Pedometer

• US 20040140348A1
• Filed: 01/16/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wayne G. Fromm
• Original Assignee: Wayne G. Fromm
• Inventors: Fromm, Wayne G.
• Application Number:
  US10/345,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20040140348A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/64 Frequency, e.g. of vibration oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A simple to use and inexpensive pedometer in which a goal time of walking may be set and which will notify the user when the goal has been reached. The pedometer will include structure for establishing a goal time; apparatus for sensing walking, for summing the time walked, and for comparing the time walked with the goal time; and an alarm device for notifying the user when the goal time has been reached. A countdown display will display the total time remaining to be walked. The structure for establishing the goal time may include a button switch wherein the goal time can be increased in increments. The alarm device may be a vibrator, a speaker, headphones, or a combination of devices. The pedometer may notify the user when the user has been inactive for a period of time so as to motivate the user to get up and get moving, but which will not signal the user when not being worn.

Claims

1. A simple to use pedometer designed to advise the user when a desired goal of walking time has been reached;

said pedometer comprising;

means for establishing a goal time;

means for sensing walking;

means for summing the time walked;

means for comparing the time walked with the goal time;

means for displaying the remaining time to be walked to achieve the goal time; and

means for notifying the user when the goal time has been reached.

2. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for notifying the user is a vibrator.

3. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for notifying the user is an audible sound.

4. The pedometer as set forth in claim 3 wherein the audible sound comes from a speaker which emits a message.

5. The pedometer as set forth in claim 4 further including means to select the language of the speaker.

6. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for establishing the goal time includes a button switch which may be pressed one or more times to incrementally increase the goal time.

7. The pedometer as set forth in claim 6 wherein holding in the button switch for 3-5 seconds will reset the goal time.

8. The pedometer as set forth in claim 6 wherein pressing the button switch advances the goal time in increments.

9. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 further including means for displaying the number of steps walked.

10. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for sensing walking is a plumb bob mechanism.

11. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pedometer further includes a housing.

12. The pedometer as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by the provision of a decorative frame which may be placed about the housing.

13. The pedometer as set forth in claim 12 further characterized by the provision of a lanyard so that the pedometer may be worn about the neck.

14. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 further including means for reminding the user when the device is worn but there has been no physical activity for a period of time whereby the user is motivated to get up and take a walk.

15. The pedometer as set forth in claim 14 further including a button switch to turn the means for reminding either “

on”

or “

off”

.

16. The pedometer as set forth in claim 14 wherein the means for reminding will sense when the pedometer is not being worn, and which will not remind the user when not worn.

17. The pedometer as set forth in claim 14 further including a housing which will be in a vertical position when the pedometer is worn, and which will be in a horizontal position when the pedometer is placed upon a horizontal surface, such as a table top.

18. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pedometer further includes a housing which can be worn about the wrist.

19. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the display is further provided with an icon which will flash when the desired goal time is achieved.

20. The pedometer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the timing function may be selectively disabled so that false walking signals will not be stored in memory as for example when the user is riding a horse.