Footwear with Position Determination Unit

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a footwear article containing a position determination unit for locating an individual. A system for locating an individual is also provided, the system comprises a position determining unit integrated with a footwear article and at least one of a central station and an output device.

1 . A footwear article, the footwear article comprising an inner sole, the footwear article containing at least one element of a position determination unit to provide location information for an individual wearing the footwear article. 
     
     
         2 . The footwear article of  claim 1 , wherein the position determination unit comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module, a communication unit, a power source and an antenna and optionally a storage device. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear article of  claim 1 , wherein the inner sole configured to receive at least one element of the position determination unit, said at least one element of the position determination element selected from the group consisting of a GPS module, a communication unit, a power source, an antenna and a storage device. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear article of  claim 3 , wherein the inner sole contains a GPS module and a communication unit and the footwear article contains a power source and an antenna. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear article of  claim 3 , wherein the inner sole contains a GPS module, a communication unit and a power source and the footwear article contains an antenna. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear article of  claim 3 , wherein the inner sole contains a GPS module, a communication unit, a power source and an antenna. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear article of  claim 1 , wherein the footwear article contains a signaling element, a notification element, a trigger element, a recharging port or a combination of the foregoing. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear article of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the elements of the position determination unit are removable. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear article of  claim 3 , wherein the inner sole provides proper biomechanical support to the foot of a user. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear article of  claim 3 , wherein the inner sole is a partial inner sole. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear article of  claim 3 , wherein the inner sole is configured to be used in a footwear article that has been previously manufactured. 
     
     
         12 . An inner sole for use with a footwear article, the inner sole containing at least one element of a position determination unit to provide location information for an individual wearing the footwear article. 
     
     
         13 . The inner sole of  claim 12 , wherein the position determination unit comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module, a communication unit, a power source and an antenna and optionally a storage device. 
     
     
         14 . The inner sole of  claim 12 , wherein the inner sole contains a GPS module and a communication unit and the footwear article contains a power source and an antenna. 
     
     
         15 . The inner sole of  claim 12 , wherein the inner sole contains a GPS module, a communication unit and a power source and the footwear article contains an antenna. 
     
     
         16 . The inner sole of  claim 12 , wherein the inner sole contains a GPS module, a communication unit, a power source and an antenna. 
     
     
         17 . The inner sole of  claim 12 , wherein the footwear article contains a signaling element, a notification element, a trigger element, a recharging port or a combination of the foregoing. 
     
     
         18 . The inner sole of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the elements of the position determination unit are removable. 
     
     
         19 . The inner sole of  claim 12 , wherein the inner sole provides proper biomechanical support to the foot of a user. 
     
     
         20 . The inner sole of  claim 12 , wherein the inner sole is a partial inner sole. 
     
     
         21 . The inner sole of  claim 12 , wherein the inner sole is configured to be used in a footwear article that has been previously manufactured.