Gesture Recognition Device for Activating Footwear Motors

Abstract

The gesture recognizer is configured to detect a gesture performed by a user for actuating a motor of a closing machine for an article of footwear. The gesture recognizer may include a sensor unit with an accelerometer sensor and an analysis unit in operative communication with the sensor unit. The analysis unit may be configured to execute a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject possible gesture event data received from the sensor unit as a true gesture event. If the gesture confirmation algorithm confirms said possible gesture event data as a true gesture event, the analysis unit may output a signal for actuating the motor.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to circuitry configured to be integrated into an article of footwear and processes performed by the circuitry to enhance posture awareness for actuating motors within the footwear. [Background technology]

[0002] The present embodiments relate generally to footwear, and more particularly to an article of footwear having a gesture recognition device for actuating a motor device within the footwear.

[0003] An article of footwear generally includes two major elements: an upper structure and a sole structure. The upper is typically formed from multiple material elements (e.g., textiles, polymeric sheet layers, foam layers, leather, synthetic leather) that are sewn or adhesively engaged together to form a space for comfortably and securely receiving the foot inside the footwear. More specifically, the upper forms a structure that extends around the heel area of ​​the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, over the instep and toe areas of the foot. The upper may also incorporate a lacing system that allows the foot to enter and exit the space within the upper as well as adjust the fit of the footwear. Additionally, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to improve the adjustability and comfort of the footwear, and the upper may incorporate a heel counter.

[0004] The sole structure is secured to the lower part of the upper to be positioned between the foot and the ground. In an athletic shoe, for example, the sole structure may include a midsole and an outsole. The midsole may be formed from a polymeric foam material that attenuates (provides cushioning) ground reaction forces during walking, running, and other walking activities. For example, the midsole may also include fluid-filled chambers, plates, cushioning, or other elements that further attenuate forces, improve stability, or affect foot motion. The outsole forms the ground contacting element of the footwear and is typically made of a durable and wear-resistant rubber material that includes texturing to provide traction. The sole structure may include an insole located within the upper and proximate the lower surface of the foot to improve the comfort of the footwear.

[0005] To achieve improved fitting of an article of footwear to a user's foot, electronic actuation mechanisms may be used to tighten or loosen the article of footwear on the user. In one example, the electronic actuation mechanism may allow fine adjustment of tightness during wear as the user exercises throughout the day. The electronic actuation mechanism may also increase the speed at which a user can put on and take off an article of footwear. An electronic actuation mechanism for additionally tightening the article of footwear may allow users with reduced hand motor skills or other disabilities to effectively tighten the article of footwear on their feet. However, existing mechanisms for controlling the actuation of such electronic actuation mechanisms are unable to effectively recognize gestures intended to activate the mechanism and are unable to filter out signals that are not indicative of an intended gesture by the user.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for improved systems and methods to address at least one or more of these deficiencies in the art. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Based on the above background, the following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Aspects of the invention relate to an article of footwear that may include a motor configured to activate a lacing system of the article of footwear. The article of footwear may additionally include a gesture recognizer configured to detect a gesture made by a user to activate the motor. The gesture recognizer may include a sensor unit including an accelerometer sensor and a buffer module, and an analysis unit in operative communication with the sensor unit. The analysis unit may be configured to execute a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject possible gesture event data received from the buffer module as a true gesture event. If the gesture confirmation algorithm confirms the possible gesture event data as a true gesture event, the analysis unit may output a signal to activate the motor.

[0009] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0010] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate similar elements and in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 illustrates an example system that may be configured to provide personal training and / or obtain data from a user's physical movements, according to an example embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 illustrates an example computing device that may be part of or in communication with the system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary sensor assembly that can be worn by a user, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates another exemplary sensor assembly that can be worn by a user, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary locations for sensory inputs that may include physical sensors located on / in the user's clothing and / or based on identifying a relationship between two moving body parts of the user. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an article of footwear according to one or more embodiments described herein. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a gesture recognizer operably coupled to a power source and a motor, according to one or more embodiments described herein. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart of one or more processes for recognizing a gesture event according to one or more aspects described herein. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart of one or more processes executed by a gesture recognizer to monitor sensor data for possible gesture events, according to one or more aspects described herein. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart of one or more processes performed by the analysis unit to execute a gesture recognition algorithm according to one or more aspects described herein. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart of a gesture confirmation algorithm according to one or more aspects described herein. [Figure 12]11 is a flowchart of one or more processes performed by an analysis unit to identify impulse responses in possible gesture event data received from an accelerometer of a sensor unit, according to one or more aspects described herein. [Figure 13A] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an article of footwear including a tensioning system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, when the tensioning system is shown in a slackened state. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is a top perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 13A when the tensioning system is in a tightened state. [Figure 14] FIG. 13B is a lateral perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 13A. [Figure 15] FIG. 13B is a perspective view of a medial side of the article of footwear of FIG. 13A. [Figure 16] FIG. 13B is a bottom plan view of the article of footwear of FIG. 13A. [Figure 17A] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an article of footwear including a tensioning system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, when the tensioning system is shown in a slackened state. [Figure 17B] FIG. 17B is a top perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 17A when the tensioning system is in a tightened state. [Figure 18] FIG. 17B is a side perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the medial side of the article of footwear of FIG. 17A. [Figure 20] FIG. 17B is a bottom plan view of the article of footwear of FIG. 17A. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a tensioning device according to the principles of the present disclosure; [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the tensioning device of FIG. [Diagram 23] 22 is a top view of the tensioning device of FIG. 21 showing the housing with the lid removed to expose the locking member slidably disposed within the housing when the locking member is in a locked position. FIG. [Figure 24] 22 is a plan view of the locking device of FIG. 21 showing a housing with a lid removed to expose the locking member slidably disposed within the housing when the locking member is in an unlocked position; FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a tensioning device according to the principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the tensioning device of FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 25 is a top view of the tensioner of FIG. 24 when the internal components of the tensioner are hidden to show the structure of the tensioner's housing. [Figure 28] FIG. 25 is a partial enlarged view of the tensioning device of FIG. 24, showing the tensioning device in a locked position. [Figure 29] FIG. 25 is a partial enlarged view of the tensioning device of FIG. 24, showing the tensioning device in an unlocked position. [Diagram 30] 1 is a schematic diagram of components of a powered lacing system for an article of footwear according to the principles of the present disclosure. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is an exploded view of an example lacing engine of the powered lacing system of FIG. [Figure 32A] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing another example of the lacing engine of the powered lacing system of FIG. [Figure 32B] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing another example of the lacing engine of the powered lacing system of FIG. [Figure 33A] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing another example of the lacing engine of the powered lacing system of FIG. [Figure 33B] FIG. 33B is a top view of the lacing engine of FIG. 33A. [Diagram 34] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of a powered lacing system incorporated into a sole structure of an article of footwear according to the principles of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to obtaining, storing, and / or processing athletic data associated with an athlete's physical movements. The athletic data may be actively or passively sensed and / or stored in one or more non-transitory storage media. Other aspects relate to using the athletic data to generate outputs, such as calculated athletic characteristics, feedback signals to provide guidance, and / or other information. These and other aspects are discussed in connection with the following specific examples of personal training systems.

[0013] In the following description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, showing various embodiments in which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced, by way of example. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, headings within this disclosure should not be construed as limiting aspects of the present disclosure, and example embodiments are not limited to the example headings.

[0014] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example configurations only and is not limiting. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring that they be performed in the particular order described or illustrated, unless expressly specified as an order of execution. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0015] When an element or layer is said to be "on" or "engaged", "connected", "applied" or "coupled" to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, affixed or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is said to be "directly on" or "directly engaged", "directly coupled", "directly affixed" or "directly coupled" to another element or layer, there may not be intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly (i.e., "between" vs. "directly between...", "adjacent" vs. "directly adjacent", etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0016] Terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section described below may be referred to as a second component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary configurations.

[0017] I. Examples of personal training systems A. Specific Networks

[0018] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods that can be utilized across multiple networks. In this regard, certain embodiments may be configured to adapt to dynamic network environments. Further embodiments may operate in different individual network environments. FIG. 1 is an example of a personal training system 100, according to an exemplary embodiment. The exemplary system 100 may include one or more interconnected networks, such as, for example, a specific body area network (BAN) 102, a local area network (LAN) 104, and a wide area network (WAN) 106. As shown in FIG. 1 (and as described throughout this disclosure), one or more networks (i.e., BAN 102, LAN 104, and / or WAN 106) may overlap or otherwise be included with one another. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the specific networks 102-106 are logical networks that may each include one or more different communication protocols and / or network architectures, and may be configured to have gateways to each other or to other networks. For example, each of the BAN 102, the LAN 104, and / or the WAN 106 may be operatively connected to the same physical network architecture, such as the cellular network architecture 108 and / or the WAN architecture 110. For example, the portable electronic device 112 may be considered a component of both the BAN 102 and the LAN 104, and may include a network adapter or network interface card (NIC) configured to convert data and control signals to and from network messages via one or more of the architectures 108 and / or 110 in accordance with one or more communication protocols, such as, for example, the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the Internet Protocol (IP), and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). These protocols are well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein.

[0019] Network architectures 108 and 110 may include one or more information distribution networks of any type or topology (e.g., cable, fiber, satellite, telephone, cellular, wireless, etc.), alone or in combination, and thus may be variously configured, for example, having one or more wired or wireless communication paths (including, but not limited to, WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and / or ANT technologies). Thus, any device in the network of FIG. 1 (e.g., portable electronic device 112 or other devices described herein) may be considered to be included in one or more different logical networks 102-106. With the above in mind, exemplary components of specific BANs and LANs (which may be coupled to WAN 106) are described.

[0020] 1. Exemplary Local Area Network LAN 104 may include one or more electronic devices, such as, for example, computing device 114. Computing device 114, or any other component of system 100, may include a mobile terminal, such as a phone, a music player, a tablet, a netbook, or any handheld device. In other embodiments, computing device 114 may include a media player or recorder, a desktop computer, a server, a gaming console, such as, for example, a Microsoft® XBOX®, a Sony® Playstation, and / or a Nintendo® Wii gaming console. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these are merely exemplary devices for illustrative purposes and that the present disclosure is not limited to consoles or computing devices.

[0021] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the design and structure of the computing device 114 may vary depending on several factors, such as the intended purpose. One implementation of the computing device 114 is provided in FIG. 2, which illustrates a block diagram of a computing device 200. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure of FIG. 2 may apply to any device disclosed herein. The device 200 may include one or more processors, such as processors 202-1 and 202-2 (generally referred to herein as “processor 202” or “processor 202”). The processors 202 may communicate with each other or with other components via an interconnection network or bus 204. The processor 202 may include one or more processing cores, such as cores 206-1 and 206-2 (generally referred to herein as “multiple cores 206” or more generally as “core 206”), which may be implemented on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip.

[0022] Core 206 may include a shared cache 208 and / or a private cache (e.g., caches 210-1 and 210-2, respectively). One or more caches 208 / 210 may locally cache data stored in a system memory, such as memory 212, for faster access by components of processor 202. Memory 212 may communicate with processor 202 via chipset 216 or communication bus 216. Cache 208 may be part of system memory 212 in certain embodiments. Memory 212 may include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and one or more solid-state memories, as well as optical or magnetic storage, and / or any other medium usable for storing electronic information. However, in other embodiments, system memory 212 may be omitted.

[0023] System 200 may include one or more I / O devices (i.e., for example, I / O devices 214-1 through 214-3, each generally referred to as an I / O device 214). I / O data from one or more of I / O devices 214 may be stored in one or more caches 208, 210 and / or system memory 212. Each I / O device 214 may be permanently or temporarily configured to communicate with components of system 100 using any physical or wireless communication protocol.

[0024] Returning to FIG. 1, four exemplary I / O devices (labeled elements 116-122) are shown in communication with computing device 114. One skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of devices 116-122 may be standalone devices or associated with another device other than computing device 114. For example, one or more of the I / O devices may be associated with or interact with components of BAN 102 and / or WAN 106. I / O devices 116-122 may include motion data acquisition units, such as, but not limited to, sensors. One or more of the I / O devices may be configured to sense, detect, and / or measure motion parameters from a user, such as user 124, including, but not limited to, accelerometers, gyroscopes, positioning devices (such as GPS), light (including visible light) sensors, temperature sensors (including ambient and / or body temperature), sleep pattern sensors, heart rate monitors, image capture sensors, moisture sensors, force sensors, compasses, angular velocity sensors, and / or combinations thereof.

[0025] In further embodiments, I / O devices 116-122 may be used to provide output (i.e., audible, visual, or tactile indications) and / or receive input, such as user input from athlete 124. Examples of the use of these specific I / O devices are provided below, however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such descriptions are merely illustrative of some of the many options within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, reference to any data acquisition unit, I / O device, or sensor should be construed as disclosing an embodiment that may have one or more I / O devices, data acquisition units, and / or sensors (alone or in combination) disclosed herein or known in the art.

[0026] Information from one or more devices (via one or more networks) is used to provide (or be used to create) a variety of different parameters, metrics or physiological characteristics, including, but not limited to, motion parameters (e.g., speed, acceleration, distance, steps taken, direction, relative movement of a particular body part or object relative to another particular body part or object, etc.), or other motion parameters (which may be expressed as, for example, angular velocity, linear velocity, or combinations thereof), or physiological parameters (e.g., calories, heart rate, sweat detection, force exertion, oxygen consumption, oxygen kinetics, and other metrics that may fall into one or more categories, such as, for example, pressure, impact force, information about the athlete (such as height, weight, age, demographic information, and combinations thereof), etc.).

[0027] The system 100 may be configured to transmit and / or receive athletic data, including parameters, metrics, or physiological characteristics, collected within or provided to the system 100. As an example, the WAN 106 may include a server 111. The server 111 may include one or more of the components of the system 200 of FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the server 111 includes at least one processor and memory, such as the processor 206 and the memory 212. The server 111 may be configured to store computer-executable instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The instructions may include athletic data, such as raw data or processed data collected within the system 100. The system 100 may be configured to transmit data, such as energy expenditure points, to a social networking website or to host such a site. The server 111 may be utilized to enable one or more users to access and / or compare athletic data. In this manner, the server 111 may be configured to transmit and / or receive notifications based on the athletic data or other information.

[0028] Returning to the LAN 104, the computing device 114 is shown in operative communication with the display device 116, the image capture device 118, the sensor 120, and the practice device 122, which are described in turn below with reference to an exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, the display device 116 can provide audiovisual instructions to the athlete 124 to perform a specific athletic movement. The audiovisual instructions can be provided in response to computer-executable instructions executed on the computing device 114 or any other device, including the BAN 102 or a WAN. The display device 116 can be a touch screen device and can be configured to receive user input.

[0029] In one embodiment, data may be obtained from other sensors, such as image capture device 118 and / or sensor 120. Sensor 120 may be used alone or in combination with other devices to detect (and / or measure) athletic parameters or stored information. Image capture device 118 and / or sensor 120 may include a transceiver. In one embodiment, sensor 128 may include an infrared (IR), electromagnetic (Em) or acoustic transceiver. For example, image capture device 118 and / or sensor 120 may transmit waveforms into the environment, including a direction toward athlete 124, and receive "reflections" or detect changes in these emitted waveforms. Those skilled in the art may readily recognize that signals corresponding to a number of different data spectrums may be utilized, according to various embodiments. In this regard, device 118 and / or 120 may detect waveforms emitted from an external source (i.e., not system 100). For example, device 118 and / or 120 may detect heat emitted from user 124 and / or the surrounding environment. Thus, image capture device 126 and / or sensor 128 may include one or more thermal imaging devices. In one embodiment, image capture device 126 and / or sensor 128 may include an IR device configured to perform range phenomenology.

[0030] In one embodiment, the exercise device 122 may be any device that can be configured to enable or facilitate physical movement by the athlete 124, such as, for example, a treadmill, step machine, etc. The device need not be stationary. In this regard, bicycles or other mobile exercise devices may be utilized in accordance with certain embodiments, as wireless technology allows for the use of handheld devices. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device 122 may be or may configure an interface for receiving electronic devices including athletic data that are performed remotely from the computing device 114. For example, a user may use sports equipment (described below in connection with the BAN 102) and download the athletic data to the element 122 of the system 100 or any other device upon returning home or where the device 122 is located. Any of the I / O devices described herein may be configured to receive activity data.

[0031] 2. Body Area Network The BAN 102 may include two or more devices configured to facilitate receiving, transmitting, or collecting athletic data (including passive devices). Exemplary devices may include one or more data acquisition units, sensors, or devices known in the art or disclosed herein, including, but not limited to, I / O devices 116-122. Two or more components of the BAN 102 may communicate directly, while in other embodiments, communication occurs through a third device that may be part of the BAN 102, the LAN 104, and / or the WAN 106. One or more components of the LAN 104 or the WAN 106 may form part of the BAN 102. In certain embodiments, whether a device, such as the portable device 112, is part of the BAN 102, the LAN 104, and / or the WAN 106 may depend on the proximity of the athlete to access points to enable communication with the mobile cellular network architecture 108 and / or the WAN architecture 110. User activity and / or preferences may also affect whether one or more components are utilized as part of the BAN 102. Below, exemplary embodiments are provided.

[0032] A user 124 may be associated with (i.e., all carried, worn, and / or interacted with) any number of devices, such as handheld device 112, shoe-mounted device 126, wrist-worn device 128, and / or sensing locations, such as sensing location 130, which may include physical devices or locations used to gather information. One or more of devices 112, 126, 128, and / or 130 may not be specifically designed for fitness or exercise purposes. Indeed, aspects of the present disclosure relate to collecting, detecting, and / or measuring athletic data utilizing data from multiple devices, some of which are not fitness devices. In certain embodiments, one or more devices of BAN 102 (or any other network) may include fitness or sports equipment specifically designed for a particular sport use. As used herein, the term "sports equipment" includes any physical object capable of being used or engaged in during a particular sport or fitness activity. Exemplary sports devices include, but are not limited to, golf balls, basketballs, baseballs, soccer balls, footballs, power balls, hockey pucks, weights, bats, clubs, sticks, paddles, mats, and combinations thereof. In further embodiments, exemplary fitness devices may include objects within a sports environment where a specialized movement occurs, including the environment itself, such as goal nets, hoops, backboards, portions of the field, such as the midline, outer boundary markers, bases, and combinations thereof.

[0033] In this regard, one skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more sports devices may be part of (or form) a structure, and conversely, a structure may include or be configured to interact with one or more sports devices. For example, a first structure may include a basketball hoop and a backboard, which may be removable and replaced with goal posts. In this regard, one or more sports devices may include one or more sensors that provide information to be used in combination with other sensors, such as one or more sensors associated with the one or more structures, such as one or more sensors described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3. For example, a backboard may include a first sensor configured to measure the force and direction of force by a basketball on the backboard, and a hoop may include a second sensor for detecting the force. Similarly, a golf club may include a first sensor configured to detect grip characteristics on the shaft and a second sensor configured to measure impact by a golf ball.

[0034] Turning to specific portable device 112, it may be a multi-purpose electronic device, including, for example, a phone or digital music player, an IPOD®, IPAD®, or iPhone®, branded device available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, California, or Zune® or Microsoft® Windows device available from Microsoft of Redmond, Washington. As is known in the art, a digital media player may function as an output device, an input device, and / or a storage device for a computer. Device 112 may be configured as an input device to receive raw data or processed data collected from one or more devices in BAN 102, LAN 104, or WAN 106. In one or more embodiments, portable device 112 may include one or more components of computer device 114. For example, portable device 112 may include one or more data collection devices, such as a display 116, an image capture device 118, and / or any of the I / O devices 116-122 described above, with or without additional components, to comprise a mobile terminal.

[0035] a. Specific apparel / accessory sensors In certain embodiments, the I / O devices may be formed within or associated with the clothing or accessories of the user 124, including watches, armbands, wristbands, necklaces, shirts, shoes, etc. These devices may be configured to monitor the athletic movements of the user. It should be understood that athletic movements may be detected while the user 124 interacts with the computing device 114 and / or while operating independently of the computing device 114 (or any other device disclosed herein). For example, one or more devices in the BAN 102 may be configured to function as an all-day activity monitor that measures activity regardless of the user's proximity or interaction with the computing device 114. It should also be understood that the sensing system 302 shown in FIG. 3 and the device assembly 400 shown in FIG. 4, each of which is described in the following paragraphs, are merely illustrative examples.

[0036] i. Shoe-mounted device In certain embodiments, the device 126 shown in FIG. 1 may include footwear that may include one or more sensors, including but not limited to those disclosed herein and / or known in the art. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sensor system 302 that provides one or more sensor assemblies 304. The assemblies 304 may include one or more sensors, such as, for example, accelerometers, gyroscopes, positioning components, force sensors, and / or any other sensors disclosed herein or known in the art. In a specific embodiment, the assembly 304 incorporates multiple sensors that may include a force sensitive resistor (FSR) sensor 306, although other sensors may be utilized. The port 308 may be located within a sole structure 309 of the shoe and is generally configured to communicate with one or more electronic devices. The port 308 may optionally be provided to communicate with an electronic module 310, and the sole structure 309 may optionally include a housing 311 or other structure for receiving the module 310. The sensor system 302 may further include a number of leads 312 connecting the FSR sensor 306 to the port 308 to enable communication with the module 310 and / or other electronic devices via the port 308. The module 310 may be included within a well or cavity in the sole structure of the shoe, and the housing 311 may be located within the well or cavity. In one embodiment, at least one gyroscope and at least one accelerometer are provided within a single housing, such as the module 310 and / or the housing 311. In at least one further embodiment, one or more sensors are provided that are configured to provide orientation information and angular velocity data when operational. The port 308 and the module 310 include complementary interfaces 314, 316 for connection and communication.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the at least one force sensitive resistor 306 shown in FIG. 3 may include first and second electrodes or electrode electrical contacts 318, 320 and a force sensitive material 322 disposed between the electrodes 318, 320 to electrically connect the electrodes 318, 320 together. When pressure is applied to the force sensitive material 322, the resistivity and / or conductivity of the force sensitive material 322 changes, thereby changing the electrical potential between the electrodes 318, 320. The change in resistance may be detected by the sensor system 302 to detect the force applied to the sensor 316. The force sensitive resistive material 322 may change resistance under pressure in a variety of ways. For example, the force sensitive material 322 may have an internal resistance that decreases when the material is compressed. Further embodiments may utilize a "volume-based resistance" that may be implemented via a "smart material." As another example, the resistance of the material 322 can be altered by varying the degree of surface-to-surface contact, such as between two sheets of force-sensitive material 322 or between the force-sensitive material 322 and one or both of the electrodes 318, 320. In some cases, this type of force-sensitive resistive operation may be described as "contact-based resistance."

[0038] ii. Wrist-worn devices As shown in FIG. 4, the device 400 (which may be similar to or include the sensing device 128 shown in FIG. 1) may be configured to be worn by the user 124 on the wrist, arm, ankle, neck, etc. The device 400 may include an input mechanism, such as input buttons 402 configured to be used during operation of the device 400. The input buttons 402 may be operatively connected to a controller 404 and / or any other electronic components, such as one or more elements described with respect to the computing device 114 shown in FIG. 1. The controller 404 may be embedded in or be part of a housing 406. The housing 406 may be formed of one or more materials, including an elastic component, and may include one or more displays, such as a display 408. The display may be considered as an illuminable portion of the device 400. The display 408 may include an illumination element or illumination member, such as a series of individual LED lights 410. The lights may be formed in an array and operatively connected to the controller 404. The device 400 may include an indicator system 412 that is considered a part or component of the overall display 408. The indicator system 412 may operate and illuminate in conjunction with the display 408 (which may have pixel members 414) or may be completely separate from the display 408. The indicator system 412 may also include a number of additional lighting elements or members, which may take the form of LED lights in an exemplary embodiment. In certain embodiments, the indicator system may provide a visual indication of a goal by illuminating a portion of the lighting members of the indicator system 412 to indicate progress on one or more goals. The device 400 may be configured to display data expressed in activity points or currency earned by a user based on the user's activity via either the display 408 and / or the indicator system 412.

[0039] The fastening mechanism 416 may be loosened, allowing device 400 to be positioned around a wrist or portion of user 124, after which fastening mechanism 416 may be placed in an engaged position. In one embodiment, fastening mechanism 416 may include an interface for operative interaction with devices, such as computing device 114 and / or devices 120 and / or 112, including, but not limited to, a USB port. In certain embodiments, the fastening member may include one or more magnets. In one embodiment, the fastening member may have no moving parts and rely entirely on magnetic forces.

[0040] In certain embodiments, device 400 may include a sensor assembly (not shown in FIG. 4). The sensor assembly may include a number of different sensors, including those disclosed herein and / or known in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor assembly may include or be operably connected to sensors disclosed herein or known in the art. Device 400 and / or its sensor assembly may be configured to receive data obtained from one or more external sensors.

[0041] iii. Apparel and / or body position sensing The elements 130 shown in FIG. 1 show possible exemplary sensing locations associated with physical equipment such as sensors, data acquisition units, or other devices. However, in other embodiments, they may be specific locations of a body part or area monitored, for example, via an image capture device (i.e., image capture device 118). In certain embodiments, the elements 130 may include sensors, and elements 130a and 130b may be sensors integrated into apparel, such as athletic wear. Such sensors may be placed at any desired location on the body of the user 124. The sensors 130a / b may communicate (i.e., wirelessly) with one or more devices (including other sensors) of the BAN 102, LAN 104, and / or WAN 106. In certain embodiments, the passive sensing surface may reflect a waveform, such as infrared light, emitted by the image capture device 118 and / or the sensor 120. In one embodiment, the passive sensors located on the apparel of the user 124 may include a generally spherical structure made of glass or other transparent or semi-transparent surface capable of reflecting a waveform. Different classes of apparel are available, where a given class of apparel has specific sensors configured to be located near specific parts of the body of a user 124 when properly worn. For example, golf apparel may include one or more sensors located in the apparel in a first configuration, while soccer apparel may include one or more sensors located in the apparel in a second configuration.

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates specific locations for sensory inputs (see, e.g., sensor locations 130a-130o). In this regard, the sensors may be physical sensors located on / in the user's clothing, although in other embodiments, the sensor locations 130a-130o may be based on identifying a relationship between two moving body parts. For example, the sensor location 130a may be determined by identifying the movement of the user 124 with an image capture device, such as the image capture device 118. Thus, in certain embodiments, the sensor may not be physically located at a specific location (such as one or more sensor locations 130a-130o), but may be configured to sense characteristics of that location, such as with the image capture device 118 or other sensor data collected from other locations. In this regard, the overall shape or portion of the user's body may enable identification of a particular body part. Whether image capture is utilized and / or physical sensors are located on the user 124 and / or data from other devices, such as the sensing system 302, the device assembly 400 or any other devices or sensors disclosed herein or known in the art are utilized, the sensors can sense the current location of the body part and / or track the movement of the body part. In one embodiment, the sensory data associated with the location 130m can be utilized to determine the user's center of gravity (also referred to as center of mass). For example, the relationship between the location 130a and the locations 130f / 130l relative to one or more of the locations 130m-130o can be utilized to determine whether the user's center of gravity has risen along a vertical axis (e.g., during a jump) or if the user is attempting to "fake" a jump by bending or moving the knees. In one embodiment, the sensor location 1306n can be located near the sternum of the user 124. Similarly, the sensor location 130o can be located near the navel of the user 124. In particular embodiments, data from sensor locations 130m-130o may be used (alone or in combination with other data) to determine the center of gravity of user 124.In further embodiments, the relationship between multiple sensor locations (e.g., sensors 130m-130o) can be utilized to determine the orientation and / or rotational forces of user 124, such as torso twist of user 124. Additionally, one or more locations (e.g., locations) can be utilized as a center of moment position (or an approximation). For example, in one embodiment, one or more of locations 130m-130o can be used as a point relative to the center of moment position of user 124. In another embodiment, one or more locations can be used as a center of moment for a particular body part or region.

[0043] Aspects of the present invention relate to energy harvesting devices (otherwise referred to as energy capture devices or energy capture and storage devices) and novel methods of utilizing one or more energy harvesting devices. Advantageously, aspects of the present invention described herein relate to using a thermoelectric generator to provide electrical energy, particularly to one or more electronic components of an athletic activity monitoring device (e.g., device 128, 400). In this manner, electrical energy can be provided to one or more electronic components (e.g., processor, memory, transceiver, among others) without requiring a user to provide an energy storage device / medium, such as a battery with a wired energy source, which may be from an electrical outlet (i.e., may not require a wired connection to recharge one or more on-board batteries of the athletic activity monitoring device). In one implementation, one or more thermoelectric generator modules configured to be utilized within the energy harvesting device can generate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradient, without the use of an energy storage device or medium (i.e., other than body or phase change material storage, among others). In one example, one or more energy harvesting devices can be incorporated into a user's item of sportswear, thereby storing thermal energy as the item of sportswear is washed. The thermal energy can then be used to generate electrical energy using one or more thermoelectric generation modules, as described in the following disclosure. In this manner, a device incorporating a thermoelectric generator module, as described herein, may not include additional elements for energy storage (i.e., may not include a battery, otherwise referred to as an auxiliary energy storage medium). In another example, a device incorporating a thermoelectric generator module, such as those described herein, can utilize hybrids, particularly battery storage, in addition to generating electrical energy using a thermoelectric generation module.

[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of an article of footwear according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein. The article of footwear 600 may include any type of footwear configured to be worn when participating in athletic activities and other daily or formal occasions. The article of footwear 600 may be referred to as a shoe 600 and is not limited to encapsulated footwear embodiments. The article of footwear 600 is shown as including a motor 606, a gesture recognizer 604, and a power source 608. It is envisioned that the motor 606 may be configured to operate a lacing system, a closing system, or a closing mechanism of the article of footwear 600, such that the motor 606 may tighten or tighten or loosen the article of footwear 600 on a user's foot. Although not illustrated in FIG. 6, it is envisioned that the motor 606 may have an electric machine implementation and may be configured to operate various closing mechanisms within the article of footwear 600 without departing from the scope of these disclosures. The actuation of the motor 606 may be based on signals received from the gesture recognizer 604. Both the gesture recognizer 604 and the motor 606 can receive electrical energy from a power source 608. The power source 608 may include one or more chemical cells configured as a battery. Additionally or alternatively, the power source 608 may include elements configured to store energy in a phase change material and generate electrical energy using a thermoelectric generator. The power source 608 may additionally or alternatively include elements configured to convert kinetic energy of user movements into electrical energy distributable to the gesture recognizer 604 and the motor 606. The articles of footwear 600 and various assemblies of articles of footwear 600 and related processes, including the gesture recognition process, described throughout this disclosure may additionally or alternatively include elements of U.S. Pat. No. 10,568,381, entitled "Gesture Controllable Motorized Shoe," and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0046886, entitled "Gesture Recognition," filed on August 7, 2014, both of which disclosures are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for any and all non-limiting purposes.

[0045] It is contemplated that the relative positioning of the gesture recognizer 604, the motor 606, and the power source 608 may differ from that illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 6. In one example, the gesture recognizer 604, the motor 606, and the power source 608 may be encapsulated within a sole structure 610 of the article of footwear 600. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the gesture recognizer 604, the motor 606, and the power source 608 may be located within one or more structures of an upper 612 of the article of footwear 600. It is contemplated that the elements 604, 606, and 608 may be in operative communication with one another using a wired connection. However, it is contemplated that one or more of the elements 604, 606, 608 may be wirelessly connected to one another using a wireless data transmission protocol and / or wireless power transfer. In another example, two or more elements 604, 606, and 608 may be implemented within the article of footwear 600 as an integrated unit, such that two or more elements 604, 606, 608 may be encapsulated within a single structure and / or implemented in a single integrated circuit device. In one example, the power source 608 may be configured with an interface for receiving electrical energy from an external source. The interface may include a connection port configured to receive a wired connection or may be an interface configured to provide wireless charging when the article of footwear 600 is placed in proximity to an external wireless charging dock or source. Additionally, the gesture recognizer 604 and / or the motor 606 may be configured to receive data from one or more sources external to the article of footwear 600. As such, the gesture recognizer 604 and / or the motor 606 may include an interface configured to transmit and receive data wired or wirelessly to an external data source, such as an external computing device. This external data source may be configured to receive activity data from gesture recognizer 604 and may be configured to update firmware for one or more of gesture recognizer 604 and motor 606. It is envisioned that each of elements 604, 606, and 608 are configured to be encapsulated within the article of footwear 600 such that they are shielded from contaminants such as dust, dirt, or water.

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic of a gesture recognizer 700 operably connected to a power source 750 and a motor 760, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In one example, the gesture recognizer 700 may be similar to the gesture recognizer 604, the power source 750 may be similar to the power source 608, and the motor 760 may be similar to the motor 606 described in connection with FIG. 6. The gesture recognizer 700 includes a sensor unit 702 and an analysis unit 732. Each of the sensor unit 702, the analysis unit 732, the power source 750, and the motor 760 may be in operative communication with each other for the transfer of electrical energy / power and / or data. Such transfer of electrical energy and / or data may be facilitated by wired or wireless transmission. As illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 7, each of the elements 702, 732, 750, and 760 may be configured with an input / output (I / O) interface. In particular, the sensor unit 702 includes an I / O interface 714, the analysis unit 702 includes an I / O interface 740, the power supply 750 includes an I / O interface 752, and the motor 760 includes an I / O interface 762. It is contemplated that these I / O interfaces 714, 740, 752, and 762 are comprised of hardware, firmware, and / or software configured to receive wired or wireless data and / or power transmissions using any suitable transmission protocol and / or method. It is also contemplated that these I / O interfaces 714, 740, 752, and 762 may include different interface types using different transfer protocols or mediums without departing from the scope of these disclosures.

[0047] Gesture recognizer 700 is shown in Fig. 7 as a single structure including sensor unit 702 and analysis unit 732. Additionally, power supply 750 and motor 760 are shown in Fig. 7 as separate elements for gesture recognizer 700. However, it is contemplated that each of elements 702, 732, 750, and / or 760 may be combined within / on a single physical structure / chip or may be implemented as separate elements without departing from the scope of these disclosures.

[0048] The sensor unit 702 further includes a processor 704. The processor 704 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or a graphics processing unit (GPU). In another example, the processor 704 may represent a microcontroller. In yet another example, the sensor unit 702 may be configured as an integrated microcontroller. The processor 704 may be implemented with any processing speed, one or more processing cores, and may utilize any chip architecture. The sensor unit 702 further includes a memory 706, referred to as a non-transitory computer readable medium, that stores computer executable instructions that may be executed by the processor 704 and / or additional elements of the sensor unit 702. It is envisioned that the memory 706 may have any memory hardware chip design and any memory storage capacity. The memory 706 may be in the form of a persistent memory or may include a volatile memory. Firmware related to the operation of any element of the sensor unit 702 may be stored by the memory 706 or may be stored in hardware within each of the schematically illustrated elements of the sensor unit 702. The sensor unit 702 may further include a buffer 708, which may also be referred to as a buffer module 708 or the sensor unit buffer module 702. The buffer 708 may be a form of volatile memory that may be configured to temporarily store data received from one or more of the accelerometer 710 and the gyroscope 712.

[0049] The buffer 708 may be implemented in any hardware configuration and may include one or more memory register circuits. Additionally, the buffer 708 may be configured to perform different memory storage operations / algorithms in response to an operational mode signal received from the processor 704. The operational mode signal may include a data signal including instructions to switch the operational mode of the buffer 708 between a number of different operational modes. In one example, the buffer 708 may be configured to operate in a continuous mode or a first-in-first-out (FIFO) mode. When configured to operate in a continuous mode, the buffer 708 may receive sensor data from one or more of the accelerometer 710 and the gyroscope 712 and store the most recent data point (aka datum) of the received sensor data in a free memory unit of the buffer 708 or replace the oldest datum stored in the buffer 708 if no free memory units are available in the buffer 708. When configured to operate in a first-in-first-out mode, the sensor data received from one or more of the accelerometer 710 and / or the gyroscope 712 is stored in an empty memory unit in the buffer 708 until the buffer 708 is full. The data stored in the buffer 708 may be communicated to devices or elements external to the processor 704 and / or the sensor unit 702 via the interface 714. In one example, the analysis unit 732 exchanges signals with an interface 740 of the analysis unit 732 requesting it to transmit the data stored in the buffer 708.

[0050] In one example, the buffer 708 may be configured to store 500-1,000 samples of data generated by the accelerometer 710. These samples may include acceleration values ​​for each of the three axes of the accelerometer 710. In a particular example, the accelerometer is configured to store 670, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 690, 692, or 700 samples of acceleration data received from the accelerometer 710. In one example, the buffer 708 may have a storage capacity of 2-10 kB. In a particular example, the buffer 708 may have a storage capacity of 4 kB.

[0051] The accelerometer 710 of the sensor unit 702 may include a three-axis accelerometer. It is contemplated that the accelerometer 710 may be implemented using any hardware, such as MEMS elements. The gyroscope 712 of the sensor unit 702 may include a three-axis gyroscope. Similarly, the gyroscope 712 may be implemented using a hardware implementation, such as MEMS elements. In one example, the accelerometer 710 is sampled at a frequency of 350-450 Hz. In a particular example, the accelerometer 710 is sampled at a frequency of 409, 410, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 420, or 421 Hz. In yet another example, the accelerometer 710 is sampled at one or more frequencies in a range between 0.1 Hz and 10 MHz.

[0052] The analysis unit 732 may include a memory 734, which may be similar to the memory 706, and a buffer 738 (also referred to as an analysis unit buffer module 738), which may be similar to the buffer 708. Additionally, the analysis unit 732 may include a processor 734. The processor 734 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The processor 734 may be implemented with any processing speed, one or more processing cores, and may utilize any chip architecture. The processor 734 may be similar to the processor 704 or may be a different type of processor configured to operate at a different processing speed and / or power consumption value. In one specific example, the processor 734 may be configured to have a relatively higher processing power and / or power consumption than the processor 704. As such, the processor 734 may be configured to set to operate in a low power configuration, which may be referred to as an idle, sleep, standby, or low power configuration. Additionally, the processor 734 may be configured to operate in a high power configuration, which may be referred to as a wake configuration. In one example, the processor 734 may execute one or more algorithms to switch between a high power configuration and a low power configuration or between a low power configuration and a high power configuration. In one example, the transition may be prompted by a signal received from an external source via the interface 740. In another example, the processor 734 may switch between the high power configuration and the low power configuration in response to detecting that one or more processing tasks have been completed or in response to the expiration of one or more timers. Thus, the processor 734 may switch between the low power configuration and the high power configuration periodically or in response to timeout timer durations of different lengths. In one specific example, an interrupt signal may be received by the processor 734 to cause the processor 734 to execute an interrupt algorithm. The interrupt algorithm may also cause the processor 734 to switch its operating mode from the low power configuration to the high power configuration in addition to causing the processor 734 to execute additional algorithms or tasks. In one example, the interrupt signal received by the processor 734 may be referred to as a hardware interrupt signal.The hardware interrupt signal can be received at a special hardware interrupt input of the processor 734 and from the interface 740 .

[0053] For clarity, in some cases, processor 704 may be referred to as a first processor 704 and processor 734 may be referred to as a second processor 734. Similarly, memory 706 may be referred to as a first memory 706 and memory 736 may be referred to as a second memory 736. Buffer 708 may be referred to as a first buffer 708 and buffer 738 may be referred to as a second buffer 738.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of one or more processes for recognizing a gesture event, according to one or more aspects described herein. More specifically, the flowchart 800 describes one or more processes configured to recognize a gesture event for actuating a motor of an article of footwear. As such, the flowchart 800 may be executed by the gesture recognizer 700 to operate the motor 760. Block 802 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by the gesture recognizer 700 to monitor sensor data. In one example, the block 802 may represent a process executed by the sensor unit 702 to monitor data output / generated by the accelerometer 710. In one example, the sensor unit 702 may continuously monitor data from the accelerometer 710. The accelerometer data may be received into the buffer 708 and / or memory 706. In one example, the buffer 708 may be configured to receive and store data at a rate higher than possible using the memory 706. The processor 704 may be configured to analyze the accelerometer data received into the buffer 708 and / or memory 706. It is envisioned that the memory 706, buffer 708, and processor 704 may operate at any operating speed or frequency.

[0055] Block 806 of the flowchart 800 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by the gesture recognizer 700 to execute a gesture confirmation algorithm. In one example, block 806 may represent a process executed by the analysis unit 732 to receive possible gesture event data from the sensor unit 702 and determine whether the received possible gesture event data represents a true gesture event. In one example, the possible gesture event may be detected by the sensor unit 702 as a possible double tap by the user of the sensor unit 702 or a structure to which the sensor unit 702 is coupled. In additional or alternative implementations, the possible gesture event may be a one tap, three taps, four taps, five taps, etc., by the user of the sensor unit 702. A tap gesture may be performed by the user by applying a force to the sensor unit 702 using the user's appendages (legs or arms or parts thereof, including feet, hands, fingers, etc.). Block 808 of the flowchart 800 represents a decision point in one or more processes configured to identify a true gesture event in the received possible gesture event data. If the analysis unit 732 determines that the received possible gesture event data does not represent a true gesture event, the flow chart 800 proceeds to block 802. If the analysis unit 732 determines that the received possible gesture event data represents a true gesture event, the flow chart 800 proceeds to block 810. Thus, block 810 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by the gesture recognizer 700 to output a signal to actuate a footwear motor, such as motor 760. The actuation of the motor may then be configured to selectively tighten or loosen a closure or lacing system of an article of footwear worn by a user.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a flow chart 900 of one or more processes executed by the gesture recognizer 700 to monitor sensor data for possible gesture events. In one example, the flow chart 900 further details the process executed in block 802 of the flow chart 800. Thus, in one example, the flow chart 900 may be executed by the sensor unit 702 of the gesture recognizer 700. The block 902 of the flow chart 900 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by the sensor unit 702 to receive an operation mode signal. The operation mode signal may be received from an external source or from the analysis unit 732. The operation mode signal may be received by the processor 704 via the interface 714. In response to receiving the operation mode signal, the processor 704 may selectively set an operation mode of the sensor unit 702. The operation mode of the sensor unit 702 may be selectively set as a continuous mode or a first-in-first-out mode. In one example, the operation mode of the sensor unit 702 may be set to a continuous mode unless a possible gesture event is detected.

[0057] Block 904 of flowchart 900 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by sensor unit 702 to receive data from accelerometer sensor 710. Block 906 of flowchart 900 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by sensor unit 702 to store received sensor data in buffer 708. In one example, accelerometer 710 can continuously generate data stored in buffer 708. Additionally, processor 704 can continuously analyze the generated sensor data. Block 908 of flowchart 900 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by sensor unit 702 to analyze the generated sensor data to determine whether the generated sensor data represents a possible gesture. Thus, in one example, the process or algorithm executed in block 908 represents a rough or high level analysis of the data generated by accelerometer sensor 710 to identify possible gestures. In one example, the possible gestures identified in block 908 can include a double tap by a user of sensor unit 702 or a structure to which sensor unit 702 is coupled. In additional or alternative implementations, the possible gesture events may be one tap, three taps, four taps, five taps, etc. The possible gesture events identified in block 900 may then be confirmed as true gesture events by analysis unit 732.

[0058] Decision block 910 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by the sensor unit 702 in response to execution of the possible gesture algorithm in block 908. If it is determined that the received sensor data represents a possible gesture event, then the flow chart 900 proceeds to block 912. However, if it is determined that the received sensor data does not represent a possible gesture event, then the flow chart 900 proceeds to block 904.

[0059] Block 912 of flowchart 900 represents one or more processes performed by sensor unit 702 to output an interrupt signal. This interrupt signal may be output via interface 714 and received by interface 740 of analysis unit 732. In one example, the interrupt signal may be a hardware interrupt signal configured to communicate with a special hardware port of processor 734.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 of one or more processes executed by the analysis unit 732 to execute a gesture confirmation algorithm. In one example, the flowchart 1000 further details the process executed in block 806 of the flowchart 800. Block 1002 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed in response to an interrupt signal being received by the processor 734 from the sensor unit 702. In one example, upon receipt of the interrupt signal, the processor 734 executes an interrupt algorithm that switches the processor 734 from a low power mode to a high power mode. Block 1004 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by the processor 734 to start a timer. The timer has a predetermined timer duration. Once the predetermined timer duration has elapsed, the processor 734 can execute a subsequent process. It is contemplated that the predetermined timer duration may include any value. In one specific example, the predetermined timer duration is between 10 and 100 ms. In particular examples, the predetermined timer duration is 35, 40, or 45 ms. When the timer expires, the analysis unit 732 may output an operational mode signal to the sensor portion 702. Advantageously, the timer associated with block 1004 may be utilized to ensure that the buffer 708 captures enough accelerometer data from the accelerometer sensor 710 to facilitate accurately determining whether the possible gesture event data represents a true gesture event. If the timer associated with block 1004 is not used, the buffer may be configured to operate in a first-in, first-out mode and may be filled with accelerometer data before all the data necessary to confirm that the possible gesture event is a true gesture event has time to enter the buffer 708. The timer associated with block 1004 may include one or more timers and may be implemented by the processor 734 and / or may be implemented by a dedicated timer circuit. The one or more processes or algorithms executed to output the operational mode signal may be executed in block 1006.In one example, an operational mode signal sent from the analysis unit 732 to the sensor unit 702 may instruct the sensor unit to set its operational mode to a first-in-first-out mode. Thus, the timer of block 1004 and the operational mode signal of block 1006 may be used to extend the storage history of the sensor unit 702 by delaying switching to a first-in-first-out mode of adding data to the buffer 708 until the buffer 708 is full. This extended storage history allows data to be captured in the buffer 708 that would not otherwise be stored and processed by the analysis unit 732. In this manner, the extended storage history of the sensor unit 702 may enable more accurate identification of true gesture events in the detected sensor data received from the sensors 710 and / or 712.

[0061] Block 1008 of flowchart 1000 represents one or more processes for receiving possible gesture event data from sensor unit 702. In one example, when the operational mode of sensor unit 702 is set to a first-in-first-out mode, buffer 708 stores data from accelerometer 710 until buffer 708 is full. When full, buffer 708 and / or processor 704 may generate a signal that may be received by analysis unit 732. Upon receiving a signal indicating that buffer 708 is full, analysis unit 732 may execute one or more processes or algorithms to receive the data stored in buffer 708.

[0062] Decision block 1012 represents one or more processes or algorithms executed by analysis unit 732 to determine whether the received possible gesture event data is a true gesture event. Thus, decision block 1012 may represent one or more processes or algorithms configured to execute a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject the possible gesture event data as a true gesture event. If decision block 1012 determines that the possible gesture event data does not represent a true gesture event, flow chart 1000 proceeds to block 1014 of flow chart 800. If decision block 1012 determines that the possible gesture event data represents a true gesture event, flow chart 1000 proceeds to block 810 of flow chart 800, whereby analysis unit 732 outputs a signal to activate the footwear motor. If decision block 1012 further determines that the possible gesture event data represents a true gesture event, flow chart 1000 proceeds to block 1014 of flow chart 1000. At block 1014, one or more processes may be executed by the analysis unit 732 to set the operating mode of the sensor unit 702 to a continuous mode, which corresponds to the buffer 708 storing the latest datum of sensor data received from the accelerometer 710 in a free memory unit within the buffer 708 or replacing the oldest datum stored within the buffer 708.

[0063] FIG. 11 is a flowchart 1100 of a gesture confirmation algorithm. The flowchart 1100 describes in more detail the processes performed in block 1012 of the flowchart 1000. The gesture confirmation algorithm of the flowchart 1100 may be performed by the sensor unit 702 on possible gesture event data received from the sensor unit 702. Block 1102 corresponds to one or more processes or algorithms performed to identify a first impulse response in the data using the received possible gesture event data. This first impulse response is assumed to be based on the magnitude of the acceleration signal identified on one particular axis of the three axes of the accelerometer 710. In another example, the first impulse response may be identified based on the magnitude of the acceleration signal identified on any of the three axes of the accelerometer 710. In yet another example, the first impulse response may be identified based on the average, maximum, or minimum acceleration value of two or more of the three axes of the accelerometer 710. It is envisioned that the first impulse response may be based on acceleration values ​​that exceed a threshold, and / or acceleration values ​​that exceed a threshold duration, and / or acceleration values ​​having an energy or power value that exceeds a threshold.

[0064] In a particular example, the one or more impulse response processes or algorithms performed in block 1102 (and block 1106) may further include passing the possible gesture event data received from the sensor unit 702 through a low pass filter. The output from the low pass filter may be used to estimate a preset DC offset in the acceleration data received from the accelerometer 710. In an example, this DC offset may be used as a reference value to compare with the remaining accelerometer data from the accelerometer 710. In a particular example, the process or algorithm performed in block 1102 may include analyzing the input data in a rolling window and having the rolling window analyze a subset of the received possible gesture event data. The size of the subset of the received possible gesture event data may vary between one data point and all data received from the sensor unit 702. In an example, the one or more processes performed in block 1102 may analyze the variance of the signal of one or more axes of the accelerometer data and flag a data point or multiple consecutive data points that indicate an impulse when the acceleration signal deviates from the average value by a predetermined amount. In one example, the predetermined amount may be between 0.05 and 0.15 g (g=acceleration due to gravity). In a particular example, the predetermined amount of deviation may be at least 0.1 g from the average.

[0065] Decision block 1103 corresponds to one or more processes or algorithms performed by analysis unit 732 to determine whether the first impulse response was successfully identified. If the first impulse response was successfully identified, proceed to decision block 1104 of flowchart 1100. If the first impulse response was not successfully identified, proceed to block 1110 of flowchart 1100 where the received data is rejected. Decision block 1104 corresponds to one or more processes or algorithms performed by analysis unit 732 to identify a low variance state following identification of the first impulse response in the received possible gesture event data. In one example, the first impulse response identified in block 1102 should return to a low variance (silence) state within a threshold silence time after a high variance impulse state. This threshold silence time is less than 0.2 seconds, or less than 0.15 seconds. However, alternative silence time thresholds such as less than 1.0 seconds, less than 0.9 seconds, less than 0.7 seconds, etc. may be used. In one example, this threshold time may be based on the sampling rate of the accelerometer 710 and may be expressed as a number of samples of data received from the accelerometer 710. Thus, in one example, the silence time may correspond to 10-100 data samples received from the accelerometer 710. In a particular example, if the accelerometer data does not return to a silence state within the threshold silence time from the high variance data identified in block 1102, the possible gesture event data may be rejected as a non-event. Additionally, a low variance state may be identified based on acceleration magnitude in a manner similar to the identification described in connection with block 1102. Additionally, a low variance state associated with decision block 1104 may be identified based on the acceleration data received from the accelerometer 710 falling below a threshold acceleration magnitude, energy or power sustained for a low variance duration between a lower time threshold and an upper time threshold. In one example, the lower time threshold for the low variance duration may be 0.05 seconds and the upper time threshold for the low variance duration may be 1.0 seconds. In a particular example, the lower time threshold for the low variance duration may be 0.1 seconds and the upper time threshold for the low variance duration may be 0.7 seconds.However, it is contemplated that any lower and upper time thresholds for the low variance duration may be utilized without departing from the scope of these disclosures. It is also contemplated that the low variance duration may correspond to a number of samples of data from the accelerometer 710, rather than a particular number of seconds / fractions of seconds. In one example, the low variance duration range may correspond to a number of samples between 10 and 300, or between 30 and 280, among other samples. Thus, one or more processes or algorithms executed at decision block 1104 may analyze the data to determine whether the signal has returned to a low variance duration of a length that lasts between 30 and 280 samples, in one example. If the timer duration for which the low variance condition persists is outside the range between the lower and upper time thresholds, the analysis unit 732 rejects the possible gesture event data as a non-event. This rejection of the possible gesture event data is described in connection with block 1110 of flowchart 1100.

[0066] If a low variance condition is identified at decision block 1104, the flow chart 1100 proceeds to block 1106. Block 1106 corresponds to one or more processes or algorithms executed by the analysis unit 732 to identify a second impulse response in the received possible gesture event data. Thus, the process executed at block 1106 may be similar to the process executed at block 1102. Decision block 1107 corresponds to one or more processes or algorithms executed by the analysis unit 732 to determine whether the second impulse response was successfully identified. If the first impulse response was successfully identified, the flow chart 1100 proceeds to decision block 1108. If the second impulse response was not successfully identified, the flow chart 1100 proceeds to block 1110 where the received data is rejected. Block 1108 corresponds to one or more processes or algorithms to verify that the possible gesture event data corresponds to a true gesture event. If the possible gesture event data is verified as a true gesture event at block 1108, one or more processes associated with block 810 of the flow chart 800 may be executed.

[0067] FIG. 12 is a flowchart 1200 of one or more processes performed by the analysis unit 732 to identify impulse responses in possible gesture event data received from the accelerometer 1200 of the sensor unit. The flowchart 1200 describes in further detail one or more processes or algorithms performed at blocks 1102 and / or 1106 of the flowchart 1100. Block 1202 corresponds to one or more processes or algorithms performed by the analysis unit 732 to identify the occurrence of high variance in the possible gesture event data. The occurrence of high variance in the possible gesture event data may be identified based on the magnitude of the acceleration signal identified on one particular axis of the three axes of the accelerometer 710. In another example, the occurrence of high variance responses may be identified based on the magnitude of the acceleration signal identified on any of the three axes of the accelerometer 710. In yet another example, the occurrence of high variance may be identified based on the average, maximum, or minimum acceleration values ​​of two or more of the three axes of the accelerometer 710. The incidence of high variance responses may be based on acceleration values ​​exceeding a threshold, and / or acceleration values ​​sustained for a threshold period of time, and / or acceleration values ​​having energy or power values ​​exceeding a threshold.

[0068] In response to identifying an occurrence of high variance in the possible gesture event data, proceeding to block 1204 of the flowchart 1200, the analysis unit 732 may store a subset of the possible gesture event data in the buffer 738. The subset of possible gesture event data stored in the buffer 738 is envisioned to have any size. In one example, the subset of possible gesture event data stored in the buffer 738 is a moving window over which analysis of the data is performed by the analyzer 732. In a particular example, the buffer 738 may be configured to store between 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 samples of accelerometer data received as part of the possible gesture event data. In one example, 30 samples of accelerometer data may constitute the subset of possible gesture event data as a moving window. In this manner, all possible gesture event data received from the sensor unit 702 may be fed through the buffer 738 and analyzed as a moving window analysis 30 consecutive samples at a time. In certain examples, between 5 and 200 samples can be analyzed in buffer 738, or between 1 and a maximum number of samples received from sensor unit 702 can be analyzed in buffer 738. In one example, buffer 738 may have a similar hardware configuration as buffer 708. In another example, buffers 708 and 738 may have different storage capacities and / or hardware configurations.

[0069] Block 1206 of flowchart 1200 corresponds to one or more processes or algorithms executed by analysis unit 732 to perform a Fast Fourier Transform on the subset of data stored in buffer 738. It is contemplated that any Fast Fourier Transform process may be utilized without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In one example, the Fast Fourier Transform may be configured to determine the frequency content of the subset of possible gesture event data in buffer module 738. Decision block 1208 corresponds to one or more processes or algorithms that may be executed by analysis unit 732 to identify an energy threshold of the frequency content identified using the Fast Fourier Transform. The frequency content is analyzed to determine if the energy threshold is within a predefined impulse frequency band. For example, analysis unit 732 is concerned with identifying an intentional gesture by a user and filters out frequency content that is not indicative of an intentional gesture by a user. In one example, the one or more processes executed in decision block 1208 may analyze the possible gesture event data over a frequency range of 0-100 Hz. In another example, the analysis may take into account a frequency range of 0-60 Hz. However, it is contemplated that any frequency range may be used with the described analysis without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In one example, one or more processes performed at block 1208 may be configured to analyze a subset of the frequency range (0-100 Hz, 0-60 Hz, other subsets of frequency ranges). This analysis of the subset of frequency content of the received possible gesture event data is configured to analyze frequency content that is close to the natural frequency of the sensor unit 702. Thus, one skilled in the art will recognize that all structures vibrate at a natural frequency / state when subjected to an impulse from a hit / tap. In this case, the analysis unit 732 is configured to identify when a user taps the sensor unit 702.The natural frequency / damped natural frequency of the sensor unit 702 or composite sensor unit 702 and one or more structures coupled to the sensor unit 702 or composite sensor unit 702 may be measured. In one example, the natural frequency may be in the range of 30-45 Hz. In another example, the natural frequency may be about 36 Hz. However, it is envisioned that the methods described herein may be used with any natural frequency structure without departing from the scope of these disclosures. Thus, when a user hits / tap, the sensor unit 702 / composite sensor unit 702 and one or more structures to which the sensor unit 702 is coupled may vibrate at a natural frequency. The frequency response also includes energy in a range around the natural frequency. The analysis unit 732 may search for frequency responses with a threshold amount of energy within a predefined impulse frequency band, which is a subset of the total frequency range analyzed by the fast Fourier transform of block 1206, to identify the impulse response. For example, in block 1208, the analysis unit 732 may determine that a subset of possible gesture event data is impulse if at least 70% of the energy of the acceleration signal is within an impulse frequency band of 10-100 Hz. In another example, the energy content threshold may be at least 80%. However, it is contemplated that any energy content threshold may be utilized without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In another example, the impulse frequency band may be 14-56 Hz. However, it is contemplated that any impulse frequency band may be utilized without departing from the scope of these disclosures.

[0070] As mentioned above, the total frequency range analyzed by the Fast Fourier Transform in block 1206 may range from 0 to 100 Hz, or 0 to 60 Hz, etc. This represents a partial Fast Fourier Transform and does not include higher frequencies, since higher frequencies cannot be considered relevant to identifying an impulse response indicative of a gesture performed by a user. In one example, the full Fast Fourier Transform considers frequencies ranging from 0 Hz to half the sampling frequency of the accelerometer 710. In a particular example, the sampling frequency of the accelerometer 710 may be 350 to 450 Hz. In a particular example, the sampling frequency of the accelerometer may be 410 Hz or 416 Hz. Advantageously, this partial Fast Fourier Transform can be performed more quickly by the analysis unit 732 and use less energy compared to a full Fast Fourier Transform. This in turn enables the gesture recognition device 700 to recognize gestures performed by a user more quickly and with greater energy efficiency than conventional devices. In a particular example, energy within the 0-10 Hz range is assumed to be associated with human movement, not indicative of a gesture attempt. As previously described, the Fast Fourier Transform may be performed on a subset of possible gesture event data, the subset being a moving window of a certain number of data samples from the accelerometer 710. In one example, the subset may include 30 samples, and the Fast Fourier Transform may utilize a frequency resolution of approximately 14 Hz per band. Thus, energy falling within 0-14 Hz is determined to be human movement not indicative of a gesture event. Energy falling within the 14-28 Hz, 28-42 Hz, and 42-56 Hz bands may be attributable to impulse responses from taps associated with gesture attempts on the sensor device 702. In a particular example, an impulse is detected in block 1208 if at least 70% or at least 80% of the energy of the signal of the samples used to generate the Fast Fourier Transform falls within the 14-56 Hz band.In one example, to improve the memory efficiency of the Fast Fourier Transform, a Taylor series approximation of the basis functions of the Fast Fourier Transform performed in block 1206 may be utilized.

[0071] Upon determining that the energy threshold of the frequency content is within the predetermined impulse frequency band, the flowchart 1200 may proceed to block 1210. In block 1210, the analysis unit 732 may output a signal confirming that the subset of data stored in the buffer 732 corresponds to an impulse. However, if the one or more processes performed in block 1208 determine that the energy threshold is not within the predetermined impulse frequency band, the flowchart 1200 may proceed to block 1212 where the data stored in the buffer 738 is rejected as an impulse.

[0072] 13-16, an example article of footwear 3010 including a system for providing variable tension is disclosed. In some implementations, the article of footwear 3010 includes an upper 2100 and a sole structure 2200 affixed to the upper 2100. The article of footwear 3010 further includes a tensioning system 2300 and a tensioning device 2400 incorporated into at least one of the upper 2100 and the sole structure 2200, respectively. The tensioning system 2300 includes a cable 2302 and a series of cable placement elements 2304, 2306, 2308 configured to manage tension in the upper 2100. The upper 2100, the tensioning system 2300, and the tensioning device 2400 cooperate to move the article of footwear 3010 between a relaxed state and a tightened state. Specifically, the cable 2302 is slidable in a tightening direction D to move the article of footwear 3010 to a tightened state. T In some implementations, the upper 2100 and the sole structure 2200 cooperate to provide a passageway and guide for placing a portion of the cable 2302 through the tensioning device 2400. The tensioning device 2400 is configured to selectively move the cable 2302 to secure it in a tightened state.

[0073] The article of footwear 3010 and its components may be described as including a front end 3012 associated with a forward-most point of the footwear 3010 and a rear end 3014 corresponding to a rear-most point of the footwear 3010. As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 10 3016 and 3018. The lateral and medial sides 3016, 3018 thus correspond to opposite sides of the footwear 3010 and extend from the forward end 3012 to the rearward end 3014.

[0074] The article of footwear 3010 is aligned along a longitudinal axis A 10 The foot may be divided into one or more regions along the length of the ankle, which may include a forefoot region 3020, a midfoot region 3022, and a heel region 3024. The forefoot region 3020 may correspond to the toes and joints connecting the metatarsals and phalanges of the foot. The midfoot region 3022 may correspond to the arch region of the foot, and the heel region 3024 may correspond to the rear region of the foot including the calcaneus.

[0075] The upper 2100 forms an enclosure having multiple components that cooperate to define an interior void 2102 and an ankle opening 2104 that cooperate to supportively receive and secure the foot on the sole structure 2200. For example, the upper 2100 includes a pair of quarter panels 2106 in the midfoot region 3022 opposite the interior void 2102. A tongue 2108 extends across the top of the upper 2100 and defines an instep region extending between the quarter panels 2106 from the ankle opening 2104 to the forefoot region 3020. In the illustrated example, the tongue 2108 is surrounded by a panel of material that extends between opposing quarter panels in the instep region and covers the interior void 2102. Here, the panel of material covering the throat 2108 may be formed from a material having a higher modulus of elasticity than the material forming the quarter panel 2106 .

[0076] The upper 2100 of the article of footwear 3010 may further be described as including a heel side panel 2110 that extends through the heel region 3024 along the lateral side 3016 and medial side 3018 of the ankle opening 2104. A heel counter 2112 wraps around the rear end 3014 of the footwear 3010 and is connected to the heel side panel 2110. The tongue 108, the heel side panel 2110 and a top edge of the heel counter 2112 cooperate to form a collar 2114 that defines the ankle opening 2104 of the interior void 2102.

[0077] The upper 2100 may be formed from one or more materials that are stitched or engaged together to define the interior void 2102. Suitable materials for the upper 2100 include, but are not limited to, fabric, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. The exemplary upper 2100 may be formed from a combination of one or more substantially inelastic or non-stretchable materials and one or more substantially elastic or stretchable materials disposed in different regions of the upper 2100 to facilitate movement of the article of footwear 3010 between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The one or more elastic materials may include any combination of one or more elastic fabrics, such as, but not limited to, spandex, elastane, rubber, or neoprene. The one or more non-elastic materials may include any combination of one or more of thermoplastic polyurethane, nylon, leather, vinyl, or other materials / fabrics that do not impart elastic properties.

[0078] As described above, the sole structure 2200 is affixed to the upper 2100 and defines a ground contact surface 3026 of the footwear 3010. The sole structure 2200 includes a top surface 2202 and a bottom surface 2204 formed on an opposite side of the sole structure 2200 from the top surface 2202. The ground contact surface 3026 of the footwear 3010 may be defined by the bottom surface 2204 of the sole structure 2200. The sole structure 2200 further includes a peripheral side 2206 extending between the top surface 2202 and the bottom surface 2204, the peripheral side 2206 defining a perimeter of the sole structure 2200. The sole structure 2200 extends continuously from a first end 2208 at the front end 3012 of the footwear 3010 to a second end 2210 at the rear end 3014 of the footwear 3010.

[0079] The sole structure 2200 may also include one or more engagement features 2212 formed on the peripheral side 2206. In the illustrated example, the sole structure 2200 includes an arched lip 2212 extending from the second end 2210 of the sole structure 2200, where the lip 2212 extends along an arched path and forms a concave upper surface configured to receive the other front end 3012 of the article of footwear 3010. Thus, the front end 3012 of the first article of footwear 3010 may be engaged with the lip 2212 of the second article of footwear 3010, facilitating removal of the second article of footwear 3010. Specifically, the rear end 3014 of the second article of footwear 3010 may be held down by the lip 2212 to allow a user to step out of the article of footwear 3010. Optionally, the wearer may use the lip 2212 to pull the article of footwear 3010 off of the foot with bare feet or hands.

[0080] As described herein and in the claims, the sole structure 2200 and the upper 2100 define a "bite line" 3028 where the peripheral side 2206 intersects with the upper 2100 upon assembly of the footwear 3010. The bite line 3028 can extend on one or both of the lateral and medial sides from the first end 2208 to the second end 2210 along the entire footwear 3010, or can extend about the first end 2208, the second end 2210, or both.

[0081] Sole structure 2200 can include one or more cavities or conduits formed therein that are configured to receive tensioning device 2400 and a portion of tensioning system 2300. In the illustrated example, sole structure 2200 includes an opening or cavity 2214 formed between top surface 2202 and bottom surface 2204. Cavity 2214 is configured to receive tensioning device 2400 within sole structure 2200. In some examples, tensioning device 2400 can be encapsulated in sole structure 2200.

[0082] As previously mentioned, a pair of interwoven straps 2116, 2118 operable to move the upper 2100 between a relaxed or slack state (FIGS. 13A and 17A) and a contracted or tightened state (FIGS. 13B and 17B) may be affixed to the upper 2100. Although described herein as part of the upper 2100, the straps 2116, 2118 may also be described as being included in the tensioning system 2300, as described below. For example, the straps 2116, 2118 cooperate with the cables 2302 of the tensioning stem 2300 to move the article of footwear 3010 between a contracted or tightened state and a relaxed state.

[0083] Each strap 2116, 2118 extends across the tongue 2108 of the upper 2100. As described in more detail below, each strap 2116, 2118 is coupled to a respective tension strand 2316, 2318 of the tension element 2312 of the cable 2302 and cooperates with one another via a tensioning device 2400 to selectively switch the upper 2100 between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The cable 2302 is disposed from the tensioning device 2400 in the sole structure 2200 through a number of guides 2304 and loops 2306 to the straps 2116, 2118. In some examples, the tensioning system 2300 can include a heel strap 2308 that extends around the rear end 3014 of the upper 2100 and includes one or more guides 2304 or loops 306 for disposing the tension strands 2316, 2318 of the tension element 2312.

[0084] 13 to 15, the straps 2116, 2118 of the footwear 3010 include a first strap 2116 extending from the lateral side 3016 of the upper 2100 onto the throat 2108, and a second strap 2118 extending from the medial side 3018 of the upper 2100 onto the throat 2108. Specifically, the first strap 2116 extends above the throat 2108 from a fixed end 2122 attached to the lateral side 3016 of the article of footwear 3010 to a free end 2124 of the medial side 3018 of the upper 2100. Similarly, the second strap 2118 extends above the throat 2108 from a fixed end 2122 attached to the medial side 3018 of the article of footwear 3010 to a free end 2126 of the lateral side 3016 of the upper 2100. In the illustrated example, the fixed ends 2120, 2122 are affixed to the article of footwear 3010 at a bite line 3028 formed between the upper 2100 and the sole structure 2200. Thus, together, the straps 2116, 2118 completely encircle the upper 2100 in the midfoot region 3022.

[0085] As shown, each strap 216, 2118 extends in a direction from the free end 2124, 2126 to the fixed end 2120, 2122, and thus has a width W of each strap 2116, 2118. 116 ,W 118 The length of each strap 2116, 2118 increases along the longitudinal axis A of the article of footwear 3010. In other words, the straps 2116, 2118 can be described as tapered along the direction from the fixed ends 2120, 2122 to the free ends 2124, 2126. The fixed ends 2120, 2122 of each strap 2116, 2118 are located closer to the front end 3012 than the respective free ends 2124, 2126 of the straps 2116, 2118. Thus, each strap 2116, 2118 is aligned along the longitudinal axis A of the article of footwear 3010. 10 As shown, this arrangement allows the straps 2116, 2118 to cross and overlap one another across the throat 2108, forming an X-shaped enclosure above the upper 2100.

[0086] Each strap 2116, 2118 includes a plurality of bands 2128 extending parallel (i.e., non-intersecting) along a direction from the free end 2124, 2126 to the fixed end 2120, 2122. In the illustrated example, each band 2128a-2128d extends from a first end 2132a-2132d of the fixed end 2120, 2122 of the strap 2116, 2118 to a second end 2124a-2134d of the free end 2124, 2126 of the strap 2116, 2126. Here, the first ends 2132a-2132d of the bands 2128 are individually affixed to the bite line 3028 and together form the fixed end 2120, 2122 of each strap 2116, 2118. Thus, bands 2128a-2128d are spaced apart from one another at fixed ends 2120, 2122. Conversely, second ends 2134a-2134d of bands 2128a-2128d are connected to one another at the free ends 2124, 2126 of each strap 2116, 2118. Adjacent ones of bands 2128a-2128d of each strap 2116, 2118 define grooves 2130a-2130c that extend continuously from the first ends 2132a-2132d to the second ends 2134a-2134d.

[0087] As shown, the free ends 2124, 2126 of the straps 2116, 2118 may include a header 2136 that affixes the second ends 2134a-2134d of the bands 2128a-2128d together. In the illustrated example, the header 2136 and the bands 2128a-2128d are integrally formed of the same material. However, in other examples, the header 2136 may be a separate component to which the second ends 2134a-2134d are affixed. In some examples, the header 2136 may be formed of a different material than the bands 2128. For example, the header 2136 may be formed of a rigid material, such as plastic, composite, metal, etc. As described in more detail below, the header 2136 serves as a connection interface between the multiple bands 2128a-2128d of each strap 2116, 2118 and the tension strands 2316, 2318 of the tension element 2312.

[0088] In the illustrated example, each strap 116, 118 includes four bands 2128a-d extending in parallel. For clarity, the bands 2128a-d of each strap 2116, 2118 are described as a first band 2128a closest to the front end 3012, a second band 2128b arranged in series from the first band 2128a, a third band 2128c, and a fourth band 2128d. However, more or fewer straps 2128a-d may be included in each strap 2116, 2118. For example, each strap 2116, 2118 may include two bands 2128a, 2128b.

[0089] As noted above, the straps 2116, 2118 may be described as a first strap 2116 extending from the lateral side 3016 and a second strap 2118 extending from the medial side 3018. Generally, during assembly of the article of footwear 3010, at least one of the bands 2128a-2128d of the first strap 2116 includes a first portion that overlaps at least one of the bands 2128a-2128d of the second strap 2118 and a second portion that overlaps at least one of the other bands 2128a-2128d of the second strap 2118. Similarly, at least one of the bands 2128a-2128d of the second strap 2118 includes a first portion that overlaps at least one of the bands 2128a-2128d of the first strap 2116 and a second portion that overlaps at least one of the other bands 2128a-2128d of the first strap 2116. Thus, the bands 2128a-2128d of the straps 2116, 2118 are arranged in a woven configuration.

[0090] In the illustrated example, each band 2128a-d of the first strap 2116 is disposed below one or more bands 2128a-d of the second strap 2118. In general, each band 2128a-d of the first strap 2116 is disposed below one or more bands 2128a-d of the second strap, which correspond to and are forward of each of the bands 2128a-d of the first strap 2128a-d. For example, the first band 2128a of the first strap 2116 is disposed below the first band 2128a of the second strap 2118 and above the subsequent bands 2128b-d of the second strap 2118. The second band 2128b of the first strap 2116 is disposed below the first band 2128a and the second band 2128b and above the subsequent bands 2128c, 2128d of the second strap 2118. The third band 2128c of the first strap 2116c is disposed below the previous three bands 2128a-2128c and above the fourth band 2128d. The fourth band 2128d of the first strap 2116 is disposed below all four bands 2128a-2128d of the second strap 2118.

[0091] Optionally, the arrangement of the bands 2128a-2128d of each strap 2116, 2118 can be described with respect to the grooves 2130a-2130c of the other strap 2116, 2118. For example, the first band 2128a of the first strap 2116 is routed through the first groove 2130a of the second strap 2118, the second band 2128b is routed through the second groove 2130b, and the third band 2128c is routed through the third groove 2130c. Although the illustrated example shows the first strap 2116 on the lateral side 3016 and the second strap 2118 on the medial side 3018, the arrangement of the straps 2116, 2118 can be switched such that the first strap 2116 is on the medial side 3018 and the second strap 2118 is on the lateral side 3016. Additionally, although the straps 2116, 2118 are shown and described as being interwoven, the straps 2116, 2118 may be stacked in an alternating manner such that one of the straps 2116, 2118 extends completely over the other strap 2116, 2118.

[0092] 13-15, tensioning system 2300 includes cable 2302 and a plurality of cable placement elements 2304, 2306, 2308 configured to place cable 2302 along upper 2100 through sole structure 2200. Here, tensioning system 2300 includes one or more cable guides 2304 or loops 2306 affixed to upper 2100 for placing cable 2302 and distributing tension of cable 2302 along upper 2100. Heel strap 2308 extends around heel counter 2112 and includes one or more cable guides 2304 or loops 2306.

[0093] The cable 2302 may have high lubricity and / or may be formed from one or more fibers having a low modulus of elasticity and high tensile strength. For example, the fibers may include high modulus polyethylene fibers having a high strength to weight ratio and a low modulus of elasticity. Additionally or alternatively, the cable 2302 may be formed from woven steel with or without a molded monofilament polymer and / or other lubricious coating. In some examples, the cable 2302 includes multiple strands of material braided together.

[0094] 13-16, the cable 2302 includes a tensioning element 2312 that cooperates with the cable placement elements 2304, 2306, 2308 and the tensioning device 2400 to move the article of footwear 3010 between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The tensioning element 2312 is configured to move the article of footwear 3010 in a tightening direction D to move the article of footwear 3010 to a tightened state. T and in a slack direction D to enable the article of footwear 3010 to be switched to a relaxed state. L In the illustrated example, the tension element 2312 is movable with a clamping force F T can be applied by a tensioning device 2400 disposed in the sole structure.

[0095] As best shown in FIGS. 13-16, the tension element 2312 can be described as including an outer tension strand 2316 and an inner tension strand 2318. With reference to FIG. 14, the outer tension strand 316 of the tension element 2312 is disposed to extend from a first end 2324 of the tensioning device 2400, along the lateral side 3016 of the upper 2100, through the heel strap 2308, to a second end 2326 that is affixed to the free end 2124 of the second strap 2118. With reference to FIG. 15, the inner tension strand 2318 of the tension element 2312 is disposed to extend from a first end 2324 of the tensioning device 2400, along the medial side 3018 of the upper 2100, through the heel strap 2308, to a second end 2330 that is affixed to the free end 2126 of the second strap 2118.

[0096] In some examples, the tensioning system 2300 may include one or more cable guides 2304. The cable guides 2304 may be formed of a rigid, low-friction material (e.g., high density polyethylene, etc.) and may have an arcuate inner surface for receiving the tension elements 2312. In some examples, the inner (i.e., cable contacting) surface of the cable guides 2304 is lined or coated with a low-friction material, such as a lubricious polymer (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.), which facilitates movement of the tension elements 2312 therein. Coating the cable guides 2304 with a low-friction material may allow for an increased number of wraps through each lacing pattern without causing detrimental high levels of friction (e.g., performance degradation) throughout the cable path.

[0097] Additionally, or in lieu of the rigid cable guide 2304, the tensioning system may include fabric loops 2306 affixed to various locations of the upper 2100 for positioning the tensioning elements along the exterior of the upper 2100. The loops 2306 may be formed of a mesh or woven material and define a passage for slidably receiving the tensioning elements 2312. In the illustrated example, the tensioning system 2300 includes one of the loops 2306 disposed on each of the lateral and medial panels 2110.

[0098] The tensioning system 2300 further includes a heel strap 2308 that extends around the heel counter 2112 of the upper 2100. As shown, the heel strap 2308 includes a central portion 2342 affixed to the upper 2100 at a rear end 3014 and a pair of end portions 2344 that extend in opposite directions from the central portion 2342 around the heel counter 2112. Thus, a first one of the end portions 2344 is disposed on the lateral side 3016 of the heel counter 2112 and a second one of the end portions 2344 is disposed on the medial side 3018 of the heel counter 2112. Each end 2344 of the heel strap 2308 includes one of the cable guides 2304 through which one of the tension strands 2316, 2318 of the tension element 2312 is disposed.

[0099] 14 and 15, the arrangement of the tension elements 2312 along the lateral side 3016 and medial side 3018, respectively, is shown. Generally, each of the lateral tension strands 2316 and medial tension strands 2318 of the tension elements 2312 is disposed within the sole structure 2200 from the tensioning device 2400 along one of the lateral side 3016 or medial side 3018 to one of the headers 2136 of one of the straps 2116, 2118. In some examples, the lateral tension strands 2316 and medial tension strands 2318 may be connected to one another within the tensioning device 2400.

[0100] 14, on the lateral side 3016 of the article of footwear 3010, the lateral tension strand 2316 includes a first end 2324 that is received by the tensioning device 2400 and a second end 2326 that is affixed to the free end 2126 of the second strap 2118. Here, the lateral tension strand 2316 is disposed on a portion of the bite line 3028 in the heel region 3024 of the lateral side 3016 from the tensioning device 2400 through the sole structure 2200. A first segment of the lateral tension strand 2316 extends along the lateral panel 2110 from the bite line 3028 to a cable guide 2304 that is affixed to the lateral end 2344 of the heel strap 2308. Here, the outer tension strand 2316 is positioned through the cable guide 2304 and a second segment of the outer tension strand 2316 runs back along the outer panel 2110 and is affixed to the free end 2126 of the second strap 2118. The outer tension strand 2316 is thus configured to control the tension of the second strap 2118 crossing the upper 2100.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 15 , at the medial side 3018 of the article of footwear 3010, the medial tensile strand 2318 includes a first end 2328 received by the tensioning device 2400 and a second end 2330 affixed to the free end 2124 of the first strap 2116. Here, the medial tensile strand 2318 is disposed on a portion of the bite line 3028 in the heel region 224 of the medial side 3018 from the tensioning device 2400 through the sole structure 2200. A first segment of the medial tensile strand 2318 extends along the medial panel 2110 from the bite line 3028 to a cable guide 2304 affixed to the medial end 2344 of the heel strap 2308. Here, the medial tensile strand 2318 is disposed through the cable guide 2304 and a second segment of the medial tensile strand 2318 extends back along the medial panel 2110 and affixed to the free end 2124 of the first strap 2116. Thus, the inner tension strand 2318 is configured to control the tension of the first strap 2116 crossing the upper 2100 .

[0102] In the illustrated example, the tensioning device 2400 may be a powered lacing system, so that the tensioning elements 2312 can extend and retract from the tensioning device 2400 in a slack direction D. L and tightening direction D T Thus, tensioning device 2400 may include a motorized spool that simultaneously winds and unwinds each of outer tensioning strand 2316 and inner tensioning strand 2318. Referring to FIG. 13A, an article of footwear 3010 is shown with straps 2116, 2118 in a slack position over upper 100, allowing upper 2100 to stretch around the wearer's foot.

[0103] 13B, retracting tensioning element 2312 into tensioning device 2400 moves article of footwear 3010 into a tightening state, thereby causing tensioning strands 2316, 2318 to move in a tightening direction D. T As each tension strand 2316, 2318 moves in the clamping direction, the clamping force FT 21, the free ends 2126, 2124 of each strap 2118, 2116 are pulled toward the bite line 3028, moving the upper 2100 to a contracted or tightened state. As previously described, as the straps 2116, 2118 are pulled past the throat 2108 toward the bite line 3028, each band 2128a-2128d of each strap 2116, 2118 passes through a corresponding groove 2130a-2130c formed in the other of the straps 2116, 2118. This interwoven relationship between the bands 2128a-2128d of the straps 2116, 2118 provides an enhanced frictional interface between the straps 2116, 2118 to maintain the straps in a tightened position during use.

[0104] To return the upper 2100 and article of footwear 3010 to a slack or relaxed state, the tensioning device 2400 is actuated in the opposite direction, unwinding and extending the tensioning strands 2316, 2318 from the tensioning device 2400. Thus, the direction D in which the tensioning strands 2316, 2318 slacken along the upper 2100 allows the free ends 2124, 2126 of the straps 2116, 2118 to move away from the bite line 3028 and the throat 2108 to expand. L This allows the device to move to the

[0105] 17A-17B, an article of footwear 3010 a is provided that includes an upper 2100, a sole structure 2200, and a tensioning system 2300a configured to operate with non-powered or manual tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b. With respect to article of footwear 3010 a, in light of the substantial structural and functional similarities of the components associated with the article of footwear 3010, like reference numbers will be used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components, while like reference numbers including letter extensions will be used to identify those components that have been modified.

[0106] 17A-17B, tensioning system 2300a includes cable 2302a and a plurality of cable placement elements 2304, 2306, 2308, 2310 configured to place cable 2302a along upper 2100 through sole structure 2200. Tensioning system 2300a may include one or more sheaths 2310 for managing slack in cable 2302a, in addition to cable guide 2304, loop 2306, and heel strap 2308 described above with respect to tensioning system 2300. As will be described below, sheath 2310 maintains cable 2302a in a retracted state relative to upper 2100 when upper 2100 is in a tightened state (FIG. 17B).

[0107] 17A-17B, the cable 2302a includes a tensioning element 2312 and a control element 2314 that cooperate with the cable placement elements 2304, 2306, 2308, 2310 and tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b to move the item a of the footwear 3010 between a tightened state and a relaxed state. Here, the tensioning element 2312 and the control element 2314 may be collectively referred to as adjustment elements 2312, 2314. The adjustment elements 2312, 2314 are configured to adjust the tightening direction D to move the item a of the footwear 3010 to the tightened state. T and in a slack direction D to enable the article a of the footwear 3010 to be switched to a relaxed state. L In some examples, the clamping force F applied to the control element 2314 T is transmitted to at least a portion of the tension element 2312 via tension devices 2400a, 2400b, causing the tension element 2312 to move in a tightening direction D T Move it to.

[0108] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the tension element 2312 and the control element 2314 can be described as including outer strands 2316, 2320 and inner strands 2318, 2322. Thus, the control element 2314 includes an outer control strand 2320 and an inner control strand 2322 in addition to the outer tension strand 2316 and inner tension strand 2318 of the tension element 2312 described above. In the illustrated example, the outer tension strand 2316 of the tension element 2312 is connected to the outer control strand 2320 of the control element 2314 by tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b as shown in Figure 20. Similarly, the inner tension strand 2318 of the tension element 2312 is coupled to the inner control strand 2322 of the control element 2314 via tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b as shown in Figure 20. Thus, by moving the outer control strand 2320 and the inner control element 2322, respectively, of the control element 2314, the positions of the outer tension strand 2316 and the inner tension strand 2318 of the tension element 2312 can be adjusted.

[0109] 18, the outer control strand 2320 of the control element 2314 is connected to the outer tension strand 2316 of the tension element 2312 via tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b and extends from a first end 2332 of the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b along the upper 2100 to a second end 2334. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 19, the inner control strand 2322 of the control element 2314 is connected to the inner tension strand 2318 of the tensioning element 2312 via tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b and extends from a first end 2336 of the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b along the upper 2100 to a second end 2338. 17A and 17B, the second end 2334 of the outer control strand 2320 can be connected to the second end 2338 of the inner control strand 2322, such that the outer control strand 2320 and the inner control strand 2322 form a continuous strand that extends above the throat portion 2108 of the upper 2100. In other examples, the second ends 2334, 2338 of the outer control strand 2320 and the inner control strand 2322 can be indirectly connected by an intermediate connecting element (not shown).

[0110] The portion of the control element 2314 that extends around the upper 2100 may be enclosed within one or more sheaths 2310. Each sheath 2310 may be formed from a material and / or fabric that is adapted to allow the control element 2314 to exert a clamping force F. T 2100 (i.e., the control element 2314 moves in the tightening direction D T The clamping force F allows the sheath 310 and control element 2314 to move from a relaxed state to an elongated or expanded state. T 17B, ​​the material and / or fabric of the sheath 2310 automatically contracts to a relaxed state and receives the bundle of control elements 2314 therein. As shown, the control elements 2314 extend through the sheath 2310 and past the throat 2108 of the upper 2100, adjacent the front of the ankle opening 2104. Thus, the control elements 2314 extend across the upper 2100 in front of the wearer's ankle.

[0111] 18, the sheath 2310 and outer control strand 2320 of the control element 2314 are disposed up through the outer quarter panel 2106 and extend out from the outer quarter panel 2106 across the throat 108 to the exterior of the 2100. Similarly, the inner control strand 2322 and sheath 2310 of the control element 2314 are disposed in a similar manner from the inner quarter panel 2106 to the throat 2108 of the upper 2100 such that the second ends 2334, 2338 of the outer control strand 2320 and the inner control strand 2322 are affixed to one another to form, directly or indirectly, a continuous control element 2314 that extends over the throat 2108 of the upper 2100.

[0112] In the illustrated example, a separate clamping grip 2340 is operatively coupled to the sheath 2310 at an attachment location proximate the throat 2108, allowing the user to control the clamping force F T 23, pulling the control element 2314 away from the upper 2100 so that each of the control element 2314 and the tension element 2312 moves in the tightening direction D. T Other configurations may include operably coupling one or more clamping grips 2340 to other portions of the sheath 2310 along the length of the control element 2314. In some implementations, the clamping grips 2340 are omitted and the sheath 2310 is grasped directly by the user.

[0113] As discussed above with respect to the article of footwear 3010 and tensioning system 2300 of FIGS. 13A-16, the upper 2100 applies a clamping force F to each free end 2124, 2126 of the straps 2116, 2118. T 17A-20, the tension element 2312 is applied with a tightening force F T By selectively applying and releasing the tensile force F, the upper 2100 is also movable between a relaxed state and a tightened state.T Unlike the previous example where a hand tightening force F is applied by tensioning device 2400, in the examples of FIGS. T Included is a dynamic tensioning system 2300a in which tension can be applied to tension elements 2312 by a user.

[0114] As shown, a clamping force F is applied to the control element 2314. T 23, the cable 2302a of the tensioning system 2300a is tightened in a tightening direction D T For example, the user can apply a clamping force F to the control element 2314 by pulling the clamping grip 2340 and the sheath 2310 from the upper 2100. T and rotate the control element 2314 in the tightening direction D T Here, the clamping force F T is applied to each of the control strands 2320, 2322 and transmitted to each of the tension strands 2316, 2318 via tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b. T By pulling the tension strands 2316, 2318 in a tightening direction, the free ends 2124, 2126 of the straps 2116, 2126 are pulled across the throat 2108 towards the bite line 3028.

[0115] As previously mentioned, the locking or tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b can be disposed within cavities in the sole structure 2200 and can be configured to have respective sagging directions sD L The tensioning element 2312 and the control element 2314 approach and pass through the housing 2402 of the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b from opposite directions, respectively. In some configurations, when in the locked state, the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b are biased toward the tightening direction D. T The release mechanism 2404 switches the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b from a locked state to an unlocked state to allow the adjustment elements 2312, 2314 to move in the D T ,D FThis allows movement in both directions.

[0116] The release mechanism 2404 is configured to adjust the adjustment elements 2312 and 2314 so that T ,D F 24. The release mechanism 2404 may be operable to switch the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b from a locked state to an unlocked state to allow the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b to move in both directions. For example, the release mechanism 2404 may include a release string or cable 2404 operable to transition the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b from a locked state to an unlocked state when the release string 2404 is pulled. The release string 2404 may extend from a first end 2406 affixed to the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b to a distal end 2408 secured to the rear end 3014 of the upper 2100, thereby allowing a user to grasp and pull the release string 2404 to move the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0117] In some examples, the release string 2404 includes a release grip 2410, such as a loop or sheath, that is located remotely from the tensioning device 2400a and allows a user to grasp and pull the release string 2404 when it is necessary to move the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b to the unlocked state and / or release the tensioning devices 2400a, 2400b from the unlocked state. FIGS. 18 and 19 show the release grip 2410 formed at the rear end of the ankle opening 2104 where the release string 2404 extends from the sole structure 2200 and along the heel counter 2112.

[0118] 21-24, in some implementations, the tensioning device 2400a includes a housing 2402a and a locking member 2412 slidably disposed within the housing 2402a and surrounded by a lid 2414 secured to the housing 2402a. FIG. 22 provides an exploded view of the tensioning device 2400a of FIG. 21 showing the locking member 2412 and the lid 2414 removed from the housing 2402a. The housing 2402a defines a length extending between a first end 2416 and a second end 2418. The housing 2402a includes a base portion 2420 having a cable receiving surface 2422 and a mounting surface 2424 disposed on the base portion 2420 opposite the cable receiving surface 2422 and facing an exterior surface of the upper 2100. The lid 2414 is opposite the cable receiving surface 2422 of the base portion 2420 and defines a locking member cavity 2426 configured to receive the locking member 2412 and a portion of the tensioning system 2300a. In some configurations, the locking member cavity 2426 is bounded by first and second engagement surfaces 2428, 2430 (FIGS. 23 and 24) that converge toward one another such that the locking member cavity 2426 is associated with a wedge-like configuration that tapers toward the second end 2418 of the housing 2402a. The first and second engagement surfaces 2428, 2430 thus include corresponding side walls of the housing 2402a that converge toward one another and extend between the lid 2414 and the cable receiving surface 2422 of the base portion 2420 to define the locking member cavity 2426.

[0119] As previously described, the cable 2302a of the tensioning system 2300a may include a tension element 2312 and a control element 2314 coupled together by a locking element 2315 that extends through the locking member cavity 2426 and includes a first portion extending along the first engagement surface 2428 and a second portion extending along the second engagement surface 2430. The tension element 2312 exits from a corresponding groove 2432 (FIGS. 23 and 24) formed through opposing side walls of the housing 2402a proximate the first end 2416. The control element 2314 exits from a corresponding groove 2432 (FIGS. 23 and 24) formed through opposing side walls of the housing 2402a proximate the second end 418.

[0120] In some implementations, the locking member 2412 includes a first locking surface 2434 that faces the first engagement surface 2428 of the housing 2402a and a second locking surface 2436 that faces the second engagement surface 2430 of the housing 2402a when the locking member 2412 is disposed within the locking member cavity 2426 of the housing 2402a. In some examples, the first locking surface 2434 and the second locking surface 2436 converge with one another. Additionally or alternatively, the first locking surface 2434 can be substantially parallel to the first engagement surface 2428 and the second locking surface 2436 can be substantially parallel to the second engagement surface 2430. In the illustrated example, the locking surfaces 2434, 2436 are aligned in a direction parallel to the fastening direction D. T (That is, the clamping force F T 2314) while allowing movement by the tensioning system 2300a in a direction D that relaxes movement by the tensioning system 2300a when the locking member 2412 is in a locked state. L The biasing member 2438 (e.g., a spring) can include a first end 2440 that is affixed to the second end 2418 of the housing 2402a and a second end 2442 that is affixed to the first end 2444 of the locking member 2412 to attach the locking member 2412 to the housing 2402a.

[0121] In some implementations, the locking member 2412 is slidably disposed within the housing 2402a and is movable between a locked position (FIG. 23) associated with a locked state of the tensioning device 2400a and an unlocked position (FIG. 24) associated with an unlocked state of the tensioning device 2400a. In some examples, a release mechanism 2404 (i.e., a release string 2404) moves the locking member 2412 from the locked position (FIG. 23) to the unlocked position (FIG. 24). The locking member 2412 may include a tab portion 2446 extending from an opposite end of the locking member 2412 than the first end 2444. In one configuration, the first end 2406 of the release string 2404 is affixed to the tab portion 2446 of the locking member 2412. The tab portion 2446 may include a pair of retention features or recesses 2448 formed in a corresponding one of the first and second locking surfaces 2434, 2436 and selectively receive one or more retention features 2450 associated with the housing 2402a to maintain the tensioning device 2400a in an unlocked state. The retention features 2450 associated with the housing 2402a include a first retention feature 2450 and a second retention feature 2450 disposed on opposite sides of the housing 2402a, the retention features 2450 being biased inwardly toward each other, toward the cavity 2426, by corresponding biasing members 2452. The retention features 2450 may be protrusions formed integrally with the housing 2402a such that the retention features 2450 function as living hinges movable between a retracted state (FIG. 23) and an extended state (FIG. 24).

[0122] 23 provides a top view of the tensioning device 2400a of FIG. 21 with the lid 2414 removed to show the locking member 2412 disposed within the cavity 2426 of the housing 2402a when in the locked position. In some examples, the locking member 2412 may be biased to the locked position. For example, FIG. 23 shows a biasing member 2438 applying a biasing force F to the locking member 2412. B (Direction D B24, which is shown to bias the locking member 2412 into the locked position by applying a force (denoted by ) to the first end 2444 of the locking member 2412 toward the second end 2418 of the housing 2402a. While in the locked position, the locking member 2412 limits the movement of the tensioning system 2300a relative to the housing 2402a by pinching the locking element 2315 of the tensioning system 2300a between the locking surfaces 2434, 2436 and the engagement surfaces 2428, 2430. Thus, the locked position of the locking member 2412 limits the direction D in which the tensioning system 2300a slackens. L In the illustrated example, the clamping grip 2340 is applied with a clamping force F T When the force applied to the clamping grip 2340 is released, the locking member 2412 allows movement of the tensioning system 2300a, in which direction, due to the general wedge shape of the locking member 2412, the tensioning system 2300a exerts a force on the locking member 2412, moving it to the unlocked state. The locking member 2412 automatically returns to the locked state when the force applied to the clamping grip 2340 is released, due to the force applied to the locking member 2412 by the biasing member 2438.

[0123] 24 provides a top view of the tensioning device 2400a of FIG. 21 with the lid 414 removed to show the locking member 2412 disposed within the cavity 2426 of the housing 2402a when in an unlocked position. In some examples, a release string 2404 affixed to a tab portion 2446 of the locking member 2412 applies a release force F to the locking member 2412. R 24, the lock member 2412 is moved relative to the housing 2402a away from the first engagement surface 2428 and the second engagement surface 2430. Here, the biasing force F of the biasing member 2438 is B To overcome this, the release force F R is sufficient to allow the locking member 2412 to move relative to the housing 2402a to release the clamping of the locking element 2315 of the tensioning system 2300a between the locking surfaces 2434, 2436 and the engagement surfaces 2428, 2430. R When the is released, the biasing force F BThe locking member 2412 returns to the locked position by a sufficient or predetermined amount of release force F R 24 to pull the release lace 2404 away from the upper 2100, the release lace 2404 exerts a release force F R may be added.

[0124] While in the unlocked position, the locking member 2412 allows the locking element 2315 of the tensioning system 2300a to move freely between the locking surfaces 2434, 2436 and the engagement surfaces 2428, 2430, thereby allowing movement of the tensioning system 2300a relative to the housing 2402a. The unlocked position of the locking member 2412 applies a force F to each of the control element 2314 and the tensioning element 2312. T, F L When the force is applied, the tensioning system 2300a moves in a tightening direction D T and loosening direction D L It can move in both directions.

[0125] In some cases, a release force F of sufficient magnitude and / or timer duration R is applied to the release string 2404, the release string 2404 exerts a release force F R (FIG. 24) is applied to the lock member 2412 with a biasing force F B 23), so that the locking member 2412 moves away from the engagement surfaces 2428, 2430 relative to the housing 2402a. R may engage the retention feature 2448 of the locking member 2412 when the release force F moves the locking member 2412 a predetermined distance away from the first engagement surface 2428 and the second engagement surface 2430 of the housing 2402a. R When the locking member 2412 is released, the engagement of the retention feature 2448 of the locking member 2412 with at least one retention feature 2450 of the housing 2402a maintains the locking member 2412 in the unlocked position. R When the biasing force F of the biasing member 2438 is no longer applied, BAnd the force applied to the retention feature 2450 by the pair of biasing members 2452 locks the retention feature 2448 of the locking member 2412 into engagement with the retention feature 2450 of the housing 2402a.

[0126] In some scenarios, a release force F associated with a first magnitude is applied to move the locking member 2412 less than a predetermined distance from the engagement surfaces 2428, 2430 and disengage the retention features 2448, 2450. R can be added to the slack cord 2404. In these scenarios, the tensioning system 2300a can be moved in a slack direction D to adjust the fit of the interior space 2102 around the foot. L Or tightening direction D T (i.e., apply a clamping force F T When it is desired to apply a release force F associated with the first magnitude R Once the desired fit of the interior space 2102 around the foot is achieved, the release force F R is released, allowing the locking member 2412 to return to the locked position, resulting in a loosening direction D L The movement of the tensioning system 2300a in the tightening direction D is limited, so that the desired fit can be maintained. T Thus, the release force F R Once released and the desired fit is achieved, the locking member 2412 automatically maintains the desired fit by locking the position of the tensioning system 300a relative to the housing 2402a.

[0127] In another scenario, a release force F associated with a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude Rmay be applied to the release string 2404 to space the locking member 2412 a predetermined distance from the engagement surfaces 2428, 2430 such that the corresponding retention features 2448, 2450 engage. The engagement of the retention features 2448, 2450 is initiated by a biasing force F applied to the retention features 2452 by the biasing member 2452 when the release string 2404 is pulled a predetermined distance. B This is facilitated by providing a retention mechanism 2450 with opposing tapered edges on the locking member 2412 to allow the locking member 2412 to move more easily against the release force F. R When released, engagement between corresponding retention features 2448, 2450 maintains the locking member 2412 in the unlocked position.

[0128] The clamping force F on the control element 2314 T When a force is applied to the outer control strand 2320 and the inner control element 2322, the control strands 2320, 2322 are placed in tension and apply a force to the biasing member 2452 through the retention mechanism 2450 as the control strands 2320, 2322 pass through a portion of the retention mechanism 2450. In this manner, the retention mechanism 2450 compresses the biasing members 2452, moving them apart and disengaging the retention mechanism 2448 of the locking member 2412, thereby allowing the biasing member 2438 to return the locking member 2412 to the locked position.

[0129] In use, the tensioning system 2300a can be used to selectively move the article of footwear 3010 between a relaxed state ( FIG. 17A ) and a tightened state ( FIG. 17B ). When the footwear 3010 is initially provided in a relaxed state, the effective length of the tension strands 2316, 2318 of the tension element 2312 (i.e., the length from the first end 2324, 2328 to the second end 2326, 2330) is maximized and the effective length of the control strands 2320, 2322 of the control element 2314 (i.e., the length from the first end 2332, 2336 to the second end 2334, 2338) is minimized while the tension element 2312 and straps 2116, 2118 are in a relaxed state around the upper 2100. Thus, a user's foot can be inserted into the interior space 2102 of the footwear 3010 and the material of the upper 2100 allows the upper 2100 to stretch to receive the foot therein.

[0130] With the user's foot inserted within the interior void 2102 of the upper 2100, the tensioning system 2300a can be moved to a tightened state by the user to secure the footwear 3010 to the foot. As previously described, the tightening grip 2340 of the control element 2314 can be applied with a tightening force F T 23, the tensioning system 2300a is moved to a tightening state and the control element 2314 is moved in the tightening direction D T The control element 2314 can be moved in the tensioning direction D T , cable 2302a is pulled through tensioning device housing 2402a, thereby shortening the effective length of tension strands 2316, 2318 of tensioning element 2312. Thus, the effective length of tensioning element 2312 about upper 2100 is minimized and upper 2100 moves to a tightened state around the foot.

[0131] As previously mentioned, the tension element 2312 is in the tightening direction D T , the outer tension strand 2316 and the inner tension strand 2318 exert a clamping force F TThe tension element 2312 applies a clamping force F to the end 2344 of the heel strap 2308. T 17B, ​​the control element 2314 is maintained in a tensioned position relative to the upper 2100 by the elasticity of the sheath 2310 which accommodates the increased effective length of the control element 2314 by allowing the control element 2314 to "converge" within the sheath 2306 when the sheath 2310 is contracted.

[0132] When a user wishes to remove the article of footwear 3010 from the foot, the tension stem 2300a can be moved to a slack state to allow the upper 2100 to relax around the foot. First, as previously described, the biasing force F of the biasing member 2438 B A release force F sufficient to overcome R Once the tensioning device 2400a has been moved to the unlocked state, pulling the article of footwear 3010 from the user's foot causes the cable 2302a to slacken in a direction D through the tensioning device housing 2402a. L 2316, 2318 of the tension element 2312.

[0133] 25-29, another example of a manual tensioning device 2400b is shown, where the tensioning device 2400b is embodied as a rotating mechanism. FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the tensioning device 2400b, showing a housing 2402b defining a cavity 2454 configured to allow rotation of a spool 2456, a first pole 2458, and a second pole 2460. The tensioning device 2400b can include a lid 2462 secured to the housing 2402b to prevent access to the cavity 2454 when the lid 2462 is secured to the housing 2402b and to allow access to the cavity 2454 when the lid 2462 is removed from the housing 2402b. One or more fasteners 2464 extend through the lid 2462 and are secured to threaded holes 2466 of the housing 2402b to secure the lid 2462 to the housing 2402b.

[0134] The housing 2402b defines a plurality of retainer grooves 2468, each configured to receive and support a respective cable retainer 2470 in which the cable adjustment elements are disposed through the cavity 2454 of the housing 2402b. The housing 2402b can support a plurality of cable retainers 2470 such that ends of the adjustment elements 2312, 2314 each extend through a respective one of the cable retainers 2470.

[0135] As described in more detail below, the housing 2402b may further include a retaining wall 2472 disposed within the cavity 2454. The retaining wall 2472 is configured to cooperate with the first pole 2458. The retaining wall 2472 may further include a haptic groove 2474 configured to receive one or more haptic domes 2476. As described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 26-29, the first pole 2458 may engage the one or more haptic domes 2476 to provide a clicking or other sound indicating that the spool 2456 has changed position relative to the housing 2402b and / or that the tensioning device 2400b has switched from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0136] 27 is a plan view of the housing 2402b showing a pair of mounting flanges 2478, 2480 disposed on opposite sides of the housing 2402b. The mounting flanges 2478, 2480 may be located on an inner surface of the cavity 2214 of the sole structure 2200 to mount the tensioning device 2400b within the sole structure 2200. Optionally, the flanges 2478, 2480 may be affixed to a strobel of the upper 2100. The strobel may be any support structure forming an underfoot portion of the footwear 3010 disposed between at least the sole structure 2200 and the void 2102. In some examples, a bonding agent such as an adhesive and / or epoxy may be applied to the contact surfaces of the mounting flanges 2478, 2480 and / or the inner surface of the cavity 2214 of the sole structure 2200 to affix the housing 2402b within the cavity 2214. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting flanges 2478, 2480 may define one or more mounting holes 2482 formed therethrough and configured to receive fasteners (not shown) for attaching the housing 2402b to the sole structure 2200.

[0137] 27 shows the housing 2402b with the poles 2458, 2460, adjustment elements 2312, 2314, and other components of the tensioning device 2400b removed to expose an elongated passageway 2484 formed through the housing 2402b. As described in more detail below, the elongated passageway 2484 is aligned with the attachment point of the first pole 2458 and allows the release string 2404 to pass under the housing 2402b and over the feed groove 2486 defined by the mounting flange 2480. The mounting flange 2480 also defines a cut-out area 2477 adjacent the feed groove 2486 to provide more clearance for the release string 2404 (and / or the conduit surrounding the release string 2404) to extend from the housing 2402b. The mounting flanges 2478, 2480 may define a lip around the periphery of the housing 2402b such that the housing 2402b is spaced from the cavity 2214 mounting surface or strobel to allow placement of the release string 2404 between the housing 2402b and the mounting surface or strobel of the cavity 2214. Thus, the release string 2404 may extend freely below the housing 2402b between the elongated passage 2484 and the supply groove 2486. In some examples, the supply groove 2486 has curved edges to prevent the release string 2404 from being caught or restricted by the housing 2402b.

[0138] 26, the spool 2456 is supported within a cavity 2454 of the housing 2402b and is rotatable relative to the housing 2402b. T , the spool 2456 rotates in a first direction D relative to the housing 2402b. S1 2312, 2314 rotate in a direction D L When you move to the opposite direction, D S2The spool 2456 includes a first passageway or annular groove 2488 configured to collect a portion of the tensioning element 2312 and a second passageway or annular groove 2490 configured to collect a portion of the control element 2314. The spool 2456 can include one or more anchor grooves 2492 formed through a partition wall separating the passageways 2488, 2490 to fix the rotational positions of the adjustment elements 2312, 2314, respectively, relative to the spool 2456.

[0139] The tensioning device 2400b also includes a ratchet mechanism 2494 associated with the spool 2456 and having a number of teeth 2496 circumferentially positioned about the axis of the ratchet mechanism 2494 and projecting radially inward therefrom. In some implementations, the ratchet mechanism 2494 is integrally formed with an inner circumferential wall of the spool 2456, with the number of teeth 2496 projecting radially inward from the passages 2488, 2490. In other examples, the ratchet mechanism 2494 is supported for rotation with the spool 2456.

[0140] The first pole 2458 is disposed within the cavity 2454 of the housing 2402b and is configured to cooperate with the ratchet mechanism 2494 to selectively prevent and allow rotation of the spool 2456 and, consequently, to selectively prevent and allow movement of the adjustment elements 2312, 2314. In some examples, the first pole 2458 includes one or more teeth 2498 configured to selectively and meshingly engage with the plurality of teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494. In some implementations, the first pole 2458 is oriented such that the first pole 2458 is oriented along a first pole rotation axis A with respect to the housing 2402b. FP 2402b。

[0043] The housing 2402b includes a first pole shaft 2500 configured to support the first pole 458 within the housing 2402b to enable rotation about the first pole shaft 2500.

[0141] The first pole spring 2502 is operatively coupled to the first pole axis 2500 and a retaining wall 2472 disposed within the cavity 2454 of the housing 2402b to rotate the first pole 2458 about the pole rotation axis A. FP around the first direction D FP1The first pole rotation axis A FP can be substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool 2456 when the spool 2456 is received in the cavity 2454. Thus, the first pole spring 2502 can interact with the retaining wall 2472 and the first pole 2516 to apply a biasing force that causes the first pole 2458 to rotate in a first direction D. FP1 Pole rotation axis A FP 2312, 2314. The tensioning device 2400b is rotated to engage with a plurality of teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494, thereby causing the tensioning device 2400b to operate in a locked state and reduce the loosening direction sD by the adjustment elements 2312, 2314. L Restrict travel to.

[0142] 28 and 29 respectively show plan views of the first pole 2458 of the tensioning device 2400b. The first pole 2458 defines a first receiving surface 2504 configured to support a first pole spring 2502. A first pole axis 2500 projects from the first receiving surface 2504 in a direction generally perpendicular to the first receiving surface 2504. The first pole axis 2500 may be integrally formed with the first pole 2458. The first pole 2458 also defines a second receiving surface 2506 configured to support a second pole spring 2516. An aperture 2508 is formed through the second receiving surface 2506 and configured to receive the second pole axis 2514. An anchor post 2510 may project away from the receiving surfaces 2504, 2506 in a direction substantially parallel to the first pole axis 2500. The anchor post 2510 may define an opening 2512 to provide an attachment location for affixing the first end 2406 of the release string 2404 to the anchor post 2510. The anchor post 2510 may be integrally formed with the first pole 2458.

[0143] 26, the second pole axis 2514 rotatably attaches the second pole 2460 to the first pole 2458 and rotates the second pole 2460 relative to both the first pole 2458 and the housing 2402b along a second pole rotation axis A. SP The second pole can be rotated around the axis of rotation A. SP is the first pole rotation axis AFP and can extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the spool 2456. In some examples, the second pole 2460 is associated with a second pole spring 2516 that rotates the spool 2456 in the second direction D. S2 When the first pawl 2458 is disengaged from the teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494 to allow the spool 2456 to rotate freely, the second pawl 2460 is biased into engagement with a control surface 2518 associated with an inner circumference of the spool 2456.

[0144] FIG. 26 provides a perspective view of tensioning device 2400b in a locked state, where first pole teeth 2498 of first pole 2458 engage teeth 2496 of ratchet mechanism 2494 to rotate spool 2456 in the second direction D. S2 and selectively restricting the rotation in the loosening direction D of each of the adjustment elements 2312, 2314. L In some examples, the plurality of teeth 2496 may limit movement of the spool 2456 in the first direction D when the teeth 2498 of the first pawl 22458 engage the teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494. S1 2312 in the tightening direction D. T and a clamping force F applied to the clamping grip 2340 T In response to the control member 2314, the control member 2314 moves in a tightening direction D T This allows you to move to

[0145] Spool 2456 is in the first direction D S1 2, the control element 2314 is withdrawn from the second passage 2490 of the spool 2456, causing the spool 2456 to rotate in the first direction D. S1 At the same time, the tension element 2312 retracts into the first passage 2488 of the spool 2456. Thus, the adjustment elements 2312, 2314 are rotated in their respective tightening directions D T2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494. In this state, the control element 2314 is moved in the tightening direction D while the first pole 2458 (i.e., the first pole teeth 2498) and the teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494 are successively engaged, respectively, in the tightening direction D. T 2456。 Thus, as the upper 2100 moves to the tightened state, the tension applied to the outer tension strand 2316 and the inner tension strand 2318 of the tension element 2312 is gradually increased to tighten the fit of the interior void 2102 about the foot. More specifically, the outer tension strand 2316 and the inner tension strand 2318 of the tension element 2312 are each coupled to and disposed within the first passageway 2488 of the spool 2456 such that each of the tension strands 2316, 2318 are wound and unwound by the spool 2456 at the same rate to provide a substantially uniform tightness of the upper 2100 about the foot.

[0146] In some examples, the release string 2404 is operably coupled to an anchor post 2510 of the first pole 2458 and is configured to apply a predetermined release force F R When the release string 2404 is engaged, the first pawl 2458 selectively disengages from the teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494. When the second pawl 2460 engages the control surface 2518, the second pawl 2460 selectively disengages the adjustment elements 2312, 2314 from the second direction D. S2 2488 and 2490 of the spool 2456. S22494 operatively controls the rotational speed of the spool 2456 at 100° C. In some configurations, the second pawl 2460 includes a cam surface that maintains engagement with a respective one of the two control surfaces 2518 when the second pawl 2460 remains disengaged from the teeth 2496 of the first pawl 2458 (i.e., when the tensioning device 2400b is operable in an unlocked state). Each control surface 2518 may be axially disposed on an opposite side of the ratchet mechanism 2494 such that the teeth 2496 are disposed between the control surfaces 2518 and project radially inward.

[0147] 28, when the tensioning device 2400b is in a locked state, the first pawl 2458 is biased into engagement with a plurality of teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494. Here, the first pawl 2458 is rotated in a first direction D such that the teeth 2498 of the first pawl 2458 engage the teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494. FP1 At the first pole rotation axis A FP In some examples, the first pawl 2458 includes a haptic protrusion 2520 configured to engage with the haptic dome 2476 to provide a "click" indicating a gradual change in spool 2456 position during each successive engagement of the first pawl 2458 with the teeth 2496.

[0148] 29, a first end 2406 of the release string 2404 is secured to the release string 2404 by applying a predetermined release force F R The release string 2404 is attached to an anchor post 2510 of the first pole 245 such that, when applied, the release string 2404 can selectively disengage the first pole 2458 from the teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494. For example, a user can grasp the release grip 2410 of the release string 2404 and apply a predetermined force F to disengage the first pole 2458 from the teeth 2496 of the ratchet mechanism 2494. R Here, a given force F R 2502, the first pole 2458 overcomes the biasing force of the first pole spring 2502 and rotates around the first pole rotation axis A. FP The second direction D is centered on FP2 Furthermore, it is possible to rotate the RWhen moved such that the first pawl 2458 moves out of engagement with the teeth 2496 and switches the tensioning device 2400b to an unlocked state, the haptic protrusions 2520 can engage the haptic dome 2476 to provide a "click" sound.

[0149] FIG. 29 shows the release string 2404 being applied with a predetermined force F R 2 shows tensioning device 2400b in an unlocked state corresponding to selectively disengaging slack string 2404 from first pawl 2458 from teeth 2496 of ratchet mechanism 2494 when tensioning device 2400b is in an unlocked state in which first pawl 2458 is disengaged from teeth 2496 of ratchet mechanism 2494. Tensioning device 2400b is in an unlocked state in which first pawl 2458 is disengaged from teeth 2496 of ratchet mechanism 2494 when tension ... S2 2312, and a slack force F L When the force is applied, the tension element 2312 relaxes in the direction D L In some examples, the spool 2456 is capable of moving in the second direction D S2 When rotated in the opposite direction, the first passage 2488 of the spool 2456 gathers the tension element 2312 while the second passage 2490 of the spool 2456 relaxes the control element 2314. Thus, the slack direction D of the control element 2314 L Movement in the space between the tension strands 2316, 2318 allows the effective length of the tension element 2312 to increase, thereby allowing the tension strands 2316, 2318 to relax, thereby easily switching the upper 2100 from a tightened state to a relaxed state and removing the foot from the interior void 2102.

[0150] 25, the lid 2462 and the housing 2402b of the tensioning device 2400b can each include a hub 2522 configured to support the first pole shaft 2500 of the first pole 2458. The lid 2462 can each support the first pole 2458 in a first direction D. FP1 or the second direction D FP2 The first pole rotation axis A FP2402b and lid 2462. When pivoting about the housing 2402b, the anchor post 2510 of the first pole 2458 may include an elongated passage 2524 that cooperates with the elongated passage 2484 of the housing 2402b to allow the anchor post 2510 of the first pole 2458 to rotate freely relative to the housing 2402b and lid 2462.

[0151] In use, the tensioning system 2300a can be used to selectively move the article of footwear 3010 between a tightened state and a relaxed state. When the footwear 3010 is initially provided in a relaxed state, the effective length of the tensioning element 2312 is at a maximum, thereby causing the first cable to be relaxed about the upper 2100, while the effective length of the control element 2314 is at a minimum when the control element 2314 is wound about the spool 2456 of the tensioning device 2400b. Thus, a user's foot can be inserted into the interior space 2102 of the footwear 3010, and the material of the upper 2100 can allow the upper 2100 to stretch to receive the foot therein.

[0152] With the user's foot inserted within the internal void 2102 of the upper 2100, the tensioning system 2300a can be moved to a tightened state by the user to secure the footwear 3010 to the foot. As described above, the tensioning system 2300a applies a tightening force F to the tightening grips 2340. T 23, thereby moving the control element 2314 in the tightening direction D. T The control element 2314 moves in the tightening direction D T , the spool 2456 moves in the first direction D S1 2400b, causing the control element 2314 to unwind from the second passageway 2490. At the same time, the tension element 2312 is rolled up into the first passageway 2488, causing the tension element 2312 to retract into the tensioning device 2400b. Thus, the effective length of the tension element 2312 about the upper 2100 is minimized, and the upper 2100 moves into a tightened state around the foot.

[0153] The release force F applied to the release string 404 before, during, or after the tensioning system 2300a transitions to the tightened state RWhen the tensioning device 2400b is in a locked state, the teeth 2496 of the spool 2456 engage with the teeth 2498 of the first pole 2458, causing the spool 2456 to rotate in the second direction D. S2 (That is, the loosening direction D L ) in the locked position. Thus, tensioning device 2400b can keep tensioning system 2300a in a clamped state as long as tensioning device 2400b is maintained in the locked position.

[0154] When a user wishes to remove the article of footwear 3010 from the foot, the tensioning stem 2300a can be moved to a relaxed state to allow the upper 2100 to relax around the foot. Initially, the tensioning device 2400b applies a sufficient release force F to overcome the biasing force of the first pole spring 2502. R The lock must be released by applying the release force F R When the biasing force is overcome by the force, the teeth 2498 of the first pawl 2458 and the teeth 2496 of the spool 2456 are disengaged, and the spool 2456 rotates in the second direction D. S2 can be rotated to

[0155] Loosening force F L is applied to the tension element 2312 by the user, causing the first cable to slacken in a direction D L 2312, thereby maximizing the effective length of the tension element 2312 and allowing the upper 2100 to relax. In the illustrated example, pulling the front end 3012 of the upper 2100 downward increases the relaxation force F L can be indirectly applied to the tension element 2312, which forces the interior void 2102 open and allows the foot to be removed. Optionally, the user can apply a slackening force F to the tension element 2312. T The tension element 2312 may include one or more slack grips (not shown) to allow for the direct application of

[0156] Direction D in which the tension element 2312 slackens L , the spool 2456 moves in the second direction DS2 2400b, causing the tension element 2312 to unwind from the first passageway 2488. As the tension element 2312 unwinds, the effective length of the tension element 2312 increases, causing the tension strands 2316, 2318 to relax, allowing the first strap 2116, second strap 2118 to relax about the upper 100. At the same time, the control element 2314 is rolled up into the second passageway 2490, causing the control element 2314 to retract into the tensioning device 2400b. Thus, the effective length of the control element 2314 is minimized.

[0157] FIG. 30 generally illustrates a block diagram of components of one example of a powered tensioning device 2400 of the article of footwear 3010 of FIGS. 13-16. This schematic diagram includes some, but not necessarily all, of the components of a powered tensioning system, including a lacing engine 2401, a receptacle 2532 (FIG. 34), and the underlying footwear 3010. As shown, the powered tensioning device 2400 includes a lacing engine housing 2402 that encloses an interface button 2534, an interface button actuator 2536, a foot detection sensor 2538, and a main PCB 2540 and a user interface PCB 2542. The user interface PCB 2542 includes the button 2534, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) 2544 that may illuminate the button actuator 2536 or provide illumination that is visible on the exterior of the article of footwear 3010, an optical encoder unit 2546, and an LED driver 2548 that may provide power to the LEDs 2544. The main PCB 2540 includes a processor circuit 2550 , electronic data storage 2552 , a battery charging circuit 2554 , a wireless transceiver 2556 , one or more sensors 2558 , such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, etc., and a motor driver 2560 .

[0158] The lacing engine 2401 further includes a foot detection sensor 2538, such as a capacitive sensor, a motor 2562, a transmission 2564, a spool 2566, a battery or power source 2568, and a charging coil 2570. The processor circuit 2550 is configured by instructions from the electronic data storage 2552 to cause the motor driver 2560 to drive the motor 2562 to rotate the spool 2566 via the transmission 2564 to apply a desired amount of tension to the cable 2302 wound on the spool 2566. The processor circuit 2550 can receive inputs from a variety of sources, including the foot detection sensor 2538, the sensor 2558, and the button 2534 to determine whether to increase or decrease the tension in the cable 2302 according to the instructions. For example, the foot detection sensor 2538 may detect the presence of a foot in the footwear 3010, and the processor circuit 2552 can set the tension to the current tension level. The sensor 2558 can detect movement consistent with a particular activity level (i.e., casual walking, vigorous physical activity) and the processor circuit 2550 can set the tension to a level consistent with that activity level, e.g., relatively loose for casual walking and relatively tight for vigorous physical activity. The user can manually command an incremental or linear increase or decrease in tension by pressing the button actuator 2536 as desired.

[0159] The battery 2568 generally provides power to the components of the lacing engine 2401 and, in an exemplary embodiment, is a rechargeable battery. However, alternative power sources such as non-rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, etc. are also contemplated. In the illustrated example, the battery 2568 is coupled to a charging circuit 2554 and a charging coil 2570. When the charging coil 2570 is placed in proximity to an external charger 2574, the charging circuit 2576 can excite a transmit coil 2578 to induce a current in the charging coil 2570, which can be utilized by the charging circuit 2554 to recharge the battery 2568. Alternative recharging mechanisms are contemplated, such as a piezoelectric generator located within the footwear 3010.

[0160] The wireless transceiver 2556 is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote user device 2580, such as a smartphone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a personal computer, or the like. In the illustrated example, the wireless transceiver 2556 is configured to communicate according to a Bluetooth low energy scheme, however, the wireless transceiver 2556 may communicate according to any suitable wireless scheme including near field communication (NFC), 802.11 WiFi, etc. Additionally, the wireless transceiver 2556 may be configured to communicate with multiple external user devices 2580 and / or according to multiple different wireless schemes. The wireless transceiver 2556 can receive commands from the user device 2580, for example using an application running on the user device 2580, for controlling the lacing engine 2401, including entering a predetermined operating mode or controlling the lacing engine 2401, including incrementally or linearly increasing or decreasing the tension in the cable 2302, and the wireless transceiver 2556 can further transmit information regarding the lacing engine 2401 to the user device 2580, such as the amount of tension on the cable 2302, or the orientation of the spool 2566, the amount of charge remaining on the battery 2234, and any other desired information regarding the lacing engine 2401 in general.

[0161] 31 is an exploded view of one example of a lacing engine 2401c for a powered tensioning device. The lacing engine 2401c includes a housing 2402 including an upper portion 2419 and a base portion 2420 that generally encloses the lacing engine 2401c, except for certain components that are external to the housing 2402. These components include a button actuator 2536 (and associated O-ring 2582 for protecting the lacing engine 2401c from environmental conditions such as moisture), a spool 2566 secured to a transmission 2564 via a set screw 2584 and enclosed by a lid 2414c, and a dielectric foam 2586 for a foot detection sensor 538. Enclosed within the housing 2402 are the main PCB 2540, the user interface PCB 2542, the motor 2562, the transmission 2564, the battery 2568, the charging coil 570, the electrodes 2588 and foam 2590 of the foot detection sensor 2538. The optical encoder unit 546, as shown in FIG 31, is partially shown in an exploded view in FIG 32. Specifically, the three-dimensional encoder 2592 of the optical encoder unit 2546 is coupled to the motor 2562 and rotates as the motor 2562 rotates.

[0162] 32A and 32B show another example laced engine housing 2402d and lid 2414d of laced engine 2401d. In the block diagram of FIG. 30, laced engine housing 2402d and lid 2414d can be utilized as housing 2402 and lid 2414, respectively. Lacing engine housing 2402d can be sized to enclose laced engine 2401d or any suitable laced engine. Lacing engine housing 2402d includes tabs 2600 that are connected to pins 2602 on lid 2414d via a snap fit or the like to form a hinge 2604 for lid 2414d that can rotate relative to housing 2402d.

[0163] FIG 32A shows the lid 2414d in an open configuration with the spool 2566d exposed and the cable 2302 (not shown) accessible or positionable in the lacing groove. FIG 32B shows the lid 2414d in a closed configuration with the tab 2606 snapped into place on the side 2608 of the housing 2402d. In the closed configuration, the lid 2414d tends to restrain the cable 2302 in the lacing groove.

[0164] The housing 2402d and lid 2414d may be made of any suitable material, including plastic or other polymers and metals, as appropriate. The housing 2402d and / or the housing 2402d and lid 2414d together may provide at least some isolation for the lacing engine 2401d in response to environmental conditions such as moisture and sweat, as well as forces that may act on the housing 2402d, including impact and mechanical stress. The housing 2402d may be disposed within a sleeve or other structure that may provide environmental isolation.

[0165] As shown, the housing 2402d includes openings 2608 that allow light emitted from the LEDs 2208 to be visible outside the housing 2402d. In the example shown, two openings 2608 are aligned with the tabs 2606.

[0166] FIG. 33A is a perspective view of a motorized tensioning device 2400e having an anti-tangle lacing passage 2612 for the lacing engine 2401e in an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 33B is a top view of the motorized tensioning device 2400e of FIG. 33A showing the winding passage 2614 extending through the modular spool 2566e and aligned with the lacing passage 2612 through the housing structure 2402e. Similar to the spool 566 previously described, the modular spool 2566e provides a storage location for laces, such as cable 302, as the modular spool 2566e winds and tightens the cable 2302 downwardly to the upper of an article of footwear. The modular spool 2566e is assembled from various components, such as an upper plate 2616 and a lower plate 2618.

[0167] The modular spool 2566e may be positioned within a spool recess 2620 of the lacing passage 2612. The lacing passage 2612 is shaped to optimize or improve the performance of the modular spool 2566e when winding and unwinding the cable 2302 from the housing structure 2402e. In particular, as described below, the lacing passage 2612 may include a lacing passage transition 2622 and other shapes, geometries, and surfaces that help prevent the cable 2302 from becoming stuck within the spool recess 2620, for example, due to bird's nesting. The lacing passage transition 2622 may provide the lacing passage 2612 with sufficient volume to accommodate the cable 2302 without compressing or tangling the cable 2302.

[0168] The exemplary lacing engine 2401e may include upper and lower components 2419e and 2420e of a housing structure 2402e, case screws 2624, lacing passage 2612 (also known as lacing guide relief 2612), lacing passage wall 2626, lacing passage switch 2622, spool recess 2620, button opening 2628, button 2534, button membrane seal 2632, programming header 2634, modular spool 2566e, and take-up passage (lacing groove) 2614.

[0169] The housing structure 2402e is configured to provide a compact lacing engine for insertion into the sole of an article of footwear, for example, as described herein. Case screws 2624 can be used to maintain engagement between the upper component 2419e and the lower component 2420e. Together, the upper component 2419e and the lower component 2420e provide an interior space for arranging the components of the motorized tensioning device 2400, such as the modular spool 2566e and the motor 2562 components. The lace passageway walls 2626 can be shaped to guide the cable 2302 in and out of the housing structure 2402e, and the lace passageway transitions 2622 can be shaped to guide the laces in and out of the modular spool 2566e. In one example, the lacing passage wall 2626 extends substantially parallel to the major axis of the lacing passage 2612, and the lacing passage transition portion 2622 extends at an angle to the major axis of the lacing passage 2612 and extends between the lacing passage wall 2626 and the spool recess 2620. The spool recess 2620 can form a partial cylindrical socket to receive the modular spool 2566e.

[0170] The cable 2302 can be positioned to extend into the lacing path 2612 and the take-up path 2614. As the modular spool 2566e is rotated by the motor 2562, the cable 2302 is wound onto a drum 2636 between the upper plate 2616 and the lower plate 2618. The button 2534 can extend through the button opening 2628 and can be used to activate the motor 2562 to rotate the modular spool 2566e in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. The programming header 2634 can enable the main circuit board 2540 of the lacing engine 2401e to be connected to an external computing system, for example, to characterize the lacing action provided by the button 2534 and the operation of the motor 2562.

[0171] FIG. 34 is an exploded view of the components of the powered tensioning device 400 for the article of footwear 3010 of FIGS. 13-16. Although the powered tensioning device 2400 is described with respect to the article of footwear 3010, it should be recognized and understood that the principles described with respect to the article of footwear 3010 are equally applicable to any of a variety of wearable articles. The tensioning device 2400 shown in FIG. 34 includes a lacing engine 2401e having a housing 2402e, a lid 2414e, an actuator 2530, and a receptacle 2532. However, other example lacing engines 2401c, 2401d may also be incorporated into the tensioning device 2400.

[0172] 34 illustrates a basic assembly sequence of the components of the powered tensioning device 2400 along with an example sole structure 2200 for an article of footwear 3010. The tensioning device 2400 begins with a receptacle 2532 that is secured within the cavity 2214 of the sole structure 2200. The actuator 2530 is then inserted into an opening on the lateral side of the receptacle 2532 opposite an interface button 2534, which may be embedded in the sole structure 2200. The lacing engines 2401c-e are then placed into the lacing engine cavity of the receptacle 2532. In various examples that do not include a receptacle 2532, the lacing engines 2401c-e may be housed directly in the cavity 2214 of the sole structure 2200. In one example, tensioning device 2400 is inserted under a continuous loop of cable 2302, which is aligned to a spool within lacing engine 2401. Finally, lids 2414c-2414e are inserted into grooves in receptacle 2532 and secured in a closed position, locking into recesses in receptacle 2532. Lids 2414c-2414e can capture lacing engine 2401 and help maintain alignment of the lacing cables during operation.

[0173] The following clauses provide exemplary constructions of the articles of footwear described above.

[0174] In clause 1, an article of footwear includes an upper, a first strap extending from a first fixed end affixed to a first side of the upper to a first free end of a second side of the upper, and a second strap extending from a second fixed end affixed to the second side of the upper to a second free end of the first side of the upper, a first portion of the first strap overlapping a first portion of the second strap and a second portion of the first strap overlapping a second portion of the second strap.

[0175] In clause 2, the article of footwear of clause 1, wherein the first portion of the first strap is parallel to the second portion of the first strap.

[0176] In clause 3, the article of footwear of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the first portion of the second strap is parallel to the second portion of the second strap.

[0177] In clause 4, an article of footwear according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the first portion of the first strap is a first band extending from a first end of the first fixed end to a second end of the first free end, and the second portion of the first strap is a second band extending from the first end of the first fixed end to the second end of the first free end.

[0178] In clause 5, the article of footwear of clause 4, wherein the second end of the first band is affixed to the second end of the second band at the first free end of the first strap.

[0179] In clause 6, the article of footwear of clause 4, wherein the first end of the first band and the first end of the second band are separately affixed to the first side of the upper.

[0180] In clause 7, an article of footwear according to any of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the first free end of the first strap and the first free end of the second strap are affixed to a tensioning element operable to selectively apply a clamping force to the first free end of the first strap and the first free end of the second strap, respectively.

[0181] In clause 8, the article of footwear of any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the first fixed end and the second fixed end are affixed to a midfoot region of the upper.

[0182] In clause 9, the article of footwear of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the first strap and the second strap extend through a midfoot region of the upper.

[0183] In clause 10, the article of footwear of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the width of the first strap gradually decreases from the first fixed end to the first free end.

[0184] In article 11, an article of footwear comprising an upper, a cable disposed along the upper and movable between a tightened state and a relaxed state, a first strap including a plurality of first bands each affixed to a first side of the upper and extending from a first end to a second end affixed to a first portion of the cable on a second side of the upper, and a second strap including a plurality of second bands each extending from a first end affixed to the second side of the upper to a second end affixed to a second portion of the cable on the first side of the upper, the plurality of first bands of the first strap being interwoven with the plurality of second bands of the second strap and operable to move through the plurality of second bands when moving the cable between the tightened state and the relaxed state.

[0185] In clause 12, the article of footwear of clause 11, wherein bands of the first plurality of bands are parallel to one another.

[0186] In clause 13, the article of footwear of clause 11 or clause 12, wherein the bands of the second plurality of bands are parallel to one another.

[0187] In clause 14, the article of footwear according to any one of clauses 11 to 13 is characterized in that the second ends of the plurality of first bands are attached to the outside of the body.

[0188] Clause 15 is the article of footwear according to any one of clauses 11 to 14, wherein the first end of each of the plurality of first bands is separately affixed to a first side of the upper.

[0189] Clause 16 is the article of footwear of any one of clauses 11 to 15, wherein the first ends of the plurality of first bands and the first ends of the plurality of second bands are affixed to a midfoot region of an upper.

[0190] Clause 17 is the article of footwear of any one of clauses 11 to 16, wherein the first strap and the second strap extend across a midfoot region of the upper.

[0191] Clause 18 is the article of footwear of any of clauses 11 to 17, wherein the width of the first strap gradually decreases from the first end to the second end.

[0192] In clause 19, the article of footwear of any of clauses 11 to 17 further comprises a sole structure affixed to the upper, and a tensioning device disposed within the sole structure and movable to selectively move the cable between the tightened state and the relaxed state.

[0193] In clause 20, the article of footwear of clause 19, wherein the cable includes a first strand forming the first portion of the cable and a second strand forming a second portion of the cable, the first strand and the second strand being disposed through a tensioning device.

[0194] The present disclosure can be used with many other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and / or configurations suitable for use with the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set-top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices.

[0195] The disclosure may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions executed by a computer, such as program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked, for example, through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.

[0196] The present disclosure provides technical advantages. In one example, the gesture recognizer 700 may be configured to recognize user input with greater accuracy than conventional sensor devices. Furthermore, the gesture recognizer 700 may be configured to improve gesture recognition capabilities while maintaining low power consumption. In one specific example, the gesture recognizer 700 utilizes the analysis unit 732 to improve gesture recognition accuracy while maintaining low power consumption by selectively configuring the analysis unit 732 to operate in a low power mode. Thus, the gesture recognition device 700 may be configured to provide an enhanced interface between a human user and an electromechanical device configured to tighten or loosen a closure mechanism of an article of footwear. In one specific example, a double tap gesture performed by a user on a portion of an article of footwear may be configured to recognize with improved accuracy and reduced power consumption, the double tap gesture being converted into a signal configured to actuate a motor, such as motor 760.

[0197] Various embodiments described herein may be implemented by general purpose or special purpose computer hardware. In one example, computer hardware may include a processor (aka microprocessor) having one or more processing cores configured to enable parallel processing / execution of instructions. As such, various disclosures described herein may be implemented as software coding, and those skilled in the computer arts will recognize various coding languages ​​that may be used with the disclosures described herein. Additionally, the disclosures described herein may be used for implementation of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or for implementation of various electronic components (also referred to as off-the-shelf components), including conventional electronic circuits. Additionally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various descriptions included in this disclosure may be implemented as data signals transmitted using a variety of different technologies and processes. For example, various descriptions of disclosures described herein may be understood to include one or more streams of data signals, data instructions, or requests, physically transmitted as bits or symbols represented by different voltage levels, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields, optical fields, or combinations thereof.

[0198] One or more of the disclosures described herein may include a computer program product having a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, are configured to perform one or more of the methods, techniques, systems, or embodiments described herein. As such, the instructions stored on the computer readable medium may include operations that are executed to perform various steps of the methods, techniques, systems, or embodiments described herein. Additionally, a computer readable medium may include a storage medium that includes instructions configured to be processed by a computing device, particularly a processor associated with the computing device. Such computer readable media may include forms of persistent or volatile memory, such as hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs), tape drives, floppy disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, DRAMs, VRAMs, flash memories, RAID devices, remote data storage (e.g., cloud storage), or any other media type or storage device suitable for storing data. Additionally, a combination of different types of storage media may be implemented as a hybrid storage device. In one implementation, a first storage medium may be prioritized over a second storage medium, and different workloads may be implemented by storage media of different priority.

[0199] Additionally, the computer-readable medium may store software code / instructions configured to control one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers. The software may be used to facilitate an interface between a user and a computing device and may include device drivers, operating systems, and applications. Thus, the computer-readable medium may store software code / instructions configured to perform one or more implementations described herein.

[0200] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various exemplary logical blocks, modules, circuits, techniques, or method steps of the embodiments described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware devices, computer software, or a combination thereof. Thus, throughout this disclosure, various exemplary modules / components are described in terms of their general functionality, whereby those skilled in the art will appreciate that the described disclosure may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0201] One or more implementations described throughout this disclosure may utilize logic blocks, modules, and circuits that may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0202] Techniques or steps of the methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in software executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. In some embodiments, any of the software modules, software layers, or threads described herein may include an engine including firmware or software and hardware configured to execute the embodiments described herein. The functionality of the software modules or software layers described herein may be embodied directly in hardware, or as software executed by a processor, or as a combination of the two. The software modules may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read data from and write data to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user device. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as separate components in a user device.

[0203] In one aspect, the article of footwear may include a motor configured to actuate a lacing system of the article of footwear. The article of footwear may additionally include a gesture recognizer configured to detect a gesture made by a user to actuate the motor. The gesture recognizer may include a sensor unit with an accelerometer sensor and a buffer module, and an analysis unit in operative communication with the sensor unit. The analysis unit may be configured to execute a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject possible gesture event data received from the buffer module as a true gesture event. If the gesture confirmation algorithm confirms the possible gesture event data as a true gesture event, the analysis unit may output a signal to actuate the motor.

[0204] The sensor unit may further include a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions configured, when executed by the processor, to receive an operation mode signal and selectively set an operation mode of the sensor unit to a continuous mode or a first-in-first-out mode in response to receiving the operation mode signal. The computer-executable instructions may further include receiving accelerometer data from an accelerometer sensor, storing the received accelerometer data in a buffer module, executing an algorithm for detecting a possible gesture event in the received accelerometer data, and outputting an interrupt signal in response to detecting a possible gesture event in the received accelerometer data. When the sensor unit is set to the continuous mode, the most recent datum of the received accelerometer data may be stored in an empty memory unit in the buffer or may replace the oldest datum stored in the buffer. When the sensor unit is set to the first-in-first-out mode, the received accelerometer data is stored in the buffer module until the buffer module is full.

[0205] The aforementioned processor of the article of footwear may be a first processor, and the non-transitory computer readable medium may be a first non-transitory computer readable medium. The analysis unit may include a hardware interrupt input configured to receive an interrupt signal from the sensor unit, a second processor, and a second non-transitory computer readable medium including computer executable instructions, which when executed by the second processor, start a timer having a predetermined timer duration upon receiving the interrupt signal at the hardware interrupt input. The computer executable instructions may further include setting an operation mode signal of the sensor unit to a first-in-first-out mode upon expiration of the predetermined time-out period. The computer executable instructions may further include receiving the stored accelerometer data from the buffer module as possible gesture event data, executing a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject the possible gesture event data as a true gesture event, and outputting an operation mode signal to the sensor unit to set the operation mode of the sensor to a continuous mode.

[0206] A true gesture event may be a double tap by the user on the structure to which the sensor unit is coupled, which may form part of the article of footwear.

[0207] The gesture confirmation algorithm can confirm a possible gesture event as a true gesture event upon identifying in the received accelerometer data a first impulse response, a low variance state following the first impulse response and persisting between a lower time threshold and an upper time threshold, and a second impulse response following the low variance state.

[0208] The buffer module may be a first buffer module, and the analysis unit may further include a second buffer module.

[0209] Identifying the first impulse response or the second impulse response by the gesture recognition algorithm may further include identifying an occurrence of high variance of the possible gesture event data, storing a subset of the possible gesture event data in a second buffer module, performing a fast Fourier transform operation to determine a frequency content of the subset of the possible gesture event data and the second buffer module, and identifying a threshold of energy of the frequency content within a predetermined impulse frequency band.

[0210] The Fast Fourier Transform operation may be a partial Fast Fourier Transform that evaluates the frequency content of the subset of possible gesture event data over a frequency range of 0 to 100 Hz.

[0211] The energy threshold of the impulse frequency band may be 70% and may be in the range of 10-100 Hz.

[0212] The impulse frequency band may include the natural frequency / damped natural frequency of the sensor unit.

[0213] The subset of possible gesture event data may be stored in a second buffer module as a rolling window through the received possible gesture event data.

[0214] The lower time threshold may be 0.05 seconds and the upper time threshold may be 1.0 seconds.

[0215] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a processor, may be configured to at least immediately upon receiving an interrupt signal from the sensor unit, start a timer having a predetermined timeout period, and upon expiration of the predetermined timer duration, output an operational mode signal to the sensor unit to set an operational mode of the sensor unit to a first-in-first-out mode, whereby when the sensor unit is set to the first-in-first-out mode, accelerometer data generated by the sensor unit is stored in a buffer module until the buffer module is full. The computer-executable instructions may further receive from the buffer module the accelerometer data stored in the buffer module as possible gesture event data, execute a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject the possible gesture event data as a true gesture event, and in response to confirming the possible event data as a true gesture event, output a signal at a hardware output signal port indicating that a user has performed a true gesture event.

[0216] A true gesture event may be a double tap by the user on the structure to which the sensor unit is coupled.

[0217] The gesture confirmation algorithm can confirm the possible gesture event data as the true gesture event upon identifying from the possible gesture event data a first impulse response, a low variance state following the first impulse response and persisting between a lower time threshold and an upper time threshold, and a second impulse response following the low variance state.

[0218] Identifying the first impulse response or the second impulse response by the gesture recognition algorithm may further include identifying an occurrence of high variance in the possible gesture event data, storing a subset of the possible gesture event data in a buffer module, performing a fast Fourier transform operation to determine frequency content of the subset of the possible gesture event data in the buffer module, and identifying a threshold of energy of frequency content within a predetermined impulse frequency band.

[0219] The Fast Fourier Transform operation may be a partial Fast Fourier Transform that evaluates the frequency content of a subset of the possible gesture event data over a frequency range of 0 to 100 Hz.

[0220] The energy threshold of the impulse frequency band may be 70% and may be in the range of 10-100 Hz.

[0221] The impulse frequency band may include the damped natural frequency / natural frequency of the sensor unit.

[0222] A subset of the possible gesture event data may be stored in the second buffer as a rolling window through the possible gesture event data.

[0223] The lower time threshold may be 0.05 seconds and the upper time threshold may be 1.0 seconds.

[0224] A signal indicating that the user has performed a true gesture event may actuate an external motor device.

[0225] In yet another aspect, the gesture recognition device includes an analysis unit, the analysis unit may further include a hardware interrupt input, a hardware output signal port, a processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions executed by the processor. The computer-executable instructions may be configured to start a timer having a predetermined timer duration upon receiving an interrupt signal at the hardware interrupt input. The instructions may further include outputting an operation mode signal to the sensor unit to set the operation mode of the sensor to a first-in-first-out mode upon the expiration of the predetermined timer duration, and when the sensor unit is set to the first-in-first-out mode, the accelerometer data generated by the sensor unit may be stored in a buffer module until the buffer module is full. The computer-executable instructions may further include receiving the stored accelerometer data from the buffer module as possible gesture event data, executing a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject the possible gesture event data as a true gesture event, and outputting a signal at the hardware output signal port indicating that a user has performed a true gesture event in response to confirming the possible gesture event data as a true gesture event. conclusion

[0226] Aspects of the embodiments are described in terms of their exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will, upon reading this disclosure, envision many other embodiments, changes, and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. For example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the steps shown in the exemplary figures may be performed in an order different from that described, and that one or more steps shown may be optional in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

[0227] It will be understood, therefore, that the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but rather that it is to be understood from the following claims, which should be interpreted as broadly as permitted by law.

[0228] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63 / 130,059, filed December 23, 2020, entitled "Gesture Recognition Apparatus for Actuating a Footwear Motor," and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 17 / 556,399, filed December 20, 2021, entitled "Gesture Recognition Apparatus for Actuating a Footwear Motor," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for any and all non-limiting purposes.

Claims

1. 1. An article of footwear comprising an upper; a motor configured to operate a lacing system of the article of footwear; a sensor unit including an accelerometer sensor and a sensor unit buffer module; and an analysis unit in operative communication with the sensor unit, the analysis unit further comprising: a hardware interrupt input configured to receive an interrupt signal from the sensor unit; A hardware output signal port; A processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, preparing to receive said interrupt signal; upon receiving the interrupt signal from the hardware interrupt input, starting a timer having a predetermined timer duration; outputting an operational mode signal to the sensor unit to set an operational mode of the sensor unit when the predetermined timer duration has elapsed; receiving stored accelerometer data as gesture event data from the sensor unit buffer module; executing a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject the gesture event data as a true gesture event; and in response to validating the gesture event data as a true gesture event, outputting a signal at the hardware output signal port to operate the motor.

2. The processor is a first processor, the non-transitory computer readable medium is a first non-transitory computer readable medium, and the sensor unit further comprises: A second processor; and and a second non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the second processor, preparing to receive said operational mode signal; receiving the operational mode signal and selectively setting an operational mode of the sensor unit to a continuous mode or a first-in, first-out mode in response to receiving the operational mode signal; receiving accelerometer data from the accelerometer sensor; storing the received accelerometer data in the sensor unit buffer module; executing an algorithm to detect gesture events in the received accelerometer data; outputting the interrupt signal in response to detecting the gesture event in the received accelerometer data; when the sensor unit is set to the continuous mode, the most recent datum of the received accelerometer data is stored in a free memory unit in the sensor unit buffer module or replaces the oldest datum stored in the sensor unit buffer module; 2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein when the sensor unit is set to the first-in, first-out mode, the received accelerometer data is stored in the sensor unit buffer module in the order received until the sensor unit buffer module is full, after which any remaining received accelerometer data is not stored in the sensor unit buffer module.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the true gesture event is a double tap by the user on a structure to which the sensor unit is coupled.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein once the predetermined timer duration has elapsed, the sensor unit is set to a first-in, first-out mode of operation.

5. The gesture recognition algorithm comprises: in the received stored accelerometer data. A first impulse response; a low variance state following the first impulse response, the low variance state persisting during which the accelerometer data falls below a first threshold acceleration magnitude and between a lower time threshold and an upper time threshold; The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein identifying a second impulse response following the low variance state validates the gesture event data as the true gesture event.

6. The article of footwear of claim 5 , wherein the analysis unit further comprises an analysis unit buffer module.

7. The identification of the first impulse response or the second impulse response by the gesture recognition algorithm further comprises: identifying a high variance rate of occurrences where the accelerometer data exceeds a second threshold acceleration magnitude in the gesture event data; storing the subset of gesture event data in the analysis unit buffer module; performing a Fast Fourier Transform operation in the analysis unit buffer module to determine a frequency content of the subset of the gesture event data; and identifying a threshold value of energy of the frequency content in an impulse frequency band.

8. 8. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein the Fast Fourier Transform operation is a partial Fast Fourier Transform that evaluates the frequency content of the subset of the gesture event data over a frequency range of 0 to 100 Hz.

9. The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the energy threshold is 70% and the impulse frequency band is 10-100 Hz.

10. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the impulse frequency band includes a damped natural circuit frequency of the sensor unit.

11. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the subset of the gesture event data is stored in the analysis unit buffer module while the analysis unit buffer module is in a first-in, first-out mode.

12. 6. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the lower time threshold is 0.05 seconds and the upper time threshold is 1.0 seconds.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform at least: upon receiving an interrupt signal from the sensor unit, starting a timer having a predetermined timer duration; outputting an operational mode signal to the sensor unit to set an operational mode of the sensor unit to a first-in-first-out mode when the predetermined timer duration has elapsed, wherein when the sensor unit is set to the first-in-first-out mode, accelerometer data generated by the sensor unit is stored in the sensor unit buffer module in the order received until the sensor unit buffer module is full, after which the remaining received accelerometer data is not stored in the sensor unit buffer module; receiving accelerometer data from the sensor unit buffer module, the accelerometer data being stored in the sensor unit buffer module as gesture event data; executing a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject the gesture event data as a true gesture event; and in response to validating the gesture event data as a true gesture event, outputting at a hardware output signal port a signal indicating that a user has performed the true gesture event.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the true gesture event is a double tap by the user on a structure to which the sensor unit is coupled.

15. The gesture recognition algorithm comprises: In the gesture event data A first impulse response; a low variance state following the first impulse response, the low variance state persisting during which the accelerometer data falls below a first threshold acceleration magnitude and between a lower time threshold and an upper time threshold; 15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein identifying a second impulse response following the low variance state validates the gesture event data as the true gesture event.

16. The step of identifying the first impulse response or the second impulse response by the gesture recognition algorithm comprises: identifying a high variance rate of occurrences where the accelerometer data exceeds a second threshold acceleration magnitude in the gesture event data; storing the subset of gesture event data in a buffer module; performing a Fast Fourier Transform operation in the buffer module to determine a frequency content of the subset of the gesture event data; and identifying a threshold value of energy of the frequency content in an impulse frequency band.

17. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the Fast Fourier Transform operation is a partial Fast Fourier Transform that evaluates the frequency content of the subset of the gesture event data over a frequency range of 0 to 100 Hz.

18. 17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the energy threshold is 70% and the impulse frequency band is 10-100 Hz.

19. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the impulse frequency band includes a damped natural circuit frequency of the sensor unit.

20. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the subset of the gesture event data is stored in the buffer module while the buffer module is in a first-in-first-out mode.

21. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the lower time threshold is 0.05 seconds and the upper time threshold is 1.0 seconds.

22. 14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein a signal indicating that a user has performed the true gesture event actuates an external motor device.

23. A gesture recognition device, comprising: an analysis unit, the analysis unit further comprising: Hardware interrupt input, A hardware output signal port; A processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, upon receiving an interrupt signal from said hardware interrupt input, starting a timer having a predetermined timer duration; outputting an operational mode signal to the sensor unit to set an operational mode of the sensor unit to a first-in-first-out mode when the predetermined timer duration has elapsed, wherein when the sensor unit is set to the first-in-first-out mode, accelerometer data generated by the sensor unit is stored in the sensor unit buffer module in the order received until the sensor unit buffer module is full, after which any remaining received accelerometer data is not stored in the sensor unit buffer module; receiving stored accelerometer data as gesture event data from the sensor unit buffer module; executing a gesture confirmation algorithm to confirm or reject the gesture event data as a true gesture event; and in response to validating the gesture event data as a true gesture event, outputting a signal at the hardware output signal port indicating that a user has performed the true gesture event.

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