Mobile Camera-Based Bicycle Product Selection Using Body Parameters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for selecting bicycle products tailored to individual cyclists are time-consuming, expensive, and prone to errors due to the need for manual measurement and evaluation by specialists, often using complex equipment and inadequate digital storage of body parameters.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a mobile device to capture body parameters, such as sit bone distance, through a camera, and determine product suitability based on input parameters, automatically generating a prioritized list of bicycle products for selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement and evaluation by specialist retailers is used, then product selection accuracy is improved, but time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct selection accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables cyclists to perform self-measurement of body parameters (sit bone distance, body weight, height) using simple tools like a tape measure, eliminating the need for specialist retailers to manually measure each customer. The cyclist inputs these parameters into the system, which automatically performs the evaluation and product selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual measurement and evaluation process with an automated computer-based system. The system uses algorithms to process body parameter inputs and automatically determine product suitability, replacing the manual expertise and time-consuming evaluation process with automated computational logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual evaluation by specialist retailers is used, then product selection accuracy is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct selection accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transfers the evaluation complexity from the specialist retailer to the automated system itself. The cyclist simply inputs basic body parameters, and the system's built-in algorithms handle the complex evaluation logic, product matching, and suitability assessment without requiring specialist intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex manual evaluation process requiring specialist knowledge with automated computational algorithms. The system uses programmed logic to process body parameters, compare them against product specifications, and determine suitability, eliminating the need for specialist expertise in the evaluation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If conventional measurement equipment is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex conventional measurement equipment with simple, inexpensive measurement tools that cyclists can easily obtain and use. Basic items like a tape measure or ruler suffice for capturing the necessary body parameters, eliminating the need for specialized measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces physical measurement equipment with digital input methods. Instead of using complex mechanical measurement devices, the cyclist simply inputs measured values into the system through a user interface, and the system handles all processing and calculations automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If automated selection system is implemented, then time consumption is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection speedVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains measurement precision by requiring the cyclist to perform the actual measurement of body parameters themselves using simple tools, ensuring personal involvement in the measurement process. This self-measurement approach, combined with direct input into the system, maintains accuracy while enabling rapid automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex automated measurement devices with simple manual measurement tools and direct digital input. This substitution maintains measurement precision by eliminating intermediate processing steps while enabling fast automated evaluation and product selection through computational algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4141774B1Method and system for selecting a bicycle product
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SQ LAB
  • EP4141774B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4141774B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4141774B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a method (30) for selecting at least one bicycle product from a plurality of bicycle products stored in a database for a cyclist (4), comprising the following process steps: entering (30-1) at least one input parameter, in particular gender, bicycle type, frequency of cycling of the cyclist (4), body weight of the cyclist (4), seating position of the cyclist (4), anatomical features of the cyclist (4), height of the cyclist (4), leg position of the cyclist (4), foot type of the cyclist (4), shoe size of the cyclist (4), foot position of the cyclist (4), and/or a typical duration of a cycling trip of the cyclist (4), by means of an input device (9) of a mobile device (6), taking (30-2) a photograph (14) of at least one body part of the cyclist (4) by means of a camera (7) of the mobile device (6),Determining (30-3) at least one body parameter of the cyclist (4) based on the recorded photograph (14) by a controller (8-1), determining (30-4) the suitability of a plurality of bicycle products from the multitude of bicycle products stored in the database depending on the determined body parameter and depending on the at least one input parameter by the controller (8-1), determining (30-5) a prioritized list of the plurality of bicycle products by the controller (8-1), wherein in the prioritized list the priority of the respective bicycle products increases with increasing product suitability, and outputting (30-6) a selection of at least one bicycle product for the cyclist (4) by the mobile device (6), wherein the selection includes the at least one bicycle product from the prioritized list of the plurality of bicycle products,whose respective specific product suitability shows the least difference or no difference at all to a maximum product suitability.