Step Counting Device Left Right Step Differentiation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current step counting technologies in portable electronic devices face challenges in distinguishing between left and right steps, leading to lower accuracy and increased computation and storage requirements due to continuous data detection.

Innovation Solution

A step counting device and method that uses a motion detection circuit, storage circuit, and processing circuit to detect body movement, approximate key data points, and identify periodic waveform sections, allowing for accurate differentiation between left and right steps by accumulating step groups with smaller error values in waveform parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous detection is performed to count steps, then step counting function is achieved, but storage requirement and computation amount increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestep counting accuracyVSAvoiddata amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential features from the continuous detection data by identifying and storing only key data points (turning points) rather than storing the entire detection signal. This extraction approach maintains the necessary information for accurate step counting while dramatically reducing the quantity of data that needs to be stored and processed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the continuous detection signal into discrete key data points representing turning points. By dividing the continuous data into these significant segments, the system retains the essential waveform information needed for step detection while reducing the overall data volume for storage and computation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If continuous detection is performed to count steps, then step counting function is achieved, but computation amount increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestep counting accuracyVSAvoidcomputation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential features from the continuous detection data by identifying and storing only key data points (turning points) rather than storing the entire detection signal. This extraction approach maintains the necessary information for accurate step counting while dramatically reducing the quantity of data that needs to be stored and processed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the continuous detection signal into discrete key data points representing turning points. By dividing the continuous data into these significant segments, the system retains the essential waveform information needed for step detection while reducing the overall data volume for storage and computation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If current step counting technology is used, then basic step counting is achieved, but ability to distinguish left and right steps is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestep differentiation accuracyVSAvoiddetection algorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the asymmetric characteristics of left and right step waveforms in the detection signal. By analyzing the symmetry or asymmetry of waveform patterns around key data points, the system can distinguish between left and right steps without requiring complex additional sensors or algorithms, thereby improving differentiation accuracy while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces storage and computation needs while enhancing step counting accuracy by filtering out non-normal walking behaviors and avoiding misjudgment from uneven step weight distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a motion detection circuit, a storage circuit and a processing circuit. The motion detection circuit is configured to detect a body movement to generate a detection signal accordingly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11408909B2Step counting device and method

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a step counting device that includes a motion detection circuit, a storage circuit and a processing circuit. The motion detection circuit detects a body movement to generate a detection signal. The processing circuit executes computer executable commands to execute the steps outlined below. The detection signal is received from the motion detection circuit. Key data points from the detection signal and representing a simplified waveform are approximated and stored in the storage circuit, each corresponding to a turning data point within a predetermined time period of the detection signal. Periodic waveform sections in the simplified waveform are identified, wherein an error value of waveform parameters between each two of the periodic waveform sections is smaller than a predetermined value. A step group count including a left step and a right step corresponding to each of the periodic waveform sections is accumulated.