DIRECTING SHOE INSOLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of skin applied stimuli, in particular to stimuli applied to the feet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Music and dancing represent one of appreciated hobbies and enjoyable activities in modern societies. Learning to dance is one of favorite activities worldwide. It is not easy to learn especially fast and very dynamic movements synchronized in time with favorite music.

In addition people appreciate multimedia effects synchronized with music; simply it emphasizes perceived feelings and associations with the music harmony.

Performing harmonic dynamical movements (when dancing the body of the user moves) in time and space is a complex process. Good dancers need years to really get perfect dynamics and synchronization.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

On this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sole or insole for assisting people to learn dance moves.

This object is achieved by providing an insole for a shoe or boot or sole of a shoe or boot, said insole or sole

comprising two or more skin stimulators, a battery, a wireless receiver and a controller coupled to the skin stimulators, to the battery and to the wireless receiver.

The use of skin stimulators in combination with a suggested control signal received by the wireless receiver allows for a new and improved way of assisting a user to learn to perform dance steps.

Preferably, the skin stimulators are placed at distinctive positions on the insole so as to allow a direction of movement for the foot concerned to be associated with the activation of a respective skin stimulator.

The skin stimulators can be placed to provide instructive information about the direction in which the user is to move the foot concerned.

One of the skin stimulators can be placed on the sole or insole at a position under the forefoot and having a forward foot movement associated therewith.

One of the skin stimulators can be placed on the sole or insole at a position that substantially corresponds to the ball of the foot and has a forward foot movement associated therewith.

One of the skin stimulators can be placed on the sole or insole at a position that substantially corresponds to the heel of the foot and has a rearward foot movement associated therewith.

Furthermore, two, three or more skin transducers per insole can be placed to provide higher granularity of the modules and enable higher directional precision of associated movements.

The skin stimulators can include skin electrodes. Alternatively, the skin stimulators can include vibrators. The insole for a shoe or boot or sole of a shoe or boot may further comprise foot movement detectors coupled to a wireless transmitter. The foot movement detectors can take the form of pressure sensors, which may be integral with the electrodes to form a transducer. These transducers may include pressure sensitive rubber, electrostrictive polymer or piezo-material integrated between metallic electrodes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic device for assisting people to learn dance moves .

This object is achieved by providing an electronic device comprising a music or media player and a wireless transmitter, at least one song and at least one profile containing control signals associated with dance steps for said song being stored in said electronic device, said electronic device being configured to transmit said control signals with said wireless transmitter whilst said at least one song is being played.

When the signals generated by this device are transmitted to a shoe including a receiver and skin stimulators, a user can be assisted in learning the steps.

Preferably, the device is configured to send said control signals in rhythm with the song being played, i.e. the control signals are musically synchronized with the song that they are associated with.

The device may comprise a wireless receiver, and the device can be configured to receive real time feedback information via the wireless receiver on dance steps performed by the user.

The device can be configured to analyze the feedback information and confirm dynamics and style of foot stepping (waling dancing profile) , timing of the movement, direction of performed movements etc.

The device can be configured to generate and send real time corrective control signals via said wireless transmitter in response to the analysis of the feedback information.

The device can be configured to record the received information of the dance steps performed by the user and said device is configured to generate control signals for assisting a user to repeat the recorded dance steps.

The profile may contain suggestive activation signals associated foot movements corresponding to dance moves

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for assisting people to learn dance moves.

This object is achieved by providing a method for assisting a user in performing a dance, said method comprising associating dance moves with a song,

generating suggestive activation signals associated with foot movements corresponding to dance the moves associated with said song, and applying said suggestive activation signals to the skin of the user.

The method may further comprise playing said song and generating said suggestive activation signals are generated in rhythm with said song.

In the method, the suggestive activation signals can be applied to a plurality of skin stimulators that are suitably placed on body parts of the user.

In the method, the suggestive activation signals may include information when and where user needs to move his feet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a software product for assisting people to learn dance moves.

This object is achieved by providing a software program product for use in an electronic apparatus that is provided with a music or media player, the software product comprising software code for generating suggestive activation signals for activating skin electrodes that are synchronized with the said music.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a profile for assisting people to learn dance moves.

This object is achieved by providing a profile associated with a song, said profile containing information for generating suggestive activation signals associated with

foot movements corresponding to dance moves in the rhythm with said song.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a low cognitive method for assisting a user to move through unknown areas in accordance with a GPS signal based navigation system.

This object is achieved by providing a method comprising providing stimuli corresponding to suggestive directional signals to the skin of the feet of the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide remote guidance when/where and how to move to an individual player in a group of players in a virtual game or virtual battle field.

This object is achieved by providing a method comprising remotely delivering stimuli corresponding to foot steps suggestions to the feet of the individual player from a command centre or table.

It is another object of the present invention to provide real time user foot step patterns for personal digital services such as security, health and wellness.

This object is achieved by providing a software program product for use in an electronic apparatus with navigation capacity, the software product comprising software code, and navigation maps for generating suggestive activation signals for activating skin electrodes for guiding a user definition where to move target in map of a city, forest, or other kind of landscape under exploration) .

Further objects, features, advantages and properties of the sole or insole, electronic device, method, software product and profile according to the invention will become apparent from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present description, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a combination of a pair of insoles including skin transducers according to an embodiment of the invention and an electronic device according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the general architecture of the apparatuses shown in figure 1, Figure 3 is an elevated view of the pair of shoe insoles shown in figure 1,

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of communicating dance movement instructions to a user according to an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 5 is a front view of a pair of insoles according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, the apparatus and the method according to the invention in the form of a pair of soles or insoles and in the form of a personal computer, PDA, mobile terminal, mobile communication terminal in the form of a cellular/mobile phone, gaming

platform (console) or a command table will be described by the preferred embodiments.

Fig. 1 illustrates in front view a first embodiment of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

The apparatus includes two modules (module I and module

II). Module I (external electronic device capable of reproducing music, receiving GPS signal, or remote guidance signal) includes: a mobile electronic device with a music player, GPS module, Compass, and a Bluetooth or other wireless transmitter.

Module II includes a pair of shoe soles or insoles 101,102.

The left sole is provided with a battery 115, a wireless receiver 127 and a controller 119 coupled to skin stimulators that are in this embodiment formed by skin transducers 131,133, a battery 115 and to a wireless receiver 127.

The right sole is provided with a battery 114, a wireless receiver 126 and a controller 118 coupled to the skin transducers 132,134, the battery 114 and to the wireless receiver 126.

The battery 114,115, the wireless receiver 126,127 and the controller 118,119 are embedded in the insoles 101,102, whilst the skin transducers 131, 132, 133, 134, are placed on the upper surface of the insoles 101,102.

The skin transducers 131,132 are placed in the area of the forefoot and suggest a forward movement to the user when they are activated. The skin simulators 133,134 are

placed in the area of the heel and suggest rearward movement to the user when they are activated.

The Operation principle of the system is simple and intuitive. Basic components are:

two or more of skin transducers placed on the sole or insole of a shoe or boot working synchronously with Module I. a wireless connection (short range BT, T-loop or

IR), a set of dancing moves associated with a song.

In the embodiment shown in figure 1 Module I is formed by a mobile phone 1 and Module II is formed by a pair of insoles 101,102 that are provided with skin electrodes

131,132,133,134. However, it is understood that any electronic device that includes a music player or media player and a wireless transmitter can be used instead of the mobile phone 1. Further, it is understood that any shoe-like item, such as a sock or bandage can be used as the carrier for the skin activators.

In an embodiment of the invention the mobile terminal is in the form of a mobile telephone. The mobile phone 1 comprises a user interface having a housing 2, a display 3, an on/off button (not shown) , a speaker 5 (only the opening is shown) , and a microphone 6 (not visible in Fig. 1) . The phone 1 according to the first preferred embodiment is adapted for communication via a cellular network, such as the GSM 900/1800 MHz network, but could just as well be adapted for use with a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a 3G network, or a TCP/IP-based network to cover a possible VoIP-network

(e.g. via WLAN, WIMAX or similar) or a mix of VoIP and Cellular such as UMA (Universal Mobile Access) .

In an embodiment of the invention the mobile terminal capable of perceiving GPS signal or remote guidance signal (phone with built-in GPS module, gaming console, command table, etc.).

The keypad 7 has a first group of keys 8 as alphanumeric keys, by means of which the user can enter a telephone number, write a text message (SMS) , write a name (associated with the phone number), etc. Each of the twelve alphanumeric keys 8 is provided with a figure "0-9" or a sign "#" or "*", respectively. In alpha mode each key is associated with a number of letters and special signs used in the text editing.

The keypad 2 has additionally a second group of keys comprising two softkeys 9, two call handling keys (offhook key 11 and onhook key 12), and a 5-way navigation key 10

(up, down, left, right and center: select/activate) . The function of the softkeys 9 depends on the state of the phone, and navigation in the menu is performed by using the navigation-key 10. The present function of the softkeys 9 is shown in separate fields (soft labels) in a dedicated area 4 of the display 3, just above the softkeys 9. The two call handling keys 11,12 are used for establishing a call or a conference call, terminating a call or rejecting an incoming call.

The navigation key 10 is a four- or five-way key which can be used for cursor movement, scrolling and selecting (five-way key) and is placed centrally on the front

surface of the phone between the display 3 and the group of alphanumeric keys 7.

A releasable rear cover (not shown) gives access to the SIM card (not shown) , and the battery pack (not shown) in the back of the phone that supplies electrical power for the electronic components of the mobile phone 1.

The mobile phone 1 has a flat display 3 that is typically made of an LCD with optional back lighting, such as a TFT matrix capable of displaying color images. A touch screen may be used instead of a conventional LCD display.

Fig. 2 illustrates in block diagram form the general ar- chitecture of the system. The mobile phone 1 includes a processor 18 that controls the operation of the terminal and has an integrated digital signal processor 17 and an integrated RAM 15. The processor 18 controls the communication with the cellular network via the transmit- ter/receiver circuit 19 and an internal antenna 20. A microphone 6 coupled to the processor 18 via voltage regulators 21 transforms the user's speech into analogue signals, the analogue signals formed thereby are A/D converted in an A/D converter (not shown) before the speech is encoded in the DSP 17 that is included in the processor 18. The encoded speech signal is transferred to the processor 18, which e.g. supports the GSM terminal software. The digital signal-processing unit 17 speech- decodes the signal, which is transferred from the processor 18 to the speaker 5 via a D/A converter (not shown) .

The voltage regulators 21 form the interface for the speaker 5, the microphone 6, the LED drivers 91 (for the

LEDS backlighting the keypad 7 and the display 3) , the SIM card 22, battery 24, the bottom connector 27, the DC jack 31 (for connecting to the charger 33) and the audio amplifier 32 that drives the (hands-free) loudspeaker 25.

The processor 18 also forms the interface for some of the peripheral units of the device, including a (Flash) ROM memory 16, the graphical display 3, the keypad 7, a Bluetooth transceiver 26, a music player 37, a music reproduction unit 38, a GPS receiver 66 and a compass 68.

Songs are stored in the RAM 15 or on a memory card (not shown) and can be played by the music player 37. The music reproduction unit 38 translates the songs into audio signals that are sent to the audio amplifier 32. Earphones 35, or external speakers (not shown) can be connected to be audio amplifier 32 via the bottom connector 27. Alternatively, the songs can be directly played on the internal loudspeaker 25.

Also stored in the RAM 15 or on a memory card are profiles that are associated with the respective songs. These profiles contain suggestive activation signals that correspond to dance movements or dance steps that are associated with a given song.

The left sole 101 includes a processor 119 that controls the operation of the device and has an integrated RAM 115 and ROM 116. The processor 119 is coupled to the electrodes 131 and 133, to a battery 125 and to a Bluetooth receiver 127.

The right sole 102 includes a processor 118 that controls the operation of the device and has an integrated RAM 115

and ROM 116. The processor 118 is coupled to the electrodes 132 and 134, to a battery 124 and to a Bluetooth receiver 126.

The system of the electronic device 1 and the insoles 101,102 is used to deliver tactile information to user foot skin synchronously with a music being played, GPS signal and navigational maps or in accordance with a remote guidance. The stimuli are sent to the foot skin by electrodes 131,132,133,134 integrated into the insole. Insoles are easy to manufacture and can be placed in any shoe/boot providing a dancing/guiding shoe/boot insole. A profile with desired dancing/guiding movement information can be: • Downloaded from the internet (dancing instruction profile, navigational GPS maps, etc.)

• Received via Wlan/WiFi/BTLee/BT

• Sent/received by MMS to/from another terminal

• Generated in the real time by the phone (initiated from surrounding music observed by phones microphone, processed by software at the phone)

• Received in real time from a FM/AM music station

As shown in figure 3, there are two transducers 131,132,133,134 placed on each insole 101,102 (two electrodes in left and two in right insole, see Fig 1) . The electrodes 131,132,133,134 are at upper and lower part of the insole providing possibility of stimulating front and back of the foot. Such a configuration allows that each leg can perceive directional information where/when to move (front or back). The structure of the transducers 131,132,133,134 provides tandem operation functionality. The transducers can operate both as sensor

and actuator. This is achieved by using flexible electro- strictive film or piezo-film/module integrated between metallic electrodes which when pressed provide a pressure related signal or if stimulated by external electric signal provide a suggestive activation signal to the skin. Except of stimuli the transducers 131,132,133,134 provide also pressure sensitivity and information on posture of the body and/or dancing-walking style. Such information is very important aspect of dancing in addition to the positions of the feet. This is done to compare the desired movement with the actual movement.

Furthermore, such information about sequence of steps and foot step pressure distribution while walking/dancing is in an embodiment utilized for different digital services relying on "user stepping profile" for health and wellness applications and/or low level security low cognitive effort services (opening a public door on basis of walking style recognition) .

The dancing and stimulating profile can be downloaded (internet/WiFi) pre-recorded or just generated from the audio surroundings. Also the stimulation profile can be received/sent by MMS from/to a friend ("Hi Thomas, do you know to dance this song"..?) or be directly integrated in song data.

For synchronized stimuli at the foot skin micro- electroshock signals are used (similar to muscular massage devices) . Stimulation by micro-electroshocks is a very power efficient solution, since the power is used to stimulate the muscles directly and not to move the feet physically. A coin like battery may operate for very long time in such solutions. When user stands on the insole

and presses the transducers 131,132,133,134, the system is capable of measuring pressure distribution and provide feedback information to the mobile phone 1 via the respective Bluetooth units 26,126,127 about the user posture and dynamical movements. This info is fed to the mobile phone 1 where it is used to monitor user dancing and compare it with a desired dancing profile. In accordance with the received feedback the mobile phone 1 processes the registered user movements and qualifies how the user is performing (evaluate quality of the user' s dancing) . In an embodiment, the mobile phone 1 sends corrective control signals back to the skin transducers 131,132,133,134 in response to a determined deviation between the desired and actual user movements.

The mobile phone is configured to receive, generate and analyze appropriate dancing profiles and to transmit the stimuli to the insoles. As mentioned, the profile can be generated in the real time by the phone (by using the microphone 6 as input and software in the phone 1 as processing module) . The profiles can be downloaded (the internet by BT/Wlan etc.) or received/sent by MMS or e- mail. The profile can be received from a FM/AM radio station etc., or just installed in the memory of the terminal. Further, the stimulation of the insoles 101,102 can be simply synchronized with music/tune the user is listening to. The functionality of the system is in this situation used to enhance musical rhythm and perception of such info on the user foot skin.

The system can operate in several modes:

Training/Teaching to dance

The stimuli signals are sent in advance (e.g. beforehand and slightly prior to the required user leg/foot movement) . For instance, if user is listening to the music and wants to follow by appropriate dance rhythm, the system sends stimuli in advance to the left/right leg and to the front/rear electrodes 131,132,133,134 in accordance which leg/foot, where (front/back) and when movements need to be made. The stimuli are sent slightly in advance of the moment at which the movement concerned needs to be performed, thereby providing suggestive guidance where/when to move the legs/feet in accordance with the desired dancing profile.

When used in teaching purpose, both teacher and students have the insoles 101,102 in their shoes. The first step is that the teacher records his movements and then shares

(send) them with the students (sending can be via MMS for instance) . Next, the students try to follow the movements suggested by the transducers in their shoes. The same can be carried out in real time. In all the cases the insoles

101,102 instruct the students. In anticipation of a movement by either leg to forward or rearward, the corresponding transducers deliver stimuli to the skin of the student's feet.

Recording improvisation

Experienced dancers have often the task to find out the right choreography for a certain music/song. They often approach the challenge by putting the music on and trying to improvise some movements. Many times they intuitively find out some nice movements, but are not fully able to record what and how they did move. The present system allows them to record what their movements were and

instructs them on how to repeat them. Thus, providing a tactile dance recorder function.

Music enhancement

The system according to the present invention can be alternatively used as music enhancement. Just when listening to the music the system can serve as music enhancement where the stimuli will follow the rhythm of the music (peaks) and bring more rich feeling of the music perceived to the user foot skin. The mobile phone 1 records the peaks in the music and translates these peaks into suggestive activation signals that are sent to the skin electrodes 131,132,133,134 on the insoles 101,102.

GPS tactile guide at foot insole

The system according to the present invention is in an embodiment used as silent GPS guide for a pedestrian aiming/searching/exploring an unknown city/area. Just when GPS driven instructions from the phone are delivered to the user foot skin he/she knows when and where to turn, e.g. next street to the left, next street to the right, forward etc.. The mobile phone 1 with built-in GPS receiver and compass provide adequate signals into suggestive activation signals that are sent to the skin electrodes 131,132,133,134 on the insoles 101,102. The phone needs to be carried on a standardized way for instance clamped to the user belt in a horizontal or in a vertical position to provide the phones compass to set the user reference coordinates. Such silent guidance requires very low cognitive effort and provide to the user free mind to enjoy walking in unknown city and

ending at pre-determined address. The same is valid for rural areas as forest, mountains, etc...

Remote tactile guidance at foot insole

The system according to the present invention is in an embodiment used as silent guide for a person or group of people in virtual/and real battle fields. Namely, the signals are send wirelessly form an external console or command table to synchronously guide movements of group of people and provide silent and directional guidance movement instructions delivered directly on the user foot skin.

Figure 4 shows a flowchart illustrating the basic operation of the present invention. In step 40 the user starts a song. In step 42 the controller 118 retrieves the activation profile that is associated with the song that was started by the user. In step 44 the controller sends activation signals via Bluetooth to the shoe soles 101,102. The activation signals are synchronized with the music playing on the mobile phone 1. In step 46 the Bluetooth receivers in the shoe soles 101,102 receive the activation signals. In step 48 the controllers 118 in the shoe soles activate the respective electrodes 131, 132, 133, 134 in accordance with the received activation signals. In step 49 the perspective skin electrodes or electrodes 131, 132, 133, 134 apply current to the skin of the feet of the user in accordance with the activation signals and then the process returns to step 44.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of invention in which two insoles 101,102 are each provided with four skin transducers 131,132,133,134,135,136,137,138. The number

of skin transducers per insole 101,102 can be extended from two to three, four or more for the purpose of higher granularity and precision of directional guidance.

The present invention can be applied in all situations where people are learning complex movements, dancing, listening to the music with skin enhancement, disco clubs, MP3 players, dancing schools, etc. Furthermore, applications may be extended towards GPS driven navigational movements for pedestrians and/or remote silent movement guidance from a console or command table for a single person or group of people (unit) .

According to an embodiment (not shown) other types of skin transducers than electrodes can be used. For example the skin transducers that are based on a vibrating principle can equally be used.

The profiles associated with songs are in an embodiment downloaded from the internet or received from another terminal via other channels, such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth.

The invention has numerous advantages. Different embodiments or implementations may yield one or more of the following advantages. It should be noted that this is not an exhaustive list and there may be other advantages which are not described herein. One advantage of the invention is that it allows for a novel concept of guidance for user body movements (dancing) by musically synchronized stimuli delivered to the user foot skin. Another advantage of the invention is that it provides for faster and more fun learning of complex movements

like dancing. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a device for beginners but also for professional dancers (depending on service selection in the electronic device) . Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for real time active feedback to user skin for appropriate corrections and/or confirmation of the quality of the movements being performed. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for hints and "feel" on next steps for movements to be performed. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for experienced dancers to do some recorded improvisation and then help them to remember what they actually did after they noticed that they made a nice piece of choreography. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for dynamic navigation in real space driven by music, GPS signal or remote guidance from a command table.

The term "comprising" as used in the claims does not exclude other elements or steps. The term "a" or "an" as used in the claims does not exclude a plurality. The single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims.

The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings

whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. Moreover, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon consideration of the present disclosure, may make modifications and/or improvements on the apparatus hereof and yet remain within the scope and spirit hereof as set forth in the following claims.