Insoles for tracking, data transfer systems and methods involving the insoles, and methods of manufacture

Abstract

A multilayer insole for removable placement in an article of footwear, the multilayer insole including a bottom insole layer having a top side, a top insole layer having an underside, an intermediate layer that is (a) an insole material layer, (b) a flexible circuit layer or (c) a bonding region for joining the bottom insole layer with the top insole layer, a location data receiving means for receiving an input signal relating to a location of the insole, and a location data transmitting means for transmitting an output signal relating to the location of the insole, wherein the location data receiving means and the location data transmitting means are both integrally associated with the multilayer insole. Also provided are a unitary insole, data transfer systems with methods involving the different insoles and methods of manufacturing the different insoles.

1 . A multilayer insole for removable placement in an article of footwear, the multilayer insole comprising:
 a bottom insole layer having a top side;   a top insole layer having an underside;   an intermediate layer that is (a) an insole material layer, (b) a flexible circuit layer or, in the absence of an intermediate layer which is an insole material layer or a flexible circuit layer, (c) a bonding region for joining the top side of the bottom insole layer with the underside of the top insole layer;   an insole location data receiver for receiving an input signal relating to a location of the insole; and   an insole location data transmitter for transmitting an output signal relating to the location of the insole;   wherein the insole location data receiver and the insole location data transmitter are both integrally associated with the insole.   
     
     
         2 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole comprises a material containing at least one member from the group consisting of: polyurethane, polyethylene, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), polyvinyl chloride, polyborodimethylsiloxane, polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-butadienestyrene, ethylenepropylene rubber, neoprene, cork, latex, natural rubber, silicone, and thermoplastic elastomeric gel. 
     
     
         3 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the insole location data receiver and the insole location data transmitter is individually situated at least partially (a) within the top insole layer (b) within the bottom insole layer or (c) within the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         4 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole further comprises:
 a processor; and   a power source;   wherein the processor and the power source are both integrally associated with the insole.   
     
     
         5 . The multilayer insole of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the processor and the power source is individually situated at least partially (a) within the top insole layer (b) within the bottom insole layer or (c) within the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         6 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the insole location data receiver and the insole location data transmitter is at least partially situated within a housing chamber embedded in the bottom insole layer. 
     
     
         7 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the insole location data receiver and the insole location data transmitter is at least partially situated within a continuous insole material matrix in the bottom insole layer. 
     
     
         8 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the insole location data receiver and the insole location data transmitter is at least partially situated between the bottom insole layer and the top insole layer. 
     
     
         9 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the insole location data receiver and the insole location data transmitter is at least partially situated on a bottom surface of the bottom insole layer. 
     
     
         10 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the insole location data receiver and the insole location data transmitter is at least partially situated on a top surface of the top insole layer. 
     
     
         11 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole location data receiver comprises:
 a receiving antenna that is either integrally associated with or independent of the insole location data transmitter, and   a receiver circuit for receiving the input signal.   
     
     
         12 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole location data receiver is configured to receive the input signal from either a satellite or a terrestrial transmitter. 
     
     
         13 . The multilayer insole of  claim 12 , wherein the insole location data receiver is configured to receive the input signal from a Global Positioning System transmitter that is either a satellite or a terrestrial transmitter. 
     
     
         14 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole location data receiver is configured to receive the input signal from a cellular network or a wireless network. 
     
     
         15 . The multilayer insole of  claim 14 , wherein the cellular network is a Global System for Mobile Communications network, a Code Division Multiple Access Network or a Time Division Multiple Access network. 
     
     
         16 . The multilayer insole of  claim 15 , wherein the cellular network is an analog signal capable network, a digital data signal capable network, a multimedia data signal capable network, an International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 family standard capable network or an International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced family standard signal capable network. 
     
     
         17 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole location data transmitter comprises:
 a transmitting antenna that is either integrally associated with or independent of the insole location data receiver, and   a transmitter circuit or a transponder circuit for transmitting the output signal.   
     
     
         18 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole location data transmitter comprises:
 a Universal Serial Bus port.   
     
     
         19 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole location data transmitter is configured to transmit the output signal to a satellite or a terrestrial receiver. 
     
     
         20 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole location data transmitter is configured to transmit the output signal to a Global Positioning System satellite or a Global Positioning System terrestrial receiver. 
     
     
         21 . The multilayer insole of  claim 1 , wherein the insole location data transmitter is configured to transmit the output signal to a cellular network, a wireless network or a radio-frequency identification tag network. 
     
     
         22 . The multilayer insole of  claim 21 , wherein the cellular network is a Global System for Mobile Communications network, a Code Division Multiple Access Network or a Time Division Multiple Access network. 
     
     
         23 . The multilayer insole of  claim 21 , wherein the cellular network is an analog signal capable network, a digital data signal capable network, a multimedia data signal capable network, an International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 family standard capable network or an International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced family standard signal capable network. 
     
     
         24 - 42 . (canceled)