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AbstractA UK SME has developed a technology that is a low-cost and hardware-independent alternative to human body booth scanners. It uses standard webcams as found on most modern laptops and smart phones to photograph a user in various poses. It then calculates their 3D shape and can take measurements from this model. The technology is offered as a potential platform wherever moderately accurate human measurements or imaging are required. The SME seeks partners for technical cooperation and trials.DetailsThis is an original technology which takes photographs of a user in particular poses to calculate the user's body shape in 3D, with results similar to a booth-based body scanner. The system is less accurate than a booth scanner, but significantly faster and more convenient. It requires only a standard webcam, as found in almost all recent laptops (post 2000). This saves hardware and transportation costs, and can be operated by employees with minimal training (or by end-users with a sufficient guide). The entire process takes as little as a few seconds between setting up and recieving measurements.The technology is capable of running in a client/server or standalone model system. It also can also be run effectively on smartphones with cameras. This technology has applications in the medical industry (both within hospitals and in patiants homes for long-term tracking of body shapes), recreational fitness tracking, online and in-store clothes shopping (as a measurement aid for buying well-fitting clothes), uniform tailoring (including business, military, and stage), low-cost population surveys, and niche markets (such as customised miniatures). Innovative Aspects: The technology uses a proprietary algorithm to match photographs of users in particular poses to three-dimensional data. As well as using interpolation to provide sub-pixel accuracy (effectively increasing the resolution of the source image), the system uses prior knowledge to complete any missing data probabilistically (for example, areas of the torso covered by the arms). The output then contains not only typical measurements, but a full 3D "scan" of the body (minus head, hands and feet), which can be processed as required for a particular need. Compared with booth scanners, the system is much cheaper and easier to use, but less accurate, and only able to recognise expected shapes (currently, adults with no significant deformities). The limitation of expected shapes is flexible however.
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