Apparatus and method for measuring the maximum speed of a runner over a prescribed distance

• US 6,604,419 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BBC International LLC
• Original Assignee: BBC International Limited (BBC International LLC)
• Inventors: Guzman, Rudy
• Primary Examiner(s): MOLLER, RICHARD ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/954,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20020095988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 734/89, 734/90, 734/91, 733/790.1, 738/654, 738/663, 324/160, 324/161, 324/171, 340/665, 340/670, 340/815.45, 340/815.53, 482/2, 482/3, 482/4, 482/7, 482/8, 482/9, 482/57, 482/74, 482/901, 702/44, 702/142, 702/149, 702/160, 702/176, 702/178, 702/182, 361/29, 361/31, 361/32, 361/36, 361/37, 361/39, 700/91, 235/105
• US Class Current: 73/491
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

A method and apparatus for calculating, presenting, recalling and recording the maximum running speed of a user over a prescribed distance in miles per hour or meters per second. The result is shown in digital and iconic form on a liquid crystal display (LCD). The apparatus incorporates a micro-controller, a LCD, a motion sensor, a sound generator, press switches, and light emitting diodes. The motion sensor is used to generate a signal, in response to external motion, which is input to the micro-controller for use in calculating the speed in accordance with a prescribed formula. Upon completion of running over a fixed time period or distance, a message is displayed on the LCD to indicated the maximum speed achieved by the user during an interval of the fixed time and over the prescribed distance. The apparatus may be adapted for use on shoes, a user'"'"'s wrists, or the like, for the purpose of encouraging the user to run as fast as possible, and to ensure safety of the user at night.

Claims

1. A method for using a pedometer to determine the maximum speed of a user over a distance, comprising the steps of:

changing a state of a micro-controller from standby to active using a first switch;

flashing a plurality of LEDs and lighting segments and figures in a liquid crystal display on the pedometer to indicate that the micro-controller in the pedometer is ready for use;

displaying a last recorded speed on the liquid crystal display;

checking to determine whether the first switch or a second switch is closed;

lighting the LEDs in accordance with a prescribed sequence, flashing moving quarter circles and lighting figures, if the second switch is closed;

checking to determine whether a motion sensor connected to the micro-controller has generated a trigger signal;

continuously performing speed calculations and flashing the LEDs in accordance with a predetermined sequence, if a trigger signal has been generated; and

displaying a maximum speed achieved over the distance.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

terminating speed calculations, if the trigger signal is not generated within one of an extended period of time and an allotted time period; and

simultaneously flashing the plurality of LEDs, sequentially flashing moving quarter circles, sequentially lighting figures and displaying the speed of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining whether a new highest speed has been achieved by the user; and

flashing the plurality of LEDs in a predetermined pattern, moving a quarter circle to a corresponding position, generating a congratulatory sound, lighting all figures, and displaying the new highest speed achieved by the user, if the new highest speed has been achieved.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the first switch or the second switch has been closed;

returning to the step of displaying the last recorded speed on the liquid crystal display, if the first switch has been closed; and

returning to the step of lighting the plurality of LEDs in accordance with the prescribed sequence, if the second switch has been closed.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a last recorded highest speed, if the first switch has been closed; and

returning to the step of displaying the last recorded speed on the liquid crystal display.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of flashing the plurality of LEDs and comprises lighting the LEDs and segments of the liquid crystal display for approximately one second.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs comprises a first LED, a second LED and a third LED.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the prescribed sequence comprises the steps of:

lighting a first LED;

simultaneously lighting the first LED and the second LED; and

simultaneously lighting the first LED, the second LED and the third LED.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the extended period of time is approximately 1.75 seconds, the allotted time period is approximately 20 seconds, and the plurality of LEDs are flashed approximately three times.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of LEDs is a first LED, a second LED and a third LED and wherein the predetermined flashing pattern comprises the steps of:

lighting the first LED, lighting the second LED and lighting the third LED in succession;

lighting the third LED, lighting the second LED and lighting the first LED in succession; and

simultaneously lighting the first LED, the second LED and the third LED.

11. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the first switch or the second switch has been closed;

if the first switch has been closed, returning to the step of displaying the last recorded speed on the liquid crystal display; and

if the second switch has been closed, returning to the step of lighting the plurality of LEDs in accordance with the prescribed sequence.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the speed calculations are performed in accordance with the relationship:

$V=\frac{\mathrm{nd}}{\underset{i=0}{\overset{n}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>t_i},$

where $T=\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>t_i,$

d is the distance between each step, n is the total number of steps in the total running time T and ti is the time interval between steps taken by the user.