Presented are intelligent electronic footwear and apparel with controller-automated features, methods for making/operating such footwear and apparel, and control systems for executing automated features of such footwear and apparel. A method for operating an intelligent electronic shoe (IES) includes receiving, e.g., via a controller through a wireless communications device from a GPS satellite service, location data of a user. The controller also receives, e.g., from a backend server-class computer or other remote computing node, location data for a target object or site, such as a virtual shoe hidden at a virtual spot. The controller retrieves or predicts path plan data including a derived route for traversing from the user's location to the target's location within a geographic area. The controller then transmits command signals to a navigation alert system mounted to the IES's shoe structure to output visual, audio, and/or tactile cues that guide the user along the derived route.

Presented are intelligent electronic footwear and apparel with controller-automated features, methods for making/operating such footwear and apparel, and control systems for executing automated features of such footwear and apparel. A method for operating an intelligent electronic shoe (IES) includes receiving, e.g., via a controller through a wireless communications device from a GPS satellite service, location data of a user. The controller also receives, e.g., from a backend server-class computer or other remote computing node, location data for a target object or site, such as a virtual shoe hidden at a virtual spot. The controller retrieves or predicts path plan data including a derived route for traversing from the user's location to the target's location within a geographic area. The controller then transmits command signals to a navigation alert system mounted to the IES's shoe structure to output visual, audio, and/or tactile cues that guide the user along the derived route.

An attachable/detachable toecap coupled to the front of the work shoes is disclosed. The attachable/detachable toecap coupled to the front of the work shoe comprises a top plate formed to cover toes and a portion of top of a foot; a side plate formed to extend downwards from the side of the top plate and to surround the top plate; a bottom plate formed to be under the side plate and to cover the bottom of the front of the work shoe; and an anti-separation means for preventing separation of the toecap from the work shoes, wherein the anti-separation means further comprises coupling blocks protruding from the bottom of the work shoe and coupling grooves formed to have vertical perforations at the position corresponding to the coupling blocks, so that the coupling blocks are snap-fitted to prevent the separation of the toecap from the work shoe.

An attachable/detachable toecap coupled to the front of the work shoes is disclosed. The attachable/detachable toecap coupled to the front of the work shoe comprises a top plate formed to cover toes and a portion of top of a foot; a side plate formed to extend downwards from the side of the top plate and to surround the top plate; a bottom plate formed to be under the side plate and to cover the bottom of the front of the work shoe; and an anti-separation means for preventing separation of the toecap from the work shoes, wherein the anti-separation means further comprises coupling blocks protruding from the bottom of the work shoe and coupling grooves formed to have vertical perforations at the position corresponding to the coupling blocks, so that the coupling blocks are snap-fitted to prevent the separation of the toecap from the work shoe.

A shoe bottom cleansing apparatus is configured to be carried by a first shoe. The shoe bottom cleansing apparatus includes a main body and an attachment strap. The main body is configured to clean a bottom of a second shoe. The attachment strap is configured to detachably secure the shoe bottom cleansing apparatus to the first shoe. The attachment strap includes a guide configured to facilitate consistently positioning the shoe bottom cleansing apparatus relative to the first shoe.

A shoe bottom cleansing apparatus is configured to be carried by a first shoe. The shoe bottom cleansing apparatus includes a main body and an attachment strap. The main body is configured to clean a bottom of a second shoe. The attachment strap is configured to detachably secure the shoe bottom cleansing apparatus to the first shoe. The attachment strap includes a guide configured to facilitate consistently positioning the shoe bottom cleansing apparatus relative to the first shoe.

Various embodiments are directed to a haptic system for promoting identification of an alignment of a pair of footwear articles relative to at least one foot of a user, the haptic system comprising: a pair of footwear articles comprising a first footwear article and a second footwear article structured to be worn on a first foot and a second foot, respectively, of a user, one or more of the first and second footwear articles comprising: a footwear article body and a collar provided along a top portion of the footwear article and comprising an inner collar portion extending along an inner body portion of the footwear article body and an outer collar portion extending along an outer body portion of the footwear article body; and wherein an inner collar portion configuration of the inner collar portion is different than an outer collar portion configuration of the outer collar portion.

Various embodiments are directed to a haptic system for promoting identification of an alignment of a pair of footwear articles relative to at least one foot of a user, the haptic system comprising: a pair of footwear articles comprising a first footwear article and a second footwear article structured to be worn on a first foot and a second foot, respectively, of a user, one or more of the first and second footwear articles comprising: a footwear article body and a collar provided along a top portion of the footwear article and comprising an inner collar portion extending along an inner body portion of the footwear article body and an outer collar portion extending along an outer body portion of the footwear article body; and wherein an inner collar portion configuration of the inner collar portion is different than an outer collar portion configuration of the outer collar portion.

A conductive apparatus, including a conductive first layer, a second adhesive layer and a third protective layer. Each of the layers includes a web joining two tabs at either, the first tab of the conductive first layer adapted to be attached to the inside of a shoe and the second tab adapted to be attached to the sole of the shoe thus exposing the protective layer. The protective layer includes at least one aperture in each tab to accommodate a micro metal component.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter generally relate to electrically grounding a user who may be working in an environment where static electricity might otherwise build up on the user and damage sensitive electronic devices being handled by the user. Embodiments include attaching an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode to the user's skin and removably attaching the ECG electrode to an electrical conductor which may be detachably connected to a flexible base disposed on the outside of and under the user's shoe.