Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a step detection. An accelerometer measurement in the form of a multi-dimensional acceleration vector is obtained. The magnitude of the accelerometer measurement is filtered using a low pass filter. A threshold for a down-crossing is provided as is a threshold for an up-crossing. A step detection is triggered if the magnitude of the accelerometer measurement is greater than or equal to the threshold for an up-crossing.

Abstract: Systems and method for calculating energy expenditure values and activity points are provided. One or more devices may use an accelerometer and/or other sensors to monitor activity of a user. The user may identify the activity via one of the devices, a mobile phone, a computer device or another device. Activity points or energy expenditure values may be calculated from data received from sensors and the identification provided by the user.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable activity monitoring device to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by a user, the monitoring device comprising (i) a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user, (ii) an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response thereto, to generate data which is representative of the change in altitude of the user, and (iii) processing circuitry, disposed in the housing and coupled to the motion sensor and the altitude sensor, to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the data which is representative of a change in altitude of the user.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for improving pedometer readings. In some embodiments, motion data, such as acceleration data is detected, and a magnitude of the acceleration data, referred to as the modulus, is processed. The modulus is used to detect walking steps and running steps during a measurement. In some embodiments, a distance ran is calculated based on the detected running steps and an estimated running stride length, and a distance walked is calculated based on the detected walking steps and an estimated walking stride length. The estimated running and walking stride lengths are calculated based on various parameters associated with the acceleration data, population data, and user-specific data. Expended calories may be estimated based on the distance ran and walked. The distance analysis process further includes calibration techniques, including, for example, least squares simple regression, least squares multiple regression, and K-factor analysis.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for improving pedometer readings. In some embodiments, motion data, such as acceleration data is detected, and a magnitude of the acceleration data, referred to as the modulus, is processed. Techniques involve performing frequency analysis on the modulus. In some embodiments, the modulus samples are counted perform frequency analysis on each complete sample set. Each complete sample set includes overlapping samples with the previous sample set. A suitable frequency analysis algorithm, such as fast Fourier transform (FFT) dominant frequency computation is performed on each sample set to determine the dominant frequency of the modulus. The dominant frequency of the modulus may be smoothed in some embodiments to remove irregularities such as spikes or periods of inactivity. In some embodiments, results of frequency analysis may be used to determine whether a detected step is a walking step or a running step.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable activity monitoring device having a physical size/shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body, a plurality of sensors including: (i) an altitude sensor to detect a change in altitude and to generate data which is representative of the change in altitude, and (ii) a first motion sensor to detect motion and to generate data which is representative of motion. A user interface having a display. Processing circuitry detects a user input using data from one or more of the plurality of sensors, and calculates data which is representative of a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the data which is representative of the change in altitude.

Abstract: Step detection and step length estimation techniques include detecting salient points in sensor data of one or more sensors. A step frequency is estimated based on a time interval between the detected salient points. A step length of the step may then be computed based on a nonlinear combination of the estimated step frequency and a function of the sensor data, and/or a step model. Alternatively, the step length of the step may be computed based on a combination of a nonlinear function of the estimated step frequency and a (linear or nonlinear) function of the sensor data, and/or a step model.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a motion determination apparatus includes: a basic motion determination module determining a basic motion of a user, based on a sensor signal for detecting a motion of the user; a basic motion recording module recording the basic motion in a temporal sequence; a motion scene determination table configured to store the basic motion and a condition under which the basic motion occurs, for each motion scene; a motion scene determination module determining that the basic motion recorded in the temporal sequence corresponds to a certain motion scene, based on the motion scene determination table; a detailed label determination table storing a detailed label indicating a detailed motion in the motion scene, for each motion scene; and a detailed label determination module determining that the basic motion included in the motion scene corresponds to a certain detailed label, based on the detailed label determination table.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable activity monitoring device adapted to couple to a body of a user, comprising a housing having a physical size/shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body, an altitude sensor to detect a change in altitude of the user and to generate data which is representative of the change in altitude of the user, and processing circuitry to calculate: (i) a number or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the data which is representative of a change in altitude of the user, and (ii) a state of an avatar using the data which is representative of the number or flights of stairs traversed by the user. The device also includes a display to output data which is representative of the state of the avatar.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable activity monitoring device to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by a user, the monitoring device comprising (i) a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user, (ii) an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response thereto, to generate data which is representative of the change in altitude of the user, and (iii) processing circuitry, disposed in the housing and coupled to the motion sensor and the altitude sensor, to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the data which is representative of a change in altitude of the user.

Abstract: A portable personal electronic pedometer, including a display, a storage memory, an input-mode, a pace-mode, and a workout-mode. The input mode allows a user to enter personal information including at least the user's weight and either the user's height or stride-length, which is saved in the pedometer's storage memory. The pace-mode activates the pedometer and employs at least one algorithm to record the average pace and the pedometer's storage memory can concurrently store at least two average pace calculations on the pedometer. The workout-mode allows the user to select any average target pace stored in the storage memory, and said workout-mode employs at least one algorithm to calculate and display the duration of the workout based on the user's selected target pace and the user's weight, and while in work-out mode the pedometer continually updates the display showing the time remaining, and the pace of the current workout.

Abstract: An on-foot pedestrian navigation module useful for pedestrian navigation when operated with at least a control unit and another on-foot pedestrian navigation module, comprising (a) at least a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit, wherein each sensor unit including an up/down sensor adapted for sensing an ‘up’ condition and a ‘down’ condition associated with relative displacement of the module with respect to a surface, and a signal transmitter/receiver adapted, in response to an activation signal coming from a module controller, for generating a propagating signal (b) a module controller for controlling the operation of the module in response to a control signal coming from the control unit and (c) a communication unit for enabling said module to communicate with said at least the control unit and other module, thereby facilitating collecting motion data at the control unit and integrating the motion data with motion data coming from the other module, the motion data being indicative of a condition of e

Abstract: A step counting system includes a portable terminal and a step counter. The portable terminal includes a processor and a first communication interface. The step counter includes a motion sensor, a step detector, a controller, and a second communication interface. The second communication interface communicates with the first communication interface. The motion sensor senses motion of a user carrying the step counter. The detector detects whether a step motion is sensed by the motion sensor. The controller transmits an increment by one signal to the processor each time a step is detected by the detector. The processor updates its display of the number of steps by increasing the number of steps by one each time the processor receives the increment by one signal from the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: generating a first processed accelerometer sample signal from a first accelerometer sample signal; determining a step event from the first processed accelerometer sample signal; and controlling processing of a second accelerometer sample signal for a first time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for measuring orientation of sensors associated with a mobile device with respect to pedestrian motion of a user of the mobile device. An example technique described herein includes obtaining acceleration information associated with the mobile device, partitioning the acceleration information according to respective detected pedestrian steps of the user, identifying a forward motion direction of the user of the mobile device based on the acceleration information and the detected pedestrian steps, and computing a misalignment angle between the forward motion direction of the user of the mobile device and an orientation of the mobile device.

Abstract: An activity monitoring system, in one aspect, comprises a portable activity monitoring device comprising a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body; a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of a user and to generate data representative thereof; an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and to generate data which is representative thereof; and processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the motion data and change in altitude data. The system also includes a display to output data of a badge and/or metric wherein such badge and/or metric describes the number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user.

Abstract: A portable monitoring device to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user, in one aspect, comprising a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user, a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to sample motion of the user in response to a motion sample signal and generate data which is representative thereof; an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to sample an altitude of the user in response to an altitude sample signal and generate data which is representative thereof; and processing circuitry, disposed in the housing to: (i) generate the altitude sample signal using the data which is representative of motion of the user, and (ii) determine a change in altitude of the user using the data which is representative of a change in altitude of the user.

Abstract: A step count measuring system includes a pedometer and a step count managing apparatus which are able to communicate with each other. In the pedometer, a step count value sequentially detected for each unit of time is stored, and a time counted in the pedometer is stored as first time data by being brought into associated with each of the step count values. When a battery is replaced in the pedometer, a reset is executed to start initialization processing, and the time stored as first time data is stored as second time data which can be discriminated from the first time data. A recording time of each of the step count values being associated with the first time data before the initialization processing is set on the basis of the time counted by the step count managing apparatus, and a recording time of each of the step count values being associated with the second time data after the initialization processing is set on the basis of the second time data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a step length of a user are provided. The apparatus and method use a step length estimation algorithm, e.g. a step length estimation parameter coefficient, according to a movement state of a user, i.e. whether the movement state is a walking state or a running state. The movement state of the user is determined on the basis of an acceleration variance value of an acceleration signal output from an accelerometer. Accordingly, the apparatus and method prevent errors in step length determinations.

Abstract: An activity monitor that has a sensor for sensing movement, a processor for processing sensed data and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to use the sensed data to determine the number of steps taken for each of a plurality of epochs and to determine a measure of the fraction of each epoch spent stepping, the monitor being configured to record in a long term part of the memory at least two of the number of steps; the measure of the fraction of each epoch spent stepping and a measure of cadence calculated using the number of steps and the fraction of each epoch spent stepping.

Abstract: There is described a portable wrist worn device for determining information about the movement of a human body when swimming. The device comprises a waterproof housing containing: an accelerometer operable to generate an acceleration signal; a processor operable to process the acceleration signal so as to generate one or more metrics relating to the movement of the human body; and a means for feedback of the one or more metrics to the user. The accelerometer may be operable to generate an acceleration signal along an axis parallel to the proximo-distal axis of the user's arm in use and/or the accelerometer may be operable to generate an acceleration signal along an axis parallel to the dorsal-palmar axis of the user's hand in use. The device may also be used in sports other than swimming.

Abstract: One disclosed method involves providing a first device comprising a sensor configured to sense a stimulus experienced by the first device, a controller configured to process data received from the sensor and thereby obtain processed sensor data, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the processed data, and a battery configured to supply power to at least the controller and the transmitter. The first device is operated in a first operational mode in which the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are used at least occasionally to obtain and transmit processed data. When the battery is in a low power condition, the first device is operated in a second operational mode wherein the sensor, controller, and transmitter are not used to obtain and transmit processed sensor data, but wherein the first device at least occasionally transmits a signal that indicates a low power condition of the battery.

Abstract: An activity monitoring system, in one aspect, comprises a portable activity monitoring device comprising a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body; a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of a user and to generate data representative thereof; an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and to generate data which is representative thereof; and processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the motion data and change in altitude data. The system also includes a display to output data of a badge and/or metric wherein such badge and/or metric describes the number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user.

Abstract: A portable monitoring device to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user, in one aspect, comprising a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user, a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to sample motion of the user in response to a motion sample signal and generate data which is representative thereof; an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to sample an altitude of the user in response to an altitude sample signal and generate data which is representative thereof; and processing circuitry, disposed in the housing to: (i) generate the altitude sample signal using the data which is representative of motion of the user, and (ii) determine a change in altitude of the user using the data which is representative of a change in altitude of the user.

Abstract: In a mobile phone device 1 including a three-axial direction vibration sensor 16 for detecting the walking of a user carrying the mobile phone device 1 and counting the number of walking steps, when an incoming call is received, vibrations due to a notification operation by a vibrator 14 or a speaker 15 are transmitted to the three-axial direction vibration sensor 16. As a result, the three-axial direction vibration sensor 16 inevitably detects unintended vibrations in addition to vibrations from walking, causing the number of walking steps to be miscounted. To prevent this and perform the accurate detection of walking, in the present invention, the detection of walking is performed without using, among vibrations in three directions detected by the three-axial direction vibration sensor 16, vibrations in the same direction as the direction of vibrations caused by a notification operation by the vibrator 14 or the speaker 15.

Abstract: A method and system for fall-onset detection is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring acceleration at the thigh of a person; monitoring acceleration at the waist of the person; monitoring orientation of the thigh of the person; and detecting the fall-onset if the orientation of the thigh exceeds a first threshold value and a correlation between variation in acceleration of the thigh and variation in acceleration of the waist exceeds a second threshold value and a correlation between variation in the orientation of the thigh and a fall-template variation exceeds a third threshold value.

Abstract: A distance measuring system comprises a vehicle and an electronic key. The vehicle includes a user interface system. The portable electronic key includes a distance data gathering component configured to determine a distance travelled by the electronic key and create distance data based on the distance travelled, and a communication component configured to communicate the distance data to the user interface system which is configured to output distance information based on the distance data.

Abstract: An example of a configuration of an information processing system of the exemplary embodiment includes a first input device on which at least a portion of a user's body is allowed to be put and an information processing apparatus for processing data obtained from the first input device. The first input device includes a first platform on which at least a portion of a user's body is put; and a distance data output unit. The distance data output unit outputs distance data determined in accordance with a distance to an object positioned in a direction away from a platform surface of the first platform. The information processing apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and a processing unit. The data acquisition unit acquires the distance data outputted by the distance data output unit. The processing unit performs a predetermined process, based on the distance data acquired by the data acquisition unit.

Abstract: To allow reliable input of a switch based on an acceleration signal from a user during walking. An electronic device includes a display section displaying information on a display section, a first acceleration sensor detecting acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the display face, and an input detection section detecting input based on the acceleration detected by the first acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A pedometer for determining the length of a route traveled on foot includes an acceleration sensor for ascertaining a number of steps as well as a pressure sensor for ascertaining a change in geographic elevation, and an evaluation unit being configured to adapt the step length to the measured average elevation change per step.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and a device for measuring the progress of a moving person. The method calculating at least one of the following quantities describing the progress of the moving person: speed, step rate, step count, step length, distance and way of progress, based on values of a vertical acceleration of a body of the moving person measured by an acceleration sensor over a measured time.

Abstract: An exercise therapy device 1 includes a pulse wave sensors 16 for detecting a pulse wave of a lower limb of a patient when being fixed to the patient, a walking sensor 15 for detecting a walking distance that the patient has walked, and a target walking distance setting section 30. The target walking distance setting section 30 is configured to set a target walking distance for exercise therapy, when the pulse wave detected by the pulse wave sensors 16 has a waveform having a predetermined shape which is flatter than an arterial pressure waveform, based on the walking distance of the patient by the time when the pulse wave has the waveform having the predetermined shape.

Abstract: An example geolocation system for mounting on a mammal incorporates simple sensing sleeves on the calves of the body support members, combined with an accelerometer based gravity direction and force sensing at the center of mass of the body. The example system is connected to a digital processing unit and a battery power supply to integrate the sensing to determine kinetic and potential energy of the body locomotion over time in a method that integrates out the aperiodic motion of the body about the center of mass, and uses the residual motion to measure the center of mass locomotion from a known point.

Abstract: The invention provides a number of steps counting apparatus, an electronic apparatus, a pedometer, and a program which achieve reduction of power consumption. In the pedometer having a walking detecting unit configured to output a walking signal indicating a walking state and a calculating unit configured to calculate the number of steps, the walking detecting unit repeats actions of operating for a first period and stopping for a second period during the operation of the pedometer.

Abstract: A walking situation detection device includes an acquisition unit which acquires an acceleration value according to an action of a user in a predetermined cycle, an interval detection unit which detects a first time interval and a second time interval from the acceleration value, a determination unit which determines a position where the user carries a terminal in his or her body based on a ratio of the first time interval to the second time interval, and a number of steps determination unit which determines the number of steps of the user based on the determination result of the determination unit.

Abstract: A method for assessing the risk of a patient to fall. The method includes attaching a pedometer on a patient, wherein the pedometer includes one or more sensors, allowing the patient to engage in activities throughout a predetermined period of time in, at least, an environment the patient occupies for a majority of the day while the pedometer senses information relating to steps taken by the patient. With one or more computers or with the pedometer, calculating at least one step variable from the acceleration information. With one or more computers or with the pedometer, comparing the at least one calculated step variable to a model step variable, and with one or more computers. Then, providing an assessment of the risk of the patient to fall. The pedometer may alert the patient when a risk of falling is detected.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device comprising (i) a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user, (ii) a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of the user and, in response thereto, to generate motion data, (iii) an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to sample an altitude of the user in response to a sample signal, wherein, in response to sampling the altitude of the user, the altitude sensor generates change in altitude data, and (iv) processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to: generate the sample signal using the motion data, and calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the motion data and the change in altitude data.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device comprises (i) a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user, (ii) a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of a user and, in response thereto, to generate motion data, (iii) an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response thereto, to generate change in altitude data, and (iv) processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to: (a) calculate a change in elevation of the user using the motion data and the change in altitude data, and (b) a state of an avatar (which is a graphical representation of the user) using the motion data and/or the change in altitude data, and (vi) a display to output state of avatar data.

Abstract: Information representing an activity intensity computed from a measured step count is transmitted from a first pedometer to a second pedometer as step count-related information. In the second pedometer, walking compatibility is determined based on the difference between the activity intensity in the first pedometer and the activity intensity in the second pedometer, and the determination result is displayed on both pedometers.

Abstract: A method of participating in an athletic event with a remotely-located competitor using first and second wireless competition devices includes establishing a wireless communication connection with the second wireless competition device. The second wireless competition device is associated with the remotely-located competitor for the athletic event. Positioning data for the second wireless competition device is received via the wireless communication connection. The positioning data for the second wireless competition device characterizes a previous or real-time performance of the athletic event by the competitor. The received positioning data for the second wireless competition device is provided for display on the first wireless competition device relative to positioning data for the first wireless competition device, which characterizes a performance of the athletic event by a user thereof. Related methods and devices are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determination of thresholds for time-series data. Data is transformed by reducing outliers, dividing the time series data into discrete time intervals, and taking parts of the data corresponding to the range that the thresholds will bound. If data cycles are known, they may be applied to the data and the resulting sets are weighted. Thresholds are then derived from the weighted means and variances of the sets of weighted data.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device comprises (i) a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user, (ii) a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of a user and, in response thereto, to generate motion data, (iii) an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response thereto, to generate change in altitude data, and (iv) processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to: (a) calculate a change in elevation of the user using the motion data and the change in altitude data, and (b) a state of an avatar (which is a graphical representation of the user) using the motion data and/or the change in altitude data, and (vi) a display to output state of avatar data.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device comprising (i) a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user, (ii) a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of the user and, in response thereto, to generate motion data, (iii) an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to sample an altitude of the user in response to a sample signal, wherein, in response to sampling the altitude of the user, the altitude sensor generates change in altitude data, and (iv) processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to: generate the sample signal using the motion data, and calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the motion data and the change in altitude data.

Abstract: An exercise mode automatic identification method is provided. The automatic identification method includes the following steps. A step count taken by a user is obtained. A horizontal transient speed at which the user moves at the end of a predetermined period is obtained. The user's exercise mode is defined by a microprocessor according to the step count and the horizontal transient speed.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile apparatus including: a sensor configured to detect acceleration applied to the mobile apparatus and to generate a detection signal; a memory configured to record count data based on the detection signal, the count data associated with movement of the mobile apparatus; a counting module configured to count the number of user's steps based on the count data; a sound module configured to sound; and a counting control module configured to control the counting module to stop counting of the number of user's steps when the sound module starts sounding.

Abstract: A system for detecting the walk of a person has a housing (BT) with at least a biaxial movement sensor (CM). The housing is attached to the upper portion of the body of the person, so that a first measurement axis of the sensor (CM) coincides with the anteroposterior axis (AP) or the vertical axis (VT) of the body and so a second measurement axis of said sensor (CM) coincides with the mediolateral axis (ML) of the body. An analysis means (MA) analyzes the measurements delivered by the sensor (CM). The analysis means includes a processing means (MT) for processing over a time window the measurement signals delivered by the sensor (CM), which includes means for searching for a dominant frequency (MRFD) in said signals.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a change in walking speed of a person is provided. The system comprises a plurality of sensors disposed in various rooms of a structure. The system may also include a processor-based system that may receive signals representative of the motion and/or location of the person from the sensors. The system may establish and store a travel time for a path traveled by the person through the structure based on the signals representative of the motion and/or location of the person. The system may identify at least one path from among various travel paths traveled by the person through the structure as having a consistent travel time over a period of time. The system also identifies a change in the person's walking speed by identifying changes in the travel time for the at least one path traveled by the person through the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for reducing power consumption are provided. In a method for a pedometer function in a portable terminal, when acceleration determination data is less than a threshold, an acceleration determination data loading frequency is lowered to a lower limit frequency. Acceleration determination data are loaded according to the lower limit frequency. When the acceleration determination data loaded according to the lower limit frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold, an acceleration determination data loading frequency is raised to a determination frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting motion by a mobile device is provided. The mobile device determines whether motion is detected by a motion detector. The motion detection is sampled at a first sampling rate when no motion is detected for a specified time. The motion detection is sampled at a second sampling rate when motion is detected, wherein the second sampling rate is more frequent than the first sampling rate.

Abstract: A display system for exercise equipment in accordance with the present invention includes a processor, a memory, a metric sensor and a metric display. The memory in communication with the processor. The metric sensor operably coupled to the processor. The metric sensor senses an extent of a metric of a user of the exercise equipment. The metric display is operably coupled to the metric sensor and displays the user metric in a generally oscillating manner.