An orientation device, an orientation system and an orientation method are provided. The orientation device includes a seat body, a pressure sensor, and a computing unit. The seat body includes a bearing surface, and the seat body is non-directional. The pressure sensor is disposed below the bearing surface. The pressure sensor is configured to obtain a plurality of pressure data of the bearing surface when an object is disposed on the bearing surface. The computing unit is coupled to the pressure sensor. The computing unit is configured to analyze the pressure data to obtain a direction data. The direction data is configured to determine a first direction of the seat body.

Provided is a flexible, durable capacitive sensor that achieves high flexibility in designing wiring arrangement. A capacitive sensor includes a dielectric layer and a plurality of electrode units placed on both sides of the dielectric layer in the front-back direction. The electrode unit includes an insulating layer having through holes extending therethrough in the front-rear direction, electrode layers placed on one side of the insulating layer in the front-back direction, and jumper wiring layers placed on the other side of the insulating layer in the front-back direction and electrically connected to the electrode layers through the through holes. The insulating layer has an elongation at break of 60% or more, a tension set of less than 5%, and a volume resistivity of 1.0×10.sup.10 Ω.Math.cm or more.

A smart patch including multi-component strands integrated into clothing or other textiles where the strands of the smart patch include sensory elements that can simultaneously measure tactile forces, moisture/wetness, and other signals, such as biopotentials. A sensing system comprising: a first set of strands including a plurality of first multi-component strands, each of the first multi-component strands including a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion; and a second set of strands including a plurality of second multi-component strands, each of the second multicomponent strands including a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion, and a plurality of third multi-component strands, each of the third multicomponent strands including a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion, the third multi-component strands being different than the first multi-component strands and the second multi-component strands.

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 configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

The pressure sensing mat including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may include a first conductive layer that may be sandwiched between a first non-conductive layer and a non-conductive layer that define a first set of channels that may at least partially enclose a first conductive strip that may extend in a first direction. The second portion may include a second conductive layer that may be sandwiched between a third non-conductive layer and a fourth non-conductive layer that may define a second set of channels that may at least partially enclose a second conductive strip that may extend in a second direction. The first conductive strip and the second conductive strip may form a capacitor that may be configured to provide a capacitance indicative of a pressure applied to the capacitor.

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 configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

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 configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

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 or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear. Characteristics of the sensed proximity 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 or about the footwear.

An article of footwear can include a ferromagnetic body disposed in the article, and a magnetometer to measure a strength or direction of a magnetic field that is influenced by a position of the ferromagnetic body. One of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer can be configured to move relative to the other one of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer, for example according to movement of a foot in the article. In an example, the ferromagnetic body is disposed in a compressible insole and the ferromagnetic body moves in response to compression or relaxation of the insole. The magnetometer can be disposed in a platform or sole portion of the article that is relatively stationary compared to the ferromagnetic body. Rate of change information about the magnetic field can be used to control article functions or to provide information about a foot strike or step rate.

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 or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear. Characteristics of the sensed proximity 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 or about the footwear.