GPS-CALIBRATED PEDOMETER

• US 20130197857A1
• Filed: 03/28/2011
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Lu, Ping-Han, Lai, Ying-Lin
• Application Number:
  US13/877,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20130197857A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/141
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/42 where power is generated by conversion of mechanical movement to electricity, e.g. by piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/46 Global positioning system [GPS] sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/48 with transmitting devices, e.g. GSM or Wi-Fi®
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1122 of movement trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7242 using integration
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/002 for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/49 whereby the further system is an inertial position system, e.g. loosely-coupled
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A system is provided that is configured to be transported, carried or worn by a user, such as a portable personal training device or sports watch. The system comprises a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver arranged to obtain the location and/or speed of the user and a pedometer for counting steps made by the user. Data from the GNSS receiver is used to calibrate the pedometer each time the user is determined to travel a distance greater than a predefined distance value during a period of time in which signals obtained by the GNSS receiver meet the one or more accuracy and/or reliability criteria.

Claims

1. A system configured to be transported, carried or worn by a user, comprising:

a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver arranged to obtain at least one of the location and speed of the user;

a pedometer for counting steps made by the user; and

a processor coupled to the GNSS receiver and the pedometer, the processor being arranged to;

determine the distance travelled by the user during a first time period using locations and/or speeds obtained by the GNSS receiver, wherein during the first time period signals obtained by the GNSS receiver meet at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion;

calculate a calibrated distance per step associated with the first time period using the determined distance travelled during the first time period and the counted number of steps made during the first time period;

determine the distance travelled by the user during a second time period using the counted number of steps made during the second time period and the calibrated distance per step associated with the first time period, wherein during the second time period signals obtained by the GNSS receiver do not meet said at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion; and

determine the distance travelled by the user during a third time period using the counted number of steps made during the third time period and the calibrated distance per step associated with the first time period, wherein during the third time period signals obtained by the GNSS receiver meet the at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion, but have not met said at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion for a predetermined period of time,

said processor being further arranged to;

re-calculate the calibrated distance per step each time the user is determined to travel a distance greater than a predefined distance value during a period of time in which signals obtained by the GNSS receiver meet the at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion is selected from the group consisting of:

satellite availability;

satellite signal strength; and

estimated position errors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the predefined distance value is between 200 and 2000 meters.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising data storage means for storing at least one of the calculated calibrated distance per step and the determined distance travelled during the first time period.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the stored calibrated distance per step is replaced by a new calibrated per step each time it is recalculated.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the pedometer comprises an accelerometer.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the pedometer comprises footpad sensor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said predetermined period of time is between 2 and 10 seconds.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is a portable personal training device.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a housing with a strap for securing the device to a user.

8. (canceled)

12. A method of determining a distance travelled by a user using a system transported, carried or worn by the user, the system comprising:

a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver arranged to obtain at least one of the location and speed of the user; and

a pedometer for counting steps made by the user, the method comprising;

determining the distance travelled by the user during a first time period using locations and/or speeds obtained by the GNSS receiver, wherein during the first time period signals obtained by the GNSS receiver meet at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion;

calculating a calibrated distance per step associated with the first time period using the determined distance travelled during the first time period and the counted number of steps made during the first time period;

determining the distance travelled by the user during a second time period using the counted number of steps made during the second time period and the calibrated distance per step associated with the first time period, wherein during the second time period signals obtained by the GNSS receiver do not meet said at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion; and

determining the distance travelled by the user during a third time period using the counted number of steps made during the third time period and the calibrated distance per step associated with the first time period, wherein during the third time period signals obtained by the GNSS receiver meet the at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion, but have not met said at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion for a predetermined period of time,

the method further comprising;

re-calculating the calibrated distance per step each time the user is determined to travel a distance greater than a predefined distance value during a period of time in which signals obtained by the GNSS receiver meet the at least one of an accuracy and reliability criterion.