ELECTRONIC SIGNAL DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 3,789,402 A
• Filed: 04/01/1971
• Issued: 01/29/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles E. Seagle, Richard D. Heywood
• Original Assignee: Charles E. Seagle, Richard D. Heywood
• Inventors: Heywood, Richard D., Seagle, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Habecker, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US05/130,284
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 325/66,64,118 340/323,332,384E,331 331/111 58/13E 84/484 307/293
• US Class Current: 340/384.71
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A completely self-contained portable signal device and method including individually programmable timer circuitry which, for example, (a) signals a proper striding sequence by combining a selected lap rate and a selected stride length and electronically reduces the combined information to an audible sound pattern representing a precise stride rate selected for the individual; (b) signals proper spacing over a track by electronically dividing the track distance into a predetermined plurality of segments, combining the track distance with a selected time period and developing an audible sound at spaced time intervals representing each segment of the track distance; and/or (c) signals time increments at any regular interval to define the limits of running and rest periods. The method includes programming the signal device for the specific needs and requirements of use as to striding, spacing or timing or any combination of those functions.

Claims

1. Apparatus for signaling a predetermined stride sequence to a runner comprising:

a power source;

means energized by the power source to develop a pulse train;

first means controlling the development of the pulse train to correspond to any one of a plurality of stride lengths;

second means controlling the development of the pulse train to correspond to any selected one of a plurality of lap time rates;

means processing the output of the first and second controlling means to develop an integrated result representing a mathematical combination of stride length and time rate; and

means responsive to the output of the processing means to generate a signal to the runner, the signal representing the stride sequence.

2. Apparatus for signaling a predetermined stride sequence to a runner as defined in claim 2 further comprising:

means for indicating to a runner invervals corresponding to running and rest periods comprising;

other means for generating an electronic pulse;

means for programming the other pulse generating means to develop a signal over a time range which corresponds to predetermined running and rest periods; and

means responsive to both the pulse Train as defined in claim 2 and the other pulses to develop an audible sound.

3. Apparatus for signaling a predetermined spacing of a runner over a known distance comprising:

a power source;

means for developing an electronic pulse train having uniformly spaced signal pulses;

means for expanding or contracting the spaces in the pulse train so that a single predetermined number of electronic pulses appear in any one of a plurality of time increments to divide the time increment into a predetermined fraction;

means for selecting any one of the plurality of time increments; and

means responsive to each of the signal pulses to develop an audible sound representative of the fraction of the time increment.

4. A method of developing consistent stride with an electronic striding device, the steps of:

measuring the preferred stride length of a runner and selecting the rate at which a running course is intended to the traversed;

programming the electronic striding device and electronically processing the stride length and course rate parameters to a pulse train representing a striding sequence;

developing a detectable signal with each pulse; and

communicating the striding sequence to the runner.

5. A method as defined in claim 4 further comprising attaching the striding device to the person of the runner.

6. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said communicating step comprises placing an ear phone on the ear of a runner and delivering audible signals through the ear phone representative of the striding sequence.

7. A method of spacing a runner along a track marked with uniformly spaced markers, the steps of:

providing an electronic spacing device carried by the runner;

programming the spacing device by electronically inputting into the device parameters representing a number of markers and time so as to divide any one of a plurality of time increments into a uniform number of fractions corresponding to the number of markers;

selecting a preferred time increment for traversing the track; and

signaling the runner at each precise moment he should reach a predetermined position relative to the markers.

8. A method of precisely timing the activity of a runner so that the runner can precisely determine running and rest periods, the steps of:

determining any one of a plurality of time increments corresponding to a running or rest period;

providing an electronic timing device;

programming the timing device to develop a periodic signal corresponding to the determined increment which represents predetermined running or rest periods; and

communicating an audible sound to the runner at the conclusion of each lapse of the time increment.

9. A method of signaling a predetermined spacing to a runner over a known distance comprising:

developing an electronic pulse train having uniformly spaced signal pulses;

expanding or contracting the spaces in the pulse train so that a single predetermined number of electronic pulses appear in any one of a plurality of time increments to divide the time increment into a predetermined fraction;

selecting any one of the plurality of time increments; and

developing an audible sound responsive to each of the signal pulses representative of the fraction of the time increment.

10. The method of signaling a predetermined spacing to a runner over a known distance comprising:

developing an electronic pulse train having uniformly spaced signal pulses;

expanding or contracting the spaces in the pulse train so that a single predetermined number of electronic pulses appear in any one of a plurality of time increments to divide the time increment into a predetermined fraction;

selecting any one of the plurality of time increments; and

developing a humanly perceptible signal responsive to each of the signal pulses representative of the fraction of the time increment.