WO2017037504A1

WO2017037504A1 - Smart shoes with analyser mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2017037504A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/056592
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alireza GHAHRAMANI BARANDAGH
Original assignee: Ghahramani Barandagh Alireza
Priority date: 2015-08-31
Filing date: 2015-08-31
Publication date: 2017-03-09

Abstract

The embodiments herein provides a footwear article with dynamic height analyser and adjuster comprises a microcontroller, a plurality of pressure sensors, a transceiver module, at- least two silicone pads, a water pump and a micro-switch. The article is installed in footwear of both legs. The plurality of pressure sensors detects an amount of the pressure exerted by the wearer on the footwear of the both legs. The detected pressure is sent to the microcontroller in an analog signal format which converts the analog signal to the digital signal through the ADC and sends the digital signal to the transceiver module. The transceiver modules of both the left leg and right leg footwear exchange pressure information. The microcontroller having less detected pressure sends a signal to the integrated chip. The integrated chip initiates an air pumping to the silicone pads. The silicone pads inflate upto an activation of the micro-switch.

Description

SMART SHOES WITH ANALYSER MECHANISM

BACKGROUND

Technical Field of Invention

[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a personal footwear article and particularly to a shoe installed with an analyser mechanism. The embodiments herein more particularly relate to a smart shoe with a height adjustment facilitation provided through an analyser mechanism.

Description of Related Art

[002] In modern era, the diseases related to the legs are becoming more prevalent in human being due to a load of reasons. Daily stress, unbalanced food and work relation, fatal accidents and combat amputations are few of the common reasons that has become the reason for increasing no. of amputees and diabetic patients. There are many solutions evolved for assisting the patients and victims like prosthetic limbs.

[003] Because of the toxic effects of high glucose in blood tissue, the diabetic patients are at risk for acute and chronic complications such as foot ulceration or amputation. Annually, More than 250000 of diabetic patients lose their feet in Europe, as the high diabetes amount severely affects peripheral nerve, repetitive and light impact, and skin wounds. Due to the peripheral nerve involvement that leads to a numb feet, the patients don't feel the pain and continued walking causes destruction of tissues. The pressure- sensitive areas such as the big toe and plantar bones and plantar fascia are the most affected by this disease.

[004] Further, the leg diseases include Limb Length Discrepancy in which patients suffer from length difference in one of the legs. In this case, a foot is smaller than another foot by 1 or 2 cm. Previous fractures, bone infections, congenital disorders and neuromuscular diseases are common causes of this problem. The length difference causes more energy consumption during walking and severe back pain are common symptoms in this scenario.

[005] Various patients have hip alignment problem as their hip and spine are not in line because of the high heels. The body weight falls on the front of the legs due to this reason and leads to disease such as premature arthritis of the knees and lumbar. Also, during pregnancy a women carry foetus for nearly 9 months. Because of the foetus position in mother's womb, the feet bears more weight due to which the pregnant mothers often suffer from back pain after pregnancy.

[006] One of the prior arts discloses an article of footwear having selectively height adjustable cleat members provided on a sole. A cleat member provided in a unit engaged with or otherwise attached to the sole. The cleat member may have a portion which extends outwardly from the sole that is positionable at one of a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the sole and includes a biasing to at least one of the predetermined positions. A cleat may include a coupling engaged with the sole and a tip that is selectively extendable and retractable via a linear movement and rotational movement relative to a remainder of a cleat so as to present a selectively variable height. The sole may include a plurality of cleats in which the cleats include a gyre-linear cleat portion adjustably positionable to lock relative to the remainder of its respective cleat between a plurality of predetermined heights. In aspect, the predetermined heights correspond to locking positions.

[007] Another prior art discloses a shoe having a sole with a toe, heel and arch. A two part heel has a low heel block attached to the sole heel and includes a slot therein. A high heel extension is attached to the low heel block through a support beam having a substantially rectangular cross-section capable of limited axial and pivotal movement. The fit between the beam and the slot prevents rotational movement of the high heel about its axis. The high heel extension can be pivoted between a first position where it underlies the low heel block and a second position where it lies beneath the sole arch. The bottom of the low heel block has a heel lift extending downwardly engaging the ground when the high heel is stowed. This low heel lift is enclosed by a bevelled edge at the top of the high heel piece when it is vertical.

[008] However, many footwear articles disclosed in the prior arts incorporate height adjustment mechanism but the height adjustment is one manually as per user's needs. The prior arts are limited in dynamically analysing a height difference and adjusting the height. Further, the height adjustment disclosed in the prior arts are just to increase height of both the legs and proves inefficient during a medical implementation.

[009] In the view of foregoing, there is a need for a footwear article with dynamic pressure analyser and height adjustment mechanism. Also there is a need for a footwear article with relative leg pressure analysis and adjusting a height of only one shoe to makeup a limb height difference.

[0010] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, as detailed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The primary object of the embodiments herein is to provide a footwear article with dynamic pressure analyser and height adjustment mechanism.

[0012] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a footwear article with relative leg pressure analysis and adjusting a height of only one footwear to make-up a limb height difference. [0013] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to accurately measure a length difference in two legs and adjust the height of the footwear to bring a pressure equilibrium in both the legs.

[0014] Yet another object of the embodiments herein to provide a footwear article suitable for various medical implementations.

[0015] The various embodiments herein provides a footwear article with dynamic height analyser and adjuster comprises a microcontroller, a plurality of pressure sensors, a transceiver module, at-least two silicone pads, a water pump and a micro-switch. The microcontroller is attached to the sole of the footwear. The plurality of pressure sensors are Force-Sensing Resistor (FSR) and are uni-directionally connected to the microcontroller. The transceiver module is installed in sole of the footwear and is bi-directionally connected to the microcontroller through an analog-digital converter (ADC). The water pump is uni-directionally connected to an integrated chip. The integrated chip is further connected to the microcontroller through a uni-directional bus. The silicone pads are fitted in the sole of footwear and are connected to the water pump. The micro-switch is installed in the footwear sole with in the vicinity of the silicone pads. The article is installed in footwear of both legs. The plurality of pressure sensors detects an amount of the pressure exerted by the wearer on the footwear of the both legs. The detected pressure is sent to the microcontroller in an analog signal format which converts the analog signal to the digital signal through the ADC and sends the digital signal to the transceiver module. The transceiver modules of both the left leg and right leg footwear exchanges a pressure information. The microcontroller having less detected pressure sends a signal to the integrated chip. The integrated chip initiates an air pumping to the silicone pads. The silicone pads inflates upto a level of activation of the micro-switch. [0016] According to an embodiment herein, the pressure detection is done for at-least 15 minutes continuously. The height of the silicone pads are adjusted on the basis of pressure detection to create a pressure equilibrium on the both the legs.

[0017] According to an embodiment herein, the plurality of pressure sensors are connected to the microcontroller through a 10 K-ohm electrical resistance.

[0018] According to an embodiment herein, the transceiver modules communicate in an industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band.

[0019] According to an embodiment herein, the water pump operates primarily at 12 V.

[0020] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram for the process of dynamically measuring and adjusting a height of a footwear article, according to an embodiment herein.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a sole of the footwear installed with the silicone pads and the water pump, according to an embodiment herein. [0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit diagram of the footwear article to analyse and adjust a height, according to an embodiment herein.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a water pump to inflate and deflate the silicone pads, according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram for the process of dynamically measuring and adjusting a height of a footwear article, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 1, the footwear article with dynamic height analyser and adjuster comprises a microcontroller 101, a plurality of pressure sensors 102, a transceiver module 103, at-least two silicone pads 104, a water pump 105 and a micro-switch. The microcontroller 101 is attached to the sole 106 of the footwear. The plurality of pressure sensors 102 are Force- Sensing Resistor (FSR) and are uni-directionally connected to the microcontroller 101. The transceiver module 103 is installed in sole 106 of the footwear and is bi-directionally connected to the microcontroller 101 through an analog-digital converter (ADC) 107. The water pump 105 is uni-directionally connected to an integrated chip. The integrated chip is further connected to the microcontroller through a uni-directional bus. The silicone pads 104 are fitted in the sole 106 of footwear and are connected to the water pump 105. The micro- switch is installed in the footwear sole 106 with in the vicinity of the silicone pads 104. The article is installed in footwear of both legs. The plurality of pressure sensors 102 detects an amount of the pressure exerted by the wearer on the footwear of the both legs. The detected pressure is sent to the microcontroller 101 in an analog signal format which converts the analog signal to the digital signal through the ADC 107 and sends the digital signal to the transceiver module 103. The transceiver modules 103 of both the left leg and right leg footwear exchanges a pressure information. The microcontroller 101 having less detected pressure sends a signal to the integrated chip. The integrated chip initiates an air pumping to the silicone pads 104. The silicone pads 104 inflates upto a level of activation of the micro- switch.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment herein, the shoes of both the legs are equipped with the pressure sensors to detect the applied forces on the feet and pressure data is indicated on a screen of a mobile device. When a person applies a majority of his/her weight on one foot, and doesn't change a centre of pressure on the other foot, for 15 minutes or more, it symbolizes a limb impairment. Thus the silicone pads are filled with air and height of the impaired foot is increased relative to the other foot for creating an equilibrium. Such an action causes a change in centre of pressure and thus, by changing the centre of body weight between feet every 15 to 20 minutes, several disease and body disorders are prevented.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment herein, the footwear article implements FSR sensors for measuring the pressure on the bottom of the foot. The FSR sensors send analog data to the microcontroller with a 10 K electrical resistance. Further for filling silicone pads, a 12 volt water pump is used and for operating the water pump, the 1293d Integrated Chip, has been used. The at-least two micro-switches has been used for calibrating filling of the silicone pads. When the silicone pads are filled by air, they connect with or triggers the micro-switches and by the connection or triggering, the micro- switches are activated and the ADC become logical zero. A 5 volt Atmega32 microcontroller has been used for processing information. For communicating information wirelessly, the RF modules are placed and has been connected by 4 wires serial protocol. The NRF modules operates in ISM frequency band.

[0030] According to an embodiment herein, the pressure detection is done for at-least 15 minutes continuously. The height of the silicone pads are adjusted on the basis of pressure detection to create a pressure equilibrium on the both the legs.

[0031] According to an embodiment herein, the plurality of pressure sensors are connected to the microcontroller through a 10 K-ohm electrical resistance.

[0032] According to an embodiment herein, the transceiver modules communicate in an industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a sole of the footwear installed with the silicone pads and the water pump, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 2, the water pump forces an air into the silicone pads simultaneously resulting in inflating of the silicone pads. The silicone pads are pre-determinately inflated to a position fed into the micro- switches connected to each silicone pad. The micro-switches send a halt signal to the microcontroller which regulates or stops the water pump. The water pump further deflates the silicone pads when a pressure reduction is required.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit diagram of the footwear article to analyse and adjust a height, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 3 along with FIG. 1, the at-least 4 FSR sensors (pressure sensors) 102 determines a pressure and sends a signal of detected pressure in an analog format to the microcontroller 101. The resistance of the FSR sensor 102 changes as a pressure is applied resulting into change in a current output (lout). The change in current output (lout) is send to the microcontroller 101 through a 10 K resistor 301 which leads to generation of a voltage (Vout (V) = lout (A) X 10,000 (ohm)). Thus, the microcontroller 101 stores an analog voltage signal and sends the signal to the NRF wireless transceivers 103 to another foot's article. The microcontroller 101 of both legs matches a signal received from counter-leg's transceivers 103. On determining a pressure difference or a difference in a signal received, the microcontroller 101 sends a command to the water pump 105 through integrated chips 302. The micro-controller 101 further receives a command from the micro-switch 303 as soon as the silicone pads are inflated to predetermined limit.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a water pump to inflate and deflate the silicone pads, according to an embodiment herein. With respect to FIG. 4, the water pump operates primarily but not limited to 12 V.

[0036] The footwear article assists in balancing a height of at-least one foot for patients with impaired legs such amputees and patients unequal limb length. The present footwear article also assists in balancing a foot pressure to cure or counter a negative body weight effect over legs resulting in body cramping especially in case of pregnant women or disease like valgus or varus. Also the present footwear article varies the foot pressure to avoid a numbness of the foot that regularly happens to the diabetic patients.

[0037] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: I claim:

1. A footwear article with dynamic height analyser and adjuster comprising:

a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller is attached to the sole of the footwear; a plurality of pressure sensors, wherein the plurality of pressure sensors are Force- Sensing Resistor (FSR) and are uni-directionally connected to the microcontroller;

a transceiver module, wherein the transceiver module is installed in sole of the footwear and is bi-directionally connected to the microcontroller through an analog-digital converter (ADC);

a water pump, wherein the water pump is uni-directionally connected to an integrated chip, wherein the integrated chip is further connected to the microcontroller through a uni-directional bus;

at-least two silicone pads, wherein the silicone pads are fitted in the sole of footwear and are connected to the water pump; and

a micro-switch, wherein the micro-switch is installed in the footwear sole with in the vicinity of the silicone pads;

wherein, the article is installed in footwear of both legs, wherein the plurality of pressure sensors detects an amount of the pressure exerted by the wearer on the shoes, wherein the detected pressure is sent to the microcontroller in an analog signal format, wherein the microcontroller convert the analog signal to the digital signal through the ADC and sends the digital signal to the transceiver module, wherein the transceiver modules of both the left leg and right leg footwear exchanges a pressure information, wherein the microcontroller having less detected pressure sends a signal to the integrated chip, wherein the integrated chip initiates an air pumping to the silicone pads, wherein the silicone pads inflates upto a level of activation of the micro-switch.

2. The footwear article according to claim 1, wherein the pressure detection is done for at- least 15 minutes continuously, wherein the height of the silicone pads are adjusted on the basis of pressure detection to create a pressure equilibrium on the both the legs.

3. The footwear article according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pressure sensors are connected to the microcontroller through a 10 K-ohm electrical resistance.

4. The footwear article according to in claim 1, wherein the transceiver modules communicate in an industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band.

5. The footwear article according to claim 1, wherein the water pump operates primarily at