Footwear Force Sensor Port for Cross-Platform Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear with sensor systems face limitations in data accessibility and compatibility across different operating systems, restricting the use of collected performance data.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a sensor system in footwear with a universal communication port and electronic module that allows data transmission in a universally readable format, enabling connection to various external devices for processing and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor system is incorporated into footwear to collect performance data, then data collection capability is improved, but data accessibility and compatibility across different operating systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication port that can interface with multiple different operating systems and external devices. The sensor system is designed with a standardized communication interface that transcends specific operating system limitations, allowing the same footwear sensor system to work with various analysis platforms, mobile devices, and computers regardless of their operating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication port serves as an intermediary device between the sensor system and external analysis systems. It translates and standardizes data output from the sensors into a universally readable format that can be processed by different operating systems, effectively mediating between the sensor hardware and diverse software environments.
2Measurement precision
If a complex sensor system is used to collect detailed performance data, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication and data processing functions into a separate, standardized communication port that is independent of the sensor complexity. This allows the sensor system to focus on accurate data collection while the communication handling is separated into a universal interface that can be easily connected to external processing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication port is designed as a universal interface that can handle data from multiple sensor types and configurations. This standardized approach simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a single, consistent method for data extraction that works regardless of the specific sensor configuration used.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates universal data access and utilization across diverse systems, enhancing the applications of collected performance data for athletic performance monitoring and other uses.
Implementation Method 1
The sensors are force-sensitive resistor sensors. In another embodiment, the sensors include two electrodes with a force-sensitive resistive material disposed between the electrodes.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor system includes an airbag engaged with the sole structure of an article of footwear, the airbag configured to compress and expand during use of the article of footwear, a force sensor engaged with the airbag and configured to detect force on the airbag based on changes in capacitance as the airbag compresses and expands, a port connected to the article of footwear and configured for communication with an electronic module, and one or more conductive leads extending from the force sensor to the port to place the force sensor in communication with the port. The system may be used with an article of footwear including an upper member at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber and a sole structure engaged with the upper member.