U.S. patent application number 10/306740 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-03 for illuminated footwear.
Invention is credited to Linge, Julie E..
Application Number | 20040103563 10/306740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32392480 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040103563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Linge, Julie E. |
June 3, 2004 |
Illuminated footwear
Abstract
Footwear having a sole and an upper foot portion arranged for
connection to the sole. An electrical lighting arrangement for the
footwear includes an electrically operable light attached to the
footwear, a self-contained power source for the light and an
electric circuit connecting the power source to the light. The
circuit including a means for activating the light source. The
circuit is sound activated for initially activating the light and
the light is deactivated after a determined period of time and
remains on when the circuit senses motion.
Inventors: |
Linge, Julie E.; (Winnipeg,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADE & COMPANY
1700-360 MAIN STREET
WINNIPEG
MB
R3C3Z3
CA
|
Family ID: |
32392480 |
Appl. No.: |
10/306740 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/36 20220101; A43B
3/34 20220101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/137 |
International
Class: |
A43B 023/00 |
Claims
1. Footwear comprises: a sole; an upper foot portion arranged for
connection to the sole; an electrically operable light attached to
the footwear; a self-contained power source for the light, and; an
electric circuit connecting the power source to the light; the
circuit including a means for activating the light source.
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the circuit has a sound
activation system arranged to activate the light.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the circuit has a motion
sensor arranged to activate the light.
4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the upper foot portion
has a lighting arrangement which is activated by the circuit such
that an interchangeable symbol is light up.
5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the circuit is arranged
to receive a clap signal to activate the light.
6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the circuit is sound
activated for initially activating the light and the light is
deactivated after a determined period of time and remains on when
the circuit senses motion.
7. The device according to claim 1 wherein a light sensor is
arranged to deactivate the circuit during use in lighted
situations.
8. The device according to claim 1 wherein a battery is enclosed
within the sole.
9. The device according to claim 8 wherein a closable opening
provides access to the battery for replacement thereof.
10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the circuit is embedded
in the sole.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/333,481, filed Nov. 28, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to illuminated footwear.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Footwear such as slippers are often placed bedside ready to
be put on upon rising. Often times, a person finds themselves
having to get up during the night in order to attend the bathroom
and such. The frequency of the activity is higher with the very
young and elderly. A risk involved with getting up at night time is
the lack of visibility due to darkness which could lead to
accidental tripping or bumping into objects.
[0004] Some examples of footwear or toys is disclosed in US
Patents:
1 5,267,886 (Wood et al) 4,479,329 (Fraden) 4,464,861 (Fogarty et
al) 3,808,418 (Conard et al) 4,245,430 (Hoyt) 5,465,197 (Chien)
5,821,858 (Stone) 5,546,681 (Goldston et al) 3,800,133 (Duval)
4,020,572 (Chiaramonte) 4,324,054 (Rovinsky)
SUMMARY
[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention there is
provided footwear having a sole and an upper foot portion arranged
for connection to the sole. An electrical lighting arrangement for
the footwear includes;
[0006] an electrically operable light attached to the footwear;
[0007] a self-contained power source for the light, and;
[0008] an electric circuit connecting the power source to the
light;
[0009] the circuit including a means for activating the light
source.
[0010] Preferably the circuit has a sound activation system
arranged to activate the light.
[0011] Preferably the circuit has a motion sensor arranged to
activate the light.
[0012] Conveniently the upper foot portion has a lighting
arrangement which is activated by the circuit such that an
interchangeable symbol is light up.
[0013] Preferably the circuit is arranged to receive a clap signal
to activate the light.
[0014] Preferably the circuit is sound activated for initially
activating the light and the light is deactivated after a
determined period of time and remains on when the circuit senses
motion.
[0015] Conveniently a light sensor is arranged to deactivate the
circuit during use in lighted situations.
[0016] Preferably a battery is enclosed within the sole.
[0017] Conveniently a closable opening provides access to the
battery for replacement thereof.
[0018] Preferably the circuit is embedded in the sole.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is provided a slipper having a sole and an upper, and characterised
by an electrically operable light attached to the slipper, a
self-contained power source for the light and an electric circuit
connecting the power source to the light, the circuit including a
pressure-responsive switch in the sole of the slipper.
[0020] When worn, the pressure of the wearer's foot activates the
pressure-responsive switch and turns on the light, allowing the
wearer to see the way to the chosen destination.
[0021] It is preferred that the circuit includes a time delay to
keep the light on for a period after the pressure switch is opened.
This limits flickering on and off of the light with each step of
the wearer.
[0022] It is further preferred to include either a manual on/off
switch or a photoelectric override in the circuit to prevent
operation in lighted conditions, e.g. during the day or when the
room lighting is turned on. This extends the life of the
self-contained power source, e.g. a battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention:
[0024] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the sole.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of FIG. 4.
[0029] FIG. 5A is an isometric view of a slipper according a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5B is an asectional view of the sole showing the layout
of the embedded components of the second embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 5C is a circuit diagram of the second embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a list of components.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the sensors, components
and output devices utilised to implement the functions of the
footwear.
[0034] FIG. 7A is a block diagram showing an alternate arrangement
of the sensors, components and output devices utilised to implement
the functions of the footwear.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a program flow chart.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a 3D plot showing the variations in sound.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a contour plot showing the variations in
sound.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a frequency plot.
[0039] FIG. 12 is a slice plot.
[0040] FIG. 13 is a computer program print out showing the "on"
function.
[0041] FIG. 14 is a electronic component diagram showing the
electronic system.
[0042] Appendix A is a computer program printout.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated
footwear 1 which has a lighting arrangement 3. The footwear has a
sole 5 and a foot receiving portion 7, commonly known as a slipper
or indoor shoe. The lighting arrangement is arranged to provide a
wearer with a light source during the night. The lighting
arrangement has a battery 9 positioned with a battery enclosure 11
fabricated into the sole of the shoe. The battery can be replaced
by removing a removable sole portion 13 at a heel 15 of the sole. A
circuit board 17 is located within an enclosure 19 fabricated in
the sole and is connected to the battery. The circuit board is
arranged to receive signals from a light sensor 21, a microphone 23
and a motion sensor 25 and is arranged to provide a power source to
a front light 27 and an alternative novelty light 29.
[0044] The microphone is located in the toe of the sole. The
microphone is arranged to receive an initial signal such as a
clapping sound or the like from a wearer which activates the
lights. The sound activation provides the wearer with a means to
located the shoe as well as initial lighting of the surrounding
area. Upon receiving the clapping signal the front mounted light is
activated and remains activated for approximately three seconds for
allowing the user to locate the slippers. Once the wearer puts on
the slippers and begins motion, the motion sensor, located within
the heel of the sole, detects motion signalling the circuit board
to maintain power to the light source. The microphone used in the
clap sensor is a common crystal microphone with an integrated fet
amplifier. The center frequency of a clap signal has been found to
be centred at approximately 1600 Hz. The microphone input is
buffered to eliminate any loading problems and a bandpass filter is
included. The hi-pass cut of frequency is approximately 1 kHz and
the low pass cut off frequency is approximately 2.2 kHz. This
results in an active bandpass of approximately 1.2 kHz centred at
approximately 1600 Hz. Sensitivity of the clap signal is
approximately 10-15 feet on the microcontroller receiving a clap
signal the front light is activated for approximately three seconds
then deactivated and is used to indicate the location of the
slipper if not in the immediate vicinity of the wearer. This
arrangement works adequately and resulted in the necessary
selectivity of the "clap" signal while rejecting signals below 1
kHz and most signals above 2.2 kHz. The output of the last buffer
acted as one input to a 2 input Nand Gate (Schmitt Trigger). The
other input taken to a logic "high" resulted in the output of the
Nand gate going low each time a "clap" signal was received at the
microphone. The microcontroller monitored the output of the nand
gate (pin 7-PIC12C509A) for an active low which indicated to the
microcontroller that a "clap" audio signal has been received. Gains
of 181 (U2) and 202 (U3) in conjunction with the Schmitt trigger
nand gate inputs guaranteed that the "clap" signal results in an
adequate "low" logic signal at the output of the nand gate
resulting in reliable "clap" signal recognition. Sensitivity of the
"clap" signal is approximately 10-15 ft and is more than adequate
for most applications. On the microcontroller receiving a "clap"
signal, the front mounted LED (Fled) is activated for approximately
3 seconds then deactivated and is used to indicate the located of
the slipper if not in the immediate vicinity of the user.
[0045] The motion detection is performed by a piezoelectric element
which generates a voltage signal each time the slippers experience
acceleration. The piezo element output is coupled to a buffer
through a 1 uF capacitor then is followed by a hi-pass filter with
an op-amp gain of approximately 28. This high gain in conjunction
with the hi-pass response is a reliable movement recognition. The
output of the non-inverting gain stage (U6) again acted as one of
the inputs to a 2-I/P Nand gate which resulted in a low logic
signal being passed to pin 6 of the microcontroller each time the
slipper experienced an acceleration.
[0046] The light sensor is located beside the microphone in the toe
of the sole. The light sensor detects nominal levels of sunlight or
overhead lighting which deactivates the lighting arrangement of the
slipper during daytime or lighted situations. A light dependant
resistor connected as the lower resistor in a voltage divider
network served as the light sensor for the slippers. Nominal levels
of sunlight or overhead lighting resulted in the ldr's resistance
increasing to a level which resulted in a logic "high" across the
ldr. The output of the ldr acts as the input to 2 nand gate
inverters which pass a logic "high" signal to pin 4 of the
microcontroller each time the light intensity is at a nominal
level. When the microcontroller senses a logic "high" on pin 4
inhibition of all slipper action will immediately take place
(Fled=off, logo leds=off) as the slipper are being used during the
daytime or an overhead light has been activated.
[0047] Alternatively the same arrangement included with the
footwear or slipper may be incorporated into an plush toy or
doll.
[0048] Referring to the accompanying drawings, and especially to
FIG. 5A, there is illustrated a slipper 10A. This has a sole 12A
and an upper 14A of generally conventional format. At the toe of
the sole 12A is a transparent or translucent section 16A for the
emission of light generated by a lighting system incorporated into
the slipper.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the lighting system includes a
bank of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 18A at the toe of the slipper.
The sole also accommodates an electric battery 20A and control
circuit 22A and an on/off switch 24A. The slipper includes a
pressure switch 26A that is incorporated in the toe end of the
slipper at a position to be compressed to a closed position by the
ball of the foot of a wearer. A photo-diode 28A at the toe of the
slipper is actuated by ambient light levels above a predetermined
minimum. The sole also includes a microphone 30A.
[0050] An electrical schematic is illustrated in FIG. 5C. As shown,
the various components of the lighting system are connected to the
control circuit 22A. The control circuit includes a time delay
actuated by the pressure switch 26A to close and remain closed for
a selected period after the pressure switch 26A has been closed.
This time delay closes the circuit to the LEDs 18A and minimises
any flickering of the LEDs 18A as the wearer is walking. The manual
switch 24A is in the illustrated embodiment a pushbutton override
switch that turns off the system. The photoelectric switch also
opens the LED circuit in high ambient light conditions. The control
circuit includes a sound chip responsive to detection of a sharp
sound by the microphone 30A to initiate operation of a flasher for
flashing the LEDs for a short time so that the slippers can be
located in the dark.
[0051] In addition to beaming an interchangeable image onto a wall
or other solid surface in dim/dark lighting conditions, this device
is embedded in the footwear and enables the footwear to communicate
audibly via a voice chip (coupled to the microcontroller via an
output bus) with other footwear of the same make and model within a
range of several feet by sending a signal and causing other nearby
footwear to perform a desired verbal response. The other footwear
is capable of responding to either the initiator footwear or to yet
another pair of slippers/runners/etc., and to recognise the gender
of the wearer and to interface appropriately.
[0052] The mechanism that controls the audio sequences is housed in
the footwear enabling it to transmit and receive wireless signals
between other footwear. The information will be transferred via
infrared (IR) signals. An IR emitting driver produces a signal
which is received by an IR detector from similar nearby
footwear.
[0053] A microcontroller unit receives and processes the
information by creating a signal that enables the IR emitter to
send a message from footwear A to footwear B. the microcontroller
of footwear B receives the activation signal, interprets the signal
from footwear A and responds appropriately with a pre-recorded
phrase. It must recognise the signal as either an initiating signal
or an audio response-inducing signal. It determines the selection
of appropriate responses based on the gender of footwear A and
causes an interactive audio sequence to be performed. Footwear A
remains in a holding loop, waiting for the response from footwear
B. it then responds with a pre-set number of responses until the
end of the interaction.
[0054] While one embodiment of the present invention has been
described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other
embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The
invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *