Automatic lacing footwear motor with notched spool

Abstract

A footwear article and related method include a midsole, an upper fixed relative to the midsole, and a lace extending across the upper. The lace has a fixing member, a first segment of the lace having a first apparent length, and a second segment of the lace separated from the first segment by the fixing member and having a second apparent length. A motorized lacing system is configured to engage with the lace to increase or decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor and a spool coupled to the motor, the spool being configured to wind and unwind the lace. The spool has a plurality of notches, each configured to hold the fixing member, wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length are adjustable based on which of the plurality of notches the fixing member is placed in.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on August 30, 2019, with application number 201980065867.6 and invention title "Automatic Lacing Shoe Motor with Notched Bore".

[0002] Priority application

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 725,677, filed August 31, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to a footwear article having an automatic lacing motor and a spool component with notches. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Some embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example rather than limitation.

[0006] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the components of a motorized lacing system for footwear articles in an exemplary embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 A block diagram of the components of the motor tethering system in an exemplary embodiment is shown in general.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a top view of the shoelace spool in an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a top view of the shoelace spool in an exemplary embodiment, showing the shoelaces displaced within the spool.

[0010] Figure 5 This is an illustration of a shoelace partially wrapped around a spool of shoelaces in an exemplary embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 This is an image of a footwear item including a motorized lacing system in an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 This is an image of a shoe upper in an exemplary embodiment, the shoe upper including an adjustment notch and a protrusion of a fixing member. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The exemplary methods and systems are directed to a footwear article having an automatic lacing motor and a notched spool. The examples represent only possible variations. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, components and functions are optional and can be combined or subdivided, and operations can be altered in order or combined or subdivided. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth for purposes of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject matter can be practiced without these specific details.

[0014] Footwear items, such as shoes, can include a variety of conventional and unconventional components. Conventional components may include uppers, soles, and laces, or other securing mechanisms for enclosing and securing the wearer's foot within the footwear item. Unconventionally, motorized lacing systems may engage with laces to tighten and / or loosen them. Additional or alternative electronic devices can provide various functions for footwear items, including operating and driving motors, sensing information about the nature of the footwear, providing luminous displays, and / or other sensory stimuli.

[0015] Generally, especially for footwear designed for sports activities, characteristics such as size, shape, sturdiness, and weight can be particularly important. The ability to secure footwear firmly to the foot using laces, multiple laces, or other tensioning mechanisms can further enhance durability, comfort, and performance. Providing the desired tightness within the desired range of the footwear's upper can be a particular challenge for both self-lacing footwear and general footwear.

[0016] Self-lacing footwear has been developed that utilizes spools with notches, allowing the apparent length of the two sections of the shoelace to be adjusted. The shoelace may have fixing components, such as knots or knotted sections, which can be placed and secured within one of the notches. Depending on which notch the fixing component is located in, the apparent length of the shoelace section can be increased or decreased accordingly. The resulting change in the apparent length of the two sections can lead to different tensions on different sides of the shoelace, and thus different fits in the footwear.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the components of a motorized lacing system for footwear in an example embodiment. Although the system has been described with respect to footwear, it should be recognized and understood that the principles described for footwear are equally applicable to any of a variety of wearable articles. Figure 1 The motor tethering system 100 shown includes a tethered engine 102 with a housing structure 103, a cover 104, an actuator 106, a midsole 108, a midsole 110, and an outersole 112. Figure 1The basic assembly sequence of the components of the automatic lacing footwear platform is shown. The motorized lacing system 100 begins by securing the midsole plate 108 within the midsole. Next, the actuator 106 is inserted into an opening on the outer side of the midsole plate opposite a mating button that can be embedded in the outsole 112. Next, the lacing engine 102 is placed into the midsole plate 108. In this example, the lacing system 100 is inserted under a continuous loop of lacing cord, and the lacing cord is aligned with the spool in the lacing engine 102 (discussed below). Finally, a cover 104 is inserted into a recess in the midsole plate 108, secured in the closed position, and then locked into the recess of the midsole plate 108. The cover 104 can capture the lacing engine 102 and can help maintain the alignment of the lacing cord during operation. The shoelace spool 220 (see...) Figure 2 ) Under cover 104

[0018] Figure 2 A block diagram of the components of a motorized lacing system 100 in an exemplary embodiment is shown in general. System 100 includes some, but not all, of the components of a motorized lacing system, such as an interface button 200, a foot presence sensor 202, and a lacing engine housing 102 surrounding a printed circuit board assembly (PCA) having a processor circuitry 204, a battery 206, a receiving coil 208, an optical encoder 210, a motion sensor 212, and a drive mechanism 214. The optical encoder 210 may include an optical sensor and an encoder having different portions that can be independently detected by the optical sensor. The drive mechanism 214 may include, in particular, a motor 216, a transmission 218, and a shoelace spool 220. The motion sensor 212 may include, in particular, a single-axis or multi-axis accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, or other sensors or devices configured to sense the movement of one or more components of the housing structure 102, or those within or connected to the housing structure 102. In one example, the motorized lacing system 100 includes a magnetometer 222 coupled to the processor circuitry 204.

[0019] exist Figure 2 In the example, processor circuitry 204 communicates data or power signals with one or more of the following: interface button 200, foot presence sensor 202, battery 206, receiving coil 208, and drive mechanism 214. A transmission 218 connects motor 216 to a spool to form drive mechanism 214. Figure 2 In the example, button 200, foot presence sensor 202, and ambient sensor 224 are shown as being outside or partially outside the tethered engine 102.

[0020] In one example, the receiving coil 208 is located on or inside the housing 103 of the tethered engine 102. In various examples, the receiving coil 208 is located on an external main surface of the housing 103, such as the top or bottom surface, and in a particular example, it is located on the bottom surface. In various examples, the receiving coil 208 is a qi charging coil, but any suitable coil, such as an A4WP charging coil, may be used alternatively.

[0021] In one example, processor circuitry 204 controls one or more aspects of drive mechanism 214. For example, processor circuitry 204 may be configured to receive information from button 200 and / or from foot presence sensor 202 and / or from motion sensor 212, and in response, control drive mechanism 214 to, for example, tighten or loosen a shoe around the foot. In one example, processor circuitry 204 may additionally or alternatively be configured to issue commands to obtain or record sensor information from foot presence sensor 202 or other sensors, among other functions. In one example, processor circuitry 204 regulates the operation of drive mechanism 214 by: (1) detecting foot presence using foot presence sensor 202, and (2) detecting a specific posture using motion sensor 212.

[0022] Information from environmental sensor 224 can be used to update or adjust the baseline or reference value of pin presence sensor 202. As explained further below, the capacitance value measured by the capacitive pin presence sensor can change over time, for example, in response to environmental conditions near the sensor. Using information from environmental sensor 224, processor circuitry 204 and / or pin presence sensor 202 can update or adjust the measured or sensed capacitance value.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of the shoelace spool 220 in an exemplary embodiment. The shoelace spool 220 includes three notches 300, 302, and 304 extending along a channel 306 with a diameter 308 passing through the shoelace spool 220. The shoelace 310 includes fastening members 312, 314, and 316 configured to be placed in and secured in the notches 300, 302, and 304. In various examples, the fastening members 312, 314, and 316 are knots tied in the shoelace 310, or separate pieces attached to or otherwise secured to the shoelace 310, such as spheres or other shapes made of metal, rubber, fabric, etc., which may be glued, coiled, or otherwise secured to the shoelace 310.

[0024] As will be shown here, by applying a lateral force 318 to the shoelace 310, the fastening members 312, 314, 316 can be displaced between the respective notches 300, 302, 304. When the lateral force 318 is sufficient to overcome the friction between the fastening members 312, 314, 316 and the notches 300, 302, 304, as well as any other friction generally caused on the shoelace 310, the fastening members 312, 314, 316 can slide out of the notches 300, 302, 304 in which they are located, and generally travel with the shoelace 310 in the direction of the lateral force 318.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a top view of the shoelace spool 220, showing the shoelace 310 displaced within the spool in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 The configurations are reversed, with fixing components 312, 314, and 316 respectively fixed within recesses 300, 302, and 304. Figure 4 In this case, fixing member 312 is not located in any of the recesses 300, 302, and 304, while fixing members 314 and 316 are located in recesses 300 and 302. No fixing members 312, 314, or 316 are placed in recess 304.

[0026] Therefore, through Figures 3 to 4 The apparent lengths of the two segments of the shoelace 310 change when switching between configurations. The first segment 400 of the shoelace 310 extends from the edge 402 of the spool 220, while the second segment 404 of the shoelace 310 extends from the edge 402 of the spool 220, but on the opposite side of the spool 220 from the first segment 400. Figure 4 As shown, the shoelace 310 and thus the first and second segments 400, 404 extend out of the image, although, as will be detailed herein, the first segment 400 extends to a first end of the shoelace 310, and the second segment 404 extends to a second end of the shoelace 310.

[0027] In one example, when each fixing member 312, 314, 316 is fixed within the recesses 300, 302, 304, as... Figure 3 As shown, the length of each of the first and second segments 400 and 404 is one hundred and fifty (150) millimeters. Figure 4 In the example, the length of the first segment 400 is 160 mm, and the length of the second segment 404 is 140 mm. Thus, in such an example, the distance 406 between each notch 300, 302, 304 is 10 mm.

[0028] Therefore, it should be recognized and understood that by adjusting the shoelace 310 such that the fixing member 316 is placed in the notch 300, while the notches 302 and 304 are empty, and the fixing members 312 and 314 are not fixed in any notch, the first segment 400 will have a length of 170 mm and the second segment 404 will have a length of 130 mm. It should also be recognized and understood that by adjusting the shoelace 310 in the opposite direction, the second segment 404 will become longer than the first segment 400. Therefore, by positioning the fixing members 312 and 314 in the notches 302 and 304, the second segment 404 will have a length of 160 mm and the first segment 400 will have a length of 140 mm. By positioning the fixing member 312 in the notch 304, the second segment 404 will have a length of 170 mm and the first segment 400 will have a length of 130 mm.

[0029] The lengths described above are given for illustrative purposes, and it should be recognized and understood that any of various lengths can be suitably implemented, including the length of the shoelace 310, the size of the shoelace spool 220, and the spacing of the notches 300, 302, and 304. Furthermore, although three notches 300, 302, and 304 and three fastening members 312, 314, and 316 are shown, any number of notches and fastening members can be implemented as needed. It should also be noted that the number of notches does not necessarily need to be the same as the number of fastening members, and unequal numbers of notches and fastening members can be envisioned in various examples.

[0030] For example, a single fastening member can be implemented on the shoelace 310, and five notches can be implemented on the shoelace spool 220. The notches can be spaced 5 mm apart to provide a larger spacing dimension over the lengths of segments 400, 404 than in the exemplary embodiments described above. Different numbers of notches and fastening members, as well as different distances between notches and between fastening members, are contemplated.

[0031] Note that while the provided examples include an odd number of notches and fixing members, examples with an even number of notches can also be considered. In such examples, the number of fixing members is even and the number of notches is odd, or vice versa, so segments 400 and 404 do not need to be configured to have equal lengths. Furthermore, although the distance between the notches and fixing members is illustrated as the same, the distance between the notches and between the fixing members can vary.

[0032] 5 is an illustration of a shoelace 310 partially wrapped around the shoelace bobbin 220 in an exemplary embodiment. In such an example, the lengths of segments 400 and 404 are still determined based on the untied shoelace 310, as... Figure 3 and4 As shown. Therefore, because the fixing members 312, 314, and 316 are located in the recesses 300, 302, and 304 respectively, and as... Figure 3 As shown, the lengths of the first and second segments 400 and 404 remain 150 (150) mm, even though the portions of the first and second segments 400 and 404 extending from the spool 310 are less than 150 (150) mm. In one example, the apparent lengths of the first and second segments 400 and 404 are the portions of the shoelace 310 extending beyond the edge 402 of the spool 220. Thus, in the illustrative example, the length of the first segment 400 can be 150 (150) mm, while the apparent length of the first segment 400 extending from the spool 220 when the shoelace 310 is fully wrapped around the spool 220 is 50 (50) mm.

[0033] Figure 6 This is an image of a footwear article 600 including a motorized lacing system 100 in an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated example, before the distal end 606 of the first shoelace segment 400 is secured to the lower region 608 of the upper 604, the first shoelace segment 400 forms a zigzag pattern on the top region 602 of the upper 604 of the footwear article 600. The second shoelace segment 404 passes through the top region 602, and then forms a zigzag pattern on the lower region 608 of the upper 604 before the distal end 610 of the second shoelace segment 404 is secured to the lower region 608.

[0034] Therefore, the length of the first segment 400 is defined as the length from the edge 402 of the spool 220 (see [reference]) when the shoelace 310 is unwound from the spool 220. Figure 4 The amount of shoelace 310 extending to the distal end 606, such as Figure 3 and 4 As shown. The apparent length of the first segment 400 is from the edge 402 of the spool 220 to the distal end 606, regardless of whether the shoelace 310 is wrapped or unwrapped. Thus, if the shoelace 310 is unwound from the spool 220, the length and apparent length of the first segment 400 are the same. The same principle applies to the length and apparent length of the second segment 404.

[0035] Thus, the adjustment of the position of the fixing members 312, 314, and 316 in the notches 300, 302, and 304 changes the tension applied to the shoelace 310 in the top and bottom regions 602 and 608, and therefore changes the degree to which the footwear 600 is secured to the wearer's foot in the top and bottom regions 602 and 608. For example, as Figure 4As shown, if the length of the first segment 400 is longer than the length of the second segment 404, then the shoelace 310 will be looser in the top region 602 and more secure in the lower region 608. Therefore, the degree of secureness / looseness between regions 602 and 608 may be related to which notch 300, 302, or 304 the fastening members 312, 314, and 316 are positioned in.

[0036] Figure 7 This is an image of a shoe upper 604 in an exemplary embodiment, which includes a protrusion 700 for adjusting notches and fastening members. The protrusion 700 forms a loop 702 that is secured to the shoe upper 604 in a fastening area 704, for example, by stitching, gluing, etc. A shoelace 310 passes through the loop 702. By clamping the protrusion 700, the shoelace 310 is prevented from slipping significantly in the loop 702. The user can pull the protrusion 700 and apply a lateral force 318 when it is necessary to displace the fastening members 312, 314, 316 (not shown) relative to the notches 300, 302, 304 (not shown). A similar protrusion 700 on the other side of the shoe upper 604 allows the lateral force 318 to be applied in another direction.

[0037] Example

[0038] In Example 1, a footwear article includes: a midsole; an upper fixed relative to the midsole; a lace extending through the upper, the lace having a fixing member, a first segment of the lace having a first apparent length, and a second segment of the lace having a second apparent length separated from the first segment by the fixing member; and a motorized lacing system located within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace, the motorized lacing system including a motor and a spool coupled to the motor, the spool being configured to wind and unwind the lace based on operation of the motor, the spool having a plurality of notches, each of the plurality of notches being configured to accommodate the fixing member, wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length are adjustable based on which of the plurality of notches the fixing member is placed in.

[0039] In Example 2, the footwear article according to Example 1 may optionally further include: the spool is circular and forms a channel across the diameter of the spool, wherein the plurality of notches extend along the channel.

[0040] In Example 3, the footwear article according to one or more of Examples 1 and 2 may optionally further include: the fastening member being configured to shift from a first notch of the plurality of notches to a second notch of the plurality of notches to change the first apparent length and the second apparent length of the shoelace.

[0041] In Example 4, the footwear article according to one or more of Examples 1-3 may optionally further include a loop secured to the upper, through which the shoelace passes, the loop being configured to apply a lateral force on the shoelace to move the securing member from a first notch of the plurality of notches to a second notch of the plurality of notches.

[0042] In Example 5, the footwear article according to one or more of Examples 1-4 may optionally further include: the loop being configured to apply force when pulled by a user in a direction orthogonal to the extension of the shoelace.

[0043] In Example 6, the footwear article according to one or more of Examples 1-5 may optionally further include: the fastening member being one of the plurality of fastening members, wherein the plurality of fastening members are configured to be placed in the plurality of notches, and wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length are defined by which of the plurality of fastening members are placed in which of the plurality of notches.

[0044] In Example 7, the footwear article according to one or more of Examples 1-6 may optionally further include: the fastening member being a knot in the shoelace.

[0045] In Example 8, a method of manufacturing a footwear article includes: fixing a midsole relative to an upper; extending a shoelace through the upper, the shoelace having a fixing member, a first segment of the shoelace having a first apparent length, and a second segment of the shoelace separated from the first segment by the fixing member and having a second apparent length; positioning a motorized lacing system within the midsole; and engaging the motorized lacing system with the shoelace to increase and decrease tension on the shoelace, wherein the motorized lacing system includes a motor and a spool coupled to the motor, the spool being configured to wind and unwind the shoelace based on operation of the motor, the spool having a plurality of notches, each of the plurality of notches configured to accommodate the fixing member, wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length are adjustable based on which of the plurality of notches the fixing member is placed in.

[0046] In Example 9, the method according to Example 8 may optionally further include: the spool is circular and forms a channel across the diameter of the spool, wherein the plurality of notches extend along the channel.

[0047] In Example 10, the method according to one or more of Examples 8 and 9 may optionally further include: the fixing member being configured to shift from a first notch of the plurality of notches to a second notch of the plurality of notches to change the first apparent length and the second apparent length of the shoelace.

[0048] In Example 11, the method according to one or more of Examples 8-10 may optionally further include a loop secured to the upper, through which the shoelace passes, the loop being configured to apply a lateral force on the shoelace to move the securing member from a first notch of the plurality of notches to a second notch of the plurality of notches.

[0049] In Example 12, the method according to one or more of Examples 8-11 may optionally further include: the loop being configured to apply force when pulled by a user in a direction orthogonal to the extension of the shoelace.

[0050] In Example 13, the method according to one or more of Examples 8-12 may optionally further include: the fixing member being one of the plurality of fixing members, wherein the plurality of fixing members are configured to be placed in the plurality of recesses, and wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length are defined by which of the plurality of fixing members are placed in which of the plurality of recesses.

[0051] In Example 14, the method according to one or more of Examples 8-13 may optionally further include: the fixing member being a knot in the shoelace.

[0052] In Example 15, a method includes: a motor and a spool coupled to the motor, the spool being configured to wind and unwind the shoelaces based on operation of the motor, the spool having a plurality of notches, each of the plurality of notches being configured to hold the fastening member, wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length are adjustable based on which of the plurality of notches the fastening member is placed in.

[0053] In Example 16, the motorized tethering system according to Example 15 may optionally further include: the spool is circular and forms a channel across the diameter of the spool, wherein the plurality of notches extend along the channel.

[0054] In Example 17, the motorized lacing system according to one or more of Examples 15 and 16 may optionally further include: the fixing member being configured to shift from a first notch of the plurality of notches to a second notch of the plurality of notches to change the first apparent length and the second apparent length of the shoelace.

[0055] In Example 18, the motorized lacing system according to one or more of Examples 15-17 may optionally further include: a loop secured to the upper, through which the laces pass, the loop being configured to apply a lateral force on the laces to move the securing member from a first notch of the plurality of notches to a second notch of the plurality of notches.

[0056] In Example 19, the motorized lacing system according to one or more of Examples 15-18 may optionally further include: the loop being configured to apply force when pulled by a user in a direction orthogonal to the extension of the shoelace.

[0057] In Example 20, the motorized tethering system according to one or more of Examples 15-19 may optionally further include: the fixing member being one of the plurality of fixing members, wherein the plurality of fixing members are configured to be placed in the plurality of recesses, and wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length are defined by which of the plurality of fixing members are placed in which of the plurality of recesses.

[0058] In Example 21, the motorized lacing system according to one or more of Examples 15-20 may optionally further include: the fixing member being a knot in the shoelace.

[0059] Throughout this specification, multiple instances can implement components, operations, or structures described as single instances. Although individual operations of one or more methods are shown and described as separate operations, one or more individual operations can be performed simultaneously, and they do not need to be performed in the order shown. Structures and functions represented as individual components in the example configuration can be implemented as combined structures or components. Similarly, structures and functions presented as single components can be implemented as individual components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of this document's subject matter.

[0060] This document describes certain embodiments as including logic or multiple components, modules, or mechanisms. A module can constitute a software module (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in transmitted signals) or a hardware module. A "hardware module" is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and can be configured or arranged in some physical manner. In various example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., standalone computer systems, client computer systems, or server computer systems) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) can be configured by software (e.g., an application program or an application portion) to operate as a hardware module performing certain operations described herein.

[0061] In some embodiments, hardware modules may be implemented mechanically, electrically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, a hardware module may include dedicated circuitry or logic permanently configured to perform certain operations. For instance, a hardware module may be a dedicated processor, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A hardware module may also include programmable logic or circuitry temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. For instance, a hardware module may include software contained within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor. It will be appreciated that cost and time considerations can drive the decision to implement the hardware module mechanically, either in a dedicated and permanently configured circuit or in a temporarily configured circuit (e.g., configured by software).

[0062] Therefore, the phrase "hardware module" should be understood to include tangible entities, meaning entities that are physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain way or perform some of the operations described herein. As used herein, "hardware-implemented module" refers to a hardware module. Considering embodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each hardware module does not need to be configured or instantiated at any given time. For example, in cases where the hardware modules include a general-purpose processor configured by software as a dedicated processor, the general-purpose processor can be configured as different dedicated processors (e.g., including different hardware modules) at different times. The software can configure the processor accordingly, for example, to constitute a specific hardware module at one time and different hardware modules at different times.

[0063] Hardware modules can provide information to or receive information from other hardware modules. Therefore, the described hardware modules can be considered communicatively connected. In the presence of multiple hardware modules, communication can be achieved through signal transmission between two or more hardware modules (e.g., via appropriate circuitry and buses). In embodiments where multiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at different times, such communication between hardware modules can be achieved, for example, by storing and retrieving information in a memory structure accessible to the multiple hardware modules. For example, one hardware module can perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a storage device communicatively connected to it. Another hardware module can then access the storage device at a later time to retrieve and process the stored output. Hardware modules can also initiate communication with input or output devices and can operate on resources (e.g., collections of information).

[0064] The various operations of the example methods described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more processors configured, either temporarily (e.g., by software) or permanently, to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors can constitute processor-implemented modules that perform one or more of the operations or functions described herein. As used herein, "processor-implemented module" means a hardware module implemented using one or more processors.

[0065] Similarly, the methods described herein can be implemented at least in part by a processor, which is an example of hardware. For example, at least some operations of a method can be performed by one or more processors or modules implemented by processors. Furthermore, one or more processors can operate in a "cloud computing" environment or as "Software as a Service" (SaaS) to support the performance of the related operations. For example, at least some operations can be performed by a group of computers (as an example of a machine including processors), and these operations can be accessed via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., application programming interfaces (APIs)).

[0066] The performance of certain operations can be distributed across one or more processors, residing not only within a single computer but also deployed across multiple computers. In some example embodiments, one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may reside in a single geographic location (e.g., in a home environment, office environment, or server farm). In other example embodiments, one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may be distributed across multiple geographic locations.

[0067] Certain portions of this specification are presented based on algorithms or symbolic representations of operations performed on data stored as bit or binary digital signals in machine memory (e.g., computer memory). These algorithms or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those skilled in the art of data processing to convey the essence of their work to others skilled in the art. As used herein, an "algorithm" is a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing that leads to a desired result. In this context, algorithms and operations involve the physical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, but not necessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals that can be stored, accessed, transmitted, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated by a machine. Primarily for general purposes, it is sometimes convenient to use terms such as "data," "content," "bit," "value," "element," "symbol," "character," "term," "number," "numerical value," etc., to refer to such signals. However, these terms are merely convenient labels and should be associated with appropriate physical quantities.

[0068] Unless otherwise expressly stated, discussions using terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “determining,” “presenting,” “displaying,” etc., herein can refer to the actions or processing of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transforms data representing one or more physical (e.g., electrical, magnetic, optical) quantities in one or more memory (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or any suitable combination thereof), registers, or other machine components as information to be received, stored, transmitted, or displayed. Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly stated, as used in the patent documents, the terms “a” or “an” herein include one or more instances. Finally, unless otherwise expressly stated, as used herein, the conjunction “or” refers to a non-exclusive “or”.

Claims

1. A type of footwear, comprising: Midsole; The upper is fixed relative to the midsole; The shoelace extends across the upper of the shoe and has a fixing member, a first segment of the shoelace having a first apparent length, and a second segment of the shoelace being separated from the first segment by the fixing member and having a second apparent length. and A motorized lacing system, positioned within the midsole and configured to engage with the laces to increase and decrease tension on the laces, the motorized lacing system comprising: Motor; and A spool connected to the motor, the spool being configured to wind and unwind the shoelaces based on the operation of the motor, the spool having a plurality of notches, each of the plurality of notches being configured to hold the fixing member; The first apparent length and the second apparent length are adjustable based on which of the plurality of recesses the fixing member is placed in; Specifically, before the distal end of the first segment is fixed to the lower region of the upper, the first segment forms a zigzag pattern on the top region of the upper; the second segment passes through the top region, and before the distal end of the second segment is fixed to the lower region, a zigzag pattern is formed on the lower region of the upper.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, The spool is circular and forms a channel spanning the diameter of the spool, wherein the plurality of notches extend along the channel.

3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein, The fixing member is configured to shift from a first notch among the plurality of notches to a second notch among the plurality of notches to change the first apparent length and the second apparent length of the shoelace.

4. The footwear article of claim 3, further comprising a ring secured to the upper, the shoelace passing through the ring, the ring configured to apply a lateral force on the shoelace to move the securing member from a first recess of the plurality of recesses to a second recess of the plurality of recesses.

5. The article of footwear of claim 4, wherein, The loop is configured to apply force when pulled by the user in a direction orthogonal to the extension of the shoelace.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, The fixing member is one of a plurality of fixing members, wherein the plurality of fixing members are configured to be placed in the plurality of recesses, and wherein the first apparent length and the second apparent length are defined by which of the plurality of fixing members are placed in which of the plurality of recesses.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, The fixing component is the knot in the shoelace.

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