A system is provided for reducing and managing the inventory of lasts needed for footwear production which comprises a foot sizing device for determining foot sizing data by empirically measuring a plurality of feet at a footwear sales location, a data processing device logically coupled to the foot sizing device for receiving the foot sizing data from the foot sizing device, and a statistical trend analysis mechanism logically coupled to the data processing device for analyzing the foot sizing data received by the data processing device and for identifying foot sizing data groups whereby efficient manufacture of footwear lasts according to empirical foot sizing needs may be achieved. The system may include an inventory control feedback mechanism logically coupled to the data processing device which provides last inventory status information on demand. A method of inventory management is provided for footwear and last manufacture which comprises the steps of creating an automated foot sizing database including foot sizing data automatically inputted from a plurality of point of sale locations and from a plurality of measured feet, adding new foot sizing data to the automated foot sizing database each time a foot is measured, analyzing foot sizing data in the automated foot sizing database to identify foot size data groups, assigning inventory control values to each of the foot size data groups and utilizing the inventory control values to determine economical footwear last inventory needs according to the foot size data groups.
A system and a process to facilitate transactions between individuals and providers of goods and/or services. The system includes a master database unit for retaining information related to various characteristics of interest of a plurality of individuals. Each set of information associated with a particular individual is provided with a unique personal code that is supplied to the individual. In any remote communications with the goods/services provider, the individual supplies the personal code. The provider in turn contacts the master database unit and supplies an access code and a particular one or more of the personal codes. The master database unit returns to the provider the set or sets of information associated with the personal code or codes. Based on that information the provider can ensure compatibility of the goods or services with the individual's interests and characteristics. The system of the invention reduces the interface time between the individual and the provider. It also ensures the relevant information can be supplied more quickly and with greater accuracy.
A computer implemented process is provided for fast and accurate evaluation of the performance characteristics of the periodic-review (s,S) inventory policy with complete back ordering. This policy has an underlying stochastic process that is a renewal process. The method provides a novel computer implementation of a fast and accurate way to compute approximations of the renewal function. In order to overcome the computational problems in evaluating renewal functions numerically, an approximation scheme has been devised whereby the renewal function of the truncated normal distribution can be characterized by two parameters: (1) its coefficient of variation, and (2) the point at which the function needs to be evaluated. This approximation is derived in two stages. In the first stage, a class of rational polynomial approximations are developed to the renewal function, called Pade approximants. In the second stage, polynomial expressions are derived for each coefficient of the Pade approximants in terms of the coefficient of variation of the distribution.
An imaging method places an object upon a background pattern of regular repetitive marks and records a 2D image that is then processed for determining where in the image the repetitive marks are interrupted by the object, thereby indirectly determining the edge of the object. Multiple 2D images from different perspectives are used to create a 3D image of the object. When the object is a human food, individual bar codes and imaged foot dimensions can be cross-referenced to manufactured shoe sizes for accurate ordering of correctly sized footwear.
A computer implemented product evaluation system includes a data base storing evaluation data of products, and a data processor responsively connected to the data base, receiving a request to evaluate the success and lack thereof of one of the products, evaluating the success and lack thereof of the one of the products, and generating an evaluation result. The evaluation result indicates the success and lack thereof of the product with respect to at least one of the following: category, and class of the product, and group and branch selling locations and vendor. Further, a display device is provided which is connected to the data processor, receiving the evaluation result from the data processor, and displaying the evaluation result for the one of the articles evaluated.
An apparatus for the laser measurement of the shape of an object or foot includes a base, a turntable, a linear slide, and a laser camera which slides on the linear slide. The turntable is attached to the base. The linear slide is attached to the turntable and extends from the turntable. The linear slide moves with the rotation of the turntable. The laser camera moves along and measures a first side and a second side of the object in order to create a three-dimensional profile of the object or foot shape. The apparatus further includes a robotic control and a computer. A method for measuring an object shape with the inventive apparatus provides a profile of the object or foot. The method also provides for the selection of a shoe size based upon the profile generated by the inventive apparatus.
