INTELLIGENT ELECTRONIC FOOTWEAR AND LOGIC FOR NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE BY AUTOMATED TACTILE, AUDIO, AND VISUAL FEEDBACK

Smart overview of the Invention

Intelligent electronic footwear integrates advanced technology to provide navigation assistance through automated tactile, audio, and visual feedback. These systems are designed to receive user location data via GPS and target location data from remote servers. Based on this data, the controller within the footwear calculates a path and guides the user using various feedback mechanisms. This innovation aims to enhance user experience by providing seamless navigation support in a variety of environments.

Connectivity and Communication

The footwear is part of an Internet of Adaptive Apparel and Footwear (IoAAF) system, which allows for communication across multiple platforms. The system supports interactions between the footwear and other devices, vehicles, infrastructure, and networks. For example, the footwear can communicate with a smartphone, other smart shoes, or even smart city infrastructure. This connectivity is facilitated by detection tags and RF transponders that enable the footwear to interact with external transmitters and detectors.

Collision Avoidance

A key feature of the IoAAF system is its ability to enhance pedestrian safety through collision avoidance technology. By automating communication between the footwear and nearby vehicles or infrastructure, the system provides early warnings of potential collisions. This is particularly useful in environments where pedestrians may be obscured from direct view, such as at blind corners or in crowded areas. The system can issue alerts to both the pedestrian and the vehicle, potentially adjusting traffic signals to improve safety.

Data Integration and Analysis

The system conducts comprehensive pedestrian collision threat assessments by analyzing a variety of data sources. This includes user dynamics, behavioral patterns, environmental conditions, and crowd-sourced information from other users. The communication between components is wireless and bidirectional, allowing for real-time data exchange. This capability enables traffic management systems to make informed decisions, such as adjusting speed limits or signal timings, based on the analyzed data.

Device Features and User Interaction

The intelligent footwear can operate as a standalone device or in conjunction with a user's smartphone. It includes various hardware components like a controller, antenna, battery, and memory, all housed within the shoe. Users can interact with the footwear through a human-machine interface (HMI), utilizing sensors embedded in the shoe. These sensors allow users to control the footwear's functions, with operations either executed locally or distributed across connected devices. This integration of technology aims to provide a versatile and user-friendly experience.