Step counting device incorporating vibration detecting mechanism

• US 6,386,041 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Yang
• Original Assignee: David Yang
• Inventors: Yang, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, ROSE MARY
• Application Number:
  US09/495,384
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 734/321, 735/70, 736/49, 736/51, 736/52, 734/88, 735/140.1, 361/32, 361/36, 235/105, 702/160
• US Class Current: 73/651
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A step counting device includes a top casing, a bottom casing, a display, and two operating buttons. A circuit board is arranged in the space between the top casing and the bottom casing. An open area is formed on the edge of the circuit board and a ceramic vibration detecting mechanism is arranged on the circuit board. One end of the ceramic vibration detecting mechanism is a fixed point located on a fixed position and the other end is a cantilever point extended to the open area of the circuit board and a heavy mass is attached to the cantilever point. The step counting device is attached on a shoe, and the step counting device will be vibrated while a user wears the shoes walking or running. The ceramic vibration detecting mechanism will receive the vibration and a tiny voltage change will be produced to become an input signal to the control circuit on the circuit board. Through counting, processing and exchanging the input signal by the control circuit, a step counting output signal will be outputted and a step number will be displayed on the display.

Claims

1. A self-contained step counting device attachable to a shoe and comprising:

a) a circuit board including a filter circuit, a signal processing circuit connected to the filter circuit and an output circuit connected to the signal processing circuit, the circuit board having first and second opposite side edges, the first side edge having an open area, and a surface;

b) a cantilevered, ceramic vibration detecting transducer having a first end fixedly mounted to the circuit board adjacent to the second edge such that the ceramic vibration detecting transducer is spaced from the surface of the circuit board, and a distal second end having a weight thereon aligned with the open area of the first edge thereby enabling movement of the second end relative to the circuit board;

c) a casing including top and bottom casings completely enclosing the circuit board and the ceramic vibration detecting transducer such that the step counting device is self-contained; and

,

d) a visual display on the casing so as to be visible from exteriorly of the casing, the visual display connected to the output circuit.

2. The self-contained step counting device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener mounted on the casing to removably attach the step counting device to a shoe.

3. The self-contained step counting device of claim 2, wherein the fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.