FOOTWEAR WITH KINETICALLY ACTIVATED AUDITORY EFFECTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention pertains to the field of footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Footwear such as shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals and other types of footwear typically include common features such as a sole, uppers, a tongue and laces, and/or other features. Historically, such footwear is passive and does not interact with the wearer or the environment. Therefore, what is desired is footwear which provides dynamic auditory effects and other output based on kinetic events and other sensed conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention provides dynamic footwear which provides auditory effects based on kinetic events and other sensed conditions. In one embodiment, the footwear can include a power source, an electronic controller coupled to the power source, a memory coupled to the controller and operable to store an audio program, an output device coupled to the controller, where the output device includes a speaker, and a sensor coupled to the controller, the sensor being operable to sense a sensed condition comprising a pressure, force, stress, deformation, velocity, acceleration, shock or temperature, or a combination thereof.

[0004] The sensor is operable to send an activation signal to the controller corresponding to a level the sensed condition, and the controller has an activation mode wherein when the level of the sensed condition is within a predetermined range, the controller is operable to cause the output device to generate a predetermined activation output, where the activation output including playback of the audio program on the speaker, which can occur for a predetermined period of time.

[0005] In other embodiments, the sensor is disposed in a sole of the footwear, such as below a heel supporting portion of the sole.

[0006] The footwear can include a pair of left and right footwear and the output device includes a first speaker in the left footwear and a second speaker in the right footwear. The controller can be operable to synchronize output from the first and second speakers. The controller can include a first controller in the left footwear and a second controller in the right footwear and the first and second controllers are operable to intercommunicate wirelessly.

[0007] The sensor can include a first sensor in the left footwear and a second sensor in the right footwear; and each of the first and second sensors are operable to independently sense the sensed condition and to send the activation signal to the controller.

[0008] The controller can have a controlled mode wherein the controller is operable to cause the speaker to play a user-selected audio program from a plurality of audio programs stored in the memory or an audio program received via the wireless communication device; and the controller is selectively settable in the activation mode or the controlled mode.

[0009] The footwear can include lighting elements and the activation output can include illumination of the lighting elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an article of footwear constructed in accordance with the invention; and

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic of component of the footwear of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Referring to FIG 1 , the footwear 10 includes common features such as a sole 16, uppers, a tongue and laces, and/or other features. The sole 16 can include an outsole, midsole, and insole.

[0013] The footwear 10 includes electronic components which can include a power source 30, charger 24, controller 12, amplifier 24, speaker(s) 14, memory 22, wired and/or wireless communication 26, sensor(s) 28, lighting controller 32, and lighting elements 17 (e.g., LEDs). The charger 34 can include a wired or wireless (e.g., inductive) charger, which can include components within and external to the footwear 10.

[0014] The speakers 14 are preferably integrated and permanently mounted in the footwear, such as above the heal portion, in the“quarter” of the footwear (although other locations are possible). The footwear 10 can include a pair of speakers in each one of a pair of left and right footwear, with one speaker on each side of the footwear. Other configurations are also possible, such as one speaker in only one of the pair, one speaker in each one of the pair, and other combinations. Preferably, the speakers 14 are substantially flush with the upper of the footwear. The other electronic components can be included in one or both of the left and right footwear.

[0015] The controller 12 and components thereof are preferably contained and protectively sealed within the footwear 10, for example in the sole 16 (or midsole). However, the controller 12 (and/or components thereof) can also be disposed or dispersed in other portions of the footwear such as the upper 18. The controller 12 is operable to cause the speakers 14 to play a predetermined audio program (e.g., a song) upon the occurrence of an activation event. As an example, the predetermined audio program can be a shortened segment of a song, such as a 20 second segment of a song. The activation event can be any predetermined kinetic event or another type of event. For example, the activation event can be a predetermined pressure, force, stress, deformation, velocity, acceleration, shock, temperature, and any combination thereof.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 12 can include a processor 20, and can include and/or be couple to the memory 22, amplifier 24,

wired/wireless communication 26, sensor(s) 28, lighting controller 32 and power source 30. The processor can consist of or comprise digital components and/or analog components. The sensor 28 is preferably disposed in (or on) the sole of the footwear below the heel of the user and is operable to sense pressure (or force) applied by the foot of the user to the sole. The controller 12 is connected to the memory 22, which can store audio data or files for playback. The processor 20 is also connected to and controls the amplifier 24 which drives the speakers 14. The power source 30 is operable to provide power to the various components of the footwear 10 and can be a battery (e.g., rechargeable or replaceable), or a kinetic power source, or another suitable source. The wireless communication 26 (e.g., Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi, or other) can be operable for receiving audio data for storage and playback, for communication with mobile communication devices or other footwear, for communication between the processor and

amplifier/speaker, for firmware updates, and for other uses.

[0017] The sensor 28 is operable to sense a sensed condition which can consist of or comprise a pressure, force, stress, deformation, velocity, acceleration, shock or temperature, or a combination thereof, or another condition, and the sensor is operable to send an activation signal to the controller corresponding to a presence or a level of the sensed condition. The sensor may be in the form of a switch which is temporarily closed upon the occurrence of an activation event (i.e., a sensed condition within a

predetermined level or range).

[0018] The controller 12 is operable to receive the activation signal from the sensor and, if such activation event is within a predetermined range (e.g., at least a predetermined threshold level), the controller 12 is operable to cause an activation output which can include causing a predetermined audio program stored in the memory 22 to play from the speakers 14.

[0019] The sensor may be in the form of a switch which is temporarily closed upon the occurrence of an activation event.

[0020] The controller 12 can have various selectable modes. For example, the controller 12 can have an activation mode wherein the controller responds to activation events, as described above, or a controlled mode wherein the device is operable to play full-length user-selectable audio programs stored in memory, or a speaker mode wherein the device acts as a wireless speaker and receives audio data via the wireless communication (e.g., streaming audio via Bluetooth). Preferably the plurality of audio programs can be transferred from an external source to the memory 22 via the wired and/or wireless communication 26.

[0021] In the activation mode, the activation output can vary depending on the level or range of the sensed condition. For example, the memory 22 can store a plurality of audio programs including first and second audio programs and the activation output can comprise the first audio program when the sensed condition is in a first range and the second audio program when the sensed condition is in a second range. [0022] Further, while the effects discussed above relate to audio effects, other effects can be generated by the footwear, including visual (e.g., lighting) effects. In particular, the activation output can include illumination of lighting elements 17. The controller 12 can be controlled, wirelessly, from a mobile device and to switch between various modes of operation.

[0023] The footwear 10 can include left and right footwear, and the electronic components described herein can be distributed among or duplicated in each of the left and right footwear. Controllers in each of the left and right footwear can intercommunicate wirelessly to synchronize activation and/or to synchronize activation outputs (e.g., playback of audio files on each footwear). Sensors in each of the left and right footwear can be operable to independently sense the sensed condition and to send an activation signal to the controller.

[0024] The specific form of the invention herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.