Battery-less emergency distress signal and position indication broadcasting methods and devices

• US 20090224908A1
• Filed: 03/10/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
• Inventors: Spinell, Thomas, Rastegar, Jahangir S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,217,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.130
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/00 Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements

Abstract

A device for transmitting a distress signal is provided which includes: an impact surface; a power supply for generating electrical energy resulting from an impact force applied to the impact surface; and a transmitter powered by the power supply for transmitter the distress signal. The distress signal can be an RF signal, which can be polarized. The power supply can include one or more piezoelectric generators, at least one capacitor in which the electrical energy generated by the piezoelectric generators is stored and/or an electronics component for regulating a generated voltage and for charging the capacitors. The device can also include a GPS receiver for receiving position data and providing such position data to the transmitter for inclusion into the distress signal.

Claims

1. A device for transmitting a distress signal, the device comprising:

an impact surface;

a power supply for generating electrical energy resulting from an impact force applied to the impact surface; and

a transmitter powered by the power supply for transmitter the distress signal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the distress signal is an RF signal.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the distress signal is polarized.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises one or more piezoelectric generators.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the power supply comprises at least one capacitor in which the electrical energy generated by the piezoelectric generators is stored.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the power supply comprises an electronics component for regulating a generated voltage and for charging the capacitors.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a GPS receiver for receiving position data and providing such position data to the transmitter for inclusion into the distress signal.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises an antenna.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a microphone and means to record a relatively short message and transmit the same in the distress signal

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more buttons for encoding predetermined information into the distress signal.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a speaker and means for receiving and reproducing a message on the speaker.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display and means for receiving and reproducing a message on the display.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising means for receiving a signal from a third party and broadcasting the signal back to the third party.

14. A shoe comprising:

a body;

a sole; and

a device for transmitting a distress signal integrated into the sole.

15. The shoe of claim 14, wherein the device comprises:

an impact surface associated with a surface of the sole;

a power supply for generating electrical energy resulting from an impact force applied to the impact surface; and

a transmitter powered by the power supply for transmitter the distress signal.

16. The shoe of claim 14, wherein the impact surface is disposed in a heel of the sole.

17. The shoe of claim 14, wherein the transmitter comprises an antenna disposed on the sole.

18. The shoe of claim 14, wherein the power supply comprises one or more piezoelectric generators.

19. The shoe of claim 18, wherein the power supply comprises at least one capacitor in which the electrical energy generated by the piezoelectric generators is stored.

20. The shoe of claim 19, wherein the power supply comprises an electronics component for regulating a generated voltage and for charging the capacitors.

21. The shoe of claim 14, further comprising a GPS receiver for receiving position data and providing such position data to the transmitter for inclusion into the distress signal.