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WO2018170609A1 - System and method for estimating dimensions of parts of a human body - Google Patents

System and method for estimating dimensions of parts of a human body Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018170609A1
WO2018170609A1 PCT/CH2017/000032 CH2017000032W WO2018170609A1 WO 2018170609 A1 WO2018170609 A1 WO 2018170609A1 CH 2017000032 W CH2017000032 W CH 2017000032W WO 2018170609 A1 WO2018170609 A1 WO 2018170609A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
points
human body
clothing
item
perimeter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/CH2017/000032
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alessandro GALATOLO
Teseo SCHNEIDER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sublime Technology Sagl
Original Assignee
Sublime Technology Sagl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sublime Technology Sagl filed Critical Sublime Technology Sagl
Priority to PCT/CH2017/000032 priority Critical patent/WO2018170609A1/en
Publication of WO2018170609A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018170609A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
    • G01B11/08—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring diameters
    • G01B11/10—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring diameters of objects while moving
    • G01B11/105—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring diameters of objects while moving using photoelectric detection means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41H—APPLIANCES OR METHODS FOR MAKING CLOTHES, e.g. FOR DRESS-MAKING OR FOR TAILORING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A41H1/00—Measuring aids or methods
    • A41H1/02—Devices for taking measurements on the human body
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Measuring devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/107—Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof
    • A61B5/1079—Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof using optical or photographic means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
    • G01B11/24—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T7/00—Image analysis
    • G06T7/50—Depth or shape recovery
    • G06T7/521—Depth or shape recovery from laser ranging, e.g. using interferometry; from the projection of structured light

Definitions

  • the present invention refers, in general, to a system for estimating dimensions of human body parts.
  • the present invention refers to a system for estimating perimeters of substantially tube-shaped human body parts (or body circumferences).
  • the present invention refers also to a method for estimating dimensions of parts of a human body.
  • the system and method according to the present invention find application, in particular, in the fashion industry, and, more particularly, in the context of the sale of clothing.
  • These tools include, for example, 3D scanners (for example based on triangulation) in which a laser source scans an object one point at a time, and time of flight cameras, such as for example the Kinect device, by Microsoft company, in which each light signal emitted by the laser source scans an entire object.
  • 3D scanners for example based on triangulation
  • time of flight cameras such as for example the Kinect device, by Microsoft company, in which each light signal emitted by the laser source scans an entire object.
  • the document CN102521878 (A) discloses, for example, a system for measuring the human body that provides for the creation of an "Avatar", i.e. a three- dimensional model of the human body, based on which, subsequently, measurements are made.
  • the tool used is a 3D scanner based on the principle of triangulation.
  • An object of the present invention is to overcome the problems and limitations of the prior art by providing a system capable of implementing a method for measuring human body parts that is fast, practical and simple to implement and which does not require the creation of a "Avatar",
  • a further object of the present invention is to improve the experience of buying tailored clothing, simplifying the detection of body measurements, and in general the process of buying online items of clothing, which may be chosen based on actual body measurements.
  • the system for estimating dimensions of human body parts or of part of item of clothing which covers the human body parts allows to estimate the perimeter of a substantially tube-shaped part of a human body (or body circumference) or of an item of clothing.
  • a substantially tube-shaped part of the human body or of the item of clothing is, for example, an arm, forearm, wrist, neck, chest, abdomen, thigh or leg or a part of the item of clothing which covers the aforementioned part.
  • the system includes a depth sensor, e.g.
  • a time of flight sensor configured to estimate the distance between the depth sensor itself and a plurality of points of a human body surface or of a surface of the item of clothing facing the sensor (or front surface), generating a cloud of points, in three-dimensional space coordinates, which represent the above-mentioned front surface of the human body or of the item o clothing.
  • the sensor is controllable by means of an interface, which allows to select the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body or of the item of clothing (hereinafter also called part under measure).
  • the system also comprises a processing unit adapted for processing data acquired by the depth sensor in order to obtain an estimate of the perimeter of the part under measure.
  • the depth sensor is adapted to generate clouds of points in three-dimensional spatial coordinates that represent front surfaces of the human body or of the item of clothing.
  • it is not required to detect the human body or a part thereof from many angles.
  • the system according to the present invention comprises a processing unit configured so as to identify a direction in space corresponding to a longitudinal axis of the part under measure.
  • the processing unit is then configured to obtain a first subset of points by selecting among the points of the cloud of points generated by the depth sensor those having a distance from the direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis smaller than a first preselected value.
  • the processing unit is then configured to perform a further selection through which, the points belonging to the first subset having a distance from a plane - intersecting the portion under measure and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis - that is lower than a second selected value are selected, thus obtaining a second subset of points.
  • the processing unit is then configured to project the points of the second subset on a projection plane, obtaining a set of projected points.
  • the plane of projection is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the part under measure.
  • a semi-ellipse is obtained starting from the projected points on the projection plane, for example by approximating according to the method of least squares those projected points.
  • processing unit is configured to obtain an estimate of the perimeter of the part under measure, obtained by adding:
  • the system also detects measurements of parts of the human body which are not tube-shaped, such as lengths (for example, arms length) or angles (for example, the angle of the shoulders); to do this, the system measures distances or angles between joints o the human body.
  • the system comprises a transmission unit adapted to transmit the estimate of the perimeter or the length or angle of the part under measure of the human body.
  • a transmission unit adapted to transmit the estimate of the perimeter or the length or angle of the part under measure of the human body.
  • the system configured with a web portal, also works as "itinerant" virtual store, located for example in the waiting areas of stations, airports, etc., where it is possible to measure in real time parts of the human body, as previously described, and buy clothing online having the optimal size.
  • the system also includes the possibility to make measurements at home, by means of a device equipped with a depth sensor and connected to the Internet network and to a video device, wherein preferably the device processes the data directly on a server.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the main components of the system for estimating dimensions of parts of a human body or of an item of clothing according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the system of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing joints and longitudinal axes provided between the joints of a human body
  • Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a part of the human body and some elements used in the present invention to estimate the perimeter of the part of the human body;
  • FIG. 5 is a view of a semi-ellipse obtained in accordance with the
  • a system 10 for the estimation of a perimeter of a substantially tube-shaped part of a human body 30 comprises a depth sensor 11, e.g. a time of flight sensor, configured to estimate the distance between the depth sensor 11 and a plurality of points of a surface of the human body 30 facing towards the sensor (or front surface), an interface 15 adapted to allow to control the depth sensor 11, a processing unit 16 adapted to process data acquired by the depth sensor 11 and connected to it, in order to obtain an estimate of the perimeter of the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body 30, and a transmission unit, connected to the processing unit 16 and adapted to transmit the estimate obtained by the processing unit 16.
  • a depth sensor 11 e.g. a time of flight sensor
  • an interface 15 adapted to allow to control the depth sensor 11
  • a processing unit 16 adapted to process data acquired by the depth sensor 11 and connected to it, in order to obtain an estimate of the perimeter of the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body 30, and a transmission unit, connected to the processing unit 16 and adapted to transmit the estimate
  • the depth sensor 11 of known type, comprises a lighting unit 12, an optical sensor (or image sensor) 13 and a processing unit 14.
  • the lighting unit 12 for example an infrared laser source, is configured to emit a light signal adapted to illuminate the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body 30.
  • the term “front” is used here to indicate surfaces and portions of the human body 30 facing towards the depth sensor 11, or exposed to the light signal emitted by the lighting unit 12; conversely, the term “rear” is used to indicate surfaces and portions of the human body 30 which do not face the depth sensor 11, i.e. not exposed to the light signal emitted by the lighting unit 12.
  • the light signal emitted by the lighting unit 12 illuminates the points of the surface of the human body 30 frontally and is reflected from such points, generating a reflected light signal. Moreover, said points of the surface (surface points) are illuminated simultaneously by the same light signal.
  • the optical sensor 1 3 of the depth sensor 11 is a sensor of a known type adapted to detect the light signal reflected from the surface points of the human body 30.
  • the processing unit 1 of the depth sensor 11 is adapted to calculate, in a known way, the flight time, i.e. the time elapsed from when the signal light has been emitted from the lighting unit 12 to when the reflected light signal has been detected by the optical sensor 13 and to generate, on the basis of the calculated elapsed time, a cloud of points 20 into three-dimensional spatial coordinates representing the front surface of the human body 30 illuminated by the light signal emitted from the lighting unit 12.
  • the depth sensor according to the present invention is, for example, the Microsoft Kinect sensor.
  • the system 10 further comprises an interface 15 which allows a user to control the depth sensor 1 1 and to select the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body 30 the perimeter of which has to be estimated (hereinafter also called part under measure).
  • the interface 15 is a touch screen.
  • the interface is a keyboard or another known type of interface.
  • the system 10 comprises a processing unit 16.
  • the processing unit 16 is configured so as to identify a direction in space corresponding to a longitudinal axis 26 of the part under measure.
  • the longitudinal axis is for example the longitudinal axis 26 of a forearm and is obtained by joining two points of the human body corresponding to two consecutive joints between which the part under measure is comprised, in the specific case the wrist joint 32 and elbow joint 33.
  • the processing unit 16 is then configured to obtain a first subset of points by selecting the points of the points of the cloud 20 generated by the depth sensor 11 which have a distance from the direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis 26 lower than a first predetermined value.
  • this first predetermined value may be equal to 20 cm.
  • the processing unit 16 is then configured to perform a further selection through which the points belonging to the first subset having a distance from a plane 27 - intersecting for the part under measure and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis 26 - which is lower than a second predetermined value are selected, thereby obtaining a second subset of points.
  • the second predetermined value may be equal to 3 cm, so that the points of the second subset are distributed on a 3 cm high surface having the form of a front portion 35 of the selected forearm portion.
  • the processing unit 1 6 is then configured to project the points of the second subset on a projection plane, obtaining a set of projected points.
  • the plane of projection is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 of the part under measure of the human body 30.
  • a semi- ellipse 25 shown in Figure 5 is obtained by approximating the projected points on the projection plane, preferably according to the method of least squares.
  • the processing unit 16 is finally configured to obtain an estimate of the perimeter of the part under measure of the human body 30, obtained by adding:
  • the system 10 also detects measurements of parts of the human body which are not tube-shaped, such as lengths (for example, arms length) or angles (for example, the angle of the shoulders); to do this, the system measures distances or angles between joints of the human body (Figure 3).
  • the system 10 further comprises a memory unit 18, adapted to store the estimate of the perimeter or the length or angle of the part under measure of the human body 30, and a transmission unit 17 for transmitting the estimate.
  • a memory unit 18, adapted to store the estimate of the perimeter or the length or angle of the part under measure of the human body 30, and a transmission unit 17 for transmitting the estimate For example, it is possible to provide for the transmission of the estimate to online shopping portals, in order to simplify users' purchases, to tailor's shops, for the manufacture of tailored items of clothing, and to clothing stores and shopping centers, in order to compare in real time the above estimates with sizes of items of clothing for sale and identify the optimal item size.
  • the system according to the present invention is also capable of estimating dimensions of parts of items of clothing which cover the parts of a human body to be measured.
  • the operation of the system 10 as described comprises the following steps: - selecting, by means of the interface 15, the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body 30 or of the item of clothing the perimeter of which is to be estimated (part under measure);
  • the distances between the depth sensor 11 and the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body 30 (or of the front surface of the item of clothing) are estimated in a known manner, by the following steps:
  • a light signal by means of the lighting unit 12, adapted to illuminate, frontally and preferably simultaneously, the points of the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body 30 (or of the item of clothing) and to be reflected from such points of the front surface of the human body 30 (or of the item of clothing);
  • the flight time i.e. the time elapsed from when the signal light has been emitted from the lighting unit 12 to when the reflected light signal has been detected by the optical sensor 13;
  • the cloud of points 20 into three-dimensional spatial coordinates representing the front surface of the human body (or of the item of clothing) illuminated by the light signal.
  • the operation of the system 10 also comprises the following steps:
  • the system and method as described allow to obtain estimates of perimeters of human body parts (or body circumferences] in a fast and practical way.
  • the estimates as a matter of fact require a unique detection of the body part under measure, in particular a frontal detection, since the rear portion of the part of the human body part under measure is estimated on the basis of mathematical formulas that take into account the human anatomy.
  • the system and method described herein also allow to obviate to the privacy issues related to a complete detection of the entire human body.
  • the system and method according to the present invention making the measurement of body circumferences easier, improves the shopping experience of items of clothing in stores and shopping centers or online, from the comfort of home.
  • the items of clothing indeed, may be chosen by comparing the estimated body circumferences with the size of such items, so as to suggest the optimal size in real time.
  • the system and method according to the present invention by making the measurement of body circumferences easier, also facilitate the process of buying tailored clothing.
  • the system is equipped with a reader of codes, e.g. two-width (or binary) barcodes, many-width barcodes and two-dimensional barcodes, or an RFID reader and with a printing device of receipts or cards.
  • the estimates calculated by the system are saved anonymously and allow the user to make retail purchases by accessing these estimates using these receipts or by card, announcing his/her arrival in the store by simply bringing the receipts or card closer to the system reader of codes.
  • the card it is possible to register oneself online by saving personal data and attaching to the own online profile the calculated estimates.
  • the user After registration, the user receives an identification code, for example through an application for mobile phone, which can be used as access key to all retail and online purchase services in place of receipts or card.
  • an identification code for example through an application for mobile phone, which can be used as access key to all retail and online purchase services in place of receipts or card.
  • the registered user who announces himself/herself at a store by means of the mobile application can benefit from the advice of sellers, who may consult the user data, for example through their tablet devices, personally recommending the best size of each item to the user.
  • the system configured with a web portal, also works as an "itinerant" virtual store, located for example in the waiting areas of stations, airports, etc., where it is possible to measure in real time parts o the human body, as previously described, and buy clothing online having the optimal size.
  • the system also includes the possibility to make measurements at home, by means of a device equipped with a depth sensor connected to the Internet network and to a video device, wherein preferably the device processes the data directly on a server.

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Abstract

System (10) for estimating the perimeter of a substantially tube-shaped part of a human body (30) or of an item of clothing which covers the human body. The system comprises a depth sensor (11), configured to estimate distances between the depth sensor (11) and a plurality of points of a front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing. The depth sensor (11) comprises a lighting unit (12), configured to emit a light signal adapted for illuminating the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing and for being reflected by the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing, an optical sensor (13), for detecting the light signal reflected from the points of front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing, a processing unit (14), adapted to generate a cloud of points (20) in three-dimensional spatial coordinates representing the front surface of the human body or of the item of clothing illuminated by the light signal. The system (10) further comprises an interface (15) for controlling the depth sensor (12) and adapted to select the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing the perimeter of which has to be estimated. The system (10) further comprises a processing unit (16) configured for identifying a direction in space corresponding to a longitudinal axis (26) of the substantially tube-shaped part the perimeter of which has to be estimated, obtaining a first subset of points by selecting, among the points of the cloud of points (20) generated by the depth sensor, points having a distance from said direction smaller than a first predetermined value, obtaining a second subset of points by selecting, among the points of the first subset, points having a distance less than a second predetermined value from a plane (27) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (26) and passing from the substantially tube-shaped part the perimeter of which has to be estimated, obtaining a projection of the points of the second subset on a projection plane, said projection plane being perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (26), obtaining a semi-ellipse (25) that approximates the points projected on said projection plane and obtaining an estimate of a perimeter of a front portion (35) of said substantially tube-shaped part, said front portion (35) having been illuminated by the light signal emitted by the lighting unit (12), said estimate being equal to perimeter of said semi-ellipse (25).

Description

System and method for estimating dimensions of parts of a human body
Technical field
The present invention refers, in general, to a system for estimating dimensions of human body parts. In particular the present invention refers to a system for estimating perimeters of substantially tube-shaped human body parts (or body circumferences).
The present invention refers also to a method for estimating dimensions of parts of a human body.
The system and method according to the present invention find application, in particular, in the fashion industry, and, more particularly, in the context of the sale of clothing.
Prior art
In the context of the systems and related methods for measuring human body parts, it is known the use of tools capable of determining the distance of an object or of a surface using light signals, in particular laser pulses.
These tools include, for example, 3D scanners (for example based on triangulation) in which a laser source scans an object one point at a time, and time of flight cameras, such as for example the Kinect device, by Microsoft company, in which each light signal emitted by the laser source scans an entire object.
The document CN102521878 (A) discloses, for example, a system for measuring the human body that provides for the creation of an "Avatar", i.e. a three- dimensional model of the human body, based on which, subsequently, measurements are made. The tool used is a 3D scanner based on the principle of triangulation.
In general, the prior art based on the creation of "Avatars" requires that the human body is scanned five times (for example: front, right side, back, left side and front scanning).
The creation of an "Avatar" by means of scanning processes, however, has some drawbacks. A first drawback is the time required to obtain the '"Avatar" and the complexity of the scanning operation compared to the time of flight cameras. Another drawback is related to the privacy of users, who might not like a total body scan. An object of the present invention is to overcome the problems and limitations of the prior art by providing a system capable of implementing a method for measuring human body parts that is fast, practical and simple to implement and which does not require the creation of a "Avatar",
A further object of the present invention is to improve the experience of buying tailored clothing, simplifying the detection of body measurements, and in general the process of buying online items of clothing, which may be chosen based on actual body measurements.
These and other objects are achieved with the system and method as claimed in the appended claims.
Disclosure of the invention
The system for estimating dimensions of human body parts or of part of item of clothing which covers the human body parts according to the invention allows to estimate the perimeter of a substantially tube-shaped part of a human body (or body circumference) or of an item of clothing. Such a substantially tube-shaped part of the human body or of the item of clothing is, for example, an arm, forearm, wrist, neck, chest, abdomen, thigh or leg or a part of the item of clothing which covers the aforementioned part. The system includes a depth sensor, e.g. a time of flight sensor, configured to estimate the distance between the depth sensor itself and a plurality of points of a human body surface or of a surface of the item of clothing facing the sensor (or front surface), generating a cloud of points, in three-dimensional space coordinates, which represent the above-mentioned front surface of the human body or of the item o clothing.
The sensor is controllable by means of an interface, which allows to select the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body or of the item of clothing (hereinafter also called part under measure). The system also comprises a processing unit adapted for processing data acquired by the depth sensor in order to obtain an estimate of the perimeter of the part under measure.
According to the present invention, the depth sensor is adapted to generate clouds of points in three-dimensional spatial coordinates that represent front surfaces of the human body or of the item of clothing. Advantageously, according to the present invention, it is not required to detect the human body or a part thereof from many angles.
The system according to the present invention comprises a processing unit configured so as to identify a direction in space corresponding to a longitudinal axis of the part under measure.
The processing unit is then configured to obtain a first subset of points by selecting among the points of the cloud of points generated by the depth sensor those having a distance from the direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis smaller than a first preselected value. The processing unit is then configured to perform a further selection through which, the points belonging to the first subset having a distance from a plane - intersecting the portion under measure and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis - that is lower than a second selected value are selected, thus obtaining a second subset of points.
The processing unit is then configured to project the points of the second subset on a projection plane, obtaining a set of projected points. The plane of projection is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the part under measure. Following this projecting step, a semi-ellipse is obtained starting from the projected points on the projection plane, for example by approximating according to the method of least squares those projected points.
Finally, the processing unit is configured to obtain an estimate of the perimeter of the part under measure, obtained by adding:
- an estimate of a perimeter of a front portion of the part under measure, given by the semi-ellipse perimeter,
- an estimate of a perimeter of a rear portion of the part under measure of the human body, obtained by means of a mathematical formula based on human anatomy, as a function of the selected part under measure of the human body.
According to the present invention, the system also detects measurements of parts of the human body which are not tube-shaped, such as lengths (for example, arms length) or angles (for example, the angle of the shoulders); to do this, the system measures distances or angles between joints o the human body.
According to the present invention, the system comprises a transmission unit adapted to transmit the estimate of the perimeter or the length or angle of the part under measure of the human body. Advantageously, it is possible to provide for the transmission of estimates to online shopping portals, in order to simplify users' purchases, to tailor's shops, for the manufacture of tailored items of clothing, and to clothing stores and shopping centers, in order to compare in real-time these estimates with sizes of items of clothing for sale and identify the optimal item size. Advantageously, the system, configured with a web portal, also works as "itinerant" virtual store, located for example in the waiting areas of stations, airports, etc., where it is possible to measure in real time parts of the human body, as previously described, and buy clothing online having the optimal size. The system also includes the possibility to make measurements at home, by means of a device equipped with a depth sensor and connected to the Internet network and to a video device, wherein preferably the device processes the data directly on a server.
Brief description of the drawings
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the appended figures, in which elements denoted by a same or similar reference numerals indicate elements that have the same or similar functionality and construction and wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the main components of the system for estimating dimensions of parts of a human body or of an item of clothing according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the system of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a schematic view showing joints and longitudinal axes provided between the joints of a human body;
Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a part of the human body and some elements used in the present invention to estimate the perimeter of the part of the human body;
- Figure 5 is a view of a semi-ellipse obtained in accordance with the
method of the present invention.
Description of a preferred embodiment
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a system 10 for the estimation of a perimeter of a substantially tube-shaped part of a human body 30 (or body circumference) comprises a depth sensor 11, e.g. a time of flight sensor, configured to estimate the distance between the depth sensor 11 and a plurality of points of a surface of the human body 30 facing towards the sensor (or front surface), an interface 15 adapted to allow to control the depth sensor 11, a processing unit 16 adapted to process data acquired by the depth sensor 11 and connected to it, in order to obtain an estimate of the perimeter of the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body 30, and a transmission unit, connected to the processing unit 16 and adapted to transmit the estimate obtained by the processing unit 16.
The depth sensor 11, of known type, comprises a lighting unit 12, an optical sensor (or image sensor) 13 and a processing unit 14.
The lighting unit 12, for example an infrared laser source, is configured to emit a light signal adapted to illuminate the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body 30.
Conventionally, the term "front" is used here to indicate surfaces and portions of the human body 30 facing towards the depth sensor 11, or exposed to the light signal emitted by the lighting unit 12; conversely, the term "rear" is used to indicate surfaces and portions of the human body 30 which do not face the depth sensor 11, i.e. not exposed to the light signal emitted by the lighting unit 12.
According to the present invention, the light signal emitted by the lighting unit 12 illuminates the points of the surface of the human body 30 frontally and is reflected from such points, generating a reflected light signal. Moreover, said points of the surface (surface points) are illuminated simultaneously by the same light signal.
The optical sensor 1 3 of the depth sensor 11 is a sensor of a known type adapted to detect the light signal reflected from the surface points of the human body 30.
Finally, the processing unit 1 of the depth sensor 11 is adapted to calculate, in a known way, the flight time, i.e. the time elapsed from when the signal light has been emitted from the lighting unit 12 to when the reflected light signal has been detected by the optical sensor 13 and to generate, on the basis of the calculated elapsed time, a cloud of points 20 into three-dimensional spatial coordinates representing the front surface of the human body 30 illuminated by the light signal emitted from the lighting unit 12.
The depth sensor according to the present invention is, for example, the Microsoft Kinect sensor.
The system 10 according to the present invention further comprises an interface 15 which allows a user to control the depth sensor 1 1 and to select the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body 30 the perimeter of which has to be estimated (hereinafter also called part under measure). Preferably, the interface 15 is a touch screen. According to other embodiments, the interface is a keyboard or another known type of interface.
The system 10 according to the present invention comprises a processing unit 16. The processing unit 16 is configured so as to identify a direction in space corresponding to a longitudinal axis 26 of the part under measure.
With reference to Figures 3 and 4, assuming that the part under measure of the human body 30 is a forearm portion, the longitudinal axis, represented by a straight line, is for example the longitudinal axis 26 of a forearm and is obtained by joining two points of the human body corresponding to two consecutive joints between which the part under measure is comprised, in the specific case the wrist joint 32 and elbow joint 33.
The processing unit 16 is then configured to obtain a first subset of points by selecting the points of the points of the cloud 20 generated by the depth sensor 11 which have a distance from the direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis 26 lower than a first predetermined value. For example, with reference to Figure 4, in the case of the longitudinal axis 26 of the forearm, this first predetermined value may be equal to 20 cm.
The processing unit 16 is then configured to perform a further selection through which the points belonging to the first subset having a distance from a plane 27 - intersecting for the part under measure and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis 26 - which is lower than a second predetermined value are selected, thereby obtaining a second subset of points. For example, with reference to Figure 4, if the party under measure is a portion of the forearm, the second predetermined value may be equal to 3 cm, so that the points of the second subset are distributed on a 3 cm high surface having the form of a front portion 35 of the selected forearm portion.
The processing unit 1 6 is then configured to project the points of the second subset on a projection plane, obtaining a set of projected points. The plane of projection is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 of the part under measure of the human body 30. As a result of the aforementioned projection operation a semi- ellipse 25, shown in Figure 5, is obtained by approximating the projected points on the projection plane, preferably according to the method of least squares.
The processing unit 16 is finally configured to obtain an estimate of the perimeter of the part under measure of the human body 30, obtained by adding:
- an estimate of a perimeter of a front portion 35 of the part under measure, given by the perimeter of the semi-ellipse 25 previously obtained,
- an estimate of a perimeter of a rear portion of the part under measure of the human body, obtained by means of a mathematical formula based on the human anatomy, as a function of the part under measure of the selected human body.
According to the present invention, the system 10 also detects measurements of parts of the human body which are not tube-shaped, such as lengths (for example, arms length) or angles (for example, the angle of the shoulders); to do this, the system measures distances or angles between joints of the human body (Figure 3).
The system 10 according to the present invention further comprises a memory unit 18, adapted to store the estimate of the perimeter or the length or angle of the part under measure of the human body 30, and a transmission unit 17 for transmitting the estimate. For example, it is possible to provide for the transmission of the estimate to online shopping portals, in order to simplify users' purchases, to tailor's shops, for the manufacture of tailored items of clothing, and to clothing stores and shopping centers, in order to compare in real time the above estimates with sizes of items of clothing for sale and identify the optimal item size.
The system according to the present invention is also capable of estimating dimensions of parts of items of clothing which cover the parts of a human body to be measured.
The operation of the system 10 as described comprises the following steps: - selecting, by means of the interface 15, the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body 30 or of the item of clothing the perimeter of which is to be estimated (part under measure);
- estimating distances between the depth sensor 11 and a plurality of points of a front surface of the human body 30 (or of a front surface of the item of clothing) which comprises at least a front portion 35 of the part under measure, obtaining the cloud of points 20 into three-dimensional spatial coordinates.
The distances between the depth sensor 11 and the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body 30 (or of the front surface of the item of clothing) are estimated in a known manner, by the following steps:
- emitting a light signal, by means of the lighting unit 12, adapted to illuminate, frontally and preferably simultaneously, the points of the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body 30 (or of the item of clothing) and to be reflected from such points of the front surface of the human body 30 (or of the item of clothing);
- detecting, by means of the optical sensor 13, the light signal reflected from the points of the front surface of the human body 30 (or of the item of clothing);
- calculating the flight time, i.e. the time elapsed from when the signal light has been emitted from the lighting unit 12 to when the reflected light signal has been detected by the optical sensor 13;
- generating, on the basis of the calculated flight time, the cloud of points 20 into three-dimensional spatial coordinates representing the front surface of the human body (or of the item of clothing) illuminated by the light signal.
The operation of the system 10 also comprises the following steps:
- identifying a direction in space corresponding to a longitudinal axis 26 of the part under measure, wherein the longitudinal axis 26 is obtained by connecting two points of the human body corresponding to two consecutive joints 32, 33;
- obtaining a first subset of points by selecting the points of the cloud of points 20 having a distance from the longitudinal axis 26 lower than a first predetermined value;
- identifying a plane 27 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 and that intersects the portion under measure; - obtaining a second subset of points by selecting the points of the first subset having a distance from the plane 27 that is lower than a second predetermined value;
- obtain a set of projected points by projecting the points of the second subset on a projection plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 of the part under measure; - obtain a semi-ellipse 25 by approximating, according to the method of least squares, the points projected on the projection plane;
- obtaining an estimate of a perimeter of a front portion 35 of the part under measure, wherein the estimate is equal to the perimeter of the semi -el I ipse 25;
- obtaining an estimate of a perimeter of a rear portion of the part under measure of the human body, wherein the rear portion has not been illuminated by the light signal and wherein the estimate is obtained using a mathematical formula based on the human anatomy;
- obtaining an estimate of the perimeter of the part under measure of the human body by adding the estimate of the perimeter of the front portion 35 and the estimate of the perimeter of the rear portion of that part under measure of the human body.
The system and method as described allow to obtain estimates of perimeters of human body parts (or body circumferences] in a fast and practical way. The estimates, as a matter of fact require a unique detection of the body part under measure, in particular a frontal detection, since the rear portion of the part of the human body part under measure is estimated on the basis of mathematical formulas that take into account the human anatomy.
Therefore, the system and method described herein also allow to obviate to the privacy issues related to a complete detection of the entire human body.
The system and method according to the present invention, making the measurement of body circumferences easier, improves the shopping experience of items of clothing in stores and shopping centers or online, from the comfort of home. The items of clothing, indeed, may be chosen by comparing the estimated body circumferences with the size of such items, so as to suggest the optimal size in real time.
Advantageously, the system and method according to the present invention, by making the measurement of body circumferences easier, also facilitate the process of buying tailored clothing. Preferably, the system is equipped with a reader of codes, e.g. two-width (or binary) barcodes, many-width barcodes and two-dimensional barcodes, or an RFID reader and with a printing device of receipts or cards. Advantageously, the estimates calculated by the system are saved anonymously and allow the user to make retail purchases by accessing these estimates using these receipts or by card, announcing his/her arrival in the store by simply bringing the receipts or card closer to the system reader of codes. At the user's discretion, by the card it is possible to register oneself online by saving personal data and attaching to the own online profile the calculated estimates. After registration, the user receives an identification code, for example through an application for mobile phone, which can be used as access key to all retail and online purchase services in place of receipts or card. Advantageously, in the most exclusive shops that want to offer a "luxury" ad hoc service, the registered user who announces himself/herself at a store by means of the mobile application can benefit from the advice of sellers, who may consult the user data, for example through their tablet devices, personally recommending the best size of each item to the user.
Advantageously, the system, configured with a web portal, also works as an "itinerant" virtual store, located for example in the waiting areas of stations, airports, etc., where it is possible to measure in real time parts o the human body, as previously described, and buy clothing online having the optimal size. The system also includes the possibility to make measurements at home, by means of a device equipped with a depth sensor connected to the Internet network and to a video device, wherein preferably the device processes the data directly on a server.
The system and relative method as described are susceptible to changes and modifications falling within the same inventive principle.

Claims

Claims
1. System for estimating the perimeter of a substantially tube-shaped part of a human body (30) or of an item of clothing which covers the human body, the system comprising:
- a depth sensor (11) configured to estimate distances between the depth sensor (11) and a plurality of points of a front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing, the depth sensor (11) comprising :
- a lighting unit ( 12) configured to emit a light signal adapted for illuminating the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing and for being reflected by said plurality of points of the front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing,
- an optical sensor ( 13) for detecting the light signal reflected from the points of the front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing,
- a processing unit (14) of the depth sensor adapted to generate a cloud of points (20) in three-dimensional spatial coordinates representing the front surface of the human body or of the item of clothing illuminated by the light signal,
- an interface (15) for controlling the depth sensor (12) and adapted to select the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing the perimeter of which has to be estimated,
- a processing unit (16) configured for:
- identifying a direction in space corresponding to a longitudinal axis (26) of the substantially tube-shaped part the perimeter of which has to be estimated,
- obtaining a first subset of points by selecting, among the points of the cloud of points (20) generated by the depth sensor, points having a distance from said direction smaller than a first predetermined value,
- obtaining a second subset of points by selecting, among the points of the first subset, points having a distance less than a second predetermined value from a plane (27) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (26) and passing from the substantially tube-shaped part the perimeter of which has to be estimated,
- obtaining a projection of the points of the second subset on a projection plane, said projection plane being perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (26), - obtaining a semi-ellipse (25) that approximates the points projected on said projection plane, and
- obtaining an estimate of a perimeter of a front portion (35) of said substantially tube-shaped part, said front portion (35) having been illuminated by the light signal emitted by the lighting unit ( 12), said estimate being equal to perimeter of said semi-ellipse (25).
2. System according to claim 1, in which the points of said plurality of points of the front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing are illuminated by the lighting unit ( 12) frontally and at the same time.
3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit (14) of the depth sensor (11) is adapted to generate said cloud of points in three-dimensional spatial coordinates by calculating an elapsed time from when the signal light has been emitted from the lighting unit (12) to when the light signal reflected from the plurality of points of the front surface is detected by the optical sensor ( 1 3).
4. System according to any preceding claims, wherein said longitudinal axis (26) is obtained by connecting two points of the human body (30) corresponding to consecutive body joints (32, 33).
5. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said processing unit ( 16) is configured to obtain an estimate of a perimeter of a rear portion of said substantially tube-shaped part of the human body, said rear portion not having been illuminated by said light signal emitted from the lighting unit ( 12), said estimate being obtained by a mathematical formula based on human anatomy.
6. Method for estimating the perimeter of a substantially tube-shaped part of a human body (30) or of an item of clothing which covers the human body, said method comprising the steps of:
- selecting the substantially tube-shaped part of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing, the perimeter of which has to be estimated,
- estimating distances between a depth sensor (11) and a plurality of points of a front surface of the human body (30) or of a front surface of the item of clothing, obtaining a cloud of points (20) in three-dimensional spatial coordinates, wherein said front surface of the human body or of the item of clothing includes at least one front portion (35) of the substantially tube-shaped part the perimeter of which has to be estimated,
- identifying a direction in space corresponding to a longitudinal axis (26) of the substantially tube-shaped part the perimeter of which has to be estimated,
- obtaining a first subset of points by selecting, among points of said cloud of points (20), points having a distance from said longitudinal axis (26) lower than a first preselected value,
- identifying a plane (27) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (26) and which intersects the substantially tube-shaped part the perimeter of which has to be estimated,
- obtaining a second subset of points by selecting, among the points of the first subset, points having a distance from said plane (27) lower than a second predetermined value,
- obtain a projection of the points of the second subset on a projection plane, said projection plane being perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (26) of the substantially tube-shaped part the perimeter of which has to be estimated,
- obtaining a semi-ellipse (25) that approximates the points projected on said projection plane;
- obtaining an estimate of a perimeter of a front portion (35) of said substantially tube-shaped part the perimeter o which has to be estimated, said estimate being equal to the perimeter of said semi-ellipse (25).
7. Method according to claim 6, wherein said step of estimating distances between a depth sensor ( 11) and a plurality of points of a front surface of the human body (30) or of a front surface of the item of clothing comprises the steps of:
- emitting a light signal adapted for illuminating the plurality of points of the front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing and for being reflected by said plurality of points of the front surface of the human body (30) or of the item of clothing,
- detecting the light signal reflected from the front surface of the human body (30) o of the item of clothing,
- calculating a time elapsed from when the light signal has been emitted to when the reflected light signal has been detected; - generating, on the basis of said calculated elapsed time, said cloud of points (20) into three-dimensional spatial coordinates representing the front surface of the human body or of the item of clothing illuminated by the light signal.
8. Method according to claim 7, wherein said step of emitting a light signal comprises the step of illuminating the points of said plurality of points of the front surface of the human body points (30) or of the item of clothing frontally and at the same time.
9. Method according to claims 7 or 8 further comprising the step of:
- obtaining an estimate of a perimeter of a rear portion of said substantially tube- shaped part of the human body, said rear portion not having been illuminated by the light signal, said estimate being obtained by a mathematical formula based on human anatomy.
10. Method according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein said step of identifying a spatial direction corresponding to a longitudinal axis (26) foresees that said longitudinal axis (26) is obtained by connecting two points of the human body (30) corresponding to joints (32, 33) in a row.
PCT/CH2017/000032 2017-03-24 2017-03-24 System and method for estimating dimensions of parts of a human body Ceased WO2018170609A1 (en)

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