A power generating device comprises a magnetic core, an induction coil assembly, a first housing, a conductive plate, and a second housing. The induction coil assembly is coupled with the magnetic core, and the magnetic core and the induction assembly are configured in the accommodating space of the first housing. The conductive plate is attracted to the magnetic core. The second housing is configured above the conductive plate. When the second housing receives an external force along an extending direction of the magnetic core, a distance change between the conductive plate and the magnetic core causes a variation of magnetic flux. The induction coil assembly generates a current by sensing the magnetic flux variation.

A sole for footwear capable of recovering part of the energy produced during deambulation including: at least one energy harvesting means, including: a tubular body, fixed in use, having a first and a second end and a movable part slidable in the tubular body; the energy harvesting means being provided, in use, for generating electrical energy following the sliding of the movable part with respect to the tubular body that is fixed in use, during the deambulation; at least one actuator group for the energy harvesting means, including at least one fluid-dynamic circuit including: at least one first and one second tank including a fluid, the first tank being housed at a rear area of the sole and the second tank being housed at a front area of the sole; at least one first and one second joining conduit in fluid connection between the first tank and the first end of the at least one tubular body, and the second tank and the second end of the tubular body, respectively, where, the first tank has a configuration in plan view which is substantially elongated and curved.

An article of apparel, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the article of footwear to the worn on a body. A wireless transmission circuit is included and a piezoelectric generator is positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to induce a voltage signal output. A voltage sensor is configured to sense the voltage profile and output a sensor signal indicative of the voltage profile. An electronic data storage, coupled to the voltage sensor, is configured to store voltage profile information based on the sensor data. A comparator, coupled to the electronic data storage, is configured to identify a change in the voltage profile information over time. The wireless transmission circuit is configured to transmit data indicative of a physical status of the article of footwear based on the change in the voltage profile information over time.

A kinetic energy generator, system and method of transmitting data are described. The kinetic energy generator includes a piezoelectric element that receives kinetic energy initiated by a user, a rectifier connected with the piezoelectric element that rectifies voltage from the piezoelectric element, a capacitive system of capacitors formed from different materials connected with the piezoelectric element through the rectifier, a short-range transceiver connected with the capacitive system and activated in response to energy storage in the capacitive system reaching a threshold level, and a non-volatile memory that provides at least some of the data transmitted by the transceiver in response to a request from the transceiver. Below an inflection point, the capacitive system stores more energy than one system of one capacitor type and less energy than another system of another capacitor type arranged in the same manner as the capacitive system, and the reverse above the inflection point.

A wearable article, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the wearable article to the worn on a body, a piezoelectric generator, positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to output a voltage, a data translator, coupled to the piezoelectric generator, configured to output electronic data based on the voltage, and an electronic data storage, coupled to the data translator, configured to store the electronic data from the data translator.

The present invention provides a power generating device, comprising a first shell, a sensor module, a second shell, a magnetic module and a cover. The sensor module is disposed in the first hollow portion. The second shell is disposed on the first shell. The magnetic module is configured on the fixture tank of the second shell. The magnetic module is held in the fixture tank by the cover. When an external force is applied on the power generating device, the cover makes the magnetic module move in the sensor module along the direction of the external force, and an induced current is generated on the induction coil. The restoring force is applied to the magnetic module by the sensor module.

A wearable article, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to be worn on a body, a volatile energy storage device, a wireless transmission circuit, coupled to the volatile energy storage device, comprising an antenna having a minimum transmission energy, a kinetic energy generator, positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be manipulated to induce a voltage output, the kinetic energy generator coupled to and configured to charge the volatile energy storage device, a sensor configured to output activity data related to the wearable article, and an electronic data storage, coupled to the sensor, configured to store the activity data. Upon the volatile energy storage device charging to at least the minimum transmission energy, the wireless transmission circuit transmits the activity data as stored in the electronic data storage based on energy discharged from the volatile energy storage device.

Aspects relate to an energy harvesting device adapted for use by an athlete while exercising. The device may utilize a mass of phase-change material to store heat energy, the stored heat energy subsequently converted into electrical energy by one or more thermoelectric generator modules. The energy harvesting device may be integrated into an item of clothing, and such that the mass of phase change material may store heat energy as the item of clothing is laundered.

An article of apparel, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the article of footwear to the worn on a body. A wireless transmission circuit is included and a piezoelectric generator is positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to induce a voltage signal output. A voltage sensor is configured to sense the voltage profile and output a sensor signal indicative of the voltage profile. An electronic data storage, coupled to the voltage sensor, is configured to store voltage profile information based on the sensor data. A comparator, coupled to the electronic data storage, is configured to identify a change in the voltage profile information over time. The wireless transmission circuit is configured to transmit data indicative of a physical status of the article of footwear based on the change in the voltage profile information over time.

A system includes one or more sensors to detect activities of a mobile object; and a processor coupled to the sensor and the wireless transceiver to classify sequences of motions into groups of similar postures each represented by a model and to apply the models to identify an activity of the object.