Abstract:
A system for producing sound and light includes a shoe or other article of footwear having multiple sources of light and at least one loudspeaker, and a unit located remotely from the shoe which is operative to transmit an RF signal to a receiver within the shoe causing the loudspeaker to sound.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a system for producing light and sound, and, more particularly, to the combination of an article of clothing or other item worn by a user and a shoe which mounts an array of light sources such as LEDs and a loudspeaker. The article of clothing has a circuit which is operative to transmit an RF signal to a circuit in the shoe causing the loudspeaker to sound, while the array of light sources in the shoe are illuminated independently by operation of an inertia switch.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     For a number of years, articles of footwear and various items of clothing have been sold with decorative arrays of light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or a loudspeaker capable of producing a sound. This has been particularly popular in children&#39;s shoes where the LEDs are arranged to complement other design elements of the shoe such as cartoon characters and the like.  
         [0003]     In a typical design of a children&#39;s shoe of the type noted above, a module including a plastic housing is placed in a cavity usually formed in the heel area of the shoe. The module mounts a battery, a switch and conventionally an integrated circuit which is connected by wires to LEDs positioned along the outsole, upper or tongue of the shoe. The integrated circuit may also be capable of generating a signal operative to sound a loudspeaker, typically mounted in the upper or tongue of the shoe in the general area of the LEDs. Systems of this type are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,525,487; 6,286,975; 6,012,822; 5,969,479; 5,894,201; 5,812,063 and others.  
         [0004]     The integrated circuits employed in modules for children&#39;s shoes and other applications are conventionally activated by one or more switches carried on or otherwise coupled to the module. In some designs, the switch turns on and off in response to the application of an inertial force, pressure or motion. Spring switches such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE37,220 and 5,909,088 are a popular choice for children&#39;s shoes because they are reliable, noiseless and movable from a neutral or off position to a closed or on position in response to walking, running or other motion of the shoe. Pressure switches such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,159,768; 5,649,376; 5,855,080 and 5,714,706 are also employed and they operate in response to the application of a weight, e.g. when the child steps onto a surface.  
         [0005]     Another type of switch employed in children&#39;s shoes and similar applications is a manually activated switch such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,894,686; 6,278,378 and 5,813,148. Manual switches are employed to turn on and off the light source carried by the shoe, to select different modes of operation for the integrated circuit associated with the shoe, e.g. different flashing sequences or other operations, and for other purposes. Some systems, such as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,148, employ both manual and inertial switches to activate light sources and/or sound sources associated with the shoe. In the &#39;148 system, the manual switch turns on and off a light source, and also causes a controller including an integrated circuit to activate a particular mode of operation. One of the modes of operation enables an inertia or pressure sensitive switch, which then operates to activate the light source in a selected flashing sequence.  
         [0006]     All of these arrangements involve either the “automatic” activation of the light sources and/or loudspeaker(s) in the sense that an inertia, pressure or motion switch operates without manual intervention, or, alternatively, manual switches associated with the shoe are operated to activate the light sources and loudspeakers. In either case, a switch or switches carried by the shoe cause the light sources or loudspeaker to operate.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     This invention is directed to a system which includes an article of footwear having one or more light sources such as LEDs, and a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker is activated in response to the transmission of an RF signal from an article of clothing or other item worn or manipulated by the wearer.  
         [0008]     This invention is predicated on the concept of providing an interactive system for the enjoyment of younger children which allows them to remotely control sounds produced by the shoes they are wearing. In the presently preferred embodiment, an RF transmitter, power source, reed switch and, optionally, one or more LEDs, are housed within a first wrist band worn on one arm of the child. A second wrist band worn on the other arm of the child carries a permanent magnet. When the two wrist bands are brought into proximity with one another, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet in the second wrist band causes the reed switch to close. In response, the transmitter is effective to emit an RF signal of selected frequency.  
         [0009]     The shoe mounts an array of LEDs, one or more loudspeakers and an electrical circuit having and RF receiver. The array of LEDs is operated in the conventional manner, e.g. in a flashing or other sequence responsive to operation of an inertia switch, pressure switch, motion switch or the like mounted to the shoe. When an RF signal is produced by the first wrist band, it is sensed by the RF receiver in the shoe which, in turn, activates an integrated circuit operative to cause the loudspeaker(s) in the shoe to sound. Essentially any message or sound can be recorded and stored in the integrated circuit for play back when the integrated circuit is triggered.  
         [0010]     The system of this invention provides an element of fun and interaction of children. He or she can control when sounds are produced by the shoe, by bringing the wrist bands together, and the LEDs or other light sources are operated by walking, running or other movement of the shoes. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shoe having an upper carrying a module which is connected to an array of LEDs and to a loudspeaker both mounted to the upper of the shoe;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is combined front view and side views of the wrist bands employed as an RF transmitting unit;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the reed switch carried by one of the wrist bands;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic, block diagram of the electrical circuit in one of the wrist bands;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic, block diagram of the electrical circuit in the shoe;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a more detailed view of the electrical circuit located in one of the wrist bands which produces an RF signal; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a more detailed view of the electrical circuit located in the shoe. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a shoe  10  is shown having an outsole  12  connected to an upper  14  including a tongue  16 . It should be understood that essentially any other article of footwear is considered within the scope of this invention, and the shoe  10  is shown for purposes of illustration. As such, the term “upper” is meant to broadly encompass essentially any shoe element mounted to the outsole of an article of footwear such as the straps of a sandal, etc.  
         [0020]     A module  18  having a housing  19  preferably made of plastic is mounted in the heel  20  of the shoe  10 . A cavity (not shown) is hollowed out of the heel  20  to receive the module  18 , over which the sock liner or insole of the shoe  10  is secured. As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the module  18  is connected by wires  22  to an array of LEDs  24  mounted to the upper  14  of the shoe  10 , and by a wire  26  to a loudspeaker  28  also carried by the upper  14 . As described below in connection with a discussion of  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the module  18  mounts an electrical circuit  29  which controls the operation of the LEDs  24  and loudspeaker  28 . The particular location or arrangement of the LEDs  24  on the shoe  10  is a matter of choice, and it is contemplated they could be placed on the outsole  12 , tongue  16  and in essentially any other position on the shoe  10 . The loudspeaker  28  is preferably mounted to the tongue  16  or some area of the upper  14 , rather than on the outsole  12 .  
         [0021]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first wrist band  30  and a second wrist band  32  are shown. Each wrist band  30 ,  32  has a similar appearance when viewed from the front, as depicted in the center of  FIG. 2 , including a housing  34  or  34 ′ and a pair of straps  36 ,  38  retained by buckles  40 ,  42 , respectively. The housing  34  of the first wrist band  30  mounts an electrical circuit  44 , schematically depicted in  FIG. 4 , including one or more batteries  46 , a switch  48 , an integrated circuit which forms part of an RF transmitter  50  described more fully below, and, optionally, one or more LEDs  24 . The housing  34 ′ of the second wrist band  32  mounts a permanent magnet  52 . The switch  48  is preferably a reed switch of the type schematically shown in  FIG. 3  which comprises a casing  54 , a first contact  56  and a second contact  58  movable into engagement with one another.  
         [0022]     The schematic and more detailed drawings of the electrical circuits  29  and  44  shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , which cooperate to activate the LEDs  24  and loudspeaker  28 , illustrate one presently preferred embodiment, but it is contemplated that a variety of other circuit designs could be employed to achieve the desired result. As an overview, and with reference initially to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the electrical circuit  44  contained in the housing  34  of the first wrist band  30  is operative to produce an RF signal upon closure of the reed switch  48 . The reed switch  48  is influenced by the presence of a magnetic field, i.e. the first and second contacts  56 ,  58  move into engagement with one another when a magnetic field is applied. In order to close the reed switch  48 , the permanent magnet  52  housed in the second wrist band  32  is moved into close physical proximity to the first wrist band  30  causing its magnetic field to act upon the contacts  56 ,  58  of the reed switch  48 . As described below with reference to  FIG. 6 , closure of the reed switch  48  causes the RF transmitter  50  to emit an RF signal of selected wavelength.  
         [0023]     The electrical circuit  29  housed in the module  18  of the shoe  10  generally has three parts, namely, an RF receiver  60 , a sound producing portion including an integrated circuit (IC 1 )  62  and the loudspeaker  28 , and, a light producing portion including an integrated circuit (IC 2 )  64  and the LEDs  24 . See generally  FIG. 5 . As described more fully below in connection with a discussion of  FIG. 7 , the RF receiver  60  is operative to activate the IC  62 , and, hence, the loudspeaker  28  upon receipt of a signal from the RF transmitter  50 . The LEDs  24  are illuminated by the IC  64  in response to opening or closing of a switch  66  mounted to the shoe  10  or to the module  18 . The switch  66  may be an inertia, motion or pressure switch which is capable of opening or closing in response to movement of the shoe  10 , or in the case of a pressure switch, in response to the application of a force thereto.  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , one presently preferred embodiment of the electrical circuit  44  is shown. It is contemplated that other circuit configurations could be employed to produce an RF signal in response to closure of a switch, and therefore this invention is not intended to be limited to the particular circuit shown. The circuit  44  generally includes a crystal  68 ; the reed switch  48 ; an IC  70 ; three transistors  72 ,  74  and  76 ; four inductors  78 ,  80 ,  82  and  84 ; an antenna  86 ; at least one battery  46 ; seven capacitors  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  and  100 ; and, six resistors  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  and  112 .  
         [0025]     In response to closure of the reed switch  48 , as described above, the IC  70  is activated and changes its LED outputs  114 ,  116  and  118  from high to low. Since output  118  is connected to the base of transistor  72 , the IC  70  causes the transistor  72  to conduct allowing a flow of current from battery  46  to flow to the resistor  104  and inductor  78 . The current passing through the resistor  104  flows to the base of transistor  74  causing it to conduct as well. The resistor  104  and inductor  78  are chosen with different resistances to create a potential across the crystal  68  causing it to generate voltage having a frequency of approximately 27.145 Hz. This voltage passes through capacitor  90  to the base of transistor  76  causing it to conduct. The voltage is amplified by transistor  76 , according to its gain, and then filtered by capacitors  96 ,  98  and  100 , and the inductor  82 , so that a substantially pure frequency of 27.145 Hz is delivered to the antenna  86  for transmission to the electrical circuit  29  in the shoe  10 .  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , details of the electrical circuit  29  contained in the shoe  10  are shown. As noted above, the circuit  29  consists of three main elements, i.e. the RF receiver  60 , the sound generating portion including IC  62  and the light generating portion including IC  64 . The RF receiver generally includes an antenna  120 ; three inductors  122 ,  124  and  126 ; five transistors  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134  and  136 ; several capacitors  138 ,  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  159  and  160 ; several resistors  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172 ,  174 ,  176 ,  178 ,  180  and  182 ; and a diode  184 . The sound generating portion of the circuit  29  generally includes the sound IC  62 ; loudspeaker  28 ; a transistor  186 ; two capacitors  188 ,  190 ; resistors  192 ,  194 ; and, a diode  196 . The light producing portion of the circuit  29  generally includes the light IC  64 , the inertia, motion or pressure switch  66 , LEDs  24  and a battery  198 .  
         [0027]     The light producing portion of the circuit  29  operates in a known manner. In response to movement of the shoe  10 , such as by walking or running, the motion, inertia or pressure switch  66  operates to activate light IC  64  which, in turn, illuminates the LEDs  24  in a selected flashing pattern, or essentially any other type of lighting sequence.  
         [0028]     The sound producing portion of the circuit  29  is dependent on the production of an RF signal from the transmitter  50  associated with first wrist band  30 , the receipt of such signal by the receiver portion of circuit  29  and resulting production of a trigger signal input to the sound IC  62 . Initially, when switches  200  and  202  close, provided antenna  120  does not receive a 27.145 Hz radio frequency signal, transistor  136  continues conducting and its collector, which is connected to the trigger terminal of integrated circuit  62 , remains at a low potential thereby keeping integrated circuit  62  deactivated so that speaker  28  does not sound. When antenna  120  receives a radio frequency signal from transmitter  50 , inductor  122  and capacitor  138  resonate at a high frequency voltage which induces a high frequency voltage causing a high frequency current to flow through inductor  124  and the network formed by capacitor  142  and resistor  162 . As a result, the base voltage of transistor  128  transitions from low to high, causing transistor  128  to conduct. Conduction of transistor  128  causes inductor  126  and capacitor  160  to resonate at their resonant frequency, thereby causing the node  161  between resistor  164  and capacitor  150  to alternatively transition from a high potential to a low potential and vice versa.  
         [0029]     When node  161  is at a low potential, transistor  130  does not conduct. When transistor  130  is not conducting, its collector is at a high potential which keeps transistor  132  conducting. This holds the base of transistor  134  at a high potential which prevents transistor  134  from conducting. When transistor  134  does not conduct, its collector remains at a low potential thereby stopping transistor  136  from conducting. When transistor  136  stops conducting, its collector voltage changes from low to high, thereby triggering integrated circuit  62  causing speaker  28  to sound.  
         [0030]     Conversely, when the potential at node  161  is high, transistor  130  conducts due to the high potential at its base. Conduction of transistor  130  pulls the collector of transistor  132  low, thereby causing transistor  132  to stop conducting. Conduction of transistor  46  in turn pulls the base of transistor  134  low, causing transistor  134  to conduct. Conduction of transistor  134  makes the voltage at the collector of transistor  134  and the base of transistor  136  assume a high voltage which causes transistor  136  to conduct. Conduction of transistor  136  pulls its collector low which prevents integrated circuit  62  from triggering.  
         [0031]     The particular sound produced by the speaker  28  in response to the signal from IC  62  is a matter of choice, and is intended to add to the enjoyment of the interactive wrist band-shoe combination of this invention. As noted above, instead of causing a speaker in the shoe of the wearer to sound in response to the “automatic” activation of a switch in the shoe, e.g., inertia, motion, pressure, etc.) or a manually activated switch, the present invention provides for remote activation of the speaker via RF signals transmitted from the wrist band  30 .  
         [0032]     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.  
         [0033]     For example, the RF transmitter portion of the system of this invention is shown housed in a wrist band intended to be worn on the arm of the user which is actuated by a reed switch moved to the closed position when placed in proximity to a permanent magnet carried by a second wrist band worn on the other arm of the user. It should be understood that the RF transmitter could be incorporated into essentially any other article of clothing, or other objects separate from the shoes of the wearer, such as a back pack, lunch box, toy or the like. Further, the permanent magnet may be carried by a complimentary article of clothing or any other object so long as it is movable with respect to the article of clothing or object which houses the RF transmitter so as to activate the reed switch or other magnetically sensitive switch.  
         [0034]     Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.