Motion sensing and energy capturing apparatus, system and methods

Abstract

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for motion sensing and energy capturing. In an embodiment, a motion sensing and energy capturing system comprises a plurality of piezoelectric elements configured to be arranged in a walking surface, each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements being identifiable relative to a portion of the walking surface; a communications module coupled with the plurality of piezoelectric elements; a processing engine configured to receive via the communications module activation data from at least one of the plurality of piezoelectric elements when the at least one of the piezoelectric elements is activated by activity on a corresponding portion of the walking surface, the activation data including time of activation data, and to process the activation data received for the walking surface over a period of time to identify a time-varying traffic pattern; a user interface configured to display the time-varying traffic pattern; and an energy capture element electrically coupled with the plurality of piezoelectric elements to receive energy produced by the at least one of the plurality of piezoelectric elements when the at least one of the piezoelectric elements is activated by activity on a corresponding portion of the walking surface.