JP5826120B2 - Gait measuring device, method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a device for measuring a gait of a person such as a walking tempo, regularity, left / right balance, etc., and a gait measuring method and program used in this device.

  As a method for measuring a human's gait, a method has been proposed in which an accelerometer is attached to the human body to measure the acceleration generated during walking, and the gait is calculated based on the measured acceleration value (for example, (See Patent Document 1). When this method is used, a small and inexpensive apparatus can be provided. However, the acceleration data alone cannot grasp what terrain the user is walking on, and it is difficult to accurately obtain gait information.

  On the other hand, a technique has been proposed in which a mobile terminal measures altitude together with position information using a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor and performs route guidance based on the measured position information and altitude (for example, a patent) Reference 1). If this technique is applied, there is a possibility that gait information can be obtained in consideration of the terrain where the user is walking.

JP 2003-219474 A

Minoru Yamada et al., “Evaluation of Gait Abnormality Using Trunk Sensation Acceleration Derived Gait Index”, Physical Therapy, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 14-21 2006

  However, the accuracy of altitude information obtained by a GPS sensor is generally low. This problem is particularly noticeable when signals from a plurality of GPS satellites cannot be received. It is also conceivable to acquire information representing the topography of the walking position with reference to map information based on the latitude and longitude measured by the GPS sensor. However, the altitude information described in general-purpose map information is not very accurate, and if you try to obtain high-precision altitude information from map information, the amount of map information becomes extremely large and difficult to handle on the terminal It becomes. In addition, since these techniques rely on GPS sensors, they cannot be used in places where GPS signals cannot be received, such as indoors of buildings.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and its object is to make it possible to determine the terrain without relying on GPS sensors or precise map information, thereby simplifying gait information reflecting the terrain. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gait measuring device, method and program which can be obtained accurately.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, acceleration of a user's walking motion is measured for each preset unit measurement period to obtain acceleration data representing the measurement result, and the user's walking The atmospheric pressure at the place is measured, and the altitude difference of the route on which the user walks is calculated based on the measurement data of the atmospheric pressure. Then, for each unit measurement period, gait information representing the characteristics of the user's walking motion is calculated based on the obtained acceleration data, and the user's moving distance is calculated based on the obtained acceleration data. The terrain of the route on which the user walks is determined from the calculated travel distance and the calculated altitude difference, and based on the calculated gait information and the determined terrain information. Generate gait information by terrain . Further, for each unit measurement period, the calculated gait information and the atmospheric pressure measurement data obtained during the period are stored in the storage unit in association with each other so that they can be referred to. is there.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gait measuring device including a measurement terminal possessed by a user and a gait management server that performs data transmission between the measurement terminal and a network. An acceleration measurement unit that measures acceleration of a user's walking motion and obtains acceleration data representing the measurement result for each unit measurement period set in advance in the measurement terminal, and the user's walking location for each unit measurement period An atmospheric pressure measurement unit that measures atmospheric pressure in the air pressure and obtains atmospheric pressure measurement data representing the measurement result, and an altitude difference calculation means that calculates an altitude difference of the route on which the user walks based on the obtained atmospheric pressure measurement data, acceleration data obtained by the acceleration measuring means, and the data representing the altitude difference calculated by the altitude difference calculation means, for transmitting to said gait management server via the network Comprising a signal portion, and the above gait management server, and a receiver for receiving data representative of the acceleration data and the altitude difference transmitted from the measurement terminal on the basis of the acceleration data the received, the unit measurement Based on gait information calculation means for calculating gait information representing the characteristics of the user's walking motion for each period and the received acceleration data, the moving distance of the user for each unit measurement period is calculated. The terrain determination means for determining the terrain of the route the user has walked on the basis of the calculated distance traveled and the received altitude difference information, and the gait calculated by the gait information calculation means. Means for generating gait information for each terrain based on the gait information and the terrain information determined by the terrain determining means, the gait information calculated for each unit measurement period, and Before obtained in period A pressure measurement data, in association with each other in order to allow the reference is obtained by such and means for storing in the storage unit.

Furthermore, a third aspect of the present invention is a gait measurement device comprising a measurement terminal possessed by a user and a gait management server that performs data transmission between the measurement terminal and a network. An acceleration measurement unit that measures acceleration of a user's walking motion and obtains acceleration data representing the measurement result for each unit measurement period set in advance in the measurement terminal, and the user's walking location for each unit measurement period An atmospheric pressure measurement unit that measures atmospheric pressure in the system and obtains atmospheric pressure measurement data representing the measurement result; and an altitude difference calculation means that calculates an altitude difference of the route on which the user walks based on the obtained atmospheric pressure measurement data; basis based on the acceleration data obtained above, the gait information calculating means for calculating a gait information representing characteristics of the walking motion of the user for each of the unit measurement period, the acceleration data obtained above , Calculates the moving distance of the user for each said unit measurement period, on the basis of the information representative of the altitude difference, which is the moving distance and the calculated this calculated terrain determines terrain route which the user walks and determining means, gait information calculated by the gait information calculation unit, and the information of the terrain is determined by the topography determination unit, a transmission unit for transmitting to said gait management server via the network, the A unit that stores the calculated gait information and the measurement data of the atmospheric pressure obtained during the period in a storage unit in association with each other so that the unit can be referred to, for each unit measurement period, the volume management server, a receiver for receiving the transmitted information on the gait data, and terrain from the measurement terminal on the basis of the information of the received gait information and terrain, the terrain-specific gait information Means to generate and It is obtained by way provided.

  Therefore, according to the first, second and third aspects of the present invention, since the topography of the route on which the user has walked is determined based on the calculated altitude difference based on the change in atmospheric pressure and the movement distance, It becomes possible to determine the terrain without relying on a GPS sensor or precise map information, thereby making it possible to easily and accurately obtain gait data reflecting the terrain. In addition, it is possible to determine the topography even indoors where GPS signals cannot be received.

  Further, according to the second aspect, the measurement terminal only performs acceleration measurement processing and altitude difference calculation processing based on atmospheric pressure, and gait data calculation processing and gait statistical information calculation processing are gait management. Done at the server. For this reason, the processing load of the measurement terminal is reduced, and thereby the battery life of the measurement terminal can be extended.

  Furthermore, according to the third aspect, all processes from the acceleration measurement and the altitude difference calculation process based on the atmospheric pressure to the gait data calculation process and the gait statistical information calculation process are executed in the measurement terminal. Can do. Therefore, for example, even when the measurement terminal exists in an environment where communication with the gait management server cannot be performed, the user can check his / her gait statistical information on his / her measurement terminal.

Further, according to the first, second and third aspects of the present invention, when determining the terrain, the inclination angle and the ascending / descending direction with respect to the walking direction are determined based on the calculated moving distance and the information indicating the altitude difference. And determining whether the topography corresponds to one of a flat ground, an uphill, a downhill, an upstairs, and a downstairs based on these determination results.
In this way, the terrain can be classified relatively easily.

  That is, according to the present invention, there is provided a gait measuring apparatus, method and program capable of determining terrain without depending on GPS sensors and map information, and thereby easily and accurately obtaining gait information reflecting the terrain. can do.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the gait measuring apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal of the gait measuring device shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the gait management server of the gait measuring apparatus shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure and process content of the gait measurement process by the portable terminal shown in FIG. The figure which shows the 1st example of the gait statistical information calculated by the gait management server shown in FIG. The figure which shows the 2nd example of the gait statistical information calculated by the gait management server shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal of the gait measuring device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the gait management server of the gait measuring apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a gait measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This gait measuring device includes a portable terminal UT having a function as a measuring terminal possessed by a user U to be measured, and a gait management server SV. These portable terminal UTa and gait management server SVa Data communication is possible between the two via the network NW.

  The network NW is composed of, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) network represented by the Internet and a plurality of access networks for accessing the IP network. As the access network, a 3G mobile phone network, a wireless local area network (LAN), or the like is used.

By the way, the portable terminal UTa has the following functions. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration.
The mobile terminal UTa is made of a smart phone, for example, and includes a control unit 1a, a storage unit 2a, and a wireless unit 3, and further includes an acceleration sensor 4, an atmospheric pressure sensor 5, and a display device 6. The wireless unit 3 is connected to a base station such as an access point provided in the network NW, and performs wireless data communication from the base station to the gait management server SV via the IP network. The display device 6 uses, for example, liquid crystal or organic EL, and is used to display display data representing gait information and the like output from the control unit 1a.

  The acceleration sensor 4 comprises a triaxial acceleration sensor, measures the acceleration of each of the three axes at a constant measurement cycle, digitizes the measurement signal, and outputs the digitized signal to the control unit 1a. The atmospheric pressure sensor 5 measures the atmospheric pressure at a constant measurement cycle, digitizes the measurement signal, and outputs it to the control unit 1a.

  The storage unit 2a uses a non-volatile memory that can be written and read at any time, such as a NAND flash memory. The storage unit 2a is an acceleration data storage unit 21 as a storage area necessary for realizing the first embodiment of the present invention. And an altitude difference data storage unit 22. The acceleration data storage unit 21 is used to store acceleration data obtained by the acceleration measurement unit 11 described later. The altitude difference data storage unit 22 is used to store data representing the altitude difference calculated by the altitude difference calculation unit 12 described later.

  The control unit 1a has a central processing unit (CPU). As control functions necessary for realizing the first embodiment of the present invention, an accelerometer side unit 11, an altitude difference calculation unit 12, and a gait calculation are provided. Unit 13 and a gait data transmission unit 14. These control function units are realized by causing the CPU to execute application programs stored in a program memory (not shown).

  The accelerometer side unit 11 takes in the acceleration detection data for each of the three axes from the acceleration sensor 4 at a constant period in a preset unit measurement period, and stores the fetched acceleration data in association with information representing the measurement time. A process of sequentially storing in the acceleration data storage unit 21 of the unit 2a is performed. The unit measurement cycle is set to continuously measure for a fixed time (10 seconds) at a time interval of 20 msec, that is, a sampling rate of 50 Hz, for example.

  The altitude difference calculation unit 12 captures atmospheric pressure measurement data from the atmospheric pressure sensor 5 at the start timing and end timing for each unit measurement period, and based on the captured amount of change in the atmospheric pressure, The altitude difference of the route traveled by the user U is calculated. Then, a process of storing the data representing the calculated altitude difference in the altitude difference data storage unit 22 in association with the date / time information representing the unit measurement period is performed. The atmospheric pressure is measured a plurality of times at regular time intervals within the unit measurement period, and the highest value and the lowest value among these measured values are selected and the altitude difference is calculated based on the difference. You may do it.

The gait calculator 13 has the following processing functions.
(1) The moving distance of the user U is calculated by second-order integration of the acceleration data stored in the acceleration data storage unit 21 for each unit measurement period, and the calculated moving distance and the altitude difference data storage unit The process of determining the topography of the route on which the user U has walked based on the altitude difference stored in 22.
(2) A process of calculating gait data representing the characteristics of the walking motion of the user U based on the acceleration data stored in the acceleration data storage unit 21 for each unit measurement period.
(3) The data representing the topography determined in (1) above and the gait data calculated in (2) above are stored in a gait data storage unit (not shown) in association with information representing the date and time of the unit measurement period. To do.

  The gait data includes, for example, frequency analysis by fast Fourier transform, autocorrelation analysis, RMS (Root Mean Square) value calculation, integral value for acceleration measurement values in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions. It is calculated by performing each calculation process. However, in addition to these processes, if there is a calculation process for quantitatively expressing the characteristics of the gait, it may be added to or replaced with the above process.

  In order to accurately measure the movement of the body of the user U during walking, the acceleration sensor 4 is preferably attached to the center of gravity of the body of the user U, for example, the lumbar region. You may attach in another position without restricting.

  The gait data transmission unit 14 reads untransmitted gait data and altitude difference data from the gait data storage unit periodically or at an arbitrary timing, and reads the read gait data and altitude difference data from the wireless unit 3. Processing to transmit to the gait management server SVa is performed. The gait data may be transmitted to the gait management server SV each time gait data in the measurement period is calculated.

On the other hand, the gait management server SVa has the following functions. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration.
That is, the gait management server SVa includes a control unit 7a, a storage unit 8a, and a communication unit 9. The communication unit 9 performs data communication with the mobile terminal UTa via the network NW.

  The storage unit 8 includes a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD. As a storage area necessary for carrying out the first embodiment of the present invention, a gait data storage unit 81 and gait statistical information are provided. A storage unit 82 is provided. The gait data storage unit 81 is used for storing gait data received by a gait data reception processing unit 71 described later. The gait statistical information storage unit 82 is used to store the gait statistical information calculated by the gait statistical information calculation unit 72 described later.

  The control unit 7a is composed of a computer, and includes a gait data reception processing unit 71 and a gait statistical information calculation unit 72 as control functions necessary for carrying out the first embodiment of the present invention. These processing functions are realized by causing the computer to execute application programs stored in a program memory (not shown).

  Each time gait data and altitude difference data are transmitted from the mobile terminal UTa, the gait data reception processing unit 71 receives the gait data and altitude difference data via the communication unit 9 and receives the received gait. The data and the altitude difference data are stored in the gait data storage unit 81 in association with the identification information (terminal ID or user ID) of the user U who is the portable terminal UTa of the transmission source or the user.

  Based on the user's gait data and altitude difference data stored in the gait data storage unit 81, the gait statistical information calculation unit 72, for example, information representing the number of steps and walking time for each date by terrain, A process of generating a walking tempo, regularity, a change in right / left balance, and the like for each terrain and storing them in the gait statistics information storage unit 82 as gait statistics information is performed.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the gait measuring device configured as described above will be described.
In the mobile terminal UTa, the gait data measurement operation is executed as follows. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure and processing contents.
That is, in the portable terminal UTa, first, the accelerometer side unit 11 is activated in step S1, and under the control of the acceleration measurement unit 11, the acceleration detection data for each of the three axes is transmitted from the acceleration sensor 4 at a constant cycle (for example, 20 msec). Is acquired, and the acquired acceleration data for each of the three axes is sequentially stored in the acceleration data storage unit 21 in association with information representing the measurement timing. This acceleration data acquisition / accumulation process is repeatedly executed until a preset unit measurement period (for example, 10 seconds) elapses.

  In step S2, the altitude difference calculation unit 12 is activated, and under the control of the altitude difference calculation unit 12, the data of the atmospheric pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure sensor 5 at a constant period in the unit measurement period is captured. The taken atmospheric pressure measurement data is stored in a not-shown atmospheric pressure data storage unit in association with date and time information representing the measurement timing.

  When the elapse of the unit measurement period is detected in step S3, the altitude difference calculation unit 12 is activated again in step S4, and the start timing and end of the unit measurement period are controlled under the control of the altitude difference calculation unit 12. The pressure data measured at each timing is read from the pressure data storage unit, and the difference between these pressures, that is, the amount of change is calculated. Then, based on the calculated amount of change in atmospheric pressure, the altitude difference of the route traveled by the user U during the unit measurement period is calculated. The calculated altitude difference data is stored in the altitude difference data storage unit 22 in association with the date / time information representing the unit measurement period.

Next, the gait calculation unit 13 is activated, and the gait calculation unit 13 performs the following gait calculation process. That is, first in step S5, acceleration data measured during the unit measurement period is read from the acceleration data storage unit 21, and the moving distance of the user U is calculated by second-order integration of the read acceleration data. The Subsequently, in step S6, from the calculated travel distance and the altitude difference stored in the altitude difference data storage unit 22, the inclination angle of the route on which the user U walked and the up / down with respect to the walking direction are determined, Based on the inclination angle and the up / down determination result, the topography of the route on which the user U has walked is determined.

  For example, if the inclination angle is less than 5 degrees, it is determined as “flat ground”. If the inclination angle is 5 degrees or more and less than 20 degrees, it is determined as “slope”, and if the inclination angle is 20 degrees or more, it is determined as “stairs”. Of these, “Slope” and “Staircase” are further determined as “Uphill”, “Downhill”, “Upstairs”, and “Downstairs” based on the up / down judgment results for the walking direction. Is done.

Next, in step S7, gait data representing the features of the walking motion of the user U is calculated as follows based on the acceleration data stored in the acceleration data storage unit 21 for each unit measurement period. . That is, acceleration measurement values in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions are read from the acceleration data storage unit 21 at each measurement time, and frequency analysis by fast Fourier transform is performed on the read acceleration measurement values. Data analysis processing such as autocorrelation analysis, RMS (Root Mean Square) value calculation, and integral value calculation is executed. The content of the gait data calculation process is described in detail in Non-Patent Document 1.
The data representing the determined topography and the calculated gait data are stored in a gait data storage unit (not shown) in association with information representing the date and time of the unit measurement period.

  Finally, in the mobile terminal UT, when the transmission timing comes, the gait data transmission unit 14 is activated in step S8, and under the control of the gait data transmission unit 14, gait data that has not been transmitted from the gait data storage unit is transmitted. It is read out and transmitted from the wireless unit 3 to the gait management server SVa.

  On the other hand, when the gait data is transmitted from the mobile terminal UT, the gait management server SVa performs the gait data reception process under the control of the gait data reception processing unit 71. The received gait data is stored in the gait data storage unit 81 in association with the terminal ID of the transmission source mobile terminal UTa or the user ID of the user U who is the owner.

  Next, when the gait data is stored in the gait data storage unit 81 for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of days, the gait statistical information calculation unit 72 stores the predetermined period stored in the gait data storage unit 81. Based on the minute gait data, for each user, for example, statistical data representing the number of steps or walking time for each terrain is generated for each date, and stored in the gait statistical information storage unit 82.

  An example is shown in FIG. By generating such statistical information, the user U can grasp how long he / she walked every day and what kind of terrain he / she walked. In FIG. 5, the walking time is shown on the vertical axis, but the walking distance may be shown. The walking distance may be calculated from the number of steps and the step length, but when the mobile terminal UTa has a position measurement function using GPS, it is calculated from the position information and time obtained by this position measurement function. You may do it.

  Further, the gait statistical information calculation unit 72 calculates values representing the regularity, the walking tempo, and the left / right balance according to the terrain based on the gait data, and the calculated values of the respective indexes are converted into a triaxial space. The represented data may be generated. FIG. 6 shows an example. By generating such statistical information, the user U can check while comparing changes in features of each terrain.

  The statistical information stored in the gait statistical information storage unit 82 is, for example, information relating to a corresponding user is selectively read in response to a browsing request from the mobile terminal UTa, and the requesting mobile terminal UTa is transmitted from the communication unit 9. Sent to. In the mobile terminal UTa, the statistical information sent from the gait management server SVa is displayed on the display device 6 under the control of the Web browser. In the portable terminal UTa, the gait data calculated by the gait calculation unit 13 can be displayed on the display device 6. The statistical information stored in the gait statistical information storage unit 82 is also read out when a browsing request is sent from a terminal such as a family member, an exercise trainer, or a medical staff who is permitted to browse in advance by the user. Can be sent.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
As described above in detail, in the first embodiment, in the mobile terminal UTa, the acceleration measurement unit 11 measures acceleration data of the movement of the user U, and the altitude difference calculation unit 12 calculates the change in atmospheric pressure during walking. The difference in altitude in U's walking route is calculated. Then, based on the measured acceleration data, gait data representing the characteristics of the walking motion of the user U is calculated, and the moving distance of the user U is calculated by second-order integration of the acceleration data. Based on the distance and the altitude difference, the topography of the route on which the user U has walked is determined. Then, the gait data including the determined terrain data is transmitted to the gait management server SVa. The gait management server SVa generates gait statistical information representing gait data reflecting the terrain based on the gait data including the sent terrain data.

  Therefore, since the topography of the route on which the user U has walked is determined based on the calculated altitude difference based on the change in atmospheric pressure and the movement distance, the topography can be determined without relying on GPS sensors or precise map information. Thus, it becomes possible to easily and accurately obtain gait data reflecting the topography. In addition, it is possible to determine the topography even indoors where GPS signals cannot be received.

  In addition, by generating statistical information of gait data that takes into account the topography, it becomes possible to grasp a more detailed gait. For example, it is possible to accurately calculate the calorie consumption, and it is possible to confirm changes in the way of walking for each terrain, confirm the physical condition of the day, select an optimal walking route, and the like.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment of the present invention, a mobile terminal is further provided with a gait statistical information calculation function in addition to an acceleration calculation function, an altitude difference measurement function, and a gait calculation function.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal UTb which is a main part of the gait measuring device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The storage unit 2b of the portable terminal UTb includes a walking statistical information storage unit 23 in addition to the acceleration data storage unit 21 and the altitude difference data storage unit 22. The walking statistic information storage unit 23 is used for storing gait statistical information calculated by a gait statistical information calculation unit 15 described later.

The control unit 1b includes accelerometer measuring unit 11, the altitude difference calculation section 12, in addition to the gait calculation unit 13, and a gait statistical information calculation section 15. The gait statistical information calculation unit 15 calculates, for example, the number of steps for each date based on the gait data and altitude difference data which are calculated by the gait calculation unit 13 and stored in a gait data storage unit (not shown). And information indicating the walking time for each terrain, walking tempo, regularity, left-right balance change, etc. are generated for each terrain, and these are stored in the gait statistics information storage unit 23 as gait statistics information.

  With such a configuration, the mobile terminal UTb can execute all processes from acceleration measurement and altitude difference calculation processing based on atmospheric pressure to gait data calculation processing and gait statistical information calculation processing. it can. Therefore, even when the user U cannot use the gait management server SVa, for example, even when the mobile terminal UTb performs a walking exercise in an environment where communication with the gait management server SVa cannot be performed, The terminal UTb can check its own gait statistical information.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment of the present invention, only the acceleration data measurement function and the altitude difference data calculation function are provided in the portable terminal, and the acceleration data and altitude difference data obtained by these functions are sent to the gait management server. The gait calculation server and the gait statistical information calculation function are provided in the gait management server, and gait data calculation processing and gait statistical information generation are performed based on the transmitted acceleration data and altitude difference data. Processing is performed.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gait management server SVb which is a main part of a gait measuring device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.
In the figure, the storage unit 8 b includes a measurement data storage unit 83 in addition to a gait data storage unit 81 and a gait statistical information storage unit 82. The measurement data storage unit 83 is used to store acceleration data and altitude difference data received by a measurement data receiving unit 73 described later.

  The control unit 7 b includes a measurement data receiving unit 73, a gait calculation unit 74, and a gait statistical information calculation unit 72. The measurement data receiving unit 73 receives the acceleration data and the altitude difference data transmitted from the mobile terminal by the communication unit 9, and associates the received acceleration data and altitude difference data with the user ID of the transmission source to obtain the measurement data. Processing to be stored in the storage unit 83 is performed.

The gait calculator 74 has the following processing functions.
(1) For each unit measurement period, the travel distance of the user U is calculated by second-order integration of the acceleration data stored in the measurement data storage unit 83, and the calculated travel distance and the measurement data storage unit 83 are stored in the measurement data storage unit 83. A process of determining the topography of the route on which the user U has walked based on the stored altitude difference.
(2) A process of calculating gait data representing the characteristics of the walking motion of the user U based on the acceleration data stored in the measurement data storage unit 83 for each unit measurement period.
(3) The data representing the topography determined in (1) above and the gait data calculated in (2) above are stored in the gait data storage unit 81 in association with information representing the date and time of the unit measurement period. processing.

  Note that the gait data is the same as in the first embodiment described above, for example, for each acceleration measurement value in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions, frequency analysis by fast Fourier transform, autocorrelation analysis, It is calculated by performing RMS (Root Mean Square) value calculation and integral value calculation processing. However, in addition to these processes, if there is a calculation process for quantitatively expressing the characteristics of the gait, it may be added to or replaced with the above process.

  Based on the user's gait data and altitude difference data stored in the gait data storage unit 81, the gait statistical information calculation unit 72, for example, information representing the number of steps and walking time for each date by terrain, A process of generating a walking tempo, regularity, a change in right / left balance, and the like for each terrain and storing them in the gait statistics information storage unit 82 as gait statistics information is performed.

  With such a configuration, the mobile terminal only performs acceleration measurement processing and altitude difference calculation processing based on atmospheric pressure, and the gait data calculation processing and gait statistical information calculation processing are performed in the gait management server SVb. Done in For this reason, the processing load of the mobile terminal is reduced, and thereby the battery life of the mobile terminal can be extended.

[Other Embodiments]
In certain types of arthritis, it is known that the range of motion of the joint, swelling, and pain are closely related to atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it is preferable to store the gait data and the atmospheric pressure measured during the unit measurement period in association with each other so that the data can be referred to. If it does in this way, it will become possible to analyze the influence of atmospheric pressure on a user's walking motion, and it will become possible to change a walk course and walk time by the atmospheric pressure of the day.

  In addition, acceleration detection means, movement distance calculation means, barometric pressure measurement means, gait data calculation method, gait statistical information calculation method, measurement terminal type and configuration, etc. do not depart from the gist of the present invention. Various modifications can be made within the range.

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

  U ... user, UTa, UTb ... portable terminal, SVa, SVb ... gait management server, NW ... network, 1a, 1b, 7a, 7b ... control unit, 2a, 2b, 8a, 8b ... storage unit, 3 ... wireless unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Acceleration sensor 5 ... Barometric pressure sensor 6 ... Display device 9 ... Communication unit 11 ... Accelerometer side part 12 ... Altitude difference calculation part 13, 74 ... Gait calculation part 14 ... Gait data transmission 15, 72 ... Gait statistics information calculation unit, 21 ... Acceleration data storage unit, 22 ... Altitude difference data storage unit, 23, 82 ... Gait statistics information storage unit, 81 ... Gait data storage unit, 83 ... Measurement Data storage unit.

Claims (7)

For each unit measurement period set in advance, an acceleration measurement unit that measures acceleration of a user's walking motion and obtains acceleration data representing the measurement result;
For each unit measurement period , an atmospheric pressure measurement unit that obtains atmospheric pressure measurement data representing the measurement result by measuring the atmospheric pressure at the user's walking place;
Altitude difference calculating means for calculating an altitude difference of a route on which the user has walked based on the obtained barometric pressure measurement data;
Gait information calculating means for calculating gait information representing the characteristics of the user's walking motion based on the acceleration data obtained by the acceleration measuring means for each unit measurement period;
For each unit measurement period, the moving distance of the user is calculated based on the acceleration data obtained by the acceleration measuring means, and the calculated moving distance and the altitude difference calculated by the altitude difference calculating means are calculated. Based on the terrain determination means for determining the terrain of the route the user has walked,
Means for generating gait information for each terrain based on the gait information calculated by the gait information calculation means and the terrain information determined by the terrain determination means ;
Means for storing the calculated gait information and the barometric pressure measurement data obtained during the period in the storage unit in association with each other so that they can be referred to for each unit measurement period. A gait measuring device comprising the gait measuring device. A gait measuring device comprising a measuring terminal possessed by a user and a gait management server for performing data transmission between the measuring terminal via a network,
The measuring terminal is
For each unit measurement period set in advance, an acceleration measurement unit that measures acceleration of a user's walking motion and obtains acceleration data representing the measurement result;
For each unit measurement period , an atmospheric pressure measurement unit that obtains atmospheric pressure measurement data representing the measurement result by measuring the atmospheric pressure at the user's walking place ;
Altitude difference calculating means for calculating an altitude difference of a route on which the user has walked based on the obtained barometric pressure measurement data;
A transmission unit for transmitting the acceleration data obtained by the acceleration measuring unit and the data representing the altitude difference calculated by the altitude difference calculating unit to the gait management server via the network;
The gait management server
A receiving unit that receives acceleration data and data representing an altitude difference transmitted from the measurement terminal;
Based on the received acceleration data, gait information calculation means for calculating gait information representing the characteristics of the user's walking motion for each unit measurement period;
Based on the received acceleration data, the moving distance of the user for each unit measurement period is calculated, and based on the calculated moving distance and the information indicating the received altitude difference, the user Terrain determination means for determining the terrain of the route on which the
Means for generating gait information for each terrain based on the gait information calculated by the gait information calculation means and the terrain information determined by the terrain determination means ;
Means for storing the calculated gait information and the measurement data of the atmospheric pressure obtained during the unit period in the storage unit in association with each other so as to be able to be referred to for each unit measurement period. A gait measuring device comprising: A gait measuring device comprising a measuring terminal possessed by a user and a gait management server for performing data transmission between the measuring terminal via a network,
The measuring terminal is
For each unit measurement period set in advance, an acceleration measurement unit that measures acceleration of a user's walking motion and obtains acceleration data representing the measurement result;
For each unit measurement period , an atmospheric pressure measurement unit that obtains atmospheric pressure measurement data representing the measurement result by measuring the atmospheric pressure at the user's walking place ;
Altitude difference calculating means for calculating an altitude difference of a route on which the user has walked based on the obtained barometric pressure measurement data;
Based on the obtained acceleration data, gait information calculating means for calculating gait information representing the characteristics of the user's walking motion for each unit measurement period;
Based on the obtained acceleration data, the movement distance of the user for each unit measurement period is calculated, and based on the calculated movement distance and the information indicating the calculated altitude difference, the user Terrain determination means for determining the terrain of the route on which the
A transmitter that transmits the gait information calculated by the gait information calculation means and the terrain information determined by the terrain determination means to the gait management server via the network ;
Means for storing the calculated gait information and the measurement data of the atmospheric pressure obtained during the unit period in the storage unit in association with each other so as to be able to be referred to for each unit measurement period. With
The gait management server
A receiving unit for receiving gait information and terrain information transmitted from the measurement terminal;
A gait measuring device comprising: means for generating gait information for each terrain based on the received gait information and terrain information.   The terrain judging means judges the inclination angle and the ascending / descending direction with respect to the walking direction based on the calculated movement distance and the information indicating the altitude difference, and based on these judgment results, the terrain is flat and uphill. The gait measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the gait measuring device determines whether any one of a downhill, an uphill staircase, and a downstairs is appropriate. A gait measuring method executed by a gait measuring device,
For each unit measurement period set in advance, a process of measuring acceleration of a user's walking motion and obtaining acceleration data representing the measurement result;
For each unit measurement period, measuring the atmospheric pressure at the user's walking location, calculating the altitude difference of the route the user has walked based on the measurement data of the atmospheric pressure,
For each unit measurement period, calculating gait information representing the characteristics of the user's walking motion based on the obtained acceleration data;
For each unit measurement period, the moving distance of the user is calculated based on the obtained acceleration data, and the user walks based on the calculated moving distance and the calculated altitude difference. The process of determining the terrain of the route,
Generating gait information for each terrain based on the calculated gait information and the determined terrain information ;
A step of storing the calculated gait information and the measurement data of the atmospheric pressure obtained in the period in the storage unit in association with each other so as to be referred to for each unit measurement period. A gait measuring method comprising:   The step of determining the terrain is to determine the up / down with respect to the inclination angle and the walking direction based on the calculated distance traveled and information representing the altitude difference, and based on these determination results, the terrain is flat, 6. The gait measuring method according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether any one of an uphill, a downhill, an upstairs, and a downstairs is applicable.   The program which makes the computer with which the said gait measuring device performs the processing function of each means with which the gait measuring device in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 is provided.

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