Optics: measuring and testing – By polarized light examination – With light attenuation
Patent
1995-06-07
1997-08-19
Pham, Hoa Q.
Optics: measuring and testing
By polarized light examination
With light attenuation
33 3R, 33 6, 33515, 128779, 73172, G02B 2608
Patent
active
056593953
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for measuring feet for fitting shoes which utilizes matrixes of pressures sensors and optical sensors connected to a controller and a monitor. An apparatus of the invention includes a housing which houses a controller and a monitor and defines left and right foot wells for receiving left and right feet, respectively. The floor of each foot well includes a pressure pad assembly which includes a matrix of pressure sensor contacts covered by a variably resistive pressure pad to form pressure sensor matrixes. A digital signal processor normalizes and smooths the pressure data for display on the monitor. Infrared LED's and phototransistors are located around the perimeter of each foot well and are utilized to measure the length, width, and heights of a foot. A microprocessor addresses each LED and phototransistor separately. The controller reads data created by the DSP and IR microprocessor, calculates additional data, and displays the resulting data on the monitor. The pressure sensors and optical sensors are utilized to determine, among others, foot length, foot width, shoe size, foot volume, foot shape, force distribution, pronation, arch type, and recommended last type. Such determinations, along with intended use information obtained from the customer, are compared to a database of available shoes to determine recommended best fits for each customer. Such data can also be stored or transferred to an external system for storage with reference to each particular customer.
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Brown Algie C.
Dabbs, III James M.
Welty Carl T.
Williams David M.
Williams Henry G.
Footmark, Inc.
Isaf Louis T.
Pham Hoa Q.
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