A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. Information about the sensed proximity can be used to determine a foot velocity characteristic, which in turn can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot, about an activity, or about the footwear.

A messaging apparatus for wearable items. The messaging apparatus may comprise a light source, at least one sensor to detect are event, and a controller to control the flashing of the light source in response to the detection of the event. The controlling of the flashing of the light source may generate at least one visible element that is visible to a viewer. Further, the light source may not be adapted in the form of the at least one visible element, but rather, the controlled flashing of the light source may be in the form of the at least one visible element.

A messaging apparatus for wearable items. The messaging apparatus may comprise a light source, at least one sensor to detect are event, and a controller to control the flashing of the light source in response to the detection of the event. The controlling of the flashing of the light source may generate at least one visible element that is visible to a viewer. Further, the light source may not be adapted in the form of the at least one visible element, but rather, the controlled flashing of the light source may be in the form of the at least one visible element.

Presented are intelligent electronic footwear with controller automated features, methods for making/using such footwear, and control systems for executing automated features of intelligent electronic footwear. An intelligent electronic shoe includes an upper that attaches to a user's foot, and a sole structure attached to the upper for supporting thereon the user's foot. A collision threat warning system, a detection tag, a wireless communications device, and a footwear controller are all mounted to the sole structure/upper. The detection tag receives a prompt signal from a transmitter-detector module and responsively transmits thereto a response signal. The footwear controller receives, through the wireless communications device, a pedestrian collision warning signal generated by the remote computing node responsive to the response signal. Responsively, the footwear controller transmits a command signal to the collision threat warning system to generate a visible, audible and/or tactile alert warning the user of an impending collision with a vehicle.

Presented are intelligent electronic footwear with controller automated features, methods for making/using such footwear, and control systems for executing automated features of intelligent electronic footwear. An intelligent electronic shoe includes an upper that attaches to a user's foot, and a sole structure attached to the upper for supporting thereon the user's foot. A collision threat warning system, a detection tag, a wireless communications device, and a footwear controller are all mounted to the sole structure/upper. The detection tag receives a prompt signal from a transmitter-detector module and responsively transmits thereto a response signal. The footwear controller receives, through the wireless communications device, a pedestrian collision warning signal generated by the remote computing node responsive to the response signal. Responsively, the footwear controller transmits a command signal to the collision threat warning system to generate a visible, audible and/or tactile alert warning the user of an impending collision with a vehicle.

Disclosed is a kit for enhancing a pointe shoe for improving a dance technique or a dance performance by a performer. An example kit includes a pointe shoe cover comprising a body portion made from a material including at least polyester and configured to envelop the pointe shoe, a light-emitting diode (LED) ribbon, affixed to the body portion, affixed to at least a vamp or a binding of the pointe shoe cover, one or more membrane switches, affixed to the toe portion, configured to activate when the performer stands en pointe during the dance performance, a toggle switch configured to switch between different modes of the LED ribbon, a button cell affixed to an external side portion of the body portion, at least one wire connecting the button cell to the LED ribbon, the toggle switch, and the one or more membrane switches.

Disclosed is a kit for enhancing a pointe shoe for improving a dance technique or a dance performance by a performer. An example kit includes a pointe shoe cover comprising a body portion made from a material including at least polyester and configured to envelop the pointe shoe, a light-emitting diode (LED) ribbon, affixed to the body portion, affixed to at least a vamp or a binding of the pointe shoe cover, one or more membrane switches, affixed to the toe portion, configured to activate when the performer stands en pointe during the dance performance, a toggle switch configured to switch between different modes of the LED ribbon, a button cell affixed to an external side portion of the body portion, at least one wire connecting the button cell to the LED ribbon, the toggle switch, and the one or more membrane switches.

A footwear assembly includes at least one article of footwear having an upper and a housing disposed along the upper. A first lace extends along portions of the upper and into the housing through a first lateral aperture or a first medial aperture. The housing defines a swipe panel, a sole structure coupled with the upper, and a control PCB comprising a wireless communication module. The footwear assembly further includes an electronic device wirelessly coupled with the wireless communication module. The first lace can be incrementally tightened or loosened by swiping the swipe panel or via an input on a display screen of the electronic device.

This present invention relates to a customizable intelligent footwear. More specifically, the intelligent footwear identifies the needs and requirements of the users and accordingly can self-adjust its various features such as ankle support, arch support, quarter support, and others to enhance comfort and performance of the footwear. The intelligent footwear is integrated with a plurality of sensors and chipsets that collects information regarding user's needs, and based on the collected information adjusts different parameters of the footwear. Additionally, the footwear can be easily paired with a compatible software application to allow the wearers to access information related to their footwear features, step counts, sports related content, walking habits, and other relevant information.

Presented are intelligent electronic footwear with controller automated features, methods for making/using such footwear, and control systems for executing automated features of intelligent electronic footwear. An intelligent electronic shoe (IES) includes an upper that attaches to a user's foot, and a sole structure that is attached to the upper and supports thereon the user's foot. An alert system, which is mounted to the sole structure and/or upper, generates predetermined outputs in response to electronic command signals. The IES system also includes a wireless communications device that wirelessly communicates with a remote computing node, and a footwear controller that communicates with the wireless communications device and alert system. The footwear controller receives location data indicative of the user's and remote computing node's locations, determines whether the user's location is within a predetermined location/proximity to the node's location and, if so, transmits command signals to the alert system to notify the user/vehicle.