System and method for analyzing athletic activity

• US 9,297,709 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2013
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Dojan, Frederick J., Walker, Steven H., Johnson, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, JAMEL E
• Application Number:
  US14/088,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20140260677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• 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 bonded to an outer surface of the insert, or positioned within the insert, 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 flexible insert member configured to be positioned in contact with a sole member of an article of footwear;

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 first layer and a second layer, with a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, the second contact being generally aligned with the first contact, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, and wherein each sensor further comprises a connection pad extending from the sensor; 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 thread sewn into the insert member, and wherein the leads are connected to the connection pads of the sensors by sewing the conductive thread to the connection pads.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein each sensor is adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the insert member.

3. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein each sensor is positioned within the insert member.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the conductive thread is formed of nylon yarn coated with a conductive formulation.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the port comprises a plurality of terminals, including one terminal connected to each sensor and two additional terminals connected to a power/ground lead that is connected to all of the sensors, wherein a resistor is positioned between the two additional terminals.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a housing connected to the insert member and configured to receive the electronic module therein, wherein the port has an interface exposed within the housing for connection to the electronic module.

7. A sensor system comprising:

a flexible foam insert member configured to be positioned in contact with a sole member of an article of footwear;

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

a plurality of sensors, each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, wherein the sensors are adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the insert member, and wherein each sensor further comprises a connection pad extending from the sensor; 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 thread sewn into the insert member, and wherein the leads are connected to the connection pads of the sensor.

8. The sensor system of claim 7, wherein each sensor comprises a first layer and a second layer, with a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, the second contact being generally aligned with the first contact.

9. The sensor system of claim 7, wherein the conductive thread is formed of nylon yarn coated with a conductive formulation.

10. The sensor system of claim 7, wherein the port comprises a plurality of terminals, including one terminal connected to each sensor and two additional terminals connected to a power/ground lead that is connected to all of the sensors, wherein a resistor is positioned between the two additional terminals.

11. The sensor system of claim 7, wherein the sensors are connected to a top surface of the insert member.

12. The sensor system of claim 7, wherein the sensors are connected to a bottom surface of the insert member.

13. The sensor system of claim 7, further comprising a housing connected to the insert member and configured to receive the electronic module therein, wherein the port has an interface exposed within the housing for connection to the electronic module.

14. An article of footwear comprising:

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

a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a flexible insert member forming a portion of the sole structure; and

a sensor system connected to the insert member, 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 first layer and a second layer, with a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, the second contact being generally aligned with the first contact, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, and wherein each sensor further comprises a connection pad extending from the sensor; and

a plurality of leads connected to the insert member, the leads connecting the sensors to the port, wherein each of the leads comprises a conductive thread is woven into the insert member, and wherein the leads are connected to the connection pads of the sensors by sewing the conductive thread to the connection pads.

15. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein each sensor is adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the insert member.

16. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein each sensor is positioned within the insert member.

17. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the conductive thread is formed of nylon yarn coated with a conductive formulation.

18. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the port comprises a plurality of terminals, including one terminal connected to each sensor and two additional terminals connected to a power/ground lead that is connected to all of the sensors, wherein a resistor is positioned between the two additional terminals.

19. The article of footwear of claim 14, further comprising a housing connected to the insert member and configured to receive the electronic module therein, wherein the port has an interface exposed within the housing for connection to the electronic module.

20. An article of footwear comprising:

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

a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a flexible foam insert member forming a portion of the sole structure; and

a sensor system connected to the insert member, comprising;

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

a plurality of sensors, each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, wherein the sensors are adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the insert member, and wherein each sensor further comprises a connection pad extending from the sensor; and

a plurality of leads connected to the insert member, the leads connecting the sensors to the port, wherein the leads are connected to the connection pads of the sensors by sewing the conductive thread to the connection pads.

21. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein each sensor is adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the insert member.

22. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein each sensor is positioned within the insert member.

23. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the conductive thread is formed of nylon yarn coated with a conductive formulation.

24. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the port comprises a plurality of terminals, including one terminal connected to each sensor and two additional terminals connected to a power/ground lead that is connected to all of the sensors, wherein a resistor is positioned between the two additional terminals.

25. The article of footwear of claim 20, further comprising a housing connected to the insert member and configured to receive the electronic module therein, wherein the port has an interface exposed within the housing for connection to the electronic module.

26. A sensor system comprising:

a flexible insert member configured to be positioned in contact with a sole member of an article of footwear;

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 first layer and a second layer, with a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, the second contact being generally aligned with the first contact, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor; 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 thread sewn into the insert member,

wherein the port comprises a plurality of terminals, including one terminal connected to each sensor and two additional terminals connected to a power/ground lead that is connected to all of the sensors, wherein a resistor is positioned between the two additional terminals.

27. A sensor system comprising:

a flexible foam insert member configured to be positioned in contact with a sole member of an article of footwear;

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

a plurality of sensors, each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, wherein the sensors are adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the insert member; and

a plurality of leads connected to the insert member, the leads connecting the sensors to the port,

wherein the port comprises a plurality of terminals, including one terminal connected to each sensor and two additional terminals connected to a power/ground lead that is connected to all of the sensors, wherein a resistor is positioned between the two additional terminals.

28. An article of footwear comprising:

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

a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a flexible insert member forming a portion of the sole structure; and

a sensor system connected to the insert member, 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 first layer and a second layer, with a first contact located on the first layer and a second contact located on the second layer, the second contact being generally aligned with the first contact, wherein the sensors are each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor; and

a plurality of leads connected to the insert member, the leads connecting the sensors to the port, wherein each of the leads comprises a conductive thread is woven into the insert member,

wherein the port comprises a plurality of terminals, including one terminal connected to each sensor and two additional terminals connected to a power/ground lead that is connected to all of the sensors, wherein a resistor is positioned between the two additional terminals.

29. An article of footwear comprising:

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

a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a flexible foam insert member forming a portion of the sole structure; and

a sensor system connected to the insert member, comprising;

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

a plurality of sensors, each configured such that pressure on the sensor changes a resistance of the sensor, wherein the sensors are adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the insert member; and

a plurality of leads connected to the insert member, the leads connecting the sensors to the port,

wherein the port comprises a plurality of terminals, including one terminal connected to each sensor and two additional terminals connected to a power/ground lead that is connected to all of the sensors, wherein a resistor is positioned between the two additional terminals.