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 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 of 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;        an upper portion fixed to said sole;        a locator unit operative to      receive location signals from a positioning system and        computationally process said location signals into position determination data indicative of the geographical location of said wearer; and          an antenna electrically coupled to said locator unit; and wherein        at least one of said locator unit and said antenna is concealed within said upper portion of said footwear.     
     
     
       22. Footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said antenna is affixed to said upper portion. 
     
     
       23. Footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein said antenna is affixed to a tongue of said upper. 
     
     
       24. Footwear according to  claim 23 , wherein said antenna forms at least a portion of a logo located on said tongue. 
     
     
       25. Footwear according to  claim 22 , wherein said antenna forms at least a portion of a logo located on said upper portion. 
     
     
       26. Footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said locator unit is affixed to said upper portion of said footwear. 
     
     
       27. Footwear according to  claim 26 , wherein said locator unit is affixed to a tongue of said upper. 
     
     
       28. Footwear according to  claim 26 , wherein said locator unit is removably affixed to the exterior of said upper portion. 
     
     
       29. Footwear according to  claim 28 , further comprising:
   laces in said upper portion; and        wherein said locator unit is removably affixed to said laces.     
     
     
       30. Footwear according to  claim 28 , wherein said locator unit is removably affixed to the exterior of said upper portion with hook and loop fastener material. 
     
     
       31. Footwear according to  claim 28 , wherein said antenna is removably affixed to the exterior of said upper portion. 
     
     
       32. The footwear according to  claim 31 , wherein said locator unit and said antenna are disposed in a housing. 
     
     
       33. The footwear according to  claim 26 , wherein said antenna is affixed to said upper portion. 
     
     
       34. The footwear according to  claim 33 , wherein said locator unit and said antenna are affixed to a tongue of said upper. 
     
     
       35. The footwear according to  claim 34 , wherein said antenna forms at least a portion of a logo located on said tongue. 
     
     
       36. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein:
   said locator unit continuously receives new location signals from said positioning system;        said locator unit calculates new position determination data based on said new location signals; and        said locator unit continuously transmits said new position determination data to a central station; and        whereby said central station can continuously monitor said locator unit.     
     
     
       37. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein:
   said locator unit is operative to receive a location request from a central station; and        said locator unit, responsive to receiving said location request, is operative to determine said position determination data.     
     
     
       38. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said locator unit transmits said position determination data via a wireless network. 
     
     
       39. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said locator unit transmits said position determination data via a cellular network. 
     
     
       40. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of said locator unit and said antenna is enclosed within said upper portion of said footwear. 
     
     
       41. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of said locator unit and said antenna is enclosed within a tongue of said footwear. 
     
     
       42. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of said locator unit and said antenna is embedded in said upper portion of said footwear. 
     
     
       43. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of said locator unit and said antenna is embedded within a tongue of said footwear. 
     
     
       44. Footwear for locating its wearer, said footwear comprising:
   a sole;        an upper portion fixed to said sole;        a locator unit operative to provide location data indicative of the geographical location of said locator unit;        an antenna; and        means for concealing at least one of said locator unit and said antenna within said upper portion of said footwear.     
     
     
       45. A method of assembling footwear, said method comprising:
   providing a sole;        providing an upper portion fixed to said sole;        providing a locator unit operative to provide location data indicative of the geographical location of said locator unit;        providing an antenna;        electrically coupling said antenna to said locator unit; and        affixing at least one of said locator unit and said antenna to said upper portion.     
     
     
       46. A method according to  claim 45 , wherein said step of affixing at least one of said locator unit and said antenna to said upper portion includes affixing said antenna to said upper portion. 
     
     
       47. A method according to  claim 45 , wherein said step of affixing at least one of said locator unit and said antenna to said upper portion includes affixing said locator unit to said upper portion.