United States Patent [19]
`Frederick
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,578,769
`Mar. 25, 1986
`
`[54] DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE SPEED,
`DISTANCE TRAVERSED, ELAPSED TIME
`AND CALORIES EXPENDED BY A PERSON
`WHILE RUNNING
`
`Edward C. Frederick, Kingston, N.H.
`
`[75] Inventor:
`[73] Assignee:
`Nike, Inc., Beaverton, Oreg.
`[21] Appl. No.: 465,274
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Feb. 9, 1983
`
`[51] Int. cu ............................................ .. G01C 22/00
`[52] us. 01. .................................. .. 364/565; 364/410;
`364/561; 340/323 R; 235/105
`[58] Field ofSearch ............. .. 364/143, 561, 565,413,
`364/410, 469, 417; 340/323 R; 235/105, DIG.
`5; 272/100; 375/5; 73/489, 490
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,540,344 11/1970 Veech
`3,580,083 5/ 1971 Zipser ....... ..
`3,789,402 1/1974 Heywood
`3,797,010 3/1974 Adler et a1. .
`3,882,480 5/1975 Greber .......... ..
`3,893,099 7/1975 Zoepfl
`3,974,491 10/1976 Sipe ....... ..
`
`'
`
`272/69
`340/328
`340/323 R
`340/321
`340/321
`177/209
`
`4,019,030 4/1977 Tamiz . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 235/105
`
`4,053,755 10/1977 Sherrill . . . . . . . .
`
`4,144,568 3/1979 Hiller et al.
`4,175,446 11/1979 Crowninshield
`
`. . . .. 364/561
`
`364/410
`235/ 105
`
`4,220,996 9/1980 Searcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 364/561
`
`4,281,389 7/1981 Smith .... ..
`4,285,041 8/1981 Smith .... ..
`4,312,358 1/1982 Barney ...... ..
`
`. 364/569
`364/569
`128/670
`
`. . . .. 364/561
`4,371,945 2/1983 Karr et al. , . . . . . .
`364/413
`4,380,802 4/1983 Segar et al. ....... ..
`4,387,437 6/1983 Lowrey et a1. ................... .. 364/561
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`82/03753 11/1982 PCT Int’l Appl. .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Pathokinesiology Service Lab Information, Rancho
`Los Amigos Hospital, Downey, California (date un
`known).
`
`Bernstein, Paul, “Anatomy of a Motion”, Passages,
`1982, p. 35.
`Saito, M., et al., “Temporal Patterns in Running” (date
`unknown), pp. 107-111.
`Hoshikawa, T. et 211., “Analysis of Running Pattern in
`Relation to Speed”, Medicine and Sport, vol. 8 (1973),
`pp. 342-348.
`Hogberg, Paul, “Length of Stride, Stride Frequency,
`Flight, ‘Period and Maximum Distance Between the
`Feet’, During Running with Different Speeds”, Ar
`beitsphysiologie, Bd., vol. 14 (1952), pp. 431-436.
`Luhtanen, P. et al., “Mechanical Factors In?uencing
`Running Speed”, Mechanics of Running, (date un
`known) pp. 23-29.
`“Annual Reports of Progress”, from Rancho Los Ami
`gos Rehabilitation Engineering Center at University of
`Southern California, Downey, California 90242, 1974,
`1975, 1976, 1979, 1980.
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner—Gary Chin
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Banner, Birch, McKie &
`Beckett
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A device for measuring the speed of a person while
`running along a surface is disclosed. A pressure switch
`or transducer located in a shoe senses when a foot of the
`runner is in contact with the surface and produces a foot
`contact signal having a duration proportional to the
`time the foot is in contact with the surface. A radio
`frequency transmitter is coupled to the pressure switch
`or transducer and transmits the foot contact signal. A
`radio frequency transmitter receives the foot contact
`signal transmitted by the frequency transmitter and a
`microprocessor coupled to the radio frequency receiver
`calculates, solely from the foot contact signal, an output
`speed signal‘ representing the speed of the runner. A
`liquid crystal display coupled to the output of the mi
`croprocessor displays the speed of the runner in accor
`dance with the output speed signal.
`
`25 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures
`
`TomTom Exhibit 1015, Page 1 of 8
`
`

`

`4,578,769
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“Foot Switch Telemetry System Operating Manual”, B
`& L Engineering, Santa Fe-Springs, California 90670, '
`(date unknown).
`“Miniature Pressure Transducers-Catalog and Price
`List”, Precision Measurement Co., Ann Arbor, Michi
`gan.
`Stewart, David M., “Coached by Computer”, Ameri
`
`can Way, Nov. 1982, pp. 35-38.
`“Gait Analysis Instrumentation”, from B & L Engineer
`ing, Santa Fe-Springs, Colorado 90670 (date unknown).
`Hogberg, Paul, “How do Stride Length and Stride
`Frequency Influence the Energy Output During Run
`ning?”, Arbeitsphysiologie, Bd, vol. 14 (1952), pp.
`437-441.
`
`TomTom Exhibit 1015, Page 2 of 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Mar. 25, 1986
`
`Sheet of2
`
`4,578,769
`
`RECEIVER-4
`MICRO -
`PROCESSOR -
`
`5
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`oop TRANSMITTER = |
`Shoo2" BATTERY- 2
`REFOOT SENSOR-3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3.
`
`16
`
`18
`
`.26
`.22 .24
`.20
`CONTACT TIME (SEC)
`
`.28
`
`.30
`
`TomTom Exhibit 1015, Page 3 of 8
`
`TomTom Exhibit 1015, Page 3 of 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Mar. 25, 1986
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`4,578,769
`
`
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`TomTom Exhibit 1015, Page 4 of 8
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`TomTom Exhibit 1015, Page 4 of 8
`
`
`
`
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`
`

`

`1
`
`4,578,769
`
`DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE SPEED,
`DISTANCE TRAVERSED, ELAPSED TIME AND
`CALORIES EXPENDED BY A PERSON WHILE
`RUNNING
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to the ?eld of mea
`suring instruments and is particularly directed to a
`method and apparatus for determining the speed, dis
`tance traversed, running elapsed time and calories ex
`pended by a person while running.
`In recent years, concern over the increasing numbers
`of cardiovascular illnesses reported each year has led to
`much greater public awareness of the importance of
`maintaining good physical body conditioning. This
`concern has spawned the development of a wide variety
`of health spas, ?tness centers and other similar commer
`cial establishments. While many of these facilities offer
`excellent ?tness programs, a large number of individu
`als are foreclosed from participation because they do
`not have the time, ?nancial resources or a convenient
`schedule to devote to a professionally supervised ?tness
`program. Many individuals have, therefore, turned to
`their own ?tness program of regular jogging. As used
`herein, jogging is also intended to include running and
`the two words are used interchangably.
`Jogging has long been recognized for its therapeutic
`effects on the body. It increases cardiopulmonary ?t
`ness, helps to lower blood pressure, decreases choles
`terol and triglyercides associated with heart disease and
`reduces weight. Jogging is also one of the easiest exer
`cises to do. It requires no athletic ability and can be
`done almost any time and any place with a minimum of
`equipment and without assistance. In more recent times,
`jogging has also gained acceptance for its recreational
`value as well and is recognized as a positive factor in
`establishing psychological stability. The popularity of
`jogging today is well documented by the large numbers
`of products and literature available to the running pub
`lic.
`As in many exercise and sporting endeavors, there
`exists in the prior art a wide variety of devices for aiding
`those who jog. The simplest running aids are basic pac
`ing timers as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,540,344 to
`Veech and US. Pat. No. 3,882,480 to Greber. Pacing
`timers generate a repetitive audio tone signal at selected
`intervals for pacing the strides of the runner. The length
`of the interval between tones is adjusted to suit the pace
`of the individual jogger.
`There are other running aids known in the prior art
`such as pedometers as disclosed ‘in US. Pat. No.
`4,053,755 to Sherrill. These devices usually count the
`number of steps taken and for a particular stride length,
`the approximate distance traversed can be determined.
`While pacing timers and pedometers are useful to the
`joggenthey are de?cient in several areas. For example,
`it is known that above a certain speed, stride length
`begins to increase as speed increases. The relationship
`of stride length to speed is not directly proportional and
`is different for each jogger. It is, therefore, a dif?cult
`task to determine the correct stride length for an indi
`vidual jogger at various speeds. Thus, pacing timers can
`provide no more than a constant running pace and pe
`dometers are only useful as an approximation of dis
`tance traversed.
`Running aids known in the prior art are further de?
`cient in that they add weight to the runner while pro
`
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`2
`viding only marginal utility in terms of the amount of
`information available and its accuracy. Further, it has
`become desirable to accurately measure the speed of
`amateur and professional runners, both in training and
`during competition. In the prior art, such measurements
`were made with a stop watch timing the runner over a
`known distance. Heretofore, it has not been possible to
`obtain accurate instantaneous speeds of runners using
`the measuring devices currently known in the prior art.
`With the foregoing in mind, the ideal running aid
`should, therefore:
`1. be light in weight;
`2.
`serve a number of useful functions;
`be inexpensive;
`3.
`4.
`provide measurements that are readily available to
`the user;
`LII
`. be reliable and easy to use; and
`6. provide accurate measurements of speed, distance
`traversed, running time elapsed calories expended
`and other useful information.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is the overall object of this invention to provide a
`new and improved running aid which overcomes the
`disadvantages of the prior art devices and substantially
`increases the amount and accuracy of information avail
`able to the jogger.
`A speci?c object of this invention is to provide a new
`and improved running aid in which the speed of the
`runner or jogger can be easily and accurately deter
`mined.
`A further speci?c object of this invention is to pro
`vide a new and improved running aid in which the
`distance traversed by the runner or jogger can be easily
`and accurately determined.
`1
`A still further object of this invention is to provide a
`new and improved running aid in which the elapsed
`time of the run can be determined.
`Another speci?c object of this invention is to provide
`a new and improved running aid in which the calories
`expended by the runner or jogger can be easily deter
`mined.
`A still further speci?c object of this invention is to
`provide a new and improved running aid which also
`includes the date, time of day, stop watch an alarm
`signals.
`A still further object of this invention is to provide a
`new and improved running aid having the above advan
`tages which is light in weight, relatively inexpensive
`and is convenient to use.
`This invention comprises a measuring apparatus hav
`ing a foot contact sensing transducer or switch located
`in the shoe of the jogger or runner for providing a ?rst
`output signal when a foot of the runner is in contact
`with the running surface and a second output signal
`when the foot is not in contact with the surface. Refer
`ence to the foot being in contact with the surface is
`intended to broadly include contact with the surface
`through the sole of the shoe. Laboratory tests have
`shown that a de?nite relationship exists between the
`length of time that a foot of a runner is in contact with
`the running surface and the speed at which the person is
`running. At speeds between approximately 4 and 12
`minutes per mile this relationship is approximately lin
`ear and can be accurately determined for each particu
`lar person.
`
`TomTom Exhibit 1015, Page 5 of 8
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`

`

`5
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`50
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`I
`
`4,578,769
`4
`3
`Prior to initially using the running aid of the inven
`on the wrist of the user for receiving a transmitted
`signal from transmitter 1. Receiver 4 may alternatively
`tion, the device is set to a calibration mode in which the
`be located at a remote site so that the performance of
`precise foot contact time/speed relationship of the user
`the runner can be monitored by another person. Cou
`is determined. This is accomplished by the user running
`pled to receiver 4 is microprocessor 5 for processing the
`a measured distance at two relatively constant but dis
`received signals into the speed of the runner, distance
`tinctly different speeds. In the calibration mode, the
`traversed, running elapsed time and calories expended
`running aid measures and stores the length of each foot
`by the runner, the values of which may selectively be
`contact time, the number of foot contacts and the run
`displayed. Microprocessor 5 also provides for normal
`ning elapsed time for each calibration run, and calcu
`watch functions, such as time of day, date, alarm and
`lates the average foot contact time and speed for each
`stop watch signals which may also be selectively dis
`run. Since the relationship between contact time and
`played.
`speed is linear, a linear equation is used and the con
`FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a shoe and illustrates the
`stants for the equation are calculated for the two sets of
`location of transmitter 1, battery 2 and foot sensor 3.
`average foot contact times and associated speeds. A line
`Transmitter 1 and foot sensor 3 are located in the sole of
`drawn between the calculated points, and the linear
`the shoe with its precise location not being critical as
`equation with its speci?c constants calculated, thus
`long as foot sensor 3 reliably provides a ?rst output
`represents the relationship between foot contact time
`signal representing the foot of the runner being in
`and speed. Accordingly, for a given foot contact time,
`contact with the ground and a second output signal
`speed can be accurately determined.
`representing the foot of the runner not being in contact
`It is anticipated that the running aid will only be
`with the ground. One suitable location for foot sensor 3
`calibrated once. The correct foot contact time/speed
`is in the medial arch area of a midsole. In this area,
`relationship for the user, i.e., the constants for the linear
`equation, is virtually inde?nitely stored and need only
`suf?cient pressures are generated to activate the sensor.
`The pressures, however, are relatively low compared to
`be redetermined when the running aid is used by a dif
`pressures generated in other areas of the midsole so that
`ferent person. Alternatively, the foot contact time/
`damage to the sensor is minimized. For example, FIG. 2
`speed relationship, i.e., the linear equation with average
`illustrates transmitter 1 and sensor 3 carried in gas ?lled
`constants, for the average runner can be initially stored
`chambers of a midsole. Battery 2 is shown mounted in
`in the running aid and can be used without re-calibrat
`the side of the shoe so that it may be easily and conven
`ingthe device. This would relieve the user from having
`tionally replaced when required.
`to go through the initial calibration process. A suitable
`FIG. 3 represents the linear relationship between the
`empirically determined linear equation with average
`amount of time in seconds that a foot of the runner is in
`constants
`would
`be
`y
`(speed — min.
`contact with the running surface and the speed in miles
`‘ /mile)= — 1.46+4l.5 >< (contact time in seconds).
`per minute being run as empirically determined for a
`In the run mode, the user need only start the device at
`particular runner. This relationship, while different for
`the beginning of the jog or run. Foot contact time is
`then determined and converted to speed using the
`each person, is linear for the same person over the nor
`mal range of running or jogging speeds.
`above-described relationship between foot contact time
`FIG. 4 shows the interconnection of the various com
`- and speed.
`ponents of the apparatus of the invention. As shown in
`Once speed is determined, distance traversed is
`FIG. 4, foot sensor 3 provides a ?rst output signal when
`merely calculated from the product of the speed and
`the foot of the runner is in contact with the running
`elapsed running time. Calories expended may be calcu
`surface and a second output signal when the foot is not
`lated from the empirically derived equation: Kilocalo
`ries=0.98 ><body weight><distance traversed, with
`in contact with the surface. Foot sensor 3 may be a
`body weight being in kilograms and distance traversed
`mechanical switch of suitable size and con?guration as
`being in kilometers.
`already known in the art or may be a miniature pressure
`transducer such as Model No. 140 manufactured by
`Precision Measuring Company of Ann Arbor, Mich.
`As further shown in FIG. 4, the output of sensor 3 is
`coupled to radio frequency transmitter 1 which includes
`means for encoding the output of foot sensor 3 into a
`transmitted signal. Transmitter 1 may also be of the type
`already known in the art such as manufactured by Na
`tional Semiconductor under Model No. LM 1871.
`Transmitter 1 may operate on any frequency selected
`from the 27 MHz or 49 MHz band using amplitude or
`frequency modulation. Battery 2 supplies power to
`transmitter 1.
`The transmitted signal from transmitter 1 is received
`and decoded by receiver 4. Receiver 4 may also be of
`the type known in the prior art such as manufactured by
`National Semiconductor under Model No. LM 1872.
`Receiver 4 may also be selectively tuned to receive the
`signals of several different transmitters operating on
`different frequencies so that the performance of several
`runners may be monitored from a remote location.
`Once received and decoded by receiver 4, the trans
`mitted signal is coupled to microprocessor 5. Micro
`processor 5 may be selected from various microproces
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a jogger showing a
`foot sensor, battery and transmitter in the shoe of the
`jogger and a receiver and microprocessor worn on his
`wrist.
`FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a running shoe showing
`the location of the foot sensor, battery and transmitter.
`FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between
`foot contact time in seconds and speed in minutes per
`mile.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the inter-connec
`tion of the various elements of the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`Referring now in detail to the drawings, the measur
`ing apparatus of this invention consists of a number of
`interrelated elements as shown in FIGS. 1-4. With ref
`erence to FIG. 1, the invention includes transmitter 1,
`battery 2 and foot sensor 3, all of which are located in a
`shoe of the runner as will be explained in more detail
`below. Also shown in FIG. 1 is radio receiver 4 located
`
`60
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`TomTom Exhibit 1015, Page 6 of 8
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`

`4,578,769
`5
`sors known in the prior art, including Model No. CDP
`1805AC manufactured by Radio Corporation of Amer
`ica. Microprocessor 5 executes a stored program in
`prom 6 to process the received signals from receiver 4
`into the speed of the runner, distance traversed and
`calories expended. Microprocessor 5 also maintains
`running elapsed time and provides normal watch func
`tions such as time of day, data, alarm and stop watch
`timing signals. The various values calculated by micro
`processor 5 are displayed on display 7 through display
`interface 8. Calibration mode 9, run mode 10 and watch
`mode 11 of the device are switch selectable through
`input switch control logic interface 12.
`A typical calibration mode will now be described
`with reference to FIG. 4. The calibration mode (9) is
`entered by depressing a switch which is interfaced to
`microprocessor 5 through appropriate input switch
`control logic interface 12. Interface 12 provides any
`switch debouncing that is required. The user also inputs
`a ?rst predetermined distance for the ?rst calibration
`run as also indicated by box 9. At the beginning of the
`?rst calibration run, the calibration sequence is started
`by an appropriate input switch, not shown. During the
`calibration run, the microprocessor determines the
`length of each foot contact time and the number of foot
`contacts from the ?rst and second output signals of foot
`sensor 3. These determined foot contact times and num
`bers of foot contacts are stored in internal random ac
`cess memory. At the end of the ?rst calibration run, an
`average foot contact time is calculated by summing all
`of the foot contact times and dividing by the number of
`foot contacts. Also, the elapsed time for the run is deter
`mined; the speed of the run in minutes per mile is calcu
`lated from the elapsed time and distance; and the calcu
`lated value of the speed is stored.
`In a second calibration run a predetermined distance
`is again selected by the user and inputted. The calibra
`tion run is repeated at a different speed, preferably a
`substantially different speed, than the ?rst calibration
`run. Foot contact times, the number of contacts and
`.elapsed are again determined and stored. At the end of
`the run on average foot contact time and speed in min
`utes per mile are calculated.
`From the ?rst calibration run a ?rst set of x,y values
`(x1,y|) for a graph of foot contact time in seconds (x)
`versus speed (y) in minutes per mile is determined and
`stored. From the second calibration run a second set of
`x,y (foot contact time, speed) values (x2,y2) is deter
`mined and stored. Since the speed to foot contact time
`relationship has been experimentally shown to be linear,
`a straight line joining these two points would be repre
`sentative of the foot contact time to speed relationship
`for the particular runner.
`The equation for a straight line is y =A+Bx, wherein
`B is the slope of the line and A is the y intercept. Thus,
`once the two sets of x,y values have been determined,
`the microprocessor can calculate the A and B constants
`for the equation in the following manner and, thereafter
`the equation for the straight line (for the particular
`runner) can be used to calculate the speed y of the run
`ner from foot contact time x.
`To calculate the B value (slope) the microprocessor
`solves the equation
`
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`Thereafter the microprocessor determines the A value
`(y intercept) by solving the equation for the slope at the
`y intercept value, i.e.,
`
`B:
`
`where x0=0 and by de?nition y0=A, so that
`A=y2—Bx2. With the y; and x; values stored from the
`calibration run and the B value already calculated, the
`A value is determined. The calculated A and B values
`for the particular runner are then stored and the linear
`equation y(speed) =A + Bx (foot contact time) is used in
`the manner described hereinafter to determine the speed
`of the runner merely by determining foot contact time.
`A typical run mode sequence will now be described
`with reference to FIG. 4. Run mode 10 is entered at the
`start of the run or jog by depressing an appropriate
`switch, not shown, which is coupled to microprocessor
`5 through input switch control logic interface 12. As the
`shoe of the runner containing foot sensor 3, transmitter
`1 and battery 2 comes into contact with the surface, a
`?rst output signal is generated by sensor 3 representing
`that a foot of the runner is in contact with the surface.
`When the shoe of the runner leaves contact with the
`surface, a second output signal is generated by sensor 3
`representing that the foot of the runner is no longer in
`contact with the surface. The ?rst and second output
`signals are coupled to RF transmitter 1 and transmitted
`to receiver 4. The signals received by receiver 4 are
`coupled to microprocessor 5. Thus, the signals available
`at microprocessor represents when the foot comes into
`contact with the ground and when the foot leaves
`contacts with the ground, Microprocessor 5 is therefore
`able to determine the length of time that the foot of the
`runner is in contact with the surface. Microprocessor 5
`accordingly converts foot contact time to speed using
`the stored relationship established during the calibration
`mode. Preferably, the foot contact time which is used to
`calculate speed is an average foot contact time deter
`mined by averaging a number of successive foot contact
`times, for example, eight successive contact times. The
`calculated speed is accordingly selectively displayed on
`display 7 through display interface 8. Interface 8 con
`verts the usually low power output of a microprocessor
`to signals suitable to drive display 7. Speed is continu
`ously calculated by measuring foot contact time and is
`instantaneously available for display. Microprocessor 5
`also maintains running elapsed time.
`Once speed is calculated, microprocessor 5 calculates
`distance traversed by taking the product of speed and
`running elapsed time. The number of calories (in kilo
`calories) expended during the run, is also calculated by
`taking the product of the body weight of the runner in
`kilograms, distance traversed in kilometers and the con
`stant 098. Running elapsed time, distance traversed and
`calories expended also may be selectively displayed on
`display 7. These values may also be stored in the read/
`write memory associated with microprocessor 5 for
`virtually an inde?nite period of time.
`In watch mode 11, microprocessor 5 selectively pro
`vides to display 7 normal watch function such as time of
`day, date, an alarm signal when a preselected time oc
`curs and the time elapsed from a predetermined time.
`Obviously, many modi?cations and variations of the
`above preferred embodiment of the invention will be
`come apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading
`
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`of this disclosure. It should be realized that the inven
`tion is not limited to the particular embodiment dis
`closed, but its scope is intended to be governed only by
`the scope of the appended claims.
`I claim:
`1. A device for measuring the speed of a person while
`running along a surface, said device comprising:
`a foot contact sensing means for sensing when a foot
`of the runner is in contact with the surface and
`producing a foot contact signal having a duration
`proportional to the time the foot is in contact with
`the surface;
`transmitting means connected to said foot contact
`sensing means for transmitting said foot contact
`signal;
`receiving means for receiving said foot contact signal
`transmitted by said transmitting means;
`processing means connected to said receiving means
`for calculating, solely from said foot contact signal,
`an output signal representing the speed of the run
`ner; and
`display means connected to the output of said pro
`cessing means for displaying the speed of the run
`ner in accordance with said output speed signal.
`2. The device of claim 1 wherein said processing
`means includes a timer means for producing output time
`signals representing the date, time of day and the time
`elapsed from a predetermined time, said display means
`further comprising means for displaying said date, said
`time of day and said elapsed time in accordance with
`said output time signals.
`3. The device of claim 2 wherein said processing
`means further includes an alarm output signal when a
`preselected time occurs.
`4. The device of claim 1 wherein said processing
`means further comprises means for timing a running
`elapsed time and generating a signal representing the
`time elapsed from the beginning of the run.
`5. The device of claim 4 wherein said processing
`means further comprises means for calculating, solely
`from said foot contact signal and said running elapsed
`time, an output distance signal representing the distance
`traversed by the runner and means for displaying said
`output distance signal.
`6. The device of claim 4 wherein said processing
`means further comprises means for calculating, solely
`from said foot contact time and said running elapsed
`time, an output calories expended signal representing
`the calories expended by the runner during the run, and
`means for displaying said output calories expended
`signal.
`7. The device of claims 1, ,4, 5 or 6 wherein said out
`put speed signal, said running elapsed time signal, said .
`output distance signal or said output calories expended
`55
`signal are continuously calculated and selectively dis
`played.
`8. The device of claim 7 wherein said output speed
`signal, said running elapsed time signal, said output
`distance signal or said output calories expended signal
`are stored for a virtually inde?nite period of time and
`selectively displayed.
`9. The device of claim 1 wherein said foot contact
`sensing means is a switch.
`10. The device of claim 1 wherein said foot contact
`sensing means is a transducer.
`11. The device of claim 1 wherein said transmitting
`means is a radio frequency transmitter.
`
`4,578,769
`8
`12. The device of claim 11 wherein said radio fre
`quency transmitter is frequency modulated.
`13. The device of claim 1 wherein said receiving
`means is a radio frequency receiver.
`14. The device of claim 13 wherein said radio fre
`quency receiver is capable of receiving a frequency
`modulated signal.
`15. The device of claim 1 wherein said processing
`means is a microprocessor.
`16. The device of claim 1 wherein said display means
`is a liquid crystal display.
`17. A device for measuring the speed of a person
`while running along a surface, said device comprising:
`a transducer for sensing when a foot of the runner is
`in contact with the surface and producing a foot
`contact signal having a duration proportional to
`the time the foot is in contact with the surface, said
`transducer being located in the shoe of the runner;
`a radio frequency transmitter connected to said pres
`sure switch or transducer for transmitting said foot
`contact signal;
`a radio frequency receiver for receiving said foot
`contact signal transmitted by said frequency trans
`mitter;
`a microprocessor connected to said radio frequency
`receiver for calculating, soley from said foot
`contact signal, an output speed signal representing
`the speed of the runner; and
`a liquid crystal display connected to the output of
`said microprocessor for displaying the speed of the
`runner in accordance with said output speed signal
`18. The device of claim 17 wherein said microproces
`sor includes a timer means for producing output time
`signals representing the date, time of day and the time
`elapsed from a predetermined time, said liquid crystal
`display further comprising means for displaying said
`date, said time of day and said elapsed time in accor
`dance with said output time signals.
`‘
`19. The device of claim 17 wherein said microproces
`sor further includes an alarm output signal when a pre
`selected time occurs.
`‘
`20. The device of claim 17 wherein said microproces
`sor further comprises means for timing an elapsed time
`and generating a signal representing the time elapsed
`from the beginning of the run.
`21. The device of claim 17 wherein said microproces
`sor further comprises means for calculating, solely from
`said foot contact signal and said running elapsed time,
`an output distance signal representing the distance tra
`versed by the runner and means for displaying said
`output distance signal.
`22. The device of claim 17 wherein said microproces
`sor further comprises means for calculating, solely from
`said foot contact time and said running elapsed time, an
`output calories expended signal representing the calo
`ries expended by the runner during the run, and means
`for displaying said output calories expended signal.
`23. The device of claims 17, 20, 21 or 22 wherein said
`output speed signal, said running elapsed time signal,
`said output distance signal or said output calories ex
`pended signal are continuously calculated and selec
`tively displayed.
`24. The device of claim 23 wherein said output speed
`signal, said running elapsed time signal, said output
`distance signal or said output calories expended signal
`are stored for a virtually inde?nite period of time and
`selectively displayed.
`25. The device of claim 17 wherein said foot contact
`sensing means is a switch.
`* * * * It
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`TomTom Exhibit 1015, Page 8 of 8
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