CH710782B1 - Portable object connected for multiple activities. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable object (1) comprising a box (10) in which an electronic module (14) is arranged, this electronic module being able to supply at least one piece of information to display means (18), the module electronics comprising a calculation unit (linked to a memory module and first and second sensors, the calculation unit using first and second specific algorithms to cooperate with the first and second sensors to provide information linked to first and second functions The sensors can for example be accelerometers of different sensitivities.

Description

The present invention relates to a portable object comprising a housing in which an electronic module is arranged, this electronic module being able to provide at least one information to display means, the electronic module comprising a calculation unit linked to a memory module and a first sensor, the calculation unit being able to use a first algorithm to cooperate with the first sensor to provide information related to a first function

PRIOR ART

Portable objects dedicated to sport or at least to physical activity are known, allowing the user to collect information related to said physical activity. One type of known portable object is a pedometer bracelet in which at least one accelerometer is arranged. This accelerometer is electrically connected to a control unit such as a microcontroller or a processor, and to a memory unit. This set is governed by a program which will use the data collected by the accelerometer to provide an indication of the number of steps. This data is stored in memory and can be displayed via a display device such as LEDs or an LCD screen or transferred to another device via a Bluetooth or NFC type communication circuit.

However, a drawback of this type of connected portable objects is that it only allows the management of one type of activity. Indeed, having a multitude of distinct activities to detect is complicated because each activity has its own characteristics. For example, walking or running involves a regular rhythm while activities such as tennis or volleyball involve sudden and irregular movements. Therefore, the accelerometer must have a sufficiently wide operating spectrum so as not to risk having false measurements, but in return such an accelerometer may exhibit inadequate behavior while having higher energy consumption. However, for so-called connected portable objects, the electrical consumption is an important parameter because the battery should not be discharged too quickly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the present invention seeks to solve the aforementioned problems and proposes to provide a portable object capable of providing indications on several types of activity while having an efficient management of electrical consumption.

The invention therefore relates to a portable object comprising a housing in which an electronic module is arranged, this electronic module being able to supply at least one piece of information to display means, the electronic module comprising a calculation unit linked to a memory module and a first sensor, the calculation unit being able to use a first algorithm to cooperate with the first sensor to provide information related to a first function, characterized in that the electronic module further comprises at least a second sensor, the calculation unit being able to use a second algorithm to cooperate with the second sensor to provide information related to a second function.

In a first advantageous embodiment, the first sensor has a first sensitivity and the second sensor has a second sensitivity, the second sensitivity being greater than the first sensitivity.

In a second advantageous embodiment, the first and second sensors are accelerometers.

In a third advantageous embodiment, the calculation unit is able to manage several algorithms per sensor.

In a fourth advantageous embodiment, the electronic module further comprises a communication module allowing said portable object to communicate with at least one other device.

In another advantageous embodiment, the communication module allows said portable object to communicate with a device of another type.

In another advantageous embodiment, the communication module allows said portable object to communicate with a device of the same type.

In another advantageous embodiment, the first algorithm makes it possible to manage a pedometer application concerning the number of steps.

In another advantageous embodiment, the second algorithm makes it possible to manage a volleyball application.

In another advantageous embodiment, the second algorithm makes it possible to manage a applause application.

The invention also relates to a set of portable objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said portable objects communicate with each other to exchange information relating to at least one of the first and second algorithms.

In an advantageous embodiment, said portable objects also communicate with a device.

In another advantageous embodiment, said portable objects are grouped into groups, each portable object of a group communicating with the different portable objects of the same group and in that said assembly comprises a single device for communicating with all portable objects of groupings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the portable object according to the invention; FIG. 2 represents a diagram of the electronic module of the portable object according to the invention; Figures 3a and 3b show a view of the portable object according to the invention arranged on the user; FIG. 4 represents a diagram of the communication module of the portable object according to the invention; FIG. 5 represents a diagram of a group formed by an external device and the portable object according to the invention; Figures 6a and 6b show configurations of portable object assemblies according to the invention with or without the presence of external devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is shown schematically in Figure 1. This Figure 1 shows schematically a portable object 1 such as a watch according to the invention. This watch 1 comprises a housing 10 to which a bracelet 10 is attached. This housing 10 is closed by a crystal 12 and comprises an electronic module 14 powered by an energy source 16, this energy source 16 possibly being a battery or a accumulator. Control means (not shown) in the form of a button or tactile keys are arranged at the level of the housing 10 or of the glass 12.

The electronic module 14, visible in Figure 2, includes a calculation unit 141 as a microprocessor, electrically connected to a time base 142 and a memory module 143 for storing data. The time base 142 allows the calculation unit 141 to supply time information which will be delivered to display means 18. These display means 18 can be a digital display element such as an LCD screen and / or an analog display element such as at least one needle.

The electronic module 14 further comprises at least a first sensor CPT1. This first CPT1 sensor is adapted to provide at least information related to a movement, this first CPT1 sensor may be a gyroscope or an accelerometer. This accelerometer will be an accelerometer with one or more axes.

In the electronic module 14, a program is implemented to allow the processing of or information from the first sensor CPT1. Indeed, a physical activity can be defined by one or more particular movements which are characterized, for example, by its frequency, its amplitude, its variations in values. It seems accepted that a walking or running activity is based on a movement of constant amplitude, having a certain frequency while an arm movement on an activity of the tennis or volleyball type will have different characteristics. The implemented program is thus specifically dedicated to recognize the particular movement linked to the activity and to provide the user with at least one indication linked to this detected movement and therefore to the linked physical activity. This indication is then sent to the display means 18.

Advantageously according to the invention, the electronic module 18 comprises at least one second sensor CPT2 also adapted to provide at least one item of information linked to a second particular movement, this second sensor may be a gyroscope or an accelerometer. This second sensor CPT2 is used so that the information that it provides is used and processed according to a second program also implemented. Indeed, the information provided by accelerometers is substantially identical, but it is the algorithm of the second program which processes this information which makes it possible to deduce different indications from it.

For example, a first program linked to the first CPT1 sensor can process information linked to the movement of the user, that is to say a pedometer function, while the second program linked to the second CPT2 sensor can provide an indication concerning the specific movement of the arm of the user wearing the watch, for example a tennis or volleyball function.

This configuration of having different CPT sensors each linked to a specific program, that is to say linked to the detection of a particular movement, makes it possible to adapt the sensor to the movement. It will therefore be understood that for an application of pedometer type, it is not necessary to have an accelerometer capable of withstanding accelerations greater than -8G to + 8G which is not the case for an application of tennis or volleyball type -ball, these applications having accelerations ranging from -16G to + 16G.

In addition, as the pedometer function is likely to rotate continuously, consumption is important. Consequently, it becomes possible to have, for the pedometer function that is constantly running, a sensor that is not very greedy while for the volleyball function, a more efficient sensor can be used.

For example, for a volleyball function, the second CPT2 sensor is a multi-axis accelerometer, preferably a 3-axis sensor (x, y and z). As shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the x axis will be oriented to be parallel to the user's forearm, the z axis extending perpendicular to the palm of the hand while the z axis is extending perpendicular to the axis of the forearm in the same plane as the palm of the hand. These three axes allow, via a dedicated algorithm, to provide information related to volleyball.

For this, the algorithm related to volleyball is to use different steps to provide this information.

A first step is to move from a so-called passive operation to a so-called active operation. Indeed, the CPT2 sensor used for the volleyball application has a high sensitivity so that its use consumes electrical energy. Therefore, it should not be used continuously when the volleyball function is activated. Thus, in a so-called passive operation, the measurements are carried out at around 40hz and the detection of an acceleration above a certain threshold awakens it.

In a second step, the acceleration data along each of the axes of the CPT2 sensor are recorded and then processed. This treatment consists of filtering to remove any noise. The acceleration values are then processed numerically to obtain a raw acceleration value.

In a third step, the raw value of acceleration is used to be associated with a decision tree and a correspondence table. Indeed, the characteristics representative of the different movements made by a volleyball player are stored in memory 143 so that they can be compared in order to determine the appropriate movement.

In a last step, the raw values of acceleration of a time interval are used to define the power or the intensity of the movement. For this, the raw values of acceleration measured at each instant during this interval are compiled to provide power data on a given scale.

In a variant, it is conceivable that the information provided by one or the other of the sensors CPT1, CPT2 are used in different applications. Indeed, with a wristwatch, it is possible to collect information and indications about the movements made by the arm of the user wearing the watch. However, the recovery of this type of information can be used in a multitude of applications using the arm (s) such as for example boxing, volleyball, tennis. For a volleyball or boxing application, it is interesting for the user to know how many shots or shots he has been able to make, what types of shots or shots and the power of these shots or shots. It is therefore necessary to have different algorithms.

It is also conceivable that the second sensor CPT2 of the portable object 1 could allow the use of a fun function of the applause type. This clapping function is capable of detecting the movement of a clapping, that is to say the movement of a person's arms to provide the user with the number of claps performed and their intensity. A dedicated algorithm makes it possible to distinguish an applause from another movement. Furthermore, it will be understood that this detection of applause can be integrated into the volleyball function in order to be able to distinguish the movements of pass / shots of the players from the movements of applause of the players who encourage each other. These applause can be individual, each player clapping their hands, or general, the players clapping their hands together.

In a preferred embodiment, the portable object according to the invention is produced so that the electronic module 14 further comprises a communication module 144. Such a communication module consists of a transceiver circuit 1440 comprising a transmitting loop 1441, a receiving loop 1442 and an antenna 1443, the whole using a communication protocol such as the Bluetooth or wifi or NFC protocol to exchange information with an external device 3 as visible in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is also the communication module 144 may include a transceiver circuit 1440 using a first protocol and a transceiver circuit 1440 using a second protocol, see other transceiver circuits 1440.

Such an external device 3 can be an electronic object of another type such as a mobile phone, a touch pad, a computer or any other possible electronic device. This external device 3 is provided with a box 31 in which an electronic module is arranged, this electronic module sending information to a display element 32. Control means 33 are provided to allow the user to control said device 3. A transceiver circuit provided with an antenna 34 is incorporated to communicate with other devices.

The transceiver circuit 1440 of the portable object 1 according to the invention is then capable of communicating with at least one external device 3 so as to send or receive data linked to the various sensors CPT1, CPT2. Such a portable object 1 provided with a communication module 144 then forms part of a group 5 in which the information linked to the functions using the different sensors CPT1, CPT2 are sent to said external device 3 so that the user can do so. follow-up for example. For example, for a pedometer function, the data for the number of steps and calories are transferred to a mobile phone, the latter being provided with a program called application specifically created and dedicated to the pedometer activity. This application can be used to see the evolution of user performance. For this pedometer application, it is possible to have the number of steps, the distance, the number of calories burned day by day.

If the data saved in the memory 143 of the portable object 1 concerning the different sensors CPT1, CPT2 are sent to the external device 3, the data linked to the internal parameters of the watch 1 can go the opposite way. Indeed, for the various functions of the portable object 1, parameters can be adjusted directly from said portable object 1 but the application of the external device 3 can be arranged to allow adjustment from said external device 3 and then send these settings to the portable object 1.

In another variant, the portable object 1 according to the invention provided with a communication module 144 is arranged to be able to communicate with a portable object 1 of the same type, that is to say with another portable object 1 according to the invention. This variant thus allows an exchange of data between two portable objects 1 according to the invention in order for example to allow mutual stimulation between two people. Thus in a pedometer application, it is possible to allow two people to compare their number of steps taken during the day while for a volleyball application, it is possible that this allows an exchange of shooting power between two players of the same team.

Of course, the communication rules between two portable objects 1 according to the invention are different from the communication rules between a portable object 1 according to the invention and an external electronic device 3, these communication rules being more restrictive. This restriction is imposed by the fact that a user of the portable object 1 according to the invention cannot write data to another portable object 1 according to the invention. For this, the communication rules are edited in order to have only one possibility of reading a specific location. For example, for a pedometer application, the communication rules can be edited to only allow reading the location of memory 143 where the number of steps of the day is stored.

This possibility of communicating with another portable object 1 according to the invention or with an external electronic device 3 makes it possible to envisage the creation of a community or set 6. This community is characterized by a set of portable objects 1 linked together so that the data linked to the functions of said portable object 1 can be gathered and compared as shown in FIG. 6a. Advantageously, this community 6 of portable objects 1 can also be linked to at least one external electronic device provided with a specific platform for one or the other of the functions as visible in FIG. 6b. For example, for the volleyball function, it can be provided that the players of the same team each carry the portable object 1 according to the invention and that the coach is equipped with an external electronic device 3 such as a tablet provided with a platform which collects the various data of portable objects 1 used by the players and compiles them. These compiled data then provide the coach with indications allowing him to better manage his team.

In another example, the portable object 1 is equipped with a fun function of the applause type. As a reminder, this clapping function is able to detect the movement of a clapping to provide the user with the number of claps performed and their intensity. With the possibility of a community 6, it becomes possible to carry out applause contests so that the fans of each team applaud during a determined time interval, the data of the number of applause and power being then recovered and compiled to provide overall applause value for each team and crown the best fans.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements and / or combinations obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

For example, it is possible that the assembly 6 is formed of several groupings of portable objects 1 and a single external device 3. The portable objects 1 of each grouping are then programmed to communicate with each other and to communicate with the only external electronic device 3. This configuration allows, for example, a trainer to compartmentalize data between different data groups. This configuration can also be used for a referee.

Similarly, provision may be made for the possibility of programming a target in number of steps, in number of shots or in shot power or in power of applause with an indicator making it possible to indicate the percentage of the goal achieved.

Claims (13)

1. Portable object (1) comprising a housing (10) in which an electronic module (14) is arranged, this electronic module being capable of providing at least one piece of information to display means (18), the electronic module comprising a calculation unit (141) linked to a memory module (143) and a first sensor (CPT1), the calculation unit using a first specific algorithm to cooperate with the first sensor to provide information linked to a first function, characterized in what the electronic module further comprises at least a second sensor (CPT2), the calculation unit using a second specific algorithm to cooperate with the second sensor to provide information related to a second function. 2. Portable object according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sensor (CPT1) has a first sensitivity and said at least one second sensor (CPT2) of a second sensitivity, the second sensitivity being greater than the first sensitivity. 3. Portable object according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and said at least one second sensor are accelerometers. 4. Portable object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the calculation unit (141) is able to manage several algorithms per sensor. 5. Portable object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic module (14) further comprises a communication module (144) allowing said portable object to communicate with at least one other device. 6. Portable object according to claim 5, characterized in that the communication module (144) allows said portable object to communicate with a device (3) of another type than the portable object. 7. Portable object according to claim 5, characterized in that the communication module (144) allows said portable object to communicate with a device (1) of the same type as the portable object. 8. Portable object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first algorithm makes it possible to manage a pedometer application concerning the number of steps. 9. Portable object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second algorithm makes it possible to manage a volleyball application. 10. Portable object according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second algorithm makes it possible to manage a applause application. 11. Set (6) of portable objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said portable objects (1) are linked together so that the data related to the functions of said portable objects can be collected and compared. 12. An assembly (6) of portable objects according to claim 11, characterized in that said portable objects can be linked to at least one external electronic device (3).). 13. An assembly (6) of portable objects according to claim 12, characterized in that said portable objects are grouped into groups, the portable objects of each group being programmed to communicate with each other and to communicate with the single external electronic device ( 3).