Footwear having sensor system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10314361-B2
Application number	US-201615288472-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 7, 2016
Priority date	Jun 13, 2008
Publication date	Jun 11, 2019
Grant date	Jun 11, 2019

Abstract

A shoe has a sensor system operably connected to a communication port. Performance data is collected by the system and can be transferred for further use via the communication port. The shoe may contain an electronic module configured to gather data from the sensors. The module may also transmit the data to an external device for further processing. Users can use the collected data for a variety of different uses or applications.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a first electronic module configured for communication with an external device;
a first article of footwear comprising a first upper member and a first sole structure engaged with the first upper member, wherein the first upper member and the first sole structure combine to at least partially define a first foot-receiving chamber, the first sole structure including a first foot contacting member partially defining the first foot receiving chamber;
a first insert engaged with the first sole structure and positioned below the first foot contacting member, the first insert comprising:
a first insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;
a plurality of first force sensors connected to the first insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the first insert by a foot of a user, wherein the first force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;
a first port configured for removable connection to the first electronic module; and
a plurality of first leads connected to the first insert member, the first leads extending from the first force sensors to the first port, such that the first port is configured to enable communication between the first force sensors and the first electronic module through the first leads when the first electronic module is connected to the first port;

a second electronic module configured for communication with the external device;
a second article of footwear comprising a second upper member and a second sole structure engaged with the second upper member, wherein the second upper member and the second sole structure combine to at least partially define a second foot-receiving chamber, the second sole structure including a second foot contacting member partially defining the second foot receiving chamber; and
a second insert engaged with the second sole structure and positioned below the second foot contacting member, the second insert comprising:
a second insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;
a plurality of second force sensors connected to the second insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the second insert by a foot of a user, wherein the second force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;
a second port configured for removable connection to the second electronic module; and
a plurality of second leads connected to the second insert member, the second leads extending from the second force sensors to the second port, such that the second port is configured to enable communication between the second force sensors and the second electronic module through the second leads when the second electronic module is connected to the second port,

wherein the first electronic module is configured to collect first force data from the first force sensors, and the second electronic module is configured to collect second force data from the second force sensors, and wherein the first and second electronic modules are further configured to transmit the first and second force data to the external device to enable further processing of the first and second force data by the external device.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the external device, wherein the external device comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the external device is configured for receiving the first and second force data, storing the first and second force data in the memory, and further processing the first and second force data.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first and second electronic modules are configured for transmitting the first and second force data to the external device in real time, and wherein the external device further comprises a display and is configured for displaying feedback to the user based on the first and second force data in real time.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first port is located outside of the first insert member, and the second port is located outside of the second insert member.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first port is located within the first sole structure beneath the first foot contacting member, and the second port is located within the second sole structure beneath the second foot contacting member.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second leads comprise wire leads.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first leads have terminal ends that converge to a first location to form a first consolidated interface, wherein the first consolidated interface is located at the first port, such that the first port is configured to enable communication between the first force sensors and the first electronic module through the first leads and the first consolidated interface when the first electronic module is connected to the first port, and wherein the second leads have terminal ends that converge to a second location to form a second consolidated interface, wherein the second consolidated interface is located at the second port, such that the second port is configured to enable communication between the second force sensors and the second electronic module through the second leads and the second consolidated interface when the second electronic module is connected to the second port.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first leads further comprise a first power lead extending from the first port and connected to all of the first force sensors, and wherein the first power lead is configured for providing electrical power from the first electronic module to all of the first force sensors when the first electronic module is connected to the first port, and wherein the second leads further comprise a second power lead extending from the second port and connected to all of the second force sensors, and wherein the second power lead is configured for providing electrical power from the second electronic module to all of the second force sensors when the second electronic module is connected to the second port.

9. A system comprising:
a first insert configured to be engaged with a first sole structure of a first article of footwear, the first insert comprising:
a first insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;
a plurality of first force sensors connected to the first insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the first insert by a foot of a user, wherein the first force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;
a plurality of first leads connected to the first insert member, the first leads extending from the first force sensors and having terminal ends that converge to a first location to form a first consolidated interface; and
a first port configured for removable connection to a first electronic module, wherein the first consolidated interface is located at the first port, such that the first port is configured to enable communication between the first force sensors and the first electronic module through the first leads and the first consolidated interface when the first electronic module is connected to the first port; and

a second insert configured to be engaged with a second sole structure of a second article of footwear, the second insert comprising:
a second insert member at least partially formed of a foam material;
a plurality of second force sensors connected to the second insert member and configured to sense a force exerted on the second insert by a foot of a user, wherein the second force sensors include a first phalange sensor, a first metatarsal sensor, a fifth metatarsal sensor, and a heel sensor;

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Amos Michael S
• Meschter James C
• Nurse Matthew A
• Owings Andrew A
• Pisciotta Jeffrey C
• Schrock Allan M

Classifications

• G06F3/0334

  Foot operated pointing devices · CPC title

• A63F2300/1031

  using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth®, infrared connections · CPC title

• A63F2300/1012

  involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity · CPC title

• A63B2243/0025

  Football · CPC title

• A63B2220/53

  Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch · CPC title