| Method for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the method -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the methodRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Having Specific Electrical Feature, Monitors Exercise ParameterMethod for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070173378, Method for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The invention relates to a method for measuring the length of a person's steps, in which method the distance covered and the number of steps used is measured. The invention also relates to a measuring arrangement in which the method is applied and a sound transmitter and a sound receiver used in the measuring arrangement. [0002] The quantity and quality of exercise practiced by a person has a significant effect on the person's health. For example, the probability of heart diseases can be reduced by the kind of exercise that stresses the heart in a suitable way. A connection is also known to exist between osteoporosis and the practicing of different kinds of sports. The consumption of superfluous energy stored in the body by means of physical exercise is an object of increasing interest in weight control. Measuring or calculating the level of stress of the exercise is thus an important factor with regard to analyzing the health effects. [0003] The performance of physical exercise can be observed by many kinds of methods and arrangements. One well-known way is to measure the heart rate during the exercise/stress by a heart rate monitor, the readings of which can be examined either in real time or by means of data collected in some data collecting device. By a heart rate monitor it can be reliably found out, for example, if the exercise is of the kind that strengthens the heart. By the information of the heart rate monitor it is also possible to calculate an estimation of the amount of energy consumed during the exercise. [0004] On the other hand, it is known from the patent application F120012547 that by measuring the accelerations created in the bones of a person during the exercise it is possible to anticipate the direction in which the mass of bones will develop. The accelerations influencing the bones vary in different kinds of exercise. For example, higher acceleration peaks are created in running and jumping than in slow walking. [0005] Weight control is also one of the most central factors having an effect on health. If more energy from the food eaten is stored in the tissues of a person than is consumed daily on an average, it inevitably leads to an increase of the weight. Therefore, there is an obvious need for a kind of an easy-to-use calorimeter, which measures the energy consumption of a person continuously and easily. [0006] However, utilizing merely some average measurement information can be problematic. Even in the same kind of exercise there can be significant differences between different persons. By using only some average information describing exercise, gathered from a large mass, it is possible to arrive at erroneous conclusions for some persons. [0007] The amount of energy consumed by a person is influenced both by the person's weight and the form of exercise used and its intensity. In walking or running, energy consumption can be forecast on the basis of the speed of the person moving. The speed can be determined by the length and rate of steps, for example. If the length of steps used by the person in walking, for example, is known, it can be used to calculate a forecast of the person's energy consumption during a certain exercise. The length of steps can naturally be measured and calculated entirely manually. Then the calculation result obtained only needs to be saved in a data collection system for later use. However, the manual system is rigid. It requires preliminary preparations with distance measurements. The calculation of the length of steps must be carried out as a separate procedure, and the calculation result obtained must also be separately saved in a data storage device. [0008] The length of steps can also be determined by using optical means. In optical measuring methods it is common to use the infrared range. However, the speed of light is so high that it sets strict requirements for the measuring equipment used. Even a small timing error in the determination of the reception of the light pulse causes a significant error in the determination of the place of transmission of the light pulse. Due to the strict accuracy requirement for timing, optical step length measuring equipment is expensive to manufacture. [0009] The GPS technology (Global Positioning System) can also be utilized in measuring the length of steps. The accuracy varies depending on the reception equipment and the accuracy allowed by the service provider. However, the accuracy achieved in determining the point of reception can be some fractions of a meter. GPS positioning equipment is rather expensive, and therefore a step measuring system implemented by it would become expensive. [0010] The objective of the present invention is to provide a method and a device arrangement, by which the step length of a person can be measured without manual measurements, calculations and saving of data by a simple and inexpensive device arrangement. [0011] The objectives of the invention are achieved by a procedure and device arrangement, in which the distance covered by the person is measured by means of timed sound pulses received in a fixed place. The person carries along a sound transmitter, which transmits the timed sound pulses. The transit time of the pulse can be calculated from the moment of reception of the sound pulses, and the distance of the person carrying the transmitter at the moment of reception of a certain sound pulse can be determined from it. The speed at which the person is moving can also be estimated from the reception moments of consecutive pulses. The number of steps taken by the person is advantageously measured by an acceleration transducer provided in connection with the sound transmitter. [0012] The method according to the invention has the advantage that the length of the steps can be determined without manual measurement and calculation operations. [0013] In addition, the invention has the advantage that the device system utilized is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. [0014] Furthermore, the invention has the advantage that the result of the determination of the length of steps is saved directly in a device functioning as the receiver of the sound pulses, which device can be a terminal device of a cellular network. [0015] The method according to the invention is characterized in that [0016] the distance covered is measured by transit time measurement of sound frequency pulses, in which the transit time is measured between the moving person and a fixed point, and in which before measuring the distance covered [0017] the measuring time used for measuring the length of steps is determined, and [0018] the clocks of the transmitting means and receiving means of the sound pulses are synchronized, whereby the receiving means of the sound pulses know both the moments of reception of the sound pulses and the moment of transmission of each sound pulse, and that [0019] the number of steps taken during the measurement is measured by the acceleration transducer carried along by the person. [0020] The step length measurement arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that [0021] the distance covered is arranged to be measured by transit time measurement of sound frequency pulses, in which the transit time is arranged to be measured between the moving person and a fixed point, and in which before measuring the distance covered [0022] the measuring time to be used has been determined, and [0023] the clocks of the transmitting means and receiving means of sound pulses have been synchronized, whereby the reception means of sound pulses have knowledge of both the moments of reception of the sound pulses and the moments of transmission of each sound pulse, and in which measurement arrangement [0024] the number of steps taken during the measurement of the length of steps is arranged to be calculated from the acceleration pulses caused by the steps, measured by the acceleration transducer carried along by the person. [0025] The sound receiver according to the invention, used in the determination of the length of steps, is characterized in that it comprises [0026] a user interface for inputting the initial information of the step length measurement and for presenting the measurement result of the calculated length of steps [0027] a sound frequency receiver for receiving and indicating a sound signal of essentially the frequency of 1000-2000 Hz [0028] a central processing unit, a memory and a clock function for calculating the transit time of the received sound pulse and for performing the distance calculation on the basis of the transit time, and [0029] a power source. [0030] The sound transmitter according to the invention, used in the determination of the length of steps, is characterized in that it comprises [0031] a user interface for starting the measuring of the length of steps [0032] a sound frequency transmitter for transmitting a sound signal having essentially the frequency of 1000-2000 Hz [0033] a central processing unit, a memory and a clock function [0034] for transmitting the sound pulse used in the measurement at the intervals of a certain delay [0035] for detecting the end of the time defined for the measurement [0036] for transmitting the measurement end pulse [0037] means for detecting the acceleration peak caused by the step and for saving the number of the acceleration peaks detected, and [0038] a power source. [0039] Some preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. [0040] The basic idea of the invention is the following: The distance covered by the person is measured against some fixed point. In the fixed point there is advantageously a receiver which receives sound pulses. Hereinafter, this receiver will be called a sound receiver. A sound transmitter carried along by a moving person sends steep-edged sound pulses preferably in the frequency range of 1000-2000 Hz. The person performing the measurement carries the sound transmitter advantageously on his/her waist. When the measurement begins, the clocks of the portable sound transmitter and sound receiver are synchronized. The portable sound transmitter gives the first sound signal, which starts the clocks of both the portable sound transmitter and the sound receiver. The starting sound signal is advantageously given by pressing a button in the sound transmitter while the person is standing still. After this, the person moves at an even speed away from the fixed reception point. All the time, the sound transmitter gives a new sound pulse at even, predetermined intervals. The interval of the sound pulses can be advantageously about 200 ms. Since the clocks of the sound transmitter and receiver are synchronized, it is possible to calculate by means of the reception moment of the sound pulse and the sequence number of the received pulse how far the sound transmitter carried by the person is at the moment of reception of a certain pulse, because the speed of sound in the air is known. The sound transmitter carried by the person advantageously also comprises at least one acceleration transducer. The steps and their exact moments can be registered by it during the measurement period. The average length of steps is obtained by dividing the distance advanced during all the consecutive steps of the measurement period by the number of steps. The calculation result obtained is preferably saved in the sound receiver. The sound receiver is advantageously part of a terminal device of a cellular network. [0041] In the following, the invention will be described in more detail. Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which [0042] FIG. 1 shows an example of a measuring arrangement according to the invention for measuring the length of steps, [0043] FIG. 2 shows the effect of wind on the measuring arrangement, [0044] FIG. 3 presents, as an exemplary flow chart, the main steps of the method according to the invention, Continue reading about Method for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the method... Full patent description for Method for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and apparatus for detecting types of exercise Next Patent Application: Impact absorbing gymnastic mat Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the method patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.18335 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
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