System and method for analyzing athletic activity

• US 9,410,857 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2013
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Walker, Steven H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Milap
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henry, Thomas H
• Application Number:
  US14/088,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 piezoelectric sensors 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 flexible insert member configured to be connected to a sole structure of an article of footwear;

a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module, wherein the port is located in a midfoot region of the insert member;

a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, each sensor comprising a strip of a sensor material that is electrically connected to the port, wherein a first plurality of the strips of the sensor material extend from the midfoot region to a forefoot region of the insert member, at least some of the first plurality of strips having different lengths from others of the first plurality of strips, and wherein a second plurality of the strips of the sensor material extend from the midfoot region to a heel region of the insert member, at least some of the second plurality of strips having different lengths from others of the second plurality of strips, and wherein the sensor material of each sensor is a piezoelectric material configured to generate a voltage when deformed; and

an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is configured for collectin data from the sensors based on voltage generated by the piezoelectric material and for communication with an external device, wherein the electronic module is further configured for determining a degree of flexing of the insert member based on a number of the strips that are deformed.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein each strip is directly connected to the port to electrically connect the sensors to the port.

3. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the electronic module is further configured for generating a voltage across the sensors to cause deformation of the piezoelectric material to provide tactile feedback to a user.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the electronic module comprises a power source, and wherein the electronic module is further configured for utilizing the voltage generated by the piezoelectric material to charge the power source.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein each sensor comprises the strip of piezoelectric material having metallization on opposed surfaces thereof, wherein the metallization provides a point for electronic connection.

6. The sensor system of claim 5, wherein each sensor further comprises polymer layers surrounding the piezoelectric material and the metallization.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first plurality of strips extend farther from the midfoot region of the insert member relative to others of the first plurality of strips, and wherein at least some of the second plurality of strips extend farther from the midfoot region of the insert member relative to others of the second plurality of strips.

8. A sensor system comprising:

a flexible insert member configured to be connected to a sole structure of an article of footwear;

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 strip of a piezoelectric material that is electrically connected to the port, wherein a first plurality of the strips of the piezoelectric material are positioned at least partially in a forefoot region of the insert member, and wherein at least some of the first plurality of strips extend farther from a midfoot region of the insert member relative to others of the first plurality of strips, and

wherein a second plurality of the strips of the piezoelectric material are positioned at least partially in a heel region of the insert member, and wherein at least some of the second plurality of strips extend farther from the midfoot region of the insert member relative to others of the second plurality of strips; and

an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is configured, for collecting data from the sensors and for communication with an external device, wherein the electronic module is further configured determining a degree of flexing of the insert member based on a number of the strips that are deformed.

9. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the port is positioned within the midfoot region of the insert, and wherein the strips of piezoelectric material extend into the midfoot region of the insert to connect to the port.

10. The sensor system of claim 9, wherein each strip is directly connected to the port to electrically connect the sensors to the port.

11. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the electronic module is further configured for generating a voltage across the sensors to cause deformation of the piezoelectric material to provide tactile feedback to a user.

12. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the electronic module comprises a power source, and wherein the electronic module is further configured for utilizing the voltage generated by the piezoelectric material to charge the power source.

13. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein each sensor comprises the strip of piezoelectric material having metallization on opposed surfaces thereof, wherein the metallization provides a point for electronic connection.

14. The sensor system of claim 13, wherein each sensor further comprises polymer layers surrounding the piezoelectric material and the metallization.

15. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein at least some of the first plurality of strips have different lengths relative to others of the first plurality of strips, and wherein at least some of the second plurality of strips have different lengths relative to others of the second plurality of strips.

16. 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 flexible insert member connected to the sole structure;

a sensor system comprising;

a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module, wherein the port is located in a midfoot region of the insert member; and

a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, each sensor comprising a strip of a sensor material that is electrically connected to the port, wherein a first plurality of the strips of the sensor material extend from the midfoot region to a forefoot region of the insert member, at least some of the first plurality of strips having different lengths from others of the first plurality of strips, and wherein a second plurality of the strips of the sensor material extend from the midfoot region to a heel region of the insert member, at least some of the second plurality of strips having different lengths from others of the second plurality of strips, wherein the sensor material of each sensor is a piezoelectric material configured to generate a voltage when deformed; and

an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting data from the sensors and for communication with an external device, wherein the electronic module is further configured determining a degree of flexing of the insert member based on a number of the strips that are deformed.

17. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein each strip is directly connected to the port to electrically connect the sensors to the port.

18. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein the electronic module is further configured for generating a voltage across the sensors to cause deformation of the piezoelectric material to provide tactile feedback to a user.

19. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein the electronic module comprises a power source, and wherein the electronic module is further configured for utilizing the voltage generated by the piezoelectric material to charge the power source.

20. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein each sensor comprises the strip of piezoelectric material having metallization on opposed surfaces thereof, wherein the metallization provides a point for electronic connection.

21. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein each sensor further comprises polymer layers surrounding the piezoelectric material and the metallization.

22. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein at least some of the first plurality of strips extend farther from the midfoot region of the insert member relative to others of the first plurality of strips, and wherein at least some of the second plurality of strips extend farther from the midfoot region of the insert member relative to others of the second plurality of strips.

23. 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 flexible insert member connected to the sole structure;

a sensor system comprising;

a port connected to the insert member and configured for communication with an electronic module; and

a plurality of sensors connected to the insert member, each sensor comprising a strip of a piezoelectric material that is electrically connected to the port, wherein a first plurality of the strips of the piezoelectric material are positioned at least partially in a forefoot region of the insert member, and wherein at least some of the first plurality of strips extend farther from a midfoot region of the insert member relative to others of the first plurality of strips, and

wherein a second plurality of the strips of the piezoelectric material are positioned at least partially in a heel region of the insert member, and wherein at least some of the second plurality of strips extend farther from the midfoot region of the insert member relative to others of the second plurality of strips; and

an electronic module connected to the port, wherein the electronic module is configured for collecting data from the sensors and for communication with an external device, wherein the electronic module is further configured determining a degree of flexing of the insert member based on a number of the strips that are deformed.

24. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the port is positioned within the midfoot region of the insert, and wherein the strips of piezoelectric material extend into the midfoot region of the insert to connect to the port.

25. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein each strip is directly connected to the port to electrically connect the sensors to the port.

26. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the electronic module is further configured for generating a voltage across the sensors to cause deformation of the piezoelectric material to provide tactile feedback to a user.

27. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the electronic module comprises a power source, and wherein the electronic module is further configured for utilizing the voltage generated by the piezoelectric material to charge the power source.

28. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein each sensor comprises the strip of piezoelectric material having metallization on opposed surfaces thereof, wherein the metallization provides a point for electronic connection.

29. The article of footwear of claim 28, wherein each sensor further comprises polymer layers surrounding the piezoelectric material and the metallization.

30. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein at least some of the first plurality of strips have different lengths relative to others of the first plurality of strips, and wherein at least some of the second plurality of strips have different lengths relative to others of the second plurality of strips.