Athletic Activity Monitoring Decive with Energy Capture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016346584-A1
Application number	US-201615165959-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 26, 2016
Priority date	May 28, 2015
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Aspects relate to an energy harvesting device adapted for use by an athlete while exercising. The device may utilize a mass of phase-change material to store heat energy, the stored heat energy subsequently converted into electrical energy by one or more thermoelectric generator modules. The energy harvesting device may be integrated into an item of clothing, and such that the mass of phase change material may store heat energy as the item of clothing is laundered.

First claim

We claim:

1 . An activity monitoring device, comprising:
a support structure comprising a first end spaced apart from a second end along a first axis, the support structure further comprising a first side configured to be exposed to an external environment, and a second side, opposite the first side along a second axis, the second side configured to be positioned proximate to an area of skin of the user; a processor; an activity monitoring circuit coupled to the support structure; a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor perform at least:
obtaining sensor data from the activity monitoring circuit; and
based upon the sensor data, calculating athletic measurements based upon a user's athletic movements; and
at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules configured to generate and transfer electrical energy to the processor and the activity monitoring circuit, wherein the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules are configured to generate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradient between the first side and the second side.

2 . The activity monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a first support structure, the device further comprising a second support structure flexibly coupled to the first support structure.

3 . The activity monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a first support structure, the device further comprising a second support structure flexibly coupled to the first support structure; and
wherein the first support structure comprises a first series-connected thermoelectric generator module and the second support structure comprises a second series-connected thermoelectric generator module, each being of the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules.

4 . The activity monitoring device of claim 3 , wherein the first support structure is connected to the second support structure along the first axis.

5 . The activity monitoring device of claim 2 , wherein the first support structure and the second support structure are each rigid structures.

6 . The activity monitoring device of claim 2 , wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises an optical sensor configured to be fully powered by the thermoelectric generators, wherein the optical sensor is configured to be positioned proximate to a user's appendage when the device is worn.

7 . The activity monitoring device of claim 2 , wherein the activity monitoring circuit is a first activity monitoring circuit and the device further comprises a second activity monitoring circuit, wherein the second activity monitoring circuit comprises an optical sensor configured to be fully powered by the thermoelectric generators, wherein the optical sensor is configured to be positioned proximate to a user's appendage when the device is worn.

8 . The activity monitoring device of claim 6 , wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises an accelerometer.

9 . The activity monitoring device of claim 8 wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor perform at least:
determining that the series-connected thermoelectric generator modules produced a threshold quantity of energy; and
based upon the threshold quantity of energy being produced, altering capture of athletic measurements from the device.

10 . The activity monitoring device of claim 9 , wherein the altering of the capture comprises reducing a sampling rate from at least one sensor.

11 . The activity monitoring device of claim 9 , wherein the altering of the capture comprises ceasing capturing data from at least one sensor.

12 . An activity monitoring device, comprising:
a flexible support structure comprising a first end spaced apart from a second end a first coupling mechanism at the first end configured to be removably-coupled to a second coupling mechanism at the second end; the support structure further comprising a first side configured to be exposed to an external environment, and a second side, opposite the first side along a second axis, the second side configured to be positioned proximate to an area of skin of the user; an activity monitoring circuit coupled to the flexible support structure; at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules configured to generate and transfer electrical energy to a processor and an activity monitoring circuit, wherein the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules are configured to generate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradient between the first side and the second side; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor perform at least:
obtaining sensor data from the activity monitoring circuit;
determining that the sensor data is indicative of a threshold level of athletic movement, and in response, causing the device to enter into a first active state;
based upon the sensor data obtained from the device while in the first active state, calculating athletic measurements based upon a user's athletic movements; and
switching the device to a second active state, and based upon the sensor data from the device while in the second active state, calculating athletic measurements based upon the user's athletic movements.

13 . The activity monitoring device of claim 12 , wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises an optical sensor configured to be fully powered by the thermoelectric generators, wherein the optical sensor is configured to be positioned proximate to a user's appendage when the device is worn.

14 . The activity monitoring device of claim 12 , wherein the activity monitoring circuit is a first activity monitoring circuit and the device further comprises a second activity monitoring circuit, wherein the second activity monitoring circuit comprises an optical sensor configured to be fully powered by the thermoelectric generators, wherein the optical sensor is configured to be positioned proximate to a user's appendage when the device is worn.

15 . The activity monitoring device of claim 12 , wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises an accelerometer.

16 . The activity monitoring device of claim 12 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform at least:
determining that the series-connected thermoelectric generator modules produced a threshold quantity of energy; and based upon the threshold quantity of energy being produced, altering capture of athletic measurements from the device.

17 . The activity monitoring device of claim 16 , wherein the altering of the capture comprises reducing a sampling rate from at least one sensor.

18 . The activity monitoring device of claim 17 , wherein the altering of the capture comprises ceasing capturing data from at least one sensor.

19 . An activity monitoring device
a flexible support structure comprising a plurality of individual rigid interconnected components, wherein at least a first and a second individual interconnected components of the plurality of components each comprise a first end spaced apart from a second end along a first axis, the support structure further comprising a first side configured to be exposed to an external environment, and a second side,

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Schneider Summer
• Malhotra Vikram
• Ward Marcus
• Wiant Jerry

Classifications

• A61B5/1128

  using image analysis (A61B5/1127 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B5/1118

  Determining activity level · CPC title

• A61B5/0024

  for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network · CPC title

• A61B2560/0214

  of power generation or supply · CPC title

• G16H40/67

  for remote operation · CPC title