U.S. patent number RE41,122 [Application Number 11/506,175] was granted by the patent office on 2010-02-16 for footwear with gps.
This patent grant is currently assigned to GTX Corp. Invention is credited to Patrick E. Bertagna, Ralph H. Davis, Jr., Mitchell W. Jamel.
United States Patent |
RE41,122 |
Jamel , et al. |
February 16, 2010 |
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.
Inventors: |
Jamel; Mitchell W. (Boynton
Beach, FL), Bertagna; Patrick E. (Los Angeles, CA),
Davis, Jr.; Ralph H. (Laguna Beach, CA) |
Assignee: |
GTX Corp (Los Angeles,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
32926055 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/506,175 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
10274730 |
Oct 21, 2002 |
06788200 |
Sep 7, 2004 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/539.13;
455/575.7; 455/562.1; 36/75R; 36/1; 340/539.15; 340/539.11;
342/357.57; 340/8.1; 701/517; 701/468 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
21/025 (20130101); A43B 23/24 (20130101); A43B
3/00 (20130101); G08B 21/0269 (20130101); A43D
999/00 (20130101); A43B 3/0005 (20130101); A43B
3/0078 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
1/08 (20060101); A43B 3/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;340/539.13,539.11,539.15 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Crosland; Donnie L
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Henneman & Associates, PLC
Henneman, Jr.; Larry E.
Claims
What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
.[.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..].
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The footwear according to claim 21, wherein said socket
is located in a midsole of said sole..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The footwear according to claim 21, wherein said socket
is located in a heel of said sole..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The footwear according to claim 21, wherein said locator
unit can be inserted in said socket from the outside of said
footwear..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The footwear according to claim 21, wherein said
transmitter transmits said position determination data via a
wireless network..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The footwear according to claim 28, wherein said
transmitter transmits said position determination data via a
cellular network..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
.Iadd.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..Iaddend.
Description
.Iadd.CROSS-REFERENCE TO MULTIPLE REISSUE APPLICATIONS
Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the
reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,788,200. The reissue applications are
application numbers 0082-011R2(the present application),
0082-011R1, 0082-011R3, and 0082-011R4..Iaddend.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to footwear and, more
specifically, to 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 and
the Internet.
The footwear in the preferred embodiment contains the electronic
circuitry in the mid sole of the shoe having GPS location
determination unit and transponder whereby a remote location can
determine the position of the wearer of said footwear having said
device.
Furthermore, the present invention provides for additional elements
by having the GPS unit and transponder contained within a socket
positioned within the heel of the shoe.
The location component can be selectively inserted and or removed
from the midsole or heel.
The socket in the midsole is comprised of a throughbore having
spaced apart sidewalls and a top wall having retaining means
positioned on each sidewall.
The heel socket is comprised of spaced apart sidewalls, top wall, a
back wall and frontal aperture with the location of the socket
preferably in the instep or heel of the shoe.
The insertable removable component has means for engaging the
sidewalls of the receptacle and closure means for securing the
component within said receptacle. Furthermore, the component can
form a compartment for the inclusion of a GPS receiver and
transponder for locating the wearer of said shoes.
The present invention provides for another additional element
wherein the position determination component is contained within
the tongue of the footwear.
In addition, to the electronic circuitry being embedded in the
tongue of the shoe the antenna can be contained within a logo
prominently placed on the tongue of the shoe which will increase
the effectiveness of the device.
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides
for an unobtrusive concealed locator device contained within the
body of the shoe, it additionally provides for the attachment of a
positioning determining device and transponder for transmitting the
location data on demand in a module that can be releasably attached
to the exterior of the shoe by means of the shoelaces or hook and
loop material to the back of the footwear.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other receptacles designed for footwear. Typical of these
is U.S. Pat. No. 1,597,823 issued to Randolph on Aug. 31, 1926.
Another patent was issued to Agrillo on Aug. 28, 1956 as U.S. Pat.
No. 2,760,278. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 2,897,609 was issued to
Bodkin on Aug. 4, 1959 and still yet another was issued on Oct. 27,
1987 to Dassler as U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,445.
Another patent was issued to Ormanns et al. on Sep. 26, 1989 as
U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,700. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,518 was
issued to Haber et al. on Dec. 5, 1995. Another was issued to
Goldston et al. on Feb. 15, 1994 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,586 and
still yet another was issued on Sep. 17, 1996 to Musa as U.S. Pat.
No. 5,557,259.
Another patent was issued to McCarthy on Nov. 12, 1996 as U.S. Pat.
No. 5,574,432. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,316 was issued to
Huang on Aug. 12, 1997. Another was issued to Ingargiola et al. on
May 5, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,087 and still yet another was
issued on Oct. 26, 1999 to Inman as U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,631.
Another patent was issued to Robinson on Jan. 11, 2000 as U.S. Pat.
No. 6,012,822. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,080 was issued to
Layson, Jr. on Jan. 11, 2000. Another was issued to James on Jun.
19, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,251.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,597,823
Inventor: Simon Randolph
Issued: Aug. 31, 1926
In combination with a shoe including a heel section formed with an
opening extending longitudinally of the shoe and opening at the
front and rear walls of the heel, a lining disposed in said opening
and including a rear wall for closing the opening at the rear of
the heel, a self-contained electrically operated illuminating means
disposed inwardly of the lining in a manner whereby the light rays
therefrom will project from the opening at the front of the heel,
normally spaced apart contact arms disposed inwardly of the rear
wall of the lining, and means carried by the rear wall of the
lining, and means carried by the real wall of the lining for moving
the contact arms into engagement with one another for completing
the circuit through the illuminating means.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,760,278
Inventor: Paul Agrillo
Issued: Aug. 28, 1956
A shoe, the combination which comprises a sole, an upper mounted on
the sole, a heel supporting the rear portion of the sole in an
elevated position, a wearing sole covering and secured to the lower
surface of the heel and extended forwardly to a point spaced from
the toe, said wearing sole being secured to the lower surface of
the forward portion of the shoe and the heel portion being flush
with side surfaces of the heel of the shoe, a wedge-shaped pad
positioned in and substantially filling the area between the
forward surface of the heel and point of intersection of the lower
surface of the sole of the shoe and upper surface of the wearing
sole, said wedge-shaped pad having a substantially semi-spherical
opening in the intermediate part, a substantially hemispherical
balancing element with a vertically disposed opening therethrough
positioned in the hemispherical opening of the pad, and a coil
spring positioned in the opening of the balancing element and
extended from the sole of the shoe to the inner surface of the
wearing sole.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,897,609
Inventor: Lawrence E. Bodkin
Issued: Aug. 4, 1959
A shoe having a sole member including an integral heel portion, an
arcuate guard element affixed to the heel portion of said sole
member and depending therefrom and forming therewith a walled
socket having an opening, a movable heel member fitting said
socket, said movable heel member having a forward end and a
rearward end, a hinge attaching said forward end to said sole
member, said opening being positioned and proportioned to pass said
movable member into and out of said socket as said movable member
is swung on said hinge, releasable friction catch means carried by
and disposed within said socket and cooperative catch means when
said movable member is in housed position in said socket, said
catch means being disposed spaced from the axis of said hinge, said
movable member having a surface portion engaging a portion of the
wall of said socket and having a storage chamber opening through
said surface portion and normally closed by said socket wall
portion when said movable ember is housed in said socket and
accessible when said movable member is swung from said socket.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,445
Inventor: Armin A. Dassler
Issued: Oct. 27, 1987
An athletic shoe system for running disciplines and a process for
emitting and or exchanging information concerning movement factors
of running disciplines enabling the athlete to always be
sufficiently informed regarding his her training program that is in
progress or completed. In particular, in an area of the sole that
is less stressed during use, at least one free space is provided
where a transmitter is housed which, via a sensor provided in the
sole, can emit at least one output signal. In accordance with
preferred embodiments, a transmitter in a first shoe of a pair of
shoes receives the signals from the sensor and transmits emissions
in correspondence with their receipt. The transmitted emissions are
received by a remote receiver, that is linked with a computer, and
the remote receiver receives the transmitted emissions directly
from the transmitter of the first shoe and indirectly via a
receiver and transmitter of a second shoe of the pair. The computer
determines the distance between the first and second shoes, on the
basis of the delay between receipt by the remote receiver of the
directly and indirectly received emissions, as well as other
characteristic values related to stride rate or length.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,700
Inventor: Siegfried Ormanns
Issued: Sep. 26, 1989
The personal safety radio device is carried by the person to be
protected on a mounting device, for instance incorporated in the
heel of a work shoe, and includes a transmitter powered by a
current source specific to the device, a receiver and an antenna
arrangement. In order to ensure a high operational reliability and
a long maintenance-free service life at a high range of
transmission the device- specific current source is a rechargeable
accumulator which may be charged by a generator arrangement
including a piezo-electric converter during the operational usage
of the device. The piezo-electric converter is so arranged in the
work shoe that it is acted on by the weight of the person wearing
the work shoe and thus converts the pressure of the weight into
electrical energy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,518
Inventor: Terry M. Haber
Issued: Dec. 5, 1995
A flashing light housing that is adapted to be removably attached
to the rear (i.e. heel) of any shoe, such as, for example, a
sneaker, sport shoe, training shoe, or the like, without requiring
factory alterations to the shoe. A manually accessible light
control switch is operable by the wearer to selectively control the
energization of a flashing light source that is carried at the
interior of the housing. An attachment hook extends from the
housing to fit over the top of and around the heel of the shoe,
whereby the housing will be suspended from the heel. A resilient
attachment band is connected to and extends outwardly and in
opposite directions from the flashing light housing. The attachment
band is adapted to be fastened to the sole of the shoe at each of a
first side and an opposite side thereof, whereby to hold the
housing against the heel. By virtue of the foregoing, the flashing
light housing is characterized by a large viewing area that is
easily visible to on-lookers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,586
Inventor: Mark R. Goldston et al.
Issued: Feb. 15, 1994
An athletic shoe (20) includes a sole (22), an upper (25), and a
tongue (26), as well as fasteners (28), such as shoelaces.
Incorporated into the sole (22) of the athletic shoe (20) is a
receptacle (30) for receiving and retaining a plug-in module (32)
in a slide-in, releasably locking arrangement. The plug-in module
(32) preferably includes a battery (62), a light emitting device
(54), and electrical circuit elements (58, 60, 72) arranged to
selectively connect the battery (62) to the light emitting device
(54).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,259
Inventor: John S. Musa
Issued: Sep. 17, 1996
A proximity alert and direction indicator is provided that allows
an observer to monitor the proximity of a subject under
surveillance, particularly a child. The subject wears a transmitter
removably attached to the shoe. The observer wears a
receiver-containing bracelet. The receiver contains a proximity
detector with threshold set that emits an audible sound when the
distance between the subject and the observer exceeds some preset
distance. The receiver also contains a direction finder with
graphic display that shows the observer the direction to the
subject.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,432
Inventor: Steven R. McCarthy
Issued: Nov. 12, 1996
An apparatus attachable to a shoe for deploying a rescue signal
includes a base attachable to a rear section of a conventional
shoe. The base comprises straps coupled to a lower extent thereof
and extended horizontally therefrom. The strips each have a
plurality of buttons coupled thereto. The base also comprises a
slot formed on an top surface thereof. Also included is a
restraining unit adapted to secure about an upper extent of the
shoe. The restraining unit comprises an annular band adapted to
slidably insert within the slot of the base. The restraining unit
further includes a pair of generally triangular members attached to
the band and extended downwardly therefrom. The triangular members
each have a plurality of buttonholes coupleable to the buttons
disposed on the strips of the base. A metal rod is adapted to
insert within a lateral bore formed in a heel of the shoe and
further within a pair of apertures formed in the strips. Finally, a
signaling mechanism situated within the base deploys a rescue
signal upon the manual activation thereof or upon the failure to
respond to an alarm adapted to indicate the cessation of a
predetermined amount of time.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,316
Inventor: Tien-Tsai Huang
Issued: Aug. 12, 1997
A shoe including a shoe body having an outsold and an upper
fastened to the outsole; an insole formed as an air bag filled with
air and mounted within the outsole; a pressure inductor connected
to the insole to detect the pressure applied to the insole; a
circuit board mounted in the insole and consisting of a pressure
converter and a microprocessor, the pressure converter converting
the pressure detected by the pressure inductor into a frequency
signal to be processed by the microprocessor so that the
microprocessor obtains a value corresponding to the pressure
applied to the insole; and a liquid crystal display connected to
the microprocessor to display the value obtained by the
microprocessor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,087
Inventor: Ingargiola et al.
Issued: May 5, 1998
Articles of footwear incorporating one or more sliding elements are
described. Such articles include shoes, sandals, boots, and
appliances for attachment to any or all of the foregoing. In
addition to serving the traditional functions of footwear lacking
such sliding elements, such footwear can be used for recreational
"grinding," or sliding across hard surfaces having edges, corners,
etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,631
Inventor: David G. Inman
Issued: Oct. 26, 1999
Articles of footwear incorporating one or more sliding elements are
described. Such articles include shoes, sandals, boots, and
appliances for attachment to any or all of the foregoing. In
addition to serving the traditional functions of footwear lacking
such sliding elements, such footwear can be used for recreational
"grinding," or sliding across hard surfaces having edges, corners,
etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,822
Inventor: William J. Robinson
Issued: Jan. 11, 2000
A light flasher for an article of apparel includes one or more
lamps that produce light visible from the exterior of the apparel.
A switch, which may be of the mechanical or electronic variety,
causes a switch closure responsive to motion of the apparel. A
circuit, attached to the switch and the light, causes the lights to
illuminate in a series of random duration flashes for a predefined
time interval in response to the closure of the switch.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,080
Inventor: Hoyt M. Layson, Jr.
Issued: Jan. 11, 2000
Tamper resistant body-worn tracking device to be worn by offenders
or potential victims for use in a wireless communication system
receiving signals from a global positioning system (GPS). The
tracking device directly communicates spatial coordinates to
multiple remote sites. The tracking device is an enclosed case worn
on a limb of a person. The case contains a battery, a signaling
device, and a circuit board containing a field programmable gate
array, a wireless data modem, a conventional GPS receiver, and a
matched filtering GPS receiver.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,251
Inventor: Brent James
Issued: Jun. 19, 2001
A grind shoe apparatus incorporating a variable friction grind
plate complementally received in the recess of the shoe sole and
having a downwardly facing trough and an outwardly facing rail with
respective slide surfaces for contacting a support surface to slide
therealong. Such plate further includes at least one speed control
compartment positioned within one of such slide surfaces and having
an insert removably carried therein for varying the frictional
resistance occurring during sliding maneuvers.
While these devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they
were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of
the present invention, as hereinafter described.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to location detection
systems and, more specifically, to personal safety systems
including a device that can be activated upon attachment or on
demand and able to determine and transmit data related to the
location of the device for monitoring at a central monitoring
station which disseminates the data through the use of proprietary
software, wireless communications, wire based land communications
and the Internet.
The personal safety system includes a central monitoring station
and at least one locator device. The locator device includes a GPS
position device for generating location data regarding said device
and transponder for wirelessly transmitting the location data to
the central monitoring station.
The transponder has a receiver for receiving a location request
signal from the central monitoring station, whereby the transponder
generates a response signal including location information upon
receipt of the location request signal. The central monitoring
station disseminates the data through the use of proprietary
software, wireless communications, wire based land communications
and the Internet.
The locator device of the present invention can be incorporated
into footwear forming an integral part therewith and in the
preferred embodiment is a module that can be inserted into a
preformed socket contained within footwear. Said socket preferably
made either in the midsole or heel of the footwear.
The present invention additionally provides for the locator unit to
be placed within the tongue of the footwear.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a system
for locating an individual that will overcome the shortcomings of
prior art devices.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system
for locating an individual which is able to be remotely activated
to initiate a location mode for determining the location of the
locator unit.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
system for locating an individual wherein a central station is able
to determine the location of a locator unit upon receipt of a
location request.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
system for locating an individual wherein the locator units are
assigned a unique identification number.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system
including a unique identification code which is used to request
information on the location of the locator unit and thus determine
the location of the person or object to which the device is
attached.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system
for locating an individual wherein the central station may
continuously monitor via wireless communication devices said
locator unit.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
locator unit which is able to be easily attached to an object and
relay location information to a central monitoring unit.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a personal
safety device having means for wirelessly transmitting location
data to the central monitoring station.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
personal safety device which is activated upon attachment to the
person and able to provide information regarding location of the
locator unit.
A still yet further object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having the locator unit contained therein and forming an
integral part therewith.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular
locator unit including GPS location determination device,
transponder and antenna.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a modular
locator unit that can be inserted and removed from a socket formed
within footwear.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having GPS location determination unit contained
therein.
A further object of the present invention is to provide footwear
having a transponder contained therein.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having an antenna contained therein.
A still yet further object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having a socket for the insertion therein of a locator
module.
Another object of the present invention is to provide footwear
having a locator module preferable positioned within the instep or
heel of the shoe.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide footwear
having a socket with spaced apart walls with locator module
engaging members for retaining the positioning of said module.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having a rear wall and frontal aperture for receiving a
locator module having closure engaging means.
A further object of the present invention is to provide footwear
having a socket for receiving a component that forms an integral
part of said footwear.
A yet further another object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having a component including a locator unit incorporated
therein for determining the location of the wearer.
A still yet further object of the present invention is to provide
footwear having a component that can have a transponder for
remotely querying the transponder for the GPS data.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a unit having
a positioning determining device and transponder for querying for
the positioning data from a module that can be exteriorly attached
to a shoe.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system
for locating an individual that is simple and easy to use.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
system for locating an individual that is economical in cost to
manufacture.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the
description proceeds.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be
made in the specific construction illustrated and described within
the scope of the appended claims.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art
by providing a modular locator unit that can be inserted into a
preformed socket whereby a central monitoring station can determine
the location of the wearer of said footwear. Additionally providing
for footwear having a locator unit either forming an integral part
therewith or exteriorly fastened thereto.
The locator unit has means for engaging the side walls of the
socket and closure means for securing the unit within said
socket.
Furthermore, a locator module having a housing, fastener means,
positioning determining means and transponder means for
transmitting the positioning data can be removably attached to the
exterior of the footwear.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the
description to follow. In the description reference is made to the
accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments
may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying
drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar
parts throughout the several views.
The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken
in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best
defined by the appended claims.
List of Reference Numerals Utilized in the Drawings
10 footwear with location determination means 12 transponder 14
footwear 16 mid-sole 18 heel 20 tongue 22 antenna 24 GPS 26
determination data 28 satellite 30 wireless 32 cell tower 34 radio
waves 36 air waves 38 location request transmission 40 location
response transmission 42 central station 44 Internet 46 electronic
equipment 48 PDA 50 laptop 52 computer 54 phone 56 footwear sole 58
mid-sole cavity 60 cavity wall 62 cavity top surface 64 guide track
66 clips 68 GPS circuit 70 Transponder communications
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will
now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in use.
FIG. 2 is another illustrative view of the present invention in
use.
FIG. 3 is another illustrative view of the present invention in
use.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention incorporated
into the midsole of a shoe.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locator unit removed from the
midsole socket of the shoe.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the locator unit and midsole fastening
means for attaching said locator unit.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the footwear midsole socket.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention incorporated
into the heel of a shoe.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention incorporated
into the .[.heal.]. .Iadd.tongue .Iaddend.of a shoe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the
invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This
discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the
invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in
the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For
definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is
directed to appended claims.
Referring to FIG. 1, shown is an illustrative view of the present
invention in use. Shown is the footwear 14 of the present invention
having a locator unit 12 contained therein. The transponder 12 in
the preferred embodiment is located within the midsole 16 of the
footwear 14 but provides for an alternate location in the heel 18
or tongue 20. The transponder 12 provides position determination by
computational calculating the location using signals 26 transmitted
by GPS system 24. The transponder 12 having means for receiving a
location request transmission 38 from a central monitoring station
42 using communications medium 28, 30, 32, 34,36 causes said
transponder 12 to initiate a location determination sequence by
receiving signals 26 from the available plurality of GPS satellites
24 and computationally calculating position determination data that
will be subsequently transmitted to the central monitoring station
42 that can forward said data to subscriber communication equipment
46 comprising PDA 48, laptop 50, computer 52, or phone 54 using the
Internet 44.
Referring to FIG. 2, shown is another illustrative view of the
present invention in use. Shown is the footwear 14 of the present
invention having a locator unit 12 contained therein. The
transponder 12 having received a location request transmission 38
from a central monitoring station 42 using communications medium
28, 30, 32, 34,36 and computationally calculating position
determination data using signals 26 from the available plurality of
GPS satellites 24 transmits the data 40 to the central monitoring
station 42 whereupon the central monitoring station 42 can forward
said data to subscriber communication equipment 46 which can
include PDA 48, laptop 50, computer 52, or phone 54 using the
Internet 44.
Referring to FIG. 3, shown is another illustrative view of the
present invention in use. The footwear transponder 12 having
received a location request transmission 38 from a central
monitoring station 42 using communications medium 28, 30, 32, 34,36
and computationally calculating position determination data using
signals 26 from the available plurality of GPS satellites 24
transmits the data 40 to the central monitoring station 42
whereupon the central monitoring station 42 can forward said data
to subscriber communication equipment 46 which can include PDA 48,
laptop 50, computer 52, or phone 54 using communications medium
satellite technology 28, wireless technology 30, cellular
technology 32, technology using radio waves 34 and technology using
air waves 36.
Referring to FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the footwear 14 of the
present invention having a transponder 12 incorporated into the
midsole 16. The footwear 14 has a socket 58 located in the midsole
of the footwear for inserting a modular locator unit 12. Said
modular locator unit 12 having a GPS position determination device
for generating location data regarding said locator unit and
transponder for wirelessly transmitting the location data 40 to the
central monitoring station 42. The transponder has a receiver for
receiving a location request signal 38 from the central monitoring
station 42, whereby the transponder generates a response signal 40
including location information upon receipt of the location request
signal 38.
Referring to FIG. 5, shown is a perspective view of the location
determination module 12 removed from the midsole 16 socket 58 of
the shoe 14. The modular locator unit 12 includes a GPS unit 68 and
transponder 70 placed within a mid sole cavity 58 providing means
for locating the wearer. The modular unit 12 design consists of a
portable self contained GPS 68, antenna 22 and communications
module 70, that can be housed within a nylon or plastic housing
that is molded to fit into the mid sole cavity 58. The mid-sole
cavity 58 having spaced apart walls 60 and top wall 62 has module
12 retaining means 64. The detachable modular locator unit 14 is
equipped with locking clips 66 to prevent it from accidental
removal from the footwear 14. The system can additional be
manufactured in a standalone module that can be attached to the
shoe by means of hook and loop material or shoelaces.
Referring to FIG. 6, shown is a bottom view of the footwear 14 of
the present invention having the location determination module 12
removed from the midsole 16 socket 58 of the shoe 14. The modular
locator unit 12 includes a GPS unit 68 and transponder 70 placed
within a mid sole cavity 58 providing means for locating the
wearer. The modular unit 12 design consists of a portable self
contained GPS 68, antenna 22 and communications module 70 that can
be housed within a nylon or plastic housing molded to fit into the
mid sole cavity 58. The mid-sole cavity 58 having spaced apart
walls 60 and top wall 62 has module 12 retaining means 64. The
detachable modular locator unit 14 is equipped with locking clips
66 to prevent it from accidental removal from the footwear 14.
Referring to FIG. 7, shown is a side view of the footwear 14
midsole 16 socket 58. Shown is the footwear midsole socket 58
having spaced apart sidewalls 60 with means 64 for engaging the
modular locator unit 12. The insertable removable locator unit 12
has means for engaging the side walls 60 of the socket and closure
means 66 for securing the locator unit 14 within said socket
58.
Referring to FIG. 8, shown is a perspective view of the present
invention incorporated into the heel 18 of a shoe 14. Shown is an
additional element of the present invention wherein the footwear 14
has a socket located in the heel 18 of the footwear for inserting a
modular locator unit 12. Said modular locator unit having a GPS
position determination device for generating location data
regarding said locator unit and transponder for wirelessly
transmitting the location data to the central monitoring station
and an antenna. The transponder has a receiver for receiving a
location request signal from the central monitoring station,
whereby the transponder generates a response signal including
location information upon receipt of the location request
signal.
Referring to FIG. 9, shown is a perspective view of the present
invention having the locator device including a GPS position
determination device 68 for generating location data regarding said
locator unit and transponder 70 for wirelessly transmitting the
location data to the central monitoring station 42 and an antenna
22 contained with a logo exteriorly positioned on the tongue 20 of
the shoe. The transponder has a receiver for receiving a location
request signal 38 from the central monitoring station 42, whereby
the transponder 70 generates a response signal 40 including
location information upon receipt of the location request signal
38.
* * * * *