System and Method for Analyzing Athletic Activity

• US 20140277631A1
• Filed: 11/22/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Rice, Jordan M., Walker, Steven H.
• Granted Patent: US 10,024,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/91
• 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 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 sole member configured to form part of a sole structure of an article of footwear;

a flexible insert member positioned in contact with the sole member, the flexible insert member comprising a single thin, flexible sheet;

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, wherein each sensor is connected to an outer surface of the insert member by a bonding material; and

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

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

3. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely contained within the sole member, wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

4. The sensor system of claim 3, further comprising an external connector that is electrically connected to the electronic module, wherein the external connector is exposed to an exterior of the sole member and is accessible from the exterior of the sole member to provide a physical electrical connection to the electronic module.

5. The sensor system of claim 4, wherein the external connector comprises a tail that extends from a heel area of the sole member.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the leads are formed by conductive traces printed on the outer surface of the insert.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sole member is sealed around the insert member.

8. The sensor system of claim 7, wherein the sole member comprises upper and lower membrane layers, and the insert member is laminated between the upper and lower membrane layers.

9. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the first contact of each sensor includes two electrically separate portions, with leads connected to each of the two electrically separate portions, and wherein the second contact of each sensor engages both of the two electrically separate portions of the first sensor.

10. A sensor system comprising:

a sole member configured to form part of a sole structure of an article of footwear;

a flexible insert member contained within the sole member, wherein the sole member is sealed around the insert member;

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 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.

11. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein each sensor is connected to an outer surface of the insert member by a bonding material.

12. The sensor system of claim 10, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely enclosed by the sole member, and wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

13. The sensor system of claim 12, further comprising an external connector that is electrically connected to the electronic module, wherein the external connector is exposed to an exterior of the sole member and is accessible from the exterior of the sole member to provide a physical electrical connection to the electronic module.

14. The sensor system of claim 13, wherein the external connector comprises a tail that extends from a heel area of the sole member.

15. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein the sole member comprises upper and lower membrane layers, and the insert member is laminated between the upper and lower membrane layers to seal the insert member within the sole member.

16. The sensor system of claim 15, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member, and wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

17. The sensor system of claim 10, 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.

18. The sensor system of claim 17, wherein the insert member is a single thin, flexible sheet, and wherein the sensors are connected to an outer surface of the insert member.

19. The sensor system of claim 18, wherein the first contact of each sensor includes two electrically separate portions, with leads connected to each of the two electrically separate portions, and wherein the second contact of each sensor engages both of the two electrically separate portions of the first sensor, and wherein the leads comprise conductive traces formed on the outer surface of the insert member.

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, the sole structure comprising a sole member;

a flexible insert member positioned in contact with the sole member, the flexible insert member comprising a single thin, flexible sheet; and

a sensor system 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, wherein each sensor is connected to an outer surface of the insert member by a bonding material; and

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

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

22. The article of footwear of claim 20, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely contained within the sole member, and wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

23. The article of footwear of claim 22, further comprising an external connector that is electrically connected to the electronic module, wherein the external connector is exposed to an exterior of the sole member and is accessible from the exterior of the sole member to provide a physical electrical connection to the electronic module.

24. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the external connector comprises a tail that extends from a heel area of the sole member.

25. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the leads are formed by conductive traces printed on the outer surface of the insert.

26. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the sole member is sealed around the insert member.

27. The article of footwear of claim 26, wherein the sole member comprises upper and lower membrane layers, and the insert member is laminated between the upper and lower membrane layers.

28. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the first contact of each sensor includes two electrically separate portions, with leads connected to each of the two electrically separate portions, and wherein the second contact of each sensor engages both of the two electrically separate portions of the first sensor.

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, the sole structure comprising a sole member;

a flexible insert member contained within the sole member, wherein the sole member is sealed around the insert member; and

a sensor system 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 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.

30. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein each sensor is connected to an outer surface of the insert member by a bonding material.

31. The article of footwear of claim 29, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member and completely contained within the sole member, and wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

32. The article of footwear of claim 31, further comprising an external connector that is electrically connected to the electronic module, wherein the external connector is exposed to an exterior of the sole member and is accessible from the exterior of the sole member to provide a physical electrical connection to the electronic module.

33. The article of footwear of claim 32, wherein the external connector comprises a tail that extends from a heel area of the sole member.

34. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein the sole member comprises upper and lower membrane layers, and the insert member is laminated between the upper and lower membrane layers to seal the insert member within the sole member.

35. The sensor system of claim 34, further comprising an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is overmolded within the sole member, and wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external device.

36. The article of footwear of claim 29, 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.

37. The article of footwear of claim 36, wherein the insert member is a single thin, flexible sheet, and wherein the sensors are connected to an outer surface of the insert member.

38. The article of footwear of claim 37, wherein the first contact of each sensor includes two electrically separate portions, with leads connected to each of the two electrically separate portions, and wherein the second contact of each sensor engages both of the two electrically separate portions of the first sensor, and wherein the leads comprise conductive traces formed on the outer surface of the insert member.