Footwear Having Sensor System

• US 20100063778A1
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Nurse, Matthew A., Meschter, James C., Schrock, Allan M., Pisciotta, Jeffrey C., Owings, Andrew A., Amos, Michael S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,676,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/006 multilayered
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/02 wedge-like or resilient
• 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: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 : Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0066 : Rugby; American football
• 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 26/003 : for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• 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: A63F 2300/1012 : involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 : using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 : Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

A shoe has a sensor system operably connected to a communication port. Performance data is collected by the system and can be transferred for further use via the communication port. The shoe may contain an electronic module configured to gather data from the sensors. The module may also transmit the data to an external device for further processing. Users can use the collected data for a variety of different uses or applications.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an article of footwear comprising an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber and a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors connected to the sole structure and an electronic module contained within the article of footwear, the electronic module in communication with the sensors, wherein each sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor; and

a remote external device configured for communication with the electronic module,

wherein the electronic module is configured to receive data from the sensors and to transmit the data to the external device, and the external device is configured for further processing the data.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an accessory device connected to the external device, the accessory device configured to enable communication between the electronic module and the external device, wherein the accessory device is configured for connection to a second external device to enable communication between the electronic module and the second external device.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller for the external device, wherein the controller is configured for communication with the electronic module.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising an accessory device connected to the controller, the accessory device configured to enable communication between the electronic module and the external device, wherein the accessory device is configured for connection to a second controller for a second external device to enable communication between the electronic module and the second controller.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each sensor is configured for quantitatively detecting a change in the force exerted by the foot on the sensor during activity, and wherein the data comprises a quantitative measurement of a force exerted on at least one of the sensors.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each sensor comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a force-sensitive resistive material connecting the first electrode and the second electrode.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein further processing the data comprises using the data as control input for a program executed by the external device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the external device is a game system and the program is a game program.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein further processing the data comprises using the data for athletic performance monitoring.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the athletic performance monitoring comprises monitoring at least one metric selected from a group consisting of:

speed, distance, lateral movement, acceleration, jump height, weight transfer, foot strike pattern, balance, foot pronation or supination, loft time measurement during running, lateral cutting force, contact time, center of pressure, weight distribution, and impact force.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system further comprises a port connected to the sensors, the port being configured for communication of data from the sensors to the electronic module in a universally-readable format.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second article of footwear comprising an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber and a sole structure engaged with the upper member; and

a second sensor system comprising a second plurality of sensors connected to the sole structure of the second article of footwear and a second electronic module in communication with the sensors, wherein each of the second plurality of sensors is configured for detecting a force exerted by a second foot on the sensor,

wherein the second electronic module is configured to receive data from the second plurality of sensors and to transmit the data to the external device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the electronic module and the second electronic module are configured to communicate with each other.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second electronic module is configured to transmit the data to the electronic module and the electronic module is configured to transmit the data from the electronic module and the second electronic module to the external device.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the electronic module and the second electronic module are further configured to communicate with the external device independently of each other.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the electronic module and the second electronic module are configured to communicate with the external device independently of each other.

17. A method comprising:

providing an article of footwear comprising;

an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber and a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors connected to the sole structure and an electronic module contained within the article of footwear, wherein each sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor, and the electronic module is in communication with the sensors and is configured for communication with an external device;

receiving from each sensor, at the electronic module, data indicating the force exerted by the foot on the sensor; and

transmitting the data, using the electronic module, to a remote external device configured for further processing the data.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

further processing the data using a processor of the external device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein further processing the data comprises using the data as control input for a program executed by the external device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the external device is a game system and the program is a game program.

21. A method comprising:

providing an article of footwear comprising;

an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber and a sole structure engaged with the upper member, and a port contained in the sole structure;

a sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors connected to the sole structure and a first electronic module in communication with the sensors, the first electronic module being connected to the port, wherein each sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor, and the first electronic module is configured for communication with an external device;

removing the first electronic module from the port; and

connecting a second electronic module to the port, wherein the second electronic module is configured for operation differently from the first module.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the second module is configured for communication with a second external device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the second module is configured for gathering data in a different manner than the first module.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the second module is configured for processing data in a different manner than the first module.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the second module is configured for transmitting data in a different manner than the first module.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the first module is configured for use in a first application and the second module is configured for use in a second application.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first application and the second application are selected from a group consisting of:

athletic performance monitoring, controlling an external device, and interacting with a gaming system.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the first application is an athletic performance monitoring application and the second application is a different athletic performance monitoring application.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the first application is a gaming application and the second application is a different gaming application.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the second module contains at least one hardware component different from the first module.

31. A method comprising:

providing a system comprising;

an article of footwear comprising an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber and a sole structure engaged with the upper member, the sole structure having a well defined therein

a sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors connected to the sole structure and port in communication with the sensors, wherein each sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor and the port is configured for communication with at least one electronic module, and

an external device configured for communication with at least one electronic module; and

connecting a first electronic module to the port such that the first electronic module is received within the well in the sole structure, wherein the first electronic module is configured to receive data from the sensors through the port and to transmit the data to the external device, and the external device is configured for further processing the data for use in a first application.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

disconnecting the first electronic module from the port and removing the first electronic module from the well; and

connecting a second electronic module to the port such that the second electronic module is received within the well, wherein the second electronic module is configured to receive data from the sensors through the port and to transmit the data to the external device, and the external device is configured for further processing the data for use in a second application.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the first application is a first game and the second application is a second game.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the first application is a first athletic performance monitoring application and the second application is a second athletic performance monitoring application.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the first application utilizes a first type of data and the second application utilizes a second type of data.

36. A tangible computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions configured to cause an electronic device to perform:

receiving, at the electronic device, force data from a plurality of force sensors connected to an article of footwear; and

processing the data, using the electronic device, comprising utilizing the data as control input for a program executing on the electronic device.

37. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the data is received from an electronic module in communication with the sensors and with the electronic device.

38. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the electronic device to perform:

receiving, at the electronic device, second force data from a second electronic module in communication with the sensors and with the electronic device; and

processing the second data, using the electronic device, comprising utilizing the data as control input for a second program executing on the electronic device.

39. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the program is a first game program and the second program is a second game program.

40. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the electronic device to perform:

processing the data, using the electronic device, comprising using the data as control input for a second program executing on the electronic device.

41. A tangible computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions configured to cause an electronic module to perform:

receiving, at the electronic module, force data from a plurality of force sensors connected to an article of footwear; and

transmitting the data to an external device for further processing the data for use in a first application.

42. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the first application is selected from a group consisting of:

athletic performance monitoring, controlling the external device, and interacting with a gaming system.

43. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the data comprises quantitative measurements of force exerted on at lest one of the sensors.

44. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the electronic device to perform:

processing the data, using the electronic module, prior to transmitting the data to the external device.

45. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the electronic device to perform:

receiving, at the electronic module, second force data from the plurality of force sensors; and

transmitting the second data to a second external device for further processing the data for use in a second application.

46. A system comprising:

a first article of footwear comprising an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber and a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a first sensor system connected to the first article of footwear, comprising a plurality of sensors and a first electronic module in communication with the sensors, wherein each sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor;

a second article of footwear comprising an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber and a sole structure engaged with the upper member;

a second sensor system connected to the second article of footwear, comprising a plurality of sensors and a second electronic module in communication with the sensors, wherein each sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor;

wherein each electronic module is configured to receive data from the sensors and is further configured to communicate the data to an external device.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the first electronic module and the second electronic module are further configured to communicate with each other.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the second electronic module is configured to transmit the data to the first electronic module and the first electronic module is configured to transmit the data from the first electronic module and the second electronic module to the external device.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the first electronic module and the second electronic module are further configured to communicate with the external device independently of each other.

50. The system of claim 46, wherein the first electronic module and the second electronic module are configured to communicate with the external device independently of each other.