United States Patent
`Lowreyetal.
`
`119
`
`[11]
`[45]
`
`4,387,437
`Jun. 7, 1983
`
`[54] RUNNERS WATCH
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors:
`
`John W. Lowrey, 511 N. HopeSt.,
`Mansfield, La. 71052; Tom M.
`Hyltin, Dallas; J. Scott Jamieson,
`Arlington, both of Tex.
`
`1/1978 Genzling 0... eee 364/565
`4,071,892
`1/1979 Soneetal. .
`. 307/247 A
`4,134,026
`4,202,350 5/1980 Walton ccsssecsssssssesnssseeseeeee 128/690
`4,220,996 9/1980 Searcy ....c.csccssesscceesseseeresees 364/561
`4,224,948
`9/1980 Crameretal...
`secon 128/690
`4,285,041
`8/1981 Smith oeeeeeceeeee 364/569
`
`
`
`John W. Lowrey, Mansfield, La.
`[73] Assignee:
`[21] Appl. No.: 242,889
`.
`[22] Filed:
`Mar, 12, 1981
`
`[63]
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Omron Jogging Meter Specification Sheet, Omron
`Electronics, Inc., Schaumburg,Illinois.
`.
`Primary Examiner—Gary Chin
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jerry W. Mills
`Related U.S. Application Data
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
` Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 60,594, Jul. 25, 1979,
`A runners watch which includes a lightweight case
`abandoned.
`[51] Unt, C13 ooececeeesssssssscsssssssssnsesssssssssesesn G01C 22/00—_-dimensioned to be worn on the wrist of the wearer. A
`[52] US. CD. ceccsesccsssesccesssecsssnecens 364/561; 364/565,
`display face is formed on the case. Clock circuitry is
`364/410; 235/105; 368/113; 368/244
`disposed within the case for operating the display face
`[58] Field of Search......:........ 364/561, 565, 569, 705,
`in order to display the time of the day,the date and
`364/410; 307/247 A; 324/78 D, 166, 168, 171;
`elapsed time to the wearer. A sensorin the case detects
`128/690; 235/92 MT, 92 DN, 105_thestride of the wearer whenthe weareris running or
`oe
`jogging. Circuitry within the case is responsive to the
`[56]
`References Cited
`sensor for computing the distance traveled by the
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`wearer. Circuitry within the case is also responsive to
`.
`the sensor for computing the rate of travel by the
`Oe snovs Dahlquist Ct AD. erserrreeenees sais
`wearer. Switches are provided on the case for being
`
`3,860,833 A/N9TS Tyatvevvcccveevrscsmncsee“3077/247 A
`operated to display the computed distance and the com-
`4,019,030 4/1977 Tamiz, vasescssssssnenssntsesee 235/105
`puted rate oftravel.
`
`4,022,014
`5/1977 Lowdenslager.............05 364/569
`
`4,053,755 10/1977 Sherrill 0.0.00...
`cssesesseeresers 364/561
`
`.
`
`16 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures
`
`|
`DISPLA
`ENCODER
`& DRIVER
`
`DISPLAY
`ENCODER
`& DRIVER
`
`_ COUNTER
`
`SPEED
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1112
`
`APPLE 1112
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`Jun. 7, 1983
`
`4,387,437
`
`
`
`
`
` azPLLMLLELV/AWN104-7OAR
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 1983
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`4,387,437
`
`139" DISTANCE | TIME/ MILE~/50
`Siri) Cir Ge
`Ci i oo
`
`DISPLAY
`-| ENCODER
`& DRIVER
`
`DISPLAY
`ENCODER
`& DRIVER
`
`/
`
`SWITCH
`DEBOUNCE
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSING
`
`DISPLAY
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 1983
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`4,387,437
`
`FIG. 7a
`
`CLOSED
`OPEN
`
`180
`
`SWITCH CLOSURE WAVEFORM
`184
`188
`
`182
`
`sous
`
`f
`
`\
`
`|
`
`|
`
`FIG. 7b
`
`FIG. 7c
`
`FIG. 7d
`
`FIG. 8a
`
`INPUT INTERROGATE TIME
`
`186
`
`Vi
`
`INPUT VOLTAGE
`
`190
`
`ALARM TERMINAL
`
`:
`
`192
`
`SWITCH CLOSURE WAVEFORM
`
`ULLEEEEEE
`FIG. 8b
`
`INPUT INTERROGATE TIMES
`
`FIG. 8c
`
`FIG. 8d
`
`Vi
`
`INPUT VOLTAGE
`
`ALARM TERMINAL
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`1
`
`RUNNERS WATCH
`
`4,387,437
`
`CROSS REFERENCE. .TO OTHER
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
`06/60,594, filed July 25, 1979, now abandoned.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to timepieces and distance mea-
`suring devices, and moreparticularly relates to a run-
`ners watch for displaying the time of the day, the dis-
`tance traveled by the runnerandtherate of travel of the
`runner.
`
`THE PRIOR ART
`
`Pedometers of various types have long been used to
`measure the distance traveled by a person walking or
`running. Generally, such: pedometers have been at-
`tached to the ankle, leg or waist of the wearer and have
`utilized a pendulum or the like in order to sense the
`motion of the wearer’s leg. The pedometers have been
`calibrated accordingto the length ofthe stride taken by
`the wearerin order to mechanically display the distance
`walked or jogged. Examples of such previously devel-
`oped pedometers are shownand described in U.S.Pat.
`Nos. 694,652, 962,679 and 3,818,194. Such previously
`developed pedometers have generally been located on a
`portion of the body making it difficult or impossible to
`read the distance traveled without removing the device
`or without stopping and bending over to read the out-
`put of the pedometer. Moreover, many previously de-
`veloped pedometers calibrated according to the wear-
`er’s stride have tended to incorporate substantial inac-
`curacies in the distance traveled. Such pedometers are
`solely dependent on their accuracy by the accuracy to
`which the stride length can be measured and stored in
`the pedometer. Anyinaccuracy in the stride length
`entered into the pedometer results in greater and
`greater errors as the distance increases. Moreover,
`many prior pedometers have suffered from inaccuracies
`due to bouncing of the sensor pendulum, thereby caus-
`ing multiple readings indicating multiple strides when in
`fact only a single stride has occurred.
`With the advent of jogging and running by the gen-
`eral populus, a need has arisen for a device for measur-
`ing the distance traveled with substantial accuracy.
`Moreover, a need has arisen for a device which may be
`normally worn during the day and which will also pro-
`vide the time and date to the wearer. Moreover, many
`runners desire to know the rate of travel so that they
`will be able to run a distance in a prescribed timeinter-
`val. Manyrunners base their running rate calculations
`ona mile distance and thus a need has arisen for a device
`which will continuously provide the runner with an
`accurate indication of the rate at which he is running
`based upon a mile distance.
`Atleast on attempt has been madeto provide a device
`for measuring distance traveled which may be viewed
`while running. For example,
`the Model JT5-JM8
`Omron jogging meter manufactured and sold by Omron
`Electronics, Inc. of 650 Woodfield, Shaumburg,III.,
`displays the distance traveled while positioned on the
`wrist of the wearer and also displays an elapsed time
`interval. However, the device is relatively large and
`bulky and is therefore able to be worn only during
`running. The weight of the Omron jogging meter is
`greater than optimum and could affect the running of
`
`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
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`55
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`65
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`2
`certain wearers. This device does not provide an indica-
`tion of the time of day or date. In addition, this device
`provides no indication ofrate of travel and its distance
`measuring capabilities are dependent upon the accuracy
`which the stride length of the wearer is input therein.
`SUMMARYOF THE PRESENT INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the present invention, a runners
`watch includes a case dimensioned to be worn on the
`wrist of the wearer. A display face is provided on the
`case and a clock within the case operates the display
`face to display the time of the day and the date to the
`wearer. A sensor in the case is provided to detect the
`strides of the wearer while the wearer-is running. Cir-
`cuitry within the case is responsive to the sensor for
`computing the distance traveled by the wearer. Cir-
`cuitry withinthe case is also provided to compute the
`rate of travel of the wearer in response to the sensor. A
`switch is provided on the case which when operated
`displays the computed distance and the rate oftravel.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`runners watch is provided which includes a case dimen-
`sioned to be worn on the wrist of the wearer. A display
`face on the case is provided. A sensorin the case detects
`the occurrenceofstrides of the wearer while the wearer
`is running. Circuitry within the case is responsive to the
`sensor for computing the distance traveled by the
`wearerand also for computing therate of travel by the
`wearer. A switch is provided to display the computed
`distance and the computed rate of travel on the display
`face. A sensor includes a pivotable pendulum movable
`between open and closed positions, the pendulum nor-
`mally being biased to its open position and movable to
`its closed position by the acceleration occurring when
`the wearer’s foot hits the ground duringa stride.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`runners watch includes a case dimensioned to be worn
`on the arm of the wearer. A display is provided on the
`case. A detector senses the occurrenceofstrides of the
`wearer. Circuitry stores a predetermined number of
`strides taken by the wearer over a prescribed distance.
`Meansis responsive to the detector for counting the
`number of strides taken by the wearer. Circuitry is
`responsive to the store circuitry and counting circuitry
`for generating an indication when the wearer has taken
`the predetermined numberofstrides. Circuitry is re-
`sponsive to the indication for incrementing on the dis-
`play the displayed distance traveled by the wearer. A
`debouncecircuit is provided in order to provide a true
`indication of each one stride to eliminate erroneous
`indications.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a more complete understanding of the present
`invention and for other obvious advantages thereof,
`reference is now made to the following description,
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
`in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodi-
`ment of the present runners watch;
`FIG.2 is a state diagram of various operations of the
`present runners watch;
`FIG.3 is a top view of the present motion detector;
`FIG.4 is a sectional view taken generally along the
`section lines 4—4 of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram ofthe electrical portion of
`the invention;
`
`5
`
`

`

`4,387,437
`
`3
`FIG. 6 is-an electrical ‘schematic: of the debounce
`circuitry of the invention;
`FIGS. 7a-7d. comprise waveforms illustrating the
`operation of the sensor and the debouncecircuitries;
`FIGS. 8a-8d comprise Figures indicating another
`operation of the sensor and debouncecircuitry of the
`invention; and
`FIG. 9 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the
`present runners watch allowing adjustment of the sen-
`10
`sor position.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`4:
`played. To set the month, the “S” button is depressed
`and the “D” button.'18.is depressed until the desired
`month is set at 36. In the display diagram 38, the first
`month is illustrated at being set. The depression of the
`“D”button 18 causes the numbers to be reset at a two
`Hzrate.
`To set the day of the month, the “S” button 20 is
`depressedat state 40 and the “D” button 18 is depressed
`until the desired date appears. As shown in display
`diagram 42, the day of the month 23 isillustrated.
`After depression of the “S” button, a decision is made
`at step 44 as to whether or not the hold mode has been
`set. If not, the hours, minutes and secondsare displayed
`upon depression of the “D” button. If the hold mode
`has been set, the hours, minutes and seconds input are
`held at step 46 until the “D” button is depressed. The
`display diagram 48 illustrates the setting of 10 hours, 22
`minutes and 0 secondsas input by the prior steps. In the
`normal timekeeping mode, alternate depression of the
`“D”button changes the display from hours: minutes:
`seconds to the month and date.
`Whenit is desired to operate the runners watchin the
`timer mode, “M” button 22 is depressed. The timer
`beginsat the fully zero condition and thereafter displays
`minutes, seconds and one-hundredths of a second. The
`timer may bestarted and stopped by depression of the
`“D”button as many times as desired. The timeris set at
`step 50 and displaysall zeros as indicated by the display
`diagram 52. Depression of the “D” button begins the
`timer and pedometerat step 54. The colonin the display
`remains static at the beginning and endingof the timing,
`but blinks during the timing. The colon then blinks
`during the timing as indicated by the timing display 56.
`In addition, an annunciator dot is displayed to indicate
`the timer mode. In order to stop the timer, “D” button
`is depressed as.shown at step 58..When stopped, the.
`display diagram 60 indicates that 2 minutes, 53. seconds
`and 36 hundredths of a second have elapsed since the
`initial depression of the “D”button:
`. When the “D”button is momentarily depressed to
`again begin the timer at step 54, the accumulated time
`will remain on the timer and the timer will not be set at
`zero. Thus, when the “D”button is again depressed at
`step 58, the total time will be accumulated andtheorigi-
`nal time will not be lost. However, after step 58, if the
`“D”button is depressed and held for two seconds, the
`timer will reset to all zeros as indicated in the display
`diagram 52. The timer mechanism is connected to the
`pedometer portion of thecircuitry, to be subsequently
`described, such that the pedometerand timerare started
`and stopped at the same time.
`Because of this operation, if the user is running and
`using the watch and desires to stop for rest, the timer
`and pedometer may be stopped and the user may then
`rest. After resting, the runner can again begin to run and
`initiate the pedometer and the timer in order to begin to
`provide the runner with an accumulated running time,
`in addition to the accumulated distance and rate. of
`running. During the timer and pedometer mode,.a flag
`62 as shownin display diagram 64 is present to indicate
`the timer and pedometer mode.
`To convert the display from a timing mode to a 'pe-
`dometer mode, the “M” button 22 is depressed. An
`annunciator dot is displayed to indicate the pedometer
`mode. The timer and pedometerareinitially set to zero
`at step 66 and provide an all zero display as shown in
`the display diagram 68. Display diagram 68 indicates
`that the display at this stage is‘a mixed display. The
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, a runners watch 10 is illustrated
`in accordance with the present invention. The runners
`watch 10 includes an outer casing 12 with a digital
`display face 14 formed thereon in the mannerof a con-
`ventional ‘electronic watch. The runners watch 10 is -
`attached to a conventional band 16 and is worn on the
`wrist of the wearer in the same manner as a conven-
`tional timepiece.
`Three push button switches 18, 20 and 22 are
`mounted on the side of the runners watch 10 and may be
`depressed as will be subsequently described in order to
`set the time of the watch, to set a prescribed stride
`length into the watch and to cause the display of desired
`parameters to the wearer.
`Runners watch 10 may be operated as a conventional
`timepiece in order to display the time of day and the
`date. The display face 14 may comprise any conven-
`tional watch display, such as light emitting diodes
`which may be intermittently displayed, or liquid crys-
`tals which provide a continuousdigital display. Depres-
`sion of the button 18 on the runners watch causes the
`display to display month and day in the mannerof con-
`ventional watches.
`By proper operation of the switch 22, the runners
`watch 10 may also display an elapsed time in minutes
`and seconds. In addition, the runners watch may display
`the number of miles run by the wearer, as well as the
`rate of running in minutes and seconds per mile. The use
`of the runners watchis then invaluable to the runner of
`jogger in providing an accurate indication of the dis-
`tance run, the rate at which the run is being conducted
`and the elapsed time of the run. When the runners
`watchis not used in a running mode,it may be returned
`to a conventionaltimepiece modeto providethe time of
`day and date.
`FIG.2 illustrates a state diagram of the variousstates
`of operation of the runners watch 10, along with the
`operation of the switches 18-22 to effect such opera-
`tion. Normally, the watch operates to display the time
`in hours, minutes and secondsas indicated by state 26.
`The button 18 is designated as the Display or “D”but-
`ton. The button 20 is designated as the Set or “S” button
`and the button 22 is designated as the Mode or “M”
`button.
`To display the state, the “D’” button 18 is depressed.
`In order to set the time display, the “S” button 20 is
`momentarily depressed and the “D” button 18 is de-
`pressed until
`the desired numbers are displayed as
`shownin the display diagram 30. In this diagram, the
`hours are set at 10 and a static colon appears. Theletter
`“A” is displayed in place of the minutes. To set. the
`minutes, the “‘S” button 20 is depressed and: the “D”
`bution 18 is depressed at 32 until the desired minutes
`and zero secondsare displayed. In the display diagram
`34, the colon is again static and 22 minutes are dis-
`
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`

`

`4,387,437
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`5
`left-hand two digits comprise miles and tenths of miles
`and the display includes a decimal 70 for the mile dis-
`play. This left-hand display represents the number of
`miles run. The right-hand portion of the display com-
`prises four digits which are ‘minutes and seconds per
`mile. This display. represents a rate of travel in minutes
`and seconds to enable the user to determinehis rate of
`running. Of course, it will be understood that the dis-
`play could be in kilometers rather than miles,if desired.
`The timer and the pedometerare started at state 72 by
`depression of the “D”button. The timer and pedometer
`are stopped by subsequent depression of the “D”button
`at 74. Further depression of the button returns the timer
`and pedometer back to the state 72 and provides a cu-
`mulative timing and pedometer mode as previously
`described. Whenit is desired to set the timer and pe-
`dometerto zero, the ‘“‘D” button is held for a period of
`two seconds and the timer and pedometerare returned
`to the zero state at 66. The display diagram 76 indicates
`the display at the beginning of the timing and pedome-
`ter modes, while the display diagram 78 illustrates a
`display of a distance of 8.1 miles and a current running
`rate of 10 minutes and 45 seconds for one mile.
`As will be subsequently described, the distance and
`rate displayed are determined by the operation of a
`pedometer unit which detects the numberof steps and
`strides taken by the user during running or jogging. The
`numberofstrides for a measured distance of 0.1 mile is
`input into the circuitry in order to provide the distance
`and rate displays. In order to set the numberof strides
`per 0.1 mile, the “S” button is depressed and the “D”
`button is depressed at step 80 until the desired number
`of strides per 0.1 mile has been set into the circuitry.
`During the setting, the numberof strides per 0.1 mile is
`indicated at 211 strides at display diagram 82.
`In orderto reset the numberofstrides to zero in order
`to provide the numberofstrides input into the system,
`the “D”bution is held and the “‘S” button is actuated to
`perform an upcount reset at 84. If the “S” button: is
`released and pushed again, a downcountreset occurs.It
`will be understood that the strides per 0.1 mile will
`commonlybe periodically reset in case of changesin the
`jogger’s stride.
`Theutilization of the numberofstrides per 0.1 mile as
`a basic parameter in the operation of the system in an
`important aspect of the invention. The use of this pa-
`rameter enables the system to be extremely accurate, as
`opposed to the utilization of a parameter such as the
`distanceofa single stride whichis subject to substantial
`degree of inaccuracy over a large numberofstrides.
`The system is set to accommodate up to 500 strides per
`0.1 mile.
`The use of the blinking colon in the conventional
`timing and date modeindicates to the runner the fact
`that he is in the conventional timing mode. When the
`colon is not blinking, separate annunciators provide
`indications of the timer or pedometer modes.
`FIGS. 3 and 4 indicate the construction and opera-
`tion of the detector 88 of the invention. The detector
`includesa lightweight housing 90 which may be formed
`from plastic or the like includes a cutout portion 92 for
`receiving a pendulum 94. Pendulum 94 may be formed
`from a relatively heavy metal such as brass or the like.
`Pendulum 94 includes a central arm 96 which extends
`along a line generally parallel tothe forearm of the
`wearer. A curved base portion 98 is integrally attached
`to the arm 96 and extends downwardly into a cavity 100
`as shown in FIG.4. The end of the arm 96is pivotally
`
`— 0
`
`—_ 5
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`40
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`45
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`35
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`6
`mounted on a pivot pin 102 whichis fixed in a receiving
`block 104. The pivot pin 102 allows free pivoting move-
`mentof the arm 96. The curved base 98 includesa first
`end 106 which normally abuts against a surface 108 in ~
`the cavity 100. The second end 110 of base 98 is mov-
`able by inertia against an electrical contact 112. Electri-
`cal conductor 114 connects the contact 112 to the de-
`tecting circuitry to be subsequently described. An elec-
`trical conductor 116 extends to a contact 118 whichis
`connected to a metal spring 120. Metal spring 120 is
`curved and is connected at one end to a contact 122
`which is connected on the pendulum 94.
`Referring to FIG.3, it may be seen that during nor-
`mal operation, the pendulum 94is held by the force of
`the spring 120 in the illustrated upward position such
`that the first end 106 of the pendulum 94 is held against
`the surface 108. This position of the pendulum 94, as
`illustrated in FIG.3, is maintained during normal walk-
`ing and other movements of the user. However, in this
`condition, an open circuit exists between the conduc-
`tors 114 and 116 dueto the fact that second end 110 of
`the pendulum 94 is not in connection with contact 112.
`The detector 88 is thus biased such that strides of the
`wearer due to normal walking are not detected. How-
`ever, whenthe user begins to run or jog, the pendulum
`94 moves downwardly with sufficient additional accel-
`eration that the second end 110 connects with the
`contact 112.
`By proper design of the spring 120, the pendulum 94
`moves downwardly to contact the contact 112 each
`time the user’s foot hits the ground. Whenthe user’s
`foot hits the ground, a substantial amount of accelera-
`tion of the user’s body occurs. Dueto the dense nature
`of the pendulum 94, the pendulum 94 tends to maintain
`its inertia, and thus a closing between the second end
`110 and the contact 112 occurs. When this contact oc-
`curs, a closed circuit exists between the electrical con-
`ductors 114 and 116. This closing of the electrical cir-
`cuit is sensed by the detecting circuit to be subsequently
`described in order to indicate that one stride of the user
`has occurred in a running mode. The pendulum 94 is
`normally maintained by the user in a generally vertical
`direction such that the pendulum 94 may move about
`the pivot pin. 102 in order to detect the strides of the
`user.
`
`The present circuit has stored therein the number of
`strides of the wearer over a prescribed distance. Thus,
`upon each detection ofa stride, the circuitry operates
`upon the stored stride parameters in order to provide a
`cumulative indication of the distance run by the user, as
`well as the rate of running of the user.
`FIG.5 iilustrates a block electrical diagram of the
`circuitry of the present invention. The pendulum 88
`described in FIG. 3 is connected across a switch de-
`bounce circuit 130. As will be subsequently described,
`the switch debouncecircuit 130 detects only a single
`switch closure per stride and eliminates false closures of
`the pendulum detector 88. The output from the switch
`debounce circuit 130 is applied to ‘“‘N” counter 132.
`Counter 132 is a programmable counter and counts the
`numberof strides per 0.1 mile. The button 18 connects
`to the “N” counter 132 in order to input the stored
`count “N.”
`Assuming that the counter 132is initially set to zero,
`each time the user takes a step which is sensed by the
`detector 88, the counter 132 will increment by one unit.
`The counter 132 will continue incrementing until the
`count is equal to “N.” The count “N”is equal to the
`
`7
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`

`

`7
`numberofstrides taken by the user over 0.1 mile. “N”
`is input into the counter 132 by operation of the “D”
`button 18 as previously described in step 80 in FIG.2.
`The “N” counter 132 may comprise any suitable pro-
`grammable counter commercially available. As an ex-
`ample, the counter 132 may comprise a storage for the
`parameter “N,” a counter for the sensor output, a com-
`parison circuit for detecting when the contents of the
`two circuits are equal and a reset circuit.
`Whenthe counier 132 has counted “N” strides and an
`output pulse is generated to a mile counter 134, the “N”
`counter 132 resets to zero. Mile counter 134 detects the
`output from the counter 132 and accumulates the indi-
`cated distances of 0.1 mile to provide a cumulative mile
`indication. The output ofthe mile counter 134 is applied
`to the display encoder and driver 136 and the cumula-
`tive distance in miles and tenths of miles is displayed in
`the display portion 138 of the display 14. The output of
`the display encoder and driver 136 is applied through a
`multiplexer 140, the state of which is controlled by
`operation of the “M” button 22 on the watch body as
`previously described.
`In operation of the circuitry, the detector 88 gener-
`ates one pulse for each stride taken by the user. Detec-
`tor 88 is connected to ‘“‘N” counter 132 via a debounce
`circuit 130 as shown in FIG. 5. Debouncecircuit 130,
`which is described below in greater detail, prevents
`“N” counter 132 from interrogating detector 88 no
`more often than once every 50 milliseconds. When the
`number ofstrides is detected by the counter 132 as
`comprising the normal numberofstrides taken by the
`user in 0.1 mile, the counter 132 increments the mile
`counter 134 by 0.1 mile, the cumulative distanceis dis-
`played on the display 14 and counter 132 is reset. The
`display encoder anddriver 136 receives a binary output
`from the mile counter 134 and converts the binary sig-
`nal to a seven segment code with modulation for a
`liquid crystal display, or a seven segment code for an
`LED-typedisplay.
`The output from “N” counter 132 is also applied to a
`read and store circuit 142 and to a speed counter 144.
`Read andstorecircuit 142 is a latch whichis activated
`by “N” counter 132 when the runnerhastraversed a 0.1
`mile increment to store the cumulative count of speed
`counter 144. The speed counter 144 provides a timing
`input, indicative of the runner’s speed, to read and store
`circuit 142, A 10 Hz signal
`is applied to the speed
`counter 144, which counts 10 pulses per second.If the
`runneris traveling, for example, at a rate of 9 minutes
`per mile, he will traverse 0.1 miles in 0.9 minutes or 54
`seconds and the counter will count 540 pulses before
`being reset. This count will be stored by read andstore
`circuit 142 uponindication by “N” counter 132 that the
`0.1 mile increment has been reached. Thestoredsignal
`in circuit 142 is then applied to the display encoder and
`driver 146 as representing the runner’s rate for an entire
`mile, even though the stored signal was accumulated
`over only 0.1 miles. The encoder 146 will convert the
`540 secondsto a minute and second reading of 9 minutes
`00 seconds.
`Thebasic time frequency for the clock is applied to a
`divider 147 which generates a 100 Hz signal. The 100
`Hzsignal is applied through a divider 148 which gener-
`ates a 10 Hz signal. The 10 Hzsignalis applied to the
`speed counter 144 which counts elapsed time: between
`each 0.1 mile at ten times the clock rate thereby multi-
`plying the travel rate by ten to give the travel rate per
`mile. The count is continuously applied to the read and
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4,387,437
`
`8
`store circuit 142 for display as the time which has
`elapsed during 0.1 mile after being multiplied by ten.
`Each successive update of counter 132 is applied to
`counter 144 via a reset line as shown in FIG.5 such that
`speed counter 144 begins counting from zero each time
`the runner traverses 0.1 miles. The number applied to
`the display encoder and driver 146 is thus ten times the
`actual time which has elapsed during the last 0.1 mile
`run by the user. This rate is updated each time the user
`runs another 0.1 mile, such that the display 150 is a
`periodically updated rate of running ofan entire mile. In
`this way, the runnerwill be able to tell the rate at which
`he will run the entire mile and will be able to accommo-
`date his run according to his desired time. The display
`150 will normally display only a maximum rate of run-
`ning such as 35 minutes for a mile.
`The output from the divider 147 is also applied to a
`timer 154 which accumulates the time during a prede-
`termined interval. The outputofthe timer 154 is applied
`through the multiplexer 140 to display an elapsed time
`underthe control of the “M”button 22. The output of
`the divider 148 is applied to a divide-by-ten divider 156
`which provides a 1 Hz signal to a clock 158. The output
`of clock 158 is applied through the multiplexer 140
`under the control of the “M” button 22 to display the
`time in hours, minutes and secondsin the conventional
`manner. Dividers 147, 148, 156 comprise a conventional
`clock countdown chain to provide timing for the con-
`ventional clock circuitry. The countdown chain also
`provides timing for the month and datedisplay.
`It will be understood that the clock circuitry and the
`timer circuitry may be constructed in the conventional
`manner normally used for integrated circuitry watches.
`A variety of different types of circuits may be utilized to
`provide the functions and features previously described.
`It would, for example, be possible to implement the
`functions of the present invention in a microprocessor
`chip whichis utilized to control the display. Such chips
`are now conventionally used in miniaturized wrist
`watches. It will also be understoodthat the distance and
`speed computations could be madeat intervals other
`than 0.1 miles. For example, the “N” counter and mile
`counters could be used to count distances of 0.01 miles
`with the speed counter running at 100 Hz to provide the
`travel rate over 1 mile. In such case the runner would
`enter the numberofstrides taken in 0.01 miles.
`An important aspect of the present invention is the
`switch debounce circuit 130. This circuit is shown in
`FIG.6 and provides the function of detecting a single
`switch closure and to eliminate erroneous or plural
`switch closures. The processing and display circuitry
`shownin FIG.5 is illustrated in the block 160 and the
`debouncecircuit 130 is illustrated as comprising a ca-
`pacitor 162 which is connected across the detector 88.
`Oneterminal of capacitor 162 and detector 88 is con-
`nected to the bias voltage, which in the illustrated em-
`bodiment
`is a negative bias voltage. The remaining
`terminals of the capacitor and detector are connected
`together to one terminalof a resistance 164 whichis tied
`to circuit ground. The commonterminal ofthe capaci-
`tor 162 and the detector88is also tied to an inputto the
`processing and display circuitry 160 which would com-
`prise the input.to the “N” counter 132. The cathode of
`a diode 166is also attached to the inputof the circuitry.
`The diode 166 is connected in series with a resistance
`168 which is applied to receive an alarm signal from the
`processing and display circuitry 160.
`
`8
`
`

`

`9
`The RCcircuitry comprising the capacitor 162. and
`the resistance 164 yields a time constant of approxi-
`mately 250 milliseconds. Assuming that the detector 88
`_has not been closed for a long time, the voltage across
`the capacitoris fully charged and thereis essentially no
`current through the resistor 164. At this state, there is
`‘no voltage difference between ground and the V1ter-
`minal as illustrated, and thus the voltage level at V1is
`equal to zero. When the user begins to jog, the detector
`switch 88 is closed. At this point, the voltage across the
`capacitor 162 will be dumped and voltage V1 will go to
`—V. Because of the time constant of the RC network,
`250 milliseconds lapse before the charge on the capaci-
`tor 162 builds up to 63% ofits final voltage value. The
`“N”counter 132 is.constructed to interrogate the detec-
`tor 88 no more often than 50 millisecond intervals. Be-
`cause of the RCcircuitry, the voltage at V; will not
`changesignificantly from —V forat least 150 millisec-
`onds after the first momentary switch contact. In this
`manner, additional switch contacts will not be detected
`to provide a switch debouncing function to the cir-
`cuitry.
`Whenthe alarm input is applied to ground, a charg-
`ing path is applied through resistor 168 in orderto re-
`charge the capacitor 162 very quickly. This enables the
`voltage at V; to be brought back down to ground
`within a few milliseconds when desired.
`FIGS. 7a-7d illustrate waveforms of the debounce
`circuitry. FIG.7a illustrates the open and closing of the
`detector 88. As seen by the four pulses generally identi-
`fied by numeral 180, it may be seen that the detectoris
`closing twice forrelatively short intervals, a third time
`for relatively long intervals anda fourth time at a very
`short interval. FIG. 76 illustrates the input interrogat