Shoelace GPS Tracker for Anti-Removal Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location monitoring devices for children and elderly individuals, such as wristbands and ankle bracelets, are prone to intentional or accidental removal, causing concerns about safety and location tracking.
Innovation Solution
A shoelace integrated with a location monitoring device containing a global positioning system, transmitter, and kinetic battery, which cannot be easily removed, and a computer-implemented method for receiving and transmitting location data to a mobile communication device, including alerts when the wearer's location deviates from pre-established parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If location monitoring devices are placed on wearable items like wristbands or ankle bracelets, then location tracking is enabled, but the devices are prone to intentional or accidental removal
Solution Approach 1:
The location monitoring device is merged with a shoelace, integrating the GPS unit, transmitter, and power source into the lacing system of footwear. This combination makes the device difficult to remove without removing the shoe itself, thereby preventing both intentional and accidental loss while maintaining continuous location monitoring capability
2Reliability
If a location monitoring device with GPS, transmitter, and battery is integrated into a shoelace, then device removal is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS unit, transmitter, and power source are nested within the shoelace structure, with each component housed in compact form factors that fit within the lacing system. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functions into a single integrated unit, reducing the overall complexity of integration while maintaining all necessary functionalities
3Duration of action of moving object
If a kinetic battery is used to power the location monitoring device, then continuous operation is enabled, but the energy generation depends on wearer movement
Solution Approach 1:
The kinetic battery harnesses the natural movement of the wearer's foot during normal activities to generate electrical energy, allowing the device to power itself without requiring external charging. This self-service mechanism converts mechanical energy from walking or running into electrical energy, enabling continuous operation as long as the wearer remains active
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides reliable and continuous location monitoring without the risk of device removal, ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals by sending alerts when they wander beyond safe areas.
Implementation Method 1
The battery can be dependent on kinetic energy generated by movement of a wearer of the shoelace. The power source can be a kinetic battery.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for monitoring the location of a wearer of a shoelace and providing alerts when the wearer is not within the pre-established parameters are disclosed. A shoelace has a location monitoring device irremovably housed within it. The location monitoring device contains a global positioning system, a transmitter, and a battery. The shoelace can include a microphone communicatively coupled to the location monitoring device. A disclosed method includes receiving, by a location monitoring server, a plurality of pre-established parameters associated a wearer of the shoelace. A unique identifier, which authenticates identity of the shoelace, and location data of the shoelace from the global positioning system housed inside the shoelace are also sent to the location monitoring server, which determines whether the location data is consistent with the plurality of pre-established parameters. An alert is transmitted to a mobile communication device upon determining the location data is not consistent with the plurality of pre-established parameters associated with that shoelace.