Footwear with embedded tracking device and method of manufacture
US7474206B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K2201/10189
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Footwear with an embedded tracking device includes a sole and an upper. The tracking device is disposed in a cavity formed in the top surface of the sole. A wireless communication antenna and/or a location signal antenna is disposed on the upper. The antenna(s) is/are connected to the tracking device via a flexible circuit substrate. In a particular embodiment, the location signal antenna is a passive, directional GPS antenna supported in an upwardly facing position in the heel portion of the upper. A method for manufacturing footwear with an embedded tracking device is also disclosed. The method includes providing a footwear upper, incorporating an antenna in the footwear upper, providing a footwear sole, fixing the footwear upper to the footwear sole, incorporating a tracking device into the footwear sole, and connecting the tracking device to the antenna.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.