Importance

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Abstract

A system is provided for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture which comprises a foot sizing device for determining foot sizing data by empirically measuring a foot to determine proper fit of a predetermined footwear style, a data processing device for receiving the foot sizing data from the foot sizing device and for transmitting the foot sizing and footwear style data, and a computer automated design mechanism for receiving the data from the data processing device and deriving machine readable data in a form suitable for transmission to footwear last production machinery for manufacture of a footwear last. The system also may include footwear last production machinery configured to utilize the machine readable data in the manufacturing of a footwear last. The foot sizing device preferably includes an electro-optical scanner which is capable of accurately determining foot sizing data of a foot covered by stocking as well as a foot of light or dark skin tones. The system may further include a style selection mechanism for selecting a particular style of footwear to be manufactured from the foot sizing data. In addition, a method for integrated foot measurement and last manufacture is provided. In addition, a custom footwear last manufacture according to the process of measuring a foot, providing a predetermined footwear style, deriving machine readable footwear last production data, and inputting the machine readable footwear last production data into footwear last production machinery is provided.

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First Claim