An accelerometer would probably work. It can readily detect movement and Analog Devices, among others, sells many such devices in small IC form. A µC could be used to analyze the signal and descriminate between moving, walking, resting, or running.
Thank you very much for your efforts and your reply!
So accelerometer should do it (somehow). Unfortunately, I have no idea about designing circuits (at least, I do not know where to start from at the moment). Do you maybe have some ideas for me where to start?
How do I implement the µC to analyze the different user-states (resting, running, walking, ...)? Sorry, but I am completely new to this topic ...
Thank you very much for your efforts and your reply!
So accelerometer should do it (somehow). Unfortunately, I have no idea about designing circuits (at least, I do not know where to start from at the moment). Do you maybe have some ideas for me where to start?
How do I implement the µC to analyze the different user-states (resting, running, walking, ...)? Sorry, but I am completely new to this topic ...
hi,
As you are not requiring to measure/analyse the dynamic movement of the wearer, have you considered a simple vibration sensor.
The vibration sensor could be a simple weight/spring or pendulum switch mechanism that could be clipped to the subjects belt, like the pedometers you can buy.
Hi,
lots of accelerometers are available form Analog Devices and other sources as Carl mentioned. For a beginner, accelerometer may be a better option as they normally come with on-chip signal conditioning, hence, eliminate much of the analog circuit designing.
Also, some are available with serial interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C) which can be directly interfaced with a microcontroller.
Do little googling, you'll find them plenty!
For differentiating between resting, running or walking, the best way would be to first buy sensor, interface with a uc and measure actual response of the sensor for deciding the thresholds.
Another route would be a micro GPS module and a PIC, 3 or possibly 4 wires between the them. It would be able to detect if you were stationary, moving slowly, running, or jumped on the bus!
You would only need to divise a way to retrieve the memory (possibly to a pc, or displayed on an LCD)
Although it would be ABLE to give you the wearers location, you need not record it. Just record info based on speed, or your own interpreted data based on it.
Total cost from ebay parts approx £20-£25 max (could be done cheaper if your thrifty)
EDIT: Just looked on the bay, and they dont seem to have any on just now, but they were something like this, only about £8.95 from a Hong Kong seller.