Vibrating footwear device and entertainment system for use therewith

• US 8,644,967 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haptech Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Brock Seiler
• Inventors: Seiler, Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Saunders, Jr., Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/141,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20090007458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,057 Days
• Field of Search: 381/301, 381/333, 381/388, 361/39, 700/94
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/50 with sound or music sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5015 using specific interfaces or standards, e.g. USB, serial, parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6081 generating an output signal, e.g. under timing constraints, for spatialization
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/023 Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like

Abstract

A footwear device for enhancing an entertainment experience in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a first actuator mounted in the footwear device and operable to impart a vibration to the footwear device based on an indication of reproduced sound included in the entertainment experience. A vibration signal is provided to drive the vibration of the footwear device and may be based on reproduced audible information and/or enhanced information optimized to maximize vibration. The present application also relates to an entertainment system for use with the vibrating footwear device.

Claims

1. A footwear device for enhancing an entertainment experience comprising:

a first actuator mounted in the footwear device and operable to impart a vibration to the footwear device, the vibration based on a vibration signal generated from a selected frequency range of reproduced sound included in the entertainment experience;

the vibration signal simulates vibrations that would be felt by a user through a resonating floor at a live event; and

the vibration signal is augmented to simulate different floor compositions.

2. The footwear device of claim 1 further comprising:

a control unit operable to receive the vibration signal associated with the reproduced sound and to provide control signals for driving the first actuator based on the vibration signal;

an amplifier operable to amplify the control signal provided to the first actuator; and

a power supply connected to the control unit and the amplifier to provide power.

3. The footwear device of claim 2, wherein the first actuator is attached to the footwear device at a first position.

4. The footwear device of claim 3, further comprising a wireless receiver device operable to receive the vibration signal and provide it to the control unit.

5. The footwear device of claim 3, further comprising:

a second actuator attached to the footwear device at a second position different than the first position; and

a second amplifier operable to amplify control signals provided to the second actuator.

6. The footwear device of claim 5, wherein the first actuator, second actuator, power supply and amplifier are mounted in a removable insert configured for removable mounting in or on the footwear device.

7. The footwear device of claim 3, further comprising an input portal connected to the control unit to convey information for the actuator.

8. The footwear device of claim 7, wherein the vibration signal is received via the input portal.

9. The footwear device of claim 7, wherein the information for the actuator that is received by the input portal is enhanced vibration information configured to optimize the entertainment experience.

10. The footwear device of claim 9, wherein the enhanced vibration information is provided from a digital data source.

11. The footwear device of claim 10, wherein the digital data source is a computer readable medium storing data downloaded from any electronic device.

12. The footwear device of claim 1, further comprising a micro digital player device connected thereto, the micro digital player device operable to store the vibration signal.

13. The footwear device of claim 12, wherein the micro digital player device further comprises a wireless receiver device operable to receive instruction signals from a remote control unit to instruct operation of the micro digital player device to provide the vibration signal to the footwear device.