Patent Application
20190151712
Many people today enjoy tracking various biometrics throughout the day and while exercising. The tracking devices provide feedback during an exercise routine, or throughout the day, by displaying user achievements. This can help motivate people to meet movement or health goals.
Biometrics can be tracked through various wearable devices. The wearable devices can provide input into a number of steps taken, distance traveled, heartrate, or the like. However, these daily wear devices can not accurately track certain exercise routines accurately. A user may want or need to utilize a different system during specific activities to gain accurate data regarding their exercise status. These users may not want to wear multiple devices to achieve more accurate data but may also not want to remove their daily device to track an overall health goal for the day. It can therefore be useful to athletes to have an unobtrusive way of accurately tracking their running or walking routines.
One example of an unobtrusive tracking device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,224,291 to Moll-Carrillo et al., issued Dec. 29, 2013. Moll-Carrillo discloses recording and displaying athletic data using a computing device such as a mobile communication device during physical activity. The mobile communication device provides options for defining and recording athletic activity performed by the user. The options include content item selection and rendering controls. Moll-Carrillo also discloses route selection and controls.
Another example of an unobtrusive tracking device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,749,380 to Vock et al., issued Jun. 10, 2014. Vock is directed to tracking the usage of a shoe with a shoe wear-out sensor. Vock further discloses a body bar sensing system for sensing movement of a body bar can be provided. The body bar sensing system includes a housing coupled to the body bar, a detector disposed within the housing to sense movement of the body bar, and a processor to determine a number of repetitions of the movement based on the sensed movement. The body bar sensing system also includes a display to communicate the determined number of repetitions of the movement to a user.
In one embodiment, a shoe includes a sole with a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an upper member coupled to the top surface of the sole, and a sensor coupled to and surrounded by the sole. The sensor can include a processor and an antenna in communication with the processor, where the antenna is positioned proximate the bottom surface of the sole.
The sensor can include at least one assembly guide and the sole includes a corresponding assembly guide cavity.
The at least one assembly guide can include an irregularly shaped housing with a hollow interior that matches a shape of assembly guide cavity, wherein the processor and antenna are positioned within the hollow interior.
The sensor can be positioned in a proximal portion of the sole.
The sensor can be positioned along a medial side of the sole.
The antenna can be configured to communicate with a remote device.
The sensor can include an accelerometer and a gyroscope, wherein the accelerometer and gyroscope can be configured to detect one of a stride length, distance traveled, or gait cadence.
The sensor can be integrally formed within the sole.
The sensor can be removable from the sole.
The housing can be a two piece component coupled together to form a hollow interior.
In one embodiment, a shoe includes a sole with a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a cavity formed in the top surface of the sole; the cavity having walls and a bottom surface, an upper member coupled to the top surface of the sole, and a sensor positioned within the cavity in the sole. The sensor includes a housing, a processor positioned inside the housing, and an antenna positioned inside the housing, the antenna in communication with the processor where the antenna is positioned proximate the bottom surface of the sole.
The housing can be a two piece component coupled together to form a hollow interior.
The antenna can be positioned between one and five centimeters from the bottom surface of the sole.
The antenna can be positioned one centimeter from the bottom surface of the sole.
In one embodiment, a shoe system includes a first shoe. The shoe includes a sole with a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a cavity formed in the top surface of the sole. The cavity includes at least one cavity wall and a cavity floor connected to the at least one wall. The also includes an upper member coupled to the top surface of the sole and a first sensor positioned within the cavity in the sole. The sensor includes a housing, a processor positioned inside the housing, and an antenna positioned inside the housing. The antenna being in communication with the processor where the antenna is positioned proximate the bottom surface of the sole. The system further includes a second shoe and a second sensor coupled to the second shoe.
The second sensor can include a housing, a processor positioned inside the housing, and an antenna positioned inside the housing, the antenna being in communication with the processor where the antenna is positioned proximate the bottom surface of the sole.
The first sensor can be in communication with the second sensor forming a sensor system.
The sensor system can be configured to detect data including a stride length, distance traveled, or gait cadence.
The sensor system can detect the data in real time and is configured to transmit the data to a remote device.
The second shoe can include a second sole with a second top surface, a second bottom surface opposite the second top surface, a second cavity formed in the second top surface of the second shoe, the second cavity having at least one second wall and a second cavity floor connected to the at least one second wall, and a second upper member coupled to the second top surface of the second sole where the second sensor is positioned within the second cavity in the second sole.
In one embodiment, a sensor apparatus includes a sensor. The sensor may include a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a circuit board incorporated into the first side, and an antenna incorporated into the second side. The sensor apparatus may include a sensor housing. The sensor housing may include a foot impact side shaped to contact an underside of a human foot, an insertion side opposite the foot impact side and shaped to be inserted into a cavity defined in a sole of a shoe from within a foot cavity of the shoe, and the foot impact side and the insertion side collecting defining a sensor chamber. The antenna may be position adjacent the insertion side and opposite the foot impact side.
The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present apparatus and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present apparatus and do not limit the scope thereof.
The foot cavity 106 can include a sock liner that lines portions of the foot cavity 106. Also, the side walls of the foot cavity 106 can include other types of cushioning that reduce the jarring impacts when the user's shoe strikes the running surface and holds the upper snuggly against the user's feet throughout the running motion. In some cases, the cushioning lines the entire surface of the foot cavity's wall. In other examples, the cushioning lines just a subset of the foot cavity 106.
In the example depicted in
In some embodiments, a sensor (124,
Referring to
The sole 102 additionally includes a midsole 122 positioned about the outsole. The midsole 130 is configured to provide cushioning and shock absorbing to the runner. In one embodiment, the midsole 122 can be configured of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA). The midsole 122 can have a cavity 123 formed in the midsole. The cavity can comprise a series of walls with a bottom surface. In some instances, the cavity 123 can be a void in the midsole 122.
In some embodiments, a sensor 124 can be incorporated into the midsole 122. For example, the sensor 124 can be positioned in the cavity 123. The sensor 124 can be integrally formed within the midsole 122 such that the sensor 124 and the midsole 122 form a single component. In other embodiments, the sensor 124 can be removable from the midsole 122. For example, the midsole 122 can incorporate a cavity or an opening to accept the sensor 124. In some embodiments, the sensor 124 can incorporate an assembly guide such as a protrusion or key to ensure the sensor 124 is placed within the midsole 130 in the proper orientation. The cavity can incorporate a feature to mate with the protrusion or key. In some embodiments, multiple assembly guides can be provided.
An assembly guide can be formed on the housing or can be incorporated into the shape of the housing. Reciprocal features can be formed into the shape of cavity such that the assembly guides only allow the sensor housing to be inserted into the cavity in a single orientation. This can ensure the sensor 124 that is within the housing is accurately placed within the midsole in a manner that is appropriate for the sensor 124. For example, the sensor 124 can incorporate an antenna that is placed as far away from the user's foot as geometrically possible. Human flesh does not transmit wireless signals effectively, so placement of the antenna away from the user's foot will maximize the effectiveness of the antenna. The antenna, as will be discussed in further detail below, can communicate with various other devices. The antenna can have a greater range and quality of transmission the farther it is placed from the user's foot. Therefore, the assembly guides can position the antenna proximate to the bottom 126 of the midsole 122. When the sole 102 is assembled, this will place the antenna proximate a bottom 128 of the sole 102.
In some embodiments, the sole 102 can further include an insole (not shown) above the midsole 122. The insole can protect the sensor 124 from the user's foot. The insole can also provide a foundation on which a user's foot presses when wearing the shoe 100. The sock liner of the shoe can rest on the insole. The insole can provide some cushioning, but can also provide structure and torsional stability to the shoe. In some embodiments, the sole 102 can include an optional shock absorbing layer placed between the insole and midsole 122.
Referring to
A housing of the sensor 124 can be irregularly shaped to provide an assembly guide. For example, the sensor 124, as shown, is a rectangular body with a semi-circle top. The semi-circle top can provide a first assembly guide. This irregularity can ensure the sensor 124 is always accurately placed or molded into the sole 102. This can ensure that the antenna is in the optimal position for clear and farther distance transmissions.
The housing itself can be a two-piece construction. For example, the housing can have a first portion that can couple to a second portion. When the two portions are joined, the portions can define a hollow interior section. The hollow interior section can house one or more components of the sensor 124. For example, the hollow interior section can house a processor, antenna, power source, and the like. When assembled, the housing can have one or more side walls, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. In some embodiments, the top surface can be visible to a user when an insole is removed from the shoe. In other embodiments, the housing can be completely surrounded by the midsole and may not be accessible.
As shown in
In further embodiments, the sensor 124 can be proximate a centerline 136 of the sole 102. In other embodiments, the sensor 124 can be located in a lateral side 138 or medial side 120 of the sole 102. For example, if a sensor 124 is positioned in both of a user's shoes and the sensors are configured to communicate with each other, it can be desirable to place both sensors in the medial sides 120 of the shoe to provide a higher quality data transmission.
In some embodiments, the antenna can be proximate a bottom surface 145 of the sensor 124. This can ensure the antenna is placed farthest from potential signal interference caused by a user's flesh. In some embodiments, the antenna can be positioned between 1.0 and 5.0 centimeters from the bottom surface 128 of the sole 102. In some embodiments, the antenna can be positioned between 1.0 and 5.0 centimeters from a top surface 147 of the sole 102. In some embodiments, the antenna can be approximately 2.0 centimeters from the bottom surface 145 of the sole 102. In other embodiments, the antenna can be approximately 2.0 centimeters from a top surface 147 of the sole 102.
The sensors 124-a, 124-b can track other data such as heel strike, force of heel strike, distance traveled, stride length, gait consistency, elevation changes (i.e. going uphill, downhill, upstairs, or downstairs). In advanced settings, the sensors 124-a, 124-b can track an angle at which the shoe 100 strikes the ground. This angle can provide information into a user's gait and how to improve a user's gait at select speeds. The heel force strike might determine how “heavily” a user is running or walking. This can enable a user to determine a gait improvement to alleviate potential injuries relating to high heel strike forces. A user's gait information can provide the user with data relating to their form during various points of an exercise routine. For example, if a user's gait is inconsistent while climbing hills, or after an endurance run, the user might use this information to focus on their gait and form during those conditions in the future.
The sensors 124-a, 124-b can collect raw data and transmit the data to a device 142 associated with the user. The device 142 can be enabled with an application or other system information to process the raw data and provide the data in consumable form to the user via one or more user interfaces or displays. In other embodiments, the sensors 124-a, 124-b, either individually or collaboratively, can analyze the raw data and provide consumable information to the device 142 for the user's benefit.
An embodiment of the sensor 124 is shown in
In some embodiments, the transceiver 222 can communicate bi-directionally with the remote device 142. The remote device 142 can include a mobile device, laptop, server, electronic tablet, or other device. For example, the transceiver 222 can send either raw or processed data to a remote device 142. This can enable a user to view the data and analyze their exercise either during the routine or after. The remote device 142 can transmit the data to a remote server, such as a cloud server, or other remote locations for further viewing, analyzation, and/or storage.
According to one embodiment, the remote device 142 can be a second sensor 124, wherein the two sensors 124 communicate and detect relative position, cadence, balance data, etc. for relative comparative analysis. According to this embodiment, one of the two sensors 124 is established as the master and the other the slave. According to this embodiment, the establishment of a dominant sensor occurs either during a handshake protocol between the two sensors 124, during a handshake or connection to a remote device 142, or using another hierarchal protocol. Establishing a single dominant or master sensor 124 enables a single sensor to record and/or process data, if desired, and ensures that a single sensor is communicating with the remote device 142, either in real time or at a later time, thereby eliminating redundant and/or conflicting communication.
The incorporation of two sensors 124 allows for a number of additional data points to be gathered and analyzed. Specifically, the relative speed, position, and route of each sensor 124 can be detected and compared to the other sensor. Analyzing the parameters of each sensor 124 relative to the other allows the system to determine whether a user is favoring a leg, whether a leg is lagging in cadence relative to the other—indicative of physiological and/or kinematic inconsistencies, whether the strides are linear or not relative to one another—indicative of a balance issue, and the like.
In some embodiments, the sensor 124 is configured to record and process information internally by the processor 214 during an event. According to this embodiment, the sensor 124 can record and process data and save the processed data in the memory 216 until the sensor 124 detects a remote device 142 fit to display the processed data.
In some embodiments, one element of the sensor 124 (e.g., antenna 202, transceiver 222) can connect to another sensor 124 and/or the remote device 142 using wireless techniques, including digital cellular telephone connection, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connection, and/or another connection. The signals associated between the sensors 124 and remote device 142 can include wireless communication signals such as radio frequency, electromagnetics, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), wireless network (using 802.11, for example), 345 MHz, Z-WAVE®, cellular network (using 3G and/or LTE, for example), and/or other signals. The antenna 202 and/or transceiver 222 can include or be related to, but are not limited to, WWAN (GSM, CDMA, and WCDMA), WLAN (including BLUETOOTH® and Wi-Fi), WMAN (WiMAX), antennas for mobile communications, antennas for Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) applications (including RFID and UWB).
The accelerometer 206 can track movement information regarding the sensor 124. For example, the accelerometer 206 can detect acceleration forces. Such forces can be static, like the continuous force of gravity, or dynamic, such as to sense movement or vibrations.
The gyroscope 208 can track movement information regarding the sensor 124. For example, the accelerometer 206 can measure an orientation and angular velocity of the sensor 124.
One or more buses 270 can allow data communication between one or more elements of the sensor 124 (e.g., accelerometer 206, gyroscope 208, processor 214, memory 216, antenna 202, etc.).
The memory 216 can include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash RAM, and/or other types of memory. The memory 216 can store computer-readable, computer-executable software/firmware code 218 including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor 214 to perform various functions described in this disclosure (e.g., tracking a user's gait cycle, distance traveled, gait cadence, and the like).
In some examples, the depth of the cavity 902 is greater than the thickness of the sole immediately subjacent to the cavity 902. Having a deeper cavity in the sole allows for the antenna to be placed closer to the bottom of the sole where the sensor's wireless transmissions are likely to have less interference. In some cases, the depth of the cavity extends into at least a fifth of the sole's thickness, at least a quarter of the sole's thickness, at least a third of the sole's thickness, at least a half of the sole's thickness, at least two-thirds of the sole's thickness, at least three-fourths of the sole's thickness, another appropriate depth, or combinations thereof.
Any appropriate type of running shoe, trail-running shoe, or cross-training shoe can be used in accordance with the principles described herein. In one example, the shoe can include a low-top profile where the upper terminates just below the user's ankle. While a low-top upper can provide less lateral stability, the shoe is lighter. In other examples, the shoe includes a high-top profile. In this example, the running shoe includes an upper that extends over the user's ankle. Other types of shoes, including non-athletic shoes, can also incorporate the principles, features or aspects disclosed herein.
