Footwear having sensor system

• US 10,314,361 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2016
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Amos, Michael S., Meschter, James C., Nurse, Matthew A., Owings, Andrew A., Pisciotta, Jeffrey C., Schrock, Allan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Charioui, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US15/288,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20170020224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/006 multilayered
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/02 wedge-like or resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 : Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0066 : Rugby; American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 : for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 : involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 : using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 : Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

A shoe has a sensor system operably connected to a communication port. Performance data is collected by the system and can be transferred for further use via the communication port. The shoe may contain an electronic module configured to gather data from the sensors. The module may also transmit the data to an external device for further processing. Users can use the collected data for a variety of different uses or applications.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first electronic module configured for communication with an external device;

a first article of footwear comprising a first upper member and a first sole structure engaged with the first upper member, wherein the first upper member and the first sole structure combine to at least partially define a first foot-receiving chamber, the first sole structure including a first foot contacting member partially defining the first foot receiving chamber;

a first insert engaged with the first sole structure and positioned below the first foot contacting member, the first insert comprising;

a first insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;

a plurality of first force sensors connected to the first insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the first insert by a foot of a user, wherein the first force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;

a first port configured for removable connection to the first electronic module; and

a plurality of first leads connected to the first insert member, the first leads extending from the first force sensors to the first port, such that the first port is configured to enable communication between the first force sensors and the first electronic module through the first leads when the first electronic module is connected to the first port;

a second electronic module configured for communication with the external device;

a second article of footwear comprising a second upper member and a second sole structure engaged with the second upper member, wherein the second upper member and the second sole structure combine to at least partially define a second foot-receiving chamber, the second sole structure including a second foot contacting member partially defining the second foot receiving chamber; and

a second insert engaged with the second sole structure and positioned below the second foot contacting member, the second insert comprising;

a second insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;

a plurality of second force sensors connected to the second insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the second insert by a foot of a user, wherein the second force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;

a second port configured for removable connection to the second electronic module; and

a plurality of second leads connected to the second insert member, the second leads extending from the second force sensors to the second port, such that the second port is configured to enable communication between the second force sensors and the second electronic module through the second leads when the second electronic module is connected to the second port,

wherein the first electronic module is configured to collect first force data from the first force sensors, and the second electronic module is configured to collect second force data from the second force sensors, and wherein the first and second electronic modules are further configured to transmit the first and second force data to the external device to enable further processing of the first and second force data by the external device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising the external device, wherein the external device comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the external device is configured for receiving the first and second force data, storing the first and second force data in the memory, and further processing the first and second force data.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second electronic modules are configured for transmitting the first and second force data to the external device in real time, and wherein the external device further comprises a display and is configured for displaying feedback to the user based on the first and second force data in real time.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first port is located outside of the first insert member, and the second port is located outside of the second insert member.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first port is located within the first sole structure beneath the first foot contacting member, and the second port is located within the second sole structure beneath the second foot contacting member.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second leads comprise wire leads.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first leads have terminal ends that converge to a first location to form a first consolidated interface, wherein the first consolidated interface is located at the first port, such that the first port is configured to enable communication between the first force sensors and the first electronic module through the first leads and the first consolidated interface when the first electronic module is connected to the first port, and wherein the second leads have terminal ends that converge to a second location to form a second consolidated interface, wherein the second consolidated interface is located at the second port, such that the second port is configured to enable communication between the second force sensors and the second electronic module through the second leads and the second consolidated interface when the second electronic module is connected to the second port.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first leads further comprise a first power lead extending from the first port and connected to all of the first force sensors, and wherein the first power lead is configured for providing electrical power from the first electronic module to all of the first force sensors when the first electronic module is connected to the first port, and wherein the second leads further comprise a second power lead extending from the second port and connected to all of the second force sensors, and wherein the second power lead is configured for providing electrical power from the second electronic module to all of the second force sensors when the second electronic module is connected to the second port.

9. A system comprising:

a first insert configured to be engaged with a first sole structure of a first article of footwear, the first insert comprising;

a first insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;

a plurality of first force sensors connected to the first insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the first insert by a foot of a user, wherein the first force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;

a plurality of first leads connected to the first insert member, the first leads extending from the first force sensors and having terminal ends that converge to a first location to form a first consolidated interface; and

a first port configured for removable connection to a first electronic module, wherein the first consolidated interface is located at the first port, such that the first port is configured to enable communication between the first force sensors and the first electronic module through the first leads and the first consolidated interface when the first electronic module is connected to the first port; and

a second insert configured to be engaged with a second sole structure of a second article of footwear, the second insert comprising;

a second insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;

a plurality of second force sensors connected to the second insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the second insert by a foot of a user, wherein the second force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;

a plurality of second leads connected to the second insert member, the second leads extending from the second force sensors and having terminal ends that converge to a second location to form a second consolidated interface; and

a second port configured for removable connection to a second electronic module, wherein the second consolidated interface is located at the second port, such that the second port is configured to enable communication between the second force sensors and the second electronic module through the second leads and the second consolidated interface when the second electronic module is connected to the second port.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first port is located outside of the first insert member, and the second port is located outside of the second insert member.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first port is located below the first insert member, and the second port is located below the second insert member.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first and second leads comprise wire leads.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the first leads further comprise a first power lead extending from the first port and connected to all of the first force sensors, and wherein the first power lead is configured for providing electrical power from the first electronic module to all of the first force sensors when the first electronic module is connected to the first port, and wherein the second leads further comprise a second power lead extending from the second port and connected to all of the second force sensors, and wherein the second power lead is configured for providing electrical power from the second electronic module to all of the second force sensors when the second electronic module is connected to the second port.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising the first electronic module and the second electronic module, wherein the first electronic module is configured to collect first force data from the first force sensors, and the second electronic module is configured to collect second force data from the second force sensors, and wherein the first and second electronic modules are configured for communication with an external device, and the first and second electronic modules are further configured to transmit the first and second force data to the external device to enable further processing of the first and second force data by the external device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second electronic modules are configured for transmitting the first and second force data to the external device in real time.

16. A system comprising:

a first insert configured to be engaged with a first sole structure of a first article of footwear, the first insert comprising;

a first insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;

a plurality of first force sensors connected to the first insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the first insert by a foot of a user, wherein the first force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;

a first port configured for removable connection to a first electronic module; and

a plurality of first leads connected to the first insert member, the first leads extending from the first force sensors to the first port, such that the first port is configured to enable communication between the first force sensors and the first electronic module through the first leads when the first electronic module is connected to the first port, wherein the first leads further comprise a first power lead extending from the first port and connected to all of the first force sensors, and wherein the first power lead is configured for providing electrical power from the first electronic module to all of the first force sensors when the first electronic module is connected to the first port;

a second insert configured to be engaged with a second sole structure of a second article of footwear, the second insert comprising;

a second insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;

a plurality of second force sensors connected to the second insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the second insert by a foot of a user, wherein the second force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;

a second port configured for removable connection to a second electronic module; and

a plurality of second leads connected to the second insert member, the second leads extending from the second force sensors to the second port, such that the second port is configured to enable communication between the second force sensors and the second electronic module through the second leads when the second electronic module is connected to the second port, wherein the second leads further comprise a second power lead extending from the second port and connected to all of the second force sensors, and wherein the second power lead is configured for providing electrical power from the second electronic module to all of the second force sensors when the second electronic module is connected to the second port.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first port is located outside of the first insert member, and the second port is located outside of the second insert member.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first port is located below the first insert member, and the second port is located below the second insert member.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the first and second leads comprise wire leads.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first leads have terminal ends that converge to a first location to form a first consolidated interface, wherein the first consolidated interface is located at the first port, such that the first port is configured to enable communication between the first force sensors and the first electronic module through the first leads and the first consolidated interface when the first electronic module is connected to the first port, and wherein the second leads have terminal ends that converge to a second location to form a second consolidated interface, wherein the second consolidated interface is located at the second port, such that the second port is configured to enable communication between the second force sensors and the second electronic module through the second leads and the second consolidated interface when the second electronic module is connected to the second port.

21. The system of claim 16, further comprising the first electronic module and the second electronic module, wherein the first electronic module is configured to collect first force data from the first force sensors, and the second electronic module is configured to collect second force data from the second force sensors, and wherein the first and second electronic modules are configured for communication with an external device, and the first and second electronic modules are further configured to transmit the first and second force data to the external device to enable further processing of the first and second force data by the external device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first and second electronic modules are configured for transmitting the first and second force data to the external device in real time.