Footwear with GPS

Abstract

The invention discloses a locator unit contained within footwear providing a method for GPS position determination and transmission of said location determination data to a central monitoring station which disseminates the data through the use of proprietary software, wireless communications, land based wire systems and the Internet.

1. Footwear in combination with location determination means comprising;
 a) footwear having a sole with a midsole;  
 b) receiving means for receiving broadcasted location determination signals transmitted by a Global Positioning System and for receiving a transmission from a central station;  
 c) means for computationally processing location determinations signals;  
 d) transmission means for bradcasting  broadcasting the results of said computational processing; and  
 e) a socket formed in said midsole for receiving a module containing said receiving means, processing means and transmission means, said module slidable in and out of said midsole so that said module has an outer surface forming part of the sole of said footwear when inserted into said socket, and clips on an outside or said footwear adjacent said socket to prevent said module from coming out of said socket when said footwear is in use.  
 
     
     
       2. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said transmission means is wireless. 
     
     
       3. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless transmission is intended for receipt by a central station. 
     
     
       4. The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said wireless transmission uses cellular technology to transmit said transmission to said central station. 
     
     
       5. The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said wireless transmission uses satellite technology to transmit said transmission to said central station. 
     
     
       6. The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said wireless transmission uses radio waves to transmit said transmission to said central station. 
     
     
       7. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said module is assigned a unique and addressable identifier. 
     
     
       8. The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said system is passive requiring receipt of a transmission from said central station to activate said system. 
     
     
       9. The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said central station can generate a response request for said module using said unique identification. 
     
     
       10. The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said central station response request energizes said location determination module to computationally formulate location determination data. 
     
     
       11. The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said central station response request causes said location determination module to transmit said location determination data. 
     
     
       12. The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said transmitted data forms a response reply further comprising a central station identifier. 
     
     
       13. The system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said central station identifier provides means for said transmission to be routed to said central station. 
     
     
       14. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said system comprises a subscriber service for a user or guardian of an individual wearing said footwear. 
     
     
       15. The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the subscriber service provides the subscriber with a unique subscriber identifier. 
     
     
       16. The system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said subscriber having a unique subscriber identification can initiate a location request sequence. 
     
     
       17. The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the central station location determination data can be received by the subscriber using wireless technology. 
     
     
       18. The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the central station location determination data can be received by the subscriber through the Internet. 
     
     
       19. The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the central station location determination data can be received by the subscriber through land based wire technology. 
     
     
       20. Footwear in combination with location detection means comprising:
 a) footwear having a tongue;  
 b) receiving means for receiving broadcasted location determination signals transmitted by a Global Positioning System and for receiving a transmission from a central station;  
 c) means for computationally processing location determination signals;  
 d) transmission means for broadcasting the results of said computational processing;  
 e) said tongue incorporating a module containing said receiving means, processing means, and said transmission means; and  
 f) an antenna for said module mounted visibly on said tongue forming a logo for said footwear.  
 
     
     
       21. Footwear for locating its wearer, said footwear comprising:
   a sole with a midsole;        a locator unit operative to      receive location signals from a Global Positioning System,        receive transmissions from a central station, and        computationally process said location signals into position determination data indicative of the geographical location of said wearer;          a transmitter electrically coupled to said locator unit, said transmitter operative to broadcast said position determination data; and        a socket formed in said midsole for receiving a module containing said locator unit.     
     
     
       22. The footwear as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said transmitter broadcasts said position determination data wirelessly. 
     
     
       23. The footwear as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said transmitter broadcast is intended for receipt by said central station. 
     
     
       24. The footwear as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said transmitter uses cellular technology to broadcast said position determination data. 
     
     
       25. The footwear as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said transmitter uses satellite technology to broadcast said position determination data. 
     
     
       26. The footwear as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said transmitter uses radio waves to broadcast said position determination data. 
     
     
       27. The footwear as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said locator unit is assigned a unique and addressable identifier. 
     
     
       28. The footwear as recited in  claim 27 , wherein said locator unit is activated by receipt of one of said transmissions from said central station. 
     
     
       29. The footwear as recited in  claim 28 , wherein:
   said transmission from said central station includes a location request; and        said location request contains said unique identifier associated with said locator unit.     
     
     
       30. The footwear as recited in  claim 29 , wherein said locator unit associated with said unique identifier is operative to compute said position determination data responsive to the receipt of said location request. 
     
     
       31. The footwear as recited in  claim 30 , wherein said locator unit is further operative to broadcast said position determination data via said transmitter responsive to receiving said location request. 
     
     
       32. The footwear as recited in  claim 30 , wherein said position determination data includes a central station identifier associated with said central station that transmitted said location request. 
     
     
       33. The footwear as recited in  claim 32 , wherein said central station identifier facilitates routing said position determination data to said central station. 
     
     
       34. The footwear as recited in  claim 27 , wherein said unique identifier of said locator unit is associated with a subscriber service. 
     
     
       35. The footwear as recited in  claim 34 , wherein said subscriber service provides the subscriber with a unique subscriber identifier. 
     
     
       36. The footwear as recited in  claim 35 , wherein said subscriber associated with said unique subscriber identifier can initiate a location request sequence. 
     
     
       37. The footwear as recited in  claim 36 , wherein said position determination data is transmitted to said subscriber via wireless technology. 
     
     
       38. The footwear as recited in  claim 36 , wherein said position determination data is transmitted to said subscriber via the Internet. 
     
     
       39. The footwear as recited in  claim 36 , wherein said position determination data is transmitted to said subscriber via land based wire technology. 
     
     
       40. The footwear as recited in  claim 21 , wherein:
   said module includes a housing; and        said locator unit is disposed within said housing.     
     
     
       41. The footwear as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising:
   an upper portion fixed to said sole; and        wherein at least a portion of said transmitter is located in said upper portion of said footwear.     
     
     
       42. The footwear as recited in  claim 41 , wherein:
   at least one of said locator and said transmitter includes an antenna;        said upper portion includes a tongue; and        said antenna forms at least a portion of a logo located on said tongue.     
     
     
       43. The footwear as recited in  claim 21 , wherein:
   said locator unit continuously receives new location signals from said Global Positioning System;        said locator unit calculates new position determination data based on said new location signals; and        said transmitter continuously broadcasts said new position determination data;        whereby said central station can continuously monitor said locator unit.     
     
     
       44. Footwear for locating its wearer, said footwear comprising;
   an upper;        a locator unit operative to      receive location signals from a positioning system,        receive transmissions from a central station, and        computationally process said location signals into position determination data indicative of the geographical location of said wearer;          a transmitter electrically coupled to said locator unit, said transmitter operative to broadcast said position determination data;        an antenna; and        a module affixed to said upper, said module containing said locator unit; and wherein        said antenna is mounted on said upper.     
     
     
       45. The footwear as recited in  claim 44 , wherein said locator unit is removably affixed to said upper. 
     
     
       46. The footwear as recited in  claim 45 , further comprising:
   laces engaging said upper; and        said logic unit is removably affixed to said laces.     
     
     
       47. The footwear as recited in  claim 45 , wherein said locator unit is removably affixed to said upper with hook and loop material.