Patent classifications
A43B3/44
Writing to apparel by flexing piezoelectric generator
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.
DETERMINING FOOTWEAR REPLACEMENT BASED ON PIEZOELECTRIC OUTPUT
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.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING FORCE SENSOR DATA
A system, method, and computer program product for analyzing force sensor data is provided. Force sensor data collected from a plurality of force sensors positioned underfoot is analyzed to detect foot contact events and/or a foot contact period. Foot contact and/or foot off can be detected based on inflection points identified in the force signal data received from the plurality of sensors. Identifying foot contact events by detecting inflection points in the force sensor data can increase the sensitivity of detecting both foot contact and foot off. The use of inflection points also allows both foot contact and foot off to be identified even when these foot contact events occur at different force signal heights. Methods for determining ground reaction force data and correcting the magnitude of ground reaction force signals are also provided.
AUTOMATED TENSIONING SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.
ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND CHARGING SYSTEM
A charging system can include provisions for providing power to various systems or components associated with the article of footwear, A charging system may include a charging unit with one or more components configured for use with one or more articles of footwear, where the articles of footwear can include different sizes. The components can be magnetically joined to the article in some cases. Upon connection with a power source, the article may be configured to unlace automatically. In some cases, the charging system can be used to facilitate the transfer of power to components in an automated tensioning system.
INSOLE-TYPE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR INSOLE-TYPE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
To provide an insole-type electronic device that can be used in a location distant from a control unit and has small power consumption, the insole-type electronic device includes a first insole including a first sensor and a second insole including a second sensor. The first sensor acquires first sensor data relating to a biological activity of a first foot and the second sensor acquires second sensor data relating to a biological activity of a second foot. The first insole includes a first-sensor-data transmitter transmitting the first sensor to the second insole. The second insole includes a first-sensor-data receiver receiving the first sensor data, and a data processor processing the first sensor data and the second sensor data.
Upper component for an article of footwear
An upper component for an article of footwear allows easy entry of the foot into the article of footwear. The upper component includes a heel body, which includes a first portion partially defining an ankle opening. The heel body further includes a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion is foldable and partially defines the ankle opening. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. The upper component includes at least one tension member coupled to the second portion. The tension member is movable relative to the first portion to move the second portion from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. The ankle opening is larger when the second portion is in the unfolded configuration than when the second portion is in the folded configuration.
INTELLIGENT INSOLE
An intelligent insole is provided. The intelligent insole includes an insole body, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a signal collector. The pressure sensor, the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are formed on the surface of the insole body, and the above sensors and the insole body are manufactured via the same 3D printing process. The pressure sensor senses the pressure signal from the insole body in contact with the foot. The temperature sensor and the humidity sensor respectively sense the temperature signal and the humidity signal of the insole body. The signal collector is respectively electrically connected to the pressure sensor, the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor to receive the pressure signal, the temperature signal and the humidity signal and then transmit the signals to a signal receiver via wireless transmission.
Height jumping sensor system & method
An athlete wearing footwear measures jump heights with a motion sensor mounted on the footwear over toes of the athlete. By sensing vertical jump start motions the sensor detects jump start and finish times of −4 g start and −4 g landing. The sensor, a body wearable mems sensor developed by JAWKU, L.L.C., has a previously installed generic factory scale calibration factor. The athlete replaces this calibration factor with a new calibration scale factor selecting an “absolute” external reference device which measures jump height. This device measures several jump heights then inputted to an algorithm app in the sensor to calculate the new calibration scale factor customized to the actual athlete. The motion sensor has built in programming apps to periodically receive an upgraded factory scale calibration factor which upgrade is based on an ever increasing data pool of jump heights. The updated factory calibration factor is then again replaced by the athlete personally taking several new measured jumps which jump heights are in turn inputted to the sensor. The progress made in evolving jumping skills based on training and specific conditioning exercises can thus be motion sensor evaluated.
FOOT SENSOR AND OTHER SENSOR PADS
The enclosed describes a sensor pad for wearing on a human body. The sensor pad is configured to be in contact with a substrate having a contoured surface, such as a surface of the body. The sensor pad comprises at least a sensor layer and a stiffener layer. The sensor layer comprises a surface area defining a sensing area configured to measure value at a plurality of locations of the sensing area. The stiffener layer is couples to the surface area of the sensor layer. The stiffener layer has a micro-cut pattern to reduce mechanical resistance of the stiffener layer. The micro-cut pattern facilitates the stiffener layer in stretching or compressing in one or more predefined directions, enabling the stiffener lay to conform to the contoured surface of the substrate.