The 'Electronic Shoe' for jogging, sports and convalescence

Abstract

A stride-length measurement system is described which calculates the distance traveled by a running person. The basic principle is an ultrasonic distance-measurement technique. Data from the electronic circuitry built into the shoes are transmitted wirelessly to a computer box which is the size of a pocket calculator. The system can be applied in the field of competitive or popular sport and also for observation of heart patients in the rehabilitation phase. During running the computer box displays online the distance traveled with an accuracy of about 5%. It can respond by acoustic signals if the runner does not follow a predetermined running speed profile.<>