Abstract:
An article of footwear such as a shoe having an array of light sources and at least one loudspeaker is provided in combination with a separate device having a recording unit which records sound and a transmitter which transmits an RF signal representative of the sound recording to the shoe where a circuit operates the loudspeaker in the shoe to reproduce the recorded sound.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to an article of footwear, and, more particularly, to an article of footwear such as a shoe having an array of light sources and a loudspeaker in combination with a recorder/transmitter unit which records sound and then transmits an RF signal representative of the sound recording to the shoe where an electrical circuit operates the loudspeaker in the shoe to reproduce the recorded sound.  
       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 inertia 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 patent, employ both manual and inertia 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 can be 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 such as a shoe having one or more light sources and a loudspeaker in combination with a remote, recorder/transmitter device which records sound and then transmits an RF signal representative of the sound recording to the shoe where an electrical circuit operates the loudspeaker in the shoe to reproduce the recorded sound.  
         [0008]     This invention is predicated on the concept of providing an interactive system for the enjoyment of younger children which allows them to remotely record sounds and then cause the recorded sounds to be played back by the shoes they are wearing. In the presently preferred embodiment, a sound recording unit, a transmitter, a power source, and, optionally, one or more LEDs, are carried within a housing which can be mounted to the wrist of the user or otherwise placed in a position to be manipulated by hand. The child or other user records whatever message or sound he or she desires by operating a record button on the recording unit, which can be played back and edited as desired. In response to operation of a switch, the recorded message or other sound is converted by the transmitter to an RF signal representative of such message and then transmitted to the shoe.  
         [0009]     The shoe mounts an array of LEDs, one or more loudspeakers and an electrical circuit having an RF receiver. The array of LEDs is operated in the conventional manner, e.g. in a flashing 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 transmitter, it is sensed by the RF receiver in the shoe and, in turn, the loudspeaker(s) in the shoe are sounded to reproduce the recorded message or sound.  
         [0010]     The system of this invention provides an element of fun and interaction of children. He or she can control the message or sounds produced by the shoe, both in terms of content and when such sounds are played, 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 a front view of the recording unit of this invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the recording unit shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of the electrical circuit housed in the recording unit;  
         [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 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  50  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 , upper  14 , tongue  16  or 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. 2-4 , an electrical circuit  29  is schematically depicted which includes two main parts: a recording unit  30  and an RF transmitter  32  carried within a housing  34 . Both the recording unit  30  and transmitter  32  are coupled to one or more batteries  38 . The recording unit  30  has a “record” button  40  and “play” button  42 , and is coupled to a loudspeaker  44 . Preferably, an LED  46  is provided which illuminates when the record button  40  is depressed. The recording unit  30  operates in a conventional manner, e.g. it records sound when the record button  40  is depressed, and plays it back when the play button  42  is activated. The recording unit  30  is also coupled to a switch  48 , which, as described more fully below in connection with a discussion of  FIG. 5 , causes the transmitter  32  to emit an RF signal representative of the message or sound recorded by the recorder  34 .  
         [0022]     With reference initially to  FIG. 5 , an electrical circuit  50  is housed in the module  18  of the shoe  10  which generally comprises three parts, namely, and RF receiver  52 , a sound producing portion including an integrated circuit (IC  1 )  54  and the loudspeaker  28 , and, a light producing portion including an integrated circuit (IC  2 )  56  and the LEDs  24 . One or more batteries  58  are included in the circuit  50  to provide power. As described in more detail below in connection with a discussion of  FIG. 7 , the RF receiver  52  is operative to activate the IC  54 , and, hence, the loudspeaker  28  upon receipt of a signal from the RF transmitter  32 . The LEDs  24  are illuminated by the IC  56  in response to opening or closing of a switch  48 , which may be an inertia, motion or pressure switch, mounted to the shoe  10  or to the module  18 .  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , one presently preferred embodiment of the electrical circuit  29  depicted schematically in  FIG. 4  is shown in more detail. It is contemplated that other circuit configurations could be employed to record sound and then produce and RF signal representative of such recorded sound, and therefore this invention is not intended to be limited to the particular circuit shown.  
         [0024]     As noted above, circuit  29  has two parts, namely, a recording unit  30  and an RF transmitter  32 . The recording unit  30  includes a recording integrated circuit (IC)  59  a crystal  60 , the speaker  44 , the record button  40  and play button  42 , the battery  38 , two capacitors  61  and  62 , a resistor  63  and a microphone  64 . The RF transmitter  32  of the circuit  29  generally includes a crystal  68 ; the switch  48 ; an IC  70 ; three transistors  72 ,  74  and  76 ; four inductors  78 ,  80 ,  82  and  84 ; an antenna  86 ; the battery  58 ; seven capacitors  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  and  100 ; and, six resistors  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  and  112 .  
         [0025]     The recording unit  30  is in a standby mode when connected to battery  38 , and is activated by pressing the record button  40 . After speaking into the microphone  64  or making other sounds, the record button  40  is pressed again to stop the recording and play button  42  may be pressed to play back the recorded message or other sound. While the record button  40  is depressed, the recording IC  59  illuminates the LED  46 .  
         [0026]     The recording IC  59  is operative to produce a signal which is representative of the recorded sound. The signal is transmitted to the IC  70  within the RF transmitter  32  portion of circuit  20 . When the IC  70  is activated its LED outputs  114 ,  116  and  118  change 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  58  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 is delivered to the antenna  86  for transmission to the electrical circuit  50  in the shoe  10 .  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , details of the electrical circuit  50  contained in the shoe  10  are shown. As noted above, the circuit  50  consists of three main elements, i.e. the RF receiver  52 , the sound generating portion including IC  54  and the light generating portion including IC  56 . 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  50  generally includes the sound IC  54 ; 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  56 , the inertia, motion or pressure switch  48 , LEDs  24  and a battery  198 .  
         [0028]     The light producing portion of the circuit  50  operates in a known manner. In response to movement of the shoe  10 , such as by walking or running, the switch  48  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.  
         [0029]     The sound producing portion of the circuit  50  is dependent on the production of an RF signal from the transmitter  32  associated with the remote unit, the receipt of such signal by the receiver portion of circuit  50  and resulting production of a trigger signal input to the sound IC  54 . 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  54 , remains at a low potential thereby keeping integrated circuit  54  deactivated so that speaker  28  does not sound. When antenna  120  receives a radio frequency signal from transmitter  32 , 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.  
         [0030]     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  54  causing speaker  28  to sound.  
         [0031]     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  54  from triggering.  
         [0032]     The particular sound produced by the speaker  28  in response to the signal from IC  54  is a matter of choice, and is intended to add to the enjoyment of the interactive system 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 transmitter  32  contained in the housing  34  of a remote unit which can be worn, e.g., on a wrist band or the like, or is otherwise capable of being manipulated by hand.  
         [0033]     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. 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.