Smartphone-controlled active configuration of footwear, including with concavely rounded soles

• US 10,172,396 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2017
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frampton E. Ellis
• Original Assignee: Frampton E. Ellis
• Inventors: Ellis, Frampton E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casillashernandez, Omar
• Application Number:
  US15/825,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20180077975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 34087007, 36 29
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/00 Footwear characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/18 Resilient soles skating boots provided with resilient means A43B5/1658
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/186 Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/20 Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas inflatable linings for skiboots A43B5/0407
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/203 provided with a pump or valve
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/206 provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/38 Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/026 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• 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 3/38 with power sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/14 with foot-supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/24 Insertions or other supports preventing the foot canting to one side , preventing supination or pronation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 : Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/14 : Special medical insertions for shoes for flat-feet, club-feet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/048 : Monitoring; Safety
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/406 : characterised by monitoring or safety G05B19/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32128 : Gui graphical user interface
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 : Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40568 : Position and force and skin acceleration and stress rate sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45243 : Shoe, footwear making
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 : using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 : involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 : using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 : using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 : Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a Web site and/or a cloud array of computers;

wherein the computer system is configured to have a connection to a smartphone or other mobile computer device and the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device and the connection to control a configuration of;

one or more computer-controlled bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes located in at least a heel area of a footwear sole or a removable inner sole insert of both shoes or other footwear of a user of the smartphone or other mobile computer device; and

wherein the computer system is further configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device and the connection to;

transmit data to the computer system for storage and/or shared or independent processing and/or analysis,

process data received from one or more sensors located in either one or both of the sole or the removable inner sole insert of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, and from at least one sensor located in, on, or near a center of gravity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user,

use at least the processed data to alter the configuration of the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user,

measure the relative positions to each other of a wearer'"'"'s right and left feet during a stance phase of locomotion so as to determine a degree of crossover of right and/or left feet across a centerline of the wearer'"'"'s body, as measured in a frontal plane during the stance phase of locomotion, and

then to test a series of configuration settings in order to reduce or eliminate crossover; and

wherein the computer system is configured to process data from a plurality of the smartphone or other mobile computer devices.

2. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one sensor located in, on, or near the head of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user;

and

wherein the computer system is further configured to control the configuration of the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes by using the smartphone or other mobile computer device and the connection to;

process data received from the at least one sensor located in, on, or near the head of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, and

use at least the processed data from the sensor located in, on, or near the head of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user to alter a configuration of the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user.

3. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor located in the smartphone or other mobile computer device;

and

wherein the computer system is further configured to control the configuration of the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes by using the smartphone or other mobile computer device and the connection to;

process data received from the at least one sensor located in the smartphone or other mobile computer device, and

use at least the processed data from the at least one sensor located in the smartphone or other mobile computer device to alter a configuration of the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user.

4. The computer system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor located in, on, or near the head of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user includes a gyroscope and is located and used so as to measure at least the motion of the head of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user.

5. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor located in, on, or near the center of gravity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user is located on any article of apparel or personal equipment, including protective padding or armor, braces, prosthetics, or in any manner is attached or embedded in clothing, or attached with tape or a bandage or glue, or worn or attached onto or implanted in the wearer'"'"'s body, temporarily in a body piercing or permanently in a body implant.

6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is further configured to share access to the computer system among one or more authorized third parties and/or the smartphone or other mobile computer device user.

7. The computer system of claim 6, wherein the computer system is further configured for conducting real time or subsequent testing involving the one or more authorized third parties.

8. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the computer system is further configured for conducting real time or subsequent testing involving an authorized third party who is a licensed doctor or a licensed podiatrist.

9. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the computer system is further configured for conducting real time or subsequent testing involving an authorized third party who is a biomechanics specialist or other professional or semi-professional technician.

10. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the computer system is further configured to analyze test data sets of groups or categories of smartphone or other mobile computer device users.

11. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to alter either or both of the footwear soles including at least a magnetorheological fluid located in at least one of the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes, the magnetorheological fluid being controlled at least in part or completely by the smartphone or other mobile computer device;

and/or

wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to alter either or both of the footwear soles including at least one valve located between two or more of said bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes, the at least one valve being controlled at least in part or completely by the smartphone or other mobile computer device; and

/or

wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to alter either or both of the footwear soles including at least one electric and/or electronic and/or electromechanical component that is controlled at least in part or completely by the smartphone or other mobile computer device.

12. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to control the configuration of one or more footwear soles of the smart phone or other mobile computer device user by altering a relative longitudinal height, including positive or negative heel lift, or negative or positive forefoot lift, and/or a relative side-to-side height between lateral and medial sides, and/or a relative height between right and left footwear soles, or a combination of these relative height alterations;

and/or

wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to control the configuration of one or more footwear soles of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user by altering relative longitudinal firmness between heel area and forefoot area and/or side-to-side firmness between lateral and medial side areas, and/or relative firmness between right and left footwear soles, or a combination of these relative firmness alterations; and

/or

wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to control the configuration of one or more footwear soles of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user by altering relative height or firmness under one or more of the foot bones of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, including under a calcaneus, a lateral calcaneal tuberosity, a base of a fifth metatarsal, a longitudinal arch, a metatarsal arch, each head of a metatarsal, and each distal phalange, including a hallux or big toe; and

/or

wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to control the footwear configuration at least once per full operation cycle or locomotion stride, many times per full operation cycle or locomotion stride, once per many full operation cycles or locomotion strides, or based on a set time period of any duration or based on another test condition.

13. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to:

record a first data set for a first configuration of the footwear and a second test data set for a second configuration of the footwear, each said data set consisting of measurements of force and/or relative pressure distribution of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s footsole on an upper surface of the footwear during the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s locomotion or other physical activity, as measured in at least one plane (11D) or in two planes (2D) or in three planes (3D) and/or including time or other measurements, the footwear upper surface including at least a multitude or 20 or 50 or 100 or 500 or 1,000 or 4,000, or 16,000 individual pressure sensors;

compare the first test data set and the second test data set with a preferred data set for measurements of the force and/or the relative pressure distribution of the foot sole of a model wearer or wearers on an upper surface of the footwear during the locomotion or other physical activity, as measured in at least one plane (11) or in two planes (2D) or in three planes (3D) and/or including time or other measurements; and

select the configuration of the footwear that produced the test data set for the force or relative pressure distribution that is closest to the preferred data set for the force or relative pressure distribution and to reject the other configuration, thereby completing at least one full cycle of an operation to optimize the configuration of the footwear; and

wherein the optimizing operation is used to reduce a range of pronation and/or supination of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s foot and ankle during a landing phase of locomotion through active configuration of either or both of the footwear soles.

14. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to perform an optimizing operation whereby the smartphone or other mobile computer device actively configures either or both of the footwear soles to change a motion of a center of force on a surface of the footwear for either or both of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s feet during locomotion.

15. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to proactively and/or reactively alter both footwear soles or sole inserts to control the relative foot position between the right and left feet of the user, such as in order to alter the neutral position of either or both feet separately toward a more generally supinated or pronated position.

16. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system uses a barefoot model to configure the smartphone or other mobile computer device and the footwear with sensors and/or with other sensors to be a medical or podiatric system or a medical or podiatric tool for diagnostic, therapeutic, and/or rehabilitative functions before and/or during and/or after surgical or other medical or podiatric treatment through non-surgical means;

and/or to stimulate or retard structural bone growth and/or joint development in a child wearer prior to adulthood through non-surgical means or to reduce gradual deterioration of bone and/or joint structure of an adult wearer or an elderly wearer through non-surgical means.

17. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to carry out the following steps:

first, control the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes by establishing a first configuration setting of said one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes for at least a first test during locomotion or other physical activity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user;

second, control the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes by establishing a second configuration setting of said one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes that is different from the first configuration setting for at least a second test during locomotion or other physical activity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user;

third, process measurement data from the first and second tests received from the sensors located in both footwear soles or inserts and from the at least one sensor in the smartphone or other mobile computer device and/or in another smartphone or other mobile computer device and/or located in an apparatus;

fourth, compare the data from the first and second tests with a preferred data set;

fifth, select one said configuration setting of the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes from the first or second test that produced data that is closest to matching the preferred data set.

18. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to record and compare multiple test data sets consisting of measurements of relative motion during the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s locomotion or other physical activity of a position at or near to a part of the body of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user;

as measured in at least one plane (ID) or in two planes (2D) or in three planes (3D) and/or including time or other measurements.

19. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to record and compare multiple test data sets including data from at least the one sensor located in, on, or near a center of gravity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user and consisting of measurements of relative motion during the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s locomotion or other physical activity of a position that is at or near a center of gravity (C.G.) of a body of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, as measured in at least one plane (1D) or in two planes (2D) or in three planes (3D) and/or including time or other measurements.

20. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use at least measurements in two planes or dimensions (2D) or in three planes or dimensions (3D) from at least the one sensor located in, on, or near a center of gravity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user.

21. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor located in, on or near a center of gravity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user is in the smartphone or other mobile computer device.

22. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes both the gyroscope and the accelerometer.

23. The computer system of claim 1, wherein computer system is configured to utilize computer control located in the footwear to control the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes.

24. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to receive input from at least one sensor including a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer located in another smartphone or other mobile computer device and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, attached to the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, or implanted in the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, the apparatus or the other smartphone or other mobile computer device being separate from the footwear of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user.

25. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to receive input from an apparatus with at least one gyroscope and/or accelerometer and/or other relative and/or absolute motion sensor and/or pressure sensor and/or force sensor, the apparatus comprising any article of clothing or personal equipment, including earphones or earplugs, helmet, eyeglasses, watch, belt, waistband, elastic underwear, armband, a taped or bandaged attachment, necklace, lanyard, cervical collar, ring, headband, body piercing, or that are in any manner attached or embedded in conventional or specialized clothing worn or attached to the skin of a wearer, or padding or braces, armor, or seating or furniture, or worn or attached onto or implanted in the wearer'"'"'s body, temporarily in a body piercing or permanently in a body implant.

26. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to control an apparatus worn or carried by the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, attached to the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, or implanted in the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, the apparatus or the other smartphone or other mobile computer device being separate from the footwear of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user or the computer system is configured to control the apparatus, the apparatus including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes that are configured for computer control so that the smartphone or other mobile computer device or the computer system alters the configuration of the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes of the apparatus.

27. The computer system of claim 2, wherein the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device to:

measure and receive ID or 2D or 3D data of the relative motion of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s head during locomotion using earplug sensor fixation by the ear canals of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s head and compare the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s head motion data with the smartphone or other mobile computer device user'"'"'s center of gravity (C.G.) data during locomotion or other physical activity; and

/or

send either or both sets of data to the computer system and/or a third party for comparison and/or to conduct other functions in a shared operation, including a partially shared operation.

28. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer system is configured to cause the smartphone or other mobile computer device to control the configuration of:

the one or more computer-controlled bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes located in the footwear sole or the removable inner sole insert of both the shoes or other footwear of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, and

wherein the computer system is further configured to cause the smartphone or other mobile computer device to;

transmit data to the computer system for storage and/or shared or independent processing and/or analysis,

process data received from the one or more sensors located in either one or both of the sole or the removable inner sole insert of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user and from the at least one sensor located in, on, or near a center of gravity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, and

use the processed data to alter the configuration of the one or more bladders, compartments, chambers and internal sipes of the smart phone or other mobile computer device user.

29. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor located in, on, or near the center of gravity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user is an accelerometer.

30. A computer system, comprising:

a Web site and/or a cloud array of computers;

wherein the computer system is configured to have a connection to a smartphone or other mobile computer device and the computer system is configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device and the connection to control a configuration of;

one or more computer-controlled footwear structural elements located in at least a heel area of a footwear sole or a removable inner sole insert of both shoes or other footwear of a user of the smartphone or other mobile computer device; and

wherein the computer system is further configured to use the smartphone or other mobile computer device and the connection to;

transmit data to the computer system for storage and/or shared or independent processing and/or analysis,

process data received from the one or more sensors located in either one or of both of the sole or the removable inner sole insert of the shoes or other footwear of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user, and from the at least one sensor located in, on or near a center of gravity of the smartphone or other mobile computer device user,

measure the relative positions to each other of a wearer'"'"'s right and left feet during a stance phase of locomotion so as to determine a degree of crossover of right and/or left feet across a centerline of the wearer'"'"'s body, as measured in a frontal plane during the stance phase of locomotion, and

then to test a series of configuration settings in order to reduce or eliminate crossover; and

wherein the computer system is configured to process data from a plurality of the smartphone or other mobile computer devices.