JP2009050368A - Swimming distance measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a swimming distance measuring apparatus capable of accurately calculating a present swimming distance by measuring the number of turning times and transmitting the information to a swimmer during swimming. <P>SOLUTION: This swimming distance measuring apparatus 100 for measuring the swimming distance of a swimmer based on the number of turning times includes an acceleration detecting means 13 for detecting an acceleration of a prescribed value or more and outputting a detection signal, and the number of turning times accumulation means 10, when the acceleration detection means 13 outputs the detection signal, adding 1 to the number of turning times of the swimmer and outputting it as the accumulated number of turning times. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a swimming amount measuring apparatus capable of measuring a distance swam.

For example, in a swimming pool, when swimming in a short waterway (25 m) or a long waterway (50 m), a swimmer generally counts the number of turns in order to grasp the distance of swimming.
However, it is not necessarily accurate that the swimmer himself swims while counting the number of turns because it depends on the memory ability of the swimmer.
In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a swimming volume measuring device that automatically measures the number of turns.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the swimming amount measuring apparatus 200 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is attached, for example, on a cap (FIG. 6A) covering the head of a swimmer 201 or on swimming trunks (FIG. 6B). .
In addition, the swimming amount measuring apparatus 200 includes a direction detecting unit that can detect the traveling direction of the swimmer 201. That is, since the swimming direction is reversed when the swimmer 201 turns, the number of turns is measured by detecting the traveling direction of the swimmer 201 by the direction detecting means.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-15296

  By the way, the direction detection means in the swimming amount measuring apparatus 200 disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines that the direction of travel is reversed when the direction of the magnetic lines of force around the swimmer can be detected or when the swimming speed decreases. It consists of acceleration detection means.

However, since the magnetic force line direction detection means disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects magnetic force lines such as geomagnetism, it is not guaranteed that accurate magnetic field lines can be detected in all pools, and the exact number of turns There was a possibility that it could not be measured.
In addition, by providing a magnetic field generating device that generates a magnetic field, it is possible to detect magnetic field lines with high accuracy, but there is a problem that the cost for capital investment increases.

  Moreover, in the acceleration detection means disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is determined that the traveling direction is reversed when the swimmer's swimming speed is reduced. For example, when the swimmer temporarily stops during swimming. In addition, there is a problem that the accurate number of turns cannot be measured because the traveling direction is erroneously determined to be reversed.

In addition, the swimming amount measuring device 200 disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a function of displaying the swimming amount (distance) on the display unit, but in order to know the swimming amount during swimming, each time It was necessary to stop swimming (stop) and check visually.
That is, there is a problem that the swimmer cannot know the current swimming amount while swimming.

  The present invention has been made under the circumstances as described above, and is a swimming amount measuring device that measures a swimmer's swimming distance, and accurately measures the number of turns and calculates the current swimming distance. An object of the present invention is to provide a swimming volume measuring device capable of transmitting the information to a swimmer who is swimming.

The swim amount measuring device according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is a swim amount measuring device that measures a swimmer's swim distance based on the number of turns, and detects an acceleration greater than or equal to a predetermined value to detect a swim signal. , And when the acceleration detection means outputs the detection signal, the number of turns of the swimmer is incremented by 1 and the number of turns is output as an integrated number of turns.
By configuring in this way, it is possible to accurately measure the number of turns without erroneously detecting, for example, a case where the speed drops due to stopping during swimming.

Further, the sound output means for reproducing the swimming amount information based on the accumulated turn number output by the turn number accumulation means by sound, the sound output means includes an earphone that can be worn on the ear of a swimmer, and the earphone includes the earphone It is desirable to have an audio signal supply means for supplying swimming amount information as an audio signal.
Thus, since it is the structure which outputs swimming amount (distance) information with an audio | voice, the information of the swimming amount (distance) at the present time can be transmitted to the swimmer who is swimming through an earphone.

In addition, a waterway selection unit that can select any one of at least two waterways set with different distances is provided, and the swimming amount information includes information based on a distance of the waterway selected by the waterway selection unit. It is desirable.
Thus, by including information based on the waterway distance in the swimming amount information, a specific swimming distance can be transmitted to the swimmer.

In addition, when the acceleration detection unit outputs the detection signal, the turn number integration unit determines that the number of turns based on the detection signal is less than or equal to a predetermined time when the previous detection signal is output. It is desirable not to add.
In this way, for example, after stopping in the middle of swimming, when swimming starts again and the acceleration suddenly increases, the number of turns can be accurately measured without erroneous detection as a turn.

In addition, it is preferable that the apparatus includes a casing having an ear hook that is hooked on a swimmer's ear, and the acceleration detection means is provided in the casing.
If comprised in this way, since the position of a casing will be substantially fixed in the state which the swimmer mounted the swimming amount measuring device, the position of an acceleration detection means is also fixed. For this reason, highly accurate acceleration detection can be made possible regardless of the swimmer wearing the swimming volume measuring device.

  According to the present invention, it is a swimming amount measuring apparatus for measuring a swimmer's swimming distance, accurately calculating the current swimming distance by measuring the number of turns, and transmitting the information to the swimmer who is swimming. It is possible to obtain a swimming volume measuring device that can perform this.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view (FIG. 1A) and a side view (FIG. 1B) of a swimming amount measuring apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the swimming amount measuring apparatus. FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which a swimmer wears the swim volume measuring device.

As shown in FIG. 3, this swimming amount measuring apparatus 100 is used by being attached to one ear of a swimmer 101 (in this example, for the left ear).
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the swimming volume measuring device 100 includes a waterproof earphone 1 that can be inserted into a swimmer's ear hole, and a waterproof ear-hook main body 2 connected to the waterproof earphone 1. Yes. The upper end portion (of the casing 20) of the ear hook main body 2 is a hook portion 2a (ear hook portion) that can be hooked on the swimmer's ear as shown in FIG. 2 is formed so as to be located on the back side of the ear (ear shell).

  A plurality of switches are provided on the casing 20 of the ear hook main body 2 as shown in FIG. 1B. For example, a power switch 3 for mainly turning the power on and off is provided at the top surface position of the casing 20, and the side surface of the casing 20 (the back side of the swimmer 101 in the mounted state) Are sequentially provided with an answer back button 4, a water channel selection switch 5, a rhythm speed adjustment switch 6, and a volume switch 7.

The power switch 3 and the answerback button 4 are button switches and are covered with waterproof rubber.
Further, since the water channel selection switch 5, the rhythm speed adjustment switch 6 and the volume switch 7 are rotary switches, they can be covered with a rubber cover 2b that can be opened and closed to prevent water from entering the inside. It has been.
Further, an LED 8 is provided near the power switch 3 at the top surface position of the ear hook main body 2 as shown in FIG. 2 so that the power on / off state can be easily visually confirmed.
The LED 8 is controlled to be lit when the power is turned on and turned off when the power is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a detachable battery lid 9 is provided at the lower side of the casing 20. The battery lid 9 is removed, a battery (for example, a button battery) is loaded therein, and the battery lid 9 is again engaged and closed, so that power can be supplied.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a battery remaining amount display unit 15 is provided on the side surface of the casing 20 to indicate the battery remaining amount by liquid crystal display.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the swimming volume measuring device 100.
The ear hook main body 2 includes a CPU 10 that performs calculation and control of a connected storage device and the like, and each device is connected to the CPU 10. That is, as shown in the figure, the CPU 10 includes a ROM 11 and a RAM 12 as storage means, an acceleration sensor 13 (acceleration detection means) that outputs a detection signal when a predetermined acceleration value is detected, and an amplifier 14 that amplifies the sound. The waterproof earphone 1 is connected.
Further, the power switch 3, the answer back button 4, the waterway selection switch 5, the rhythm speed adjustment switch 6, the volume switch 7 for the operator (swimmer) to operate, and the LED 8 for power on / off confirmation, A battery level display unit 15 for confirming the battery level is connected.

In the swimming amount measuring apparatus 100, the swimmer's turn is detected by the acceleration sensor 13. As shown in the graph of FIG. 5, when the acceleration sensor 13 detects a predetermined acceleration value P or more that is set in advance (S <b> 1 and S <b> 5 in FIG. 5), the acceleration sensor 13 outputs a detection signal to the CPU 10 (described later executed by the CPU 10). To the swimming volume measurement program.)
That is, the acceleration sensor 13 outputs a detection signal by detecting an instantaneous increase in acceleration when kicking a wall in a turn.
The acceleration sensor 13 is set to detect only positive acceleration at the start of swimming or after turn, and not to detect negative acceleration at the time of deceleration (that is, the acceleration in the negative direction is set as an absolute value). Not detected). By setting in such a manner, a detection signal is not output during deceleration before stopping in the middle of swimming (S2 in FIG. 5), deceleration before turning (S4 in FIG. 5), or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of a turn due to deceleration (negative acceleration).
Further, the acceleration sensor 13 is housed in the casing 20 of the ear hook main body 2, but the position of the casing 20 is substantially fixed in a state where the swimmer wears the swimming amount measuring device 100. The position of is also fixed. For this reason, highly accurate acceleration detection is enabled regardless of the swimmer wearing the swimming volume measuring device 100.

The ROM 11 stores a swimming amount measurement program. In this program executed by the CPU 10, when the detection signal of the acceleration sensor 13 is received, the number of turns of the swimmer is incremented by 1, and the accumulated number of turns is stored in the RAM 12. It is designed to memorize temporarily. That is, the turn number integrating means is constituted by the swimming amount measuring program and the CPU 10 or the like on which the program is executed.
In addition, as shown in S1 of FIG. 5, since the acceleration at the moment of kicking the wall (or diving board) at the start of swimming also exceeds the predetermined value P, the acceleration sensor 13 detects the detection signal (first detection signal). Is programmed so that it is not counted as an accumulated number of turns.

The swimming amount measurement program is activated when the power switch 3 is pressed for 3 seconds or more, for example, and the power is turned on.
The swimming amount measurement program is initially set to an initial setting mode when the power is turned on.
In this initial setting mode, the operator (swimmer) selects and sets the short channel (25 m) or the long channel (50 m) with the channel selection switch 5 (channel selection means), sets the volume with the volume switch 7, The rhythm speed can be set by checking the rhythm sound with the rhythm speed adjustment switch 6. The rhythm sound is a sound that is periodically reproduced from the earphone 1 after the swimmer starts swimming, and when this sound is heard during swimming, the swimming pace can be confirmed and the operation of the device can be confirmed. it can.
The set value (parameter) is used as a parameter in the swimming amount measurement program.

When the initial setting is completed and the power switch 3 is pressed again without long pressing, the swimming amount measurement value is reset and the turn count initial value (0 times) is set.
When the swimmer starts swimming after wearing the swim volume measuring device 100, the swim volume measuring program (functions as an audio signal supply means) reports the status of the swimmer's swim volume (swimming volume information) through the earphone 1. It is designed to communicate to swimmers.
As described above, the earphone 1, the swimming amount measurement program, the CPU 10 that executes this program, the amplifier 14, and the like constitute an audio output means.

  Note that the timing and content of this audio transmission will be played back after the reset, for example, “Selecting a long channel. Please start.” After the start, for example, “Start confirmed. Next is scheduled for 50m. Is programmed to play. "

Furthermore, when it turns at 50m (in the case of long waterway), it replays "I confirmed one turn. The next is 100m is scheduled", and then regenerates the number of turns and total distance by adding 50m for each turn. It is programmed to change the contents. Note that these basic dialogue data are recorded in advance in the ROM 11 as, for example, MP3 format audio data.
When the answer back button 4 is pressed, the program is programmed to play the previous playback content again. This function is an effective function when the swimmer confirms the swimming amount after finishing swimming.

Further, when the time interval between the start and the first detected turn and the time interval between the detected turns are shorter than a predetermined time (that is, immediately before the acceleration sensor 13 outputs a detection signal, In the case where the interval from the time when the detection signal is output is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value), it is programmed not to add to the number of integrated turns based on the detection signal. As a result, for example, even if it is detected that the acceleration (S3 in FIG. 5) that suddenly rises by stopping after restarting after stopping is halfway, it can be removed from the number of turns. Measurement is possible.
The predetermined time is set according to the distance of the water channel selected by the water channel selection switch 5.
Further, when the power switch 3 is pressed for 3 seconds or more with the power turned on, the power is turned off, and the swimming amount measurement program is thereby terminated.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the swimming amount measuring apparatus that measures the swimmer's swimming distance based on the number of turns, the acceleration sensor 13 determines the number of turns of the swimmer (total number of turns). When an acceleration greater than the value is detected and a detection signal is output, 1 is added.
In addition, when the acceleration sensor 13 outputs a detection signal, if the interval from the time when the previous detection signal was output is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time, the addition to the number of integrated turns based on the detection signal is not performed. Be controlled.
Thereby, for example, the number of turns can be accurately measured without erroneously detecting as a turn a case where the speed drops due to stopping during swimming, or a case where the acceleration suddenly increases after starting swimming again.
Further, since the swimming amount (distance) information is output by voice, information on the current swimming amount (distance) can be transmitted to the swimmer who is swimming through the earphone 1. In addition, when confirming the final swimming amount (distance) after the end of swimming, the previous swimming amount information is reproduced by voice by pressing the answer back button 4, so that it can be easily confirmed.

  The present invention relates to a swimming amount measuring apparatus capable of measuring a swimming distance, and is used by swimmers in educational facilities, sports swimming clubs, public pools, and the like, and can be manufactured by a swimming equipment manufacturer or the like.

FIG. 1 is a front view and a side view of a swimming amount measuring apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the swimming amount measuring apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the swimmer wears the swim amount measuring device of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of the swimming amount measuring apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the swimmer's acceleration and the threshold (predetermined value P) at which the acceleration sensor outputs a detection signal. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a swimmer is wearing a conventional swimming amount measuring device.

Explanation of symbols

1 Waterproof earphone (voice output means)
2 Ear hook body 2a Hook (ear hook)
2b Rubber cover 3 Power switch 4 Answer back button 5 Channel selection switch (channel selection means)
6 Rhythm speed adjustment switch 7 Volume switch 8 LED
9 Battery cover 10 CPU (Turn-count integration means, audio output means)
11 ROM
12 RAM
13 Acceleration sensor (acceleration detection means)
14 Amplifier (Audio output means)
15 Battery remaining amount display part 20 Casing 100 Swimming amount measuring device

Claims (5)

A swimming volume measuring device for measuring a swimmer's swimming distance based on the number of turns,
Acceleration detecting means for detecting an acceleration of a predetermined value or more and outputting a detection signal;
When the acceleration detection means outputs the detection signal, the swim amount measuring device comprises: a turn number integrating means for adding 1 to the number of turns of the swimmer and outputting it as an integrated turn number. Voice output means for reproducing swimming volume information based on the accumulated number of turns output by the turn number accumulation means by voice,
The audio output means is
The swimming volume measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising: an earphone that can be worn by a swimmer on an ear; and an audio signal supply unit that supplies the earphone with the swimming volume information as an audio signal. A channel selection means that can select any one of at least two channels set at different distances;
The swimming amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the swimming amount information includes information based on a distance of a water channel selected by the water channel selecting unit. The turn number integrating means is
When the acceleration detection means outputs the detection signal, if the interval from the time when the previous detection signal was output is equal to or less than a predetermined time, the addition to the number of integrated turns based on the detection signal is not performed. The swimming volume measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A casing having an ear hook that hooks on the swimmer's ear;
The swimming amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration detecting means is provided in the casing.

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