EXERCISE INFORMATION MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, EXERCISE ASSISTANCE METHOD, EXERCISE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Abstract

An exercise information measurement apparatus 10 includes: a storage control unit 22 that stores a movement pace and bodily information measured during movement of a wearer in association with each other in a storage unit 5; a movement pace allocation setting unit 23 that sets a movement pace allocation for when moving over a designated distance; a movement pace correction unit 25 that corrects the set movement pace allocation based on the movement pace and the bodily information stored in the storage unit 5; and a guide unit 26 that guides a movement pace of the wearer in accordance with the corrected movement pace allocation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an exercise information measurement apparatus, an exercise assistance method, and an exercise assistance program.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, there have been many developments in exercise information measurement apparatuses that can measure exercise information such as an activity amount (step count, walking distance, expended calories, and the like), or a movement pace for exercise (walking speed, traveling speed, and the like) by using a movement detection sensor that detects motion of a body of a wearer, such as an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor.

There are known to be such exercise information measurement apparatuses that guide the movement pace such that the exercise load does not become excessively high.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an exercise information measurement apparatus that guides a walking pace by performing notification of an appropriate walking pace while walking is in progress and correcting the appropriate walking pace in real time according to a heart rate while walking is in progress.

Patent Literature 2 discloses an exercise information measurement apparatus that guides a walking pace by calculating an appropriate walking pace for performing a pre-determined exercise pattern with a target pulse rate maintained, and performing notification of the calculated walking pace while exercise is in progress.

Patent Literature 3 discloses an exercise information measurement apparatus that uses vibration to perform notification of an optimal pace allocation while exercise is in progress, in accordance with a pulse rate detected while exercise is in progress.

Patent Literature 4 discloses an exercise information measurement apparatus that stores data of a user's past roadwork (a record of movement pace and pulse), and based on all of the data, calculates and sets the average value of the movement pace at times when the pulse rate fell within a range between being 5% greater than and being 5% less than a target pulse rate as the correct pace.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2000-193485A

Patent Literature 2: JP H08-084706A

Patent Literature 3: JP 2011-171954A

Patent Literature 4: JP 2009-142333A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

For example, in the case of walking, walking is performed quickly at the beginning of walking, walking is then performed at a constant pace, and walking is performed slowly at the end, whereafter walking is stopped. In this manner, in some cases, the walking pace varies in the exercise period, thereby enabling effective exercise.

The apparatuses disclosed in Patent Documents 1, 3, and 4 perform notification of an optimal movement pace according to a heart rate during exercise or a heart rate at a time of past exercise. However, no consideration is given to the case in which the movement pace is varied in the exercise period, as described above.

When exercise is to be performed with an exercise pattern in which the movement pace is varied, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses a relational expression obtained through experimentation and the user's bodily information and target pulse rate to calculate a movement pace allocation according to which the pulse is maintained at a target pulse rate throughout the exercise period, and the apparatus notifies the user of the calculation result.

However, with the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, only a pre-determined exercise pattern can be set. For this reason, for example, if the user sets an arbitrary exercise pattern, it is difficult to accurately determine the movement pace allocation. Also, it is not necessarily the case that the relational expression is created using the pulse rate of a past exercise time of the user. For this reason, depending on the person using the apparatus, there is a possibility that the movement pace allocation will not be accurate.

The present invention has been achieved in light of the foregoing circumstances and it is an object thereof to provide an exercise information measurement apparatus, an exercise assistance method, and an exercise assistance program according to which it is possible to assist effective exercise of a user by accurately obtaining a movement pace for making the exercise load of the user appropriate.

Solution to the Problem

An exercise information measurement apparatus according to the present invention includes: a movement pace measurement unit configured to measure a movement pace of a wearer; a bodily information measurement unit configured to measure bodily information indicating an exercise load of the wearer; a storage control unit configured to store the movement pace measured by the movement pace measurement unit during movement of the wearer and the bodily information measured by the bodily information measurement unit in association with each other in the storage unit; a movement pace allocation setting unit configured to set a movement pace allocation for when moving a designated distance; a movement pace correction unit configured to correct the movement pace allocation set by the movement pace allocation setting unit, based on the movement pace and the bodily information stored in the storage unit; and a guide unit configured to perform guidance regarding a movement pace of the wearer in accordance with the movement pace allocation corrected by the movement pace correction unit.

An exercise assistance method according to the present invention includes: a movement pace measurement step of measuring a movement pace of a wearer of an exercise information measurement apparatus; a bodily information measurement step of measuring bodily information indicating an exercise load of the wearer; a storage control step of storing the movement pace and the bodily information measured during movement of the wearer in association with each other in the storage unit; a movement pace allocation setting step of setting a movement pace allocation for a time of moving over a designated distance; a movement pace correction step of correcting the movement pace allocation set in the movement pace allocation setting step, based on the movement pace and the bodily information stored in the storage unit; and a guide step of performing guidance regarding a movement pace of the wearer in accordance with the movement pace allocation corrected in the movement pace correction step.

An exercise assistance program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the exercise assistance method.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an exercise information measurement apparatus, an exercise assistance method, and an exercise assistance program according to which it is possible to assist effective exercise of a user by accurately obtaining a movement pace for making the exercise load of the user appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an exercise information measurement apparatus 10 for illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a control unit 2 of the exercise information measurement apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating operations performed by the exercise information measurement apparatus 10.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a movement pace set in step S1 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of slope information obtained in step S2 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a movement pace corrected in step S3 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in heart rate estimated in step S4 of FIG

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing, in an overlapped manner, a corrected movement pace indicated by reference numeral 63 in FIG. 6 and estimated changes in heart rate shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a movement pace corrected in step S5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating operations performed by a control unit 2 of a modified example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an exercise information measurement apparatus 10 for illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

An exercise information measurement apparatus 10 includes a body motion detection unit 1, a control unit 2 that performs overall control, a notification unit 3, an operation unit 4, a storage unit 5 that includes a storage medium such as a flash memory or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a display unit 6 for displaying various types of information, and a heartbeat sensor 7.

The body motion detection unit 1 detects information (acceleration, angular velocity) corresponding to a motion of a part of the body of a user (hereinafter referred to as “wearer”) to which the exercise information measurement apparatus 10 is attached (also includes a state in which the exercise information measurement apparatus 10 has been inserted in a pocket of a piece of clothing).

The body motion detection unit 1 includes various sensors such as an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor, and a signal processing unit that processes signals output from the various sensors. It is sufficient that the body motion detection unit 1 includes at least one motion detection sensor and a signal processing unit that processes signals from the motion detection sensor.

The control unit 2 is mainly constituted by a processor that executes a program stored in the ROM of the storage unit 5.

The notification unit 3 is an interface for performing notification to the wearer. The notification unit 3 is constituted by a speaker or a vibrator, for example.

The operation unit 4 is a device for inputting various instructions to the control unit 2. The operation unit 4 is constituted by a button, or a touch panel or the like mounted on the display unit 6.

The storage unit 5 stores detection information detected by the body motion detection unit 1, and stores information needed for the operation of the exercise information measurement apparatus 10. The storage unit 5 stores map data that is used in later-described processing. The map data also includes slope information of each location.

The display unit 6 displays information needed to operate the exercise information measurement apparatus 10, an activity amount measured by the exercise information measurement apparatus 10, and the like. The display unit 6 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, or the like, for example.

The heartbeat sensor 7 is a sensor that detects the heartbeat of the wearer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks realized by the control unit 2 due to the processor executing a program stored in the storage unit 5 of the exercise information measurement apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 2 includes a movement pace measurement unit 20, a bodily information measurement unit 21, a storage control unit 22, a movement pace allocation setting unit 23, a slope information acquisition unit 24, a movement pace correction unit 25, and a guide unit 26.

The movement pace measurement unit 20 measures the movement pace of the wearer based on the detection information detected by the body motion detection unit 1.

For example, based on a value obtained by multiplying a step count in a predetermined period, which is detected based on the detection information, and a step width set in advance, the movement pace measurement unit 20 calculates a movement distance in the predetermined period. The movement pace measurement unit 20 uses the predetermined period and the movement distance to measure the movement distance per unit time (e.g., 60 minutes) as the movement pace.

Note that a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver may be mounted in the exercise information measurement apparatus 10 separately from the body motion detection unit 1, and the movement pace measurement unit 20 may measure the movement pace based on a signal detected by the GPS receiver.

The bodily information measurement unit 21 measures the heart rate, which serves as the bodily information indicating the exercise load of the wearer, based on the heartbeat data detected by the heartbeat sensor 7. There is no limitation to the heart rate, and for example, the pulse rate may be used as the bodily information. In this case, a pulse sensor is used instead of the heartbeat sensor 7. In the present specification, description will be given using the number of heartbeats per minute as the heart rate.

The movement pace allocation setting unit 23 sets the movement pace allocation for when the wearer moves over a distance designated by the wearer (target distance input via the operation unit 4).

For example, the storage unit 5 stores multiple patterns of movement pace allocation for when moving over a distance X for a predetermined amount of time Y.

Specifically, with a pattern in which a movement pace A is used in a segment corresponding to the first 10% of the distance X, a movement pace B is used in a segment corresponding to 10% to 80% of the distance X, and a movement pace C is used in a segment corresponding to 80% to 100% of the distance X, patterns obtained by changing the numerical values of the movement paces A, B, and C, and patterns obtained by changing the allocation of the lengths of the segments for setting the movement paces A, B, and C are stored. There may also be patterns in which two or four or more movement paces are set.

Also, the storage unit 5 stores map data, and due to the control performed by the control unit 2, a map based on the map data is displayed on the display unit 6. The wearer operates the operation unit 4 to designate, on the map, a planned movement route on which the wearer is to move in the future.

The movement pace allocation setting unit 23 obtains the distance of the planned movement route on the map based on the map data and sets it as the target distance for the wearer. Also, the movement pace allocation setting unit 23 sets a target time (time needed in order to complete movement over the target distance) input by the wearer.

When the target distance and the target time are set, the movement pace allocation setting unit 23 displays a screen for selecting a movement pace allocation pattern on the display unit 6.

When the wearer designates a specific movement pace allocation pattern on the selection screen, the movement pace allocation setting unit 23 reads out the designated pattern from the storage unit 5. The movement pace allocation setting unit 23 sets a movement pace allocation for the case where the distance X of the read-out pattern is replaced with the designated target distance. Furthermore, the movement pace allocation setting unit 23 sets the final movement pace allocation by processing the movement pace set here so as to achieve a target pace for which the predetermined amount of time Y is set.

Note that it is possible to use a configuration in which the wearer performs a manual operation to input the movement pace allocation for the target distance determined according to the planned movement route and the movement pace allocation setting unit 23 sets the input allocation.

Also, here, the map data is stored in the storage unit 5, but a communication interface capable of connecting to a network such as the Internet may be added to the exercise information measurement apparatus 10, and the control unit 2 may acquire the map data via the network.

The slope information acquisition unit 24 acquires slope information of routes on which the wearer moves. The slope information can be acquired based on the map data stored in the storage unit 5. Note that the slope information may be obtained from an external apparatus via the network, similarly to the map data.

The storage control unit 22 stores a movement pace measured by the movement pace measurement unit 20 and bodily information measured by the bodily information measurement unit 21 at a time when the wearer moves on a certain route, and slope information of the certain route, which is acquired by the slope information acquisition unit 24, in association with each other in the storage unit 5.

In other words, the storage unit 5 stores a movement route for a time when the wearer moved in the past, slope information of the movement route, a record of the movement pace when movement on the movement route was in progress, and a record of a heart rate when movement on the movement route was in progress.

The movement pace correction unit 25 corrects the movement pace allocation set by the movement pace allocation setting unit 23 based on the movement pace, bodily information, and slope information stored in the storage unit 5, and the slope information of the planned movement route acquired by the slope information acquisition unit 24.

The guide unit 26 performs guidance with regard to the movement pace of the wearer in accordance with the movement pace allocation corrected by the movement pace correction unit 25. For example, guidance regarding the movement pace is performed by causing the notification unit 3 to generate a sound or causing a vibrator to vibrate at a time in accordance with the movement pace such that movement can be performed at the set movement pace.

Operations performed by the system 100 constituted as described above will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating operations performed by the exercise information measurement apparatus 10.

First, the wearer of the exercise information measurement apparatus 10 designates a planned movement route on a map displayed on the display unit 6, selects one movement pace allocation pattern displayed on the display unit 6, and inputs a target time needed for completing movement on the planned movement route.

Accordingly, the movement pace allocation setting unit 23 obtains and sets the target distance based on the designated planned movement route, sets the movement pace allocation for the target distance based on the target distance and the selected pattern, and furthermore sets the input target time (step S1).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a movement pace allocation set for the target distance set in step S1. FIG. 4 shows a movement pace allocation that is set in the case of moving for an input target time on a designated planned movement route having a total distance of 6.5 km.

Next, based on the map data of the storage unit 5, the slope information acquisition unit 24 acquires the slope information of the planned movement route designated by the wearer (step S2). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of slope information obtained in step S2. As shown in FIG. 5, the slope information is constituted by information on the altitude at each distance.

Next, based on the slope information acquired in step S2, the movement pace correction unit 25 corrects the movement pace set in step S1 (step S3).

For example, on the planned movement route set in step S1, uphill portions with an incline that is greater than or equal to a predetermined value are subjected to correction for lowering the movement pace, and downhill portions with an incline that is greater than or equal to a predetermined value are subjected to correction for raising the movement pace.

Due to this correction, shifting occurs between the set target time and the amount of time needed to complete movement at the time of moving over the target distance with the corrected movement pace allocation. For this reason, the movement pace correction unit 25 furthermore corrects the movement pace so that the amount of time needed to complete movement over the target distance matches the target time. Specifically, the movement pace correction unit 25 performs correction for uniformly increasing the overall movement pace.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a movement pace corrected in step S3. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 61 indicates the movement pace set in step S1. Reference numeral 62 indicates the movement pace obtained by correcting the movement pace indicated by reference numeral 61 based on the slope information shown in FIG. 5. Reference numeral 63 indicates the movement pace obtained by correcting the movement pace indicated by reference numeral 62 in order to match the target time.

Next, based on the movement pace, bodily information, and slope information stored in the storage unit 5, the slope information shown in FIG. 5, which was acquired in step S2, and the corrected movement pace indicated by reference numeral 63, the movement pace correction unit 25 estimates changes in heart rate, which indicate values of the heart rate at distance achievement times in the case of moving at the corrected movement pace indicated by reference numeral 63 on the planned movement route designated by the wearer (step S4).

The heart rate that will be achieved when moving at a certain pace on a route with a certain slope is found based on the movement pace, bodily information, and slope information stored in the storage unit 5.

Accordingly, by using a relational expression expressing the relationship between the movement pace, bodily information, and slope information, the slope information of the planned movement route designated by the wearer, and the corrected movement pace indicated by reference numeral 63 in FIG. 6, it is possible to estimate changes in the heart rate in the case of moving on the planned movement route at the corrected movement pace.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the changes in the heart rate estimated in step S4. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing, in an overlapped manner, the movement pace corrected in step S3, which is indicated by reference numeral 63, and the estimated changes in the heart rate shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 shows the upper limit threshold value of the heart rate. The upper limit threshold value may be input at the discretion of the wearer by operating the operation unit 4, or may be set by being calculated by the control unit 2.

In the case of being calculated by the control unit 2, the control unit 2 uses {(maximum heart rate−resting heart rate)×α+(resting heart rate)} as the upper limit threshold value, for example. The maximum heart rate in this context is (220—age of wearer) beats per minute. The resting heart rate is generally 70 beats per minute, and the coefficient α is set to 0.5 for a person with a low body strength level, and is set to 0.85 for a person with a high body strength level.

The maximum heart rate and resting heart rate are input through manual input by the wearer, or by being measured by the heart rate sensor 7, and the control unit 2 sets the upper limit threshold value using the expression above. The upper limit threshold value is a value indicating that if the heart rate becomes greater there than or equal thereto, an excessive burden will be placed on the heart of the wearer.

Note that the upper limit threshold value is not limited to this, and can be determined as the wearer desires. For example, the movement pace correction unit 25 may set the upper limit value in response to a desire to not exceed xx % of the maximum heart rate since it is dangerous for the heart rate to be greater than or equal to such a value.

After step S4, the movement pace correction unit 25 corrects the movement pace indicated by reference numeral 63 such that the heart rate estimated in step S4 is less than or equal to the upper limit threshold value (e.g., 90% of the upper limit threshold value) over all segments of the planned movement route (step S5).

In other words, for the segments in which the estimated heart rate exceeds the upper limit threshold value in FIG. 8, the movement pace correction unit 25 performs correction for lowering the movement pace such that the heart rate in those segments is less than or equal to the upper limit threshold value, and thus the movement pace indicated by reference numeral 70 in FIG. 9 is obtained.

Due to the correction performed in step S5, misalignment occurs between the set target time and the amount of time needed to complete movement at the time of moving over the target distance at the corrected movement pace. For this reason, the movement pace correction unit 25 furthermore corrects the movement pace indicated by reference numeral 70 so that the amount of time needed to complete movement over the target distance matches the target time.

Specifically, the movement pace correction unit 25 performs correction for uniformly increasing or reducing the movement pace in all of the segments except for the segments in which the movement pace was changed in step S5, such that the amount of time needed to complete movement over the target distance matches the target time.

Then, the movement pace correction unit 25 stores the corrected movement pace as the final movement pace in the storage unit 5 (step S6).

When the wearer operates the operation unit 4 to instruct the start of a workout (step S7: YES), the guide portion 26 guides the movement pace of the wearer by periodically performing notification from the notification unit 3 based on the final movement pace stored in the storage unit 5 in step S6 (step S8).

As described above, according to the exercise information measurement apparatus 10, the movement pace set for the planned movement route first instructed by the wearer is corrected based on the slope information of the planned movement route, and based on the movement pace for a certain past movement route of the wearer, bodily information obtained while movement on the movement route is in progress, and slope information of the movement route. Since the set movement pace is corrected based on the past data of the wearer, which is stored in the storage unit 5, it is possible to suitably perform guidance regarding the movement pace in accordance with the person wearing the exercise information measurement apparatus 10.

Note that as shown in FIG. 9, the overall changes in the corrected movement pace (reference numeral 70) are based on the overall changes in the set movement pace. For this reason, exercise at a load desired by the wearer can be performed without excessive burden being placed on the heart of the wearer. Thus, the exercise information measurement apparatus 10 can correspond not only to walking and running at a constant pace, but also to more complex exercise patterns, whereby convenience can be improved and the product value can be increased.

Also, according to the exercise information measurement apparatus 10, the movement pace is corrected with consideration given to slope information of the set planned movement route. For this reason, it is possible to perform suitable correction corresponding to a certain route selected by the wearer, and it is possible to receive accurate guidance corresponding to the certain route without being limited to the route for exercising.

Note that among the functional blocks of the control unit 2 shown in FIG. 2, the slope information acquisition unit 24 may be omitted. With the control unit 2 of a modified example in which the slope information acquisition unit 24 is omitted, the storage control unit 22 stores the movement pace calculated by the movement pace control unit 20 and the bodily information measured by the bodily information measurement unit 21 in association with each other in the storage unit 5.

Also, with the control unit 2 of a modified example, the movement pace correction unit 25 estimates the changes in the heart rate of the wearer at the time of moving over a target distance at the set movement pace, based on the movement pace allocation set by the movement pace allocation setting unit 23 and the movement pace for a certain movement route and heart rate stored in the storage unit 5. The movement pace correction unit 25 corrects the set movement pace based on the changes in the heart rate.

Also, in the description above, in step S5 of FIG. 3, the movement pace is corrected such that the estimated heart rate is less than or equal to the upper limit threshold value. However, the movement pace is corrected in various ways depending on the mode of use.

For example, in the case of responding to a desire to run with a heart rate that is within xx % to xx % of the maximum heart rate, it is sufficient to use a configuration in which the movement pace is corrected in step S5 of FIG. 3 such that the estimated heart rate falls within a predetermined range (e.g., a range designated by a user). With this configuration as well, the movement pace correction unit 25 also corrects the movement pace such that the heart rate is less than or equal to the upper limit value of this range.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating operations performed by the control unit 2 of a modified example. In FIG. 10, processing similar to that shown in FIG. 3 is denoted by identical reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

After step S1, the movement pace correction unit 25 estimates changes in the heart rate of the wearer at the time of moving on the planned movement route at the set movement pace, based on the movement pace allocation set by the movement pace allocation setting unit 23, and based on the movement pace and heart rate for the certain movement route stored in the storage unit 5 (step S4a).

The heart rate that will be achieved when moving at a certain pace is found based on the movement pace and bodily information stored in the storage unit 5. Accordingly, by using a relational expression expressing the relationship between the movement pace and the bodily information, and the set movement pace shown in FIG. 4, the changes in the heart rate in the case of moving on the designated planned movement route at the movement pace shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained.

After step S4a, the movement pace correction unit 25 corrects the movement pace such that the heart rate is less than or equal to the upper limit threshold value over all segments of the designated planned movement route (step S5a). Specifically, correction is performed in which the movement pace of a segment in which the designated heart rate exceeds the upper limit threshold value is reduced such that the heart rate is less than or equal to the upper limit threshold value.

Due to the correction performed in step S5a, misalignment occurs between the set target time and the amount of time needed to complete movement in the case of moving over the target distance at the corrected movement pace. For this reason, the movement pace correction unit 25 furthermore corrects the movement pace corrected in step S5a so that the amount of time needed to complete movement over the target distance matches the target time.

Specifically, the movement pace correction unit 25 performs correction for uniformly increasing or reducing the movement pace in all of the segments except for the segments in which the movement pace was changed in step S5a, such that the amount of time needed to complete movement over the target distance matches the target time.

Then, the movement pace correction unit 25 stores the corrected movement pace as the final movement pace in the storage unit 5 (step S6).

As described above, even if the slope information is not used, the movement pace is corrected in accordance with the person wearing the exercise information measurement apparatus 10. For this reason, even when exercise is performed at a movement pace that is not constant, it is possible to perform assistance such that exercise is performed without the heart rate exceeding an upper limit threshold value.

Note that after the workout is started, the control unit 2 of the exercise information measurement apparatus 10 may monitor variations in the heart rate based on the detection information of the heartbeat sensor 7 and correct the set movement pace allocation as appropriate such that the heart rate does not exceed the upper limit threshold value.

A program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 10 or a program for causing a computer to function as the functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 can be provided by a program being recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium.

Examples of this kind of “computer-readable recording medium” include an optical medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM), a magnetic recording medium such as a memory card, and the like. Also, this kind of program can be provided by downloading via a network.

The embodiment disclosed herein is to be thought of as being in all ways exemplary and in no ways limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims and not by the above-described embodiment, and equivalent meanings as well as all modifications that fall within the scope are intended to be included in the scope of the invention.

As described above, the following items are disclosed in the present specification.

The disclosed exercise assistance apparatus includes: a movement pace measurement unit configured to measure a movement pace of a wearer; a bodily information measurement unit configured to measure bodily information indicating an exercise load of the wearer; a storage control unit configured to store the movement pace measured by the movement pace measurement unit during movement of the wearer and the bodily information measured by the bodily information measurement unit in association with each other in the storage unit; a movement pace allocation setting unit configured to set a movement pace allocation for when moving a designated distance; a movement pace correction unit configured to correct the movement pace allocation set by the movement pace allocation setting unit, based on the movement pace and the bodily information stored in the storage unit; and a guide unit configured to perform guidance regarding a movement pace of the wearer in accordance with the movement pace allocation corrected by the movement pace correction unit.

With the disclosed exercise assistance apparatus, the movement pace correction unit uses the movement pace allocation set by the movement pace allocation setting unit and the movement pace and the bodily information stored in the storage unit to estimate a change in the bodily information of the wearer at a time of moving over the designated distance at the set movement pace allocation, and the movement pace correction unit corrects the movement pace allocation such that the estimated bodily information is less than or equal to a threshold value over all segments of the designated distance.

The disclosed exercise assistance apparatus further includes a slope information acquisition unit configured to acquire slope information of a route on which the wearer moves, wherein the storage control unit stores the movement pace and the bodily information measured during movement of the wearer and the slope information of the route during the movement in association with each other in the storage unit, and the movement pace correction unit corrects the set movement pace allocation based on the movement pace, the bodily information, and the slope information stored in the storage unit, and on the slope information of the route for which the designated distance is set, the slope information being acquired by the slope information acquisition unit.

With the disclosed exercise assistance apparatus, the movement pace correction unit uses the slope information of the route for which the set movement pace allocation and the designated distance are set, and uses the movement pace, the bodily information, and the slope information stored in the storage unit to estimate the change in the bodily information of the wearer at the time of moving over the designated distance, and the movement pace correction unit corrects the movement pace allocation such that the estimated bodily information is less than or equal to a threshold value over all segments of the designated distance.

The disclosed exercise assistance method includes: a movement pace measurement step of measuring a movement pace of a wearer of an exercise information measurement apparatus; a bodily information measurement step of measuring bodily information indicating an exercise load of the wearer; a storage control step of storing the movement pace and the bodily information measured during movement of the wearer in association with each other in the storage unit; a movement pace allocation setting step of setting a movement pace allocation for a time of moving over a designated distance; a movement pace correction step of correcting the movement pace allocation set in the movement pace allocation setting step, based on the movement pace and the bodily information stored in the storage unit; and a guide step of performing guidance regarding a movement pace of the wearer in accordance with the movement pace allocation corrected in the movement pace correction step.

The disclosed exercise assistance program is a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the exercise assistance method.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an exercise information measurement apparatus, an exercise assistance method, and an exercise assistance program according to which it is possible to assist effective exercise of a user by accurately obtaining a movement pace for making the exercise load of the user appropriate.

While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and many variations and modifications can be made without departing from the technical idea of the disclosed invention.

The present application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application 2014-221257 filed on October 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

2 Control unit

3 Notification unit

5 Storage unit

7 Heartbeat sensor

20 Movement pace measurement unit

21 Bodily information measurement unit

22 Storage control unit

23 Movement pace allocation setting unit

24 Slope information acquisition unit

25 Movement pace correction unit

26 Guide unit

Claims

1. An exercise information measurement apparatus, comprising:

a movement pace measurement unit configured to measure a movement pace of a wearer;

a bodily information measurement unit configured to measure bodily information indicating an exercise load of the wearer;

a storage control unit configured to store the movement pace measured by the movement pace measurement unit during movement of the wearer and the bodily information measured by the bodily information measurement unit in association with each other in the storage unit;

a movement pace allocation setting unit configured to set a movement pace allocation for when moving a designated distance;

a movement pace correction unit configured to correct the movement pace allocation set by the movement pace allocation setting unit, based on the movement pace and the bodily information stored in the storage unit; and

a guide unit configured to perform guidance regarding a movement pace of the wearer in accordance with the movement pace allocation corrected by the movement pace correction unit.

2. The exercise information measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the movement pace correction unit uses the movement pace allocation set by the movement pace allocation setting unit and the movement pace and the bodily information stored in the storage unit to estimate a change in the bodily information of the wearer at a time of moving over the designated distance at the set movement pace allocation, and the movement pace correction unit corrects the movement pace allocation such that the estimated bodily information is less than or equal to a threshold value over all segments of the designated distance.

3. The exercise information measurement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising

a slope information acquisition unit configured to acquire slope information of a route on which the wearer moves,

wherein the storage control unit stores the movement pace and the bodily information measured during movement of the wearer and the slope information of the route during the movement in association with each other in the storage unit, and

the movement pace correction unit corrects the set movement pace allocation based on the movement pace, the bodily information, and the slope information stored in the storage unit, and on the slope information of the route for which the designated distance is set, the slope information being acquired by the slope information acquisition unit.

4. The exercise information measurement apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

the movement pace correction unit uses the slope information of the route for which the set movement pace allocation and the designated distance are set, and uses the movement pace, the bodily information, and the slope information stored in the storage unit to estimate the change in the bodily information of the wearer at the time of moving over the designated distance, and the movement pace correction unit corrects the movement pace allocation such that the estimated bodily information is less than or equal to a threshold value over all segments of the designated distance.

5. An exercise assistance method, comprising:

a movement pace measurement step of measuring a movement pace of a wearer of an exercise information measurement apparatus;

a bodily information measurement step of measuring bodily information indicating an exercise load of the wearer;

a storage control step of storing the movement pace and the bodily information measured during movement of the wearer in association with each other in the storage unit;

a movement pace allocation setting step of setting a movement pace allocation for a time of moving over a designated distance;

a movement pace correction step of correcting the movement pace allocation set in the movement pace allocation setting step, based on the movement pace and the bodily information stored in the storage unit; and

a guide step of performing guidance regarding a movement pace of the wearer in accordance with the movement pace allocation corrected in the movement pace correction step.

6. An exercise assistance program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the exercise assistance method according to claim 5.