A43B3/48

WEARABLE SENSOR-BASED SURFACE ANALYSIS
20230111166 · 2023-04-13 ·

Disclosed aspects pertain to surface analysis based on wearable sensor data. Sensor data can be acquired from pressure-sensitive wearable sensors, such as shoe insole sensors, based on interaction with a surface. A location can also be determined for the sensor data with respect to a surface utilizing a positioning system. The sensor data can be utilized to determine surface properties at a particular location. Further, a graphical representation of the surface properties and location can be generated and conveyed for display on a display. Furthermore, movement instructions can be provided to aid in analysis of an entire surface, and recommendations can be made regarding surface maintenance based on collected sensor data.

Piezo-Elements for Wearable Devices

Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures that scavenge mechanical energy to provide electrical energy to a wearable, where the mechanical energy is scavenged by a bending-strain-based transducer that includes a non-resonant energy harvester. By employing a non-resonant energy harvester that operates in bending mode, more electrical energy can be generated that possible with prior-art energy harvesters. In some embodiments, the output of a bending-strain-based transducer element is used for both energy scavenging and as a sensor signal indicative of a user parameter, such as a step, respiration rate, heart rate, weight and the like. In some embodiments, a transducer element includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers that are electrically connected in parallel to increase the energy and/or power provided by the transducer element.

Motorized shoe with gesture control
11684111 · 2023-06-27 · ·

An article of footwear includes a motorized tensioning system, sensors, and a gesture control system. Based on information received from one or more sensors the gesture control system may detect a prompting gesture and enters an armed mode for receiving further instructions. In the armed mode the system may detect a variety of different control gestures that correspond to different tensioning commands.

FOOTWEAR MIDSOLE WITH ANISOTROPIC MESH AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

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.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SENSOR-BASED SPORTS ANALYTICS

Systems and methods for sports analytics are disclosed. A system for evaluating athletic performance can include wearable sensor devices configured to be removably coupled to an athlete's body during athletic performance, and one or more equipment-mountable sensor devices configured to be coupled to reference objects adjacent to an athletic performance site such as a goal or equipment. A computing device can be communicatively coupled to the wearable sensor device(s) and the equipment-mountable sensor device(s). The computing device is configured to receive sensor data from each of the sensor device(s) and to determine at least one performance parameter.

Integrated Electronic Touchscreen Display Footwear
20230189919 · 2023-06-22 ·

A shoe with an integrated electronic touchscreen display is provided. The shoe includes a flexible electronic display material having an embedded touch screen, which is operably connected to a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the rechargeable battery is secured within a heel of the shoe. In another embodiment, the rechargeable battery is disposed on a detachable outsole having the ability to generate power via static electricity generated by walking to recharge the rechargeable battery. The embedded touch screen may alter the colors or other qualities of the flexible electronic display. In this way, the wearer can customize the outward appearance of their shoes. Some embodiments include a ventilation system for cooling.

Integrated Electronic Touchscreen Display Footwear
20230189919 · 2023-06-22 ·

A shoe with an integrated electronic touchscreen display is provided. The shoe includes a flexible electronic display material having an embedded touch screen, which is operably connected to a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the rechargeable battery is secured within a heel of the shoe. In another embodiment, the rechargeable battery is disposed on a detachable outsole having the ability to generate power via static electricity generated by walking to recharge the rechargeable battery. The embedded touch screen may alter the colors or other qualities of the flexible electronic display. In this way, the wearer can customize the outward appearance of their shoes. Some embodiments include a ventilation system for cooling.

Intelligent electronic footwear and logic for navigation assistance by automated tactile, audio, and visual feedback
11678713 · 2023-06-20 · ·

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.

Suction apparatus for immobility in free fall

An immobility system for a free-fall environment includes an immobility device including at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A remote controller is spaced apart from the valve and is configured to selectably transmit an activation signal to the valve. An immobility device includes at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A receiver at the device is configured to receive an activation signal and activate the valve.

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.