Abstract:
A shoe includes an electronic audio sound generator built into the sole. The electronic audio sound generator is mounted between the inner sole and the outer sole, and may be selectively turned ON for transmitting an audio signal to a speaker in communication with the electronic audio sound generator and positioned between the inner sole and the outer sole or somewhere on the shoe for receiving the transmitted audio signal and emitting an audible sound from the shoe. The generator is responsive to an activator contained in the shoe for selectively turning ON the programmable electronic audio sound generator.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The subject invention is generally related to novelty shoes and is specifically directed to shoes having an integral electronic audio sound generator. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Novelty shoes have been around for a number of years. U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,501 discloses a novelty shoe with a detachable ornamental article. Shoes having illumination devices have been around for many years, see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,291,791. 
         [0005]    There have been a number of novelty shoe designs having audio features, see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,149 illustrating a shoe for playing music or other recorded audio signals. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,043,341; 4,646,350; 4,771,556; and 5,345,700 show various show designs incorporating a sound generator in a shoe. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,300 discloses a shoe activated sound synthesizer device that enables movement of a shoe to be translated into audible sounds. The sound synthesizer device consists of a shoe in which there is disposed at least one trigger element capable of producing a trigger signal when the shoe is flexed to a predetermined degree. As the shoe is worn and is brought into contact with the floor, the shoe is flexed. By bringing different parts of the shoe into contact with the floor in a controlled manner, a person can selectively control the production of trigger signals from any trigger element contained within the shoe. A sound synthesizer circuit is provided that is coupled to each trigger element contained within the shoe. The sound synthesizer circuit produces an audible sound, via a speaker, when a trigger signal is received from the shoe. By perfecting the flexing of the shoe the wearer can produce different musical tones by activating different triggering elements to produce a musical melody. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The subject invention is directed to a novelty shoe for children wherein the shoe produces an audible electronic generated sound effect when the child wearing the shoe places the shoe against the floor or other hard surface, similar to the flashing shoes which light only when the wearer presses against a hard surface with sufficient force to activate the shoe. The subject invention is unique in that it does not require any special dexterity to activate the shoe, making in particularly popular with toddlers and young children. 
         [0008]    The shoe is of the type having a sole with a heel area and a sole area and with a space between the inner sole and the outer sole. The electronic audio sound generator is built into the sole and in the preferred embodiment includes a microprocessor mounted between the inner sole and the outer sole and adapted to be selectively turned ON for transmitting an audio signal. A speaker is in communication with the electronic audio sound generator and positioned between the inner sole and the outer sole, somewhere on the shoe or in close proximity of the shoe for receiving the transmitted audio signal and emitting an audible sound from the shoe. An activator such as a pressure or position sensitive switch or sensor, or a motion responsive switch or sensor selectively turns ON the programmable electronic audio sound generator. A rechargeable power source may be located between the inner sole and the outer sole of the shoe. 
         [0009]    In the preferred embodiment a programming port is associated with the electronic audio sound generator and extends outwardly of the shoe, whereby an external programming source may be attached or placed in communication with the electronic audio sound generator. 
         [0010]    Channel inputs comprising either or both firmware and software are provided for programming the microprocessor, modifying the onboard programmable memory, and controlling the operation of the electronic audio sound generator. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment a sound is generated with each step. In other embodiments, different sounds may be produced depending upon when the wearer is walking forward, running forward, walking backward or contacting a predetermined part of the shoe where a pressure sensor is located. 
         [0012]    The subject invention incorporates an electronic audio sound generator that can be incorporated into the sole of any shoe. Its purpose is to electronically generate both preset and customizable audible sound effects through a speaker that is also incorporated into the same shoe. The specific sound effect generated is dependent upon user selection and external positional, motion or pressure input. 
         [0013]    In the preferred embodiment the electronic audio sound generator is pre-programmed to provide specific default sounds stored on its onboard programmable memory, but may also be programmed and modified by the wearer or typically the parent of the wearer via a USB connection, for example a computer system, or interface with a portable electronic storage media such as a flash card. 
         [0014]    The electronic sound effects generator is located in an encapsulated circuit, such as a circuit board having a microprocessor, onboard programmable memory, input and control channels, and a power source. In the preferred embodiment the circuit includes a portable media port or USB connector for input and output, a rechargeable battery and a charger port for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external power source. 
         [0015]    The shoes constructed in accordance with the subject invention provide a novel source of entertainment for the wearer and are particularly attractive to toddlers and young children. 
         [0016]    Various objects and features of the invention will be readily apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a sketch of a child wearing the shoes in accordance with the subject invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic sketch showing the position of the electronic audio sound generator circuitry and the speaker in the shoe. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of the speaker, power supply, ports, input channels and electronic audio sound generator module as they exist prior to installation in the shoe. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of the circuitry. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the shoes  10 ,  12  are particularly well adapted to be worn by a toddler or young child  14  as he plays. As shown in the drawing, each time a shoe, here shoe  10  on the left foot, comes into contact with a hard surface the shoe emits an audible sound as indicated at  16 . When the wearer lifts his foot, as indicated at shoe  12 , the sound is terminated. The shoe can either emit a continuous sound for as long as there is pressure on the shoe by placing it against the hard surface, or emit a sound for a pre-programmed period of time. It will be understood that the sound duration and cyclic frequency is a matter of choice. 
         [0022]    As is diagrammatically illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sound generator  18  and the speaker  20  are positioned in the sole of the shoe in the area of the heel  22 , between the inner sole and the outer sole of the shoe. In this configuration input channel  38  is a pressure switch and is in communication with the electronic audio sound generator  18  in order to activate the electronic audio sound generator when the heel of the shoe is pressed against a hard surface by the wearer. Alternative locations may be utilized for the pressure sensor, such as, by way of example, in the toe area ii of the shoe, as indicated in phantom at  26 . Multiple pressure switches may be utilized. 
         [0023]    With specific reference to  FIG. 3 , the electronic audio sound generator includes a circuitry module for housing the sound generator circuitry (not shown). In this embodiment, input channel  38  is a pressure switch and is shown extending directly from the module, but as previously described; it could be at a remote location. It should also be understood that the pressure switch is only one activation mechanism. For example, the activator for the electronic sound effects generator can be a position or motion sensor not dependent on a specific level of pressure. As shown, the speaker  20  and the power source  30  are coupled to the module  28 , but either or both may be an integrated feature of the module. In the illustrated embodiment the power source is a rechargeable battery. 
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment the module includes pre-programmed sounds. It also includes a programming port, such as a media port capable of accepting various portable electronic storage media such as a flash card or a USB port  32 , which is provided to permit external programming via a computer source, flash drive or the like. The portable media port or the USB connector allows the unit to interface with software stored on a computer. The software program located on the computer communicates with the unit, and the user can customize the various sound effects to user specification, download and upload sound effects to and from the programmable onboard memory or portable electronic storage media, customize sound effects generator volume control, audio prompting, obtain battery life information and control auto-off timing customization. 
         [0025]    A charger port  34  permits recharging of a rechargeable power source. 
         [0026]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , there are four input channels  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39 . The number of input channels may vary depending on the configuration. The input channels enable the user to control the unit as well as play the various selected sound effects. The channels can be prompted by position via a tilt or motion sensitive switch or by a button that is pressure sensitive, as previously stated. Each channel functions differently and enables the user to have full control of the unit. The first channel, connected to input channel  36  is used to power ON/OFF the unit. The second function introduced through channel  36  is to toggle between PLAY MODE/SELECTION MODE and to advance to the next sound effect set for the respective input channel. If the unit is OFF, a constant sustained input via this channel for 4 seconds powers the unit on. This can be achieved through activation of the pressure switch, position or motion sensor. Upon powering up the unit generates a power up sound effect prompt and a preview of the current selected sound effects for the various input channels. The power on audio prompt can be changed to either on or off via user customization. If the unit is ON, a constant sustained input via this channel for 4 seconds will power down the unit. Power down can also be from a lack of signal from the pressure switch or motion sensor after a given period of time. Upon powering down the unit generates a powering down sound effect. The power down audio prompt can be changed to either on or off via user customer selection. 
         [0027]    If the unit is ON and in PLAY MODE, a constant sustained input for 2 seconds will generate an audio prompt letting the user know that the unit has entered sound effect SELECTION MODE. If there is no input after 2 seconds the unit will automatically revert to PLAY MODE and the current selected sound effect sets will be saved. When in SELECTION MODE, any pulsed input from this or another channel will advance the unit to the next sound effect set saved in the programmable onboard memory or portable storage media for the respective channel. If there is no more than one sound effect set saved in programmable memory the sound effect set will remain the same. Upon advancing to the next sound effect the unit will play a preview of the sound effect. In order to advance to the next sound effect set the user must used a pulsed input by pulsing the pressure, positional, or motion switch. Sustained input will only advance the unit one time to the next sound effect. If the user reaches the last sound effect set for either input channel the unit will advance to the first sound effect set for the respective input channel. 
         [0028]    If the unit is ON and in SELECTION MODE, no input for 2 seconds will generate an audio prompt letting the user know that the unit has entered sound effect PLAY MODE and the current selected sound effect sets. 
         [0029]    The second channel controlled through input channel  37  has the function of MUTING/UNMUTING other respective input channels, but can also have other AUXILIARY functions such as randomizing sound effects for various input channels. In the embodiment shown, if the unit is ON, in PLAY MODE and both input channels  38  and  39  are UNMUTED, a single pulsed input will MUTE input channel  38  and a double pulsed input will MUTE input channel  39 . If all input channels for the units are MUTED for greater than 5 minutes the unit will automatically UNMUTE and power down. If the unit is ON, in PLAY MODE and both input channels  38  and  39  are MUTED, a single pulsed input will UNMUTE input channel  38  and a double pulsed input will UNMUTE input channel  39 . Upon entering either MUTE/UNMUTE MODE the unit generates a MUTE/UNMUTE sound effect. The MUTE/UNMUTE audio prompt can be changed to either via user customer selection. 
         [0030]    There are 2 functions controlled through input channels  38  and  39 . The first function is to play the saved sound effect set for the respective input channel. The second function is to advance to the next sound effect set for the respective input channel. If the unit is in PLAY MODE input from either of these channels the system will play the saved sound effect set for the respective input channel. If the unit is in SELECTION MODE any pulsed input from either channel will advance the unit to the next sound effect set saved in the programmable onboard memory or portable storage media for the respective channel. If there is no more than one sound effect set saved in programmable memory for either channel the sound effect set will remain the same. Upon advancing to the next sound effect the unit will play a preview of the sound effect. In order to advance to the next sound effect set for either channel the user must used a pulsed input as previously described. A sustained input will only advance the unit one time to the next sound effect. If the user reaches the last sound effect set for either channel the unit will advance to the first sound effect set for the respective channel. If there is no input from either of these channels after 2 seconds of being in SELECTION MODE the unit will automatically revert to PLAY MODE and the current selected sound effect sets for each channel will be saved. 
         [0031]    A diagrammatic view of the module circuitry is shown in  FIG. 4 . The input channels are associated with a specific type of activator switch such as a pressure, motion or positional sensor. The electronic sound effects module generator will comprise a microprocessor and factory installed firmware capable of interfacing with software such a flash disk or a computer through the USB/Media port. 
         [0032]    While certain embodiments and features of the invention have been described in detail herein it should be understood that the invention encompasses all modifications and enhancements within the scope and spirit of the following claims.