Sensing devices including sensors such as flexible and stretchable fabric-based pressure sensors, may be associated with or incorporated in garments, such as socks, intended to be worn against a body surface (directly or indirectly). Specific manifestations of a sensing system incorporated in a sock substrate are described in detail. Dedicated electronic devices interface electrically with sensors through intermediate conductive traces, optional conductive bridges, conductive contacts provided in a mounting tab.

Sensing devices including sensors such as flexible and stretchable fabric-based pressure sensors, may be associated with or incorporated in garments, such as socks, intended to be worn against a body surface (directly or indirectly). Specific manifestations of a sensing system incorporated in a sock substrate are described in detail. Dedicated electronic devices interface electrically with sensors through intermediate conductive traces, optional conductive bridges, conductive contacts provided in a mounting tab.

A decoration for a shoe element and a method of decorating a shoe element includes the steps of cutting a substrate to correspond to the shape of the shoe element and applying decorative elements to the substrate. Openings are cut in a protective cover to align with areas where the decorative elements are applied to the substrate. The protective cover and the substrate are aligned, including aligning the openings in the protective cover with the decorative elements on the substrate. In the process, the substrate is coupled to the protective cover to form a one piece, and the one piece is coupled to the shoe element. The decoration, once installed on the shoe, includes the substrate under the protective cover with raised decorative elements appearing through the openings.

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

A low power force detection system includes variable capacitors, a drive sense module, and a processing module. A drive sense circuit of the drive sense module is operable to provide an analog and frequency domain signal to a variable capacitor. The drive sense circuit is further operable to detect a characteristic of the variable capacitor based on the analog and frequency domain signal and to generate a representative signal of the characteristic. The processing module is operable to generate a digital value based on the representative and to write the digital value to memory.

The present invention generally relates to methods of printing articles using three-dimensional printing and other printing techniques, and to articles formed from such techniques, including the printing of articles of footwear containing particles. Certain embodiments are generally directed to composites comprising particles (e.g., reinforcing particles), for example, rubber particles. The particles may be used, for example, to increase slip or abrasion resistance. The composites may also contain polyurethanes or other compounds, e.g., to facilitate fabrication, e.g., using three-dimensional printing and other printing techniques. Other embodiments are directed to methods of making or using such articles. For example, in some embodiments, a composite may be prepared by mixing particles (e.g., reinforcing particles) with at least a first fluid and a second fluid within a nozzle, such as a microfluidic printing nozzle, which may be used to direct the resulting product onto a substrate.

A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The computer-implemented method comprises receiving biometric data relating to a foot of a subject. The computer-implemented method also comprises determining, based on the biometric data, properties of an outsole of an article of footwear to be manufactured for the subject. The computer-implemented method also comprises providing data defining the properties of the outsole for delivery to an additive manufacturing apparatus. An apparatus and a machine-readable medium are also disclosed.

A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The computer-implemented method comprises receiving biometric data relating to a foot of a subject. The computer-implemented method also comprises determining, based on the biometric data, properties of an outsole of an article of footwear to be manufactured for the subject. The computer-implemented method also comprises providing data defining the properties of the outsole for delivery to an additive manufacturing apparatus. An apparatus and a machine-readable medium are also disclosed.

A fit of a shoe is adjusted using a shoe insert assembly. A shoe insert assembly includes a shoe insole and a shoe insert having a fastener element configured for connection to the shoe insole. The shoe insole with the shoe insert connected thereto by the fastener element are receivable into a shoe. The shoe insert can be attached to the shoe insole in multiple manners, including adhesively, using a hook and loop fastener, and using a coupling strip.

The invention relates to a system for analyzing (1) the use of footwear items (11) configured to determine an association index between use parameter values (101) and shoe parameter values (201), said system a calculation computing device (30) configured for: Obtaining or loading posture or mobility parameter values (301) calculated from raw data generated by at least one connected sole (10); Obtaining or loading geographic parameter values (401) corresponding to a location of the at least one connected sole (10); Obtaining or loading shoe parameter values (201) including values of structural parameters, geometric parameters and/or aesthetic parameters of the footwear item (11); Calculating one or more use parameter values (101); Determining an association index value between the use parameter value(s) (101) and the shoe parameter values (201).