Vibrating footwear device and entertainment system for use therewith
First Claim
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1. An entertainment system comprising:
- a portable player operable to reproduce at least audible information for an entertainment experience;
a controller connected to the portable player and operable to provide an audible signal based on the reproduced audible information from the portable player and to generate a vibration signal based on a selected frequency band of the audible signal;
an audible reproduction device operable to receive the audible signal from the controller and to reproduce the audible information to the user in stereo, wherein the reproduced audible information includes a left audible track and a right audible track; and
first and second footwear devices connected to the controller and operable to vibrate based on the vibration signal to enhance the entertainment experience, wherein the vibration signal includes a left vibration signal based on the left audible track and a right vibration signal based on the right audible track, the left vibration signal being provided to the first footwear device and the right vibration signal being provided to the second footwear device,wherein one or more of the portable player, controller, audible reproduction device, and footwear device are connected using a radiofrequency-based wireless communication system, andwherein the first and second footwear devices are further operable to vibrate based on enhanced information that is different from the audible information and is generated to simulate ground vibrations that would be present at a live event.
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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.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An entertainment system comprising:
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a portable player operable to reproduce at least audible information for an entertainment experience; a controller connected to the portable player and operable to provide an audible signal based on the reproduced audible information from the portable player and to generate a vibration signal based on a selected frequency band of the audible signal; an audible reproduction device operable to receive the audible signal from the controller and to reproduce the audible information to the user in stereo, wherein the reproduced audible information includes a left audible track and a right audible track; and first and second footwear devices connected to the controller and operable to vibrate based on the vibration signal to enhance the entertainment experience, wherein the vibration signal includes a left vibration signal based on the left audible track and a right vibration signal based on the right audible track, the left vibration signal being provided to the first footwear device and the right vibration signal being provided to the second footwear device, wherein one or more of the portable player, controller, audible reproduction device, and footwear device are connected using a radiofrequency-based wireless communication system, and wherein the first and second footwear devices are further operable to vibrate based on enhanced information that is different from the audible information and is generated to simulate ground vibrations that would be present at a live event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A footwear device for enhancing an entertainment experience comprising:
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an 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 band of reproduced sound included in the entertainment experience, a control unit operable to receive the vibration signal associated with the reproduced sound and to provide control signals for driving the actuator based on the vibration signal; an amplifier operable to amplify the control signals provided to the actuator; a power supply connected to the control unit, the actuator, and the amplifier to provide power; a wireless radiofrequency receiver device operable to receive the reproduced sound or vibration signal and provide it to the control unit; and an input portal connected to the control unit to convey information for the actuator, wherein the information for the actuator is received by the input portal from a digital data source, wherein the vibration imparted by the actuator is further based on enhanced information that is different from the reproduced sound and is generated to simulate ground vibrations that would be present at a live event. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A footwear device for enhancing an entertainment experience, comprising:
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at least one 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 band of reproduced sound included in the entertainment experience, wherein the vibration is further based on enhanced information that is different from the reproduced sound and is generated to simulate ground vibrations that would be present at a live event. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A system for enhancing sensory perception of an entertainment experience, comprising:
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an audible reproduction device operable to reproduce audible information associated with the entertainment experience; at least one vibration device operable to impart vibrations associated with the entertainment experience, the vibrations including tactile vibrations simulating force feedback that would resonate through the ground in association with the entertainment experience; and a processor communicatively coupled to the audible reproduction device and the at least one vibration device, the processor being configured to simultaneously deliver (1) the reproduced audible information to the ears of a user and (2) the vibrations to the feet of the user, to produce a perception in the brain of the user of being present at a live event. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification