Patents by Inventor Holli Pheil
Holli Pheil 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).
-
Patent number: 11672302Abstract: A wearable article, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the wearable article to the worn on a body, a piezoelectric generator, positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to output a voltage, a data translator, coupled to the piezoelectric generator, configured to output electronic data based on the voltage, and an electronic data storage, coupled to the data translator, configured to store the electronic data from the data translator.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Keith A. Folske, Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
-
Publication number: 20230068898Abstract: A wearable article, system, and method includes a structure configured to enclose a body part, a first antenna, in a first positon on or within the structure, tuned to communicate according to a wireless communication modality through air, a second antenna, in a second position on or within the structure, tuned to communicate according to the wireless communication modality through the body part, the first antenna being tuned differently than the second antenna, and a transceiver, operatively coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, configured to communicate with an external antenna via the at least one of the first and second antennas according to the wireless communication modality.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventor: Holli Pheil
-
Publication number: 20230058535Abstract: An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole, and a lace extending through the upper. A motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and an optical encoder. The optical encoder comprises a three-dimensional encoder defining a major axis and having a surface having a first plurality of segments positioned between a second plurality of segments, and an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of a first and second plurality of segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
-
Publication number: 20230030904Abstract: An article of footwear, method, and motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and a three-dimensional encoder. The three-dimensional encoder defines a major axis and has a surface having a tabs extending from a drum, an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of the tabs, and a beam break, positioned between the three-dimensional encoder and the optical sensor, forming a pair of slits. The optical sensor is positioned to view the tabs through the pair of slits, wherein the processor circuit is configured to operate the motor based, at least in part, on the signal as received from the optical sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Brendan Donohoe, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
-
Patent number: 11564422Abstract: An article of apparel, system, and methods optionally include a textile material, a mobile device holder, coupled to the textile material, configured to secure a mobile device with respect to the article of apparel, and an electrical system. The electrical system includes an antenna, configured to communicatively couple with a primary antenna of the mobile device, positioned in relation to the bolder, a power supply, coupled to the antenna, configured to output power based on a current as generated in the antenna when commutatively coupled with the primary antenna, a controller, coupled to the power supply, operable based on the power as output by the power supply, and a sensor, coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to the controller via a conductor, configured to detect a sensor condition and output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the power supply.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
-
Publication number: 20230006729Abstract: Embodiments describe systems, apparatuses, and methods for transmitting/receiving signal data to/from a plurality of transceiver modules. Devices in accordance with some embodiments can include a plurality of wireless transceiver modules, each wireless transceiver module to be communicatively coupled to a corresponding external transceiver mixture, one or more antennas to exchange signal data with the plurality of external transceiver modules, a radio frequency (RF) circulator, and one or more amplifiers to amplify the signal data received by the one or more antennas and signal data to be transmitted by the one or more antennas. The use of the RF circulator prevents transmitting signals that may collide with each other and cause interference with the communications.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Shannon Atkinson, Holli Pheil
-
Publication number: 20220408854Abstract: An article of apparel and method include a structure configured to enclose a human body part, a pressure sensor array including multiple pressure sensors separately positioned at locations within the structure, wherein each pressure sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of an amount of pressure being exerted on the pressure sensor by an external mechanical force, an electronic display, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive signals from the pressure sensors and, based on a sequence and a timing of the signals as received, determine a command related to a function of a device. The electronic display is configured to display information related to the function.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Hamid Alipour, Holli Pheil, Mark VanWeerd
-
Publication number: 20220354212Abstract: An article of apparel, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the article of footwear to the worn on a body. A wireless transmission circuit is included and a piezoelectric generator is positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to induce a voltage signal output. A voltage sensor is configured to sense the voltage profile and output a sensor signal indicative of the voltage profile. An electronic data storage, coupled to the voltage sensor, is configured to store voltage profile information based on the sensor data. A comparator, coupled to the electronic data storage, is configured to identify a change in the voltage profile information over time. The wireless transmission circuit is configured to transmit data indicative of a physical status of the article of footwear based on the change in the voltage profile information over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Keith A. Folske, Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
-
Patent number: 11494603Abstract: A wearable article, system, and method includes a structure configured to enclose a body part, a first antenna, in a first position on or within the structure, tuned to communicate according to a wireless communication modality through air, a second antenna, in a second position on or within the structure, tuned to communicate according to the wireless communication modality through the body part, the first antenna being tuned differently than the second antenna, and a transceiver, operatively coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, configured to communicate with an external antenna via the at least one of the first and second antennas according to the wireless communication modality.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Holli Pheil
-
Patent number: 11490676Abstract: An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole, and a lace extending through the upper. A motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and an optical encoder. The optical encoder comprises a three-dimensional encoder defining a major axis and having a surface having a first plurality of segments positioned between a second plurality of segments, and an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of a first and second plurality of segments.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
-
Patent number: 11470910Abstract: An article of footwear, method, and motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and a three-dimensional encoder. The three-dimensional encoder defines a major axis and has a surface having a tabs extending from a drum, an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of the tabs, and a beam break, positioned between the three-dimensional encoder and the optical sensor, forming a pair of slits. The optical sensor is positioned to view the tabs through the pair of slits, wherein the processor circuit is configured to operate the motor based, at least in part, on the signal as received from the optical sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brendan Donohoe, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
-
Patent number: 11444685Abstract: Embodiments describe systems, apparatuses, and methods for transmitting/receiving signal data to/from a plurality of transceiver modules. Devices in accordance with some embodiments can include a plurality of wireless transceiver modules, each wireless transceiver module to be communicatively coupled to a corresponding external transceiver module, one or more antennas to exchange signal data with the plurality of external transceiver modules, a radio frequency (RF) circulator, and one or more amplifiers to amplify the signal data received by the one or more antennas and signal data to be transmitted by the one or more antennas. The use of circulator prevents transmitting signals that may collide with each other and cause interference with the communications.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Shannon Atkinson, Holli Pheil
-
Patent number: 11350693Abstract: An article of apparel, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the article of footwear to the worn on a body. A wireless transmission circuit is included and a piezoelectric generator is positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to induce a voltage signal output. A voltage sensor is configured to sense the voltage profile and output a sensor signal indicative of the voltage profile. An electronic data storage, coupled to the voltage sensor, is configured to store voltage profile information based on the sensor data. A comparator, coupled to the electronic data storage, is configured to identify a change in the voltage profile information over time. The wireless transmission circuit is configured to transmit data indicative of a physical status of the article of footwear based on the change in the voltage profile information over time.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Keith A. Folske, Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
-
Publication number: 20220116066Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coming into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels, Allison Walters
-
Publication number: 20220053873Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Holli Pheil, Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Ryan Frederick, Austin Palmer, Michael Ciuffo, Steven H. Walker
-
Patent number: 11253010Abstract: An article of apparel and method include a structure configured to enclose a human body part, a pressure sensor array including multiple pressure sensors separately positioned at locations within the structure, wherein each pressure sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of an amount of pressure being exerted on the pressure sensor by an external mechanical force, an electronic display, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive signals from the pressure sensors and, based on a sequence and a timing of the signals as received, determine a command related to a function of a device. The electronic display is configured to display information related to the function.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hamid Alipour, Holli Pheil, Mark VanWeerd
-
Patent number: 11206053Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coming into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels, Allison Walters
-
Publication number: 20210360574Abstract: A system, devices, and methods include a player network hub and relay network hubs. The player network hub is configured to form a body area network with peripheral devices by communicating wirelessly according to a first wireless protocol and transmit location information according to a second winless protocol different than the first wireless protocol. The relay network hubs are configured to form a wide area network with the player network hub and a master network huh by communicating, at least in part, according to the second wireless protocol, wherein the relay network hubs are configured to receive the location information from the player network hub and wherein at least one of the relay network hubs or the master network hub are configured to determine a location of the player network hub based on the location information.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Christopher Andon, Brian Kash, Ryan Palmer, Holli Pheil
-
Patent number: 11160328Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Holli Pheil, Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Ryan Frederick, Austin Palmer, Michael Ciuffo, Steven H. Walker
-
Publication number: 20210312254Abstract: A wearable article, system, and method includes a structure configured to enclose a body part, a first antenna, in a first position on or within the structure, tuned to communicate according to a wireless communication modality through air, a second antenna, in a second position on or within the structure, tuned to communicate according to the wireless communication modality through the body part, the first antenna being tuned differently than the second antenna, and a transceiver, operatively coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, configured to communicate with an external antenna via the at least one of the first and second antennas according to the wireless communication modality.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventor: Holli Pheil