METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DISTANCE TRAVELLED ALONG A GRADIENT

摘要

Distance travelled over a gradient is determined by measuring atmospheric pressure at a point on a path to be travelled in order to obtain an altitude value. The measurement is repeated at another point on the path travelled, and by determining the difference in altitude values and applying a factor corresponding to the slope of the gradient, the distance between said points is determined. A device operating according to this method and intended particularly for use by a skier comprises an absolute atmospheric pressure sensor (3) coupled to a programmed microprocessor (1) and having appropriate manual controls (2) and a visual display (7). The slope factor may be entered in the microprocessor as an estimated value or as a value measured by an inclinometer (8) provided on the device.