JP4611221B2 - Electronic pedometer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic pedometer provided with an acceleration sensor that is used by being worn on a wrist of a user.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-54704 (Patent Document 1) discloses a wrist-type pedometer that detects the number of vibrations of a pendulum based on the number of times of contact of a contact portion, a pendulum type acceleration detection unit including a pendulum and a contact portion, and the pendulum And a pendulum type acceleration detecting unit that disposes the contact point downward with respect to a gravitational axis corresponding to an arm direction when the arm is worn and a vertical horizontal axis. This is a uniaxial wristwatch type pedometer characterized in that it is housed and arranged in the case so that the angle of the arrangement line is within a range of 45 ° ± 15 °. The pendulum type detection unit is pivotally supported and attached to the case within an angle of 45 ° ± 15 ° of the contact line arrangement line.

  The above-described conventional pedometer can measure the number of steps with high accuracy by adjusting the arrangement angle of the pendulum type acceleration detector according to the swinging state of the user's arm. However, as is clear from Table 1, the accuracy of the number of steps is considerably different depending on normal walking, jogging while moving the arm in parallel, jogging while swinging the arm, that is, depending on the walking form. In addition, the above-described conventional pedometer has a large number of component parts, has a complicated structure, and is not easy to assemble and adjust sensitivity. It has a more complicated structure. Also, in these conventional pedometers, erroneous walking detection is likely to occur due to a shift in the user's hand gesture and landing timing, and there still remains a problem in the step count measurement accuracy.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-125551 (Patent Document 2) discloses a pendulum type acceleration detector that detects the number of vibrations of the pendulum, a case with a band that houses the pendulum type acceleration detector, and digitally displays at least the number of steps and the time. In the initial state in which the pendulum can measure the number of steps during walking, the virtual line connecting the rotation fulcrum and the pendulum body is 8-25 with respect to the virtual line connecting the 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock on the dial of the watch. The wristwatch type pedometer is characterized in that the child fulcrum swinging at an angle of 6 degrees and the swinging fulcrum at 6 o'clock side is inclined at 12 o'clock side. In this conventional wrist watch type pedometer, the pendulum type acceleration detector is configured to be adjustable in angle within the range of 8 to 25 degrees from the outside of the case with the band. When the tilt angle is 8 degrees or less, the pendulum operates even with a small gravitational acceleration to cause chattering, and when the tilt angle is 25 degrees or more, a large gravitational acceleration is required to operate the pendulum, so the detection sensitivity is low. Because.

  Incidentally, paragraph No. 0061 of Patent Document 2 describes that when the pendulum type acceleration detector is tilted by 35 degrees, it has been found that it can be sufficiently used for walking measurement during jogging, but the angle is 35 degrees. Is excluded because of low detection sensitivity.

  The above-mentioned conventional pedometer can measure the number of steps with high accuracy by adjusting the arrangement angle of the pendulum type detector in consideration of the measurement error due to the difference in gender between users. However, since these conventional pedometers are provided with a pendulum type acceleration detection unit as a walking sensor, there are many components, the structure is complicated, and assembly and sensitivity adjustment are not easy. In addition, since the arrangement angle of the pendulum type acceleration detector can be adjusted, the structure is further complicated. In addition, in this conventional pedometer, erroneous walking detection is likely to occur due to a shift in the user's hand gesture and landing timing, and there still remains a problem in the measurement accuracy of the number of steps.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-309693 (Patent Document 3) discloses a wristwatch-type electronic pedometer using a single-axis electronic acceleration sensor that does not include a pendulum. The uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor is also called a shock sensor, a shock sensor, a vibration sensor, or the like, and is a sensor composed of a bimorph element, a unimorph element, a piezo element, etc. Is an acceleration sensor that is too small to compare. This conventional electronic pedometer is a uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor that detects a user's walking and outputs a walking signal corresponding to the walking, and a calculation that calculates the number of steps of the user based on the walking signal. And an electronic pedometer using at least the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor mounted on the wrist of the user by the band, and a band for mounting on the wrist of the user. The sensitivity axis of the single-axis electronic acceleration sensor is in the range of 90 degrees to 30 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band, or 30 to 90 degrees clockwise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. It is arrange | positioned so that it may be located in the range within a degree.

Compared with the pedometer equipped with a mechanical acceleration detector with a pendulum, the above-mentioned conventional electronic pedometer is a single-axis electronic acceleration sensor. In addition, it has a feature that sensitivity adjustment is easy. In addition, since the single-axis electronic acceleration sensor is arranged with the sensitivity axis being specified at a predetermined angle as described above, it can detect walking without shaking the arm, so that most steps in normal life can be detected. It can be detected. However, even in an electronic pedometer using this uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor, the measurement accuracy of the number of steps varies considerably depending on the walking mode.
JP 2004-54704 A JP 2004-125551 A JP 2005-309893 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic pedometer that is equipped with an electronic acceleration sensor as a walking sensor and is worn on the wrist of the user with a band. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensitivity axis adjusting means that is simple and easy to operate so that the sensitivity axis of the sensor can be adjusted to an optimum angle so that measurement can be performed.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic pedometer used by being worn on the user's wrist has an optimum sensitivity axis of the electronic acceleration sensor during normal walking, jogging, and running, that is, depending on the walking mode. We noticed that each was significantly different.

  And in order to solve the above-mentioned subject, an electronic acceleration sensor which detects a user's walk and outputs a walk signal, a signal processor which calculates the number of steps of a user based on the walk signal, and the signal processor A pedometer case that is rotatably fitted to the outer periphery of the main body case and has a peripheral rotation ring on which the electronic acceleration sensor is disposed, and a band that is attached to the wrist of the user. Thus, an electronic pedometer capable of adjusting the sensitivity axis of the electronic acceleration sensor according to the user's walking form is configured.

  In the electronic pedometer used by being worn on the left hand of the user, the electronic acceleration sensor is connected to the outer peripheral rotating ring within 90 degrees counterclockwise from 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. The optimal sensitivity position within the angular range is arranged to be adjustable according to the walking form.

  Further, in the electronic pedometer used by being attached to the right hand of the user, the electronic acceleration sensor is connected to the outer peripheral rotating ring within 90 degrees clockwise from 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. It was arranged to be adjustable according to the walking form at the optimal sensitivity position within the angle range.

According to the present invention, a user of an electronic pedometer equipped with an acceleration sensor that is worn on the wrist of the user as a walking sensor can optimize the sensitivity axis of the sensor according to the walking mode of normal walking, jogging, and running. Since it can be adjusted to an angle, it is possible to measure the number of steps with high accuracy. Moreover, since the way of swinging the user's arm in each walking form is different, the sensitivity axis can be finely adjusted to a position where the user is in each walking form.
In addition, since the electronic acceleration sensor is disposed on the outer peripheral rotation ring that is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the main body case, the structure for adjusting the sensitivity axis of the sensor is not complicated and the increase in manufacturing cost can be kept low. I can do it. In addition, since the angle adjustment only rotates the outer peripheral rotation ring, the angle operation is easy for both users of old and young.

  An electronic pedometer according to the present invention includes an electronic acceleration sensor that detects a user's walking and outputs a walking signal, a signal processing unit that calculates the number of steps of the user based on the walking signal, and the signal processing unit. A pedometer case that is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the main body case and has an outer peripheral rotation ring with the electronic acceleration sensor disposed thereon, and a band that is attached to the wrist of the user It is an electronic pedometer.

  An electronic pedometer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes steps shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 which are plan views of main parts, and FIGS. 2 and 3 which are sectional views of main parts. It is constructed by adding a measuring function. The electronic pedometer 100 has a watch band (not shown) attached to the watch case 1, and is used by attaching the watch band to a user's arm.

  A watch case 1 as a pedometer case includes a main body case 2 called an exterior and an outer peripheral rotating ring 3 attached to the outer periphery of the main body case 2. The outer peripheral rotating ring 3 is also called a bezel, and is rotatably attached to the main body case 2 by a ratchet mechanism or a clip pin (not shown). The main body case 2 is sealed with a cover glass 4 at the front side opening and a back lid 5 at the back side opening. The main body case 2 houses components such as a circuit block 6, a panel frame 8, a liquid crystal display unit 9, a battery 10, and the like. The circuit block 6 constitutes a signal processing unit that calculates the number of steps of the user based on the walking signal, and is configured by mounting electronic parts such as an IC element (not shown) on the circuit board 7.

  A uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 employed as a walking sensor in the electronic pedometer 100 of one embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor substrate 13 having an acceleration sensor element 12 mounted on the front side, as shown in FIG. The unit type sensor includes a pair of sensor terminals 14A and 14B arranged on the back side of the sensor substrate 13. The pair of sensor terminals 14A and 14B are ends of a conductive metal thin film formed by depositing a conductive metal in a pair of through holes 15A and 15B provided in the sensor substrate 13, and the conductive metal thin film The other end extends to a pair of terminals of the acceleration sensor element. The arrangement interval between the pair of sensor terminals 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B is about the length of the acceleration sensor element 12. The acceleration sensor element 12 constitutes a sensor called a shock sensor, an impact sensor, a vibration sensor or the like, and is a small sensor element such as a bimorph element, a unimorph element, or a piezo element having a pair of terminals.

  The electronic acceleration sensor 11 is disposed on an outer peripheral rotating ring 3 that is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the main body case 2 of the watch case 1. Waterproof packings 22 and 23 are disposed between the main body case 2 and the outer peripheral rotating ring 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a sensor accommodating portion 21 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 26 of the outer peripheral rotating ring 3. The sensor accommodating portion 21 is configured by a wide opening for accommodating the sensor substrate 13 and a concave portion for accommodating the acceleration sensor element 12. The opening in which the sensor substrate 13 is accommodated is configured to be surrounded by a wall surface projecting from the inner peripheral surface 26 of the outer peripheral rotation ring 3. The height of the protruding wall surface is substantially equal to the thickness of the sensor substrate 13, in other words, is selected to be about half the gap distance between the outer peripheral surface 25 of the main body case 2 and the inner peripheral surface 26 of the outer peripheral rotating ring 3. .

  The circuit block 6 housed in the main body case 2 and the electronic acceleration sensor 11 disposed on the outer peripheral rotation ring 3 rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the main body case 2 are electrically connected by a sensor connecting portion. It is connected. That is, the sensor connecting portion includes movable conductive pins 16A and 16B having large-diameter tip portions, pressure springs 17A and 17B, and stepped guide holes 18A and 18B. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the movable conductive pins 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B having a large-diameter tip portion are stepped guide holes having a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion that are provided through the wall surface of the main body case 2. 18A and 18B are inserted and arranged. The movable conductive pins 16A and 16B inserted and disposed in the stepped guide holes 18A and 18B are connected to the sensor terminals 14A and 14B of the electronic acceleration sensor 11 by the pressurizing springs 17A and 17B disposed in the large diameter portion. Is biased to the side. Also, retaining members 19A and 19B are attached to the rear ends of the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B, respectively.

  With the above-described configuration, the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B are movable by a predetermined range in the axial direction of the stepped guide holes 18A and 18B. Accordingly, the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B have their tips in contact with the sensor terminals 14A and 14B of the electronic acceleration sensor 11, and at the same time, their rear ends are brought into contact with the circuit board 7 of the circuit block 6, and the circuit block 6 and the acceleration sensor. 11 is electrically connected.

  By the way, the large-diameter tip portions of the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B are formed as spherical protrusions. On the other hand, through holes 15A and 15B are opened at the center of the sensor terminals 14A and 14B of the acceleration sensor 11. For this reason, the spherical protrusions of the large-diameter tip portions of the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B engage with the openings of the through holes 15A and 15B at the center portions of the sensor terminals 14A and 14B. Therefore, the connection between the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B and the sensor terminals 14A and 14B of the electronic acceleration sensor 11 is stably performed.

  The sensor connection portion, that is, the sensor connection portion including the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B having the large-diameter end portions, the pressure springs 17A and 17B, and the stepped guide holes 18A and 18B is shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer peripheral surface 25 of the main body case 2 is provided at three positions. Specifically, 90 ° counterclockwise to the longitudinal direction of the band, 90 ° counterclockwise to 45 ° of the longitudinal direction of the band, and relative to the longitudinal direction of the band. The position is 90 degrees. In other words, they are the 12 o'clock position, the 1:30 position, and the 3 o'clock position.

  The electronic pedometer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above allows the user to easily adjust the sensitivity axis of the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 according to the walking form. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the outer peripheral rotation ring 3 is rotated and the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 is disposed at a position 90 degrees counterclockwise from 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band, The acceleration sensor 11 is electrically connected to the circuit block 6 of the main body case 2 via the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B of the sensor connecting portion disposed at the 12 o'clock position of the timepiece of the main body case 2. When in this angular position, the sensitivity axis of the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the band, and the electronic pedometer 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is the number of steps to walk in a non-hand-shake posture. Is measured with high accuracy. In this sensitivity axis, the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 stably detects the landing vibration of the foot during the non-hand-shake walking with high sensitivity. Therefore, when the outer peripheral rotation ring 3 is rotated to the angular position shown in FIG. 1, the electronic pedometer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention functions as an electronic pedometer that is optimal for normal walking in a non-hand-shake posture.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the outer peripheral rotating ring 3 is rotated and the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 is arranged at a position of 90 degrees from the longitudinal direction of the band to 45 degrees counterclockwise, The type acceleration sensor 11 is electrically connected to the circuit block 6 of the main body case 2 via the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B of the sensor connecting portion arranged at 1:30 on the timepiece of the main body case 2. . When in this angular position, the sensitivity axis of the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 coincides with a line extending from 90 degrees to 45 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. The electronic pedometer measures the number of steps during hand-waving with high accuracy. This is because the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 stably detects both the landing vibration of the foot and the hand shaking vibration with high sensitivity in this sensitivity axis. Therefore, when the outer peripheral rotating ring 3 is rotated to the angular position shown in FIG. 5, the electronic pedometer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention functions as an electronic pedometer that is optimal for normal walking in a hand shaking posture.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the outer peripheral rotating ring 3 is rotated and the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 is disposed at a position of 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band, the electronic acceleration sensor 11 is connected to the main body case 2. Are electrically connected to the circuit block 6 of the main body case 2 via the dynamic conducting pins 16A and 16B of the sensor connecting portion disposed at the 3 o'clock position of the watch. When in this angular position, the sensitivity axis of the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 coincides with a line of 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band, and the electronic pedometer 100 of one embodiment of the present invention is Measure the number of steps during running with high accuracy. This is because, in this sensitivity axis, the single-axis electronic acceleration sensor 11 stably detects the landing vibration of the foot at the time of running in a posture in which the wrist is parallel to the ground from the elbow. Therefore, when the outer peripheral rotating ring 3 is rotated to the angular position shown in FIG. 5, the electronic pedometer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention functions as an electronic pedometer that is optimal for running.

  In this way, the user of the electronic pedometer 100 according to the present invention can easily adjust the sensor sensitivity position to the optimum position according to the walking mode by rotating the outer peripheral rotation ring 3.

  As described above, the electronic pedometer 100 used with the band attached to the user's left hand has been described in detail with respect to one embodiment. However, the electronic pedometer 100 used with the band attached to the user's right hand can be configured. Of course. Incidentally, in association with the above-described embodiment, the sensor connecting portion, that is, the movable conductive pins 16A and 16B having the large-diameter tip portions, the pressure springs 17A and 17B, and the stepped guide holes 18A and 18B are included. The sensor connection part comprised by these is provided in the outer peripheral surface 25 of the main body case 2 at three positions. Specifically, the position 90 degrees clockwise from 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band, the position 90 degrees to 45 degrees clockwise from the longitudinal direction of the band, and 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. The position of the degree. In other words, they are the 12 o'clock position, the 10:30 position, and the 9 o'clock position of the timepiece. The arrangement of the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 on the outer peripheral rotating ring 3 is the same as that in the above-described embodiment.

By the way, in the electronic pedometer 100 according to the present invention, the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 is not limited to being adjusted to the specific angular position as described above. In the electronic pedometer 100 that is used by being worn with a band on the left hand of the user, the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 is provided on the outer peripheral rotation ring 3 from 90 degrees counterclockwise to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may arrange | position to the optimal sensitivity position within the angle range within a degree. Further, in the electronic pedometer 100 that is used by being worn with a band on the right hand of the user, the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 is provided on the outer peripheral rotating ring 3 from 90 degrees clockwise from the longitudinal direction of the band. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may arrange | position to the optimal sensitivity position within the angle range within 90 degree | times.
In the present embodiment, the case where the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 is held at three positions has been described. However, it is possible to further increase the positions where the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11 can be held. If the positions that can be held are increased, fine adjustments can be made depending on how the user's arm is swung. It is also possible to use a biaxial electronic acceleration sensor in place of the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor 11. In this case, the circuit block 6 estimates the arm swing direction from the signal output from the biaxial electronic acceleration sensor, and measures the number of steps from the user's arm swing state in each walking form based on the estimation result. It may be determined whether or not.

It is a partial top view of the electronic pedometer of one Example of this invention. However, the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor arranged on the outer peripheral rotating ring is in a state in which the angle is adjusted from 90 degrees to 90 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. Partial sectional view showing the state of arrangement of the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor arranged on the outer peripheral rotating ring and the movable conductive pin for electrical connection with the circuit board arranged in the main body case in the main body case It is a partial cross-sectional view cut along the longitudinal direction of the electronic acceleration sensor. Partial sectional view showing the state of arrangement of the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor arranged on the outer peripheral rotating ring and the movable conductive pin for electrical connection with the circuit board arranged in the main body case in the main body case FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electronic acceleration sensor. They are a bottom view (A), a sectional view (B), and a plan view (C) of a uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor. It is a partial top view of the electronic pedometer of one Example of this invention. However, the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor arranged on the outer peripheral rotating ring is in a state in which the angle is adjusted from 90 degrees to 45 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. It is a partial top view of the electronic pedometer of one Example of this invention. However, the uniaxial electronic acceleration sensor arranged on the outer peripheral rotating ring is in a state where the angle is adjusted to a position of 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Watch case 2 Main body case 3 Outer periphery rotation ring 4 Cover glass 5 Back cover 6 Circuit block 7 Circuit board 8 Panel frame 9 Liquid crystal display part 10 Battery 11 Electronic acceleration sensor 12 Acceleration sensor element 13 Sensor board 14A, 14B Sensor terminal 15A, 15B Through hole
16A, 16B Movable conducting pins 17A, 17B Pressure springs 18A, 18B Cutting guide holes 19A, 19B Retaining members 21 Sensor accommodating portions 22, 23, 24 Waterproof packing 25 Outer peripheral surface 26 of main body case Inside outer peripheral rotating ring Circumference

Claims (5)

An electronic acceleration sensor that detects a user's walking and outputs a walking signal, a signal processing unit that calculates the number of steps of the user based on the walking signal, a main body case that houses the signal processing unit, and the main body case An electronic pedometer having a pedometer case that is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the pedometer and has a circumferential rotation ring in which the electronic acceleration sensor is disposed, and a band that is attached to the wrist of the user. The electronic acceleration sensor is a unit type sensor composed of a circuit board on which an acceleration sensor element is mounted on the front side and a pair of sensor terminals arranged on the back side of the circuit board, and the inner circumference of the outer peripheral rotating ring. The electronic pedometer according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pedometer is arranged so as to be located on a surface side. A conductive member having a mobility for electrically connecting the electronic acceleration sensor and the signal processing unit; and the conductive member is inserted into a plurality of pairs of guide holes provided through the wall surface of the main body case. The electronic pedometer according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pedometer is biased toward the sensor terminal by an elastic member. The electronic pedometer is used by being mounted on a user's left hand, and the electronic acceleration sensor is provided on the outer peripheral rotating ring from 90 degrees counterclockwise to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. The electronic pedometer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electronic pedometer is arranged at an optimum sensitivity position within an angle range of within degrees so as to be adjustable according to a walking form. The electronic pedometer is used by being mounted on a user's right hand, and the electronic acceleration sensor is provided on the outer peripheral rotating ring from 90 degrees to 90 degrees clockwise from the longitudinal direction of the band. The electronic pedometer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electronic pedometer is arranged at an optimum sensitivity position within an angle range within an adjustable range in accordance with a walking form.

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