SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING ATHLETIC ACTIVITY

• US 20140222173A1
• Filed: 02/01/2013
• Published: 08/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Peyton, Lee, Giedwoyn, Anna Antonia
• Granted Patent: US 11,006,690 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/91
• 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: A43B 3/48 with transmitting devices, e.g. GSM or Wi-Fi®
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A system for analyzing athletic activity is usable with an article of footwear including a sensor system with a plurality of force sensors configured to sense force exerted by a user'"'"'s foot, an electronic module contained within the article of footwear, and a plurality of sensor leads connecting the sensors to the electronic module, wherein the electronic module collects data based on force input from the sensors and transmits the data. The system also includes an electronic device in communication with the electronic module. The electronic device includes a processor that receives the data from the electronic module, compares the data to a footstrike template corresponding to a desired footstrike pattern to determine whether a deviation from the footstrike template exists, and generates an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist, which may also include a degree of such deviation.

Claims

1. A system for analyzing athletic activity, comprising:

an article of footwear including a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors engaged with the article of footwear and configured to sense force exerted by a foot of a user, an electronic module contained within the article of footwear, and a plurality of sensor leads connecting the sensors to the electronic module, wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting data based on force input from the sensors and for transmitting the data; and

an electronic device in communication with the electronic module, wherein the electronic device includes a processor configured to perform;

receiving the data from the electronic module;

comparing the data to a footstrike template corresponding to a desired footstrike pattern to determine whether a deviation from the footstrike template exists;

generating an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication further includes a degree of deviation from the footstrike template.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the deviation is determined to exist if the degree of deviation is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a visual indication.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises an audible indication.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a tactile indication.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein generating the indication comprises transmitting a signal to a second electronic device, wherein the signal is configured to cause the second electronic device to generate the indication.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein comparing the data to the footstrike template comprises:

detecting a footstrike pattern based on analysis of the data; and

comparing the footstrike pattern to the footstrike template.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of sensors are located in different locations on the article of footwear, and wherein the footstrike pattern is detected based on at least one of a sequence of the forces sensed by the sensors and a level of the forces sensed by the sensors.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a GPS module configured for detecting a position of the user, wherein the GPS module is in communication with the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is further configured for generating an indication of the position to the user based on communication with the GPS module.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the GPS module is included within the electronic module, and wherein the electronic device is further configured for:

receiving position information regarding a position of the user from the electronic module; and

generating the indication of the position to the user based on the position information.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is further configured for:

receiving environmental information related to the position; and

communicating the environmental information to the user.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is further configured for:

presenting a suggested travel route to the user based on the environmental information.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is further configured for:

receiving terrain information related to the position; and

altering the footstrike template based on the terrain information.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device alters the footstrike template after a designated amount of usage.

15. A computer-assisted method for analyzing athletic activity, comprising:

receiving force data, at a processor of an electronic device, from a sensor system connected to an article of footwear, the sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors engaged with the article of footwear and configured to sense force exerted by a foot of a user, wherein the force data is based on force input from the sensors;

comparing the data to a footstrike template stored in a memory of the electronic device, by the processor, the footstrike template corresponding to a desired footstrike pattern, to determine whether a deviation from the footstrike template exists;

generating an indication to the user, by the processor, when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication further includes a degree of deviation from the footstrike template.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions configured to cause an electronic device to perform:

receiving force data from a sensor system connected to an article of footwear, the sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors engaged with the article of footwear and configured to sense force exerted by a foot of the user, wherein the force data is based on force input from the sensors;

comparing the data to a footstrike template stored in a memory of the electronic device, the footstrike template corresponding to a desired footstrike pattern, to determine whether a deviation from the footstrike template exists;

generating an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication further includes a degree of deviation from the footstrike template.

17. A system for analyzing athletic activity, comprising:

a sensor system configured for sensing biomechanical movement of a foot of the user, the sensor system comprising an electronic module configured for wireless transmission of data generated by the sensor system; and

an electronic device in communication with the sensor system, the electronic device configured to perform;

receiving the data generated by the sensor system from the electronic module;

analyzing the data to determine whether a deviation from a desired footstrike pattern exists; and

generating an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a visual indication, an audible indication, and a tactile indication.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein:

analyzing the data to determine whether the deviation from a desired footstrike pattern exists comprises determining a degree of deviation from the desired footstrike pattern, and wherein the indication is generated when the degree of deviation is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the deviation is determined to exist if a degree of deviation is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein generating the indication comprises transmitting a signal to a second electronic device, wherein the signal is configured to cause the second electronic device to generate the indication.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of sensors are located in different locations on the article of footwear, and wherein the footstrike pattern is detected based on at least one of a sequence of the forces sensed by the sensors and a level of the forces sensed by the sensors.

22. The system of claim 17, further comprising a GPS module configured for detecting a position of the user, wherein the GPS module is in communication with the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is further configured for:

receiving terrain information related to the position; and

altering the desired footstrike pattern based on the terrain information.

23. A computer-assisted method for analyzing athletic activity, comprising:

receiving data, at a processor of an electronic device, from a sensor system configured for sensing biomechanical movement of a foot of the user, the sensor system comprising an electronic module configured for wireless transmission of data generated by the sensor system, and wherein the data is received from the electronic module;

analyzing the data, by the processor, to determine whether a deviation from a desired footstrike pattern exists; and

generating an indication to the user, by the processor, when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a visual indication, an audible indication, and a tactile indication.

24. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions configured to cause an electronic device to perform:

receiving data from a sensor system configured for sensing biomechanical movement of a foot of the user, the sensor system comprising an electronic module configured for wireless transmission of data generated by the sensor system, and wherein the data is received from the electronic module;

analyzing the data to determine whether a deviation from a desired footstrike pattern exists; and

generating an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a visual indication, an audible indication, and a tactile indication.

25. A system for analyzing athletic activity, comprising:

an article of apparel including a sensor system comprising at least one sensor engaged with the article of apparel and configured to sense a biomechanical parameter of a user while the user is in biomechanical movement; and

an electronic device in communication with the sensor system, the electronic device configured to perform;

receiving data generated by the sensor system;

analyzing the data to determine whether a deviation from a desired biomechanical movement pattern exists in the biomechanical movement of the user, comprising comparing the data to a biomechanical movement template corresponding to the desired biomechanical movement pattern to determine whether a deviation from the biomechanical movement template exists; and

generating an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired biomechanical movement pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication further includes a degree of deviation from the biomechanical movement template.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the deviation is determined to exist if the degree of deviation is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a visual indication, an audible indication, and a tactile indication.

28. The system of claim 25, further comprising a GPS module configured for detecting a position of the user, wherein the GPS module is in communication with the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is further configured for:

receiving terrain information related to the position; and

altering the biomechanical movement template based on the terrain information.

29. A computer-assisted method for analyzing athletic activity, comprising:

receiving data, at a processor of an electronic device, from a sensor system engaged with an article of apparel, the sensor system comprising at least one sensor engaged with the article of apparel and configured to sense a biomechanical parameter of a user while the user is in biomechanical movement;

analyzing the data, by the processor, to determine whether a deviation from a desired biomechanical movement pattern exists in the biomechanical movement of the user, comprising comparing the data to a biomechanical movement template stored in a memory of the electronic device, corresponding to the desired biomechanical movement pattern to determine whether a deviation from the biomechanical movement template exists; and

generating an indication to the user, by the processor, when the deviation from the desired biomechanical movement pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication further includes a degree of deviation from the biomechanical movement template.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions configured to cause an electronic device to perform:

receiving data, at a processor of an electronic device, from a sensor system engaged with an article of apparel, the sensor system comprising at least one sensor engaged with the article of apparel and configured to sense a biomechanical parameter of a user while the user is in biomechanical movement;

analyzing the data, by the processor, to determine whether a deviation from a desired biomechanical movement pattern exists in the biomechanical movement of the user, comprising comparing the data to a biomechanical movement template stored in a memory of the electronic device, corresponding to the desired biomechanical movement pattern to determine whether a deviation from the biomechanical movement template exists; and

generating an indication to the user, by the processor, when the deviation from the desired biomechanical movement pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication further includes a degree of deviation from the biomechanical movement template.

31. A system for analyzing athletic activity, comprising:

an article of apparel including a sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors engaged with the article of apparel and configured to sense a biomechanical parameter of a user while the user is in biomechanical movement;

a GPS module configured for detecting a position of the user; and

an electronic device in communication with the sensor system and with the GPS module, the electronic device configured to perform;

receiving data generated by the sensor system;

comparing the data to a biomechanical movement template corresponding to the desired biomechanical movement pattern to determine whether a deviation from the biomechanical movement template exists;

generating an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired biomechanical movement pattern is determined to exist;

receiving a position of the user from the GPS module;

receiving terrain information related to the position; and

altering the biomechanical movement template based on the terrain information.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the terrain information is received by transmitting the position to an external device and receiving the terrain information from the external device based on the position.

33. A computer-assisted method for analyzing athletic activity, comprising:

receiving data, at a processor of an electronic device, from a sensor system engaged with an article of apparel, the sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors engaged with the article of apparel and configured to sense a biomechanical parameter of a user while the user is in biomechanical movement;

comparing the data to a biomechanical movement template stored in a memory of the electronic device, by the processor, the biomechanical movement template corresponding to the desired biomechanical movement pattern, to determine whether a deviation from the biomechanical movement template exists;

generating an indication to the user, by the processor, when the deviation from the desired biomechanical movement pattern is determined to exist;

receiving a position of the user, by the processor, from a GPS module;

receiving terrain information related to the position, by the processor; and

altering the biomechanical movement template, by the processor, based on the terrain information.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions configured to cause an electronic device to perform:

receiving data from a sensor system engaged with an article of apparel, the sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors engaged with the article of apparel and configured to sense a biomechanical parameter of a user while the user is in biomechanical movement;

comparing the data to a biomechanical movement template stored in a memory of the electronic device, the biomechanical movement template corresponding to the desired biomechanical movement pattern, to determine whether a deviation from the biomechanical movement template exists;

generating an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired biomechanical movement pattern is determined to exist;

receiving a position of the user from a GPS module;

receiving terrain information related to the position; and

altering the biomechanical movement template based on the terrain information.

35. A system for analyzing athletic activity, comprising:

an article of footwear including a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors engaged with the article of footwear and configured to sense force exerted by a foot of a user, an electronic module contained within the article of footwear, and a plurality of sensor leads connecting the sensors to the electronic module, wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting data based on force input from the sensors and for transmitting the data; and

an electronic device in communication with the electronic module, wherein the electronic device includes a processor configured to perform;

receiving the data from the electronic module;

selecting a footstrike template corresponding to a desired footstrike pattern from a plurality of biomechanical movement templates;

comparing the data to the footstrike template to determine whether a deviation from the footstrike template exists, wherein the deviation is determined to exist if a degree of deviation from the footstrike template is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold;

generating an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist, wherein the indication further includes the degree of deviation, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a visual indication, an audible indication, a tactile indication.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the footstrike template comprises a midfoot-strike template or a forefoot-strike template, and the electronic device is configured to assist the user in converting from a heel-strike pattern to a midfoot-strike pattern or a forefoot-strike pattern.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the user is provided the ability to select at least one form of the indication.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the footstrike template is selected automatically from the device based on collected user information.

39. The system of claim 35, wherein footstrike template is manually selected by the user.