Patents by Inventor Steven H Walker
Steven H Walker 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: 11925235Abstract: A method of forming an electrorheological fluid structure with attached conductor and method of fabrication. A polymeric housing may have a channel defined therein. A first conductive trace may at least partially coincide with the channel. A first wire may have a first conductor surrounded by a first insulating jacket. The first conductor may be in electrical communication with the first conductive trace. A jacket bonding region of the first jacket may be welded to a housing bonding region of the housing. The jacket bonding region and the housing bonding region may be formed from a common type of polymer.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Chin-yuan Cheng
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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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Publication number: 20240074540Abstract: 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: September 11, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Holli Pheil, Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Ryan Frederick, Austin Palmer, Michael Ciuffo, Steven H. Walker
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Publication number: 20240074529Abstract: A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Michael S. Amos, Andrew A. Owings, Jordan M. Rice, Allan M. Schrock, Steven H. Walker, Jeffrey J. Hebert, Martine W. Stillman, Mark A. Tempel, Dane Weitmann, Andreas Heinrich Steier, Ndikum Protus Atang
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Patent number: 11896064Abstract: An electroadhesive clutch can be coupled to a textile. The clutch can include a first electrode assembly comprising a first conductive member, and a second electrode assembly comprising a second conductive member overlaying in part the first conductive member. In an example, the clutch includes or uses an elastic encasing within which the first and second electrode assemblies are positioned. The elastic encasing can form a first bond with the first conductive member at a first location of the elastic encasing and a second bond with the second conductive member proximate a second location of the elastic encasing different than the first location.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Iustinia Koshkaroff, Daniel Stuart, Eun Kyung Lee, Christopher Andon, Nina Yashkova
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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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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: 20230404185Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating and using sensor system in articles of apparel are provided. The system may include an apparel piece sized and dimensioned to be worn on a user and a sensor system integrated with the apparel piece. The sensor system may include at least one stretchable capacitive sensor positioned on the apparel piece so as to measure a biometric parameter of the user when the apparel piece is worn, an illumination system configured to provide illumination in a specified illumination area based on the measured biometric parameter of the user, and a control module to control one or more settings of the illumination system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Steven H. Walker
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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: 11793264Abstract: A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Amos, Andrew A. Owings, Jordan M. Rice, Allan M. Schrock, Steven H. Walker, Jeffrey J. Hebert, Martine W. Stillman, Mark A. Tempel, Dane Weitmann, Andreas Heinrich Steier, Ndikum Protus Atang
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Publication number: 20230321562Abstract: A system may include an output manifold that may be in fluid communication with a reservoir and that may include multiple discharge ports. Each of the discharge ports may be configured to discharge electrorheological fluid into a housing. A recovery manifold may be in fluid communication with the reservoir and include multiple recovery ports. Each of the recovery ports may be configured to receive the electrorheological fluid from a housing. A gas remover may be positioned to extract gas from the electrorheological fluid received from the recovery ports. A housing may be connected to the system, and electrorheological fluid from the system may be pumped through the housing and the gas remover.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Raymond L. Nicoli, Katherine Stegner
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Patent number: 11771151Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating and using sensor system in articles of apparel are provided. The system may include an apparel piece sized and dimensioned to be worn on a user and a sensor system integrated with the apparel piece. The sensor system may include at least one stretchable capacitive sensor positioned on the apparel piece so as to measure a biometric parameter of the user when the apparel piece is worn, an illumination system configured to provide illumination in a specified illumination area based on the measured biometric parameter of the user, and a control module to control one or more settings of the illumination system.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Steven H. Walker
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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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Patent number: 11751635Abstract: 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: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Holli Pheil, Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Ryan Frederick, Austin Palmer, Michael Ciuffo, Steven H. Walker
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Publication number: 20230263266Abstract: A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Raymond L. Nicoli, Rolando Pausal
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Patent number: 11712640Abstract: A system may include an output manifold that may be in fluid communication with a reservoir and that may include multiple discharge ports. Each of the discharge ports may be configured to discharge electrorheological fluid into a housing. A recovery manifold may be in fluid communication with the reservoir and include multiple recovery ports. Each of the recovery ports may be configured to receive the electrorheological fluid from a housing. A gas remover may be positioned to extract gas from the electrorheological fluid received from the recovery ports. A housing may be connected to the system, and electrorheological fluid from the system may be pumped through the housing and the gas remover.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Raymond L. Nicoli, Katherine Stegner
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Patent number: 11684111Abstract: An article of footwear includes a motorized tensioning system, sensors, and a gesture control system. Based on information received from one or more sensors the gesture control system may detect a prompting gesture and enters an armed mode for receiving further instructions. In the armed mode the system may detect a variety of different control gestures that correspond to different tensioning commands.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany B. Henrichot, Steven H. Walker
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Publication number: 20230172311Abstract: An article may include a first polymeric material layer having a surface. A first conductive trace may form at least a portion of the first layer surface. The article may further include a second polymeric material layer. The second layer may have a first surface, a portion of the second layer first surface being bonded to a portion of the first layer surface. The second layer may have a portion of a channel defined therein, the channel at least partially coinciding with a portion of the first conductive trace. The article may also include a first patch interposed between the first layer surface and the second layer first surface. The first patch may span the channel and cover a portion of the first conductive trace.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Chin-Yuan Cheng
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Patent number: 11666116Abstract: A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Raymond L. Nicoli, Rolando Pausal
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Publication number: 20230148905Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Adriana Guerrero, Steven H. Walker, Aaron B. Weast