Patents by Inventor Aaron B. Weast

Aaron B. Weast has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170087414
    Abstract: Systems and methods for prompting a user to perform an exercise and monitoring the exercise are provided. Multiple independent sensors or sensor systems may be used to calculate energy expenditure. Various criteria may be used to manually or automatically select the independent sensor or sensor system or combination that will be used with the energy expenditure calculations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Tesa Aragones, Adriana Guerrero, Steve Holmes, Christina S. Self, Aaron B. Weast, Paul Winsper, Jay C. Blahnik
  • Publication number: 20170079375
    Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate with a foot-facing surface with a recess disposed in the foot-facing surface. An insert plate is disposed in the recess. A length of the insert plate between anterior and posterior ends of the insert plate is less than a length of the recess. The insert plate flexes free of compressive loading by the sole plate when a forefoot portion of the sole assembly is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range, and operatively engages with the sole plate when the forefoot portion is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range. The sole assembly is dorsiflexed, for example, when the forefoot portion is flexed in accordance with toes bending toward the top of the foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Bunnell, Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20170079374
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first plate and a second plate. The first plate overlies at least a portion of a forefoot region of the second plate. The first plate and the second plate are fixed to one another rearward of the forefoot region. The first plate is configured to slide longitudinally relative to the forefoot region of the second plate in a first portion of a flexion range during dorsiflexion of the sole structure, and to interfere with the second plate during a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20170079376
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate that has a forefoot portion with a foot-facing surface. The sole plate has at least one groove extending at least partially transversely in the foot-facing surface. The at least one groove is open when the sole structure is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range, and closed when the sole structure is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Bunnell, Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20170079378
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate that has a forefoot region, and a stiffness enhancing assembly disposed in the forefoot region of the sole plate. The stiffness enhancing assembly further comprises a compression member disposed at a foot-facing side of the sole plate, and a tensile member disposed at an opposite side of the sole plate from the compression member. The tensile member is spaced apart from the compression member by a first distance in a first portion of a flexion range during dorsiflexion of the sole structure, and interferes with the compression member during a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20170072285
    Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett, Kwamina Crankson, Michael Selby, Gwen Sullivan, Caroline Petra Annette Bleeker, Alex Mestas, Suniti Nina Walia, Allison Gourley, Kristopher L. Homsi, Demi Raven, James Zipperer, Edward Stephen Lowe, JR., Tara Greer, Stephen Kob, Maria Ioveva, Cesar Marchetti
  • Publication number: 20170068778
    Abstract: Aspects relate to calculating energy expenditure values from an apparatus configured to be worn on an appendage of a user. Steps counts may be quantified, such as by detecting arm swings peaks and bounce peaks in motion data. A search range of acceleration frequencies related to an expected activity may be established. Frequencies of acceleration data within a search range may be analyzed to identify one or more peaks, such as a bounce peak and an arm swing peak. Novel systems and methods may determine whether to utilize the arm swing data, bounce data, and/or other data or portions of data to quantify steps. The number of peaks (and types of peaks) may be used to choose a step frequency and step magnitude. At least a portion of the motion data may be classified into an activity category based upon the quantification of steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Aaron K. Goodwin, James M. Mullin, John M. Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20170043216
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining when an athlete is in possession of a ball by analyzing image data are provided. A camera is worn by an athlete and is turned on when the athlete is in proximity of a ball. The camera is used to generate an image of a ball. The size of the ball is determined and compared to a threshold. The athlete is considered to be in possession of the ball when the size of the image exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: SantoshKumar Balakrishnan, Steve Holmes, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20170014684
    Abstract: Example embodiments may relate systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media configured to correlate image data of a user performing physical activity with data collected during the user's performance. Data may include sensor data measuring, force, acceleration, speed, and/or processed sensor data from one or more sensors. Certain embodiments may determine whether the user is within a performance zone based on user attributes. Correlation of the image data with physical activity data may be based, at least in part, whether the user is within a performance zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Brandon S. Burroughs, Richard J. Engelberg, Jordan M. Rice, Bob Sweet, Aaron B. Weast, Wade Convay, Joshua Rooke-Ley
  • Patent number: 9545541
    Abstract: Systems and methods for prompting a user to perform an exercise and monitoring the exercise are provided. Multiple independent sensors or sensor systems may be used to calculate energy expenditure. Various criteria may be used to manually or automatically select the independent sensor or sensor system or combination that will be used with the energy expenditure calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tesa Aragones, Adriana Guerrero, Steve Holmes, Christina S. Self, Aaron B. Weast, Paul Winsper, Jay C. Blahnik
  • Patent number: 9539486
    Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett, Kwamina Crankson, Michael Selby, Gwen Sullivan, Caroline Petra Annette Bleeker, Alex Mestas, Suniti Nina Walia, Allison Gourley, Kristopher L. Homsi, Demi Raven, James Zipperer, Edward Stephen Lowe, Jr., Tara Greer, Stephen Kob, Maria Ioveva, Cesar Marchetti
  • Patent number: 9529966
    Abstract: Aspects relate to calculating energy expenditure values from an apparatus configured to be worn on an appendage of a user. Steps counts may be quantified, such as by detecting arm swings peaks and bounce peaks in motion data. A search range of acceleration frequencies related to an expected activity may be established. Frequencies of acceleration data within a search range may be analyzed to identify one or more peaks, such as a bounce peak and an arm swing peak. Novel systems and methods may determine whether to utilize the arm swing data, bounce data, and/or other data or portions of data to quantify steps. The number of peaks (and types of peaks) may be used to choose a step frequency and step magnitude. At least a portion of the motion data may be classified into an activity category based upon the quantification of steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Aaron K. Goodwin, James M. Mullin, John M. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9519750
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining when an athlete is in possession of a ball by analyzing image data are provided. A camera is worn by an athlete and is turned on when the athlete is in proximity of a ball. The camera is used to generate an image of a ball. The size of the ball is determined and compared to a threshold. The athlete is considered to be in possession of the ball when the size of the image exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Santoshkumar Balakrishnan, Steve Holmes, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20160354635
    Abstract: Determining pace or speed based on sensor data may include determining an amount of contact time a user's foot has with a workout surface such as the ground. Contact time may be determined by identifying samples in the sensor data that correspond to various events such as a heelstrike, a toe-off and a subsequent heelstrike. In one example, these events may be identified by determining a sequence of three sample values (e.g., a triplet) that exceeds corresponding thresholds. The validity of an identified triplet (e.g., heelstrike, toe-off and heelstrike) may be confirmed by determining whether a difference between a last event sample and a middle event sample is greater than a difference between the middle event sample and an initial event sample. Once confirmed, a contact time may be determined from the triplet. A linear or non-linear relationship may then be applied to the contact time to determine a speed or pace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, James M. Mullin
  • Patent number: 9511260
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods estimate the distance between a player and a ball by transmitting a chirp (sweep signal) to a radio tag located on the ball. During the chirp, the frequency of the transmitted signal is changed in a predetermined fashion. The radio tag doubles the transmitted frequency and returns the processed signal to a transceiver typically located on the player. The currently transmitted frequency is then compared with the received frequency to obtain a difference frequency from which an apparatus may estimate the distance. The apparatus may simultaneously receive the processed signal from the radio tag while transmitting the sweep signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast, Brandon S. Burroughs, Scott R. Berggren, Clayton J. Lindsay, Jordan M. Rice, Bert Buxton, Edward S. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20160332029
    Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • Publication number: 20160325139
    Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Jamian R. Cobbett
  • Publication number: 20160309829
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user's foot on the sensor. The sensor system also includes a port that is configured to receive a module to place the module in communication with the sensors. The port includes a housing with a chamber configured to receive the module and an interface engaged with the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber. Additional retaining structure and interface structure may be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: James Molyneux, Jordan M. Rice, Aaron B. Weast, Jeffrey J. Hebert, Joseph B. Horrell, Jonathan B. Knight, Martine W. Stillman, Dane R. Weitmann
  • Patent number: 9474955
    Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamian R Cobbett, Aaron B Weast
  • Patent number: 9452319
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods estimate the distance between a player and a ball by transmitting a chirp (sweep signal) to a radio tag located on the ball. During the chirp, the frequency of the transmitted signal is changed in a predetermined fashion. The radio tag doubles the transmitted frequency and returns the processed signal to a transceiver typically located on the player. The currently transmitted frequency is then compared with the received frequency to obtain a difference frequency from which an apparatus may estimate the distance. The apparatus may simultaneously receive the processed signal from the radio tag while transmitting the sweep signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast, Brandon S. Burroughs, Scott R. Berggren, Clayton J. Lindsay, Jordan M. Rice, Bert B. Buxton, Edward S. Lowe