A fitness tracking system includes a shoe, a magnetometer, and a controller. The magnetometer is mounted on the shoe and is configured to generate three-axis direction data in response to movement of the shoe during a predetermined time period. The controller is operably connected to the magnetometer and is configured to generate two-axis calibrated direction data based on the three-axis direction data after the predetermined time period. The two-axis calibrated direction data corresponds to an orientation of the shoe during the predetermined time period.

A fitness tracking system includes a shoe, a magnetometer, and a controller. The magnetometer is mounted on the shoe and is configured to generate three-axis direction data in response to movement of the shoe during a predetermined time period. The controller is operably connected to the magnetometer and is configured to generate two-axis calibrated direction data based on the three-axis direction data after the predetermined time period. The two-axis calibrated direction data corresponds to an orientation of the shoe during the predetermined time period.

A method of manufacturing an insert system for footwear includes assembling electronic components. The electronic components include a sensor array having physiological sensors. Each physiological sensor includes a first high resistance layer configured to be in contact with a second high resistance layer when no force is applied to the sensor. The method further includes positioning the sensor array between a first layer and a base layer. An insert system for footwear includes a first layer, a base layer, a sensor array between the first and base layers, and a circuit board. The sensor array includes physiological sensors. Each physiological sensor includes a first high resistance layer in contact with a second high resistance layer when no force is applied to the sensor. The circuit board can transmit signals external to the system to trigger an alert being issued to a user, based on an output of the sensor array.

A method of manufacturing an insert system for footwear includes assembling electronic components. The electronic components include a sensor array having physiological sensors. Each physiological sensor includes a first high resistance layer configured to be in contact with a second high resistance layer when no force is applied to the sensor. The method further includes positioning the sensor array between a first layer and a base layer. An insert system for footwear includes a first layer, a base layer, a sensor array between the first and base layers, and a circuit board. The sensor array includes physiological sensors. Each physiological sensor includes a first high resistance layer in contact with a second high resistance layer when no force is applied to the sensor. The circuit board can transmit signals external to the system to trigger an alert being issued to a user, based on an output of the sensor array.

A temperature-adjustment shoe sole, including a supporting member. The supporting member is provided with an air guide channel. A semiconductor temperature control unit, wherein the semiconductor temperature control unit is arranged in the supporting member. The semiconductor temperature control unit has a first temperature control end and a second temperature control end. The first temperature control end of the semiconductor temperature control unit is in contact with an air fluid in an accommodating space to generate a first air fluid. The second temperature control end of the semiconductor temperature control unit is in contact with the air fluid in the accommodating space to generate a second air fluid.

A system assesses activity and displays a unitless activity value. A detector senses activity of a user. A processor reads sensed activity data from the detector. A display displays the unitless activity value. An enclosure houses the detector and the processor. The processor periodically reads the sensed activity data from the detector and processes the data to generate an activity number, the number being used to generate the unitless activity value based upon a maximum number and a display range.

A system assesses activity and displays a unitless activity value. A detector senses activity of a user. A processor reads sensed activity data from the detector. A display displays the unitless activity value. An enclosure houses the detector and the processor. The processor periodically reads the sensed activity data from the detector and processes the data to generate an activity number, the number being used to generate the unitless activity value based upon a maximum number and a display range.

A method and apparatus for generating thermal energy (heat) from human locomotion is proposed and used to provide heating of the user's footwear. The apparatus takes the form of a pair of flexible, liquid-filled chambers connected by an energy-generating tube. One chamber is located in the heel region of a footwear insole, with the other in the toe region, such that as a person walks, the liquid moves back and forth within the tube. This movement is used to also move an energy-producing element (either an electromagnetic arrangement or viscous liquid) back and forth within the tube and convert the captured human locomotion energy into thermal energy, thus warming the footwear.

A variety of devices for protecting a user's foot from injury are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device may be a metatarsal protection device, which may include a first layer of material having top and bottom surfaces, with at least one of such surfaces including a series of cones or a pattern of hexagons thereon. The metatarsal protection device may also include a second relatively rigid layer of material overlying the first layer, and the first layer may be shaped to conform to the metatarsal region of the user's foot, such that the device is configured to protect the metatarsal region against injury. Other configurations and variations of a metatarsal protection device are also disclosed, as are other uses for the principles of the invention(s) disclosed herein (e.g., protection devices for other areas of the foot, etc).

A variety of devices for protecting a user's foot from injury are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device may be a metatarsal protection device, which may include a first layer of material having top and bottom surfaces, with at least one of such surfaces including a series of cones or a pattern of hexagons thereon. The metatarsal protection device may also include a second relatively rigid layer of material overlying the first layer, and the first layer may be shaped to conform to the metatarsal region of the user's foot, such that the device is configured to protect the metatarsal region against injury. Other configurations and variations of a metatarsal protection device are also disclosed, as are other uses for the principles of the invention(s) disclosed herein (e.g., protection devices for other areas of the foot, etc).