Footwear Having Sensor System

• US 20100063779A1
• 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: Owings, Andrew A., Nurse, Matthew A., Meschter, James C., Schrock, Allan M., Pisciotta, Jeffrey C., Amos, Michael S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,462,844 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. An article of footwear comprising:

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

a sole structure engaged with the upper member; and

a sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors connected to the sole structure and a universal communication port in communication with the sensors, the port being configured for communication with an electronic module, wherein each sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor, and the port is configured for transmitting data regarding the force detected by each sensor to the electronic module in a universally readable format.

2. The article of footwear 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.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the port is configured for transmitting data in XML format.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein at least one sensor is located in a forefoot region of the sole structure and at least one sensor is located in a heel region of the sole structure.

5. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein a first sensor is located in a first phalange area of the sole structure, a second sensor is located in a first metatarsal head area of the sole structure, a third sensor is located in a fifth metatarsal head area of the sole structure, and a fourth sensor is located in a heel area of the sole structure.

6. The article of footwear 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 article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the resistive material of each sensor comprises a quantum tunneling composite.

8. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the resistive material of each sensor comprises a custom conductive foam.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each sensor comprises a force-sensitive resistor.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the sensor system further comprises the electronic module in communication with the port, wherein the electronic module is contained within a cavity in the sole structure.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting the data gathered by the sensors and communicating the data to an external computer device.

12. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the port is configured for communication by at least one interface selected from a group consisting of:

electric contacts, USB, Firewire, 5-pin, 16-pin, other contacted communication interfaces, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, near-field communication, RFID, Zigbee, and other wireless communication interfaces.

13. 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 plurality of sensors connected to the sole structure, each sensor configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor;

a well located in the sole structure, configured for removably receiving an electronic module; and

a plurality of sensor leads connecting the sensors to the well, configured to enable communication between the sensors and the electronic module when the electronic module is received in the well.

14. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein each sensor is configured for quantitatively detecting a change in the force exerted by the foot on the sensor during activity.

15. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein each sensor lead has an exposed end accessible within the well and configured for connection to the electronic module.

16. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein the exposed ends of the sensor leads are in the form of a multi-pin connection.

17. The article of footwear of claim 15, further comprising a single power lead connected from the well to the plurality of sensors and having an exposed end accessible within the well and configured for connection to the electronic module, the power lead configured for providing electrical power from the electronic module to the sensors when the electronic module is received in the well, wherein the exposed ends of sensor leads and the power lead form a five-pin connection accessible within the well.

18. The article of footwear of claim 13, further comprising at least one power lead connected from the well to the plurality of sensors, configured for providing electrical power from the electronic module to the sensors when the electronic module is received in the well.

19. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the article contains a single power lead connected from the well to all of the plurality of sensors, the power lead having an exposed end accessible within the well and configured for connection to the electronic module.

20. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein each sensor comprises a force-sensitive resistor.

21. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein each sensor comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a force-sensitive resistive material connecting the first electrode and the second electrode.

22. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the sensor system further comprises the electronic module received in the well, and wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting data gathered by the sensors and communicating the data to an external computer device.

23. The article of footwear of claim 22, wherein the well contains a port in communication with the sensor leads, and the electronic module comprises a complementary interface for communication through the port.

24. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the well contains a port in communication with the sensor leads, the port being configured for communication with the electronic module.

25. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the well has a plurality of side walls, and all of the sensor leads are connected to the port through a single side wall of the well.

26. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the sensor leads converge to a single location and form a consolidated interface for connection to an interface of the port.

27. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the well has a plurality of side walls, and the sensor leads are connected to the port through two or more of the side walls.

28. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the well has a plurality of side walls and a bottom wall, and the sensor leads are connected to the port through at least one side wall and the bottom wall of the well.

29. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the well has a plurality of side walls and a bottom wall, and all of the sensor leads are connected to the port through the bottom wall of the well.

30. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the sole structure further comprises an outsole member and a midsole member located between the outsole member and the foot-receiving chamber, wherein the midsole member has the well at least partially defined therein.

31. The article of footwear of claim 30, wherein the well comprises an opening in an upper major surface of the midsole member.

32. The article of footwear of claim 30, wherein the sole structure further comprises a foot contacting member located between the midsole member and the foot-receiving chamber, wherein the foot contacting member at least partially covers the well.

33. The article of footwear of claim 30, wherein the sole structure further comprises a foot contacting member located between the midsole member and the foot-receiving chamber, wherein the well is at least partially contained within the foot contacting member.

34. 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 plurality of force-sensitive resistor sensors connected to the sole structure, wherein each sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a first sensor is located in a first phalange area of the sole structure, a second sensor is located in a first metatarsal head area of the sole structure, a third sensor is located in a fifth metatarsal head area of the sole structure, and a fourth sensor is located in a heel area of the sole structure;

a port in communication with the sensors, the port being configured for communication with an electronic module; and

a plurality of sensor leads connecting the sensors to the port, configured to enable communication between the sensors and the electronic module when the electronic module is in communication with the port.

35. The article of footwear of claim 34, wherein the sole structure further comprises an outsole member and a midsole member located between the outsole member and the foot-receiving chamber, wherein the midsole member has a well defined therein configured for receiving the electronic module.

36. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the sole structure further comprises a foot contacting member located between the midsole member and the foot-receiving chamber, wherein the foot contacting member at least partially covers the well.

37. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the sole structure further comprises a foot contacting member located between the midsole member and the foot-receiving chamber, wherein the well is at least partially contained within the foot contacting member.

38. The article of footwear of claim 34, wherein each sensor comprises first and second electrodes having a plurality of intermeshing fingers and a force-sensitive resistive material disposed between the fingers to connect the first electrode to the second electrode.

39. The article of footwear of claim 34, wherein the sole structure further comprises a foot contacting member forming at least a portion of a bottom wall of the foot-receiving chamber, wherein the sensors and the sensor leads are embedded within the foot contacting member.

40. An apparatus comprising:

a foot contacting member configured for use within a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear such that the foot contacting member forms at least a portion of a bottom wall of the foot-receiving chamber;

a plurality of sensors mounted to one of a top major surface and a bottom major surface of the foot contacting member, wherein each sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor; and

a plurality of sensor leads connected to the foot contacting member, the sensor leads being connected to the sensors and configured to enable communication between the sensors and an electronic module.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the sensors are force-sensitive resistor sensors.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising an interface connected to the sensor leads and configured for communication with the electronic module.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the sensors and the sensor leads are at least partially imbedded within the foot contacting member.

44. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein each of the sensors comprises first and second electrodes connected to the foot contacting member and a force-sensitive resistive material in contact with the first and second electrodes.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising a sole member including the force-sensitive resistive material, wherein the sole member is positioned in surface-to-surface contact with the foot contacting member, such that the force-sensitive resistive material in contact with the first and second electrodes.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the sole member comprises a midsole member configured to be positioned between the foot contacting member and an outsole member of the article of footwear.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the sole member comprises a liner configured to be positioned on a top surface or a bottom surface of the foot contacting member.

48. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the foot contacting member is selected from a group consisting of:

a sock liner, a bootie member, and an insole member.

49. A method comprising inserting the apparatus of claim 40 into the article of footwear to form at least a portion of the bottom wall of the foot-receiving chamber.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising removing the apparatus from the article of footwear and replacing it with a second apparatus comprising:

a second foot contacting member configured for use within the foot-receiving chamber of the article of footwear such that the foot contacting member forms at least a portion of the bottom wall of the foot-receiving chamber; and

a second plurality of sensors connected to the foot contacting member, wherein the second plurality of sensors are positioned in a different configuration than the plurality of sensors of the apparatus.

51. An article of footwear comprising:

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

a sole structure engaged with the upper member, comprising at least a first sole member and a second sole member in surface-to-surface contact;

a sensor connected to the sole structure, comprising a pair of electrodes connected to the first sole member and a force-sensitive resistive material connected to the second sole member such that the resistive material connects the pair of electrodes, wherein the sensor is configured for detecting a force exerted by a foot on the sensor; and

a sensor lead connected to the first sole member, the sensor lead connected to the sensor and configured to enable communication between the sensor and an electronic module.

52. The article of footwear of claim 51, wherein the sensor is configured for quantitatively detecting a change in the force exerted by the foot on the sensor during activity.

53. The article of footwear of claim 51, further comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor comprising a pair of electrodes connected to the first sole member and the resistive material, the pair of electrodes being connected by the resistive material.

54. The article of footwear of claim 53, wherein at least one sensor is located in a forefoot region of the sole structure and at least one sensor is located in a heel region of the sole structure.

55. The article of footwear of claim 53, wherein the second sole member comprises a force-sensitive resistive element comprising the resistive material, the resistive element connecting the pair of electrodes of each sensor.

56. The article of footwear of claim 51, wherein the resistive material comprises a quantum tunneling composite.

57. The article of footwear of claim 51, wherein the resistive material comprises a custom conductive foam.

58. The article of footwear of claim 51, wherein the sensor system further comprises the electronic module and a port connected to the sensor lead and configured for communication with the electronic module, wherein the electronic module is contained within a cavity in the sole structure.

59. The article of footwear of claim 51, wherein the first sole member comprises a foot contacting member forming a portion of the foot-receiving chamber and the second sole member is located underneath the foot contacting member.

60. The article of footwear of claim 59, wherein the foot contacting member is selected from a group consisting of:

an insole member, a bootie member, and a sockliner.

61. The article of footwear of claim 59, wherein the second sole member is selected from a group consisting of:

a midsole member, and a liner located between the first sole member and a midsole member.

62. The article of footwear of claim 51, wherein the first sole member has the pair of electrodes and the sensor lead printed on a lower surface of the first sole member.

63. The article of footwear of claim 51, wherein the second sole member is comprised entirely of the resistive material.

64. An apparatus comprising:

a foot contacting member configured for use within a foot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear such that the foot contacting member forms at least a portion of a bottom wall of the foot-receiving chamber;

a plurality of pairs of electrodes connected to the foot contacting member, each pair of electrodes configured to be connected by a force-sensitive resistive material to form one of a plurality of sensors; and

a plurality of sensor leads connected to the foot contacting member, the sensor leads being connected to the pairs of electrodes and configured to enable communication between the sensors and an electronic module.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein at least one pair of electrodes is located in a forefoot region of the foot contacting member and at least one pair of electrodes is located in a heel region of the foot contacting member.

66. The apparatus of claim 64, further comprising a force-sensitive resistive element comprising the resistive material, the resistive element connecting each of the pair of electrodes.

67. The apparatus of claim 64, further comprising a sole member comprising the resistive material, the sole member being in surface-to-surface contact with the foot contacting member such that the resistive material connects each pair of electrodes.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the resistive material comprises a quantum tunneling composite.

69. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the resistive material comprises a custom conductive foam.

70. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the foot contacting member is selected from a group consisting of:

an insole member, a bootie member, and a sockliner.

71. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the foot contacting member has the pairs of electrodes and the sensor leads printed on a lower surface thereof.

72. A method comprising inserting the apparatus of claim 64 into the article of footwear to form at least a portion of the bottom wall of the foot-receiving chamber.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising removing the apparatus from the article of footwear and replacing it with a second apparatus comprising:

a second foot contacting member configured for use within the foot-receiving chamber of the article of footwear such that the foot contacting member forms at least a portion of the bottom wall of the foot-receiving chamber; and

a second plurality of pairs of electrodes connected to the foot contacting member, each pair of electrodes configured to be connected by the force-sensitive resistive material to form one of a second plurality of sensors, wherein the second plurality of pairs of electrodes are positioned in a different configuration than the plurality of pairs of electrodes of the apparatus.