footwear with sensor system

专利摘要:
footwear having a sensor system This footwear article includes an upper element and a frame having a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user's foot on the sensor. Each sensor includes two electrodes that are in communication with a force sensitive material. the electrodes and the force-sensitive resistive material may have multiple lobe shapes. Additionally, the sensor system may be provided in an insert that may form a sole element of the shoe article. the insert may have slits therethrough and may have a defined peripheral shape.
公开号:BR112013021141A2
申请号:R112013021141
申请日:2012-02-17
公开日:2019-12-10
发明作者:B Weast Aaron；R Weitmann Dane；Molyneux James；J Hebert Jeffrey；B Knight Jonathan；M Rice Jordan；B Horrel Joseph；W Stillman Martine
申请人:Nike Int Ltd；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

"FOOTWEAR WITH SENSOR SYSTEM"
Cross Reference To Related Orders
This application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 443,801, filed on February 17, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by summation in its entirety.
Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to shoes with a sensor system and, more particularly, to shoes that have a force sensor assembly operatively connected to a communication port located on the shoes.
Background
Shoes that incorporate sensor systems are widespread. Sensor systems collect performance data and this data can be accessed for future use, for example, for analysis purposes. In certain systems, sensor systems are complex or data is only accessed or used with certain operating systems. Therefore, the use of the collected data may suffer unnecessary limitations. Consequently, if, on the one hand, certain shoes with sensor systems provide several advantageous resources, on the other, such systems have some limitations. The present invention seeks to overcome some of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to offer unusual features not yet available.
Brief Summary
The present invention relates generally to shoes equipped with a sensor system. Aspects of the invention relate to a shoe article that includes an upper limb and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect the forces exerted by the user's foot on the sensor.
According to one aspect, the shoe also contains a communication port operatively connected to the sensors. In one embodiment, the communication port is configured to transmit data concerning the forces detected by each sensor in a universally readable format. The port can also be configured to connect to an electronic module to allow communication between the sensors and the module.
Additional aspects of the invention relate to a door for use with a shoe item which may include a housing adapted to be received, at least partially, within the sole structure of the shoe item. The housing includes a plurality of side walls defining a chamber adapted to receive an electronic module therein. An interface is engaged in the housing and has at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber. In this configuration, the interface is adapted to form an electrical connection to the module so that the module engages at least one contact
2/43 electrical when the module is received inside the chamber.
Other aspects of the invention relate to a shoe article adapted to receive a foot and which includes a sole structure, a leather portion, a sensor system, and a door as described above. The sole structure includes an outer sole member and an midsole member supported by the outer sole member, the midsole member containing an orifice. The upper portion is connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a force sensor connected to the sole structure and a sensor wire that extends from the force sensor, the force sensor being adapted to perceive a force exerted on the sole structure by the foot. The port interface includes an electrical contact that is connected to the sensor wire and by electronic communication with the force sensor.
Other aspects of the invention relate to a system for use with a shoe article adapted to engage the foot. The system includes a sole structure having an outer sole member and an midsole member supported by the outer sole member, the midsole member containing an orifice and a leather portion connected to the sole structure. The system also includes a sensor system that has a plurality of force sensors connected to the sole structure and a plurality of sensor wires that extend from the force sensors, each of the force sensors being adapted to perceive a force exerted on the sole structure by the foot. A port is connected to the sole structure and the sensor system. The door includes a housing received at least partially inside the hole in the midsole member and an interface engaged in the housing. The housing includes a plurality of side walls defining a chamber and a retaining member connected to at least one of the side walls. The interface has a plurality of electrical contacts exposed to the chamber, so that the electrical contacts are connected to the plurality of sensor wires and, thus, are in electronic communication with the force sensors. The system also includes an electronic module received in the door chamber, so that the module engages in the plurality of electrical contacts of the interface when the module is received inside the chamber, forming an electrical connection with the interface. The module is configured to receive signals from the force sensor through the electrical connection to the interface and store the data received from the force sensor. In addition, the housing retaining member exerts a force on the module to retain the module inside the chamber.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be realized from the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the drawings below.
Brief Description Of Drawings
Figure 1 is a side view of a shoe;
Figure 2 is an opposite side view of the shoe in Figure 1;
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Figure 3 is a top view of a shoe sole that incorporates a modality of a sensor system;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a modality of a shoe that incorporates the sensor system of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of another modality of a shoe that incorporates the sensor system of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a modality of an electronic module enabled for use with a sensor system, in communication with an external electronic device.
Figure 7 is a top view of another embodiment of an insert member containing a sensor system in accordance with aspects of the invention;
Figure 8 is a top view of a pair of left and right insert members as shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the insert member and the sensor system of Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a modality of a shoe that incorporates the insert member of Figure 7;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a sensor system according to the aspects of the invention, for use with a shoe article, with the sole structure of the shoe article being represented schematically by the dashed lines;
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of Figure 11, showing a door of the sensor system of Figure 11 and an electronic module being received in a housing of the sensor system;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the door and the module of Figure 12, with the module being inserted into the door;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the module shown in Figure 12;
Figure 15 is a rear perspective view of the module of Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a side view of the Figure 14 module;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the door of Figure 11, showing the module received in its housing;
Figure 18 is a schematic view illustrating the assembly of a door interface as shown in Figure 11;
Figure 19 is a schematic view illustrating the insertion of the module in the housing of the door of Figure 11;
Figure 20 is a rear view of the Figure 18 interface, showing part of its assembly;
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Figure 21 is a perspective view of a base and an electrical contact of the Figure 18 interface;
Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the Figure 11 interface, showing the electrical contact in a flexed-out position;
Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the interface as shown in Figure 22, showing the electrical contact in an inward flexed position;
Figure 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a door for a sensor system according to the aspects of the present invention, in which an electronic module as shown in Figure 14 is received in a door housing;
Figure 25 is a schematic view illustrating the assembly of a door interface of Figure 24;
Figure 26 is a perspective view of a base and an electrical contact of the Figure 25 interface;
Figure 27 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a door for a sensor system according to the aspects of the present invention, in which an electronic module as shown in Figure 14 is received in a door housing;
Figure 28 is a schematic view illustrating the assembly of a door interface of Figure 24;
Figure 29 is a perspective view of a base and an electrical contact of the Figure 25 interface;
Figure 30 is a perspective view of another modality of an electronic module according to the aspects of the present invention;
Figure 31 is a rear perspective view of the module of Figure 30;
Figure 32 is a side view of the module of Figure 30;
Figure 33 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a door for a sensor system according to the aspects of the present invention, in which an electronic module as shown in Figure 30 is received in a door housing;
Figure 34 is a schematic view illustrating the assembly of a door interface of Figure 33;
Figure 35 is a perspective view of a portion of the module of Figure 30 and an electrical contact configured for use with the module;
Figure 36 is a schematic diagram of the electronic module of Figure 6, in communication with an external game device;
Figure 37 is a schematic diagram of a pair of shoes, each containing a sensor system, in a mesh communication mode with an external device;
Figure 38 is a schematic diagram of a pair of shoes, each of which
5/43 containing a sensor system, in a “chain” communication mode with an external device;
Figure 39 is a schematic diagram of a pair of shoes, each containing a sensor system, in an independent communication mode with an external device;
Figure 40 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a door for a sensor system in accordance with aspects of the present invention;
Figure 41 is a cross-sectional view of the door of Figure 40, which has another modality of an electronic module received in it;
Figure 42 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the door as shown in Figure 41;
Figure 43 is an exploded view of the door of Figure 40;
Figure 44 is a perspective view of the module of Figure 41;
Figure 45 is a side view of the module of Figure 44;
Figure 46 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 44;
Figure 47 is a perspective view of an interface of the door of Figure 40;
Figure 48 is a schematic side view showing the assembly of the interface of Figure 47; and
Figure 49 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the Figure 47 interface.
Detailed Description
Although this invention is susceptible to the modality in many different ways, preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, and will be described in detail, with the understanding that the present description should be considered an example of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the comprehensive aspects of the invention to the illustrated and described modalities.
Shoes, such as a shoe, are shown as an example in Figures 12 and are generally designated with the reference number 100. The shoe 100 can take many different forms, including, for example, various types of sports shoes. In an exemplary embodiment, shoe 100 generally includes a force sensor system 12 operatively connected to a universal communication port 14. As will be described in more detail below, sensor system 12 collects user-related performance data shoe 100. By connecting to the universal communication port 14, multiple different users can access performance data for a variety of different uses as will be described in more detail below.
A shoe item 100 is shown in Figures 1-2 to include a leather 120 and sole structure 130. For reference purposes in the description below, the
6/43 footwear 100 can be divided into three general regions: an anterior region of the foot 111, an intermediate region of the foot 112, and a region of the heel 113, as shown in Figure 1. Regions 111-113 do not seek to demarcate exact areas footwear 100. In particular, regions 111-113 represent areas of footwear 100 in general that provide a frame of reference during the following discussion. Although regions 111-113 are applicable to footwear 100, references to regions 111-113 may also apply specifically to leather 120, sole structure 130, or to individual components included and / or formed as part of both leather 120 and of the sole structure 130.
As Figures 1 and 2 also show, the upper 120 is attached to the sole structure 130 and defines a gap or chamber that receives the foot. For reference purposes, leather 120 includes a side face 121, an opposite middle face 122, and an area of the instep or upper 123. The side face 121 is positioned to extend along a side face of the foot ( that is, externally) and generally passes through each of the 111-113 regions. Similarly, the medial face 122 is positioned to extend along an opposite medial face of the foot (i.e., internally) and generally passes through each of the regions 111-113. The upper area 123 is positioned between the lateral face 121 and the middle face 122 to correspond to an upper surface or instep area. The upper area 123, in this illustrated example, includes a narrowing 124 with a lace 125 or other desired closing mechanism that is used in a conventional manner to modify the dimensions of the upper 120 in relation to the foot, thereby adjusting the shoe fitting 100 Leather 120 further includes an ankle opening 126 that promotes foot access to leather span 120. A variety of materials can be used in the construction of leather 120, including materials conventionally used in shoe uppers. Accordingly, leather 120 may be formed from one or more portions of leather, synthetic leather, natural or synthetic textile articles, polymeric sheets, polymeric foams, knitted textile articles, felts, non-woven polymers, or rubberized materials, for example. example. Leather 120 may be formed from one or more of these materials in which the materials or portions thereof are sewn or bonded in an adhesive manner, for example, in ways conventionally known and used in the art.
Upper 120 may additionally include an heel element (not shown) and a toe element (not shown). The heel element, when present, can extend upwards and along the inner surface of the leather 120 in the heel region 113 to increase the comfort of the shoe 100. The toe element, when present, can be located in the anterior region foot 111 and an outer surface of the leather upper 120 to provide wear resistance, protect the user's toes, and assist with foot positioning. In some embodiments, one or both, namely the heel element and the toe element, may be absent, or the foot element
7/43 can be positioned on an outer surface of leather 120, for example. While the leather upper 120 configuration discussed above is suitable for footwear 100, the leather upper 120 can display the configuration of any desired conventional or unconventional leather structure without departing from the scope of this invention.
The sole structure 130 is attached to a lower surface of the upper 120 and can be, in general terms, conventional. The sole structure 130 may have a multi-piece structure, for example, a structure that includes an midsole 131, an outer sole 132, and a foot contact member 133, which may be an insole, a strobel, a member the inner insole, a boot element, a sock, etc. (See Figures 4-5). In the embodiment shown in Figures 4-5, the foot contact member 133 is a member of the inner insole or insole. The term “foot contact member”, as used here, does not necessarily imply direct contact with the user's foot, as another element may interfere with direct contact. Instead, the foot contact member forms a portion of the inner surface of the chamber that accommodates the foot of a shoe item. For example, the user may be wearing a sock that interferes with direct contact. As an additional example, the sensor system 12 can be incorporated into a shoe item that is designed to slide over a shoe or other shoe item, such as an outer gaiter element or shoe cover. In an article of this type, the upper portion of the sole structure can be considered a member of contact with the foot, even though not in direct contact with the user's foot.
The midsole member 131 may be an impact mitigation member. For example, the midsole member 131 may consist of polymeric foam material, such as polyurethane, ethyl vinyl acetate, or other materials (such as filon, filite, etc.) that are compressed to attenuate the reaction forces of the surface of contact with the ground or other forces while walking, running, jumping, or other activities. In some exemplary structures in accordance with the present invention, the polymeric foam material may encapsulate or include various elements, such as a fluid-filled vesicle or moderator, which increases comfort, movement control, stability, and / or attenuation properties of the reaction force of the contact surface with the ground or others of the shoe 100. In yet other exemplary structures, the midsole 131 may include additional elements that compress to attenuate the reaction forces of the contact surface with the ground or other forces. For example, the midsole may include column-like elements that assist in damping and absorbing forces.
The outer sole 132 is attached to a lower surface of the midsole 131 in this illustrated shoe structure example 100 and is formed of a wear-resistant material, such as rubber or a flexible synthetic material, such as polyurethane, which contacts the ground or other surface during outpatient activity or other activities. The material
8/43 that forms the outer sole 132 can be made of suitable materials and / or textured to provide greater resistance to sliding and traction. The structure and manufacturing methods of the outsole 132 will be discussed further below. A foot contact member 133 (which may be an inner insole member, an insole, a gaiter member, a strobel, a sock, etc.) is typically a thin, compressible member that can be located in the leather gap 120 and adjacent to a lower surface of the foot (or between the upper 120 and the midsole 131) to increase the comfort of the shoe 100. In some arrangements, the inner insole or the insole may be absent, and in other modalities, the shoe 100 may have a foot contact member positioned on an inner or insole.
The outer sole 132 shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a plurality of incisions or grooves 136 on one or both sides of the outer sole 132. These grooves 136 may extend from the bottom of the outer sole 132 to a portion of the upper or up to midsole 131. In one arrangement, the grooves 136 may extend from a bottom surface of the outer sole 132 to a median point between the bottom of the outer sole 132 and the top of the outer sole 132. In another arrangement, the grooves 136 may be extended from the bottom of the outsole 132 to a point beyond half of the top of the outsole 132. In one more arrangement, the grooves 136 can be extended from the bottom of the outer sole 132 to a point where the outer sole 132 meets the midsole 131. The grooves 136 can give additional flexibility to the outer sole 132, and thereby allow the outer sole to flex more freely in the natural directions in which the user's foot is inflected. In addition, grooves 136 can contribute to the user's traction. It is understood that the modalities of the present invention can be used with other types and configurations of shoes, as well as other types of shoes and sole structures.
Figures 3-5 illustrate exemplary embodiments of shoes 100 that incorporate a sensor system 12 in accordance with the present invention. The sensor system 12 includes a force sensor assembly 13, which has a plurality of sensors 16, and an output or communication port 14 in communication with sensor assembly 13 (for example, electrically connected via conductors). In the modality illustrated in Figure 3, the system 12 has four sensors 16: a first sensor 16A in the area of the toe (first phalanx) of the shoe, two sensors 16B-C in the front area of the foot of the shoe, including a second sensor 16B in the first metatarsal head region and a third 16C sensor in the fifth metatarsal head region, and a fourth 16D sensor in the heel. These areas of the foot typically experience the highest degree of pressure during movement. The mode described below and shown in Figures 7-9 uses a similar configuration of sensors 16. Each sensor 16 is configured to detect a force exerted
9/43 by the user's foot on sensor 16. The sensors communicate with port 14 via sensor wires 18, which may be wire wires and / or another electrical conductor or suitable communication medium. For example, in one embodiment, the sensor wires 18 can be an electrical conduction medium printed on the foot contact member 133, the midsole member 131, or another member of the sole structure 130, for example, a layer between the foot contact member 133 and the midsole member 131.
Other modalities of the sensor system 12 may contain a different number or configuration of sensors 16, for example, the modalities described below and shown in Figures 7-9 and in general terms include at least one sensor 16. For example, in one modality, system 12 includes a much larger number of sensors, and in another mode, system 12 includes two sensors, one on the heel and one on the toe of shoe 100. In addition, sensors 16 can communicate with port 14 differently, including any known type of wired or wireless communication, including Bluetooth and near-field communication. A pair of shoes can be fitted with sensor systems 12 in each pair's shoes, establishing that the pair sensor systems can operate synergistically or can operate independently of each other, and that the sensor systems in each shoe can or do not communicate with each other. The communication of sensor systems 12 is described in more detail below. It is established that the sensor system 12 can be equipped with computer programs / algorithms to control the collection and storage of data (for example, pressure data from the interaction of the user's foot with the ground or other contact surface), and that these programs / algorithms can be stored and / or executed by sensors 16, port 14, module 22, and / or external device 110. Sensors 16 may include indispensable components (for example, a processor, memory, software , TX / RX, etc.) in order to store and / or execute such computer programs / algorithms and / or direct transmission (wired or wireless) of data and / or other information to port 14 and / or to external device 110.
The sensor system 12 can be positioned in various configurations on the sole 130 of the shoe 100. In the examples shown in Figures 4-5, port 14, sensors 16, and wires 18 can be positioned between the midsole 131 and the limb contact with the foot 133, for example, connecting port 14, sensors 16, and / or wires 18 to the top surface of the midsole 131 or to the bottom surface of the foot contact member 133. A cavity or hole 135 it can be located in midsole 131 (Figure 4) or in the foot contact member 133 (Figure 5) to receive an electronic module, as described below, and port 14 can be accessed from hole 135. In the modality shown in Figure 4, orifice 135 is formed by an opening in the main upper surface of the midsole 131, and in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, orifice 135 is formed by an opening in the
10/43 main lower surface of the foot contact member 133. Orifice 135 may be located elsewhere in the sole structure 130 in other embodiments. For example, hole 135 may be partially located inside the foot contact member 133 and the midsole member 131 in one embodiment, or hole 135 may be located on the main bottom surface of midsole 131 or on the main top surface of the foot contact member 133. In an additional embodiment, hole 135 can be located on the outer sole 132 and can be accessed from the outside of shoe 100, for example, through an opening in the side, bottom, or heel of the sole. 130. In the configurations illustrated in Figures 4-5, port 14 is easily accessible for connecting or disconnecting an electronic module, as described below. In other embodiments, the sensor system 12 can be positioned differently. For example, in one embodiment, door 14, sensors 16, and / or wires 18 can be positioned inside the outer sole 132, midsole 131, or foot contact member 133. In an exemplary embodiment, the door 14, sensors 16, and / or wires 18 may be positioned on a foot contact member 133 located above the foot contact member 133, such as a sock, insole, inner shoe gaiter, or other item similar. In an additional embodiment, the door 14, the sensors 16, and / or the wires 18 can be formed constituting an insert or a lining, designed for simple and light engagement with the structure of the sole 130, for example, inserting the insert between the foot contact member 133 and midsole 131, as shown in Figures 4-5 and 7-10. Additional configurations are possible, some examples of additional configurations are described below. As discussed, it is established that the sensor system 12 can be included in each shoe in a pair.
In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 7-9, sensors 16 are force sensors for measuring tension, compression, or other force and / or energy exerted or otherwise associated with sole 130, particularly when wearing shoes 100 For example, sensors 16 can be or comprise force-sensitive resistive sensors (FSR) or other sensors that use a force-sensitive resistive material (such as a quantum tunneling composite, a custom conductive foam, or a force-transducing rubber, described in more depth below), magnetic resistance sensors, piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensors, voltage calibrators, spring-based sensors, fiber-based sensors, polarized light sensors, sensors based on mechanical actuators, displacement sensors, and / or any other types of known sensors or switches capable of measuring the force and / or compression of the foot contact member 133, between essole 131, external sole 132, etc. A sensor can be or comprise an analog device or other device capable of detecting or measuring force quantitatively, or it can simply be a binary type ON / OFF switch (eg
11/43 example, a silicone membrane switch). It is established that quantitative force measurements by sensors may include gathering and transmitting or otherwise making data available that can be converted into quantitative force measurements by an electronic device, such as module 22 or external device 110. Some sensors as described here, for example example, piezo type sensors, force sensitive resistive sensors, composite quantum tunneling sensors, custom conductive foam sensors, etc., can detect or measure differences or changes in resistance, capacitance, or electrical potential, so that the measured differential it can be represented by a force component. A spring-based sensor, as mentioned above, can be configured to measure the strain or change in strength caused by pressure and / or strain. A fiber optic sensor, as described above, contains compressible tubes with a light source and a light measurement device connected to it. In a sensor of this type, when the tubes are compressed, the wavelength or other property of the light inside the tubes is changed, and the measuring device can detect such changes and translate the changes in a force measurement. It would also be possible to use nano-type coatings, for example, a midsole immersed in conductive material. Polarized light sensors could be used, in which changes in light transmission properties are measured and correlated to the pressure or force exerted on the sole. One modality uses a multiple array (for example, 100) of binary on / off sensors, and the power components can be detected by “shaping” the sensor signals in specific areas. Additional types of sensors not mentioned can be used. It is established that the sensors can have a relatively low cost-benefit ratio and are able to be installed on shoes in a mass production process. More complex, more expensive sensor systems could be incorporated into training shoes. It is established that a combination of different types of sensors can be used in one modality.
Additionally, sensors 16 can be installed or engaged with the shoe structure in a number of different ways. In one example, sensors 16 may be printed sensors conducting ink, electrodes, and / or wires deposited on a sole member, such as an airbag or other chamber filled with fluids, a foam material, or other material for use in footwear 100, or a sock, gaiter, insert, lining, inner insole, midsole, etc. Sensors 16 and / or threads 18 can be woven to form fabric or garment structures (such as insoles, gaiters, uppers, inserts, etc.), for example, using filaments or conductive fabrics while weaving or weaving fabric or garment structures . Many modalities of the sensor system 12 can be produced at low cost, for example, using a force-sensitive resistive sensor or a force-sensitive resistive material, as described below and shown in Figure 9. Understand here
12/43 that sensors 16 and / or wires 18 can also be deposited on or engaged in a portion of the shoe structure in any desired manner, for example, by conventional deposition techniques, by conductive coating of the nano type, conventional mechanical connectors , and by any other known method that can be applied. The sensor system can also be configured to provide a mechanical response to the user. In addition, sensor system 12 can include a separate power wire to supply power or act as ground for sensors 16. In the modalities described below and shown in Figures 7-9, sensor system 12 includes a separate power wire 18A which is used to connect sensors 16 to port 14A-E and supply power from module 22 to sensors 16. In another example, sensor system 12 can be produced by incorporating printed sensors of conductive ink 16 or electrodes and filament wires or conductive fabrics 18, or forming such sensors in the foam or airbag of a shoe. The sensors 16 could be incorporated into the foam or airbag in several ways. In one embodiment, sensors 16 could be produced by printing a force-sensitive conductive material to the airbag on one or more airbag surfaces to achieve an effect similar to that of a voltage calibrator. When the surfaces of the bag expand and / or contract during activity, the sensors can detect such changes through changes in the strength of the material sensitive to force to detect the forces exerted on the airbag. In a bag that has an internal fabric to maintain a consistent shape, conductive materials can be located at the top and bottom of the airbag, and variations in capacitance between the conductive materials as the bag expands and compresses can be used to determine the strength . In addition, devices capable of converting variations in air pressure into an electrical signal can be used to determine the force while the airbag is compressed.
Port 14 is configured to communicate the data collected by sensors 16 to an external source, in one or more known ways. In one embodiment, port 14 is a universal communication port, configured for data communication in a universally readable format. In the embodiments shown in Figures 3-5, port 14 includes an interface 20 for connection to an electronic module 22, shown in connection with port 14 in Figure 3. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3-5, interface 20 includes a plurality of electrical contacts, similarly to interfaces 320, et seq. described below. Additionally, in this modality, the door 14 is associated with a housing 24 for insertion of the electronic module 22, located in the hole 135 in the intermediate arch or intermediate region of the foot of the shoe article 100. The positioning of the door 14 in Figures 3-5 does not it only shows contact, irritation, or other minimal interference with the user's foot, but also provides easy accessibility simply by raising the foot contact member 133. Additionally, as illustrated in Figure 6, the sensor wires 18 are
13/43 also have a consolidated interface or connection 19 at its terminal ends, for connection to port 14 and the interface of port 20. In one embodiment, consolidated interface 19 may include the individual connection of the wires from sensor 18 to the port interface 20, for example, through a plurality of electrical contacts. In another embodiment, the wires of the sensor 18 could be consolidated to form an external interface, such as a plug-type interface, or otherwise, and in an additional embodiment, the wires of the sensor 18 can form an unconsolidated interface, where each wire 18 has its own subinterface. As illustrated in Figure 6, the wires of the sensor 18 can converge to a single location in order to form the consolidated interface. Still as described below, module 22 may have an interface 23 for connection to the interface of port 20 and / or to the wires of the sensor 18.
Port 14 is adapted to connect to one or a variety of different electronic modules 22, which can be as simple as a memory component (for example, a flash drive) or which can contain more complex features. It is understood that module 22 could be a complex component such as a mobile computer, mobile device, server, etc. Port 14 is configured to transmit the data collected by sensors 16 to module 22 for the purpose of storage and / or processing. In another embodiment, port 14 may include the necessary components (for example, a processor, memory, software, TX / RX, etc.) to carry out the storage and / or execution of such computer programs / algorithms and / or for direct transmission (wired or wireless) of data and / or other information to an external device 110. Examples of housing and electronic modules in a shoe item are illustrated in Serial Patent Application No. US 11 / 416.458, published as Publication of Patent Application No. US 2007/0260421, which is incorporated herein by way of citation, becoming part of this document. Although port 14 is illustrated with electrical contacts that form an interface 20 for connection to a module, in other embodiments, port 14 may contain one or more additional or alternative communication interfaces for communication with sensors 16, with module 22 , external device 110, and / or other component. For example, port 14 may contain or comprise a USB port, a Firewire port, a 16-pin port, or another type of connection established from physical contact, or it may include a contactless or wireless communication interface, such as an interface for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near-field communication, RFID, Low Energy Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other wireless communication technique, or an interface for infrared or other optical communication technique (or combination of such techniques).
Port 14 and / or module 22 may have one or more interfaces 20, 23, and port 14 may have internal circuits to connect all wires 18, 18A to interfaces 20, 23. Additionally, module 22 may have one or more more interfaces 23 that are complementary to the interface (s) 20 of port 14, for connection to it. For example, if port 14 has the interface
14/43 ce (s) 20 on the side walls 139 and / or on its base wall 143, module 22 may also have complementary interface (s) 23 on the side walls and / or on the base wall. It is established that the module 22 and the port 14 cannot have identically complementary interfaces 20, 23, and that only a pair of complementary interfaces 20, 23 can be able to establish the communication between the components. In other embodiments, port 14 and orifice 135 may have a different configuration for connecting wires 18, 18A. Additionally, port 14 may have a different shape, capable of allowing a greater variety of connection configurations. In addition, any of the connection configurations described here, or combinations thereof, can be used with the various modalities of the sensor systems described here.
Module 22 may additionally have one or multiple communication interfaces for connection to an external device 110 in order to transmit data, for example, for processing, as described below and shown in Figure 6. Such interfaces can include any of the interfaces with or without contact described above. In one example, module 22 includes at least one retractable USB connection for connecting to a computer. In another example, module 22 can be configured to connect, with or without contact, to a mobile device, such as a watch, cell phone, portable music player, etc. The module 22 can be configured to be removed from the shoes 100 to be connected directly to the external device 110 for data transfer, for example, through the retractable USB connection described above or through another connection interface. However, in another embodiment, module 22 can be configured for wireless communication with external device 110, which allows device 22 to remain in shoes 100 if desired. In a wireless mode, module 22 can be connected to an antenna for wireless communication. The antenna can be shaped, sized, and positioned for use with the transmission frequency appropriate to the selected wireless communication method. In addition, the antenna can be located internally or externally to module 22, for example, on port 14 or elsewhere. In one example, the sensor system 12 itself (such as wires 18 and the conductive portions of sensors 16) could be used to form an antenna partially or completely. It is established that module 22 may contain an antenna in addition to an antenna connected anywhere else in sensor system 12, such as port 14, in one or more of sensors 16, etc. In one embodiment, module 22 may be permanently installed in shoe 100, or alternatively it may be removable according to the user's option and capable of remaining in shoe 100 if desired. In addition, as explained below, module 22 can be removed and replaced with another module 22 programmed and / or configured to gather and / or use data from sensors 16 in a different way. If module 22 is permanently installed in shoe 100, sensor system 12 can also contain an external port 15
15/43 that allows data transfer and / or battery charging, such as a USB or Firewire port. This external port 15 can be used, as an option or in addition, for the communication of information. Module 22 can also be configured for contactless charging, for example, inductor charging. It is established that module 22 can be configured for communication with and / or without contact.
Although the door 14 can be located in several positions without deviating from the essence of the invention, in one embodiment, the door 14 is provided in a position and orientation and / or is structured in a way that avoids or minimizes contact with and / or irritation of the user's foot, for example, while the user steps and / or otherwise uses the shoe item 100, for example, during a sports activity. The positioning of door 14 in Figures 3-5 illustrates such an example. In another embodiment, door 14 is located close to the heel or in the regions of the instep of the shoe 100. Other features of the shoe structure 100 can help to reduce or prevent contact between the user's foot and the door 14 (or a element connected to door 14) and promote the general comfort of the shoe structure 100. For example, as shown in Figures 4-5, the foot contact member 133, or another foot contact member, can adjust over and at least partially cover door 14, at least providing a padding layer between the user's foot and door 14. It is possible to use any other features that reduce contact between and modulate any unwanted perception of door 14 on the user's foot . Of course, if desired, the door opening 14 can be provided through the top surface of the foot contact member 133 without departing from the essence of the invention. This construction can be used, for example, when the housing 24, the electronic module 22, and other features of the door 14 include structures and / or when they are made from materials that modulate the sensation on the user's foot, when additional elements of comfort and that modulate perception are aggregated, etc. Any of the various features described above that help to reduce or avoid contact between the user's foot and an accommodation (or an element received in the accommodation) and increase the overall comfort of the shoe structure can be provided without departing from the scope of this invention, including the various resources described above together with Figures 4-5, as well as other known methods and techniques.
In one embodiment, when port 14 is configured for contact communication with a module 22 contained in an orifice 135 in the soleplate structure 130, port 14 is positioned inside or immediately adjacent to orifice 135, for connection with module 22 It is established that if orifice 135 furthermore contains a housing 24 for module 22, housing 24 can be configured to connect to interface 20, for example, by providing a physical space for interface 20 or providing hardware for interconnection between interface 20 and module 22. The positioning of interface 20 on the
16/43
Figure 3 illustrates an example of this type, where housing 24 provides physical space for receiving interface 20 and connection to module 22.
Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic module 22 that includes the capability of transmitting / receiving data through a data transmitting / receiving system 106, which can be used according to at least some examples of this invention. Regardless of the exemplary structures in Figure 6 illustrating the data transmission / reception system (TX-RX) 106 as being integrated into the structure of the electronic module 22, those skilled in the art will find it interesting that a separate component can be included as part of of a shoe structure 100 or other structure for data transmission / reception purposes and / or that the data transmission / reception system 106 does not need to be entirely contained in a single housing or in a single package in all examples of invention. Instead, if desired, the various components or elements of the data transmission / reception system 106 may be separated from each other, in different housings, on different plates, and / or separately attached to the shoe article 100 or to another countless different ways without deviating from the scope of this invention. Several examples of potential differentiated installation structures are described in their most profound aspects below.
In the example of Figure 6, electronic module 22 may include a data transmission / reception element 106 for transmitting data to and / or receiving data from one or more remote systems. In one embodiment, the transmit / receive element 106 is configured for communication via port 14, for example, using the contact or non-contact interfaces described above. In the mode shown in Figure 6, module 22 includes an interface 23 configured for connection to port 14 and / or sensors 16. In module 22 illustrated in Figure 3, interface 23 has contacts that are complementary to the contacts of interface 20 on port 14 , for connection to port 14. In other embodiments, as described above, port 14 and module 22 may contain different types of interfaces 20, 23, wired or wireless. It is established that in some modalities, module 22 can interface with port 14 and / or sensors 16 via the TX-RX element 106. Therefore, in one mode, module 22 can be external to shoe 100, and the door 14 may comprise a wireless transmission interface for communication with module 22. Electronic component 22 in this example further includes a processing system 202 (for example, one or more microprocessors), a memory system 204, and a power supply 206 (for example, a battery or other power source). The power supply 206 can supply power to the sensors 16 and / or other components of the sensor system 12. The shoe 100 may include, in addition or alternatively, a separate power supply to operate the sensors 16 if necessary, be it a battery,
17/43 piezoelectric elements, solar energy supplies; or others.
The connection to one or more sensors can be made via the TX-RX 106 element, and additional sensors (not shown) can be provided to perceive or provide data or information relating to a wide range of different types of parameters. Examples of such data or information include physical or physiological data associated with the use of shoe item 100 or the user, including distance and / or speed information from the pedometer type, other information from the distance and / or speed data sensor, temperature, altitude, barometric pressure, humidity, GPS data, accelerometer input or output data, heart rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, body temperature, EKG data, EEG data, data regarding angular orientation and changes in angular orientation ( for example, a gyroscope-based sensor), etc., and this data can be stored in memory 204 and / or made available, for example, for transmission by the transmitting / receiving system 106 to some system or remote location. The additional sensor (s), if present, may additionally include an accelerometer (for example, to perceive changes in direction during strides, namely, pedometer type distance and / or speed information, to perceive the height of the jump, etc. .).
As additional examples, electronic modules, systems, and methods of the various types described above can be used to provide automatic control of impact attenuation for footwear. Such systems and methods may operate, for example, as described in US Patent No. 6,430,843, in US Patent Application Publication 2003/0009913, and in US Patent Application Publication 2004/0177531, which describe systems and methods to actively and / or dynamically control the impact mitigation characteristics of footwear articles (US Patent No. 6,430,843, US Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0009913, and Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0177531, each of which is incorporated into the present by means of this quotation, becoming part of this document). When used to provide speed and / or distance information, perception units, algorithms, and / or systems of the types described in US Patent Nos. 5,724,265, 5,955,667, 6,018,705, 6,052,654, 6,876,947 and 6,882,955 can be used. Each of the cited patents is fully incorporated into the present by means of this quotation.
In the embodiment of Figure 6, an electronic module 22 may include an activation system (not shown). The activation system or portions of the system can be coupled to module 22 or to shoe item 100 (or other device) together with or separately from other portions of electronic module 22. The activation system can be used to selectively activate the electronic module 22 and / or at least some functions of the electronic module 22 (for example, data transmission / reception functions, etc.). A wide variety of different activation systems can be used without deviating from the price
18/43 feels invention. In one example, sensor system 12 can be activated and / or deactivated by activating sensors 16 in a specific pattern, such as consecutive or alternate toes / heel strokes, or a minimal force exerted on one or more sensors 16 In another example, sensor system 12 can be activated by a button or switch, which can be located on module 22, on shoes 100, or on an external device in communication with sensor system 12, as well as other locations . In any of these modalities, the sensor system 12 can contain an “inactive” mode, capable of deactivating the system 12 after a defined period of inactivity. In one mode, sensor system 12 can return to “inactive” mode if there is no more activity in a short time after activation, in case of involuntary activation. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor system 12 can operate as a low power device that is not activated or deactivated.
Module 22 can also be configured to communicate with an external device 110, which can be an external computer or computer system, mobile device, game system, or other type of electronic device, as shown in Figure 6. The example external device 110 shown in Figure 6 includes a processor 302, a memory 304, a power supply 306, a display 308, a user input 310, and a data transmission / reception system 108. The transmission / reception system 108 is configured for communication with module 22 through the transmission / reception system 106 of module 22, through any type of electronic communication known, including the communication methods with and without contact described above and in other parts of this document. It is established that module 22 can be configured to communicate with a plurality of external devices, including a wide range of different types and configurations of electronic devices, and that the device (s) with which module 22 communicates may vary over time. time. In addition, the transmission / reception system 106 of module 22 can be configured for a plurality of different types of electronic communication. It is further established that the external device 110 as described herein can be incorporated by two or more external devices in communication with the module 22, with the port 14, and / or with each other, including one or more intermediate devices that transmit information to the external device 110, and the functions of processing, executing programs / algorithms and other functions of the external device 110 can be performed by a combination of external devices
Many different types of sensors can be incorporated into the sensor systems according to the present invention. Figures 7-10 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a sole structure 130 for a shoe 100 that contains a sensor system 212 that includes a sensor assembly 213 that incorporates a plurality of force sensitive resistive sensors (FSR) 216. The system sensor 212 is similar to the system
19/43 of sensor 12 described above, and further includes a port 14 in communication with an electronic module 22 and a plurality of wires 218 connecting the FSR sensors 216 to port 14. Module 22 is contained in a housing 24 in an orifice or cavity 135 in the soleplate structure 130 of shoe 100, and port 14 is connected to orifice 135 to allow connection to module 22 within orifice 135. Port 14 and module 22 include complementary interfaces 220, 223 for connection and communication. Sensors 216 and sensor wires 218 of sensor system 212 are positioned on an insert 237 which is adapted to be engaged with the sole structure 130. In the embodiment shown in Figures 7-10, insert 237 is positioned on top of the midsole 131 , between the foot contact member 133 and the midsole 131 of the sole structure 130, and the housing 24 is positioned inside a hole 135 in the midsole 131 and is covered by the foot contact member 133. During assembly, insert 237 can be inserted above the midsole member 131 (and above the strobel, if present) during shoe manufacturing 100 after connecting upper 120 to midsole 131 and outer sole 132, thereafter the contact member with the foot 133 can be inserted above sensor system 212, although other mounting methods can be used. In other embodiments, sensor system 212 can be configured or positioned differently, for example, by installing insert 237, sensors 216, and / or port 14 in a different location. For example, orifice 135, housing 24 and / or port 14 can be positioned partially or completely within the foot contact member 133, as shown in Figure 5, or the sensor system 212 and / or insert 237 can be positioned on top of the foot contact member 133. Any of the sensor system configurations, including any of the types and configurations of sensors, doors, inserts, etc., shown and described in the Ordering Publications US Patent No. 2010/0063778 and 2010/0063779, both filed on June 12, 2009, can be used, and such requests are incorporated into this document in its entirety by means of this quotation, becoming part of this document. It is established that the sensor system 12 shown in Figures 3-5 may have a configuration similar to the sensor system 212 in Figures 7-10, or any other configuration described herein, including any configuration shown and described in the Patent Application Publications US No. 2010/0063778 and 2010/0063779.
The sensor system 212 in Figures 7-10 includes four sensors 216, with a first sensor 216 positioned in the area of the first phalanx (thumb), a second sensor 216 positioned in the head area of the first metatarsus, a third sensor 216 positioned in the area of the head of the fifth metatarsal, and a fourth sensor 216 positioned in the heel area. Each sensor 216 has a sensor wire 218 connecting sensor 216 to port 14. Additionally, a power wire 218A extends from port 14 and is connected to all four sensors 216. Power wire 218A can be connected in parallel , in
20/43 series, or in another configuration in the various modes, and each 216 sensor can have an individual power wire in another mode. All wires 218, 218A are connected to port 14 for connection and data transfer to a module 22 connected to port 14. It is established that port 14 can have any configuration described here. In this mode, wires 218, 218A are properly positioned for a 5-pin connection.
The FSR 216 sensors shown in Figures 7-9 contain the first and second electrodes or electrical contacts 240, 242 and a resistive force sensitive material 244 disposed between electrodes 240, 242 to electrically join electrodes 240, 242. When a force / pressure is applied to the material sensitive to force 244, the resistivity and / or conductivity of the material sensitive to force 244 varies, which changes the electrical potential and / or the current between electrodes 240, 242. The change in resistance can be detected by sensor system 212 to detect the force applied to sensor 216. The force-sensitive resistive material 244 can change its resistance under pressure in several ways. For example, the force-sensitive material 244 may have an internal resistance that decreases when the material is compressed, similarly to the quantum tunneling composites described in more detail below. The additional compression of this material can further reduce the resistance, allowing quantitative measurements as well as binary (on / off) measurements. In some circumstances, this type of force-sensitive resistive behavior can be described as “volume-based resistance”, and the materials that exhibit this behavior can be called “smart materials”. As an additional example, material 244 can change resistance by modifying the degree of surface-to-surface contact. This can be done in several ways, for example, using microprojections on the surface that increase the surface resistance in an uncompressed condition, where the surface resistance decreases when the microprojections are compressed, or using a flexible electrode that can be deformed to create greater surface-to-surface contact with another electrode. This surface resistance can be the resistance between material 244 and electrode 240, 242 and / or the surface resistance between a conductive layer (for example, carbon / graphite) and a force sensitive layer (for example, a semiconductor) of a multi-layer material 244. The greater the compression, the greater the surface-to-surface contact, resulting in lower strength and allowing quantitative measurement. In some circumstances, this type of force-sensitive resistive behavior can be described as "contact-based resistance". It is established that the force sensitive resistive material 244, as defined herein, can be or include a doped or non-doped semiconductor material.
The electrodes 240, 242 of the FSR 216 sensor can consist of any conductive material, including metals, composites or carbon / graphite fibers, other conductive composites, conductive polymers or polymers containing a conductive material, ceramics
21/43 conductors, doped semiconductors, or any other conductive material. Wires 218 can be connected to electrodes 240, 242 using any convenient method, including welding, soldering, brazing, adhesive bonding, fasteners, or any other integrated or non-integrated bonding method. Alternatively, electrode 240, 242 and associated wire 218 can be formed of a single piece of the same material. As described below, the force-sensitive resistive material 244 may be carbon (carbon black, for example) in one embodiment, however other types of sensors may use another type of force-sensitive resistive material 244, such as a composite of quantum tunneling, a custom conductive foam, a force-transducing rubber, and other force-sensitive resistive materials described here.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 7-9, the electrodes 240, 242 of the FSR 216 sensor have a plurality of interlocking and interlacing fingers 246, with the force-sensitive resistive material 244 positioned between the fingers 246 to electrically connect the electrodes 240, 242 each other. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, each of the wires 218 supplies power independently from module 22 to sensor 216 to which each respective wire 218 is connected. It is established that the wires of sensor 218 may include separate wires extended from each electrode 240, 242 to port 14, and that module 22 can supply electrical energy to electrodes 240, 242 through such separate wires, for example, through of a separate 218A power cord.
Force sensitive resistors suitable for use in the 212 sensor system are commercially available from sources such as Sensitronics LLC. Examples of force-sensitive resistors that may be suitable for use are shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 4,314,227 and 6,531,951, which are hereby incorporated into this document in its entirety and integrated into this document.
In the modality of sensor system 212 shown in Figures 7-10, each sensor 216 includes two contacts 240, 242 constructed of a conductive metallic layer and a carbon layer (such as carbon black) forming a contact surface on the metallic layer (not shown). Sensors 216 also include a resistive material sensitive to force 244 that is constructed of a layer or carbon fiber (such as carbon black), which is in contact with the carbonic contact surfaces of electrodes 240, 242. The carbon-carbon contact can produce greater variations in conductivity under pressure, increasing the effectiveness of the sensors 216. The wires 218, 218A in this modality are constructed of a conductive metallic material that can be the same material as the metallic layer of the contacts 240, 242. In one embodiment, the wires 218, 218A and the metallic layers of contacts 240, 242 are made of silver.
As shown in Figure 9, in this exemplary embodiment, sensor system 212 is constructed of two flexible layers 241 and 245 that combine to form an insert mem22 / 43 237 for insertion into a shoe item, such as between the foot contact member 133 and the midsole member 131, as discussed above. Layers 241, 245 can be made of any flexible material, such as a flexible polymeric material. In one embodiment, the layers 241, 245 are formed of a thin and foldable material with 0.05 to 0.2 mm thickness called Mylar. Insert 237 is constructed primarily by depositing the conductive metallic material on the first layer 241, for example, by printing, in the pattern traced by wires 218, 218A and electrodes 240, 242 of sensors 216, to form the configuration shown in Figures 7-9 . Then, the additional carbon contact layer is deposited on the first layer 241, tracing over the electrodes 240, 242 of the sensors 216, and the resistive carbon-sensitive material 244 is deposited as puddled on the second layer 245, as it also shows Figure 9. After depositing all the materials, the layers 241, 245 are placed in overlap, as shown in Figure 9, so that the electrodes 240, 242 are aligned with the pads of the resistive material sensitive to force 244, to form the insert member 237 to be inserted in the shoe article 100. It is established that the conductive metallic material and the carbon material 244 are deposited on the faces of layers 266, 268 opposite each other (for example, the top surface of the topmost layer low 266, 268 and the bottom surface of the highest layer 266, 268). In one embodiment, the sensor system 212 constructed in this way can detect pressures in the range of 10-750 kPa. In addition, the 1312 sensor system may be able to detect pressures at least across a highly sensitive portion of this range. Insert member 237 may further include one or more additional layers, such as a graphic layer (not shown).
Figures 11-35 and 40-49 illustrate various types of doors 14 that can be used with sensor systems 12, 212 as shown in Figures 1-10, or with other types of sensor systems, as well as modules 22 that can be used. used in connection with such ports 14. Figures 11-23 illustrate a modality of a port 314 that can be used in connection with a sensor system 312 according to the aspects and features described herein. Figures 11-13 illustrate port 314 as part of sensor system 312 configured similarly to sensor system 212 described above, with four sensors 316 positioned in the area of the first phalanx (thumb), the head area of the first metatarsal, the area of the head of the fifth metatarsus, and the heel area. The 316 sensors can be FSR sensors or a different type of sensor or a combination of such sensors, as described above. The sensors 316 and the wires 318, including the power wire 318A, are arranged on an insert 337 which is positioned to engage the midsole member 131 of the sole structure 130 of a shoe item, similar to the sensor system 212 described above and shown in Figures 7-10. Additionally, port 314 includes an interface 320 for electrical connection to an electronic module 322, and all wires
23/43 of sensor 318, 318A terminate at interface 320. Port 314 is at least partially received in an orifice 135 in the sole structure 130, and in this embodiment, orifice 135 is entirely located within the midsole member 131.
An embodiment of an electronic module 322 as described above is illustrated in Figures 12-16. The shape of module 322 is generally rectangular at the front end, with a rounded rear end, as seen in Figures 14 and 15. Additionally, module 322 has a tapered portion 355 on its bottom face, as shown in Figures 12-13 and 16, whose significance is described below. Module 322 has an interface 323 at its front end, which has one or more electrical contacts 353 and which is adapted to form an electrical connection with interface 320 of port 314. Contacts 353 in this mode are in the form of electrical contact blocks 353 with flat contact surfaces 354. Module 322 can include any other features described here, such as in Figures 6 and 36, including any hardware and software necessary to collect, process and / or transmit data.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11-23, port 314 includes a housing 324 which is adapted to be received in hole 135 of the soleplate structure 130 and the interface 320 engaged in housing 324. As shown in Figure 11, housing 324 in this embodiment is attached to insert 337 of sensor system 312, and is positioned in an opening 347 in insert 337 to be accessed through insert 337. In other embodiments, housing 324 can be configured in another way with respect to insert 337, for example, being positioned below insert 337 so that insert 337 must be raised to access housing 324. Housing 324 has a chamber 348 which is defined by a plurality of side walls 339 and a lower wall 343 and which is adapted to receive module 322. In this embodiment, the chamber 348 is substantially rectangular and defined by four side walls 339, but the chamber 348 may have a different shape in other embodiments, ae example of some modalities described below.
The housing 324 also includes the retaining structure for retaining module 322 inside chamber 348. In this embodiment, the retaining structure includes retaining member 349, 350 adapted to engage module 322 and exert a downward retaining force on the module 322 and a tilt member 351 adapted to engage module 322 and exert upward tilt force on module 322. Retaining member 349, 350 includes one or more flexible retaining tabs 349 and a rigid retaining member 350 in the shape of a rim. The retaining lip 350 is positioned close to interface 320, and is configured to keep the front of module 322 close to interface 320, and the flexible retaining tabs 349 are positioned at the opposite end of chamber 348 from interface 320. As shown Figures 13 and 19, module 322 can be inserted into chamber 348 by first positioning the front of the module
24/43
322 under retaining lip 350 and then pressing down on the back of module 322. The retaining tabs 349 are flexible and resilient and have ramp surfaces 349A that allow the 349 tabs to be slightly flexed and allow the 322 module to pass through, and the 349 tabs flex back to their original positions to retain the 322 module. To remove module 322, tabs 349 can be flexed backwards by the user to allow module 322 to be released from chamber 348. Notches 349B are provided behind retaining tabs 349 so that the space generated allows flexing of retaining tabs 349 The tilt member 351 is a flexible tilt tab that is connected to the bottom wall 343 of housing 324. Tilt tab 351 is engaged by module 322 and flexes downward when module 322 is pushed into chamber 348, and from there mode exerts an upward tilt force on module 322. The upward tilt force helps to maintain module 32 2 firmly against the retaining member 349, 350, and further facilitates the removal of the module 322 by pushing the module 322 upwards when the retaining tabs 349 are pulled back. The lower wall 343 of housing 324 also includes a stop 352 below the tilt tongue 351 so that the space generated allows the tilt tongue 351 to be flexed downwards. In other embodiments, housing 324 may contain a different accommodation structure for the tilt tab 351, such as a window completely through the lower wall 343, or it may not contain any accommodation structure. The tapered surface 355 of the module 322 is engaged by the tilt tongue 351 and generates space for the tilt tongue 351 when the module 322 is received in chamber 348. Additionally, the engagement between the tilt tongue 351 and the tapered surface 355 exerts a forward force on module 322, placing interface 323 of module 322 in contact with interface 320 of port 314.
Interface 320 is engaged in housing 324 and is adapted for electrical connection to the interface of module 323 when module 322 is received in chamber 348. Interface 320 contains one or more electrical contacts 356 with contact surfaces 357 that are exposed to chamber 348 and adapted to form an electrical connection when engaging the contact surface (s) 354 of electrical contact (s) 353 of the interface of module 323. In the mode illustrated in Figures 12-13 and 18-23, contacts 356 of interface 320 are in the form of contact springs 356 received on a base or support frame 358 to hold contact springs 356 in place. As Figures 12-13 show, the contact surfaces 357 of the contact springs 356 extend out of the base 358 through the windows 359 facing the chamber 348, to engage the contacts 353 of the module 322, and have the ability to flex inward when engaged by module 322. Additionally, contact springs 356 are angled outward when flexed by engagement with module 322, in order to provide a firmer engagement with contacts 353 of module 322. Figures 22 and 23
25/43 illustrate the flexion of contact springs 356. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 21, the contact surfaces 357 of contact springs 356 are divided into two portions 357A, B in this embodiment. One of these portions 357A is wider than the other portion 357B, with the narrowest portion 357B being 2/3 the width of the widest portion 357A to provide differential contact areas.
In this embodiment, the base 358 keeps the contact springs 356 in an internal cavity or cavities 360, so that the contact springs 356 are at least partially exposed to the chamber 348 for engagement by module 322. The base 358 is engaged in the housing 324 to correctly position the contact springs 356. As shown in Figures 12, 13, and 18, the base 358 is received in a slot 361 in the housing 324 at the end of the housing 324 opposite the retaining tabs 349. The slot 361 extends in the interior of the bottom wall 343 and side walls 339 to firmly retain the bottom and edges of the base 358. Additionally, the base 358 includes retaining tabs 358A which are adapted to engage the retaining tabs 361A positioned on the sides of the slot 361 for locking the base 358 into the slot 361. The base 358 also provides the retaining lip 350 for retaining the module 322 in the chamber 348, in this embodiment. In other embodiments, interface 320 may include a different type of base 358, or base 358 may be absent.
Each of the contact springs 356 is connected to one of the sensor wires 318, 318A of the sensor system 312, in order to form an electrical connection for communication between the sensors 316 and the module 322. As shown in Figure 8, the wires sensor 318, 318A are joined together close to interface 320 with a band or strip 362 of Mylar or other material and are connected to electrical connectors 363 adapted for connection with contact springs 356 of interface 320. Connectors 363 are crimped to the around the wire ends of the sensor 318, 318A to form an electrical connection, with a plate 364 that is provided to support the connection. The ends of the connectors 363 can then be engaged with the contact springs 356 by inserting the ends of the connectors 363 into the receivers 356A in the contact springs 356, as shown in Figure 20. The base 358 includes slots 363A, 364A to receive the plate 364 and the connectors 363 to form this connection. In other embodiments, the sensor wires 318, 318A can be connected to interface 320 in another way, as in the configurations described below with respect to other modalities.
Another embodiment of a door 414 is shown in Figures 24-26. Many features of this modality are similar or comparable to the features of port 314 described above and shown in Figures 11-23, and these features are cited by using similar reference numbers in the “4xx” series of reference numbers, rather than “3xx” as used in the modalities of Figures 11-23. As a result, certain features of port 414 that have already been
26/43 described above with respect to port 314 of Figures 11-23 can be described more superficially, or their description may not even occur. Additionally, port 414 can be used in connection with any of the sensor systems 12, 212, 312 described above. In addition, port 414 is configured for use with the same module 322 described above and shown in Figures 12-17 and 19.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 24-26, port 414 includes a housing 424 that is adapted to be received in hole 135 of the soleplate structure 130 and an interface 420 engaged in housing 424. Housing 424 has a chamber 448 which is defined by a plurality of side walls 439 and a lower wall 443 and is adapted to receive module 322. In this embodiment, the chamber 448 is substantially rectangular and defined by the four side walls 439, similar to the door 314 described above.
The housing 424 further includes the retaining structure which includes the retaining member 449, 450 adapted to engage module 322 and exert a downward holding force on module 322 and an incline member 451 adapted to engage module 322 and exercise a upward tilting force on module 322. Retaining member 449, 450 includes one or more flexible retaining tabs 449 and a rigid retaining member 450 in the form of a flange, which are configured and function similarly to retaining member 349, 350 described above. Notches 449B are provided behind retaining tabs 449 so that the space generated allows flexing of retaining tabs 449. Tilt member 451 is a flexible tilt tab that is connected to the bottom wall 443 of housing 424, and is configured and works similarly to the tilt member 351 described above.
Interface 420 is engaged in housing 424 and is adapted for electrical connection to the interface of module 323 when module 322 is received in chamber 448. Interface 420 contains one or more electrical contacts 456 that have contact surfaces 457 that are exposed to the chamber 448 and are adapted to form an electrical connection when engaging the contact surface (s) 354 of electrical contact (s) 353 of the interface of module 323. In the mode illustrated in Figures 24-26, contacts 456 of interface 420 are in the form of contact springs 456 received on a base or support frame 458 to hold contact springs 456 in place. As shown in Figure 25, the contact surfaces 457 of the contact springs 456 extend out of the base 458 through the windows 459 facing the chamber 448, to engage the contacts 353 of module 322, and have the ability to flex inwards when engaged by module 422. Contact spring 456 has similar divided contact surfaces 457 as well as contact springs 356 described above, and works similarly to contact springs 356 described above. In this modality, the contact springs 456 have a different connection structure for connection to the sensor wires 318, 318A of the sensor system 312. The contact springs 456 in this modality have
27/43 connection sections 463 that are integrated with contact springs 456, forming a single part, as shown in Figure 26.
In this embodiment, the base 458 keeps contact springs 456 within a cavity or internal cavities 460 so that contact springs 456 are at least partially exposed to chamber 448 for engagement by module 322. Base 458 is engaged in housing 424 to correctly position contact springs 456. As shown in Figure 25, base 458 is received in a slot 461 in housing 424, similarly to port 314 in Figures 11-23. Additionally, base 458 includes retaining tabs 458A which are adapted to engage retaining tabs 461A positioned on the sides of slot 461 to lock base 458 into slot 461, as already described above. The base 458 further provides the retaining lip 450 for retaining the module 322 in the chamber 448.
Each of the contact springs 456 is connected to one of the sensor wires 318, 318A of the sensor system 312, in order to form an electrical connection for communication between the sensors 316 and the module 322. As shown in Figure 25, the wires of the sensor 318, 318A are joined together close to the interface 320 with a band 362 of Mylar or other material and are connected to the connection portions 463 of the contact springs 456 performing the crimp around the ends of the sensor wires 318, 318A. Base 458 includes slots 463A to allow connection portions 463 to form this connection.
Another embodiment of a door 514 is shown in Figures 27-29. Many features of this modality are similar or comparable to the features of port 314 described above and shown in Figures 11-23, and these features are cited by using similar reference numbers in the “5xx” series of reference numbers, rather than “3xx” as used in the embodiment of Figures 11-23. Therefore, certain features of port 514 that have already been described above with respect to port 314 of Figures 11-23 can be described more superficially, or their description may not even occur. Additionally, port 514 can be used in association with any of the sensor systems 12, 212, 312 described above. In addition, port 514 is configured for use with the same module 322 described above and shown in Figures 12-17 and 19.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 27-29, port 514 includes a housing 524 that is adapted to be received in hole 135 of the soleplate structure 130 and an interface 520 engaged in housing 524. Housing 524 has a chamber 548 which is defined by a plurality of side walls 539 and a lower wall 543 and is adapted to receive module 522. In this embodiment, the chamber 548 is substantially rectangular and defined by the four side walls 539, similar to the door 314 described above.
The housing 524 further includes the retaining structure which includes the retaining member 549, 550 adapted to engage the module 322 and exert a downward holding force on the module 322 and an inclining member 551 adapted to engage the module
28/43 module 322 and exert an upward tilt force on module 322. Retaining members 549, 550 include one or more flexible retaining tabs 549 and a rigid retaining member 550 in the form of a flange, which are configured and function similarly to the retaining member 349, 350 described above. Notches 549B are provided behind retaining tabs 549 so that the space generated allows flexing of retaining tabs 549. Tilt member 551 is a flexible tilt tab that is connected to the bottom wall 543 of housing 524, and is configured and works similarly to the tilt member 351 described above.
Interface 520 is engaged in housing 524 and is adapted for electrical connection to the interface of module 323 when module 322 is received in chamber 548. Interface 520 contains one or more electrical contacts 556 that have contact surfaces 557 that are exposed to the chamber 548 and are adapted to form an electrical connection when engaging the contact surface (s) 354 of electrical contact (s) 353 of the interface of module 323. In the mode illustrated in Figures 27-29, contacts 556 of interface 520 are in the form of contact pins 456 received at openings 559 on a base or support frame 558 to hold contact pins 556 in place. As shown in Figure 29, the contact surfaces 557 of the contact pins 556 extend out of the base 558 through the openings 559 facing the chamber 548, to engage the contacts 353 of the module 322, and have the ability to slide inward when engaged by module 522. In this mode, contact pins 556 engage with connectors 563 which are connected to the ends of sensor wires 318, 318A, as described below. Connectors 563 form an electrical connection between contact pins 556 and sensor wires 318, 318A.
In this embodiment, base 558 keeps contact pins 556 inside a cavity or internal cavities 560 so that contact pins 556 are at least partially exposed to chamber 548 for engagement by module 322. Base 558 is engaged in housing 524 to correctly position contact pins 556. As shown in Figure 28, base 558 is received in a slot 561 in housing 524, similarly to port 314 in Figures 11-23. In addition, base 558 includes retaining tabs 558A which are adapted to engage retaining tabs 561A positioned on the sides of slot 561 to lock base 558 into slot 561, as already described above. The base 558 also provides the retaining lip 550 to retain the module 322 in the chamber 548. The retaining tongues 558A in this embodiment are slightly different in structure from the retaining tongues 358A and the retaining lip 350 shown in Figures 11-23, but they work in substantially the same way.
Each of the contact pins 556 is connected to one of the sensor wires 318, 318A of the sensor system 312, through the connectors 563, in order to form an electrical connection for communication between the sensors 316 and the module 322. As shown Figure 28, the
29/43 sensor wires 318, 318A are joined together close to interface 320 with a band
362 from Mylar or other material and are connected to connectors 563 by crimping around the ends of the sensor wires 318, 318A, similarly to the connectors
363 described above and shown in Figure 18. Connectors 563 then extend to base 558 to engage contact pins 556 to form the electrical connection. Base 558 includes slots 563A to allow connectors 563 to form this connection. It is established that connectors 563 can have sufficient resilience to flex to a small degree when contact pins 556 are compressed into base 558, for example, by contact with module 322. Additionally, connectors 563 can be joined to pins of contact 556 in some way, such as through welding, brazing, welding, etc.
Additional modalities of a port 614 and a module 622 adapted for connection to port 614 are shown in Figures 30-35. Many features of this modality are similar or comparable to the features of port 314 and module 322 described above and shown in Figures 11-23, and such features are cited by using similar reference numbers in the “6xx” series of reference numbers, instead “3xx” as used in the form of Figures 11-23. Therefore, certain features of port 614 and module 622 that have already been described above with respect to port 314 of Figures 11-23 can be described more superficially, or their description may not even occur. Additionally, port 614 and module 622 can be used in conjunction with any of the sensor systems 12, 212, 312 described above.
The module 622 illustrated in Figures 30-32 exhibits a shape similar to that of module 322 described above, having a generally rectangular front end with a rounded rear end. Additionally, module 622 has a tapered portion 655 on its bottom face, in the same way as described previously. Module 622 has an interface 623 at its front end, which has one or more electrical contacts 653 and which is adapted to form an electrical connection with interface 620 of port 614. Contacts 653 in this mode are in the form of electrical contact springs 653, each having a divided contact surface 654, in the same manner as described above with respect to the contact springs 356 shown in Figures 20-21. Contact springs 653 are held in place by a cradle 653A in front of module 622, and are capable of flexing internally when contacted by electrical contacts 656 on interface 620, as already described above in relation to contact springs 356 in Figures 12- 13 and 20-21. Module 622 can include any other features described here, such as in Figures 6 and 36, including any hardware and software needed to collect, process and / or transmit data.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 30-35, port 614 includes a housing 624 that is adapted to be received in hole 135 of the soleplate structure 130 and an interface
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620 engaged with housing 624. Housing 624 has a chamber 648 which is defined by a plurality of side walls 639 and a lower wall 643 and is adapted to receive module 622. In this embodiment, chamber 648 is substantially rectangular and defined by the four side walls 639, similar to door 614 described above. The housing 624 shown in Figures 33-34 has notches 639A on the side walls 639, which allows for easier gripping of module 622 during removal of module 622 from chamber 648.
The housing 624 further includes the retaining structure which includes the retaining member 649, 650 adapted to engage module 622 and exert a downward holding force on module 622 and a tilt member 651 adapted to engage module 622 and exercise a upward tilting force on module 622. Retaining members 649, 650 include one or more flexible retaining tabs 649, which are configured and operate similarly to the retaining tabs 349 described above, having notches 649B provided behind the retaining tabs 649 to make room for the bending movement. The housing 624 further includes one or more rigid retaining tabs 650 extended from the side walls 639 of the housing 624 at the opposite end to the flexible retaining tabs 649. The rigid tabs 650 can take the place of the retaining lip 350 described above, and function substantially the same way. The tilt member 651 is a flexible tilt tab that is connected to the bottom wall 643 of housing 624, and is configured and functions similarly to the tilt member 351 described above.
Interface 620 is engaged in housing 624 and is adapted for electrical connection to the interface of module 623 when module 622 is received in chamber 648. Interface 620 contains one or more electrical contacts 656 with contact surfaces 657 that are exposed to chamber 648 and are adapted to form an electrical connection engaging the contact surface (s) 654 of electrical contact (s) 653 of the interface of module 623. In the mode illustrated in Figures 30-35, contacts 656 of interface 620 are in the form of blocks contact 656 with flat contact surface 657. A base or support frame 658 engages housing 624 and contact blocks 656 to hold contact blocks 656 in place. As shown in Figure 34, contact surfaces 657 of contact blocks 656 are positioned at the end of chamber 648, facing into chamber 648, to engage contacts 653 of module 622.
In this embodiment, base 658 is a plate-like member that holds contact blocks 656 so that contact blocks 656 are at least partially exposed to chamber 648 for engagement by module 622. Base 658 is received in a slot 661 in housing 624, similarly to door 314 of Figures 11-23. Additionally, base 658 includes retaining tabs 658A which are adapted to engage retaining tabs 661A positioned on the sides of slot 661 to lock base 658 into the slot
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661, as already described above. Each of the contact blocks 656 is connected to one of the sensor wires 318, 318A of the sensor system 312, in order to form an electrical connection for communication between the sensors 316 and the module 322. As shown in Figure 34, the wires sensor 318, 318A are joined together close to interface 320 with a band 362 of Mylar or other material and are connected to contact blocks 656 at the ends of sensor wires 318, 318A. Contact blocks 656 can be attached to wires 318, 318A, or can be integrated with wires 318, 318A, for example, using exposed portions of wires 318, 318A as contact blocks 656. The ends of sensor wires 318 , 318A are separated from each other, and each end, with contact blocks 656, is attached to a rib of a plurality of ribs 663A on the base 658. This connection can be made using adhesives, welding, brazing, welding , or other known methods. The ribs position contact blocks 656 even further in chamber 648 to simplify engagement by module 622.
Additional modalities of a port 714 and a module 722 adapted for connection to port 714 are shown in Figures 40-49. Many features of this modality are similar or comparable to the features of port 314 and module 322 described above and shown in Figures 11-23, and such features are cited by using similar reference numbers in the “7xx” series of reference numbers, instead “3xx” as used in the form of Figures 11-23. Therefore, certain features of port 714 and module 722 that have already been described above with respect to port 714 of Figures 11-23 can be described more superficially, or their description may not even occur. Additionally, port 714 and module 722 can be used in conjunction with any of the sensor systems 12, 212, 312 described above.
The module 722 illustrated in Figures 41-46 exhibits a shape similar to that of module 322 described above, having a generally rectangular front end with a rounded rear end. Additionally, module 722 has a tapered portion 755 on its bottom face, in the same way as described previously. The module 722 has an interface 723 at its front end, with one or more electrical contacts 753 and is adapted to form an electrical connection with the interface 720 of port 714. The contacts 753 in this modality are in the form of electrical contact springs 753, which has a dividing contact surface 754, in the same manner as described above with respect to the contact springs 356 shown in Figures 20-21. Contact springs 753 are held in place by a cradle 753A in front of module 722, and are capable of flexing internally when contacted by electrical contacts 756 on interface 720, as already described above in relation to contact springs 356 in Figures 12- 13 and 20-21. Module 722 can include any other features described here, such as in Figures 6 and 36, including any hardware and software necessary to collect, process and / or transmit data.
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In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 40-49, port 714 includes a housing 724 which is adapted to be received in hole 135 of the soleplate structure 130 and an interface 720 engaged in housing 724. Housing 724 has a chamber 748 which is defined by a plurality of side walls 739 and a bottom wall 743 and is adapted to receive module 722. In this embodiment, the chamber 748 is substantially rectangular and defined by the four side walls 739, similar to the door 714 described above. The housing 724 also includes the retaining structure which includes a rib or O-ring 749 on three faces adapted to engage the module 722 and exert a holding force on the module 722. The rib 749 can be resilient, and made in a variety different materials, including rigid materials (for example, hard plastics) and more flexible materials (for example, elastomers). Module 722 includes a recess 750 on the three faces to form an engagement connection with rib 749. It is established that rib 749 and recess 750 can be configured in other ways in other ways, and that the relative positions of rib 749 and recess 750 can be transposed in another embodiment. Rib 749 and recess 750 can also provide airtight seal to water in one embodiment.
Interface 720 is engaged in housing 724 and is adapted for electrical connection to the interface of module 723 when module 722 is received in chamber 748. Interface 720 contains one or more electrical contacts 756 that have contact surfaces 757 that are exposed to the chamber 748 and which are adapted to form an electrical connection engaging the contact surface (s) 754 of electrical contact (s) 753 of the interface of module 723. In the mode illustrated in Figures 40-49, contacts 756 of interface 720 are in the form of L-shaped contact blocks 756 with a flat contact surface 757 and an arm 757A extending backwards from contact surface 757 at approximately an angle of 90 °. In another embodiment, this angle may be different. A base or support frame 758 engages the housing 724 and supports the contact blocks 756 to hold the contacts 756 fixed within the housing 724. As shown in Figure 42, the contact surfaces 757 of the contacts 756 are positioned at the end of the chamber 748 , facing chamber 748, to engage contacts 753 of module 722.
In this embodiment, base 758 is a block-like member that holds contact blocks 756 so that contact blocks 756 are at least partially exposed to chamber 748 for engagement by module 722. Base 758 is received in a slot 761 in housing 724, similarly to door 314 of Figures 11-23, and can be glued or fixed in some way inside slot 761 using any technique or structure described herein. In another embodiment, the base 758 may include retaining tabs that are adapted to engage slot 761 to lock base 758 into slot 761, as similarly described above. Each of the 756 contact blocks is connected to one of the sensor wires
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318, 318A of sensor system 312, in order to form an electrical connection for communication between sensors 316 and module 322. As shown in Figures 47-49, sensor wires 318, 318A are joined together close to interface 320 with a Mylar strip 362 or other material and then placed in contact with the base 758. The strip 362 can be glued to the base 758 in one embodiment. Contacts 756 are then connected to the wire ends of sensor 318, 318A. In the form of Figures 47-49, contacts 756 are connected to wires 318, 318A by crimping connections 756A in arms 757A that pierce band 362 to form the connection. The contact blocks 756 can be attached to wires 318, 318A in another configuration in the other modalities, including any configuration described here. Contact surfaces 757 are received in windows 759 on base 758 for exposure to chamber 748. As shown in Figure 41, interface 720 projects into chamber 748 in this embodiment, and interface 723 of module 722 includes a recess 723A that receives a portion of the interface of port 720 to form interface connections 720, 723.
The housing 724 is formed of multiple pieces in this embodiment, including a bottom piece 724A and a top piece 724B, as will be described in more detail below. The bottom piece 724A includes a slot 761 for receiving the base 758, as described above. Slit 761 further includes an inclined portion 761A to guide the strip 362 to the chamber 748. The combination of the inclined portion 761A and the block-like base 758 results in a lesser degree of arching of the strip 362 during and after connection. The strip 362 can additionally or alternatively be glued within the sloped portion 761A in one embodiment. As shown in Figure 42, the assembled interface 720 can be inserted into slot 761 in one embodiment and connected in place, and the top piece 724B can then be connected to the top of the bottom piece 724A. Bottom piece 724A includes a recess 748A around chamber 748 for receiving a portion of the top member 724B. The top and bottom members 724A, B can be connected together using one or more of one of several connection techniques, including adhesives, ultrasonic welding, fasteners, plug connections, or other techniques, including any technique described here. In the embodiment of Figures 40-49, the top part 724B includes the rib 749 or other retaining structure, but in another embodiment, the bottom part 724A can include the rib 749 and / or an additional or alternative retaining structure. In one embodiment, the top part 724A can be formed at least partially of a relatively flexible material, in order to hold the strip 362 in place and at the same time form a dust and water resistant cover for the interface connections.
The operation and use of sensor systems 12, 212, including ports 14, et seq. shown and listed here, are described below with respect to the sensor system 12 shown in Figures 3-5, and it is established that the operating principles of the sensor system
34/43 sensor 12, including all modalities and their variations, are applicable to the other modalities of sensor systems 212, et seq. and ports 214, et seq. already described. In operation, sensors 16 gather data according to their function and design, and transmit data to port 14. Port 14 then allows electronic module 22 to interface with sensors 16 and collect data for use and / or processing later. In one embodiment, data is collected, stored and transmitted in a universally readable format, so data can be accessed and / or downloaded by a plurality of users, with a variety of different applications, for use in a variety of different purposes. In one example, data is collected, stored, and transmitted in XML format. Additionally, in one mode, data can be collected by sensors 16 sequentially, and in another mode, data can be collected from two or more sensors 16 simultaneously.
In different modalities, the sensor system 12 can be configured to collect different types of data. In one mode (described above), sensor (s) 16 can collect data regarding the number, sequence, and / or frequency of compressions. For example, system 12 can record the number or frequency of strides, jumps, cuts, kicks, or other compressive forces incurred while footwear 100 is being used, as well as other parameters, such as contact time and flight time. Both quantitative sensors and binary on / off sensors can collect such data. In another example, the system can record the sequence of compressive forces incurred by the footwear, which can be used for the purpose of, for example, determining the pronation or supination of the foot, weight transfer, step patterns, or other applications of this kind. In another embodiment (also described above), the sensor (s) 16 are capable of quantitatively measuring the compressive forces in adjacent portions of the shoe 100, and the data consequently may include impact measurement and / or quantitative compressive strength. Relative differences in strengths in different portions of the shoe 100 can be used in determining the weight distribution and "pressure center" of the shoe 100. The weight distribution and / or pressure center can be calculated independently for one or two shoes 100, or it can be calculated on both shoes together, using as an example, discovering the pressure center or weight distribution center for the whole body of a person. As described above, a relatively dense array of binary on / off sensors can be used to measure quantitative forces by means of changes detected in the activation of the sensors' “puddling” during the moments of greatest compression. In other modalities, sensor (s) 16 may be able to measure the rates of change in compressive strength, contact time, flight time or time between impacts (such as jumping or running), and / or other time-dependent parameters . It is established that, in any mode, sensors 16 may require35 / 43 to have a certain minimum force or impact before registering the force / impact.
As described above, data is provided via universal port 14 to module 22 in a universally readable format, so that the number of applications, users, and programs that can use the data is virtually unlimited. In this way, port 14 and module 22 are configured and / or programmed as desired by a user, and port 14 and module 22 receive input data from sensor system 12, and such data can be used in any way. desired for varied applications. In many applications, data is further processed by module 22 and / or external device 110 before use. It is established that one or more of sensors 16, port 14, module 22, external device 110 (including device 110A), and / or any combination of such components can process at least a portion of the data in some embodiments, provided that such components include hardware and / or a diverse structure with processing capacity. In configurations where the external device 110 further processes the data, module 22 can transmit data to external device 110. These transmitted data can be transmitted in the same universally readable format, or can be transmitted in a different format, and module 22 can be configured to change the data format. In addition, module 22 can be configured and / or programmed to gather, use, and / or process data from sensors 16 for one or more specific applications. In one embodiment, module 22 is configured to gather, use, and / or process data for use in a plurality of applications. Examples of such and applications are provided below. As used herein, the term "application" refers in general to a particular use, and does not necessarily refer to use in an application in a computer program, as the term is used in the field of computing. However, a particular application can be partially or fully incorporated into a computer program application.
In addition, module 22 can be removed from shoes 100 and replaced by a second module 22 configured to operate differently from the first module 22. It is established that module 22 can be removed and replaced by another module 22 configured in a similar or identical way , for example, replacement due to battery discharge, malfunction, etc. The original module 22 can be removed in the ways described above, and the second module 22 can be inserted in the same way as the original module 22. The second module 22 can be programmed and / or configured differently from the first module 22. In one modality, the first module 22 can be configured for use in one or more specific applications, and the second module 22 can be configured for use in one or more different applications. For example, the first module 22 can be configured for use in one or more applications in games and the second module 22 can be configured for use in one or more applications for monitoring the
36/43 sporting performance. In addition, modules 22 can be configured for use in different applications of the same type. For example, the first module 22 can be configured for use in a game or sports application for performance monitoring, and the second module 22 can be configured for use in a different sports or game application for performance monitoring. As an additional example, modules 22 can be configured for different uses within the same game or application for performance monitoring. In another embodiment, the first module 22 can be configured to assemble a data type, and the second module 22 can be configured to assemble a different data type. Examples of such types of data are described here, including quantitative force measurement, relative strength measurement (ie, sensors 16 relative to each other), weight transfer / switching, impact sequences (such as for stepped) rate of change of force, etc. In an additional embodiment, the first module 22 can be configured to use or process data from sensors 16 differently from the second module 22. For example, modules 22 can be configured to only gather, store, and / or communicate data , or modules 22 can be configured to process the data in some complementary way, for example, organizing the data, changing the shape of the data, performing calculations with the data, etc. In yet another modality, modules 22 can be configured to perform communication in a different way, for example, with different communication interfaces or being configured to communicate with different external devices 110. Modules 22 can work differently also in others aspects, including structural and functional aspects, namely, using different power supplies or which include additional or different hardware components, such as additional sensors as described above (for example, GPS, accelerometer, etc.).
A contemplated use for the data collected by system 12 is the estimation of weight transfer, which is important for many sports activities, such as a golf swing, a baseball / softball swing, a hockey swing (ice hockey or hockey) field), a tennis shot, throwing / throwing a ball, etc. The pressure data collected by system 12 can offer a valuable answer regarding balance and stability for use in improving the technique in any applicable sports segment. It is established that more or less costly and complex sensor systems 12 can be designed, depending on the intended use of the data that will be collected by him.
The data collected by system 12 can be used to measure a variety of other sports performance characteristics. The data can be used to measure the degree and / or speed of pronation / supination of the foot, step patterns, balance, and other parameters of this nature, which can be used to improve the technique.
37/43 running or other sporting activities. With regard to pronation / supination, data analysis can also be used as a predictor of pronation / supination. Speed and distance monitoring can be performed, which may include measurements made on a pedometer, such as contact measurement or pitch time measurement. The jump height can also be measured, for example, using contact measurement or pitch time measurement. The lateral cutting force can be measured, including differential forces applied to different parts of the shoe 100 during cutting. The sensors 16 can also be positioned to measure shear forces, such as a foot that slides sideways into the shoe 100. As an example, additional sensors can be incorporated on the sides of the upper 120 of the shoe 100 to perceive the forces against the sides. As an additional example, a high density array of binary sensors could detect the shearing action through lateral changes in the “pudding” of the activated sensors.
In another modality (not shown) one or more sensors 16 can be incorporated, in addition or alternative, to the upper 120 of the shoe 100. In this configuration, additional parameters can be measured, such as kick strength, for American football or soccer, as well such as number and / or frequency of "touches" in American football.
The data, or measurements derived from the data, can be useful for the purpose of sports training, including increasing speed, power, speed, consistency, technique, etc. Port 14, module 22, and / or external device 110 can be configured to provide the user with an active response in real time. In one example, port 14 and / or module 22 can be placed in communication with a computer, mobile device, etc., in order to transmit the results in real time. In another example, one or more elements of vibration can be included in the shoe 100, which can provide a response to the user by vibrating a portion of the shoe to assist in controlling movement, as well as the features disclosed in Patent No. US 6,978,684, which is incorporated herein by means of this quotation, becoming part of this document. Additionally, the data can be used to compare sports movements, for example, comparing a movement to the user's past movements to show consistency, improvement, or their absence, or comparing a user's movement with the same movement as another, for example , the stroke of a professional golfer. In addition, system 12 can be used to record biomechanical data for an athlete's “signature” sports movement. This data could be provided to third parties for use in duplicating or stimulating movement, for example, for use in gaming applications or in a shading application that superimposes a movement on a similar movement of the user.
System 12 can also be configured to track the “activities of the day
38/43 whole ”, record the various activities in which the user engages in the course of a day. System 12 may include a special algorithm for this purpose, as occurs in module 22, external device 110, and / or sensors 16.
System 12 can also be used for control applications, instead of processing and data collection applications. In other words, the system 12 could be incorporated in the shoe, or in another article that is subjected to body contact, for use in the control of an external device 110, such as a computer, television, video game, etc., based on movements made by the user detected by sensors 16. In fact, shoes with built-in sensors 16 and wires 18 that extend to a universal door 14 allow the shoes to act as an input system, and electronic module 22 can be configured, programmed , and adapted to accept input from sensors 16 and use this input data in a way that suits you, for example, as a control input for a remote system. For example, a shoe with sensor controls could be used as a control or input device for a computer, or for a program that is run by the computer, similar to a mouse, where certain foot movements, gestures, etc. (for example, one tap of the foot, two tap of the foot, tap of the heel, two tap of the heel, movement of the foot side by side, tip of the foot, flexion of the foot, etc.) can control a pre-designated operation in a computer (for example, page down, page up, undo, copy, cut, paste, save, close, etc.). Software can be provided to assign foot gestures to different computer function controls for this purpose. It is contemplated that an operating system could be configured to receive and recognize the control input from sensor system 12. Televisions or other external electronic devices can be controlled in this way. Footwear 100 incorporating system 12 can also be used in game applications and game programs, similarly to the Nintendo Wii controller, when certain functions can be assigned to specific movements and / or can be used to produce a virtual representation of the user movement on a display screen. As an example, the pressure data center and other weight distribution data can be used in game applications, which can involve virtual representations of balance, weight switching, and other performance activities. System 12 can be used as an exclusive controller for a game or other computer system, or as a complementary controller. Examples of the configurations and methods of using sensor systems for footwear as controls for external devices and foot gestures for such controls are shown and described in United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 138,048, which is incorporated herein by means of quotation in its entirety.
Additionally, system 12 can be configured to communicate directly
39/43 with the external device 110 and / or with a controller for the external device. As described above, Figure 6 illustrates a modality for communication between the electronic module 22 and the external device. In another embodiment, shown in Figure 36, system 12 can be configured to communicate with an external gaming device 110A. The external game device 110A contains components similar to the exemplary external device 110 shown in Figure 6. The external game device 110A further includes at least one game media 307 containing a game program (for example, a cartridge, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, or other storage device), and at least one remote controller 305 configured to communicate connection with and / or wireless via the transmit / receive element 108. In the mode shown, controller 305 complements user input 310 , however, in one mode, the 305 controller can function as the sole user input. In this mode, system 12 is provided with an accessory device 303, for example, a wireless transmitter / receiver with a USB jack, which is configured to be connected to external device 110 and / or controller 305 to enable communication with the module 22. In one embodiment, accessory device 303 can be configured to be connected to one or more external devices and / or additional controllers, of the same type and / or a different type of controller 305 and external device 110. It is established that if system 12 includes other types of sensors enacted above (for example, an accelerometer), such additional sensors can also be incorporated into the control of a game or other program on an external device 110.
An external device 110, such as a computer / game system, can be provided with other types of software to interact with system 12. For example, a game program can be configured to change the attributes of a game character depending on the user activities in real life, which can stimulate exercise or increased activity by the user. In another example, a program can be configured to display a user avatar that acts in relation or proportion to the user activity collected by the shoe's sensor system. In this type of configuration, the avatar can appear excited, motivated, etc., if the user is active, and the avatar can appear sleepy, lazy, etc., if the user is inactive. The sensor system 12 could also be configured for a more elaborate perception in order to record the data describing an athlete's “signature movement”, which could then be used for various purposes, such as in a game system or modeling system .
A single shoe item 100 containing the sensor system 12 as described herein can be used alone or in combination with a second shoe item 100 'having its own sensor system 12', as a pair of shoes 100, 100 'as illustrated in Figures 37-39. The sensor system 12 ’of the second shoe 100’ contains
40/43 generally one or more sensors 16 ’connected by the wires of sensor 18’ to a port 14 ’in communication with an electronic module 22’. The second sensor system 12 'of the second shoe 100' shown in Figures 37-39 has the same configuration as the sensor system 12 of the first shoe 100. However, in another embodiment, the shoes 100, 100 'may have sensor systems 12, 12 'with different configurations. The two shoes 100, 100 'are configured for communication with the external device 110, and in the illustrated mode, each of the shoes 100, 100' has an electronic module 22, 22 'configured for communication with the external device 110. In another mode , both shoes 100, 100 'can have ports 14, 14' configured for communication with the same electronic module 22. In this mode, at least one shoe 100, 100 'can be configured for wireless communication with module 22. The Figures 37-39 illustrate various modes for communication between modules 22, 22 '.
Figure 37 illustrates a "mesh" communication mode, where modules 22, 22 'are configured to communicate with each other, and are further configured for independent communication with external device 110. Figure 38 illustrates a communication mode "in chain ”, where a module 22 'communicates with the external device 110 through another module 22. In other words, the second module 22' is configured to communicate signals (which may include data) to the first module 22, and the first module 22 is configured to communicate signals from the two modules 22, 22 'to the external device 110. Likewise, the external device communicates with the second module 22' through the first module 22, sending signals to the first module 22, which communicates the signals to the second module 22 '. In one embodiment, modules 22, 22 'can also communicate with each other for purposes other than the transmission of signals emitted and received by external device 110. Figure 39 illustrates an “independent” mode of communication, where each module 22, 22 'is configured for independent communication with external device 110, and modules 22, 22' are not configured for communication with each other. In other embodiments, the sensor systems 12, 12 'can be configured in another way to carry out communication with each other and / or with the external device 110.
Other uses and complementary applications of the data collected by system 12 are contemplated in the scope of the invention and can be recognized by those skilled in the art.
The sensor systems 12, 212 as described above can be customized for use with specific software for the electronic module 22 and / or the external device 110. This software can be provided together with a sensor system 12, 212, for example, in the form of a sole insert 237 that a custom sensor assembly 213, such as a kit or package.
How will those skilled in the art appreciate from reading this
41/43 description, various aspects described herein can be incorporated as a method, a data processing system, or a computer program product. Therefore, these aspects can take the form of an entirely hardware modality, an entirely software modality or a modality combining the software and hardware aspects. In addition, such aspects may take the form of a computer program product stored by one or more tangible computer-readable storage devices or storage media that have a computer-readable program code, or instructions, embedded or in the storage medium. . Any suitable tangible and computer-readable storage medium may be used, including hard drives, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and / or any combination thereof. In addition, several intangible signals representing data or events as described herein can be transferred between a source and destination in the form of electromagnetic waves that travel through signal conducting media, such as metallic wires, optical fibers, and / or wireless transmission medium. (for example, air and / or space).
As described above, aspects of the present invention can be described in the general context of computer executable instructions, such as program modules, which are executed by a computer and / or a processor thereof. In general, the program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or deploy particular abstract data types. This type of program module can be contained in a computer-readable tangible medium, as described above. Aspects of the present invention can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are connected via a communications network. The program modules can be located in a memory, such as memory 204 of module 22 or memory 304 of external device 110, or an external medium, such as game media 307, which can include a local computer storage medium and remote devices that include memory storage devices. It is established that module 22, external device 110, and / or external means may include complementary program modules for joint use, for example, in a particular application. It is further established that a single processor 202, 302 and single memory 204, 304 are shown and described in module 22 and external device 110 for the sake of simplicity, and that processor 202, 302 and memory 204, 304 may include a plurality of processors and / or memories respectively, and may comprise a system of processors and / or memories.
The various modalities of the sensor system described here, as well as footwear, foot contact members, inserts, and other structures that incorporate the
42/43 sensor system, confer benefits and advantages superior to the existing technology. For example, many of the door modes described here offer durable and relatively low cost options for use with sensor systems, so that a sensor system can be incorporated into footwear with low added cost and satisfactory reliability. As a result, footwear can be manufactured with integrated sensor systems, regardless of whether the sensor systems are ultimately desired for use by the consumer, without significantly affecting the price. Additionally, sole inserts with customized sensor systems can be manufactured at low cost and distributed along with software designed to use the sensor systems, without significantly interfering with the cost of the software. As an additional example, the sensor system provides a wide range of functionality for a wide variety of applications, including games, fitness, training and sports improvement, practical controls for computers and other devices, and many others described and recognized here by the knowledgeable individuals in the technique. In one embodiment, software developers for third parties can develop software configured for execution using input from sensor systems, including games and other programs. The sensor system's ability to provide data in a universally readable format considerably expands the range of third-party software and other applications for which the sensor system can be used. As an additional example, the various sole inserts containing sensor systems, including linings, insoles, and other elements, allow the exchange and customization of the sensor system for various applications. In addition, the various port and module configurations described here can provide secure connections at reasonable expense and free of negative effects or with minimal negative effect on shoe performance or response. Connecting structures can also be water-resistant or water-tight to resist interference from sweat and other fluids. In addition, the connection structures of the various port configurations described here can provide a simple and fast interchange from one module to another. Individuals skilled in the art will recognize other benefits and advantages resulting from the configurations described here.
Various alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated in the present application. An individual versed in the basic technique would appreciate the features of the individual modalities, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. An individual versed in the basic technique, moreover, would appreciate that any modality could be provided in any combination with the other revealed modalities. It is established that the invention can be incorporated in other specific forms without deviating from its essence or its central characteristics. Therefore, the nature of the present examples and modalities, in all their aspects, must be considered illustrative, never restrictive,
43/43 it being understood that the invention is not limited to the specifications informed here. The terms "first", "second", "top", "bottom", etc., as used herein, are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the modalities in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality”, as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, in a disjunctive or conjunctive manner, as needed, up to an infinite number. Furthermore, “Providing” an article or device, as used herein, refers, in a comprehensive way, to the making of the article available or accessible for future actions to be performed on the article, and does not imply that the supplier part of the article manufactured, produced or supplied the article or that the party supplying the article is the owner or controller of the article. Therefore, despite the illustration and description of specific modalities, numerous modifications are evoked without departing significantly from the essence of the invention, the scope of protection being limited only by the scope of the appended Claims.

权利要求:
Claims (7)
[1]
1. Door for use with a shoe article adapted to engage the foot, the shoe article having a sole structure and an upper part connected to the sole structure, the door CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises;
5 a housing adapted to be placed less partially received within the sole structure of the raised article, the housing comprising a lower wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwards from the lower wall, the lower wall and the side walls defining a chamber adapted to receive an electronic module therein, the lower wall comprising a typically tilt member adapted to engage the module and exert an upward tilt force on the module when the module is received in the chamber, in which the housing comprises additionally a retaining member adapted to exert an upward force on the module opposite the tilting force of the tilt member to retain the module within the chamber; and
15 an interface engaged in the housing and which has at least one exposed electrical contact to the chamber, the interface being adapted to form an electrical connection with the module so that the module engages in at least one electrical contact when the module is received inside the camera.
[2]
2. Door, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the housing has four side walls that form a substantially rectangular camera.
[3]
3. Door, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the chamber also has an open top adapted to allow the insertion of the module in the chamber.
4. Door, according to claim 1, FEATURED by the fact that the tilt member is a flexible tilt latch, and the bottom wall additionally comprises a holder that surrounds the tilt latch, the holder adapted to provide space for the tilt tab to flex when engaged by the module.
5. Door, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the retaining member is a flexible retaining latch that extends from at least one of the side walls.
6. Door, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the holding member can be moved between a first position, where the holding member
35 retention is adapted to retain the module inside the chamber, and a second position, in which the module can be removed from the chamber.
7. Door, according to claim S, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that
2/6 the retaining member is a flexible retaining tongue that extends from at least one of the side walls; wherein the retention tab can be moved by connecting between the first and second positions.
8. Door, according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the retention tongue has a ramp surface adapted to be engaged by the module to flex the tongue to the second position in order to allow the insertion of the module in the chamber.
9, Door, according to claim 1 :, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the interface is engaged at least one of the side walls that define the chamber.
W 10. Door for use with a shoe adapted to fit the foot,
CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the shoe has a sole structure with a upper part connected to the sole structure, the door comprising:
a housing adapted to be at least sparingly received inside the structure of the sole of the shoe article, the housing comprising a chamber 15 adapted to detachably receive an electronic module therein, the housing also having a retention latch; and an interface engaged in the housing and having a plurality of electrical contacts, the interface additionally comprising a Weigh engaged in the housing and positioned at least partially inside the chamber, the base having a retaining latch that engages the housing retaining latch to retain the base just less evenly inside the chamber, where the base supports the electrical contacts to position the electrical contacts that will be exposed to the chamber, and where the interface is adapted to form an electrical connection with the module so that the module engages the electrical contacts when the module is received inside the chamber.
11. Door, according to claim 10, FEATURED by the fact that the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical contact blocks, each of the electrical contact blocks having a flat contact surface.
12. Door, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical contact springs, each
30 of the electrical contact springs having a contact surface and being adapted to fit in response to pressure on the contact surface.
13. Door, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the housing comprises a slot, and the base is received inside the slot to connect the base to the housing.
14. Door, according to claim 1'3, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the chamber is defined by a plurality of side walls, and in which the slot is positioned at one end of the chamber and extends through the chamber between two walls
3/6 opposite sides.
15. Door, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical contact blocks, each of the electrical contact blocks having a flat contact surface, on which the base cam
5 comprises a plurality of ribs, each rib has a block of contact blocks mounted thereon so that the flat contact surface of each contact block faces the interior of the chamber.
16. Door, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical contact springs, each
10 of the electrical contact springs having a contact surface, the base having at least one internal cavity that receives the contact springs so that the contact surface of each of the contact springs is exposed to the chamber, so that each one of the contact springs is adapted to flex further into the internal cavity in response to pressure on the contact surface.
17. Door, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the electrical contacts comprise a plurality of electrical pins, each having a contact surface, the base having a plurality of openings, each of the contact pins being received in one of the openings so that the cantata surface of each of the contact pins is exposed to the chamber.
18. Door, according to claim 10. FEATURED by the fact that the base has an internal cavity that receives less and receives the electrical contacts to position the contacts that will be exposed to the chamber.
19. Door, according to claim 18, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the base still has at least one window that extends to the internal cavity to expose
25 at least a part of each eietrical contact to the chamber.
20. Size, according to claim 10, FEATURED by the fact that the base has a rigid tongue positioned adjacent the chamber, in which the rigid tongue is adapted to engage the module and exert an upward force on the module to retain the module inside the chamber.
30 21. Door for use with a shoe article adapted to engage the foot, the shoe article having a structure of the soia and an upper part connected to the structure of the room, the door CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises;
a housing adapted to be at least partially received within the sole structure of the shoe article, the housing comprising a lower wall and a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the lower wall, the lower wall and the side walls defining a camera adapted to receive an electronic module in it, in which the housing additionally comprises a member of
[4]
4/6 retention that asks to be moved between a first position, where the retaining member is adapted to exert an upward force on the module to retain the module inside the chamber, and a second position, where the retaining member is adapted to allow the module to be inserted or removed from the chamber; and
[5]
5 an interface engaged in the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber, the interface being adapted to form an electrical connection with the module so that the module engages in at least one electrical contact when the module is received inside the camera.
22. System, according to claim 21, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that 10 additionally comprises a tilt member that engages the module and exerts an upward tilt force on the module- when the module is received in the chamber.
23. System according to claim 22, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the inclining member is a flexible inclining tongue, and the lower wall comprises
15 additionally comprises a holder that surrounds the inclination tongue, the holder adapted to provide space for the inclination tongue to flex when engaged by the module.
24. System, according to claim 21, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the retaining member is a flexible retaining tongue that extends from
20 at least one of the side walls, on which the retaining tab can be moved by flexing between the first and second positions.
25. System, according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED by the photo that the retaining tongue has a rampants surface that is engaged by the module during insertion into the chamber to flex the tongue to the second position in order to allow
25 remove the module insert into the chamber,
26. System according to claim 21, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the retaining member is a flexible retaining tongue that extends from at least one of the side walls, the retaining tongue having a rampants surface that is adapted to be engaged by the module during insertion into the chamber for
30 push the tab to the second position to allow the module to be inserted into the chamber.
27. Braided article adapted to engage the foot, FEATURED by the fact that it understands;
a sole structure comprising an outer sole member and an intermediate sole member supported by the outer sole member, the intermediate sole member having a hole therein;
an upper part connected to the sole structure;
a sensor system comprising a force sensor connected to the structure
5/6 da lota and a sensor wire that extends from the force sensor, the force sensor being adapted to perceive a force exerted on the structure of the soil by the foot; and a door connected to the sole structure and the sensor system, the door comprising:
5 a housing received at least partially within the hole in the intermediate accent member, the cover comprising a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwards from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side walls defining an adapted chamber to receive an electronic module therein, the lower wall further comprising a tilt member adapted to engage the module and exert an upward inducing force on the module when the module is received in the chamber, in which the housing additionally comprises a member of retention adapted to exert an upward force on the module opposite the inclination force of the tilt member to retain the module inside the chamber; and
15 an interface engaged in the housing and which has at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber and adapted to be engaged by the module to form an electrical connection, in which the electrical contact is connected to the sensor wire and by the same in electronic communication with the force sensor.
28. System for use with footwear adapted to fit the foot 20 FEATURED by the fact that it comprises:
a sole structure comprising an outer sole member and an intermediate sole member supported by the outer sole member, the intermediate sole member having a hole therein;
an upper part connected to the structure of the soia;
25 a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors connected to the sole structure and a plurality of sensor wires extending from the force sensors, each of the force sensors being adapted to perceive a force exerted on the strufore the sole of the foot;
a door connected to the soía structure and the sensor system, the door comprising:
a housing received at least partially within the hole in the midsole member, the housing comprising a plurality of side walls defining a chamber and a retaining member connected to at least one of the side walls: and
35 an interface engaged in the housing and which has a plurality of electrical contacts exposed to the chamber, in which the electrical contacts are connected to the plurality of sensor wires and are in electronic communication with the force sensors; and
[6]
6/6 an electronic module received in the door chamber, in which the module engages the plurality of electrical interface contacts when the module is received inside the camera, forming an electrical connection with the interface, in which the module is configured to receive signals from the force sensor through the electrical connection to the interface and store the data received from the force sensor, and in which the retaining member can be moved between a first position, where the retaining member exerts an upward force on the module for holding the module inside the chamber, and a second position, where the retaining member allows the module to be inserted or removed from the chamber.
[7]
29. The system according to claim 28, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises an inclining member that engages the module and exerts an upward Inclining force on the module when the module is received in the chamber.
30. System according to claim 29, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the tilting member is a flexible tilting tongue, and the lower wall further comprises a stopper that surrounds the tilting tongue, the stopper adapted to provide space for the tilt tab to flex when engaged by the module.
31. System according to claim 28, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the retaining member is a flexible retaining tongue that extends from at least one of the side walls, in which the retaining tongue can be moved by flexing between the first and second positions,
32. System according to claim 31. CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the retaining tongue has a ramp surface that is engaged by the module during
25 close to Insertion in the chamber to flex the tongue to the second position to allow the insertion of the module in the chamber.
33. System, according to claim 28, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the retaining member is a flexible retaining tongue that extends from at least one of the side walls, the retaining tongue having a ramped surface
30 te that is engaged by the module during insertion in the chamber to flex the tongue to allow the insertion of the module in the chamber.

类似技术:

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公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题

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BR112013021141A2|2019-12-10|footwear with sensor system

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CA2827687C|2016-12-20|

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WO2012112938A3|2012-10-18|

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JP5841616B2|2016-01-13|

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WO2012112938A2|2012-08-23|

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KR101741238B1|2017-05-29|

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JP2016034579A|2016-03-17|

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EP3153046B1|2019-01-23|

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JP2014505577A|2014-03-06|

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CN103476285B|2017-06-09|

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KR20130130053A|2013-11-29|

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法律状态:
2019-12-17| B15I| Others concerning applications: loss of priority|Free format text: PERDA DA PRIORIDADE US61/443,801 DE 17/02/2011 POR NAO CUMPRIMENTO DE EXIGENCIA RELACIONADA A COMPROVACAO DE DIREITO DE PRIORIDADE. |

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2019-12-24| B08F| Application dismissed because of non-payment of annual fees [chapter 8.6 patent gazette]|Free format text: REFERENTE A 6A, 7A E 8A ANUIDADES. |

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2020-06-23| B08K| Patent lapsed as no evidence of payment of the annual fee has been furnished to inpi [chapter 8.11 patent gazette]|Free format text: REFERENTE AO DESPACHO 8.6 PUBLICADO NA RPI 2555 DE 24/12/2019. |

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2020-07-14| B25B| Requested transfer of rights rejected|Owner name: NIKE INTERNATIONAL LTD. (US) Free format text: INDEFERIDO O PEDIDO DE TRANSFERENCIA CONTIDO NA PETICAO 860140162392 DE 24/09/2014 EMVIRTUDE DO DESPACHO PUBLICADO NA RPI 2581 DE 23/06/2020. |

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2021-10-13| B350| Update of information on the portal [chapter 15.35 patent gazette]|

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US201161443801P| true| 2011-02-17|2011-02-17|

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PCT/US2012/025717|WO2012112938A2|2011-02-17|2012-02-17|Footwear having sensor system|

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