JP5006222B2 - Pedometer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pedometer that measures the number of steps by detecting a user's walk (including running), and more particularly, to a pedometer that includes a plurality of sensors having different sensitivity axes.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pedometer that calculates the number of steps of a user using a plurality of walking sensors having different sensitivity axes has been developed.
For example, the pedometer described in Patent Literature 1 is configured to select which walking sensor output among the plurality of walking sensors is the target of step counting by calculation processing on the output signals of the plurality of walking sensors. is doing.

Further, in the pedometer described in Patent Document 2, an angle sensor is provided separately from the walking sensor, and one of the outputs of the plurality of walking sensors is selected as a walking signal based on the output of the angle sensor, and the walking sensor The number of steps is calculated on the basis of the walking signal from.
However, in the pedometer described in Patent Document 1, for example, even when a signal sufficient for counting the number of steps is output from two walking sensors, it is necessary to perform arithmetic processing to select the walking sensor. Therefore, there is a problem that the calculation amount increases and it takes time to select the walking sensor.

  In addition, when walking is resumed after temporarily stopping walking, if the orientation of the housing has not changed, the walking sensor selected before stopping is considered effective, but the step counting operation is started. Since the calculation process is performed in order to select the walking sensor each time it is performed, there is a problem that the calculation amount increases. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to select a walking sensor and there is a possibility that a walking detection omission may occur.

  On the other hand, the pedometer described in Patent Document 2 has problems such as difficulty in downsizing and high cost because the number of components such as an angle sensor increases and the circuit scale increases. Further, since the walking sensor is selected based on the output of the angle sensor, there is a problem that the calculation amount increases and it takes time to select the walking sensor. Furthermore, there is a problem in that there is a possibility that a walking detection omission may occur.

Japanese Patent No. 3543778 Japanese Patent No. 3624572

An object of the present invention is to enable a pedometer using a plurality of gait sensors having different sensitivity axes to select a gait sensor suitable for gait detection in a short time with a simple configuration.
Moreover, this invention makes it a subject to suppress generation | occurrence | production of a walk detection leak by enabling it to select the walk sensor suitable for walk detection with a simple structure in a short time.

According to the present invention, in the pedometer for calculating the number of steps based on the walking signal, the plurality of walking sensors having different sensitivity axes and detecting a walking and outputting a corresponding walking signal. Selection means for selecting one walking sensor that outputs the walking signal as a walking sensor for walking detection by switching the walking sensor, and the number of steps based on the walking signal from the walking sensor selected by the selection means There is provided a pedometer characterized by comprising calculation means for calculating.
A plurality of gait sensors means that there are a plurality of gait sensors to detect with respect to one sensitivity axis and, for example, one sensitivity axis for one element so that a plurality of detection units are formed on the diaphragm. This includes the case where there are a plurality of parts to be detected.
The selection unit selects one walking sensor outputting a walking signal as a walking sensor for detecting walking by switching a plurality of walking sensors. The calculating means calculates the number of steps based on the walking signal from the walking sensor selected by the selecting means.

Here, the selection means is configured to switch the plurality of walking sensors in a predetermined order and select one walking sensor outputting the walking signal as a walking sensor for detecting walking. Also good.
The selecting means is configured to switch the plurality of walking sensors in a predetermined order, and to select the first walking sensor that is determined to output the walking signal as a walking sensor for detecting walking. May be.

A storage unit configured to store a rank selected as the walking sensor for walking detection from the plurality of walking sensors, wherein the storage unit selects the walking sensor selected by the selection unit for walking detection; The first walking sensor may be stored, and the selection unit may be configured to switch and select the walking sensor according to the order stored in the storage unit.
And a plurality of gait detection means including the gait sensors, a power source, and a control means for controlling the driving power to be supplied from the power source to the gait detection means. You may comprise so that the drive electric power from the said power supply may not be supplied with respect to the walk detection means containing the walk sensor which is not selected.

Further, the selection means may be configured to select the walking detection means before switching during the walking determination period for determining whether or not walking is stopped.
Further, when the selection means switches the walking detection means, the selection means switches to detect a signal from the walking detection means after the setup time of the newly selected walking detection means ends, and the control means is selected by the selection means. You may comprise so that the drive electric power supply from the said power supply with respect to the walk detection means which has not been stopped may be stopped.

In the sleep mode, the selection unit selects the plurality of walking detection units in a predetermined order every predetermined time, and the control unit drives driving power from the power source to the walking detection unit selected by the selection unit. You may comprise so that it may supply.
The selecting means switches the walking detecting means when the walking stop time has elapsed without detecting the walking signal after starting the walking determination, and within a predetermined time after the setup time of the walking detecting means selected by the selecting means has elapsed. When the walking signal is detected by the walking detection unit, the calculating unit calculates the number of steps generated from the start of the walking determination until the walking signal is detected by the selected walking detection unit, and corrects the cumulative number of steps. You may comprise.

  Further, the calculating means calculates the number of steps generated from the start of the walking determination until the walking signal is detected by the selected walking detecting means based on the period of the walking signal detected by the selected walking detecting means. The calculated step count may be corrected by adding it to the cumulative step count.

According to the present invention, it is possible to select a walking sensor suitable for walking detection with a simple configuration in a short time.
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to select a walking sensor suitable for walking detection with a simple configuration in a short time and to suppress the occurrence of walking detection omission.
Moreover, according to this invention, it becomes possible to suppress the walk detection omission at the time of the walk sensor selection.

Hereinafter, the pedometer according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pedometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a pedometer includes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs a step count calculation process based on walking signals from a first walking detection circuit 100a, a second walking detection circuit 100b, and first and second walking detection circuits 100a and 100b. ) 108, an input unit 109 configured by operation switches and the like for performing various operations such as a step count start operation, a display unit 110 for displaying the measured number of steps, a pitch, and the like, a sound reporting unit 111 for sounding an alarm and the like, and a CPU 108 An oscillation means 112 and a storage means 113 for generating a reference clock signal and a signal that becomes a source of a time signal at the time of clocking are provided.

  The first walking detection circuit 100a includes a walking sensor (piezo element which is an acceleration sensor in the present embodiment) 101a that outputs a corresponding charge walking signal each time a user's walking is detected, and a walking signal from the walking sensor 101a. Is converted into a walking signal having a corresponding voltage and output, charge-voltage converting means 102a, filter means 105a for removing noise in the signal output from the charge-voltage converting means 102a and outputting a walking signal, filter means 105a An amplifying means 106a for amplifying and outputting the walking signal from the signal, and a binarizing means 107a for converting the walking signal in the analog signal format from the amplifying means 106a into a walking signal in the digital signal format and outputting it.

  The second walking detection circuit 100b is configured in the same manner as the second walking detection circuit 100a. That is, the second walking detection circuit 100b outputs a walking signal having a corresponding charge each time a user's walking is detected (piezo element which is an acceleration sensor in the present embodiment) 101b and the walking sensor 101b. Charge-voltage converting means 102b for converting the walking signal into a walking signal having a corresponding voltage and outputting it, Filter means 105b for removing the noise in the signal output from the charge-voltage converting means 102b and outputting the walking signal, filter Amplifying means 106b for amplifying and outputting the walking signal from means 105b, and binarizing means 107b for converting the walking signal in the analog signal format from the amplifying means 106b into a walking signal in the digital signal format and outputting it.

The walking sensor 101a and the walking sensor 101b are configured such that the sensitivity axes are different from each other (for example, the sensitivity axes are different by 90 degrees).
Other walking sensors such as mechanical walking sensors can be used as the walking sensors 101a and 101b, and are not limited to acceleration sensors such as piezo elements.

The storage means 113 is composed of a ROM that stores a program executed by the CPU 108 and a RAM that is used as a work area when the CPU 108 executes the program, and the RAM is selected as a walking sensor for detecting the number of steps and walking. Data such as ranking is stored.
In accordance with the operation of the input unit 109, the CPU 108 can measure time such as walking time based on the oscillation signal of the oscillation unit 112.
The binarizing means 107a and 107b are configured by a comparator having a predetermined threshold value.

The CPU 108 has a plurality of input terminals. The number of steps is calculated based on the walking signals in the digital signal format input from the binarizing means 107a and 107b corresponding to the selected walking sensors 101a and 101b. I do.
Although not shown, the first and second detection circuits 100a and 100b are provided with a power source for supplying driving power, and the CPU 108 includes a first walking sensor 101a or a first walking sensor 101b that is not selected for walking detection. The CPU 108 controls the gait detection circuit 100a or the second gait detection circuit 100b so as not to supply driving power from the power source.

  The first and second walking detection circuits 100a and 100b constitute first and second walking detection means, respectively, and can output a binarized walking signal corresponding to the user's walking to the CPU 108. By configuring the selection means with the CPU 108 and switching the plurality of walking sensors 101a and 101b, one walking sensor outputting a walking signal corresponding to walking can be selected as a walking sensor for detecting walking. Further, the CPU 108 constitutes a calculating means, and the number of steps can be calculated based on a walking signal from one walking sensor selected by the selecting means. Further, the CPU 108 can constitute a control means so that driving power is not supplied to a walking detection circuit including a walking sensor that is not selected by the selection means.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the pedometer according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 6A, the walking signal is detected by the first sensor (for example, the walking sensor 101a), but the walking signal is not detected by the second sensor (for example, the walking sensor 101b). An example of measuring the number of steps based on a signal from a sensor is shown.
The processing of the CPU 108 in this case will be briefly described. The signal from the first sensor is detected by detecting the signal from the first sensor and confirming that the signal has been continuously detected for a predetermined time (continuity). It is determined that the signal is a normal walking signal, and the number of steps is counted. If the walking signal from the first sensor is not detected continuously for a predetermined time, it is determined that walking is stopped.

  FIG. 6B shows the opposite case to FIG. That is, the walking signal is not detected by the first sensor (for example, the walking sensor 101a), but the walking signal is detected by the second sensor (for example, the walking sensor 101b). In the example, the number of steps is measured by switching from the sensor to the second sensor.

  The processing of the CPU 108 in this case will be described briefly. When the signal from the first sensor cannot be detected for a predetermined time, the continuity of the signal from the second sensor is changed after the walking detection sensor is switched to the second sensor. By checking, the signal from the second sensor is determined to be a normal walking signal, and the number of steps is calculated. In this case, the priority order of the second sensor is changed to the first (the sensor that has been first until now becomes the second). If the walking signal from the new first sensor is not continuously detected for a predetermined time, the number of steps is measured by switching to the new second sensor.

FIG. 6C is an example in which walking measurement is performed in a state where a walking signal is detected by both the first position sensor (for example, walking sensor 101a) and the second position sensor (for example, walking sensor 101b).
The processing of the CPU 108 in this case will be explained briefly. By detecting the signal from the first sensor and confirming the continuity of the signal, it is determined that the signal from the first sensor is a normal walking signal. Count as steps.

If the walking signal from the first sensor is not detected continuously for a predetermined time, such as when the user changes the walking state, the walking detection sensor is switched to the second sensor.
The CPU 108 determines that the signal from the second sensor is a normal walking signal by checking the continuity of the signal from the second sensor, and calculates the number of steps based on the walking signal from the second sensor. calculate. In this case, in the same manner as described above, the priority order of the second sensor is changed to the first.

3 and 4 are flowcharts showing processing of the pedometer according to the present embodiment. This processing is performed mainly by the CPU 108 loading a program stored in the ROM of the storage unit 113 into the RAM of the storage unit 113 and executing it.
Hereinafter, the operation of the pedometer according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

Before starting the processing of the present embodiment, the storage unit 113 stores the walking sensor 101a as the first priority and the walking sensor 101b as the second priority as the priority order for selecting the walking sensors 101a and 101b as the initial state. It is assumed that
When a user who wears the pedometer on his / her arm or the like starts a step count measurement process by performing a start operation using the input unit 109, the CPU 108 performs the first walk including the walk sensor 101a having the first priority. Driving power is supplied to the detection circuit 100a to start walking detection. At the same time, the CPU 108 starts measuring time based on the signal generated by the oscillating means 112. At this time, the CPU 108 does not supply power to the second walking detection circuit 100b including the walking sensor 101b having the second highest priority. This enables power saving.

  When the user starts walking, the walking sensor 101a detects walking and outputs a walking signal having a corresponding charge. The walking signal from the walking sensor 101a is converted into a voltage by the charge-voltage converting means 102a, and then amplified and output by the amplifying means 106a through the filter means 105a. The output signal of the amplifying means 106a is converted into a walking signal digitized by the binarizing means 107a and then input to the CPU 108.

  If the CPU 108 determines that there is a signal from the first sensor (in this case, the walking sensor 101a) based on the signal from the first walking detection circuit 100a (step S201), the signal from the walking sensor 101a continues for a predetermined time. (Continuity) is confirmed (step S202). Here, the predetermined time can be set to a time (for example, 10 seconds) that is normally required for walking of 5 steps.

When the signal from the walking sensor 101a is obtained continuously for a predetermined time, the CPU 108 determines that the signal from the walking sensor 101a is a walking signal corresponding to walking (step S203).
Next, CPU108 measures the space | interval of the walk signal from the walk sensor 101a (step S204).

  When the interval between the walking signals from the walking sensor 101a is smaller than the predetermined stop determination time, the CPU 108 determines that the walking signal is a normal walking signal (step S205), and the walking signal from the walking sensor 101a (i.e., The walking signal from the first walking detection circuit 100a) is counted as the number of steps, and the process returns to the processing step S204 (step S206). Here, the stop determination time can be set to, for example, a time that is normally required for one step of walking (for example, 2 seconds).

On the other hand, if the interval between the walking signals from the walking sensor 101a is not smaller than the predetermined stop determination time in processing step S205, the CPU 108 determines that the walking signal is not a normal walking signal, and proceeds to processing step S201. Return.
If the CPU 108 determines in step S203 that the signal from the walking sensor 101a is not a signal due to walking, the CPU 108 determines that a walking signal cannot be obtained from the walking sensor 101a, and proceeds to processing step S208.

Further, the CPU 108 determines that a walking signal cannot be obtained from the walking sensor 101a even when a predetermined monitoring time has passed in the absence of a signal from the walking sensor 101a in processing step S201, and proceeds to processing step S208. (Step S207).
Next, in step 208, the CPU 108 switches the walking sensor used for walking detection from the walking sensor 101a to the second sensor (in this case, the walking sensor 101b), and then detects the signal from the walking sensor 101b. To do.

When switching from the walking sensor 101a to the walking sensor 101b, the CPU 108 switches the driving power supply from the first detection circuit 100a to the second detection circuit 100b.
The driving power supply to the entire first and second walking detection circuits 100a and 100b may be switched, but the driving power supply to some of the components of the walking detection circuits 100a and 100b is switched. Thus, the walking sensors 101a and 101b used for walking detection may be switched.

  When the switching of the walking sensor is completed, the walking sensor 101b detects walking and outputs a corresponding charge walking signal. The walking signal from the walking sensor 101b is converted into a voltage by the charge-voltage converting unit 102b, and then amplified and output by the amplifying unit 106b through the filter unit 105b. The output signal of the amplifying unit 106b is converted into a walking signal digitized by the binarizing unit 107b and then input to the CPU 108.

  When the CPU 108 determines that there is a signal from the walking sensor 101b based on the signal from the second walking detection circuit 100b (step S208), the signal from the walking sensor 101b is obtained continuously for a predetermined time (continuity). ) Is confirmed (step S209). Here, the predetermined time can be set to a time (for example, 10 seconds) that is normally required for a five-step walk, for example.

  When the signal from the walking sensor 101b is obtained continuously for a predetermined time, the CPU 108 determines that the signal from the walking sensor 101b is a walking signal corresponding to walking (step S210), and determines the walking sensor 101b. The priority is raised to the first walking sensor and stored in the storage means 113 (step S211). As a result, the rank of the walking sensor 101a, which has been the first place so far, is lowered to the second place.

Next, CPU108 measures the space | interval of the walk signal from the walk sensor 101b (step S212).
When the interval between the walking signals from the walking sensor 101b is smaller than the predetermined stop determination time, the CPU 108 determines that the walking signal is a normal walking signal and detects the walking signal from the walking sensor 101b (that is, the second walking detection). The walking signal from the circuit 100b) is counted as the number of steps, and the process returns to the processing step S212 (steps S213 and S214). Here, the stop determination time can be set to, for example, a time that is normally required for one step of walking (for example, 2 seconds).

On the other hand, when the interval between the walking signals from the walking sensor 101b is not smaller than the predetermined stop determination time in the processing step S213, the CPU 108 determines that the walking signal is not a normal walking signal, and proceeds to the processing step S201. Return.
If the CPU 108 determines in step S210 that the signal from the walking sensor 101b is not a signal due to walking, the CPU 108 determines that a walking signal cannot be obtained from the walking sensor 101b, and returns to processing step S201.

In this case, the CPU 108 does not change the order of the walking sensors 101a and 101b.
Further, the CPU 108 determines that a walking signal cannot be obtained from the walking sensor 101b even when a predetermined monitoring time has passed in the absence of a signal from the walking sensor 101b in the processing step S208, and returns to the processing step S201. (Step S215).

  As described above, in the pedometer according to the present embodiment, the CPU 108 determines that the signal from the first walking detection circuit 100a including the walking sensor (for example, the walking sensor 101a) having the first priority is the walking signal. If it is determined, the number of steps is calculated based on the walking signal from the walking sensor 101a. When it is determined that the signal from the walking sensor 101a is not a walking signal, the signal from the second walking detection circuit 100b including the second walking sensor (for example, the walking sensor 101b) having a sensitivity axis different from that of the walking sensor 101a is a walking signal. In the case of a signal, the number of steps is calculated based on the walking signal from the walking sensor 101b, and the priority of the walking sensor 101b is changed from second to first. The priority of the walking sensor 101a is changed to the lower order.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, among a plurality of walking sensors having different sensitivity axes, a walking sensor that can obtain a walking signal is simply switched and selected as a walking sensor for walking detection. . Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to select a walking sensor suitable for walking detection with a simple configuration in a short time without performing arithmetic processing for selecting a walking sensor using a plurality of walking sensors. .
Further, since a walking sensor suitable for walking detection can be selected in a short time with a simple configuration, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of walking detection omission.

In the above embodiment, the two walking sensors 101a and 101b are used. However, two or more walking sensors having different sensitivity axes can be used. For example, when there are three walking sensors, the sensitivity axes can be configured to be 90 degrees different from each other. In this case, a walking detection circuit including each walking sensor is provided, and the CPU 108 stops supplying driving power to the walking detection circuit that is not used for walking detection.
In addition, the monitoring time of step S207 and step S215 in the above embodiment is set so that the monitoring time of the walking sensor having a high priority is longer than the monitoring time of the walking sensor having a low priority in consideration of the priority of the walking sensor. Anyway. For example, when walking is resumed after temporarily stopping walking, if the orientation of the housing has not changed, a walking sensor having a high priority is considered effective.

For this reason, by monitoring a walking sensor with a high priority for a longer time than a walking sensor with a low priority, a user's start of walking can be detected earlier, and a more accurate number of steps can be detected.
In the above embodiment, an example of a wristwatch-type pedometer used by being worn on the user's arm has been described. However, a pedometer of the type used by being worn on the waist, and stored and held in a bag or the like. The present invention can be applied to various pedometers such as a pedometer of a method used in a state and a pedometer with a built-in clock function.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a pedometer according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference from FIG. 1 is that power supply drive means 501a and 501b for controlling the supply of drive power to the walking detection circuits 100a and 100b are provided, and the other configurations are the same. Here, the CPU 108 and the power source drive means 501a and 501b constitute a control means.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of this embodiment, and the time until the newly selected walking detection circuit 100a or 100b operates stably after the power is supplied when the walking detection circuits 100a and 100b are switched. This is an example in which a walking signal from the walking detection circuit 100a or 100b used until then is detected until (setup time) elapses.

Hereinafter, the operation of the pedometer according to the other embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
If the CPU 108 determines that there is a signal from the first sensor (in this case, the walking sensor 101a) based on the signal from the first walking detection circuit 100a (step S201), the signal from the walking sensor 101a continues for a predetermined time. (Continuity) is confirmed (step S202). Here, the predetermined time can be set to a time (for example, 10 seconds) that is normally required for walking of 5 steps.

When the signal from the walking sensor 101a is obtained continuously for a predetermined time, the CPU 108 determines that the signal from the walking sensor 101a is a walking signal corresponding to walking (step S203).
Next, CPU108 measures the space | interval of the walk signal from the walk sensor 101a (step S204).

  When the interval between the walking signals from the walking sensor 101a is smaller than a predetermined time for stopping walking (stop determination time), the CPU 108 determines that the walking signal is a normal walking signal (step S205). The walking signal from the walking sensor 101a (that is, the walking signal from the first walking detection circuit 100a) is counted as the number of steps, and the process returns to the processing step S204 (step S206). Here, the stop determination time can be set to, for example, a time that is normally required for one step of walking (for example, 2 seconds).

On the other hand, the CPU 108 determines that a walking signal cannot be obtained from the walking sensor 101a when a predetermined monitoring time has passed in the absence of a signal from the walking sensor 101a in processing step S201, and proceeds to processing step S601 ( Step S207).
The CPU 108 also proceeds to processing step S601 when it is determined in processing step S203 that the signal from the walking sensor 101a is not a walking signal.

  In the processing step S601, the CPU 108 does not turn on the power of the second sensor (in this case, the walking sensor 101b), in other words, the power driving means 501b supplies driving power to the second walking detection circuit 100b. If it is determined that there is not, the driving power is supplied from the power source driving means 501b to the second walking detection circuit 100b, and the power of the second walking detection circuit 100b including the walking sensor 101b is turned on (step S602).

  Next, the CPU 108 cannot detect walking by the walking sensor 101b until the operation after the power supply to the second walking detection circuit 100b is stabilized (setup time). Therefore, until the setup time elapses, the CPU 108 The number of steps is measured by the walking signal detected by 101a. That is, the CPU 108 determines whether or not the setup time has elapsed (step S603). If it is determined that the setup time has elapsed, the CPU 108 turns off the power of the first walking detection circuit 100a including the walking sensor 101a, and FIG. The process proceeds to step S208 and the subsequent process is performed (step S604). Thereby, since the walk which generate | occur | produced during setup time is detected by the walk sensor 101a, generation | occurrence | production of the walk detection omission at the time of walk sensor switching can be suppressed.

  If the CPU 108 determines in step S601 that the power of the walking sensor 101b is on, in other words, the power supply driving unit 501b supplies driving power to the second walking detection circuit 100b, the second walking detection is performed. The process proceeds to processing step S603 without supplying driving power to the circuit 100b. As a result, it is possible to prevent the second gait detection circuit 100b from being turned on by overlapping the power.

If CPU 108 determines that the setup time has not elapsed in process step S603, CPU 108 returns to process step S201.
As described above, the pedometer according to the other embodiment selects the walking detection circuit 100a or 100b before switching and detects the number of steps during the walking determination time for determining whether or not the walking is stopped. Like to do. Further, when switching the walking detection circuits 100a and 100b, after the setup time of the newly selected walking detection circuit 100a or 100b is over, the walking detection circuit 100a or 100b is switched to the power supply for the unselected walking detection circuit 100a or 100b. The drive power supply is stopped.

As described above, when switching the walking sensor, the setup time of the walking detection circuits 100a and 100b is taken into consideration, the power to be started is turned on, the switching is not performed until the setup is completed, and the walking detection circuit 100a is completed after the setup is completed. , 100b is switched, and when the walking sensor can be switched without obtaining the walking signal from the measuring walking sensor, walking is started during the setup time of the walking detection circuits 100a, 100b. It is possible to suppress the walking detection omission.
In addition, when the walking sensor is switched immediately after the walking stop determination, the number of steps may be lost when the user pauses with a traffic light or the like and immediately resumes walking. Since both axes can be continuously and alternately monitored, it is possible to suppress a walk detection omission.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the pedometer according to still another embodiment of the present invention. It is detected that the gait is stopped and all the gait detection circuits 100a and 100b are detected at a predetermined cycle ( This is an example in which walking detection sensors 101a and 101b for detecting walking are alternately switched in a mode (sleep mode) in which intermittent detection operation is performed.
In FIG. 7, when the walking signal is not detected for a predetermined time by all the walking detection circuits 100a and 100b, the CPU 108 determines that the walking is stopped and enters the sleep mode.

When the CPU 108 determines that a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed in the sleep mode, the CPU 108 controls the power supply driving units 501a and 501b to start by supplying power to one of the walking detection circuits 100a or 100b (step S702). ).
When there is a signal from the activated walking detection circuit 100a or 100b (step S703), the CPU 108 performs walking determination processing (sensor signal continuity determination processing or determination processing regarding whether or not the signal is due to walking) (step S703). S704) When a walking signal is obtained, processing such as counting the number of steps is performed (step S705).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 108 determines in the processing step S703 that a state where there is no signal from the activated walking detection circuit 100a or 100b has continued for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) (steps S703 and S706), the CPU 108 turns the power source driving units 501a and 501b. Then, the power of the one walking detection circuit 100a or 100b is turned off (step S707). After switching to the walking detection circuit 100a or 100b to be started next, the processing returns to the processing step S701 (step S708). The newly switched walking detection circuit 100a or 100b is activated by supplying power in processing step S702.

Thus, in the sleep mode, the walking detection circuits 100a and 100b are alternately activated every predetermined time to determine whether or not walking, and when walking, the number of steps is counted and the walking is performed. If not, the walking detection circuits 100a and 100b are alternately activated to repeat the above operation.
As described above, in the sleep mode, when the power of the walking detection circuits 100a and 100b is periodically turned on to determine whether to cancel the sleep, only one walking detection circuit 100a and 100b is activated in order to determine the presence or absence of walking. Therefore, the sleep release timing can be determined more accurately than when only one walking detection circuit 100a or 100 is monitored, and an increase in current consumption can be prevented.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of a pedometer according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and is an example in which step count correction is performed. FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the step correction process. The block diagram in the other embodiment is the same as FIG.
5, 8, and 9, when the CPU 108 determines that the walking is stopped based on the signal from one walking detection circuit 100 a or 100 b (step S <b> 801), the CPU 108 controls the power source driving units 501 a and 501 b and The gait detection circuit 100b or 100a is selectively activated and switched (step S802).

When the CPU 108 determines that a walking signal has been obtained from the newly selected walking detection circuit 100b or 100a (step S803), the CPU 108 performs a walking determination process to perform walking determination (steps S804 and S805).
If the CPU 108 detects a walking signal after the setup time of the newly selected walking detection circuit 100b or 100a has elapsed and determines that the time t2 is greater than the time t0 (step S806), the number of steps at the time t1 is set to t1 / t2. The number of steps is calculated and added to the accumulated number of steps to correct the number of steps (step S807).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the time t1 is the time when the step number detection circuit 100b or 100a detects a walk signal within a predetermined time after the setup time of the newly selected step number detection circuit 100b or 100a. This is the time (correction time) from the start of walking determination until walking is detected by the selected walking detection circuit 100b or 100a. t0 is the time from the end of the setup time to the detection of the walking signal. Time t2 is the cycle of the walking signal detected after switching the walking detection circuit.

As described above, in this other embodiment, when a walking signal can be detected within a predetermined time after the end of the setup time (that is, time t0 is within the predetermined time), the walking signal is generated within the correction time t1. It is assumed that the number of steps has been corrected. Therefore, more accurate step count measurement is possible. In this embodiment, the number of steps is corrected based on the walking pitch after the setup time has elapsed, but various changes such as correction of the number of steps based on the walking pitch immediately before the start of the walking stop determination time. Is possible.
Next, when there is a walking signal from the selected walking sensor 101a or 10b (step S808), the CPU 108 performs step count calculation processing, returns to processing step S808, and repeats walking detection (step S809).

CPU108 complete | finishes a process, when there is no walk signal from the selected walk sensor 101a or 10b for predetermined time in process step S808 (step S812).
In step S810, if there is no walking signal from the selected walking sensor 101a or 10b for a predetermined time, the CPU 108 determines that the walking is stopped and ends the processing (steps S810 and S811).

  A pedometer with a method that is worn on the wrist, a pedometer with a method that is worn on the waist, a pedometer that is used while being stored and held in a bag, a pedometer with a built-in clock function, etc. Applicable to various pedometers.

It is a block diagram of the pedometer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a timing diagram of the pedometer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the pedometer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the pedometer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the pedometer which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the pedometer which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the pedometer which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the pedometer which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a timing diagram of the pedometer which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100a ... first walking detection circuit 100b ... second walking detection circuit 101a, 101b ... walking sensor 102a, 102b ... charge-voltage conversion means 105a, 105b ... filter means 106a, 106b ... Amplifying means 107a, 107b ... binarizing means 108 ... CPU
109 ... Input means 110 ... Display means 111 ... Sound reporting means 112 ... Oscillating means 113 ... Storage means 501a, 501b ... Power source driving means

Claims (9)

In a pedometer that has a plurality of walking sensors that detect walking and output a corresponding walking signal with different sensitivity axes, and calculate the number of steps based on the walking signal,
A selection means for selecting one walking sensor outputting the walking signal as a walking sensor for walking detection by switching the plurality of walking sensors, and the walking signal from the walking sensor selected by the selection means. based a calculating means for calculating the number of steps,
The selection means switches the plurality of walking sensors in a predetermined order, and selects one walking sensor outputting the walking signal as a walking sensor for detecting walking . The selection means switches the plurality of walking sensors in a predetermined order, and selects the first walking sensor determined to output the walking signal as a walking sensor for detecting walking. The pedometer according to claim 1. Storing means for storing a rank selected as the walking sensor for detecting the walking from the plurality of walking sensors;
The storage means stores the walking sensor selected by the selecting means for detecting walking as a walking sensor ranked first.
The pedometer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selection means switches and selects a walking sensor according to the order stored in the storage means . A plurality of walking detection means including each of the walking sensors, a power source, and a control unit for controlling to supply driving power from the power source to the walking detection unit,
The said control means does not supply the drive electric power from the said power supply with respect to the walk detection means containing the walk sensor which the said selection means does not select, The Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Pedometer. 5. The pedometer according to claim 4 , wherein the selecting means selects the walking detecting means before switching during a walking determination period for determining whether or not walking is stopped . When the selection means switches the walking detection means, the selection means switches to detect a signal from the walking detection means after the setup time of the newly selected walking detection means,
6. The pedometer according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the control means stops the supply of driving power from the power source to the walking detection means not selected by the selection means . The selection means selects the plurality of walking detection means in a predetermined order every predetermined time in the sleep mode,
The pedometer according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the control means supplies driving power from the power source to the walking detection means selected by the selection means . The selection means switches the walking detection means when the walking stop time has elapsed without detecting the walking signal by starting the walking determination,
When the walking detection means detects the walking signal within a predetermined time after the setup time of the walking detection means selected by the selection means, the calculation means outputs the walking signal by the selected walking detection means from the start of the walking determination. The pedometer according to claim 5 or 7, wherein the number of steps generated until the detection is calculated to correct the accumulated number of steps. The calculating means calculates the number of steps generated from the start of the walking determination until the walking signal is detected by the selected walking detection means based on the period of the walking signal detected by the selected walking detection means, 9. The pedometer according to claim 8, wherein the calculated number of steps is corrected by adding to the cumulative number of steps .

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