Intelligent sneaker insole

Abstract

A shoe wear indicator device for use in combination with athletic shoes for monitoring and reporting qualitative wear and tear on athletic shoes. The shoe wear indicator device includes an insole housing a power supply/user interface unit, a microchip, a sensor unit, and an interface cable. The shoe wear indicator device is used by: (1) a user inserting the device into an athletic shoe; (2) the user exercising or playing various sports; (3) the user removing the device from the shoe; (4) the user connecting the device to a terminal; the user downloading shoe usage data; and (5) the user replacing the shoe if the useful life of the shoe has been exhausted.

1 . A shoe wear indicator device comprising an insole, a sensor unit, a microchip, a power supply/user interface, and an interface cable wherein said sensor unit, microchip, power supply/user interface and interface cable are housed within said insole.  
     
     
         2 . The shoe wear indicator device of  claim 1  wherein said sensor unit is an air bladder.  
     
     
         3 . The shoe wear indicator device of  claim 1  wherein said sensor unit is connected to said microchip; and wherein said microchip records, calculates and stores shoe usage data transmitted from said sensor unit.  
     
     
         4 . The shoe wear indicator device of  claim 1  wherein said microchip is connected to said power supply/user interface; and wherein said microchip obtains power from and transmits shoe usage data to said power supply/user interface.  
     
     
         5 . The shoe indicator device of  claim 1  wherein said interface cable further comprises an adaptor for connecting interface cable to interface means.  
     
     
         6 . The shoe indicator device of  claim 5  wherein said interface means is a USB connector.  
     
     
         7 . The shoe indicator device of  claim 1  wherein said interface cable further comprises interface means.  
     
     
         8 . The shoe indicator device of  claim 7  wherein said interface means is a USB connector.  
     
     
         9 . A method for using shoe wear indicator device in combination with shoes comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a shoe wear indicator device into a shoe;    using the shoe for physical activity;    removing the shoe wear indicator device from the shoe;    connecting the shoe wear indicator device to a terminal; and    downloading shoe usage data from the shoe wear indicator to the terminal in order to determine shoe usage.