Step Cycle Acceleration Analysis for Walking Progress Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the progress of a moving person, such as those using inertia navigation, face challenges in accuracy and complexity, especially when dealing with slow locomotion like walking, and require multiple sensors and complex algorithms to compensate for gravitational forces, leading to high power consumption and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a single acceleration sensor to measure cyclic motion by determining step cycle-specific acceleration characteristics, calculating progress metrics like speed and distance without inclination compensation, using digital filtering and simple arithmetic, and integrating compass readings for route determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors (acceleration sensor and angular motion sensor) are used to compensate for gravitational force errors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the inclination compensation function from the sensor system. Instead of using multiple sensors to compensate for gravitational errors, the invention processes only the acceleration sensor signal through digital filtering to extract step cycle-specific characteristic accelerations, thereby removing the need for angular motion sensors and inclination compensation algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex multi-sensor systems with a simple, low-cost single acceleration sensor. The solution uses inexpensive digital filtering and characteristic acceleration extraction methods that consume minimal power, making the system suitable for low-cost fitness devices rather than expensive navigation equipment.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and complex algorithms are used for inclination compensation, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power-intensive inclination compensation algorithms and angular motion sensor processing. The solution extracts only the necessary step cycle-specific characteristic accelerations from the acceleration sensor signal using efficient digital filtering, eliminating unnecessary computational power consumption while maintaining adequate measurement precision for fitness applications.
3Measurement precision
If acceleration sensor signal is integrated over extended time periods, then measurement accuracy is improved, but error from sensor measuring errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acceleration sensor signal processing into discrete step cycles rather than integrating over extended periods. By identifying characteristic accelerations within each individual step cycle and using these segmented measurements to calculate progress, the system avoids cumulative error accumulation while maintaining measurement accuracy through periodic resetting at each step cycle boundary.
4Reliability
If step-by-step navigation with periodic cycles is used, then error accumulation is reduced, but measurement precision for slow locomotion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by extracting step cycle-specific characteristic accelerations that are tailored to each individual step cycle's properties rather than using uniform processing. This allows the system to adapt to varying locomotion speeds and patterns, maintaining measurement precision for slow walking by capturing the specific acceleration characteristics of each slow step while still providing periodic resetting to prevent error accumulation.
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 achieves precision comparable to advanced systems with reduced complexity, low power consumption, and lower costs, allowing for accurate measurement across various locomotion types without the need for multiple sensors or complex algorithms.
Implementation Method 1
measuring acceleration values of cyclic motion of locomotion of the moving person by means of an acceleration sensor
Implementation Method 2
obtaining compass readings from a magnetometer
Implementation Method 3
determining a step cycle-specific acceleration stage characteristic acceleration a+ as a mean value of a digitally filtered acceleration sensor signal a out
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to measuring devices to be used in physical measuring, and more particularly, to a method and a device for measuring the progress of a moving person. In the solution according to the invention the quantities describing the progress of the moving person are being calculated based on step cycle-specific acceleration stage characteristic accelerations a + and step cycle -specific braking stage characteristic acceleration a - obtained from acceleration values measured by means of an acceleration sensor, and on the measured time. The invention aims at providing a solution, better and simpler than prior solutions, for measuring the progress of a moving person, which solution is applicable for use in a multitude of measuring solutions for ways of locomotion of various types.