Technical field

The subject of the invention concerns the area of downhill winter sports equipment and particularly concerns the devices worn on the feet that, practically, are used in the learning phase of the downhill technique and during the practice itself of the sport. More precisely, the invention concerns an innovative downhill device or ski characterized by the presence of sensors that can detect and record, in real-time, kinetic, vibrational, static and dynamic load signals directly during the use; said signals being remotely memorized, developed, and transmitted and being further workable and available through a dedicated application that, for example, can be installed on mobile devices, for the next performance analysis.

Said ski invention being further characterized by an interface of optimal sliding, said interface being adjustable from the data provided by the above-mentioned sensors that allow it to avoid the so-called tuning of the ski; said active interface allowing to automatically adjust its temperature to guarantee in every situation the best conditions of pairing and sliding with the substrate. Said ski resulting further provided with visual indicators that help the user to correct, in real-time, the posture and the technique, to improve their performance and reduce the possibility of accidents and injuries.

The subject of the invention allows achieving these goals being made up of a specific mechanical device or ski, equipped with a plurality of inertial platforms inclusive of related sensors and electronic modules. By way of example, and non-binding said inertial platforms can contain accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, GPS sensors; said devices being used for the acquisition, in real-time, of the data related to the pressure, the acceleration, the skier position, and the crossed trajectories during use. As anticipated said winter sports device is equipped with luminous indicators, placed in appropriate positions and clearly visible by the user, that are conveniently activated by microprocessors on board to promptly report the corrections to apply to the posture itself and the ski technique, and provide indications for the improvement of individual performances. Lastly, the device according to the invention is equipped with an insole/foil block, that of the sliding interface, made of a material able to maintain a suitable temperature to prevent freezing of the surface and the resulting snow stratification; phenomenon leading to a progressive deterioration that leads also to a progressive deterioration of the performance and that may culminate in falls or inability to continue the downhill practice.

Background art

The necessities of skiers and snowboarders, from the amateur to the professionals, are to constantly improve their performance and simultaneously reduce the risk of injuries as well as optimize costs, maintenance time, and development of their equipment; so, it is very important to be able to collect as much information as possible from the skiing to analyze them, highlighting strengths and errors both in terms of safety and performance. The market research carried out has not found in the market any type of sliding equipment completely “active”, able to provide the above parameters and data about its use, even though electronic technology allows it in other product areas. This is because of the obvious and significant application difficulties that come from the implementation of these types of devices. The standard products that are closest to the concept of “smart” ski, the ones to interact with to have useful information for optimal use, turn out to be those made by Madshus (https://madshus.com/), a Norwegian company, whose products integrate an NFC chip that allows access to all unique data of the used ski, including flexibility, curvature, the weight of the ideal skier and the most suitable wax. Also, the manufacturing house distributes an app with which, through the smartphone sensor, it is possible to monitor in detail the performance on the slopes, analyzing the traveled distance by a specific ski, the speed, and the medium temperature, and the activity history. This solution is definitely restrictive, for the following reasons:

• The ski remains a “passive” object, which means that the smart component is reduced to nothing more than a dematerialized technical sheet;

• The data collection is totally dependent on the smartphone: without it, it is impossible to have the telemetry;

• Based on commercial smartphones, the type of sensors installed is not able to record the most relevant data for effective learning and improvement. Elan (https://www.elanskis.com/), a Slovenian company, has presented, at the beginning of 2018, a “smart ski” concept equipped with sensors able to detect different skiing parameters; said device is connected to the smartphone for the data transmission, however, there is no particular information about the type of the used sensors, their characteristics and their type of recorded and explored data; on the ski itself, the manufacturing house declared that it is a pure concept and no production and launch dates were indicated. Elan remains, to this day, a pure exercise in style.

From patent research, were found some patents relating to the data collection and skiing analysis, that, however, do not provide the sensor integration in the equipment. By way of example:

• DE1995102484219950707 - proposed to collect data via an external device to be attached to the skis;

• DE2000101730720000409 - sensors applied to a ski, boots, and equipment.

In this case, the ability of the user to position the sensors, even if guided by specific instructions, introduce uncertainty in the measurement of parameters; in fact, the devices could be installed inadequately, come off during use, having a not properly adhesion that affects the measurements, etc. All these factors define an unsuitable solution to effectively solve the problem of data collection in real-time to be made on skis. As regards the use of materials and technologies able to autonomously regulate their temperature referring to the data acquired through said on-board sensors and to guarantee the optimal sliding interface, up to now no patent evidence, commercial solutions, studies, or concepts have been found. Lastly, in the panorama of improvement solutions to help the skiing, appears a patent that improves the sliding through heated elements, the patent W02020104968 (BLUE BIESSE Sri con socio unico, [IT], 28 May 2020). However, said patent presents several outstanding problems. The above-mentioned patent, indeed, describes a sliding sports device equipped with an electromagnetic induction heating system made up of inductors specially made and commercial electrical resistances; said system being activated through a detection contact of the presence of the user, whose weight, once on the skis and attached the boots, control the power supply to the inductor. So, as described in the patent W02020104968, it is an automatic and proactive system, but it responds essentially to a mechanical activation, given by the presence of the skier and by the use of the device, but unfortunately does not include any automatism able to detect autonomously and automatically the relevant and useful parameters to perfectly manage the provided heat in a dynamic and adaptable way. So, the system proposed by the mentioned patent represents more a system managed by action/reaction method, rather than a smart, autonomous, and self-adjusting system to maximize safety and performance. This is because the technical solution of the said patent does not include the smart use of sensors that help regulate the heating system. In addition, even the heating subsystem, which exploits electromagnetics inductors and concentrated electrical resistors, results obsolete and unreliable to obtain a very important fair distribution of the heat generated on all the sliding surfaces. Further, the concerned patent provides the use of warning lights linked to the presence of the user and the activation of the heating system but said warnings do not give to the user an indication about the security of the device. They just report that the heating system is on without giving further information or instructions for the correct use in those environmental, climatic, and kinematic circumstances, which could be even counterproductive because the only heating does not necessarily imply a security increase if this process is not integrated with a whole analysis of dynamic and environmental parameters in which said heating system performs.

Aims of the invention

To overcome the aforementioned limits and, for reasons of cost, uniformity, and ease of use, compared to the aforementioned solutions, we want to create a system capable of:

• Detect in real-time all the data and signals suitable and useful to improve the skiing technique: in particular, but not limited to, acceleration, speed, dynamic and static load, load on the equipment, torsion, bending, inclination, absolute and relative position, the temperature of the sliding interface and air; detection must be possible without direct user intervention, ie. the detection devices must already be integrated into the equipment to avoid positioning errors, adhesion, etc.;

• Analyze the collected data: the invention must be able to relate the detected signals to each other and analyze them to evaluate the user's technique and posture; the analysis must be carried out in real-time to be effective for the purpose of the invention and to ensure a timely solution to the problem of constant improvement and accident prevention; the analysis can also be performed in the aftermath, through special Apps capable of displaying graphs, statistics, and histories of the performances;

• Provide indications and corrections to the user: to exploit the data and analysis, a device according to the present invention must provide, in real-time, clear and simple indications, by way of non binding example, light signals, to the user to allow him to modify the posture, position or load in such a way as to improve the technique and minimize the risk of loss of grip with consequent fall and risk of injury;

• Forwarding data to mobile devices: like the analysis with real-time feedback, it is equally useful to be able to re-analyze the data afterwards, displaying them in different forms; a device according to the present invention must therefore be able to transfer data via wireless and/or wired connection to electronic devices such as, by way of example and not limiting, smartphones, tablets, notebooks, personal computers;

• It must have an interface system for the management of recorded data, their statistics, and views, ie. it must have an executable user interface program that can be installed on mobile and fixed devices, such as smartphones, tablets, notebooks, and PCs;

• Ensuring an optimal sliding interface with the substrate, ie. it must prevent the formation of ice and the accumulation of snow on the base and edge, a phenomenon that penalizes performance, with loss of grip and consequent potentially traumatic falls;

The system thus made allowing the following advantages:

• A constant teaching tool: the collection of data, their processing, and feedback in real-time, during each use, allow the user to constantly understand their mistakes and correct them to improve their technique; this makes a device according to the present invention an effective and proactive improvement tool for anyone who practices downhill sports, in their various forms;

• Reduce the possibility of accidents on the slopes: thanks to the constant improvement of technique and posture, accidents involving skiers are drastically reduced;

• Preventing Injuries: Improved technique, fewer errors and a reduction in the number of accidents and falls translate into a lower risk of injury during the practice. Often risky or incorrect maneuvers cause falls in which the districts, mainly stressed by skiing, whether using skis or snowboards, are: knee, hip, and shoulder joints that can suffer from more or less serious injuries. The continuous possibility of correcting one's mistakes, reducing them in number, considerably reduces those risks;

• It represents a useful logistic tool for ski resorts: the monitoring of the routes, with the possibility of verifying the exact position of the skis, has multiple purposes:

_° Verification of the trajectories for improving the technique and analyzing the performance; ° Tracing of user paths for statistical purposes and to improve any criticalities of the ski infrastructures in the management of the slopes themselves, of the runways and escape routes;

_° Monitoring of voluntary and involuntary off-piste: for safety purposes, it is useful to check potentially dangerous behavior and trace the approximate location of the user at the time of an accident or an avalanche.

• It Facilitates and simplifies the maintenance and preparation of the equipment: the function of maintaining a target temperature of the edge and base prevents the formation of ice and the accumulation of snow under the equipment, effectively making the application of the wax to ensure an optimal coupling interface with the snowpack non mandatory;

• It simplifies the production of the equipment itself: the current production technique, which has remained substantially unchanged since the 1950s, involves a sandwich construction or lamellar structure: a ski is made by superimposing layers of different materials, which give the specific mechanical characteristics. The sole interface with the snow is formed by a metal sheet, painted with a primer to increase the grip of the epoxy glues, by a graphite or other composite material base, worked with small grooves (imprints), for water drainage, and two sides in plastic material (ABS). An equipment according to the present invention has an interface made of a single "active" material, conformed with a special imprint and able to guarantee, in all conditions, optimal sliding. This involves a reduction in the times and steps necessary for the realization of the device, compared to the traditional technique.

Disclosure of the invention The solution to the previously mentioned problems is achieved through a system composed as follows:

• A downhill device or equipment which:

_° Acquire heterogeneous signals from sensors of a different nature, integrated, in an appropriate position and suitable for the detection of significant data, within the equipment itself; by way of non-limiting or binding example, the sensors used can detect kinetic, pressure, environmental, geodetic data, etc.;

_° Process the aforementioned signals to verify, concerning sample databases and preset parameters, directly and indirectly, whether or not the equipment is used correctly, i.e. if the posture, technique, loads, and efforts indicate any errors or maneuvers risky that can lead to potential falls and injuries;

_° Indicates to the user, through visual, acoustic, or haptic indicators, the corrections to be made to their technique and posture to improve their performance and avoid the risk of falls; ° Transfer data, via wired and wireless connection, to mobile and fixed devices in which a special application, for the analysis, their visualization and processing of statistics, is installed; by way of example, not limiting or binding, the transmission takes place via USB port or BTLE (4.0 and 5.0) or Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 ax) protocol;

_° Provide quick and easy access to electronic components for replacement and maintenance;

_° Is able to maintain constant the temperature of the sole/edge complex, i.e. of the surfaces in contact with the snowpack, to avoid freezing and accumulation of snow, an event that can lead to loss of grip with relative falls and risk of accidents. The maintenance of the temperature must be done automatically, actively, and adaptively to the surrounding conditions through, by way of non-binding or limiting example, the direct heating of the surfaces mentioned above; this feature, combined with the special processing of the contact surfaces for water drainage, makes it no longer essential to treat the areas of contact with substances such as, for example, wax, which, in the known art, do the same job;

• A software application that: _° Must be able to be installed both on mobile devices, by way of non-binding way of limiting example, smartphones and tablets, equipped with different operating systems such as, by way of non-binding or limiting example, Android and iOS; and fixed devices of larger dimensions such as, by way of non-binding or limiting example, laptops, notebooks, desktop PCs, etc., equipped with the most common operating systems, such as, by mean of example: Windows, Android, MacOS, etc.;

_° It is able to acquire, through a wireless and wired connection, the data collected by the downhill equipment, analyze and save them in the memory of the device in which it is installed;

_° It is able to extrapolate from the aforementioned data, statistics, trends, patterns and all useful information for the user, such as, but not limited to, average, minimum and maximum speeds, slopes of the tracks, times average, minimum, and maximum, geolocalization, number of right, left and total curves, loads on the downhill devices, pressures, centrifugal and centripetal forces, etc.;

_° Is able to view and make available the information through, by way of non-binding or limiting example, graphs, tables, diagrams, etc.;

_° Is able to transfer raw and processed data to a cloud platform for long-term storage;

_° Provides an intuitive and simple interface to manage visual indications with direct control over the systems that implement them;

• A web platform with cloud servers that:

_° Replicate the functionality of the app;

_° Provides access to historical data and statistical processing.

Brief description of the attached drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the proposed technical solution will be more evident in the following description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, represented, by non-limiting example, in nr. 12 drawings attached, in which: • Fig. 1 shows a simplified diagram of the downhill device as a whole with the representation of all the basic components assembled, except for the accessories;

• Fig. 2 schematically represents the exploded view of the subgroups and main components that make up the device;

• Fig. 3 represents in more detail the main body of the downhill device with the indication of a typical stratigraphy for the realization of the piece;

• Fig.4 schematically represents the layout of the ECU device with the indication of the modules and functional units and the main communication protocols used;

• Fig. 5 represents in detail the workflow of the ECU device;

• Fig. 6 schematically represents the connection method of the components and sensors used in a device according to the present invention;

• Fig. 7 schematically represents the structure of an inertial platform according to the present invention;

• Fig. 8 represents in detail the layout and the diagrams of an inertial platform used in the invention;

• Fig.9 schematically represents a system of signals and indications diffusion given to the user during the use of a device according to the present invention;

• Fig. 10 schematically represents the electronics of the signal diffusion system and indications according to the invention;

• Fig. 11 represents a glass insole/foil complex, according to the present invention;

• Fig. 12 represents in more detail the subsets that form the insole/foil complex, with visualization of the functional surfaces and connections of the glass.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

Concerning the attached drawings and, in particular, to Fig. 1 of the same, the preferable embodiment of the system according to the present invention is shown, that is, downhill equipment, purely by non-binding or limiting example, a pair of skis or a snowboard, equipped with inertial platforms for real-time detection of signals and data relating to a skier; said data being used to improve and correct the skiing technique and to increase safety and performance. According to the invention, the device is equipped with an ECU that acquires and processes said signals and data, verifying whether the user's posture and load on the equipment are optimal, and an indication system that allows the user to correct their setting, in real-time, during use. About Fig. 1 , a device according to the present invention is also equipped with a foil made of self-heating tempered glass, which dynamically adjusts its temperature according to that of the snowpack, said temperature being detected by means of temperature sensors located in specific areas of the device. Fig. 2 illustrates the main components and the stratigraphy that make up the invention; in particular, a device according to the present invention is composed, from top to bottom of:

• The main body of the device (1);

• An ECU (2) used to manage:

_° Inertial platforms;

_° Temperature sensors;

_° Signaling devices;

_° The temperature of the self-heating glass;

_° The wired and wireless communication modules;

• A wiring system (7) that transmits the power supply and, bidirectionally, the signals between the ECU and a multitude of sensors and subsystems present within the invention.

• A plurality of inertial platforms (3) that detect data during the use of the invention and transmit them to the ECU for processing;

• A plurality of temperature sensors (4) for real-time monitoring and regulation of the surface temperature of the foil;

• A signaling system (5) that allows the user to correct and adjust posture to improve the technique and avoid dangerous downhill conditions that can lead to falls, with the risk of possible injuries;

• An insole (6) made of self-heating glass and shaped with special grooves on the lower surface, to allow easy drainage of the water that accumulates on the sliding interface during use of the device. About fig. 3, the main body of a device according to the present invention is constituted by a multilayer sandwich of different materials laminated together and fixed to each other by specific glues. In the preferential embodiment of the present invention, the body of the downhill equipment is preferably, but not necessarily, made with the following stratigraphy:

• An external protective cover (8) made of polymeric material;

• An intermediate "torsion" layer (9), made of metallic material, for example in Titanal or similar aluminum alloys; in other embodiments of the present invention it is possible to use different metals such as, purely by way of non-binding or limiting indication, alloys of magnesium, titanium and the like;

• A second intermediate layer (10), made of composite materials with a fiber-reinforced polymeric matrix with glass fibers with an arrangement of the fibers longitudinal to the direction of lamination. According to alternative embodiments to the preferential one, basalt, carbon, boron or Kevlar fibers can be used using different filler arrangements;

• A core (11), made of wood for its reactivity characteristics that regulate the rigidity of the entire structure; depending on the uses of the downhill tool and the desired mechanical characteristics, different types of wood are used; purely by way of non-limiting or binding example, to obtain softer skis or snowboards, in the invention, woods such as beech or poplar are used, to obtain more rigid equipment, woods such as spruce are used;

• A metallic layer (12), made, as in the case of the torsion layer, of Titanal or similar alloys;

• A second composite layer (13);

• Two sidewalls (14) positioned laterally, both on the internal side and the external side, are present that protect the internal structure, the electronics, and the sensors from shocks and possible damage and discharge the force exerted by the user on the foil; in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, they are made of ABS or high stiffness and resistance technopolymers.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body of the ski has at least one niche for housing the electronic board and at least one groove and special processed space for housing all the other multiple electronic components and more particularly, the inertial platforms, the temperature sensors, user signaling equipment; purely by way of non-limiting or binding example, the grooves, and machining are carried out with a subtractive technique using numerical control mechanical machining or, where possible, through blanking or molding. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the body of the downhill tool is made according to the technique defined Cap, which produces a device that is easy to operate, characterized by lower stiffness values than the sandwich structure, but nevertheless able to guarantee an adequate level of torsional stability. In at least one alternative embodiment, therefore, the core of the body, made, purely by way of non-limiting or binding example, of polyurethane foam or wood reinforced with Titanal plates, is covered with a shell made of a fiber-reinforced material with the fiber of glass that acts as a "torsion box" ensuring high torsional rigidity by adding to the structure a small torsional rigidity.

Fig. 4 schematically represents the layout of the electronic control board according to the present invention; purely by way of non-limiting or binding indication, the ECU of the invention is formed by a microprocessor, at least one RAM bank, at least one storage memory, a plurality of connectors for the connection of the sensors and inertial platforms at least a GPS module, at least one wireless communication module, at least one port for the wired connection, and a battery for powering the entire system.

More specifically, with reference always to Fig. 4, the control board will have the following characteristics:

• Microprocessor: by way of non-binding or limiting example, a SILICON LABS processor, model EFR32BG13P733GM48 is used in the device according to the present invention; the processor performs the following functions:

_° Collection of data from inertial platforms;

_° Data processing according to preset tabulations to check whether they are consistent with a load and a clean trajectory or with an incorrect or unbalanced attitude that needs correction;

_° Management of special systems and equipment to indicate to the user the corrections to be made during skiing;

_° Collection and analysis of data acquired by temperature sensors;

_° Driving the power supply voltage of the self-heating glass to reach and maintain the target temperature according to the surrounding conditions; _° Management of the BTLE communication module and the sending / receiving of data packets to and from the combined app.

• RAM: for the management of the functions described above, in a wholly indicative and non-binding way, 512Mb of RAM are installed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

• Storage memory: to ensure a good storage capacity and comparative analysis of its performance, even with prolonged continuous use, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of non- binding or limiting indication, an 8Gb memory card is used;

• Wireless communication module: bidirectional communication towards mobile devices is entrusted in the preferred embodiment of the invention, in a non-binding or limiting way, to a BLE module of SILICON LABS, model Blue Gecko BGM111 which has the characteristics suitable to guarantee a stable and secure communication with mobile devices carried in the pocket, during use, or in the close proximity, during moments of rest or in other circumstances;

• Connectors: to contain the overall dimensions and minimize the design risks, guaranteeing robustness to the solution, the preferred embodiment of the invention uses flat-flex micro-connectors derived from the mobile sector, produced in large series and extensively free from defects and operating problems, even in the case of more demanding and tiring applications, such as those of rugged smartphones;

• GPS module: the invention uses a 66-channel GPS receiver module with a patch antenna and programmable UART interface that allows optimal tracking of the position and receives 3.3V power supply directly from the electronic control board;

• Wired connection port: in the device according to the present invention, a micro USB type C port, commonly used in the mobile environment, has been integrated and represents a consolidated and robust solution; the port, according to the present invention, is protected from the external environment by means, purely by way of non-binding nor limiting indication, by a cover in a flexible polymeric material, which is removed to carry out battery recharging operations or to transfer data, in a wired way, to a device on which the combined application is installed;

• Battery: to meet the energy requirements of a device according to the present invention, purely by way of non-binding or limiting indication, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 5000 mAh is used; in the invention, recharging takes place via the micro-USB port, type C, located in an area accessible to the user and protected by a removable cover during use.

In the preferential embodiment of the invention, the ECU is placed inside a special niche made, according to the previous methodologies described, inside the core of the device body, passing through a notch of appropriate dimensions made in the external cover, in the torsion layer, and in the composite intermediate layer; according to the present invention, to guarantee its insulation, minimizing the risk of contact with external agents, water, rain or snow, and of impacts that can cause malfunctions and breakages, the ECU is separated from the external environment through a cover, equipped with special gaskets and insulation solutions that makes a perimeter seal on the external cover and is rigidly fixed on it using mechanical coupling and screws.

The advantages of the invention:

• The integrated electronics allows to analyze in real-time the actions and posture of the user, giving the possibility of correction at the very moment in which the action is performed;

• The use of electronic systems allows to acquire very useful data for understanding phenomena such as loads, torsions, speeds, etc., which with the known, passive art, it is not possible to detect and use;

• A further advantage of the invention, linked to the previous ones, is that of being able to analyze the data even after the sporting performance: the internal memory has an adequate capacity to store a large amount of data that can be transferred, even after the use of the equipment, to electronic devices where a combined application is installed that displays, by way of non-binding or limiting example, the data themselves, their statistics, graphs, tables and graphical representations in general;

• The use of a GPS module allows to accurately track the position of the device ensuring effective monitoring of voluntary and involuntary off-piste and, in case of an accident or natural events such as avalanches, it represents a very useful tool for verifying the user's position at the time of the event and the subsequent position of the device, aspects which, triangulated, allow to further circumscribe the search field, also reducing the time. Fig. 6 shows the wiring system of the invention: in the preferential embodiment of the invention, the wiring is made, by way of non-binding or limiting example, using flexible printed circuits, FPC, made by photolithography on plastic substrates such as polyamide, PEEK, or polyester film. In at least one alternative embodiment of the invention, the FPC can be made by laminating copper strips of reduced thickness, in the order of 0.07mm, between two layers of PET. The circuit thus created, compared to the wiring by means of traditional cables or multiple flat cables, has the following characteristics:

• Greater flexibility and manageability: unlike the other types mentioned, this type of wiring can be easily integrated and adapted to the geometries of the invention, ensuring greater adherence and more precise and safe positioning;

• Less overall dimensions: the overall thickness of this solution is considerably less than one millimeter, a feature that allows its complete integration without the need to create special cable channels or mechanical processing of the other components;

• Greater resistance to vibrations and use: the reduced cross-section of the FPC means that the wiring is minimally affected by the bending and vibrations to which the device is subjected during normal use. The lower accumulated stress implies greater duration and lower risk of breakage with interruption of communication between sensors and ECU.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the wiring is positioned inside the body of the ski, during the lamination process of the internal layers: purely byway of non-binding or limiting example, it is positioned between the lower composite layer and the insole, in such a way as to be protected from shocks, blows and possible damage; in the invention, to allow the interconnection of the electronic subsets, the layers adjacent to the wiring have mechanical processes such as, by way of non-binding or limiting example, notches, windows, slots, which allow the terminal ends of the wiring to fit into the combined connectors of components positioned in different points of the system.

Figs.7 and 8 schematically show the inertial platforms used in the invention: to accurately collect the signals, purely by way of non-binding or limiting indication, triaxial MEMS accelerometers are used, which measure the accelerations in the three directions, longitudinal, transverse and vertical; 3-axis gyroscopes that measure the axes of rotation; MEMS magnetic sensors with capacitive reading, all with voltage from 0 to 5 volts; an inertial platform according to the present invention also uses an internal environmental isolation system designed to attenuate unwanted inputs commonly encountered in real-world applications. More specifically, within the invention, in an indicative and non-binding or limiting manner, all-in-one sensor systems with high-frequency position and orientation output are used, equipped with an anti-vibration system that prevents deviation and decoupling from the object to be measured, able to work in environments with temperatures down to -40 ° and with a sampling frequency of 10kHz / channel. By the present invention, the inertial platforms, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are placed in special niches obtained, using standard mechanical machining, in the core of the body and the lower layers, in direct contact with the insole of the device. The advantages of this solution are:

• Usability of highly relevant data: direct contact with the insole makes it possible to retrieve very valuable and useful data directly at the points where they are generated; in fact, in the downhill equipment the component on which the forces are discharged by the user is precisely the insole, therefore the direct data collection from that substrate gives access to a multitude of information until now precluded to users who therefore had to base their evaluations and corrections of technique and posture on secondary, consequential events (errors, falls, etc.) rather than on the direct causes of such phenomena (incorrect loads, excessive twisting, etc.);

• An advantage of this configuration is also represented by the reduced consumption, 450-950mW, which allows, together with the other components, to contain energy consumption, extending the usage times of the device and extending the average life of the batteries, which needs less charging cycles.

About Fig. 9, a device according to the present invention is equipped with a subsystem for transmitting the indications for the correction of the user's posture able to make him understand, even during use, so, in movement, what he must do to improve the technique and avoid unbalance situations with possible loss of grip and fall. To achieve this purpose, in the invention, as a completely non-binding or limiting indication, a visual signaling system is used consisting of a sequence of lights with gradation and iridescent color which, with a pre-established code that can be easily memorized by the user, allows to make corrections in real-time, without having to take eyes off the track and concentrate while using the device. This type of solution has the following advantages:

• Immediacy: the visual output occurs almost simultaneously with the action as a consequence of the data analysis carried out in real-time by the ECU on the basis of the data detected by the inertial platforms directly from the downhill equipment; therefore, in retrospect, static analyzes of sports performance are no longer necessary since everything happens in real-time;

• Effectiveness: the visual signal is immediately perceivable by the user without major distractions or limitations in the performance of the service; in addition, the color variation gives clear feedback and can be traced back to well-known dynamics: purely by way of non-limiting or binding indication, the visual output can illuminate an area of the equipment in red where the load is not correct and turn from red to green when the user corrects his attitude returning to an optimal setting and posture;

• Factivity: on-the-spot correction makes it possible to better perceive errors, understand and avoid them, compared to a retrospect and theoretical correction, made according to a classical teaching scheme of downhill theory.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, about Fig. 9, the signaling system is formed by a body (15), a variable geometry also according to aesthetic purposes, made of polymeric material, purely byway of non-binding nor limiting example, PMMA, PC, PADC, Trivex, MRTM, etc., whose main purposes are:

• Protection of visual systems and their electronic components from atmospheric agents, shocks, and potentially harmful impacts;

• Housing for the electronic system for generating the visual signal and connectors for wiring it with the other electronic components of the system;

• Diffusion and homogenization of the signal which is thus more pleasant, uniform, and visible than using only point sources.

The signaling system is furthermore formed by an electronic subgroup for generating the signal and, more particularly in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, purely byway of non -binding or limiting indication, a plurality of mounted full-color SMD LEDs are used, on a flexible strip (16) and housed inside the diffusion body. The choice of this type of generation device entails the possibility, as shown in Fig. 10, through pre-sales setup, and through direct control from the mobile application during use, to independently and dynamically manage the type of color used, its hue, intensity and the variations and shades of color to be assigned to the signaling based on the load on the equipment through dedicated ECU, that is the total customization of the light signal.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to use, as a source of illumination, flexible neon tubes.

In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, signals of a different nature are used such as, purely by way of non-binding or limiting indication, acoustic indications, to be reproduced by means of suitable combined devices or haptic indications.

About Fig. 11, a device according to the present invention is equipped with an insole made of self heating material and which is able to guarantee excellent smoothness on the snowpack while maintaining grip and adherence; in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insole incorporates and replaces the foils and is made with a self-heating tempered glass sheet.

About Fig. 12, the glass plate (17) is shaped, purely byway of non-limiting indication, through cutting operations, and shaped, again purely by way of non-binding or limiting indication, through subsequent operations of chemical and thermal hardening. A glass insole according to the present invention has on one of the surfaces, and in particular, on the internal surface, that is the one in contact with the body of the device, a micrometric coating made by depositing conductive and transparent metal oxides and two ribbons (18) in metallic material arranged parallel to the larger dimension, in this case at the full length for the shape of the equipment, which has the purpose of transferring and uniform the heat over the entire surface of the insole. The operation of the self heating system is as follows:

• Temperature sensors positioned in direct contact with the glass insole, detect the surface temperature of the component;

• Temperature sensors placed on the control board detect the environment temperature;

• The two data are processed by the ECU and compared with psychrometric diagrams and tables to establish the ideal temperature of the insole that prevents the formation of ice and the accumulation of snow under the device; • The ECU sends a suitable power supply voltage to the glass ribbons which results in the transfer of current to the entire conductive surface with dissipation, in the form of heat, due to the Joule effect;

• The entire insole heats up as long as its temperature does not reach the target temperature processed by the electronics;

• Through the constant monitoring of the sensors, the temperature is dynamically adjusted as the surrounding conditions vary.

A glass insole according to the present invention has workings and grooves on the surface in contact with the snowpack, designed to ensure proper drainage of the water that accumulates under the equipment during use. The pattern and geometry of the grooves are variable and can be defined as needed. The advantages of a solution according to the present invention are:

• Maintaining an ideal contact surface with the snowpack: the ability to actively control the temperature of the slab means that critical ice formation conditions are not reached, with consequent adhesion and accumulation of snow underneath the equipment;

• Reduction and simplification of maintenance: an adaptive surface according to the present invention no longer makes it necessary to sharpen the sheets and wax the foil, since it tends to reach the ideal conditions of use independently;

• Manageability: maintaining an ideal contact surface allows the user to avoid most situations at risk of losing grip, with a consequent reduction in falls and possible injuries.

Industrial applicability and implementation alternatives

The invention is applied to the field of sports equipment for amateur and professional alpine downhill sports, and more particularly it is possible to be used by ski schools for learning the basic technique, intending to improve the technique and prevent falls and accidents. The invention can be used without distinction by all amateur and professional skiers and snowboarders.

Overall, the advantages of the invention are:

• Increased handling and usability compared to the state of the art;

• Possibility of constant and continuous learning and improvement of one's technique and posture;

• Reduction of falls; • Reduction of accidents;

• Simplification of maintenance.

Regardless of the example of realization above, protection is required for any implementation alternatives that can reasonably be deduced and applied to the proposed solution in the following additional areas: shows and sports / choreographic events in which the use of light effects and visual choreography. It is also possible to use the invention in ski schools for indoor theoretical lessons, as well as practice on the slopes.

For the realization of the sole, it is also possible to use, instead of glass, any other material and technology capable of increasing its temperature above a certain threshold and of constantly monitoring it to regulate it dynamically.