Pedometer

• US 20090093992A1
• Filed: 04/02/2007
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrea Wimmer
• Original Assignee: Andrea Wimmer
• Inventors: Wimmer, Andrea
• Application Number:
  US12/297,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20090093992A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/141
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/008 incorporating GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for measuring the number of steps of an animal moving on four legs, according to which an acceleration sensor (38, 29) detects acceleration in a plane in which the animal is moving, and wherein the acceleration is caused by the locomotion of the animals'"'"' leg. The invention further relates to an apparatus (1) for detecting the distance covered by the animal moving on four legs, comprising a housing (3) and a measuring unit provided within the housing, wherein the measuring unit comprises a step counting unit (22) comprising at least one acceleration sensor (38, 29), wherein the acceleration sensor (38, 29) is arranged inside the housing (3) such that it detects an acceleration substantially parallel to the plane in which the animal is moving. Moreover, the invention relates to a system which comprises an apparatus (1) for detecting the distance covered by an animal moving on four legs and a receiving unit (2), as well as a tendon boot (30) for application to a fetlock of an animal moving on four legs, in particular a horse, wherein the tendon boot (30) has means (33) for fastening the apparatus (1).

Claims

1. A method of pedometric sensing the locomotion of a four legged-animal wherein at least one acceleration sensor senses an acceleration in a plane in which the animal is moving and wherein the acceleration is caused by the leg motion of the animal.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein to sense the acceleration a pendulum is used, the plane of oscillation of which is essentially parallel to the plane in which the animal is moving and the pendulum axis of rotation of which is oriented essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a leg of the animal at which sensing is performed.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein a pendulum axis is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leg of the animal at which sensing is performed.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the acceleration is sensed mechanically.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the acceleration is sensed electronically, electromechanically or electromagnetically.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the acceleration is sensed mechanically and electronically.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the number of strides is sensed by the oscillation of the pendulum and the length of the distance covered is determined from the sensed number of strides.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein differing gaits of the animal are sensed and used to determine the distance covered.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensed and determined data is indicated on a display.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensed data is communicated to a receiver module which evaluates the data.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the communication of the data is performed wireless via an infrared interface.

12. A device for sensing the distance covered by the locomotion of a four-legged animal comprising a housing and a sensing assembly provided in the housing, the sensing assembly including a pedometric module comprising at least one acceleration sensor, wherein

the acceleration sensor is arranged in the housing such that it senses an acceleration essentially parallel to a plane in which the animal is moving.

13. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein

the acceleration sensor comprises a pendulum, the plane of oscillation of which is oriented essentially parallel to the plane in which the animal is moving and the pendulum axis of rotation of which is oriented essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a leg of the animal to which the device is securable and whereby a pendulum axis is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leg of the animal to which the device is securable.

14. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein

the pendulum mechanically actuates a counter mechanism of the pedometric module.

15. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

the pendulum actuates a counter mechanism of the pedometric module electronically or electromagnetically.

16. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

the housing is closed off water-tight.

17. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

the housing is configured shock-proof.

18. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

at least one further electronic acceleration sensor is provided which senses an acceleration in a horizontal direction and/or senses an acceleration in a vertical direction.

19. The device as set forth in claim 18,

wherein

the electronic acceleration sensor is a piezoresistive or magnetoresistive acceleration sensor.

20. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

provided in the housing is furthermore a microprocessor which determines the from the sensed number of strides the length of the distance covered, the energy consumption, the gait profile, changes in the motion profile, the acceleration capacity and the stamina.

21. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

provided furthermore in the housing is a temperature sensor which determines the temperature of the carrier of the device, particularly of the animal in four-legged locomotion.

22. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

the housing is provided with a means for securing the device to a leg of the animal, particularly in the form of Velcro fastener straps.

23. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

the housing is provided with a display for displaying the sensed data and the date determined therefrom by the microprocessor.

24. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

the device furthermore comprises a transmitter which communicates the sensed data and/or the data determined therefrom to a receiver module.

25. The device as set forth in claim 24,

wherein

data communication to the receiver module is wireless.

26. The device as set forth in claim 12,

wherein

the device comprises a compass, particularly a mechanical compass.

27. A system comprising a device for sensing the distance covered by the locomotion of a four-legged animal as set forth in claim 12 and a receiver module, the system comprising at least one microprocessor adapted to process and evaluate the data sensed by the device.

28. The system as set forth in claim 27 wherein the receiver module comprises a display for displaying the received and/or evaluated data.

29. The system as set forth in claim 27 wherein the receiver module is configured to be worn on a wrist of a user.

30. The system as set forth in claim 27 wherein the device comprises a receiver for sensing the distance covered by the locomotion of a four-legged animal.

31. The system as set forth in claim 27 wherein the receiver module comprises a transmitter.

32. A tendon boot for applying to a fetlock of a four-legged animal in locomotion, particularly a horse,

wherein

the tendon boot comprises a means for securing the device as set forth in claim 12.

33. The tendon boot as set forth in claim 32,

wherein

the tendon boot comprises a pouch configured to pocket the device for sensing the distance covered by the locomotion of a four-legged animal.

34. The tendon boot as set forth in claim 33,

wherein

the pouch is closable.