(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`Case, JR.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 25, 2007
`
`US 20070247306A1
`
`(54) FOOTWEAR PRODUCTS INCLUDING DATA
`TRANSMISSION CAPABILITIES
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`........................................................ 340/539-11
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Charles Whipple Case JR., Lake
`Oswego, OR (US)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BANNER & WITCOFE LTD-
`1100 13th STREET: N-W-
`SUITE 1200
`
`WASHINGTON, DC 20005-4051 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Nike, Inc., Beaverton, OR
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/407,353
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 203 2006
`
`publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. C],
`G083
`
`1/08
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Footwear systems include an article of footwear and a data
`transmission system engaged with the article of footwear.
`The transmission system transmits data to a remote system,
`such as a display system, another data transmission system,
`a processing system, etc. Such footwear systems further may
`include activation systems for activating the transmission
`and/or display systems. The transmitted data may be used
`for various purposes, such as: (a) identifying a user of the
`article of footwear; (b) activating targeted advertising or
`product information; (0) confirming the user’s presence at a
`specific location and/or at a specific time; (d) determining
`start, finish, and/or intermediate split times for specific user;
`(e) confirming athletic equipment usage; (f) providing data
`for a game or reward program; (g) registering the user for an
`event or competition; or the like.
`
`100
`
`106
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 1
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2007 Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`100
`
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`
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`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 2
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2007 Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`Activation
`
`System
`
`210
`
`104
`
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`
`Power Supply
`104
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 3
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2007 Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 2007/0247306 A1
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`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 4
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2007 Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
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`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 5
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2007 Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`
` REGISTRATION
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 6
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2007 Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
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`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 7
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`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 7
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2007 Sheet 7 of 9
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`US 2007/0247306 A1
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2007 Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`
`
`AudioNideoDisplayScreen
`
`FIG.9
`
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`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 9
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 25, 2007 Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
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`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 10
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 10
`
`

`

`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2007
`
`FOOTWEAR PRODUCTS INCLUDING DATA
`TRANSMISSION CAPABILITIES
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] This invention relates generally to articles of foot-
`wear that
`include data transmission capabilities, e.g.,
`to
`enable
`communications
`and interactions with remote
`
`devices. At least some further aspects of this invention relate
`to activation systems to activate and/or otherwise control the
`data transmission process.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Conventional articles of footwear have included
`two primary elements, namely an upper member and a sole
`structure. The upper member provides a covering for the
`foot that receives and positions the foot with respect to the
`sole structure. The upper member may be made from a wide
`variety of materials, including, for example, leather, canvas,
`rubber (natural or synthetic), polymeric materials, fabric,
`and the like. In addition, the upper member may have a
`configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation,
`thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole
`structure generally is secured to a lower portion of the upper
`member and generally is positioned between the foot and the
`contact surface (the terms “contact surface” or “surface,” as
`used herein, include any foot or footwear contact surface,
`including but not limited to: grass, dirt, snow,
`ice,
`tile,
`flooring, carpeting, synthetic grass, asphalt, cement, con-
`crete, clay, court surfaces, and the like). In addition to
`attenuating ground reaction forces, the sole structure may
`provide traction and help control foot motion, such as
`pronation. Accordingly,
`the upper member and the sole
`structure operate cooperatively to provide a comfortable
`structure that is suited for a variety of ambulatory activities,
`such as walking and running.
`
`[0003] The sole member of athletic footwear, in at least
`some instances, will exhibit a layered configuration that
`includes a comfort-enhancing insole, a resilient midsole
`(e. g., formed, at least in part, from a polymer foam material),
`and a ground-contacting outsole that provides both abrasion-
`resistance and traction. The midsole,
`in at
`least some
`instances, will be the primary sole structure element that
`attenuates ground reaction forces and controls foot motion.
`Suitable polymer foam materials for use as at least portions
`of the midsole include ethylvinylacetate (“EVA”) or poly-
`urethane (“PU”) that compress resiliently under an applied
`load to attenuate ground reaction forces. Conventional poly-
`mer foam materials are resiliently compressible, in part, due
`to the inclusion of a plurality of open or closed cells that
`define an inner volume substantially displaced by gas. The
`upper member and sole structure in footwear products may
`be joined to one another in various different ways, such as
`using cements or adhesives, stitching or sewing, mechanical
`connectors, fusing techniques, or the like.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0004] The following presents a general summary of
`aspects of this invention in order to provide a basic under-
`standing of at least some aspects of the invention. This
`summary is not intended as an extensive overview of the
`invention.
`It
`is not
`intended to identify key or critical
`elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the
`
`invention. The following summary merely presents some
`concepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to
`the more detailed description provided below.
`
`[0005] Aspects of this invention relate to generally to
`footwear systems (e.g., including athletic footwear, etc.) that
`include data transmission capabilities. Such systems may
`include, for example: (a) an article of footwear including an
`upper member and a sole member engaged with the upper
`member; and (b) a data transmission system engaged with
`the article of footwear, wherein the data transmission system
`transmits data from the article of footwear for receipt by a
`remote system. The data transmission systems in accordance
`with at least some examples of this invention may be used
`in conjunction with systems and methods for monitoring
`athletic performance and/or systems for providing advertis-
`ing and/or product information relating to the article of
`footwear and/or products useful
`in athletic activities
`engaged in while wearing the article of footwear. The data
`transmitted by the data transmission system may be useful in
`such systems and methods. Optionally, footwear systems in
`accordance with at least some examples of this invention
`further may include an activation system engaged with the
`article of footwear for activating the data transmission
`system and/or a display device in communication with the
`data transmission system for displaying information based,
`at least in part, on the data transmitted by the data trans-
`mission system.
`
`[0006] Additional aspects of this invention relate to data
`transfer systems. Such systems may include: (a) an article of
`footwear; (b) a data transmission system engaged with the
`article of footwear, wherein the data transmission system
`transmits data from the article of footwear; and (c) a remote
`system in communication with the data transmission system
`for receiving the data from the data transmission system.
`The remote system may include, for example, a display
`device, another data transmission system, e.g., for transmit-
`ting data to another independent system or device, and/or a
`computer or other data processing system. The remote
`system may be used,
`for example,
`to monitor athletic
`performance and/or provide targeted product and/or adver-
`tising information based on the information transmitted by
`the data transmission system.
`
`Still additional aspects of this invention relate to
`[0007]
`methods of making footwear and/or data transfer systems,
`e.g., of the various types described above. As one example,
`aspects of the invention relate to methods of producing
`footwear systems that include: (a) providing an article of
`footwear including an upper member and a sole member
`engaged with the upper member; and (b) engaging a data
`transmission system with the article of footwear, wherein the
`data transmission system transmits data from the article of
`footwear for receipt by a remote system (e.g., athletic
`performance data, data used in monitoring athletic perfor-
`mance, data used in providing targeted and/or customize
`advertising and/or product information, etc.). Such methods
`further may include engaging an activation system with the
`article of footwear and/or providing a display device for
`displaying information based, at least in part, on the data
`transmitted by the data transmission system. Methods of
`providing data transfer systems in accordance with at least
`some examples of this invention may include, for example:
`(a) engaging a data transmission system with an article of
`footwear, wherein the data transmission system transmits
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 11
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 11
`
`

`

`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2007
`
`data from the article of footwear (e.g., data of the types
`useful
`in the various systems and/or methods described
`above); and (b) providing a remote system in communica-
`tion with the data transmission system for receiving the data
`from the data transmission system. If desired, the remote
`system may include one or more of: a display device for
`displaying information based at least in part on data trans-
`mitted by the data transmission system, another data trans-
`mission system, a remote computer or data processing
`system, and the like.
`
`least
`Still other methods in accordance with at
`[0008]
`some examples of this invention relate to data transfer
`methods that utilize, for example, footwear systems and/or
`data transfer systems of the types described above. Such
`methods may include, for example: (a) activating a data
`transmission system engaged with an article of footwear
`(e.g., engaged with the sole member and/or upper member,
`included as an integral part of the structure of the article of
`footwear, engaged with the article of footwear via a tag
`member, etc.); and (b) transmitting data from the article of
`footwear to a remote system. As noted above, the transmit-
`ted data may include, for example, athletic performance
`data, data used in monitoring athletic performance, data used
`in providing targeted and/or customized advertising or prod-
`uct information, etc. Some additional aspects of this inven-
`tion may include, for example: displaying information to the
`footwear user and/or others based on the data transmitted by
`the data transmission system; and/or transmitting data from
`the remote system to another remote system (e.g., to the
`wearer of the article of footwear or others), wherein the data
`or information transmitted to the second remote system is
`determined, at
`least
`in part, based on the original data
`transmitted to the remote system. Additional methods in
`accordance with at least some examples of this invention
`further may include one or more additional steps, such as:
`(a) identifying a user of the article of footwear based on the
`data transmitted by the data transmission system; (b) dis-
`playing advertising or product information to the user based,
`at least in part, on the data transmitted by the data trans-
`mission system; (c) correlating a presence of a user of the
`article of footwear to a specific location and/or at a specific
`time based on the data transmitted by the data transmission
`system; (d) determining race or event start, finish, and/or
`intermediate split times for a user of the article of footwear
`based on the data transmitted by the data transmission
`system; (e) determining a user’s presence at and/or use of a
`specific piece of exercise equipment, a specific gym or
`exercise facility, a specific retail sales location, or the like
`based on the data transmitted by the data transmission
`system; (f) providing data for a game or reward program
`based on the data transmitted by the data transmission
`system; (g) registering a user of the article of footwear for
`an event or competition based on the data transmitted by the
`data transmission system; (h) identifying a specific article of
`footwear (e.g., by owner, by model or style, by manufac-
`turer’s lot, etc.) based on the data transmitted by the data
`transmission system; (i) providing data indicating athletic
`performance information associated with the use of the
`article of footwear based on the data transmitted by the data
`transmission system (e.g., shoe mileage, speed, and/or tim-
`ing information, etc.); (j) activating display or presentation
`of product specific information (e.g., advertising informa-
`tion) based on data transmitted by the data transmission
`system; (k) activating display or presentation of user specific
`
`or customized product information (e.g., advertising infor-
`mation) based on data transmitted by the data transmission
`system;
`(1) displaying information to the user, e.g., route
`information, timing information, split times, distance infor-
`mation, warning information, etc.; or the like.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0009] A more complete understanding of the present
`invention and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by
`referring to the following description in consideration with
`the accompanying drawings, in which like reference num-
`bers indicate like features, and wherein:
`
`FIG. 1 generally illustrates an example environ-
`[0010]
`ment and system in which aspects of the invention may be
`practiced;
`
`[0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrat-
`ing example components that may be included and/or used
`in data transmission systems useful in systems and methods
`according to at least some examples of this invention;
`
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating example
`[0012]
`components that may be included and/or used in footwear
`and/or data transfer systems and methods according to at
`least some examples of this invention;
`
`FIG. 4 illustrates an example remote display device
`[0013]
`that may be used in systems and methods according to at
`least some examples of this invention;
`
`FIG. 5 illustrates an example article of footwear
`[0014]
`including a display device that may be used in systems and
`methods according to at least some examples of this inven-
`tion; and
`
`[0015] FIGS. 6 through 10 illustrate various examples of
`environments in which systems and methods according to at
`least some examples of this invention may be used.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In the following description of various examples of
`[0016]
`the invention, reference is made to the accompanying draw-
`ings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by
`way of illustration various example systems and environ-
`ments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It
`is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts,
`example systems, components, and environments may be
`utilized and structural and functional modifications may be
`made to the described arrangements and systems without
`departing from the scope of the present invention. Also,
`while
`the
`terms
`“top,”“bottom,”“side,”“front,”“back,
`”“above,”"below,”“under,”“over,” and the like may be used
`in this specification to describe various example features and
`elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a
`matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orienta-
`tions shown in the figures and/or a typical orientation during
`a typical use. Nothing in this specification should be con-
`strued as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation
`of structures in order to fall within the scope of this
`invention.
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 12
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 12
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`

`

`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2007
`
`A. General Description of Footwear and Data Transferring
`Systems, Methods of Making Them, and Methods of Using
`Them According to the Invention
`
`jogging, etc.), as a result of landing a jump, as a result of a
`stomping action, or the like while the user wears the article
`of footwear.
`
`[0017]
`
`l. Footwear and Data Transfer Systems
`
`Some aspects of the present invention relate gen-
`[0018]
`erally to footwear systems that include data transmission
`capabilities. Such systems may include, for example: (a) an
`article of footwear including an upper member and a sole
`member engaged with the upper member; and (b) a data
`transmission system engaged with the article of footwear,
`wherein the data transmission system transmits data from
`the article of footwear for receipt by a remote system. The
`transmitted data may include athletic performance data, data
`used in monitoring athletic performance, and/or data used in
`providing targeted or customized advertising or product
`information. Optionally, footwear systems in accordance
`with at least some examples of this invention further may
`include an activation system engaged with the article of
`footwear for activating the data transmission system. The
`data transmission system and/or the activation system may
`be engaged with any portion of the article of footwear in any
`desired manner, e. g., with the sole member, with the upper
`member, attached via a tag member (e.g., a hanging tag
`connected to the article of footwear, etc.), etc. The data
`transmission system and the activation system, when both
`present, may be provided as separate elements, provided in
`a common housing or substrate, provided as separate com-
`ponents, or otherwise provided in any desired manner with-
`out departing from this invention.
`
`[0019] When present, any type of activation system may
`be used without departing from this invention. As more
`specific examples, activation systems including an acceler-
`ometer, a piezoelectric element, a Hall sensor system or
`other magnetic sensing system, a radio frequency identifi-
`cation (“RFID”) system, a physical button or other switch-
`ing mechanism, and the like may be used in various
`examples of this invention. Footwear systems in accordance
`with at least some examples of this invention may use an
`RFlD system for both activating the data transmission
`system and actually transmitting the desired data (e.g.,
`transmitting user identification data, product or footwear
`identification data, athletic performance data, etc. via the
`RFID transmission system).
`
`[0020] Any type of activation action also may be used to
`activate the data transmission system without departing from
`this invention. For example, data transmission may be
`activated or
`initiated in response to an external
`input
`received at an input system in at least some examples of this
`invention. The input system may receive user input in a
`wireless manner, such as via radio waves (e.g., the input
`system including a radio antenna, such as an RFID system,
`etc.), via magnetic fields (e.g., the input system including a
`Hall sensing system or other magnetic field sensor to detect
`magnetic fields or changes in magnetic fields, etc.), infrared
`transmission systems, and the like. As still additional
`examples, contact between the sole member of the article of
`footwear and a surface, such as a ground surface or floor
`surface, may be sensed or detected and used to activate the
`data transmission system. In this manner, if desired, data
`may be transmitted by the data transmission system, e.g., as
`a result of a user’s step (e.g., while walking, running, or
`
`[0021] Data may be made available to the article of
`footwear and/or made available for transmission by the data
`transmission system included with the article of footwear for
`any desired purpose,
`it may include any desired content,
`and/or it may be provided in any desired form or format
`without departing from this invention. Desired data may be
`input to the article of footwear (e.g., to a memory or other
`processing system included in or on the article of footwear)
`at any desired time and/or in any desired manner without
`departing from this invention, for example, at a manufac-
`turing, wholesaler, or retail
`location; at a point of sale
`location; at a point of use location; by the user at home or
`at another location (e.g., via a personal computer or over a
`computer network); at special locations designated for this
`type of input (e.g., at a kiosk in a retail location or mall, etc.);
`or the like. Any content may be input to the article of
`footwear and/or made available for transmission from the
`
`article of footwear without departing from the invention. In
`some examples of this invention,
`the data transmission
`system may transmit data identifying a particular user of the
`article of footwear (e. g., the purchaser, etc.). Such data may
`be used, for example, for athletic performance monitoring
`purposes, e.g., to correlate or confirm the user’s presence at
`a specific location and/or at a specific time. As more specific
`examples,
`transmission of data identifying the user or
`wearer of an article of footwear at specific times and/or
`specific locations may be used for athletic performance
`monitoring purposes, for example: for automatically deter-
`mining and logging race or event start, finish, and/or split
`times for the user; for use in games, competitions, chal-
`lenges, or reward programs; for use in automatically deter-
`mining and logging user gym or exercise facility use (e.g.,
`even to confirm use of specific pieces of equipment at the
`gym or exercise facility, the timing and/or length of use,
`etc.); for use in automatically registering a user for an event
`or competition; etc. User identification data also may be
`transmitted for use in confirming user presence at retail,
`sales, promotional, or other event locations (e.g., for con-
`tests, award or reward programs, etc.).
`
`[0022] As still other examples, data transmitted by the
`data transmission systems in accordance with examples of
`this invention may include data identifying the article of
`footwear, such as the model or style of the article of
`footwear. Such data may be used by the receiving system to
`trigger advertising or other informational audio or video
`displays that contain product specific or other targeted
`information, e.g., at a retail location. The data transmitted by
`the data transmission system also may include athletic
`performance information associated with use of the article of
`footwear, such as total mileage on the article of footwear,
`user speed and/or event
`timing information (e.g., start,
`finish, split times, etc.), information for use in a game or
`reward program, average workout times, speeds, or dis-
`tances, etc.
`
`[0023] Footwear and/or data transfer systems in accor-
`dance with still additional examples of this invention may
`include a display device in communication with the data
`transmission system for displaying information based, at
`least in part, on the data transmitted by the data transmission
`system (e.g., the remote system to which the data is trans-
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 13
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 13
`
`

`

`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2007
`
`mitted may include a display device). Of course, any type of
`information may be displayed without departing from the
`invention, such as athletic performance information associ-
`ated with use of the article of footwear; start/finish/split time
`information for an event; information relating to a game or
`reward program; user identification information (e.g., for
`event registration, athletic performance, games or rewards,
`or other purposes); product or advertising information; and/
`or the like. If desired,
`in accordance with at least some
`examples of this invention,
`the display device may be
`engaged with the article of footwear, e.g., incorporated and
`integrated into its structure, attached to it, etc.
`
`[0024] Additional aspects of this invention, as mentioned
`above, relate to data transfer systems. Such systems may
`include: (a) an article of footwear; (b) a data transmission
`system engaged with the article of footwear, wherein the
`data transmission system transmits data from the article of
`footwear (e.g.,
`the data may include,
`for example,
`the
`various types of content described above); and (c) a remote
`system in communication with the data transmission system
`for receiving the data from the data transmission system.
`The remote system may be used for practicing various
`features and aspects of the invention as described above.
`
`[0025] The remote system may include various compo-
`nents, elements, or characteristics without departing from
`the invention. For example, the remote system may include
`a display device for displaying information based at least in
`part on data transmitted by the data transmission system.
`Additionally or alternatively, the remote system may include
`another data transmission system, e.g., for transmitting data
`to another independent system or device, such as a portable
`display device or other system carried by the footwear
`wearer (e.g., to provide split time information, route infor-
`mation (e.g., approaching features, wamings, approaching
`water or first aid stations, etc.), current race standings or
`other information, etc.). As still additional examples, the
`remote system may receive data identifying the article of
`footwear, and the remote system may use this information to
`activate specific advertisements or product information, e.g.,
`directed to this specific product line and/or related products.
`
`[0026]
`Systems
`
`2. Methods of Making Footwear and Data Transfer
`
`[0027] Additional aspects of this invention relate to meth-
`ods of making footwear and/or data transfer systems, e.g., of
`the various types described above. One aspect of this inven-
`tion relates to methods of producing footwear systems that
`include: (a) providing an article of footwear, e.g., including
`an upper member and a sole member engaged with the upper
`member; and (b) engaging a data transmission system with
`the article of footwear, wherein the data transmission system
`transmits data from the article of footwear for receipt by a
`remote system. The data transmitted by the data transmis-
`sion system may include athletic performance data, data
`used in monitoring athletic performance, data used in pro-
`viding customized and/or targeted advertising, etc. Such
`methods further may include engaging an activation system
`with the article of footwear (wherein the activation system
`is operatively arranged so as to activate the data transmis-
`sion system) and/or providing a display device (optionally
`engaged with the article of footwear) for displaying infor-
`mation based, at least in part, on the data transmitted by the
`data transmission system. The activation system, in accor-
`
`dance with at least some examples of this invention, may be
`contained in a common housing and/or fixed on a common
`card or board with the data transmission system, such that
`the activation system and the data transmission system may
`be engaged with the article of footwear simultaneous in one
`action. Footwear systems according to examples of this
`invention may be used in and/or with any of the various
`systems described above and/or for any of the various
`purposes described above. Additionally, the footwear sys-
`tems according to at least some examples of this invention
`may include, inter alia, any and/or all of the various features,
`elements, components, and/or characteristics described
`above.
`
`[0028] Methods of providing data transfer systems in
`accordance with at least some examples of this invention
`may include, for example: (a) engaging a data transmission
`system with an article of footwear, wherein the data trans-
`mission system transmits data from the article of footwear;
`and (b) providing a remote system in communication with
`the data transmission system for receiving the data from the
`data transmission system. The transmitted data may include
`content like that described above. If desired, the remote
`system may include one or more of: a display device for
`displaying information based at least in part on data trans-
`mitted by the data transmission system, another data trans-
`mission system (e.g., for transmitting data to another system,
`such as to another display device, to a portable display
`device at the user’s location (e.g., carried by the user), to a
`remote computer or data processing system, to a registration
`system, etc.), and the like.
`
`accordance with these various
`in
`[0029] Methods
`examples of the invention further may include: providing a
`portable or other display device for displaying information
`based, at
`least
`in part, on data transmitted by the data
`transmission system and/or the remote system. The data
`transfer systems according to at least some examples of this
`invention may be used in and/or with any of the various
`systems described above and/or for any of the various
`purposes described above. Additionally, the data transfer
`systems according to at least some examples of this inven-
`tion may include, inter alia, any and/or all of the various
`features,
`elements,
`components,
`and/or characteristics
`described above.
`
`[0030]
`Systems
`
`3. Methods of Using Footwear and Data Transfer
`
`[0031] Additional aspects of this invention relate to data
`transfer method using, for example, footwear systems and/or
`data transfer systems, e.g., of the types described above.
`Such methods may include: (a) activating a data transmis-
`sion system engaged with an article of footwear (e.g.,
`engaged with the sole member and/or upper member
`included as part of the article of footwear, engaged with a tag
`member attached to the article of footwear, etc.); and (b)
`transmitting data from the article of footwear to a remote
`system. The transmitted data may include, for example,
`athletic performance data, data used in monitoring athletic
`performance, data used in providing targeted and/or cus-
`tomized advertising, etc. Some additional example aspects
`of this invention include, for example: displaying informa-
`tion to the footwear user and/or others based on the data
`
`transmitted by the data transmission system; and/or trans-
`mitting data from the remote system to another remote
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 14
`
`NIKE, Exhibit 1007, Page 14
`
`

`

`US 2007/0247306 A1
`
`Oct. 25, 2007
`
`system (e.g., to the wearer of the article of footwear or
`others), wherein the data transmitted to the second remote
`system is determined, at least in part, based on the original
`data transmitted to the remote system.
`
`[0032] The activating step may take place in any desired
`manner and in a wide variety of different ways without
`departing from this invention. For example, the activating
`step may be triggered in response to output generated by an
`accelerometer, a piezoelectric element, a Hall sensor system
`or other magnetic sensor system, or the like. As additional
`examples,
`the activating step may include exposing the
`article of footwear to radio waves, e.g., at a predetermined
`frequency, and the transmitting then may occur, e.g., via an
`RFID system triggered in response to the exposing of the
`article of footwear to the radio waves. As still additional
`
`examples, the activating step may include interacting with a
`switch or button operatively connected the data transmission
`system, contacting a sole member of the article of footwear
`with the ground or other surface (e.g., during a step, landing
`a jump, as part of a stomping action, etc.), etc.
`
`[0033] Methods according to at least some examples of the
`invention may receive any type of input (e.g., of the types
`described above) and use that input to trigger the activating
`step and/or