Athletic or other performance sensing systems

• US 8,857,078 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2013
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Berner, William E. Jr., Shum, Albert, Case, Charles W. Jr., Schrock, Allan M., Niegowski, James A., Rauchholz, William F.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAYS, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US13/958,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20130312291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 437 Days
• Field of Search: 36136-139, 361/14, 36/1
• US Class Current: 36/136
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/00 Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0031 provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• 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: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices may include an authentication or activation system for providing power or otherwise determining the connection of a sensor in the article of footwear.

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;

a housing configured to receive an electronic module, the housing engaged with at least one of the upper member or the sole structure, wherein the housing defines an electronic module receiving chamber formed in or on at least one of the upper member or sole structure; and

an activation system configured to activate an electronic module within the chamber and including an aglet for a shoe lace,

wherein a switch is positioned within the chamber having an access opening sized so as to receive the aglet for a shoe lace, and

wherein insertion of the aglet into the access opening is configured to toggle the switch of the electronic module between an ON condition and an OFF condition.

2. An article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the shoe lace is configured to be engaged with the article of footwear.

3. An article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising:

the electronic module received in the electronic module receiving chamber.

4. An article of footwear according to claim 3, wherein the electronic module provides data relating to at least one physical or physiological parameter associated with use of the article of footwear.

5. An article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the electronic module provides data relating to at least one of location, movement speed, or movement distance associated with use of the article of footwear.

6. An article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the electronic module is a speed and distance sensor.

7. An article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the housing is located in an impact-attenuating element of the article of footwear such that the electronic module receiving chamber faces the foot-receiving chamber.

8. An article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the impact-attenuating element includes an opening defined therein that allows the aglet access to the activation system.

9. An article of footwear according to claim 7, further comprising:

an insole member or a sock liner at least partially defining the foot-receiving chamber.

10. An article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the insole member or sock liner includes an opening defined therein that allows the aglet access to the activation system.

11. An article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the impact-attenuating element includes an opening defined therein that at least partially aligns with the opening defined in the insole member or sock liner to allow the aglet access to the activation system.

12. An article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising:

an antenna system engaged with at least one of the upper member or the sole structure.

13. An article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein the antenna system extends from the chamber.

14. An article of footwear according to claim 12, further comprising:

the electronic module, wherein the electronic module is engaged at least partially within the chamber and operatively coupled with the antenna system.

15. An article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power source engaged with at least one of the upper member or the sole structure.

16. An article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the power source includes an electrical contact or terminal located at or engaged with the housing.

17. An article of footwear according to claim 15, further comprising:

the electronic module engaged at least partially within the housing and in electrical communication with the power source.

18. 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 housing for receiving an electronic module, the housing engaged with at least one of the upper member or the sole structure, wherein the housing defines an electronic module receiving chamber; and

an authentication system for receiving input information and confirming authorization for use of an electronic module in the chamber based, at least in part, on the input information,

wherein the authentication system includes an activation tool, the activation tool configured to provide the input information for authorizing use of the electronic module.

19. An article of footwear according to claim 18, further comprising:

an electronic module received in the electronic module receiving chamber.

20. An article of footwear according to claim 19, wherein the authentication system includes a member extending from a wall of the housing for extending into an opening, recess, or groove defined in the electronic module.

21. An article of footwear according to claim 20, wherein the member extends into the opening, recess, or groove to allow activation of the electronic module.

22. An article of footwear according to claim 20, wherein the member includes a first electrical conductor that makes electrical contact with a second electrical conductor provided in the opening, recess, or groove.

23. An article of footwear according to claim 19, wherein the authentication system includes a member extending from the electronic module for extending into an opening, recess, or groove defined in the housing or sole structure.

24. An article of footwear according to claim 23, wherein the member extends into the opening, recess, or groove to allow activation of the electronic module.

25. An article of footwear according to claim 23, wherein the member includes a first electrical conductor that makes electrical contact with a second electrical conductor provided in the opening, recess, or groove.

26. An article of footwear according to claim 19, wherein the electronic module provides data relating to at least one physical or physiological parameter associated with use of the article of footwear.