Compass-Embedded Footwear for Gesture Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing footwear systems with embedded sensors face challenges in providing valuable directional and gesture information due to limited space and power supply, making it difficult to effectively measure foot movements and orientations.

Innovation Solution

A compass-sensor embedded footwear system that includes pressure sensors and a compass sensor in a fixed orientation, connected to a control-communication unit, which provides foot directional information and gesture detection by processing pressure measurements and compass data, allowing for wireless communication with external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are embedded in footwear to measure physical activities, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to limited space and power supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot directional information and gesture detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor configuration and system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The footwear system is segmented into distinct functional modules: pressure sensors embedded in the sole for force detection, compass sensors for directional information, and a separate control-communication unit for data processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while managing overall system complexity within spatial constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control-communication unit serves multiple functions: it processes data from both pressure sensors and compass sensors, manages wireless communication with external devices, and controls power distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, addressing space limitations while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are positioned to provide comprehensive foot movement data, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in sensor positioning and calibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot gesture and directional informationVSAvoidsensor positioning and system setup

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The compass sensor is pre-configured in a fixed orientation relative to the footwear sole during manufacturing, establishing a known reference coordinate system before the footwear is worn. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex field calibration and simplifies the operational setup while ensuring accurate directional measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control-communication unit acts as an intermediary that automatically processes and correlates data from multiple sensors, transforming raw sensor readings into meaningful directional and gesture information. This intermediary processing layer abstracts the complexity of sensor integration from the user, improving ease of operation while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10448892B2Compass-sensor embedded footwear system and operation method thereof

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 TIAN XIN

AI summary

A compass-sensor embedded footwear system and an operation method thereof are provided. The compass-sensor embedded footwear system includes: a footwear including: a footwear sole; two pressure sensors embedded in the footwear sole; a compass sensor configured in a fixed orientation with respect to the footwear sole; and a control-communication unit connecting to each of the two pressure sensors and compass sensor.