Patent Description:
The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to a wearable article with a kinetic energy generator.

Mobile and wearable electronics conventionally combine compact electronic components with a self-contained, non-volatile power source. The power source, such as a battery, supercapacitor, and the like, may provide power for sensors, controllers, communications, and so forth. Data to and from the electronics may be transmitted via various forms of wired and wireless communications.

Documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose shoes that comprise a wireless transmission circuit powered by a battery that is recharged using a piezo-electric power generator.

Example methods and systems are directed to a wearable article with a kinetic energy generator. 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.

A wearable article has been developed that provides for the collection and/or transmission of electronic data while remaining self-contained and not reliant on making physical connections with outside sources of energy or data. In various examples, the wearable article is an article of footwear that includes a kinetic energy generator for ancillary energy harvesting, such as a kinematic generator or a piezoelectric generator, in such a way as to obviate the need for a non-volatile energy storage device. The kinetic energy generator provides bursts of power to a volatile energy storage device, such as a capacitor, based on the motion of the foot or leg. When sufficient energy becomes available, electronics may collect data from sensors and/or transmit data via a wireless link.

The wearable article may allow for, and does not foreclose, the inclusion of components such as a non-volatile energy storage device and/or a physical link. However, the use of a kinetic energy generator and a volatile energy storage device may provide for a wearable article that is self-contained and not reliant on being plugged in to a power source or otherwise deliberately recharged. Further, the lack of a physical port may reduce the articles susceptibility to electrostatic discharge and water damage.

<FIG> are a cutaway depiction of a wearable article <NUM> and a block circuit diagram <NUM> of electronic components of the wearable article <NUM>, in an example embodiment. As illustrated, the wearable article <NUM> is an article of footwear. However, it is to be understood that while the principles described herein are with specific reference to the wearable article <NUM>, the principles described herein may be applied to any suitable wearable article, such as articles of apparel, including shirts, pants, socks, hats, and the like, without limitation.

The wearable article <NUM> includes an outsole <NUM> designed to come into contact with a surface, such as the ground or a floor, an insole <NUM> configured to seat a human foot, an upper section <NUM> configured to enclose the human foot, and a tongue <NUM> configured to facilitate securing the wearable article <NUM> to the human foot via laces <NUM>. It is to be recognized that this is a simplified depiction of a conventional wearable article <NUM> and that various wearable articles <NUM> may incorporate any of a variety of components or features. Further, certain wearable articles <NUM> may not incorporate all of these features or may include these features in other formats (e.g., a sandal may incorporate the outsole <NUM> and a reconfigured upper section <NUM> and no insole <NUM>, tongue <NUM>, and laces <NUM>). It is contemplated that the principles disclosed herein will be applicable and adaptable to any of a range of wearable articles <NUM>.

The wearable article <NUM> further includes piezoelectric generators <NUM> coupled to electronic circuitry <NUM> and an antenna <NUM>. The electronic circuitry <NUM> may include or be positioned on one or more circuit boards or other suitable substrates. As illustrated, the piezoelectric generators <NUM> and electronic circuitry <NUM> are seated, secured, or otherwise positioned within the outsole <NUM>. In various examples, the outsole <NUM> forms a seal around the piezoelectric generators <NUM> and electronic circuitry <NUM> that is fully or substantially waterproof and otherwise configured to protect the piezoelectric generators <NUM> and electronic circuitry <NUM> from environmental conditions that may tend to damage or interfere with the operation of the piezoelectric generators <NUM> and electronic circuitry <NUM>. In alternative example, the piezoelectric generators <NUM> and electronic circuity <NUM> may be positioned in any suitable location on the wearable article <NUM>.

As illustrated, the antenna <NUM> is electrically coupled to the circuit board <NUM> and is positioned within the tongue <NUM>. While the tongue <NUM> may provide a prominent position for the antenna <NUM>, the antenna <NUM> may be positioned anywhere on the wearable article <NUM> that will facilitate the antenna <NUM> conducting wireless communications with a secondary antenna position remote to the wearable article. Thus, for instance, the antenna <NUM> may be positioned in various portions of the upper section <NUM> or in the outsole <NUM> or insole <NUM>, as appropriate.

Referring specifically to the block circuit diagram <NUM>, the electronic circuitry <NUM> includes a power management circuit <NUM>, a power management storage capacitor <NUM>, an output storage capacitor <NUM>, a wireless transceiver <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and an electronic data storage <NUM>.

The power management circuit <NUM> is coupled over the piezoelectric generator <NUM> (it is noted that, for simplicity, the piezoelectric generator <NUM> as illustrated in the block circuit diagram <NUM> represents as many piezoelectric generators as are included in the wearable article <NUM>). In an example, the power management circuit <NUM> includes a power management integrated circuit and a rectifier. The power management circuit <NUM> controls the flow, direction, and magnitude of the power generated by the piezoelectric generator <NUM>.

The power management circuit <NUM> is coupled to a power management storage capacitor <NUM>. The power management storage capacitor <NUM> is sized and specified to charge at or based on voltage levels output by the power management circuit <NUM>. The power management storage capacitor <NUM> is coupled to the output storage capacitor <NUM>. The output storage capacitor <NUM> has a lower voltage rating than the power management storage capacitor <NUM> and is variously charged by charge transfer or leakage from the power management storage capacitor <NUM>. As such, the output storage capacitor <NUM> provides a step-down in voltage from the voltage levels of the piezoelectric generator <NUM>, power management circuit <NUM>, and power management storage capacitor <NUM>.

The output storage capacitor <NUM> is coupled to the wireless transceiver <NUM> and the controller <NUM>. In an example, the wireless transceiver <NUM> is configured as a receiver without transmitting functionality. Alternatively, the wireless transceiver <NUM> may be configured to transmit and receive. The wireless transceiver <NUM> is configured to communicate according to one or more wireless modalities. In an example, the wireless modality is or is related to a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) standard. In an example, the BLE standard is specified in the Bluetooth Core Specification, Version <NUM> (December <NUM>).

<FIG> is a block circuit diagram <NUM> of electronic componentry that may be implemented in the wearable article <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The block circuit diagram <NUM> includes the components of the block circuit diagram <NUM> as well as alternative and optional components. As such, the block circuit diagram <NUM> may describe circuit blocks that include components in addition or alternative to the components of the block circuit diagram <NUM>.

The block circuit diagram <NUM> includes a kinetic energy generator block <NUM>, a volatile energy storage block <NUM>, a wireless transmission block <NUM>, an electronic data storage block <NUM>, an optional controller <NUM>, and an optional sensor block <NUM>. In various examples, the block circuit diagram <NUM> may be applied to any suitable wearable article and the components of the electronic system <NUM> adapted to the particular circumstances in which they have been applied.

The kinetic energy generator block <NUM> optionally includes the piezoelectric generators <NUM>, as illustrated. In various examples, the kinetic energy generator block <NUM> may additionally or alternatively include kinematic generators and any other of a variety of kinetic energy generators known in the art or that may be developed. In such examples, the piezoelectric generators <NUM> may be replaced with or supplemented by the kinematic generators in the wearable article <NUM>. The kinematic generators would not necessarily be placed in the outsole <NUM> like the piezoelectric generators <NUM> and may, instead, be positioned anywhere on the wearable article <NUM> as appropriate.

The kinetic energy generator block <NUM> produces a voltage and current based on physical motion. In the case of the piezoelectric generators <NUM>, the voltage and current are produced based on a flexing of the piezoelectric generators <NUM> that results from the flexing of the wearable article <NUM>. Thus, with the piezoelectric generators <NUM> positioned in the outsole <NUM> as illustrated, as the outsole <NUM> flexes, e.g., because of a wearer of the wearable article taking a step, the piezoelectric generators <NUM> also flex, resulting in the induced voltage and current. It is to be recognized that if a kinematic generator were incorporated in addition to or instead of the piezoelectric generators <NUM> then the voltage and current as generated may be based not in principal part on flexing of the wearable article <NUM> but on the movement of the wearable article <NUM> relative to a reference point, such as Earth's gravity. For instance, such movement may be based on the movement of a wearer's foot and leg during walking or running for an article of footwear or the swinging of the wearer's arm for a shirt, wristband, or the like.

The volatile energy storage block <NUM> includes a volatile energy storage component, such as a capacitor, and is positioned on the circuit board <NUM>. The volatile energy storage block <NUM> is configured to store energy for relatively short periods of time, as understood in the art. Thus, for instance, while the volatile energy storage block <NUM> may store energy for time periods on the order of milliseconds or seconds, the volatile energy storage block <NUM> may not store energy in a form that is resilient for hours, days, or more, in contrast to a battery, a supercapacitor, and the like. The volatile energy storage block <NUM> may include the output storage capacitor <NUM> as well as the input storage capacitor <NUM>, in certain embodiments.

The wireless transmission block <NUM> includes componentry that may be utilized to transmit data stored in the electronic data storage block <NUM>. The wireless transmission block <NUM> may include the antenna <NUM> and the wireless transceiver <NUM>. In such an example and others, the wireless transmission block <NUM> may be or may optionally function as a wireless transceiver block, configured to both transmit and receive data in wireless signals. Alternatively, the wireless transmission block <NUM> may include only wireless transmission circuitry and may not be configured to receive wireless signals.

The wireless transmission block <NUM> may utilize any suitable wireless transmission or transceiver system, including near field communications (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, and the like that may be powered based on the storage and output of the volatile energy storage block <NUM>. The wireless transmission block <NUM> may utilize or incorporate the circuit board <NUM> which may be or which may incorporate a dedicated substrate or "tag" on which to position the components of the wireless transmission block <NUM>, such as an RFID tag known in the art.

In various examples, the electronic data storage block <NUM> is or includes the electronic data storage <NUM>. In certain examples, the electronic data storage block <NUM> is non-volatile, writeable electronic data storage, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), such as flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile electronic data storage known in the art. However, it is to be understood that, in various additional or alternative examples, the electronic data storage block <NUM> may be or may include volatile electronic data storage, such as random access memory (RAM) or other suitable volatile electronic data storage known in the art.

The electronic data storage block <NUM> includes electronic data that is related to some or all of the wearable article <NUM>, an owner of the wearable article, a manufacturer of the wearable article <NUM>, or any other information that may be pertinent to various circumstances. In various examples, the information includes a make, model, and unique identifier, such as a serial number, of the wearable article <NUM>, a name or other identifier of the owner or original purchaser of the wearable article, proprietary information related to the manufacturer of the wearable article <NUM>, including information related to the place, date, and circumstances of the manufacture of the wearable article <NUM>, the place, date, and circumstances of the purchase of the wearable article <NUM>, purchase history of the owner or original purchaser of the wearable article <NUM>, including items other than or in addition to the wearable article <NUM>, a current date and time, and so forth. Further information may be added to the electronic data storage block <NUM> over time, including a step counter and a clock. Additional information may be stored in the electronic data storage block <NUM> as disclosed herein or as may be appropriate or desired.

In an example, the electronic data storage block <NUM> is configured to store a <NUM>-bit current date, an <NUM>-bit current time, a counter of accumulated steps taken by or in the wearable article <NUM> in twenty-two (<NUM>) bits of storage, and a unique identification number of the wearable article <NUM> or the purchaser or user of the wearable article <NUM> in thirty (<NUM>) bits of storage, for a total of eighty-six (<NUM>) bits. In an example, the electronic data storage block <NUM> is only or substantially only sufficiently large to store the eighty-six (<NUM>) bits or any number of bits as may be necessary to store the desired information. Alternatively, the electronic data storage block <NUM> may incorporate sufficient electronic data storage to store, for instance, time-stamped data regarding when individual steps are taken.

A dedicated controller <NUM> is optionally included to provide dedicated control function for the componentry of the block circuit diagram <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be or may include the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> obtains inputs from various blocks of the circuit diagram <NUM> and controls the operation of various blocks as disclosed herein. In various examples, control circuitry of various blocks, including the wireless transmission block <NUM> and the electronic data storage block <NUM> may obviate the need or utility of a separate controller <NUM>. In such circumstances, individual blocks may perform the functions and operations disclosed herein on an individual basis as appropriate without use of a central controller <NUM>. Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may be understood to be an amalgamation of all control functionality of the block circuit diagram <NUM>, including from a dedicated controller as well as native control functions of individual blocks.

The optional sensor block <NUM> includes sensors that may be utilized in recording operational or use data of the wearable article <NUM>. In an example, the sensor block <NUM> includes an accelerometer. The accelerometer outputs data indicative of acceleration of the wearable article to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may variously convert the accelerometer output to data indicative of a number of steps a wearer of the wearable article has taken and store the data in the electronic data storage block <NUM> or may store the raw accelerometer output data in the electronic data storage block <NUM>. The steps and/or accelerometer data may then be output by the electronic data storage block <NUM> as desired, for instance for transmittal to a receiver via the wireless transmission block <NUM>.

The sensor block <NUM> may, in various examples, include one or more additional sensors instead of or in addition to the accelerometer. Such additional sensors may include some or all of a gyroscope, a moisture sensor, a magnetometer, a light sensor, a pressure sensor, a shear-force sensor, and a sweat sensor, among other suitable sensors. As with the accelerometer example, data output from the individual sensors may variously be interpreted by the controller <NUM> and data or information related to the interpretation stored in the electronic data storage block <NUM>, or raw data from the various sensors may be stored in the electronic data storage block <NUM>.

<FIG> is a graph <NUM> of a voltage output <NUM> of the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and an amount of energy stored <NUM> in the output storage capacitor <NUM> over time <NUM>, in an example embodiment. While the graph <NUM> is described with respect to the stated components of the wearable article <NUM> in particular, it is to be understood that the graph <NUM> and the principles that underlie the graph <NUM> may be applied to the kinetic energy generator block <NUM> and the volatile energy storage block <NUM> in general. The graph is abstracted to illustrate the principles of use of the wearable article <NUM> and the precise morphology of voltage <NUM> and energy stored <NUM> curves may vary depending on any of a variety of circumstances of use of the wearable article <NUM> and particular implementations of the components of the wearable article <NUM>.

As the piezoelectric generator <NUM> is flexed, for instance while the wearable article <NUM> is being worn and the wearer is walking, running, or otherwise stepping or making footfalls, the voltage response is generated by the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and the voltage output <NUM> is transmitted to the power management circuit <NUM> and, ultimately, to the output storage capacitor <NUM>. Where the voltage output <NUM> reflects a standard stepping action, the voltage output <NUM> includes a rise <NUM>, peak <NUM>, and fall <NUM> back to a baseline <NUM> for each step. Dependent on the lag introduced by the power management circuit <NUM> and power management storage capacitor <NUM>, the voltage output <NUM> ultimately results in energy that is delivered to and stored in the output storage capacitor <NUM>.

Unlike the voltage output <NUM>, the energy stored <NUM> on the output voltage capacitor <NUM> is substantially retained. While some energy may leak from the output voltage capacitor <NUM> over time, over a period of one or several seconds the leaked energy may be minimal or effectively negligible for the purposes of this illustrative example. Thus, as the voltage output <NUM> increases and decreases with each step, the energy stored <NUM> tends to increase over time in proportion to the amount of voltage generated over time.

Energy stored <NUM> in the output storage capacitor <NUM> may be utilized for a variety of purposes related to the components of the block circuit diagram <NUM>, <NUM>. The energy stored <NUM> may be utilized to operate the controller <NUM>, <NUM> and sensor block <NUM>, among other components. When the energy stored <NUM> is utilized for such a purpose the energy stored <NUM> may decrease with time in relation to the energy utilized to operate the components that are utilizing the power.

The wireless transceiver <NUM> similarly draws power from the output storage capacitor <NUM>. However, the wireless transceiver <NUM> may require an amount of energy that is substantially higher than the energy utilized by other components of the block circuit diagrams <NUM>, <NUM> in order to transmit data at a suitable or desired signal strength. An energy stored threshold <NUM> corresponding to the amount of energy needed by the wireless transceiver <NUM> may be predetermined and set.

Upon the energy stored <NUM> exceeding the threshold <NUM>, the output storage capacitor <NUM> is discharged <NUM> to temporarily and discretely power the wireless transceiver <NUM>. The wireless transceiver <NUM> thus advertises or "bursts" data that is stored in the electronic data storage <NUM>. In various examples, each advertisement burst variously lasts either a predetermined time or for an amount of time sufficient to transmit the data as specified by the controller <NUM>. As an advertisement, the wireless transceiver <NUM> does not transmit data to a particular destination but rather transmits the data such that the data may be received by any suitable receiver within communication range of the wireless transceiver <NUM>.

The voltage output <NUM> as illustrated with multiple peaks <NUM> may represent a single step, with one step corresponding to one peak <NUM> in examples with only one piezoelectric generator, or individual actuations of multiple piezoelectric generators <NUM> over the course of a single step. Accordingly, the illustrated example voltage output <NUM> may be generated over the course of a single step when a piezoelectric generator <NUM> positioned at the front of the wearable article <NUM> flexes when the heel rises off the ground at the start of a step and then when a piezoelectric generator at the back of the wearable article <NUM> is actuated when the heel of the wearer strikes the ground at the completion of the step.

Individual wireless bursts may include various types of data, as disclosed herein. In various examples, each burst includes an identifier of the article of footwear. In certain examples, each burst includes only the identifier of the article of footwear. In other examples, each burst includes the identifier of the article and any or all of the data pertaining to the wearable article <NUM>, the owner or initial purchaser of the wearable article <NUM>, the manufacturer of the wearable article <NUM>, and so forth.

Wireless bursts may also include data that is based on the output of the sensor block <NUM>, if included. Thus, in an example where the sensor block <NUM> is or includes an accelerometer, the controller <NUM>, <NUM>, based on its interpretation of the output from the accelerometer, notes acceleration profiles that correspond to steps being taken by a wearer of the wearable article <NUM> and, for each step, incrementing a step counter that is stored in the electronic data storage <NUM>. In such an example, some or all of the wireless bursts include the step counter value.

The controller <NUM> may further identify steps based on characteristics of the voltage output <NUM>. In an example, characteristics of the voltage output <NUM> may be known to correspond to a step, such as the peak voltage <NUM> and the rise <NUM> and fall <NUM>. For instance, a step may be identified if the peak voltage <NUM> meets or exceeds a predetermined step threshold voltage. By way of further example, a step may be identified if the peak voltage <NUM> meets or exceeds the predetermined step threshold voltage and at least one of the rise <NUM> and the fall <NUM> is within a particular duration window, e.g., because the rise <NUM> or fall <NUM> was neither too fast nor too slow to have been caused by a step or footfall. The characteristics of the voltage output <NUM> that indicate a step may be highly dependent on the characteristics of the wearable article <NUM>, such as the wearable article's <NUM> general stiffness, and the particular characteristics of a voltage output <NUM> that may be interpreted as a step may be separately and individually determined for a given wearable article <NUM>.

The wireless bursts are, in various examples, without respect to the presence of another antenna to receive the wireless signals. In those examples, the wireless burst occurs when the energy stored threshold <NUM> is met. If a receiving antenna is within range of the antenna <NUM> at the time of the wireless burst then the information included in the wireless burst may be received and utilized. If a receiving antenna is not within range of the antenna <NUM> then the transmission from the antenna <NUM> may be lost or be unused.

<FIG> is a circuit schematic <NUM> of an implementation of power components of the block circuit diagram <NUM>, in an example embodiment. In particular, the circuit schematic provides an example embodiment of the piezoelectric generator <NUM>, the power management circuit <NUM>, the power management storage capacitor <NUM>, and the output storage capacitor <NUM> blocks of the block circuit diagram.

In the illustrated example, the piezoelectric generator <NUM> is coupled to piezoelectric input terminals <NUM> of an energy harvester <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the energy harvester is an LTC3588-<NUM> energy harvester by Linear Technology Corporation, though it is emphasized than any suitable component, whether off the shelf or custom designed may be used instead of or in addition to the particular energy harvester illustrated with respect to this example embodiment.

Capacitors <NUM>, <NUM> of the power management storage capacitor block <NUM> are coupled to a voltage input terminal <NUM> of the energy harvester <NUM>. The capacitors <NUM>, <NUM> are selected from two different types of capacitors with different electrical characteristics that, included together and in parallel, may provide a desired power management storage capacitance over a variety of voltages that may be generated by the piezoelectric generator <NUM>. In particular, in the example embodiment, the capacitors include two tantalum capacitors <NUM>, each with a capacitance of ten (<NUM>) microFarads and a voltage rating of twenty (<NUM>) Volts, and two ceramic capacitors <NUM>, each with a capacitance of forty-seven (<NUM>) microFarads and a voltage rating of twenty-five (<NUM>) Volts. However, it is noted and emphasized that the power management storage capacitor block <NUM> may utilize any one or more capacitors as appropriate based on the circumstances of the implementation of the power management circuit <NUM> and the wearable article <NUM> in general.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> for transmitting data from the wearable article <NUM> as a user of the wearable article <NUM> takes steps while wearing the wearable article <NUM>, in an example embodiment. While the flowchart <NUM> is specifically described with respect to wearing the wearable article <NUM>, it is to be understood that uses of wearing the wearable article <NUM> may be substituted for manual manipulation of the wearable article <NUM> to produce the same or similar effect. Moreover, a user is not necessarily a person but rather may be any animal or machine that may wear or otherwise manipulate the wearable article <NUM>. Further, while the flowchart is described with respect to the piezoelectric generator <NUM>, it is to be understood that principles described may apply to the kinetic energy generator block <NUM> in general and any other kinetic energy generator that may be utilized instead of or in addition to the piezoelectric generator <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the power management circuit <NUM> waits to receive an input from one or more piezoelectric generators <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the flexing of the piezoelectric generator <NUM> induces a voltage output <NUM> from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> that is received by the power management circuit <NUM>. The voltage output <NUM> is commensurate with and related to the nature of the step, in that if the step is relatively fast then rise <NUM> and fall <NUM> may be relatively short while the peak <NUM> may be relatively high, while if the step is relatively slow then the rise <NUM> and fall <NUM> may be relatively long while the peak <NUM> may be relatively low.

At <NUM>, the power management circuit <NUM> receives energy generated by the piezoelectric generator <NUM>, based on the voltage and resultant current generated by flexing the piezoelectric generator <NUM>. The power management circuit <NUM> optionally shifts a voltage or otherwise converts the energy received from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and stores the energy in the output storage capacitor <NUM>, including by adding the energy from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> to energy already stored in the output storage capacitor <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the controller <NUM> optionally determines if a step has occurred. The controller <NUM> may determine a step has occurred based, for instance, on the peak voltage <NUM> exceeding a predetermine threshold and/or according to any conditions that may tend to indicate that the energy generated by the piezoelectric generator <NUM> was from a footfall. Additionally or alternatively, sensor data from the sensor block <NUM>, such as from an accelerometer, may supplement or replace an analysis of the energy generated by the piezoelectric generator in identifying a step.

At <NUM>, if the controller <NUM> determines that a step has occurred then the controller <NUM> increments the step counter in the electronic data storage <NUM> and/or the electronic data storage block <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines if the energy stored in the output storage capacitor <NUM> equals or exceeds the energy stored threshold <NUM>. As illustrated, the determination of the amount of energy stored in the output storage capacitor <NUM> is based, at least in part, on receiving energy from the power management circuit <NUM>. However, in various examples, the determination of the amount of energy stored in the output storage capacitor <NUM> may be continual, periodic, or otherwise occur not necessarily with respect to or dependent on a discrete occurrence of receiving or having received energy from the power management circuit <NUM>. If the energy stored in the output storage capacitor <NUM> does not equal or exceed the energy stored threshold <NUM>, the flowchart <NUM> returns to <NUM>. If so, the threshold <NUM> is met the flowchart <NUM> proceeds to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the controller <NUM> causes the wireless transceiver <NUM> to draw energy from the output storage capacitor <NUM> and transmit data from the electronic data storage <NUM> and/or the electronic data storage block <NUM>. In various examples, the wireless transceiver <NUM> transmits all of the data stored in the electronic data storage <NUM> and/or electronic data storage block <NUM> with each burst. Alternatively, the controller selectively bursts data stored in the electronic data storage <NUM>. In various examples, the wireless transceiver <NUM> transmits the data as an advertisement and without respect to any intended recipient of the data.

<FIG> are examples of layouts of piezoelectric generators <NUM> with respect to a bottom contour <NUM> of the wearable article <NUM>, in example embodiments. The bottom contour <NUM> is presented for clarity and it is to be understood that the piezoelectric generators <NUM> will actually be disposed within the wearable article <NUM> in the manners disclosed herein, e.g., embedded within or between one or more of the outsole <NUM> and the insole <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the piezoelectric generator <NUM> is positioned extending laterally across a forefoot region <NUM> of the wearable article <NUM>, approximately where the ball of a human foot is seated when wearing the wearable article <NUM>. The forefoot region <NUM> may tend to include, on average, the greatest amount of longitudinal flexing of any region of the wearable article <NUM> during a step or footfall. By extending the piezoelectric generator <NUM> laterally across the forefoot region <NUM>, flexing of the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and, as a result, power generated by the piezoelectric generator <NUM>, may be maximized relative to positioning the piezoelectric generator <NUM> in other locations on the wearable article <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a configuration of multiple piezoelectric generators <NUM> that may be implemented instead of or in addition to the arrangement of the piezoelectric generator <NUM> in <FIG>. In particular, the piezoelectric generators <NUM> are dispersed generally over the bottom contour <NUM>. In such an example, the resultant voltage output <NUM> may consist not necessarily of clear peaks <NUM> and rise <NUM> and fall times <NUM> but rather of a varying but relatively steady voltage over the course of a step.

<FIG> shows a configuration of two piezoelectric generators <NUM>, one positioned at the front of the wearable article <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM> and the other positioned at the back of the wearable article <NUM> in the heel region <NUM>. This configuration may generate the voltage output <NUM> as received at the volatile energy storage block <NUM> illustrated in the graph <NUM>, first by flexing the forefoot region <NUM> at the start of a step and actuating the piezoelectric generator <NUM> in the heel at the completion of the step. It is noted and emphasized that the voltage output <NUM> illustrated in the graph <NUM> may be generated from other configurations of piezoelectric generators <NUM>, including by taking multiple steps in a wearable article <NUM> with only one piezoelectric generator <NUM> or multiple piezoelectric generators <NUM> that are not all necessarily actuated during a single step.

<FIG> is a block circuit diagram <NUM> of a wearable article <NUM> that is configured to determine and transmit data indicative of a physical status of the wearable article <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The block circuit diagram <NUM> may be implemented with respect to the components illustrated with respect to <FIG> along with additional components disclosed herein. Furthermore, certain components of the wearable article <NUM> may be omitted or not used to the extent that those components are not useful in the implementation of the block circuit diagram <NUM>. In various examples, the wearable article <NUM> is an article of footwear, as disclosed herein, though any suitable wearable article may be utilized. Furthermore, while the components of the block circuit diagram are described with respect to being components of a particular wearable article <NUM> or article of footwear, it is to be understood that a system may include the various components not necessarily co-located on the same wearable article <NUM>.

The example illustrated in the block circuit diagram <NUM> may be utilized in conjunction with and in the same wearable article <NUM> as other examples, such as the block circuit diagram <NUM>. In such examples, components of the block circuit diagram <NUM> may correspond to blocks in both the block circuit diagrams <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, for instance, the piezoelectric generator <NUM> may both provide power to the volatile energy storage block <NUM> for use in a burst data advertisement as well as voltage to a voltage sensor in block diagram <NUM> for use in determining a change in the physical status of the wearable article <NUM>. Moreover, particular components described with respect to the block circuit diagram <NUM> may be implemented in other examples of the wearable article <NUM>, whether illustrated herein or not.

The block circuit diagram <NUM> includes piezoelectric generator <NUM>, such as the piezoelectric generator <NUM>. The piezoelectric generator <NUM> may be understood to be any suitable kinetic energy generator that is known or that may be developed that responds to a flexing of the wearable article and may be in any suitable orientation disclosed herein or that may provide information related to a physical status of the wearable article <NUM>.

A voltage sensor <NUM> is coupled to the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and is configured to sense the voltage output <NUM> of the piezoelectric generator <NUM>. The voltage sensor <NUM> generates a voltage sensor output that is indicative of the voltage as sensed. The voltage sensor is coupled to an electronic data storage block <NUM>, such as the electronic data storage <NUM>. The voltage sensor output may be stored as data in the electronic data storage block <NUM>.

A controller block <NUM> optionally includes the controller <NUM> and other componentry that may distinguish between and among various outputs of the voltage sensor <NUM>. The controller block <NUM> optionally includes the voltage sensor <NUM> and a comparator. The controller block <NUM> accesses voltage sensor outputs as stored in the electronic data storage block <NUM> and compares those voltage sensor outputs over time to determine a physical status of the wearable article <NUM>, as disclosed herein. The controller block <NUM> may also manage any control function of the wearable article <NUM>, including storing data to the electronic data storage block <NUM> and accessing data from the electronic data storage block <NUM>.

A wireless transmission block <NUM> includes the wireless transceiver <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> and may be the same or incorporate similar functionality as the wireless transmission block <NUM>. The controller block <NUM> may control the wireless transmission block <NUM> to transmit data indicative of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM>.

The block circuit diagram <NUM> optionally further includes a power source <NUM>, such as a battery. The power source <NUM> may not be included in various examples in which the piezoelectric generator <NUM> may supply the necessary power to operate the circuitry of the block circuit diagram <NUM>, as disclosed herein with respect to the wearable article <NUM>. However, in various examples, the power source <NUM> may variously supplement or replace the power provided by the piezoelectric generator <NUM>. The power source <NUM> may be rechargeable, replaceable, or inaccessible for charging or replacement as known in the art.

The block diagram <NUM> optionally further includes components and devices that are external to the wearable article <NUM>. In particular, a wireless receiver <NUM> may receive the wireless signals transmitted by the wireless transmission block <NUM>. A user interface <NUM> may display or otherwise convey information indicative of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> as received in the wireless transmission by the wireless receiver <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may include a visual display, a speaker, or other mechanism for providing the indication of the physical status of the wearable article as well as computing components as would be necessary to operate the user interface <NUM>.

It is emphasized that the block diagram <NUM> illustrates components that may be utilized for the purposes of determining and transmitting data indicative of a physical status of the wearable article <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The wearable article <NUM> may thus include not only the components of the block diagram <NUM> but also any additional components that are described herein in addition to those components illustrated in the block diagram <NUM>. Thus, additional examples that are based on the block diagram <NUM> may incorporate components that may be used for data advertising and storage of electronic data, as disclosed herein, as well as additional features or functionality that may be useful under various circumstances.

<FIG> is a voltage diagram <NUM> illustrating a change in a voltage profile output of the piezoelectric generator <NUM> over time, in an example embodiment. The voltage diagram is illustrative and abstract and it is to be understood that the voltage profiles may have many different morphologies depending on the nature of the wearable article <NUM> and the way that individual wearers of the wearable article <NUM> use the wearable article <NUM>. Thus, the way in which a wearer of the wearable article <NUM> walks or runs while wearing the wearable article <NUM> may change the morphology of the voltage profiles. However, it is to be understood that the principles illustrated with respect to the illustrative voltage profiles may be applied to any of a variety of voltage profiles and a variety of circumstances.

Further, while the voltage profiles are illustrated graphically for the purposes of this description, it is to be understood that the comparison of one voltage profile to another may be not on the basis of a full representation of a voltage profile to another but rather between and among discrete characteristics of the voltage profiles. Thus, as will be described herein, rather than necessarily comparing complete morphologies of voltage profiles, the controller block <NUM> may compare discrete characteristics of the voltage profiles, including peak, rise time, fall time, and overall duration of the profile, as disclosed herein.

The voltage diagram <NUM> includes a first voltage profile <NUM> obtained from the output of the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and converted into a sensor signal by the voltage sensor <NUM> at a first time. The voltage diagram <NUM> further includes a second voltage profile <NUM> obtained from the output of the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and converted into a sensor signal by the voltage sensor <NUM> at a second time later than the first time. In various examples, the first and second times are not discrete times but rather may represent an average or other statistical relationship of individual voltage profiles over a window or period of time. Thus, the first voltage profile <NUM> may represent an average of individual outputs from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> over a first window at or around the first time and the second voltage profile <NUM> may represent an average of individual outputs from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> over a second window at or around the second time.

For the purposes of the voltage diagram <NUM>, time may be understood or accounted for in a variety of suitable manners. In an example, time may be absolute time measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, and so forth. However, alternatively or additionally, time may be indicative not of absolute time but of events, such as steps of footfalls or outputs from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> that are interpretable as steps or footfalls, as disclosed herein. Thus, in an example, each voltage profile <NUM>, <NUM> represents an average of voltage profiles over one thousand (<NUM>,<NUM>) steps or other suitable or appropriate window. Additionally, the time between the first and second times may, in various examples, be one week, one month, or other suitable amount of time, or may be a suitable number of steps, such as ten thousand (<NUM>,<NUM>) or one hundred thousand (<NUM>,<NUM>) steps or footfalls.

In general, the first voltage profile <NUM> corresponds to a time in which the wearable article <NUM> has experienced relatively little overall use while the second voltage profile <NUM> corresponds to a time in which the wearable article <NUM> has been worn down, at least to an extent, through use. In particular, as the wearable article <NUM> structurally deteriorates the support provided by the wearable article <NUM> to a wearer of the wearable article <NUM> may tend to decrease. Thus, initially the wearable article <NUM> may have greater stiffness and resistance to being flexed at the first time than at the second time. Because the wearable article <NUM> produces relatively less resistance to being flexed at the second time than at the first time, the rise time <NUM> and fall time <NUM> may tend to shorten while the peak voltage <NUM> may tend to increase. Thus, by measuring a change in one or more of the rise <NUM>, peak <NUM>, and fall <NUM> from the first voltage profile <NUM> to the second voltage profile <NUM>, a physical condition of the wearable article <NUM> may be inferred.

In an example, the first time at which the first voltage profile <NUM> is taken is at or is shortly after the wearable article <NUM> is first used by a user. In an example, a window that accounts for the first time is the average of the first ten thousand (<NUM>,<NUM>) steps taken with the wearable article <NUM>. Following that, a rolling window of ten thousand (<NUM>,<NUM>) steps may be utilized as the second time for the second voltage profile <NUM>. The rolling window for the second time may be updated every ten thousand (<NUM>,<NUM>) steps, e.g., with each new step creating a new window of the ten thousand (<NUM>,<NUM>) immediately preceding steps, or may be considered for consecutive, non-overlapping ten thousand (<NUM>,<NUM>) step blocks, e.g., steps <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM> would be one window, steps <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM> would be another window, and so forth. It is emphasized that while ten thousand (<NUM>,<NUM>) steps are used as an example, any of a variety of steps or actual time may be utilized as appropriate or desired.

As described herein, the voltage profiles <NUM>, <NUM> are generated based on the voltage sensor <NUM> producing a sensor output from the output of the piezoelectric generator <NUM>. In an example, the sensor output is some or all of the rise time <NUM>, the fall time <NUM>, and the peak voltage <NUM> of a step or is discrete output voltages over time that may then be interpreted by the controller block <NUM> as pertaining to rise <NUM>, peak <NUM>, and fall <NUM> of a step. The voltage sensor <NUM> may variously transmit the sensor output to the controller block <NUM>, which then saves rise <NUM>, peak <NUM>, and fall <NUM> to the electronic data storage block <NUM>, or may save the sensor output directly to the electronic data storage block <NUM>.

The controller block <NUM> may variously directly access the sensor output to obtain the second voltage profile <NUM> or access the electronic data storage block <NUM> to obtain the sensor output data as stored. Having generated the voltage profiles <NUM>, <NUM>, the controller block <NUM> then compares the first voltage profile <NUM> with the second voltage profile <NUM> to determine a change in some or all of the rise time <NUM>, peak voltage <NUM>, and fall time <NUM>. Based on the comparison, the controller block <NUM> determines an indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM>.

In an example, the indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> is a recommended replacement of the wearable article <NUM>. In such an example, the controller block <NUM> determines that the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> is such that the wearable article <NUM> has worn out or otherwise exceeded its suitable usable life and therefor replacement is recommended. The indication of the physical status may additionally or alternatively be a numerical indication of the deterioration or remaining useful life of the wearable article <NUM>. For instance, the controller block <NUM> may determine a percentage of useful life remaining of the wearable article or an anticipated time until replacement based on the comparison of the first voltage profile <NUM> to the second voltage profile <NUM>.

Additionally or alternatively, at least some of the function of the controller block <NUM> may be performed by a controller or processor external to the wearable article <NUM>. In such an example, the controller block <NUM> may perform some of the operations needed to determine the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> and then transmit data to a relatively more powerful or capable processor or controller via the wireless transmission block <NUM> to generate the actual physical status. Thus, the controller block <NUM> may be understood to include computing or controlling resources.

In an example, the controller block <NUM> determines the indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> based on a percentage change in one or more of the rise <NUM>, peak <NUM>, and fall <NUM> from the first voltage profile <NUM> to the second voltage profile <NUM>. In an example, the percentage change is an increase in the peak voltage <NUM> of twenty-five (<NUM>) percent or more and a decrease in rise time <NUM> and fall time <NUM> of twenty-five percent (<NUM>) or more. It is noted and emphasized that the percentage change to indicate a recommended replacement of the wearable article <NUM> may be dependent on the nature of individual models and types of the wearable article <NUM>. Thus, while certain types may allow for a relatively large loss of structural stability before replacement is necessarily recommended, it may be advisable to replace other types of wearable article <NUM> after relatively small amounts of structural deterioration. Thus, the percentages of increase or decrease in the voltage profiles <NUM>, <NUM> that may result in a recommended replacement of the wearable article <NUM> may be directly dependent on the characteristics and expected uses of the particular wearable article <NUM> that is being assessed.

In an example, the controller block <NUM> provides an indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> based on the data advertisement principles described with respect to the block circuit diagram <NUM> and the flowchart <NUM>. In such an example, the data burst may include an indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> along with other data. In such an example, a receive may detect the data burst and a computing system may read the indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> and provide a visual or other indication of that physical status. In an example, a user interface coupled to the receiver and a processor may, based on the indication of the physical status, display a message that the wearable article <NUM> does not need to be replaced, is recommended to be replaced, or other data related to the physical status of the wearable article, such as an estimated time until replacement will be recommended or a percentage deterioration in the wearable article <NUM>.

Additionally or alternatively, the indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> may be transmitted to be presented on a user interface or otherwise communicated to a user according to any of a variety of mechanisms. For instance, the electronic data storage block <NUM> may include a removable data storage that may be removed and inserted in a reader. The wearable article <NUM> may incorporate a port, such as a USB port or other suitable mode of wired data transfer, that may be used to couple to an external system. Any of a variety of additional mechanisms may be utilized as appropriate to transfer the indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM>. However, it is emphasized that in examples of the wearable article <NUM> where physical electronic isolation is desired, data transfer mechanisms that would expose the electronics to environmental conditions may be undesirable and wireless modes implemented instead.

<FIG> depict an example of the wearable article <NUM> flexing according to a conventional step or footfall, in an example embodiment. The flexing illustrated is of the sort that may become relatively easier at the second time than at the first time owing to a change in the physical status of the wearable article <NUM>. In <FIG>, the wearable article <NUM> starts with the outsole <NUM> flat on a surface <NUM>. In <FIG>, in the initial action of a step, the heel region <NUM> rises as the wearable article <NUM> generally flexes in the forefoot region <NUM>, leaving the toe box <NUM> generally against the surface <NUM> until the wearable article <NUM> lifts from the surface <NUM> entirely. The process of flexing the forefoot region <NUM> while the toe box <NUM> remains in contact with the surface <NUM> produces the rise <NUM> in the voltage profiles <NUM>, <NUM>, with the peak <NUM> generally occurring during this time.

In <FIG>, upon the toe box <NUM> leaving the surface <NUM>, the wearable article <NUM> returns to an relaxed or unflexed state but not in contact with the surface <NUM>. The returning to the relaxed state produces the fall <NUM> in the voltage profile <NUM>, <NUM>. The wearable article <NUM> eventually comes into contact with the surface <NUM> in the heel region <NUM> but flexing in that action may be limited to none.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> for generating and transmitting an indication of a physical status of the wearable article <NUM>, in an example embodiment. The flowchart will be described with respect to the block diagram <NUM> but it is to be recognized and understood that the flowchart <NUM> may be implemented on any suitable system on a wearable article <NUM>, including other systems disclosed herein.

At <NUM>, the wearable article <NUM> flexes and induces a voltage from the piezoelectric generator <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the voltage sensor <NUM> senses the output from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and outputs a sensor output to the controller block <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the controller block <NUM> processes the sensor output to produce a voltage profile e.g., as the first voltage profile <NUM> if the first voltage profile <NUM> has not yet been created or as the second voltage profile <NUM> if the second voltage profile has not been created, of the flexing. The voltage profile <NUM> includes one or more of the rise time <NUM>, the peak voltage <NUM>, and the fall time <NUM> and stores the voltage profile <NUM> in the electronic data storage block <NUM>. Processing the sensor output to generate a voltage profile may be based on a single step by the wearable article <NUM> or may be based on multiple steps over a window, as disclosed herein. As such, processing the sensor output may be delayed until sufficient sensor outputs are received to produce the voltage profile <NUM>, <NUM> over the prescribed window.

At <NUM>, the controller block <NUM> determines if conditions have been met to compare the first voltage profile <NUM> with the second voltage profile <NUM>. Conditions for making the comparison are described herein and may be met with every identified step or flexing of the wearable article <NUM> or may be based on a predetermined number of steps having been taken since the last comparison, among other potential criteria for making the comparison. If the criteria are met then the flowchart <NUM> proceeds to <NUM>. If the criteria are not met, the flowchart <NUM> returns to waiting for the wearable article <NUM> to flex to induce the voltage from the piezoelectric generator <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the controller block <NUM> compares at least one characteristic of the rise time <NUM>, the peak voltage <NUM>, and the fall time <NUM> from the first voltage profile <NUM> and the second voltage profile <NUM> to determine a percentage change in the one or more characteristics have changed by a predetermined amount. In an example, if any two of the characteristics <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have changed by more than their respective predetermined amount, in the example herein by twenty-five (<NUM>) percent or more, then at <NUM> the controller block <NUM> determines that physical status of the wearable article <NUM> is for a recommended replacement. If at least two of the characteristics <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have not reached the predetermined amount of change then at <NUM> the controller block <NUM> determines that the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> is that replacement is not recommended. In each case, the controller block <NUM> may store an indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> in the electronic data storage block <NUM>. The indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM> may default to being replacement not recommended at least until the first comparison between the first voltage profile <NUM> and the second voltage profile <NUM> can be made.

As has been noted herein, the details of determining a physical status of a given wearable article <NUM> may vary depending on the nature of the wearable article <NUM>. In particular, the percentage change in the characteristics <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the number of characteristics <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> that need to exhibit the percentage change may vary depending on the wearable article. The percentage change needed to indicate recommended replacement may differ among the characteristics <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and the physical status may be other than recommended replacement or replacement not recommended, as disclosed herein.

At <NUM>, the controller block <NUM> causes the wireless transmission block <NUM> to transmit an indication of the physical status of the wearable article <NUM>. The controller block <NUM> may either transmit the indication of the physical status directly to the wireless transmission block <NUM> or may access the indication of the physical condition from the electronic data storage block <NUM>. The wireless transmission may be according to a data advertising burst, as disclosed herein, or may be according to a prompt for the physical status from an outside transmitter or according to any other condition or command for transmitting the indication of the physical condition, whether originating from the wearable article <NUM> or from an outside system, as known in the art. Upon transmitting the indication of the physical condition, the flowchart <NUM> returns to waiting for the wearable article to flex and induce an output from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> at <NUM>.

<FIG> block circuit diagram <NUM> of an electrical system of the wearable article <NUM> that is configured to allow for programming electronic data to the wearable article <NUM> by flexing or otherwise manipulating the wearable article <NUM>, in an example embodiment. Thus, in such an example embodiment, rather than using conventional wired or wireless electronic transfer of data to the wearable article <NUM>, electronic data may be written by manipulating the wearable article <NUM> in such a way as to induce a voltage output from a piezoelectric generator <NUM> that may be interpreted as electronic data and stored in an electronic data storage <NUM>. In various examples, the wearable article <NUM> is an article of footwear, as disclosed herein, though any suitable wearable article may be utilized.

A piezoelectric generator <NUM> includes the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and optionally other componentry of the kinetic energy generator block <NUM> and the piezoelectric generator <NUM>. A controller block <NUM> includes the controller <NUM> as well as optionally other components of the controller <NUM> and the controller block <NUM>. The controller block <NUM> further includes or functions as a data translator. The data translator receives a voltage output from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> and translates the voltage output to corresponding data. An electronic data storage block <NUM> includes the electronic data storage <NUM> and receives and stores from the controller block <NUM> data as translated from the voltage output of the piezoelectric generator <NUM>.

As with the block diagrams <NUM> and <NUM>, components of the block circuit diagram <NUM> that are not illustrated are not necessarily included in examples of the wearable article <NUM> that implement the block circuit diagram <NUM>. Such components may be included as appropriate and as desired but are not necessarily incorporated or required. Thus, for instance, the wireless transceiver <NUM> may be incorporated and utilized to transmit data stored in the electronic data storage block <NUM>, but is not necessarily included as desired. Further, components that are not detailed in the block diagrams <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be included in implementations of any one or more of the block diagrams <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as appropriate and as desired.

<FIG> is an illustration of an apparatus <NUM> for mechanically manipulating the wearable article <NUM> to store data in the electronic data storage block <NUM>, in an example embodiment. Clamps <NUM>, <NUM> grip the wearable article <NUM> on or near the toe box <NUM> and the heel region <NUM>. Arms <NUM>, <NUM> may then manipulate the wearable article <NUM> by bending and flexing the wearable article <NUM> rotationally about the forefoot region <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The arms <NUM>, <NUM> may be coupled to motors, servos, controllers, and the like that allow the arms <NUM>, <NUM> to move in ways suitable to manipulate the wearable article <NUM> as desired, including rotationally.

The apparatus <NUM> may control a speed and degree to which the wearable article <NUM> is flexed, thereby potentially changing the rise time <NUM>, peak voltage <NUM>, and fall time <NUM> of the voltage output <NUM>. In various examples, the apparatus <NUM> may also induce a torque in the wearable article <NUM> by twisting the wearable article <NUM> between the clamps <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby potentially inducing different voltage outputs from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> than would necessarily be generated by flexing the wearable article about the forefoot region <NUM>.

<FIG> is a voltage diagram <NUM> illustrating the translation of voltage outputs from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> into electronic data, in an example embodiment. The apparatus <NUM> transmits data by flexing the wearable article <NUM> such that the peak voltage <NUM> does or does not exceed a peak voltage threshold <NUM> at predetermined times or windows <NUM>. The data translator of the controller block <NUM> may then translate the occurrence or non-occurrence of peak voltages <NUM> that exceed the threshold <NUM> at the predetermined times <NUM> as corresponding digital data. For instance, a peak voltage <NUM> that exceeds the peak voltage threshold <NUM> at a predetermined time <NUM> is interpreted as a logical "<NUM>" while not exceeding the threshold <NUM> at a predetermined time <NUM> is interpreted as a logical "<NUM>".

Additionally or alternatively, the windows <NUM> may be dispensed with in favor of interpreting any peak voltages <NUM> that exceed a first threshold but not a second threshold higher than the first threshold as one logical bit, such as a logical "<NUM>", and any peak voltage <NUM> that exceeds both the first and second thresholds as a different logical bit, such as a logical "<NUM>". In such an example, data bits may be transmitted as quickly as the wearable article <NUM> can be manipulated to distinctly cause voltage peaks <NUM> at the desired voltage levels to distinguish between different logical bits and without requiring otherwise precise timing or adherence to prescribed windows <NUM>. However, such a mechanism may rely on relatively precise expectations of output voltage from the piezoelectric generator <NUM>.

While the voltage diagram <NUM> illustrates a binary transmittal of individual bits of data, the apparatus <NUM> may manipulate the wearable article <NUM> in such a way as to derive significance from multiple aspects of the voltage output <NUM>, as noted above. Thus, for instance, the rise time <NUM> of a pulse may be compared against a threshold and, depending on the comparison, a logical "<NUM>" or a logical "<NUM>" may be translated from the rise time <NUM>. The same principles may be applied to obtain data from the fall time <NUM> or any other measurable aspect of a pulse. Thus, multiple bits may be translated from a single pulse. In such an example, the rise time <NUM> may account for a first bit of a group of three bits, the peak voltage <NUM> may account for a second bit of the group of three bits, and the fall time <NUM> may account for a third bit of the group of three bits. Thus, in an example, if the rise time <NUM> is faster than a rise time threshold for a logical "<NUM>", the peak voltage <NUM> exceeds the peak voltage threshold <NUM> for a logical "<NUM>", and the fall time <NUM> is not faster than a fall time threshold for a logical "<NUM>", then that pulse may correspond to the logical output "<NUM>" that may be translated by the controller block <NUM> and stored in the electronic data storage block <NUM>.

The controller block <NUM> may assess different piezoelectric generators <NUM> for electronic data. Thus, while a first piezoelectric generator <NUM> may be positioned in or near the forefoot region <NUM>, a second piezoelectric generator <NUM> may be positioned along the bottom contour <NUM> in such a way as to be sensitive to a torque on the wearable article <NUM>, as described above. Thus, in the illustrative example, the wearable article <NUM> may be flexed and torqued to separately manipulate each of the piezoelectric generators <NUM> to impart data that may be translated by the controller block <NUM>.

Moreover, while the block circuit diagram <NUM> is described with respect to piezoelectric generators <NUM> and the piezoelectric generator block <NUM>, it is to be understood that the principles described may be applicable to any of a variety of kinetic energy generators. The manipulation of the wearable article may be adjusted according to the nature of the specific kinetic energy generator used. Such additional kinetic energy generators may be used alone or in conjunction with piezoelectric generators <NUM>. Thus, the apparatus <NUM> may be configured both to flex the wearable article <NUM> and to shake or otherwise move the wearable article to stimulate a kinematic generator.

In an example, the controller block <NUM> may write data to the electronic data storage block <NUM> upon detecting a code made of up of a predetermined sequence of voltage outputs from the piezoelectric generator <NUM>. As such, the predetermined sequence may be generated by manipulating the wearable article <NUM> in a predetermined way in order to prevent or lessen the likelihood of an inadvertent writing of data to the electronic data storage block <NUM>. Thus, to initiate writing of data to the electronic data storage block <NUM> the code may first be imparted, following which the data may be written.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> for imparting electronic data to a wearable article <NUM> by mechanically manipulating the wearable article <NUM>, in an example embodiment. While the flowchart <NUM> is described with respect to the block diagram <NUM>, it is to be understood that the flowchart <NUM> may be implemented on or with respect to any suitable wearable article <NUM> or system.

At <NUM>, the controller block <NUM> waits until a predetermined time, such as a window <NUM>, to receive a voltage output from the piezoelectric generator <NUM> occurs.

At <NUM>, upon the predetermined time being arrived at, the controller block <NUM> determines one or more characteristics of any voltage output <NUM> that occurs at the predetermined time. The determination may be based on a measurement of the voltage output <NUM> relating to each particular characteristic. The characteristics may include one or more of the rise time <NUM>, the peak voltage <NUM>, and the fall time <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the controller block <NUM> determines digital data that corresponds to the one or more characteristics, as determined. In an example, each characteristic corresponds to one digital bit. In such an example, the nature of the characteristic as determined dictates the determination of the value of the digital bit, as disclosed herein.

At <NUM>, the controller block <NUM> causes the digital data from the voltage output <NUM> to be written to the electronic data storage block <NUM>. The flowchart <NUM> then returns to <NUM>.

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 wearable article (<NUM>), comprising:
an energy storage device (<NUM>);
a wireless transmission circuit (<NUM>), coupled to the energy storage device (<NUM>), comprising an antenna (<NUM>) having a minimum transmission energy;
a kinetic energy generator (<NUM>), in a configuration to be manipulated to induce a voltage output (<NUM>);
a voltage sensor (<NUM>) coupled to the kinetic energy generator (<NUM>) and configured to sense the voltage output (<NUM>) of the kinetic energy generator (<NUM>)
an electronic data storage (<NUM>) configured to store an output of the voltage sensor as electronic data; and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to determine if the energy stored in the energy storage device (<NUM>) is equal to or exceeds an energy stored threshold (<NUM>) corresponding to the minimum transmission energy;
wherein, upon the controller (<NUM>) determining that the energy stored in the energy storage device (<NUM>) equals or exceeds the energy stored threshold (<NUM>), the controller (<NUM>) causes the wireless transmission circuit (<NUM>) to draw energy from the energy storage device (<NUM>) to transmit the electronic data as stored in the electronic data storage (<NUM>).