Registers – Pedometers
Patent
1996-09-12
1997-11-18
Berhane, Adolf
Registers
Pedometers
364410, 364561, 364565, 340323R, 377 242, 482 74, D10 70, G01C 2200, G08B 2300, A63B 7100
Patent
active
056890990
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a speed/distance meter assembly for a runner/ jogger, walker.
The need for such a assembly, also called a pedometer, has already existed for a long time. For example, such a movement meter is described in German Offenlegungsschrift 3,514,130, in the case of which the number of steps is recorded, and the distance covered is determined from that number. How this is carried out is not clear, but it is assumed that the distance covered with each step is probably constant. This means that this distance needs to be determined in some way beforehand.
It is not simple to determine the distance from the number of steps taken. For the length of the steps is not necessarily constant. Besides, it is possible that for part of the movement the runner is not in contact with the ground. Such complicating factors make the device described in German Offenlegungsschrift 3,514,130 completely pointless for a habitual runner.
The object of the present invention is to provide a speed/distance meter assembly which does not have these disadvantages.
This object is achieved in the case of an assembly of the type described above in that said assembly comprises angular speed-measuring means for determining the speed of the angle change of the foot relative to a reference, distance-measuring means for constantly measuring the current distance of the trunk from a further reference, and processing means which on the basis of the angular speed and the current distance determine the distance travelled and/or the speed achieved. The pivot movement which the leg makes about the contact point of the foot with the ground during running is the basis of the present invention. This angle change can be established by determining the angle change of a line drawn between a certain point on the foot and the trunk. The vertical is preferably used as the reference for the angle change. For the position of the angle relative to the horizontal is important for deriving the horizontal displacement from the angle change.
The further reference, relative to which the distance is measured, can be, for example, the ground. However, it is preferably the foot, since means can easily be fitted there for establishing the distance accurately.
It has been found that, apart from the angular displacement of the leg relative to the trunk, not to mention the leg relative to the vertical or horizontal, the distance between trunk and foot or trunk and ground or any other reference is important for determining the speed.
In principle, it is possible to measure the movement of only one leg relative to the trunk. However, a more accurate result is obtained if the angular displacement of both legs relative to the trunk and their distance from the ground are measured. Of course, it is also possible to determine the angle between the legs. As already indicated above, "legs" should be understood as the imaginary line drawn through the pivot point of the thigh in the pelvis, or a point slightly higher up, and a point on the runner's foot.
As soon as the runner/walker is moving faster, there will come a certain point when neither of his legs is any longer in contact with the ground. The runner is making a jumping movement. It is necessary to take special measures to make a correction for such a span where there is no contact with the ground. This can be achieved according to a special embodiment of the invention through the fitting of contact means which determine the contact of the body with the ground, and which are connected to the processing means. All contact means known in the prior art can be used for this purpose. Moreover, the speed taken for the movement of the body when there is no contact with the ground is preferably the speed which corresponds to the last speed measured in the abovementioned way.
The invention also relates to a shoe provided with the appropriate sensors for determining the distance from the trunk and for determining the angle relative to the trunk. All means known in the prior art can be used. The processing assembly will pr
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