Sensing device for footwear
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.
1. A detector integrated into a footwear apparatus, the detector comprising:
a signal generator; and
a body sensor configured to:
receive a drive signal from the signal generator;
generate an electric field using the drive signal; and
detect changes in the electric field caused at least in part by a change in proximity of a user body relative to the footwear apparatus.
2. The detector of claim 1 , wherein the body sensor is configured to generate the electric field substantially inside the footwear.
3. The detector of claim 1 , further comprising a processor circuit;
wherein the body sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal that includes information about a presence or absence of the user body; and
wherein the processor circuit is configured to receive the sensor signal and generate a response based on information from the sensor signal.
4. The detector of claim 3 , wherein the sensor signal generated by the body sensor includes information about a proximity of the user body to the body sensor.
5. The detector of claim 3 , wherein the processor circuit is configured to initiate a motorized footwear lacing apparatus based on information from the sensor signal.
6. The detector of claim 1 , wherein the body sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.
7. The detector of claim 4 , wherein the capacitive sensor includes a reference electrode and at least one electrode configured to receive the drive signal from the signal generator.
8. The detector of claim 1 , wherein the body sensor comprises multiple electrodes spaced apart by a substantially fixed distance.
9. The detector of claim 1 , further comprising a detector housing that encloses the signal generator and at least a portion of the body sensor.
10. The detector of claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric member configured to enhance a sensitivity of the body sensor to a presence of the user body.
11. A method for receiving information for use by an automated footwear system, the method comprising:
generating a drive signal for a body sensor using a signal generator, the body sensor disposed in or on the automated footwear system;
receiving the drive signal at the body sensor and in response generating an electric field;
sensing, using the body sensor, a change in the electric field; and
based on the change in the electric field as sensed using the body sensor, controlling a function of the automated footwear system.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the receiving the drive signal at the body sensor includes receiving the drive signal at an electrode that comprises a portion of a capacitive sensor.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining a proximity of a user body to the body sensor based on the change in the electric field.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the generating the electric field comprises generating the electric field in proximity to a surface of the automated footwear system.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the controlling the function of the automated footwear system includes actuating a motorized lacing apparatus.
16. A body detector for use with footwear, the detector comprising:
a signal generator configured to generate an electrical drive signal; and
a body sensor configured to receive the drive signal from the signal generator and in response generate an electric field, wherein the body sensor is configured to detect a proximity of a user body based on interference in the electric field that is due to the proximity of the user body to the body sensor.
17. The detector of claim 16 , wherein the body is configured to generate the electric field substantially inside the footwear.
18. The detector of claim 16 , further comprising a processor circuit configured to receive information about the proximity of the user body from the body sensor and response, conditionally actuate a motorized lacing apparatus of the footwear.
19. The detector of claim 16 , wherein the body sensor includes a capacitive sensor including at least one electrode that is configured to receive the AC drive signal.
20. The detector of claim 16 , further comprising a dielectric member configured to change a sensitivity of the body sensor to a presence of the user body.