JP2000296005A - Device for inputting data for analyzing foot shape image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure foot data to be inputted to a computer by providing a plurality of reflection mirrors by which images obtained by viewing the foot placed on a transparent plate from various directions are projected on the single photographing screen of a digital camera. SOLUTION: When the foot 1 is placed on the transparent plate 603, a sole part viewed through the plate 603 is reflected by the mirror and its images are caught by a digital camera. The images are transmitted to a personal computer through a signal cable and a foot shape is analyzed. Four laser beam generators 602 with a slit shape light beam radiation port are used and arranged in the four directions so that the contour of the sole is fully projected. Then contour lines are extracted from the photographed foot images from every direction by a difference in color from a background. Thus, the contours of the foot from every direction, concretely, respective kinds of data such as a heel shape or a foot length are obtained. More important data is obtained from the optical locus of the laser beam in addition to the data. Not only the images of the foot sole but also the cut images of side and rear surfaces are inputted in a short time by using the mirror so that it is not required to use a mechanism for permitting the foot to stand still for a long time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer foot shape image analysis data input device for the purpose of selecting footwear and proposing and advising proper footwear to a customer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When choosing shoes, many people have no knowledge of the compatibility between feet and shoes. At present, many stores do not have clerks who can advise customers on appropriate shoes. Thus, in the past, consumers have purchased shoes based solely on the appearance of the foot, such as size and preferred shape and color. However, recent studies have suggested that when the compatibility between the foot and the shoe is poor, harm to the foot such as shoe slippage or hallux valgus is pointed out, and the importance of selecting a shoe has been shouted.

[0003] Even in a shop where an advisor is placed, basically, the foot length is measured with a ruler, and footwear is provided to the customer based on the experience and intuition of the advisor. However, in reality, it is difficult to develop professionals who can advise on footwear such as shoes, and it is not economically feasible to put advisors in general retail stores etc. I have.

Therefore, recently, a device for mechanically measuring a foot has been developed. For example, FIG. 1 shows a footprint measurement method using a pressure-sensitive paper (a measurement method using a footprinter). By placing the foot 1 on the pressure-sensitive paper 2, the shape of the sole is reflected on the pressure-sensitive paper. Since the length of the sole becomes easier to measure from this footprint, and the foot pressure appears in the density of the pressure-sensitive paper, the characteristics of the person's individual walking can be determined. As a result, footwear tailored to the characteristics of how to walk as well as the size can be advised. However, this also requires the experience and knowledge of an advisor.

Another method for automatically measuring the sole of a foot is a foot type measuring instrument as shown in FIG. When both feet 101 are put on the foot type measuring device 3 shaped like a household scale, the foot length, foot width, and foot circumference of both feet are automatically measured with one operation button. In addition, by connecting a monitor to the measuring device 3, the shape of the sole, the foot pressure, and the degree of the center of gravity can be observed on the monitor.

If the above device is connected to a computer,
It can be used as an image analysis input device. As a system that has further advanced this concept, "System for imaging, cataloging, and weighting foot and footwear" (JP-A-5-5063)
69). This system inputs foot data read by foot measuring means for electronically measuring the foot of a customer into a computer system, displays a three-dimensional image of the footprint on a display, and stores customer data and footwear registered in advance. The footwear is automatically selected from the catalog. The foot size (foot length, foot width, foot circumference, etc.) is obtained from the data read by the foot measuring means using a Blancock measurement system or a TWAC measurement system.

An embodiment of the foot measuring device of the system includes:
A photoelectric foot scanner as shown in FIG. 3 is shown. The photoelectric foot scanner 4 includes a fixed track 401, an optical scan head 402 that moves during the scanning process along the fixed track 401, a reference surface 403 on which a foot is placed, a control unit 404 for exchanging data with a computer, and a computer. It consists of a signal cable 405 to be connected. Data read from the scanner 4 is transmitted to the computer via the signal cable 405. The computer calculates the heel height, foot length, foot width, arch line, foot curvature, and the like based on the data. By the above calculation, the three-dimensional (three-dimensional) structure of the lower leg can be displayed on the display. In this device, since the feet of the customer are not fixed, an image may be blurred when scanning. To prevent this, the optical scan head 402 of the scanner 4 scans at high speed.

[0008] Among the footwear, if the footwear wraps the entire foot like a shoe, the correct footwear cannot be selected if the sole length is only. This is because the height of the instep differs from person to person. Therefore, in order to reproduce an accurate foot shape, it is necessary to accurately obtain a stereoscopic image of the entire foot. As a method of accurately reading the shape of the foot, there is a method of using a laser beam scanner, applying light from the scanner to the foot, reading the reflected light, and forming an accurate three-dimensional image of the shape of the foot. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the laser light 5 is irradiated stepwise, and the reflected light is read by a reading device (for example, a device such as a digital camera). In this case, by using a plurality of equally spaced slit-shaped laser beams, the footprint can be read at high speed.

A method for automatically foot measurement and selecting footwear suitable for a customer by taking into account the customer's preference and the like is described in "System for Imaging, Cataloging, and Weighting Foot and Footwear" (particularly). Kaihei 5-506369) has proposed. Here, the photoelectric foot scanner described as an example scans only the bottom (sole) of the foot. By capturing the bottom as an image, the size and shape of the foot are determined by a computer. However, this device does not consider the height of the instep.

[0010]

When choosing footwear, especially shoes, we usually choose solely by foot size. Of course, the choices include color and style preferences. However, there are many questions about choosing the right size shoe for the shape of the foot. Recently, it has been pointed out that shoes are related to health, such as direct effects on hallux valgus and indirect effects such as low back pain and stiff shoulders. Therefore, how to choose the right footwear
It is important not only for fashion but also for health.

The basis for choosing the right shoe is to know the size of the foot. However, in many conventional automatic foot measurement methods, only the bottom of the foot is targeted, and the height of the instep is not considered. However, in the case of shoes, not only the size of the same foot, but also the height of the instep is an important factor in the selection. Therefore, when shoes are selected, measurement of the entire foot is necessary. For example, as seen in the conventional example, the shape of the entire foot can be grasped by irradiating laser light at regular intervals, reading the reflected light, and forming an image. However, at this time, if a spot light is used, the light source must be irradiated to the foot while rotating around the foot, so that high-speed rotation is required to prevent the foot from being shaken.
When a slit-shaped light source is used, it is necessary to move the slit-shaped light source at high speed or simultaneously irradiate a plurality of light sources in order to prevent the image of the foot from being blurred. Either way, reading whole foot measurements and images is an expensive and large device.

An object of the present invention is to propose an inexpensive and compact structure for measuring foot data input to a computer. In the subject of the present invention, not only measurement of soles,
An object of the present invention is to propose a foot shape measuring device capable of obtaining a measured value of a three-dimensional surface such as an instep.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a computer system for measuring a foot shape by analyzing an image of a digital camera. A foot shape image analysis data input device including a plurality of reflecting mirrors arranged so that images viewed from front, rear, left, and right directions are captured on a shooting screen of a single digital camera.

A horizontal beam irradiating device for irradiating the foot with a horizontal beam of light from a plurality of directions at a height projecting to the outermost side of the side of the foot placed on the transparent plate; Accurate footprint measurement by equipping a vertical beam irradiation device that irradiates multiple vertical beam lights on the vertical plane perpendicular to the front and back direction of the foot on the instep of the foot placed on a transparent plate can do.

[0015] For the measurement of the part where the light beam does not hit, by selecting the background color to a specific color, for example, blue,
The image of the background and the heel part can be easily distinguished, and by extracting and analyzing the contour, an approximate matching last (footprint model) is searched for and used as a shoe selection element.

A system in which the input device of the present invention is used is a system in which data of an image photographed by a digital camera is transferred to a computer, the data is analyzed by the computer, and shoes are selected. A computer system including a foot measurement algorithm, a shoe selection algorithm or a customer information database, a shoe catalog database, and the like.

In the present invention, the horizontal beam light and the vertical beam light are applied to facilitate measurement of the size and shape of the foot. The height at which the horizontal beam light is radiated is the side sole portion of the foot (the side portion slightly above the sole, and the portion projecting outward). By analyzing the image of the part where the light beam hits, the shape of the foot from above and below can be grasped, and the sole information such as the length, width, and circumference of the foot can be obtained. The vertical beam light is applied vertically to the instep of the foot, and by analyzing the image of the portion where the light hits, the shape of the instep required for selecting shoes can be obtained.

In the present invention, a single digital camera is used to combine a plurality of mirrors so that the rear part, the front part (including the upper part), the bottom part, and the side part of the foot can be photographed simultaneously. . That is, the image captured by the digital camera is a real image formed by direct light and a virtual image formed so as to be reflected by a plurality of mirrors several times and enter one screen of the camera. Although various methods of combining mirrors are conceivable, the most preferable combination of mirrors is described in 4 above.
That is, the two parts can be arranged on one screen without waste. An example of a specific arrangement will be described in the embodiment.

Depending on the arrangement of the mirror, the magnification of the foot on the screen shot by the digital camera and the inclination angle of the image may differ depending on the direction, but there is no problem because it is corrected on the computer.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a foot shape image analysis data input device 6 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “foot shape input device”) of the present invention. When the foot 1 is put on the transparent plate 603, the transparent plate 603
Is passed through the mirror 605 and is reflected by the mirror 605, and the image is captured by the digital camera 601. The image is sent to the computer 701 (here, a personal computer) through the signal cable 604, and the shape of the foot is analyzed.

The laser beam generator 602 is used to clearly raise the shape of the foot by the laser beam. In this example, a slit-shaped laser beam is emitted from the slit-shaped irradiation port 6021, and the contour of the sole is raised by this beam. In the example of FIG. 5, it is not possible to make an accurate contour of the sole rise. Therefore, by using four laser beam generators 602 having slit-shaped light irradiation ports and arranging them in four directions as shown in FIG. 6, the contour of the sole can be uniformly projected. In this case, the distance d (gap d) between the slit-shaped irradiation port 6021 and the transparent plate 603 on which the foot is placed is preferably about 5 mm. This gap d
Is a distance by which the contour of the sole, including the contour of the arch, can be raised.

An outline is extracted from the photographed foot image in each direction from the difference in color from the background. Thereby, each data such as the contour of the foot viewed from each direction, specifically, the heel shape and the foot length is obtained. In addition to these data, more important data can be obtained from the light trail of the laser beam.

The height and shape of the instep are also important in choosing a shoe. Therefore, a laser beam for measuring the height and shape of the instep is also applied to the instep of the foot. As an example of the method, a method of irradiating a laser beam from directly above a foot as shown in FIG. 7 will be described. In this example, two laser beams 6022 are used. This is because the inclination of the instep of the foot is calculated with two rays, and the highest part of the instep is calculated. Of course, if more laser beams are used, the exact shape and height of the instep can be restored, but in this example, the number of laser beam generators 602 should be reduced by calculating the highest part using two beams. Thus, a foot shape measuring instrument having an inexpensive and simple structure can be obtained.

The curvature of the upper part in the lateral direction can be measured from the light trace of the laser reflected on the image from the front of the foot. Based on the above information, correct instep shape data can be obtained.

When a foot image from a plurality of directions is taken into a computer system, it is not preferable that each image is temporally shifted. Unless your foot is completely fixed, your foot may move during the measurement,
If the data is read by sequentially capturing images from a plurality of directions, the images will be misaligned and correct foot measurement cannot be performed.

"System for imaging, cataloging, and weighting foot and footwear" described in the prior art (JP-A-5-5063)
In 69), the scanner of the photoelectric foot scanner was moved at high speed to input an image of the sole. In this case, since only the sole is used, a foot image input of only one cut is sufficient. However, when taking foot images from a plurality of angles as in the present invention, a digital camera can be used even when using a scanner. Even if is used, a plurality of input devices are required to input a plurality of cuts at the same time. For example, if cameras are provided in two directions, that is, the sole direction and the instep direction, and the shutter is released at the same time, a foot image with no time shift can be taken. However, preparing a plurality of cameras causes a mechanical problem such as simultaneous shutter adjustment.

In the present invention, a cut image of a plurality of feet is taken simultaneously by a combination of one digital camera and a plurality of mirrors. For example, as shown in FIG.
If you add a mirror inclined at a 45 degree angle below 603, you can see both sides of the foot and both soles at the same time. The combination of the mirrors allows the front and rear upper portions of the feet to be simultaneously accommodated in the camera.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of a foot shape image analysis data input device (foot shape input device) will be described. FIG. 9 is an external view of the foot shape input device 6 of the present invention. Insert hole 606 to measure right foot
When measuring the left foot, insert each foot into the insertion hole 6062. The laser beam generator 602 is for irradiating the instep for measuring the height of the instep of the foot (see FIG. 7).
In this embodiment, the side of the foot, the bottom of the foot (sole), the front of the foot (in the direction of the finger), and the rear of the foot (in the direction of the heel) can be simultaneously photographed in one screen. For this purpose, the arrangement of the mirror inside the foot shape input device 6 is as shown in FIG. The side of the foot reaches the digital camera 601 as direct light. The sole of the foot is reflected once by the mirror 60501, and the light reaches the digital camera 601. The front (instep) of the foot reflects mirrors 60511, 60512, 60513 in the order, and the rear of the foot (heel) reflects mirrors 60521, 60522, 60523 in the order,
Finally, the virtual image of mirror 60513 and the virtual image of 60523 are digital camera
I will shoot with 601.

FIG. 11 shows an image captured by the digital camera 601 according to the arrangement of the mirrors shown in FIG. FIG.
In the middle, the bold line indicates the outline of the foot projected by the laser beam. In this case, the arrangement of the laser beam generator 602 having a slit-shaped irradiation port assumes FIGS. 6 and 7. The contour of the sole is clearly raised by this laser beam, and can be used when determining the size of the foot. The laser beam on the instep is used to calculate the height and shape of the instep. The camera photographing surface 60101 in FIG. 11 has a configuration in which a foot image can be most efficiently captured in one shot.

[0030]

The effects of footwear on health are now common sense. In the case of footwear, especially shoes, if they do not fit the feet, they may cause obstacles such as hallux valgus and bad posture, stiff shoulders, and back pain. However, in reality, it has not been possible to determine an accurate foot size or shape and to select appropriate footwear. The reason why such an appropriate selection is not made is that there are few advisors and that there is not enough economical margin to place an advisor.

Therefore, recently, selection of shoes by mechanization has been promoted. However, data input to many foot shape analysis devices is mainly at the sole portion, and few observe the shape of the entire foot. Also, the devices that can do this are for research use, are often complex and large, and are not devices that can be placed in stores. For this reason, it is not possible to select shoes that match the exact shape of the foot at the store. In the present invention, the size of the sole and the height of the instep are calculated by raising the shape of the sole and the instep with the light trace of the beam light in accordance with the image from each direction of the foot, It is possible to provide a customer's shoes by selecting the last (footprint model) that matches this size and comparing it with a database in which customer preferences and the like are registered.

The feature of the present invention is that, by using a mirror, not only the sole of the foot but also the side, front (toward the fingertip) and rear (heel method) cut screens can be input in a short time. There is no need for a mechanism for keeping the camera stationary for a long time.

Insufficient data in the contour information from each direction of the foot image can be obtained from the image information by irradiating a light beam such as a laser beam. In addition, since a normal foot image can be taken as it is, the sole, the shape of the fingertip, the shape and height of the instep, the state of the heel, and the like are taken as a computer image in one shot. This allows the user or advisor to select footwear while having a conversation with the computer. That is, by using the present invention, it is possible to efficiently input original data, ie, foot shape image data, for effectively selecting footwear while viewing a computer image to a computer system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which a sole (foot sole) is formed using pressure-sensitive paper (foot printer) in a conventional example.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a footprint measuring device in a conventional example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of a photoelectric foot scanner according to the related art.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the principle of reading the shape of a foot using a laser beam according to the related art.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the overall structure of a foot shape image analysis data input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a laser beam generator for embossing the outline of the sole portion and how to hit the laser beam in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a laser beam generator for embossing the shape and height of the instep of the foot and how to hit the laser beam in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for simultaneously capturing a sole portion and a foot side portion with a camera using a mirror according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an appearance of a foot shape image analysis data input device in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an arrangement of mirrors of the foot shape image analysis data input device in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an image on a digital camera film surface captured by a foot shape image analysis data input device in the example.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 foot 101 foot sole (foot sole) 2 pressure-sensitive paper (foot printer) 3 foot measuring device 4 photoelectric foot scanner 401 fixed track 402 optical scan head 403 reference surface 404 control unit 405 signal cable 5 laser beam 6 data input for foot shape image analysis Device (foot shape data input device) 601 Digital camera 60101 Film surface (photosensitive surface) 602 Laser beam generator 6021 Laser beam irradiation port 6022 Laser beam 603 Transparent plate 604 Signal cable 605 Mirror 60501 Mirror 60511 Mirror 60512 Mirror 60513 Mirror 60522 Mirror Mirror 606 Foot insertion hole (hole) 6061 Right foot insertion hole (hole) 6062 Left foot insertion hole (hole) 701 Computer body (PC) 702 Display

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A computer system for measuring foot shape by analyzing an image of a digital camera, wherein an image of a foot placed on a transparent footrest viewed from up, down, front, rear, left and right directions is obtained by a single digital camera. A data input device for foot shape image analysis, comprising a plurality of reflecting mirrors arranged so as to be projected on a photographing screen of the present invention. 2. A horizontal beam irradiation device for irradiating a foot with horizontal beam light from a plurality of directions at a height projecting to the outermost side of the side of the foot placed on the footrest transparent plate. 2. The data input device for foot shape image analysis according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A vertical beam irradiation device for irradiating a plurality of vertical beam lights on a vertical surface perpendicular to the front-back direction of the foot with respect to the instep portion of the foot placed on the footrest transparent plate. 2. The data input device for foot shape image analysis according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A horizontal beam irradiating device for irradiating a foot with horizontal beam light from a plurality of directions at a height projecting to the outermost side of the side of the foot placed on the footrest transparent plate; A vertical beam irradiation device for irradiating a plurality of vertical beam lights on a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-back direction of the foot with respect to the instep portion of the foot placed on the footrest transparent plate is provided. The data input device for foot shape image analysis according to claim 1.