JP2006227911A - Pedometer, step counting method and step counting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable accurate walking pace count, even when the walking is different from normal walking, accompanying irregular movements. <P>SOLUTION: The pedometer 100 is constructed by including a display part 102 for displaying walking pace count, a reset button 103 for resetting the display of the display part 102, a vibration detecting part 201 for detecting vibration accompanied by walking, the first counter 202 for counting the number of paces, by counting the pulses outputted by the vibration detecting part 201, a walking state determining part 203 for determining the walking state, and a pace count storing part 204 for storing the counted walking pace count. The walking state determining part 203 comprises the second counter 221 for counting the pulses output at predetermined intervals by the vibration detecting part 201, a start determining part 222 for determining the start of walking, based on the counted value of the second counter 221, and a stop determining part 223 for determining the stoppage of walking, based on the first counter 202. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a pedometer capable of counting the number of steps, a method for counting the number of steps, and a program for counting the number of steps.

  With conventional pedometers, the detection signal generated by detecting the vibration of the vibration detection means is whether it is for walking or for daily living activities other than walking to prevent miscounting of steps. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  For example, in the pedometer described in Patent Document 1, in the detection signal generated by the vibration detection means, when the next pulse arrives within a predetermined time from one pulse input, it is primarily determined that the signal is continuous, When this primary determination is continuously repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), the presence of walking is determined (that is, it is determined that the detection signal generated by the vibration detecting means is related to walking).

Japanese Patent No. 2552135

  However, in the pedometer described in Patent Document 1, when the predetermined number of times is set small (for example, three times), the following problem occurs. In other words, since all daily activities are not less than three times and more than that, there is a possibility that the daily activities are misjudged as having been walked.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined number of times is set large (for example, seven times), the following problem occurs. In other words, depending on how you walk, the pedometer may not be sufficiently transmitted to the vibration detection means, and the detection signal may not be output. There is a case.

  In particular, the walking motion tends to be cautious from immediately after the start of walking until the walking rhythm is stabilized. For example, you can move your foot slowly or move your foot without raising it. In this case, anomalous vibrations that are different from those caused by a normal walking movement tend to occur. When such an irregular vibration occurs, the conventional pedometer does not detect the vibration, or even if it is detected, the amplitude of the pulse output as the detection signal becomes small. For this reason, it is easy to misdetermine that it is a daily life action, and if the number of consecutive times is set to a large number, the tendency becomes strong.

  As described above, the conventional pedometer is likely to be misjudged in daily life movements when the predetermined number of continuous signals for determining whether or not walking has been performed is set to a small number, and the predetermined number of times is set to a large number. Then, even if it walked, there existed a problem that it was difficult to determine with having walked.

  In order to eliminate the above-described problems caused by the prior art, the present invention accurately detects the vibration even when anomalous vibration different from that caused by normal walking motion occurs, and determines the start time of walking. A pedometer, a step count counting method, and a step count counting method that makes it possible to count more accurate steps by clarifying and excluding the influence of vibrations due to movements other than walking, and being less susceptible to the effects of daily life movements and irregular vibrations, and An object is to provide a step counting program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a pedometer according to the present invention is a pedometer that counts the number of steps based on the output of the vibration detecting means, and is a first pedometer that counts the output of the vibration detecting means. And a second counting means, a display means for displaying the number of steps based on the count of the first counting means, and a walking for determining whether walking has started based on the count value of the second counting means. Start determination means, the first and second counting means have a counting period for counting only in each counting period, and the second counting means counts the output of the vibration detecting means. A first counting period and a second counting period for counting the output of the vibration detecting means when a predetermined period elapses from the counting time in the first counting period are provided.

  In the pedometer according to the present invention, the first counting period and the second counting period are separated from each other by a predetermined period.

  In the pedometer according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the walking start determining means determines whether walking has started based on the presence or absence of a count value of the second counting means within each counting period. It is characterized by that.

  The pedometer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the length of the non-counting period in which the output of the vibration detecting means is not counted is longer than the first counting period and the second counting period. And

  Further, the pedometer according to the present invention is the pedometer according to the above invention, wherein the walking start judging means counts the output of the vibration detecting means within all counting periods to be judged. It is characterized by determining that walking has been performed.

  In the pedometer according to the present invention, in the above invention, after the start of walking is determined by the walking start determining means, the output from the vibration detecting means is not counted within a predetermined period by the first counting means. In this case, the apparatus has a walking stop determination means for determining that walking has stopped.

  Moreover, the pedometer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the walking start determination means executes a walking start determination after the walking stop determination by the walking stop determination means.

  The step counting method according to the present invention includes a vibration detection signal detection step for detecting presence / absence of input of a vibration detection signal and a plurality of counting periods separated from each other by a non-counting period in which the vibration detection signal is not counted. The walking start determination step for determining that walking has started when the count value of the vibration detection signal is confirmed within all the counting periods to be determined, and the walking is determined in the walking start determination step. A counting display step of displaying a count value of the vibration detection signal after the start of walking when it is determined that the walking has started.

  Further, the step counting method according to the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein after the start of walking is determined in the walking start determination step, the presence / absence of a new input of the vibration detection signal is detected and within a predetermined period. A walking stop determination step for determining that walking has stopped when the detection signal is not detected is included.

  Further, in the step counting method according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the stop of walking is determined in the walking stop determining step of the step counting method, the walking start determining step of the step counting method is executed. Features.

  A step counting program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute any one of the above step counting methods.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately discriminate between vibrations caused by walking and vibrations caused by daily activities of people other than walking, detect only vibrations caused by walking movements, and accurately count the number of steps. Play.

  Exemplary embodiments of a pedometer, a step count counting method, and a step count counting program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Overview of pedometer)
FIG. 1 is an external view of a pedometer according to an embodiment of the present invention. A fixture (not shown) is provided on the back surface of the main body 101 of the pedometer 100. By attaching this fixture to a belt or the like, the pedometer 100 can be attached to a part of the human body. The attachment is detachable from the belt or the like. Further, a display unit 102 constituted by a liquid crystal display or the like is provided on the surface of the main body 101, and the number of steps is displayed. Further, a reset button 103 is provided on the surface of the main body 101 for setting the number displayed on the display unit 102 to “0” when pressed. When the reset button 103 is pressed, values of a first counter 202, a second counter 221 and a step count storage unit 204 described later are also set to “0”.

(Functional structure of pedometer)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the pedometer according to the embodiment of the present invention. The pedometer 100 includes a display unit 102, a reset button 103, a vibration detection unit 201, a first counter 202, a walking state determination unit 203, and a step count storage unit 204.

  The vibration detection unit 201 includes a walking sensor 211 and a waveform shaping circuit 212. The walking sensor 211 detects vibration associated with walking motion. When the walking sensor 211 detects a vibration associated with a walking motion, a detection signal is output to the waveform shaping circuit 212. The waveform shaping circuit 212 amplifies the input detection signal, shapes the waveform into one pulse for each vibration of one step, and outputs it. The first counter 202 counts the pulses output from the vibration detection unit 201 and counts the number of steps. Here, one pulse is counted as one step.

  The walking state determination unit 203 determines a walking state such as the start or stop of walking, and includes a second counter 221, a start determination unit 222, and a stop determination unit 223. The second counter 221 counts the pulses output from the vibration detection unit 201. The count value of the second counter 221 is used to determine whether walking has started. The start determination unit 222 determines the start of walking based on the count value of the second counter 221. The stop determination unit 223 determines stop of walking based on the count value of the first counter 202. The step count storage unit 204 stores information on the step count.

  The walking sensor 211 can realize its function with an acceleration sensor such as a piezoelectric sensor (piezoelectric element). The waveform shaping circuit 212 can realize its function by, for example, an amplifier circuit, a dead zone circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, or the like. The functions of the first counter 202, the second counter 221, the start determination unit 222, and the stop determination unit 223 can be realized by, for example, a CPU. The step count storage unit 204 can realize its function by, for example, a RAM.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the pedometer 100 (1. When it is determined that walking has started, 2. When it is determined that walking is not performed, 3. When it is determined that walking has stopped, 4. Including walking on a leg The case where walking is performed) will be described in detail.

(1. When it is determined that walking has started)
FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the pedometer 100 when it is determined that walking has started. This timing chart is for explaining the walking determination performed from the counting state A (counting up to 14 steps) to the non-counting state. The counting state A will be described later.

  This pedometer is roughly divided into three states. This is because it is determined that walking is stopped, from the walking determination state in which it is determined whether walking is being performed, the determination that walking has been performed, the counting state in which the number of steps is counted, and the counting state. The three states of the non-counting state until the determination of walking is performed.

  When detecting one vibration, the vibration detecting unit 201 forms a waveform into one pulse and outputs it. The first counter 202 counts the number of pulses output from the vibration detection unit 201. The first counter 202 counts one pulse output from the vibration detection unit 201 as a one-step walk. However, the vibration detection unit 201 detects vibrations caused by daily human actions other than walking in addition to vibrations caused by walking actions. Therefore, if all the pulses output from the vibration detection unit 201 are counted as being due to walking motion, an inaccurate number of steps far from the actual number of steps is indicated.

  Therefore, in this pedometer 100, the first counter 202 counts all the pulses output from the vibration detection unit 201, but does not immediately record the counted value as the number of steps. As shown in FIG. 3, in this pedometer 100, the number of steps is counted retroactively at the start of walking only when the start determining unit 222 determines that walking has started.

  On the other hand, the second counter 221 first counts the pulses output from the vibration detection unit 201 first after the walking stop determination is made (the walking stop determination will be described later) (position a in FIG. 3). ). The second counter 221 does not count pulses output from the vibration detection unit 201 continuously. That is, when the second counter 221 counts one pulse, it immediately enters the non-counting state and starts counting time for the non-counting time t1 (for example, 1.5 seconds). After counting the first pulse, the second counter 221 counts the first pulse sent as the second pulse within the counting time t2 (maximum 1 second) at an interval of the non-counting time t1. (Position b in FIG. 3).

  Further, after counting the second pulse, the second counter 221 counts the first pulse transmitted within the counting time t2 as the third pulse at an interval of the non-counting time t1 ( FIG. 3c position). The start determination unit 222 determines that walking has started only after the second counter 221 has counted the third pulse. Until the third counter 221 counts up to the third pulse, it is in a walking determination state in which it is determined whether or not it is walking.

  Note that the non-counting time t1 and the counting time t2 are measured by a timer provided in the start determination unit 222. In addition, in the above, the non-counting time t1 is 1.5 seconds and the counting time t2 is 1 second at maximum. This is an example of a value suitable for performing walking start determination, and other time setting Can also be done.

  Further, the number of steps stored in the number-of-steps storage unit 204 and the number of steps displayed on the display unit 102 are not added during the walking determination state. That is, during the walking determination state, the numerical value (14 in FIG. 3) counted at the end of the counting state A in FIG. Note that even during this walking determination state, the first counter 202 counts pulses output from the vibration detection unit 201. When the start determination unit 222 determines that walking has started, the count value of the first counter 202 counted after the walking determination state becomes the step value. Thereafter, the count value of the first counter 202 is stored as a step value in the step count storage unit 204 and displayed on the display unit 102 (counting state B in FIG. 3).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the number of steps displayed on the display unit 102 from the walking determination state to the counting state B in FIG. While the number of steps remains 14 during the walking determination state, the number of pulses counted by the first counter 202 becomes the number of steps after it is determined that walking has started.

(2. When it is determined that walking is not performed)
As described above, the vibration detection unit 201 detects vibration due to other daily human movements in addition to vibration due to walking movements. Therefore, in order to determine that the vibration does not depend on the walking motion, that is, the walking is not performed, the pedometer 100 performs the following processing. FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the pedometer 100 when it is determined that walking is not performed.

  It is considered that the daily human motion with vibration that can be detected by the vibration detection unit 201 is not so long and continuous. Therefore, in this pedometer 100, after the walking stop determination is made (the walking stop determination will be described later), the second counter 221 first counts the pulses, and then the three second counters 221 are within a predetermined time. Unless the eye pulses were counted, it was determined that walking was not actually performed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the first counter 202 counts 15 to 18 pulses output from the vibration detection unit 201, but the pulse is not counted thereafter, the second counter 221 has two pulses. The pulses up to the eye can be counted, but the third pulse cannot be counted. Therefore, in such a case, the start determination unit 222 determines that the pulse counted by the first counter 202 is caused by an operation other than walking, and determines that walking has not yet been performed. As a matter of course, in this case, the number of steps stored in the number-of-steps storage unit 204 and the number of steps displayed on the display unit 102 are not added. Then, the count value of the first counter 202 is set to the value of the step count storage unit 204. In the example of FIG. 5, the count value of the first counter 202 that has counted up to “18” is set to the value of “14” stored in the step count storage unit 204. This is because the output from the vibration detection unit 201 counted by the first counter 202 in the walking determination state of FIG. 5 is a count value that is an error due to an operation other than walking, and is counted without this.

(3. When determining that walking has stopped)
FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the pedometer 100 when it is determined that walking has stopped. As shown in FIG. 6, in the counting state, the count value of the first counter 202 is stored as a step value in the step count storage unit 204 and displayed on the display unit 102. However, in this counting state, when the stop determination unit 223 detects that the pulse non-input time t3 during which the pulse from the vibration detection unit 201 is not input to the first counter 202 is 10 seconds or more, walking stops. (The pulse non-input time t3 is counted by a timer provided in the stop determination unit 223). In this case, the step count stored in the step count storage unit 204 and the step count displayed on the display unit 102 are not added.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the step value displayed on the display unit 102 from the counting state of FIG. 6 to the non-counting state and thereafter. During the counting state, the number of steps gradually increases from 14 to 26, but after the non-counting state after the stop determination, the number of steps is not counted and remains 26. When the first counter 202 again counts pulses from the vibration detection unit 201, the walking start determination described based on FIG. 3 is performed.

(4. When walking including pedestrian walking)
Immediately after the start of walking, the output of the vibration detection means 201 may not be stable. For example, when a so-called pedestrian walk is performed with the foot on the ground, the output from the vibration detection unit 201 may not be output even though the walk is performed. Here, as described with reference to FIG. 3, a case where a pedestrian walk is performed when it is determined that walking has started will be described as an example. FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the pedometer 100 when walking including pedestrian walking is performed. As shown in FIG. 8, in this pedometer 100, since the second counter 221 for determining whether or not walking has been performed has a stop period, even if a pedestrian walk is performed at least during the stop period, It does not affect the determination of whether or not walking has occurred, and is not easily affected by unstable walking signals.

  Also, even if the pedestrian walk is performed at the beginning of the counting time t2 of the second counter 221, if the next vibration is normally detected during the same counting time t2, the second step is If it is normal walking), the first step is counted at the counting time t2, and it is determined that the walking has been performed. In other words, whether or not the detection signal from the vibration detection unit 201 is continuous during the counting time t2 is detected, the presence or absence of the detection signal from the vibration detection unit 201 is detected, and whether or not walking is performed based on the detection signal. This makes it less likely to be affected by an unstable walking signal.

  In FIG. 8, pedestrian walking is performed between the 15th and 16th steps of the count value of the first counter, and between the 18th and 19th steps, and a pulse is output from the vibration detection unit 201. In this example, the second counter is generated while the vehicle is stopped, and it is determined that walking is performed without being affected by the second counter.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the step value displayed on the display unit 102 from the walking determination state to the counting state B in FIG. Although the number of steps remains 14 during the walking determination state, after it is determined that the walking has started, the number of pulses counted by the first counter 202 at the start of walking is displayed as the number of steps. However, since vibration due to the foot is not detected by the vibration detection unit 201, the number due to the foot is not reflected in the step count.

(Outline of step counting method)
Next, an outline of the step counting method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. This step counting method is executed by the pedometer 100 described above. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a schematic procedure of the process of the step count counting method.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, first, the walking state determination unit 203 detects whether or not a pulse (vibration detection signal) is input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1001). If there is a pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1001: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1002. On the other hand, when there is no pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1001: No), the process of step S1001 is continued again.

  If there is a pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 in step S1001 (step S1001: Yes), it is determined whether the start determination unit 222 has started walking (step S1002). In this walking start determination, the second counter 221 counts the number of pulses from the vibration detection unit 201 within a plurality of counting times t2 separated from each other by a non-counting time t1 in which counting is not performed. It is determined that walking has started when the pulse has been counted within all the counting times t2 that are the targets of.

  If it is determined in step S1002 that walking has started (step S1002: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1003. When it is determined that walking is not started (step S1002: No), the process returns to step S1001 again to continue the process.

  If it is determined in step S1002 that walking has started (step S1002: Yes), the count value of the first counter 202 is stored in the step count storage unit 204 as a step value (step S1003). Then, the step count value stored in the step count storage unit 204 is displayed on the display unit 102 (step S1004).

  Then, the stop determination unit 223 determines whether walking has stopped (step S1005). Here, when the stop determination unit 223 detects that the pulse non-input time t3 during which the pulse from the vibration detection unit 201 is not input in the first counter 202 is 10 seconds or more, it determines that the walking has stopped.

  If it is determined in step S1005 that walking has stopped (step S1005: Yes), the process returns to step S1001 again to continue the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that walking is not stopped (step S1005: No), the process returns to step S1003 again to continue the process.

(Details of the step counting process)
Next, details of the step counting process in the step counting method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 11-14 is a flowchart which shows the procedure of this step count processing. Note that “START” in the flowchart of FIG. 11 corresponds to pressing the reset button 103 of the pedometer 100.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, first, the first counter 202, the second counter 221, the step count storage unit 204, and the display unit 102 are reset ("0 setting") (step S1101). Next, the walking state determination unit 203 detects whether or not there is a pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1102). If there is a pulse input (step S1102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1103. If there is no pulse input (step S1102: No), the process of step S1102 is executed again.

  When there is a pulse input in step S1102 (step S1102: Yes), the first counter 202 increments the count value by “1” (step S1103). The count value of the second counter 221 is reset (step S1104). The second counter 221 increments the count value by “1” (step S1105). Next, the start determination unit 222 detects whether or not the count value of the second counter 221 has become “3” (step S1106). When the count value of the second counter 221 becomes 3 (step S1106: Yes), the start determination unit 222 determines that walking has started, and proceeds to step S1401 of the flowchart shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the count value of the second counter 221 is not 3 (step S1106: No), the process proceeds to step S1201 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that steps S1101 to S1106 in FIG. 11 are processes corresponding to the transition from the walking determination state to the counting state B in FIG.

  Subsequently, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, first, a timer for measuring the pulse non-input time t3 in the stop determination unit 223 is reset (step S1401). Next, the count value of the first counter 202 is stored in the step count storage unit 204 (step S1402). The stored value (step count value) stored in the step count storage unit 204 is displayed on the display unit 102 (step S1403). The timer of the stop determination unit 223 starts counting the pulse non-input time t3 (step S1404).

  The stop determination unit 223 detects whether or not the pulse non-input time t3 is less than 10 seconds (step S1405). If the pulse non-input time t3 is less than 10 seconds (step S1405: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1406. If the pulse non-input time t3 is not less than 10 seconds (step S1405: No), the process proceeds to step S1407. .

  When the pulse non-input time t3 is less than 10 seconds in step S1405 (step S1405: Yes), the walking state determination unit 203 detects whether or not there is a pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1406). If there is a further pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1406: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1408. On the other hand, when there is no further pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1406: No), the process returns to step S1405 again to continue the processing.

  If there is a further pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 in step S1406 (step S1406: Yes), the count value of the first counter 202 is incremented by “1” (step S1408), and then the process returns to step S1401 again to perform the processing. continue.

  If the pulse non-input time t3 is not less than 10 seconds in step S1405 (step S1405: No), the stop determination unit 223 determines that walking has stopped, and the timer of the stop determination unit 223 counts the pulse non-input time t3. The process ends (step S1407). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1102 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 again to continue the processing. Note that steps S1401 to S1408 in FIG. 14 correspond to processing for determining walking stop from the counting state in FIG.

  In addition, when the count value of the second counter 221 is not “3” in step S1106 of FIG. 11 (step S1106: No), first, in the flowchart shown in FIG. After resetting the timer for counting t1 (step S1201), the timer starts counting the non-counting time t1 (step S1202).

  Then, the start determination unit 222 detects whether or not the non-counting time t1 is less than 1.5 seconds (step S1203). If the non-counting time t1 is less than 1.5 seconds (step S1203: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1204. If the non-counting time t1 is not less than 1.5 seconds (step S1203: No), the process proceeds to step S1204. The process proceeds to S1205.

  When the non-counting time t1 is less than 1.5 seconds in step S1203 (step S1203: Yes), the walking state determination unit 203 further detects whether or not there is a pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1204). ). Here, if there is a pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1204: Yes), the count value of the first counter 202 is incremented by “1” (step S1206), and then the process returns to step S1203 again to continue the processing. To do. On the other hand, when there is no pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1204: No), the process directly returns to step S1203 to continue the process.

  If the non-counting time t1 is not less than 1.5 seconds in step S1203 (step S1203: No), the timer of the start determining unit 222 ends the time counting of the non-counting time t1 (step S1205), and the flowchart shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S1301. Note that steps S1201 to S1206 in FIG. 12 correspond to the time counting process of the non-counting time t1 and the counting process of the first counter 202 at this time in FIGS.

  Subsequently, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, after resetting the timer for counting the counting time t2 in the start determining unit 222 (step S1301), the timer starts counting the counting time t2 (step S1302).

  Then, the start determining unit 222 detects whether or not the counting time t2 is less than 1.0 second (step S1303). Here, when the counting time t2 is less than 1.0 second (step S1303: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1304. On the other hand, when the counting time t2 is not less than 1.0 second (step S1303: No), after the stored value of the step count storage unit 204 is set in the first counter 202 (step S1305), the steps of the flowchart shown in FIG. Returning to S1102, the processing is continued.

  When the counting time t2 is less than 1.0 second in step S1303 (step S1303: Yes), the walking state determination unit 203 further detects whether or not there is a pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1304). . If there is a pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1304: YES), the process proceeds to step S1306. On the other hand, when there is no pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 (step S1304: No), the process returns to step S1303 and the processing is continued.

  If there is a pulse input from the vibration detection unit 201 in step S1304 (step S1304: Yes), the count value of the first counter 202 is incremented by “1” (step S1306). Subsequently, the count value of the second counter 221 is incremented by “1” (step S1307). The timer of the start determination unit 222 finishes counting the counting time t2 (step S1308).

  The start determination unit 222 detects whether or not the count value of the second counter 221 is “3” (step S1309). If the count value of the second counter 221 is “3” (step S1309: YES), the process proceeds to step S1401 in the flowchart shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the count value of the second counter 221 is not “3” (step S1309: No), the process proceeds to step S1201 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that steps S1301 to S1309 in FIG. 13 correspond to the counting processing of the counting time t2 and the counting processing of the first counter 202 and the second counter 221 in FIGS.

  As described above, the pedometer and the step count counting method according to this embodiment accurately discriminate between vibrations caused by walking and vibrations caused by daily activities of people other than walking by performing the above processing. Thus, it is possible to detect only vibrations due to walking motions and accurately count the number of steps. In particular, even immediately after the start of walking, the pulse of the detection signal output from the vibration detecting means is likely to become unstable, it is possible to accurately detect when walking has started and to accurately count the number of steps. In addition, since it is possible to accurately determine the stop of walking, it is possible to more accurately count the number of steps.

  Note that the step count counting method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance. Further, this program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, the pedometer, the step counting method, and the step counting program according to the present invention are useful for accurate step counting, and in particular, the number of steps in the case of an irregular motion different from normal walking. Suitable for counting.

1 is an external view of a pedometer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the pedometer concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement of a pedometer in the case of determining with having started walking. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the change of the step numerical value displayed on a display part from the walk determination state of FIG. It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement of a pedometer in the case of determining with having not walked. It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement of a pedometer in the case of determining with walking having stopped. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the change of the step numerical value displayed on a display part from the counting state of FIG. 6 to a non-counting state. It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement of a pedometer when the walk containing a pedestrian walk is performed. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the change of the step numerical value displayed on a display part from the walk determination state of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the schematic procedure of the process of the step count counting method concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the procedure of step count processing. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the procedure of step count processing. It is a flowchart (the 3) which shows the procedure of step count processing. It is a flowchart (the 4) which shows the procedure of step count processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Pedometer 101 Main body 102 Display part 103 Reset button 201 Vibration detection part 202 1st counter (1st counting means)
203 walking state determination unit 204 step count storage unit 211 walking sensor 212 waveform shaping circuit 221 second counter (second counting means)
222 Start determination unit 223 Stop determination unit

Claims (11)

A pedometer for counting the number of steps based on the output of the vibration detecting means,
First and second counting means for counting the output of the vibration detecting means;
Display means for displaying the number of steps based on the count of the first counting means;
Walking start determination means for determining whether walking has started based on the count value of the second counting means,
The first and second counting means have a counting period for counting only in each counting period;
The second counting means counts the output of the vibration detecting means when a predetermined period elapses from the first counting period for counting the output of the vibration detecting means and the time counted in the first counting period. A pedometer having two counting periods.   The pedometer according to claim 1, wherein the first counting period and the second counting period are separated from each other by a predetermined period.   2. The pedometer according to claim 1, wherein the walking start determination unit determines whether walking has started based on the presence or absence of a count value of the second counting unit within each counting period.   The length of the non-counting period during which the output of the vibration detection means is not counted is longer than that of the first counting period and the second counting period. Pedometer.   The walking start determining means determines that walking has occurred when the second counting means counts the output of the vibration detecting means within all counting periods to be determined. Item 5. The pedometer according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   After the start of walking is determined by the walking start determining means, the first counting means determines that the walking has stopped when the output from the vibration detecting means is not counted within a predetermined period of time. The pedometer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising means.   The pedometer according to claim 6, wherein the walking start determination unit performs a walking start determination after the walking stop determination by the walking stop determination unit. A vibration detection signal detection step for detecting presence / absence of input of a vibration detection signal;
When the vibration detection signal is counted within a plurality of counting periods separated from each other by a non-counting period in which counting is not performed, and the count value of the vibration detection signal is confirmed within all the counting periods to be determined A walking start determination step for determining that walking has started,
A count display step for displaying the count value of the vibration detection signal after the start of walking when it is determined that walking is started in the walking start determination step;
A step counting method characterized by comprising:   Furthermore, after the start of walking is determined in the walking start determination step, the presence or absence of a new vibration detection signal is detected, and it is determined that walking has stopped when the detection signal is not detected within a predetermined period. The step counting method according to claim 8, further comprising a walking stop determination step.   The step counting process according to claim 8, wherein the step of determining the walking start of the step counting method according to claim 8 is executed when the stop of the walking is determined in the walking stop determining process of the step counting method according to claim 9. Method. A step counting program for causing a computer to execute the step counting method according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

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