DE20320622U1 - Measurement device for measuring distance traveled or speed for a skier or snowboarder, comprises pressure sensor and inclinometer whose signals are used to calculate distance traveled from the hill slope and a change in altitude - Google Patents

Abstract

The distance traveled measurement device and or speedometer, especially for fastening to a ski or snowboard, whereby the distance traveled is measured by measuring hill gradients and changes in altitude. Altitude changes are measured using an electronic pressure sensor. An independent claim is also included for a corresponding device in which distance traveled and or speed are measured using a GPS receiver.

Description

The The invention relates to a measuring device, in particular a measuring device for measuring distances or speeds of a skier or snowboarders.

It is known speeds of a skier or snowboarder when driving past e.g. by radar using the Doppler effect to eat.

The The invention is based on the object of a novel measuring device, especially for measuring the speed and the distance traveled To measure the distance in particular of a skier or snowboarder and display them directly to the skier or snowboarder. The Invention solves the above and further tasks by the subjects of claims 1 and 10th

advantageous Further developments and refinements of the invention are described in the subclaims described.

With The invention is u.a. a simple measurement and output or display the measured speed or distance.

According to the invention, a measuring device is provided particularly advantageously _; which measures the speed or the distance covered by a skier or snowboarder without the use of mechanical, moving parts by using sensors such as GPS (global position system) sensors, the speed or the distance covered using satellites or the running time of the Radio signals to or from these are measured; or optical sensors, the change in the structure of the substrate using eg

CCD Sensors are periodically examined and compared with each other (from the speed or the length the displacement can thereby be an overall speed or total covered Distance to be calculated); or optical sensors, the Underground with a standing wave e.g. from a laser light source is irradiated and the phase shift of the reflection is measured and from this the speed is calculated; or a (Prantl-) Pitot tube, whereby the dynamic pressure resulting from the journey is measured becomes.

Also beneficial is the speed or distance covered by the combination of slopes of the slope and the difference in height measured per time.

Also beneficial becomes the height difference measured by a highly sensitive pressure sensor, which is a height difference measuring at least 1 meter. This corresponds to a pressure difference of min 0.1 mbar.

Also beneficial becomes the slope of the slope measured by an angle sensor.

Also beneficial the angle measurement is based on an acceleration sensor which is both static Acceleration (e.g. gravitation) as well as dynamic acceleration can measure.

The acceleration sensor is also advantageously based on a mechanical measuring method, the force acting on a mass being measured. (eg analog devices ADXL202) In addition, the acceleration sensor is advantageously based on a thermal measurement method, the displacement of a heated gas bubble being measured by temperature sensors within a housing. (eg memsic MXD2020) In addition, the device advantageously already contains several pre-stored relationships between the angle (slope of the slope) and the height difference. For example, the distance traveled with a slope of 20 ° and a measured height difference of one meter is 2.9238 meters (according to the sine function for 20 ° and 1 m) with a slope of 25 ° and a height difference of 1 meter 2 . 3662 Meter. If the skier travels at a gradient of 20 °, for example 5 vertical meters in a second, this corresponds to a distance of 14.619 meters in one second, i.e. a speed of 14.619 m / s, i.e. approximately 52.63 km / h. In order to avoid, for example, that the central microcontroller has to carry out a complicated sine calculation for each measurement, it is advantageous to save a relationship table already. This relationship table can, for example, that in 1 shown format.

Also beneficial it is the device by means of a battery, in particular by means of an inexpensive To operate button cell.

It is also advantageous to design the device in such a way that it can be operated using only one push button / button or switch. It then takes over both the function of switching on the device, setting the desired functional range (eg display of the speed, display of the distance traveled, etc.) and also deleting, for example, certain stored values (eg the measured maximum speed), for example by pressing the button for a longer, predetermined time, eg 4 seconds, or switching a display area (eg switching the speed display from km / h to mph) by pressing the button for an even longer time, eg 15 seconds. The design with just one button has the Advantage that the manufacturing costs will be lower than the design with 2 or more buttons.

Also beneficial the resulting vibrations are provided in the filter device or bumps that arise when the device is attached to a ski or snowboard is filter out. These filters can be hardware filter elements or filter stages solved by the software of the central microcontroller his.

Also beneficial it is very fast angle changes when measuring angles to ignore these occur especially when the skier or snowboarder falls.

Also beneficial it is the device on the ski or snowboard with the help of a elastic, shock and vibration absorbing material, e.g. Foam, a double-sided adhesive material, or a self-adhesive Attach Velcro.

Also beneficial it can be assumed that the increase in air pressure will decrease as the Height directly proportional. In reality this is not the case for example at NN (normal zero) normally an air pressure of 1013 mbar, at a height of 1000 meters an air pressure of 899 mbar, at 2000 meters 795, at 3000 m 701, at 4000 m 616, as well as at 5000 meters an air pressure of 540 mbar. Since the device is not without calibration at what height can be known such an assumption makes sense. Furthermore are for one Skiers or snowboarders especially the heights between 1000m and 3000m Interesting. therefore it also simplifies that of the central microcontroller to be performed Calculations when it is assumed that the air pressure with a falling height of 10.1m increases by 1 mbar.

Also beneficial the device's protractor measures in addition to the angle of the slope corresponds to the angle that the skis or snowboard go to the right or leaning to the left. From this angle a possible Cornering of the skier or snowboarder can be calculated. This is important, because when cornering, the distance traveled Distance is longer and therefore the measured speed is higher. This measurement error can be compensated for by including the side slope.

alternative or additionally can driven curves e.g. also by an appropriate acceleration measurement (in particular by measuring the accelerations acting in the "left-right" direction) be determined.

Also beneficial it is an abrupt high negative acting on the acceleration (angle sensor) Acceleration is not a change in angle interpret as a quick braking of the skier or Snowboarders could trigger this and this can lead to measurement errors would.

Also beneficial Is it possible to design the device so that different operating modes are possible or selectable are. These modes of operation are e.g. Display of speed, Display of the maximum speed reached so far, display of the covered Distance, display of the total distance covered on the respective day Distance, display of the total distance traveled so far, display the distance covered on the respective day Ski runs, display of the number of total trips made so far Ski runs, temperature display.

Also beneficial it is covered distances only to be included in the calculation or cumulated if these are distances in which the height difference is a falling one Height comes from. This has the advantage that only distances are used in the Skiers or snowboarders go down the slope and not those in them he (idle) located in the ski lift.

Also beneficial the display of the (highest) Speed as well as the during the last departure Distance automatically after a defined height increase (e.g. 50m) automatically reset to 0. This has the advantage that this data is not reset manually Need to become.

Also beneficial the display shows the speed as well as the speed traveled during the last departure Distance automatically after a defined height increase (e.g. 50m) and after recognizing the next (Slope down) speed data reset to "0". This has the advantage that the skier or snowboarder captures the data Data in the ski lift can still be viewed without being deleted.

Also beneficial the display of the distance covered on the respective day, as well as the number of ski runs completed on the respective day, automatically reset if the device the next times we turn on (e.g. next Day) and the next (Slope down) speed data be recorded. This has the advantage that the skier or snowboarder can switch the device on again (e.g. in the evening) around the View daily data without deleting it before the next Departure the data are automatically reset to "0".

Also beneficial is it to construct the device so that the data of the total so far covered Distance, the maximum speed reached so far as well the total number of previous ski runs by pressing the Selection button or switch of more than a defined time (e.g. 3 seconds) automatically reset to "0".

Also beneficial is to design the device so that the display of the Speed or the distance traveled Path through even longer To press the selection button or switch (e.g. 15 seconds) from the display in km / h or km switched to a display of miles or mph (miles / h) and / or the temperature display from the display in ° C to a Display of ° F.

Also beneficial it is to construct the device so that the device by briefly pressing the selector button or switch once is switched on.

Also beneficial it is to construct the device so that the device switches itself off automatically if over a predefined period of time (e.g. 1 hour) no height difference is measured.

Also beneficial it is to design the device so that after switching on the device automatically displays the speed display mode is activated.

Also beneficial is to design the device so that after every short Press the Selection button or switch the display mode is changed.

For example, Speed mode -> «short press» -> max. Speed mode -> «short press» -> distance mode -> «short press» -> completed today Distance -> «short Press »-> total distance traveled Distance -> «short Press »-> Number of trips made today Departures -> «short press» -> number of total departures also advantageous is it to construct the device so that in addition the average during speed of a departure is displayed.

Also beneficial is it to design the device so that the sink rate, while the ski or snowboard descent or climbing speed during the Use of the ski lift is displayed.

Prefers the device is attached to a ski or snowboard.

Especially the device is preferably with the aid of an elastic, shock. and / or vibration absorbing material on the ski or snowboard attached.

Prefers is during the evaluation in the device defines that the increase in Air pressure to decrease the altitude is directly proportional.

Especially preferably the protractor of the device measures in addition to The angle of the slope inclines the angle of the ski or snowboard is inclined to the right or to the left.

Prefers becomes an abrupt high negative acceleration acting on the acceleration (angle sensor) not as a change in angle interpreted.

Especially Different operating modes are preferably possible or augwählbar, e.g. Display of speed, display of the maximum reached so far Speed, display of the distance traveled Distance, display of the total distance covered on the respective day Distance, display of the total distance traveled so far, display the distance covered on the respective day Ski runs, display of the number of total trips made so far Ski runs, temperature display.

Prefers are covered Travel distances are only included in the calculation if it is Distances covered where the height difference from a falling Height comes from.

Especially preference is given to the display of the speed and during the last departure Distance automatically after a defined height increase (e.g. 50m) automatically reset to 0.

Prefers the display of the speed and the distance traveled during the last departure Distance automatically after a defined height increase (e.g. 50m) as well after recognizing the next (Slope down) Speed data reset to "0".

Especially preference is given to displaying those completed on the respective day Distance traveled and / or the number of journeys made on the respective day Ski runs, automatically reset when the device the next times (e.g. the next day) and the next (downhill) speed data be recorded.

The data of the total distance traveled so far, the maximum speed reached so far and / or the total are preferred The number of previous ski runs has been automatically reset to "0" by pressing the selection button for more than a defined time (eg 3 seconds).

Especially the display of the speed or the distance traveled is preferred Path through even longer To press the selection button (e.g. 15 seconds) from the display in km / h or km switched to a display of miles or mph (miles / h).

Prefers the device is pressed briefly on the selector button or switch turned on.

Especially the device preferably switches off automatically when a predefined time span (e.g. 1 hour) no height difference is measured.

Prefers is the mode of the automatically after switching on the device Speed display activated.

Especially is preferred after each short press of the selection button or Switched the display mode.

Prefers will be additional the average during speed achieved during a descent is displayed.

Especially is preferred in addition the sink rate while the ski or snowboard descent or climbing speed during the Use of the ski lift indicated.

Prefers the device is attached to a ski or snowboard, as well also one - the determined data (e.g. distance and / or speed) displaying display device (this can be integrated in the device). Alternatively or additionally the device also have a transmitting device which measures and / or determined data to a - removed provided by the device - receiving device (e.g. by means of appropriate radio signals, e.g. bluetooth, GSM, or UMTS signals, etc.).

The Receiving device is coupled to a display device, on which the data received by the receiving device is then displayed (if necessary after previously evaluating the received data from an evaluation device coupled to the receiving device). The receiving device (and possibly also the evaluation device) can e.g. be provided in or on a bracelet, or e.g. on one - correspondingly similar to conventional Clocks, in particular wristwatches, built-up clock, in particular wristwatch (The display device can then be the one on the watch or wristwatch - anyway by default - provided Display device can be used).

alternative can the function of the receiving device and / or the display device (and / or the evaluation device) e.g. can also be met by a mobile phone (which are the measured and / or determined and sent out by the device Receiving data, and - if necessary after previous evaluation - then indicates).

from Mobile phone off the data (or a - predefined or selected - part of the data) be sent to a central computer (e.g. the highest, achieved Speed). The data can from a mobile phone e.g. using appropriate SMS data service protocols be sent, or e.g. by means of appropriate WAP, GPRS, or other mobile data service protocols. On the central computer - each assigned to different users - from different mobile phones or data originating from devices are stored and / or evaluated are compared, in particular with each other, so that e.g. the user who can achieve the highest speed can be determined has (and / or the second highest Speed, etc.).

The stored by the central computer, in particular evaluated accordingly Data can e.g. about the internet can be accessed.

In the - e.g. attached to a ski or a snowboard - (distance or speed measurement) Device can additionally an anti-theft device be integrated. If this is activated, the - anyway - provided acceleration sensor used to "move" the (unauthorized) Ski or snowboard (or a corresponding movement of the device) to detect (or - to Error compensation - on a correspondingly long period of time, e.g. lasting several seconds Move). If a corresponding movement is detected, a Alarm triggered, e.g. a corresponding optical and / or acoustic alarm signal sent out (and / or a corresponding theft report signal to one (or the above) - removed receiving device arranged by the device (e.g. one or the above Mobile phone, one or the above Wristwatch, etc.), and triggered an "alarm" there (i.e. a corresponding optical and / or acoustic alarm signal is sent).

Alternatively or additionally, the - for example attached to a ski or a snowboard - (Distance or speed measuring) device also perform the function of a contactless (wireless) ski pass (correspondingly similar to corresponding, for example in special watches, for example from the company Swatch ^® , or, for example, contactless ski passes integrated in special gloves.

As Acceleration and / or pressure sensors can each in the device conventional Acceleration and / or pressure sensors are used. From such Sensors can i.A. (in addition also) the ambient temperature can be read out. As an additional function, the (e.g. from the acceleration or pressure sensor (or a special one Sensor) read) ambient temperature at the above display can be displayed (alternatively or additionally, during the operation of the device the respective minimum and / or maximum temperatures in the device be saved and displayed on the display device).

There the acceleration sensor determines accelerations in all dimension directions can (i.e. also in the x and y directions) can also those of the ski or Snowboard driven curves can be determined. This is it possible the complete course of a ski or snowboard descent (with slope, Curves etc.) to be determined and saved. The corresponding Data can then later (e.g. at home) about an appropriate interface (e.g. a cable (USB), or wireless (e.g. by radio, infrared, etc.) to a computer, e.g. PC transferred become. There they can corresponding data are saved and evaluated (e.g. can on the display device assigned to the respective computer the complete descent with curves etc. are shown graphically, e.g. under additional Specification in appropriate places, e.g. Curves reached speeds (It is also conceivable, for example, to "readjust" the departure on the PC using appropriate game software)).

There, as explained above by using the acceleration sensor any acceleration in all Dimensions (e.g. also in (e.g. defined by the ski or snowboard base area) x and y direction) can be measured with high accuracy, Is it possible, to store the corresponding data in the device, and this Data (later) - accordingly as described above - read out (and e.g. read into a computer, e.g. PC) and together with other data (e.g. the weight of the skier or snowboarder) to calculate the forces acting on the ski or snowboard binding (and based on that a very precise and type-specific setting of the appropriate binding, e.g. - automatically - with help a corresponding one, which calculates the values of the binding setting, software loaded on the computer).

For example can the corresponding acceleration and / or altitude parameter values in the device for one predetermined period, e.g. the last m minutes or s hours the last departure can be saved (measured according to predefined, relatively short time intervals (e.g. 0.1 sec), and / or the maximum values that occurred in each case (e.g. for a Fall or in curves).

Also is conceivable (in order not to equip every binding manufacturer with a reading device to have to) the raw data from the device read out by the user on the home PC and by means of his own Software or via the Internet taking personal evaluation into account of body weight calculate, and then a printed evaluation for setting the binding e.g. With to the sports shop to take.

to Attaching the device to the ski or snowboard can e.g. one - of the appropriate form the top surface adapted to the ski or snowboard - bracket are used, or e.g. a - flexibly designed (and therefore usable on different skis or snowboards) - holder.

The appropriate holder can e.g. U-shaped, and e.g. be made of plastic, and - in a lying shape - on the top surface be attached to the ski or snowboard; the device can then on the corresponding (U-shaped) Bracket, e.g. inserted into the holder from above, and (with the help of similarly similar like conventional cable ties designed connection means) - on accordingly variable adjustable height - snapped into place (and then e.g. from the left or right section of the U-shaped Be secured against movement to the left or right (and / or from the rear or front section against movement backwards or forwards)).

The Speed can - alternatively to the above Procedure - e.g. also exclusively be measured by the acceleration sensor (without using the measured acceleration values in the manner explained above the angle is determined). The speed can then in each case through appropriate integration of the acceleration values measured by the acceleration sensor be determined.

The above measurement is advantageously carried out on the assumption that the respective pressure and the respective height are proportional to each other (each the greater the height, the lower the pressure, and the smaller the height, the higher the pressure (the respective amounts of pressure difference and height difference being proportional to each other). Alternatively, the height can also be measured or ascertained based on a relationship other than a linear relationship, for example by means of corresponding formulas or tables reflecting a correspondingly different relationship between altitude and pressure, on the basis of which likewise - after corresponding interval measurement of the pressure (or the pressure difference) - the corresponding height difference is determined. can be.

to closer explanation Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Show it:

1 an inventive device for measuring the speed or distance;

2 an assignment table for angle and distance;

3 an image of the device;

1 represents a first embodiment of the invention.

block 1 symbolizes the pressure sensor that measures the current ambient pressure and, for example, supplies an output voltage proportional to the ambient pressure. This output voltage is used by the amplifier ( 2 ) and an analog input of the microcontroller ( 5 ) fed.

block 4 symbolizes the inclination sensor, which measures the current inclination of the device. If the device is firmly attached to the ski or snowboard, the inclination of the device corresponds to the slope of the slope on which the ski or snowboard is located. The inclination sensor preferably consists of an inexpensive acceleration sensor that can measure both dynamic (eg vibration) and static accelerations (eg gravitation). In this case, the sensor measures the static acceleration of gravity, which is greatest at an angle of 90 ° to the earth's surface, exactly 9.81 m / s ² . The acceleration acting on the sensor also decreases with a smaller angle. The inclination sensor transmits the measured value directly to the microcontroller connected to it ( 5 ). This enables the microcontroller to calculate the measured inclination in "°".

The microcontroller is powered by the connected batteries, preferably small button cells. In addition, the microcontroller ( 5 ) a button ( 6 ) connected via which the device can be controlled by the user. In addition, the microcontroller ( 5 ) a display device ( 3 ) For example, an LCD display is connected, via which the measured data can be output.

The microcontroller ( 5 ) triggers measurements according to predefined time intervals, for example every second (corresponding to time measurement data provided by a time measuring device); Both the inclination and the current pressure are measured or calculated. If the skier or snowboarder descends a slope with a slope of 20 °, for example, this value is sent to the microcontroller ( 5 ) transfer. In addition, the current pressure is shown by the pressure sensor ( 1 ) measured and compared with the pressure measured in the last interval, from this the covered height difference can be calculated. The air pressure rises at altitudes between 1000 meters and 3000 meters by an average of 1 mbar and decreases in height by 10.1 m. This average is in the microcontroller ( 5 ) permanently programmed. For example, if the microcontroller measures a pressure difference of +1 mbar between two intervals, this results in a covered height difference of 10.1 m or a decrease by 10.1 height meters. In one in the microcontroller ( 5 ) saved conversion table, in which the distance belonging to a respective angle between 1 ° and 45 ° is given at a height difference of 1 m, can now correspond to the angle of 20 ° and the height difference of 1 meter during this time ( 1 Second) distance traveled can be read out. An example of such an assignment table is in 2 shown. For an angle of 20 °, the distance would be 2,920. Meters for a height difference of 1 m.

This value is then multiplied by the measured height difference of 10.1 m and thus gives (an estimate for) the distance covered by the skier or snowboarder within the 1 second interval, in this case 29.490 m, i.e. an (estimated) speed of 29.490 m / s. After multiplying this value by 3.6, the instantaneous speed on the display device ( 3 ) are output, in this case 106 . 16 km / h.

Claims (11)

Distance and / or speed measuring device, in particular for attachment to a ski or snowboard, characterized in that the distance is determined by measuring the gradient and the height difference, the height difference being measured by an electronic air pressure sensor. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the slope by an electro African angle sensor is measured. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that the angle measurement by an acceleration sensor of both static acceleration and dynamic acceleration can measure is carried out. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized; that the device has multiple relationships between Angle (slope of the Hanges) and height difference saved. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the device by means of a battery, in particular by means of an inexpensive Button cell is operated. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the device is designed so that it can be operated using just one button / button or switch. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that filters are provided in the device, filter out the resulting vibrations or shocks. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that the device on a ski or snowboard is attached. Apparatus according to claim 8, which by means of a elastic, shock and / or vibration absorbing material is attached. Device, in particular according to one of the preceding Expectations, for mounting on a ski or snowboard for measuring the from Ski or snowboard covered Distance, and / or the speed achieved by the ski or snowboard, characterized in that for measuring the distance and / or the speed an acceleration sensor is used. Distance and / or speed measuring device, in particular with one or more of the in claims 1 to 10 mentioned features, characterized in that the distance and / or the speed is measured using GPS.