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`DRAWINGS
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`Figs. Drw.g(
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`CLAIMS ALLOWED
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`Print Claim for O.G.
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`FORMALITY REVIEW
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`INDEX OF CLAIMS
`"' ................................. Rejected
`· N ................................. Non-elected
`= ..........••....................• Allowed
`I ................................. Interference
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`91
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`93
`94
`95
`96
`97.
`98
`99
`IOI
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`If more than 150 claims or 10 actions
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`03 fC;103
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`PT0-1556
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`· ATTORNEY DOCKET NO
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`10/28/1998
`
`377
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`2816
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`EPIXINC-4
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`Printed I 0/28/2000
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`APPLICAI\ ·
`NATHAN PYLES, LAKE MILLS, WISCONSIN; JOEL M MACHT, REECEVILLE,
`WISCONSIN; CHEN-SHU! JUNG, TAIPEI, TAIWAN.
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`* • CO NT IN U ING ~DOMESTIC DAT A* * • * " * * * * * * * • * * * * * * * * " *
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`-· !::of s;;;a r-...
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`:::::::::
`
`Large Entity
`Fee
`Fee
`Code
`($)
`105
`130
`127
`50
`
`Small Entity
`Fee
`Fee
`Code
`($)
`205
`65
`ZZT
`25
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`139
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`130
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`139
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`130
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`Fee Cescriptlon
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`Paid
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`112
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`920·
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`112
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`Other
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`113
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`1,840· 113
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`Large Entity
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`116
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`110
`400
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`117
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`950
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`215
`216
`
`217
`
`Fee
`($}
`
`790
`330
`540
`790
`
`Fee
`Code
`
`101
`106
`107
`108
`
`114
`
`Fee
`Code
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`Fee
`($)
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`fee Description
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`Fee Paid
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`118
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`1,510 218
`
`395 Utility filiog fee
`165 Design filing fee
`270 Plant filing fee
`395 Reissue filing fee
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`~39:;,.oo
`
`128
`119
`120
`121
`138
`
`2,060 228
`310
`219
`310
`220
`270
`221
`1,510 138
`
`201
`206
`207
`208
`
`214
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`SS
`200
`
`475
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`755
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`150
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`2. Cl.AIMS
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`75
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`Total Claims []·~ ~X~• '""·~
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`X 1
`
`,.
`
`;i.o.:.w
`
`Independent
`Claims
`Multiple Dependent Claims
`
`-3=
`
`X
`
`= ~u.w
`
`140
`141
`142
`
`143
`144
`122
`123
`
`Eldenslon fOI reply within flrst month
`E.>ltenslon for reply within second
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`E>4ension for reply within third
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`Extension for reply within fourth
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`155
`Notice of Appeal
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`Filing a brief in support of an appeal
`135
`Request for oral hearing
`1,510 Petition to institute a public use
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`Petition to revive - unavoidable
`Petition to reVive • unintentional
`Utility Issue fee (or reissue)
`
`55
`660
`660
`
`240
`110
`1,320 241
`1,320 242
`
`450
`670
`130
`so
`
`243
`244
`122
`123
`
`Z2S
`335
`13()
`50
`
`Design issue fee
`Plant issue fee
`Petitions to Ille Commissioner
`Petitions related to provisional
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`Submission of Information
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`Large Entity
`Fee
`Fee
`Code
`($}
`
`Small Entity
`Fee
`Fee
`Code
`
`126
`
`240
`
`126
`
`240
`
`Fee Description
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`581
`
`40
`
`581
`
`40
`
`11
`
`41
`
`Claims in excess of 20
`
`146
`
`790
`
`246
`
`395
`
`Independent Claims In excess of 3
`
`149
`
`790
`
`249
`
`395
`
`103
`
`102
`
`104
`109
`
`110
`
`22
`
`82
`
`270
`82
`
`22
`
`203
`
`202
`
`204
`209
`
`210
`
`135 Multiple dependent claims
`Reissue independent claims over
`41
`original patent
`Reissue claims In excess of 20 and
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`SUBTOTAL (2} I .}"o' .UO
`
`11
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`other fee (specify)
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`SUBMITTED BV
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`·:~.
`
`."'l.~:
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`_;: ...
`
`0 Charge the Issue Fee set in ".Jt
`CFR 1.18 at the Mailing of the
`Notice or Allowance
`
`Charge Any
`Additional Fee
`Required Under
`37 CFR 1.16 and
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`181
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`f'"EE
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`,..,,~a.llUN
`
`.•.. 1. FILING Ft:t:
`.,~
`.,; Large Entity
`
`Small Entity
`
`Appi1cation Numuer
`Fiiing Date
`First Named Inventor
`Group AA Unit
`CMm1ner Name
`Attorney uocket Numcer
`l",l' I X I '"' .__,.
`FEE CALCULA ION (~ontlnUe<I)
`3. ADDITIONAL FEES
`
`r-y1es, et a1.
`
`Large Entity
`Fee
`Fee
`Code
`($)
`105
`130
`127
`50
`
`SmallEnlity
`F~ Fee
`Code
`($)
`205
`65
`25
`227
`
`139
`
`130
`
`139
`
`130
`
`Fee Description
`
`Fee
`Paid
`
`Surcharge • late filing fee or oath
`surcharge • late provislonal filing fee
`or cover sheet
`Non-English specification
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`147
`
`2,520 147
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`2.520 For filing a request for reel<amlnation
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`112
`
`920"
`
`112
`
`113
`
`1,840* 113
`
`920"
`
`Requesting publication of SIR prior
`to Examiner action
`1,840* ReciuesUng publication of SIR after
`E1Camlner action
`
`115
`116
`
`110
`400
`
`215
`216
`
`55
`200
`
`117
`
`950
`
`217
`
`475
`
`·- Fee
`J, Code
`
`d~ .
`
`~~.
`
`Fee
`($}
`
`790
`330
`540
`790
`
`Fee
`Code
`
`Fee Fee Description
`($)
`
`201
`206
`207
`208
`
`395 Utility filing fee
`165 Design riling fee
`270 Plant filing fee
`395 Reissue flllng fee
`
`Fee Paid
`
`118
`
`1,510 218
`
`755
`
`$39~.oo
`
`128
`119
`120
`121
`138
`
`2,06() 228
`310
`219
`310
`220
`270
`221
`1,510 138
`
`150
`
`214
`
`101
`' . 106
`"•'107
`~ '108
`·~~ l
`.::
`"f '1l4
`.~:
`:·::
`.:. 2. CLAIMS
`~.=
`
`Provisional filing fee
`75
`I $395.N
`SUBTOTAL (1)
`l;J(lra
`t-ee1rom
`below
`
`t-ee t'a1a
`
`Total Claims [j"~ ~X~• ~;u::i.uu
`
`x 4
`x 1
`
`= ~l:l~.w
`= ~u.Oo
`
`Independent
`Claims
`Multiple Dependent Claims
`
`-3=
`
`140
`141
`142
`
`143
`144
`122
`123
`
`Extension for reply within first month
`Extension for reply within second
`month
`Extension for reply wi1hin third
`month
`Extension for reply within fourth
`month
`1,030 Extension for reply within fifth month
`155
`Notice of Appeal
`155
`Fiiing a brief In support of an appeal
`Request for oral hearing
`135
`1,510 Peti\ion to institute a public use
`proceeding
`Petition to revive· unavoidable
`Petition to revive. unintentional
`Utility Issue fee (« reissue)
`
`55
`660
`660
`
`240
`110
`1,320 241
`1,320 242
`
`450
`670
`130
`50
`
`243
`244
`122
`123
`
`225
`335
`130
`50
`
`Design Issue fee
`Plant bsue fee
`Petitions to the Commissioner
`Petitions related to provisional
`applications
`Submission of Information
`Disclosure Statement
`Recording each patent assignment
`per property (times number of
`properties)
`Filing a submission after final
`rejection (37 CFR 1.129(a))
`J:"or each additional invention to be
`examined {37 CFR 1.129(b))
`
`Large Entity
`Fee
`Fee
`Code
`(S)
`
`Small Entity
`Fee
`Fee
`Code
`
`126
`
`240
`
`126
`
`240
`
`Fee Description
`
`581
`
`40
`
`581
`
`40
`
`11
`
`41
`
`Claims in excess of 20
`
`146
`
`790
`
`Independent Claims in excess of 3
`
`149
`
`790
`
`246
`
`249
`
`395
`
`395
`
`·,03
`
`102
`
`104
`109
`
`t 10
`
`22
`
`82
`
`270
`82
`
`22
`
`203
`
`202
`
`204
`209
`
`210
`
`135 Multiple dependent claims
`41
`Reissue independent claims over
`original patent
`Reissue claims In excess of 20 and
`over original patent
`SUBTOTAL (2) I $3::11.w
`
`11
`
`other fee (specify)
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`Other fee (specify)
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`•Reduced by Basic Filing Fee Paid
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`SUBTOTAL (3)
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`SUBMITTED BY
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`33455
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`Reg. Number
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`I /Jt.1.1~1 )if1 s Deposit Account User ID
`
`9
`
`
`
`PA TENT APPLICATION
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant:
`
`Pyles, et al.
`
`Filed: '
`
`Simultaneously herewith
`
`For:
`
`Pedometer
`
`Docket No.:
`
`EPIXINC-4
`
`BOX PATENT APPLICATION
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`"Express Mail" Mailing Label No.: EM164411845US
`Date of Deposit: October 28, 1998
`
`I hereby certify that these attached documents
`*
`Response postcard
`*
`Check in the amount of $752.00
`*
`PTO/SB/17 (lp) and 1 copy
`*
`Specification and Claims (19 pages) and informal drawing (1 sheet) and
`unexecuted Declaration and Power of Attorney ( 4 pp)
`PTO/ SB/05 (1 p)
`
`*
`
`are being deposited with the United States Postal Service "Express Mail Post Office to
`Addressee'' service under 35 C. F. R. § 1. 10 on the date indicated above and is addressed to the
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents, Washington, D.C. 20231.
`
`11
`
`Enclosed for filing please find the above-referenced new patent application. Please
`indicate receipt of this application by returning the attached postcard with the official Patent
`and Trademark Office receipt and serial number stamped thereon.
`.
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`c /;J
`
`~L
`. Smith, Reg. No. 3345,_
`J n
`Attorney for Applicant
`Lathrop & Clark
`P.O. Box 1507
`Madison, Wisconsin 53701-1507
`(608) 257-7766
`
`~.xpnn~ibpp
`
`10
`
`
`
`.·
`
`• ...
`
`The undersigned hereby certiflet that this
`document is beinf deposit~ United
`States ~I ..... today lA
`PP
`19:2ibv the • ....., •• ....-- ..,.., uteamnci
`
`expr . . mail.......... §t11wff«Sf51.(,S
`
`addressed to: Autatant Comtlli11ioMr for
`Patenta, WllMllllOf\ O.C. 20231.
`Jc:..~/2-1 M 6M17H
`
`PEDOMETER
`
`Nathan Pyles Joel M. Macht Chen Shui-Jung
`
`. -:~:
`
`FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to pedometers having a waist mounted
`stride-counting device and transmitter, and a wrist-mounted receiver and display. The
`invention also relates to a distance calculation device that calculates a distance
`
`walked or run based on an algorithm that converts a base stride length and a base
`stride rate to an actual stride length for use in calculating the distance traveled.
`
`Pedometers are known which include devices or algorithms for determining
`the distance a person travels on foot. For example, U.S. Patent 4,371,945 discloses
`
`an electronic pedometer that calculates distance by electronically measuring the
`length of each stride taken by a user. Stride length is measured by ultrasonic waves
`
`generated by an ultrasonic module strapped to one leg and an ultrasonic detector
`worn on the other leg. A program compensates for a variety of measurement errors
`and the results are displayed on a wrist-mounted display after being transmitted by
`VHF waves from the leg to the wrist.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`is
`
`1
`
`11
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent 4,771,394 discloses a computer shoe with a heel-mounted
`electronic device with an inertia footstrike counter, a timer, a sound generating
`device, a battery, and a gate array for counting time and footstrikes to calculate
`distance and running time as a function of stride time. Although recognizing the
`important relationship of stride length and foot speed, the shoe in this patent requires
`data from at least 15 test runs or walks and the data must be user-entered in pairs of
`
`footstrikes and elapsed time to cover a pre-determined distance. Further, user
`adjustments of time must be perfonned to accommodate start and stop times, and the
`
`s
`
`,,.
`
`number of counted footstrikes is increased one percent to overcome inherent errors
`in the inertia step counter. The shoe-mounted device is subject to damage from
`
`10
`
`impact, dirt, and water, and requires a stay-at-home computer with which to
`interface. There is no means disclosed to transmit data to a wrist-mounted display
`device or an "on-board" computing device that provides "real time" data to a runner.
`
`15
`
`U.S. Patent 4,855,942 discloses a pedometer and calorie measuring device
`that includes a wrist-mounted step counter and a fixed stride length to calculate
`distance traveled. Wrist-mounted step counters are known to be inaccurate because
`
`they assume a step for every ann movement. Even with error correction, such a
`device will provide less accurate step counts than a leg or waist-mounted counter.
`Further, fixed stride lengths do not take into account the fact that stride length varies
`
`:::·:;·
`
`20
`
`with rate of movement.
`
`U.S. Patent 5, 117,444 discloses a pedometer and calibration method with two
`calibration modes. First, a user travels a predetermined "half-distance" for the device
`
`to count and store the number of strides in that distance. Next, the user travels a
`second distance with the step counter comparing actual steps to the steps in memory
`
`2s
`
`and a current trip memory are incremented by a tenth of a "whole unit" distance.
`There is no correlation between stride length and stride rate which requires the user
`
`to re-calibrate the device when walking as opposed to running.
`U.S. Patent 5,475,725 discloses a pulse meter with pedometer function to
`
`30
`
`detennine pace and pulse rate of a user. The meter uses pulse wave base data
`.....
`compared to actual pulse wave data rates.
`U.S. Patent 5,476,427 discloses a pace display device utilizing a base rate for
`
`2
`
`12
`
`
`
`traveling pre-set distances in successive trails. The device calculates step counts and
`rates, and compares actual step count rates to display data to a user for comparison
`of present running rates to previous rates.
`Thus, there is a need for a simple, but highly accurate, pedometer that
`
`s
`
`displays distance traveled, pace, speed, heart rate, and other important infonnation on
`
`"
`
`. an easily read wrist-mounted device.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention overcomes problems and shortcomings in the prior art
`by providing a device that includes a waist, chest, or leg-mounted stride counting
`device, a transmitter, and a wrist-mounted receiver/display device that provides
`
`10
`
`highly accurate travel distances and other information. The device includes a
`
`computer that stores base stride length and rate data from traveling a pre-determined
`
`distance and compares that to actual stride rate data to calculate actual distance
`traveled, speed, and pace. The invention recognizes the interdependency of stride
`
`15
`
`length and stride rate and uses that relationship to provide superior distance-
`
`calculating accuracy.
`
`The invention also provides for improved display of relevant data on a wrist(cid:173)
`mounted display that receives digital signals from devices worn on other body parts
`
`such as legs, waist, and chest. Transmitters that can send coded signals are desirable
`because they will not interfere with similar devices worn by other users in the vicinity.
`
`20
`
`The accuracy of the device is enhanced by the use of an algorithm that adjusts
`a base stride length based on actual stride rates. The algorithm is defined as: Actual
`Stride Length= Base Stride Length+ Base Stride Length *(((Actual Stride Rate -
`
`Base Stride Rate) N)/Base Stride Rate); where N is either an average value or a
`derived value from a plurality of samples.
`
`2s
`
`The invention also includes a method for calculating an actual stride length
`including steps of: timing a first user run of a predetermined distance; counting the
`
`total number of strides in the user first run; dividing the first run distance by the stride
`count to obtain a base stride length; dividing the stride count t.y the first run time to
`obtain a base stride rate; counting strides during a user's second run to obtain an
`actual stride rate; calculating the actual stride length using the fonnula: Actual Stride
`
`30
`
`3
`
`13
`
`
`
`Length = Base Stride Length + Base Stride Length
`
`*(((Actual Stride Rate - Base Stride Rate )N)/Base Stride Rate); wherein N is an
`
`average value or a derived value.
`
`The average value method can be refined by comparing Base Stride Rate to
`
`Actual Stride Rate to determine a percentage difference; and using N=l when the
`Actual Stride Rate :S Base Stride Rate* 1.02 and using N=3 when Actual Stride Rate
`> Base Stride Rate * 1. 02. A preferred embodiment uses a plurality of sample runs
`over known distances to derive an accurate N value for each individual.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pedometer in accordance with the present
`
`...
`
`5
`
`10
`
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`As illustrated in Fig. 1, the present invention is directed to an improved
`
`.....
`·:+.::.
`
`pedometer 20 including: a waist, chest, or leg mounted stride counter 24, and a wrist
`
`15
`
`or waist mounted display unit 26. An optional chest-mounted heart monitor 28 can
`
`be included. AJI of the device components are mounted in suitable housings. The
`
`pedometer 20 includes a data processor 30 that is mounted in the same housing as
`
`either the step counter 24 or the display unit 26.
`
`The step counter 24 is an inertia device that counts the number of steps a user
`
`20
`
`takes. The number of steps is transmitted to a data archive 32 either directly or via a
`
`transmitter 34. The data archive 32 is mounted in the housing with the step counter
`
`24 or the display 26.
`
`The transmitter 34 is mounted in the step counter housing and is preferably an
`
`Rf telemetric signal transmitter with a 30 inches to 36 inches transmission range.
`
`25
`
`Alternately, the transmitter is a wireless or wired digital transmitter with a coding
`
`function to limit or eliminate interference with other similar devices. The wireless
`
`transmission range is .set between 30 inches and 36 inches to provide adequate range
`
`to transmit signals from a user's waist to wrist, but not so far as to cause interference
`
`with other Rf or digital devices in the vicinity.
`The transmitter 34 transmits either raw data or calculated distances, pace, etc.
`
`30
`
`to a wrist-mounted display unit receiver 40. The receiver 40 relays a raw data signal
`
`4
`
`14
`
`
`
`s
`
`10
`
`f..:i::
`
`15
`
`to the data processor 30 or a calculated data signal directly to the display panel 42,
`such as an LCD or LED.
`
`Similarly> the heart rate monitor 28 includes a transmitter 44 that transmits
`heart rate data to the display unit 26. The heart monitor transmitter 44 can transmit at
`the same or a different frequency as the stride counter 24, and to the same or a
`• different receiver in the display unit 26. The heart rate transmitter 44 is preferably Rf,
`but can be digital for the reasons stated above. The range of the heart rate transmitter
`
`44 should also be between 30 inches and 36 inches to ensure effective communication
`with the receiver while limiting outside interference.
`The data processor 30 can also include a programmable logic controller> a
`
`personal computer, a programmable read-only memory, or other suitable processor.
`The data processor 30 includes a data archive 32 to store historic data on stride
`
`length and pace to be used in an algorithm for calculating actual distances, speed, and
`
`rate for real-time conversion of data to useful information for a user.
`
`The data processor 30 can also include closed loop or fuzzy logic
`programming to continually or periodically replace the base stride rate and length
`with recently calculated stride rates and lengths so that long term conditioning trends
`
`are accommodated in the base stride archive. Incorporating trend capabilities may
`
`further enhance accuracy of the distance and pace calculations.
`The display unit 26 also includes an operator interface 46 such as a key pad,
`
`20
`
`button, knob, etc. that enables the user to start and stop a clock 48 (or stop watch)
`and activate various use modes within the pedometer, such as a sampling mode and
`
`operation mode.
`One option for using the pedometer 20, requires the user to operate a
`
`"sampling mode" and begin walking or running a pre-determined distance such as a
`mile or 1600 meters, preferably on a running track of a known size. Upon completion
`
`of the distance, a stop button on the operator interface 46 is pushed. The data
`processor 30 is programmed to then divide the distance by the number of strides
`
`counted to calculate an average stride length. This value is sic.red in the data archive
`32 as the "Base Stride Length."
`Also, the data processor 30 is programmed to divide the number of strides by
`
`25
`
`30
`
`5
`
`15
`
`
`
`the time of the run or walk as measured by the clock 48 to arrive at a "Base Stride
`
`Rate."
`
`The data processor 30 preferably includes progranuning that queries the user
`
`about the distance to be run during the sampling mode. By providing options or
`
`s
`
`..
`
`enabling the use of any distance during the sampling mode, the pedometer 20
`.. provides maximum flexibility for use by people of various physical conditions, or
`
`having access to courses of different known distances. Thus, a user may be queried to
`
`input a distance to be used in the sampling mode and then be given a list of options
`such as 400 meters, 440 yards, 1600 meters, or one mile, or be asked to simply input
`
`10
`
`any distance known to the user that will be traveled during the sampling mode.
`
`The present invention makes full use of the relationship between a faster rate
`
`of travel and longer stride lengths. In other words, the faster a user is moving, the
`
`longer will be the stride length. Over the course of the run or walk, the user's step
`
`rate and, therefore, stride length will change and the user will cover more ground
`
`15
`
`when moving fast and less ground when moving slow.
`
`Clearly, using a fixed average stride length in calculating distance traveled will
`
`result in errors using prior pedometers. This is particularly true if a user changes
`
`pace, or improves conditioning and speed to the point where the average stride length
`
`over a given run increases dramatically. The error compensators in prior devices do
`
`20
`
`not adjust for changes in pace. With the old devices, a user needed to re-calibrate
`
`periodically to be close to getting an accurate reading, and could not change pace
`
`during a workout without decreasing accuracy.
`
`To make the correction, the user activates a "Use Mode" in which the data
`
`processor 30 calculates an Actual Stride Rate based on data from the stride counter
`
`2s
`
`24 and the clock 48. For example, an Actual Stride Rate can be calculated every five
`
`seconds without the user doing more than activating the " Use Mode" button, while
`
`all the calculations are perfonned by the data processor automatically. The
`
`percentage change between the Actual Stride Rate and the Base Stride Rate is then
`
`computed by the data processor 30 to determine an Actual Stride Length. Again, if
`