GB2563072A

GB2563072A - Measuring an article

Info

Publication number: GB2563072A
Application number: GB1708839.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Towns Christopher; Steven Loud Christopher
Original assignee: C&J Clark International Ltd
Current assignee: C&J Clark International Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-02
Filing date: 2017-06-02
Publication date: 2018-12-05
Also published as: GB201708839D0

Abstract

A pointer device is moved along a periphery of an article to be measured, the article being placed on a surface comprising markings providing datum points. Digital image data is captured along a line on the surface indicated by the pointer device. At least one measurement of the article is then determined based on the captured digital image data. The disclosed invention is particularly for the purpose of determining size of feet for footwear. The pointer device may be a pen-like element such as a writing or marker pen, or alternatively a laser pointer or a cross hair may be provided on the lens of the camera. The datum points may be a predetermined pattern of dots, shapes and/or lines on the surface.

Description

Measuring an article

The present invention relates measuring an article.

Various articles need to be measured, and various measurements can be taken of an article. For example, overall width, length, or height of an article, or any detail of an articular in a given location, and/or size of an article may need to be measured.

An example of an article, or an object, to be measured is human foot. At least io one measurement of foot can be taken particularly but not exclusively for the purpose of determining size of footwear. A foot can be measured by a footgauge. Conventionally a footgauge comprises a graduated scale which is read manually e.g. by a staff member in a shoe shop after a foot has been placed on the footgauge and two opposing abutments are brought in contact with the foot. However, users might wish to have a more convenient and yet accurate way of determining the size of the foot. There may also be a desire to conveniently convert measurements into digital data that can be readily communicated and/or stored in a remote location such as in a server. The possibility of communicating and/or collecting measurement data may be appreciated for example by users of internet shopping and/or shoe shops and manufactures who may wish to have a better knowledge of their customer base and potential customers. Similar issues may exist in measuring other articles.

Embodiments of the invention aim to address one or several of the issues related to measurement of articles.

According to an aspect there is provided a measurement method, comprising moving a pointer device along a periphery of an articie placed on a surface comprising markings providing datum points, capturing digital image data along a line on the surface indicated by the pointer device, and determining at least one measurement of the article based on the captured digital image data.

According to another aspect there is provided a measurement apparatus, comprising a pointer device for moving along a periphery of an article placed on a surface comprising markings providing datum points, wherein the pointer device is configured to indicate a line relative to the markings, a digital imaging device for capturing digital image data along the Sine indicated by the pointer device and of the markings, and data processor apparatus for determining at least one measurement of the article based on the captured digital image data.

According to a yet further aspect there is provided a pointer device for determination of at least one measurement of an article, the pointer device comprising a digital imaging apparatus configured to capture digital image data of a surface comprising markings providing datum points such that when the pointer device is moved along a periphery of an article placed on the surface the digital imaging apparatus captures digital image data along a Sine indicated by the pointer device for use in determination of at least one measurement of the article based on the captured digital image data.

In accordance with a more specific aspect the digital image data is captured when the pointer device moves along the periphery of the article. The position of the indicated line relative to markings can be determined as the pointer device moves along the periphery of the article, and the at least one measurement can be determined based on the so determined relative position of the Sine and the markings.

The digital image data may be captured by a digital imaging apparatus provided in association with the pointer device. Only a virtual indication of the line may be determined and processed by the apparatus. No visible line is necessarily produced on the surface by the pointer device.

According to another possibility a visible Sine is produced on the surface along the periphery of the article by a pointer device comprising a visible Sine producing member. A digital image of the visible Sine and the marking on the surface is captured, and at ieast one measurement is determined based on the captured digital image.

Captured digital image data and/or information about determined at least one measurement can be transmitted to a data processing device. Captured digital image data and/or information about determined at ieast one measurement can be communicated to the data processing device over at least one of a short range communication link, a cellular communication link and a wireless local area network.

Location information can be determined and associated with information of the at least one determined measurement.

The markings can comprise a predetermined arrangement of datum io points. The datum points may comprise a predetermined pattern of dots, shapes and/or lines on the surface.

An elongated pointer device may be engaged with the article via an annular rotatable element. The determining may comprise compensating for the radial dimensions of the annular element.

is According to an aspect there is provided an application for a computer comprising computer code product adapted to perform, when the program is run on processor apparatus, the herein disclosed method. The appiication can be adapted to determine size of a foot and/or footwear. The application may be adapted to cause communication of measurement and/or foot size data and other associated data to and/or from a mobile communication device. The data may be communicated to a remote server.

Various exemplifying embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings. Steps and elements explained herein may be reordered, omitted, and combined to form different embodiments and any step indicated as performed may be caused to be performed by another device or module.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows an example of a measurement apparatus,

Figures 2 and 3 show examples of producing a line indicative of the periphery of an article relative to markings on a base,

Figures 4 and 5 show further examples of indicating a Sine on a surface.

Figures 6 and 7 show other examples of measurement apparatuses, Figure 8 is a further example of a surface for supporting an article to be measured.

Figure 9 is a flowchart in accordance with one example,

Figure 10 shows an example of control apparatus for use in the embodiments, and

Figure 11 shows a further example of a pattern providing datum io points on a surface.

In the following certain detailed examples of measurement apparatuses and methods are described with reference to the appended Figures and with reference to measurement of feet. However, it shall be appreciated that similar principles can be applied to measurement of other articles.

Figure 1 iliustrates an example of a measurement apparatus 10 comprising a base surface 2 and a pointer device 4 for use in measuring an article placed on the surface. The pointer device comprises a tip 8 for indicating a line on the surface.

in the example the article to be measured comprises a foot 1. A user can move the pointer device 4 along a periphery 11 of the foot 1 placed on the surface 2. The movement of the pointer device 4 along the periphery 11 is indicated by arrow 5 in Figures 1 and 2. Various measurements can be taken of a foot by means of the herein described apparatuses and methods. For example, information on length, width, joint angle, toe length, arc length and so on can be determined.

The pointer device 4 of the example of Figures 1 and 2 is shown to comprise an elongated pen-like element a user can conveniently grip and manoeuvre around the foot 1 to indicate a Sine on the surface 2 along the periphery of the foot. A user can move the pointer device around the entire periphery of the foot, or only a part of it, depending on the application and/or the desired measurement.

As shown in the schematic Figure 2. the surface 2 comprises markings 12 providing a predetermined pattern where each of the markings provides a datum point. Figure 2 shows triangular marking but it shall be appreciated that the datum points can comprise any predetermined pattern of any appropriately shaped marks. For example, short lines, dots or otherwise shaped markings and/or lines may be provided on the surface. Regardless of the style and appearance of the markings they are arranged to to provide an arrangement of datum points that can be used determine the position of the tip of the pointer device based on a digital image of the surface. A measurement can be determined based on the relative position and distance between a line 3 indicated by the tip 8 of the pointer device 4 and markings located on the periphery of the foot, is Each marking can have its own value based on the location of the marking on the surface, therefore enabling locating thereof relative to other markings on the surface. The pattern can be irregular in predefined manner such that it is possible to determine the value of each datum point based on the displacement thereof from a nominal position of a regular pattern, and/or location relative to other markings. The markings can be arranged such that a different identifiable pattern of markings is provided in different areas. Lines 15 extending across the surface proving a squared pattern may also be used in determining the location of the line and the periphery 11 of the foot.

According to a possibility at ieast a partially regular pattern is used,

Regularly placed markings can provide nominal or reference positions and the irregularly positioned marking can have their value and/or location defined based on the reiative position to the closest identified reguiariy positioned markings.

The pointer device 4 is configured to indicate a iine relative to the so markings. The pointer device can have a pen-like tip for drawing a Sine. This is illustrated in Figure 3 showing a visible iine 13 produced by a pen-like pointer device. The drawn iine 13 extends on the surface between and possibly over the markings 12. The periphery of the now removed foot is denoted by dashed line 11.

A digital imaging apparatus 7 can be provided in association with the pointer device 4 for capturing digital image data aiong the line 14 indicated by the pointer device and its reiation to the markings, in Figure 1 exampie the pointer device 4 is partially sectioned, showing an integrated digital imaging apparatus 7 at the iower part thereof. The digital imaging apparatus is pointed toward the tip part 6 of the pointer device. The digital imaging apparatus 7 is advantageousiy provided within the body and close to the tip portion 6 of the io pointer device 4. The digital imaging apparatus is configured to capture image of the surface such that the position of the Sine relative to the marking can be determined. The digitai imaging apparatus can comprise a digital camera. Figure 3 shows an exampie where a visible line 13 is produced by a pen-iike pointer device 14 on the surface 2. in simpiest form the pen-like is device can be a writing pen or a marker pen. The drawn iine and it position relative to the markings can then be captured by a digitai imaging apparatus.

instead of a visibie iine, oniy a virtual indication of a line can be generated. The pointer apparatus can be configured for processing a virtual indication of the line relative to the markings. That is, no visibie iine is produced on the surface by the pointer device but the digital imaging apparatus of the pointer apparatus is configured to generate a virtual iine on the surface based on the position thereof. Examples for this are given iater.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 the imaging apparatus 7 can be configured to capture image data at the same time as the pointer device

4 is moved along the periphery 11 of the foot 1. The at least one measurement can be determined based on the known locations of the datum points and the determined iocation of the indicated line relative to the datum points. Computing the distance between lines at predefined positions will give information about the dimensions of the object to be measured.

so A data processing apparatus for determining at least one measurement of the article based on captured digitai image data is also provided. In Figure 1 this comprises a mobiie communication device 20. In this example the mobile communication device comprises a mobile phone, or a smart phone 20. Examples of other possible mobile communication devices include a laptop or a tablet computer. The mobile communication device can be configured to execute an application for controlling capturing of the image data, processing thereof to determine measurements, required communications and other operations necessary to perform measurements. This can be provided by means of an appropriate measurement application. The application can be provided in the device at the time of manufacture or downloaded from e.g. a server after the device has been taken Into use.

io Furthermore, the device 20 can comprises a display 22 wherein the measurement results such as at least one of iength, width and size of an article, e.g. the foot 1 can be displayed.

The mobile device may also be configured to determine a location data. In Figure 1 this possibility is illustrated by the positioning component 23.

(5 The positioning system may comprise, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) chip or the like. Examples of use of positioning information in certain embodiments of the invention will be given later in this specification.

The mobile device 20 can comprise a transceiver for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from the pointer device. The information can included captured digitai image data and/or information about determined at ieast one measurement. The communications of captured digital image data and/or other data between the devices can occur via a short range communication link 21. The wireless connection can be based on any appropriate wireless technology. An appropriate short range connection can be based on a protocol such as e.g. the Bluetooth™. Other examples of short range wireless connectivity include infra-red connections and the like. Wireless communications may aiso take place over a local area wireless network or a cellular communication system. The pointer device and the data processing device can also be connected via wiring. The wiring can be plugged in into a socket in each device in known manner.

St is aiso possible to provide aii or part of the processing of the captured image data and control actions by means of a contro! apparatus at the pointer device. A position determining apparatus can also be provided at the pointer device. The pointer device can be provided with user interface for input of controi instructions and/or output of measurement results. For example, a dispiay and contro! button(s) can be provided. The pointer device can also be provided with a memory for storing measurement information such as captured image data and/or measurement results. The measurement information can be uploaded later to another data processing device, for example a mobile communication device, a server or the like.

The base surface can be manufactured from a variety of materials by a variety of techniques. The base surface can be made e.g. from paper, cardboard, any plastic, aluminium or another meta! alloy, wood, rubber, and so forth. The materia! may be foidable, e.g. for enabling easy delivery by maii and/or storage is small place. A surface with the markings may be produced in various manners. For example, a measurement surface can be printed from a website, delivered by mail, printed in a magazine or newspaper, handed out in form of a leaflet and so forth.

Figure 2 shows an example of an irregular pattern of markings 12 on a base surface 2. A foot 1 has been placed on the surface and a pointer device 4 is then moved as indicated by arrow 5 along the periphery of the foot. A line relative to the markings 12 is indicated by the pointer device, in Figure 2 only a virtual line is produced, this being illustrated by the dashed line 3. No visible line is necessary as the pointer device can be arranged to determine where the line would be if drawn based on where the imaging apparatus thereof is pointing.

The Sine can be indicated by the tip 8 of the pointer device 4. The digital imaging apparatus takes images of the tip 8 and its relation to the markings 12 as the tip is moved relative to the markings. Each marking has a known location on the surface. Location of the indicated line relative to the markings and measurement data can thus be determined from the captured digital image data. At least one measurement can then be determined e.g.

based on determining a distance between the iine in different locations and/or of distance of the iine to a predetermined point on the surface.

According to a possibility shown in Figure 4 a pointer device provides a iight spot 40, e.g. by a laser or otherwise, on a surface, and the captured image data records the location of the spot relative to the markings, the virtual line 3 provided, as it is moved along the periphery 11 of the object to be measured.

Figure 5 shows another example where a crosshair 42 is provided e.g, on the lens 44 of the camera. Location of the crosshair, and the virtual io line 3 when it is moved relative to the markings 12 on the surface 2 is then recorded by the image data.

An advantage of arrangements where no visible line is produced is that a surface can be reused for measurements.

Figure 3 in turn shows an example of a visible iine 13 produced on a is surface 2 by a tip 8 and extends relative to the markings 12. The iine can have been drawn e.g. by a pen 14. A pen-like pointer device with a digital imaging apparatus and a drawing tip may aiso be used.

A foot to be measured can be placed on the surface 2 and a visible iine indicating the outline of the periphery of the foot thereof drawn on the surface. After the foot is removed a digital image can be taken of the drawn line, e.g. as shown in Figure 8. The imaging apparatus can comprise a digital camera e.g. of a mobile phone, tablet computer or the like. In Figure 6 the image data is captured by a mobile phone 20, The mobile phone can also be arranged to perform the necessary computations to determine the foot size information and other information as described in this specification.

A rotatable element such as a rotatable ring, collar or sleeve element may be provided around a pointer device for enabling smooth movement thereof along the periphery of an object to be measured. Figure 7shows a view of a measurement arrangement where a pointer device 4 is provided with a rotatable sleeve element 50 for enabling smooth movement thereof along the periphery of the object 1 to be measured. Further, the rotatable element can be arranged to have a flat end face that slides or rolls on the surface such that an accurate angular position of the pointer device relative to the surface can be maintained.

When the pointer device is moved along the periphery of the object 1 contact with the object 1 to be measured can be arranged via the annular external contact surface of the rotatable sleeve element 50. The external surface may be provided with friction material, such as rubber, to enable good rotational contact. The bottom face 52 of the rotatable element 50 can be provided in an element 53 that is separated from the rotational part 51 so that the rotation does not interfere with smooth sliding movement thereof on the surface 2 with markings 12.

The control apparatus can take the radius r of the sleeve element into account in determining the measurement information. Similarly, the thickness of a pointer device, e.g. the device 4 or Figure 1 or pen 14 of Figure 3, can be taken into account.

is Figure 8 shows an example where a transparent plate 80, e.g, a sheet or plate of plastic or a glass plate, is placed on a surface 2 with datum points providing markings. The markings can be provided e.g. on a sheet of paper. The transparent plate or sheet of material can be used to protect the markings and/or the surface and material on which the markings are produced. Also, the smooth surface of the transparent plate or sheet of material can be used to prevent or at least mitigate distortions in the captured image data. The smooth surface an also be used to smoothen the movement of the pointer device 4 on the surface.

Use of a movement smoothening plate may also useful if a rotatable element such as element 50 shown in Figure 7 is provided. This is denoted by the element 50 drawn by dashed Sine.

Figure 9shows a flowchart according to an example a measurement method according to the herein disclosed principles. A pointer device can be moved at 100 along a periphery of an article placed on a surface comprising markings providing datum points. Digital image data is captured at 102 along a line on the surface indicated by the pointer device. At least one measurement of the article can then be determined at 104 based on the captured digitai image data.

Digitai image data can be captured at the same time as the pointer device is moved along the periphery of the article. The digital image data can be captured by a digitai imaging apparatus provided in association with the pointer device. The position of the indicated line relative to markings can be determined as the pointer device is moved aiong the periphery of the article. The at least one measurement can be determined based on the determined relative position of the line and the markings. For example, the distance io between determined lines at opposing sides of an article, or a line and a predetermined point on the surface can be determined and used in determining a measurement.

According to an embodiment no visible line is produced on the surface by the pointer device but rather a virtual indication of a line is determined and processed by the digitai imaging apparatus.

According to another embodiment a visibie Sine is produced on the surface along the periphery of the article by a pointer device comprising a visible line producing member. A digital image is then captured of the visibie line and the marking on the surface and at least one measurement is determined based on the captured digital image.

In the above examples measurements were mainly provided in relation to a foot to determine sizing information for use in selection of appropriate footwear, However, similar principles can be applied to measuring another body part such as a hand, and to any other articles to be measured.

A print can be produced of the captured shape of the article. The print can include other features such as name, age, determined measurement(s) and so forth of a person whose feet have been measured. The print can be used as a later reference, memento, children's colouring sheet and so forth,

Processing of information based on the captured digital image data can be provided at a mobile communication device. Alternatively, at least a part of the processing can be provided in a remote location such as a server.

Also, least a part of the processed information may be communicated from the mobile communication device for use elsewhere. For example, data can be communicated to a remote server.

Figure 10 shows an example of control apparatus for a device capable of causing activation and control of digital imaging apparatus, processing digital image data and for determining at least one measurement based on data from the imaging apparatus. The control apparatus 70 can be for example integrated with, coupled to and/or otherwise controlling a pointer device, a mobile communication device and/or another device such as a io touchscreen computer. For this purpose the control apparatus comprises at least one memory 71, at least one data processing unit 72, 73 and an input/output interface 74. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled to a mobile communication apparatus. The control apparatus can be configured to execute an appropriate software code to provide the control functions. This may include execution of one or more specific applications (“Apps”). The control apparatus can also be interconnected with other control entities.

According to an aspect data generated based on the captured digital image data is communicated to a remote data processing apparatus. For example, data can be communicated from a device generating it over an internet Protocol (IP) based network to a remote server to order goods such as footwear and other items. The items can comprise, for example shoes, sandals, boots, other articles of clothing and so forth items where measurement information is needed to ensure that a properly sized article is ordered and delivered. According to an example measurement information is communicated by an application running in a mobile communication device to a server providing an online footwear or clothing store. The server can then suggest available item based on the received measurement information.

Data of the measurements may also be collected at a remote database for example for use in marketing, strategic planning, product development and/or customer analysis. The data may be associated with a user profile, and used later e.g. for further purchasing transactions. Data collected from a number of measurements over the time can also be used for general analysis. For example, the collected data can be analysed to recognise changes in foot shapes and/or sizes over time. For example, understanding if the average foot of the shoe consuming public has got longer and/or increased in width and girth can be valuable for a manufacturer of shoes. Also, the collected data can be used to recognise national and/or geographical characteristics and/or trends. The determined and associated location information can be used in such determinations.

The determined measurement information can be associated with to location data. For example, the pointer device 4 or the mobile communication device 20 can determine the location by means of location determining apparatus 23 where the measurement was taken and include indication of the location into the measurement data. The location data can be used in later analysis of the data.

In the examples of Figures 2 to 4 the markings were provided by an irregular pattern of scattered dots or the like. Datum points can also be provided by any other appropriate pattern of markings enabling position of a line indicated by a pointer device to be determined in such a way that at least one measurement of an article on can be determined based thereon. Figure

11 shows a non-limiting schematic example of a part of a possible pattern of differently shaped markings 12 on surface 2.

The various embodiments and their combinations or subdivisions may be implemented as methods, apparatuses, or computer program products. Methods for downloading computer program code for performing the same may also be provided. Computer program products may be stored on non-transitory computer-readable media, such as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optica! media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD, magnetic disk, or semiconductor memory. A client application performing the method can be downloaded from an appropriate server. Method steps may be implemented using instructions operable to cause a computer to perform the method steps using a processor and a memory. The instructions may be stored on any computer-readable media, such as memory or non-volatile storage.

The required data processing apparatus may be provided by means of one or more data processors. The described functions at each end may be provided by separate processors, even by processors in separate devices, or by an integrated processor. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The data processing may be distributed across several data processing modules. A data processor may be provided by means of, for example, at least one chip. The memory or memories may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removabie memory. In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the invention may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto.

While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other schematic pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, speciai purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The foregoing description provides by way of exemplary and nonlimiting examples a full and informative description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skiiied in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Ail such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A measurement method, comprising moving a pointer device aiong a periphery of an article placed on a

5 surface comprising markings providing datum points, capturing digital image data along a line on the surface indicated by the pointer device, and determining at least one measurement of the article based on the captured digital image data.

io
2. A method according to claim 1, comprising capturing the digital image data when the pointer device moves along the periphery of the article.
3. A method according to ciaim 2, comprising

15 determining the position of the indicated line relative to markings as the pointer device moves along the periphery of the article, and determining the at least one measurement based on the determined relative position of the line and the markings.

20
4. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising capturing the digital image data by a digital imaging apparatus provided in association with the pointer device.
5. A method according to ciaim 4, comprising processing a virtual

25 indication of the line by the digital imaging apparatus.
6. A method according to any preceding ciaim, wherein no visible iine is produced on the surface by the pointer device.

30
7. A method according to claim 1, comprising producing a visible line on the surface along the periphery of the article by a pointer device comprising a visible line producing member, capturing a digital image of the visible line and the marking on the surface, and determining the at least one measurement based on the captured digital image.
8. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising transmitting captured digital image data and/or information about determined at least one measurement to a data processing device.

io
9. A method according to claim 8. comprising transmitting said captured digital image data and/or information about determined at least one measurement to the data processing device over at least one of a short range communication link, a cellular communication link and a wireless local area network.
10. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising associating location information with information of the at least one determined measurement.

20
11. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the markings comprise a predetermined arrangement of datum points.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the datum points comprise a predetermined pattern of dots, shapes and/or lines on the surface.
13. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface comprises a sheet of paper, cardboard, fabric, metallic, wooden or plastic material.

30
14. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising engaging an elongated pointer device with the article via an annular rotatable element, wherein the determining comprises compensating for the radial dimensions of the annular element.
15. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the article 5 comprises a foot, the method comprising determining information for selecting footwear.
16. A measurement apparatus, comprising a pointer device for moving along a periphery of an article placed on a io surface comprising markings providing datum points, wherein the pointer device is configured to indicate a line relative to the markings, a digital imaging device for capturing digital image data along the line indicated by the pointer device and of the markings, and data processor apparatus for determining at least one measurement of is the article based on the captured digital image data.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the pointer device is configured to capture digital image data when the pointer device is moved along the periphery of the article.
18. An apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, configured to determine the position of the indicated line relative to markings when the pointer device is moved along the periphery of the article, and determine the at least one measurement based on the determined 25 relative position of the indicated line and the markings.
19. An apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the pointer device comprises the digital imaging device.

30 20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the indication of the line comprises a virtual line generated based on the captured digital image data.

21. An apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 20, configured to determine the at least one measurement without any visible line being produced on the surface by the pointer device.

5 22. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the pointer device comprises a line producing member for producing a visible line on the surface along the periphery of the article and relative to the markings, the apparatus being further configured to capture a digital image of the visible line and the markings on the io surface, and determine the at least one measurement based on the captured digital image.

23. An apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 22, comprising a t5 transmitter for wirelessly transmitting captured digital image data and/or information about determined at least one measurement to a data processing device.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, configured to transmit captured
20 digital image data to the data processing device via a short range communication link, local area wireless network, or a cellular communication system.
25. An apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 24, wherein the markings

25 on the surface comprise a predetermined arrangement of datum points.
26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the datum points comprise a pattern of dots, shapes and/or lines on the surface.

30
27. An apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 26, wherein the surface comprises a sheet of paper, cardboard, plastic, metallic, wooden or fabric material.
28. An apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 27, comprising annular rotatabie element configured to engage with the article and rotate around the pointer device when moved aiong the periphery of the article.
29. An apparatus according to any of ciaims 16 to 28, comprising iocation determining element, the apparatus being configured to attach iocation information to information of the at least one measurement.
30. An apparatus according to any of ciaims 16 to 29, wherein the article comprises a foot, the apparatus being configured to determine foot size information.
31. A pointer device for determination of at least one measurement of an article, the pointer device comprising a digital imaging apparatus configured to capture digital image data of a surface comprising markings providing datum points such that when the pointer device is moved along a periphery of an article placed on the surface the digital imaging apparatus captures digital image data along a line indicated by the pointer device for use in determination of at least one measurement of the article based on the captured digital image data.
32. A pointer device according to claim 31, configured to determine measurement information based on the captured digitai image data.
33. A pointer device according to ciaim 31 or 32, wherein the indication of the Sine comprises a virtual Sine.
34. A pointer device according to any of ciaims 31 to 33, configured to determine the at least one measurement without any visibie line being produced on the surface by the pointer device.
35, A pointer device according to any of ciaims 31 to 34, comprising a location determining element, the pointer device being configured to attach location information to information of the at least one measurement.

5
36. An application for a computer comprising computer code product adapted to perform, when the program is run on processor apparatus, a method according to any of claim 1 to 15.
37. An application for a computer as claimed in claim 34 adapted to io determine size of a foot and/or footwear.