GB2353937A

GB2353937A - Footwear having monitoring device and display

Info

Publication number: GB2353937A
Application number: GB0004330A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Anthony Liston; Lucy Emma Wyndham-Read
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-27
Filing date: 2000-02-24
Publication date: 2001-03-14
Also published as: GB0004330D0

Abstract

An item of footwear 27 comprises a device 21 for monitoring a variable and a device 25 for displaying the extent of the variable, the display device being mountable on an outer surface of the footwear. A pair of footwear items is also disclosed, wherein a cumulative total of the variable is monitored by a first item (37a, Fig. 3) and a total of the variable over a specific duration is monitored by a second item (37b, Fig. 3). Moreover, a programmable micro-processor may be provided, whereby input information may be used in additional calculations. The monitoring device may comprise one or more of a motion sensor, a pressure sensor, a pulse sensor, an incline sensor, and a timer. Sensors which use piezo technology are particularly preferred. Typically, the display device is a liquid crystal display provided on the front of the footwear.

Description

2353937 METERED SPORTSWEAR The invention relates to footwear, in

particular but not limited to footwear for sports use, and apparatus for monitoring the use and wear of footwear.

In recent years there has been a great increase in health and fitness awareness. With that we have seen the advent of many new technologies in the design of sportswear and accessories for monitoring various quantities during exercise. For example, devices have been developed for measuring heart rate during exercise, calculating calories of energy used during exercise and for ineasuring distance travelled, say, on a bicycle or by foot. Such devices often require to be strapped on or about the body, for example heart/pulse monitors may be strapped around the chest beneath the clothes. Another type of device known as a pedometer is worn by runners to measure the distance travelled in a particular run. These pedometers are typically attached to the sports persons clothing during exercise Their operation is typically based on a simple motion sensor which picks up vibrations as the runner moves. Since such devices rely on body movement generally rather than the activity of the feet they are often inaccurate.

Devices such as those described can by their nature be inconvenient or uncomfortable to wear, particularly with lose clothing. In addition, the user often needs to detach the device to view the distance recorded or wear a second device displaying the data monitored by the measuring device.

In the particular field of footwear, much design and development has gone into products to provide maximum performance in a particular sport and to protect the feet and joints of the lower body during sporting activity. The development of new designs and the use of new materials has provided much improved footwear, however, these materials and designs have a limited life span and their continued use after an extended period can lead to a deleterious effect on the wearer's performance and the protection provided to the wearer by the footwear.

2 In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for monitoring sports performance, comprising a device for monitoring a preselected quantity associated with the sporting activity of the wearer, and a display device for displaying an indication of the level of the quantity monitored, the monitoring device being incorporatable into an item of footwear and the display device being mountable on an outer surface of the item of footwear to permit easy visibility by the wearer.

The monitoring device may monitor any particular quantity associated with the sporting activity undertaken by the wearer, for example, distance travelled, speed of motion, calories used, incline on which exercise was taken, number of steps taken and/or changes in the physical load on the device. In addition, or alternatively, the device may measure physiological characteristics of the wearer during exercise, for example, the pulse rate which may be detected in the foot or ankle during exercise, or the number of kilo-calories of energy used based on a measure of body weight, speed, distance and/or duration of exercise.

Suitable sensors for use in the monitoring device include but are not limited to motion sensors such as the trembler switch commonly used in conventional pedomoter devices and pressure sensors. Sensors which utilise piezo technology are particular suited to this application due to their small size and accuracy. The electric response produced by a piezo type transducer could be used to provide power to the apparatus. Equally replaceable or rechargeable batteries or kinetic devices could be used to power the apparatus.

Optionally, the monitoring device may be provided in the form of an insert for inserting into the foot well of the footwear. Optionally, in this type of embodiment, the device is incorporated into an insole for insertion into the foot well of the footwear. Alternatively, the monitoring device may be incorporated into the sole of the shoe. In the latter case, the device may be removably insertible in a pocket in the sole of the shoe or, optionally, may be permanently moulded into the sole of the footwear during manufacture. The device may incorporate one or more of a variety of sensors including; 3 a motion sensor, a pressure sensor and/or a pulse sensor and optionally a timer.

The display device may be situated anywhere on the outer surface of the footwear so that the wearer can, by lifting and/or- examining his foot, view a reading of the quantity being monitored. Preferably, the display device is situated on the upper surface of the footwear so that the wearer can view the monitor reading during exercise. The display device may be detachably mountable onto the surface of the footwear or may, optionally, be permanently incorporated into the footwear during manufacture. Conveniently the display device is provided in the form of a liquid crystal display.

By associating the performance monitoring apparatus with the footwear, the monitoring device can provide more accurate data on the gait of the wearer. For example, the monitoring device may be configured to monitor impact at heel strike using a pressure gauge. By counting the number of heel strikes, and thus the number of steps taken during a particular period of exercise, the apparatus can provide a more accurate measure of the distance travelled by the wearer. By counting the frequency of heel strikes over a unit period of time, the speed at which the wearer is travelling may be calculated. As the wearer accelerates during the exercise, variances in the pressure exerted at heel strike may be used to provide a calculation of the calorific consumption of the wearer during exercise.

Optionally, the apparatus may incorporate a micro-processor which may be programmable with information about the wearer, including but not limited to; weight, height, age, stride length, leg length and the like and such data can be used in calculations made by the mdcroprocessor to more accurately determine the distance travelled by the wearer and provide better indicators of factors such as speed and calorific consumption.

In a second aspect the invention provides an item of footwear comprising a device for monitoring a preselected quantity associated with the sporting activity of the wearer and a display device for displaying an indication of the level of the quantity monitored, the monitoring device being incorporated into the body of the footwear and the display 4 device being mounted on an outer surface of the footwear to permit easy visibility by the wearer.

Preferably, the monitoring device is located in the sole ofthe footwear. Optionally the monitoring device comprises a pressure sensor for detecting heel strike during gait of the individual wearing the shoe. Optionally, the monitoring device may also comprise one or more sensors selected from; a motion sensor and a pulse sensor and may optionally also comprise a timer.

The footwear may also, optionally, incorporate a micro-processor which may be programmable with information about the wearer, including but not limited to; weight, height, age, stride length, leg length and the like and such data can be used in calculations made by the microprocessor to more accurately determine the distance travelled by the wearer and provide better indicators of factors such as speed and calorific consumption.

The display device is preferably provided in the form of a liquid crystal display and is preferably provided on the front upper surface of the footwear for visibility by the wearer during exercise.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a pair of items of footwear each comprising a device for monitoring a preselected quantity associated with the sporting activity of the wearer and a display device for displaying an indication of the level of the quantity monitored, the monitoring, device being incorporated into the body of the footwear and the display being mounted on an outer surface of the footwear to permit easy visibility by the wearer, a first item of footwear comprising a data storage facility for storing cumulative total of the quantity monitored and displaying this on the display device, and a second item of footwear comprising a monitoring device which can be reset between periods of exercise to permit the total monitored for the preselected quantity during a specific period of exercise to be- displayed.

In this third aspect, the cumulative recording of, say, the total distance travelled during the life of that piece of footwear can be used to determine whether the footwear is still suitable for regular sporting use. As previously indicated, it is known that certain modern technological advancements used in the manufacture offootwear deteriorate over a finite period of time and/or prolonged use. Once these technological features have deteriorated, the footwear fails to provide the same high level of performance enhancement and wearer protection as are provided when new. Thus, if the user is given prior infonnation on, say, how many miles can be travelled in the footwear during its recommended life, by comparison with the retained -information on the total cumulative distance travelled which is held inthe data storage facility of the first item of footwear, the user can establish the useful life remaining in the footwear.

Optionally, the first item of footwear may incorporate an alarm system for drawing the wearer's attention to the imminent expiry of the useful life of the footwear based on the cumulative total distance recorded and a pre-programmed recommended total.

The provision of a cumulative total as well as periodic totals of the various quantities measured by the footwear can, of course, also provide a beneficial motivating effect on the wearer who can aim to pass deadlines on chosen measured quantities over a period of time. For example, an individual may want to "clock up" one hundred walking miles a month. The cumulative totals recorded by the first item of footwear can account for incidental exercise taken between dedicated bouts of exercise where the wearer may not have otherwise taken account of this physical effort or the consequential wear on the footwear. The resettable total becomes helpful where a user is tasked to undertake a specified exercise regime, for example, during marathon training, a runner may plan to run a specified number of miles everyday to enable him to build up stamina for the big event.

As another option, of the previously described embodiments of the invention may also comprise a tracking device from which the wearers position could be detected. A signal emitted by the device could be located by, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning 6 System) receiver. Optionally the tracking device may be activated to produce an alarm signal when the wearer is lost or injured. Embodiments incorporating this feature may be particularly suitable for walkers and climbers carrying out their sports activities in the ide.

remote countrys The footwear of the present invention may take any known basic form but is particularly suited to sports shoes including but not limited to; cross training shoes, running shoes, walking boots and hiking boots. The footwear may equally be provided in the form of a sock for wearing with the aforementioned sports shoes.

Where any of the embodiments incorporates a micro-processor or a data storage facility, facilities may be provided, e.g. by a cable and connector, to enable data to be transferred to a portable computer.

In addition to the previously described advantages numerous associated advantages can be envisaged for the invention. The appearance of the footwear incorporating, the display device may be seen as a fashion feature making the footwear more saleable. Comparisons of data recorded by each footwear item in a pair could be used to identify problems in a person's gate and may be useful as a diagnostic tool for certain mobility problems. Similarly, such comparative data may be used in sports training to identify weaknesses in f6otwork and focus on areas for improvement. Various other applications and advantages of the invention will no doubt occur to the skilled reader without departing from the true scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described for clarification and exemplification with reference to the following Figures in which:

Figure I show a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention; and 7 Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention.

In Figure 1, the monitoring device I is provided in an insole 2 for insertion into the footwell 3 of a shoe 4. A display -device 5 receives information remotely from the sensors of the monitoring device I and displays them on a liquid crystal display. The display device 5 is provided with a clip fastener 6 for clipping to the tongue 7 of the shoe 4.

Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention wherein a shoe 27 has moulded integrally into its sole, a monitoring device 21 according to the present invention. Provided on the upper toe surface of the shoe is a display device 25. The display device is provided integral with the material of the upper toe portion of the shoe 27.

Figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. The embodiment in Figure 3 comprises a pair of shoes, 3 7a, 3 7b, each of which is provided with a monitoring device 3 1 a, 3 1 b, according to the present invention, and a display device 3 5 a, 3 5 b, also in accordance with the present invention. The shoe 37a further incorporates a data storage device which enables display device 35a to provide a display of the total cumulative amount of any quantity measured by the monitoring device 3 1 a measured since the monitoring device was first activated.. The shoe 37b further comprises a reset facility which enables the monitoring device 31b and display device 35b to be reset between specific activities so that chosen quantities can be monitored during the undertaking of a specific period of exercise.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring sports performance comprising a device for monitoring a pre-selected quantity associated with the sporting activity of the wearer and a display device for displaying an indication of the level of the quantity monitored, the monitoring device being incorporatable into an item of footwear and the display device being mountable on an outer surface of the item of footwear to permit easy visibility by the wearer.

2. An apparatus for monitoring sports performance comprising an item of footwear having a device for monitoring a pre-selected quantity associated with the sporting activity of the wearer and a display device for displaying an indication of the level of the quantity monitored, the monitoring device being incorporated into the body of the footwear and the display device being mounted on an outer surface of the footwear to permit easy visibility by the wearer.

3. An apparatus for monitoring sports performance comprising a pair of items of footwear, each having a device for monitoring a pre-selected quantity associated with the sporting activity of the wearer and a display device for displaying an indication of the level of the quantity monitored, the monitoring device being incorporated into the body of the item of footwear and the display device being mounted on an outer surface of the item of footwear to permit easy visibility by the wearer, a first item of footwear comprising a data storage facility for storing a cumulative total of the quantity monitored and displaying this on the display device, and a second item of footwear comprising a monitoring device which can be reset between periods of exercise to permit the total monitored for the preselected quantity during a specific period of exercise to be displayed.

4. Apparatus as claimed in a preceding claim wherein the monitoring device comprises one or more sensors selected from a motion sensor, a pressure sensor, a pulse sensor, an incline sensor.

9 5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the monitoring device further comprises a timer.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any- preceding claim further comprising a micro- processor, the micro-processor being programmable with information about the wearer, including but not limited to:

weight, height, age, stride length, leg length- and such data can be used in calculations made by the micro-processor to provide a more accurate determination of the quantity being monitored.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the display device is provided in the form of a liquid crystal display.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the display device is provided on the front of the surface of the footwear for visibility by the wearer during exercise.

9. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures 1, 2 and 3.