GB2192475A - Step counter - Google Patents

Abstract

A wrist watch type step counter applies the principle of natural to-and-fro swinging of the hand during walking or running to activate a mercury switch (3), the output from which is sent to an IC (19) for counting, comparison and decoding, and consequently the number of steps is displayed on a digital display (2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wrist watch type electronic step counter This invention relates to a step counter, particularly with wrist watch type electronic step counter.

Raising of living quality calls for stress on physical fitness, and thus jogging, gymnastics, and the like are popularworldwide.

Generally, there are two kinds of step counters: (1 ) Shoe type step counter which makes counting according to contact between a shoe and the ground during walking or running; and (2) Waisttype counter which applies the principle of vertical movement of human body during walking or running to make counting.

The conventional step countercomprises gear train and dial type scale similar two that forwatch.

Because there will be a great friction, counting to the first unit place is impossible. Usually a turn of pointer represents 10,000 steps, and each turn is divided into 100graduations,each graduation represents 100 steps. It is not good enough, and its production cost is high. There has been an improvement which applies a mechanical rocker to contact with a plate for counting purpose. However, its error is over 10%, and it does notfitthe requirement of precision and high efficiency in modern life.

In view of the above defects, the inventor invented a wristwatch type electronic step counter with the latest electronic technology, and a mercury switch of simple design to eliminate the defects of late response and low accuracy of mechanical counter.

The present invention provides a step counter, particularly a wrist watch type electronic step counter which applies the principle of natural hand swinging during walking or running to activate a mercuryswitch to general signals. The signals is counted by an IC and the number of steps so determined is displayed by a display. It can give alarm signal as soon as a present number of steps is reached.

An embodiment of this invention is described by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure lisa block diagram forthe present invention.

Figure2 is a fragmental view illustrating action of a mercury switch in the present invention during swinging of hand.

Figure 3 is a fragmental and perspective view illustrating structure ofthe present invention.

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a wrist watch type electronic step counter which applied to principle of natural to-and-fro swinging of hand during walking or running to activate a mercury switch to general on and off signals following the swinging. The signals are set to an IC for counting, comparison and decoding, and number of steps so determined is displayed on a digital display.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a wristwatch type electronic step counter having an alarm setting key to activate an alarm to give alarm signal as soon as a present number of steps is reached during an exercise.

Adetailed description of the present invention is given below with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure lisa block diagram of the present invention. It comprises of an IC (1), a digital display (2), a mercury switch (3), a battery (4), a bulb (5), a clear key (6), a latch key (7), an alarm setting key (8), a light key (9), and an alarm (10). Please referto Figure 2foraction of the mercury switch (3)when a hand with the present invention is swinging. Hands swing to-and-fro naturally during walking or running.

Swinging ofthe hand causes mercurydrop (11) flows to-and-fro. Because the mercury drop (11) is conductive, its contact with an electrode (12) during the to-and-fro flowing will form a closed circuit. The mercury switch (3) is in the form of a semi-circular tube. The electrode (12) is located in its middle.

Signal generated during flowing ofthe mercury drop (11) in the tube is sent to the IC (1 )forcounting.

Counting in the IC (1 ) can be cleared and reset by the clear key (6). The alarm setting key (8) can, together with resetting by the clear key (6) and setting of number of steps with the latch key (7), cause the alarm (10)to givealarm as soon asthe present number of steps is reached. The latch key (7) is for setting of number of steps in an exercise. The light key (9) isto turn on the bulb (5) for lighting on the digital display (2). The digital display (2) is for display of number of steps.

Please refer to Figure 3, a fragmental and perspective view of the present invention. The structureofthe present invention includes a case (13) with a display window (14) in the middle from which digits on the digital display over a circuit board (15) can be viewed directly. Bands(16) are attached to the case at 12 and 6 o'clock position respectively. There are four buttons (18) on the case (13). An alarm (10) is incorporated with the circuit board (15) for generation of alarm signal. The mercury switch (3) is installed on the circuit board (15). The eiectrode (12) is located at 3 o'clock position. An IC (19) is included in the circuit board (15). The above design is for left hand wearing. The electrode (12) may be located at 9 o'clock position for right hand wearing.Bottom plate (17) is for fixing the circuit board (15) in the case (13).

As described above, the present invention is a means to count number of step with simple circuit and mechanical structure. It is creative in design and it improves effect significantly. Therefore, it is patentable for it is an entirely creative and perfect design.

The above description refers to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Person who skilled in the art may make a lot of changes and modifications within the spirit of the present invention. In order works, the embodiment may be changed or altered in its appearance and structureto meet different requirements.

Therefore, the above descriptions and the attached drawings refer to a preferred embodimentofthe present invention and in nowaylimitthe present invention. The scope of claims hereunder shall include all changes and modifications within the characteristics and spirit of shape and structure which may be made by any person skilled in the art.

Claims (8)

1. A wrist watch type electronic step counter comprising - a case, with a display window in the middle four direct display of digit, bands attached at 6 and 12 o'clock positions respectively, and four buttons; - a circuit board, with a digital display in the middle aligning with the display window, a bulb at a side, a mercury switch at 3 o'clock position, an alarm atthetop and an IC in the bottom; and - a bottom plateto fixthe circuit board in the case, and characterized by flowing of a mercury drop in the mercury switch following the natural to-and-fro swinging of a left hand with it during walking or running to contact with an electrode to generate continuous on and off signals which are sent to the IC for counting, comparison and decoding, consequently number of steps so counted is displayed at digital display, and function modes are controlled and set by four buttons on the case.

2, A step counter as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the four buttons at the case are clear key, latch key, alarm setting keyand light key.

3. Astep counteras claimed in Claim 1 wherein the mercury switch is in the form of a semi-circular tube with an electrode in the middle sothatflowing of a mercury drop following swinging of hand can generate signals.

4 Astep counteras claimed in Claim 1 wherein the mercury switch is located at 9 o'clock position to fit right hand swinging.

5. A button as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the clear key is to clear and reset counting in the IC.

6. A button as claimed in Claim 2wherein the latch key is to latch number of steps being shown.

7. A button as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the alarm setting key upon setting of the clear key and the latch key can cause the alarm to give alarm signal as soon as present number of steps is reached and after comparison at the IC.

8. Abutton as claimed in Claim 2wherein pushing to the light key can turn on the bulbfor lighting over the digital display to ease reading ofthe display at night.