Shoe-based weight measuring system

• US 7,353,137 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PhatRat Technology LLC (PhatRat Technology)
• Original Assignee: PhatRat Technology LLC (PhatRat Technology)
• Inventors: Vock, Curtis A., Amsbury, Burl W., Edstrom, Eric R., Holme, Robert Muir, Jonjak, Paul, Larkin, Adrian F., Youngs, Perry
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): KUNDU, SUJOY K
• Application Number:
  US11/646,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20070118328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 702/160, 702/57, 702/173, 702/108, 702/124, 702/139, 702/142, 702/149, 702 66- 68, 235/105, 377/24.2, 482/3, 482/8, 482/9, 734/90, 735/03, 734/93
• US Class Current: 702/173
• 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

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. 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.

Claims

1. 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 and weight loss of the person;

a remote receiver; and

a communications port for wirelessly communicating the weight to the remote receiver in response to interrogation by the remote receiver.

2. A system of claim 1, wherein the remote receiver comprises a watch.

3. A system of claim 1, 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.

4. A system of claim 1, wherein the detectors comprises one or more force sensing resistors.

5. A system of claim 1, further comprising a replaceable battery, with the shoe, for powering one or more of the detectors, processor and communications port.

6. A system of claim 1, wherein the processor determines weight loss relative to a calibration weight, wherein the person can review the weight loss selectively.

7. An on demand weight system, comprising a weight detector coupled with a shoe for sensing weight of a person wearing the shoe and walking or standing, a processor processing information from the detector for determining weight and weight loss of the person, a personal data display, and a communications port for wirelessly relaying one or both of the weight and weight loss to the data display in response to interrogation by the personal data display.

8. A system of claim 7, wherein the data display comprises one of a digital watch and a musical device.

9. A system of claim 7, wherein the weight detector comprises one of a fluid and a pressure sensor and a force-sensing resistor.