Intelligent Electronic Footwear and Control Logic for Executing an Automated Footwear Configuration

Abstract

To provide intelligent electronic footwear with attendant control logic to enable automated footwear capability, methods for making / using such footwear, and control systems for providing an automated configuration.SOLUTION: An intelligent electronic shoe (IES) includes an upper and a sole structure. An alert system, which is mounted to the sole structure and / or upper, generates prescribed outputs in response to electronic command signals. The IES system also includes a wireless communications device that wirelessly communicates with a remote computing node, and a footwear controller that communicates with the wireless communications device and alert system. The footwear controller receives location data indicative of the user's and remote computing node's locations, determines whether the user's location is within a prescribed location / proximity to the node's location and, if so, transmits command signals to the alert system to notify the user / vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Reference to Related Applications) This application is an international (PCT) application of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 220,403, which was filed, allowed, and is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 114,632, filed on December 14, 2018. U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 114,632 was filed on August 28, 2018, and is U.S. Patent No. 10,178,890B1, and claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 678,796, filed on May 31, 2018.

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to wearable electronic devices. More specifically, aspects of this disclosure relate to systems, methods, and devices for enabling automated configurations of intelligent electronic footwear and clothing.

Background Art

[0003] Footwear products, such as shoes, boots, slippers, sandals, and equivalents, generally consist of two main elements: an upper for securing the footwear to the user's foot and a sole structure for providing support to form a base for the foot. The upper may be manufactured from various materials, such as fabrics, foams, polymers, natural leathers, and synthetic leathers, which are sewn or adhesively bonded together to form a shell or harness that safely receives the foot. In the case of sandals and slippers, the upper may have an open toe or heel structure, or may generally be limited to a series of straps that extend over the instep of the foot and, in some designs, around the ankle. Conversely, shoe and boot designs incorporate a full upper with a closed toe or heel structure and an ankle opening through a rear quarter portion that provides access to the interior of the footwear, facilitating entry of the foot into the upper and removal of the foot from the upper. Shoelaces or straps may be used to secure the foot within the upper.

[0004] The sole structure is generally attached to the lower portion of the upper and positioned between the user's foot and the ground. In many footwear products, including sports shoes, the sole structure is a layered structure that generally incorporates an insole for enhancing comfort, a midsole for shock absorption, and an outsole that contacts the surface. The insole, which may be partially or entirely disposed within the upper, is a thin, compressible member that provides a contact surface for the underside of the user's foot. In contrast, the midsole is attached under the insole to form the intermediate layer of the sole structure. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces, the midsole may help control foot movement and provide stability. Fixed to the underside of the midsole is the outsole, which forms the ground-contact portion of the footwear and is typically made of a durable and abrasion-resistant material that includes a configuration for improving traction.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Presented herein are intelligent electronic footwear having accompanying control logic to enable automated footwear capabilities, methods for manufacturing such footwear and for using such footwear, and a control system for providing an automated configuration of intelligent electronic footwear. As an example, an IoAAF (Internet of Adaptive Apparel and Footwear) system is presented that wirelessly communicates with intelligent electronic shoes (IES) to automate communication between the shoes and a vehicle, i.e., footwear-vehicle (F2V) communication. For example, in a rideshare application, a registered driver is paired with a passenger seeking a ride through a dedicated mobile application (the “app”) or a web-based applet operating on an individual's smartphone or other handheld computing device. Once paired, the rider may wait for the rideshare driver outside the curb while wearing the IES. For example, when the rider is waiting within a crowd or on a busy sidewalk, the IES automates a hailing feature that helps the driver identify the waiting rider. Specifically, the IES tracks the real-time locations of the rider and the driver, and after determining that the rider's location is at a predetermined location or in the vicinity of the driver's location, the IES automatically generates a visual or audible output sufficient to attract the rider's attention. For example, an IES processor built into the midsole of the shoe issues a command signal to a built-in shoe light system to illuminate, flash, change color, or a combination thereof. Optionally or alternatively, the IES processor may responsively generate a visual or audible output, such as wirelessly transmitting a command prompt to a vehicle control system to activate a vehicle horn or vehicle light system to help the rider identify the driver.

[0006] To enable wireless communication between the IES and a remote electronic device, such as an automobile of a rideshare driver, the IES may piggyback on a communication session established by the user's smartphone, handheld computing device, or other portable electronic device having wireless communication capabilities. Alternatively, the IES may operate as a stand-alone device comprising a resident wireless communication device packaged within the shoe structure. Other peripheral hardware may include a resident memory, a shortwave antenna, a rechargeable battery, a SIM card, etc., all of which are housed inside the shoe structure. The IES may comprise a human-machine interface (HMI) that enables the user to interact with the footwear and / or the IoAAF system. For example, one or more electroactive polymer (EAP) sensors may be woven into a patch or formed as such a patch attached on the shoe structure and operable to receive user input that enables the user to control the operating mode of the IES. Similarly, any of the attendant operations for performing an automated footwear configuration may be executed locally via the IES processor or off-boarded in a distributed computing manner for execution by a smartphone, handheld computing device, IoAAF system, or any combination thereof.

[0007] As an additional option, execution of any one or more desired footwear configurations may first require user security authentication via the IES processor and / or the IoAAF system server computer. For example, an array of sensors distributed within the shoe structure communicates with the IES processor to verify biometric (biometric) measurements such as the user's weight (e.g., via pressure sensors), the size of the shoe (e.g., via electronic adaptive response racing (EARL)), the heel fingerprint (e.g., via an optical fingerprint sensor), or other suitable methods. As an extension of this concept, when attempting to execute an automated configuration, any of the aforementioned sensing devices may be utilized as a binary (on / off) switch to confirm that the IES is actually on the user's foot. Once security authentication is established, the intelligent electronic shoes may be used as a means to make or accept payments or as part of a commercial transaction.

[0008] Providing wireless data exchange to facilitate the execution of an automated configuration may require that the IES be registered with the IoAAF system. For example, a user may record the IES serial number in the IoAAF system, which is then used to issue a verification key to a personal account, such as a “digital locker” operating on the user's smartphone, tablet, PC, or laptop, to provide additional authentication. Registration may be completed manually, e.g., via the user, or digitally, e.g., via a barcode or near-field communication tag on the shoe. A unique virtual shoe may be assigned to the IES and stored in the digital locker, and each virtual shoe may be supported by blockchain security technology designed to guarantee uniqueness and authenticity, such as a cryptographic hash function, a reliable timestamp, and correlated transaction data. Once properly verified, the IES may be used to authenticate the user for entry to concerts, movies, sports events, airplanes, other mass transportation, and the like. Although described in relation to footwear products as a representative use for the novel concepts presented herein, many of the disclosed options and configurations are envisioned to apply to other wearable clothing, including clothing, headgear, eyewear, wristwear, neckwear, legwear, and the like.

[0009] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a networked control system and associated logic for implementing an automated footwear configuration. For example, an intelligent electronic shoe system is presented that includes a footwear product having an upper attachable to a user's foot and a sole structure attached to the upper and supporting the user's foot thereon. The sole structure includes an outsole that defines a ground engaging portion at the very bottom of the footwear product. A controller automated warning system attached to the sole structure and / or upper of the footwear is operable to generate visual, audible, and / or tactile outputs in response to one or more electronic command signals. The IES system includes a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates with a remote computing node and a system controller that communicates with the wireless communication device and the warning system. This controller may be resident in the footwear or remote from the footwear and is programmed to receive location data indicating the location of the user and the location of the remote computing node. Using this data, the controller determines whether the location of the user is within a predetermined location or within a vicinity relative to the location of the node. In response to the location of the user being within a predetermined location or within a predetermined vicinity relative to the location of the node, the system controller automatically transmits a command signal to the warning system to generate a predetermined visual, audible, and / or tactile warning perceptible by the user and / or vehicle, thereby notifying one or both parties of their relative proximity / location, for example.

[0010] Additional aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods for assembling and operating any of the disclosed systems and devices. In one example, a method for manufacturing a footwear product for a user's foot is presented. This exemplary method, in any order and in any combination with any of the configurations and options disclosed above or below, includes providing an upper configured to receive and attach to the user's foot; providing a sole structure configured to support the user's foot thereon, the sole structure having an outsole that defines a ground-engaging portion of the footwear; attaching the sole structure to the upper; attaching a controller-automated warning system to the sole structure and / or the upper, the warning system being configured to generate audible, visual, and / or tactile outputs in response to a command signal; attaching a wireless communication device to the sole structure and / or the upper, the wireless communication device being configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node; and attaching a resident controller to the sole structure and / or the upper. This resident controller is operatively connected to the wireless communication device and the warning system. The resident controller is programmed to receive user location data indicating the user's current location, receive node location data indicating the current location of the remote computing node, determine whether the user's location is within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the location of the node, and automatically transmit a command signal to the warning system to generate a predetermined warning in response to the user's location being within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the location of the node.

[0011] In another example, a method for performing automated configuration of intelligent electronic shoes is presented. This exemplary method includes, in any order and in any combination with any of the configurations and options disclosed above or below, receiving, via a resident or remote wireless communication device, location data indicative of a user's location, receiving, via the wireless communication device, location data indicative of a node location of a remote computing node, determining, via the resident or remote footwear controller, whether the user is located within a proximity to a predetermined location or node location, and, in response to whether the user location is within a proximity to the predetermined location or node location, the footwear controller automatically sending a command signal to a resident controller automated alert system to generate a predetermined visual, audible, and / or tactile alert perceivable by the user and / or vehicle, e.g., thereby notifying one or both parties of their relative proximity / location.

[0012] A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to footwear with automated lighting capabilities. For example, a footwear article includes an upper, the upper at least partially covering a user's foot and attached to the user's foot. A sole structure is attached to a lower portion of the upper and includes an outsole that supports the user's foot thereon and defines a ground-engaging surface of the footwear. A resident alarm system is attached to the sole structure and selectively operable to generate visual, audible, and / or tactile alarms in response to electronic command signals. A resident wireless communication device is attached inside the sole structure and operable to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node, such as a motor vehicle, a remote back-end server computer, a middleware node, a dedicated software app running on a portable electronic device, etc.

[0013] Continuing with the above example, the footwear includes a resident controller attached inside the sole structure and communicatively connected to the wireless communication device and the alarm system. The resident controller is programmed to receive location data indicating a current location of the user and a current location of a remote computing node. The resident controller then determines whether the user's current location is within proximity to the current location of a predetermined location / node. If so, the resident controller responsively transmits one or more command signals to the alarm system to generate a predetermined alert informing the user / vehicle of their relative proximity.

[0014] For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and devices, the footwear controller may send a command signal to a control system of a remote computing node to generate an audible or visual output, for example, in response to the user location being within proximity of a predetermined location / node location. For example, the remote computing node may be an automobile equipped with a vehicle headlamp system, in which case the visual output prompted by the footwear controller may include illumination, flashing, and / or intensification of the light output of the vehicle's headlamp system. Optionally, the footwear controller is operable to coordinate the light output of the vehicle headlamp system with a predetermined light output of the IES alarm system. Additionally, the audible output prompted by the footwear controller may include activation and / or modulation of the audible output of the automobile's horn system, infotainment system, or other vehicle subsystem capable of generating an audible output. Optionally, the footwear controller may be operable to coordinate the audible output of the vehicle audio system with a predetermined audio output of the IES alarm system.

[0015] For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and devices, a user may have a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet, and / or smartwatch, and the wireless communication device may be designed to wirelessly connect to the portable electronic device and wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node through this connectivity. As another option, the warning system may include a tactile transducer attached to the shoe structure. In this case, the command signal of the footwear controller may generate a tactile cue on the tactile transducer to notify the user, for example, when the user's location is within the vicinity of the location of a predetermined location / node. In the same spirit, the warning system may include an audio system attached to the shoe structure. The command signal of the footwear controller may generate a predetermined audio output on the audio system to notify the user, for example, when the user's location is within the vicinity of the location of a predetermined location / node.

[0016] For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatuses, the remote computing node may be the central control unit of a resident or commercial security system. In this case, the footwear controller may send an unlock (or lock) command signal to the security system when the user's location enters (or exits) the vicinity of a predetermined location or a dwelling or building monitored by the security system. Similarly, the remote computing node may be the central control unit of a home automation system. In this case, the footwear controller may send a command signal to the home automation system, for example, in response to the user's location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location or a home or a specific room within a home associated with the home automation system, to lock or unlock a door, activate or deactivate interior lights, and / or raise or lower the temperature of a thermostat. The predetermined location or vicinity may be delineated by a geofence generated by the footwear controller. In this case, the command signal is sent to the remote computing node or the IES after the remote computing node or the IES detects a breach of the geofence.

[0017] For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and devices, a pressure sensor may be attached to the shoe structure and configured to detect the presence of a foot within the upper. For some applications, the command signal may be sent to the IES alarm system only when the presence of a foot within the upper is detected. Foot presence sensing in a footwear product may be achieved via various methods, including pressure / force sensing, capacitive sensing, magnetic signal sensing, etc. Optionally, the pressure sensor may be attached to the inside of the sole structure and configured to detect the user's weight. From these sensor readings, the footwear controller may determine whether the detected weight of the current user is within a predetermined range of the verified user's weight stored in memory (and the user is authenticated). Once verified, the footwear controller may then send a command signal to the IES alarm system.

[0018] For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and devices, the IES may include shoelaces attached to the upper and a lace motor attached inside the sole structure and operable to selectively transition the shoelaces / straps between a tensioned and an untensioned state. A footwear controller may communicate with the lace motor to determine the current state of the shoelaces. In this case, a command signal is sent to the IES alarm system only when the shoelaces are in a tensioned state. In at least some configurations, the tensioned state may include a plurality of discrete tensioned positions, and the IES system may include a lace sensor that detects the current discrete tensioned position for the current user. The footwear controller may communicate with the lace sensor to determine whether the current discrete tensioned position corresponds to a verified lace-tensioned position (i.e., authenticated to a registered user) stored in memory. Once the current user is verified, the footwear controller then sends a command signal to the IES alarm system. Additional information regarding footwear with powered lacing and gesture control capabilities can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,929,999 and 5,929,999. Both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties for all purposes. It is also envisioned that user recognition may be achieved via gait profiling and analysis, which may be determined from microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) within the shoe, for example, to authenticate / verify the user (alone or in combination with smartphone verification).

[0019] For any of the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus, the remote computing node may include a light sensor, for example, as part of a digital camera. The predetermined output of the IES alarm system may include a personalized color and / or coded blinking pattern detectable by the light sensor and designed to verify the user to the remote computing node. In at least some applications, the wireless communication device may include a BLUETOOTH® Low Energy (BLE), low power and wide area category (CAT) M1, or narrowband CAT-NB1 wireless interface. As another option, a barcode, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or near field communication (NFC) tag may be attached to the sole structure and / or upper, which are designed to communicate a security authentication code to the remote computing node.

[0020] The above summary is not intended to represent every embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an illustration of some of the novel concepts and features described herein. The above features and advantages, as well as other features and attendant advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of illustrated examples and exemplary modes for carrying out the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims. Moreover, this disclosure expressly includes any and all combinations and subcombinations of the elements and features presented above and below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021]

Figure 1

[0022]

Figure 2

[0023]

Figure 3

[0024]

Figure 4

[0025]

Figure 5

[0026]

Figure 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, and several representative embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the novel aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific forms illustrated in the drawings listed above. Rather, the present disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, combinations, sub-combinations, permutations, groupings, and alternatives that fall within the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the appended claims.

[0028] This disclosure is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms. Representative embodiments of the disclosure are shown in the drawings and described in detail herein, with the understanding that these illustrative examples are provided as an illustration of the principles of the disclosure, and not as a limitation on the broader aspects of the disclosure. To that end, no element or limitation recited in the Abstract, Technical Field, Background, Summary, and Detailed Description sections, but not expressly recited in the claims, shall be incorporated into the claims, either singly or collectively, by implication, inference, or otherwise.

[0029] For the purposes of this detailed description, unless otherwise specifically disclaimed, the singular forms include the plural forms and vice versa. The terms "and" and "or" are both conjunctive and disjunctive, the terms "any" and "all" both mean "any and all", and the terms "including", "comprising", and "having" each mean "including without limitation". Moreover, approximating words such as "about", "almost", "substantially", "approximately", and equivalent expressions may be used herein to mean, for example, "at, near, or nearly at" or "within 0-5% of" or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances or any logical combination thereof". Finally, directional adjectives and adverbs such as fore, aft, medial, lateral, proximal, distal, vertical, horizontal, front, back, left, right, etc. may be with respect to a footwear product when worn on a user's foot and may be operationally oriented, for example, with respect to the base of a sole structure located on a flat surface.

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a representative article of footwear, generally designated by reference numeral 10, and referred to herein for purposes of illustration as an athletic shoe or "sneaker." The illustrated footwear 10, also referred to herein as an "intelligent electronic shoe" or simply "IES," is merely an exemplary application in which the novel aspects and configurations of this disclosure may be implemented. In a similar vein, implementation of the present concepts with respect to wearable electronic devices worn on a human foot should also be understood as a representative application of the concepts disclosed herein. It will be understood that many aspects and configurations of this disclosure may be integrated into other footwear structures and incorporated into any logically related type of wearable electronic device. As used herein, the terms "shoe" and "footwear," including permutations thereof, may be used interchangeably and synonymously to refer to any related type of garment worn on the foot. Finally, the configurations depicted in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and are provided purely for educational purposes, and thus the specific and relative dimensions shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting.

[0031] A representative article of footwear 10 is generally depicted in Figures 1 and 2 as a bipartite structure primarily comprised of a foot-receiving upper 12 mounted on an underlying sole structure 14. For ease of reference, footwear 10 is divided into three anatomical regions, as shown in Figure 2: a forefoot region R FF , midfoot area R MF , and hindfoot (heel) area R HF Footwear 10 may be divided into a lateral segment S , which is the distal half of shoe 10 along a vertical plane that is farthest from the sagittal plane of the human body. LA(lateral segment) and the medial segment S, which is the proximal half of the shoe 10 closest to the sagittal plane of the human body ME may be divided into (medial segment). According to the recognized anatomical classification, the forefoot region R FF is located at the front of the footwear 10 and generally corresponds to the phalanges (toe tips), the midfoot bones, and their interconnecting joints. There is a midfoot region RMF between the forefoot region R FF and the hindfoot region RHF, and the midfoot region RMF generally corresponds to the cuneiform bones, the navicular bone, and the cuboid bone (i.e., the arch region of the foot). In contrast, the heel region R HF is located at the rear of the footwear 10 and generally corresponds to the talus and the calcaneus. The lateral segment S LA and the medial segment S ME of the footwear 10 both extend through all three anatomical regions R FF , R MF , R HF , and each corresponds to the respective transverse side of the footwear 10. Figures 1 and 2 show only a single shoe 10 for the user's left foot, but as shown in Figure 3, a substantially identical mirror image counterpart for the user's right foot may be provided. As can be recognized, the shape, size (dimensions), material composition, and manufacturing method of the shoe 10 may be changed, either individually or collectively, to be practically adapted for any normal or non-normal use.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the upper 12 is generally defined by three interconnected sections, namely, a toe box 12A (toe box) that covers and protects the toe (toe), a vamp 12B (vamp) that is behind the toe box 12A and extends around the lace eyelets 16 and the tongue 18, and a quarter 12C (quarter) that is behind the vamp 12B and includes the rear and side portions of the upper 12 that cover the heel, and is depicted as having a closed toe and heel configuration. The upper 12 portion of the footwear 10 may be manufactured from any one or combination of various materials such as fabric, foam, polymer, natural leather, and synthetic leather that are stitched, adhesively bonded, or welded together to form an internal void for comfortably receiving the foot. The individual material elements of the upper 12 may be selected and arranged with respect to the footwear 10 to selectively impart properties such as durability, air permeability, abrasion resistance, flexibility, and comfort. The ankle opening 15 (ankle opening) in the rear quarter 12C of the upper 12 provides access to the interior of the shoe 10. A shoelace 20, strap, buckle, or other conventional mechanism may be utilized to modify the girth of the upper 12 to more stably hold the foot within the shoe 10 and facilitate entry of the foot into and removal of the foot from the upper 12. The shoelace 20 may be passed through a series of eyelets in the upper 12, and the tongue 18 may extend between the lace 20 and the internal void of the upper 12.

[0033] The sole structure 14 is such that the sole structure 14 is between the upper 12 and the support surface on which the user stands (e.g., the ground G in FIG. 3) S1) and is rigidly secured to upper 12 so as to extend between the sole structure 14 and the foot. In effect, sole structure 14 functions as an intermediate support platform that separates the user's foot from the ground. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and cushioning the foot, sole structure 14 of FIG. 1 may provide traction, impart stability, and help limit various foot movements such as inadvertent foot inversion and eversion. According to the illustrated example, sole structure 14 is fabricated as a sandwich structure including a top-most insole 22, an intermediate midsole 24, and a bottom-most outsole 26. Insole 22 is shown partially disposed within the interior void of footwear 10, rigidly secured to a lower portion of upper 12 such that insole 22 is positioned adjacent the plantar surface of the foot. Beneath insole 22 is midsole 24, which incorporates one or more materials or embedded elements that enhance the comfort, performance, and / or ground reaction force attenuation characteristics of footwear 10. These elements and materials, individually or in any combination, may include polymer foam materials such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), filler materials, decelerating materials, air-filled bladders, plates, durability elements, or motion-control members. Outsole 26, which may be absent in some configurations of footwear 10, is secured to a lower surface of midsole 24. Outsole 26 may be formed from a rubber material that provides a durable, wear-resistant surface for engaging the ground. Additionally, outsole 26 may be textured to enhance traction (i.e., friction) between footwear 10 and the underlying supporting surface.

[0034] Figure 3 is a partially schematic illustration of an exemplary IES data network and communication system, generally designated by reference numeral 30, for providing wireless data exchange to execute one or more automated footwear configurations for a pair of intelligent electronic shoes 10 worn by a user or client 13. Although a single user 13 communicating with a single automobile 32 through the IES system 30 is illustrated, it is envisioned that any number of users may communicate with any number of automobiles or other remote computing nodes appropriately equipped to wirelessly exchange information and data. One or both of the IESs 10 in FIG. 3 are communicatively coupled to a remote host system 34 or a cloud computing system 36 via a wireless communication network 38. Wireless data exchange between the IES 10 and the IES system 30 may occur directly, for example, in a configuration where the IES 10 is equipped as a stand-alone device, or indirectly, for example, by pairing and piggybacking the IES 10 to a smartphone 40, a smartwatch 42, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) node, or other suitable device. In this regard, the IES 10 may communicate directly with the automobile 32 via, for example, a short-range wireless communication device (e.g., a BLUETOOTH® unit or a near field communication (NFC) transceiver), a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) component, a wireless antenna, etc. Only selected components of the IES 10 and the IES system 30 are shown and are described in detail herein. Nevertheless, the systems and devices discussed herein may include, for example, a number of additional and alternative configurations, as well as other available hardware and well-known peripheral components, for performing the various methods and functions disclosed herein.

[0035] Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, host system 34 may be implemented as a high-speed server computing device or mainframe computer that can handle bulk data processing, resource planning, and transaction processing. For example, host system 34 may operate as a host within a client-server interface to perform any necessary data exchange and communication with one or more "third party" servers to complete a particular transaction. On the other hand, cloud computing system 36 may operate as middleware for IoT (Internet of Things), WoT (Web of Things), IoAAF (Internet of Adaptive Apparel and Footwear), and / or M2M (machine-to-machine) services that connect various heterogeneous electronic devices to a service-oriented architecture (SOA) via a data network. As an example, cloud computing system 36 may be implemented as a middleware node that dynamically mounts heterogeneous devices, multiplexes data from each of these devices, and provides different functions for routing data through reconfigurable processing logic for processing and transfer to one or more destination applications. Network 38 may be any available type of network, including a combination of a public distributed computing network (e.g., the Internet) and a secure private network (e.g., local area network, wide area network, virtual private network). It may include wireless and wired transmission systems (e.g., satellite, cellular network, terrestrial network, etc.). In at least some embodiments, most, if not all, data transaction functions performed by IES 10 may be performed over a wireless network, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) or cellular data network, to ensure the freedom of movement of user 13 and IES 10.

[0036] The footwear 10 is equipped with various embedded electronic hardware to operate as a hands-free, rechargeable, and intelligent wearable electronic device. The various electronic components of the IES 10 are governed by one or more electronic controller devices, such as the resident footwear controller 44 (FIG. 2) packaged inside the sole structure 14 of the footwear 10. The footwear controller 44 may include any one or various combinations of one or more of a logic circuit, a dedicated control module, an electronic control unit, a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, or any suitable integrated circuit device of either resident, remote, or a combination of both. As an example, the footwear controller 44 may include a plurality of microprocessors, including a master processor, a slave processor, and a secondary or parallel processor. The footwear controller 44, as used herein, may include any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware disposed inside and / or outside the shoe structure of the IES 10 configured to communicate and / or control the transfer of data between the IES 10 and a bus, computer, processor, device, service, and / or network. The footwear controller 44 is generally operable to execute any or all of the various computer program products, software, applications, algorithms, methods, and / or other processes disclosed herein. The routines may be executed in real time, continuously, systematically, sporadically, and / or at regular intervals, for example, every 100 microseconds, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 100 milliseconds during continuous use or operation of the footwear controller 44.

[0037] Footwear controller 44 may include or communicate with resident or remote memory devices, such as resident footwear memory 46 packaged inside sole structure 14 of footwear 10. Resident footwear memory 46 may include semiconductor memory, including volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) or RAMs) and non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM) or EEPROM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory, etc. Long-range communication capability with remote network devices may be provided via one or more or all of a cellular network chipset / component, a satellite service chipset / component, or a wireless modem or chipset / component, all of which are collectively represented by reference numeral 48 in FIG. 2 . Short-range wireless connectivity may be provided via a BLUETOOTH® transceiver, an RFID tag, an NFC device, a DSRC component, or a wireless antenna, all of which are collectively represented by reference numeral 50. A resident power source, such as a lithium-ion battery 52 with plug-in or cable-free (inductive or resonant) rechargeability, may be embedded within the upper 12 or sole structure 14 of the footwear 10. Wireless communication may be further facilitated through implementation of a BLUETOOTH® Low Energy (BLE), Category (CAT) M1, or CAT-NB1 wireless interface. The various communication devices described above may be configured to exchange data between devices as part of systematic or periodic beacon messages broadcast in footwear-to-vehicle (F2V) information exchange, footwear-to-everything (F2X) information exchange, footwear-to-infrastructure (F2I), footwear-to-pedestrian (F2P), or footwear-to-foot (F2F) information exchange.

[0038] The location and movement of the IES 10, and thus the user 13, may be tracked via a location tracking device 54, which may be located inside the sole structure 14 or upper 12. Location can be determined through a satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS), iBeacons®, Bluetooth®, WiFi, or other suitable navigation system. In one example, a GPS system may monitor the location of a person, vehicle, or other target object on Earth using a constellation of cooperating orbiting GPS satellites that communicate with a suitable GPS transceiver, thereby generating a series of data points timestamped in real time. In addition to providing data regarding the absolute latitudinal and vertical position coordinates of a GPS receiver supported by a target object, data provided via a GPS system may be adapted and used to provide information regarding the elapsed time during the performance of a specified maneuver, the total distance traveled, the height or altitude at a particular location, the change in altitude within a specified time window, the direction of movement, the speed of movement, and the like. The collective set of GPS data described above may be used by the resident footwear controller 44 to estimate a predicted route for the user 13. The GPS system data, singly or collectively, may be used to supplement and optionally calibrate accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance data. To this end, information collected by the GPS satellite system may be used to generate correction factors and / or calibration parameters for use by the IES 10 to help ensure accurate sensor data and, therefore, optimal system operation.

[0039] Even without a GPS receiver, the IES 10 can determine location and movement information through cooperation with the cellular system through a process known as "trilateration." Cellular system towers and base stations communicate radio signals and are arranged in a network of cells. A cellular device such as the IES 10 may be equipped with a low-power transmitter to communicate with the nearest tower, base station, router, or access point. As a user moves with the IES 10, for example, from one cell to another, the base station monitors the transmitter's signal strength. As the IES 10 moves toward the edge of a cell, the transmitter's signal strength decreases for the current tower. At the same time, the base station in the approaching cell detects an increase in signal strength. As the user moves into a new cell, the tower transfers the signal from one cell to the next. The resident footwear controller 44 can determine the location of the IES 10 based on measurements of the transmitter signals, such as the angle of approach to the cell tower(s), the respective times it takes for individual signals to travel to the multiple towers, and the respective strengths of each signal as it reaches its corresponding tower. According to other aspects of the present concepts, one or more motion sensing devices may be incorporated into the shoe structure to determine dynamic movement (e.g., translation, rotation, velocity, acceleration, etc.) of the IES10 relative to established datum or reference (e.g., position, spatial orientation, reaction, force, velocity, acceleration, electrical contact, etc.) around or along one or more axes.

[0040] Referring collectively to FIGS. 1 and 2, the footwear product 10 may comprise a resident lighting system 56 controlled by a footwear controller 44 to selectively illuminate the shoe structure and the surrounding area thereof. Different types of lighting devices, including light emitting diodes (LEDs), electroluminescent panels (ELPs), compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), high intensity discharge lamps, flexible or non-flexible organic LED displays, flat panel liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and other available types of lighting elements, may be utilized by the lighting system 56. Any number of lighting devices may be disposed at any part of the shoe 10. As shown, a first lighting device 58 is packaged inside the sole structure 14 and disposed within the midfoot region RMF of the footwear 10. The first lighting device 58 is positioned immediately adjacent to a window 60 (FIG. 1) that seals a frame aperture extending through the surrounding wall of the sole structure 14 on the lateral side of the shoe 10. This lighting device 58 may be operated in an illuminated or “on” state, a non-illuminated or “off” state, a series of lighting intensities (e.g., low, medium, and high light outputs), various colors, and / or various lighting patterns. Using this configuration, the first lighting device 58 selectively illuminates a portion of the upper 12, a portion of the sole 14, and a portion of the ground GS1 adjacent to the IES 10.

[0041] Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, an automated configuration for a wearable electronic device such as the IES10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, e.g., an improved method or control strategy for implementing the footwear configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, is generally described by reference numeral 100 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Some or all of the operations illustrated in FIG. 4 and described in further detail below may be stored, for example, in main memory or auxiliary memory or remote memory and may be executed, for example, by a resident or remote controller, a central processing unit (CPU), control logic circuitry, or other module or device to perform any or all of the above or above-described or below-described functions associated with the disclosed concepts, and may represent an algorithm corresponding to processor-executable instructions. It should be recognized that the order of execution of the illustrated operation blocks may be changed, additional blocks may be added, and some of the blocks described may be changed, combined, or deleted.

[0042] Method 100 begins at terminal block 101 with processor-executable instructions for a programmable controller or control module or similar suitable processor, such as resident footwear controller 44 of FIG. 2, to invoke an initialization procedure for protocols governing operation of a wearable electronic device, such as IES 10 of FIG. 1. This routine may be invoked and executed in real time, continuously, systematically, sporadically, and / or at regular intervals, etc., during use of the intelligent electronic shoe 10. Referring to the IES data network and communication system 30 architecture of FIG. 3 as an exemplary implementation of the methodology shown in FIG. 4, the initialization procedure at block 101 may be initiated each time a user 13 launches a rideshare software application via their smartphone 40 or smartwatch 42 or each time a user 13 is paired with a rideshare driver / vehicle 32 via the rideshare software application. Using a dedicated mobile application or web-based applet running on one of the aforementioned portable computing devices, a client 13 seeking a ride is paired with a rideshare driver (e.g., operator of a vehicle 32) registered with a rideshare server system (e.g., UBER®, LYFT®, etc., represented by cloud computing system 36). The illustrated example depicts one rider, i.e., one private individual, receiving transportation from one potential driver, i.e., another private individual, in the driver's private vehicle. However, it is envisioned that the IES system 30 includes any number of potential riders seeking rides from any number of registered drivers operating any logically related type of vehicle. In this regard, the fleet of available drivers may consist of private individuals, salaried or contracted individuals, public transportation, private car or taxi services, autonomous vehicles, or any combination thereof.

[0043] To enhance security, the transaction between the IES10 and the IES system 30 can be enabled by an authentication process in a predetermined process block 103. The authentication may be performed by a primary or secondary source that confirms the proper activation of the wearable electronic device and / or the valid identity of the user of the device. After manual input of user identification information such as a password, PIN number, credit card number, personal information, biometric data, a predetermined key sequence, etc., the user may be enabled to access a personal account, for example, a "digital locker" that operates on the user's smartphone 40 using the NIKE+(registered trademark) Connect software application and is registered with the IoAAF middleware node. Thus, the transaction can be enabled by, for example, a combination of a secret PIN number (e.g., a 6- or 8-digit code) and a personal identification input (e.g., mother's maiden name, social security number, etc.), or a combination of a password (e.g., created by user 13) and a corresponding PIN number (e.g., issued by the host system 34), or a combination of a secret PIN number and a credit card input. Additionally or alternatively, a barcode, RFID tag, or NFC tag may be engraved or attached to the IES10 shoe structure and configured to communicate a security authentication code to the IES system 30. Other established authentication and security technologies, including blockchain encryption technology, can be utilized to prevent unauthorized access to the user's account, for example, to minimize the impact of unauthorized access to the user's account, or to prevent unauthorized access to personal information or funds accessible through the user's account.

[0044] As an alternative or supplementary option to manually enter identification information in a given process block 103, the security authentication of user 13 may be automated by the resident footwear controller 44. As a non-limiting example, a pressure sensor 62, which may have the nature of a binary contact type sensor switch, may be attached to the footwear 10 (e.g., may be embedded within the midsole 24 of the sole structure 14). This pressure sensor 62 detects a calibrated minimum load on the insole 22, thereby establishing the presence of a foot in the upper 12. Any future automated configuration of the IES 10 may first require the controller 44 to confirm that the footwear 10 is in use before sending a command signal to start an automated operation via a command prompt to the binary pressure sensor 62, when the foot is present within the upper 12. Although only a single sensor is illustrated in FIG. 2, it is envisioned that the IES 10 may comprise a distributed array of sensors, including pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and / or shoe dynamics sensors, packaged at discrete locations throughout the shoe structure. In the same vein, foot presence sensing (FPS) may be determined via various available sensing techniques, including capacitance, magnetism, etc. Additional information regarding foot presence sensing can be found, for example, in Patent Documents 3 and 4 to Steven H. Walker, et al., the entire text of both of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0045] In addition to functioning as a binary (on / off) switch, the pressure sensor 62 may take the form of a multimodal sensor configuration (e.g., a polyurethane capacitive biofeedback sensor) that detects any of a variety of biometric parameters, such as the magnitude of the applied pressure generated by the feet within the upper 12, and outputs one or more signals indicative thereof. These sensor signals are sent from the pressure sensor 62 to the resident footwear controller 44, which aggregates, filters, and processes the data received at the resident footwear controller 44 to calculate the current user's weight. The current user's weight calculated for the individual currently using the IES 10 is compared to the user's weight previously verified and stored in memory (e.g., authenticated for a registered user of an existing personal account). In doing so, the footwear controller 44 can determine whether the current user's weight is equal to or within a predetermined threshold range of the verified user's weight. When the current user is authenticated as the verified user, the resident footwear controller 44 is enabled to send command signals to one or more subsystems within the footwear 10 to automate their configuration.

[0046] Automated security authentication of a user may be achieved through other available technologies as part of a predefined process block 103 that includes cross-referencing characteristics of the current user's foot with previously verified characteristics of the authenticated user's foot. For example, a representative IES 10 of FIG. 2 is shown that is manufactured using an electric lacing system that utilizes a lacing motor (M) 64 that is attached to footwear 10 and is selectively operable to move the shoelace back and forth between a state where the shoelace 20 is not tensioned (loose) and one or more tensioned (tightened) states. The lacing motor 64 may be housed within a sole structure 14 and have the nature of a bidirectional DC electric worm gear motor that is controlled by a resident footwear controller 44. Activation of the lacing motor 64 may be initiated via a manually activated switch built into the shoe structure or via a soft key activation through an app on the user's smartphone 40 or smartwatch 42. Alternatively, motor control may be automated via the resident footwear controller 44 in response to a sensor signal from a pressure sensor 62 indicating, for example, that the foot is positioned inside the upper 12. For example, the shoelace tension may be actively modulated through a controlled operation of the lacing motor 64 by the controller 44 during use of the IES 10 to better hold the foot in response to dynamic user movement. The foregoing functions, as well as any other logically related options or configurations disclosed herein, may apply to alternative types of wearable clothing including, but not limited to, clothing, headgear, eyewear, wristwear, neckwear, legwear, undergarments, and the like. Moreover, the lacing motor 64 may be configured to automate the tensioning and loosening of straps, latches, cables, and other commercially available mechanisms for securing shoes.

[0047] Similar to the pressure sensor 62 described above, the lace motor 64 may double as a binary (on / off) switch that effectively enables and disables automated configuration of the IES 10. That is, the resident footwear controller 44 may communicate with the lace motor 64 to determine whether the laces 20 are in a tensioned or untensioned state before executing automated configuration. If the latter, all automated configuration may be disabled by the resident footwear controller 44, for example, to prevent accidental activation of automated configuration while the IES 10 is not in use. Conversely, after determining that the laces 20 are in a tensioned state, the footwear controller 44 is enabled to send an automated command signal.

[0048] During operation of the lace motor 64, the shoelaces 20 may be positioned at any one of a plurality of discrete tensioning positions to accommodate feet with different circumferences or users with different tensioning preferences. A lace sensor, which may be built into the motor 64 or packaged within the sole structure 14 or upper 12, may be utilized to detect the current tensioning position of the laces 20 for a given user. Alternatively, real-time tracking of the position of the output shaft (e.g., a worm gear) of the bidirectional electric lace motor 64 or the position of a designated section of the lace 20 (e.g., a lace spool mated with the motor's worm gear) may be used to determine the lace position. After tensioning the lace 20, the resident footwear controller 44 communicates with the lace motor 64 and / or lace sensor to identify the current tensioning position of the lace 20 for the current user. This current tensioning position is compared to a previously verified lace tensioning position stored in memory (e.g., authenticated by a registered user of an existing personal account). Through this comparison, footwear controller 44 can determine whether the current tensioning position is equal to or within a predetermined threshold range of verified tensioning positions. After authenticating the current user to a verified user, command signals may be sent via resident footwear controller 44 to one or more subsystems within footwear 10 to automate their configuration.

[0049] After completion of the authentication procedure described in the specified process block 103, the method 100 of FIG. 4 proceeds to an input / output block 105 comprising processor-executable instructions to retrieve sufficient data to identify the location of each of the wearable electronic device and the remote computing node with which it is communicating. According to the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the IES 10 may receive location data from a remote host system 34 and / or a cloud computing system 36 indicating the current location of the user 13 and the current location of the vehicle 32, either directly or through cooperative operation with the smartphone 40 or the smartwatch 42. Additionally or alternatively, the location of the user may also be tracked through a rideshare app or a route planning app operating on the user's smartphone 40. The location and movement of the IES 10, and thus of the user 13, can also be determined, for example, through a satellite-based GPS navigation system transceiver built into the upper 12 or the sole structure 14. When a paired and fitted driver is on route, an off-board intermediate server, such as the cloud computing system 36 operating as a middleware node, tracks the location of the vehicle 32 in real time, for example, through an on-board transmission device or through an app on the driver's personal computing device.

[0050] Method 100 of FIG. 4 continues with decision block 107 to determine whether the wearable electronic device and the user's joint location are within a predetermined vicinity of a predetermined location or node location. Continuing with the above example, the user's smartphone 40 or smartwatch 42 may display the real-time locations of IES 10 and vehicle 32 on the map using separate graphics for each party (e.g., using corresponding graphical pins, symbols, avatars, animations, etc.), and the movement of IES 10 relative to vehicle 32, e.g., via the placement and movement of these graphics. Subsequently, IES 10 and / or the IES system 30 may monitor the current vicinity of IES 10 (e.g., number of feet, miles, fractions, etc.) from the current location of vehicle 32. An optional configuration can limit the decision of decision block 107 to a user-selected or system-specified vicinity (e.g., within 100 feet) and / or a user-selected or system-specified location (e.g., a designated rideshare pickup location, a user-selected parking lot, etc.). As yet another option, the predetermined location may include a virtual perimeter or "geofence" dynamically generated by the footwear controller 44. In this latter case, IES 10 and / or the IES system 30 detects when the location-aware device of vehicle 32 breaches the geofence. After determining that the current locations of the user and vehicle are not within each other's predetermined vicinity / location (block 107 = NO), method 100 may return to input / output block 105. In that regard, the location tracking at block 105 and the vicinity evaluation at block 107 may be executed in a continuous loop until a positive decision is returned.

[0051] In response to the determined location of the node and / or the user entering a predetermined location, or the location of the node entering within the vicinity of the determined location of the user (block 107 = YES), or both, one or more command signals are transmitted to one or more subsystems to execute one or more automated configurations of the wearable electronic device. As generally shown in process block 109, for example, a first command signal is transmitted to a first subsystem to execute a first automated configuration AF1 of the intelligent electronic shoes. According to the illustrated example of FIG. 3, the resident footwear controller 44 may confirm that the vehicle 32 is within 100 feet or some other specified distance of the IES10, and thus that the user 13 is in sight of the vehicle driver. The resident footwear controller 44 automatically (i.e., without any user or external system prompt) responds to this determination by transmitting a command signal to the resident lighting system 56 to activate the lighting device 58, thereby generating a predetermined light output. This predetermined light output may include a personalized color (e.g., aqua for UBER (registered trademark) riders, pink for LYFT (registered trademark) riders, green for BLABLACAR (registered trademark), blue and green, etc.) or a corresponding blinking pattern (e.g., strobing, user-specific or driver-specific blinking patterns, a selected script of Morse code, etc.). In at least some implementations, the selected color and / or pattern is detectable by a digital camera having an optical sensor on the vehicle 32. Once detected, the resident vehicle controller or the rideshare app on the driver's smartphone can evaluate the customized color / pattern to verify that the waiting user 13 of the IES10 corresponds to the user's current rideshare request. As an option, the system may utilize light-based wireless optical authentication, for example, using LiFi, to transmit user authentication data.

[0052] It is envisioned that any of the disclosed connected wearable electronic devices may automate additional or alternative configurations as part of Methodology 100 shown in FIG. 4. In response to the determined location of the node being within a predetermined location or within a predetermined proximity to the determined location of the user (block 107 = YES), a second command signal may be transmitted to a second subsystem to execute a second automated configuration AF2 of the wearable electronic device, as shown in process block 111. As a non-limiting example, IES10 of FIG. 2 is shown as including a tactile transducer 66 housed inside the sole structure 14 and operatively communicating with an insole 22. To alert user 13 of IES10 that a rideshare vehicle 32 has arrived at a predetermined location and / or is in the vicinity of the user's current location, a resident footwear controller 44 issues a command signal to tactile transducer 66 to generate a tactile cue (e.g., a perceptible vibratory force or a series of vibration pulses) that is transmitted from midsole 24 through insole 22 to the user's foot. The operation of tactile transducer 66 may cooperate with the output of vehicle 32.

[0053] Any third automated configuration AF3 may include operating a race motor 64 as a haptic force feedback device selectively activated by the footwear controller 44 to rapidly tension or release the shoe lace 20. Audible feedback, visual feedback, or haptic feedback from the IES10 may be utilized to inform the wearer of interactions with other computing devices such as a light system (optical system) or haptic system feedback, alerting the user to incoming calls on the user's personal smartphone. Similarly, the IES10 may operate in cooperation with a smartphone 40 (e.g., coordinated flashing of an LED camera light (camera light) or an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) actuator) or an active garment element 11 (e.g., coordinated activation of a tactile or haptic device incorporated within the user's shirt), as illustrated in FIG. 3. As yet another option, haptic feedback may be utilized to provide turn-by-turn instructions to the user (e.g., the left or right foot vibrates at an increased intensity and / or in a specified pulse pattern indicating a left or right turn). In the same vein, haptic feedback can be utilized in a similar manner to direct the user along a preselected route or to warn the user of taking a particular route (e.g., being considered unsafe). Additional information regarding footwear and clothing with haptic feedback can be found, for example, in Patent Document 5 to Ernest Kim, the entire text of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0054] Optionally, the IES 10 may include an audio system represented in FIG. 1 by a miniaturized audio speaker 68 attached to the rear quarter 12C of the upper 12. The resident footwear controller 44 automatically sends a command signal to the audio system speaker 68 to generate a predetermined audio output after verifying that the user and / or node is within a predetermined location or in proximity to each other. As another option, the race motor 64 may repeatedly tension / relax the shoe lace 20 as a signal / queue, such as for arrival pick-up, check-in, connection, etc. In yet another option, the IES 10 may be used by a user to search for, authenticate, and access an autonomous vehicle or vehicle lease. Next, the method 100 may end at the termination block 113 and / or loop back to the termination block 101.

[0055] In addition to automating the configuration of the adaptive clothing and footwear, the disclosed wearable electronic device may automate the configuration on a remote computing node. Referring again to the exemplary implementation illustrated in FIG. 3, the resident footwear controller 44 issues a command signal to the in-vehicle control unit 70 of the vehicle 32 in an order to generate an audible or visual output that facilitates a ride-sharing interaction between the passenger and the driver, in response to the current location of the user / node being within a predetermined location or in proximity to each other. These commands may cause one or both of the vehicle headlamps 72 to illuminate, flash, increase the intensity of the light output, or a combination thereof, such that the vehicle 32 is readily recognizable by the user 13. As an optional application, the resident footwear controller 44 may coordinate the light output of the vehicle headlamps 72 with the light output of the IES light system 56 such that, for example, the vehicle headlamps 72 and the IES light system 56 illuminate and / or flash together. Additionally or alternatively, the command signal received from the footwear controller 44 via the in-vehicle control unit 70 may cause the activation and / or modulation of the vehicle horn system 74 or other in-vehicle audio system.

[0056] Another optional configuration may be a "dance party" mode in which a musical interlude output by any of the vehicle's audio components, accompanied by a light show output by any of the vehicle's lighting systems, may be caused (triggered) via the IES10. The sound (audio / music) output from the motor vehicle 32 may be linked to one or more components and subsystems of the IES10. Coordinated activation of the shoe lace motor 64, lighting device 58, and / or tactile transducer 66 may be provided to synchronize the automation of the IES10 with the sound and / or light output from the vehicle 32. The audio output of the user's (s) personal electronic device, such as a smartphone 40 or smartwatch 42, can also be synchronized in a similar manner. Using footwear-to-vehicle communication, after verifying the current user's security authentication, the IES10 can also be enabled to lock or unlock the vehicle doors or provide access to the vehicle's trunk compartment. In the same vein, an authenticated user may use the user's IES10 as an electronic key fob to start the vehicle or automate one or more preset driver settings, such as a desired seat position, a desired steering wheel position, a desired mirror position, etc.

[0057] Footwear-to-infrastructure communication allows the IES 10 to communicate with a networked “smart city” controller, which can then modulate street light or signal changes to improve pedestrian or cyclist safety. Conversely, the “smart city” controller may communicate with the IES 10 to alert the user that they are approaching a pedestrian crossing with a “no walking” sign, indicating that the pedestrian must yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles. Light configurations built into the shoe may be used during athletic events (e.g., coordinated to match the colors of the user's favorite athletic team) or during athletic activities (e.g., to illuminate the roadway during nighttime runs). Security configurations may be installed to disable the IES from being used by unauthorized parties. For example, the race motor 64 may be disabled by the footwear controller 44 after determining that the person wearing the IES 10 is an unauthorized user. In cooperation, the controller 44 may send an electronic alert to the user's smartphone 40 or smartwatch 42 to notify them of possible theft or misuse of the IES10.

[0058] Any configuration may provide intelligent electronic shoes or clothing adapted for educational purposes. As an example, a user or instructor can wear the IES10 when helping to teach a person how to drive an automobile. For example, the IES10 may be configured to simulate an instructor pressing a foot firmly against the passenger floor panel through the shoe to step on the brake pedal. The built-in pressure sensor 62 detects the instructor's foot gesture and outputs a corresponding signal to the footwear controller 44, and the IES10 communicates with the brake control module (BCM) of the vehicle 32 to activate the vehicle's brakes. Additionally or alternatively, the IES10 may communicate with a pair of intelligent electronic shoes worn by a student and send an instruction to provide the student with a sense feedback that the student must apply the vehicle's braking system by physically depressing the brake pedal with the foot. In addition to teaching a student how to drive, tactile, auditory, and / or visual feedback from the IES10 may be utilized to teach a footwear wearer a series of steps of a dance routine, proper movement of body weight when swinging a golf club or baseball bat, proper timing to execute a hurdle, walking, and step count, etc.

[0059] In addition to facilitating data exchange between wearable electronic devices and motor vehicles, many of the concepts disclosed are similarly applicable to non-ride-sharing and non-motor vehicle applications. For example, the remote computer node may take a form different from those described above, such as a central server computer or a parallel HMI of a residential or commercial security system. When user 13 of IES10 enters a predetermined location (e.g., entrance, corridor, room, etc.) or is within a preselected vicinity of a facility being monitored (e.g., bounded by an active geofence), the resident footwear controller 44 of FIG. 2 may send a deactivation command signal to the security system server computer or HMI such that user 13 may enter the facility without manually deactivating (disabling) the security system. In FIG. 5, for example, a representative user 213 approaching the front entrance of a building 232 protected by a commercial security system (represented by a non-contact video-monitored entrance panel 234) is shown. One or both of the IES10 worn by user 213 emit an invisible geofence 215 surrounding user 213. As soon as user 213 gets close enough to building 232 for the video-monitored entrance panel 234 to break through or otherwise intrude upon the geofence 215 generated by the IES, the IES10 automatically sends a security authentication signal to the security system entrance panel 234, whereby user 213 is granted access to building 232 (depicted by the automatic opening of the leftmost security door at the entrance of building 232). Alternative system configurations may use other communication means, including any of those described above and below, to facilitate the interaction between the IES10 and the security system 234.

[0060] As a still further example, the remote computing node may be in the nature of a home automation system (or "smart home") that controls the climate, lighting, blinds, appliances, etc., of the user's home. When a user of the IES 10 enters or exits a predetermined location (e.g., front door, garage, hallway, room, etc.) or enters or exits a predetermined vicinity of the residence regulated by the home automation system, the resident footwear controller 44 may send one or more command signals to the home automation system to lock or unlock a door, activate or deactivate an interior light, increase or decrease the temperature of a thermostat, or any combination of the above. In FIG. 6, for example, a representative user 313 is shown walking around a home 332 having various appliances, devices, and subsystems controlled in whole or in part by a residential home automation system (represented by a Wi-Fi enabled touchscreen gateway panel 334). In response to a user 313 moving from a first room to a second room (e.g., moving from the living room to the bedroom), the IES10 may automatically send a series of command signals to (1) turn on the lights in the second room, (2) dim the lights in the first room, (3) turn off one or more devices (e.g., a television) in the first room, and (4) modulate the temperature in the second room.

[0061] The IES 10 of FIG. 2 may be particularly useful for interacting with fully assisted or fully autonomous automobiles, such as those classified as Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Level 3, 4, or 5 vehicles. In addition to enabling vehicle controller authentication and automatic locking, unlocking, and motor starting, the IES 10 may communicate with a powertrain control module (PCM) or route planning module (RPM) to automatically coordinate and transport the user 13 of the IES 10 to a predetermined location. In a particular example, the automobile 32 of FIG. 3 may propagate a unique geofence signal to pair with multiple users wearing compatible IESs. If the user 13 is within the boundaries of the vehicle's geofence, the IES 10 automatically responds by automatically generating a first visual, auditory, and / or haptic output to notify the user 13 that they have breached the geofence. The user 13 may then launch a dedicated mobile app running on a smartphone 40 to identify the current real-time location of the automobile 32, which may be displayed on a GPS or navigation map application. When the user 13 is in close proximity (e.g., within 10 meters or less) of the automobile 32, the IES10 may generate a second visual, auditory, and / or tactile output to notify the user 13 that the user 13 is within a predetermined proximity to the vehicle 32 and therefore should be able to visually identify the vehicle 32.

[0062] Once user 13 locates automobile 32, a two-way authentication process takes place between the resident footwear controller 44 of IES10 and the central electronic control unit (ECU) of automobile 32 or a server computer at the backend of a middleware node that facilitates F2V operation. Once verified, automobile 32 notifies user 13 that user 32 has the option to enter the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A verification key may be issued to user 13 simultaneously via the IoAAF system. User 13 can retrieve the key via the aforementioned smartphone app. If user 13 selects to enter automobile 32, user 13 may be transported to a designated or non-designated location (the "unlock location") where the reserved product awaits user 13. Once user 13 arrives at the unlock position, user 13 may be required to enter the verification key to access the reserved product.

[0063] Aspects of this disclosure may, in some embodiments, generally be implemented through a computer-executable program of program modules, such as software applications or application programs, executed by any of the controllers described herein or variations of the controllers. The software may, by way of non-limiting example, include routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures for performing particular tasks or implementing particular data types. The software may form an interface that enables a computer to react according to a source of input. The software may cooperate with other code segments to initiate various tasks in response to received data in relation to a source of the received data. The software may be stored on any of various memory media, such as a CD-ROM, magnetic disk, bubble memory, and semiconductor memory (e.g., various types of RAM or ROM).

[0064] Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in various computer system and computer network configurations, including multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Additionally, aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in a distributed computing environment where tasks are executed by remote processing devices linked through a communication network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media including memory storage devices. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in a computer system or other processing system in relation to various hardware, software, or combinations thereof.

[0065] Any of the methods described herein may include machine-readable instructions for execution by (a) a processor, (b) a controller, and / or (c) any other suitable processing device. Any algorithm, software, protocol, or method disclosed herein may be embodied in software stored on a tangible medium such as, for example, flash memory, CD-ROM, floppy disk, hard drive, digital versatile disk (DVD), or other memory device, although those skilled in the art will readily understand that all or part of the algorithm may alternatively be executed by a device other than a controller and / or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware in known ways (e.g., implemented by application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic device (PLD), field programmable logic device (FPLD), discrete logic, etc.). Further, while specific algorithms are described with reference to the flowcharts shown herein, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many other methods for implementing the exemplary machine-readable instructions may alternatively be used.

[0066] The following exemplary configurations and settings are not intended to represent every embodiment or aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, many of the configurations and advantages of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the following representative examples. In this regard, each of the disclosed systems, methods, devices, protocols, etc. may include any configuration, option, and alternative described herein with respect to other embodiments, alone and in any combination, unless explicitly disclaimed or logically prohibited.

[0067] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an intelligent electronic shoe system for a 1-foot user. The IES system includes an upper configured to be attached to the user's foot and a sole structure attached to the upper and configured to support the user's foot thereon. The sole structure has an outsole that defines the ground-engaging portion of the IES. A light system attached to the sole structure and / or the upper is configured to generate light in response to a command signal. A wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node. The IES system includes a resident or remote footwear controller operatively connected to the wireless communication device and the lighting system. The footwear controller is configured to receive one or more location datasets indicating the user's user location and the node location of the remote computing node. The footwear controller determines whether the user location is within the vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location. In response to the user location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location, the controller transmits a command signal to the light system to generate a predetermined light output.

[0068] For any of the disclosed IES systems, the footwear controller may be further configured to transmit a second command signal to the control system of a remote computing node to generate an audible or visual output in response to, for example, the user's location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location / node location. The remote computing node may be an automobile having a vehicle headlamp system. In this case, the visual output may include illumination, flashing, and / or intensification of the light output of the vehicle headlamp system. The audible output of the vehicle may include activation and / or modulation of the audible output of the vehicle horn system. The footwear controller may be further configured to coordinate the light output of the vehicle headlamp system with a predetermined light output of the IES light system.

[0069] For any of the disclosed IES systems, the wireless communication device of the IES system is wirelessly connected to a portable electronic device and is thereby further configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node. The IES system may include a tactile transducer attached to the sole structure and / or upper. The footwear controller may transmit a third command signal to the tactile transducer to generate a tactile cue in response to, for example, the user's location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location / node location. As another option, the IES system may include an audio system attached to the sole structure and / or upper. The footwear controller may transmit a fourth command signal to the audio system to generate a predetermined audio output in response to, for example, the user's location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location / node location.

[0070] For any of the disclosed IES systems, the remote computing node may be a security system, in which case the footwear controller may send an unlock command signal to the security system in response to, for example, the user's location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location. Optionally, the remote computing node may be a home automation system, in which case the footwear controller may send a fifth command signal to the home automation system when the user's location is within the vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location to lock or unlock a door, activate or deactivate an indoor light, and / or raise or lower the temperature of a thermostat.

[0071] For any of the disclosed IES systems, the predetermined location may include a geofence defined by the footwear controller. A command signal for activating the light system may be sent after detection of a remote computing node breaching the geofence. The IES system may further include a pressure sensor attached to the sole structure or upper, the pressure sensor being configured to detect the presence (or absence) of a foot within the upper. In this example, a command signal for activating the IES light system is sent at least in part in response to the detected presence of a foot within the upper. The pressure sensor may additionally (or alternatively) be configured to detect the weight of the user. In this case, the footwear controller receives a sensor signal from the pressure sensor indicating the detected weight of the user, determines whether the detected weight is within a predetermined range of a verified user weight stored in memory, and may send a command signal to the IES light system only if the detected weight is within the predetermined range of the verified user weight.

[0072] For any of the disclosed IES systems, shoelaces are attached to the upper, and a lace motor is attached inside the sole structure and configured to selectively transition the shoelaces between a tensioned state and an untensioned state. A footwear controller may communicate with the lace motor to determine whether the shoelaces are in a tensioned or untensioned state. A command signal to activate the IES light system is further transmitted in response to the shoelaces being in a tensioned state. For some applications, the tensioned state includes a plurality of discrete tensioned positions. The IES system may include a lace sensor that detects a current one of the discrete tensioned positions for the user. In this case, the footwear controller may receive a sensor signal from the lace sensor indicating the current discrete tensioned position for the user. From this data, the controller may determine whether the current discrete tensioned position corresponds to a verified lace tensioned position stored in memory. An activation command signal for the IES light system may be transmitted in response to the current discrete tensioned position corresponding to the verified lace tensioned position.

[0073] For any of the disclosed IES systems, the remote computing node may include a light sensor operable to detect a predetermined light output of the IES light system. This light output may include a personalized color and / or blinking pattern configured to verify the user to the remote computing node. In at least some embodiments, the wireless communication device of the IES system includes a BLE, CAT-M1, and / or CAT-NB1 wireless interface. The IES system may include a barcode, RFID tag, and / or NFC tag attached to the sole structure / upper, each of which is configured to communicate a security authentication code to the remote computing node.

[0074] Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method of manufacturing a footwear product for a user's foot. The method includes providing an upper configured to receive and attach to the user's foot; providing a sole structure configured to support the user's foot thereon, the sole structure having an outsole that defines a ground engaging portion; attaching the sole structure to the upper; attaching a light system to the sole structure and / or the upper, the light system being configured to generate light in response to a command signal; attaching a wireless communication device to the sole structure and / or the upper, the wireless communication device being configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node; and attaching a resident controller to the sole structure and / or the upper, the resident controller being operatively connected to the wireless communication device and the light system. The resident controller is configured to receive location data indicating the user's location, receive location data indicating the location of the remote computing node, determine whether the user's location is within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the location of the node, and in response to the user being within the vicinity of the predetermined location / node, transmit a command signal to the light system to generate a predetermined light output.

[0075] Other aspects of this disclosure are directed to methods of implementing an automated configuration of intelligent electronic shoes. The IES includes an upper of open or closed construction for attachment to a user's foot, a sole structure attached to the upper and defining a ground engaging surface, and a light system operable to generate light in response to an electronic command signal. The method includes receiving, by a resident footwear controller via a wireless communication device, location data indicating the location of the user and location data indicating the location of a remote computing node. The method also includes determining, via the footwear controller, whether the location of the user is within a predetermined location or within a proximity to the location of the node. In response to the location of the user being within a proximity to the predetermined location / node location, the footwear controller automatically transmits a command signal to the light system to generate a predetermined light output.

[0076] For any of the disclosed methods, the footwear controller may further respond to the location of the user being within a proximity to the predetermined location / node location by transmitting a second command signal to a control system of the remote computing node to generate an audible or visual output. In some applications, the remote computing node is an automobile having a vehicle headlamp system, in which case the visual output includes illumination, flashing, and / or enhancement of the light output of the vehicle's headlamp system. Optionally, the footwear controller may coordinate the light output of the vehicle's headlamp system with the predetermined light output of the IES's light system. The commanded audible output of the automobile may include activation and / or modulation of the audible output of the vehicle's horn system.

[0077] For any of the disclosed methods, the wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly connect to the user's portable electronic device and thereby wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node. As yet another alternative, the IES may include a sole structure and / or a haptic transducer attached to the upper, in which case the footwear controller may automatically transmit a third command signal to the haptic transducer in response to the user's location being within the vicinity of the location of a predetermined location / node to generate a haptic cue. The IES may also include an audio system attached to the sole structure and / or the upper, in which case the footwear controller may automatically transmit a fourth command signal to the audio system in response to the user's location being within the vicinity of the location of a predetermined location / node to generate a predetermined audio output.

[0078] For any of the disclosed methods, the remote computing node may be a segment of a residential or commercial security system. In this case, the footwear controller may automatically transmit an arm / disarm (or arm) command signal to the security system in response to the user entering (or exiting) a predetermined location or vicinity with respect to a designated section of a residence or commercial building associated with the security system. Optionally, the remote computing node may be a segment of a home automation system. In this example, the footwear controller may lock or unlock a door, activate or deactivate interior lighting, and / or raise or lower the temperature of a thermostat in response to a user entering or exiting a home (or section of a home) associated with the home automation system by transmitting a fifth command signal to the home automation system. The predetermined location or vicinity may be at least partially defined by a geofence generated by the footwear controller. The arm or disarm command signal may be transmitted to the remote computing node or the IES subsystem after the remote computing node or the IES user detects a breach of the geofence.

[0079] For any of the disclosed methods, the IES may incorporate internally a pressure sensor that is attached to the sole structure or the upper and configured to detect the presence of a foot within the upper. Transmission of a command signal by the footwear controller may further respond to detecting the presence of a foot within the upper. The pressure sensor attached to the sole structure / upper may be configured to detect the weight of the user. In this case, the footwear controller receives one or more sensor signals from the pressure sensor indicative of the detected weight of the user. Next, the controller determines whether the detected weight is within a predetermined range of the verified weight of the user stored in the memory. In response to the detected weight being within the predetermined range of the verified weight of the user, a command signal may be transmitted to a remote computing node or an IES subsystem.

[0080] For any of the disclosed methods, the IES may include a shoelace or strap attached to the upper and a lace motor attached to the shoe structure and configured to selectively transition the lace / strap between a tensioned state and a non-tensioned state. In this case, the resident footwear controller determines whether the shoelace is in a tensioned state or a non-tensioned state, and if the lace is tensioned, transmits a command signal in response to activate the IES subsystem. The tensioned state may be depicted at a plurality of discrete tensioned positions. In this case, the resident footwear controller may identify (e.g., using a sensor signal received from a lace sensor or by monitoring the position of the lace motor output shaft) which of the discrete tensioned positions the lace is in. In response to the current tensioned position of the lace corresponding to a verified lace tensioned position stored in the memory, the footwear controller may transmit a command signal to a remote node or an IES subsystem.

[0081] For any of the disclosed methods, the remote computing node may include a light sensor, in which case the predetermined light output of the IES light system may include a personalized color and / or blinking pattern detectable by the light sensor and configured to verify the user to the remote computing node. The IES wireless communication device may include a BLE, CAT-M1, and / or CAT-NB1 wireless interface. The IES may include a barcode, RFID tag, and / or NFC tag attached to the sole structure and / or upper and configured to communicate a security authentication code to the remote computing node.

[0082] An additional aspect of this disclosure is directed to footwear for a user's foot. The footwear includes an upper for receiving and attaching a user's foot and a sole structure attached to the upper for supporting the user's foot thereon. A light and / or sound system is attached to the sole structure and configured to generate light / sound in response to command signals. A wireless communication device is attached inside the sole structure for wireless communication with a remote computing node. A resident controller, also attached inside the sole structure, is operatively connected to the wireless communication device and the light system. The resident controller receives location data indicating the location of the user and the location of the remote computing node. The resident controller determines whether the user's location is within proximity to a predetermined location / node location, and if so, the resident controller responsively transmits one or more command signals to the light system / sound system to generate a predetermined light / sound output.

[0083] While aspects of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures and compositions disclosed herein, and all modifications, changes, and variations apparent from the foregoing description are within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, this concept clearly includes any and all combinations and sub-combinations of the preceding elements and configurations. Additional configurations may be reflected in the following clauses.

[0084] Clause 1: An Intelligent Electronic Shoe (IES) system comprising an upper configured to attach to a user's foot, a sole structure attached to the upper and configured to support the user's foot thereon and define a ground engagement surface, an automatically controlled alarm system attached to the sole structure and / or the upper and configured to generate a visual output, an audible output, and / or a tactile output in response to a command signal, a wireless communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node, and a footwear controller operatively connected to the wireless communication device and the alarm system, the footwear controller receiving location data indicating the user's location, receiving location data indicating the location of the remote computing node, determining whether the user's location is within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location, and in response to the user's location being within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location, transmitting a command signal to the alarm system to generate a predetermined visual alarm, audible alarm, and / or tactile alarm perceptible by the user and / or the remote computing node.

[0085] Clause 2: The IES system according to clause 1, wherein the footwear controller is further configured to transmit a second command signal to a control system of the remote computing node in response to the user's location being within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location to generate an audible output or a visual output.

[0086] Clause 3: The remote computing node is an automobile equipped with a vehicle headlamp system, and the visual output is the IES system described in Clause 2, including illumination, flashing, and / or enhancement of the light output of the vehicle headlamp system.

[0087] Clause 4: The warning system includes an optical system, and the footwear controller is further configured to coordinate the light output of the vehicle headlamp system with a predetermined light output of the optical system. The IES system described in Clause 3.

[0088] Clause 5: The remote computing node is an automobile equipped with a vehicle horn system, and the audible output is the IES system described in any one of Clauses 2 to 4, including activation and / or modification of the audible output of the vehicle horn system.

[0089] Clause 6: The user has a portable electronic device, and the wireless communication device is further configured to wirelessly connect to the portable electronic device, thereby wirelessly communicating with the remote computing node. The IES system described in any one of Clauses 1 to 5.

[0090] Clause 7: The warning system includes a tactile transducer, and the command signal causes the tactile transducer to generate a tactile cue. The IES system described in any one of Clauses 1 to 6.

[0091] Clause 8: The warning system includes an audio system, and the command signal causes the audio system to generate a predetermined audio output. The IES system described in any one of Clauses 1 to 7.

[0092] Clause 9: The predetermined location includes a geofence defined by the footwear controller, and the command signal is transmitted to the warning system after the remote computing node is detected to have broken through the geofence. The IES system described in any one of Clauses 1 to 8.

[0093] Clause 10: The IES system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, further comprising a pressure sensor attached to the sole structure and configured to detect the presence of a foot within the upper, wherein the command signal is further transmitted to the alarm system in response to the detection of the presence of a foot within the upper.

[0094] Clause 11: The IES system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, further comprising a pressure sensor attached to the sole structure and configured to detect the user's weight, wherein the footwear controller further receives a sensor signal from the pressure sensor indicating the detected weight of the user and is further configured to determine whether the detected weight is within a predetermined range of the verified user weight stored in the memory, and wherein the command signal is further transmitted to the alarm system in response to the detected weight being within the predetermined range of the verified user weight stored in the memory.

[0095] Clause 12: The IES system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11, further comprising a shoe lace attached to the upper and a lace motor attached to the inside of the sole structure and configured to selectively transition the shoe lace between a tensioned state and a non-tensioned state, wherein the footwear controller further communicates with the lace motor and is further configured to determine whether the shoe lace is in the tensioned state or the non-tensioned state, and wherein the command signal is further transmitted to the alarm system in response to the shoe lace being in the tensioned state.

[0096] Clause 13: The tensioned state includes a plurality of discrete tensioned positions, and the IES system further includes a race sensor configured to detect the current one of the discrete tensioned positions for the user, and the footwear controller receives from the race sensor a sensor signal indicating the current one of the discrete tensioned positions for the user and is further configured to determine whether the current one of the discrete tensioned positions corresponds to a verified race tensioned position stored in memory, and the command signal is further transmitted to the alarm system in response to the current one of the discrete tensioned positions corresponding to the verified race tensioned position stored in memory, the IES system according to Clause 12.

[0097] Clause 14: The remote computing node includes an optical sensor, the alarm is detectable by the optical sensor, and the IES system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 13 includes a personalized color and / or blinking pattern configured to confirm the user to the remote computing node.

[0098] Clause 15: A method of implementing an automated configuration of intelligent electronic shoes (IES), the IES including an upper for attachment to a user's foot, a sole structure attached to the upper and defining a ground-engaging surface, and an alarm system operable to generate a visual output, an audible output, and / or a tactile output in response to a command signal, the method including receiving location data indicative of a user location via a wireless communication device and through a resident footwear controller, receiving location data indicative of a node location of a remote computing node via the wireless communication device and through the resident footwear controller, determining via the resident footwear controller whether the user location is within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location, and in response to the user location being within the vicinity of the predetermined location or the node location, transmitting a command signal via the footwear controller to the alarm system to generate a predetermined visual alarm, audible alarm, and / or tactile alarm perceptible by the user and / or an automobile.

[0099] Clause 16: The method of clause 15, further including transmitting, in response to the user location being within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location, a second command signal via the footwear controller to a control system of the remote computing node to generate an audible output or a visual output.

[0100] Clause 17: The method of clause 16, wherein the remote computing node is an automobile equipped with a vehicle headlamp system, and the visual output includes illumination, flashing, and / or intensification of the light output of the vehicle headlamp system.

[0101] Clause 18: The method of clause 17, wherein the alarm system includes a light system, and the method further includes coordinating the light output of the vehicle headlamp system with a predetermined light output of the light system.

[0102] Clause 19: The method of any one of clauses 15 to 18, wherein the remote computing node is a motor vehicle equipped with a vehicle horn system, and the audible output includes activating and / or modifying the audible output of the vehicle horn system.

[0103] Clause 20: A method according to any one of clauses 15 to 19, wherein the user has a portable electronic device and the wireless communication device is further configured to wirelessly connect to the portable electronic device and thereby wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node.

[0104] Clause 21: The method of any one of clauses 15 to 20, wherein the alarm system includes a tactile transducer and the command signal causes the tactile transducer to generate a tactile cue.

[0105] Clause 22: The method of any one of clauses 15 to 21, wherein the alarm system includes an audio system and the command signal causes the audio system to generate a predetermined audio output.

[0106] Clause 23: A method according to any one of clauses 15 to 22, wherein the predetermined location includes a geofence defined by the footwear controller, and the command signal is sent to an alarm system after the remote computing node detects that the geofence has been breached.

[0107] Clause 24: A method according to any one of clauses 15 to 23, further comprising receiving a sensor signal from a pressure sensor attached to the sole structure indicating the presence of a foot within the upper, wherein a command signal is transmitted to an alarm system in response to further detecting the presence of a foot within the upper.

[0108] Clause 25: The method of any one of clauses 15 to 24, wherein the remote computing node includes a light sensor, and the alarm includes a personalized color and / or flashing pattern that is detectable by the light sensor and configured to identify the user to the remote computing node.

[0109] Clause 26: An intelligent electronic shoe (IES) for a user's foot, comprising an upper configured to attach to the user's foot, a sole structure having an outsole attached to the upper and configured to support the user's foot thereon and defining a ground engagement surface, a light system attached to the sole structure and / or the upper and configured to generate light in response to a command signal, a wireless communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node, and a footwear controller operatively connected to the wireless communication device and the light system, the footwear controller receiving location data indicating the user's location, receiving location data indicating the node location of the remote computing node, determining whether the user location is within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location, and in response to the user location being within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location, transmitting a command signal to the light system to generate a predetermined light output.

[0110] Clause 27: The IES according to clause 26, wherein the footwear controller is further configured to transmit a second command signal to a control system of the remote computing node in response to the user location being within a vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location to generate an audible output or a visual output.

[0111] Clause 28: The remote computing node is an automobile equipped with a vehicle headlamp system, and the visual output includes illumination, flashing, and / or enhancement of the light output of the vehicle headlamp system, the IES according to clause 27.

[0112] Clause 29: The IES according to clause 28, wherein the footwear controller is further configured to coordinate the light output of the vehicle headlamp system with the predetermined light output of the light system.

[0113] Clause 30: The remote computing node is an automobile equipped with a vehicle horn system, and the audible output is the IES described in any one of Clauses 27 to 29, including activation and / or modification of the audible output of the vehicle horn system.

[0114] Clause 31: The user has a portable electronic device, and the wireless communication device is further configured to wirelessly connect to the portable electronic device and thereby wirelessly communicate with the remote computing node, being the IES described in any one of Clauses 26 to 30.

[0115] Clause 32: Further including a tactile transducer attached to the sole structure and / or the upper, the footwear controller is further configured to send a third command signal to the tactile transducer in response to the user location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location to generate a tactile cue, being the IES described in any one of Clauses 26 to 31.

[0116] Clause 33: Further including an audio system attached to the sole structure and / or the upper, the footwear controller is further configured to send a fourth command signal to the audio system in response to the user location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location to generate a predetermined audio output, being the IES described in any one of Clauses 26 to 32.

[0117] Clause 34: The remote computing node is a security system, and the footwear controller is further configured to send an activation release command signal to the security system in response to the user location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location, being the IES described in any one of Clauses 26 and 31 to 33.

[0118] Clause 35: The remote computing node is a home automation system, and the footwear controller is further configured to send a fifth command signal to the home automation system in response to the user location being within the vicinity of a predetermined location or the node location, to lock or unlock a door, activate or deactivate an indoor light, and / or raise or lower the temperature of a thermostat, an IES according to any one of Clauses 26 and 31 to 33.

[0119] Clause 36: The predetermined location includes a geofence defined by the footwear controller, and the command signal is sent to the optical system after the remote computing node detects that it has broken through the geofence, an IES according to any one of Clauses 26 to 35.

[0120] Clause 37: Further includes a pressure sensor attached to the sole structure and configured to detect the presence of a foot within the upper, and the command signal is further sent to the optical system in response to the detection of the presence of a foot within the upper, an IES according to any one of Clauses 26 to 36.

[0121] Clause 38: Further includes a pressure sensor attached to the sole structure and configured to detect the user's weight, the footwear controller is further configured to receive from the pressure sensor a sensor signal indicating the detected weight of the user, and to determine whether the detected weight is within a predetermined range of the verified user weight stored in memory, and the command signal is further sent to the optical system in response to the detected weight being within a predetermined range of the verified user weight stored in memory, an IES according to any one of Clauses 26 to 35.

[0122] Clause 39: An IES described in any one of clauses 26 to 38, further comprising shoelaces attached to the upper and a lace motor attached inside the sole structure and configured to selectively transition the shoelaces between a tensioned state and an untensioned state, wherein the footwear controller is further configured to communicate with the lace motor and determine whether the shoelaces are in a tensioned state or an untensioned state, and wherein a command signal is sent to the optical system further in response to the shoelaces being in a tensioned state.

[0123] Clause 40: The IES described in Clause 39, wherein the tensioned state includes a plurality of discrete tensioned positions, and the IES further includes a lace sensor configured to detect a current one of the discrete tensioned positions for the user, and the footwear controller is further configured to receive a sensor signal from the lace sensor indicating the current one of the discrete tensioned positions for the user and determine whether the current one of the discrete tensioned positions corresponds to a verified lace tensioned position stored in memory, and the command signal is sent to the optical system further in response to the current one of the discrete tensioned positions corresponding to the verified lace tensioned position stored in memory.

[0124] Clause 41: An IES described in any one of clauses 26 to 40, wherein the remote computing node includes a light sensor and the predetermined light output is detectable by the light sensor and includes a personalized color and / or blinking pattern configured to identify the user to the remote computing node.

[0125] Clause 42: An IES according to any one of clauses 26 to 41, wherein the wireless communication device includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Category (CAT) M1 or CAT-NB1 wireless interface.

[0126] Clause 43: An IES described in any one of clauses 26 to 42, further comprising a barcode, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or near field communication (NFC) tag attached to the sole structure and / or upper and configured to communicate a security authentication code to a remote computing node. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0127] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0262485 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0020764 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0265584A1 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0265594A1 [Patent Document 5] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0154505A1

Claims

1. A shoe structure configured to be attached to a user's foot and configured to support the user's foot thereon, and A fixing mechanism attached to the shoe structure and configured to fix the foot to the shoe structure, and An electric motor attached to the shoe structure, the electric motor being operable in a tensioning mode in which the electric motor tightens the fixing mechanism and in an alarm mode in which the electric motor outputs a predetermined tactile alarm perceptible by the user, A wireless communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node, and A controller operatively connected to the wireless communication device and the electric motor, comprising The controller Receives a first input signal indicating a request to tighten the fixing mechanism, In response to receiving the first input signal, transmits a first command signal to the electric motor to activate the tensioning mode, Receives a second input signal indicating that the user's location is within a predetermined location or vicinity relative to an automobile, In response to receiving the second input signal, transmits a second command signal to the electric motor to activate the alarm mode and generate the predetermined tactile alarm, Is configured as The predetermined tactile alarm includes sequentially tensioning and releasing the fixing mechanism in a predetermined pattern, An intelligent electronic shoe system.

2. The intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to coordinate activation of the electric motor with an audio output or a light output from the automobile.

3. The intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to actively adjust the tension of the fixing mechanism through supervised operation of the electric motor during movement of the shoe structure.

4. The intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor attached to the shoe structure and configured to detect the presence of the user's foot within the upper of the shoe structure, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor indicating that the foot is within the upper, and the first command signal and the second command signal are transmitted in further response to the received sensor signal.

5. The intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the user has a portable electronic device, and the wireless communication device is further configured to wirelessly connect to the portable electronic device and thereby wirelessly communicate with the remote computing node.

6. The intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the first input signal is received via the controller from a manually activated switch attached to the shoe structure or from a dedicated mobile application operating on a portable electronic device worn by the user.

7. The intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm system comprising an audio component attached to the shoe structure, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a third command signal to the alarm system in response to the reception of the second input signal to generate a user-perceivable audio output.

8. The intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm system comprising an illumination component attached to the shoe structure, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a third command signal to the alarm system in response to the reception of the second input signal to generate a user-perceivable light output.

9. The intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the second command signal is transmitted in further response to a determination that the fixing mechanism is in a tensioned state through activation of the electric motor in the tensioning mode.

10. The controller is attached above or inside the shoe structure, the first input signal and the second input signal are received from the remote computing node, and the remote computing node is a portable electronic device worn by the user and wirelessly communicating with a third-party host system, the intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1.

11. The controller is configured to further determine which of a plurality of different tensioned positions is the currently tensioned position of the fixing mechanism, and to determine whether the currently tensioned position of the fixing mechanism corresponds to the tensioned position stored in the memory verified by the user, and is further configured to transmit the second command signal further in response to the determination that the currently tensioned position corresponds to the tensioned position stored in the memory verified by the user, the intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1.

12. The intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 11, further comprising a sensor device configured to be attached to the shoe structure and output a sensor signal to the controller that detects and indicates the currently tensioned position of the fixing mechanism.

13. The fixing mechanism includes a lace, a strap, a latch, a cable, or a buckle, the intelligent electronic shoe system according to claim 1.

14. A footwear product for a user's foot, comprising a shoe structure including an upper configured to attach to the user's foot and a sole structure attached to the upper and configured to support the foot thereon, a fixing mechanism attached to the sole structure and configured to fix the foot within the upper, the fixing mechanism including a lace, a strap, a latch, a cable, or a buckle, an electric motor attached to the shoe structure, the electric motor being operable in a tensioning mode in which the electric motor tightens the fixing mechanism and in an alarm mode in which the electric motor outputs a predetermined tactile alarm perceptible by the user, and a wireless communication device attached to the shoe structure and configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node A footwear controller attached to the shoe structure and operatively connected to the wireless communication device and the electric motor, wherein the footwear controller, receives a first input signal indicating a request to tighten the fixing mechanism, in response to the reception of the first input signal, transmits a first command signal to the electric motor to activate the tensioning mode, receives a second input signal indicating that the user's location is within a predetermined location or vicinity relative to the vehicle, in response to the reception of the second input signal, transmits a second command signal to the electric motor to activate the alarm mode and generate the predetermined tactile alarm, is configured as, the predetermined tactile alarm includes sequentially tensioning and loosening the fixing mechanism in a predetermined pattern, footwear product.

15. A method of operating an intelligent electronic shoe, wherein the intelligent electronic shoe includes a shoe structure that attaches to the user's foot and supports the user's foot thereon, and the method includes: receiving, via a controller, a first input signal indicating a request to tighten a fixing mechanism attached to the shoe structure and configured to fix the user's foot to the shoe structure; in response to the reception of the first input signal, transmitting, via the controller, a first command signal to an electric motor attached to the shoe structure to activate a tensioning mode in which the electric motor tightens the fixing mechanism; receiving, via the controller, a second input signal indicating that the user's location is within a predetermined location or vicinity relative to the vehicle; in response to the reception of the second input signal, transmitting, via the controller, a second command signal to the electric motor to activate an alarm mode in which the electric motor outputs a predetermined tactile alarm perceptible to the user, wherein the predetermined tactile alarm includes sequentially tensioning and loosening the fixing mechanism in a predetermined pattern, method.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising coordinating the activation of the vehicle with an audio output or a light output from the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising actively adjusting the tension of the fixing mechanism through supervised operation of the electric motor during movement of the shoe structure.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving, via the controller, a sensor signal from a sensor attached to the shoe structure, indicating that the user's foot is within the upper of the shoe structure, wherein the first command signal and the second command signal are transmitted in further response to the received sensor signal.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the intelligent electronic shoe further comprises a wireless communication device attached to the shoe structure and configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing node, and the controller receives the second input signal from the remote computing node.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the user has a portable electronic device, and the wireless communication device is further configured to wirelessly connect to the portable electronic device, thereby wirelessly communicating with the remote computing node.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the first input signal is received via the controller from a manually activated switch attached to the shoe structure or a dedicated mobile application operating on a portable electronic device worn by the user.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting, in response to receipt of the second input signal, a third command signal via the controller to an audio system attached to the shoe structure to generate a user-perceivable audio output.

23. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting, in response to receipt of the second input signal, a third command signal via the controller to an illumination system attached to the shoe structure to generate a user-perceivable light output.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a lace, a strap, a latch, a cable, or a buckle.

25. The intelligent electronic shoes further include an alarm system comprising an audio component attached to the shoe structure, and the method further includes transmitting, via the controller, a third command signal to the alarm system in response to receiving the second input signal to generate an audible output perceptible to the user, the method according to claim 15.

26. The intelligent electronic shoes further include an alarm system comprising an illumination component attached to the shoe structure, and the method further includes transmitting, via the controller, a third command signal to the alarm system in response to receiving the second input signal to generate a light output perceptible to the user, the method according to claim 15.

27. The method according to claim 15, wherein the second command signal is further transmitted in response to determining that the fixing mechanism is in a tensioned state through activation of the electric motor in the tensioning mode.

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