PROVIDING CORRECTIVE FEEDBACK FOR GAIT MODIFICATION

A user's gait or posture may require modification for numerous reasons, such as medical conditions. Further, gait correction may also provide benefits for participation in sporting events or while exercising. An embodiment of the present invention includes a system that provides corrective feedback for gait modification. The system uses one or more pressure sensors to measure pressure applied by a user. A stimulation device applies a stimulation to one or more portions of a user's foot to inform the user to alter pressure applied to those portions of the foot in order to adjust the user's gait or posture. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method for providing corrective feedback in substantially the same manner described above.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Present invention embodiments relate to systems providing corrective feedback, and more specifically, to a system that provides corrective feedback for gait modification. A user's gait or posture may require modification for numerous reasons, such as medical conditions. Further, gait correction may also provide benefits for participation in sporting events or while exercising. Embodiments of the present invention collect gait information and, based on the information collected, apply corrective stimuli to the user to encourage gait modification.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Human gait refers to bipedal locomotion such as walking, jogging, running, and sprinting. A gait cycle can be divided into two general phases, stance phase and swing phase. Stance phase is the part of a gait cycle during which a reference foot remains in contact with the ground, and swing phase occurs when the reference foot is not in contact with the ground. An individual's gait may be characterized by differences in limb movement patterns, overall velocity, forces, kinetic and potential energy cycles, and changes in the contact with the ground. People may consciously change their gait for a variety of reasons. For example, the gait of someone who is sprinting may not involve a heel strike, unlike the gait of an individual who is jogging.

An individual may wish to modify his or her gait in order to ambulate more effectively and safely. Illness or injuries may negatively affect the gait, leaving pathologies that can be corrected by therapy. Similarly, athletes may find that changes to their gait can provide a competitive advantage. Modifying one's gait may require expert coaching and hours of practice before new behaviors are adopted.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system provides corrective feedback for gait modification. The system uses one or more pressure sensors to measure pressure applied by a user. A stimulation device applies a stimulation to one or more portions of a user's foot to inform the user to alter pressure applied to those portions of the foot in order to adjust the user's gait or posture. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method for providing corrective feedback in substantially the same manner described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Present invention embodiments relate generally to systems providing corrective feedback, and more specifically, to a system that provides corrective feedback to encourage a user to modify the user's gait or posture. A user's gait or posture may require modification for numerous reasons. Medical conditions, such as stroke and plantar fasciitis, may hamper the user's ability to walk properly. Gait correction may also provide benefits for participation in sporting events or while exercising. Effective, injury-free walking and running may involve training to achieve an optimal movement and placement of the foot. Unfortunately, coaching techniques may require experts and can be time-consuming, since lessons must be understood, remembered, and practiced consistently. Embodiments of the present invention collect gait information using a system including a sensor-equipped footwear item. Based on the information collected, the system then applies corrective stimuli to the user to encourage gait modification.

It should be noted that references throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language herein do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the embodiments disclosed herein should be, or are in, any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features, advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

These features and advantages will become more fully apparent from the following drawings, description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

Present invention embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the Figures.FIG. 1is a block diagram depicting a computing environment100for a system providing corrective feedback in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, computing environment100includes a footwear item or wearable device102, a user device124, and a server132. Footwear item102includes pressure sensors104, accelerometer106, biometric sensors108, a stimulation device110, a communication device112, a power source114, a processor116, and a memory118with a data analysis module120and a stimulation controller module122. User device124includes memory138with tracker module128. Server132includes an analytics module134and a database136. It is to be understood that the functional division among components of computing environment100have been chosen for purposes of explaining embodiments of the present invention and is not to be construed as a limiting example.

Footwear item102may be any item worn on the person that may equipped with a variety of sensors and modules. Footwear item102preferably includes a sock, socklet, shoe, slipper, nylons, hosiery, or any other item worn on or associated with the foot. In some embodiments, footwear item102is worn directly on the foot, and a shoe, sneaker, boot, etc. is able to be worn over footwear item102. Footwear item102may include electronic textiles, also known as e-textiles or smart fabrics, which are woven into footwear item102and may enable sharing of information between the elements of footwear item102. Elements of footwear item102may be detachable or removable. In one embodiment, some elements of footwear item102are removable prior to laundering or cleaning footwear item102. Footwear item102may be composed of materials such as cotton, wool, nylon, linen, cashmere, mohair, silk, acrylic, polyester, olefins, spandex, or any other material (or combination of materials) suitable for a footwear item.

Pressure sensors104may include one or more sensors or transducers used to measure pressures and/or forces acting on footwear item102. Pressure sensors104may be placed throughout footwear item102in order to collect pressure data from different regions of the foot. Pressure sensors104may be placed in an area corresponding to the first metatarsophalangeal joint (e.g., the ball of the foot), the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint, the medial side of the heel, and the lateral side of the heel. In some embodiments, pressure sensors104are located anywhere on footwear item102that would enable pressure sensors104to collect pressure data of interest. Thus, pressure sensors104may be placed in any location suitable for the collection of pressure data relating to a user's gait and/or posture.

Accelerometer106may include any sensor that measures acceleration in one or more dimensions. One or more accelerometers106may be placed throughout footwear item102in order to collect information of interest regarding a user's gait and/or posture. By collecting both pressure and acceleration data, a user's gait may be profiled in order to provide customized gait-correcting feedback.

Biometric sensors108may include any sensors capable of collecting and measuring biosignals. Biosignals are any electrical or non-electrical signals in living organisms that can be measured and monitored. Biometric sensor108may include one or more of a heart rate monitor, blood pressure monitor, temperature monitor, and pulse oximeter. Thus, biometric sensors108can measure a user's heart rate, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), temperature, and oxygen saturation. Each biometric sensor108may be placed on a location of footwear item102that is conducive to the collection of its data; for example, a temperature sensor may be positioned on the inside of footwear item102so that it may come into contact with the user's skin.

Stimulation device110may include any device capable of stimulating a user of footwear item102. Stimulation device110may stimulate parts of a user's body in order to provide feedback that corrects the user's gait and/or posture. In one embodiment, stimulation device110uses transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). By applying an electrical current to particular portions of the foot, stimulation device110reminds the user to avoid placing pressure on that portion of the foot. Stimulation device110may elicit particular muscle contractions using electric impulses. In one embodiment, stimulation device110includes a vibration device (such as a linear resonant actuator or eccentric rotating mass motor) to transmit haptic feedback to the user's foot. Thus, stimulation device110may mimic a sensation akin to a “rock in a shoe” to encourage a user to adjust his or her gait and/or posture accordingly.

Communication device112may include any wired or wireless network interface or communications devices (e.g., modem, network card). Communication device112may transmit data collected by sensors of footwear item102to user device124or server132via a network130. Footwear item102may also receive data from server132and user device124using communication device112.

Power source114may provide footwear item102with electrical signals to power various components, such as the sensors104-108, stimulation device110, communication device112, processor116, and memory118. Power source114may be an electrical battery, such as an alkaline battery or lithium-ion battery. Power source114may be removable so that a user can remove a battery (e.g., if the battery is drained, or in order to wash footwear item102). In one embodiment, power source114is recharged by converting a user's kinetic energy to potential energy as a user moves. Power source114may be located in an area of footwear item102that does not experience a substantial amount of pressure from a user.

Data analysis module120and stimulation controller module122may include one or more modules or units to perform various functions of present invention embodiments described below. The modules may be implemented by any combination of any quantity of software and/or hardware modules or units, and may reside within memory118of footwear item102, in memory138of user device124(e.g., data analysis module140) for execution by a corresponding processer, such as processor142, and/or in memory144on server132(e.g., data analysis module146) for execution by a corresponding processor, such as processor148.

Data analysis module120may receive and analyze data from sensors, such as pressure sensors104, accelerometer106, and biometric sensor108. For example, data analysis module120may detect abnormalities or irregularities in a user's gait and/or posture by analyzing the pressure data to detect pressure events (e.g., steps), the time that the events occur, the acceleration forces experienced, and other biometric information (such as a user's pulse, oxygen saturation, temperature, blood pressure, etc.). Data analysis module120may also factor in information provided by a user, such as height, weight, in-seam length, stride length, shoe size, body-mass index (BMI), age, and gender. After analyzing the data, data analysis module120may determine stimulation instructions that are intended to correct a user's gait and/or posture.

Stimulation controller module122may control stimulation device110by interpreting stimulation instructions from data analysis module120to provide stimuli to a user via stimulation device110. For example, if data analysis module120determines that a user suffers from over-pronation or over-supination, then data analysis module120may determine that certain parts of the user's foot should be stimulated in order to bring a user's attention to a misaligned foot placement. Stimulation controller module122may take this information and determine which parts of the foot should be stimulated, as well as the timing of the stimulation. At the appropriate times, stimulation controller module122directs stimulation device110to stimulate those areas of the foot. In some embodiments, data analysis module120and stimulation controller module122function together to provide corrective stimulations that adjust on-the-fly to changes in a user's gait and/or posture.

User device124may include any device by which a user may interact with footwear item102. In various embodiments of the present invention, user device102may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a thin client, or any programmable electronic device capable of executing computer readable program instructions. User device124may include internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect toFIG. 6. User device124may enable a user to link footwear item102with a health-related software application to provide accurate measurements of walking/jogging activity, diagnostics for correcting gait, and the like. In some embodiments, data analysis module140resides on user device124; sensor data is analyzed on user device124, and stimulation instructions are sent back to stimulation controller module122of footwear item102.

User device124may also track a user's various health metrics with tracker module128. For example, tracker module128may collect and store any data collected by pressure sensors104, accelerometer106, biometric sensors108, as well as the results of data analysis module120and any data relating to the stimuli applied by stimulation device110. Thus, tracker module128may keep a historical record corresponding to usage of footwear item102, which may enable a user to track aspects of his or her gait and/or posture history (e.g., changes in gait and/or posture over time).

Network130can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, and include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. In general, network130can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between footwear item102, user device124, and/or server132in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Server132may receive any data from footwear item102and/or user device124regarding the gait of the user, corrective stimuli applied, user health metrics (either collected from biometric sensor108or supplied by the user), user activity, and the like. Analytics module134may analyze the collected data in order to refine the algorithms used for providing corrective feedback. For example, if analytics module134determines that users sharing a common gait and/or posture problem respond best to a stimulation of a certain magnitude and/or duration, analytics module134may suggest or provide an updated algorithm that varies the stimulation magnitude and/or duration of stimulation accordingly. Analytics module134may take into account various user metrics that are collected while the footwear item is worn, such as a user's blood oxygenation, temperature, pulse, heartrate, stride length, and the like. Thus, analytics module134may use analytic approaches to continually refine corrective feedback algorithms used by footwear item102. In some embodiments, server132may send updated or improved algorithms or analytics to one or more modules of footwear item102(such as data analysis module120or stimulation controller122).

Database136may be any non-volatile storage media known in the art. For example, database136can be implemented with a tape library, optical library, one or more independent hard disk drives, or multiple hard disk drives in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID). Similarly, data on database136may conform to any suitable storage architecture known in the art, such as a file, a relational database, an object-oriented database, and/or one or more tables. Server132may store data collected from each footwear item102that is used by analytics module134, as well as output of analytics module134.

FIGS. 2A-2Dare schematic representations depicting an example footwear item102of a system providing corrective feedback in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2Ais a perspective view of footwear item102,FIG. 2Bis a bottom view in plan, andFIG. 2Cis a top view in perspective. As depicted, footwear item102may include pressure sensors104, accelerometers106, biometric sensors108, stimulation devices110, and enclosure202that encloses communications device112, power source114, processor116, and memory118. The depicted embodiment depicts footwear item102having a shape that makes it is suitable to be worn on a user's left foot; in other embodiments, footwear item102may have a shape that enables a user to wear footwear item102on a right foot, or footwear item102may be capable of being worn on either foot.

Footwear item102may have a generally “L”-shaped body, including a proximal section252corresponding to a cuff, a distal section256for covering the foot, and an intermediate section254for encompassing a heel of the foot. Footwear item102may include one or more pressure sensors104placed in locations corresponding to areas of interest of a user's foot. For example, pressure sensors104may be placed at the first metatarsophalangeal joint (e.g., the ball of the foot) and at the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint. A pressure sensor104under and/or along the medial side under the first metatarsophalangeal joint may detect pressures during stages of gait, such as the last stage of gait (toe-off), or when a user is sprinting on the toes. A pressure sensor104may be placed in a location under and/or along the lateral side of the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint to detect pressures experienced during gait, such as the last stage of gait (toe-off). A pressure sensor104placed along the medial and lateral sides of the foot may be useful for detecting conditions such as over-pronation or over-supination. A pressure sensor104placed along the lateral aspect of the calcaneus (i.e., lateral of the calcaneus in plantar view) and the medial aspect of the calcaneus (i.e., medial of the calcaneus in plantar view) area may detect pressures associated with the heel, such as those experienced during the heel strike stage of gait.

Accelerometers106, biometric sensors108, and stimulation devices110may be located near each pressure sensor104. In some embodiments, placement of accelerometers106, biometric sensors108, and/or stimulation devices110may be independent of pressure sensors104. Stimulation device110may be positioned on top of the foot so that stimulation device110can provide the user with feedback unrelated to the user's gait; for example, stimulation device110may stimulate the top of a user's foot generally each time the user should be stepping on that foot in order to encourage a particular step rate.

Communication device112, power source114, processor116, and memory118may be located in the leg or cuff of footwear item102. Communication device112, power source114, processor116, and memory118may be enclosed in enclosure202, which may provide protection against water, light, sweat, and/or temperature extremes. In some embodiments, communications device112, power source114, processor116, and/or memory118are located on footwear item102in a location that would be outside of the rim or collar of a shoe, enabling footwear item102to be worn with a shoe such that enclosure202does not come into contact with the shoe. Communications device112, power source114, processor116, and memory118may be located in proximity to each other, or spread throughout the leg or cuff of footwear item102. In some embodiments, communications device112, power source114, processor116, and/or memory118may be located in the other portions of footwear item102, such as the dorsal aspect (top) of the foot, including the metatarsals, and the medial or lateral malleolus (ankle).

FIG. 2Ddepicts an exploded view in perspective of an example ski boot that couples to a binding206with one or more release mechanisms204(e.g., manual lever, electronically controlled, etc.). Footwear item102(e.g.,FIGS. 2A-2C) may be worn by a user on the foot/leg and inserted inside of a ski boot. Alternatively, footwear item102may be a ski boot itself, with sensors and power and processing components disposed on the ski boot at locations corresponding to the locations described above for footwear item102ofFIGS. 2A-2C. Footwear item102may wirelessly communicate release instructions to release mechanisms204in order to prevent an injury to a user. For example, if footwear item102experiences excessive lateral or twisting motion (as measured by accelerometer106), then footwear item102may trigger release mechanism204to activate, thus freeing a skier's boot or foot from the ski binding206. The release mechanism204may release the binding206using a magnetically-controlled fastener, a pyrotechnic fastener, solenoid, or other release mechanisms.

FIG. 3is a flow chart depicting a method300for providing corrective feedback in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Pressure data is collected using pressure sensors at operation310. In some embodiments, pressure data is collected by one or more pressure sensors104. Pressure data may include any forces or pressures experienced by footwear item102as a user moves or stands. As a user proceeds through the phases of gait (e.g., initial contact (heel strike), loading response (foot flat), mid-stance, terminal stance, toe off/pre-swing), various regions of footwear item102will experience different pressures. For example, when a user is walking heel-to-toe, the heel contacts the ground first, so pressure measured at a location of footwear item102corresponding to the toe would be near-zero. By measuring pressure experienced on different regions of a user's foot, a user's gait and posture can be analyzed and abnormalities can be diagnosed.

Pressure data is processed at operation320to determine stimulation instructions. In some embodiments, data analysis module120analyzes data from pressure sensors104in order to identify gait and/or posture problems that can be corrected. Data analysis module may then output stimulation instructions that may correct the identified problems. In general, data analysis module120may identify areas of the foot that may be applying too much pressure, and direct stimulation to those areas in order to discourage the user from shifting too much weight there. For example, pressure measurements may be compared to profiles of pressure measurements for appropriate gait and/or posture to determine areas of the foot applying excess or insufficient amounts of pressure. Some or all of the processing of pressure data may take place on user device124or server132(e.g., by data analysis module140or data analysis module146).

Stimulation instructions are sent to a stimulation device at operation330. Stimulation instructions may include such details as type of stimulation (e.g., electrical, mechanical/haptic), duration of stimulation, and magnitude of stimulation. Stimulation instructions may repeat or loop in order to encourage a pattern of gait and/or posture, or may be re-calculated every time a user takes a step.

Stimulation is applied with the stimulation device at operation340. Stimulation may be applied with stimulation device110according to the stimulation instructions interpreted by stimulation controller module122that are received in operation330. Stimulation device110may apply stimulation to one or multiple areas of a user's foot at any given time in order to encourage proper gait or posture.

FIG. 4is a flow chart depicting a method400for determining corrective feedback in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Pressure data is received from pressure sensors at operation410. In some embodiments, pressure data is received by server132or user device124from footwear item102via network130.

Pressure data is processed to determine stimulation instructions at operation420. The pressure data may be processed by user device124or server132in order to determine the appropriate stimuli to apply to the user. A copy of the pressure data or stimulation instructions may be retained by server132in database136. In some embodiments, pressure data is processed to determine stimulation instructions that would correct a user's gait and/or posture. Pressure data may be processed to determine stimulation instructions intended to improve a user's performance in areas such as track and field events, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, long-jumping, mountain climbing, driving a motor vehicle, dressage, and any other event involving foot placement, movement, and/or footfall timing.

Stimulation instructions are sent to the footwear item at operation430. The stimulations instructions may be sent to footwear item102from the processing location of operation420(e.g., user device124or server132). The stimulation instructions may describe stimuli location, duration, and magnitude in a form that is readable by stimulation controller module122of footwear item102. These may be based on comparisons of the received pressure data with the profiles. For example, an area receiving excessive pressure may have a greater stimulation for a longer time interval.

FIG. 5is a flow chart depicting a method500for releasing a ski binding in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Bindings may refer to any device that binds a foot or shoe. In one embodiment, the binding is the ski binding206(seeFIG. 2D), which connect a ski boot to a ski. The footwear item102of environment100may be worn between a user's foot and a ski boot.

Sensors are monitored to determine forces of interest at operation510. These forces of interest may include pressure or torque relating to a user's foot. The forces of interest may be selected based on measurable forces that may cause injury to a skier; for example, lateral or twisting forces.

When a sensor measures a force of interest, that force may be compared to a threshold at operation520. In some embodiments, each force that a sensor measures is compared to a threshold; in other embodiments, a running average of force over time is computed and compared. In some embodiments, the force of interest is compared to a threshold to detect a sudden stop, change in acceleration (jerk), or change in momentum. If the force exceeds a threshold, then the method500may proceed to operation530; otherwise, the method500may loop back to operation510.

Release instructions are sent at operation530. These release instructions may instruct the binding to release the boot or foot of the user. In some embodiments, the footwear item102wireless transmits release instructions to the release mechanism204using communications device112.

FIG. 6is a block diagram depicting components of a computer10suitable for executing the methods disclosed herein. Computer10may implement processors of footwear item102, and/or other processing and memory components of user device124, and/or server132to provide corrective feedback in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated thatFIG. 6provides only an illustration of one embodiment and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made.

As depicted, the computer10includes communications fabric12, which provides communications between computer processor(s)14, memory16, persistent storage18, communications unit20, and input/output (I/O) interface(s)22. Communications fabric12can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric12can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory16and persistent storage18are computer readable storage media. In the depicted embodiment, memory16includes random access memory (RAM)24and cache memory26. In general, memory16can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media.

One or more programs may be stored in persistent storage18for execution by one or more of the respective computer processors14via one or more memories of memory16. The persistent storage18may be a magnetic hard disk drive, a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage18may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage18. Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage18.

Communications unit20, in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices. In these examples, communications unit20includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit20may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links.

I/O interface(s)22allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to computer10. For example, I/O interface22may provide a connection to external devices28such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices28can also include portable computer readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards.

Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention can be stored on such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage18via I/O interface(s)22. I/O interface(s)22may also connect to a display30. Display30provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor.

The footwear item information, user information, and stimulation information may be stored within any conventional or other data structures (e.g., files, arrays, lists, stacks, queues, records, etc.) and may be stored in any desired storage unit (e.g., database, data or other repositories, queue, etc.) The footwear item information, user information, and stimulation information transmitted between footwear item102, user device124, and server132may include any desired format and arrangement, and may include any quantity of any types of fields of any size to store the data. The definition and data model for the footwear item information, user information, or stimulation information, or messages containing the footwear item information, user information, or stimulation information, may indicate the overall structure in any desired fashion (e.g., computer-related languages, graphical representation, listing, etc.).

Footwear item information may include any information collected by footwear item102, any information derived by analyzing information collected by footwear item102, and any information otherwise provided to footwear item102, user device124, and server132. Footwear item information may include any measurable information collected from a user by any collection mechanism (e.g., sensor, transducer, etc.), any combination of measurable information, and any information derived from analyzing collected information. User information may include any information relating to a user of the footwear item, either collected by the footwear item, supplied by the user, or provided from any other source. Stimulation information may include any information relating to the stimuli provided to a user of footwear item, such as location of stimuli, duration of stimuli, magnitude of stimuli, type of stimuli applied (e.g., mechanical, haptic, electrical, aural, etc.), and timing of stimuli (e.g., stimulation patterns, rhythms, or tempos). Footwear item information, user information, and stimulation information may include any desired format and arrangement, and may include any quantity of any types of fields of any size to store any desired data. The fields may indicate the presence, absence, actual values, or any other desired characteristics of the data of interest (e.g., quantity, value ranges, etc.). Footwear item information, user information, and stimulation information may include all or any desired portion (e.g., any quantity of specific fields) of personal information (PI) or other data of interest within a given implementation or system.

The present invention embodiments are not limited to the specific tasks or algorithms described above, but may be utilized for providing feedback to a user for various types of endeavors, including any event or activity where a user's foot or feet may be involved.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings represent only a few of the many ways of implementing embodiments for providing corrective feedback with footwear items.

The system may employ any number of any conventional or other databases, data stores or storage structures (e.g., files, databases, data structures, data or other repositories, etc.) to store information (e.g., pressure data, acceleration data, biometric data, stimulation instructions, gait information). The database system may be implemented by any number of any conventional or other databases, data stores or storage structures (e.g., files, databases, data structures, data or other repositories, etc.) to store information (e.g., pressure data, acceleration data, biometric data, stimulation instructions, gait/posture information, etc.). The database system may be included within or coupled to the server and/or client systems. The database systems and/or storage structures may be remote from or local to the computer or other processing systems, and may store any desired data (e.g., pressure data, acceleration data, biometric data, stimulation instructions, gait/posture information, etc.).

The present invention embodiments may employ any number of any type of user interface (e.g., Graphical User Interface (GUI), command-line, prompt, etc.) for obtaining or providing information (e.g., pressure data, acceleration data, biometric data, stimulation instructions, gait/posture information, etc.), where the interface may include any information arranged in any fashion. The interface may include any number of any types of input or actuation mechanisms (e.g., buttons, icons, fields, boxes, links, etc.) disposed at any locations to enter/display information and initiate desired actions via any suitable input devices (e.g., mouse, keyboard, etc.). The interface screens may include any suitable actuators (e.g., links, tabs, etc.) to navigate between the screens in any fashion.