Patent Application
20090208113
The present invention relates generally to shoe fitting, and particularly to methods and systems for automated fitting of shoes and insole adapters.
Ill-fitting shoes can lead to pain, discomfort and a variety of foot illnesses, including inflammatory sores and blisters, hard corns, ingrown nails, calluses and impinged nerves in the foot. Diabetic patients may not feel pain or discomfort when a shoe is tight, and therefore a good fitting is particularly important to avoid foot illnesses.
Feet may sometimes be classified into three categories: Ectomorph (i.e., tall, slender, long-boned and slim), Mesomorph (i.e., stocky, muscular, heavy-boned) and muscled Endomorph (i.e., fleshy, plump, small-boned and fatty). Yet no particular physique entirely matches any one of these categories. Rather, most feet are a combination of the three categories, with one type being dominant. Thus, it is practically impossible to define a “normal foot.”
In 1982 the national Prescription Footwear Association completed the measurement of 6,800 pairs of adult men and women's feet in 23 cities. Not a single perfectly matched pair was found. Most people have one foot larger than the other. Two shoes of the same length size and width, from different shoe lasts, do not have the same interior shape, and do not fit a given customer foot equally well. A customer, even a customer who is not an orthopedic patient, may have a foot that is the same length and width as a given shoe, but the shoe may nevertheless not provide a good fit.
Known shoe fitting methods tend to describe feet in terms of length, and possibly also width, generally a ball width. Yet, as will be shown in
A shoe last is a mold over which the shoe is made. The shoe last gives the shoe its shape. Different shoe patterns, sizes and widths are derived from the shoe last. Hence, the shoe-last shape determines the fit and feel of the shoe on a specific foot. Shoes are often provided with interchangeable insoles (referred to herein as an insole adapters, or adapters for brevity when there are more than the standard pair comes with the shoe), which follow the outline of the bottom of the shoe last.
The last bottom outline is the outline derived from the template cut from the bottom side of the shoe last, i.e., the part that interfaces with the insole, and depends on the shoe size, width, and design. The insole pattern substantially follows the last-bottom outline.
The methods and systems described herein refer to shoes having interchangeable insole adapters. The standard insoles provided with the shoes define different inner volumes according to the shoe last.
It is important to note that shoes having the same length and width sizes but different designs may have different shapes, hence different last-bottom outlines, or insole patterns. The weight-bearing area provided by the outline of the last-bottom outline has an important influence on comfort.
Another parameter to consider is the shoe girth, as illustrated in
Moreover, it is known that shoe sizes are not always consistent. Hence, even the most exacting foot measuring of length and width is still confronted with the problem of the inconsistency of shoes size, width and shapes.
The foregoing issues have been addressed by several patents and patent applications, for example U.S. Patent Application Publications 2004/0148804, 2005/0049816, 2002/0157266 and 2005/0028109, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,331,893, 6,741,728, 6,735,547 and 6,289,107, whose disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.
As another example, in a press release dated Jan. 17, 2006 (after the priority date of the present patent application), the Timberland Company (Stratham, N.H.) announced a fitting system called PreciseFit™, in which each box of shoes is supplied with a set of inserts of varying thicknesses that lock on to a removable footbed.
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for automated shoe fitting. In some embodiments, pairs of unfinished shoes (i.e., shoes having no insole adapters) of different sizes, derived from a common shoe last are provided and stocked. Additionally, sets of insole adapters defined by the same shoe last are provided. For a given shoe size, different insole adapter differ from one another by their topography, i.e., by their thickness distribution at different areas such as the heel, forefront and/or arch sections. As such, different insole adapters, when inserted into the shoes, define different inner volumes of the shoes.
The methods and systems described herein automatically fit a pair of unfinished shoes and a pair of insole adapters to the feet of a particular customer. In some embodiments, contours defining outlines of the customer's feet are automatically identified in a computer-readable image of the feet. The shoe size and the appropriate left and right insole adapters are selected based on the identified outlines.
There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for shoe fitting, including:
providing a plurality of unfilled shoes defined by a common shoe last selected by a user and having a last bottom outline, and sets of interchangeable insole adapters for insertion into the unfilled shoes, wherein the adapters match the last bottom outline of the common shoe last;
identifying outlines of feet of the user in a computer-readable image of the feet;
determining an optimal shoe size of a pair of shoes selected from the plurality of unfilled shoes, and selecting left and right insole adapters from the sets of interchangeable insole adapters by comparing the outlines of the feet to last bottom outlines of the shoes and of the insole adapters, so as to best match the identified outlines; and
providing to the user the selected pair of shoes having the selected left and right insole adapters inserted therein for optimal fit.
In an embodiment, the insole adapters have different topographies with respect to one another, so as to modify an inner volume of the unfilled shoes when inserted therein. In another embodiment, the insole adapters are color-coded. In yet another embodiment, identifying the outlines includes placing the feet of the user on a platform, irradiating the feet using a collimated Near Infra Red light source and capturing the irradiated light using a camera so as to obtain the computer-readable image.
In still another embodiment, identifying the outlines includes identifying inner foot outlines defining weight-bearing areas of the feet and outer foot outlines defining outer boundaries of the feet in the computer-readable image. Identifying the outlines may include calculating weighted foot outlines based on the inner and outer foot outlines, and selecting the left and right insole adapters responsively to the weighted foot outlines.
In an embodiment, determining the shoe size includes determining left and right shoe sizes, and choosing a maximum size of the left and right shoe sizes. Determining the shoe size may include attempting to select an insole adapter of lowered section or higher volume prior to advancing to a larger shoe size.
In another embodiment, the sets of left and right insole adapters include insole adapters that differ in a topography of at least one of a heel section, a forefront section and an arch section, and selecting the insole adapters includes estimating a topography of the feet using the identified outlines and selecting the left and right insole adapters that best match the topography of the feet.
In yet another embodiment, selecting the insole adapters includes selecting an adapter including a forward-pushing heel section.
There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for performing automated shoe fitting, including:
an optical imaging subsystem, which is arranged to obtain a computer-readable image of feet of a user; and
a processor, which is arranged to identify outlines of the feet in the computer-readable image, to determine an optimal shoe size of a pair of shoes selected from a plurality of unfilled shoes defined by a common shoe last selected by a user and having a last bottom outline, and to select left and right insole adapters from sets of interchangeable insole adapters defined by the common shoe last by comparing the outlines of the feet to last bottom outlines of the shoes and of the insole adapters, so as to best match the identified outlines and provide to the user filled shoes of an optimal size with the selected left and right insole adapters inserted therein.
In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a platform for placing the feet, the platform including a material that is substantially transparent to Near Infra Red light used by the optical imaging system. Additionally or alternatively, the platform is opaque to visible light. In another embodiment, the computer-readable image is obtained when the feet are fitted with socks reflecting the wavelength used by the optical imaging system.
In still another embodiment, the apparatus includes a display, which is arranged to display at least one of the selected left and right insole adapters, the selected shoe size, video streaming of the feet reflected captured images, three-dimensional images of the selected left and right insole adapters, and the identified foot outlines.
In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an input device, which is arranged to accept input from the user specifying a desired shoe manufacturer and a desired shoe style that defines the common shoe last.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a database, which is arranged to hold at least one of outlines of the insole adapters, three-dimensional images of the insole adapters, additional data related to the insole adapters, and visual data related to the unfilled shoes.
There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system for shoe fitting, including:
one or more shoe measurement stations, which are arranged to perform a measurement session with a user, each measurement station including:
an optical imaging subsystem, which is arranged to obtain a computer-readable image of feet of a user; and
a processor, which is arranged to automatically identify contours defining outlines of the feet in the computer-readable image and to output to the user an identification of the measurement session;
one or more fitting stations, which are arranged to process measurement information produced by the measurement session so as to determine an optimal shoe size of a pair of shoes selected from a plurality of unfilled shoes defined by a common shoe last selected by the user and having a last bottom outline, and to select left and right insole adapters from sets of interchangeable insole adapters defined by the common shoe last, so as to select filled shoes of an optimal size; and
one or more sales stations, which are arranged to perform a purchasing transaction with the user for purchasing the selected filled shoes having the selected left and right insole adapters inserted therein,
wherein the measurement stations, fitting stations and sales stations are interconnected by a communication network.
In an embodiment, the communication network includes a wireless network.
There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a shoe-and-adaptor system, including:
a first plurality of mass-produced shoes, of varying shoe-length sizes, each of said sizes provided in right and left shapes, said shoes defining last-bottom outlines of specific sizes and right and left shapes and further defining initial inner volumes, in which standard insoles, corresponding to said specific sizes and shapes, can be inserted, wherein said shoes are provided without said standard insoles; and
a same plurality of adaptor sets, corresponding to said varying shoe-length sizes and right and left shapes, wherein each of said adaptor sets includes at least two interchangeable adaptors, having identical adaptor outlines but different topographies, and being configured for insertion to shoes, corresponding in size and shape, thus providing said shoes with adjustable final inner volumes.
There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of shoe fitting, including:
providing a shoe-and-adaptor system, which includes:
a first plurality of mass-produced shoes, of varying shoe-length sizes, each of said sizes provided in right and left shapes, said shoes defining last-bottom outlines of specific sizes and right and left shapes and further defining initial inner volumes, in which standard insoles, corresponding to said specific sizes and shapes, can be inserted, wherein said shoes are provided without said standard insoles;
a same plurality of adaptor sets, corresponding to said varying shoe-length sizes and right and left shapes, wherein each of said adaptor sets includes at least two interchangeable adaptors, having identical adaptor outlines but different topographies, and being configured for insertion to shoes, corresponding in size and shape, thus providing said shoes with adjustable final inner volumes;
obtaining right and left foot outlines;
automatically comparing said right and left foot outlines with right and left last-bottom-outline choices, said right and left last-bottom-outline choices varying by their respective shoe lengths sizes;
automatically selecting a right choice and a left choice from said right and left last-bottom-outline choices, based on said comparing;
automatically selecting a larger size of said right choice and said left choice, as a selected shoe-length size, as a first attempt;
automatically selecting adaptor sets, of right and left shapes, both corresponding to said selected shoe-length size;
automatically fitting said feet with right and left adaptors, from said sets of interchangeable adaptors, independently for each of said feet, to adjust said adjustable final inner volumes to said foot outlines, for each of said feet within said selected shoe-length size, based on said comparing.
There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a shoe-fitting apparatus, including:
a platform, substantially transparent in a near-infrared light range, on whose proximal side human feet are placeable, for obtaining foot outlines by near-infrared light reflection, said platform defining an x;y plane, parallel with said platform and a z-axis, perpendicular to said platform;
an optical system, which includes:
a light source, configured to irradiate said feet with a near-infrared light;
a mirror, on a distal side of said platform, for bending a light reflection from said feet and directing said light reflection to a light detecting system;
said light detecting system, for detecting said light reflection, arriving from said feet;
a computer, which is in signal communication with said light detecting system, and which is associated with a data bank, which includes:
a first plurality of mass-produced shoes, of varying shoe-length sizes, each of said sizes provided in right and left shapes, said shoes defining last-bottom outlines of specific sizes and right and left shapes and further defining initial inner volumes, in which standard insoles, corresponding to said specific sizes and shapes, can be inserted, wherein said shoes are provided without said standard insoles;
a same plurality of adaptor sets, corresponding to said varying shoe-length sizes and right and left shapes, wherein each of said adaptor sets includes at least two interchangeable adaptors, having identical adaptor outlines but different topographies, and being configured for insertion to shoes, corresponding in size and shape, thus providing said shoes with adjustable final inner volumes; and
a user's interface, in communication with said computer.
There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a three-dimensional virtual plaster cast, having an upper surface, of an image captured by a camera, wherein said upper surface is defined by an outer outline and a lower surface is defined by an inner outline of a foot.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings in which:
The methods and systems described herein automatically determine the appropriate shoe size and select appropriate insole adapters to match the feet of a particular customer. In principle, standard, mass-produced shoes derived from a particular shoe last are used as a basis for the fit. For a given shoe size, sets of left and right insole adapters are pre-produced and provided. In each set, the insole adapters typically differ from one another by their topography as will be explained and demonstrated below. The methods and systems described herein automatically determine the appropriate shoe size and, within the determined shoe size, the appropriate left and right insole adapters. An optimal fit is achieved for each foot by Selecting particular left and right insole adapters (which may or may not have similar topographies) and inserting them into the standard, unfinished shoes.
As such, the methods and systems described herein provide the benefits of fast, accurate, personal fitting for mass produced shoes, while using only a limited variety of mass-produced adapters.
In an exemplary embodiment, the customer places his or her feet on the surface of a fitting apparatus, whose structure and functionality is described in detail hereinbelow. By performing a “fit by comparison” process, the fitting apparatus analyzes inner and outer foot outlines, and compares them with last base outlines of shoes, which are defined by the common last. The apparatus then determines the desired shoe size and selects an insole adapter that best matches each foot of the customer's. As noted above, the shoes and adapters are all derived from the same common last.
In some embodiments, the fitting processor calculates a weighted foot outline, which gives different relative weights to the inner and outer foot contours at different locations around the foot perimeter, thus improving the accuracy of the fit. For example, at the toe area, the outer foot outline is usually given a high weight. At other, less sensitive areas, more weight may be given to the inner outline in determining the desired insole adapter and shoe size.
In some embodiments, fitting and purchasing of shoes is performed at the same site. Standard mass produced, unfilled shoes manufactured and defined by the common last in different sizes, as well as the different insole adapter sets derived from the common last, are stocked separately. The fitting apparatus selects the desired shoe size and the optimal insole adapter for each foot. The appropriate adapters are then inserted into the standard shoes and provided to the customer. In alternative embodiments, the fitting process may be separate from the purchasing and/or measuring process. For example, a fitting apparatus can be located in a shopping mall. A customer may perform a measurement of his or her foot outlines, and purchase the shoes at a different occasion and/or place, such as online over the Internet. The results of the fitting session are made available for the customer in order to specify the desired shoe size and adapters in another location, as will be described below.
Thus, the methods and systems described herein provide automatic, real-time tailored shoe fitting at the point of sale, which fits the shoes, feet and insoles as a comprehensive system (i.e all parts are fitting to each other shoe-insole shares the same last. Feet adapted by the adaptors) Unlike known methods and systems, which base the fitting on a small number of parameters (e.g., length and width measurements), the methods and systems described herein provide a highly accurate fit based on the comparison between the outlines of each foot and the last bottom outlines of the selected shoe together with the ability to optimally fine-tune the fitting for each foot.
The last bottom outlines 20 reflect “spread out” views of last bottoms, so that last bottom outlines of shoes of different-height heels are described on a common basis. Thus, it is possible to compare a foot outline with a last bottom outline on a flat surface, without being influenced by the height of a specific heel of a specific last and shoe design.
As will be explained in detail hereinbelow, the methods and systems described herein image the feet of a user, and determine outer and inner foot contours. The outer and inner contours are subsequently used for shoe fitting.
Additionally, system 30 comprises a set of two or more (and often three or more) interchangeable insole adapters 40, such as 40A, 40B and 40C. Adapters 40A-40C have similar outlines but different topographies, and are configured for insertion into the shoe 32. Adapters 40A-40C are used in a manner similar to standard insoles, yet they provide shoe 32 with a final inner volume 44, which may increased or decreased, as needed by the selection of the appropriate adapter.
Adapter 40B is sometimes referred to as a “regular” or “standard” adapter, having a standard height according to the perimeters and inner volume derived by the shoe last. Adapter 40A has a lowered section, generally at the forefoot area. Adapter 40C has a raised section, generally at the forefoot area.
Preferably the topographical differences between adjacent insole adapters (e.g., between adapters 40A and 40B or between adapters 40B and 40C) comprises a difference of height, for example, at the forefoot section, of about 1.5 to 3 mm, and preferably, 2.0 to 2.5. The topographical change is adapted to the anatomical structure of the foot being fitted.
In some embodiments, adapters 40 comprise a base layer 42, a cushioning layer 46 and an upper lining layer 48, laid on top of one another. Lining layer 48, which comes in contact with the user's feet, may comprise lining material such as sheep or pork leather, or synthetic materials such as micro fiber or PU. Cushioning layer 46 typically comprises soft material, which is preferably of a minimal compression set, for example, a latex foam, or PORON. Base layer 42 typically comprising a relatively hard material, which provides some shock absorption when walking. Layer 42 may comprise, for example, polyether, latex with cork, PU or other insole materials known in the art.
It will be appreciated that other topographies are similarly possible and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the heel sections may be different too.
As has been pointed out in conjunction with
i When an extra width is required, at a certain area, for example, the ball area, of the foot, (See
ii Furthermore, the shorter foot will have its arch placed wrong with respect to the shoe of the larger length because arch location is proportional to length of foot.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, adapter 40D is designed to solve these two problems by providing heel-back-support section 58D, which pushes the foot forward towards the forefoot section, and ensures that the arch is properly placed within the shoe 32.
The situation of
Additionally, the situation of
Another example for the use of adapter 40D is for children whose feet grow rather fast. In such cases, the forefoot section 52D would probably be similar to that of 52C, since the larger size shoe 32 would provide considerable excess width.
i. As seen in
ii. As seen in
iii. As seen in
iv. As seen in
It will be appreciated that the mass-produced unfilled shoe 32 is provided in left and right shapes, and in a plurality of sizes. While it is generally accepted that the selected right and left mass-produced shoes 32 will be of a same volume, it is not required that the right and left adapters 40 will be of the same topography. On the contrary, adapters 40 are typically selected and provided individually for each foot, so as to optimize the fit on each foot. Naturally, a single shoe size is desirable, to match the last bottom outlines of shoes 32, but a right adapter 40 may comprise, for example, adapter 40C, and the left adapter 40 may comprise, for example, adapter 40A.
Additionally, there may be a great variety of designs of mass-produced (unfinished) shoes 32, each design defining a specific last-bottom outline for each size, and each design including a plurality of sizes.
Preferably, the adapter-insoles 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and such are color-coded. For in this manner a storekeeper may identify a required adapter-insole easily and customer can see the changes easily.
Table 1 below, which is generally known in the industry, describes a relationship between shoe length size and Ball girth (
The difference in Ball girth, between adjacent shoe width sizes, for example, between 5 and 6, is 0.5 centimeters (for example, 22.8-22.3), while the difference in Ball girth between adjacent shoe length sizes is 0.4 centimeters (for example, shoe sizes 39 to 40 the difference in Ball girth is 22.7-22.3).
In consequence, the change in inner volume, achieved by reducing the adapter height, for example, from 40C to 40B, or from 40B to 40A, resulting in an average change in adapter height of about 2.5 mm, may be equivalent to a change in girth of 5 mm or one full width size.(EU scale)
Thus, when shoe length size is increased, both the shoe length and the shoe width are increased. By comparison, when only the shoe width is increased, the length remains constant.
Platform 86 defines an x-y plane parallel with the platform, and a z-axis perpendicular to the platform.
The exemplary shoe-fitting apparatus shown in
Optical system 94 comprises a light source 96, which irradiates feet 98 with near-infrared light parallel to platform 86. In the exemplary embodiment of
The top view shown in
In some embodiments, as seen in
In some embodiments, a Fresnel lens 104, as is known in the art, may be located below filter 103 in order to collimate the light reflected from feet 98. The collimation by the lens 104 typically makes the optical system less sensitive to the exact position of feet 98 on platform 86.
The use of filter 103 and near infrared light sources 96, rather than visible light sources, results in less interference from ambient light in the room reaching light detecting system 102. Placing filter 103 directly below glass platform 86 has the potential advantage that it can prevent the user from seeing through glass platform 86, assuming filter 103 largely blocks visible light and only transmits light in the near infrared.
Being able to see through glass platform is likely to make the customer uneasy about standing on it. The ability to use a filter 103 that appears black to the eye is another potential advantage of using near infrared light sources.
Apparatus 80 further comprises a fitting processor 83, which processes the image captured by optical system 94 and carries out the automated fitting methods described herein. In particular, processor 83 identifies the inner and outer foot contours and uses them to select a best-matching insole adapter.
As seen in
The salesperson in the store presses the appropriate adapter button 132 according to the shoe chosen by the customer in the display. From that point on, the selected adapter serves as the basis for the fitting process.
The adapter selected to achieve a fitting is displayed in an enlarged three-dimensional image 135. It is important to note that one adapter type may serve several sole models and many shoe models in different colors and of different designs, so that the number of adapter types kept in stock in the store is not necessarily as large as it would initially seem. Immediately upon standing on apparatus 80, both feet 89 are displayed in a video stream of foot images 13.
The foot image 13 (
The person being measured sees that changing the positioning his feet on the platform and wiggling his toes are displayed on the screen.
The Analyze button 134 (
Screen 162 in
A scale 140 (e.g., metric or inch) can be selected. Measurement 141 shows the maximum length, measured at the outer outline 10.
Screen 160 in
In the above case, the Analyze button 134 is disabled; the frame around the button 137 is not illuminated.
The screen shown in
At the top of the screen in
Browse backwards by pressing the up arrow button 142, and forwards by pressing the down arrow button 143. To return to the main menu by pressing the “Back to Main” button at the bottom right. Selecting a specific model defines the shoe manufacturer last bottom outline and the specific adapter-insole type. Back in the main menu 13A, the adapter-insole type for the selected shoe is illuminated. This outline is used as the reference outline for all fittings. The results of the fitting and the catalog information that appear in the printout 115 (
The screen in
The foot image 13 becomes a three-dimensional model 14 based on the same outer outlines 10 and inner outlines 11. The three-dimensional image of adapter-insoles 15 selected for each foot in the process described in
Printer button 147 sends the fitting results to the printer 87 (
The “+” button 148 artificially increments the shoe size by one and makes an optimal fitting for each foot at the larger shoe size, naturally, when the results of the fitting permit this. This type of fitting is suited to teenagers going through a growth spurt. In this case, the customer receives two sets of adapters: one set to fit the feet as they are today in the incremented shoe size; and the other set for the size of each foot is enlarged proportionally.
The “−” button 149 is used in cases where a customer walks in with very swollen feet after a long day of walking and in cases of kidney patients with swollen feet before dialysis. In this case, the customer receives 2 different sets of adapters, one for the state of their feet before dialysis and the other for the state of their feet after dialysis.
Stage 1—a streaming video is started, with two cameras 102 (
Stage 2—a video stream 13 of the two feet is projected on the screen (
Stage 3—Concurrently with the image capture of video stream 13, stage 3 begins, involving a preliminary process of finding outlines around each foot for a quick determination if a person has mounted the apparatus.
Stage 4—In stage 4, the inner foot outline 11 and the foot outline 10 already exist as shown in
Stage 5—error messages are displayed on the screen 160 (
If the foot outline images 13 are found satisfactory, the “analyze button” 134 is turned on to “enabled mode” (137 lighted). The fitting process can then proceed.
Stage 6—feet outlines 10 and 11 are known and tested. The type of adapter-insole 40 for the fitting (adapting) can be selected directly from the main menu signed as 7 (screen 160
Alternatively, the type of adapter 40 may be selected from the catalog signed as 8 (screen 164
Stage 9—upon entry to Stage 9, outlines 10 and 11 of feet images 13 (
Stage 10—in stage 10, the 3D data and the last bottom outlines 20 for the adapter of the specified type and size are retrieved from databank 89 for subsequent use.
Stages 11 and 12—these stages are identical and sequential. Each (described in
The aim of stages 11 and 12 is to determine the size of the shoe required for the larger one of the two feet. Stages 11 and 12 constitute the stage in which the “platform” for the fitting is selected; that is, the selection of the size of shoes in which the final fitting (“fine tuning”) will be made using the adapters 40, which will complement the selected shoe size, in stages 13 and 14. Stages 13 and 14 are described in detail in conjunction with
Stage 15—stage 15 displays the results of the fitting visually, for example, on screen 136 in
Stage 22—stage 22 compares the foot outline 10 with the last bottom outline 20 of regular thickness, if the comparison finds that the foot should slip comfortably to the last bottom outline 20, the process proceeds to the other foot.
If both feet slip comfortably, the process continues to stages 13 and 14, for choosing adapter-insoles.
If the foot outline 10 is wide, at a certain portion of it, relative to the last bottom outline 20, the process continues to stage 23.
Stage, 23—stage 23 checks, before incrementing the shoe size, whether the volume can be increased by choosing a thinner adapter 40A, for providing the foot with a higher inner volume 44A (
Stage 24—stage 24 makes a comparison of foot outline 10 with the virtual wider last bottom outline 20E as shown in
If a fit is achieved, than proceed to the next foot or to fitting adapters in stages 13 and 14. In the absence of a fit and part of foot outline 10 wider than virtual wider last bottom outline 20E, there is no choice but to increase the shoe size in stage 16.
Stages 13 and 14—stages 13 and 14 are typically identical and sequential. Each stage is responsible for screening one foot for the adapter appropriate to it: Stage 13 for the left foot and Stage 14 for the right foot. Choosing an adapter starts with the following known factors: the shoe size, type of adapter, and knowledge as to whether adapter-insole 40A with increased volume 44A has been selected for the left or the right feet, or both.
Stages 30 and 32—stage 30 examines a situation when an adapter with a large volume has not selected. For this situation, there are two options, stages 33 and stages 34. Stage 32 applies to cases where adapter of large volume has selected
Stage 33—stage 33 applies to cases where the foot outline 10 is narrow in relation to the recommended last bottom outline 20 and adapter-insole 40C is required, to provide the shoe with reduced inner volume 44C.
Stage 34—stage 34 applies to cases where the width of the foot outline 10 is just right for the last bottom outline 20, and an adapter having regular thickness like 40B is required.
Stages 35 and 36—the optimal adapters are selected in stages 35 and 36, for the left and right feet, after the shoe size and the individual thickness of the adapter for each foot have been determined. These stages check whether the selected shoe size is large in relation to the length of the foot. If, for the fitting, the shoe was incremented beyond the foot by more than one length size the foot needs a back support 58D (
in box 62: providing the shoe-and-adapter-insole system 30, which includes a first plurality of mass-produced shoes 32, of varying shoe-length sizes, each of the sizes provided in right and left shapes, the shoes defining last-bottom outlines 20 of specific sizes and right and left shapes and further defining initial inner volumes 34, in which standard insoles, corresponding to the specific sizes and shapes, can be inserted, wherein the shoes are provided without the standard insoles, and a same plurality of adapter sets, corresponding to the varying shoe-length sizes and right and left shapes, wherein each of the adapter sets includes at least two interchangeable adapters, having identical outlines but different topographies, and being configured for insertion to shoes, corresponding in size and shape, thus providing the shoes with adjustable final inner volumes 44A, 44B and 44C;
in box 64: obtaining right and left foot outlines 10 and 11;
in box 66: automatically comparing the weighted right and left foot outlines (combined from outline 10 and 11) with right and left last-bottom-outline 20 choices, the right and left last-bottom-outline choices varying by their respective lengths;
in box 68: automatically selecting a right choice and a left choice from the right and left last-bottom-outline 20 choices, based on the comparing;
in box 70: automatically selecting a larger size of the right choice and the left choice, as a selected shoe-length size;
in box 72: automatically selecting adapter sets of right and left shapes, both corresponding to the selected shoe-length size; and
in box 74: automatically fitting the feet with right and left adapter from the sets of interchangeable adapter, independently for each of the feet, to optimize a fit for each of the feet within the selected shoe-length size, based on the comparing.
As seen in
Additionally, the foot outline 10 has a length LF, which fits within the last bottom length LL1, as illustrated by an acceptable length delta S1 and distance D1. However, a portion A1-B1 of the foot outline 10 protrudes from the last bottom outline 20C.
As seen in
As seen in
i. the location of foot arch, centered at AF2 will be correctly placed in relations to the last-bottom arch, centered at AL2;
ii. the foot length LF fits within the last bottom length LL2, as illustrated by an acceptable length delta S2.
iii. the last bottom outline 20D is wider at higher location as illustrated better in
However, in some situations, it may be that the foot outline 10 is still too wide, and the portion A2-B2 still protrudes from the last bottom outline 20D. It is thus necessary to use an adapter 44A that will increase the inner volume of the shoe (
The portion A2-B2 of the foot outline 10 fits within the greater volume 44A of the virtual wider last bottom outline 20E. This is further illustrated in expanded view
As a consequence, the use of adapter-insoles 40A-40C, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is analogous to moving between shoes of different shoe width sizes
Given that the foot outline 10 has a portion A2-B2 which protrudes the last bottom outline 20D (
In the exemplary embodiment of
After measuring, the customer may access a web-site 203 of the selected shoe manufacturer or vendor from any Internet-capable computer 202, in order to make the purchase. As part of the purchase, the customer can enter the unique identification number provided by the measuring station, instead of specifying a shoe size and/or model. The online shop transfers the details to fitting station includes the selected shoe and ID (defined by last). The fitting station response the fitting results to online shop and than to the customer. Using this method, the customer may purchase a pair of shoes over the Internet, without compromising the ability to measure and fit their size.
In some embodiment, the database of shoe manufacturers, shoe designs and insole adapter sets is located at a central fitting station location, which is accessed by all fitting stations. For example, the database may be located at web server 203.
Adapters constructed in accordance with the present invention for a particular shoe last may alternatively comprise one or more inserts applied to a part of an insole, e.g., the forefoot section, for varying the thickness of that section or insert for pushing the foot forward.
In some embodiments, the system elements performing shoe measurement, fitting and purchasing may be connected to one another using a wireless network, such as by using suitable cellular modems.
It will thus be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/693,799, filed Jun. 27, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL2006/000726 | 6/21/2006 | WO | 00 | 1/28/2009 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60693799 | Jun 2005 | US |
