Patents by Inventor Phillip Meneau
Phillip Meneau 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).
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Patent number: 11925239Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Patent number: 11889900Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Publication number: 20240016255Abstract: Active footwear can include a system to automatically detect a presence or absence of a foot. In an example, various threshold conditions can be used together with sensor data to determine whether a foot is present. In an example, the system can be configured to sample values of a foot presence sensor signal from a foot presence sensor, identify an ambulatory status of the article of footwear using the sampled values of the sensor signal, and conditionally update a sensor signal threshold in response to identifying the ambulatory status. The updated sensor signal threshold and subsequent sensor signal values can be used to determine foot ingress, egress, or presence.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Phillip Meneau, Erin McAuliffe
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Publication number: 20240019277Abstract: Active footwear can include a system to automatically detect a presence or absence of a foot. In an example, the system can be configured to provide information about a liquid saturation level that can affect a sensitivity or performance of the foot presence sensor. The system can use time-multiplexed signals to excite respective different electrodes in a foot presence sensor, and the electrodes can generate respective electric fields inside the footwear. Interruptions in the fields can be detected and used to determine foot presence or absence or a liquid saturation level.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Phillip Meneau, Erin McAuliffe
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Patent number: 11857029Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear. Characteristics of the sensed proximity can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot or about the footwear.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Publication number: 20230371652Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. Information about the sensed proximity can be used to determine a foot velocity characteristic, which in turn can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot, about an activity, or about the footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Patent number: 11766095Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. Information about the sensed proximity can be used to determine a foot velocity characteristic, which in turn can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot, about an activity, or about the footwear.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Publication number: 20220279899Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. A baseline or reference condition for the capacitive sensor can be updated to accommodate different use conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Patent number: 11357290Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. A baseline or reference condition for the capacitive sensor can be updated to accommodate different use conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Publication number: 20220087368Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Patent number: 11213100Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Publication number: 20210353005Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. Information about the sensed proximity can be used to determine a foot velocity characteristic, which in turn can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot, about an activity, or about the footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Publication number: 20210307455Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear. Characteristics of the sensed proximity can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot or about the footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Publication number: 20210274888Abstract: An article of footwear can include a ferromagnetic body disposed in the article, and a magnetometer to measure a strength or direction of a magnetic field that is influenced by a position of the ferromagnetic body. One of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer can be configured to move relative to the other one of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer, for example according to movement of a foot in the article. In an example, the ferromagnetic body is disposed in a compressible insole and the ferromagnetic body moves in response to compression or relaxation of the insole. The magnetometer can be disposed in a platform or sole portion of the article that is relatively stationary compared to the ferromagnetic body. Rate of change information about the magnetic field can be used to control article functions or to provide information about a foot strike or step rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Patent number: 11071355Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive or magnetic sensor configured to sense changes in a body's proximity to the sensor in footwear. Characteristics of the sensed proximity can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot or about the footwear.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Patent number: 11064768Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. Information about the sensed proximity can be used to determine a foot velocity characteristic, which in turn can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot, about an activity, or about the footwear.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Patent number: 11044967Abstract: An article of footwear can include a ferromagnetic body disposed in the article, and a magnetometer to measure a strength or direction of a magnetic field that is influenced by a position of the ferromagnetic body. One of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer can be configured to move relative to the other one of the ferromagnetic body and the magnetometer, for example according to movement of a foot in the article. In an example, the ferromagnetic body is disposed in a compressible insole and the ferromagnetic body moves in response to compression or relaxation of the insole. The magnetometer can be disposed in a platform or sole portion of the article that is relatively stationary compared to the ferromagnetic body. Rate of change information about the magnetic field can be used to control article functions or to provide information about a foot strike or step rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Patent number: 11026481Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. Information about the sensed proximity can be used to determine a foot velocity characteristic, which in turn can be used to update an automated footwear function, such as an automatic lacing function, or can be used to determine a step count, foot strike force, a rate of travel, or other information about a foot, about an activity, or about the footwear.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Publication number: 20200352284Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau
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Patent number: 10758012Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Phillip Meneau