US4578769A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for determining the speed, distance traversed, elapsed time and calories expended by a person while running
Assignee: Nike Inc
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Filing: 1983-02-09
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Granted: 1986-03-25
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Expires: 2003-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A device for measuring the speed of a person while running along a surface is disclosed. A pressure switch or transducer located in a shoe senses when a foot of the runner is in contact with the surface and produces a foot contact signal having a duration proportional to the time the foot is in contact with the surface. A radio frequency transmitter is coupled to the pressure switch or transducer and transmits the foot contact signal. A radio frequency transmitter receives the foot contact signal transmitted by the frequency transmitter and a microprocessor coupled to the radio frequency receiver calculates, solely from the foot contact signal, an output speed signal representing the speed of the runner. A liquid crystal display coupled to the output of the microprocessor displays the speed of the runner in accordance with the output speed signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward C. Frederick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:18
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B47/00; G04B47/06; A; A43; A43B; A43B3/00; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/50; G01S17/58; G01C; G01C22/00; G01C22/006; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/50; G04D; G04D99/00; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0619; A63B2071/0658; A63B2071/0661; A63B2071/0663; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A device for measuring the speed of a person while running along a surface, said device comprising: a foot contact sensing means for sensing when a foot of the runner is in contact with the surface and producing a foot contact signal having a duration proportional to the time the foot is in contact with the surface; transmitting means connected to said foot contact sensing means for transmitting said foot contact signal; receiving means for receiving said foot contact signal transmitted by said transmitting means; processing means connected to said receiving means for calculating, solely from said foot contact signal, an output signal representing the speed of the runner; and display means connected to the output of said processing means for displaying the speed of the runner in accordance with said output speed signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A device for measuring the speed of a person while running along a surface, said device comprising: a foot contact sensing means for sensing when a foot of the runner is in contact with the surface and producing a foot contact signal having a duration proportional to the time the foot is in contact with the surface; transmitting means connected to said foot contact sensing means for transmitting said foot contact signal; receiving means for receiving said foot contact signal transmitted by said transmitting means; processing means connected to said receiving means for calculating, solely from said foot contact signal, an output signal representing the speed of the runner; and display means connected to the output of said processing means for displaying the speed of the runner in accordance with said output speed signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means includes a timer means for producing output time signals representing the date, time of day and the time elapsed from a predetermined time, said display means further comprising means for displaying said date, said time of day and said elapsed time in accordance with said output time signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said processing means further includes an alarm output signal when a preselected time occurs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means further comprises means for timing a running elapsed time and generating a signal representing the time elapsed from the beginning of the run.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said processing means further comprises means for calculating, solely from said foot contact signal and said running elapsed time, an output distance signal representing the distance traversed by the runner and means for displaying said output distance signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said processing means further comprises means for calculating, solely from said foot contact time and said running elapsed time, an output calories expended signal representing the calories expended by the runner during the run, and means for displaying said output calories expended signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
35 words
The device of claims 1, 4, 5 or 6 wherein said output speed signal, said running elapsed time signal, said output distance signal or said output calories expended signal are continuously calculated and selectively displayed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said output speed signal, said running elapsed time signal, said output distance signal or said output calories expended signal are stored for a virtually indefinite period of time and selectively displayed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said foot contact sensing means is a switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said foot contact sensing means is a transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said transmitting means is a radio frequency transmitter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said radio frequency transmitter is frequency modulated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said receiving means is a radio frequency receiver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 13 wherein said radio frequency receiver is capable of receiving a frequency modulated signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means is a microprocessor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said display means is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for measuring the speed of a person while running along a surface, said device comprising: a transducer for sensing when a foot of the runner is in contact with the surface and producing a foot contact signal having a duration proportional to the time the foot is in contact with the surface, said transducer being located in the shoe of the runner; a radio frequency transmitter connected to said pressure switch or transducer for transmitting said foot contact signal; a radio frequency receiver for receiving said foot contact signal transmitted by said frequency transmitter; a microprocessor connected to said radio frequency receiver for calculating, soley from said foot contact signal, an output speed signal representing the speed of the runner; and a liquid crystal display connected to the output of said microprocessor for displaying the speed of the runner in accordance with said output speed signal.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for measuring the speed of a person while running along a surface, said device comprising: a transducer for sensing when a foot of the runner is in contact with the surface and producing a foot contact signal having a duration proportional to the time the foot is in contact with the surface, said transducer being located in the shoe of the runner; a radio frequency transmitter connected to said pressure switch or transducer for transmitting said foot contact signal; a radio frequency receiver for receiving said foot contact signal transmitted by said frequency transmitter; a microprocessor connected to said radio frequency receiver for calculating, soley from said foot contact signal, an output speed signal representing the speed of the runner; and a liquid crystal display connected to the output of said microprocessor for displaying the speed of the runner in accordance with said output speed signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said microprocessor includes a timer means for producing output time signals representing the date, time of day and the time elapsed from a predetermined time, said liquid crystal display further comprising means for displaying said date, said time of day and said elapsed time in accordance with said output time signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said microprocessor further includes an alarm output signal when a preselected time occurs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said microprocessor further comprises means for timing an elapsed time and generating a signal representing the time elapsed from the beginning of the run.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said microprocessor further comprises means for calculating, solely from said foot contact signal and said running elapsed time, an output distance signal representing the distance traversed by the runner and means for displaying said output distance signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said microprocessor further comprises means for calculating, solely from said foot contact time and said running elapsed time, an output calories expended signal representing the calories expended by the runner during the run, and means for displaying said output calories expended signal.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
35 words
The device of claims 17, 20, 21 or 22 wherein said output speed signal, said running elapsed time signal, said output distance signal or said output calories expended signal are continuously calculated and selectively displayed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 23 wherein said output speed signal, said running elapsed time signal, said output distance signal or said output calories expended signal are stored for a virtually indefinite period of time and selectively displayed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said foot contact sensing means is a switch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-24 | 1989-09-23 | 1990-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-24 | 1993-09-23 | 1994-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-24 | 1997-09-23 | 1998-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |