Not Applicable.
Not Applicable
This invention relates to the field of footwear. More specifically, the invention comprises a shoe that reproduces one or more pre-recorded sound upon the detection of one or more sensor inputs.
There are several different types of light-producing shoes known in the market. In other versions the impact sensor is located proximate the user's heel. The sensor then tends to be actuated by a stomping motion rather than a normal running motion.
Sound-producing shoes are also known. These employ a triggering sensor as for the shoe of
It is preferable for these sound and light-producing shoes to retain the desirable characteristics of a conventional shoe, such as shock-cushioning and pliability. It may therefore benefit the reader's understanding to explore some of the features of a conventional shoe before turning to the descriptions of the present invention.
Upper 28 is the portion of the shoe that surrounds and captures the user's foot. It is often made as an assembly of multiple pieces and may also include multiple layers. Insole 30 is a removable and washable portion lying directly beneath the user's foot.
The present invention comprises a pair of shoes that incorporates sound-reproducing equipment that is triggered by the detection of one or more conditions. One of the conditions is the impact of a shoe with the ground, such as when a user stomps the heel on the ground. Another condition is the proximity of a second shoe to a first shoe, such as when a user moves the left shoe of a pair close to the right shoe. The detection of an impact may be used to trigger the reproduction of any desired sound—such as the “chuff” sound of a steam locomotive. The detection of the proximity of another shoe along with an impact may be used to trigger the reproduction of a different sound—such as a steam whistle.
The proximity detection may be done using a variety of different methods. In a preferred embodiment, a magnet is placed in one shoe and the other shoe contains some type of magnetic switch. In another preferred embodiment, infrared light is transmitted by one shoe and reflected to a detector. Other embodiments are disclosed as well.
10 shoe
12 controller
14 power source
16 impact sensor
18 LED
20 heel
22 sole
24 midsole
26 bolster
28 upper
30 insole
32 toe
34 speaker
36 right shoe
38 left shoe
40 magnetic sensor
42 magnet
44 IR emitter
46 IR detector
48 reflector/filter
50 paddle switch
52 RFID transceiver
54 RFID response module
56 battery
58 receiver
60 hatch
62 charge controller
64 inductive charge antenna
66 charging port
68 power bus
70 input
72 processor
74 memory
76 sensor 1
78 sensor 2
80 I/O port
82 D/A converter
84 amplifier
86 output driver
88 rotary input
90 index, mark
92 medial side
94 lateral side
96 start of cycle
98 first decision point
100 second decision point
102 second sound trigger step
104 playback completion step
106 first sound trigger step
108 playback completion step
Many different types of sensing material may be used for impact sensor 16. As a first example, a simple normally-open contact switch may be used. As a second example, a planar piezoelectric element could be used. The piezoelectric element has the advantage of no moving parts. As those skilled in the art will know, the gain of a piezoelectric element may be selectively adjusted to give varying sensitivity.
Controller 12 incorporates multiple components. In the preferred embodiment, a processor running software is included in the controller. An associated memory is also present. The controller and its associated memory are able to store a recorded sound sequence (preferably in a digital format). The controller also monitors for a triggering event (such as the detection of an impact). When the triggering event occurs, the controller retrieves a desired digital sound file, sends it through a digital to analog converter, amplifies the resulting analog signal, and feeds the analog signal to speaker 34.
Speaker 34 converts the electrical signal to sound energy so that it may be heard by the shoe's wearer and other persons nearby. In the embodiment shown, the speaker is located in the rear portion of shoe 10. It may of course be located in other portions. The speaker preferably includes weather-resistant features as it will likely be exposed to moisture and variable temperatures.
Power source 14 provides electrical power to all the components within the shoe. The power source may be a simple stack of hearing aid batteries connected in series. It may also be a more complex assembly, such as a lithium ion pack connected to a charge controller. The power source may be replenished by any suitable method. In the case of a stack of hearing aid batteries, an access port may be provided to facilitate the removal and replacement of the batteries. In the case of a more complex assembly, an inductive charge antenna may be connected to the charge controller. A simple electrical plug may also be provided so that the shoe can be connected to an external charger when not in use.
All the components within the shoe are preferably made as thin and flat as possible. This allows the components to reside within the pliable components of the shoe without causing discomfort to the user. They may in fact be potted within a semi-pliable polymer to provide structural reinforcement. The placement of the components in the aft portion of the shoe minimizes bending stress. Even so, it is preferable to use components that can repeatedly undergo some bending without failure. As an example, the electrical connection may be made using fiat flex circuits rather than simple wiring.
One of the important features of the present invention is its ability to sense an interaction between two shoes (as opposed to just the actions of a single shoe).
Left shoe 38 includes magnet 42. In this version, magnet 42 is positioned so that it will lay proximate magnetic sensor 40 when the heel of left shoe 38 is brought near the heel of right shoe 36. Magnetic sensor 40 will then detect the presence of magnet 42.
The controller and sensors may be configured to create a virtually endless variety of sound effects. One simple example will benefit the reader's understanding. Young children, sometimes enjoy the sounds of a steam locomotive. The controller may be used to store the “chuff” sound made by the driving cylinder of a steam locomotive when moving at low speed. Impact sensor 16 may be configured to trigger the “chuff” sound every time the child stomps the heel of the right shoe down.
The controller may also be used to store the sound of a steam train whistle. Magnetic sensor 40 may be configured to trigger the steam whistle sound every time the heel of left shoe 38 is brought near the heel of right shoe 36. The child then walks forward while bringing the heel of the right shoe down abruptly to create a rhythmic chuffing or “chugging” sound. When the child swings the left heel closely by the right heel a steam train whistle is also produced.
Many other sound effects can be added as well. For example, the controller may log a series of impact sensor actuations in order to gauge the user's walking speed. The nature of the steam train sounds may then be changed according to speed. Other sounds may be added as well—such as the clanging of a train bell or the hissing of steam letting off when the user stops moving.
Left shoe 38 in the embodiment of
Magnetic sensor 40 may assume many forms. A simple version might use a magnetic reed switch that is normally open and that will close when magnet 42 comes near. A more complex version might use a Hall effect sensor. As those skilled in the art will know, a Hall effect sensor varies its output voltage in response to a magnetic field. A Hall effect sensor may be configured to act as a switch (having only an on/off mode). It may also be configured to detect the rate of change of a magnetic field. In this latter case, the triggering event for the steam train whistle might not be the simple placement of the left heel near the right heel but rather the “swiping” of the left heel rapidly past the right heel. Such a swiping motion would create a rapid increase and subsequent decrease in the output of the Hall effect sensor. Software running on controller 12 could interpret this as the triggering “swipe” of the left heel.
The proximity detection, functions of the present invention may also be based on non-magnetic sensors.
As those skilled in the art will know, the response signal can contain additional information specifically identifying the RFID response module. In fact each RFID module installed in a shoe could be given, a unique response signal. In this way, controller 12 could be informed of specifically which shoe is in close proximity. This feature allows additional interactions beyond just between a single user's left and right shoes. The proximity of a shoe belonging to a different user could be detected and this event could be used to trigger still another sound effect—such as the sound of the closing of a mechanical railroad coupler.
The presence of a radio frequency transceiver connected to controller 12 allows other features as well. It may be desirable from time to time to change some of the parameters stored in the software running on controller 12 or to update the software itself. An external programmer can be used to transmit radio frequency signals to the transceiver. As one example, the pressure threshold for impact sensor 16 may need to be adjusted depending on the weight of the user. An external programmer may be used for this purpose.
Those skilled in the art will also realize that an external programmer need not rely on radio frequency signals to communicate. Light or sound could also be used with a suitable receiver placed in the shoe.
Whenever form the impact sensor (first sensor) and proximity sensor (second sensor) take, it is important that each send a signal to the controller upon the occurrence of the event they are configured to detect. The term “signal” in this context just means something that informs the controller that an event has been detected, if, for example, the second sensor is a magnetic reed switch, the “signal” may simply be the fact that the circuit has been made by the closing of the switch. If the second sensor is a Hall effect sensor, the signal may be a change in voltage output resulting from an increasing (or decreasing) magnetic field.
Returning now to
The second approach shown in
FIB. 10 shows still another embodiment. Charge controller 62 regulates the charging condition of battery 56. Inductive charge antenna 64 inductively receives electrical energy from an external source and feeds it to charge controller 62. In this version the shoe is placed on a charging, pad when not in use. The charging pad emits a low level charging signal that is received by inductive charge antenna 64 and conveyed to charge controller 62. This version has the advantage of needing no external portals or connectors. All the components can be sealed within the shoe.
Manual features may also be provided in some embodiments for adjusting the shoe's operating parameters.
The impact or magnetic sensors themselves could also be used as input devices. If four stomps put the device in programming mode, then additional stomps could be used to index the parameter being adjusted. Likewise, moving the second shoe next to the magnetic sensor and away again could produce one input pulse for programming purposes.
Those skilled in the art will know that controller 12 may assume many different forms.
Controller 12 includes processor 72 and an associated memory 74. The processor runs controlling software and the memory includes stored items, such as multiple digital sound files. When the processor determines that a particular sound file is to be played, it retrieves the file from memory, then outputs it to digital-to-analog converter 82. This device transforms the file to an analog signal. Amplifier 84 then amplifies the analog signal and feeds it to speaker 34, where it is converted to sound waves.
Multiple sensors 76, 78 provide information to the processor. Examples include an impact sensor and a proximity sensor as described previously. I/O port 80 allows for software updates to be loaded and for other output features (such as a listing of the current state of all the parameters stored in memory 74). Output driver 86 allows the processor to control higher-current external devices such as LED 18 (which may be used to create a visual flash as for prior art shoes).
Power source 14 is regulated by charge controller 62 and fed power from input 70. In the view powers source 14 includes multiple output branch lines. These are intended to indicate that the power source in this example provides power to all the component shown. This feature may or may not involve multiple connections. As an example, everything shown within the outline of controller 12 might be integrated onto a single chip (an “Application-Specific Integrated Circuit”). On the other hand, there might be multiple separate components each needing a separate feed line.
The version shown in
This desired functionality presents a problem for the proximity sensor. Looking again at
Each shoe has a medial side 92 and a lateral side 94. Each shoe also has a toe portion and a heel portion. The magnetic sensor 40 in left shoe 38 is located on the medial side 92 proximate the toe portion. The magnet 42 in right shoe 36 is located on the medial side 92 of the right shoe and is proximate the toe portion of the right shoe.
For right shoe 36 magnetic sensor 40 is located proximate the heel portion along medial side 92 of the right shoe. The magnet 42 in left shoe 38 is located proximate the heel portion in medial side 92 of the left shoe.
When a user brings both feet together (side by side), the magnetic, sensor in each shoe will be triggered by the magnet in the other shoe. However, when the feet are separated, the magnet in each shoe is far enough away from the magnetic sensor in the same shoe that no false triggering occurs.
This configuration allows the controller 12 in each shoe to create the desired functionality. The desired functionality is (1) A sound will be produced when impact sensor 16 is triggered; and (2) The sound produced will depend upon the state of the proximity detection system.
However, if at step 100 the software determines that the proximity detector has been triggered, then the process proceeds to step 102. At step 102 a second sound (such as a steam whistle) is retrieved from memory and played. Playback is completed at step 104 and the process returns to step 96. Obviously there are other ways to implement the desired functionality and the flow diagram shown in
With these principles in mind, the operation of the embodiment shown in
If the user jumps with both feet placed together (side by side) then upon landing both shoes will emit the steam whistle sound. A third option exists: The user may keep one foot planted on the ground and then stomp the other foot down next to the planted foot. In this Case the planted foot will remain silent and the “stomped foot” will emit the steam whistle sound.
The invention is not limited to any particular sound effects, though naturally it is preferable to select sound effects that are related to each other. Examples include:
The asymmetric configuration of the proximity sensors in the embodiment of
Similarly, left shoe 38 has an infrared emitter 44 (such as an IR LED) located on its medial side near the toe. Right shoe 36 has an IR detector 46 located on its medial side near the toe. This detector in the right shoe detects the emitter in the left shoe when the two shoes are placed side by side. The functionality of this light-based embodiment is the same as the functionality described for the embodiment of
In general, each shoe has a contact sensor configured to determine when the shoe has landed on the ground. Each shoe also has a proximity detector and a proximity trigger. A “proximity trigger” is a thing that will cause a proximity detector to send a signal when the proximity trigger comes near the proximity detector. The following have been described as proximity detectors; a magnetic read switch, a Hall-effect sensor, an RFID transceiver, and an IR detector. The following have been described as proximity triggers; a magnet, an RFID tag, and an IR emitter.
It is preferable to provide a variable gain on the proximity detectors so that their sensitivity can be adjusted. For many modern sensors, this variable gain can be set using software. It is also possible to provide a variable output for many types of proximity detectors, such as IR emitters.
The inventive shoe thus described will have many different applications. The embodiments disclosed pertained to the production of entertaining sounds intended for younger users. However, the shoe could also be useful in other fields. As one example, the shoe could be useful in dance instruction where music is played and the controller detects (1) whether impacts are detected at the correct time, and (2) whether the proximity of the other shoe is detected at the correct time.
These skilled in the art will realize that many other components and features could be added to the invention. These include:
1. An ultrasonic emitter and detector for the proximity detecting functions;
9. A sonar-based proximity sensor;
Although the preceding description contains significant detail, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Numerous other permutations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As an example, the placement of the speaker in the rear of the shoe is not necessary to the invention and the speaker may in fact be placed in many other locations. These other embodiments are still within the scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims rather than the examples given.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/992,118. The parent application was filed on Jan. 11, 2016. It listed the same inventor.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14992118 | Jan 2016 | US |
Child | 15788895 | US |