A light emitting shoe assembly includes a shoe that is wearable on a user's foot. The shoe has a vamp, a heel, a heel lift, a shank, a heel breast, an outsole and a collar. A light emitter is integrated into the shoe such that the light emitter emits light outwardly from the shoe. A template is integrated into the light emitter and the template is comprised of a light impermeable material to inhibit light from passing through the template. A pattern is punched through the template to produce an image on the support surface. A color switch is movably integrated into the shoe and the color switch is electrically coupled to the light emitter thereby altering a color of light that is emitted by the light emitter.

Presented are intelligent electronic footwear and apparel with controller-automated features, methods for making/operating such footwear and apparel, and control systems for executing automated features of such footwear and apparel. A method for operating an intelligent electronic shoe (IES) includes receiving, e.g., via a controller through a wireless communications device from a GPS satellite service, location data of a user. The controller also receives, e.g., from a backend server-class computer or other remote computing node, location data for a target object or site, such as a virtual shoe hidden at a virtual spot. The controller retrieves or predicts path plan data including a derived route for traversing from the user's location to the target's location within a geographic area. The controller then transmits command signals to a navigation alert system mounted to the IES's shoe structure to output visual, audio, and/or tactile cues that guide the user along the derived route.

Footwear articles including an upper, a sole, and a metal detecting system. The sole is secured to the upper and defines a cavity. The metal detecting system is secured to the sole in the cavity. In some examples, the footwear article includes an indicator.

Soles for articles of footwear including a mechanically anisotropic three-dimensional mesh. The mechanically anisotropic three-dimensional mesh can include one or more mechanically anisotropic regions with a first lattice shear modulus measured in a first direction and a second lattice shear modulus measured in a second direction opposite to or orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second lattice shear moduli are different to provide the three-dimensional mesh with mechanically anisotropic properties. The mechanically anisotropic three-dimensional mesh can be three-dimensionally printed.

Methods of enhancing a sensory experience to simulate a live event are provided. One includes providing an audible signal representing sound information; generating a vibration signal based on the audible signal and enhanced information that would be present at the live event; and providing the vibration signal to at least one vibration device for stimulating nerve receptors in a foot area, the vibration signal synchronized with the audible signal to produce a perception in the brain of being present at the live event. Another method includes generating a vibration signal representing vibrations including tactile vibrations for stimulating nerve receptors in a foot to simulate being present at a live event, and vibrations based on reproduced sound information; and providing the signal to at least one vibration device for delivering the vibrations to the feet, the tactile vibrations based on enhanced information different from the sound information and including non-audible elements.

Methods of enhancing a sensory experience to simulate a live event are provided. One includes providing an audible signal representing sound information; generating a vibration signal based on the audible signal and enhanced information that would be present at the live event; and providing the vibration signal to at least one vibration device for stimulating nerve receptors in a foot area, the vibration signal synchronized with the audible signal to produce a perception in the brain of being present at the live event. Another method includes generating a vibration signal representing vibrations including tactile vibrations for stimulating nerve receptors in a foot to simulate being present at a live event, and vibrations based on reproduced sound information; and providing the signal to at least one vibration device for delivering the vibrations to the feet, the tactile vibrations based on enhanced information different from the sound information and including non-audible elements.

Improved cushioning elements for sports apparel, in particular for soles for sports shoes, are described. A cushioning element for sports apparel with a first deformation element is provided. The deformation element includes a plurality of randomly arranged particles of an expanded material, wherein there are first voids within the particles and/or between the particles.

Apparatus and methods to monitor changes in user weight. The apparatus includes at least one sensor configured to capture superquotidien measurements of the user's weight and an accelerometer to measure movements of the user, and estimates cumulative weight of the user based on the superquotidien measurements, wherein only sudden changes in the user's weight are used in the estimation. The sensor(s) can be located, e.g., within a shoe insole, within a chair, within a floor, etc.

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.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper and a sole secured to the upper and including a stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper, where the stabilizing member includes a groove that separates the stabilizing member into a medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member so that the medial balancing member and the lateral balancing member move independently of each other to provide balance and stability on different terrains. The medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member also include a slot and a plate inserted into each slot.