WO2017031296A1

WO2017031296A1 - Method and shoe for facilitating learning for children and for adults recovering from strokes, head injuries and other head trauma

Info

Publication number: WO2017031296A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/047519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Rash; Aaron RASH; Stephen RASH
Original assignee: Mark Rash; Rash Aaron; Rash Stephen
Priority date: 2015-08-18
Filing date: 2016-08-18
Publication date: 2017-02-23

Abstract

The present invention includes a method for teaching shoe tying, as well as a shoe for facilitating the method. The invention is applied for children's shoes and for adults' shoes, and with respect to adults, is therapeutic in re-teaching stroke and head trauma victims how to tie their shoes. The shoe comprises a voice chip, a voice chip activator, and a voice chip speaker wherein the voice chip is recordable, and can be pre-recorded or can be recordable by a family member, teacher, nurse, physical therapist, or other helper, providing instructions on tying the shoe. The voice chip, activator and speaker are in communication. In one embodiment, the voice chip is removable and replaceable.

Description

METHOD AND SHOE FOR FACILITATING LEARNING FOR CHILDREN

AND FOR ADULTS RECOVERING FROM STROKES, HEAD INJURIES

AND OTHER HEAD TRAUMA

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority from United States

Provisional Patent Application No. 62/206,520, filed August 18, 2015, pending, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention:

[0002] The present invention relates to methods for instructing persons on tying lace- up shoes and also relates to shoes or similar footwear incorporating a sound device therein. Description of Relevant Art:

[0003] Footwear having various devices providing capability of emitting noises and/or similar sounds are known. Early such devices were mechanical, and were followed later by devices that generated noises electronically. Some more recent known footwear have included electronic circuitry for purposes other than to simply emit and/or amplify noises. Shoes having weight bearing sensing and warning systems have been reported, for example.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 6,808,462, issued Oct. 26, 2004 to Snyder et al., teaches a training shoe for soccer. The shoe includes a pressure-responsive sensor mounted at a selected location such as at the instep or along the laces at the top of the shoe such that when a soccer ball is kicked with the shoe, the sensor provides an electrical signal to a microprocessor, causing selection logic in the microprocessor to choose one of several control words. The selected control word is provided to a voice playback circuit to select one of several digital data sets where each set corresponds to a different sound. The shoe is considered a tool in assisting the wearer in becoming a better kicker.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 4,771,556, issued September 20, 1988 to Kim, teaches a musical shoe that emits a melody in the event that the shoe is about to slip from the wearer's foot due to loosening of a sticking band that is provided to secure the shoe to the foot.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 5,765,300, issued June 16, 1998 to Kianka, teaches a shoe activated sound synthesizer device that enables movement of a shoe to be translated into audible sounds. When multiple trigger elements are included within the shoe, the shoe is said to be able to be used as part of an electronic instrument, wherein the controlled movement of the shoe produces selected rhythms, notes or sounds.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 7,246,455, issued July 24, 2007 to Covington, provides a shoe for children that enables children to put shoes on the correct feet by matching up the shoe big toe to big toe or heel to heel before putting on the shoe. The shoe essentially comprises an engaging portion on the outside of the shoe with a pressure activated switch that emits a light when the switch is pressed. The shoe also has a circuit connected to a switch, a battery, a speaker, and a microprocessor comprising a memory that enables an announcement or other distinctive sounds to be emitted from the speaker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention includes a method for teaching shoe tying, as well as a shoe for facilitating the method. The invention can be adapted to teaching other things, as well as a means for communicating with others, facilitating reminders to oneself or others, and the like. The invention can also be adapted for playing music, jingles, or games, in addition to serving its basic function of teaching shoe tying.

[0009] The shoe of the invention comprises a voice chip, an activator for the voice chip, and a speaker for projecting sound from the recording on the voice chip, wherein the voice chip is recordable, and in one embodiment re-recordable, with instructions, information, or a message. The voice chip, activator and speaker are in communication. In one embodiment, the voice chip is powered by a battery, which in one embodiment is rechargeable. In one embodiment, the voice chip is removable and replaceable. In another embodiment, the voice chip, activator and speaker are all comprised on a single apparatus which in turn is positioned on and attached to or affixed in a shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a shoe of the invention having a voice chip, activation component, and speaker positioned together on the rear of the shoe.

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shoe of the invention having a voice chip, activation component, and speaker positioned together on the top of the tongue of the shoe.

[0012] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a shoe of the invention having a voice chip, activation component, and speaker positioned separately in various places on the shoe.

[0013] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a shoe of the invention having a voice chip, activation component, and speaker positioned separately in various places on the shoe.

[0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a shoe of the invention having a voice chip, activation component, and speaker positioned separately in various places on the shoe.

[0015] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a shoe of the invention having a voice chip, activation component, and speaker positioned separately in various places on the shoe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The present invention provides a method for teaching shoe tying, as well as a shoe for facilitating the method. According to the invention, a voice chip is built into a shoe or attached to a shoe already made. Any lace-up shoe, or shoe requiring tying of laces, can be adapted for use in the invention. A sports shoe or general sneaker type shoe is shown in the Figures 1 through 6 for nonlimiting example. The voice chip has associated with it a voice chip activation component, which also can be built into the shoe or attached to the shoe already made, for turning on the voice chip for listening, and optionally at least with some chips, for rerecording information on the chip. Additionally, the voice chip has associated with it a speaker so that the voice recorded on the chip can be readily heard when the voice chip is activated. The voice chip can optionally be re-recordable.

[0017] The voice chip 18, activator 16, and speaker 14 can be positioned together in or on the shoe 10A and 10B, as shown for example in Figures 1 and 2, or can be positioned at different places in or on the shoe 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D, as shown for example in Figures 3 through 6. Non-limiting example positioning of these components is shown in these attached Figures. That is, for non-limiting example, the voice chip 18 can be positioned on the tongue of the shoe 20B, as shown in Figure 4, with the activation component or activator 16 on a side of the shoe 20B and the speaker 14 on the heel of the shoe, or at the top of the shoe as shown in Figure 4, or on a side of the shoe. The voice chip 18 can alternatively be positioned in the heel of the shoe, on a side of the shoe, or in the toe of the shoe. The voice chip 18 can further alternatively be positioned in the sole of the shoe, as shown for example in Figures 3 and 5. The speaker 14 and activation component or activator 16 can be positioned in these positions as well, either along side or otherwise with the chip 18, as shown for example in Figures 1 and 2, or in different positions from the chip 18, as shown for example in Figures 3 through 6. The speaker 14 and/or activator 16 can even be combined together in the same apparatus as the voice chip 18, as shown for example in Figure 2.

[0018] The voice chip 18 in one embodiment is removable for replacement or recharging of its battery if applicable. The voice chip 18 is also removable for recording or re-recording in one embodiment or can be fixed in the shoe with stitching or glue or other adhesive. When removable, the voice chip 18 can be held in place in the shoe via a pocket for containing the chip and/or with a hoop and loop type holder such as Velcro fasteners or with one or more snaps or buttons or ties. If separate from the voice chip or voice chip containing apparatus, the speaker 12 and activator 16 can be sewn in the shoe, that is held in place with stitching, and/or can be held in place with a glue or other adhesive, or even a hoop and loop type holder although removal of the speaker and activator is not contemplated or is not contemplated apart from removal of the voice chip.

[0019] It is contemplated that in one embodiment, the invention is applied in or for a children's shoe to teach children to tie their shoes, or anything else that can be learned or taught from a voice recording that can be made on the voice chip of the invention. An example children's jingle that can be recorded on the chip follows:

"Hi, I'm your Shoe Buddy. Want to tie your shoes? Okay. Take the blue string and tie a loop. Now take the yellow string and make a swoosh. Pull the yellow string tight with all your might. Yay! You tied your shoes!"

[0020] In one embodiment, the voice chip is re-recordable so that once the child has learned to tie his or her shoes, the parent or teacher can re-record the instructions with other information.

[0021] In another embodiment, the invention is applied in or for an adult's shoe, to teach the adult to tie his or her shoes, or anything else that can be learned or taught from a voice recording that can be made on the voice chip of the invention. The shoe-tying example is believed particularly needed for stroke and head trauma victims as the need to re-learn basic skills such as shoe tying is common or typical for such victims. The recording can be pre-recorded or can be recordable by a family member, teacher, nurse, physical therapist, or other helper.

[0022] In another embodiment, the voice chip is recordable and re-recordable at will by the wearer, to remind the wearer of things to do that day, for example.

[0023] In another embodiment, the voice chip contains music or games that can be played through oral instruction or guidance as can be provided by the chip. Such additional features can be in addition to instructions for tying the shoe.

[0024] The invention can be used in or with one shoe of a pair of shoes or can be used in or with both shoes of a pair of shoes. In one embodiment, if used in both shoes of a pair of shoes, and particularly that is if both shoes have a voice chip, the chips are coordinated so that they do not operate in conflict with one another, but can operate in tandem or in the alternative, or even in coordination or cooperation with one another. In its simplest form, the invention is used in one shoe of a pair of shoes for teaching how to tie shoes, as illustrated in the attached Figures 1 through 6.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the method of the invention, a voice chip, voice chip activator, and a speaker for the voice chip are provided in a shoe. The voice chip has prerecorded thereon instructions for tying a shoe or a recording can be made on the chip. In the method, the chip is activated and the recording is played through the speaker so that a user receives instructions on how to tie the shoe. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the chip can be re-recorded with any other vocal information, instructions, or message.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the shoe of the invention, a shoe is provided comprising a voice chip, a speaker associated with the voice chip, and an activator associated with the voice chip. The voice chip is pre-recorded or can be recorded or re-recorded with instructions on tying the shoe or with other vocal information, instructions, or message. The voice chip can be permanently affixed to the shoe, such as sewn or glued into the shoe, or the voice chip can be removable and removably affixed to the shoe. Pockets and hoop and loop attachers such as Velcro fasteners can be used to removably affix the voice chip to the shoe. The speaker and activator can also be removably affixed to the shoe, but in most embodiments it is contemplated that the speaker and activator will be permanently affixed to the shoe.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the shoe of the invention, the shoe has an apparatus which comprises a voice chip, a voice chip activator, and a speaker for the voice chip. The apparatus is permanently affixed to the shoe or is removably affixed to the shoe.

[0028] The invention is further described in the attached Figures, as well as in the following claims, which are not intended to be limiting. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above, and each and every claim below, and its equivalents, are incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] The foregoing description of the invention is thus intended to be a description of preferred embodiments. Various changes in the details of the described method can be made without departing from the intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe comprising at least one voice chip, at least one voice chip activator, and at least one voice chip speaker wherein the voice chip is recordable with instructions, information, or a message.

2. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the voice chip is re-recordable.

3. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the instructions are how to tie the shoe and the shoe comprises laces to be tied.

4. The shoe of claim 3 wherein the voice chip is positioned in the tongue of the shoe.

5. The shoe of claim 4 wherein the voice chip is positioned in a pocket in the tongue of the shoe.

6. The shoe of claim 3 wherein the voice chip is held in place with a hoop and loop attachment to the tongue of the shoe.

7. The shoe of claim 4 wherein the speaker and the activator are each positioned on a side of the shoe, the toe of the shoe or the heel of the shoe.

8. The shoe of claim 4 wherein the speaker and the activator are each positioned in the sole of the shoe.

9. The shoe of claim 3 wherein the voice chip is positioned on a side of the shoe, toe of the shoe or the heel of the shoe or in the sole of the shoe.

10. The shoe of claim 9 wherein the speaker and the activator are each positioned on the tongue, the side, the toe, or the heel of the shoe, or in the sole of the shoe.

11. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the voice chip, voice chip activator, and the voice chip speaker are all positioned on or comprised in one apparatus and the apparatus is positioned on the tongue, side, toe or heel of the shoe.

12. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the shoe is one of a pair of shoes and both shoes comprise a voice chip, a voice chip activator, and a voice chip speaker, wherein each voice chip is recordable with instructions, information, or a message, and wherein the voice chips are coordinated one with the other.

13. A method for teaching how to tie shoes or for learning how to tie shoes, comprising:

providing or obtaining a shoe wherein the shoe comprises at least one voice chip, at least one voice chip activator, and at least one voice chip speaker, and wherein the voice chip contains instructions on how to tie the shoe;

activating the voice chip for playing of the instructions on how to tie the shoe; following the instructions using the shoe.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the shoe is a children's shoe.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the shoe is an adult's shoe.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the shoe is used in therapy for an adult recovering from a stroke or head trauma.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the voice chip is recordable and/or re-recordable.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the voice chip is removable from the shoe.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the voice chip additionally includes music and/or games.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein only one shoe of a pair of shoes contains the voice chip, voice chip activator and voice chip speaker.