Smart Footwear: Adaptive Lacing Sensor Technology

Publication ID: 24-11857029_0006_PTD

Published: October 27, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Smart Footwear: Adaptive Lacing Sensor Technology,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857029_0006_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857029_0006_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. 11,857,029.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,332) disclosed a foot force sensor for monitoring foot conditions, but lacked a real-time, automated lacing adjustment mechanism. This limitation is addressed by the present invention, which integrates a sensor module with a modular automated lacing footwear platform to detect foot presence and adjust lacing accordingly, thereby improving the overall user experience.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present invention introduces a novel integration of a sensor module with a modular automated lacing footwear platform, enabling real-time foot presence detection and automatic lacing adjustment. This integration is non-obvious compared to the original patent, which lacked such automation and real-time adjustment capabilities.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention include integrating the sensor module with different types of footwear platforms, such as athletic shoes or hiking boots, and using various sensors, such as pressure sensors or temperature sensors, to detect foot presence and adjust lacing accordingly.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The intelligent footwear system has significant commercial potential in the athletic and outdoor industries, where customized lacing adjustments can enhance performance and safety. Additionally, the invention can be applied to various footwear categories, such as medical or fashion shoes, to provide improved user experience and comfort.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A43	A43C11/165
A	A43	A43B1/0054
A	A43	A43B3/0031
A	A43	A43B3/34
A	A43	A43B3/36
A	A43	A43B13/14
A	A43	A43B17/00
A	A43	A43C1/00
A	A43	A43C7/00
A	A43	A43C11/008
A	A61	A61B5/6807
G	G01	G01D5/12
G	G01	G01D5/24
G	G01	G01L1/12
G	G01	G01L1/14
G	G01	G01L1/142
G	G01	G01L1/144
G	G01	G01L5/0009
G	G01	G01L5/0014
G	G01	G01L5/0071
G	G01	G01L5/12
G	G01	G01L5/16
G	G01	G01L5/165
G	G01	G01L5/24
G	G05	G05B15/02
G	G05	G05B19/048
A	A43	A43B3/38
A	A43	A43C1/003
A	A43	A43C1/006
A	A43	A43C1/02
A	A43	A43C1/04
A	A43	A43C1/06
A	A43	A43C11/00
G	G01	G01D5/145
G	G01	G01D5/2405
G	G01	G01D5/34
G	G05	G05B2219/24015

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Footwear sensor systems and automated lacing technologies, involving electrical sensing, mechanical actuation, and biomechanical interface design. Requires expertise in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and human-machine interaction

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled practitioner with advanced degree in engineering, familiar with sensor integration, capacitive sensing technologies, and adaptive mechanical systems in footwear. Capable of combining known techniques across sensor, mechanical, and electronic domains

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that extending the source patent's capacitive foot presence sensing to an automated lacing system represents a predictable combination of known technologies. The integration of sensor feedback with mechanical actuation is a logical progression in smart footwear design, utilizing standard control system principles. The variations disclosed represent incremental improvements using standard engineering problem-solving approaches.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Capacitance-based foot presence sensor in footwear

PTD Variation

Integrating foot presence sensor with motorized lacing mechanism

Obviousness Reasoning

Predictable application of existing sensor technology to control mechanical system, representing standard control engineering practice

Source Patent Element

Processor circuit detecting sensor signal fluctuations

PTD Variation

Real-time lacing adjustment based on sensor signal processing

Obviousness Reasoning

Logical extension of existing signal processing techniques to provide dynamic mechanical response

Source Patent Element

Step detection using sensor signals

PTD Variation

Using sensor signals to trigger personalized lacing modifications

Obviousness Reasoning

Obvious design choice applying known sensor interpretation methods to enhance user interaction

Source Patent Element

Accelerometer as secondary sensor

PTD Variation

Multiple sensor types integrated for comprehensive foot presence detection

Obviousness Reasoning

Routine combination of known sensor technologies to improve detection reliability

Source Patent Element

Flexible sensor integration in footwear

PTD Variation

Modular sensor platform adaptable across different footwear types

Obviousness Reasoning

Standard engineering approach of creating generalized, adaptable technological platforms

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857029's teachings, the present disclosure demonstrates that a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations of integrating capacitive foot presence sensing with automated lacing mechanisms to be obvious and predictable. The technical combinations represent standard engineering problem-solving within the known capabilities of skilled practitioners in footwear sensor systems.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,029
Title	Foot presence signal processing systems and methods
Assignee(s)	NIKE, Inc.