Body motion detection device, pitch meter, wristwatch-type information processing device, method for controlling thereof, control program, and storage medium

• US 7,212,943 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2004
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Kawafune, Yutaka, Aoshima, Ichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sun; Xiuqin
• Application Number:
  US10/791,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20040186695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 702/141, 235/105, 335/12, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 702/141
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A body motion detection device is provided that is configured to be attached to a forearm of a user to detect a body motion of the human body to detect body motions of the user. The body motion detection device basically comprises a body motion sensor unit and a body motion component extracting section. The body motion sensor unit is configured and arranged to detect an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during walking and an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output at least one body motion signal. The body motion component extracting section is configured and arranged to extract a body motion component from said at least one body motion signal. Thus, pitch of the user can be measured based on the body motion component both when the user is running and walking.

Claims

1. A body motion detection device configured to be attached to a forearm of a human body to detect a body motion of the human body, comprising:

a body motion sensor unit configured and arranged to detect an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during walking and an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output at least one body motion signal, said body motion sensor unit including

a first acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by the movement of the forearm during walking and output a first body motion signal,

a second acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by the movement of the forearm during running and output a second body motion signal; and

a body motion component extracting section configured and arranged to extract a body motion component from said at least one body motion signal, said body motion component extracting section configured and arranged to extract said body motion component based on said first and second body motion signals, said body motion component being configured to be utilized to determine pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps to be displayed to said user or to be stored.

2. The body motion detection device as recited in claim 1, wherein

said first acceleration sensor is configured and arranged to detect an acceleration in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the forearm extending from an elbow toward a hand, and

said second acceleration sensor is configured and arranged to detect an acceleration in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a straight line formed between a shoulder and a wrist of the human body when the entire arm is moved within an arc defined by the movement of an upper arm of the human body while the forearm is bent with respect to the upper arm.

3. The body motion detection device as recited in claim 1, wherein

said first acceleration sensor has an acceleration sensitivity direction that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the forearm extending from an elbow toward a hand, and

said second acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect an acceleration where said second acceleration has a sensor direction that makes a prescribed angle set in a range between approximately 35°

and approximately 65°

from a sensor direction of said first acceleration sensor.

4. The body motion detection device as recited in claim 1, wherein

said first acceleration sensor has an acceleration sensitivity direction that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the forearm extending from an elbow toward a hand, and

the second acceleration sensor is disposed such that an angle θ

satisfies θ

=tan<sup>−

1</sup> (X/Y), where X is equal to the approximate length from the shoulder joint to the elbow joint, Y is equal to the approximate length from the elbow joint to the wrist, and θ

is defined by an angle made by a sensor direction of said first acceleration sensor and a sensor direction of said second acceleration sensor when the angle between X and Y is substantially 90.

5. The body motion detection device as recited in claim 1, wherein,

said body motion component extracting section includes

a first frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

a second frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining section configured and arranged to determine a reference wave to extract said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis sections.

6. The body motion detection device as recited in claim 1, wherein

said body motion component extracting section includes

a combining section configured and arranged to output an integrated body motion signal by integrating said first and second body motion signals,

a frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said integrated body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining section configured and arranged to determine a reference wave to extract said body motion component based on a result of the frequency analysis from said frequency analysis section.

7. The body motion detection device as recited in claim 1, wherein

said body motion component extracting section includes

an amplifying section configured and arranged to output an amplified first body motion signal by amplifying said first body motion signal by a prescribed amplification rate,

a first frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute a frequency analysis of said amplified first body motion signal,

a second frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute a frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining section configured and arranged to determine a reference wave to extract said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis sections.

8. The body motion detection device as recited in claim 1, wherein

said body motion component extracting section includes

a preprocessing calculation section configured and arranged to output an integrated body motion signal by integrating said first and second body motion signals after preprocessing said first and second body motion signals such that maximum amplitudes of said first and second body motion signals become substantially equal to each other,

a frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute a frequency analysis of said integrated body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining section configured and arranged to determine a reference wave to extract said body motion component based on a result of the frequency analysis from said frequency analysis section.

9. A pitch meter comprising:

a body motion detection device configured to be attached to a forearm of a human body to detect a body motion of the human body, said body motion detection device including

a first acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by a forearm movement of the forearm during walking and output a first body motion signal,

a second acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by the forearm movement during running and output a second body motion signal, and

a body motion component extracting section including

a first frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

a second frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining section configured and arranged to determine a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis sections, said reference wave being a signal that is on the furthest low frequency side among signals having a prescribed ratio of power to a highest power signal in the results of the frequency analysis; and

a pitch calculation section configured and arranged to calculate a pitch of the body motion of the human body based on said reference wave, said pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps to be displayed to said user or to be stored.

10. A step counter, comprising:

a body motion detection device configured to be attached to a forearm of a human body to detect a body motion of the human body, said body motion detection device including

a first acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by a forearm movement of the forearm during walking and output a first body motion signal,

a second acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by the forearm movement during running and output a second body motion signal, and

a body motion component extracting section including

a first frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

a second frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining section configured and arranged to determine a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis sections, said reference wave being a signal that is on the furthest low frequency side among signals having a prescribed ratio of power to a highest power signal in the results of the frequency analysis;

a pitch calculation section configured and arranged to calculate a pitch of the body motion of the human body based on said reference wave; and

a step count calculating section configured and arranged to calculate step counts from said pitch and to display or to store said step counts.

11. A wrist watch type information processing device comprising:

a main body configured and arranged to be placed on a forearm of a human body including a body motion detection device to detect a body motion of the human body, said body motion detection device including

a first acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by a forearm movement of the forearm during walking and output a first body motion signal,

a second acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by the forearm movement during running and output a second body motion signal, and

a body motion component extracting section including

a first frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

a second frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining section configured and arranged to determine a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis sections, said reference wave being a signal that is on the furthest low frequency side among signals having a prescribed ratio of power to a highest power signal in the results of the frequency analysis;

a pitch calculation section configured and arranged to calculate a pitch of the body motion of the human body based on said reference wave, said pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps to be displayed to said user or to be stored; and

a wrist band member coupled to said main body configured and arranged to removably place said main body on a wrist of the human body.

12. A method of detecting a body motion of a human body, comprising:

performing a body motion signal outputting process for detecting by a first acceleration sensor an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of a forearm during walking to output a first body motion signal and for detecting by a second acceleration sensor an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal; and

performing a body motion component extracting process for extracting a body motion component from said first and second body motion signals, said body motion component being configured to be utilized to determine pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps to be displayed to said user or to be stored.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein

said body motion signal outputting process includes detecting the acceleration caused substantially by the movement of the forearm during walking the acceleration caused substantially by the movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal, and

said body motion component extracting process includes

performing a first frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

performing a second frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

performing a reference wave determining process for determining a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis processes.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein

said body motion signal outputting process includes detecting the acceleration caused substantially by the movement of the forearm during walking to output a first body motion signal and detecting the acceleration caused substantially by the movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal, and

said body motion component extracting process includes

performing an amplifying process for creating an amplified first body motion signal by amplifying said first body motion signal by a prescribed amplification rate,

performing a first frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said amplified first body motion signal,

performing a second frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

performing a reference wave determining process for determining a reference wave for extracting a body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analyzing processes.

15. A method of detecting a body motion of a human body, comprising:

performing a body motion signal outputting process for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of a forearm during walking and an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output at least one body motion signal; and

performing a body motion component extracting process for extracting a body motion component from said at least one body motion signal, said body motion component being configured to be utilized to determine pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps to be displayed to said user or to be stored,

said body motion signal outputting process including detecting the acceleration caused substantially by the movement of the forearm during walking to output a first body motion signal and detecting the acceleration caused substantially by the movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal, and

said body motion component extracting process including

performing an integrating process for creating an integrated body motion signal by integrating said first and second body motion signals,

performing a frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said integrated body motion signal, and

performing a reference wave determining process for determining a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on a result of the frequency analysis from said frequency analyzing process.

16. A method of detecting a body motion of a human body, comprising:

performing a body motion signal outputting process for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by the movement of the forearm during walking to output a first body motion signal and detecting the acceleration caused substantially by the movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal; and

performing a body motion component extracting process for extracting a body motion component from said first and second body motion signals including

performing a preprocessing calculation process for outputting an integrated body motion signal by integrating said first and second body motion signals after preprocessing said first and second body motion signals such that maximum amplitudes of said first and second body motion signals become substantially equal to each other,

performing a frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said integrated body motion signal, and

performing a reference wave determining process for determining a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on a result of the frequency analysis from said frequency analyzing process,

said body motion component being configured to be utilized to determine pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps to be displayed to said user or to be stored.

17. A method for detecting a pitch of a body motion of a human body, comprising:

performing a body motion signal outputting process for detecting the acceleration caused substantially by a movement of a forearm of the human body during walking to output a first body motion signal and detecting the acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal;

performing a body motion component extracting process for extracting a body motion component from at least one of said first and second body motion signals by performing

a first frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

a second frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining process for determining a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis processes;

performing a signal extracting process for extracting signals having a prescribed ratio of power to a highest power signal based on said reference wave determined;

performing a pitch calculating process for calculating a pitch from a signal that is on furthest low frequency side among said signals extracted by said signal extracting process;

using said pitch to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps; and

displaying said number of steps to said user or storing said number of steps.

18. A method for detecting a step count of a body motion of a human body, comprising:

performing a body motion signal outputting process for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of a forearm of the human body during walking to output a first body motion signal and detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal;

performing a body motion component extracting process for extracting a body motion component from at least one of the first and second body motion signals by performing

a first frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

a second frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining process for determining a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis processes;

performing a signal extracting process for extracting signals having a prescribed ratio of power to a highest power signal based on said reference wave determined;

performing a pitch calculating process for calculating a pitch from a signal that is on furthest low frequency side among said signals extracted by said signal extracting process;

performing a step count calculating section for calculating the step counts from said pitch calculated; and

outputting the step counts to a user or storing the step counts.

19. A method for detecting a pitch of a body motion of a human body, comprising:

providing a wristwatch type information processing device configured and arranged to be placed on a forearm of a human body to detect the body motion;

performing a body motion signal outputting process for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during walking to output a first body motion signal and detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal;

performing a body motion component extracting process for extracting a body motion component from at least one of said first and second body motion signals by performing

a first frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

a second frequency analyzing process for executing a frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and a reference wave determining process for determining a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis processes;

performing a signal extracting process for extracting signals having a prescribed ratio of power to the highest power signal based on said reference wave determined;

performing a pitch calculating process for calculating a pitch from a signal that is on furthest low frequency side among said signals extracted by said signal extracting process;

using said pitch to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps; and

displaying said number of steps to said user or storing said number of steps.

20. A control program stored in a computer-readable medium comprising instructions for performing:

controlling, by a computer, a body motion detection device attached to a human body to detect a body motion of the human body, said body motion detection device having a first acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of a forearm of the human body during walking to output a first body motion signal and a second acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal;

executing a frequency analysis of said first body motion signal;

executing a frequency analysis of said second body motion signal;

determining a reference wave for extracting a body motion component based on results of the frequency analyses of said first and second body motion signals;

configuring said body motion component to be utilized to determine pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps; and

displaying said number of steps to said user or storing said number of steps.

21. A control program stored in a computer-readable medium comprising instructions for performing:

controlling, by a computer, a body motion detection device attached to a human body to detect a body motion of the human body, said body motion detection device having a first acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of a forearm during walking to output a first body motion signal and a second acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused by a movement of the forearm during running;

integrating said first and second body motion signals to produce an integrated body motion signal;

executing a frequency analysis of said integrated body motion signal;

determining a reference wave for extracting a body motion component based on a result of said frequency analysis;

configuring said body motion component to be utilized to determine pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps; and

displaying said number of steps to said user or storing said number of steps.

22. A control program stored in a computer-readable medium comprising instructions for performing:

controlling, by a computer, a body motion detection device attached to a human body to detect a body motion of the human body, said body motion detection device having a first acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of a forearm of the human body during walking to output a first body motion signal and a second acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal;

creating an amplified first body motion signal by amplifying said first body motion signal by a prescribed amplification rate;

executing a frequency analysis of said amplified first body motion signal;

executing a frequency analysis of said second body motion signal;

determining a reference wave for extracting a body motion component based on results of said frequency analyses of said amplified first body motion signal and said second body motion signal;

configuring said body motion component to be utilized to determine pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps; and

displaying said number of steps to said user or storing said number of steps.

23. A control program stored in a computer-readable medium comprising instructions for performing:

controlling, by a computer, a body motion detection device attached to a human body to detect a body motion of the human body, said body motion detection device having a first acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of a forearm of the human body during walking to output a first body motion signal and a second acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal;

outputting an integrated body motion signal by integrating said first and second body motion signals after preprocessing said first and second body motion signals such that maximum amplitudes of said first and second body motion signals become substantially equal to each other;

executing a frequency analysis of said integrated body motion signal; and

determining a reference wave for extracting a body motion component based on a result of said frequency analysis from said frequency analyzing process;

configuring said body motion component to be utilized to determine pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps; and

displaying said number of steps to said user or storing said number of steps.

24. A control program stored in a computer-readable medium comprising instructions for performing:

controlling, by a computer, a device having a body motion detection device comprising

a first acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by the movement of the forearm during walking and output a first body motion signal,

a second acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by the movement of the forearm during running and output a second body motion signal, and

a body motion component extracting section configured and arranged to extract a body motion component from said first and second body motion signals, said body motion component extracting section including

a first frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

a second frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining section configured and arranged to determine a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis sections,

extracting signals having a prescribed ratio of power to a highest power signal based on said reference wave determined;

calculating a pitch from a signal that is on furthest low frequency side among said signals extracted by said extracting signals;

using said pitch to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps; and

displaying said number of steps to said user or storing said number of steps.

25. The control program as recited in claim 24, wherein

said device having said body motion detection device is a pitch meter.

26. The control program as recited in claim 24, wherein

said device having said body motion detection device is a wristwatch type information processing device.

27. A control program stored in a computer-readable medium comprising instructions for performing:

controlling, by a computer, a step counter having a body motion detection device comprising

a first acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by the movement of the forearm during walking and output a first body motion signal,

a second acceleration sensor configured and arranged to detect said acceleration caused by the movement of the forearm during running and output a second body motion signal, and

a body motion component extracting section configured and arranged to extract a body motion component from said first and second body motion signals, said body motion component extracting section including

a first frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said first body motion signal,

a second frequency analysis section configured and arranged to execute an frequency analysis of said second body motion signal, and

a reference wave determining section configured and arranged to determine a reference wave for extracting said body motion component based on results of the frequency analysis from said first and second frequency analysis sections,

extracting signals having a prescribed ratio of power to a highest power signal based on said reference wave determined;

calculating a pitch from a signal that is on furthest low frequency side among said signals extracted by said extracting signals;

calculating step counts from said pitch calculated;

outputting said step counts to a user or storing said step counts.

28. A computer readable recording medium having a control program comprising instructions for performing:

controlling, by a computer, a body motion detection device attached to a human body to detect a body motion of the human body, said body motion detection device having a first acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of a forearm of the human body during walking to output a first body motion signal and a second acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration caused substantially by a movement of the forearm during running to output a second body motion signal;

executing a frequency analysis of said first body motion signal;

executing a frequency analysis of said second body motion signal; and

determining a reference wave for extracting a body motion component based on results of said frequency analyses of said first and second body motion signals;

configuring said body motion component to be utilized to determine pitch to be used to calculate the number of a user'"'"'s steps; and

displaying said number of steps to said user or storing said number of steps.