WO2001054281A1

WO2001054281A1 - Counter

Info

Publication number: WO2001054281A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/000294
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazunori Kitamura
Original assignee: Kazunori Kitamura
Priority date: 2000-01-18
Filing date: 2001-01-18
Publication date: 2001-07-26
Also published as: AU2001227061A1; JP3384796B2

Abstract

A counter for effectively counting events when the rate of occurrence is relatively constant. The user operates a first button (S) in accordance with the occurrence of an event. The user only have to initially perform this operation a predetermined times n (e.g., five times). A calculating unit divides the time t required to count the predetermined times n by the predetermined times n to obtain the average count time interval Δtm=t/n. Thereafter the time measured by the counter is converted to a count value by using the average count time interval Δtm and displays it. As a result, the user is not required to operate the button (S) any longer after teaching the predetermined times n, and the counter continues to automatically count the events.

Description

Technical report

The present invention relates to a counter for counting the number of events that occur continuously. Note that the counter here does not automatically count like a pedometer, but a counter that is counted by a human operation with a finger or the like. Background art

Conventionally, there are mechanical and electronic types of such counters. However, both types were the same in that they had a button for counting and a numerical display for displaying the number of times, and the number on the display increased by one each time the count button was pressed. . Disclosure of the invention

The rate of occurrence of the events to be counted varies. For example, the frequency of occurrence of the event that visitors enter the facility when the number of visitors is relatively small varies widely. On the other hand, if a large number of visitors enter the narrow entrance without stopping, the event occurrence rate can be said to be relatively constant.

Pressing the counting button in the county is a tedious task that requires fatigue. In particular, when the rate of occurrence of events is relatively constant, counting work by counting is extremely tedious, and is a highly fatigue-prone and error-prone task. Also, if the speed is high, physical fatigue of the fingers and hands is accompanied, and it is difficult to continue for a long time.

The present invention focuses on counting when the occurrence speed is relatively constant, and provides a counter for efficiently performing the counting.

A counter according to the present invention made to solve the above-mentioned problem,

a) counting means; b) a timer;

c) means for calculating an average counting interval time based on a predetermined number of operations of the counting means, and d) means for subsequently converting the time measured by the timer into a count value based on the calculated average counting interval time. When,

e) means for displaying the count value;

It is characterized by having.

The usage of the counter according to the present invention is as follows. The user operates the counting means on a case-by-case basis. The counting means is generally a push button operated by a finger, but may be a pedal type which is depressed with a foot or a voice responsive type which responds to voice. The user only has to operate the counting means a predetermined number of times (for example, five times). The average counting interval time calculating means calculates the average counting interval time by dividing the time required for counting the predetermined number of times (this is measured by the timer) by the predetermined number of times. After that, the conversion means uses the average counting interval time to convert the time measured by the timer into a count value. Thus, after the user has performed the predetermined number of times (hereinafter, this predetermined number of times is referred to as “training”), the user no longer needs to operate the counting means, and the counter is automatically operated. The counting is continued at this point (hereinafter, this is called “automatic counting”). The count value is, of course, sequentially displayed on the display means. When setting the target number, when the count value reaches the target number, it will be notified by notification means (visual or auditory).

It is desirable that the count value at the time of training (the predetermined number of times described above) be appropriately changed according to the degree of variation in the occurrence rate of events. For example, if the event occurrence rate is relatively constant and the variation is small, the predetermined number may be small. On the other hand, if the occurrence rate can be considered to be constant over a long period of time, but the occurrence interval varies over a short period of time, it is desirable to set a large number of instructions. Various checks and alarm functions may be incorporated in the average counting interval time calculation means. For example, an upper limit is set for the number of times of operation (teaching operation) of the counting means, and the time exceeds the predetermined upper limit time. In such a case, an alarm may be issued. Further, an alarm may be issued when the interval between each counting operation at the time of teaching is longer than a predetermined time or when the variation of the time interval is longer than a predetermined time. In any case, This is to warn that the reliability of the count value of the motion count is reduced.

In the above-mentioned counting, it is assumed that the counting speed (that is, the occurrence of an event) at the time of the first teaching operation is continued as it is, but in some cases, the speed may change for some reason. In such cases, it is not appropriate to continue the automatic counting. Therefore, if the teaching operation is performed again while performing the automatic counting, the average counting interval time is recalculated by the new teaching operation, and the subsequent automatic counting is performed using the calculated average. It is recommended that the calculation be performed based on the counting interval time. In this case, the predetermined number of times of the operation means required for the second teaching operation (the number of teachings) may be different from the number of times of the first teaching operation.

As described above, in the counter according to the present invention, the teaching operation is performed only for the first short time, and thereafter, the counter automatically continues counting. Therefore, when counting events that occur at almost constant speed, the user does not need to repeat monotonous work for a long time, and is freed from psychological and physical fatigue and tension. In addition, if the event occurrence speed changes in the middle, the automatic counting speed can be changed correspondingly, and a flexible response can be made.

The timer according to the present invention can be used, for example, as described above, for counting the number of visitors who constantly enter a narrow entrance, and for investigating traffic volume on a road with frequent traffic. In addition, the following are some examples of use. In some Buddhist religions, it is encouraged to recite a certain number of memorial statues and titles, such as Minamimu Amitabha Buddha and Minami Mumyoh Lotus Flower Sutra, as virtue. Since the speed of chanting Buddhas and titles is relatively stable, and the number of times they are played is generally extremely large (for example, one million times), the county of the present invention is suitable for counting the number of times. It will be. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front external view of a counter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the counter of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram of the counter of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view (a) and a side view (b) of a counter according to a second embodiment of the present invention. W

Four

And the state transition diagram (c).

FIG. 5 is a front external view (a) and a state transition diagram (b) of a counter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front external view of a counter according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a count pattern diagram of a count according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a count pattern diagram according to another method. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of a counter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the counter 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a first button S, a second button scale, a first display Dl and a second display D2 made of liquid crystal. The first button S is used for counting and teaching operation and display stop (lap display), and the second button R is used for counting stop and reset. The function of each button will be described in detail later.

The first display D 1 is for displaying the short-term count value (TOTAL), and the second display D 2 is for displaying the long-term count value (ACCUMulation). The short-term count value can be returned to zero by operating the second button R, and the long-term count value cannot be returned to zero by normal operation. Is always integrated. In addition, even if it is a long-term count value, a small reset button is provided on the back of the main body of this counter that can only be operated with a needle tip, so that it can be reset or reset by stopping the power (battery replacement). It is desirable to keep this.

As shown in Fig. 2, a timer 21 for measuring time, an arithmetic unit (microcomputer) 20 for performing various operations, and a driver for driving the display units Dl and D2 are installed inside this counter 10 as shown in Fig. 2. 22 and 23, power supply (not shown), etc. are provided. The arithmetic unit 20 includes, in addition to the temporary storage memory, a non-volatile memory or a power-up memory.

The counter 10 of the present embodiment has the following six states (1) to (6). The contents of these six states and the transition between the states will be described with reference to FIG. Clarify how to use 10

① Power OFF state (OFF)

No display is made on both indicators Dl and D2, and the counting operation is not performed internally. However, values such as the long-term count value N, the number of teachings n described later, and the predetermined times tl, t2, and t3 are held in a non-volatile memory or a volatile memory whose power is backed up.

The power-off state is automatically entered when no button S or R is operated in the reset state for a predetermined time t1 or more. Also, press button R for a predetermined time.

The power may be turned off by a special button operation, such as holding down the button for more than 3 seconds.

② Reset state (RESET)

The short-term count value is zero and the counting operation is not being performed. When the 2nd button R is pressed in the STOP state or the power OFF state, this reset state is entered. The first display D1 displays zero as a short-term count value, and the second display D2 displays a long-term count value N. Since the counting operation is not performed, both the first display Dl and the second display D2 maintain the display state.

When the button S and R are not operated in the reset state for a predetermined time t1 or more, or when the special button is operated, the power is turned off.

③ Start counting · Teaching state (TEACH)

When the 1st button S is pressed in the power OFF state or the reset state, counting starts and enters the teaching state.

When the counting starts, the arithmetic unit 20 waits until the first button S is pressed a predetermined number of times n. During this time, of course, the number of times the first button S is pressed (short-term count value) is sequentially displayed on the first display D1 (and the long-term count value of the second display D2 is also gradually increased). Let it be).

When the first button S is pressed a predetermined number of times n (the number of times of teaching, for example, 5 times), the arithmetic unit 20 measures the time tn required for the predetermined number of times n to be pressed by the timer 21 and calculates the average. The counting interval time Δtm = tnZn is calculated. At this point, counting starts. The counting state ends and the automatic counting state is entered.

It is desirable that the number of times n can be input by operating the first button S and the second button R. For example, in the reset state, the number of times the first button S is pressed while the second button R is being pressed can be input as the number of times n. In this case, it is desirable to display the number of times on the first display D1.

In addition, a sufficiently long upper limit time t2 is provided in the counting start 'teach-in state', and if the first button S having the predetermined number n of taught times is not operated within the time t2, an error alarm is issued. (Display, sound, etc.) is desirable. It is also preferable to measure the time of each operation interval, and to issue an error alert if the value fluctuates more than a predetermined value.

Further, the first button S may be operated more than a predetermined number of times of teaching n. In this case, the operation of the first button S n times or more may be ignored as invalid, and may be ignored, or within the predetermined time t3 from the time of the first operation of the first button S (where t3≤t2). The average counting interval time Δtm may be calculated from the number of operations of one button S (however, a predetermined number of times of teaching n or more).

④ Automatic counting status (COUNT)

Counting Start ・ When the first button S is pressed a predetermined number of times n in the teaching state (or when the time t3 elapses), the counting starts automatically. The teaching state ends and the automatic counting state is entered. Here, in order to inform the user that counting has started and the instructed state has ended and the automatic counting state has been entered, it is desirable to indicate this. This display may be performed by providing a special segment ("TEACH" in Fig. 1) in the first display D1, or, for example, starting counting and displaying the count value in the flashing state. Alternatively, it may be expressed by changing the display state of the count value, such as changing to the steady display when the automatic count state is entered.

In the automatic counting state, the arithmetic unit 20 receives the time signal from the timer 21 and each time the time elapses by the previously calculated average counting interval time tm tm, the first display D 1 and the second display D Increment the count of 2 by 1.

ラップ Lap display status (LAP)

When the first button S is pressed in the automatic counting state, the arithmetic unit 20 performs the above counting operation. While continuing, only the display of the first display D1 is stopped. At this time, the first display D1 displays a so-called short-term count value lap (LAP). Internally, short-term counts continue to be calculated and increase sequentially in memory. In addition, the second display D 2 displays a sequentially increasing long-term count value.

When the first button S is pressed again in this state, the operation returns to the automatic counting state. That is, the first display D1 displays the internally calculated short-term count value M, and thereafter increases gradually.

⑥ Stop state (STOP)

When the second button R is pressed in the automatic counting state or the lap display state, the arithmetic unit 20 stops counting. As a result, both the first display D1 and the second display D2 continue to display the count value at that time.

When the second button R is pressed again in the stopped state, the state is reset. That is, the short-term count value display of the first display D1 is returned to zero. The display of the long-term count value on the second display D2 remains unchanged.

A second embodiment of the counter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the power switch 10 of the above embodiment, no special power switch was provided, and the QN / OFF of the power was performed by software.However, in the counter 40 of this embodiment, the power switch P was separately provided. Provision (b), thereby turning the power ON / OFF. The wrapping function is not provided, and the function is simplified to make it easier to use.

FIG. 4C shows a state transition diagram of the count 40 in the present embodiment. When the power is switched from OFF to ON by switch P, the counter enters the reset state (RESET). That is, the short-term count value of the first display D1 returns to zero. However, the second display D 2 displays the long-term count value N when the power was turned off the last time. After that, as in the previous embodiment, pressing the first button S causes the counting to start (teaching state) (TEACH), and automatically enters the automatic counting state (COUNT) after a predetermined number of operations n. When the first button S is pressed in this state, it stops (STOP) and stops counting. When the first button S is pressed again in the stopped state, counting restarts at the same speed as before (average counting interval time Δt m). The counting may be started.

When the second button R is pressed in the stopped state, only the display of the first display D1 is reset, Return to zero. In other states, pressing the 2nd button R does not stop or reset the display. This is to prevent precious count values from being lost due to careless button operations.

In the case of the counter 40 of this embodiment, if the power switch P is turned off in any state, the reset state (RESET) will always be entered as described above the next time the power is turned on. Alternatively, as another specification, when the power switch is turned off in the stop state (S TOP), the short-term count value may be retained. That is, the next time the power is turned ON, both the first display Dl and the second display D2 return and display the short-term count value M and the long-term count value N at the time of the previous power supply OFF. In this case, the short-term count value is reset to zero only when the second button R is pressed in the stop state (STOP). It should be noted that such a difference in operation of the first display D 1 (short-term count value) may be incorporated as an operation mode that can be selected by the user, instead of being incorporated as a device specification.

A third embodiment of the counter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the counter 50 of this embodiment has a third button L dedicated to lap display, and has a counting speed (ie, counting) during automatic counting. The interval time Δtm) can be changed. The ON / OFF of the power supply may be performed by software as in the first embodiment, or a separate power switch may be provided as in the second embodiment.

FIG. 5B shows a state transition diagram of the counter 50 in this embodiment. Reset state (RE SET) One count start 'State transition between teaching state (TEACH)-automatic counting state (COUNT) is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

The transition between the automatic counting state and the lap display state (LAP) is performed by the third button L.

If you press the 1st button s while in the automatic counting state, the counting starts and enters the teaching mode. By operating the first button S a specified number of times n or more within the specified time t3, the average counting interval time Δt m2 is recalculated, and the new average counting interval in the automatic counting state thereafter. Automatic counting is performed according to the time Δt m2. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the event occurrence speed and more accurately count the number of event occurrences. It works. Also, when the first button S is pressed in the lap display state, counting starts in the same way.

Use the second button R to enter the stop state (STOP) from the automatic counting state. When the 2nd button R is pressed in the lap display state, the same state is entered.

When the first button S is pressed in the stopped state, counting starts and enters the teaching state. The automatic counting state may be entered, and the automatic counting may be performed at the same speed as before. When the second button R is pressed in the stop state, the state is reset.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the counter 60 of this embodiment is provided with a target number setting button B for setting a target number. The button B may be provided for each digit as shown in FIG. 6, or may be provided only once. However, in any case, it is convenient to set the target number not to be in units of one count value but in units of 100 or 100 count values. That is, when the target number setting button B is one, the target number increases by 100 or 100 while the button is kept depressed. When a plurality is provided, the target number is provided only in the upper digit as shown in FIG.

When the count value reaches the target number, the indicator lamp La flashes or an alarm sound is emitted from the speaker Sp to notify that the target number has been reached. For example, when chanting a Buddha or a title, this is often done with a fixed target number every day, and the present embodiment is suitable for such a case. The other parts may be the same as any of the above embodiments.

A fifth embodiment of the counter according to the present invention will be described. In the counting of the present embodiment, after entering the automatic counting state, non-conversion of the elapsed time to the counted value is performed regularly. That is, after repeating the operation of increasing the short-term count value M and the long-term count value N by 1 for each average counting interval time Δtm m times, the short-term count value M and the long-term Take a break once without increasing the value N. Then, the counting pattern of counting m times and resting once is repeated in this way. This is to take into account, for example, breathing when chanting Buddhas and themes.

The predetermined number m is the number of teaching (TEACH) times. In other words, in the instruction manual for this council, "After inhaling for the first time, operate the first button S each time you recite the subject, until the next inhalation." Write . For example, if the user performs counting (training) five times before the first breathing (predetermined number of times m = 5), as shown in FIG. 7, the first display D 1 and the second display D 1 If the short-term and long-term count values of D 2 increase continuously by the predetermined number of 5, the count value of these indicators D 1 and D 2 will be increased only once even after the next average counting interval time Δtm has elapsed. Do not increase. After that, the automatic counting state is entered. Similarly, after the short-term and long-term count values of the indicators Dl and D2 are continuously increased by a predetermined number of 5, the next time the short- and long-term count values are increased. Do not change. Thereafter, such a pattern is repeated.

In the above example, the display of the first display D1 and the second display D2 is stopped only once every predetermined number of times m. If such an intermittent operation is felt unnatural, the power-up operation of the indicators Dl and D2 can be performed continuously by extending the average counting interval time tmtm, as described below. Can be That is, when the teaching (TEACH) state ends, instead of Δtm = tnZn, a value corrected to Δΐρ = (tn + Δtm) / n is adopted as the average counting interval time. When the automatic counting mode is entered, each time the corrected average counting interval time Δtp = (tn + Δtm) / n elapses, the count value of the first display D1 and the second display D2 Increases by one. For example, if n = 5 (times) and tn = 10 (seconds), as shown in Fig. 8, when the automatic counting mode is entered, the above display is displayed every time the time elapses by Δtp = 2.4 (seconds / time). The unit count increases by one.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1.a) counting means;

b) a timer;

c) means for calculating the average counting interval time based on the operation of the counting means for a predetermined number of times; and d) based on the calculated average counting interval time, and thereafter convert the time measured by the timer into a count value. Means,

e) means for displaying the count value;

A counter comprising:

2. If the counting means is operated a predetermined number of times while the counting value conversion means is converting the count value, the average counting interval time calculating means calculates the average counting interval time again based on the operation. 2. The counter according to claim 1, wherein said counting value converting means converts the time measured by the timer based on the newly calculated average counting interval time into a counting value.

3.f) means for setting the target number;

g) means for notifying that the count value has reached the set target number,

The counter according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The counter according to claim 1, wherein when the count value conversion means converts the count value into a count value, an operation of converting a predetermined number of times and not converting the next one is repeated.

5. Based on the corrected average counting interval time calculated by dividing the time required for counting the predetermined number of times plus the above average counting interval time by the predetermined number of times, the time measured by the timer is calculated. 3. The count according to claim 1, wherein the count is converted into a count value.

6. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein an alarm is issued when a time of the predetermined number of operations of the counting means or a time of each operation interval is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

7. The counter according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of inputs is performed by operating a button operated by a finger.

8. The counter according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of inputs are performed by a foot pedal.

9. The counter according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of inputs are performed by voice input.

10. The counter according to claim 1, wherein when the power is turned off, not only the long-term count value but also the short-term count value is held.

1 1. The counter according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a wrap button.

12. The counter according to claim 1, wherein the power is automatically turned off if no operation is performed for a predetermined time in the reset state.