INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM

Abstract

An information processing apparatus includes a setting unit and a providing unit. The setting unit sets an exercise intensity. The providing unit provides exercise information used by a user to achieve the exercise intensity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-111839 filed Jun. 6, 2017.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a non-transitory computer readable medium.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a setting unit and a providing unit. The setting unit sets an exercise intensity. The providing unit provides exercise information used by a user to achieve the exercise intensity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exercise setting table;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the terminal apparatus;

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen;

FIG. 5 illustrates a screen;

FIG. 6 illustrates a screen; and

FIG. 7 is a graph depicting postprandial blood sugar levels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A terminal apparatus that is an example of an information processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a terminal apparatus 10 according to this exemplary embodiment.

The terminal apparatus 10 is a portable terminal apparatus such as a smartphone, a wearable terminal, or a mobile phone. The terminal apparatus 10 may be a portable, small-sized tablet personal computer (PC). The terminal apparatus 10 has a function of providing information concerning exercises. The terminal apparatus 10 may provide other information such as information concerning meals. The configuration of the terminal apparatus 10 will be described in detail hereinafter.

A communication unit 12 is a communication interface and has a function of transmitting data to other devices and a function of receiving data from other devices. The communication unit 12 may be a communication interface having a wireless communication function or may be a communication interface having a wired communication function. The terminal apparatus 10 may optionally include the communication unit 12.

A storage unit 14 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a memory (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)). The storage unit 14 stores, for example, exercise setting information 16, various kinds of data, and various programs. The storage unit 14 may also store information indicating the addresses of other devices. These pieces of information may be stored in separate storage devices or may be stored in the same storage device.

The exercise setting information 16 is information indicating exercise parameters to be provided to a user and is information indicating associations of, for example, exercise intensity, target heart rate, exercise type, travel speed during exercise, and Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET). The exercise intensity is a measure of how hard a person exercises (how hard a person works during a physical activity) and may be associated with the travel speed, moving, heart rate, body temperature, and sweating rate, and other factors of a person, or otherwise subjective exercise intensity (a psychological measure of how hard a person exercises) may be used. The exercise intensity is represented by a value (in %), for example. The MET is a unit used to define the exercise intensity and is a measure used to estimate energy expenditure required for an activity to express the intensity of the activity. One MET is defined as energy expenditure at rest. The exercise setting information 16 will be described in detail below.

A user interface (UI) unit 18 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit is an input device such as a touch panel or various buttons. The UI unit 18 may be a user interface including a display unit and an operation unit in different form (e.g., a touch display or a device configured such that an electronic keyboard or the like is displayed on a display).

A user information obtaining unit 20 has a function of obtaining physical information and meal information about the user. The physical information and the meal information may be input by the user using the UI unit 18 or may be obtained by a device.

The physical information includes information indicating physical conditions of the user, such as gender, age, exercise habits, step length, body weight, heart rate, resting heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar level, the date and time of measurement of the blood pressure, and the date and time of measurement of the blood sugar level. The heart rate, the body temperature, the blood pressure, and so on may be measured using an activity meter, for example. The terminal apparatus 10 may function as an activity meter to measure a heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and so on, or a device other than the terminal apparatus 10, for example, a wearable terminal having a function of an activity meter, may be used to measure a heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and so on. The user information obtaining unit 20 may obtain information indicating the blood sugar level of the user. For example, a wearable terminal designed to measure a blood sugar level may be attached to the skin of the user and may send information indicating a blood sugar level measured by the wearable terminal to the terminal apparatus 10.

The meal information includes the composition of meals eaten by the user, the times of eating (meal times), the caloric intake, the amount of carbohydrate, and so on. The user information obtaining unit 20 may obtain information indicating the composition of meals by causing the user to take images of the meals using a camera. When the terminal apparatus 10 has a function of a camera, the user may take images of the meals by using the terminal apparatus 10. The images taken by the user are analyzed to identify the composition of the meals eaten by the user, and the user information obtaining unit 20 obtains information indicating the composition of the identified meals. The analysis of images may be performed by the terminal apparatus 10 or may be performed by an external device such as a server. The composition of the meals identified through image analysis may be used to determine the caloric intake or the amount of carbohydrate (e.g., a statistical value (a value obtained by analyzing actual food data) or the like). It is to be understood that the user may input meal information by using the UI unit 18.

An exercise measurement unit 22 has a function of performing exercise measurement for the user. For example, the exercise measurement unit 22 measures the number of steps the user has taken, the travel speed or the travel distance of the user, or the duration of an exercise performed by the user. The exercise measurement unit 22 may be a pedometer. The exercise measurement unit 22 may be optionally included in the terminal apparatus 10. Alternatively, the exercise measurement unit 22 may be included in a device other than the terminal apparatus 10, such as a wearable terminal. In this case, the terminal apparatus 10 obtains measured results of the exercise from the device. The travel distance may be measured using Global Positioning System (GPS) or may be obtained by multiplying the measured number of steps by the step length.

An exercise intensity setting unit 24 has a function of setting an exercise intensity. The exercise intensity may be specified by the user or may be determined based on the number of calories to be burned by the user. An initial value may be determined for the exercise intensity. The initial value is, for example, 50%. The initial value may be changed by the user. Examples of the number of calories to be burned by the user include the total number of calories in meals eaten by the user within a predetermined period (e.g., within a day), and the number of calories of carbohydrate ingested by the user within the period. The number of calories obtained by subtracting the number of calories expended at rest from the total number of calories or the number of carbohydrate calories may be used as the number of calories to be burned by the user. The exercise intensity setting unit 24 may change the exercise intensity in accordance with whether the user has achieved the goal of the exercise.

A target heart rate calculation unit 26 has a function of calculating a target heart rate based on the exercise intensity. The calculation of a target heart rate is performed using the Karvonen method, for example. In the Karvonen method, a target heart rate is calculated in accordance with Formula (1).

Target heart rate=(maximum heart rate−resting heart rate)×exercise intensity (%)+resting heart rate  (1)

The maximum heart rate of the user is given by 220 minus the age of the user.

With the use of the heart rate, an exercise intensity corresponding to the heart rate is calculated. The exercise intensity is calculated in accordance with Formula (2).

Exercise intensity=(heart rate−resting heart rate)−(maximum heart rate−resting heart rate)×100  (2)

The age, the resting heart rate, and the heart rate are information included in the physical information described above. The intensity of an exercise that is actually performed may be measured by measuring the heart rate during the exercise.

An exercise duration setting unit 28 has a function of setting the duration of an exercise to be performed by the user. The exercise duration may be specified by the user or may be determined based on the number of calories to be burned by the user. An initial value may be determined for the exercise duration. The initial value may be changed by the user. The exercise duration set by the exercise duration setting unit 28 is hereinafter referred to as the “target exercise duration”.

An exercise parameter setting unit 30 has a function of setting parameters of an exercise to be performed by the user based on the exercise intensity. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 identifies, for example, exercise parameters associated with the exercise intensity in the exercise setting information 16, such as the exercise type, the travel speed, and the MET, as the parameters of an exercise to be performed by the user. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may set exercise parameters based on the exercise intensity and the target heart rate or may set exercise parameters based on the target heart rate.

Exercise information indicating the exercise parameters set by the exercise parameter setting unit 30 is provided to the user. Since the exercise parameters are based on the exercise intensity, the exercise information corresponds to information used by the user to achieve the exercise intensity.

The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may determine a virtual exercise ability based on the exercise parameters and set a virtual competitor, called a pacemaker, having the virtual exercise ability. The pacemaker is implemented by artificial intelligence (AI), for example, and performs an exercise in virtual space with the virtual exercise ability. The virtual exercise ability is represented by, for example, the travel speed included in the exercise parameters.

An exercise evaluation unit 32 has a function of performing exercise evaluation for the user. When a pacemaker is used, the exercise evaluation unit 32 compares the exercise performed by the user, which is measured by the exercise measurement unit 22, with the exercise performed by the pacemaker in virtual space and outputs information indicating a comparison result (evaluation result). The comparison result is provided to the user. For example, when the result of the exercise performed by the user is better than the result of the virtual exercise performed by the pacemaker, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has defeated the pacemaker. When the result of the virtual exercise performed by the pacemaker is better than the result of the exercise performed by the user, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has been defeated by the pacemaker.

The exercise intensity setting unit 24 may set the exercise intensity in accordance with the evaluation result obtained by the exercise evaluation unit 32. For example, when the user has defeated the pacemaker, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 may set the exercise intensity to a higher level. When the user has been defeated by the pacemaker, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 may remain the set exercise intensity or may set the exercise intensity to a lower level.

An exercise duration accumulation unit 34 has a function of accumulating the durations of exercises actually performed by the user to determine a cumulative exercise duration. The cumulative exercise duration may be used to calculate the number of calories burned actually or advice on exercises based on the cumulative exercise duration may be provided to the user.

A control unit 36 has a function of controlling the operation of each unit of the terminal apparatus 10. When a pacemaker is used, the control unit 36 may grant points to the user when the user has defeated the pacemaker. The control unit 36 includes a display control unit 38.

The display control unit 38 has a function of causing the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display various types of information. The display control unit 38 causes the display unit to display exercise information, such as an image associated with the user, an image associated with the pacemaker, information indicating an exercise path, and information indicating a comparison result between the exercise performed by the user and the exercise performed by the pacemaker.

In the following, an exercise setting table that is an example of the exercise setting information 16 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the exercise setting table.

In the exercise setting table, for example, the type of an exercise, the travel speed during the exercise (in m/min and km/h), the MET of the exercise, the activity duration (in min), the number of calories predicted to be burned when the exercise is performed for the activity duration (caloric expenditure), the heartbeat and rate, the target heart rate, and the exercise intensity are associated with one another. A person works harder during an exercise having a higher level of exercise intensity. For example, the travel speed during an exercise having a higher level of exercise intensity is set higher.

The value of each item may be, for example, a statistical value (a value obtained by analyzing the actual exercise data) or the like. The exercise setting table is created in advance and is stored in the storage unit 14. The values included in the exercise setting table may be updated at a predetermined timing or at any desired timing. For example, when a new statistical value is obtained, the statistical value may be reflected in the exercise setting table.

The exercise setting table is referred to, thereby identifying specific parameters associated with an exercise type, such as the travel speed, the MET, the caloric expenditure, and the exercise intensity. Further, an exercise intensity is specified, thereby identifying parameters necessary to achieve the exercise intensity, such as the type of an exercise, the travel speed during the exercise, the MET of the exercise, and the number of calories burned during the exercise. Alternatively, an exercise intensity and a target heart rate are specified, thereby identifying parameters necessary to achieve the exercise intensity and the target heart rate, such as the type of an exercise, the travel speed during the exercise, the MET of the exercise, and the number of calories burned during the exercise. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 refers to the exercise setting table to identify parameters of an exercise (such as the type of the exercise and the travel speed) associated with the exercise intensity set by the exercise intensity setting unit 24. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may identify exercise parameters associated with the exercise intensity and the target heart rate.

If the exercise intensity set by the exercise intensity setting unit 24 is not included in the exercise setting table, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 searches the exercise setting table for an exercise intensity that is closest to the set exercise intensity and identifies the exercise parameters associated with the found exercise intensity. This also applies to the case in which the calculated target heart rate is not included in the exercise setting table. In this case, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may search the exercise setting table for a target heart rate that is closest to the calculated target heart rate.

The operation of the terminal apparatus 10 will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the terminal apparatus 10. The description will be given of the case in which the user competes with a pacemaker.

First, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 checks the exercise stage of the user (S01). The exercise stage of the user corresponds to the exercise level of the user and is associated with the exercise intensity. Multiple exercise stages are created in advance, and information indicating the exercise stages is stored in, for example, the storage unit 14. When the user has defeated the pacemaker, the exercise stage proceeds to the next stage and the exercise intensity is set to a higher level accordingly. When the exercise stage is set to an initial value (e.g., stage “1”), the exercise intensity that is set to an initial value (e.g., 50%) is used. It is assumed here that the exercise stage is set to the initial value and the exercise intensity setting unit 24 sets the exercise intensity to the initial value. It is to be understood that the user may specify the exercise intensity. When the exercise intensity is set, the target heart rate calculation unit 26 calculates a target heart rate in accordance with, for example, the Karvonen method. Information necessary for the calculation of a target heart rate is obtained by the user information obtaining unit 20.

Then, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 refers to the exercise setting table illustrated in FIG. 2 to identify exercise parameters associated with the exercise intensity and target heart rate set in step S01, such as the exercise type, the travel speed, and the MET, and sets the intensity of the pacemaker serving as an exercise competitor on the basis of the exercise parameters (S02). The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may set exercise parameters associated with the exercise intensity set in step S01, rather than associated with the target heart rate, and set the intensity of the pacemaker on the basis of the exercise parameters.

A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. 2. It is assumed that the exercise intensity is 50% and the target heart rate is 116. The exercise type that meets these conditions is “very brisk walking (level ground)”, in which case the travel speed is “107 (m/min)”, i.e., “6.4 (km/h)”, and the MET is “5.0”. In this case, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets a pacemaker having a virtual travel speed equal to the travel speed.

Then, the exercise duration setting unit 28 sets the duration of an exercise to be performed by the user (target exercise duration) (S03). For example, the exercise duration setting unit 28 sets a target exercise duration that is specified by the user using the UI unit 18. When a target exercise duration is set, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 multiplies the travel speed (virtual travel speed) included in the exercise parameters by the target exercise duration to calculate a target travel distance. The target travel distance corresponds to the distance to be achieved by the user through the exercise. That is, when the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within the target exercise duration, the user is determined to have successfully achieved the exercise intensity.

Then, when the user gives an instruction to start the exercise (start a competition) by using the UI unit 18, a competition with the pacemaker starts (S04).

When the user starts the exercise, the exercise measurement unit 22 performs exercise measurement for the user (S05). Specifically, the exercise measurement unit 22 measures the distance traveled by the user. The exercise measurement unit 22 may measure the travel distance by using GPS or may measure the number of steps and multiply the number of steps by the step length to calculate the travel distance. Further, the exercise measurement unit 22 calculates the virtual travel distance of the pacemaker. Specifically, the exercise measurement unit 22 multiplies the elapsed time from the point in time at which the user started the exercise (the duration of the actually performed exercise) by the virtual travel speed to calculate the distance traveled by the pacemaker in virtual space (the virtual travel distance).

When the user starts the exercise, furthermore, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display an image associated with the user (hereinafter referred to as a “user image”) and an image associated with the pacemaker (hereinafter referred to as a “pacemaker image”) (S06). The display control unit 38 may change the relationship between the displayed position of the user image and the displayed position of the pacemaker image in accordance with the exercise performed by the user and the virtual exercise performed by the pacemaker. Specifically, the display control unit 38 causes the user image to be displayed at the displayed position corresponding to the distance traveled by the user and the pacemaker image to be displayed at the displayed position corresponding to the virtual travel distance of the pacemaker. Thus, the displayed position of the user image changes in accordance with the travel of the user, and the displayed position of the pacemaker image changes with time.

Then, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines whether the user has reached the goal on the basis of the target travel distance and the actual travel distance of the user (S07). If the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within the target exercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has reached the goal. If the user has not traveled a distance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within the target exercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has not reached the goal. If it is determined that the user has reached the goal (YES in S07), the process proceeds to step S08. If it is determined that the user has not reached the goal (NO in S07), this determination is performed again.

If it is determined that the user has reached the goal (YES in S07), the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines whether the user has defeated the pacemaker (S08). Specifically, if the user has reached the goal within the target exercise duration, that is, if the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within the target exercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has defeated the pacemaker. If the user has not reached the goal within the target exercise duration, that is, if the user has not traveled a distance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within the target exercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has been defeated by the pacemaker.

If it is determined that the user has defeated the pacemaker (YES in S08), the exercise duration accumulation unit 34 accumulates the durations of exercises actually performed by the user to calculate a cumulative exercise duration (S09). For example, the exercise duration accumulation unit 34 accumulates the durations of exercises performed within a period specified by the user (e.g., within a day) to calculate the total duration of the exercises performed within the period as a cumulative exercise duration.

Then, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 causes the exercise stage to proceed to the next exercise stage having a higher level of exercise intensity (S10). Information indicating the next exercise stage is stored in, for example, the storage unit 14. The next time the user performs an exercise, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 sets the exercise intensity corresponding to the next exercise stage. In this way, the exercise intensity is set to a higher level when the user has defeated the pacemaker.

Then, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display a message concerning the exercise (e.g., advice on the exercise) (S11). The message will be described below.

If it is determined that the user has been defeated by the pacemaker (NO in S08), the exercise measurement unit 22 calculates the actual travel speed of the user, and the exercise parameter setting unit 30 identifies the MET corresponding to the actual travel speed (S12). For example, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 refers to the exercise setting table illustrated in FIG. 2 to identify the MET corresponding to the actual travel speed.

Then, the exercise duration accumulation unit 34 accumulates the durations of exercises actually performed by the user to calculate a cumulative exercise duration (S13). As described above, the cumulative exercise duration is, for example, a total duration of exercises within a predetermined period.

Since the user has been defeated by the pacemaker, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 maintains the current exercise stage (S14). The next time the user performs an exercise, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 sets the exercise intensity corresponding to the current exercise stage. In addition, the message is displayed (S11).

The next time the user performs an exercise, the process after step S01 is again executed. In this case, the exercise intensity is set so as to correspond to the result of the previous exercise. If the user has defeated the pacemaker in the previous exercise, in the current exercise, the exercise intensity is set to a higher level than the exercise intensity of the previous exercise. If the user has been defeated by the pacemaker in the previous exercise, in the current exercise, the exercise intensity is set to the same level as that in the previous exercise. Subsequent processing is performed in a similar way.

The message displayed in step S11 will now be described in detail.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 calculates the number of exercise calories. The number of exercise calories is the sum of the energy (or the number of calories) burned through an exercise and the energy (or the number of calories) expended at rest. The number of exercise calories, the number of calories burned through an exercise, and the number of calories at rest are determined in accordance with Formulas (3).

Number of exercise calories (kcal)=MET×exercise duration×body weight×1.05

Number of calories at rest (kcal)=1.0 (resting MET)×exercise duration×1.05

Number of calories burned through exercise=number of exercise calories−number of calories at rest  (3)

In Formulas (3), the exercise duration is set to the duration of the current exercise and the MET is set to the MET of the current exercise. Accordingly, the number of exercise calories burned during the current exercise duration, the number of calories at rest, and the number of calories burned through the current exercise are calculated.

If multiple exercises are performed within a predetermined period (e.g., within a day), for each exercise, the duration of the exercise and the MET of the exercise are used. Thus, for each exercise, the number of exercise calories, the number of calories at rest, and the number of calories burned through the exercise are calculated. The total number of exercise calories for the individual exercises corresponds to the number of exercise calories burned within the period, that is, the number of exercise calories burned within the cumulative exercise duration (hereinafter referred to as the “number of cumulative exercise calories”). Also, the total number of calories at rest for the individual exercises corresponds to the number of resting calories expended within the period, that is, the number of resting calories expended within the cumulative exercise duration. Also, the total number of calories expended by the individual exercises corresponds to the number of calories burned through the exercises performed within the period, that is, the number of calories burned through the exercises performed within the cumulative exercise duration.

The number of calories burned through an exercise may be the number of calories obtained by multiplying the body weight (in kg) by the distance (in km) traveled.

The display control unit 38 may cause the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display, as a message, information indicating the numbers of calories described above.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may compare the number of cumulative exercise calories described above with the total number of calories ingested by the user within a predetermined period (e.g., within a day) or may compare the number of cumulative exercise calories described above with the number of calories of carbohydrate ingested by the user within a predetermined period. The display control unit 38 may cause the UI unit 18 to display, as a message, information indicating the comparison result. The total number of calories or the number of carbohydrate calories may be calculated by the user information obtaining unit 20 on the basis of user information or may be calculated by any other device (such as a wearable terminal or a server). The total number of calories and the number of carbohydrate calories are defined by Formulas (4).

Total number of calories=number of calories in meals eaten by user within predetermined period

Number of carbohydrate calories=amount of carbohydrate×4  (4)

In general, carbohydrates contain 4 kcal per gram, proteins contain 4 kcal per gram, and fats contain 9 kcal per gram. When a user ingests more calories than exercise calories in total, the energy corresponding to the difference between the ingested calories and the exercise calories is said to be stored in the body as body fat.

For example, if the number of cumulative exercise calories is greater than the total number of calories, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display a message indicating the amount of exercise is excessive. That is, if the number of cumulative exercise calories is greater than the total number of calories, more calories than calories ingested by the user have been burned and a message indicating this is displayed. In other words, if the cumulative exercise duration is longer than a target exercise duration necessary to burn the total number of calories, a message indicating the amount of exercise is excessive is displayed. The target exercise duration is determined based on the total number of calories (or the number of exercise calories), the METs of individual exercises, and the body weight of the user in accordance with Formulas (3) given above.

When the number of cumulative exercise calories is greater than or equal to the number of carbohydrate calories and is less than or equal to the total number of calories, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display a message indicating that the amount of exercise is appropriate. That is, since an exercise necessary for the expenditure of carbohydrate calories is performed and the amount of the exercise is not excessive, a message indicating that the amount of exercise is appropriate is displayed. In other words, when the cumulative exercise duration is less than or equal to a target exercise duration necessary to burn the total number of calories and is greater than or equal to a target exercise duration necessary for the expenditure of carbohydrate calories, a message indicating that the amount of exercise is appropriate is displayed.

When the number of cumulative exercise calories is less than the number of carbohydrate calories, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display a message indicating that the amount of exercise is insufficient. In other words, the cumulative exercise duration is shorter than a target exercise duration necessary for the expenditure of carbohydrate calories, a message indicating that the amount of exercise is insufficient is displayed.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may obtain or calculate information indicating the energy (or the number of calories) that the user needs per day. The energy is obtained by, for example, multiplying the basal metabolic rate by the physical activity level. The basal metabolic rate is obtained by multiplying a reference basal metabolic rate (in kcal/kg body weight/day) by a reference body weight (in kg). The physical activity level is a measure used to define the degree of physical activity of a person. For example, when the number of cumulative exercise calories is greater than the number of calories that the user needs per day, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display a message indicating the amount of exercise is excessive.

In step S03 of the process described above, the exercise duration setting unit 28 may set a target exercise duration based on the number of calories to be burned by the user. The number of calories may be the total number of calories, for example. The exercise duration setting unit 28 calculates an exercise duration in accordance with Formulas (3) given above by using the total number of calories (substituting the total number of calories for the number of exercise calories in Formulas (3)), the MET (the MET corresponding to the set exercise intensity), and the body weight of the user. The exercise duration calculated in this way is used as the target exercise duration to calculate a target travel distance. Additionally, the display control unit 38 may cause the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display information indicating the target exercise duration determined based on the number of exercise calories. Thus, information indicating a target exercise duration necessary to burn the total number of calories is provided to the user. The display control unit 38 may further cause the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display information indicating a difference between a target exercise duration necessary to burn the total number of calories and the duration of an exercise actually performed by the user.

The exercise duration setting unit 28 may use different numbers of calories to calculate target exercise durations depending on the physical conditions of users. Information indicating physical conditions is obtained by, for example, the user information obtaining unit 20. For example, the exercise duration setting unit 28 may calculate a target exercise duration for a user having a predisposition to diabetes in the way described above using the number of carbohydrate calories as the number of calories to be burned, and may calculate a target exercise duration for other users using the total number of calories as the number of calories to be burned. Thus, an exercise duration suitable for the conditions specific to each user is set.

The information displayed during an exercise will now be described in detail.

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen 40 displayed during an exercise. For example, in step S06 of the process described above, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display the screen 40. On the screen 40, the starting point corresponds to a position at which the user started the exercise (a position at which a competition started), and the goal point corresponds to an endpoint located at a distance equal to a target travel distance from the starting point. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the target travel distance is 1 km.

The display control unit 38 also causes a user image 42 and a pacemaker image 44 to be displayed on the screen 40. The user image 42 is an image associated with the user, and the pacemaker image 44 is an image associated with the pacemaker.

The display control unit 38 changes the displayed position of the user image 42 in accordance with the actual travel of the user and changes the displayed position of the pacemaker image 44 in accordance with the travel of the pacemaker in virtual space. Specifically, the display control unit 38 causes the user image 42 to be displayed on the screen 40 at a distance equal to the distance traveled by the user from the exercise starting point. The display control unit 38 further causes the pacemaker image 44 to be displayed at a displayed position a distance equal to the virtual travel distance of the pacemaker from the exercise starting point. The user image 42 moves from the starting point to the goal point in accordance with the travel of the user (e.g., the number of steps counted by a pedometer). The pacemaker image 44 moves from the starting point to the goal point in accordance with the virtual travel speed. Since the pacemaker image 44 moves at the virtual travel speed determined based on the exercise intensity, the pacemaker image 44 is regarded as information indicating the exercise intensity to be achieved (maintained) by the user.

If the user image 42 has moved to the goal point faster than the pacemaker image 44, the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within the target exercise duration. That is, the user has performed an exercise at a speed greater than or equal to the travel speed determined based on the set exercise intensity within the target exercise duration. The user has achieved the set exercise intensity. In this case, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has defeated the pacemaker. In this case, the user may be granted points.

If the pacemaker image 44 has moved to the goal point faster than the user image 42, the user has not traveled a distance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within the target exercise duration. That is, the user has not performed an exercise at a speed greater than or equal to the travel speed determined based on the set exercise intensity within the target exercise duration. The user has not achieved (has not maintained) the set exercise intensity. In this case, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has been defeated by the pacemaker.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may calculate, even during an exercise, the number of calories burned through the exercise. The number of calories is obtained by, for example, multiplying the body weight (in kg) by the distance (in km) traveled. The display control unit 38 may cause information indicating the obtained number of calories to be displayed on the screen 40.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may compare the actual travel distance of the user with the virtual travel distance of the pacemaker, and the display control unit 38 may cause the comparison result to be displayed on the screen 40. For example, the exercise evaluation unit 32 may calculate a difference between the actual travel distance of the user and the virtual travel distance of the pacemaker, and the display control unit 38 may cause information indicating the difference to be displayed on the screen 40.

The display control unit 38 may cause information indicating the actual travel distance of the user and/or information indicating the virtual travel distance of the pacemaker to be displayed on the screen 40. Additionally or alternatively, the display control unit 38 may cause information indicating the distance (or the remaining distance) between the current position of the user and the goal point to be displayed on the screen 40 and may cause information indicating the distance between the virtual current position of the pacemaker and the goal point to be displayed on the screen 40.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may calculate the actual travel speed of the user, and the display control unit 38 may cause information indicating the travel speed to be displayed on the screen 40. The display control unit 38 may also cause information indicating the virtual travel speed to be displayed on the screen 40.

As described above, according to this exemplary embodiment, information for achieving (maintaining) an exercise intensity is provided to the user. Accordingly, information for assisting the user with their exercises is provided to the user.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the user image 42 and the pacemaker image 44 are displayed as an example of information for achieving an exercise intensity. The user image 42 moves in accordance with the travel of the user, and the pacemaker image 44 moves with time. The movements of the user image 42 and the pacemaker image 44 allow the user to have the feeling of competing with a competitor, which may keep the user more motivated to exercise than when only the distance traveled by the user is provided without provision of the information described above.

Modifications will now be described.

First Modification

In a first modification, exercise information includes information concerning a combination of parameters of multiple exercises. The exercise information is provided to the user. The first modification will be described in detail hereinafter.

The exercise duration setting unit 28 sets a total target exercise duration. The total target exercise duration may be specified by the user or may be determined from the number of calories to be burned by the user. For example, the user is assumed to specify 10 minutes as a total target exercise duration.

The exercise duration setting unit 28 further divides the total target exercise duration into multiple separate target exercise durations each having a predetermined period of time. For example, the total target exercise duration is divided into units of 5 minutes. In this case, each separate target exercise duration is 5 minutes. In the first modification, the exercise parameters are updated at intervals of the separate target exercise durations.

The exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets, for the initial separate target exercise duration (first separate target exercise duration), first exercise parameters (the exercise type, the travel speed, and the MET) on the basis of the exercise intensity set by the exercise intensity setting unit 24 and the target heart rate and multiplies the travel speed (first travel speed) by the first separate target exercise duration to calculate an initial separate target travel distance (first separate target travel distance). The first separate target travel distance corresponds to a distance to be achieved by the user through the initial exercise (first exercise). That is, if the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the first separate target travel distance within the first separate target exercise duration, it is determined that the exercise intensity in the first separate target exercise duration has been achieved.

As in the exemplary embodiment described above, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets a pacemaker having the first travel speed as the virtual travel speed. The display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display a user image and a pacemaker image, changes the displayed position of the user image in accordance with the travel of the user, and changes the displayed position of the pacemaker image in accordance with the first travel speed serving as the virtual travel speed.

If the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the first separate target travel distance within the first separate target exercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has achieved the first goal. In this case, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets second exercise parameters in the next separate target exercise duration (second separate target exercise duration). Specifically, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets second exercise parameters (the exercise type, the travel speed, and the MET) on the basis of the actual heart rate of the user who has achieved the first goal and on the basis of the exercise intensity set for the first goal, and multiplies the travel speed (second travel speed) by the second separate target exercise duration to calculate the next separate target travel distance (second separate target travel distance). The second separate target travel distance corresponds to a distance to be achieved by the user through the next exercise (second exercise). That is, if the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the second separate target travel distance within the second separate target exercise duration, it is determined that the exercise intensity in the second separate target exercise duration has been achieved.

As in the exemplary embodiment described above, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets a pacemaker having the second travel speed as the virtual travel speed. The display control unit 38 changes the displayed position of the user image in accordance with the travel of the user, and changes the displayed position of the pacemaker image in accordance with the second travel speed serving as the virtual travel speed.

If the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the second separate target travel distance within the second separate target exercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has achieved the second goal. If the user has performed exercises over the total target exercise duration, the process ends. If there is any remaining separate target exercise duration, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets exercise parameters in the next separate target exercise duration in a way similar to that described above.

If the user has not achieved the first goal, that is, if the user has not traveled a distance greater than or equal to the first separate target travel distance within the first separate target exercise duration, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 determines the next exercise parameters at the point in time when the user travels a distance equal to the first separate target travel distance. In this case, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets new exercise parameters (the exercise type, the travel speed, and the MET) on the basis of the actual heart rate of the user at this point in time and on the basis of the exercise intensity set at this point in time, and multiplies the travel speed (second travel speed) by the second separate target exercise duration to calculate the next separate target travel distance (second separate target travel distance). If the second separate target exercise duration is less than the unit time (e.g., 5 minutes), the exercise parameter setting unit 30 multiplies the remaining time by the second travel speed to calculate a second separate target travel distance. This also applies to the subsequent separate target exercise durations.

The information displayed during an exercise according to the first modification will now be described in detail.

FIG. 5 illustrates a screen 46 displayed during exercises according to the first modification. For example, in step S06 of the process described above, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display the screen 46.

The display control unit 38 causes a path image 48 indicating an exercise path to be displayed on the screen 46 and also causes the user image 42, a first goal image 50 indicating an endpoint located at a distance equal to the first separate target travel distance from the starting point, and a second goal image 52 indicating an endpoint located at a distance equal to the second separate target travel distance from the endpoint in the endpoint in the first goal image 50 to be displayed on the screen 46. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the display control unit 38 may also cause the pacemaker image 44 to be displayed on the screen 46.

The path image 48 includes a first path image 48a that reflects first geographical conditions in the first exercise parameters, and a second path image 48b that reflects second geographical conditions in the second exercise parameters. For example, when the first exercise parameters are parameters for climbing a hill, the first path image 48a is an image representing the climbing of a hill. When the second exercise parameters are parameters for descending the hill, the second path image 48b is an image representing the descending of the hill. In this way, the path image 48 representing exercise information indicates the order of the exercises (here, the first exercise and the second exercise) to be performed by the user.

The display control unit 38 changes the displayed position of the user image 42 along the path image 48 in accordance with the travel of the user. The display control unit 38 causes the user image 42 to move along the first path image 48a when the user is performing the first exercise, and causes the user image 42 to move along the second path image 48b when the user is performing the second exercise.

At the point in time when the first goal is not achieved, that is, if the user has not traveled a distance equal to the first separate target travel distance, the second exercise parameters for the second goal have not been set. Thus, the first path image 48a and the first goal image 50 are displayed on the screen 46, whereas the second path image 48b and the second goal image 52 are not displayed on the screen 46. As described above, when the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the first separate target travel distance within the first separate target exercise duration, the second exercise parameters are set, and the display control unit 38 causes the second path image 48b and the second goal image 52 to be displayed on the screen 46.

As described above, according to the first modification, information concerning multiple exercises to be performed by the user to achieve an exercise intensity is provided to the user. Accordingly, information for assisting the user with their exercises is provided to the user.

In the first modification, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may change the order of the exercises in accordance with physical information about the user. For example, if it is preferable in terms of better health that the user perform a vigorous exercise first and then perform a moderate exercise, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets a vigorous exercise as the first exercise and a moderate exercise as the second exercise. If the opposite conditions are preferable, that is, if it is preferable to perform a moderate exercise first and then perform a vigorous exercise, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets moderate and vigorous exercises as the first and second exercises, respectively. In this way, the order of the exercises is determined in accordance with the physical conditions of the user, which enables exercise parameters more suitable for the physical conditions of each individual user to be provided to the user.

Another example of the first modification will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates a screen 54 displayed during exercises according to the first modification. For example, in step S06 of the process described above, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display the screen 54. Here, exercise parameters for cycling are set. In this case, the display control unit 38 causes a user image 56 that is an image of a bicycle to be displayed on the screen 54. The same exercise path and goal point as those illustrated in FIG. 5 are used. Also in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, as in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, as the user travels (here, as the user travels by bicycle), the displayed position of the user image 56 changes along the path image 48. The display control unit 38 may cause a pacemaker image to be displayed on the screen 54. The pacemaker image is an image of a machine used for the exercise. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, an image of a bicycle is used as a pacemaker image.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, a bicycle is used as an exercise machine. Any other machine or equipment may be used. In this case, an image of a machine used for an exercise is used as a user image or a pacemaker image.

When an exercise machine is used, the control unit 36 may control the machine on the basis of the exercise intensity. As in the exemplary embodiment described above, when an exercise intensity is determined, exercise parameters corresponding to the exercise intensity, such as the travel speed, are determined based on the exercise setting table. The control unit 36 controls the machine so as to achieve the exercise parameters. A description will be given of a bicycle, for instance. The control unit 36 may communicate with a bicycle to automatically set gears so as to meet the exercise parameters or to provide an instruction to the user to perform the adjustment described above (e.g., the instruction is displayed on the display unit). A treadmill may be used as an exercise machine. In this case, the control unit 36 may communicate with the treadmill to automatically set the speed of the treadmill so as to achieve an exercise intensity. For example, the control unit 36 sets the speed of the treadmill to the travel speed corresponding to the exercise intensity. In this way, controlling a machine so as to achieve an exercise intensity helps the user easily achieve the exercise intensity.

Second Modification

A second modification will be described hereinafter. In the second modification, a time period during which an exercise is to be performed (hereinafter referred to as an “exercise time period”) is provided to the user. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets an exercise time period based on at least one of items of physical information and meal information about the user, for example. It is to be understood that the user may determine an exercise time period. When an exercise time period is set, the display control unit 38 may cause the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display information indicating the exercise time period. When the starting time of the exercise time period is reached, the control unit 36 may notify the user of the arrival of the starting time of the exercise time period. For example, information indicating the arrival of the starting time may be displayed on the display unit or an alarm function such as audio alarm or alarm light may be activated.

For example, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may obtain the blood pressure value or the heart rate of the user from physical information about the user and set, as an exercise time period, a time period during which the blood pressure value or the heart rate is stable, such as a time period during which the blood pressure value or the heart rate fluctuates within the allowable range, a time period during which a maximum blood pressure less than or equal to a threshold is obtained, or a time period during which the heart rate is less than or equal to a threshold. An exercise time period is determined based on physical information about each individual user, which enables the user to be provided with a time period suitable for an exercise.

Alternatively, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may obtain meal times from meal information about the user and set an exercise time period based on the meal times. For example, an exercise time period may be set to begin within a predetermined period from the time of starting eating. An exercise time period is determined based on meal information about a user, which enables the user to be provided with information for suppressing an increase in blood sugar after meal.

Alternatively, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may set an exercise time period based on both physical information and meal information about the user. The physical information is assumed to include information about the blood sugar level of the user and information indicating whether the user has diabetes. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 classifies the user as any one of, for example, a person with diabetes, a person with high postprandial blood sugar, and a healthy person (who is not a person with diabetes or a person with high postprandial blood sugar) and sets an exercise time period based on the classification and meal times.

A description will be given of postprandial blood sugar levels with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a graph depicting a change in postprandial blood sugar level relative to the elapsed time after meal. The elapsed time after meal (in minutes) is plotted on the horizontal axis, and the postprandial blood sugar level (in mg/dL) is plotted on the vertical axis. A curve 58 on the graph indicates a change in the blood sugar level of a healthy person, a curve 60 on the graph indicates a change in the blood sugar level of a person with high postprandial blood sugar, and a curve 62 on the graph indicates a change in the blood sugar level of a person with diabetes. The curves 58, 60, and 62 are statistically obtained curves, for example. The blood sugar level of a person with high postprandial blood sugar more rapidly increases immediately after the start of a meal than the blood sugar level of a healthy person. The blood sugar level of a person with diabetes has a minimum value greater than the minimum value of the blood sugar level of any other person and gradually increases after the start of a meal to a peak value. The blood sugar level of a person with diabetes exhibits a peak value at a later time compared to the blood sugar level of a healthy person or a person with high postprandial blood sugar. In this way, the blood sugar level changes differently depending on the health condition of the user. Using both physical information and meal information about each individual user enables the user to be provided with an exercise time period suitable for the user. For example, the blood sugar level of a person with high postprandial blood sugar is predicted to increase rapidly immediately after the start of a meal. Thus, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may set the exercise time period for a person with high postprandial blood sugar to be earlier than the exercise time period for a healthy person. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may also set the exercise time period for a person with diabetes to be earlier than the exercise time period for a healthy person. For example, the user may be instructed to start an exercise within two hours from the start of a meal.

Alternatively, the blood sugar level of the user may be measured in real time by a wearable terminal or the like. In this case, the control unit 36 may correct each of the curves 58, 60, and 62 on the graph illustrated in FIG. 7 by using an actual measurement value. If the fasting blood sugar level of a user who is classified as a healthy person is obtained, the control unit 36 may correct the curve 58 on the graph indicating the change in the blood sugar level of a healthy person in accordance with the fasting blood sugar level. The fasting blood sugar level is obtained through regular physical checkup or examination, for example, and is sent to the terminal apparatus 10.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and second modifications, the control unit 36 may guide the user through an exercise path (an exercise route or course) on which the user is to perform an exercise to achieve an exercise intensity. The display control unit 38 may cause the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display all or part of the exercise path or may cause the display unit to display a path around the current position of the user. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit 36 may guide the user through the exercise path via audio. The audio may be output from speakers of the terminal apparatus 10, for example, or may be output from headphones (including earphones) connected to the terminal apparatus 10.

The control unit 36 obtains information on the current position of the terminal apparatus 10 (information on the current position of the user) by using, for example, GPS and further obtains map information indicating a map of the surroundings of the terminal apparatus 10. The control unit 36 uses the current position of the terminal apparatus 10 (the current position of the user) and the map information to guide the user through an exercise path on which the user is able to perform an exercise in accordance with the exercise parameters set by the exercise parameter setting unit 30. For example, “brisk walking (level ground)” is selected as an exercise. In this case, the control unit 36 refers to the map information to search for a road on level ground based on the current position of the user and guides the user through the found road as an exercise path. For example, the control unit 36 guides the user through a road on level ground that is closest to the current position of the user as an exercise path. Likewise, “jogging on a hill” is selected as an exercise. In this case, the control unit 36 refers to the map information to search for a hill that is closest to the current position of the user and guides the user through the found hill as an exercise path. Likewise, “stair climbing and descending” is selected as an exercise. In this case, the control unit 36 refers to the map information to search for a road with stairs that is closest to the current position of the user and guides the user through the found road as an exercise path. Likewise, “cycling” is selected as an exercise. In this case, the control unit 36 refers to the map information to search for a road over which bicycles are allowed to travel and which is closest to the current position of the user and guides the user through the found road as an exercise path.

The control unit 36 may set an exercise path based on, additionally, the exercise duration set by the exercise duration setting unit 28. For example, the control unit 36 may guide the user through a path that meets the conditions of the exercise parameters set by the exercise parameter setting unit 30 and that meets the exercise duration set by the exercise duration setting unit 28 as an exercise path. More specifically, the control unit 36 searches for a path on which the user is able to perform an exercise in accordance with the set exercise parameters over the set exercise duration and guides the user through the found path as an exercise path.

As in the first modification, the control unit 36 may guide the user through an exercise path that includes a goal point (the point indicated by the first goal image 50 or the point indicated by the second goal image 52).

The exercise path may be changed in accordance with the physical information about the user. For example, in the first modification described above, the goal point is changed in accordance with the heart rate or the like of the user and the exercise path is changed accordingly.

Additionally or alternatively, the display control unit 38 may cause the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display, as information for guiding the user through an exercise path, an image showing topography of the exercise path. For example, when an exercise path includes a hill or stairs, an image of the hill or stairs is displayed.

The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may determine exercise parameters that meet the geographical conditions of the current position of the user. For example, when a road with ups and downs is present near the current position of the user, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may set parameters of an exercise in ups and downs for achieving the set exercise intensity.

To allow the user to perform an exercise in accordance with exercise parameters determined by the exercise parameter setting unit 30 (exercise parameters for achieving the set exercise intensity), the control unit 36 may guide the user through a location suitable to for the exercise. For example, if a location suitable for an exercise to be performed in accordance with the set exercise parameters is not present near the current position of the user, the control unit 36 searches for the location and guides the user through the found location. A description will be given of a specific example. For instance, “hill climbing and descending” is selected as an exercise. In this case, if no hill is present near the current position of the user, the control unit 36 searches for a hill for achieving an exercise intensity and guides the user through the found hill. In this case, the control unit 36 may guide the user through a hill that is closest to the current position of the user. If using a gym machine is included in an exercise, the control unit 36 may search for an athletic gym in which the machine is placed and may guide the user through the found athletic gym. For example, “swimming” is selected as an exercise. In this case, the control unit 36 searches for a facility in which a swimming pool is available and guides the user through the found facility. In another example, an exercise in which an athletic field or a sports facility (such as a gymnasium, a racquet sports facility, or a golf course) is utilized is selected. In this case, the control unit 36 may search for the athletic field or sports facility and guide the user through the found athletic field or sports facility.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and second modifications, the terminal apparatus 10 or a separate wearable terminal may be used to measure the exercise intensity, the blood sugar level, the blood pressure, the heart rate, the body temperature, and so on in real time. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may change exercise parameters in accordance with the measured results. The exercise evaluation unit 32 may determine whether the heart rate during an exercise has reached the target heart rate and may output the determination result. For example, the determination result is displayed on the display unit of the UI unit 18.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and second modifications, the exercise duration or the MET may be changed in accordance with the food actually ingested by the user. Information concerning the ingested food is obtained by the user information obtaining unit 20 as, for example, user information. For example, when the user has ingested high-carbohydrate food, the exercise duration setting unit 28 may set a longer exercise duration than that when the user has ingested low-carbohydrate food, or the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may set a higher MET value than that when the user has ingested low-carbohydrate food. Furthermore, the exercise duration setting unit 28 may change the exercise time period in accordance with the food ingested by the user. The exercise time period is provided to the user. For example, the user has ingested a food that causes a rapid increase in blood sugar level immediately after the start of a meal. In this case, the exercise time period is set to a period during which the blood sugar level rapidly increases. Otherwise, for example, a time period during which the blood sugar level is predicted to become high or a time period during which food calories are predicted to be burned through exercise before taken into the body may be set as an exercise time period.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and second modifications, the control unit 36 may calculate, based on the total number of calories required per day and the energy (or the number of calories) of the food actually ingested by the user, the remaining energy (the remaining number of calories) allowed to be taken in for the day (=total number of calories−number of ingested calories) and provide information indicating the remaining number of calories allowed to be taken in to the user. The information may be displayed on the display unit of the UI unit 18, for example. For example, the total number of calories required per day is 1,500 kcal, and the user eats 500 kcal for breakfast and 500 kcal for lunch. In this case, the number of calories allowed to be taken in for the day is 500 kcal. Information concerning meals eaten by the user is obtained as, for example, user information.

When the user has burned the total number of calories required per day or more through an exercise, information indicating the expenditure of the calories may be provided to the user or the difference between the number of calories burned through the exercise and the total number of calories may be provided to the user. For example, the total number of calories required per day is 1,500 kcal and 2,000 kcal have been burned through an exercise. In this case, information indicating the difference between the total number of calories and the number of calories burned (i.e., 500 kcal) may be displayed on the display unit of the UI unit 18. In this case, the total number of calories or more have been burned. Thus, a message indicating the amount of exercise is excessive may be displayed on the display unit. Additionally or alternatively, a message indicating that the user is allowed to eat meals whose calories amount to the difference may be displayed on the display unit.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and second modifications, the terminal apparatus 10 may be wearable glasses (eyeglasses equipped with a display or a glasses-type wearable terminal). In this case, a pacemaker image, information concerning an exercise path, information concerning a goal point, and so on may be displayed on (lens of) the eyeglasses. For example, when a pacemaker is ahead of the user on the exercise path (e.g., when the pacemaker is defeating the user in a competition), the pacemaker image is displayed ahead. The image may be displayed using augmented reality (AR) technology. The AR technology enables the pacemaker image to be displayed on the eyeglasses in such a manner as to be superimposed on the exercise path in real space.

The exemplary embodiment described above, the first and second modifications, and other examples may be applied to kinesitherapy for diabetes, for example, or to other ordinary exercises. When an application is made to a therapeutic exercise for diabetes, the exercise intensity may be set to a suitable level (e.g., 50% or more).

Generally, exercise and nutrition interact. For example, if the user has not performed an exercise, the energy (or the number of calories) which would otherwise have been expended through the exercise has not been expended, more severe dietary restrictions (e.g., limiting glucose intake) are imposed than when the user has performed the exercise. When the user has performed the exercise, conversely, less dietary restrictions are imposed. Exercise parameters and an exercise duration are set using the exemplary embodiment described above, the first and second modifications, and other examples on the basis of meal information about the user, which allows the user to be provided with information for assisting the user with their exercises in association with meals.

The control unit 36 may provide the user with a food menu that is determined based on the exercise state of the user. For example, the user has an upper limit on glucose intake per day. In this case, the control unit 36 provides the user with a food menu that controls the amount of glucose intake during meals to be less than or equal to the upper limit. A food menu may be provided such that the glucose content in meals increases as the actual amount of exercise for each day increases. Alternatively, the control unit 36 may propose a food menu that is determined based on the exercise state of the user and the progress of disease. For example, the control unit 36 may determine a food menu that further takes into account the preferences of the user (such as salty taste, sweet taste, and food genres (e.g., Japanese, Chinese, Italian, French, etc.)). Information indicating the food menu determined in the way described above may be displayed on, for example, the display unit of the UI unit 18. In addition, commercial food services may be utilized. For example, a food menu with foods provided by commercial food services is determined based on the exercise state of the user and the progress of disease, and information concerning the food menu is sent to the terminal apparatus 10 from the provider of the commercial food services (e.g., from a terminal apparatus used in a company that provides the commercial food services or from a device such as a server). Alternatively, home delivery services may be utilized. In this case, the control unit 36 sends the food menu determined in the way described above to a terminal apparatus used in a company that provides the home delivery services or to a device such as a server and places an order. In response to the order placed, the meals are delivered to the user.

For an application other than an application to therapeutic exercises, for example, a pacemaker having an exercise ability equivalent to that of top-level athletes may be used and the user may compete with the pacemaker.

For other applications, in a case where the blood sugar level of the user is measured in real time, the control unit 36 may suggest the user to stop exercises when the blood sugar level becomes less than or equal to a predetermined threshold (a threshold for determining whether a low blood sugar is occurring (e.g., 70 mg/dL)). For example, a message for causing the user to stop exercises may be displayed on the display unit of the UI unit 18, or audio alarm or alarm light may be produced. Alternatively, the control unit 36 may estimate the current blood sugar level on the basis of a meal actually eaten by the user and the fasting blood sugar level and may output the above-described message if the estimated blood sugar level becomes less than or equal to a threshold. In this way, the terminal apparatus 10 according to this exemplary embodiment is applicable not only to settings that prompt the user to perform exercises but also to settings that prompt the user to stop exercises.

The terminal apparatus 10 is implemented using hardware and software in cooperation, for instance. Specifically, the terminal apparatus 10 includes one or more processors such as a central processing unit (CPU) (not illustrated). The one or more processors read and execute a program stored in a storage device (not illustrated) to implement the function of each unit of the terminal apparatus 10. The program is stored in the storage device via a recording medium such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD) or via a communication path such as a network. In another example, each unit of the terminal apparatus 10 may be implemented by a hardware resource such as a processor, an electronic circuit, or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In this implementation, a device such as a memory may be used. In still another example, each unit of the terminal apparatus 10 may be implemented by a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a setting unit that sets an exercise intensity; and

a providing unit that provides exercise information used by a user to achieve the exercise intensity.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise information includes information about a pacemaker, the pacemaker being configured to perform a virtual exercise to be compared with an exercise performed by the user.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the providing unit provides, as the exercise information, a comparison result between the virtual exercise performed by the pacemaker and the exercise performed by the user, the pacemaker having a virtual exercise ability that is determined based on the exercise intensity.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the providing unit controls display of an image associated with the pacemaker and an image associated with the user to provide the comparison result.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the virtual exercise ability is a virtual travel speed, and

wherein the providing unit changes a relationship between a displayed position of the image associated with the pacemaker and a displayed position of the image associated with the user in accordance with the virtual travel speed and a travel speed of the user.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the providing unit further controls display of a comparison result between a virtual travel distance of the pacemaker and a distance traveled by the user, the virtual travel distance being determined based on the virtual travel speed.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit sets the exercise intensity in accordance with a comparison result between the exercise performed by the user and the virtual exercise performed by the pacemaker.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the setting unit sets the exercise intensity to a higher level when a result of the exercise performed by the user is better than a result of the virtual exercise performed by the pacemaker.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise information includes information concerning one or more exercise parameters that are determined based on the exercise intensity.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a target heart rate of the user is calculated based on physical information about the user.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise information includes information concerning an exercise time period that is determined based on at least one item of information about the user, the information about the user including physical information about the user and meal information about the user.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise information includes information concerning a target exercise duration that is determined based on the number of calories to be burned by the user.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the providing unit further provides information corresponding to a comparison result between the target exercise duration and a duration of an exercise actually performed by the user.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise information includes information for guiding the user through an exercise path on which the user is to perform an exercise to achieve the exercise intensity.

15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the exercise path is determined based on a current position of the user.

16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the exercise path is determined based on a current position of the user and an exercise duration.

17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the exercise path is a path including a goal point to achieve the exercise intensity.

18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the providing unit provides, as the information for guiding the user through the exercise path, an image showing topography of the exercise path.

19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise intensity is used to control a machine used for an exercise.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for information processing, the process comprising:

setting an exercise intensity; and

providing exercise information used by a user to achieve the exercise intensity.