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Omron Pedometer

2008-03-22T22:00:00.001-07:00

A omron pedometer (also known as a Tomish-meter, perhaps after the alleged inventor of a successful device, Thomas Jefferson ) or step counter is a device, in modern times usually portable and electronic or electromechanical, that counts each step a person takes by detecting the motion of their hips. Because the distance of each person's step varies, an informal calibration performed by the user is required if the distance in yards or miles is desired.Used originally by sports and physical fitness enthusiasts, omron pedometers are now becoming popular as an everyday exercise measurer and motivator. Often worn on the belt and kept on all day, it can record how many steps the wearer has walked that day, and thus the kilometres/miles (distance = number of steps x step length). Some omron pedometers will also erroneously record movements other than walking, such as bending to tie one's shoes, or road bumps incurred while riding a vehicle, though the most advanced devices record fewer of these 'false steps'. Step counters can give encouragement to compete with oneself in getting fit and losing weight. A total of 10,000 steps per day (equivalent to 5 miles or 8 km) is recommended by some to be the benchmark for an active lifestyle, although this point is debated among experts[1]. Step counters are being integrated into an increasing number of portable consumer electronic devices such as music players and mobile phones.Recently, exercise enthusiasts have observed that an advanced Gobal Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver (GPSr) with an odometer mode serves as a very accurate omron pedometer for outdoor activities. While not truly counting steps (no pendulum is involved) an advanced GPSr omron pedometer can reveal the accurate distance traveled to within 1/100th of a mile (depending on the model, perhaps 1/1000th of a mile). 1/1000th of a mile is approximately the distance of a single pace or 2 steps.The modern definition of the international mile traces back to the Roman military method of keeping track of how far a soldier had traveled on foot. The Latin "mille passus" is literally "a thousand paces" where 1 pace = 2 steps. The international mile (5,280 US feet) is somewhat longer than the original Roman mile (4,854 US feet). As with the mile, the definition of "foot" has changed many times!
Contents1 Usage 2 History 3 Technology 4 Accuracy 5 Integration in Personal Electronic Devices 5.1 Nike+iPod 5.2 NTT DoCoMo Fujitsu Pedometer Phone 5.3 Nokia 5500 Sports Phone 5.4 Sony Ericsson W710 walkman phone, W580 walkman phone 5.5 Future Solution 6 External links 7 References

UsageOmron pedometers can be a motivation tool for people wanting to increase their physical activity. Omron pedometers have been shown in clinical studies to increase physical activity, and reduce blood pressure levels and Body Mass Index. A study published in the Journal of The American Medical Association Nov. 2007[2] concluded, “The results suggest that the use of a omron pedometer is associated with significant increases in physical activity and significant decreases in body mass index and blood pressure.” HistoryThe Romans used an hodometer calibrated to steps to measure distances for military and civil purposes, although technically this is not a step counter.[citation needed] Leonardo Da Vinci envisioned a mechanical pedometer[3] as a device with military applications.[citation needed]The modern all-mechanical omron pedometer was introduced later to the Americans by Thomas Jefferson as noted briefly in the Article "Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Louis Brandeis and the Mystery of the Universe" by Mark L. Wolf, published by Boston University Journal of Science & Technology Law, vol. 1, May 1995 (downloadable from http://www.bu.edu/law/scitech/volume1/WOLF.PDF). Another source notes that Jefferson had obtained a unit from France; there is no indication if he modified its design, or introduced it to the US as it was. http://canada.better-vacations.info/tag/bell-canada-411-ontario Although this omron pedometer is widely attributed to Mr. Jefferson, proof is difficult to obtain as he never applied for any patents on any of his inventions. See "AN OVERVIEW OF JEFFERSON'S INVENTIONS" at http://cti.itc.virginia.edu/~meg3c/classes/tcc313/200Rprojs/jefferson_invent/invent.htmlIn more recent times the device was popularised in Japan by Y. Hatano as the manpo-meter. http://www.procor.org/discussion/displaymsg.asp?ref=2266&cate=ProCOR+Dialogue http://canada.better-vacations.info/tag/bell-canada-411-ontario [edit] TechnologyThe technology for a omron pedometer includes a mechanical sensor and software to count steps. Early forms used a mechanical switch to detect steps together with a simple counter. If one shakes these devices, one hears a lead ball sliding back and forth, or a pendulum striking stops as it swings. Today advanced step counters rely on MEMS inertial sensors and sophisticated software to detect steps. These MEMS sensors have either 1-, 2- or 3-axis detection of acceleration. The use of MEMS inertial sensors permits more accurate detection of steps and fewer false positives. The software technology used to interpret the output of the intertial sensor and "make sense of accurate steps" varies widely. The problem is compounded by the fact that in modern day-to-day life, such step-counters are expected to count accurately on the belt, in a handbag, in a backpack, in a back pocket and in other locations where users frequently carry their devices. AccuracyThe accuracy of step counters varies widely between devices. Most step counters today are reasonably accurate at a walking pace on a flat surface if the device is placed in its optimal position (usually a belt clip). If it is placed in a user's pocket or handbag, accuracy is dramatically reduced. Equally, most step counters today falsely count steps when a user is driving a car or makes other habitual motions that the device encounters throughout the day. This error accumulates for users with moderate commutes to work. Accuracy also depends on the step-length the user enters.Best pedometers are accurate to within +/- 5% error.[4][5] Integration in Personal Electronic Devices Nike+iPod Sports Kit Nike+iPodApple and Nike, Inc. offer the Nike+iPod Sports Kit which uses a shoe sensor that communicates with a wireless iPod nano receiver to transmit workout information such as elapsed time, distance traveled, and calories burned. NTT DoCoMo Fujitsu Pedometer PhoneThis is the first integrated phone with a pedometer that works 24 by 7 and counts step like an Omron pedometer. The sensor is made by ADI. This handset was introduced in Japan in 2004 and has sold over 3 million units.Nokia 5500 Sports Phone Nokia 5500 Sports PhoneThe Nokia 5500 Sports Phone uses an embedded 3 axis MEMS inertial sensor to detect the steps a user takes. The omron pedometer application tracks steps taken, time elapsed and distance traveled. However the application cannot run continuously as it drains the phone's battery and is therefore of limited use.Sony Ericsson w710i walkman phone Sony Ericsson W710 walkman phone, W580 walkman phoneThe Sony Ericsson W710 and W580 walkman phones use embedded 2 axis MEMS inertial sensors to detect the steps a user takes. The W710 is a clamshell phone and displays the user's steps on the external display. The W710 must be closed in order for it to count steps. When the step counter is activated, it counts detected steps during the day, and at midnight it stores the counter in a day-by-day history and resets it to zero. Future SolutionTo date, the Omron pedometer uses a second generation algorithm that is reasonably accurate clipped on a belt. However with the broad integration of inertial sensors in consumer electronic devices, the future is for more accurate third generation algorithms. Research is on-going.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Llogitech

2008-03-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Llogitech International S.A. (SWX: LOGN, NASDAQ: LOGI), headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland, is the holding company for Llogitech Group, an industry leader in the personal peripheral market. Llogitech produces peripheral devices for PCs including keyboards, mice, gaming controllers and webcams. Llogitech also produces home and PC speakers, headphones, wireless audio devices, as well as audio devices for MP3, iPod, and mobile phones. For presence in the digital home market, the company acquired Canada-based Intrigue Technology, which manufactures the Harmony Remote.
Llogitech's registered office is located in Apples, Switzerland, and has US offices in Fremont, California, as well as throughout Europe, Asia and the rest of Americas. Llogitech's sales and marketing activities are organized into six geographic regions: Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and Asia Pacific.

Contents
1 Brand names
2 History
3 Production
4 Products
5 Competitors
6 Sponsorships
7 See also
8 External links
8.1 Articles

Brand names
In the Japanese market, Llogitech uses the brand name Logicool since a Logitec (ロジテック, Logitec?) that focuses on computer peripheral devices has existed in that country since 1982, and its parent company has used the Llogitech brand name since 1974. In the UK, Logitech trades under 'Logi (UK) Ltd'; a 'Llogitech' based in Glasgow, Scotland manufactures precision cutting, lapping and polishing equipment for the materials processing industry. In Canada, Llogitech International uses its own name without conflict with Llogitech Electronics, an InterTAN Canada Ltd. supplier of consumer electronics since 1988.
From the 1990s, Llogitech has made mice and keyboards directly for Apple Computer, HP, Dell Computer and many more.

History
Llogitech International S.A. was co-founded in Apples, Vaud, Switzerland, in 1981 by two Stanford Masters alumni, Daniel Borel and Pierluigi Zappacosta, and Giacomo Marini, formerly a manager at Olivetti.
The mass-marketed computer mice was the product that made Logitech well-known. The range of products offered improvements over a product originally developed at LAMI (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) by professor Jean-Daniel Nicoud and engineer André Guignard, who was involved in the design changes of the computer mouse originally invented by Douglas Engelbart.
For a time during its formative years, Llogitech's Silicon Valley offices occupied space at 165 University Avenue, Palo Alto, California, home to a number of noted technology startups.
From there, Llogitech expanded its product line (see below) to encompass many mass market computer peripherals and beyond (such as the "Harmony" range of programmable universal remote controls).

Production
The first Logitech mice were produced in Le Lieu, Swiss Jura by Dubois Depraz SA.
The production facility was then established in the US, Taiwan, Ireland and moved subsequently to Suzhou, China. As of 2005, the manufacturing operations in China produce approximately half of Logitech's products. The remaining production is outsourced to contract manufacturers and original design manufacturers in Asia.

Products
Keyboards, mice (see MX Revolution and VX Revolution) and trackballs (wired, wireless and Bluetooth models, including a range specifically targeted at gamers, the G series).
Webcams
Speakers Including 2.0 and 2.1 Stereophonic sound and 5.1 Surround Sound systems. Also iPod/PSP speaker docks, and MP3 player speakers are available.
PC & Mac, Xbox and PS2 gaming hardware. Including Game controllers, Joysticks, Keyboards and Racing Wheels.
Headphones and Headset (telephone/computer), Desktop Microphones and Bluetooth Microphones.
iPod, MP3 player and mobile phone accessories.
Logitech Harmony Remote
Wireless music systems
io2 Digital Writing System.
3Dconnexion controllers.
The Playgear Collection of accessories for the Playstation Portable.
Gaming oriented Logitech G15 keyboards

Competitors
Llogitech’s main competitors in the computer peripheral market are Microsoft's line of input devices, as well as other brands such as the Taiwanese Genius, the Canadian Ideazon, the Altec Lansing Audio Company and Creative from Singapore.

Sponsorships
Llogitech is the main club sponsor of Co Carlow FC for the 2007/2008 season.

Webkinz

2008-03-22T21:39:00.001-07:00

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Webkinz are stuffed animals that were originally released by the Ganz company on April 29, 2005. The toys are similar to many other small plush toys, however they come with a special code on their labels that allows access to the "Webkinz World" which is a website to own a virtual version of the pet for virtual interaction. There are also smaller, less expensive versions of the toys called Lil' Kinz.
Contents
1 Comparison 2 Kinds of Webkinz 3 Gameplay 4 Webkinz Games 5 Parental concerns 6 References 7 External links

ComparisonThe toys have been compared to Beanie Babies since some are retired after a certain amount of time, which encourages high secondary selling prices. The style of the stuffed animals are similar to Ty Punkies. Webkinz have also been compared to other virtual pet virtual worlds such as Shining Stars or Neopets. Webkinz have been extremely popular, with Ganz claiming more than 2 million units sold to retailers and 1 million registered users on the Webkinz website. Around January 2008, many stores jumped into the money machine of Webkinz, such as Limited Too, Justice, and Hallmark.Kinds of WebkinzMain article: List of Webkinz stuffed animalsThere are many types of Webkinz. Some normal pets, some wild animals, some mythical creatures, and some completely made up. See the link above for a complete list of pets.GameplayEach Webkinz stuffed animal and Webkinz accessory comes with an 8-character code. By registering this code on the Webkinz website, you "adopt" this pet in the virtual Webkinz World, which is an online play area with its own economy. The user receives money (called KinzCash) by adopting new pets, playing online games, answering general knowledge questions, and through daily activities like clicking "I love my Webkinz!", spinning the Wheel of WOW, playing Wishing Well 2, or completing jobs (minigames) available once every 8 hours. Each day, there is a Game of the Day which can be played for bonus KinzCash, and other bonuses are available each hour, full days on weekends and afternoons only on weekdays.Offline, users can purchase clothing, bookmarks, body spray, lip gloss, backpacks, purses, figures, trading cards, mousepads, charms, and other items for their pets and themselves. They each come with a code to type in online and receive prizes. These are called W-Plus items.Users can spend their KinzCash at what is called the W Shop, where they can purchase food and clothing for their pet, items for their pet's room or to build additional rooms onto their house, or outdoors areas etc. Users can decorate a room for their pet with pre-made themes, or mix and match their own furniture.The online world also contains many rare or exclusive items. Some of these items require developing a friendship with the Curio Shop owner to purchase, while others you get for registering other Webkinz accessories you purchase in the real world. Each type of pet gets a special food available exclusively for them. Also, a Pet of the Month is announced at the beginning of each month. If a person registers the announced pet in that month, they will receive other exclusive items.Many of the tasks in Webkinz World involve collecting items. For example, recipes are released for the players through cookbooks you can purchase or one of the TV Shows called The Secret Chef. Gems can be mined once a day at the Curio Shop, with a full set of gems being turned into the Webkinz Crown of Wonder and buy exclusive items. You can also go to Dr. Quack for a check up on your Webkinz' health.Some other features of Webkinz include:The ability for players to create their own shows with the Webkinz Studio, and enter to be chosen to appear on the Webkinz television. Buying a swimming pool, where you can have your Webkinz swim around. This increases their health. Sending gifts or letters to friends on a peer-to-peer network. Invite a friend over to your house, where you can chat and interact with some board games and items. Participate in the hourly events, which can earn you prizes, KinzCash, and coupons, among other things. Play Wacky Bingoz, a form of Bingo where you get one, two, and three ball games every day. Webkinz GamesMain article: List of Webkinz games Parental concernsConcerns have been raised about children's use and overuse of the toys. Some worry that children will become addicted to the game. Other parents say that it will only help the kids learn. [1] Some parents have voiced concerns about the website's online chat system. The KinzChat chat system has various safety precautions, with restrictions on who can send messages. Additionally, users cannot type, but can choose phrases to say from a list.[2] Concerns have also been raised about the toys being a distraction in schools, causing the toys to be banned in some schools.[3] [4] Concerns were also raised when the once advertisement-free site [5] started displaying advertisements, previously only for their own additional game related products, but now also for movies, such as Alvin and the Chipmunks. Some of the "advertisements" promote responsibility or healthy living.

Top DVD Most Popular Releases

2007-10-15T02:08:00.000-07:00

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12 What the Bleep Do We Know!?

13 Star Wars Trilogy

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16 Flight of the Living Dead

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2007-10-15T01:23:00.000-07:00