Search Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »
Sign in


  1. Advanced Patent Search
Publication numberUS4192000 A
Publication typeGrant
Application numberUS 05/815,854
Publication dateMar 4, 1980
Filing dateJul 14, 1977
Priority dateJul 14, 1977
Also published asCA1121054A1, DE2831064A1
Publication number05815854, 815854, US 4192000 A, US 4192000A, US-A-4192000, US4192000 A, US4192000A
InventorsElmer M. Lipsey
Original AssigneeCalorie Counter Limited Partnership
Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
Electronic calorie counter
US 4192000 A
An electronic calorie counter is disclosed which provides a digital readout of the rate of caloric consumption with exercise by the user by sensing the vertical component of the motion of the user, and translating that motion into electronic impulses. The vertical component of the user's motion is constantly detected using a magneto-electric transducer in combination with means for defining an opto-electric axis in the transducer. The output of the opto-electric means is combined with a clock-controlled gate to provide a burst of impulses over a unit of time which is proportional to the vertical acceleration sensed. The gate output is supplied to a program-controlled processor utilizing a mathematical equation derived to analyze caloric consumption in humans with exercise. The processor is also responsive to several input switches indicating the physical parameters of the individual user in calculating caloric consumption. The microprocessor output, as displayed, comprises the calories consumed by the user over a fixed period of time.
Previous page
Next page
I claim:
1. An electronic consumption calculator including
(1) an activity sensor having
(a) a housing, a first magnet having a fixed position in said housing
(b) a second magnet movable within said housing and having a pole aligned to confront the same pole on said fixed magnet so that the second magnet occupies a reference position at a distance from said first magnet, and
(c) a means for defining an axis between said first magnet's fixed position and said second magnet's reference position, said axis being intercepted by said second movable magnet in response to activity by a user of said calculator, and
(2) means for calculating the number of calories expended in the course of said activity comprising
(a) means for defining a first variable as a function of the time the second magnet intercepts said axis,
(b) means for deriving a second variable as a function of the physical characteristics of said user including age, sex, height and weight, and
(c) processing means for calculating and displaying the number of calories expended on the basis of said first and second variable.
2. A calculator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for defining said time variable comprises a clock controlled gate having first and second input terminals, said first input terminal coupled to said means for defining an axis, the time duration of interception of said axis by said second magnet being defined by the output of said clock gate.
3. A calculator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for deriving said second variable comprises
a memory having a table look-up portion, and
a plurality of manual switches for defining the physical characteristics of said user,
said processing means scanning said manual switches and, responsive thereto, deriving said second variable from said table look-up portion.
4. A calculator as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for defining an axis comprises a light-emitting diode on one side of said housing and a photo detector on the opposite side of said housing.
5. A calculator as claimed in claim 2 including a clock pulse source connected to the second input terminal of said clock gate and including means for calibrating the number of impulses per unit time to correspond to a specific force applied to the upper magnet to allow for variations of the magnets in production.

This invention relates to an exercise meter, and more particularly to an exercise measuring system wherein the total calories consumed by the exerciser is measured utilizing equations which take into account the physical parameters of the exerciser, and the quantity is visibly displayed.


Exercise metering devices have a long history in the prior art. For example, Kerwin U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,097 shows a bicycle-type exercise apparatus connected to electronic circuitry including current integrators for measuring the energy output of the bicycle apparatus and giving a continuous count indication of the amount of exercise. However, most people for whom exercise is prescribed or desired wish to have greater freedom in their choice of the exercise to be performed than is provided with such a stationary system. A similar device showing calories expended on an electronic readout also is disclosed in Barron U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,666. However, this system suffers from the same limitation as the Kerwin apparatus.

In an attempt to break away from the limitations of these prior art devices, it has been proposed to provide a magnetic accelerometer, such as shown in Tognola U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,347 which has a magnet as a moving part therein, to detect the amount of motion by the user. It has been further proposed to provide the housing of this accelerometer, shown for example in FIG. 1, with a mechanical switch such as a reed switch to determine when the movable magnet moves within proximity of the stationary magnet because of the force of the motion of the user. While this device is of interest as a basic concept, it is not a commercially practical system because the mechanical system for measuring magnet positioning is subject to inaccuracy caused by magnetic field variations and breakdown problems inherent in such mechanical structures.

It has also been proposed as an alternative means for detecting activity that a magnet be placed adjacent a pickup coil as shown in Bornmann U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,106. Such a position-detection pickup coil (which is also shown in the Tognola patent) is expensive to implement; its output signal requires substantial circuitry for processing, as shown in block form in FIG. 1 of the Bornmann patent, which includes a band pass filter, rectifier, trigger, multivibrator, timer and flip-flop.

Obviously, simplified position-detecting circuitry for the transducer to provide an accurate, reliable signal was necessary to provide a commercially feasible device. Further, the piror art devices did not include means for establishing the physical condition of the user as a variable in measuring calorie consumption.


The subject invention provides a calculator for accurately measuring calorie consumption over a period of time. The vertical component of the user's motion is measured by a motion-detecting transducer in combination with means for opto-electrically defining the position of the transducer, and translating that motion into electronic impulses per unit of time. These impulses, which are proportional to the acceleration imparted to the motion detecting transducer by movement of the user, provide one input to a processor which operates under control of a read-only memory programmed in accordance with a set of equations which take into account the physical condition of the user. The resulting output of the microprocessor provides a continuous indication of the caloric consumption by the user.

The system is enabled by the uniquely simplified means for opto-electrically defining the position of the movable magnet in the transducer comprising a light-emitting diode on one side of the transducer housing and a photo-detector on the opposite side; the output of the photo-detector is coupled to a clock-controlled AND gate. When the light from the light-emitting diode does not fall on the photo-detector, a pulse stream at the clock rate is output from the gate, and is detected and stored by the processor. The accuracy of the calculation of rate and total caloric consumption by the user is a function of the clock rate to the other input of the AND gate.

In a further improvement, a set of manual switches is provided to establish the physical condition of the user; the processor checks the state of these switches and by reference to a lookup table in memory locates a constant which represents the user's physical condition.

The calculator is controlled by a program stored in a read-only memory based on a set of equations published by V. Antonetti in "The Equations Governing Weight Change in Human Beings," The American Journal of Chemical Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 1, January 1973, incorporated herein by reference. These equations allow for a very accurate calculation of a user's caloric consumption, keyed to that user's physical condition.

The basic equation relied on is

C (caloric consumption)=E'.sub.A +E'.sub.A

E'.sub.A =activity function

E'.sub.A =basal metabolic energy function

C=(1/1-α)(KaW+K.sub.B W.sup.n)


Ka=activity coefficient as defined by Table 1


K.sub.B =basal metabolic coefficient as defined by Table 2

n=0.425 α is an allowance for the specific dynamic action of food.

              Table 1______________________________________Values of activity coefficient (K.sub.A).sup.nLevel of activity   K.sub.A (kcal/lb/day)______________________________________Sedentary           3.68Light               4.32Moderate            5.75Vigorous            8.00Severe              12.30______________________________________

              Table 2______________________________________Values of basal metabolic coefficient (K.sub.B).sup.aSurface area method: K.sub.B = E'.sub.B /W.sup.0.425 = 0.241(B)(H).sup.0.725       Height, inchesSex      Age      60 to 66  66 to 72                               72 to 78______________________________________Male     18-35    186       199     210    35-55    175.7     183.5   199    55-75    164       171.5   186Female   18-35    180       182     192    35-55    164       171.5   186    55-75    154.5     162     175______________________________________

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the electronic calorie counter described in this application.

FIG. 2 illustrates the magnetic motion sensor shown in block form in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows in greater detail portions of the system shown in FIG. 1.


The electronic calorie counter disclosed herein is especially designed for use in defining the amount of calories consumed by a user over a known period of time. The calculator operates by sensing the motion of the patient and translating the vertical component of that motion into electronic impulses. By using an electro-optic position sensor in combination with a magnetic motion transducer, a clock time signal is developed wherein the number of impulses over a period of time is proportional to the acceleration sensed; calories consumed may therefore be calculated as a function of the number of impulses sensed.

The energy utilized by an individual is also a function of the morphology and age of the individual using the calculator. The instant invention includes means for establishing these constants by dialing into the calculator the height, weight, age, and sex of the individual user. This is accomplished using a set of selector switches, 1, 2, 3, 4 shown in FIG. 1. These switches provide constants which are required by the microcomputer 6 in calculating calories consumed.

In addition to these constants, the program equations stored in read-only memory of the micro-computer 6 (see FIG. 3: a portion of memoryy 21) require the output of energy sensor 8 for the micro-computer 6 to calculate and display on display 11 the calories consumed. The motion sensor 8 itself comprises, as shown in FIG. 2, a housing 10 having a first fixed magnet 12 and a second magnet 14 which is slidable in the housing 10. It can be seen that the magnets 12, 14 are aligned with like poles facing each other so that in the equilibrium state, the magnets 12, 14 are spaced apart. An electric-optic axis 16 is defined by means as shown in FIG. 3 for detecting movement of the floating magnet 14; movement of this magnet is a mechanical analog of the vertical component of motion of the user. The motion detecting magnetic transducer 8 operates in accordance with the principles described in the Tognola patent. The transducer is incorporated in a structure such as a fountain pen type clip so that the wearer will normally carry it on his person with the axis of the transducer aligned with the motion which is to be sensed, that is the vertical component of body motion.

As shown in FIG. 3, the micro-computer 6 comprises processor section 26 and memory 21 which includes table look-up portion 20 and a ROM portion and a RAM portion. The sex, height, weight and age are dialed in on switches 1, 2, 3 and 4; micro-computer 6 reads these switches and addresses a table lookup portion 20 of the memory 21 to provide a constant K.sub.B to the processor 26. The person's weight is also directly supplied as an input to the microcomputer 6 and stored by memory 21 for subsequent calculations by the processor. The third essential input needed to provide the information necessary for calculating the rate of energy consumption is provided by position detecting logic (FIG. 3) associated with sensor 8.

To form this third input, the user's motion is translated into a time-based signal by sensing the position of the movable magnet 14 relative to the electro-optic axis 16. This axis 16 is defined using a light-emitting diode 32 and photo-electric detector 34. When the movable magnet 14 is displaced downwardly toward the fixed magnet 12 across the electric-optic axis 16, the light output of the light-emitting diode 32 to the photo detector 34 is interrupted. While the light is interrupted, the gate 36 passes the clock signals from clock generator 38 to the processor 26 which counts and stores the pulses received during a given period of time. The force of repulsion between the like poles of magnets 12 and 14 eventually forces the movable magnet 14 back across the electric-optic axis and towards its equilibrium position, ending the pulse stream. The number of pulses accumulated over a period of time defines the constant K.sub.A. The number of pulses accumulated over a time period will vary with the severity of the exercise undertaken, as the movable magnet 14 will cross the axis more frequently with increased exertion. The output C.sub.T (calories consumed over a period of time) is calculated by processor 26 as a function of the weight, K.sub.A and K.sub.B in accordance with the equations shown in the Antonetti article.

As shown in FIG. 3, the calories consumed are displayed in the form of a four-digit light-emitting diode display 11 whose least significant bit is in units of 10 calories. Normal activity should generate between 2,000 and 4,000 calories per day, so the calculator can accumulate up to one month of calorie consumption. However, the display is illuminated only when a switch on the device is depressed. This preserves the battery which is contained within the unit. Such a switch may be, for example, incorporated in the cap of the pen-like design which is the preferred embodiment of this invention. Depressing the switch twice in rapid succession zeros the device.

In use, the device is worn on a person's body, carried in a shirt pocket or attached to a belt. The individual's characteristics are established for the calculator by aligning four rotary switches 1, 2, 3, 4 on the lower half of the pen to correspond to the individual's height, weight, age and sex. Thereafter operation is completely automatic.

Because an individual user will expend energy even in a sedentary mode, the calculator will continue to accumulate a basic number of calories consumed even though no exercise is being carried on and therefore the electro-optic axis is uncrossed 16 by the transducer's magnet 10. Consequently, the calculator provides a complete measure of calories consumed for any length of time the user wishes.

Patent Citations
Cited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitle
US3984666 *May 23, 1974Oct 5, 1976Benjamin BarronCalorie metering exerciser
US4053755 *Aug 16, 1976Oct 11, 1977Sherrill John CPedometer distance-measuring device
US4100401 *Jan 13, 1977Jul 11, 1978Tutt Eugene FCalorie calculator-chronometer
US4101071 *Apr 4, 1977Jul 18, 1978Carl BrejnikElectronic calorie counter
US4144568 *Sep 17, 1976Mar 13, 1979Hiller Alexander JExercise recorder
Referenced by
Citing PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitle
US4367752 *Apr 30, 1980Jan 11, 1983Biotechnology, Inc.Apparatus for testing physical condition of a subject
US4380802 *Jul 2, 1980Apr 19, 1983Gpd Inc.Electronic calorie counter
US4443008 *Nov 7, 1980Apr 17, 1984Shimano Industrial Company LimitedRunning type health promoting device
US4455610 *Feb 4, 1982Jun 19, 1984Rodrian James ASelf-contained estrous detection tag
US4686624 *Apr 10, 1984Aug 11, 1987Dominique BlumPortable apparatus for acquiring and processing data relative to the dietetics and/or the health of a person
US4757453 *Mar 25, 1986Jul 12, 1988Nasiff Roger EBody activity monitor using piezoelectric transducers on arms and legs
US4828257 *Feb 3, 1988May 9, 1989Powercise International CorporationElectronically controlled exercise system
US4855942 *Oct 28, 1987Aug 8, 1989Elexis CorporationPedometer and/or calorie measuring device and method
US4924389 *Aug 28, 1987May 8, 1990Claude GerbauletDevice for implementing a method for feeding persons
US4927138 *Jul 1, 1988May 22, 1990Ferrari Carlo V GExercise apparatus
US4962469 *Apr 14, 1989Oct 9, 1990Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Exercise measuring instrument
US4965553 *Apr 27, 1989Oct 23, 1990Delbiondo Ii ThomasHand-near-mouth warning device
US5033013 *May 14, 1990Jul 16, 1991Yamasa Tokei Meter Co., Ltd.Method and apparatus for measuring the amount of exercise
US5157601 *Jan 5, 1990Oct 20, 1992Alcolator LimitedMethod for estimating body alcohol concentration
US5286244 *Jan 6, 1992Feb 15, 1994Safety Sports, Ltd.Multi-functional hand weight
US5673691 *Jan 2, 1996Oct 7, 1997Pics, Inc.Apparatus to control diet and weight using human behavior modification techniques
US5689099 *Jan 18, 1995Nov 18, 1997Domburg; NicolaasSpeed/distance measuring assembly for runner
US5704350 *Mar 25, 1994Jan 6, 1998Nutritec CorporationNutritional microcomputer and method
US5796640 *Jun 21, 1995Aug 18, 1998Sugarman; HenryDietary fat control automatic calculator system and fold label fat evaluator
US5839901 *Oct 1, 1997Nov 24, 1998Karkanen; Kip M.Integrated weight loss control method
US5890128 *Mar 4, 1996Mar 30, 1999Diaz; H. BenjaminPersonalized hand held calorie computer (ECC)
US5890996 *May 30, 1996Apr 6, 1999Interactive Performance Monitoring, Inc.Exerciser and physical performance monitoring system
US5976083 *Jul 30, 1997Nov 2, 1999Living Systems, Inc.Portable aerobic fitness monitor for walking and running
US5989200 *Apr 2, 1998Nov 23, 1999Omron CorporationExercise amount measuring device capable of displaying the amount of exercise to be performed further
US6013009 *Mar 11, 1997Jan 11, 2000Karkanen; Kip MichaelWalking/running heart rate monitoring system
US6095949 *Jun 17, 1998Aug 1, 2000Adk CorporationHealth management device
US6135951 *Jun 25, 1999Oct 24, 2000Living Systems, Inc.Portable aerobic fitness monitor for walking and running
US6341295Jan 20, 1999Jan 22, 2002M. Gail StotlerVirtual reality integrated caloric tabulator
US6434212Jan 4, 2001Aug 13, 2002Nathan PylesPedometer
US6473483Jan 19, 2001Oct 29, 2002Nathan PylesPedometer
US6478736Oct 10, 2000Nov 12, 2002Healthetech, Inc.Integrated calorie management system
US6482158May 14, 2001Nov 19, 2002Healthetech, Inc.System and method of ultrasonic mammography
US6513532Dec 23, 2000Feb 4, 2003Healthetech, Inc.Diet and activity-monitoring device
US6607387Oct 26, 2001Aug 19, 2003Healthetech, Inc.Sensor system for diagnosing dental conditions
US6675041Jun 7, 2001Jan 6, 2004Physi-Cal Enterprises LpElectronic apparatus and method for monitoring net calorie intake
US6790178Sep 25, 2000Sep 14, 2004Healthetech, Inc.Physiological monitor and associated computation, display and communication unit
US7020508Aug 22, 2002Mar 28, 2006Bodymedia, Inc.Apparatus for detecting human physiological and contextual information
US7261690Aug 6, 2001Aug 28, 2007Bodymedia, Inc.Apparatus for monitoring health, wellness and fitness
US7285090Oct 9, 2003Oct 23, 2007Bodymedia, Inc.Apparatus for detecting, receiving, deriving and displaying human physiological and contextual information
US7328612Jul 8, 2004Feb 12, 2008Newtest OyMethod and apparatus for detecting types of exercise
US7392193Jun 18, 2001Jun 24, 2008Microlife CorporationSpeech recognition capability for a personal digital assistant
US7491063May 10, 2005Feb 17, 2009Paul SantarsieroHarmony meter
US7502643Sep 13, 2004Mar 10, 2009Bodymedia, Inc.Method and apparatus for measuring heart related parameters
US7689437Jun 16, 2000Mar 30, 2010Bodymedia, Inc.System for monitoring health, wellness and fitness
US7857771Mar 26, 2004Dec 28, 2010University Of Virginia Patent FoundationMethod and system for the derivation of human gait characteristics and detecting falls passively from floor vibrations
US8073707Oct 11, 2005Dec 6, 2011Bodymedia, Inc.System for detecting, monitoring, and reporting an individual's physiological or contextual status
US8157731Oct 9, 2003Apr 17, 2012Bodymedia, Inc.Method and apparatus for auto journaling of continuous or discrete body states utilizing physiological and/or contextual parameters
US8275635Feb 19, 2008Sep 25, 2012Bodymedia, Inc.Integration of lifeotypes with devices and systems
US8369936Jul 20, 2010Feb 5, 2013Bodymedia, Inc.Wearable apparatus for measuring heart-related parameters and deriving human status parameters from sensed physiological and contextual parameters
US8382590Feb 19, 2008Feb 26, 2013Bodymedia, Inc.Entertainment, gaming and interactive spaces based on lifeotypes
US8398546Sep 13, 2004Mar 19, 2013Bodymedia, Inc.System for monitoring and managing body weight and other physiological conditions including iterative and personalized planning, intervention and reporting capability
US8403845Jul 5, 2006Mar 26, 2013Bodymedia, Inc.Wearable human physiological and environmental data sensors and reporting system therefor
US8503086Aug 16, 2010Aug 6, 2013Impulse Technology Ltd.System and method for tracking and assessing movement skills in multidimensional space
CN1098055C *Sep 7, 1995Jan 8, 2003欧姆龙公司Exercise amount tester capable of displaying amount of next exercise
CN100409809CMar 21, 2005Aug 13, 2008松下电工株式会社Physical activity measuring system
EP0060361A1 *Sep 18, 1981Sep 22, 1982John William LowreyRunners watch
EP1302162A2 *Sep 4, 1995Apr 16, 2003Omron CorporationExercise amount measuring device capable of displaying the amount of exercise to be performed further
WO1986001607A1 *Sep 4, 1985Mar 13, 1986Edmund R PoetschMethod and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic value of movement of a body
WO2001052718A2 *Jan 19, 2001Jul 26, 2001Healthetech IncDiet and activity monitoring device
WO2004070392A2 *Jan 28, 2004Aug 19, 2004Koninkl Philips Electronics NvDevice for determining a value that is representative of accelerations as well as an ergometer
U.S. Classification482/8, 482/148, 482/901, 250/215, 482/902
International ClassificationG01P15/093, A63B71/06, G06F19/00, G06Q50/00, G01P15/135, A61B5/22
Cooperative ClassificationG01P15/135, G01P15/093, Y10S482/901, Y10S482/902, A61B5/22
European ClassificationG01P15/135, G01P15/093, A61B5/22