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NikePatent applicationWearablesInterest 7/10

Nike patents fabric that tracks body position with sound and haptic feedback

This filing describes clothing embedded with ultrasonic sensors that use sound waves to map the wearer's body position. The system also includes feedback devices that can send physical signals, like vibrations, to the person wearing the apparel.

Why it mattersIt could help athletes or patients track their movements and posture in real-time without needing external cameras or bulky equipment.

In the filing’s own words

An article of apparel, a system, and methods include a fabric configured to conform to a body of a wearer. A plurality of ultrasonic positioning sensors are secured with respect to the fabric at a first set of predetermined locations, each of the ultrasonic positioning sensors configured to emit a sound wave configured to be detected by other ones of the plurality of ultrasonic positioning sensors and output an electronic signal indicative of having emitted or detected a sound wave. A plurality of feedback devices secured with respect to the fabric at a second set of predetermined locations, each of the feedback devices configured to output a feedback signal configured to be detectable by the wearer of the article of apparel.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An article of apparel, comprising: a fabric configured to conform to a body of a wearer; a plurality of positioning sensors secured with respect to the fabric at a first set of predetermined locations, each of the positioning sensors configured to: output a second signal indicative of having detected a first signal that propagates through air or the fabric, the second signal including an indication of a direction from which the first signal was detected; and one or more processors configured to: based, at least in part, on the second signal output by the plurality of positioning sensors, determine positional values indicative of a relative position of each of the plurality of positional sensors and directional values indicative of the direction from which the first signal was received for each of the plurality of positioning sensors.

Facts

Company
Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
Official title
APPAREL WITH ULTRASONIC POSITION SENSING AND HAPTIC FEEDBACK FOR ACTIVITIES
Publication number
US20260262963A1
Application number
19664116
Filed
Apr 30, 2026
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
1
Claims
20

Classified under

A61B 5/1114 Human necessitiesA41D 1/002 Human necessitiesA61B 5/0816 Human necessitiesA61B 5/486 Human necessitiesA61B 5/6804 Human necessitiesG08B 6/00 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.