Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for reducing the instance of friendly fire by having the weapon aiming system include means for emitting an optical signal encoded with the identity of the targeting soldier. The encoded optical signal is received by an optical receiver on a targeted soldier where it is converted into a low power RF signal which is transmitted to a local repeater that retransmits it, optionally using at least one intermediate repeater, to a central monitoring station equipped with a computerized database. If the monitoring station determines that the doubly encoded signal includes the identities of two friendly troops, it transmits a “hold fire” signal back to the aiming system, and a suitable signal, such as a red LED indicative of a “hold fire” order is illuminated.

Abstract: An article of footwear contains an integrated video gaming apparatus, a cellular phone, and a GPS receiver, whereby the footwear is able to encode and transmit its own location to a central monitoring station, along with a cell phone number (or other unique identifier) of a remote person. Using the encoded location information of the wearer of the footwear, and the encoded cell phone number of the remote person, the central monitoring station is able to look up the nearest street address corresponding to the location of the wearer and send an SMS text message with that address to the remote person. If the remote person is wearing the inventive footwear, the central monitoring station can send the remote person the street address of the wearer, or route information, with or without map data, for display on their video gaming device, such that they can “intercept” to meet up with one another.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, such as shoes, are worn by personnel whose movements are the subject of a location based human logistics study. The articles of footwear each contain a location determining apparatus, such as a GPS receiver, and a communications module, such as a cellular phone module. The articles of footwear each report their respective locations to a central monitoring station. However, each wearer of each article of footwear has the ability to “opt out” of the monitoring and tracking process whereby his privacy is maintained after work and during breaks. On the other hand management reports can be generated based on triggering events and based upon personnel who have chosen to “opt out” of the monitoring and tracking for extended periods of time.

Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a work shoe, is worn by miners. The footwear includes a location determining module which is able to locate its position by means of the timing and data contained in signals sent by it to locator devices which are placed at known locations throughout the mine, and which respond to transmissions made by the locator module. The footwear also contains a low frequency RF module which enables it to selectively transmit an alarm signal encoded with its location upon the selective activation by the wearer. In various embodiments, the invention can include sensors which are able to monitor physiological data of the wearer or the survivability of the ambient conditions where the footwear is located. Embodiments of the invention also provide the wearer with two-way communications capability.

Abstract: A plug-in module providing the functionality of a covert alarm and locator apparatus allows the module to be moved between various articles of footwear or other apparel, as desired, and it allows the module to be used for additional purposes, such as pet monitoring, or the inclusion within a golfer's glove having a display which shows the distance to the pin on a particular course. By modularizing the circuitry, it is fast, easy, and inexpensive for a parent to replace a child's footwear when the child needs a larger size. Further, there is no need to have numerous cellular phone or monitoring subscriptions, as they are all tied to a single, moveable module. In addition, traditional competitive apparel manufacturers can each supply units capable of receiving the module on a competitive basis, thereby extending the user's purchase and style options while still providing the benefits of having a covert alarm and locator apparatus, as described.

Abstract: An article of footwear contains an integrated location determining device, such as a GPS receiver, together with an automatic alarm activation module (“AAAM”) which is capable of initiating an alarm activation indicative of the footwear having been removed from the wearer and having been “tossed” away by an abductor of the wearer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the AAAM includes at least one accelerometer which can sense, and respond to, acceleration forces (“XYZ” forces) which exceed a predetermined range which would be expected during “normal” wearing and usage of the footwear. In an alternative embodiment the AAAM can be programmed, either externally, or by the wearer, to override the AAAM circuitry to disable it from automatically generating an alarm signal, whereby the wearer has the ultimate control over whether the footwear will only generate an alarm signal manually.

Abstract: An alarm apparatus for footwear wherein the footwear includes a sole and a boot connected to the sole thereof. An alarm circuit for generating an alarm signal is positioned within and concealed by the sole of the footwear. An activation switch is positioned on an exterior surface of the boot and is electrically connected to the alarm circuit. Means for transmitting the alarm signal is connected to the alarm circuit. Upon activation of the alarm switch, the alarm signal is generated by the alarm circuit and transmitted by the transmitting means for receipt at a remote location thereby notifying a remote user that a local user is in distress.