AR-Guided Foot Shape Capture for Precise Self-Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring foot shape are cumbersome and require high computational resources, making it difficult for individuals to accurately determine their foot size and shape for purchasing appropriate footwear, especially for sports shoes or those with unique foot characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A foot shape measurement apparatus using a user terminal with a built-in camera and augmented reality technology, employing a reference sheet with complementary colors and AR markers to capture foot images from multiple angles, generating a three-dimensional model for precise foot shape analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high processing capability and longer processing time are demanded for accurate foot shape analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoot shape measurement precisionVSAvoidease of self-measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing predetermined imaging direction guidance before the actual measurement process. The system displays guidance information indicating predetermined imaging directions to the user before they capture images, ensuring that images are taken from the correct angles and positions. This preliminary guidance simplifies the operation for users while maintaining high measurement precision, as the complex computational work is handled automatically by the processing device based on properly oriented images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If computer processing capability is increased for precise foot size and shape analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoot size and shape analysis precisionVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic processing of foot shape measurement. The processing device automatically generates three-dimensional foot shape data from the captured images without requiring manual intervention or complex user operations. The system autonomously handles image processing, 3D reconstruction, and measurement calculation, thereby maintaining high precision while avoiding the need for users to understand or manage complex processing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple imaging directions are required for accurate foot shape capture, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoot shape measurement precisionVSAvoidimaging operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by displaying guidance information that provides real-time feedback to the user during the imaging process. The system shows predetermined imaging direction guidance to the user, indicating the correct angles and positions for capturing foot images. This feedback mechanism helps users understand what images are needed and how to take them, simplifying the operation while ensuring that multiple necessary imaging directions are captured for high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4270317B1Foot shape measurement apparatus and computer program
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 ASICS CORP
  • EP4270317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4270317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4270317B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A foot shape measurement apparatus (100) acquires a plurality of foot images captured by an imaging unit (40) imaging a subject's foot from a plurality of angles, and generates a three-dimensional model of the foot. A display controller (46) displays, a target mark (121) indicating a viewpoint position where an imaging viewpoint by the imaging unit (40) in the augmented reality space forms a predetermined angle to the subject's foot and a state mark (128) indicating a current state of the imaging viewpoint by the imaging unit (40) in the augmented reality space to be superimposed on a visual being captured by the imaging unit (40) . An image acquisition unit (42,64) acquires, as the foot image, the image to be captured when the imaging viewpoint is present in the imaging viewpoint by which a display state of the target mark (121) and a display state of the state mark (128) each satisfy a predetermined condition.