (301) and b second measure (302) comprises: = 30 accessing a shoe sizing database (122); TY comparing the determined first measure (301) E and second measure (302) to corresponding data in the N accessed shoe sizing database (122); and 5 determining a shoe size for the foot based on N 35 the comparison. N

3. A method (600), characterized in comprising: accessing (601), by a computing device (200), a point cloud -based three-dimensional, 3D, model of a foot generated by a 3D model generator (121) based on digital images of the foot captured by a 3D capture device (110); determining (602), by the computing device (200), a first measure (301) of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the first measure (301) being a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel; determining (603), by the computing device (200), a second measure (302) of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the second measure (302) being a circumference around a ball of the foot; and determining (604-606), by the computing device (200), a shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure (301) and second measure (302).

4. The method (600) according to claim 3, wherein the determining of the shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure (301) and second measure (302) comprises: accessing (604), by the computing device (200), a shoe sizing database (122); N comparing (605), by the computing device (200), N the determined first measure (301) and second measure 3 30 (302) to corresponding data in the accessed shoe sizing 2 database (122); and z determining (606), by the computing device a (200), a shoe size for the foot based on the comparison. 3 N 35 5. A computer program comprising instructions S for causing a computing device to perform at least the following:

accessing a point cloud -based three- dimensional, 3D, model of a foot generated by a 3D model generator based on digital images of the foot captured by a 3D capture device; determining a first measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the first measure being a length from a tip of a longest toe to a back of a heel; determining a second measure of the foot from the accessed point cloud -based 3D model of the foot, the second measure being a circumference around a ball of the foot; and determining a shoe size for the foot based on the determined first measure and second measure.

6. A system (100), comprising: a three-dimensional, 3D, capture device (110), configured to capture digital images suitable for generating point cloud -based 3D models; a 3D model generator (121), configured to generate a point cloud -based 3D model based on the captured digital images; and characterized in further comprising the computing device (200) according to any of claims 1 to 2.

7. The system (100) according to claim 6, N wherein the 3D capture device (110) comprises a 3D N capture device based on at least one of lidar 3 30 technology, truedepth technology, time-of-flight > technology, depth mapping technology, or photogrammetry Ek technology. a N 3 S