Light and sound producing system

• US 20060104047A1
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BBC International LLC
• Original Assignee: BBC International Limited (BBC International LLC)
• Inventors: Guzman, Rudy
• Granted Patent: US 7,178,929 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/103
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 11/00 Footwear with arrangements to facilitate putting-on or removing, e.g. with straps
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/50 with sound or music sources

Abstract

A system for producing sound and light includes a shoe or other article of footwear having multiple sources of light and at least one loudspeaker, and a unit located remotely from the shoe which is operative to transmit an RF signal to a receiver within the shoe causing the loudspeaker to sound.

Claims

1. A system for producing a light and sound, comprising:

a unit having a first electrical circuit including;

(i) a first switch;

(ii) a transmitter coupled to said first switch, said transmitter being effective to emit an RF signal in response to operation of said first switch;

an article of footwear;

a second electrical circuit mounted to said article of footwear, including;

(i) at least one light source;

(ii) a first integrated circuit coupled to said at least one light source;

(iii) a second switch coupled to said first integrated circuit, said first integrated circuit being effective to illuminate said at least one light source in response to operation of said second switch;

(iv) a loudspeaker;

(v) a second integrated circuit coupled to said loudspeaker;

(vi) a receiver operative to receive said RF signal from said transmitter and then cause said second integrated circuit to sound said loudspeaker.

2. The system of claim 1 in which said first switch is a reed switch capable of moving to a closed position in response to exposure to a magnetic field.

3. The system of claim 2 in which said unit is a first wrist band, said system further including a second wrist band which mounts a permanent magnet, said second wrist band being movable into sufficient proximity to said first wrist band so that the magnetic field of said permanent magnet causes said reed switch to move to the closed position.

4. The system of claim 3 in which said movement of said reed switch to said closed position causes said transmitter to emit an RF signal.

5. The system of claim 1 in which said second switch is an inertia switch.

6. The system of claim 1 in which said unit is an article intended to be worn by a user.

7. A system for producing light and sound, comprising:

a first unit;

a second unit having a first electrical circuit including;

(i) a first switch, said first unit being effective to move said first switch to a closed position;

(ii) a transmitter coupled to said first switch, said transmitter being effective to emit an RF signal in response to movement of said first switch to the closed position;

an article of footwear;

a second electrical circuit mounted to said article of footwear, including;

(i) at least one light source;

(ii) a first integrated circuit coupled to said at least one light source;

(iii) a second switch coupled to said first integrated circuit, said first integrated circuit being effective to illuminate said at least one light source in response to operation of said second switch;

(iv) a loudspeaker;

(v) a second integrated circuit coupled to said loudspeaker;

(vi) a receiver operative to receive said RF signal from said transmitter and then cause said second integrated circuit to sound said loudspeaker.

8. The system of claim 7 in which said first unit includes a permanent magnet.

9. The system of claim 8 in which said first unit is separate from said second unit and said first switch is movable to said closed position in response to exposure to a magnetic field, said permanent magnet of said first unit being positionable in sufficient proximity to said first switch to cause the magnetic field thereof to move said first switch to the closed position.

10. The system of claim 9 in which said first switch is a reed switch.

11. The system of claim 7 in which said second switch is an inertia switch.

12. The system of claim 7 in which at least one of said first and second units is adapted to be worn by a user.