Smart shoes

• US 5,373,651 A
• Filed: 05/03/1993
• Issued: 12/20/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas L. Wood
• Original Assignee: Thomas L. Wood
• Inventors: Wood, Thomas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATTERSON, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US08/057,044
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 36/1, 36/114, 36/132, 36/136
• US Class Current: 36/114
• 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 3/44 with sensors, e.g. for detecting contact or position
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/48 with transmitting devices, e.g. GSM or Wi-Fi®
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies

Abstract

This invention permits a wearer of this footwear to measure the number and the force of steps that have been taken by the user during a predetermined interval. The wearer can subsequently transfer the step information into a computer for further analysis. In a particular embodiment, the information transfer is accomplished using an inductively coupled data link between the footwear and the computer.

Claims

1. A system for collecting data from an athletic shoe comprising:

an activity log computer;

a mat including at least one inductive interface linked to said activity log computer;

an athletic shoe including a plurality of pressure sensors, a microprocessor, a memory and an inductive coupling, said microprocessor being adapted to receive from said plurality of pressure sensors data related to the force exerted upon said athletic shoe, store said received data in said memory, and transmit said stored data to said activity computer via said inductive interface and said inductive coupling, and said microprocessor being further adapted to receive and respond to information from said activity computer via said inductive interface and said inductive coupling.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a reset means upon the exterior of said athletic shoe adapted to clear any data stored within said memory.