JP2002190007A - Pedometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pedometer that can provide effective information for the health care by measuring the number of steps, time, and the like of continu ous walking. SOLUTION: When walking of 60 steps or more for one minute continues for ten minutes or longer, it is determined as continuous walking, and the number of steps, walking time, and the like are counted and displayed. The ratio of the number of steps of the continuous walking to the total number of steps is computed and displayed. The continuous walking can be determined using conditions such as whether the walking of 60 steps or more for one minute has continued up to 1,000 steps or more, whether the walking has continued until the walking distance is a step * 1,000 steps or more, whether the walking has continued until consumed calorie is 25 kcal or more, and the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pedometer for detecting walking by being worn or carried on a part of a human body and performing electronic processing to count the number of steps.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of pedometer, there is generally known a pedometer which a user carries while walking and displays the number of steps, the walking distance, the walking speed, and the calorie consumed by walking in numerical values, graphics and the like. ing. Such a pedometer simply measures and displays the accumulated steps and accumulated distance for one day or until the data is reset.
In addition, calorie consumption may be calculated by changing the calculation formula of calorie consumption according to speed or exercise intensity, but in any case, the one that displays the accumulated value for one day or until the data is reset is mainly used. It is.

[0003] In recent years, for the purpose of burning body fat and promoting health, it is better to continuously exercise for 10 to 20 minutes or more even if the intensity is lighter than to perform intense exercise intermittently. It is said to be valid.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional pedometer, it is difficult to determine how much of the displayed cumulative steps is the number of steps taken continuously and how many minutes are taken continuously. Therefore, it was not possible to determine whether or not the above-described continuous walking was performed.

[0005] Also, when performing such continuous exercise, it is desirable to perform the exercise in accordance with their own physical strength.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to measure the number of continuous steps, time, etc., and to provide information effective for health management. It is to provide a pedometer that can be provided. Another object of the present invention is to provide a pedometer capable of providing information more suitable for the user by considering the age, physical strength, and the like of each user.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a walking detecting means for detecting walking, and a method in which walking detected by the walking detecting means is continuous over a predetermined reference. Continuous walking determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined continuous walking condition is satisfied,
A pedometer including: a continuous walking counting unit that counts walking that satisfies the continuous walking condition.

[0008] In this way, various indices can be counted in the case where the user walks continuously over a predetermined reference, and information useful for health management can be obtained by using the counting results of these indices. Can be provided. here,
It goes without saying that not only the number of walks satisfying the continuous walking condition but also the normal number of steps, the walking distance, and the calorie consumption, which have been counted by the conventional pedometer, can be counted together. The continuous walking condition may be set in advance, or may be set or selected by the user as appropriate.

Preferably, the walking detecting means includes a body motion detecting means for detecting a body motion, and a walking determining means for determining whether or not the body motion detected by the body motion detecting means is a walking. It is.

It is preferable that the continuous walking counting means counts at least one of the number of steps, walking time, walking distance, and calorie consumption in walking satisfying the continuous walking condition.

[0011] The predetermined continuous walking condition includes the number of steps,
It is preferable that the condition stipulate at least one of the walking time, the walking distance, and the calorie consumption. In addition, the continuous walking condition may also be imposed with a condition that defines strength such as the number of steps per unit time.

The continuous walking conditions are not limited to these conditions, and various conditions may be set according to the type of desired information.

[0013] Further, a continuous walking condition setting means for setting the continuous walking condition may be provided.

[0014] In this way, each user can take a step,
By considering walking characteristics such as walking speed, or by setting continuous walking conditions in accordance with physical characteristics such as health status and physical strength, information more suitable for the user can be obtained.

[0015] The continuous walking condition may be a condition indicating that the walking condition is higher than a standard determined based on personal information of the user.

[0016] In this manner, since the criterion for determining whether or not the user has walked continuously is determined according to the user, exercise suitable for the user can be performed, and more effective information can be obtained through daily exercise management of the user. Can be provided.

Here, the personal information includes, but is not limited to, for example, age, gender, daily exercise amount, physical strength, pulse rate, and the like.

[0018] Further, at least one of personal information input means for inputting personal information of the user and personal information measuring means for measuring personal information of the user may be provided.

In order to acquire the user's personal information, the user may input necessary information by the personal information input means, or may acquire the personal information by measuring the personal information without inputting the information. You may be able to. Further, both personal information input means and personal information measuring means may be provided.

Further, the walking counting means for counting the walking detected by the walking detecting means, the counting for the walking within a predetermined period, and the walking satisfying the predetermined continuous walking condition among the walking within the predetermined period. And a counting ratio calculating means for calculating a ratio with respect to the counting.

[0021] Further, display means for displaying at least the result of counting the continuous walking may be provided.

With such display means, the user can easily obtain useful information. As the display means, an LCD, an LED, or the like can be used. For example, information can be displayed by characters, numbers, or graphics.

A walking counting means for counting the walking detected by the walking detecting means; a walking displaying means for displaying the counting result of the walking; a continuous walking displaying means for displaying the counting result of the continuous walking; May be provided.

When the walking display means and the continuous walking display means are provided in this manner, both information such as the number of steps by normal walking and information on the number of steps by walking satisfying the continuous walking condition are displayed. Can easily obtain more useful information. The walking display means and the continuous walking display means may be provided independently, may be constituted by different display areas of the same display means, or may be constituted by mutually switching display areas of the same display means. May be. As the walk display means and the continuous walk display means, an LCD, an LED, or the like can be used. For example, information can be displayed by letters, numbers, or graphics.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a pedometer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.

The pedometer 10 has a flat three-dimensional shape, and has a shape obtained by removing one end of a long side of an ellipse. At the other end of the long side of the elliptical shape, a string support portion 10a having a hole through which a string or the like is inserted is formed so as to protrude. On the surface of the case 1, a display screen 2, such as an LCD, a setting switch 3, a memory / △ switch 4, a display changeover switch 5,
And a reset switch 6. On the back surface of the case 1, a battery case 7 and a system reset switch 8 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the pedometer 10.

The pedometer 10 mainly amplifies the output voltages of the body movement sensors (body movement detection means) 11 and 12 arranged in the X and Y directions orthogonal to each other, and the body movement sensors 11 and 12. Amplifying circuits 13 and 14, a battery 19, an LCD (display means, walking display means, continuous walking display means) for displaying time, number of steps, continuous steps, continuous walking time, calorie consumption, and operation switches such as setting switch 3 17, a system reset switch 8, and an arithmetic circuit 15 for controlling LCD display control, operation switch input detection, sequence control, power supply, and the like.

The signals obtained from the body motion sensors 11 and 12 are input to a walking determining section (walking determining means) 20. As a result of the determination by the walking determination unit 20, when it is determined that the signal is a walking signal, the number of steps is counted by a step number counter (walking counting means) 21, and the continuous time counter 22 and the internal buffer 23 are also counted at the same time. The values of the continuous time counter 22 and the internal buffer 23 are sent to a continuous walking determining unit (continuous walking determining means) 24, and a continuous walking determination is performed. As a result, when it is determined that the continuous walking is performed, the number of continuous steps is determined. The counter 25 counts the number of continuous steps. Here, the body motion sensors 11 and 12 and the walking determination unit 20 constitute a walking detecting unit. The continuous time counter 22, the internal buffer 23, the continuous step counter 25, and the arithmetic circuit 15
The continuous walking counting means is constituted by the above. Further, the arithmetic circuit 15 constitutes a count ratio calculating means.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a pedometer capable of setting a continuous time (a specified time for determining whether or not to walk continuously) by input means such as an operation switch. 3 is different from FIG. 3 only in that a continuous time setting unit 26 is provided, and the other configuration is the same. Here, the input means and the continuous time setting unit 26 constitute a continuous walking condition setting means.

Next, a procedure for using the pedometer will be described.
FIG. 5 shows a state transition of the pedometer during use.

First, when a battery is inserted into the battery case 7,
When the power is turned on, the arithmetic circuit 15 is initialized (I),
Move to "hour" setting mode (II). Next, each time the memory / △ switch 4 is pressed, the “hour” increases in units of one hour.
By depressing the setting switch 3, the "hour" is determined and the mode shifts to the "minute" setting mode (III). By pressing the reset switch 6 in the "hour" setting mode,
"Time" is cleared to zero.

In the "minute" setting mode, each time the memory / で switch 4 is pressed, the "minute" increases in one-minute units. Similarly, the "minute" is adjusted by the memory / △ switch 4 and the setting switch 3 is set. Press to confirm “minute” and shift to “weight” setting mode (IV). By pressing the reset switch 6 in the “minute” setting mode,
"Minute" is cleared to zero.

In the "weight" setting mode, each time the memory / で switch 4 is pressed, the "weight" increases in units of 1 kg. Similarly, the "weight" is adjusted by the memory / △ switch 4 and the setting switch 3 is pressed. To determine the "weight" and shift to the "step length" setting mode (V).
By pressing the reset switch 6 in the “weight” setting mode, “weight” is cleared to zero.

In the "step length" setting mode, each time the memory / 増 加 switch 4 is pressed, the "step length" increases in units of 1 cm. Similarly, the "step length" is adjusted by the memory / △ switch 4 and the setting switch 3 is pressed down. Then, the "step length" is determined, and the mode shifts to the step number detection mode (IV). Pressing the reset switch 6 in the “step” setting mode clears “step” to zero. Where "step length"
After the setting, a setting mode (X) of “continuous time” may be provided (see FIG. 6). In this case, in the “continuous time” setting mode, each time the memory / △ switch 4 is pressed, the “continuous time” increases in one-minute units. By depressing the switch 3, the "continuous time" is determined, and the mode shifts to the step count detection mode (VI).

When the setting switch 3 is pressed in the step detection mode, the mode shifts again to the "hour" setting mode (II). Also,
When the reset switch 6 is pressed in the step count detection mode, data of the day (for example, step count, continuous step count, continuous walk time,
Consumed calories, etc.) are all cleared to zero (VII).
When the display changeover switch 5 is pressed in the step count detection mode, the display contents of the LCD are switched in the order of “step count” → “continuous step count / continuous walking time” → “calorie consumption” → “step count” (VIII). When the memory / △ switch is pressed in the step detection mode, the mode is switched to the memory display mode (IX).
In this memory display mode, each time the memory / △ switch is pressed, the memory from one day to seven days ago can be referred to. When the display changeover switch 5 is pressed in the memory display mode, the mode returns to the step count detection mode (VI).

Next, the processing procedure in the step count detection mode (VI) will be described with reference to FIG.

Step counting is on standby until a body movement is detected from any of the body movement sensors (step 1), and when body movement is detected, walking determination processing is performed (step 2). If it is determined that it is not walking as a result of the walking determination process, the process returns to the standby state for body motion detection in step 1, and if it is determined that walking is performed as a result of the determination, the number of steps of the step counter is incremented by one ( Step 4). Thereafter, a continuous walking determination process (step 5) and a calorie consumption calculation process (step 6) are sequentially performed, and based on the results, the number of steps, the continuous steps / continuous walking time (respectively, “steady steps” / “steady walking time”, respectively) ) And the calorie consumption are displayed on the LCD (step 7). FIG. 8 shows a display example of the LCD. FIG.
In the case of (a), the cumulative number of steps is displayed on the upper row of the LCD, and the time is displayed on the lower row. When the display changeover switch 5 is pressed once in a state where the accumulated number of steps is displayed as shown in FIG.
The display switches to the display shown in (b). In FIG. 8B, LC
The number of continuous steps is displayed in the upper part of D, and the continuous walking time is displayed in minutes in the lower part. When the display changeover switch 5 is pressed once in the state of the continuous step count display shown in FIG. 8B, the display is switched to the display of FIG. 8C. FIG. 8 (c) shows the calorie consumption in the upper part of the LCD and the time in the lower part. When the display changeover switch is pressed once in this calorie consumption display state, the display returns to the display of FIG. The method of displaying this information on the LCD is as follows:
It is not limited to the above. All of the above information may be displayed on one screen at a time, or the display may be automatically switched, for example, every 10 seconds without pressing the display changeover switch. Also, instead of displaying the number of continuous steps, continuous walking time or continuous calories burned,
The ratio between the number of steps and the number of continuous steps, the ratio between the continuous walking time and the walking time, the ratio between the continuous walking distance and the walking distance, and the ratio between the continuous calorie consumption and the calorie consumption may be displayed on the LCD. FIG. 9A shows an example in which the number of steps is displayed in the upper part of the LCD and the ratio of the number of steps to the number of continuous steps is displayed in the lower part by the number of lit blocks among a plurality of blocks corresponding to 100%.
(B) shows an example in which the upper part of the LCD shows the calorie consumption, and the lower part shows the ratio of the calorie consumption to the continuous calorie consumption by the number of lit blocks among a plurality of blocks corresponding to 100%.

Next, continuous walking will be described.

The prescribed time for determining whether or not continuous walking (steady walking) is, for example, 10 minutes. The determination as to whether or not walking is continuous is made every minute, and if walking is interrupted for one minute or more, it is not regarded as continuous walking. Each one
Whether or not walking for one minute is continuous is determined, for example, based on whether or not the number of steps for one minute is 60 or more. If the number of steps is less than 60 steps / minute, it is assumed that walking has been interrupted.

When walking for more than 10 minutes is detected in accordance with the above-described determination conditions, the walking mode starts firmly. Only when the walking mode starts firmly does the LCD display the number of continuous steps and the continuous walking time on the LCD.
The accumulated value for each minute is displayed. ). Thereafter, the cumulative value of the number of continuous steps and the continuous walking time is added every minute. However,
When the interruption of the walking is confirmed, the accumulation of the continuous walking ends, and the walking mode starts firmly when the user walks continuously for 10 minutes or more again.

Regarding the cumulative count of continuous walking, the conditions may be changed before the start of walking firmly and during the walking firmly.
For example, before firm walking (that is, continuous walking time <1)
0 minutes), the accumulation of continuous walking ends when the interruption of walking is confirmed even once, but the walking is firmly performed (ie,
If it is (continuous walking time ≧ 10 minutes), it is temporarily suspended until the first minute, and the cumulative count is also temporarily suspended. In the next one minute, when the walking of 60 steps / minute or more is obtained, the accumulation of the continuous walking is continued. On the other hand, when the interruption of the walking is confirmed, the cumulative counting of the continuous walking is ended. It may be. As an example of continuous walking suitable for health promotion and the like, where the pulse rate increases to 100 to 110 beats / minute and maintains a substantially steady value at that level, for example, the pulse rate is determined after stopping walking. Approximately 2 until the number returns to normal levels
It is known that it takes about a minute (Michio Inokai, Physiology of Physical Exercise, p130, see FIG. 155). Therefore,
With an interruption of about 1 minute, it is reasonable to assume that continuous walking is continuing and to set conditions so that subsequent walking is counted.

The above-described continuous walking determination processing will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when it is determined that the user is walking in the walking determination processing, the number of steps is counted up by +1 (step 4). In addition, a one-minute timer is started (step 20), and the number of one-minute accumulated steps stored in the buffer a is counted up by one (step 21). continue,
It is determined whether the timer has elapsed for one minute (step 2).
2) If the time is less than one minute, the process ends, and the process returns to the calorie calculation process (step 6). When one minute has elapsed, the one-minute timer is cleared to zero (step 23), and the number of steps taken in one minute is determined from the value held in the internal buffer a (step 24).

If the user has walked 60 times or more in one minute, it is considered that walking is continuous, and +1 minute is added to the continuous time counter (step 25). Next, when the value of the continuous time counter is less than 10 minutes, the cumulative number of steps per minute (held in the buffer a) is added to the internal buffer b which holds the cumulative value of the number of steps for 1 to 10 minutes (step). 27), the internal buffer a is cleared to zero (step 28), and the process returns to the calorie calculation process (step 6). In this case, LC
D display indicates that the value of the continuous time counter is less than 10 minutes.
The number of continuous steps and the continuous walking time are not updated. FIG. 11 shows a display example of the LCD when the value of the continuous time counter is 6 minutes.
(Top).

When the value of the continuous time counter exceeds 10 minutes, it is determined whether the continuous walking has just started or the continuous walking is in progress using the continuous walking flag (step 29).

If the continuous walking flag is 0, the flag is set to 1
(Step 30), add the accumulated number of steps for one minute (retained in buffer a) to the internal buffer b that retains the accumulated value of steps for one to ten minutes (step 31), and calculate the value (=
The cumulative number of steps for 10 minutes) is added to the number of continuous steps (step 32). Subsequently, the value of the continuous time counter (= 10 minutes) is added to the continuous walking time (step 33), and the buffer b,
Both buffers a are cleared to zero (steps 34 and 2).
8) Return to calorie consumption calculation processing (step 6). In this case, the LCD display updates both the number of continuous steps and the continuous walking time to a value obtained by adding the cumulative number of steps for 10 minutes and the walking time (= 10 minutes) to the previous value (displayed value). You. FIG. 11 (middle) shows a display example of the LCD at this time.

If the continuous walking flag is 1, the cumulative number of steps for one minute (stored in the buffer a) is added to the number of continuous steps (step 35), and one minute is added to the continuous walking time (step 3).
6), the buffer a is cleared to zero (step 28), and the process returns to the calorie consumption calculation processing (step 6). In this case, the LCD display shows that the displayed value indicates the cumulative number of steps per minute and the walking time (= 1) for both the continuous steps and the continuous walking time.
Minute) is updated to the added value. FIG. 11 (lower part) shows an example of LCD display when the value of the continuous time counter is 11 minutes.
Shown in

On the other hand, when the number of steps taken in one minute is less than 60 steps, the accumulated number of steps in one minute held in the buffer a, the accumulated value of the number of steps in one to ten minutes held in the buffer b, Both the continuous time counter and the continuous walking flag are cleared to zero (steps 37 to 40), and the process returns to the calorie consumption calculation processing (step 6). In this case, the number of continuous steps and the continuous walking time are not updated on the LCD because the continuous walking is interrupted.

Here, counting of the number of continuous steps and continuous walking time will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 shows a series of LCD display examples during walking including continuous walking. Table 1
Is a numerical display of each index during walking.

[0052]

[Table 1] First, the user walks at a pace of 120 steps / minute for 4 minutes from the start of walking (referred to as walking pattern A in Table 1). On the LCD display after 4 minutes, the number of steps is 480 and the time is 0: 0.
4. The number of continuous steps is 0, and the continuous walking time is 0 minutes. One minute from 4 minutes to 5 minutes after the start of walking, the user walks at a pace of 50 steps / minute (referred to as walking pattern B in Table 1).
1 minute again for 9 minutes from 5 minutes to 14 minutes after the start of walking
Walk at a pace of 20 steps / minute. On the LCD display 14 minutes after the start of walking, the number of steps is 1610 and the time is 0: 1.
4. The number of continuous steps is 0, and the continuous walking time is 0 minutes. 30 steps / minute for 1 minute from 14 minutes to 15 minutes after the start of walking
Walk at a minute pace. 25 minutes after 15 minutes from the start of walking
After 10 minutes, walk again at a pace of 120 steps / minute. On the LCD display 25 minutes after the start of walking, the number of steps is 2,840, the time is 0:25, and the number of continuous steps is 1.
200 steps, continuous walking time is 10 minutes. Since walking at a pace of 120 steps / minute has continued for 10 minutes or more, the number of continuous steps and the continuous walking time are counted and displayed for the first time here.
Further, when walking at a pace of 120 steps / minute is continued, the LCD display 30 minutes after the start of walking indicates that the number of steps is 34.
Forty steps, the time is 0:30, the number of continuous steps is 1,800, and the continuous walking time is 15 minutes.

In the above embodiment, the determination as to whether or not a person walks continuously for a certain period of time is made based on the continuous walking time. However, the determination is made using the number of continuous steps, the continuous walking distance, or the continuous calorie consumption. Is also good. FIG. 13 shows a procedure for determining continuous walking using such an index.
These are shown in FIGS. In FIG. 13, the number of continuous steps is 100.
FIG. 14 shows a case where continuous walking is determined by setting the continuous walking distance to a step length × 1000 steps, and FIG. 15 shows a case where continuous walking is determined by setting continuous calorie consumption to 25 kcal.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 16 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of pedometer 100 according to the embodiment. The same components as those of the pedometer according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 or FIG.

The pedometer 100 has a different configuration from the pedometer 10 according to the first embodiment in that a continuous walking condition setting unit 27 is provided.

The user uses the operation switch (personal information input means) 17 to input information such as age and daily exercise. The information input by the user in this way is sent to the continuous walking condition setting unit 27, and the conditions for the user's continuous walking are set. The continuous walking is determined according to the set conditions.

FIG. 17 shows an example of setting continuous walking conditions based on the input information.

First, it is determined whether the age is 40 years or older (step 101). If it is younger than 40, it is determined whether the daily exercise amount is large (step 102). Here, if the daily amount of exercise is large, the walking speed is set to 2.5 Hz (step 103), and the process ends. In step 102, if the daily exercise amount is not large,
It is determined whether or not the daily exercise amount is normal (step 10).
4). Here, if the daily amount of exercise is normal, the walking speed is set to 2.0 Hz (step 105), and the process ends. If the daily amount of exercise is not normal in step 104 (that is, the amount of daily exercise is small or absent),
Set the walking speed to 1.5 Hz (step 106),
The process ends.

If it is determined in step 101 that the user is 40 years or older, it is determined whether the user is 70 years or older (step 107).
Here, less than 70 years old (ie, 40 years old or more and less than 70 years old)
If so, it is determined whether or not the daily amount of exercise is large (step 108). If you have a lot of daily exercise, step 10
Proceeding to 5, the walking speed is set to 2.0z, and the process ends. If the daily exercise amount is not large in step 108, it is determined whether the daily exercise amount is normal (step 1).
09). If the daily amount of exercise is normal, the process proceeds to step 106, where the walking speed is set to 1.5 Hz, and the process is terminated. If the daily amount of exercise is not normal in step 109 (that is, the daily amount of exercise is small or absent), the walking speed is set to 1 Hz (step 110), and the process ends.

If it is determined in step 107 that the user is 70 years old or older, the flow advances to step 110 to set the walking speed to 1 Hz, and ends the processing.

The continuous walking condition is not limited to being set based on the age and daily exercise amount as described above, but may be set based on the age and gender.

FIG. 18 shows an example of setting continuous walking conditions based on the age and gender of the user.

First, it is determined whether or not the age is over 40 years (step 111). If it is younger than 40, it is determined whether or not it is male (step 112). If it is a man, the walking speed is set to 2.5 Hz (step 113), and the process is terminated. If it is a woman in step 112, the walking speed is set to 2.0 Hz (step 114), and the process ends.

If the age is 40 years or older in step 111, it is determined whether or not 70 years or older (step 11).
5). If it is less than 70 years old (that is, 40 years old or more and less than 70 years old), it is determined whether or not it is a man (step 116). If it is a man, go to step 114 and reduce the walking speed to 2.0.
Hz and the process ends. If it is a woman in step 116, the walking speed is set to 1.5 Hz (step 117), and the process ends.

If the age is 70 years or older in step 115, the walking speed is set to 1.0 Hz (step 11).
8), end the process.

Here, a description will be given of a continuous walking determination processing procedure based on the continuous walking conditions set as described above in the pedometer 100 according to the present embodiment. The step detection processing in the pedometer 100 according to the present embodiment is the same as the processing procedure of the pedometer according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the continuous walking determination process in the pedometer 100. Step 2
Except for the process in 4-1, the process is the same as the process of the pedometer according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, at step 23, 1
When one minute has elapsed, the one-minute timer is cleared to zero, and the number of steps taken in one minute is determined from the value held in the internal buffer a (step 24-1). Here, as described above, the determination is performed in accordance with the continuous walking condition set based on the age and daily exercise amount input by the user. For example, if the user is under the age of 40 and has a large amount of daily exercise, the set walking speed condition is 2.5 Hz.
In step 24-1, it is determined whether the user has walked 150 steps or more per minute. If the user is under the age of 40 and has a normal amount of exercise, the walking speed condition set is 2.0 Hz. Therefore, it is determined in step 24-1 whether or not the user has walked 120 steps or more per minute. You. If the user is over 70 years old, the set walking speed is 1
Hz, 6-minutes per minute in step 24-1.
It is determined whether the user has walked zero steps or more. Step 24-1
Subsequent processing is the same as the processing after step 24 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

The continuous walking condition based on the input information of the user is not limited to the above-described walking speed, but may be, for example, a continuous walking time. An example in which the continuous walking time is set as the continuous walking condition will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is determined whether the age is 40 years or older (step 121). If it is younger than 40, it is determined whether or not the daily exercise amount is large (step 122). Here, if the daily amount of exercise is large, the continuous walking time is set to 20 minutes (step 123), and the process ends. If the daily exercise amount is not large in step 122,
It is determined whether or not the daily exercise amount is normal (step 12).
4). Here, if the daily exercise amount is normal, the continuous walking time is set to 15 minutes (step 125), and the process is terminated. If the daily amount of exercise is not normal in step 124 (that is, the amount of daily exercise is small or absent),
The continuous walking is set to 10 minutes (step 126), and the process ends.

If it is determined in step 121 that the user is 40 years or older, it is determined whether the user is 70 years or older (step 127).
Here, less than 70 years old (ie, 40 years old or more and less than 70 years old)
If so, it is determined whether or not the daily amount of exercise is large (step 128). If the daily amount of exercise is large, step 12
Proceeding to 5, the continuous walking time is set to 15 minutes, and the process ends. If the daily exercise amount is not large in step 128, it is determined whether the daily exercise amount is normal (step 129). If the daily amount of exercise is normal, the routine proceeds to step 126, where the continuous walking time is set to 10 minutes, and the processing is terminated. If the daily exercise amount is not normal in step 129 (that is, the daily exercise amount is small or absent), the continuous walking time is set to 5 minutes (step 130), and the process is terminated.

If the user is 70 years or older in step 127, the process proceeds to step 130, where the continuous walking time is set to 5 minutes, and the process is terminated.

The exercise intensity can be set by, for example, the above-described walking speed, continuous walking time, or AND condition between the walking speed and the continuous walking time, but is not limited thereto.

Further, the pedometer 1 according to the present embodiment described above.
In the case of 00, information such as the age of the user is input by the operation switch 17.
As disclosed in No. 8, a pulse sensor for detecting a pulse may be provided, and conditions according to the exercise ability of each user may be set based on physical information such as a pulse rate directly measured. .

FIG. 21 shows the internal configuration of the pedometer 100 according to the modification, and FIG. 22 shows the internal configuration of the pulse detector. The pedometer 100 has a configuration including a pulse detection unit (personal information measurement unit) 28 for detecting a pulse wave of a finger in addition to the configuration of FIG. That is, a pulse wave sensor 281 including a light emitting element (infrared light emitting LED) and a light receiving element (phototransistor)
A constant current circuit 282 for supplying a current to the light emitting element of the pulse wave sensor 281, an amplifier circuit 283 for amplifying a signal detected by the light receiving element of the pulse wave sensor 281, and a pulse wave synchronization based on the amplified pulse wave signal. A comparison circuit 284 for extracting a signal is provided, and the arithmetic circuit 15 controls ON / OFF of a light emitting element, detection of a pulse wave signal, calculation of a pulse rate, etc. (However, in FIG. 22, power supply to each unit is performed. Is omitted).

In such a pedometer 100, for example, the user inputs information such as age and physical strength using the operation switch 17. Thereafter, the pulse rate at rest is measured via the pulse detector 28. The input information is sent to the continuous walking condition setting unit 27, and the conditions for the user's continuous walking are set, and the continuous walking is determined according to the conditions. For example, the exercise intensity condition can be set as a ratio to the maximum predicted heart rate. Similarly to the above-described example, the time is not limited to the exercise intensity, and may be set as a time that satisfies the walking speed or the continuous condition.

FIG. 23 shows an example of setting conditions when the user inputs the presence or absence of physical strength.

First, it is determined whether or not the user's physical strength is excellent according to the input information (step 131).
When the physical strength is excellent, the continuous walking heart rate is 60% H
Rmax is set (step 132), and the process ends. If the physical strength is not excellent in step 131, it is determined whether the physical strength is normal (step 133). If the physical strength is normal, the continuous walking heart rate is set to 50% HRmax (step 134), and the process ends. Step 1
If the physical strength is not normal at 33 (that is, the physical strength is inferior), the continuous walking heart rate is set to 40% HRmax (step 135), and the process ends. The pulse rate is measured continuously or periodically at the time of walking, and when walking with the above-mentioned exercise intensity, for example, continuously for 10 minutes or more, counting of the continuous steps is started.

The above-mentioned maximum predicted heart rate (HRmax)
Is calculated from the maximum heart rate predicted from the age and the heart rate at rest. For example, the value of 65% HRmax of a person at the age of 45 and a heart rate of 70 bpm at rest is calculated by the equation of Carbone. Based on, ((220−45) −70) * 0.65 + 70 = 138
[Bpm]. Here we do not consider the gender of the user,
The maximum predicted heart rate may be obtained in consideration of gender, or an equation not including the heart rate at rest may be used.

Measurement of the pulse rate is described in JP-A-7-255688.
It is not limited to the case where measurement is performed from the pulse wave of the finger as disclosed in the above publication.

As described above, by inputting information such as the user's age, gender, daily amount of exercise, and presence or absence of physical strength, or by measuring information such as the pulse rate, the conditions for continuous exercise suitable for the user can be determined. Given. Therefore, by using the pedometer according to the present invention, it is checked whether or not the exercise or walking suitable for the condition suitable for the user can be executed on a daily basis,
Motivation for improvement of lack of exercise can be provided, and effective information can be provided by daily exercise management.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Indices such as the number of steps, the walking time, the walking distance, and the calorie consumption when walking continuously for a certain time, a certain number of steps, a certain distance, or a certain calorie consumption can be measured and displayed. By using such an index, it is possible to determine, for example, the number of steps taken continuously among the total number of steps in a day, and to display an added value of the time taken for continuous walking. Since it can be used, it can be used as a standard for daily exercise such as fat burning and health promotion, and can be used as advice material in exercise therapy and the like. That is, according to the present invention, more useful information can be provided for the health management of the user.

Further, information suitable for the user can be provided by inputting or measuring and taking in information such as the age of the user and setting conditions for determining continuous walking based on the information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a pedometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pedometer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the pedometer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a pedometer according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state transition of a pedometer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state transition of a pedometer according to a modification.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a step count detection mode of the pedometer.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of the LCD of the pedometer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of an LCD of a pedometer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a continuous walking determination process of the pedometer.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an LCD of a pedometer.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing transition of the display of the LCD of the pedometer.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of a continuous walking determination processing procedure of the pedometer.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of a continuous walking determination processing procedure of the pedometer.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of the procedure of the continuous walking determination process of the pedometer.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a pedometer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting a continuous walking condition;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of another continuous walking condition setting process.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a continuous walking determination processing procedure in the pedometer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting a continuous walking time;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a pedometer according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a pulse detection unit.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of another continuous walking condition setting process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 display screen 3 setting switch 4 memory / △ switch 5 display changeover switch 10 pedometer 11,12 body motion sensor 15 arithmetic circuit 16 LCD 17 operation switch 20 walking determination unit 21 walking counter 22 continuous walking counter 23 internal buffer 24 continuous walking determination Unit 25 continuous step counter 26 continuous time setting unit 27 continuous walking condition setting unit 100 pedometer

Continued on the front page. 801 Horikawa Higashiiri Minami Fudodoucho Inside OMRON Life Science Research Inc. (72) Inventor Seio Kubo 801 Shimogyo-ku, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 801 Fudogawa Higashiiriminamido Fudodoucho Co., Ltd. Reference) 2F024 BA01 BA10 BA13 4C038 VA13 VB31

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A walking detecting means for detecting walking, and whether or not a walking detected by the walking detecting means satisfies a predetermined continuous walking condition indicating that the walking is a continuous walking exceeding a predetermined reference. A pedometer comprising: a continuous walking determination unit that determines the condition; and a continuous walking counting unit that counts walking that satisfies the continuous walking condition. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said walking detecting means includes a body movement detecting means for detecting a body movement, and a walking determining means for determining whether or not the body movement detected by said body movement detecting means is walking. The pedometer according to claim 1, wherein 3. The number of steps according to claim 1, wherein the continuous walking counting means counts at least one of the number of steps, the walking time, the walking distance, and the calorie consumption in the walking satisfying the continuous walking condition. Total. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined continuous walking condition is a condition that specifies at least one of the number of steps, a walking time, a walking distance, and a calorie consumption.
Pedometer according to any of the above. 5. The pedometer according to claim 1, further comprising a continuous walking condition setting means for setting the continuous walking condition. 6. The continuous walking condition according to claim 1, wherein the continuous walking condition is a condition indicating that the walking condition is equal to or higher than a standard determined based on personal information of the user. Pedometer. 7. The number of steps according to claim 6, further comprising at least one of personal information input means for inputting personal information of the user and personal information measuring means for measuring personal information of the user. Total. 8. A walking counting means for counting the walking detected by the walking detecting means, a counting for walking within a predetermined period, and a walking satisfying the predetermined continuous walking condition among the walking within the predetermined period. The pedometer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a counting ratio calculating unit configured to calculate a ratio of the pedometer to the counting. 9. The pedometer according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying at least the result of counting the continuous walking. 10. A walking counting means for counting the walking detected by the walking detecting means, a walking displaying means for displaying the counting result of the walking, a continuous walking displaying means for displaying the counting result of the continuous walking, The pedometer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: