Jogger's computational device

• US 4,220,996 A
• Filed: 01/31/1979
• Issued: 09/02/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Talmadge R. Searcy
• Original Assignee: Talmadge R. Searcy
• Inventors: Searcy, Talmadge R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Krass, Errol A.
• Application Number:
  US06/008,193
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 364/410, 364/415, 364/560, 364/561, 364/562, 364/413, 235/92 CP, 235/92 DN, 235/92 MT, 235/105, 340/321, 340/323 R, 272/100, 272/70, 73/490
• US Class Current: 702/160
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/22 in connection with sports or games
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/909 Mechanical indicator

Abstract

A portable self-contained computational device for use by a striding athlete, such as a jogger, includes a stride length selector permitting the athlete to preselect a normal length of stride and a rate selector permitting the athlete to preselect a desired rate of travel by striding, as in minutes/mile. Circuitry of the device generates repetitive signals at a desired striding cue, or pacing, rate. A signalling device provides perceptible striding cues to the athlete in response to these repetitive signals. The device includes a computing circuit responsive to the rate selector to provide incremental distance measurements periodically. An accumulator accumulates the incremental distance measurements and a display provides to the athlete an indication of the accumulated total of the incremental measurements, thus indicating the total distance covered by the athlete'"'"'s striding in synchronism with the striding cues. The device selectively also displays the total elapsed time of striding and makes possible also precise calibration of the athlete'"'"'s normal length of stride.

Claims

1. A portable self-contained computational device for use in pacing and measuring the extent of repetitive athletic activities, said device comprising first selector means for preselecting a distance of movement, second selector means for preselecting a user'"'"'s desired speed of said athletic activities, means for providing repetitive signals at a pacing cue rate as a function of said preselected distance of movement and desired speed, means for providing perceptible pacing cues to the user in response to said repetitive signals, first accumulator means for accumulating incremental distance measurements, and display means for displaying the accumulated distance measurements to the user.

2. A portable sel-contained computational device as defined in claim 1, wherein said athletic activity involves striding, said first selector means permitting preselection of the user'"'"'s normal length of stride, said second selector means permitting preselection of the user'"'"'s desired rate of travel by striding, said perceptible pacing cues constituting striding cues, and said display means indicates the total distance covered by striding by the user in pace with said striding cues.

3. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 2 and further comprising calculating means responsive to said second selector means for periodically providing said incremental distance measurements.

4. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 3, wherein said means responsive to said first selector means comprises a microcomputer, said first accumulator means comprising a random access memory, and driver means responsive to operation of said microcomputer which driver means causes said display to indicate data computed by said microcomputer.

5. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 2 wherein said striding cue rate is a function of the preselected desired rate of travel and the preselected normal length of stride.

6. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 1 and further comprising means for electronically calculating elapsed time and for causing said display means alternatively to display elapsed time to indicate to the user the elapsed time covered by said athletic activities.

7. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 6 wherein the said time calculating means comprises a crystal, a divider circuit responsive to said crystal for providing a periodic signal constituting incremental measurements of time, second accumulator means for accumulating said incremental time measurements electronically, said display means being responsive either to said means for accumulating incremental time measurements or to said means for accumulating incremental distance measurements.

8. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 7 and further comprising switching means selectively operable for causing said display means to be selectively responsive only to said first accumulator means whereby total accumulated distance can be displayed, or only to said second accumulator means whereby total accumulated time can be displayed.

9. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for providing repetitive signals at a pacing cue rate comprises a timing circuit for providing a pulse-form output signal at a pulse repetition rate responsive to said rate selecting means, a first programmable divider circuit for dividing said pulse-form output signal by a predetermined variable factor, said first selector selecting means constituting a switching device for preselecting said factor.

10. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 9, said means for providing perceptible pacing cues comprising a transducer and amplifier means responsive to said repetitive signals for actuation of said transducer to provide audible pacing cues.

11. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 9 and further comprising a second programmable divider circuit for dividing said output signal of said timing circuit by a predetermined constant factor, means for establishing said constant factor, and switching means selectively operable for causing said first accumulator means to accumulate signals provided either by said second programmable divider circuit or said first programmable divider circuit, whereby said first accumulator means selectively accumulates either incremental distance measurements or individual pacing cues.

12. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 9 and further comprising means for selectively resetting the accumulated total provided by said display means.

13. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 12, said display means constituting a plurality of multiple segment display digits and means for multiplexed driving of said display digits.

14. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 1 and further comprising start-stop actuation means for selectively starting and stopping the providing of said incremental distance measurements, whereby the user may selectively utilize said device intermittently without disturbing the accumulated total indication.

15. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 1, said device having a compact enclosure including a power source for said device, said display being located on a face of said enclosure for being observed by the user.

16. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 15 and further comprising means for detachably securing said enclosure to the body of the user.

17. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 16, said means for detachably securing said enclosure comprising a layer of cooperative fabric of a first type secured to an exterior surface of said device and detachably interengageable with a second layer of cooperative fabric of an opposite type carried on the body of the user.

18. A portable self-contained computational device for use in athletic activities involving striding such as jogging, said device comprising stride length selecting means for permitting preselection of the user'"'"'s normal length of stride, rate selecting means for permitting preselection of the user'"'"'s desired rate of travel by striding, means for providing repetitive signals at a striding cue rate as a function of the preselected desired rate of travel and the preselected length of stride, means for providing perceptible striding cues to the user in response to said signals, means responsive to said rate select means for periodically providing incremental distance measurements, first accumulator means for accumulating said incremental distance measurements, means for electronically generating a periodic signal constituting incremental measurements of time, second accumulator means for accumulating said incremental measurements of time, and display means for selectively displaying either the accumulated total of said distance or time measurements thereby to indicate selectively to the user the total distance covered by striding and total elapsed time of said striding by the user in pace with said striding cues.

19. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 18 wherein said rate selecting means is calibrated for enabling the user to preselect the desired rate of travel expressed directly in minutes per conventional unit of distance measurement such as miles or kilometers.

20. A portable self-contained computational device as defined in claim 18 and further comprising means selectively operable for causing said first accumulator means to accumulate the total number of strides to be taken by striding in pace with said striding cue rate during an interval of operation of said device.