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US 12,256,639 B2Granted
Athletic activity monitoring device with energy capture
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsSummer Schneider, Vikram Malhotra, Marcus Ward, Jerry Wiant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects relate to an energy harvesting device adapted for use by an athlete while exercising. The device may utilize a mass of phase-change material to store heat energy, the stored heat energy subsequently converted into electrical energy by one or more thermoelectric generator modules. The energy harvesting device may be integrated into an item of clothing, and such that the mass of phase change material may store heat energy as the item of clothing is laundered.
Claims20
An activity monitoring device, comprising:
- an activity monitoring circuit coupled to a support structure;
- at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules configured to generate and transfer electrical energy to a processor and the activity monitoring circuit;
- and
- a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor perform at least:
- obtaining sensor data from the activity monitoring circuit;
- and
- determining that the sensor data is indicative of a threshold level of athletic movement, and in response, causing the activity monitoring device to enter into an active state,
- wherein the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules are configured to generate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradient between a first side of the support structure and a second side of the support structure, and
- wherein when the electrical energy generated by the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules is below a threshold level, the activity monitoring circuit operates in a first power configuration, and when the electrical energy is above the threshold level, the activity monitoring circuit operates in a second power configuration.
6 more elements
An activity monitoring device, comprising:
- an activity monitoring circuit coupled to a support structure;
- at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules configured to generate and transfer electrical energy to a processor and the activity monitoring circuit, wherein the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules are configured to generate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradient between a first side of the support structure and a second side of the support structure;
- a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor perform at least:
- obtaining sensor data from the activity monitoring circuit;
- based upon the sensor data, calculating athletic measurements for a user;
- and
- a transceiver configured to automatically transmit the calculated athletic measurements to a mobile device,
- wherein when the electrical energy generated by the two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules is below a threshold level, the activity monitoring circuit operates in a first power configuration, and when the electrical energy is above the threshold level, the activity monitoring circuit operates in a second power configuration.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.