Patent Description:
<CIT> describes an article of footwear which comprises a motorized tensioning system including a tensile member and a motorized tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear. The article of footwear may also include a tightening device cover configured to be removably attached to the article of footwear over the tightening device.

<CIT> describes a wearable haptics-enabled apparatus comprising a wearable article including an actuator and an input device like a sensor. A controller is electrically connected to the actuator and the input device. The controller is configured to selectively transmit operation and haptic drive signals to the actuator, and to generate the haptic drive signal upon receiving an input signal from the input device. The haptic drive signal embodies a message.

The invention as claimed is defined in the attached independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Further, optional features are defined in the sub-claims appended thereto.

Example methods and systems are directed to an article of footwear having an autolacing motor. Examples merely typify possible variations. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, components and functions are optional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations may vary in sequence or be combined or subdivided. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident to one skilled in the art, however, that the present subject matter may be practiced without these specific details.

Articles of footwear, such as shoes, may include a variety of components, both conventional and unconventional. Conventional components may include an upper, a sole, and laces or other securing mechanisms to enclose and secure the foot of a wearer within the article of footwear. Unconventionally, a motorized lacing system may engage with the lace to tighten and/or loosen the lace. Additional or alternative electronics may provide a variety of functionality for the article of footwear, including operating and driving the motor, sensing information about the nature of the article of footwear, providing lighted displays and/or other sensory stimuli, and so forth.

In general, and particularly for articles of footwear oriented toward the performance of athletic activities, characteristics such as the size, form, robustness, and weight of the article of footwear may be of particular importance. Where the components of the article of footwear promote, for instance, a relatively tall, heavy, and/or fragile article of footwear, the capacity of the article of footwear to be effective in the performance of the athletic activity may be compromised.

Components of an autolacing system may be included in a housing and positioned on or within the article of footwear, e.g., within a sole structure. However, electronic components may be susceptible to otherwise ordinary forces on an article of footwear. For instance, if a wearer steps on a rock or other hard protrusion, force may be imparted through the sole to the housing, which may flex and impart force on the components contained within. Certain components may be relatively more mechanically robust than others. Thus, if the force is imparted on the battery or on the motor, for instance, then the risk of damage to the system may be less than if the force is imparted on a printed circuit board (PCB) or electronic connector.

However, design considerations related to height and ease of manufacture may make it desirable to place the PCB in a location generally in proximity of a surface of the housing that would typically be oriented closest to the sole. Thus, force on the sole that flexes the housing may result in an undesirable amount of the force being imparted on the PCB. To reduce the force that may tend to be imparted on the PCB, and to direct the force instead to components of the autolacing system which may be relatively more robust than the PCB, one or more supports have been designed in the housing proximate the sole that extend through the PCB and in proximity of another component of the autolacing system, e.g., the motor. When a force is imparted on the housing and the housing flexes, the support contacts the other component and imparts at least some of the force into that component rather than on the PCB. While the supports may not prevent any force from being imparted on the PCB, the supports may direct enough force away from the PCB to limit the force imparted on the PCB to tolerable limits.

<FIG> is an exploded view illustration of components of a motorized lacing system for an article of footwear, in an example embodiment. While the system is described with respect to the article of footwear, it is to be recognized and understood that the principles described with respect to the article of footwear apply equally well to any of a variety of wearable articles. The motorized lacing system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a lacing engine <NUM> having a housing structure <NUM>, a lid <NUM>, an actuator <NUM>, a mid-sole plate <NUM>, a mid-sole <NUM>, and an outsole <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the basic assembly sequence of components of an automated lacing footwear platform. The motorized lacing system <NUM> starts with the mid-sole plate <NUM> being secured within the mid-sole. Next, the actuator <NUM> is inserted into an opening in the lateral side of the mid-sole plate opposite to interface buttons that can be embedded in the outsole <NUM>. Next, the lacing engine <NUM> is dropped into a lacing engine cavity of the mid-sole plate <NUM>. In various examples that do not include the mid-sole plate <NUM>, the lacing engine cavity may be included or formed in the mid-sole <NUM>. In an example, the lacing system <NUM> is inserted under a continuous loop of lacing cable and the lacing cable is aligned with a spool in the lacing engine <NUM> (discussed below). Finally, the lid <NUM> is inserted into grooves in the mid-sole plate <NUM>, secured into a closed position, and latched into a recess in the mid-sole plate <NUM>. The lid <NUM> can capture the lacing engine <NUM> and can assist in maintaining alignment of a lacing cable during operation.

<FIG> illustrates generally a block diagram of components of a motorized lacing system <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The system <NUM> includes some, but not necessarily all, components of a motorized lacing system, including the lacing engine <NUM>, the mid-sole plate <NUM>, and the underlying footwear <NUM>. The system <NUM> as illustrated includes interface buttons <NUM>, interface button actuators <NUM>, a foot presence sensor <NUM>, and the lacing engine housing <NUM> enclosing a main PCB <NUM> and a user interface PCB <NUM>. The user interface PCB <NUM> includes the buttons <NUM>, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) <NUM> which may illuminate the button actuators <NUM> or otherwise provide illumination visible outside of the article of footwear, an optical encoder unit <NUM>, and an LED driver <NUM> which may provide power to the LEDs <NUM>. The main PCB <NUM> includes a processor circuit <NUM>, an electronic data storage <NUM>, a battery charging circuit <NUM>, a wireless transceiver <NUM>, one or more sensors <NUM>, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and the like, and a motor driver <NUM>.

The lacing engine <NUM> further includes a foot presence sensor <NUM>, such as a capacitive sensor, a motor <NUM>, a transmission <NUM>, a spool <NUM>, a battery or power source <NUM>, and a charging coil <NUM>. The processor circuit <NUM> is configured with instructions from the electronic data storage <NUM> to cause motor driver <NUM> to activate the motor <NUM> to turn the spool <NUM> by way of the transmission <NUM> in order to place a desired amount of tension on a lace <NUM> wound about the spool <NUM>. The processor circuit <NUM> may receive inputs from a variety of sources, including the foot presence sensor <NUM>, the sensors <NUM>, and the buttons <NUM>, to decide, according to the instructions, to increase or decrease the tension on the lace <NUM>. For instance, the foot presence sensor <NUM> may detect the presence of a foot in the footwear <NUM>, and the processor circuit <NUM> may set the tension to a present tension level. The sensors <NUM> may detect movement consistent with a particular activity level, e.g., causal walking, a vigorous physical activity, etc., and the processor circuit <NUM> may cause the tension to be set to a level consistent with that activity level, e.g., relatively loose for casual walking and relatively tight for vigorous physical activity. A user may press the button actuators <NUM> to manually command an incremental or linear increase or decrease in tension as desired.

The battery <NUM> provides power for the components of the lacing engine <NUM> in general and is, in the example embodiment, a rechargeable battery. However, alternative power sources, such as non-rechargeable batteries, super capacitors, and the like, are also contemplated. In the illustrated example, the battery <NUM> is coupled to the charging circuit <NUM> and the recharge coil <NUM>. When the recharge coil <NUM> is placed in proximity of an external charger <NUM>, a charging circuit <NUM> may energize a transmit coil <NUM> to inductively induce a current in the recharge coil <NUM>, which is then utilized by the charging circuit <NUM> to recharge the battery <NUM>. Alternative recharging mechanisms are contemplated, such as a piezoelectric generator located within the footwear <NUM>.

The wireless transceiver <NUM> is configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote user device <NUM>, such as a smartphone, wearable device, tablet computer, personal computer, and the like. In example, the wireless transceiver <NUM> is configured to communicate according to the Bluetooth Low Energy modality, though the wireless transceiver <NUM> may communicate according to any suitable wireless modality, including near field communication (NFC), <NUM> WiFi, and the like. Moreover, the wireless transceiver <NUM> may be configured to communicate with multiple external user devices <NUM> and/or according to multiple different wireless modalities. The wireless transceiver <NUM> may receive instructions from the user device <NUM>, e.g., using an application operating on the user device <NUM>, for controlling the lacing engine <NUM>, including to enter pre-determined modes of operation or to incrementally or linearly increase or decrease the tension on the lace <NUM>. The wireless transceiver <NUM> may further transmit information about the lacing engine <NUM> to the user device <NUM>, e.g., an amount of tension on the lace <NUM> or otherwise an orientation of the spool <NUM>, an amount of charge remaining on the battery <NUM>, and any other desired information about the lacing engine <NUM> generally.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the lacing engine <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The lacing engine <NUM> includes the housing <NUM>, which includes an upper portion 103A and a lower portion 103B, which enclose the lacing engine <NUM> generally, except for certain components which are exterior of the housing <NUM>. Those components include the button actuators <NUM> (and related O-rings <NUM> for protecting the lacing engine <NUM> against environmental conditions, such as moisture), the spool <NUM>, which is secured to the transmission <NUM> via a setscrew <NUM> and which is enclosed with the lid <NUM>, and a dielectric foam <NUM> of the foot presence sensor <NUM>. Enclosed within the housing <NUM> is the main PCB <NUM>, the user interface PCB <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, the transmission <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, the recharge coil <NUM>, and an electrode <NUM> and foam <NUM> of the foot presence sensor <NUM>.

Partially visible in the exploded view is the optical encoder unit <NUM>. Specifically, a three-dimensional encoder <NUM> of the optical encoder unit <NUM> is coupled to the motor <NUM> and turns with the turning of the motor. Specific implementations of the three-dimensional encoder <NUM> are illustrated herein.

<FIG> is a view of the lower portion 103B of the housing <NUM> in relation to the main PCB <NUM>. Included in the lower portion 103B are posts <NUM> extending from in interior surface <NUM> of the lower portion 103B of the housing <NUM>. As will be illustrated herein, at least one of the posts <NUM> extend through a hole in the main PCB <NUM> (not visible). When an external force is placed on the exterior of the lower portion 103B of the housing <NUM>, e.g., because a wearer of the footwear <NUM> steps on an object that imparts force through the mid-sole <NUM> and plate <NUM> (<FIG>), the lower portion 103B may flex. The posts <NUM> are positioned such that the flexing of the lower portion 103B may result in one or more of the posts <NUM> contacting a relatively more solid or resilient component of the lacing engine <NUM>, e.g., the motor <NUM>, the transmission <NUM>, or the battery <NUM>, rather than the a relatively less resilient component, such as the main PCB <NUM>.

<FIG> are sequential block diagrams illustrating the function of a post <NUM> when a force <NUM> is imparted on the lower portion 103B, in an example embodiment. The block diagram has been simplified and exaggerated for the purposes of illustration. It is to be recognized that multiple posts <NUM> may be implemented according to the principles illustrated herein across a variety of locations, as illustrated in <FIG>, and that the posts <NUM> may be positioned and configured to contact any suitable resilient component, as noted herein.

<FIG> shows the lower portion 103B coupled to the upper portion 103A with a post <NUM> projecting from the interior surface <NUM> of the lower portion 103B. The post <NUM> extends through a hole <NUM> formed in the main PCB <NUM>. As illustrated, the post does not contact the transmission <NUM> but rather has a gap <NUM> therebetween. In various examples, the gap <NUM> is less than a gap <NUM> between the main PCB <NUM> and the interior surface <NUM>. However, it is to be recognized that there may not be a gap <NUM> or that the gap <NUM> may be approximately the same as the gap <NUM>. As no force has been imparted on the lower portion 103B, the lower portion 103B is substantially flat and linear.

<FIG> shows the lower portion 103B bowed on account of the force <NUM> imparted on the lower portion 103B. The bowing of the lower portion 103B has caused the post <NUM> to contact the transmission <NUM>, transferring at least some of the force <NUM> to the transmission <NUM>. While the gap <NUM> between the post <NUM> and the transmission <NUM> has been eliminated, at least some gap <NUM> remains between the interior surface <NUM> and the main PCB <NUM>. As a result, in this example, no portion of the force <NUM> is imparted on the relatively fragile main PCB <NUM> and is instead imparted on the more resilient transmission <NUM>.

It is to be recognized and understood that while the exaggerated illustration shows no contact between the lower portion 103B and the main PCB <NUM>, actual implementations may nonetheless result in some contact between the lower portion 103B and the main PCB <NUM>, and/or that at least some of the force <NUM> is imparted on the main PCB <NUM>. However, at minimum, the presence of the post <NUM> may tend to cause at least some of the force <NUM> to be imparted on the transmission <NUM> rather than on to the main PCB <NUM>. A relative reduction in the amount of force <NUM> imparted on the main PCB <NUM> than would be the case without the post <NUM> may still reduce a likelihood of the main PCB <NUM> being damage from imparted force <NUM> on the lower portion 103B.

<FIG> are side and perspective views of the lacing engine <NUM>, in an example embodiment. Components such as the main PCB <NUM>, user interface PCB <NUM>, motor <NUM>, transmission <NUM>, battery <NUM>, electrode <NUM>, foam <NUM>, and recharge coil <NUM> are contained within the top portion 103A and bottom portion 103B of the housing <NUM>. The spool <NUM> is secured to the transmission <NUM> via the set screw <NUM>. The top portion 103A generally conforms to a curved contour of the motor <NUM>.

In an example, the top portion 103A and bottom portion 103B are each approximately <NUM> millimeters thick. The recharge coil <NUM> is approximately <NUM> millimeters thick, including a ferrite backing. The battery <NUM> is approximately <NUM> millimeters thick, accounting for a swelling of the battery <NUM> over time. In an example, the electrode <NUM> is approximately <NUM> millimeters thick and the foam <NUM> is approximately <NUM> millimeters thick, providing for a total thickness of the lacing engine <NUM> proximate the battery <NUM> of approximately <NUM> millimeters. In an example, the motor <NUM> is approximately <NUM> millimeters thick and the lacing engine <NUM> proximate the motor <NUM> has a maximum thickness of approximately <NUM> millimeters. In an example, the lacing engine <NUM> proximate the spool <NUM> has a thickens of approximately <NUM> millimeters.

<FIG> is a depiction of a three-dimensional encoder <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The three-dimensional encoder <NUM> may function as the three-dimensional encoder <NUM> in the optical encoder unit <NUM>. The three-dimensional encoder <NUM> is a drum encoder, including a drum portion <NUM> and a securing portion <NUM> coupled to the cylindrical portion and configured to secure the three-dimensional encoder <NUM> to e.g., a motor shaft. The securing portion may be solid or may be individual portions that extend between the drum portion <NUM> and the motor, e.g., spokes or the like.

As illustrated, the drum portion <NUM> is cylindrical and has a circular cross section, though any of a variety of suitable geometries are contemplated, including conical, octagonal, and the like. As with the two-dimensional disk <NUM>, the drum <NUM> includes a first plurality of segments <NUM>, e.g., dark segments, alternatingly positioned between a second plurality of segments <NUM>, e.g., reflective segments. The first and second plurality of segments <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned on an exterior surface <NUM> of the drum portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a depiction of an optical encoder unit <NUM>, including the three-dimensional encoder <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The optical encoder <NUM> may operate as the optical encoder <NUM> in the block diagram of <FIG>. In addition to the three-dimensional encoder <NUM>, the optical encoder <NUM> includes an optical sensor <NUM>, including a first optical sensor <NUM> and a second optical sensor <NUM> each within an optical range <NUM> of the three-dimensional encoder <NUM>, the optical range <NUM> being a distance over which the first and second optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> can differentiate between the first and second plurality of segments <NUM>, <NUM>. As such, the optical range <NUM> will be different between and among different types of first and second optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM>. In the event that external design requirements may necessitate a specific distance between the optical sensor <NUM> and the three-dimensional encoder <NUM>, first and second optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may be selected that have an optical range <NUM> at least as long as the distance.

The first optical sensor <NUM> is positioned on a first major surface <NUM> of the main PCB <NUM> while the second optical sensor <NUM> is positioned on a second major surface <NUM> of the main PCB <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the first and second optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> have a vertical spacing <NUM> approximately equal to a height <NUM> of each individual one of the first and second plurality of segments <NUM>, <NUM>, e.g., within approximately five (<NUM>) percent of the height <NUM>. As such, each of the first and second optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> will both tend to detect the same type of segment, i.e., will both detect dark segments or reflective segments. If each of the first and second optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> do not detect the same type of segment, e.g., the first optical sensor <NUM> detects one of the first plurality of segments <NUM> and the second optical sensor <NUM> detects one of the second plurality of segments <NUM> (or vice versa), the inconsistency may be expected to be resolved soon in favor of both the first and second optical sensor <NUM>, <NUM> detecting the same type of segment <NUM>, <NUM>.

While a particular configuration of the optical sensor <NUM> is illustrated, it noted and emphasized that the number and orientation of optical sensors may be varied between and among different implementations. Thus, in an example an alternative example of the optical sensor <NUM> may have only one individual optical sensor, while a further alternative example of the optical sensor <NUM> may include three or more individual optical sensors. However, in various examples, each optical sensor is positioned on one of the major surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the main PCB <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the operation of an optical encoder unit <NUM> which is off center relative to a major axis <NUM> of the optical encoder <NUM>, in an example embodiment. In <FIG>, a center <NUM> of an aperture <NUM> in the securing section <NUM> through which the motor shaft <NUM> may pass is offset by distance relative to the major axis <NUM>. In <FIG>, with the aperture <NUM> fixed about the shaft, the exterior surface <NUM> and, by extension, the first and second plurality of segments <NUM>, <NUM>, come to within a first distance <NUM> of the optical sensor <NUM>. In <FIG>, the optical encoder <NUM> having completed a half-rotation relative to in <FIG>, the exterior surface <NUM> comes to within a second distance <NUM> of the optical sensor <NUM>, the second distance <NUM> being greater than the first distance <NUM>, owing to the off-center aperture <NUM> being fixed about the motor shaft.

Offsets between the major axis <NUM> and the center <NUM> of the aperture may be an unintended consequence of a manufacture process. However, because of the properties of the optical sensor <NUM>, the apparent height <NUM> (<FIG>) of each of the first and second plurality of segments <NUM>, <NUM> may remain the same. As a result, such concentricity issues may merely result in a difference in focal distance of the optical sensor <NUM>. Differences in the focal distance may be resolved by the optical sensor <NUM> within the optical range <NUM> of the optical sensor <NUM>. As such, the optical encoder <NUM> may allow for greater variance in a manufacturing process than may be allowed in a manufacturing process of the optical encoder <NUM>, as well as be more robust to normal wear and tear during use.

<FIG> is a depiction of an alternative example of a three-dimensional encoder <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The three-dimensional encoder <NUM> may otherwise have the same properties as the three-dimensional encoder <NUM>. But rather than having the first and second plurality of segments <NUM>, <NUM> on an outside surface of the drum portion <NUM>, the three-dimensional encoder <NUM> includes the first and second plurality of segments <NUM>, <NUM> on an interior surface <NUM>. The three-dimensional encoder <NUM> may otherwise be utilized in an arrangement similar to that of the optical sensor <NUM>, with the optical sensors <NUM> positioned to sense the interior surface <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a manufacturing process for the three-dimensional encoders <NUM>, <NUM>, in an example embodiment.

In <FIG>, a sheet <NUM> of elongate first and second plurality of segments <NUM>, <NUM> is cut into individual strips <NUM>. The sheet <NUM> is made of any suitable material, such as Mylar, and the dark segments, e.g., the first plurality of segments <NUM>, are printed onto a major surface <NUM> of sheet <NUM>. The reflective segments, e.g., the second plurality of segments <NUM>, are untreated or substantially untreated Mylar.

In <FIG>, the strip <NUM> is folded so that the major surface <NUM>, i.e., the printed side, is either on an exterior surface <NUM> or an interior surface <NUM>, as desired. A first end <NUM> is secured to a second end <NUM> to make a loop.

In <FIG>, the strip <NUM> is coupled to a frame <NUM> to form the three-dimensional encoder <NUM>, <NUM>, as desired. The frame <NUM> includes the securing portion <NUM> and a drum <NUM> on which to fix the strip <NUM> to form the drum portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of a three-dimensional encoder <NUM>, in an example embodiment. Unlike the three-dimensional encoders <NUM>, <NUM>, the three-dimensional encoder <NUM> utilizes tabs <NUM> and gaps <NUM> to provide surfaces or lack thereof from light is either reflected, in the case of the tabs <NUM>, or not reflected, in the case of the gaps <NUM>. The optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> detect the light reflected from the tabs <NUM> and not the absence of reflected light when the gaps <NUM> align with the optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM>. In an example, the optical sensor <NUM>, <NUM> form an angle therebetween of approximately fifty-four (<NUM>) degrees. A beam break <NUM> includes slits <NUM> through which light passes to focus the light for the purposes of the focusing the light for detection by the optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM>. The three-dimensional encoder <NUM> is rotationally coupled to the motor <NUM>, as with the other encoders <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> are perspective views of a lacing engine <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The views are exploded in <FIG>. The recharge coil <NUM> is separated from the main PCB <NUM> in <FIG>. The lacing engine <NUM> may be utilized as the lacing engine <NUM> or in any suitable system.

The lacing engine <NUM> includes components such as the main PCB <NUM>, user interface PCB <NUM>, motor <NUM>, transmission <NUM>, battery <NUM>, and electrode <NUM>. The spool <NUM> is secured to the transmission <NUM> via the set screw <NUM>.

The dimensions of the lacing engine <NUM> may be the same or similar to those of the lacing engine of <FIG>. The lacing engine <NUM> may differ from the lacing engine of <FIG> in the inclusion of a spring contact interface <NUM> between the main PCB <NUM> and the recharge coil <NUM>. The spring contact interface <NUM> includes a spring <NUM> and pads <NUM> and may promote a relatively stronger and resilient contact post-manufacture between the main PCB <NUM> and the recharge coil <NUM> in comparison to wire-bonded or other connections. The spring <NUM> as illustrated is included on the recharge coil <NUM>. However, the spring <NUM> may be included on the main PCB <NUM> and the pads <NUM> may be included on the recharge coil <NUM>. In various examples, the wireless transceiver <NUM> may similarly be operatively coupled to the main PCB <NUM> via a spring contact interface <NUM>.

The lacing engine <NUM> may further differ from the lacing engine of <FIG> through the inclusion of additional LEDs <NUM>. As illustrated, six (<NUM>) LEDs <NUM> are positioned on a side face <NUM> of the lacing engine <NUM> and may be visible external to the article of footwear <NUM>. Four of the LEDs <NUM>' are positioned to emit generally perpendicular from the side face <NUM> while two of the LEDs <NUM>" are positioned to generally direct light to the lateral sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the side face <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the LEDs <NUM> are positioned evenly spaced on the side face <NUM> with the buttons <NUM> interspersed between the LEDs <NUM>.

In accordance with the claimed invention, the lacing engine <NUM> includes one or more haptic generators (e.g., dedicated haptic motors) positioned on the main PCB <NUM>. In an example, the haptic generator(s) are incorporated on the main PCB <NUM> proximate the encoder <NUM>. The haptic generators may be utilized to provide various user interface experiences for the wearer of the article of footwear <NUM> or other user of the article of footwear <NUM>. In various examples, the haptic generators may provide feedback about a charge state of the battery <NUM>, an amount of tension on the lace <NUM>, and instructions, e.g., during an athletic event. It is to be recognized and understood that haptic generators may also be incorporated in the alternative lacing engines disclosed herein.

<FIG> are exploded and side views of a spool <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The spool <NUM> may be utilized as the spool <NUM> or as any suitable spool in an autolacing system or other system.

In the illustrated example, the spool <NUM> is made from a single piece, e. g, of plastic or other suitable polymer, metal, or the like. The spool <NUM> includes a top lace groove <NUM> in the top surface <NUM> into which the lace <NUM> is inserted and secured. The lace <NUM> may then be taken up around the circumferential channel <NUM> of the spool <NUM> by turning the spool <NUM> with the motor <NUM> and gearbox <NUM>.

The spool <NUM> is coupled the gearbox <NUM> via a fastener <NUM>. As illustrated, the fastener <NUM> is a screw, though it is to be recognized and understood that any suitable fastener may be utilized in various examples. The fastener <NUM> includes a head <NUM> having a head width sufficiently large to overlay, at least in part, a curved portion of the lace groove <NUM>, to help secure, at least in part, the lace <NUM> within the lace groove <NUM>. As illustrated, the head <NUM> is circular, though in various examples the head <NUM> may be alternative shapes, such as square, hexagonal, or any regular or irregular shape, as desired.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the head <NUM> aligns with and partially covers the lace groove <NUM>, leaving a top gap <NUM> having a gap width at least somewhat less than a thickness of the lace <NUM>, providing in conjunction with the spool <NUM> a mild friction fit of the lace <NUM> within the lace groove <NUM>. As such, in various implementations, a user could insert the lace <NUM> into the lace groove <NUM> by applying a relatively modest amount of downforce on the lace <NUM> to overcome the friction on the fastener <NUM>. Upon being inserted, the lace <NUM> would tend to be restrained within the lace groove <NUM> unless an upward force on the lace <NUM> was sufficient to overcome the friction on the lace <NUM> by the fastener <NUM>. Alternatively, the spool <NUM> may utilize a screw that does not have a head width sufficient to overall the lace groove <NUM>. Such a spool <NUM> may rely, at least in part, on the lid <NUM> to restrain the lace <NUM> within the lace groove <NUM>.

While a bottom flange <NUM> of the spool is circular, the top surface <NUM> is circular but with two truncated edges <NUM> between two rounded edges <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the lace groove <NUM> extends between the rounded edges <NUM> at the midpoints between the truncated edges <NUM>. However, it is to be recognized that the lace groove <NUM> may extend between the truncated edges <NUM>. The truncated edges may promote a relatively more robust design that a similar spool <NUM> with a circular top surface <NUM> and better ease of manufacturing.

<FIG> illustrates alternative examples of the spool <NUM>. Each of the spools may be manufactured from a single piece, e. g, of plastic or other suitable polymer, metal, or the like. Each spool may be utilized in place of the various spools disclosed herein.

Spool <NUM> is a flanged screw spool. The spool <NUM> is otherwise similar to the spool <NUM> but has a fully circular top surface <NUM>. The spool <NUM> may incorporate a relatively larger torx drive, retention force on the lace <NUM>, and a relatively flush volumetric profile relative to other spools.

Spool <NUM> incorporate elements of the spool <NUM> but utilizes a press-fit cap <NUM> to couple the spool <NUM> to the gearbox <NUM> rather than a screw. The press-fit cap <NUM> may be any suitable press-fit mechanism known in the art. The press-fit cap <NUM> may provide a relatively simple assembly process and is relatively low-cost relative to other fasteners.

Spool <NUM> incorporate elements of the spool <NUM> but utilizes a lace groove <NUM> that extends across a diameter of the top surface <NUM> and across a press-fit cap <NUM>. In such an example, the press-fit cap <NUM> would not provide any restraint on the lace <NUM> within the lace groove <NUM>.

Spool <NUM> incorporate elements of the spool <NUM> but includes cutouts <NUM>, <NUM> in the top surface <NUM>. The cutouts <NUM>, <NUM> may promote reduced material use relative to the spool <NUM>.

Spool <NUM> incorporate elements of spool <NUM> but incorporates a circumferential channel <NUM> proximate an axis <NUM> of the spool <NUM> to allow for the spool <NUM> to be coupled to the gear box <NUM> with a c-clip fastener <NUM>.

Spool <NUM> incorporate elements of the spools <NUM> and <NUM> but incorporates an integrated fastener (obscured) into the structure of the spool <NUM> rather than requiring a separate fastener, such as a screw, press-fit cap, or c-clip fastener disclosed herein. The fastener as incorporated may be any suitable fastener which may be incorporated into the structure of the spool <NUM>. In various examples, the integrated fastener is a press-fit fastener.

Spool <NUM> incorporate elements of the spool <NUM> but incorporates a cutout <NUM> in the lace groove <NUM>.

Spool <NUM> incorporates posts <NUM> within the circumferential channel <NUM> to retain the lace <NUM> on the spool <NUM>. Portions of the lace <NUM> may be threaded through the posts <NUM> and/or through resultant secondary channels <NUM> in order to partially secure the lace <NUM> to the spool <NUM> and allow the lace <NUM> to be taken up around the circumferential channel <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cutaway view of a portion of the lacing engine <NUM> illustrating an example of the encoder <NUM>. The encoder <NUM> as illustrated is a two-dimensional encoder, in contrast to the various three-dimensional encoders disclosed herein, in that the optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to sense the position and orientation of a two-dimensional optical encoder unit <NUM>. The optical encoder unit <NUM> is positioned on one of the gears <NUM> of the transmission <NUM>. The optical sensors <NUM> are positioned on the same major surface <NUM> of the PCB <NUM> and both are optically sensitive in the same orthogonal direction from the major surface <NUM>.

The two-dimensional optical encoder unit <NUM> may be configured to be optically sensitive to the optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> according to the three-dimensional optical encoder units disclosed herein, e.g., with alternative light and dark segments, or according to any suitable mechanism known in the art or that may be developed. The segments may be sized so that each of the optical sensor <NUM>, <NUM> will tend to sense the same type of segment, i.e., each sense a light segment or each sense a dark segment, but not one light and one dark. Alternatively, the optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may be spaced on the PCB <NUM> so that the optical sensors each sense the same type of segment. Further alternatively, the segments may be sized and/or the optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may be spaced so that each optical sensors <NUM>, <NUM> senses a different type of segment.

<FIG> are a depiction of a lacing engine housing <NUM> and lid <NUM> for the lacing engine <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The lacing engine housing <NUM> and the lid <NUM> may be utilized as the housing <NUM> and the lid <NUM> in the block diagram of <FIG>, respectively. The lacing engine housing <NUM> may be sized to enclose the lacing engine <NUM> or any suitable lacing engine. The lacing engine housing <NUM> includes tabs <NUM> that mate, e.g., via snap-fit, with pins <NUM> on the lid <NUM> to form hinges <NUM> about which the lid <NUM> may rotate relative to the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the lid <NUM> in an open configuration, with the spool <NUM> exposed and the lace <NUM> (not pictured) either accessible or able to be placed in the lace groove <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the lid <NUM> in a closed configuration, with tabs <NUM> snapped into place on a side <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In the closed configuration, the lid <NUM> may tend to restrain the lace <NUM> within the lace groove <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> and lid <NUM> may be made of any suitable material, including plastic or other polymer and metal, as appropriate. The housing <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM> and lid <NUM> together may provide at least some isolation for the lacing engine <NUM> against environmental conditions, such as moisture or sweat, as well as against forces that may be exerted against the housing <NUM>, including impacts and mechanical stresses. The housing <NUM> may also be placed within a sleeve or other structure that may provide for environmental isolation.

As illustrated, the housing <NUM> includes apertures <NUM> to allow light emitted from the LEDs <NUM> to be visible outside of the housing <NUM>. In the illustrated example, two of the apertures <NUM> align with the tabs <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side profile of an article of footwear <NUM> including the lacing engine <NUM> or the lacing engine <NUM>, in various examples. The article of footwear <NUM> may be a specific but non-limiting example of the article of footwear <NUM>.

The article of footwear <NUM> includes a sole with a forefoot section <NUM>, a heel section <NUM>, and a cutout segment <NUM> in the midsole <NUM>. The lacing engine <NUM> positioned within the housing <NUM> may be placed within the cutout segment <NUM>, with gaps <NUM> providing medial-to-lateral visibility through the midsole <NUM>. A tread <NUM> or other elongate member extends across the forefoot section <NUM>, midsole <NUM>, and heel section <NUM> to provide traction with a surface on which the article of footwear <NUM> may be placed.

In the illustrated example, the cutout segment <NUM> includes an at least partially translucent film <NUM> or other barrier between the housing <NUM> and external environmental conditions. In examples in which the housing <NUM> is enclosed within a sleeve, the sleeve may similarly be at least partially translucent. The shining of the light emitted by the LEDs <NUM> may be visible through the film <NUM>. The film <NUM> may, in various examples, provide for diffusion of the light from the LEDs <NUM> in order to provide a more even diffusion of the light emitted by the LEDs <NUM> than may be obtainable by the LEDs <NUM> alone.

In addition to the structures descripted above, the article of footwear <NUM> includes various additional structures, including an upper <NUM> through which the lace <NUM> may be routed. The upper <NUM> as illustrated includes an outer shell <NUM>, which may be comprised of any material as desired for structural or aesthetic purposes, including a textile, such as a knit textile, leather, and the like.

<FIG> is a depiction of the lacing architecture of the article of footwear <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The lacing architecture may be positioned between the outer shell <NUM>, which has been removed for the purposes of illustration, and an inner structure <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. The inner structure <NUM> may provide some measure of structural rigidity for the upper <NUM> in general. As illustrated, the inner structure <NUM> includes a heel strap <NUM>, a midfoot flap <NUM>, and a throat flap <NUM>, all made from a relatively more structurally-rigid material, such as leather or synthetic leather, and a textile portion or portions extending between the other components of the inner structure <NUM>. As can be seen from the illustration, the throat flap <NUM> has a connection point <NUM> proximate a toe region <NUM> but is enabled to swing, at least in part, about the connection point <NUM> based on an amount of tension on the lace <NUM>.

The lacing architecture includes lace guides though which the lace <NUM> is routed. Upon exiting the lacing engine <NUM> and then passing through an aperture <NUM> in the midfoot flap <NUM>, the lace <NUM> passes through a first lace guide <NUM> on the heel strap <NUM>, a second lace guide <NUM> on a distal end <NUM> of the throat flap <NUM>, a third lace guide <NUM> on the midfoot flap <NUM>, and a fourth lace guide <NUM> on a proximal end <NUM> of the throat flap <NUM>. The lace <NUM> is secured to the upper <NUM> on the midfoot flap <NUM>.

The lace guides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be made in any suitable configuration to retain the lace <NUM> within the lace guide <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> while allowing the lace <NUM> to slide through the lace guide <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> when tension is placed on the lace <NUM>, e.g., by the lacing engine <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the lace guides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are pivot-style lace guides, with a post on a central axis between to parallel discs around which the lace <NUM> curves in order to be redirected to another one of the lace guides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The pivot-style may optionally rotate, e.g., incorporate a wheel-and-axel construction as in a pulley. A restraining member, e.g., a second post positioned away from the central axis of the pulley, may restrain the lace <NUM> within the lace guide <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> if the lace <NUM> is threaded between the central post and the second post.

While the lacing architecture is depicted from the lateral side of the article of footwear <NUM>, it is to be recognized and understood that the same or similar pattern may be repeated on the medial side of the article of footwear <NUM>. Alternatively, the medial side may have a different pattern.

<FIG> are images of an alternative lacing architecture, in an example embodiment. The lacing architecture includes a similar routing pattern to the example of <FIG> but with different lace guides. The lace guides include a fabric loop lace guide <NUM> positioned on the throat flap <NUM> and tubular lace guides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> positioned on the midfoot flap <NUM>, throat flap <NUM>, and heel strap <NUM>. The lace <NUM> accesses the lacing engine <NUM> via the aperture <NUM> and is secured on the midfoot flap <NUM>.

<FIG> is a line drawing of a lacing architecture, in an example embodiment. The lace architecture is depicted on an upper <NUM> that may be utilized as the upper on the article of footwear <NUM> or as part of any suitable article of footwear <NUM>. The upper <NUM> is similar to the upper <NUM>, with certain differences disclosed below. The upper <NUM> includes a heel strap <NUM>, a medial midfoot flap <NUM>, a lateral midfoot flap <NUM>, and a throat flap <NUM>. The lace <NUM> exits the lacing engine <NUM> via apertures <NUM> and, on each side routes through a first lace guide <NUM> on the heel strap <NUM>, a second lace guide <NUM> on a distal end of the throat flap <NUM>, a third lace guide <NUM> on the each midfoot flap <NUM>, <NUM>, a fourth lace guide <NUM> on a middle region of the throat flap <NUM>, a fifth lace guide <NUM> on each midfoot flap <NUM>, <NUM>, and finally are secured on a proximal end of the throat flap <NUM>. The upper <NUM> further optionally includes an intermediate lace guide <NUM> between first lace guide <NUM> and the second lace guide <NUM>.

It is noted that while the lace <NUM> is depicted as running through the complete length of the lacing architecture on the medial side <NUM>, the lace <NUM> is omitted from much of the lacing architecture on the lateral side <NUM> for the purposes of providing clarity of the components. The various lace guides may be any suitable lace guides. As illustrated, the first, third, and fifth lace guides <NUM>, <NUM> are fabric loops while the second, third, and intermediate lace guides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are tubular lace guides. However, it is to be recognized and understood that some or all of the lace guides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be any of the lace guide types disclosed herein.

These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are envisaged.

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute either software modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware modules. A "hardware module" is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computer system, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardware module that operates to perform certain operations as described herein.

In some embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, a hardware module may include dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware module may be a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A hardware module may also include programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware module may include software encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor.

Accordingly, the phrase "hardware module" should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein. As used herein, "hardware-implemented module" refers to a hardware module. Considering embodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardware module comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software to become a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g., comprising different hardware modules) at different times. Software may accordingly configure a processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at a different instance of time.

Claim 1:
A lacing engine (<NUM>, <NUM>) for an article of footwear (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a processor (<NUM>);
a motor (<NUM>) operatively coupled to the processor (<NUM>);
a transmission (<NUM>) operatively coupled to the motor;
a lace spool (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), operatively coupled to the transmission (<NUM>), wherein a lace (<NUM>) is configured to be wound around the spool based on a turning of the lace spool from action by the motor; and
a haptic generator, separate from the motor and configured to generate a haptic sensation that is perceptible by a wearer of the article of footwear, the haptic sensation associated with a user interface experience,
wherein the lacing engine further comprises a printed circuit board, PCB, (<NUM>) on which the haptic generator is positioned.