SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A SHOE PART PRODUCTION MACHINE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for generating control data for controlling a shoe part production machine for making shoes or elements for optimizing traction properties of the shoe by customizing modules to be mounted on the sole for a specific user, said method comprising the steps of: receiving user profile data describing the characteristics of the user where the user profile data comprise use data and test data, receiving a user selection identifying a selected shoe from a number of shoe models or a selected element influencing the property of a shoe, generating modified template data by modifying a shoe sole template corresponding to the selected shoe model or by modifying an element influencing the properties corresponding to the selected element, said modifications being performed based on said received user profile data, generating control data based on said modified template data.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A method for generating control data for controlling a shoe part production machine for making shoes or elements for optimizing traction properties of the shoe by customizing modules to be mounted on the sole for a specific user, said method comprising the steps of: receiving user profile data describing the characteristics of the user where the user profile data comprise use data and test data, wherein the use data is collected data which originates from measurements performed in a heel area of the shoe; receiving a user selection identifying a selected shoe from one or more shoe models or a selected element influencing the property of a shoe; generating modified template data by modifying a shoe sole template corresponding to the selected shoe model or by modifying an element influencing the properties corresponding to the selected element, said modifications being performed based on said received user profile data; and generating control data based on said modified template data.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said template data stored in said storage means is linked to a predefined number of possible modified templates and one of said modified templates being selected based on said modified template data.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said user data comprises data on actual use of shoes by the user.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein at least some of said user data describes the shoe usage pattern of the user, the shoe usage pattern of the user having been automatically stored and collected by a data collection unit positioned in the shoe.

19. A method according to claim 15, wherein the user data comprises measurements from at least two different types of measurement data, and the measurements are compared to identify a data collection period for identifying modification data.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the measurements are acceleration measurements and pressure measurements

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the acceleration measurements are collected in at least one dimension that is substantially parallel to the ground contacting surface of the shoe.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the pressure measurements are collected in a dimension which is at an angle to the ground contacting surface of the shoe.

23. A method according to claim 15, wherein a shoe sole template to be modified describes a shoe sole having cleats and wherein at least the positioning of said cleats is modified according to said user profile data.

24. A method according to claim 15, wherein a shoe sole template to be modified describes a shoe sole having integrated support areas and wherein at least the positioning of said support areas is modified according to said user profile data.

25. A method according to claim 15, wherein an element for influencing the properties of a shoe is a cleat element to be attached to a shoe sole surface and wherein at least the positioning of said cleats on said cleat element is modified according to said user profile data.

26. A method according to claim 15, wherein generating modified template data is based on a combination of said user profile data and pre-collected use data to improve the calculation algorithms of said system for situations where substantially only test data is available.

27. A system for generating control data for controlling a shoe part production machine for making shoes or elements for optimizing traction properties of the shoe by influencing the properties of modules to be mounted on the sole for a specific user, said system comprising: input means for receiving user profile data describing characteristics of the user where the user profile data comprise use data and test data, wherein the use data is collected data which originates from measurement performed in a heel area of the shoe; input means for receiving a user selection identifying a selected shoe from one or more shoe models or elements influencing the property of a shoe; storage means storing template data, said template data either describing shoe soles relating to each of said shoe models or said template data describing other elements influencing the properties of the shoe; a processing unit for generating modified template data by modifying a shoe sole template corresponding to the selected shoe model or by modifying an element influencing the properties corresponding to the selected element, said modifications being performed based on said received user profile data; and a processing unit for generating control data based on said modified template data.

28. A method according to claim 15, wherein a shoe sole template to be modified describes a shoe sole having cleats and wherein at least the design of said cleats is modified according to said user profile data.

29. A method according to claim 15, wherein a shoe sole template to be modified describes a shoe sole having cleats and wherein at least the positioning and design of said cleats are modified according to said user profile data.

30. A method according to claim 15, wherein a shoe sole template to be modified describes a shoe sole having integrated support areas and wherein at least the design of said support areas is modified according to said user profile data.

31. A method according to claim 15, wherein a shoe sole template to be modified describes a shoe sole having integrated support areas and wherein at least the positioning and design of said support areas are modified according to said user profile data.

32. A method according to claim 15, wherein an element for influencing the properties of a shoe is a cleat element to be attached to a shoe sole surface and wherein at least the design of said cleats on said cleat element is modified according to said user profile data.

33. A method according to claim 15, wherein an element for influencing the properties of a shoe is a cleat element to be attached to a shoe sole surface and wherein at least the positioning and design of said cleats on said cleat element are modified according to said user profile data.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

[0037] The following figures are used to describe embodiments of the present invention, wherein

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram of the method and the functionality of a system according to the present invention,

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates the elements of a system according to the present invention,

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates one example of different sole surface structures based on the present invention,

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates different modules of cleat structures based on the present invention,

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates different supports in a sole based on a system and a method according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a method according to the present invention. User data 101 and/or test data 102 is collected from a user, typically as part of a purchase of a new shoe, where in a preferred embodiment, detailed data of the previous use patterns of the user is available in the form of user data 101. The data is collected as user profile data 103. The user selects one or more preferred shoe models, and the user profile data is then accessed and combined with template data 104 for the respective shoe models, generating modified template data 105. This modified template data is essentially a blueprint of a finished shoe or sole of a shoe, with a sole geometry specifically fitted to the individual needs of the user, such as with extra stiffness, cushioning or flexibility in specific regions of the shoe. In another embodiment of the invention, the template data refers to sole inlays or modules mountable onto a shoe or sole instead of directly modifying the sole.

[0044] User data 101 is any data on the actual use of shoes by the user, and in a preferred embodiment, user data is obtained through a sensor unit inside or mounted on a previously worn shoe, allowing users to obtain shoes fitted to his/her wear and use patterns instead of projected or guessed needs. Test data 102 is any data collected with the aim of testing and/or assessing the special needs of a new pair of shoes by a user and is especially useful when detailed use data is unavailable or inadequate. The specific source of data used is unimportant, and may for example take the form of questionnaires, talking directly with the user as s/he is in the shoe shop as part of buying shoes, running or walking on a treadmill, or other useful and convenient simulations such as loaning a pair of shoes for prolonged wear or even pictures of feet or previously worn shoes. In a preferred embodiment, this data is digitalized and even stored centrally. This allows automatic processing, saving the user profile data for later use and to compare among users to further specialize sole designs. In one embodiment of the invention, this digitalization of test data allows identification of segments of user groups for more adapted later shoe and sole design, such as finding a need for a hybrid running and trekking shoe within one or more user segments.

[0045] Input data processing 111 is performed on inputted test and use data. The data could be analyzed to identify use patterns, which results in user profile data 103 for further processing. Raw data is interpreted as characteristics of the user, and in one embodiment of the invention, the data is normalized over different shoe types or takes account of the shoes on which the data was collected, this way achieving more precise user profile data. For example, the processing may take account of a both high-heeled shoes and a boot or compensate for data collected on running shoes and the new shoes for the user being dress shoes.

[0046] In one embodiment, previously collected user data 101 and test data 102 is computed to improve the ability of the system to recognize customer wear patterns e.g. by letting computations be adaptable over time through adaptive computing technologies such as machine learning. This allows future users precise sole design and sole design with limited test data, improving overall system shoe production performance. For example, if previous users who had worn out the shoe by the outside middle section of the shoe (i.e. the lateral support) turned out to pronate, a user without precise use data, but with pictures of shoes worn out by the lateral support would indicate pronation to this adaptive system.

[0047] Through input data processing, user profile data 103 is produced, which describes the specific usage style of the user according to a set of parameters. In one embodiment, user profile data comprises at least one parameter of wear patterns, extra stability needs, extra flexibility needs and at least one specified usage situation or any combination of these. These parameters may be differentiated for different regions of the foot as well as for different uses, so that one user profile data set may comprise a need for extra stability in the heel but extra flexibility in the footpad area.

[0048] Template data 104 exists for each shoe model, which is modifiable, based on user profile data. In one embodiment of the invention, this template data includes essentially a core design modifiable in a number of ways, where each modification has a number of predesigned configurations, and where each configuration is known to produce a specific effect in the final shoe. For example, one shoe model may have a template with a modifiable heel support, a modifiable lateral support, a modifiable arch support and a modifiable forefoot support (see FIG. 5), each of which can have a number of configurations such as high degree of support, normal degree of support, and low degree of support, this example producing 3*3*3*3=81 different sole geometries. In this embodiment, the expected effects in the final shoe corresponds to the user profile data in a way that allows an algorithm to select a configuration for each possible modification from this defined list to accommodate the specific needs of a user with predictable results, such as a high degree of heel support for some users, a medium amount for others and low or none for yet others.

[0049] In one embodiment of the invention, the various configurations of at least one modification has qualitatively different shapes such as cleats being either truncated screw-driver head shaped or flat, or even some other convenient shape.

[0050] In another aspect of the invention, template data may comprise modules or inlays for shoes, where user profile data corresponds to modifications in these, such as modules mountable on the sole (see FIG. 4) according to user profile data, these modules or soles supplying different qualities such as higher stiffness or higher flexibility compared to the core design.

[0051] In another embodiment of the invention, configurations are not made based on a numerable list of possibilities, but takes a shape as defined by a continuum of values within two accepted threshold values, such as a support being anything from 0 cm to 4 cm according to fine-grained use data.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, the sole is not modifiable in a numerable (or countable) number of ways and/or regions of the sole, but as a single element, where modifications may be chosen in a complex, interrelated way, where some modifications are important to each other and may preclude others. For example, a sole may be configurable for specific needs such as against pronation and the required geometrical changes to the core design are made not considering certain modification regions or types, but rather precisely for the needed purpose, making necessary changes based on the whole geometry at once. Such modifiability allows the fullest customization possible while maintaining the template and outer shoe appearance.

[0053] Based on costumer data and template data, geometry calculations 112 are performed to identify modified template data 105. Calculations are made based on user needs and available configuration space to design a blueprint for the optimal shoe, achieving the optimal parameter values for said user from a wide range of template configurability. In one embodiment, the modified template data may be processed into a control data, depending on convenience.

[0054] Modified template data 105 or control data is fed to a production system for shoe construction 113, where it is used to steer the actual construction of the shoe.

[0055] In one embodiment of the invention, the shoe is constructed through 3D printing at a convenient location, such as near the shoe shop, or at a production plant. In another embodiment of the invention, the sole is produced according to conventional methods such as through injection moulding, the shape of the sole being modifiable, for example by switching out specific parts of the mould prior to moulding, or having a set of different moulds for each combination of configurations. In one embodiment of the invention, the sole has ready-made module-inserts and separately produced modules, these modules fitting into the inserts (see FIG. 4), the modifications made to the template being the choice of modules. This modification can take place in the shoe shop at purchase, where shoes can be sold with the appropriate sole modules directly as designated by user profile data. In another embodiment, the modifications to the shoe may take the form of sole inlays chosen specifically based on user profile data.

[0056] In one embodiment, a sensor is inserted into the sole of the shoe or mounted in the shoe during or after manufacture, which is adapted to collect information on use patterns, through sensing at least one of pressure, acceleration, direction of the shoe, humidity, orientation of the shoe, temperature, shear and compressive and tractive forces. The data gathered constitutes a useful source of use data 101 for further optimization of later shoes for a given user.

[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates the elements of a system according to the present invention. The system 200 comprises input means 201 and this may e.g. be a receiver for receiving data from a data extraction device e.g. for extracting stored data on a data collection unit, such as a chip from a shoe. The input means could further be a touch screen, a keyboard or similar for providing data to a computer system. The input means are connected to a processing unit 205 such as a CPU for executing program code. The CPU are further connected to a data storage 203 and as an embodiment, the system further comprises output means such as a transmitter for communicating to another device e.g. a shoe part production machine.

[0058] The input means 201 are for receiving (see arrows) user profile data describing characteristics of the user and a user selection identifying a selected shoe from a number of shoe models or elements influencing the property of a shoe. The storage means store template data describing shoe soles relating to each of said shoe models or said template data describes other elements influencing the properties of the shoe. The processing unit generates modified template data by modifying a shoe sole template corresponding to the selected shoe model or by modifying an element influencing the properties corresponding to the selected element. The modifications are performed based on the received user profile data. Finally, the processing unit also generates control data based on said modified template data. Via the output means, these control data can then be sent to a shoe part production machine.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of three embodiments of a shoe (300) constructed according to the present invention. All being constructed according to the same initial template data and different user profile data, said shoes comprise a sole whose shape is configured specifically according to said user profile data. Said sole comprises a set of cleats covering the majority of the lower surface of said sole.

[0060] FIG. 3.1 illustrates a configuration of cleats on the footpad of the shoe, whose cleats are substantially rhombus-shaped. FIG. 3.2 illustrates a configuration of cleats on the forefront of said shoe, some of which are triangles and pentagons, and one of which has a size substantially larger than the rest (301), supplying a higher stiffness to the shoe in this region.

[0061] Based on usage patterns of a user, user profile data is created, which is used to modify a template shoe to supply the degree and placement of support the user needs, after which the sole is manufactured to these specifications, employing different cleat patterns to achieve a differentiated support.

[0062] Shoes may vary not only between users but also between a left and a right shoe for the same user. If a user has special needs for support or flexibility, for example in one foot, a sole can be specially designed for this. This may for example be the case for a user who has undergone surgery, a user with an injury, for example from sports, or in other situations where differentiated support is useful.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of four embodiments of a shoe (400) constructed according to the present invention from the same initial template data and different user profile data, said shoes comprising a sole (401), which is configurable by the insertion of four modules chosen based on user profile data, where in FIG. 4, this configuration is limited to an inward footpad module (402) for readability purposes onlythe three other module areas of the sole (403, 404 and 405) have the same features described for the inner footpad module (402).

[0064] Each embodiment as seen in FIGS. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 comprises a unique configuration of cleats in said inner footpad module according to user profile data supplied for their construction, said configuration being for example position, arrangement, orientation, number and size of said cleats. Cleats are supplied in two sizes, cleats A and cleats B, where cleats A are larger than cleats B.

[0065] FIG. 4.1 depicts cleats A offset inwards from the outer edge in a line parallel to said outer edge and cleats B offset from the inner edge in another line parallel to the inner edge of said inner footpad module (405), oriented relative to the shoe, further characterized in that cleats A and cleats B are arranged parallel to these lines and are distributed evenly along it. FIG. 4.2 depicts a shoe otherwise similar to the shoe of FIG. 4.1, with the difference that cleats A and cleats B are oriented unorderly. FIG. 4.3 depicts a shoe otherwise similar to the shoe of FIG. 4.2, with the difference that cleats A and cleats B are positioned according to a different pattern than along substantially straight lines. FIG. 4.4 depicts a shoe otherwise similar to the shoe of FIG. 4.1, with the difference that said inward footpad module comprises fewer cleats.

[0066] As previously described, the left and right shoes do not need to mirror one another, but may be individually designed for each foot. FIG. 5 illustrates three embodiments of a sole (500) constructed according to the present invention, all constructed according to the same initial template data and different user profile data, providing different levels of support in various regions of the shoe, each sole supplying a specified degree of heel support (501), arch support (502), lateral support (503) and forefoot support (504).

[0067] FIG. 5.1 depicts a shoe with minimal heel, lateral and arch support. FIG. 5.2 depicts a sole with significant lateral and arch support. FIG. 5.3 depicts a sole with significant heel, arch and lateral support, while having less forefoot support.

Clauses

[0068] 1. A method for generating control data for controlling a shoe part production machine for making shoes or elements for influencing the properties of the shoe, such as inlays or modules to be mounted on the sole, said system comprising: [0069] receiving user profile data describing the characteristics of the user, [0070] receiving a user selection identifying a selected shoe from a number of shoe models or a selected element influencing the property of a shoe, [0071] generating modified template data by modifying a shoe sole template corresponding to the selected shoe model or by modifying an element influencing the properties corresponding to the selected element, said modifications being performed based on said received user profile data, [0072] generating control data based on said modified template data.

[0073] 2. A method according to clause 1, wherein said template data stored in said storage means is linked to a predefined number of possible modified templates and one of said modified templates being selected based on said modified template data.

[0074] 3. A method according to clauses 1-2, wherein said user profile data comprises use data and test data.

[0075] 4. A method according to clause 3, wherein at least some of said user data describes the shoe usage pattern of the user, which has been automatically stored and collected by a data collection unit positioned in the shoe.

[0076] 5. A method according to clauses 3-4, wherein at least some of said user data comprises data obtained by questioning the user.

[0077] 6. A method according to clauses 3-5, wherein at least some of said test data is obtained by testing the user, e.g. in a walking machine or a foot pattern measurement device.

[0078] 7. A method according to clauses 1-6, wherein a shoe sole template to be modified describes a shoe sole having cleats and wherein at least the positioning and/or design of said cleats are modified according to said user profile data.

[0079] 8. A method according to clauses 1-7, wherein a shoe sole template to be modified describes a shoe sole having integrated support areas and wherein at least the positioning and/or design of said support areas is modified according to said user profile data.

[0080] 9. A method according to clauses 1-8, wherein an element for influencing the properties of a shoe is a cleat element to be attached to a shoe sole surface and wherein at least the positioning and/or design of said cleats on said cleat element is modified according to said user profile data.

[0081] 10. A method according to clauses 1-9, wherein an element for influencing the properties of a shoe is a support element to be poisoned inside the shoe and wherein at least the design of said support element is modified according to said user profile data.

[0082] 11. A method according to clauses 1-10, wherein generating modified template data is based on a combination of said user profile data and pre-collected use data to improve the calculation algorithms of said system for situations where substantially only test data is available.

[0083] 12. A system for generating control data for controlling a shoe part production machine for making shoes or elements for influencing the properties of the shoe, such as inlays or modules to be mounted on the sole, said system comprising: [0084] input means for receiving user profile data describing characteristics of the user, [0085] input means for receiving a user selection identifying a selected shoe from a number of shoe models or elements influencing the property of a shoe, [0086] storage means storing template data, said template data either describing shoe soles relating to each of said shoe models or said template data describing other elements influencing the properties of the shoe, [0087] a processing unit for generating modified template data by modifying a shoe sole template corresponding to the selected shoe model or by modifying an element influencing the properties corresponding to the selected element, said modifications being performed based on said received user profile data, [0088] a processing unit for generating control data based on said modified template data.

[0089] 13. A system according to clause 12, wherein said template data stored in said storage means are linked to a predefined number of possible modified templates and one of said modified templates is selected based on said modified template data.

[0090] 14. A system according to any of the clauses 13-14, wherein said user profile data comprises use data and test data.