High accuracy pedometer and calibration method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pedometer, comprising:
- an output means to communicate numbers to a user;
a switching means to select among a plurality of functions and to set a plurality of event values;
at least one memory to store an event;
a computing means for calculating the activity of the user from an output pulse stream from an acceleration field detection means for detecting motions of the user;
an enclosure comprising a housing with an attached flip open door, said flip open door having a means to reduce the sensitivity of said acceleration field detection means; and
a calibration means for accurately correlating the acceleration field detection means output to activities of a user, the calibration means able to count the total number of output pulses from the acceleration field detection means and to thereafter use said total as being equal to a fraction of a standard unit of measure, the calibration means able to divide said output pulses by a number.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pedometer having a housing, a weighted pendulum, a magnet and reed switch, a microprocessor, a LCD display, three push-bottons, a hinged door with a spring cam device that holds the door open and shut, and a replaceable belt hook. The entire unit is powered by an oversized lithium battery that has an expected life of seven years. A unique method of user calibration simplifies user input and provides maximum calibration accuracy regardless of operational or stride artifact variations.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A pedometer, comprising:
-
an output means to communicate numbers to a user; a switching means to select among a plurality of functions and to set a plurality of event values; at least one memory to store an event; a computing means for calculating the activity of the user from an output pulse stream from an acceleration field detection means for detecting motions of the user; an enclosure comprising a housing with an attached flip open door, said flip open door having a means to reduce the sensitivity of said acceleration field detection means; and a calibration means for accurately correlating the acceleration field detection means output to activities of a user, the calibration means able to count the total number of output pulses from the acceleration field detection means and to thereafter use said total as being equal to a fraction of a standard unit of measure, the calibration means able to divide said output pulses by a number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of calibrating a pedometer, comprised of the following steps:
-
attaching said pedometer to a user in the manner in which it will be attached for normal use; enabling the entry of the pedometer into a calibration mode; travelling a predetermined unit of distance while said pedometer is attached and enabled for calibration; detecting a number of movements of a user wearing the pedometer while travelling said predetermined distance; dividing the number of movements by a number whereby units displayed on an output device will have a correct relationship to a known unit of distance and a distance subsequently traveled after calibration is complete; storing said divided number of movements in at least one memory device; and ending said calibration mode. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification