System and method for analyzing athletic activity

• US 9,279,734 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2013
• Issued: 03/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Walker, Steven H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Noori, Max
• Application Number:
  US14/088,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20140260689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 738/620.41, 738/623.81, 738/623.91, 738/626.25, 738/624.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• 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: A43C 19/00 Attachments for footwear, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• 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: G01L 1/16 using properties of piezoelectric devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/18 using properties of piezo-resistive materials, i.e. materials of which the ohmic resistance varies according to changes in magnitude or direction of force applied to the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/2206 Special supports with preselected places to mount the resistance strain gauges; Mounting of supports
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/80 Constructional details

Abstract

Various sensor systems are described herein, including inserts having sensors thereon, which are configured to be received in an article of footwear. The inserts may be connected to a sole member of the footwear, or may function as a sole member. The sensors may be piezoelectric sensors in some configurations. The system may also include an electronic module that is overmolded into the sole structure and includes a connector for external access.

Claims

1. A sensor system comprising:

a sole member configured to form part of a sole structure of an article of footwear;

a flexible insert member comprising a flexible foam or fabric layer connected to the sole member by laminating the insert member into the sole member;

a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module;

a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, each sensor comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor generates a voltage; and

a plurality of leads connected to the insert member, the leads connecting the sensors to the port, such that the port is configured to receive the voltage generated by the sensors.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the insert member comprises a top layer and a bottom layer of polymer sheet material, and wherein the sensors are positioned between the top and bottom layers.

3. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein each sensor is connected to an outer surface of the insert member.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely contained within the sole member, wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

5. The sensor system of claim 4, further comprising an external connector that is electrically connected to the electronic module, wherein the external connector is exposed to an exterior of the sole member and is accessible from the exterior of the sole member to provide a physical electrical connection to the electronic module.

6. The sensor system of claim 4, wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting data from the sensors and is further configured for generating a voltage across the sensors to cause deformation of the piezoelectric material to provide tactile feedback to a user.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein each sensor comprises the piezoelectric material having metallization on opposed surfaces thereof, wherein the leads are connected to the metallization.

8. The sensor system of claim 7, wherein each sensor further comprises polymer layers surrounding the piezoelectric material and the metallization.

9. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the insert member is made of a foam material.

10. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the insert member is made of a fabric material.

11. A sensor system comprising:

a sole member configured to form part of a sole structure of an article of footwear;

a flexible insert member connected to the sole member;

a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module;

a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, each sensor comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor generates a voltage; and

a plurality of leads connected to the insert member, the leads connecting the sensors to the port, wherein the leads are formed by conductive threads sewn into the insert member or the sole member.

12. The sensor system of claim 11, wherein the insert member comprises a top layer and a bottom layer of polymer sheet material, and wherein the sensors are positioned between the top and bottom layers.

13. The sensor system of claim 11, wherein each sensor is connected to an outer surface of the insert member.

14. The sensor system of claim 11, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely contained within the sole member, wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

15. The sensor system of claim 14, further comprising an external connector that is electrically connected to the electronic module, wherein the external connector is exposed to an exterior of the sole member and is accessible from the exterior of the sole member to provide a physical electrical connection to the electronic module.

16. The sensor system of claim 14, wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting data from the sensors and is further configured for generating a voltage across the sensors to cause deformation of the piezoelectric material to provide tactile feedback to a user.

17. The sensor system of claim 11, wherein each sensor comprises the piezoelectric material having metallization on opposed surfaces thereof, wherein the leads are connected to the metallization.

18. The sensor system of claim 17, wherein each sensor further comprises polymer layers surrounding the piezoelectric material and the metallization.

19. The sensor system of claim 11, wherein the insert member is made of a foam material.

20. The sensor system of claim 11, wherein the insert member is made of a fabric material.

21. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber;

a sole structure engaged with the upper member, the sole structure comprising a sole member;

a flexible insert member comprising a flexible foam or fabric layer connected to the sole member by laminating the insert member into the sole member; and

a sensor system comprising;

a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module;

a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, each sensor comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor generates a voltage; and

a plurality of leads connected to the insert member, the leads connecting the sensors to the port, such that the port is configured to receive the voltage generated by the sensors.

22. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the insert member comprises a top layer and a bottom layer of polymer sheet material, and wherein the sensors are positioned between the top and bottom layers.

23. The article of footwear of claim 21, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely contained within the sole member, wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

24. The article of footwear of claim 21, further comprising an external connector that is electrically connected to the electronic module, wherein the external connector is exposed to an exterior of the sole member and is accessible from the exterior of the sole member to provide a physical electrical connection to the electronic module.

25. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting data from the sensors and is further configured for generating a voltage across the sensors to cause deformation of the piezoelectric material to provide tactile feedback to a user.

26. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein each sensor comprises the piezoelectric material having metallization on opposed surfaces thereof, wherein the leads are connected to the metallization.

27. The article of footwear of claim 26, wherein each sensor further comprises polymer layers surrounding the piezoelectric material and the metallization.

28. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the insert member is made of a foam material.

29. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the insert member is made of a fabric material.

30. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber;

a sole structure engaged with the upper member, the sole structure comprising a sole member;

a flexible insert member connected to the sole member; and

a sensor system comprising;

a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module;

a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, each sensor comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor generates a voltage; and

a plurality of leads connected to the insert member, the leads connecting the sensors to the port, wherein the leads are formed by conductive threads sewn into the insert member or the sole member.

31. The article of footwear of claim 30, wherein the insert member comprises a top layer and a bottom layer of polymer sheet material, and wherein the sensors are positioned between the top and bottom layers.

32. The article of footwear of claim 30, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely contained within the sole member, wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

33. The article of footwear of claim 32, further comprising an external connector that is electrically connected to the electronic module, wherein the external connector is exposed to an exterior of the sole member and is accessible from the exterior of the sole member to provide a physical electrical connection to the electronic module.

34. The article of footwear of claim 32, wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting data from the sensors and is further configured for generating a voltage across the sensors to cause deformation of the piezoelectric material to provide tactile feedback to a user.

35. The article of footwear of claim 30, wherein each sensor comprises the piezoelectric material having metallization on opposed surfaces thereof, wherein the leads are connected to the metallization.

36. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein each sensor further comprises polymer layers surrounding the piezoelectric material and the metallization.

37. The article of footwear of claim 30, wherein the insert member is made of a foam material.

38. The article of footwear of claim 30, wherein the insert member is made of a fabric material.