FR2527363A1 - ELECTRONIC CHRONOMETER SHOE - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A STEP COUNTING DEVICE. THIS INVENTION, DESIGNED TO BE INSTALLED IN A SHOE, USES A SINGLE MICRO-COMPUTER TABLET 10 TO ACHIEVE AN ELECTRONIC STEP-COUNTING DEVICE, APPROXIMATELY MEASURING A DISTANCE TAKEN AND RECORDING A TIME PERFORMED. USED BY A WALKER OR A RUNNER, IT ALSO GIVES AN AVERAGE SPEED, A MUSICAL OR RHYTHMIC AND ANALOGUE BACKGROUND.

Description

1 2527363

  ELECTRONIC CHRONOMETER SHOE

  The present invention relates to a device for counting steps and distance traveled or run by

one person.

  Many pedometers are already known and as we know they are based on a counting mechanism attached to the leg or heel, or even assembled at the heel or the end of the shoe None known devices does not provide

other functions.

  The object of the present invention is therefore to provide the athlete, the walker or the amateur runner with a means of

count his efforts.

  Another goal is to provide a means of measuring the

distance traveled.

  Many other applications are planned and explained

further.

  The present invention provides an additional electronic circuit in a shoe that during walking, brisk walking or "jogging" or running uses a single microcomputer chip An external circuit sensing the step applies square-wave signals to a circuit board. input / output located in the microcomputer chip A control program counts the received signals to produce the number of steps Several input / output circuits of the

  microcomputer are used to attack the digital

  multi-segment (typically 7) and other input / output (I / O) circuits are used to explore each

  number and be able to count the number of steps.

  The microcomputer can be preset to the normal stride length of a walker or runner and, after multiplication by the number of strides, the distance

approximate traveled.

  On the other hand, to form a chronometer, a gener-

  DTMF (dual-frequency sound), ie a component

  multiple frequency, can be transported by the user.

  or other person and transmit a particular DTMF signal and a decoder, on receipt of the DTMF, record it at the "top" and apply it to the microcomputer to decide if the

2 2527363

  signal "high" is the even or odd signal after departure,

  then to start or stop the timer.

  The pellet also contains a time program which according to the data provided by the decoder can measure the time required for the "high" signal of the odd high signal up to the even high signal and thus calculate the exact time put by a runner or a walker for to go from one point to another.

  The microcomputer chip still contains

  grams that are designed to emit different musical

  caux which are transmitted, by an amplifying circuit, to a loudspeaker which thus diffuses at the same time a music

entertaining for the runner.

  Alternative programs are provided for emitting different sounds with different measures (battery for example) and converting the musical noticeable signals into measurement signals, when the speed of the walker reaches a certain degree. One or more selectors are provided for the

  choice of measure or that of music.

  In addition, a program is provided for counting the time intervals between the running signal (of the step) and the next signal. Another program uses the interval of

  time counted as above to determine the musical tempo

  cal, which can be adjusted to the average speed of

market.

  A radio transmitter is used to transform the musical signals into a carrier for modulation in order to transmit them by air to a receiver carried by the rider

or elsewhere.

  One or more selectors allow the choice between step count, stopwatch, distance recorder or

average speed.

  Finally, a program is intended to obtain the average of walking speed (number of steps per hour or per minute), by applying the time interval counted from the signal

  received by the first step at the next signal (described above).

  A keyboard allows the user to communicate with

the C P U of the pellet.

3 2527363

  The invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a view of the main body of the apparatus and circuits, Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the sensor of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a representation of a main flowchart, FIG. 4 is a representation of an auxiliary flowchart, FIG. 5 shows the shoe and housing of the apparatus, FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the same apparatus, FIG. FIG. 7 'is a sectional view along the line 1-1 of FIG. 6 of the apparatus and the release, FIG. 8 shows the implantation of the release, its position at the touch of the foot on the ground, FIG. a sectional view of the various contacts, FIG. 10 shows the position and the triggering of the device during the pressure, FIG. 11 is another sectional view of the contacts, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the triggering device, FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view along the line 2-2 of Figure 9 showing the arrangement of the contacts on the insulating plate;

  In FIG. 1, the electronic device of the invention

  tion is identified by reference 10 It includes a micro-

  computer 11, such as Intel 8021; a sensor circuit of the step 12 communicates in T 1 with the electronic box and it

  comprises a selection switch 13 and an anti-

  rebound 14 to apply a signal to the system 11 in response to each pulse given by the walker at 13 A decoder 23 communicating with the point E / SP 10 of the system 11, provides a high signal to the system 11 in response to each DTMF signal P 20 produced by the DTMF generator 92 carried by the Walker or

any other person.

  The high signal triggers an odd high signal for the system Il which decides the start or the end of the account. A device 29 gives the information of the total accumulated for the indication of the number of steps, the distance traveled, the time taken or of the hourly average, calculated by the system 11 and transmitted by the outputs P 04-PO 7 and Plo-P 15 A

  output device 30 is coupled to the output P 16 of the micro-

  computer to provide the measure, or music during

  walk or trigger the alarm to the desired number of steps.

  The device 30 has a transmitter The three-level selector 36 is connected by the inputs P 20 -P 22 to the system I to select music or rhythms.

  levels 37 is connected by the inputs P 02, P 03, P 23, to the arrangement

  11 controls the choice of the counts The selector 38 connected to the input P 17 allows the recording and the presetting

  number of steps given by the device 29 by a memory

  The second recording selector 39 is connected by the input Pol, and also allows the recording of the

  stride length transmitted by the device 29 A selection

  reset 40 is connected to the reset pin at

zero of the device 11.

  To set a step count, a switch 21 is pressed to apply slot waves produced by a

  oscillator 22 at the test input T 1 of the microcomputer 11.

  At this time the display 45 provides the number of slots

  read at T 1 When the number is reached the switch 21 is

  The switch 38 is then depressed to introduce

re the number in the memory.

  To preset the stride length, a switch 21 is pressed to apply slot waves provided by an oscillator 22, to the test input T 1 at this time,

  the display 45 gives the number of slots applied to T 1.

  When the desired number is reached, the switch 21 is released, the switch 39 is depressed to apply the

  number given to the pre-established memory.

  A detailed circuit diagram is attached, and it includes the microcomputer 11 including a 1K location

(R.O. M: dead memory).

  _e an R A M (random access memory) at 64 bytes,

  each entry is indicated by R O R, up to R 63.

an 8-bit timer.

  Two I / O points PO at 8 bits (P 00-P 07) and Pl (Pl OP 17), and a point E / SP 2 (P 20-P 23) at four bits 20 circuits I / O in total One pin T 1 test that can be used as input. The ROM 1 k is divided into four pages, and can only

  jump only in the same page during a conditional jump.

  RAM has two bands of eight registers.

  The sensor circuit 12 (in phantom) comprises a

  switch 13 located in the sole of the shoe.

  13 will be momentarily depressed (closed) at each step.

  When the switch 13 is closed a positive pulse is transmitted by a shaping circuit 15 to excite a transistor 16; the pulse is reversed by the inverter 17

  which emits an immediate positive signal An amplifier

  tional 18 raises the power of the current and passes through a filter circuit 19 of the RC type to control the capillary space Thus the pulses are transmitted to T 1 by a Schmidt rocker 20, so the signals obtained by T 1 (high

  in case of absence of impulse, low in case of impulse

sion) will be very stable.

  Figure 2 illustrates in a different way the

  A sensor that uses a switch 13 'placed in the soleplate comprising a magnet 41, added to a coil NS, wound on a permeable magnetic core At each step the pressure on the switch 13' causes the magnet to pass a portion of the coil producing a small voltage in E.

  This voltage is amplified and formed to apply a

  General Low output at input T 1 of the microcomputer If desired, a photo-optical trigger can be used

in 13.

  The decoder 23 includes a microphone 24 for converting

  firing a particular DTMF sound into an electronic signal The output of the microphone 24 is connected to an amplifier 25 whose output is connected to a decoder 26 to transform the

  received signal BCD (binary coded decimal)

  microphone 24 receives a DTMF signal on 852 Hz in

  the abscissa and 1477 Hz on the ordinate, then the BCD signal corre-

  is '1001', ie the signal from the drivers

  The decoder 26 is "1001". The decoder output 26 is

  plicated by the two cables 42 and 42 'to an AND gate 27 since the two cables between 27 and 26 put in series a phase inverter 43 and 44 Thus, the output of the segments 42, is "1111" and feeds the AND gate 27 That's why the release of the

  AND gate is "high" and forms the P 00 input of the micro-

  computer, thus putting it in working order but the micro-

  computer 11 stops the timer while the microphone is

  phone 24 is still receiving The above functions will be described

you later.

  For the measurement of the time, the walker, jogger or other, holds a DTMF generator, starts it and the counting starts with walking or running, stops at the same time

  than the action of walking or running.

  The device 29 comprises a seven-segment BCD converter 28 fed by the outputs P 04 and P 07 and a system 45 (generally 7 segments) comprises 6 digits in this illustration. The data for 7 segments and the point

  are provided by outputs 46, and the data for

  numbers are controlled by outputs P 10 and P 15

of the microcomputer.

  An amplifier 31 of the system 30 is connected to a loudspeaker

  32, and a radio transmitter 33 is connected to an antenna 34 The switch 35 is used to selectively supply the sound signals generated by the amplifier 31 directly

  to the speaker 32 and broadcast them by radio.

  When the arrangement is that of the figure (i e Si is closed, 52 is open), the signals are applied to the loudspeaker 32 and are directly sounded when 51 is open and 52 closed the signals are then transmitted by

the transmitter 33.

  The second selector 37 serves to control the school.

  When 37 is on "'", the step count signal is applied to the display 29 If 37 is

  on "1" the average running signal is applied at 29.

jà

  If 37 is on "2", the total distance signal is applied

  that in 29 If 37 is on "3" it is the time signal that is

applied in 29.

  Figures 3 and 4 present examples of

  grams available Figure 3 shows the main program and Figure 4 is a routine interruption program

  in case the stopwatch stops.

  First some memories and some tables established in the microcomputer:

  memory N, composed of more than two registers, used

  to record the time interval data between

  the high signal outputs of the sensor circuit 12.

  Memory Word composed of more than 2 registers, for

store the length of the strides.

  Memory M 1, composed of more than 2 registers for

  moralize the accumulated time interval in N when the signals

  "up" from the sensor go to "down".

  Memory M 2, register used to memorize a table

  given musical or sound table.

  Memory M 3 V more than two registers to store the

  result of counting slots from the sensor.

  Memory M 4, saves in advance the desired number of steps. Memory M 5, contains the data relating to the start of the counting This function allows the control through M 3 of the time interval between an interruption of the

  stopwatch and a subsequent break.

  Memory M 6, it is a musical memory and metric, used to preserve the data relating to the supply

by P 16 of the number of slots.

  Memory M 7, keeps the frequency data

  hold and sound after checking them on a table

sound and music.

  Memory M 8, same object as M 7.

  The musical or sound table, consists of several 8-bit bytes Each word is organized as follows: Bit 0-2 denotes the musical notation (ie 1,

-2 ;;;; 7 and rest).

  Bit 3, 4 designates the range (basso-alto)

  Unit 5-7 denotes the measure (eighth, half-eighth).

  White, black) three musical tables (of three songs

  different) and three sound tables (three different rhythms

  rents) are proposed. The musical notation table contains the desired data Here is an example of a table: (MT is the start)

MT XXX 00000 (REST) F O

XXX 00001 (1) LF 1

  XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX

1.0111

(2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

(REST)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

(REST)

  (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) LF 2 LF 3 LF 4 LF 5 LF 6 LF 7 F 1 F 2 F 3 F 4 F 5 F 6 F 7 FO HF 1 HF 2 HF 3 HF 4 HF 5 HF 6 HF 7 wedges and HF 1

NOTES RANGE

  The program uses the frequency of musical notation

  (LF 1 and a low frequency, F 1 a medium frequency a high frequency) It will determine how much time is needed for each timer interrupt then

  the frequency of the incoming wave of P 16 can be selected

  born and determined to give a musical note.

  Here is an example of a metric table (adres-

  departure is designated by NT)

NT XXXXX 000 (1/16 beat) P -

  X XXXXX 001 (1/8 beat) Pl XXXXX 011 (1/4 beat) P 2 XXXXX 010 (1/2 beat) P 3 XXXXX 100 (1 beat> P 4 XXXXX 101 (2 beats) P 5 XXXXX 110 t 3 beats) P 6 XXXXX 111 (4 beats) P 7 A memory M 9 is used to store the data

  frequency obtained after checking the table of

  musical instrument and with M stores the information on the

  number of slots obtained after a control of the table

  (M 6, we recall, consists of more than two registers). A register M 1 is used to preserve the data

  address of the score table (With the portion of range).

  An RX register serves as a reference for recording if the sensor operating signals have been entered (1 for yes,

0 no).

  The register RY checks whether the point P O o is the first

  first, third or any other entry, high odd If yes

it is 1; no, 0.

  With regard to Figure 3, here is the main routine

  In block 1, the sensor signals are read if there are any

a, entry to block 2 or block 6.

  In program block 2 it is determined whether the signals

  of the sensor have been processed in block 3 the data of

  N is introduced in M 1 (N contains an indica-

  the time interval, when no signal arrives from the sensor) In block 4, after loading the memory M1, the register N is set to 0 and RX to 1, to avoid repeated processing of the same signals from the system. sensor As indicated in block 5, the number of low slots is then counted. As shown in blocks 6 and 7, during the period when the sensor does not send signals, (T1 = 1), RX passes O to allow the processing of the following signals. Moreover, the time interval is counted. a number N greater than a certain value is reached (when removing

  shoes for example) the account is stopped.

  As shown in blocks 8 and 9, if the switch 38 is off, the content of M 3 is loaded at M 4; if the switch 38 is not closed, as shown in blocks 8-1 and 9-1, if 39 is closed as indicated in paragraphs 24-28 the step count is compared with the pre-recorded number (M 4) Si the first digit is equal to the second, a signal 1 'of alarm will be active by P 16 If the numbers are not equal (or 38 is closed), the position of the selector is tested (see blocks 10-12) When (blocks 10-12) the selector 37 is

  on 'O' the display system, show the number of steps taken

  If the selector 37 is on "1" the dial gives the average speed (number of steps per unit of time, see above): on "2" it gives the totality of the distance traveled

on "3 N it gives the time spent.

  As previously explained in block 13 the indi-

  the time interval without signal is compared with a standard value Y, greater than Y (which means that the average is less than a certain value) selector 36 (see Figure 1) chooses the requested table as seen at blocks

  19-23 below Y see blocks 14-18.

  X 1, X 2 and X 3 denote a starting address of 3

  different musical tables R 1, R 2 and R 3 denote a number

  ro of data contained in these three tables Y 1, Y 2 and Y 3 denote a starting address of 3 different tables of

  rhythms and SI, 52 and 53 decode the data from these tables.

  When the pace of walking is less than a certain

  their, depending on the position of the selector, a certain table is

  loaded in M 2 and stores the arithmetic data char-

  M 8 (blocks 21-23) When the walking pace exceeds

  a certain value, the starting address of a table of ry-

  designated theme and its data are recorded (blocks 16-18).

  After the appropriate data has been loaded into M 2 and M 8, <block 29) the content of N is used to obtain a value R, (this value E is the factor determining the tempo of the music or sound), and the content of N is used to get any average Then, as shown in blocks 30-32, the music switch eliminates

  the sound after cessation of use.

  When the content of N is greater than Z (block 31), because the march has not yet begun, the timer causes the first interruption and starts again at the starting point at M 7 = 1 However, block 33, the stopwatch stops music and rhythm when the content of N is less than Z (the

walk started).

  Fig. 4 shows a routine interrupt routine. Thus P 16 becomes 1 or 0 The time and the number of times set to cause the interruption are used to control the output frequency at P 16 and obtain a musical effect. Block A-1 reads the data of P 00 If "O" is read from P 00, RZ is set to O pending "1" which must

  appear by P 00 and record the 1 as the first start.

  After that, RY is checked If RY is 1 then we consider that an odd number of 1 has appeared in P O o and that it must

stay 1 at this time.

  The compatage will start at block A-9 If P 00 is 1 and RZ is 1 also, the 1 of P O o is decided as the same 1 read before Then RY passes and the data will go directly to A-1 to decide the moment

counting.

  The function of blocks AA-A 8 is to make RY equal to 1 or 0, to record if the 1 in P O o is odd or

peer and so decide the count.

  If the count is decided and started, a program

  will get in action behind the dots to proceed

  to treatment by electronic music.

  If you decide to practice sports, just stop the music function and add an I / O line

as a decision line.

  As shown in block 1, we first determine if we work from the starting point, M 7 = -1, and if

  yes, we put M 7 = 0 If the content of M 7 is not initialized

  se, the count in M 6 is decreased and the fulfillment is checked.

  (blocks 3 and 4) If the pulse count in M 6 is

  not finished (or after M 7 has been active), a musical table

  designated shim and con-held M 7 are loaded at A; (accumu-

  emulator) The content A becomes a data The fields

  musical data are separated and stored temporarily.

evening in Mlo and Mil.

  The tables of musical notation and metric music

  shims are then controlled and then stored in M 6 and Mg.

  As shown in block 19, the content of M 7 is increased

  to obtain a free range on the table by sequential control The content of M: is controlled with respect to

  data from the table Superior to the advertised figure it is ef-

  faceted and becomes 0 So music and rhythms can be

reproduced endlessly.

  The content of Mi is multiplied by the value R (block

  29, Figure 3) to adjust the time interval of inter-

* russes The walking speed thus controls the music tempo

  cal As indicated in block 23 the content of M goes through the stopwatch.

  The number of slots produced by P 16 is still

  minued and checked for termination If the count is finished, it is determined whether the musical notation is at rest if yes, 16 = O (shown in block 6) otherwise, P 16 becomes alternately

0 or 1 (as shown in block 7).

  Block 8 refers to the main program when a service

vice is finished.

  Figure 7 shows the switch 13 placed in the sole 88 which is covered by the insole 90; the two insulated wires 84 and 86 are connected to the contacts 52

  and 54 in the housing 50 (Figure 5).

  In Figure 6 the electronic device is placed in a housing It externalizes the contacts 58 and 60: when the housing 56 is placed in the box 50 the

  contacts 58, 60 and 52, 54 are brought into contact.

  Housing 56 can be removed for cleaning

  the shoe or the replacement of the battery.

  The switch 13 in FIG. 9 comprises a plate

  insulation 62 which has two contacts 64 and 66 and communicates

  The insulating plate is attached to the housing 68 on which an insulating gum is glued for greater elasticity. A contact 72 is fixed.

  under the insulating gum 70 A sole 90 covers the gum.

  As shown in Figure 12, the switch 13 is placed under the big toe It can also be placed at 80 under another toe: or 82 under the big toe or under the heel 94 But the location of the big toe

is preferable.

  In Figures 10 and 11 the sole 90 is compressed during walking and made contact in 72 64 and 66 come to

  turn in contact, defining the "closed" condition.

  In FIGS. 8 and 9, at the lift of the foot, thanks to the elasticity of the rubber 70, the contact 72 moves away from 64 and

  66 to set the "open" condition.

  Finally, in FIG. 13, the contacts 64 and 66 are arranged on the insulating plate 70 in such a way that they do not come into contact with each other, in order to give the contact 72 all the possibilities; so when the sole 90 is

  compressed the switch can surely define a

closed or busy.

14 2527363

Claims (27)

  Apparatus adaptable in a shoe characterized in that it comprises: a signal generating device for each recorded step, an electronic device responsive to these signals comprising: a desired number of steps recorder (12);   a system for comparing the number of steps   and the counter of the signal generating counter resulting from the comparison (1 i) to a recording system of a given interlock length; to a multiplication system of that length given by the number of steps taken to approximate the distance traveled   To a stopwatch plus a digital dial (45).   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: an answering machine for the signals which gives an account of the intervals between the transmissions; an answering machine to the aforementioned account which provides a rate of repetition of steps; a device for selecting these accounts for display.   Apparatus according to any of the claims   1 or 2, characterized in that it includes an application the received signals.   Apparatus according to any of the claims   1 or 2, characterized in that it includes an application the received signals.   Apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises a transmitter radio (33).   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a response device for each pulse of the multi-frequency signals which causes the start-up or stopping the count.   ID 7 Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in   it comprises a device for receiving and transmitting the stored data.   8 Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a keyboard. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that   it comprises a device for receiving and transmitting the stored data.   Apparatus according to any of the claims   1, 2, 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises: a microprocessor with a reception bank of Step-signals (11).   a first group of outings to communicate the data to the display system.   a second output group of the control signals for performing the scanning of the display device, a second data receiving bank and a third   output generating alarm signals.   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized   in that it includes a music module.   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized   in that it comprises a rhythm module.   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized   in that it comprises a radio transmitter of the alarm signals.   Apparatus according to any of the claims   1, 2, 7 or 8, characterized in that it is designed as   an integral part of the shoe.   Apparatus according to claim 1, designed for storing information, characterized in that it comprises an accessible memory,   an input bank generating the indi-   pre-established figures to determine a count in the memory.   Apparatus defined for shoe fit, characterized in that it comprises: a signal generator-step in response to each step performed with the shoe; an electronic device responding to the received signals which itself comprises: a first memory comprising at least one group   tracks to store the clues of the respective sounds.   an output device that selects the signals   from the first memory to provide a representation   audible sound; and a signal-sensitive device which designates the respective ranges of the first memory in a predetermined sequence and which sequentially applies the signals   indicators of the content of each range to the output device. tie.   Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises: a second memory which retains the given pitch index. a third memory responding to the data for   store the index of a predetermined account.   a device for comparing the two accounts,   grammar and counted, giving a comparison signal that the device receives.   Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that it has a system for selectively actuating   the device designating the signals-Pas.   Apparatus according to any one of the claims   16 or 17, characterized in that it comprises:   a fourth memory retaining the index of a lon- determined.   a multiplier of the number of steps given by the second memory by this determined length; and a fifth memory to store the result got.   Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises: an answering device at each pulse of the   high frequency signal and transmitting a control signal.   a sixth memory for storing the chronometer start and stop index in accordance with the received signal, a stopwatch; and 17 2527363   a seventh memory that receives the chronometer   be. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises: a device responsive to the signals for providing a visual clue.   a device applying the signals received from the   second memory (the number of steps).   a device for selective application of the signals received from the fifth memory relative to the steps; and a device for selectively applying the signals   from the seventh memory relating to time.   Apparatus according to any of the claims   16, 17 or 18, characterized in that it further comprises: an eighth memory on behalf of the interval   of time intervening between the signals-Pas.   a device that responds to this account and creates   signals proportional to those of the signals-Pas.   a device applying the signals as data necessary for the display.   Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises:   a ninth memory responsive to the selective signals   for storing the index of the start signal of a designated portion of the second memory; a device for storing the index of an instant address, corresponding to the augmented start address, in response to each signal-step; a device for supplying these signals to the outputs in accordance with the contents of the tracks of the first memory   corresponding to this instant address.   Apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that it comprises an input device for providing selected data for designating different parts of the ninth memory.   Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the first memory comprises: a musical notation table, comprising   several memory ranges available, each corresponding to   responding to a specified frequency.   a metric table comprising several memory ranges corresponding to a musical tempo. a table of musical scores including at   minus a group of determined ranges; each beach corresponds to   to a part of a musical score and containing the index of the range corresponding to the range of the   musical notation and a range of the metric table.   Apparatus according to any one of the claims   16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 25, characterized in that that it is a part of the shoe.   27. Apparatus developed according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises: a sensor which triggers a signal at each step done with the shoe.   an electronic device responding to this signal to count the steps.   Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized   in that it is placed at the upper part of the sole.   Apparatus according to claim 28, characterized   in that it is covered with a pad.   Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized   in that it is placed in the sole of the shoe.   Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized   in that it is placed under the soles of the toes.   Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized   in that it also has its place under the big toe.   Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized   in that it can be placed under the heel.   Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized   in that it is attached to the shoe.   Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized   in that it is equipped with a fixing system.   Apparatus characterized in that it comprises:   a multi-frequency signal generator.   an electronic device responding to the signal to express a time account.