JPH02161932A - Pedometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately measure the number of steps regardless of a place for walking, a pair of shoes, a mode of walking, etc., by equipping the title pedometer with a selecting part to select which walk signal out of respective walk signals from an upper detecting part and a lower detecting part is to be made into the object of counting, etc. CONSTITUTION:The output of an acceleration sensor 1 is inputted through a selecting part 2 to one out of an upper side comparator 3a as the upper detecting part and a lower side comparator 3b as the lower detecting part. The upper side comparator 3a has a prescribed threshold Th1, and when the output of the acceleration sensor 1 is inputted to the comparator 3a, the comparator 3a inverts the output and generates a pulselike walk signal only during a period in which the absolute value of the output voltage is >= the threshold Th1. On the other hand, the lower side comparator 3b inverts the output and generates another pulselike walk signal only during a period in which the absolute value of the output voltage is >=Th2. Further, only one walk signal is taken out for one step, and the number of the steps can be accurately measured by making only the walk signal generated first into an effective signal even when plural walk signals are generated for one step.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a pedometer that measures the number of steps based on the vertical movement of a human body while walking.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, by attaching an acceleration sensor to the human body and detecting the vertical movement of the human body while walking,
Pedometers are available that measure the number of steps taken. Acceleration sensors generate outputs when the human body moves upwards and downwards, and since the human body normally moves up and down when walking, conventional pedometers generate output when the human body moves upward or downward. The number of steps was counted by detecting only the output corresponding to one.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Incidentally, the acceleration that occurs when walking is not constant, but varies greatly depending on the condition of the place where the person walks, the condition of the shoes worn while walking, the manner in which the person walks, and the like. For example, if you are wearing hard-heeled shoes on a hard surface such as asphalt or concrete, there is almost no element to cushion the impact when you land, so the inertia of the acceleration sensor will cause downward acceleration to be detected to be greater than upward acceleration. be done. On the other hand, if the user wears soft-soled shoes such as athletic shoes on a soft ground such as grass, the impact upon landing will be less, and the upward acceleration due to the kick will be detected to be greater. Furthermore, depending on the walking method, such as walking with a strong kick or walking with bent knees, which direction of acceleration is detected to be larger than the other direction is not uniform. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, if the number of steps is counted based on upward acceleration, it will be assumed that one step has taken place when acceleration equal to or higher than a predetermined value (indicated by the broken line in the figure) occurs. For example, a problem arises in that when the road surface condition changes and a large downward acceleration occurs, the upward acceleration decreases and walking is no longer detected. That is, regardless of whether walking is detected using upward acceleration or downward acceleration, there is a problem in that the number of steps cannot be accurately measured. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a pedometer that can accurately measure the number of steps regardless of the location, shoes, walking style, etc.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes an upper detection section that generates a walk signal when acceleration of a predetermined magnitude occurs in the upward direction, and a lower detection section that generates a walk signal when acceleration of a predetermined magnitude occurs in the downward direction. It includes a detection section and a selection section that selects which of the upper detection section and the lower detection section generates a walking signal to be counted. Additionally, there is an upper detection section that generates a walking signal when a predetermined amount of acceleration occurs upward, a lower detection section that generates a walk signal when a predetermined amount of acceleration occurs downward, and an upper detection section that generates a walking signal when acceleration of a predetermined amount occurs downward. When a walking signal is generated from either the walking signal or the walking signal of the lower detection section, this walking signal is made valid, and after the generation of this walking signal, the signal is set within a predetermined time period that is shorter than the time interval of one step. It may also be configured to include a dead zone setting section that invalidates other walking signals generated during the walk. Furthermore, it includes an absolute value detection unit that detects the absolute value of upward acceleration and downward acceleration, a walk detection unit that generates a walk signal when an acceleration whose absolute value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and a walk detection unit that generates a walk signal when a walk signal is generated. A dead zone setting unit may be provided that enables the walking signal and disables other walking signals that occur within a predetermined time set shorter than the time interval of one step after the generation of this walking signal.

[Effect]

According to the first configuration, the selection section allows the user to select whether to detect walking based on upward acceleration or downward acceleration. , by making the appropriate selections.
This allows you to accurately count your steps. Further, according to the second configuration, the number of steps is counted by automatically selecting one of the upward acceleration and the downward acceleration that is considered suitable for counting the number of steps. This eliminates the need for the user to make selections based on walking conditions, making it more convenient to use. Furthermore, according to the third configuration, the absolute value of the upward acceleration and the downward acceleration is detected, and the number of steps is counted based on this absolute value. This eliminates the need for the user to make selections depending on the situation, making it convenient to use. In addition, since a walking signal is generated when the absolute value of acceleration exceeds a predetermined value, two set values are required to compare the upward acceleration and downward acceleration with the respective set values. However, there is only one set value, which simplifies the configuration and makes adjustment easier.

Embodiment 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the output of the acceleration sensor 1 is inputted via the selection section 2 to one of an upper comparator 3a, which is a ball detection section, and a lower comparator 3b, which is a lower detection section. As shown in FIG. 2, the acceleration sensor 1 includes an elongated piezoelectric element 11 and a weight 12 attached to the longitudinal center of the piezoelectric element 11. Therefore, when acceleration occurs in the vertical direction in FIG. 2, the inertia of the weight 12 causes the piezoelectric element 1 to
The center portion of the piezoelectric element 11 is displaced up and down, and a voltage corresponding to the distortion of the piezoelectric element 11 is generated at both ends of the piezoelectric element 11 in the longitudinal direction. Both ends of the piezoelectric element 11 are press-fitted into a notch 14 formed in a printed circuit board 13, and the piezoelectric element 11 is connected to a circuit section via a conductive pattern 15 formed around the notch 14. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the acceleration sensor 1 generates voltages in both positive and negative directions corresponding to the displacement direction of the weight 12.The zero selection unit 2 inputs the output of the acceleration sensor 1 to the upper comparator 3a. This is a switch for selecting whether to input the signal to the lower comparator 3b, and either a mechanical switch or an electronic switch may be used. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the upper comparator 3a has a predetermined threshold value Th.
1, and when the output of the acceleration sensor 1 is input, the output is inverted only during the period when the absolute value of the output voltage is equal to or higher than the threshold value T h +, and a pulse-like walking signal is generated. Furthermore, when the output of the acceleration sensor 1 is being input, the lower comparator 3b inverts the output only during the period when the absolute value of the output voltage is equal to or higher than the threshold value Th2, and generates a pulse-like walking signal. The walking signal output from the upper comparator 3a or the lower comparator 3b is input to the counting circuit section 5 through the dead zone setting section 4. In the dead zone setting section 4, once a walking signal is input, the output thereof is passed through, but thereafter, even if there is an input within a predetermined time, it is ignored. The time during which the input is ignored is set to a time shorter than the empirically known time interval between one step. Therefore, depending on the settings of the reference values Th, Th2 of the upper comparator 3a and the lower comparator 3b, or the walking condition, multiple walking signals (chattering) may be generated for one step. Also, by validating only the first walking signal generated, it is possible to extract only one walking signal for one step cq. The counting circuit section 5 counts the number of occurrences of the walking signal obtained through the dead zone setting section 4, and the number of steps can be known from the output of the counting circuit section 5. The output of the counting circuit section 5 is sent to the display section 7 through the display switching section 6.
The number of steps is displayed on the display section 7. In addition to displaying the normal number of steps, the display switching unit 6 can subtract the counted number of steps from the target number of steps to display on the display unit 7 how many steps remain until the target number of steps, or display the number of steps in terms of the time since the start of walking. Display contents can be selected, such as displaying the average number of steps per unit time on the display unit 7 by dividing the number of steps. Here, a reset switch 8 that can reset the number of steps to 0 at the start of walking is connected to the counting circuit section 5, and a display changeover switch 9 is connected to the display switching section 6 so that the display can be switched. has been done. According to the above configuration, when the impact upon landing is strong, such as when walking on an asphalt road, the selection section 2 selects to use the output of the lower comparator 3b as the step count signal. By doing so, it becomes possible to accurately count the number of steps for walking in which downward acceleration mainly occurs, as shown in FIG. 3(b). On the other hand, when the impact upon landing is small, such as when walking on the lawn, the selection section 2 selects the output of the upper comparator 3a as the step count signal. As shown in Figure (e), it becomes possible to accurately count the number of steps for walking where upward acceleration mainly occurs. Therefore, if the user selects crawling (crawling with a large output of the acceleration sensor 1) that accurately counts the number of steps based on the walking condition g (ground, shoes, walking method, etc.). It's good. Note that a battery is used as a power source in consideration of portability, and it is desirable to use a liquid crystal display for the display section 7 in order to reduce power consumption. The above-mentioned acceleration sensor 1 and printed circuit board 13 are loaded into a case 22 that is attached to a belt 21 or the like, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Case 22 is belt 2
The case body 2 includes a cover plate 24 equipped with a clip 23 that is attached to the cover plate 24, and a case body 26 coupled via a hinge part 25 so as to be able to open and close the cover plate 24.
An engagement protrusion 27 is provided protruding from one side of the cover plate 24, and an engagement piece 28 that can be engaged with the engagement protrusion 27 is formed on the cover plate 24. That is, when the case body 26 is closed with the lid plate 24, the engaging protrusion 27 engages with the engaging piece 28, and the lid plate 23 is coupled to the case body 26. On the surface of the case body 26 covered by the lid plate 23, there are an operation button 29 of the selection section 2, a display section 7, a reset switch 8,
A display changeover switch 9 and the like are provided. Therefore, when the case body 26 is opened, the display section 7 is exposed, allowing the user to check the number of steps and perform various exercises.

[Embodiment 2] In the above embodiment, the selection unit 2 was provided, but in this embodiment, the selection unit 2 is not provided and the number of steps is counted between the output of the upper comparator 3a and the output of the lower comparator 3b. The system automatically selects the output that best suits the purpose. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the output of the acceleration sensor 1 is simultaneously input to the upper comparator 3a and the lower comparator 3b, and the same step count signals as in the first embodiment are outputted respectively. The output of the upper comparator 3a and the output of the lower comparator 3b are output from dead band setting sections 4a and 4b, respectively.
Similarly to the first embodiment, signals that are input to the dead zone setting units 4a and 4b within the predetermined time period T, . . . T2 are ignored. As shown in FIG. 7, the dead zone setting units 4a and 4b output pulses having a constant time width T, T2 that rise at the rising edge of the walking signal obtained from the upper comparator 3a and the lower comparator 3b, respectively. be done. Here, the time width T,. T2 is set shorter than the time interval of one step, and is normally set to T=72. This pulse is input to the counting circuit section 5, which has a dead zone setting section at its input section. The counting circuit section 5 performs counting according to the rising edge of the input signal, and performs the following operation based on the function of the dead zone setting section. That is, when the other input signal rises before a predetermined time Ta elapses from the rise of one input signal, one walking signal is generated and counted, and a predetermined time Tb elapses from the rise of one input signal.
Even when the other input signal does not rise within the range, one walking signal is generated and counted. In other words, when one input signal is generated, only one walking signal is output thereafter, regardless of the presence or absence of the other input signal within a predetermined time period shorter than the time interval Ta of one step. Therefore, the counting circuit section 5 includes the upper comparator 3a and the lower comparator 3.
The rising edge of the one that generated the walking signal first is counted, and even if two signals are generated during one step, one of them is ignored. Furthermore, as shown at the right end of FIG. 7, when only one signal is generated during one step, which dead zone setting section 4a. Regardless of whether the signal is generated from 4b, it can be counted as one step. As described above, the number of steps can be accurately counted automatically according to the walking condition without providing the selection section 2, and the trouble of having the user repeat the selection section 2 is eliminated. It is easy to use. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted.

[Embodiment 3] In the above embodiment, the upper comparator 3a and the lower comparator 3b were used to detect acceleration in both the vertical and vertical directions, but in this embodiment, the absolute value of the output of the acceleration sensor 1 was detected. By doing this, the direction of acceleration is ignored and the number of steps is counted only based on the magnitude of acceleration. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the output of the acceleration sensor 1 is input to the absolute value detection section 10. Absolute value detection unit 10
Now, ignore the polarity of the output of the acceleration sensor 1, which has both positive and negative polarities as shown in FIG. 9(a), and output a signal obtained by extracting only the absolute value as shown in FIG. 9(b). . Next, in the comparator 3 which is the walking detection section, as shown in FIG.
), while the input is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold Th,
The output level is set to ``H°'', and after the output of the comparator 3 rises, the dead zone setting unit 4 ignores the input within the dead time set shorter than the time interval of -steps, and sets the output level as shown in FIG. 9(d). A pulse with a predetermined time width as shown in is output to prevent chattering. Thereafter, the number of steps can be obtained by counting the number of rises of the output of the dead zone setting section 4 using the counting circuit section 5, and the number of steps is displayed on the display section 7 via the display switching section 6. In this way, by detecting the absolute value of the output of the acceleration sensor 1 by the absolute value detection section 10, it becomes unnecessary to distinguish between upward acceleration and downward acceleration, so that the path from the acceleration sensor 1 to the display section 7 can be changed. It is unified and simplified. In addition, since only the absolute value (magnitude) of the output of the acceleration sensor 1 is extracted and the polarity (orientation) is not an issue, there is no need to switch the orientation, and there is no need for the user to perform operations according to the walking state. ing.

【Effect of the invention】

As described above, the present invention includes an upper detection section that generates a walking signal when acceleration of a predetermined magnitude occurs in an upward direction, and a lower detection section that generates a walking signal when acceleration of a predetermined magnitude occurs in a downward direction. The device is equipped with a selection section that selects which of the upper detection section and the lower detection section should be used as a walking signal to be counted, and the selection section allows the selection section to distinguish between upward acceleration and downward acceleration. Since it is possible to select based on which walking is to be detected, by making the appropriate selection so that the user's own walking is detected,
It has the advantage of being able to accurately count the number of steps. In addition, there is an upper detection section that generates a walk signal when a predetermined amount of acceleration occurs upward, a lower detection section that generates a walk signal when a predetermined amount of acceleration occurs downward, and a walk signal of the upper detection section. When a walking signal is generated from either of the walking signal and the walking signal of the lower detection part, this walking signal is made valid,
If the configuration includes a dead zone setting section that invalidates other walking signals that occur within a predetermined time period that is set shorter than the time interval of one step after the generation of this walking signal, the upward acceleration and the downward acceleration The device automatically selects one of the accelerations that is considered suitable for counting steps and counts the number of steps, so there is no need for the user to make a selection depending on the walking condition. It has the advantage that it can be used conveniently. Furthermore, it includes an absolute value detection unit that detects the absolute value of upward acceleration and downward acceleration, a walk detection unit that generates a walk signal when an acceleration whose absolute value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and a walk detection unit that generates a walk signal when a walk signal is generated. If the walking signal is enabled and a dead zone setting unit is provided, which disables other walking signals that occur within a predetermined time set shorter than the time interval of one step after the generation of this walking signal. , detects the absolute value of upward acceleration and downward acceleration, and counts the number of steps based on this absolute value, eliminating the need for the user to select according to the walking condition, making it convenient to use. It has the advantage of being possible. Moreover, since the walking signal is generated when the absolute value of acceleration exceeds a predetermined value,
Two set values were required to compare the upward acceleration and downward acceleration with the respective set values, but now there is only one set value, simplifying the configuration and making adjustment easier. It has the advantage of being

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing how the acceleration sensor used in the above is attached to the printed circuit board, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the same, and FIG. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the usage state of the same as above, Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention, Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the same as above, and Fig. 8 shows Embodiment 3 of the present invention. A block diagram, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the same operation as above, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation showing a conventional example. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Acceleration sensor, 2... Selection part, 3... Comparator, 3a... Upper comparator, 3b... Lower comparator, 4.4 a, 4 b... Dead band setting part, 5 ... Counting circuit section, 6... Display switching section, 7.
...Display section, 10... Absolute value detection section. Agent Patent Attorney Ishi 1) Chief Figure 7 Figure 3

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An acceleration sensor that is attached to the human body and detects acceleration generated in the vertical direction, and generates a walking signal based on the vertical movement of the human body detected by the output of the acceleration sensor and counts the number of times the walking signal is generated. In a pedometer, the counting circuit section detects a walking signal and generates a walking signal when upward acceleration of a predetermined magnitude occurs. , the lower detection section that generates a walking signal when a predetermined amount of downward acceleration occurs, and the upper detection section or the lower detection section. A pedometer comprising: a selection section for selecting a pedometer; (2) An acceleration sensor that is attached to the human body and detects acceleration generated in the vertical direction, and generates a walking signal based on the vertical movement of the human body detected based on the output of the acceleration sensor, and the number of times the walking signal is generated. In a pedometer, the counting circuit section includes a counting circuit section that counts the number of steps, and a display section that displays the number of steps based on the output of the counting circuit section. a lower detection section that generates a walking signal when a predetermined amount of downward acceleration occurs; and a lower detection section that generates a walking signal when a walking signal is generated from either the walking signal of the upper detection section or the walking signal of the lower detection section. and a dead zone setting section that validates this walking signal and invalidates other walking signals that occur within a predetermined time set shorter than the time interval of one step after generation of this walking signal. Features a pedometer. (3) An acceleration sensor that is attached to the human body and detects the acceleration generated in the vertical direction, and generates one walking signal for each step based on the vertical movement of the human body detected by the output of the acceleration sensor. In a pedometer consisting of a counting circuit section that counts the number of times a signal occurs and a display section that displays the number of steps based on the output of the counting circuit section, the counting circuit section calculates the absolute value of upward acceleration and downward acceleration. an absolute value detection section that detects an absolute value; a walking detection section that generates a walking signal when an acceleration whose absolute value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value occurs; A pedometer comprising: a dead zone setting section that invalidates other walking signals that occur within a predetermined time period that is set shorter than the time interval between steps.