JP2018008026A - Inner sole for shoes - Google Patents

Abstract

An inner sole for collecting data related to a user's running or walking is provided. An inner sole for shoes has a main body made at least partially of a compressible material, and a plurality of components incorporated in the main body, and the components include a pressure sensor, From a transmitter, a global positioning tracking device, an accelerometer, and a power source connected to one or more of the pressure sensor, transmitter, global positioning tracking device, and accelerometer, and from the pressure sensor, global positioning tracking device, and accelerometer Control circuitry configured to receive data and transmit the data to a remote location via a transmitter. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

Field of Invention

  The present invention relates to an inner sole for shoes.

Background of the Invention

  Conventionally known tracking devices introduced in shoes, such as NIKE®, are limited in the amount of information about running or walking distance and pace.

  An object of the present invention is to improve such a system.

According to a first aspect of the invention,
An inner sole for shoes,
A body made at least in part of a compressible material;
A plurality of components incorporated in the body,
The component is
A pressure sensor;
A transmitter,
A global positioning tracking device;
An accelerometer,
A power supply connected to one or more of a pressure sensor, transmitter, global positioning tracking device, and accelerometer;
An inner sole is provided that includes a pressure sensor, a global positioning tracking device, and a control circuit configured to receive data from the accelerometer and transmit the data to a remote location via a transmitter. .

  The present invention comprises a pressure sensor, a global positioning tracking device, and an accelerometer that collects data related to a user's running or walking. And this information is collectively transmitted to a remote place in order to acquire the information which cannot be obtained by the prior art until now.

  The inner sole may further include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card. The SIM card may be removable, and preferably an integrated e-SIM. A transmitter may connect the inner sole to a local device comprising a SIM or e-SIM with cellular communication capabilities.

  The pressure sensor may include first and second pressure sensing areas, in which case the first pressure sensing area is disposed in the heel region of the inner sole body, and the second pressure sensing area is the inner sole body. It is arranged in the front area. Alternatively, the inner sole may further include a second pressure sensor, in which case the first pressure sensor is disposed in the heel region of the main body and the second pressure sensor is disposed in the front region of the main body. .

  The inner sole may be provided as an inner sole that is removable from the shoe. It is also possible to directly integrate with the final product shoe.

  The insole may preferably further comprise an altimeter connected to the control circuit.

  The insole may preferably further comprise an electrocardiographic sensor connected to the control circuit.

  The power source may be a suitable power source such as a large capacity capacitor. A battery is preferable. Moreover, it may be detachable for charging, or may be rechargeable as it is. In the latter case, the insole preferably has a charging port.

  The present invention also includes an inner sole according to the first aspect of the present invention, a remote device that receives information from a transmitter of the inner sole, and the remote device processes and handles the received data; The present invention also extends to a second mode, which is a system provided with means for displaying the processed information. The remote device can be equipped with a suitable operating system, compatible software, and in a more commercial form an app to decode and display the received data. The received data may be displayed on the remote device itself, other third party devices, and / or social media platforms. The app is preferably customizable so that the user can select how information is displayed and how it is displayed. The inner sole may include means for processing and handling information before the transmitter of the inner sole transmits the information. Thereby, the information amount and frequency of communication can be reduced. The remote device may be a user's personal device. Alternatively or additionally, the data may be sent to a remote device operated by the second user. This data may include, for example, the position of the insole so that the second user can track the first user moving forward. This position data may be superimposed on the route map of the first user such as during a race.

  The system further includes a database of data relating to multiple brands and / or multiple types of footwear (including insole brands and / or types), the data relating to the ability of the footwear to support the user's sole Then, the information from the pressure sensor and the database may be compared and a preferred footwear brand and / or type may be presented to the user based on the comparison. This presentation allows the user to order a specific brand and / or a specific type of footwear. By using a known technique such as affiliate marketing, the user can be guided to a pop (point of purchase) such as an online retailer.

  Data related to the ability of the footwear to support the user's sole, along with an identifier for the old brand and / or type of footwear, for use by manufacturers that decide to improve the footwear brand and / or type to a new version May be stored in a further database.

  A method of forming a third aspect of the present invention is a method for determining the most suitable footwear for a user's use, using the system according to the second aspect of the present invention and from the information received from the pressure sensor. Measures the user's weight distribution when moving to the ground and / or the pressure on the user's foot when moving left and right and sends this information to the remote device, which in turn has multiple brands of footwear and Accessing data on multiple types, the data relating to the footwear brand and / or the ability to support the user's sole in the type, and the distribution of detected force and the stored footwear brand and Compare to / or type data and suggest a preferred footwear brand and / or type based on the comparison. By using a known technique such as affiliate marketing, the user can be guided to a pop (point of purchase) such as an online retailer.

  At present, when a user obtains information about the nature of how to walk, foot strike, and / or player loading as guidance for purchasing a new pair of shoes, usually a sportswear store In addition, it is necessary to go on a treadmill while taking an image used for walking analysis with a camera.

  By using the present invention, it is possible to obtain information on the nature of the way of walking, foot strike, and / or player load in real time during normal use. As an indication of the preferred footwear, for example, advice for obtaining a specific shoe or a class of shoes may be presented. In addition, information on the nature of the user's walking, foot strikes and / or player load, in order to collaborate with known biomechanical and sports science knowledge and views to propose an ideal driving style May be used. In addition or alternatively, specific suggestions for events such as running speed, power output, and pace may be provided for users participating in specific events. Suggestions may also include advice related to conditions such as breaks and hydration.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for measuring a time when an individual is away from the ground, wherein the individual is provided with at least one inner sole according to the first aspect of the present invention. Uses a combination of accelerometers and pressure sensors to measure takeoff timing, which means taking off from the ground, and a pressure drop at the same time, to show landing timing, which means that an individual has landed on the ground The time during which the user is away from the ground is measured by calculating the time between the take-off state and the landing state by using a combination of an accelerometer and a pressure sensor for measuring sudden deceleration and simultaneous pressure sudden increase. Data from the altimeter may additionally or alternatively be used for determination of takeoff and landing conditions in the method described above.

  This allows the insole to measure "hang time", i.e., the time the wearer's shoes are off the ground. Thereby, important statistical information can be provided to a sports instructor, and interesting information can be provided to a spectator.

The present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Side sectional view of an insole according to an embodiment of the present invention The schematic block diagram of the insole which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The bottom view of the top layer of the insole which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The top view of the intermediate | middle layer of the insole which concerns on one embodiment of this invention Top view of a further intermediate layer of an insole according to an embodiment of the invention The top view of the bottom layer of the insole which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The bottom side fragmentary sectional view of the insole which concerns on one embodiment of this invention Schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention

  As an embodiment of the present invention, an inner sole 100 is shown in FIGS. The inner sole 100 is formed by the hardware layer 40 and the multilayer sensor layer 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the inner sole 100 is formed substantially in accordance with the user's foot 1.

  The sensor layer 2 is shown in more detail in FIGS. FIG. 3 shows the top layer 10 in the multilayer sensor layer 2 in contact with the user's foot 1. This figure shows a state of looking upward in FIG. 1 toward the user's foot. The top sensor layer 10 is a high impact engineering polymer (such as polycarbonate or nylon), glass fiber or carbon fiber composite, biaxially oriented film, or other material with high flexural strength, high puncture resistance, and flexibility, etc. Made of material suitable for absorption and dissipation.

  This material provides a point of contact with the user's foot 1. First and second sensor devices 11 and 15 are provided on the lower surface of the layer 10 far from the user's foot 1. The first sensor device 11 has a sensing area 12 located on the front side of the layer 10 and arranged to detect a force applied by the front part of the user's foot. The sensing area 12 is electrically connected to a current path section (tracking section) 13 that is electrically connected to the contact pad 14. The second sensor device 15 is located behind the layer 10 and has a sensing area 16 arranged to detect the force applied by the user's heel. The sensing area 16 is electrically connected to the current path portion 17 that is electrically connected to the contact pad 18.

  The intermediate layer 20 of the multilayer sensor layer 2 is shown in FIG. This figure shows a state as viewed downward from the user's foot 1 in FIG. 1 (viewed in a direction opposite to the direction in FIG. 3). The intermediate layer 20 is a conductive layer for conducting electricity. This layer is usually made from a polymer film impregnated with carbon black ink to form a plurality of conductive regions. These regions have front and rear sensor conductive areas 21, 22 that are in electrical contact with the first and second sensing areas 12, 16 of the first layer 10. Conductive pads 23, 24, 25, and 26 are also provided. These conductive pads are electrically independent from each other and are also independent from the front and rear sensor conductive areas 21, 22. The conductive pads 23 and 25 are in electrical contact with the first and second contact pads 14 and 18 of the first layer 10.

  The bottom layer 30 of the multilayer sensor layer 2 is shown in FIG. This layer is made from a suitable cushioning material, such as a foamed elastomer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a foamed thermoplastic elastomer, or other suitable flexible material. First and second sensor devices 31 and 35 are provided on the upper surface of the layer 30 on the user's foot side. The first sensor device 31 has a sensing area 32 located on the front side of the layer 30 and arranged to detect the force applied by the front part of the user's foot. The sensing area 32 is electrically connected to the current path portion 33 that is electrically connected to the contact pad 34. The second sensor device 35 is located behind the layer 30 and has a sensing area 36 arranged to detect the force applied by the user's heel. The sensing area 36 is electrically connected to a current path portion 37 that is electrically connected to the contact pad 38.

  The three layers 10, 20, 30 of the multilayer sensor layer 2 may be formed together in a multi-stage forming process. Alternatively, the layers 10, 20, 30 may be glued together.

  The hardware layer 40 is shown in FIG. This layer 40 is made from a structural material to support the sensor and to incorporate and protect the hardware necessary for the writing operation. The hardware layer 40 has a PCB assembly 41. This PCB assembly has additional sensors associated with the insole 100. In particular, the PCB assembly 41 includes a microprocessor, a motion sensor (such as an accelerometer and / or gyroscope), a satellite navigation receiver / antenna, a wireless communication module (Bluetooth® and / or an integrated subscription). Personal identification module (SIM) card (e-SIM) cellular communication, etc.)), and a power source (battery module, etc.) connected to the components described above. In a preferred embodiment, the battery module is a lithium ceramic battery. The hardware layer 40 also includes a plurality of hardware contacts 43, 44, 45, 46. These contacts are connected to the conductive areas 23, 23 of the intermediate layer 20 to transmit and receive signals to the first and second sensing areas 11, 15, 31, 35 of the first and third layers 10, 30, respectively. , 24, 25 and 26 are arranged so as to be in electrical contact with each other. These signals are processed by a microprocessor on the PCB to measure the force applied by the user's foot 1 for each area. As shown in FIG. 7, the PCB is placed in the arch area of the user's foot 1 so that the PCB does not affect the data collected by the sensor area. Thereby, a sensing area can be extended over the whole contact area of a front part and a heel.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a configuration of the multilayer sensor layer 2 integrally attached to the hardware layer 40. In this schematic, the material of the layer is not shown. The components of the bottom layer 30 are indicated by broken lines because they are hidden directly below the components in the first and second layers 10, 20.

  FIG. 8 shows a system according to the present invention. The user wears the footwear 5 including the insole 100. Data is transmitted from the footwear 5 to the remote device 6 which is a smartphone in the present embodiment. The remote device 6 receives information on the weight of the user when the foot is on the ground and / or information on the pressure applied to the foot when moving to the left and right from the pressure sensor, and the information is stored in the external server 7. And presenting the preferred footwear brand and / or type to the user based on the comparison.

Claims (14)

An inner sole for shoes,
A body made at least in part of a compressible material;
A plurality of components incorporated in the body,
The component is
A pressure sensor;
A transmitter,
A global positioning tracking device;
An accelerometer,
A power supply connected to one or more of a pressure sensor, transmitter, global positioning tracking device, and accelerometer;
An inner sole, comprising: a pressure sensor; a global positioning tracking device; and a control circuit configured to receive data from the accelerometer and transmit the data to a remote location via a transmitter.
The pressure sensor comprises first and second pressure sensing areas;
A first pressure sensing area is disposed in the heel region of the inner sole body;
The inner sole according to claim 1, wherein the second pressure sensing area is arranged in a front region of the inner sole body.
A second pressure sensor;
A first pressure sensor is disposed in the heel region of the body;
The inner sole according to claim 1, wherein the second pressure sensor is disposed in a front region of the main body.
The inner sole according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a subscriber identity module (SIM) card.
A shoe having an inner sole according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The inner sole according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an altimeter connected to the control circuit.
The inner sole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an electrocardiographic sensor connected to the control circuit.
The inner sole has a sensor layer and a hardware layer,
The inner sole according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the hardware layer includes at least a power source and a control circuit.
The inner sole according to claim 8, wherein the sensor layer includes first and second sensing layers and a conductive layer disposed therebetween.
The power source is a rechargeable battery,
The inner sole according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner sole further has a charging port.
A system comprising an inner sole according to claim 1 and a remote device for receiving information from a transmitter of the inner sole,
A system wherein the remote device comprises means for processing received data and means for displaying the processed information.
A database of data on at least one of a plurality of brands and a plurality of types of footwear;
The data relates to the ability of the footwear to support the user ’s sole,
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for comparing information from the pressure sensor with a database and presenting at least one of a preferred footwear brand and type based on the comparison.
A method for determining the most suitable footwear for a user,
Using the system according to claim 11;
From the information received from the pressure sensor, measure at least one of the weight distribution of the user when the foot is on the ground and the pressure applied to the user's foot when moving from side to side,
Ability to send this information to a remote device that has access to data about multiple brands and / or types of footwear, and that data supports the user's sole in at least one of the brands and types of footwear Related to
A method of comparing the detected force distribution with at least one stored footwear brand and type data and presenting at least one of the preferred footwear brand and type based on the comparison.
A method of measuring the time an individual is away from the ground,
Providing at least one inner sole according to claim 1 for an individual;
Using a combination of accelerometers and pressure sensors to measure sudden acceleration, which indicates take-off timing, which means that an individual has left the ground, and simultaneous pressure drop,
A combination of an accelerometer and a pressure sensor, each measuring a sudden deceleration indicating the timing of takeoff meaning that an individual has landed on the ground and a simultaneous pressure surge,
A method of measuring the time a user is off the ground by calculating the time between take-off and landing.

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