Determining footwear replacement based on piezoelectric output
US11350693B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An article of apparel, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the article of footwear to the worn on a body. A wireless transmission circuit is included and a piezoelectric generator is positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to induce a voltage signal output. A voltage sensor is configured to sense the voltage profile and output a sensor signal indicative of the voltage profile. An electronic data storage, coupled to the voltage sensor, is configured to store voltage profile information based on the sensor data. A comparator, coupled to the electronic data storage, is configured to identify a change in the voltage profile information over time. The wireless transmission circuit is configured to transmit data indicative of a physical status of the article of footwear based on the change in the voltage profile information over time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.