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 including a socket;        an upper portion fixed to said sole;        a locator unit removably disposed in said socket and 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 locator unit; and          a transmitter electrically coupled to said locator unit, said transmitter operative to transmit said position determination data; and        wherein at least a portion of said locator unit is removably affixed to said footwear.     
     
     
       22. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein an outer surface of said locator unit forms a part of the exterior of said sole when said locator unit is positioned in said socket. 
     
     
       23. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said socket is located in a midsole of said sole. 
     
     
       24. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said socket is located in a heel of said sole. 
     
     
       25. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said sole includes at least one clip to prevent said locator unit from coming out of said socket. 
     
     
       26. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said locator unit can be inserted in said socket from the outside of said footwear. 
     
     
       27. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said socket includes a plurality of members that position and support said locator unit in said socket. 
     
     
       28. The footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein said transmitter transmits said position determination data via a wireless network. 
     
     
       29. The footwear according to  claim 28 , wherein said transmitter transmits said position determination data via a cellular network. 
     
     
       30. A location module comprising:
   a positioning unit operative to receive positioning signals;        a communications module to facilitate communication with a central station;        location circuitry, responsive to said positioning signals, and operative to calculate position determination data indicative of the geographical location of said location module; and        a footwear engaging device facilitating selective attachment of said location module to footwear, said footwear engaging device being designed to engage a socket formed in said footwear.     
     
     
       31. A location module according to  claim 30 , further comprising a molded housing that forms a portion of the exterior of a sole of said footwear when said location module is positioned in said socket. 
     
     
       32. Footwear for locating its wearer, said footwear comprising:
   a sole;        an upper portion fixed to said sole;        a locator unit for receiving location signals from a positioning system and processing said location signals into position determination data indicative of the geographical location of said locator unit; and        a transmitter for transmitting said position determination data; and        means for removably disposing said locator unit in a socket of said footwear.     
     
     
       33. A method of locating footwear, said method comprising:
   providing footwear with a sole and an upper portion fixed to said sole;        providing 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 locator unit;          providing a transmitter electrically coupled to said locator unit and operative to transmit said position determination data to a predetermined receiver; and        removably affixing at least a portion of said locator unit to said footwear by inserting said locator unit into a socket formed in said sole.     
     
     
       34. A method according to  claim 33 , wherein inserting said locator unit into a socket formed in said sole includes inserting said locator unit into said socket from outside of said footwear. 
     
     
       35. 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 locator unit;          an antenna electrically coupled to said locator unit; and        a transmitter electrically coupled to said locator unit, said transmitter operative to transmit said position determination data; and wherein        at least a portion of said locator unit is removably affixed to said footwear; and        said antenna is releasably attached to said footwear.     
     
     
       36. 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 locator unit;          an antenna electrically coupled to said locator unit; and        a transmitter electrically coupled to said locator unit, said transmitter operative to transmit said position determination data; and wherein        at least a portion of said locator unit is removably affixed to said footwear; and        said antenna forms at least a portion of a logo affixed to said upper portion of said footwear.     
     
     
       37. A method of locating footwear, said method comprising:
   providing footwear with a sole and an upper portion fixed to said sole;        providing 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 locator unit;          providing a transmitter electrically coupled to said locator unit and operative to transmit said position determination data to a predetermined receiver; and        removably affixing said locator unit to the exterior of said footwear.     
     
     
       38. A method according to  claim 37 , wherein:
   providing said locator unit includes providing said locator unit with an engaging structure;        providing said footwear includes providing said footwear with a complementary engaging structure configured to engage the engaging structure of said locator unit; and        removably affixing at least a portion of said locator unit to the exterior of said footwear includes engaging said engaging structure of said locator unit with said complementary engaging structure of said footwear.     
     
     
       39. Footwear for locating its wearer, said footwear comprising:
   a sole;        an upper portion fixed to said sole;        a locator unit including a engaging structure and being 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 locator unit;          a transmitter electrically coupled to said locator unit, said transmitter operative to broadcast said position determination data; and        a complementary engaging structure configured to engage said engaging structure of said locator unit; and        wherein at least a portion of said locator unit is removably affixed to said footwear by engaging said engaging structure of said locator unit with said complementary engaging structure of said footwear.