SI21296A - Device for determination of size and shape of the foot - Google Patents

Abstract

The scope of the present invention is to offer the solution of a device - designed as simply as possible and also especially convenient for maintenance and use - for determination of size and shape of the foot (7). At any time it should enable the user to obtain on the spot enough precise and reliable data on the size and shape of his foot in its natural, relaxed or unloaded position, and that so to say in a moment, in such a very short time that under a normal usage of the device, a possibility of any movement of the foot (7) is excluded. In a housing (5) of the device according to the invention there is each time a required number of projectors (11, 21, 31, 41) each of them adjusted to provide at any time a respective number of light planes (B1,..., B17,..., B33,...). The planes are directed each time either towards their respective mirrors (10, 20, 30) from where they are redirected towards the surface of the foot (7) positioned each time mostly immovably on a fixed supporting plate (6) or they are directed straight towards the surface of the said foot (7), where they then create a proper illumination for being recorded each time with a respective camera (12, 22, 32, 42). From the obtained snapshots, the size and the shape of the foot can be finally determined by using, for instance, the method of triangulation.

Description

Device for determining the size and shape of the foot

The invention relates to a device for determining the size and shape of the foot. The term foot size indicates the dimensions of the foot in all three directions in space, ie. the length, width and height of a particular point of the foot relative to the reference point on the base, and the term foot shape indicates the course of the outline of the foot in the individual intersecting planes in the room.

The object of the present invention is to design as simple as possible, preferably without moving parts, designed to be easy to use and maintain, especially for a wide range of user-friendly devices for determining the size and shape of the foot, which should be provided on site at any time, e.g. in the footwear or sporting goods store, to enable each user to obtain in a simple and accurate manner sufficiently accurate and reliable information about the size and shape of his foot in a natural, relaxed or natural way. relieved position, almost instantaneously, in such a short period of time that the regular use of the device will preclude any movement of the foot as a measured object, thereby generating inaccurate measurement results due to conscious or subconscious responses to external stimuli, i.e. because of the so-called human factor.

In the past, the measurement of the size and shape of the human foot has been mainly concerned with the need for artificial limbs, i.e. substitutes for torn or amputated limbs, as well as for the purpose of making orthopedic footwear, with the aim of which each user can compensate for variations in the shape or size of one foot with respect to the regular size and shape of the foot of the remaining foot. One such device, including the process of manufacturing an orthopedic device, is described in US 6,006,412. This is to determine the shape and size of the foot in different planes by means of the so-called. scanning, ie. by gradually illuminating the surface of the foot in a particular direction along one plane and then repeating this step either in different directions in the same plane and / or in other planes. The determination of the size and shape of the foot made possible by this type of device is performed by performing several successive repetitions of the said scan, each of which may take several seconds. Also, moving the meter for scanning purposes in the other direction or in another plane definitely takes a certain amount of time. Thus, it is obvious at first glance that, even if the foot with the foot is fixed in any way, the foot may move a few millimeters or even centimeters while using the device from the beginning to the end of the change cycle. To this end, the results can only be more or less approximate, but by no means accurate. In order to obtain accurate results, it would be necessary to provide the user with absolute resting of the measured foot for a longer period of time, e.g. at least a few minutes, which in determining the shape and size of the foot in a wide range of people e.g. it is by no means feasible to purchase appropriate footwear. In the opinion of the applicant, the analysis of the described method of determining the size and shape of the foot and the subsequent manufacture of an orthopedic device based on the preparation of a positive and negative mold is, in the opinion of the applicant, irrelevant for the purposes of evaluating the invention.

Previously, the determination of the size and shape of the lower surface of the foot was made possible by the device described in US 5,128,880. It is a relatively simple device that would generally be suitable for a wider range of users and could also be located e.g. to a shoe store. The device comprises the above-mentioned measuring or measuring device. the reference surface to which the measured foot is placed with the sole downwards. If absolute sole rest of the foot is ensured for at least a few seconds for the sole scanning in one plane and in one direction, precise foot and width information, outline and relief of the lower surface of the foot can be provided, i.e. sole. In practice, it turns out that in most cases, even such a short absolute foot rest is not easy to guarantee, since the mere loading or unburdening of the foot by carrying the weight itself or even merely by the action of certain muscle groups due to the reactions to stimuli in the surroundings can lead to millimeter movements the bones in the foot during the scan itself. Even if the device in question were able to provide extremely fast scanning, the data exchanged would still only relate to the size and shape of the sole, i.e. only the lower surfaces, which can e.g. it is sufficient for the purpose of selecting the appropriate sole of the shoe, but in no case for appropriately selecting the whole shoe as such. In order to choose a shoe, significantly more information needs to be identified, in particular eg. about the height of the set, the shape of the heel part and the like, which the described device does not allow.

Further, EP 1 010 393 Al describes a device for the three-dimensional measurement of a human foot consisting of a measuring unit, a data processing unit including a display unit as well as a unit for recording coded data on a magnetic card. With the help of this kind of device, the user should be allowed to be handed a card with the data on his feet after the measurement, and then with the help or. By considering the information on this card, you can buy appropriate footwear in shoe stores. Said unit of measurement is again designed as a scanner comprising properly sorted transmitters and receivers of infrared rays. After leaving the transmitter, each beam is reflected from the surface of the foot and enters the appropriate receiver from where the corresponding signal travels to the data processing unit. The latter allows the foot to be displayed on the display unit, e.g. on screen or in the form of an appropriate print on paper, and it also generates suitable data for magnetic card recording. Even in this case, the determination of the size and shape of the foot itself, as a result of the design of the measuring unit itself, can be quite inaccurate, and in particular the scanning is relatively lengthy, certainly too time-consuming to exclude the possibility of errors due to the movement of the foot during scanning.

The problem of determining, in particular, the size of the foot, is further addressed by the optical measuring device described in UK 2 141 226 A. Recognizing the problem that in humans, especially in children, it is merely a voltage or a strain. the tone of the foot, when laid on a particular surface, can cause excessive errors, the device is designed to allow the feet to change in a free, unladen state. The device in question consists of a stand and a console. In said base there is a recess for receiving the foot, in which a unit for measuring foot length and a unit for measuring foot width are located. The console comprises a display where the position of the foot relative to the reference line, as detected by the two units mentioned above, can be observed. When the foot is in the appropriate position relative to said reference line, it is possible to determine very quickly, at any point, the points at which light rays intersect the foot, on the basis of which the maximum length and width of the foot can be determined. The measurement step itself is so fast that it is certainly possible to eliminate any inaccuracy that may result from the movement of the foot during the measurement itself with the said device. However, similar to e.g. as with the aforementioned device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,880, even in this case, the data obtained from determining solely the length and width of the foot for the sole purpose of purchasing suitable footwear are undoubtedly at least deficient, if not inappropriate.

Further, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,759, an optical optical detection or detection device is known. changes a three-dimensional shape, in which the surface of the meadow is illuminated through an aperture of a specific pattern, which leads to the formation of a pattern on the surface of the meter and, after reflection of light from the latter, to a pattern on the surface of the screen. On the basis of the calculation of the coordinates of the individual characteristic points, it is possible to determine the shape of the surface of the meter. With the help of this kind of device it would be possible to determine the shape of the individual areas of the foot, but in general it does not even provide a solution to the problem posed initially.

GB 2 240 623 further describes a device for determining the shape of a three-dimensional object, the device comprising the source of a linear light beam and a camera mounted on a frame rotatable around a roller coaster. In the case of determining the size and shape of the foot, this method of measurement would prove inappropriate for at least two reasons - since the device would be very large and complex to ensure the rotation of the frame with the camera, and at the same time it would be difficult to determine the shape of the surface with just one beam traveled on the surface of the foot, very long.

Further, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,848,188 and 5,546,189 describe devices for changing the shape of a three-dimensional object based on triangulation. In both cases, these are extremely complex devices, one of which even includes a fast-rotating mirror. The purpose of the refined devices is to ensure, in particular, the high accuracy of the results obtained, but obviously the devices are intended primarily for control in the execution of production processes.

US 4,705,401 further describes a device for the rapid digitization of a three-dimensional surface. A light source is provided on said surface to illuminate an object in several planes simultaneously, so that multiple lines that determine its outline are simultaneously visible on the illuminated object. These units for providing illumination of the surface of an object in several planes at one time could be called projectors. At the same time, a camera is provided to record said illuminated lines on the surface of the object. Further, a part of the device is provided which takes care of the movement of the meter. of the observed object according to the light source or projector. When changing the shape and size of the foot with this kind of device, the foot would otherwise be illuminated by a plurality of so-called light planes, whereby a plurality of lines of different curvatures would be obtained on the foot surface, which would be recorded with the camera and based on the movement of the foot in different positions. Running lines in certain positions according to the light source calculated the shape of the foot. This would certainly contradict the basic purpose of the desired device to perform the measurement quickly and preferably without moving the foot. Shooting a shape using this familiar device would be relatively time-consuming, with the foot following the portion of the device intended to ensure its movement. This would expose the foot during stimulation to stimuli to which it would respond. It follows from the conclusion that this known device for resizing and detecting the shape of the foot in its natural position is fundamentally inappropriate.

The device for changing and determining the shape of the human foot according to the invention generally comprises at least a measuring module comprising at least one projector and at least one camera. The term projector refers to one source against the surface of the foot of the light-emitting surfaces, in particular laser beams, which can illuminate the selected surface of the foot, as well as at least one camera, by means of which the said illumination of the surface can be taken and the illuminated pattern can be determined the surface of the foot. According to the invention, the technical problem identified by the invention is solved by the fact that each projected number of projections is provided, each of which is adapted to provide at each time an adequate number of laser beam light surfaces, which are evenly spaced by a certain angle and smiling or against each respective a mirror, by means of which they are directed towards the surface at each time on the surface of the light by at least partially permeable support plates of the stationary foot, or are directed directly towards the surface of said foot, so as to produce in each case adequate illumination which can be taken with the camera corresponding thereto, and then determine the shape and size of the foot from the resulting shots. Further, such a device consists of a housing formed on the one hand by a load-bearing frame with measuring modules mounted on the other, and on the other by a shell which comprises, on the more distant side, an inlet opening for positioning the bordered foot on said light at least partially transmitted a support panel which defines the measuring range of the device, which is mounted at said inlet, and at the same time the mirrors are mounted in said enclosure, the arrangement of which is selected according to the arrangement of said measuring modules and their components, namely projections and associated cameras. Each measuring module generally consists of at least one project and at least one camera, its arrangement or. the arrangement of said projectors and cameras in the device, namely on the carrier frame of the housing, is

-8s are each selected in accordance with the arrangement of the participating mirror with respect to the position of said support plate and the foot mounted thereon.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the support plate for mounting each boundary of one or the observed foot in the housing is positioned at least substantially horizontally, its longitudinal horizontal axis forming a longitudinal axis of the device, which in each case at least substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the foot as the boundary of one object and comprising three mirrors. These mirrors are so arranged that the first mirror is located at the inlet and, in view of the light, at least partially permeable, the support panel is vertically swung or rotated downward by a certain angle, which is aligned with the position of the respective module in the housing or. on the frame. The second and third mirrors are arranged in vertical planes directly adjacent to said support panel and above the latter, so that, relative to said longitudinal axis of said support plate, they are arranged obliquely at a suitable angle, selected according to the position of the respective measuring modules, and extend from said inlet openings in the housing from the side sideways and apart. The most preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises four measuring modules that are attached to the support frame, the first and second measuring modules arranged above the light plane at least in part by the permeable support plates and each on its side by the longitudinal axis of said plate, while the third a module arranged above the first element of the two modules, at least approximately above said longitudinal axis of the support plate, and the fourth module located below said support plate, meaningfully again at least approximately below said longitudinal axis of the support plate, on which the foot is mounted. Further, in the present embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first measuring module consists of a projector, which is intended to direct the respective number of equally spaced light surfaces against a corresponding mirror, namely, to that located on the same side of the longitudinal axis above the support plate arranged on the same side panels as the aforesaid projector, and which is intended to direct said rays to the associated surface on said foot panel, as well as from a camera arranged so that the illuminated surface of the foot is confined to the angle of view of the foot. The second measuring module consists of a projector which is intended to direct at each time an appropriate number of suitably directed - preferably evenly spaced - planes of light toward the corresponding mirror, namely, to the mirror positioned above the support plate, located on the same side of the longitudinal axis of said panel as this projector, which is intended to divert said beams to the associated surface on said foot-plate, as well as from a camera, which is arranged so that the illuminated surface of the foot is placed within the range of its viewing angle. The third measuring module consists of a projector which is intended to direct the respective number of uniformly spaced light surfaces directly towards those surface areas on the surface of the foot facing it, as well as to a camera arranged so as to be confined the illuminated surface of the foot is within its viewing angle. The fourth measuring module consists of a projector, which is intended for directing at each time an appropriate number of uniformly spaced light surfaces towards a corresponding mirror, namely, a mirror arranged under the support plate, which is intended for diverting said light surfaces to a corresponding surface on the adjacent panel. , as well as from a camera so arranged that the illuminated surface of the foot is restricted to the angle of view by its restricted beams. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the measuring module is attached to the housing body frame in this way, at least by the projector and by the camera or camera cooperating therewith. with the latter, the cooperating cameras can be attached to a support pole that can be secured in a suitable bearing by means of suitable fixing means. That way it can be after

-1010 releasing the fastening means each carrier rod in the bearing is movable in the direction of its longitudinal axis and rotates about it, and after loading of the said fastening means, this bearing rod in the said bearing is mounted stationary in its respective position.

Furthermore, in the apparatus according to the invention, it is generally possible to design the measurement modules so that the number of projectors either corresponds to the number of cameras or that the number of cameras is greater than the number of projectors. It is further advantageous if each projector is adapted to provide more than at least ten, preferably at least thirty, and in particular more than at least twenty-two light surfaces, each of which is designed to be at least substantially a straight line and preferably spaced equally spaced for a given angle.

The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of the embodiment and in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, where FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view, from the front, of the device for determining the size and shape of the foot according to the invention; 2 is a schematic, again in perspective view from the rear, of the device for determining the size and shape of the foot according to the invention, FIG. 3 is a device according to FIG. 1 and 2 in plan, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device in cross section ΠΙ-III according to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective view of the front view of the device according to the invention, this time together with the schematically illustrated measured foot, FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view from the rear and, together with the measured foot, of the device according to the invention, FIG. 7 the device of FIG. 5 and 6 in plan, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device in section VII-VII of FIG. 7,

-1111 fig. 9 is a plan view of the key components of the device according to the invention; 10 is a schematic view of the optical conditions during operation of the device according to the invention, in the top view; 11 is a schematic view of the optical conditions during the operation of the device according to the invention; 12 shows the operation of each of the available measuring modules, FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the operation of a device during illumination of an object in several planes; FIG. 14 is a planar graphical representation, namely, of a recording or. a photo of an illuminated object, i. feet, based on data obtained from one of the measuring modules, when fitted to the appropriate position, which is not generally correlated with the position of the measuring modules shown in the rest of the drawings.

The device for determining the size and shape of the foot consists essentially of a housing 5 in which, on the one hand, it is in each case appropriately fixed to light at least partially translucent, preferably translucent or at least substantially transparent support plate 6, on which the measured object is mounted, i. foot 7, and on the other hand, in this housing 5, measuring modules 1, 2, 3, 4, with their respective mirrors 10, 20, 30, are in each case desired and convenient manner, which will be described in more detail below.

Each of the measuring modules 1, 2, 3, 4 consists of at least one light transmitter, optionally laser light, namely the so-called laser projector 11, 21, 31, 41, as well as at least one laser beam receiver, namely the so-called camera 12, 22, 32, 42.

-1212

The housing 5 is optionally made of a very rigid support frame 51 which is adapted to attach the measuring modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and the latter mirrors 10, 20, 30, as well as the corresponding sheath 52, in which it is provided an inlet 53 for positioning the foot 7 as a measured object on said support panel 6, in the corresponding working area of said measuring modules 1, 2, 3, with respect to the position of mirrors 10,20, 30.

The support panel 6 consists of light-transmitting material, at least for the type of light selected each time, emitted by projectors 11, 21, 31, 41 and detected by cameras 12, 22, 32, 42 of the measurement modules 1, 2, 3, 4. The support plate 6 is preferably positioned in a horizontal position in the housing 5, but in general it can also be inclined by a certain angle relative to the horizontal plane, which is of particular benefit to the individual user or for the most accurate and comfortable measurements at all times. . In general, the support plate 6 in the housing may be inclined or tilted. swivel about one or both axes in the horizontal plane of the device according to the invention, which may be practiced by a suitable mechanism, not specifically shown in the accompanying drawing.

The design and implementation of measuring modules 1, 2, 3, 4 will be explained in more detail only in the case of one of the measuring modules, namely on the basis of module 1 according to FIG. 1. In this case, one projector 11 and a single camera 12 comprising the measuring module 1 is provided with a supporting rod 13, which is fixed in said housing 14, which is secured to said housing 51 housing 5. According to the proper positioning thereof, in this case equipped with fasteners or. by means of screws, and is designed in such a way that upon releasing said means 15 it is possible to move the rod 13 in the direction of its longitudinal axis as well as to rotate it about the same axis, while also allowing the said rod 13 to be secured every time

-1313 selected position. The projector 11 and the camera 12 of the respective measuring module 1 are each appropriately attached to said pole 13. Thus, on the one hand, the projector 11 and the camera 12 of the respective module 1 are positioned in a suitable position, especially in their respective interconnected position at the associated pole 13, on the other hand, it is also possible to move the pole 13 itself to establish a suitable position for the entire measuring module 1, i.e. the projector 11 and the camera 12, according to the intended measuring range, which can optionally be determined by the estimated size and position of the foot 7 as a measured object located on the support panel 6.

The proper functioning of the device according to the invention can be ensured on the basis of the appropriate number and arrangement of the measuring modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and the latter mirrors 10, 20, 30. Since, during the measurements of the foot 7, the longitudinal axis of said foot is said to be provided by the device according to the invention. at least approximately coincident with the longitudinal axis 60 (Fig. 3) of the support plate 6, it is possible to determine as a starting point to determine the arrangement of the measuring modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and mirrors 10, 20, 30, with its longitudinal axis 60 of the support plate 6 oz. foot 7, wherein this axis 60 extends e.g. from the heel region of foot 7 to the toe region thereof.

On this basis, in the example shown, all measuring modules 1, 2, 3, 4 are arranged in front of said support plate 6, wherein two modules 1, 2 are arranged above the support plate 6 and are spaced in a horizontal direction perpendicular to said axis 60 and at least substantially symmetrical with respect to said axis 60, the third module 3 is located above said modules 1, 2, and the fourth module 4 is in this case below the first-mentioned modules 1, 2, i.e. below the plane of the support plate 6.

-1414

In the present case, for the effective operation of the device according to the invention, three straight, otherwise flat-paneled mirrors 10, 20, 30 are required. The first mirror 10 is located below the plane of the support plate 6 and is positioned obliquely relative to the plane of the support plate 6, thus that in the area of the inlet opening 53 of the housing 5 from the plane of the support plate 6 in the forward direction towards modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and 4 respectively. lowering the frame 51 towards the base. The remaining mirrors 20, 30 are arranged vertically and positioned symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis 60 of the plate 6, at which they are arranged at a mutual distance at the inlet opening 53 of the housing 5, and from there they extend obliquely to each other and forward to modules 1, 2, 3, 4 oz. frame 51 housing

5. The distance between the mirrors 20, 30 in the area of the inlet opening 53 enables the realization of a sufficiently large inlet opening 53, thus allowing unimpeded movement of the foot 7 through said inlet while placing the foot on the support plate 6 or. during the removal of the foot 7 from this panel 6. Starting from the extremely rigid design of the frame 51 itself, the installation of said modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and mirrors 10, 20, 30 is carried out in such a way that deformations which could have resulting in the deviation of said optical elements from their starting position and thus the inaccuracy of the results obtained.

As mentioned above, each measuring module 1, 2, 3, 4 generally comprises at least one projector 11, 21, 31, 41 and at least one camera 12, 22, 32, 42. Each of the projections 11,21 , 31,41 so designed that e.g. it generates a multitude of evenly spaced and at least substantially planar planes B ₁₇ , ..., B _n (Fig. 13), in particular from the laser beams of the constituent light planes, by means of a suitable reticle. In the example shown, a suitable projector, such as a lacquer on sale under the Lasiris® trademark of Stocker Yale, Inc., can be used for the purpose of providing a thirty-three-inch illumination area

-1515 spaced light surfaces B to B ₃₃ , which, in each case by project 11, 21, 31, 41 either directly or through the respective mirror 10, 20, 30, illuminates the surface of the foot 7, in relation to the relief of that surface, or less curved light curves, which is illustrated in FIG. 14.

After illuminating the surface of the foot 7 with a plurality of light planes B to B ₃₃ , when a projector 11,21,31,41 and a cooperating camera 12, 22, 32, 42 are in the same plane, it is visible on the surface a set of straight lines. As the surface of the foot 7 is convex, after the arrangement of the camera outside the plane of the projector 11,21,31,41, these straight lines become curved. With the camera angle 12, 22, 32, 42 known in advance from the plane of the projector 11, 21, 31, 41, the shape of the surface of the measured foot 7 can be uniquely determined from the degree of curvature of these illumination lines.

The respective camera 12, 22, 32, 42 is directed in each case by the projector 11, 21, 31, 41 of the illuminated area of the foot surface 7 as a measured object, so that an image of the illuminated one can be provided by the camera 12, 22, 32, 42 surface area of foot 7 and store the course information of the illuminated lines. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that both steps, namely illuminating the surface of the foot 7 with the help of one of the projectors 11, 21, 31, 41 and recording the course of illuminated lines on the surface of the foot 7 with the help of the corresponding camera 12, 22, 32, 42 are feasible in an extremely a short order of magnitude of a few hundredths or even a few thousandths of a second. In addition, it is undoubtedly possible to provide a very condensed sequential operation of all available modules 1, 2, 3, 4, namely their projectors 11, 21, 31, 41 and their associated cameras 12, 22, 32, 42, over an extremely short period of time, which is a few tenths of a second, preferably not more than 0.5 s. Under the notion of sequential operation

-1616 is meant to e.g. first illuminates the associated area of the foot surface 7 with the projector 11 of the first module 1, and then shoots the surface with the associated camera 12, and then the illumination by the projector 11 ceases. This is followed by the illumination of the associated area of the foot 7 with the projector 21 of the second module 2 and then the recording of the surface with the associated camera 22. After the illumination with this second projector 21, the illumination of the corresponding area of the foot 7 with the projector 31 of the third module 3 and then the recording of the surface with the associated camera 32, and then, after the illumination with the third projector 31 ceases, the illumination of the associated area of the foot surface 7 by means of the projector 41 of the fourth module 4, and then recording the surface with the associated camera 42. In general, the sequence of activation of the individual modules is 1, 2, 3, 4 is irrelevant, but it is important that the illumination of the foot surface 7 with the help of only a specific projector 11, 21, 31, 41 is followed by recording with the associated camera 12, 22, 32, 42, namely one adapted to its position and orientation. to record both of the illuminated surface area of the foot 7 as a measured object.

When changing the size and shape of the foot 7, it is possible to predefine the size of each measuring range in each case and to ensure the proper positions of projectors 11, 21, 31, 41 and cameras 12, 22, 32, 42 of modules 1, 2, 3, 4, so that one the desired number of available light surfaces B _lr .. _s B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , preferably most of them, from the desired direction in each case, i.e. from the direction of the respective projector 11, 21, 31, 41, hits the surface of the foot 7, and on the other hand, that the angle of view of the respective cameras 12, 22, 32, 42 permits the recording of the course of these beams B _l7 , ..., B ₃₃

-1717

Knowing the positions of projectors 11, 21, 31, 41 and cameras 12, 22, 32, 42, namely their spatial coordinates, as well as the angles of intersection of the light surfaces B ,, ..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ is it is possible, based on the flow of light curves taken by the respective camera 12, 22, 32, 42, by means of suitable software with high speed and accuracy, to determine the distance of the individual points on the surface of the foot 7, or from the associated projector 11, 21, 31, 41, or cameras 12, 22, 32, 42 and thus from the support plane 6. Determining the position of a single point on the surface of the foot 7 can be done in one of the known ways, in particular by the triangulation method.

When the user passes the foot 7 through the inlet 53 of the housing 52 of the housing 5 onto the support plate 6 (Figs. 5 to 8), the longitudinal axis of the foot 7 at least approximately coincides with the longitudinal axis 60 of said plate 6. Before the foot 7, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 9, there are measuring modules 1, 2, 3, 4, respectively. under foot 7, in the example shown, mirrors 10, 20, 30 are arranged in the manner previously described. Based on said arrangement, the left side of foot 7 (Fig. 10) can be illuminated via the mirror 30 via the mirror 30, before or then, with the help of the projector 21 of the second module 2, also the right side of the foot 7. Before or after (Fig. 11), the front of the foot 7, i.e., can be illuminated from above by the projector 31 of the third module 3. the toe and the nasal area and the forefoot of the ankle of the foot 7, either before or afterwards, with the help of the projector 41 of the fourth module 4 from below, the lower part, or. sole including heel area and ankle at back. In this way, with the help of only Four projectors 11, 21, 31, 41, all relevant areas of the foot can be successively illuminated with a suitable beam raster B _lv .., B _{] 7} ,, .., B _33. a specific surface area of the foot 7 is followed by the shooting of the same illuminated area by means of the corresponding camera 12, 22, 32, 42.

-1818

It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the sequence of operation of the measurement modules 1, 2, 3, 4 can be fully automated such that, after the foot 7 is mounted on the washer 6, the user e.g. just pressing a button that does not display triggers the operation of the device, and then all the lighting and shooting is done in a moment.

Thanks to the design of the device according to the invention, the accuracy of measurements of the size of the foot in individual planes and the course of the surface of the foot 7 below 0.5 mm can be calculated without further ado, which in fact far exceeds all real needs, especially considering that already anomalies of the skin on the foot 7, e.g. wrinkles, pores, and the like, easily exceed this value, and in most cases the fabric of the socks is thicker than that value. At the same time, it is possible to calculate with such speed of measurement or with such a short time required to realize the sequence of exposures and recordings with the individual modules 1, 2, 3, 4, which in the worst case is at most tens of seconds, especially less than the normal reaction time in humans, which means that during the measurement, the person is neither consciously nor subconsciously able to respond to stimuli that his body could detect for any reason during the measurement.

We emphasize that the described example represents only one possible example, which in no way limits the scope of the present invention per se. In the present case, the design and arrangement of the individual components of the measuring modules 1, 2, 3, 4 correspond, at least in essence, to the design and arrangement of the same elements in the preferred embodiment. at least in certain applications, a different design and layout may be preferred. Likewise, the number of light planes B, ..., B _l7 , ..., B 'available at all times may differ, in general, without reservation from the number defined in relation to the interpretation

-1919 of the present embodiment. Further, in general, different and different number of projectors 11, 21, 31, 41 and cameras 12, 22, 32, 42 can be used with the device according to the invention so that the sequence of steps of illumination of the surface areas of the foot 7 is by means of the projector 11 selected at each time. , 21, 31, 41, and the subsequent steps of recording such illuminated surface areas of the foot 7 by means of the corresponding camera 12, 22, 32, 42 may also be slightly different from that stated when describing the present embodiment of the device according to the invention. In general, in at least some cases, the surface areas of the foot 7 can be sequentially taken with one camera 12, 22, 32, 42, which are illuminated with or without illumination by different projections in successive periods of time, 11,21,31 , 41, or even with multiple cameras 12, 22, 32, 42 sequentially capture a specific surface area of the foot 7 which is illuminated with or without illumination by means of a specific projector 11,21,31,41 in successive periods of time.

Claims (22)

A device for measuring and detecting the shape of a human foot, comprising at least one projector (11, 21, 31, 41), namely at least one source against the surface of the foot directed by light rays (B '..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ...), in particular laser beams which can illuminate the surface of the foot, as well as at least one camera (12, 22, 32, 42), by means of which it is possible to record said illumination of the surface and to determine the shape of the illuminated sample. the surface of the foot (7), characterized in that the required number of projectors (11, 21, 31, 41) is provided at each time, each of which is adapted to provide at each time an appropriate number of laser beams of the constituent light surfaces (B ,, ... , B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..), spaced appropriately, in particular evenly spaced by a certain angle, and directed either toward the respective mirror (10, 20, 30) where they are directed towards the surface each time for at least partially transmissible and non-permeable p the resistance plates (6) of the generally non-moving foot (7), or directed directly to the surface of said foot (7), so as to produce at each time adequate illumination which can be taken with the camera corresponding thereto (12, 22, 32, 42) and then determine the shape and size of the foot (7) from the resulting shots. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at each time a selected number of correspondingly arranged measuring modules (1, 2, 3, 4), each consisting of at least one projector (11, 21, 31, 41) and at least single cameras (12, 22, 32, 42), with the number of cameras (12, 22, 32, 42) being greater than or equal to the number of projectors (11, 21, 31,41). -2121 Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it consists of a housing (5) formed on one side by a supporting frame (51) with itself in each case, depending on the position of the measured foot (7), in the appropriate arrangement of the measuring modules installed (1, 2, 3, 4) and, on the other hand, a sheath (52) comprising an inlet opening (53) on the farther side (51) further to position the measured foot (7) at least partially permeable to light, preferably at least translucent and, in particular, preferably transparent support plate (6) defining the measuring area of the device, which is mounted at said inlet (53), and mirrors (10, 20, 30) are also incorporated in said sheath (52). , the arrangement of which is selected according to the arrangement of said measuring modules (1, 2, 3, 4) and their components, namely projectors (11,21, 31, 41) and cameras (12, 22, 32, 42). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one measuring module (1, 2, 3, 4), which generally consists of at least one project (lb 21, 31, 41) and at least one of the camera (12, 22, 32, 42), and its arrangement in the device, namely on the support frame (51) of the housing (5), is selected according to the arrangement with it of the cooperating mirror (10, 20, 30) according to the position for light, at least partially permeable support plates (6) and a foot (7) mounted thereon. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support plate (6) for mounting is measured or measured in each case. the observed foot (7) in the housing (5) positioned at least substantially horizontally and that its longitudinal horizontal axis (60) forms a longitudinal axis of the device, which in each case at least substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the foot (7) as a measured object and comprising three mirrors (10, 20, 30) arranged so that the first mirror (10) is adjacent to the inlet (53) and is rotated downward by a certain angle from the support plate (6) in a vertical direction position dependency in each participating module -2222 (1, 2, 3, 4) in housing (5) or. on the frame (51) of the available projectors (11, 21, 31, 41) and cameras (12, 22, 32, 42), and that the second and third mirrors (20, 30) are arranged in vertical planes directly adjacent to the support panel (6 ) and above the latter, such that, with respect to said longitudinal axis (60), said support panels are arranged obliquely at a suitable angle, selected according to the position of the available projectors (11, 21, 31, 41) and cameras (12, 22, 32) , 42) of the respective measuring modules (1, 2, 3, 4), and extend from said inlet opening (53) in the housing (5) from the latter sideways and apart. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises four measuring modules (1, 2, 3, 4) consisting of an appropriate number of projectors (11, 21, 31,41) and cameras (12,22, 32,42) , which are fixed to the support frame (51), the first and second measuring modules (1,2) being arranged above the light plane at least in part by the permeable support plate (6) and each on its side by the longitudinal axis (60) of said plate (60). 6), while the third module (3) is arranged above the first-mentioned modules (1,2) meaningfully at least approximately above said longitudinal axis (60) of the support panel (6), and the fourth module (4) is located below said support plate (6) ), again meaningfully at least approximately below said longitudinal axis (60) of said support plate (6), to which the measured foot (7) is mounted. Apparatus according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the first measuring module (1) consists of a projector (11), which is intended to direct at each time an appropriate number of light surfaces (B _lr .., B ', ..) towards a mirror (30), located above the plane of the support panel (6), which is intended to direct said light surfaces (B „..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..) to the corresponding surface on said panel (6). 6) the positioning foot (7), as well as from the camera (12) which is so -2323 arranged so that the bounded rays B ₁₇ , .. ,, B ₃₃ , ..) the illuminated surface of the foot (7) is in the area of its angle of view. Apparatus according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the first measuring module (1) consists of a projection (11), which is intended for directing at each time an appropriate number of evenly spaced light surfaces (B _b ..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..) against the corresponding mirror above the plane of the support plate (6), which is intended to divert said light surfaces (B ,,, .., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..) to the associated surface on said plate (6) of the foot (7) located, as well as from the chamber (12) so arranged that it is confined with limited beams (B _b ..., B _t7 , ..., B ', ..) the illuminated surface of the foot (7) is within its viewing angle. Apparatus according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the second measuring module (2) consists of a projection (21), which is intended to smile at each appropriate number of light surfaces (B _b ..., B ₃₃ , ..) against the mirror (20) above the plane of the support panel (6), which is intended to direct said light surfaces (B ,, ..., B _17v .., B _33r .) to the corresponding surface on said panel (6) of the located the foot (7), as well as from the camera (22) so arranged that the illuminated surface of the foot (7) is illuminated by the limited rays (B „..., B _l7} ..., B ₃₃ , ..). located in the area of its viewing angle. Apparatus according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the second measuring module (2) consists of a projection (21), designed to smile at each time an appropriate number of uniformly open light surfaces (B _b ..., B _l7 , ..., B ₃₃ , ..) against a mirror (20) above the plane of the support plate (6), which is intended to divert the said beams (B _b ..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ", ,.) to the associated surface on said plate (6) of the foot (7) located, as well as from the camera -2424 (22), which is so arranged that, with the limited rays (B '..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..), the illuminated surface of the foot (7) is within its viewing angle. Apparatus according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the third measuring module (3) consists of a project (31), which is intended for directing at each time an appropriate number of light surfaces (B _b ..., B _l7 , ... , B _33r .) Directly towards those surface areas on the surface of the foot (7) facing it, as well as from the chamber (32) which is so arranged that it is confined with limited rays (B !,.,., B _{33 !} ..) the illuminated surface of the foot (7) is within its viewing angle. Apparatus according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the third measuring module (3) consists of a projector (31) which is intended for directing at each time an appropriate number of evenly spaced light surfaces (B _b ..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..) directly towards those surface areas on the surface of the foot (7) facing it, as well as from the camera (32) so disposed that it is confined by the limited rays (B, , ..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..) The illuminated surface of the foot (7) is in the area of its angle of view. Apparatus according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the fourth measuring module (4) consists of a projector (41), which is provided for directing at each time an appropriate number of light surfaces (B '..., B ₁₇ , ... , B ₃₃ , ..) against the corresponding mirror (10), namely towards the under-plane light, at least in part of the permeable support plate (6) to the arranged mirror (10), which is intended to divert said light surfaces (B _t , ..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..) to the associated surface of said foot (7) of said foot (7), as well as of a chamber (12) arranged so as to be limited by the rays (B _b ..., B ', ..) the illuminated surface of the foot (7) is within its viewing angle. -2525 Apparatus according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the fourth measuring module (4) consists of a projector (41), intended to smile at each time an appropriate number of uniformly open light surfaces B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..) against the associated mirror (10), namely, against the plane of the support plate (6) of the arranged mirror (10), which is intended to divert said light surfaces (B „..., B ₁₇ ,, .., B ₃₃ , ..) to the associated surface on said plate (6) of the foot (7) located, as well as from the camera (12) so arranged that it is confined with limited rays (B _Iv .., B ₁₇ ...... B ₃₃ , ..) the illuminated surface of the foot (7) is within its viewing angle. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective measuring module (1, 2, 3, 4) is secured to the supporting frame (51) of the housing (5) in such a way that at least the projector (11, 21, 31) is provided. , 41), and optionally an associated camera (12, 22, 32, 42) or more cameras cooperating therewith (12, 22, 32, 42) can be attached to a carrier pole (13) which can be attached by means of suitable fixing means ( 15) hardened in a suitable bearing (14). Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that, after releasing the fastening means (15), the respective supporting rod (13) in the bearing (14) is movable in the direction of its longitudinal axis and is rotatable around it after the loading of said fastening means ( 15) the carrier (13) in the bearing (14) is positioned stationary in its respective position. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the number of projectors (11, 21, 31, 41) of the measuring modules (1, 2, 3, 4) corresponds to the number of cameras (12,22,32,42) . -2626 Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the number of projectors (11,21,31,41) of the measuring modules (1, 2, 3, 4) is greater than the number of cameras (12,22,32,42) ). Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each projector (11,21,31,41) is adapted to provide more than at least ten laser beam beams (B _lr .., B ₁₇ , ..). ., B ₃₃ , ..), Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective projector (11,21, 31,41) is adapted to provide more than at least ten laser beam beams (B '..., B _l7 ,. .., B ₃₃ , ..), which are evenly spaced by a given angle. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective projector (11, 21, 31, 41) is adapted to provide more than at least thirty, preferably at least twenty-two laser beams of the constituent light surfaces (B '..., B ₁₇ , ..., B ₃₃ , ..). Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective projector (11, 21, 31, 41) is adapted to provide more than at least thirty, preferably at least twenty-two laser beams of the constituent light surfaces (B ,, ... , B _n , ..., B ₃₃ , ..), which are evenly spaced by a given angle.