Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a footwear and particularly to a smart footwear.
Description of Related Art
[002] Footwear is an outfit accessory that is worn by a person on their feet. The footwear protects sole of the feet from micro-level sharp objects. The footwear also protects the feet of the person from extreme temperature that is conducted from the ground to the sole of the feet of the person. Further, the footwear allows the person to get a better grip on uneven terrains leading to facilitation of movement of the person and thereby reducing accidents. There are different types of footwear available according to an individual’s requirements. Furthermore, a child who is learning to walk receives important sensory information from their soles when their feet touch the ground. Additionally, toddlers and upgrowing kids must be taught to wear footwear on the right foot so they can develop sensatory touch with their feet and develop muscle strength for better leg related actions such as, walking, running, standing, and so forth.
[003] Moreover, toddlers and young kids tend to wear footwear on the wrong foot. It is a tedious and vigilante job to teach toddlers to wear right footwear on their right foot and left footwear on the left foot. Toddlers while wearing the footwear on the wrong foot cannot walk properly. They can even get hurt leading to pain and injuries. Furthermore, it has been researched that incorrectly fitted footwear is a major contributor to the development of structural foot disorders, such as hallux valgus and lesser toe deformity, as well as skin lesions, such as corns and calluses.
[004] However, there are several types of footwear commercially available however none of them are able to address the above issue. Additionally, consumer grade products are not able to provide any indication to a toddler or their caretakes that the toddlers are wearing the footwear in an incorrect or wrong manner.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced smart footwear that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide smart footwear. The footwear comprising: a base of the footwear adapted to receive a foot of a person. The base comprises: a first pressure sensor arranged at a first specified location, and configured to sense a first value of pressure exerted by a big toe of the person; a second pressure sensor arranged at a second specified location, and configured to sense a second value of pressure exerted by a small toe of the person; and a third pressure sensor arranged at a third specified location, and configured to sense a third value of pressure exerted by a heel of the person. The footwear further comprising: a strap attached to the base of the footwear, and configured to secure the foot of the person inside of the footwear, the strap comprises a light unit. The footwear further comprising: a control unit communicatively connected to the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the third pressure sensor. The control unit is configured to: receive the first value of pressure exerted, the second value of pressure exerted, and the third value of pressure from the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the third pressure sensor; compare the first value of pressure exerted with the second value of pressure exerted; and actuate a first switch to activate the light unit to emit a light of a first color when the first value of pressure exerted is less than the second value of pressure exerted.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for indicating a footwear worn on an incorrect foot. The method comprising steps of: receiving a first value of pressure exerted, a second value of pressure exerted, and a third value of pressure from a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a third pressure sensor; comparing the first value of pressure exerted with the second value of pressure exerted; and actuating a first switch to activate a light unit to emit a light of a first color, when, the first value of pressure exerted is less than the second value of pressure exerted.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart footwear.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart footwear that enables a precise alignment of a foot on the footwear.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart footwear that is attractive and devised as a learning tool for toddlers.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart footwear that is easy to use, and easy to maintain by toddlers.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart footwear that is cost-effective and sustainable.
[0013] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0014] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible by utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a smart footwear, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit of the smart footwear, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for indicating a footwear worn on an incorrect foot, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0021] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0022] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a smart footwear 100 (hereinafter referred to as the footwear 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the footwear 100 may enable a person to identify a correct foot that may place in a pair of footwear 100. The footwear 100 may indicate wrong and/or incorrect placement of a foot using visual indication. According to embodiments of the present invention, the person may be of any age group and any gender group. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the person may be a toddler and/or a kid of a very early age who may be in their learning phase. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the person.
[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the footwear 100 depicted in the FIG. 1 may be a right pair of the footwear 100 that may be worn by the person in their right foot. Further, there may be a left pair (not shown in the figures) of the footwear 100 that may be worn by the person in their left foot, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the components in the left pair of the footwear may be same as components in the right pair of the footwear 100.
[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, the footwear 100 may comprise a base 102, a strap 104, a control unit 106, a power supply unit 108, a first pressure sensor 110, a second pressure sensor 112, a third pressure sensor 114, a first switch 116, a second switch 118, a light unit 120.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base 102 of the footwear 100 may be adapted to receive a foot of the person. According to embodiments of the present invention, the base 102 of the footwear 100 may be manufactured with any material such as, but not limited to, a silicone material, a leather material, a fabric material, a plastic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for the manufacturing of the base 102 of the footwear 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the strap 104 may be attached to the base 102 of the footwear 100. The strap 104 may be configured to secure the foot of the person inside of the footwear 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the strap 104 may be translucent, such that a light emitted by the light unit 120 may be visible to the person. According to embodiments of the present invention, the strap 104 of the footwear 100 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, the silicone material, the leather material, the fabric material, the plastic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for the construction of the strap 104 of the footwear 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be communicatively connected to the first pressure sensor 110, the second pressure sensor 112, the third pressure sensor 114, and the light unit 120. The control unit 106 may be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to generate an output relating to the footwear 100 stored in a memory (not shown). According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, a Raspberry Pi, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, components of the control unit 106 may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2. According to embodiments of the present invention, the memory may be, but not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random-Access Memory (RAM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a hard drive, a removable media drive for handling memory cards, and so forth.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 108 may be connected to the control unit 106. The power supply unit 108 may supply operational power to the control unit 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 108 may be configured to supply operational power to the light unit 120. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 108 may provide power from a battery.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power may be supplied from a rechargeable battery. In another embodiment of the present invention, the power may be supplied from a non-rechargeable battery. According to embodiments of the present invention, the battery for power supply may be of any composition such as, but not limited to, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a Nickel-Metal Hydride battery, a Zinc-Carbon battery, a Lithium-Ion battery, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any composition of the battery, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first pressure sensor 110, the second pressure sensor 112, and the third pressure sensor 114 may be arranged on the base 102. The first pressure sensor 110, the second pressure sensor 112, and the third pressure sensor 114 may be internally embedded into the base 102 of the footwear 100, such that the first pressure sensor 110, the second pressure sensor 112, and the third pressure sensor 114 may not be visible to the person, yet they may be able to sense a value of pressure exerted over them.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure sensor 110 may be arranged at a first specified location on the base 102. The first pressure sensor 110 may be configured to sense a first value of pressure exerted by a big toe of the person, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the first value of the pressure exerted by the big toe of the person may be in a range from 10 Kilo-Pascal (kPa) to 950 Kilo-Pascal (kPa). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any first value of the pressure that may be exerted by the big toe of the person, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the first value of pressure exerted may be measured in units such as, but not limited to, Kilo-Pascal (kPa), Pascal (Pa), torr, bar, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any unit for the measurement of the pressure exerted by the first pressure sensor 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second pressure sensor 112 may be arranged at a second specified location on the base 102. The second pressure sensor 112 may be configured to sense a second value of the pressure exerted by a small toe of the person, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the second value of the pressure exerted by the small toe of the person may be in a range from 10 Kilo-Pascal (kPa) to 950 Kilo-Pascal (kPa). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any second value of the pressure that may be exerted by the small toe of the person, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the second value of pressure exerted may be measured in units such as, but not limited to, the Kilo-Pascal (kPa), the Pascal (Pa), the torr, the bar, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any unit for the measurement of the pressure exerted by the second pressure sensor 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the third pressure sensor 114 may be arranged at a third specified location on the base 102. The third pressure sensor 114 may be configured to sense a third value of the pressure exerted by a heel of the person, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the third value of the pressure exerted by the heel of the person may be greater than zero (0). The value of the pressure exerted by the heel may be set based on a weight of the person of a specific age group, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the third value of the pressure exerted by the heel of the person may be in a range from 10 Kilo-Pascal (kPa) to 950 Kilo-Pascal (kPa). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any third value of the pressure that may be exerted by the heel of the person, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the third value of pressure exerted may be measured in units such as, but not limited to, the Kilo-Pascal (kPa), the Pascal (Pa), the torr, the bar, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any unit for the measurement of the pressure exerted by the third pressure sensor 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first switch 116, the second switch 118, and the light unit 120 may be arranged in the strap 104. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first switch 116 may activate the light unit 120. The light unit 120 when activated by the first switch 116 may emit a light of a first color, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the second switch 118 may further activate the light unit 120. The light unit 120 when activated by the second switch 118 may emit a light of a second color, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the light unit 120 may be configured to generate a visual indication by emitting the light to alert a person when the footwear 100 is worn by the person incorrectly and/or on a wrong foot. The visual indication generated may be in a pre-defined pattern, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the pre-defined pattern of the visual indication may be, but not limited to, a continuous glow of the light unit 120, a blinking of the light unit 120, a synchronized effect produced in the light unit 120, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any pattern of the visual indication, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light unit 120 may comprise a first light emitting strip 122a, and a second light emitting strip 122b (hereinafter referred as to the light emitting strips 122). The first light emitting strip 122a of the light unit 120 may emit the light of the first color, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the second light emitting strip 122b may emit the light of the second color. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first color may be a red color. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any first color of the light emitted by the light unit 120. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second color may be a green color. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any second color of the light emitted by the light unit 120.
[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention, the light unit 120 may comprise any number of the light emitting strips 122 that may emit the light of a variety of colors, referring but not limited to, the red color, the green color, a yellow color, a blue color, a pink color, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any color of the light emitted by the light emitting strips 122 of the light unit 120.
[0039] According to further embodiments of the present invention, the light unit 120 may be, but not limited to, a single Light Emitting Diode (LED), a plurality of the Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), a small filament bulb, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the light unit 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the control unit 106 of the footwear 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 106 may include an activation module 200, a data receiving module 202, a data comparison module 204, and a light control module 206.
[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the person may activate an activation button (not shown) that may enable the activation module 200 which may further be configured to generate a device activation signal to activate the components of the footwear 100. The components may be the control unit 106, the power supply unit 108, the first pressure sensor 110, the second pressure sensor 112, the third pressure sensor 114, the first switch 116, the second switch 118, and the light unit 120. In another embodiment of the present invention, the person may deactivate the activation button that may enable the activation module 200 which may be configured to generate a deactivation signal to deactivate the components of the footwear 100.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 202 may be configured to receive the first value of pressure exerted by the person on the first specified location from the first pressure sensor 110. The data receiving module 202 may further be configured to receive the second value of pressure exerted by the person on the second specified location from the second pressure sensor 112, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 202 may further be configured to receive the third value of pressure exerted by the person on the third specified location from the third pressure sensor 114. Further, the received first value of pressure exerted, the second value of pressure exerted, and the third value of pressure may be transmitted to the data comparison module 204.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 204 may be configured to receive the first value of pressure exerted, the second value of pressure exerted, and the third value of pressure from the data receiving module 202. The data comparison module 204 may be configured to compare the first value of pressure exerted with the second value of pressure exerted, and the third value of pressure exerted with a pre-defined pressure stored in the memory, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Upon comparison, if the first value of pressure exerted is less than the second value of pressure exerted or the third value of pressure exerted is less than the pre-defined pressure, then the data comparison module 204 may transmit a first light control signal to the light control module 206.
[0045] Further, if the first value of pressure exerted is equal to or greater than the second value of pressure exerted, then the data comparison module 204 may transmit a second light control signal to the light control module 206.
[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the light control module 206 may be configured to receive the first light control signal and/or the second light control signal from the data comparison module 204. Upon receiving the first light control signal, the light control module 206 may actuate the first switch 116 to activate the light unit 120 to emit the light of the first color, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention upon receiving the second light control signal, the light control module 206 may actuate the second switch 118 to activate the light unit 120 to emit the light of the second color.
[0047] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for indicating the footwear 100 worn on an incorrect foot, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] At step 302, the footwear 100 may receive the first value of pressure exerted, the second value of pressure exerted, and the third value of pressure from the first pressure sensor 110, the second pressure sensor 112, and the third pressure sensor 114.
[0049] At step 304, the footwear 100 may compare the first value of pressure exerted with the second value of pressure exerted. Upon comparison, if the first value of pressure exerted is less than the second value of pressure exerted, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 308. Else, the method 300 may proceed to a step 306.
[0050] At step 306, the footwear 100 may compare the third value of pressure exerted with the pre-defined pressure. Upon comparison, if the third value of pressure exerted is less than the pre-defined pressure, then the method 300 may proceed to the step 308. Else, the method 300 may proceed to a step 310.
[0051] At step 308, the footwear 100 may actuate the first switch 116 to activate the light unit 120 to emit the light of the first color.
[0052] At step 310, the footwear 100 may actuate the second switch 118 to activate the light unit 120 to emit the light of the second color.
[0053] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0054] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A smart footwear (100), the footwear (100) comprising:
a base (102) of the footwear (100) adapted to receive a foot of a person, wherein the base (102) comprises:
a first pressure sensor (110) arranged at a first specified location, and configured to sense a first value of pressure exerted by a big toe of the person;
a second pressure sensor (112) arranged at a second specified location, and configured to sense a second value of pressure exerted by a small toe of the person; and
a third pressure sensor (114) arranged at a third specified location, and configured to sense a third value of pressure exerted by a heel of the person;
a strap (104) attached to the base (102) of the footwear (100), and configured to secure the foot of the person inside of the footwear (100), wherein the strap (104) comprises a light unit (120); and
a control unit (106) communicatively connected to the first pressure sensor (110), the second pressure sensor (112), the third pressure sensor (114), and the light unit (120), characterized in that the control unit (106) is configured to:
receive the first value of pressure exerted, the second value of pressure exerted, and the third value of pressure from the first pressure sensor (110), the second pressure sensor (112), and the third pressure sensor (114);
compare the first value of pressure exerted with the second value of pressure exerted; and
actuate a first switch (116) to activate the light unit (120) to emit a light of a first color, when the first value of pressure exerted is less than the second value of pressure exerted.
2. The footwear (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (106) is further configured to actuate a second switch (118) to activate the light unit (120) to emit the light of a second color, when the first value of pressure exerted is equal to or greater than the second value of pressure exerted.
3. The footwear (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (106) is further configured to activate the light unit (120) to emit the light of the first color when the third value of pressure exerted is less than a pre-defined pressure stored in a memory.
4. The footwear (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light unit (120) comprises a first light emitting strip (122a) and a second light emitting strip (122b).
5. The footwear (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a power supply unit (108) is configured to supply operational power to the light unit (120).
6. A method (300) for indicating a footwear (100) worn on an incorrect foot, the method (300) comprising steps of:
receiving a first value of pressure exerted, a second value of pressure exerted, and a third value of pressure from a first pressure sensor (110), a second pressure sensor (112), and a third pressure sensor (114);
comparing the first value of pressure exerted with the second value of pressure exerted; and
actuating a first switch (116) to activate a light unit (120) to emit a light of a first color, when the first value of pressure exerted is less than the second value of pressure exerted.
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, comprises a step of actuating a second switch (118) to activate the light unit (120) to emit the light of a second color when the first value of pressure exerted is equal to or greater than the second value of pressure exerted.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the light unit (120) comprises a first light emitting strip (122a), and a second light emitting strip (122b).
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a power supply unit (108) is configured to supply operational power to the light unit (120).
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit (106) is further configured to activate the light unit (120) to emit the light of the first color when the third value of pressure exerted is less than a pre-defined pressure stored in a memory.
Date: February 15, 2023
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant