Shoes employing monitoring devices, and associated methods

• US 20060143645A1
• Filed: 02/21/2006
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Vock, Curtis A., Youngs, Perry, Amsbury, Burl W., Jonjak, Paul, Edstrom, Eric R., Larkin, Adrian F., Holme, Robert Muir
• Granted Patent: US 7,171,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/9
• 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: A43B 5/06 Running shoes; Track shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/242 Packaging, i.e. for packaging the sensor or apparatus before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 User's weight
• 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 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: A63B 71/0605 : Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/00 : Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/004 : for measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 : for weighing persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/00 : Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3728 : with wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/127 : for acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/02 : by making use of inertia forces using solid seismic massesG01P15/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 : with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/00 : Measuring linear or angular speed; Measuring differences of linear or angular speeds G01P5/00 - G01P11/00 take precedence; direction and speed indication G01P13/045; counting mechanisms G06M
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 : Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 : Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for determining speed or distance traveled of moving persons by utilizing sensors in shoes. Methods and systems are disclosed to determine and report weight of a person wearing a shoe via a sensor with the shoe. Shoe based systems employing sensors (e.g., accelerometers) are disclosed to determine and report (e.g., via a watch) speed and/or distance traveled.

Claims

1. A method of determining travel metrics for a runner running over ground, comprising the steps of:

sensing distance proximity between first and second shoes of the runner;

wirelessly communicating the distance proximity to a receiver; and

determining distance traveled of the runner based on the distance proximity.

2. A method of claim 1, further comprising scaling the distance proximity by a function of (a) a distance defined by ground contact between the first and second shoes divided by (b) a maximal distance proximity between the first and second shoes while running to compensate for errors in the distance traveled

3. A method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining speed based upon the distance traveled divided by a time associated with the distance traveled.

4. A method of claim 3, wherein the step of determining speed comprises dividing (a) the distance traveled by (b) two times an average time between a minimal distance proximity and a maximum distance proximity while running.

5. A method of claim 1, further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting the distance traveled to a receiver for displaying one or more of distance traveled and speed to the runner.

6. A method for monitoring fractional weight supported by one foot of a person, comprising the steps of adhering a movement monitor device underneath the foot such that the device is compressed when weight is applied to the foot;

generating wireless signals representative of a target fractional weight of a total weight of the person;

remotely receiving the wireless signals and displaying the fractional weight to a user.

7. A method of claim 6, further comprising utilizing one of a force sensing resistor or electro-resistive element in the device, to respond to weight applied to the device.

8. A method of monitoring weight of a person, comprising the steps of constructing and arranging one or more weight sensitive detectors underneath a foot of the person;

processing signals from the detectors to determine weight;

wirelessly communicating the weight to a remote receiver, and displaying weight information to the person.

9. A method of claim 8, wherein the step of constructing and arranging weight sensitive detectors comprises integrating the detectors within a shoe.

10. A method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of generating an interrogation signal from the remote receiver, and, in response to the interrogation signal, determining the weight and communicating the weight as wireless data signals for the remote receiver.

11. A shoe-based weight measuring system, comprising:

a shoe;

one or more weight sensitive detectors constructed and arranged with the shoe to sense weight of a person wearing the shoe and walking or standing;

a processor for processing signals from the detectors to determine a weight of the person;

a remote receiver; and

a communications port for wirelessly communicating the weight to the remote receiver.

12. A system of claim 11, wherein the remote receiver comprises a watch.

13. A system of claim 11, wherein the communications port is a transceiver, and wherein the remote receiver has a transceiver to request weight information from the processor, the processor responding to the request to wirelessly communicate the weight to the remote receiver.

14. A system of claim 11, wherein the detectors comprises one or more force sensing resistors.

15. A system of claim 11, further comprising a replaceable battery, with the shoe, for powering one or more of the detectors, processor and communications port.

16. A system of claim 11, wherein the processor determines weight loss relative to a calibration weight, wherein the person can review the weight loss selectively.

17. An on demand weight system, comprising a weight detector coupled with a shoe for sensing weight of a person on the detector, a processor processing information from the detector for determining applied weight, a personal data display, and a communications port for wirelessly relaying the applied weight to the data display.

18. A system of claim 17, wherein the data display comprises a digital watch.

19. A system of claim 17, wherein the weight detector comprises one of a fluid and a pressure sensor and a force-sensing resistor.

20-22. -22. (canceled)