Published Technical Disclosure Archive

AI-Powered Smart Footwear: Next-Gen Adaptive Design

Publication ID: 24-11857028_0008_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “AI-Powered Smart Footwear: Next-Gen Adaptive Design,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857028_0008_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857028_0008_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,028.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Footwear including an adaptable and adjustable lacing system', addressed limitations in traditional footwear designs. However, it did not leverage emerging technologies to enhance the wearer's experience. This new invention addresses this limitation by integrating AI, IoT, blockchain, and novel materials to create a more advanced, responsive, and customizable footwear system.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the integration of AI, IoT, blockchain, and novel materials into the original footwear design, creating a synergistic combination that enhances the wearer's experience. The inventive step lies in the novel integration of these technologies to create a highly adaptive, responsive, and customizable footwear system.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include different types of sensors, materials, or technologies integrated into the footwear system. For example, the AI-powered sensor could be replaced with a machine learning algorithm, or the blockchain-based authentication system could be substituted with a different type of authentication method. Additionally, the invention could be applied to different types of footwear, such as athletic shoes, hiking boots, or work boots.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The intelligent footwear system has significant commercial potential in various industries, including athletic wear, outdoor gear, and workwear. The system's ability to provide real-time feedback and customization could revolutionize the footwear industry, offering a unique selling proposition for companies looking to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A43 A43B23/028
A A43 A43B1/04
A A43 A43B5/06
A A43 A43B7/085
A A43 A43B23/02
A A43 A43B23/0205
A A43 A43B23/0235
A A43 A43B23/0255
A A43 A43B23/0275
A A43 A43B23/086
A A43 A43C1/00
A A43 A43C1/04
D D04 D04B1/123
D D04 D04B1/14
D D04 D04B1/16
D D04 D04B1/22
D D04 D04B1/24
D D10 D10B2401/041
D D10 D10B2403/02
D D10 D10B2501/043

Field of Art

Footwear design and manufacturing, with expertise in textile engineering, athletic shoe construction, adaptive lacing systems, and advanced material integration

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with a degree in materials science or mechanical engineering, experience in footwear design, knowledge of textile manufacturing processes, and familiarity with sensor and smart material technologies

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that integrating emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain into existing footwear design represents a predictable evolution of adaptive lacing systems. The source patent's focus on adjustable textile-based footwear provides a clear technical foundation for incorporating sensor technologies and smart material innovations. The proposed variations represent logical extensions of existing footwear design principles using well-understood technological integration techniques.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Knit textile upper with adjustable lacing system
PTD Variation
AI-powered sensor integrated into knit textile to monitor foot pressure and dynamically adjust lacing
Obviousness Reasoning
Sensor integration into textile structures is a known technique, and adaptive lacing systems inherently benefit from real-time pressure monitoring, representing a predictable technological improvement
Source Patent Element
Textile-based footwear upper with multiple region configurations
PTD Variation
Self-healing material integrated with wear detection sensors
Obviousness Reasoning
Smart materials that can self-repair are a foreseeable technological progression for durable textile-based footwear, with sensor integration providing a logical performance monitoring mechanism
Source Patent Element
Adjustable lacing system with fastening elements
PTD Variation
Blockchain-based authentication system tracking footwear performance and usage
Obviousness Reasoning
Digital authentication and performance tracking represent standard technological extensions for complex textile-based products, utilizing well-established IoT and blockchain technologies
Source Patent Element
Knit textile construction with configurable regions
PTD Variation
3D-printed upper materials with AI-powered design optimization
Obviousness Reasoning
Advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and AI design optimization are predictable technological progressions for customizable textile-based footwear structures
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857028 and the disclosed technological variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed footwear system modifications obvious and lacking inventive step. The integration of AI, IoT, blockchain, and advanced materials represents a predictable technological evolution of existing adaptive footwear design principles, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,028
TitleFootwear including an adaptable and adjustable lacing system
Assignee(s)Under Armour, Inc.