EXERCISE SUPPORT DEVICE, EXERCISE SUPPORT METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM

Abstract

An exercise support device and an exercise support method are disclosed. A route setting unit is configured to set a route that a user moves in map information. A current position acquiring unit is configured to acquire a current position. A notification unit is configured to make a notification to the outside when a distance between a load section and the current position is smaller than a distance reference value, the load section being located ahead of the current position in the route and increasing an exercise load on the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is a continuation based on PCT Application No. PCT/JP2015/071325 filed on Jul. 28, 2015, which claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2014-154209, filed on Jul. 29, 2014. PCT Application No. PCT/JP2015/071325 is entitled "EXERCISE SUPPORT DEVICE AND EXERCISE SUPPORT METHOD", and Japanese Application No. 2014-154209 is entitled "EXERCISE SUPPORT DEVICE AND EXERCISE SUPPORT METHOD". The contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an exercise support device, an exercise support method, and a recording medium.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Various technologies have conventionally been proposed for training devices that acquire biological information of a user and apply an exercise load to the user such that the biological information falls within a predetermined range.

SUMMARY

[0004] An exercise support device, an exercise support method, and a recording medium are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise support device comprises a route setting unit, a current position acquiring unit, and a notification unit. The route setting unit is configured to set a route that a user moves in map information. The current position acquiring unit is configured to acquire a current position. The notification unit is configured to make a notification to the outside when a distance between a load section and the current position is smaller than a distance reference value, the load section being located ahead of the current position in the route and increasing an exercise load on the user.

[0005] In one embodiment, an exercise support method comprises setting a route that a user moves in map information, acquiring a current position, and making a notification to the outside when a distance between a load section and the current position is smaller than a distance reference value, the load section being located ahead of the current position in the route and increasing an exercise load on the user.

[0006] In one embodiment, a recording medium is a non-transitory computer readable recording medium that stores a control program for controlling an exercise support device. The control program causes the exercise support device to execute the steps of: setting a route that a user moves in map information, acquiring a current position, and making a notification to the outside when a distance between a load section and the current position is smaller than a distance reference value, the load section being located ahead of the current position in the route and increasing an exercise load on the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view schematically showing one example of an external appearance of an electronic apparatus.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view schematically showing one example of the external appearance of the electronic apparatus.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of an electrical configuration of the electronic apparatus.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of an internal configuration of a controller.

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart schematically showing one example of actions of an exercise support unit.

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of a display screen.

[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the display screen.

[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the display screen.

[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the display screen.

[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the display screen.

[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of an electrical configuration of the electronic apparatus.

[0018] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart schematically showing one example of actions of the exercise support unit.

[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the display screen.

[0020] FIG. 14 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the display screen.

[0021] FIG. 15 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of biological reference values and notification contents.

[0022] FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart schematically showing one example of part of the actions of the exercise support unit.

[0023] FIG. 17 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the biological reference value and the notification contents.

[0024] FIG. 18 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of an internal configuration of the controller.

[0025] FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart schematically showing one example of part of the actions of the exercise support unit.

[0026] FIG. 20 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of a relationship between biological information and an increase amount of exercise load in a section interpreted as a load section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment

[0027] <External Appearance of Electronic Apparatus>

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view showing an external appearance of an exercise support device when viewed from the front side. Here, functions of the exercise support device are installed on an electronic apparatus 1. Thus, FIG. 1 also illustrates a perspective view showing an external appearance of the electronic apparatus 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view showing the external appearance of the electronic apparatus 1. The electronic apparatus 1 is, for example, a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a wearable electronic apparatus (such as a smartwatch and an eyeglass-type electronic apparatus). The electronic apparatus 1 can communicate with another communication apparatus directly or via, for example, a base station and a server.

[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic apparatus 1 includes a cover panel 2 and a case portion 3, and a combination of the cover panel 2 and the case portion 3 forms a housing (hereinafter may also be referred to as an apparatus case) 4 having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0030] The cover panel 2 has a substantially rectangular shape in the plan view and forms a front portion of the electronic apparatus 1 except for a peripheral portion of the front portion of the electronic apparatus 1. The cover panel 2 is made of, for example, transparent glass or transparent acrylic resin. Alternatively, the cover panel 2 is made of, for example, sapphire. Here, sapphire refers to a monocrystal that contains alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) as a main component, and herein, refers to a monocrystal having a purity of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 of approximately 90% or more. The purity of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 is preferably greater than or equal to 99% in order to further increase resistance to scratches. In addition, examples of materials for the cover panel 2 include diamond, zirconia, titania, crystal, lithium tantalite, and aluminum oxynitride. These materials are also preferably a monocrystal having a purity of greater than or equal to approximately 90% in order to further increase resistance to scratches.

[0031] The cover panel 2 may be a composite panel (laminated panel) of a multilayer structure that includes the layer of sapphire. For example, the cover panel 2 may be a composite panel of a two-layer structure that includes a layer of sapphire (sapphire panel) located on the surface of the electronic apparatus 1 and a layer of glass (glass panel) attached to the layer of sapphire. The cover panel 2 may be a composite panel of a three-layer structure that includes the layer of sapphire (sapphire panel) located on the surface of the electronic apparatus 1, the layer of glass (glass panel) attached to the layer of sapphire, and a layer of sapphire (sapphire panel) attached to the layer of glass. The cover panel 2 may include a layer made of crystalline materials, except for sapphire, such as diamond, zirconia, titania, crystal, lithium tantalite, and aluminum oxynitride.

[0032] The case portion 3 forms the peripheral portion of the front portion, the side portion, and the back portion of the electronic apparatus 1. The case 3 is made of, for example, polycarbonate resin.

[0033] A display area 2a on which various pieces of information such as characters, symbols, graphics, and images are displayed is located on a front surface of the cover panel 2. The display area 2a has, for example, a rectangular shape in the plan view. A peripheral portion 2b of the cover panel 2 that surrounds the display area 2a is opaque and/or not transparent because of, for example, a film or the like that is attached thereto, and is a non-display portion that does not transmit a display of the information. A touch panel 70, which will be described below, is located on a rear surface of the cover panel 2. The user can accordingly provide various instructions to the electronic apparatus 1 by operating the display area 2a on the front surface of the electronic apparatus 1 with a finger or the like. The user can also provide various instructions to the electronic apparatus 1 by operating the display area 2a with, for example, a pen for capacitive touch panel such as a stylus pen instead of the operator such as the finger.

[0034] For example, a home key 5a, a menu key 5b, and a back key 5c are located in the apparatus case 4. Each of the home key 5a, the menu key 5b, and the back key 5c is a hardware key and is located on, for example, a lower-side end portion of the front surface of the cover panel 2. The home key 5a is an operation key for causing the display area 2a to display a home screen (initial screen). The menu key 5b is an operation key for causing the display area 2a to display an option menu screen. The back key 5c is an operation key for switching the display of the display area 2a to its previous screen. Hereinafter, the home key 5a, the menu key 5b, and the back key 5c are each referred to as an "operation key 5" when no particular distinction is needed. Each of the home key 5a, the menu key 5b, and the back key 5c may be a software key, instead of a hardware key, displayed in the display area 2a in which the touch panel 70 detects an operation performed on the software key.

[0035] <Electrical Configuration of Electronic Apparatus>

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electronic apparatus 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electronic apparatus 1 includes a controller 10, a notification unit 30, and a current position acquiring unit 60. The notification unit 30 has the function of being able to make a notification to the user outside and includes, for example, a display panel 32 and/or a speaker 34. The display panel 32 can make the notification to the user by a display screen. The speaker 34 can make the notification to the user by a sound. The sound herein may include a voice. The current position acquiring unit 60 can acquire its own current position. For example, the current position acquiring unit 60, which is an apparatus exploiting a global positioning system (GPS), receives radio waves from an artificial satellite and measures a current position based on the radio waves. The current position includes information about a latitude and a longitude.

[0037] Further, in one example of FIG. 3, the electronic apparatus 1 includes a wireless communication unit 20, a proximity wireless communication unit 22, a key operation unit 72, the touch panel 70, a receiver 80, a microphone 90, a front imaging unit 6, and a rear imaging unit 7. The apparatus case 4 accommodates the structural components of the electronic apparatus 1.

[0038] The controller 10 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 101, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 102, and a storage 103. The controller 10 can manage the overall operation of the electronic apparatus 1 by controlling the other structural components of the electronic apparatus 1. The storage 103 includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a random-access memory (RAM). A main program, a plurality of application programs (hereinafter may simply be referred to as "applications"), and the like are stored in the storage 103, the main program being a control program for controlling the electronic apparatus 1, specifically, for controlling the respective structural components such as the wireless communication unit 20 and the display panel 32 of the electronic apparatus 1. Various functions of the controller 10 can be enabled by the CPU 101 and the DSP 102 executing various programs in the storage 103. FIG. 3 illustrates one CPU 101 and one DSP 102 that may comprise a plurality of CPUs 101 and DSPs 102. They may cooperate with each other to achieve the various functions. The storage 103, which is illustrated inside the controller 10 in FIG. 3, may be located outside the controller 10. In other words, the storage 103 and the controller 10 may be formed separately. Part or all of the functions of the controller 10 may be achieved by the hardware.

[0039] The wireless communication unit 20 includes an antenna 21. In the wireless communication unit 20, the antenna 21 can receive a signal, via a base station, from a mobile phone different from the electronic apparatus 1, or from a communication apparatus such as a web server connected to the Internet. The wireless communication unit 20 can perform an amplification process and down conversion on the received signal and output the signal to the controller 10. The controller 10 can perform demodulation processing or the like on the input signal. The wireless communication unit 20 can perform up-converting and the amplification process on a transmission signal generated in the controller 10, and wirelessly transmit the transmission signal after the process from the antenna 21. The transmission signal from the antenna 21 can be received in a mobile phone different from the electronic apparatus 1 or a communication apparatus connected to the Internet via the base station.

[0040] The proximity wireless communication unit 22 includes an antenna 23. The proximity wireless communication unit 22 can communicate with a communication terminal located closer thereto than an object of communication (for example, a base station) of the wireless communication unit 20 is. The proximity wireless communication unit 22 performs communication in conformity with, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards.

[0041] The display panel 32 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic electroluminescent (EL) panel. The display panel 32 can display various pieces of information such as characters, symbols, graphics, and images by control of the controller 10. The information displayed on the display panel 32 is displayed in the display area 2a on the front surface of the cover panel 2. It can thus be said that the display panel 32 performs the display in the display area 2a.

[0042] The touch panel 70 can detect an operation performed on the display area 2a of the cover panel 2 by an operator such as an operating finger. The touch panel 70 is, for example, a projected capacitive touch panel, and is attached to the rear surface of the cover panel 2. When the user operates the display area 2a of the cover panel 2 by the operator such as the operating finger, the controller 10 receives a signal in response to the operation from the touch panel 70. The controller 10 can specify the contents of the operation performed on the display area 2a based on the signal from the touch panel 70 and perform a process according to the screen.

[0043] The key operation unit 72 can detect a press on each of the operation keys 5 by the user. The key operation unit 72 detects whether each of the operation keys 5 is pressed. When the operation key 5 has not been pressed, the key operation unit 72 outputs a non-operation signal indicating that the operation key 5 has not been operated to the controller 10. Upon the press on the operation key 5, the key operation unit 72 outputs an operation signal indicating that the operation key 5 has been operated to the controller 10. Accordingly, the controller 10 can judge whether each of the operation keys 5 is operated.

[0044] When the key operation unit 72 detects that the home key 5a had been pressed and has not been pressed after that, the controller 10 causes the display panel 32 to display the home screen. Thus, the home screen is displayed in the display area 2a. When the key operation unit 72 detects that the menu key 5b had been pressed and has not been pressed after that, the controller 10 causes the display panel 32 to display the option menu screen. Thus, the option menu screen is displayed in the display area 2a. When the key operation unit 72 detects that the back key 5c had been pressed and has not been pressed after that, the controller 10 causes the display panel 32 to display the previous screen. Thus, the display of the display area 2a is switched to its previous screen.

[0045] The microphone 90 can convert a sound from the outside of the electronic apparatus 1 into an electric sound signal to output the signal to the controller 10. The sound from the outside of the electronic apparatus 1 is taken inside the electronic apparatus 1 through a microphone hole located in the front surface of the cover panel 2 and is received by the microphone 90.

[0046] The speaker 34 is, for example, a dynamic speaker. The speaker 34 can convert the electric sound signal from the controller 10 into a sound and then output the sound. The sound output from the speaker 34 is output to the outside through speaker holes 34a located in the rear surface of the electronic apparatus 1. The volume of the sound output through the speaker holes 34a can be set to a degree such that the sound can be heard at a location apart from the electronic apparatus 1. The speaker 34 outputs, for example, a ringer tone.

[0047] A vibrator 36 is, for example, a vibrator. The vibrator 36 can vibrate based on a signal from the controller 10 to vibrate the entire electronic apparatus 1. The vibration is transmitted to the user who is carrying the electronic apparatus 1. Thus, the user can be notified that an incoming call, for example, has been received. The vibrator 36 can vibrate in, for example, a plurality of kinds of vibration patterns. The vibration patterns herein may include information about an amplitude and an interval of the vibration.

[0048] The front imaging unit 6 includes an imaging lens 6a and an image sensor. The front imaging unit 6 can image a still image and a moving image based on the control by the controller 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the imaging lens 6a, which is located in the front surface of the electronic apparatus 1, can thus image an object located on the front surface side (cover panel 2 side) of the electronic apparatus 1.

[0049] The rear imaging unit 7 includes an imaging lens 7a and an image sensor. The rear imaging unit 7 can image a still image and a moving image based on the control by the controller 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the imaging lens 7a, which is located in the rear surface of the electronic apparatus 1, can thus image an object located on the rear surface side of the electronic apparatus 1.

[0050] The receiver 80 outputs a reception sound and comprises, for example, a dynamic speaker. The receiver 80 can convert an electric sound signal from the controller 10 into a sound and then output the sound. The sound output from the receiver 80 is output to the outside through a receiver hole 80a located in the front surface of the electronic apparatus 1. The volume of the sound output through the receiver hole 80a is lower than the sound output from the speaker 34 through the speaker holes 34a.

[0051] The receiver 80 may be replaced with a piezoelectric vibrator. The piezoelectric vibrator vibrates based on a voice signal by the control of the controller 10. The piezoelectric vibrator is located on, for example, the rear surface of the cover panel 2 and causes the cover panel 2 to be vibrated by the vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator based on the voice signal. Thus, the vibration of the cover panel 2 is transmitted as a voice to an ear of the user. This case eliminates the need for the receiver hole 80a.

[0052] The storage 103 stores various programs that exhibit the functions of the electronic apparatus 1. The storage 103 stores, for example, a program for performing telephone calls by telephone functions, a program for displaying websites, and a program for generating, reading, transmitting, and receiving e-mail messages. Moreover, the storage 103 stores, for example, a program for imaging still images and moving images with the front imaging unit 6 and the rear imaging unit 7, a program for viewing and recording TV programs, a program for controlling reproduction of moving image data stored in the storage 103, and a program for controlling reproduction of music data stored in the storage 103.

[0053] When the controller 10 that executes the main program in the storage 103 reads and executes the various programs in the storage 103, the controller 10 controls the other structural components, such as the wireless communication unit 20, the display panel 32, and the receiver 80, in the electronic apparatus 1 to execute functions or processes corresponding to the programs in the electronic apparatus 1.

[0054] <Exercise Support Unit>

[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram schematically showing one example of an internal configuration of the controller 10. The controller 10 includes an exercise support unit 100 that includes a map information acquiring unit 110, a route setting unit 120, a determination unit 130, and a notification controller 140. The functional units are achieved by the controller 10 executing the programs in the storage 103, for example. At least part or all of the respective functional units may be achieved by the hardware.

[0056] The exercise support unit 100 is a functional unit for supporting the user who goes running FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart schematically showing one example of specific actions of the exercise support unit 100. Hereinafter, the actions of the exercise support unit 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 5.

[0057] First, the user selects a function of the exercise support unit 100 in Step S1. For example, the controller 10 causes the display panel 32 to display a graphic for selecting the function of the exercise support unit 100 in the home screen. The graphic may include a graphic called an icon. When the touch panel 70, for example, detects an operation performed on the graphic by the user, the exercise support unit 100 starts the actions.

[0058] Next, the exercise support unit 100 is activated to cause the display panel 32 to display, for example, a menu screen 100a in Step S2. FIG. 6 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the menu screen 100a. In one example of FIG. 6, the menu screen 100a includes a "Set Route/Start" button 101a, a "Select Exercise" button 102a, a "Display Physical Information" button 103a, and a "Set Physical Information" button 104a.

[0059] Each of the buttons 101a to 104a is selected by an operation of the user. The touch panel 70, for example, detects the operation. For example, the button 102a is selected by an operation in which the user brings an operator (such as a finger) close to or in contact with the button 102a in the display area 2a and then moves the operator away from the button 102a. Such an operation is called a tap. The contents are also applied to the selection of the other buttons, which will be described below, so that the description will not be repeated below.

[0060] The button 101a is used for setting a route that the user moves (hereinafter also referred to as a travel route) and starting support actions for running. The button 102a is used for inputting a type of exercise that at least includes running.

[0061] The button 104a is used for setting physical information of the user. The button 104a is selected to display a screen (not shown) to which physical information such as a height, a weight, and an age of the user is input. The user inputs his/her physical information that is to be stored in a storage (such as the storage 103). The button 103a is used for displaying the physical information of the user. The button 103a is selected to display the physical information of the user.

[0062] In Step S3, the user selects the button 102a to select "running" for "exercise". For one example of a more specific action, the button 102a is selected to display a selection screen (not shown) for selecting a type of exercise. Then, the user selects a "Running" button in the selection screen to select "running" for "exercise". The menu screen 100a is then displayed on the display panel 32 again.

[0063] In addition to "running" for "exercise", "walking" or "cycling" is conceivable for exercise that requires a movement on a road. The actions below are also applicable to the exercise.

[0064] The actions of other conceivable exercise that requires no movement on the road are different from the essence of the present disclosure, so that the description will be omitted. The exercise support unit 100 does not need to perform the actions for the other exercise that requires no movement on the road.

[0065] Next, when the user selects the button 101a, the exercise support unit 100 causes the display panel 32 to display, for example, the menu screen 100b in Step S4. FIG. 7 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the menu screen 100b, and illustrates a "Start Point" button 101b, a "Goal Point" button 102b, and a "Start" button 103b.

[0066] The button 101b is used for inputting a start point of the user's travel route. The button 102b is used for inputting a goal point of the user's travel route.

[0067] When the user selects the button 101b, the route setting unit 120 displays a registration screen 100c for the user to input the start point. FIG. 8 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the registration screen 100c. In one example of FIG. 8, the registration screen 100c includes a map area 101c, an "O.K." button 102c, and a "Cancel" button 103c.

[0068] The route setting unit 120 receives map information from the map information acquiring unit 110 to cause the display panel 32 to display a map based on the map information. The map information is stored in, for example, an external apparatus (such as a server) from which the map information acquiring unit 110 acquires the map information via the wireless communication unit 20. Alternatively, the map information may be previously stored in the storage (such as the storage 103) of the electronic apparatus 1. In this case, the map information acquiring unit 110 acquires the map information from the storage.

[0069] The map information includes road data composed of link data and node data. The node data shows points where roads intersect, branch off, and merge. The link data shows a section of a road connecting the nodes. The link data includes information about an identification number for identifying a road of each section, a road length indicating a length of the road of each section, coordinates (for example, the latitude and longitude) of a starting point and a finishing point of the road of each section, a type of the road (such as a national road), the number of lanes, the presence or absence of right-turn-only and left-turn-only lanes, and the number of right-turn-only and left-turn-only lanes. The link data also includes information about altitudes or inclinations of a plurality of points included in each section. The information about the inclinations may include an inclination angle and an inclination direction. The node data includes information about an identification number for identifying a node, coordinates of the node, and an identification number of a road connected to the node.

[0070] For example, the map information may also include information about steps. The information about the steps includes an identification number for identifying the steps, coordinates of the steps, an inclination direction of the steps, and the number of steps.

[0071] The route setting unit 120 displays a map in the map area 101c based on the map information, and can display the map that is moved in parallel and/or zoomed in and out according to the operation of the user. For example, the touch panel 70 detects an operation of the user who keeps the operator close to or in contact with the map area 101c while moving the operator in parallel with the screen. Then, the touch panel 70 outputs the operation to the route setting unit 120. Such an operation is called a slide. The route setting unit 120 displays the map that is moved in parallel according to a moving direction and a moving distance of the operator. For example, the touch panel 70 detects an operation of the user who keeps the operator close to or in contact with the map area 101c at two spots while increasing the distance between the two spots. Then, the touch panel 70 outputs the operation to the route setting unit 120. Such an operation is called a pinch out. The route setting unit 120 displays a large-scale map according to an enlarged width of the distance between the two spots. In contrast, when the user performs an operation to reduce the distance between the two spots, the route setting unit 120 displays a small-scale map according to a reduced width of the distance between the two spots. Such an operation is called a pinch in.

[0072] This allows the user to display the map of the necessary place on the necessary scale in the map area 101c.

[0073] The user operates a position that needs to be registered as a start point in the map area 101c with the operator. For example, the user brings the operator close to or in contact with the position and then moves the operator away from the map area 101c. The touch panel 70 detects and outputs the operation to the route setting unit 120. The route setting unit 120 displays a graphic 104c indicating the start point, for example, in the position on which the operation has been performed. When the user selects the button 102c in the state above, the route setting unit 120 registers the position as the start point and switches the display of the display panel 32 to the menu screen 100b. The start point is stored in the storage (such as the storage 103). The selection of the button 103c switches the display of the display panel 32 to the previous menu screen 100b without the registration of the start point, for example.

[0074] While the start point is input by the above-mentioned operation in the map area 101c herein, the route setting unit 120 may register the start point by the input of numerical positional information such as the latitude and longitude, and an address. That is to say, the start point may be input by any method. The same applies to the input of the other points, which will be described below.

[0075] Next, the user selects the button 102b to display the same screen as the registration screen 100c and performs the operation to register a goal point in Step S4.

[0076] When the start point and the goal point are both registered, the route setting unit 120 causes the display panel 32 to display at least one route connecting the start point and the goal point based on the map information. For example, the display panel 32 displays a peripheral map that includes the route displayed in a thick line. For the presence of a plurality of routes, the route setting unit 120 may display the plurality of selectable routes. For example, numbers for identifying the routes are selectable on the display. When the user then selects one of the numbers, the route setting unit 120 can set the route identified by the selected number to a travel route.

[0077] The information indicating the travel route (hereinafter also referred to as route information) includes coordinates of the start point, coordinates of the goal point, and the link data and node data of the road connecting the start point and the goal point. It can be thus described that the travel route is set based on the map information. The route information is stored in the storage (such as the storage 103).

[0078] The route setting unit 120 may be formed such that the user can input a relay point as appropriate. The route setting unit 120 displays at least one route connecting the start point and the goal point via the input relay point, and sets the one route selected by the user to the travel route. The route setting unit 120 causes the display panel 32 to display the menu screen 100b. In addition, any other method for displaying and setting a route can be used.

[0079] Next, the user starts running from the start point after selecting the button 103b in Step S6. Upon the selection of the button 103b, the exercise support unit 100 causes the display panel 32 to display, for example, a support screen 100d in Step S7. In one example of FIG. 9, the support screen 100d includes a map area 101d, a travel distance area 102d, a calorie consumption area 103d, and a prediction area 104d.

[0080] The exercise support unit 100 displays the peripheral map including the travel route in the map area 101d based on the map information and the route information. In one example of FIG. 9, the start point and the goal point are respectively indicated by a predetermined graphic 106d and a predetermined graphic 107d, and the travel route is indicated in a thick line 108d. In addition, the travel route may be displayed in a preassigned color instead of the thick line. The exercise support unit 100 receives a current position from the current position acquiring unit 60, and may display the current position indicated by a predetermined graphic 105d in the map area 101d. This allows the user to easily check where the user is running.

[0081] The exercise support unit 100 displays a distance from the start point to the current position in the travel route in the travel distance area 102d. The distance here may include a distance along a road instead of a direct distance. In other words, a travel distance may be displayed. The travel distance is calculated based on the route information, the start point, and the current position. For example, the travel distance can be calculated by adding up lengths of roads of link data in the section connecting the start point and the current position in the travel route. Instead that the length of the road including the start point in the link data is added to the length of the road including the current position in the link data without any modification, however, a distance between the start point and a next end point of the road and a distance between the current position and a previous end point of the road are calculated and added together.

[0082] The travel distance is displayed in the travel distance area 102d in this manner, to thereby allow the user to easily check the travel distance. In one example of FIG. 9, "1.5 mi" is displayed in the travel distance area 102d, for example.

[0083] The exercise support unit 100 displays calorie consumption in the calorie consumption area 103d. For example, the calorie consumption can be interpreted as the product of the user's weight and the travel distance under the simple assumption. For example, the user selects the "Set Physical Information" button 104a (see FIG. 6) to input his/her weight, so that the exercise support unit 100 can recognize the user's weight. The weight is stored in the storage (such as the storage 103).

[0084] The exercise support unit 100 adds up, for example, the weight and the travel distance to calculate the calorie consumption, and displays the calorie consumption in the calorie consumption area 103d. In one example of FIG. 9, "150 kcal" is displayed in the calorie consumption area 103d, for example. This allows the user to easily check the calorie consumption since the user has started running.

[0085] The above-mentioned effects are achieved by the display of the map information, the travel distance, and the calorie consumption, but they do not need to be displayed when the respective effects are not needed.

[0086] Next, the determination unit 130 receives the current position from the current position acquiring unit 60 and receives the route information from the route setting unit 120 in Step S8. Then, the determination unit 130 determines whether a distance between a load section, which will be described next, and the current position is smaller than a distance reference value. The load section is located ahead of the current position in the travel route and increases an exercise load on the user to greater than or equal to a predetermined increase amount. For example, a section in which an acclivity having an inclination angle greater than a predetermined angle continues for a predetermined distance can serve as the load section.

[0087] The information about whether the inclination in the section ascends or descends and the information about the inclination angle are acquired based on the route information. For example, the link data includes information about the altitudes of the points of the road, so that the inclination direction and the inclination angle can be calculated based on a distance between the points and the altitudes of the points. The inclination can be distinguished between an ascending inclination and a descending inclination by the inclination direction. Alternatively, the link data that includes the inclination information including the inclination direction and the inclination angle may be used as it is.

[0088] Hereinafter, the situation where the distance between the load section and the current position is smaller than the distance reference value may also be expressed as "the load section is close" for the sake of simplicity. This expression is used also in Step S8 in FIG. 5.

[0089] It can be determined whether one section is the load section based on, for example, a comparison of an inclination angle of each point with a predetermined angle reference value and a comparison of a length of the section in which the acclivity at the inclination angle continues with a predetermined length reference value by using a comparator. It can be determined whether the load section is close based on a comparison of a distance reference value with a distance between a starting point of the load section and a current position by using a comparator.

[0090] If the affirmative determination is made in Step S8, the notification controller 140 makes a notification to the outside in Step S9. For a more particular example, the notification controller 140 changes the display of the prediction area 104d to following displays on the display panel 32. For example, the notification controller 140 displays, in the prediction area 104d, a sentence indicating that a section increasing the exercise load is in a predetermined distance ahead or a sentence giving the user a caution or a warning to slow down the exercise. Alternatively, the notification controller 140 changes the background color of the predication area 104d to a caution color (such as yellow) or a warning color (such as red). In one example of FIG. 9, the message saying "Load Section Ahead" is displayed in the prediction area 104d, for example.

[0091] The notification controller 140 may make a notification with the speaker 34 instead of or together with the above-mentioned notification with the display panel 32. For example, the above-mentioned sentence is output as a voice from the speaker 34, or a mechanical sound registered as a caution sound or a warning sound is output from the speaker 34. The notification controller 140 may make a notification with the vibrator 36 instead of or together with the above-mentioned display and/or the above-mentioned voice output. For example, the vibration of the vibrator 36 in a vibration pattern registered as a caution vibration or a warning vibration may vibrate the entire electronic apparatus 1 to give the caution or the warning to the user. Alternatively, when the electronic apparatus 1 includes a light-emitting unit such as a light-emitting diode, a notification can be made by light emission from the light-emitting unit.

[0092] The action in Step S9 can inform the user about the presence of the load section in advance, so that the user can go running with regard to the load section even in a travel route that the user runs for the first time. For example, the user can slow down before reaching the load section with regard to the load section. Further, overwork of the user can be suppressed.

[0093] If the negative determination is made in Step S8, or after Step S9, the exercise support unit 100 determines whether the current position has coincided with the goal point in Step S10. More specifically, the exercise support unit 100 determines whether the distance between the current position and the goal point is smaller than a predetermined terminal reference value. If the affirmative determination is made in Step S10, the exercise support unit 100 determines that the current position has coincided with the goal point and notifies the end of running to the user in Step S11. Alternatively, the exercise support unit 100 may notify the end of support actions to the user. If the negative determination is made in Step S10, the exercise support unit 100 determines that running has not ended and executes Step S7 again.

[0094] As described above, the exercise support unit 100 can notify the presence of the load section to the user before the user reaches the load section. Thus, the user can travel with regard to the load section.

[0095] In the above-mentioned example, the section in which the acclivity having the inclination angle greater than the predetermined angle continues for the predetermined distance serves as the load section, but the load section is not necessarily limited to this section. For example, a section in which the acclivity and the declivity are alternately repeated for the predetermined distance even at the smaller inclination angle may also serve as the load section. Alternatively, a section including steps more than the predetermined number of steps, for example, may also serve as the load section. Alternatively, a section including a boundary between a narrow road and a wide road where the user's heart rate tends to increase when the user moves from the narrow road to the wide road, for example, may also serve as the load section.

[0096] The travel route when being set, for example, may be scanned to extract the load section in advance. Then, the position of the extracted load section is stored in the storage (such as the storage 103). In Step S8, it may be determined whether the distance between the extracted load section and the current position is smaller than the distance reference value.

[0097] Alternatively, the presence or absence of the section in which, for example, the acclivity having the inclination angle greater than the predetermined angle continues for the predetermined distance within the range from the current position to the point of the distance reference value may be determined in every Step S8. In other words, the presence or absence of the load section may be determined in every Step S8.

[0098] The load section is distinguished by the inclination angle in the map information in one example above, but the map information may previously include the information about the load section, for example. In this case, the process of distinguishing whether a section is the load section can be omitted. For example, when the link data in the map information includes information about names of sections, the sections including the names such as a "hill" and a "step" may be distinguished as the load sections.

[0099] The notification controller 140 may display the load section when displaying the map. FIG. 10 illustrates another example of the support screen 100d. The exercise support unit 100 extracts the load section on the travel route based on the map information. For example, the section in which the acclivity having the inclination angle greater than the predetermined inclination angle reference value continues for greater than the predetermined distance reference value is extracted based on the map information, to thereby extract the load section. The exercise support unit 100 then displays the load section in the map area 101d. More specifically, a portion corresponding to the load section is indicated in a thicker line 109d on the thick line 108d indicating the travel route. The load section may be displayed in a preassigned color instead of the thick line.

Second Embodiment

[0100] FIG. 11 illustrates a functional block diagram schematically showing one example of an electrical configuration of the electronic apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment. In comparison with the first embodiment, the electronic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment further includes a biological information acquiring unit 40. The biological information acquiring unit 40 can acquire biological information of the user and output the biological information to the controller 10. The biological information herein changes with increase in amount of exercise or in exercise load. The biological information may be, for example, a pulse rate, a heart rate, respiratory volume, a respiration rate, blood flow, an amount of perspiration, or a level of lactate. They increase with increase in the amount of exercise or in the exercise load. The biological information may also be, for example, an amount of water in human body. This decreases with increase in the amount of exercise or in the exercise load. Hereinafter, one example will be described on the assumption that the biological information increases with increase in the amount of exercise or in the exercise load. In addition, it can also be described that the biological information also indicates a load level of the user. The load level indicates a load on the user through exercise. The higher load level increases the load on the user and indicates, for example, a state of physical exhaustion.

[0101] Herein, the biological information acquiring unit 40 in the case where the biological information is the heart rate will be mainly described. For example, the biological information acquiring unit 40 is put on the user to detect the heart rate. The biological information acquiring unit 40 having, for example, the shape of a band is put on a wrist, or the biological information acquiring unit 40 having, for example, the shape of an earphone is put on an ear. The biological information acquiring unit 40 includes, for example, a light source and a light-receiving element, the light source emitting light to the user's skin, the light-receiving element receiving the reflected light. The reflected light changes with change in bloodstream, so that the biological information acquiring unit 40 detects the heart rate based on the change in the reflected light.

[0102] The biological information acquiring unit 40 is connected to the electronic apparatus 1 by, for example, radio or a cable and outputs the biological information to the electronic apparatus 1 and the controller 10.

[0103] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart schematically showing one example of actions of the exercise support unit 100. In comparison with the flowchart of FIG. 5, Step S12 is executed instead of Step S7, and Steps S13, S14 are further executed.

[0104] Step S12 is executed after Step S6. In Step S12, the exercise support unit 100 also displays a value of the biological information received from the biological information acquiring unit 40 on the display panel 32. FIG. 13 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of the support screen 100d. In one example of FIG. 13, the support screen 100d includes a biological information area 106d that displays the value of the biological information. In one example of FIG. 13, "100 bpm" is displayed as the heart rate in the biological information area 106d, for example. This allows the user to easily know his/her state during running.

[0105] In one example of FIG. 12, Steps S13, S14 are executed. Step S13 is executed after Step S12, for example. In Step S13, the determination unit 130 determines whether the value of the biological information is greater than a first biological reference value Vref1, which is predetermined. If the affirmative determination is made in Step S13, the notification controller 140 makes a notification to the outside in Step S14. In other words, the notification controller 140 makes the notification at a high load level of the user. For example, if the first biological reference value Vref1 indicates overwork, the notification controller 140 performs a display, a voice output, or a vibration of the electronic apparatus 1 in a vibration pattern, the display, the voice output, and the vibration pattern indicating overwork. The notification controller 140 may make the notification by combining the display, the voice output, and the vibration pattern.

[0106] FIG. 14 schematically illustrates one example of the display screen in a case where the notification controller 140 makes the notification of Step S13 with the display panel 32. In one example of FIG. 14, a notification area 107d is displayed over the support screen 100d, the notification area 107d displaying a warning of overwork. More specifically, a sentence indicating that the biological information is extremely increasing and/or a sentence urging the user to slow down or stop running are displayed, for example. The notification area 107d may be displayed in a warning color (such as red). In one example of FIG. 14, the message saying "Overwork. Slow down." is displayed in the notification area 107d, for example.

[0107] Thus, the user can be informed about overwork even if the user is overworking unconsciously, and can handle the situation appropriately. For example, the user slows down or stops running. Therefore, overwork can be suppressed.

[0108] When the negative determination is made in Step S13 or when Step S14 is executed, Steps S8 to S11 are executed. Steps S8 to S11 are the same as those in the first embodiment, so that the description will not be repeated. In addition, a pair of Steps S13, S14 and a pair of Steps S8, S9 may be executed in the reverse order.

[0109] In one example of FIG. 12, whether to make the notification depends on whether the value of the biological information is greater than the one first biological reference value Vref1. Thus, the biological reference value may comprise a plurality of biological reference values. In this case, when the value of the biological information exceeds the greater biological reference value, the notification may be made at a higher notification level. The notification level herein indicates, for example, the importance of the notification. The notification level increases with the greater importance.

[0110] The notification at the high notification level refers to the following notifications, for example. The notification made by the display is a display in a wider area, a display of a larger sentence, a display of a sentence giving a stronger appeal to the user, or a display in a color showing greater urgency (for example, green<yellow<red). The notification by the sound is, for example, a notification by a bigger sound, a notification by a higher-pitched sound, or a voice output of a sentence giving a stronger appeal to the user. The notification by the vibration is, for example, vibrations of greater amplitude or repetitive vibrations in a shorter period of time. The notification by the light-emitting unit such as the light-emitting diode is, for example, the emission of light having higher intensity, the emission of light in a color showing greater urgency, or the repetitive emission of light in a shorter period of time.

[0111] FIG. 15 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of values of biological information and notification contents. FIG. 15 illustrates the first biological reference value Vref1 and a second biological reference value Vref2 smaller than the first biological reference value Vref1. In one example of FIG. 15, no notification is made at the value of the biological information smaller than the second biological reference value Vref2.

[0112] At the value of the biological information greater than the second biological reference value Vref2 and smaller than the first biological reference value Vref1, the notification controller 140 makes the notification at a lower notification level. The notification made by the notification controller 140 with the display panel 32 is, for example, a display of a sentence indicating a slight increase in the biological information in the notification area 107d and/or a display of the notification area 107d in a caution color (such as yellow).

[0113] At the value of the biological information greater than the first biological reference value Vref1, the notification controller 140 makes the notification at a higher notification level. The notification made by the notification controller 140 with the display panel 32 is, for example, a display of a sentence indicating an extreme increase in the biological information and/or a display of a sentence urging the user to slow down or stop running in the notification area 107d. The notification area 107d may be displayed in a warning color (such as red). Further, letters of the sentence may be displayed bigger and/or thicker.

[0114] This can inform the user about his/her state in more detail. Thus, the user can go running more safely and comfortably.

[0115] For each of the notifications, the notification by the sound with the speaker 34 or the notification by the vibration with the vibrator 36 and/or the light-emitting unit may be performed.

Third Embodiment

[0116] One example of an electrical configuration in a third embodiment is the same as FIGS. 4 and 11. However, the notification controller 140 changes the notification contents according to the value of the biological information when the distance between the load section and the current position is smaller than the distance reference value, that is to say, when the load section is close. In other words, the contents of Step S9 in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment are different from those in the third embodiment.

[0117] At the small value of the biological information, namely, the low load level of the user in the vicinity of the load section, the user is likely to be able to travel the load section without problems. Thus, the importance of the notification is low at this time. In contrast, at the great value of the biological information, namely, the high load level of the user in the vicinity of the load section, the importance of the notification is high because the user needs to travel the load section with caution.

[0118] FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart schematically showing one example of the specific contents of Step S9. In one example of FIG. 16, Step S9 includes Steps S91 to S93. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the determination unit 130 determines whether the value of the biological information is greater than a third biological reference value Vref3 in the vicinity of the load section in Step S91. If the negative determination is made in Step S91, the notification controller 140 makes a first notification at a low notification level in Step S92. For example, the notification controller 140 displays a sentence simply indicating that the load section is close on the display panel 32. On the other hand, if the affirmative determination is made in Step S91, the notification controller 140 makes a second notification at a high notification level in Step S93. For example, the notification controller 140 displays the sentence indicating that the load section is close while giving the user a caution by displaying a sentence indicating that the biological information is relatively increasing and/or by displaying a sentence indicating that the user needs to slow down.

[0119] For the notification by voice made by the notification controller 140, the above-mentioned sentences are each output as the first notification and the second notification by voice. For the notification by the mechanical sound made by the notification controller 140, the volume or the pitch of the sound for the second notification is set to be higher than that for the first notification. For the notification by the vibration made by the notification controller 140, the amplitude of the vibrations for the second notification is set to be greater than that for the first notification, or the interval of the vibrations for the second notification is set to be shorter than that for the first notification, for example. For the notification by the light emission made by the notification controller 140, the intensity of emitted light for the second notification is set to be higher than that for the first notification, or the interval of the light emission for the second notification is set to be shorter than that for the first notification. For the notifications above, the second notification can be performed at the higher level than the level of the first notification.

[0120] As described above, the notification is made according to the value of the biological information in the vicinity of the load section in the third embodiment. Thus, the user can assume how to handle the load section in more detail and can go running more safely and comfortably.

[0121] The notification method when the load section is close may be associated with Steps S12, S13 in the second embodiment. For example, in the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the notification is made at the higher notification level (such as the warning level) at the value of the biological information greater than or equal to the first biological reference value Vref1; the notification is made at the lower notification level (such as the caution level) at the value of the biological information greater than the second biological reference value Vref2 and smaller than the first biological reference value Vref1; and no notification is made at the value of the biological information smaller than the second biological reference value Vref2.

[0122] FIG. 17 illustrates a view schematically showing one example of a relationship between the value of the biological information and the notification contents when the load section is far and the relationship when the load section is close. The notification contents when the load section is far are the same as those in FIG. 15.

[0123] On the other hand, when the load section is close, the notification contents are changed according to the value of the biological information as follows. For example, at the value of the biological information smaller than the third biological reference value Vref3 (<the second biological reference value Vref2), the notification controller 140 makes the notification at a communication level. For example, the notification controller 140 simply makes the notification that the load section is close.

[0124] At the value of the biological information greater than the third biological reference value Vref3, the notification controller 140 makes the notification at the caution level. For example, the notification controller 140 makes the first notification. In other words, no notification is made at the value of the biological information smaller than the second biological reference value Vref2 when the load section is far, but the notification is made at the caution level at the value of the biological information greater than the third biological reference value Vref3 in the vicinity of the load section even if the value is smaller than the second biological reference value Vref2.

[0125] FIG. 17 illustrates that the notification contents are different across a fourth biological reference value Vref4 (Vref2<Vref4<Vref1) serving as the boundary in the vicinity of the load section. More specifically, the notification is made at the caution level at the value of the biological information greater than the second biological reference value Vref2 and smaller than the fourth biological reference value Vref4, and the notification is made at the warning level at the value of the biological information greater than the fourth biological reference value Vref4.

[0126] In other words, the notification is made at the caution level at the value of the biological information greater than the second biological reference value Vref2 and smaller than the first biological reference value Vref1 when the load section is far, but the notification is made at the warning level at the value of the biological information greater than the fourth biological reference value Vref4 in the vicinity of the load section even if the value is smaller than the first biological reference value Vref1.

[0127] To describe the actions more generally, the notification is made at the first notification level when the distance between the load section and the current position is greater than the distance reference value and the biological information falls within a predetermined range A1 (for example, a range smaller than Vref2 or a range from Vref2 to Vref1). The notification is made at the second notification level higher than the first notification level when the distance between the load section and the current position is smaller than the distance reference value and the biological information falls within a range A2 between an intermediate value (Vref3 or Vref4) in the predetermined range and an upper limit (Vref2 or Vref1) in the predetermined range A1. The contents may be interpreted by replacing the biological information with the load level.

[0128] In other words, the notification is made at the higher notification level even if the value of the biological information is small in the vicinity of the load section where the increase in the exercise load is expected. This enables the more appropriate notification according to the load section. Thus, the user can go running more safely and comfortably.

[0129] The notification contents in the vicinity of the load section may be further divided. For example, the notification is made at the caution level at the value of the biological information greater than the third biological reference value Vref3 and smaller than the second biological reference value Vref2 in FIG. 17, but the notification may be made at a level set between the communication level and the caution level. Similarly, the notification is made at the warning level at the value of the biological information greater than the fourth biological reference value Vref4 and smaller than the first biological reference value Vref1, but the notification may be made at a level set between the caution level and the warning level.

Fourth Embodiment

[0130] One example of an electrical configuration in a fourth embodiment is the same as FIG. 11. FIG. 18 illustrates a functional block diagram schematically showing one example of the specific configuration of the controller 10. The exercise support unit 100 further includes a biological information estimating unit 150 in FIG. 18 compared with FIG. 4.

[0131] The biological information estimating unit 150 can estimate biological information when the user passes the load section (hereinafter also referred to as estimated biological information) before the user reaches the load section. The biological information acquiring unit 40 acquires the biological information at the present time, so that the estimated biological information can be calculated based on, for example, the biological information at the present time and the amount of change in the biological information due to the user passing the load section. The estimated biological information can be simply calculated by, for example, adding the amount of change in the biological information due to the load section to the biological information at the present time.

[0132] The increase amount is set according to the exercise load of the load section applied to the user. Hereinafter, the increase amount is referred to as an estimated amount of change. For example, a greater inclination angle of the load section increases the exercise load, to thereby set the greater estimated amount of change in the load section. The longer load section also increases the exercise load, to thereby set the greater estimated amount of change in the load section. Such a relationship between the load section and the estimated increase amount of the biological information is previously stored in the storage (such as the storage 103).

[0133] In the fourth embodiment, the notification contents are changed according to the estimated biological information calculated in the vicinity of the load section. The more specific description will be given below. FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart showing one example of part of actions of the exercise support unit 100. FIG. 19 illustrates the process corresponding to Step S9 in FIGS. 5 and 12.

[0134] When the determination unit 130 determines that the load section is close, the biological information estimating unit 150 adds, for example, the biological information at the present time to the estimated amount of change in the biological information according to the load section, to thereby calculate the estimated biological information in Step S94.

[0135] Next, the determination unit 130 determines whether the estimated biological information is greater than, for example, the first biological reference value Vref1 in Step S91. If the negative determination is made, the notification controller 140 makes the notification at the first notification level in Step S92. For example, the notification is made at the caution level. On the other hand, if the affirmative determination is made, the notification controller 140 makes the notification at the second notification level higher than the first notification level in Step S93. For example, the notification is made at the warning level. In other words, the notification is made at the first notification level if it is estimated that the user travels the load section at the low load level, and the notification is made at the second notification level if it is estimated that the user travels the load section at the high load level.

[0136] As described above, the notification is made based on the estimated biological information when the user passes the load section in the fourth embodiment, so that the accuracy of the notification can be improved. That is to say, the notification can be made at the more appropriate notification level.

[0137] In a case where the load section includes steps, the greater estimated amount of change in the biological information may be set with the greater number of steps. In other words, the greater estimated amount of change in the biological information in the load section may be set with the greater exercise load of the load section applied to the user.

[0138] It is described herein that the relationship between the load section and the estimated amount of change in the biological information is previously stored, but this is not necessarily restrictive. In a case where the user runs the same load section for multiple times, the estimated amount of change may be set based on the amount of change in the biological information when the user has passed the load section. For example, the biological information acquiring unit 40 acquires the biological information when the user has reached the starting point of the load section and the biological information when the user has reached the endpoint of the load section, and the difference between them may be set to the estimated amount of change in the biological information in the load section. Also in the case where the user runs the same load section for multiple times, a statistical value such as an average and a median value of the difference may be set to the estimated amount of change in the biological information in the load section.

[0139] Thus, the accuracy of the notification can be further improved. Although the amount of change in the biological information tends to vary between individuals even in the same load section, the actual amount of change in the biological information is acquired and stored, as described above, allowing the more appropriate amount to be set for the user. Therefore, the accuracy of the notification can be further improved.

Fifth Embodiment

[0140] One example of a configuration in a fifth embodiment is the same as FIGS. 4 and 11. Herein, consideration is given to a reference value of an increase amount (hereinafter referred to as an increase amount reference value) in an exercise load for distinguishing a section as the load section. In other words, the load section is interpreted as a section that increases the exercise load beyond the increase amount reference value.

[0141] The increase amount reference value is changed based on the biological information. For example, at the small value of the biological information, namely, the low load level of the user, the user is likely to be able to travel a section without problems even if the section relatively greatly increases the exercise load. On the other hand, at the great value of the biological information, namely, the high load level of the user, the user needs to travel a section with caution even if the section relatively slightly increases the exercise load.

[0142] As illustrated in FIG. 20, the great increase amount reference value of the exercise load in the section interpreted as the load section is set when the value of the biological information is small. The small increase amount reference value of the exercise load in the section interpreted as the load section is set when the value of the biological information is great. In other words, the smaller increase amount reference value is set at the greater value of the biological information. For example, the smaller increase amount reference value is set at the higher load level of the user.

[0143] For example, a plurality of angle reference values are provided as reference values of the inclination angle for distinguishing between a section and the load section. The smaller angle reference value, which is used, is set at the greater value of the biological information. For example, at the value of the biological information smaller than a predetermined reference value, a first angle reference value is used for distinguishing between the section and the load section. At the value of the biological information greater than the predetermined reference value, a second angle reference value smaller than the first angle reference value is used for distinguishing between the section and the load section.

[0144] Thus, the section of the acclivity having the greater inclination angle is distinguished as the load section at the small value of the biological information, and the section of the acclivity that even has the smaller inclination angle is distinguished as the load section at the great value of the biological information. Therefore, the presence of the load section can be notified more appropriately according to the user's state. In other words, the user can continue running without receiving the notification of low necessity.

[0145] The same applies to the length reference value of a section for distinguishing between a section and the load section. The greater length reference value is used at the smaller value of the biological information, and the smaller length reference value is used at the greater value of the biological information.

Sixth Embodiment

[0146] The exercise support unit 100 stores data of the past in a sixth embodiment. The exercise support unit 100 stores, for example, the travel route that has traveled, the biological information at each point of the travel route, and travel time from the start point to each of the points.

[0147] The exercise support unit 100 may display, in the support screen 100d, for example, the biological information of the past at one point and the travel time in addition to the current biological information at the point, the travel distance, and the calorie consumption.

[0148] Alternatively, in the route settings in Steps S4 and S5, the route setting unit 120 may display selectable travel routes of the past, and the selected one of the travel routes of the past may be set to a travel route.

[0149] <Other Modifications>

[0150] While the exercise support device 100 has been described above in detail, the above description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is understood that numerous modifications which have not been exemplified can be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, an electronic apparatus other than the electronic apparatus 1 may include the notification unit 30. For example, the electronic apparatus that can communicate with the electronic apparatus 1 and can be put on the user may include the notification unit 30 and may also include the biological information acquiring unit 40.

[0151] In addition, various modifications described above are applicable in combination as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

Claims

1. An exercise support device, comprising: a current position acquiring unit configured to acquire a current position; a notification unit; and at least one processor configured to set a route that a user moves in map information, and cause the notification unit to make a notification to the outside when a distance between a load section and the current position is smaller than a distance reference value, the load section being located ahead of the current position in the route and increasing an exercise load on the user.

2. The exercise support device according to claim 1, further comprising a biological information acquiring unit configured to acquire biological information of the user that changes according to an amount of exercise, wherein the notification unit makes the notification to the outside based on the biological information.

3. The exercise support device according to claim 2, wherein the notification unit changes notification contents according to the biological information when the distance between the load section and the current position is smaller than the distance reference value.

4. The exercise support device according to claim 2, wherein the notification unit is configured to make a notification at a first notification level when the distance between the load section and the current position is greater than the distance reference value and a load level of the user indicated by the biological information falls within a predetermined range, and make a notification at a second notification level higher than the first notification level when the distance between the load section and the current position is smaller than the distance reference value and the load level falls between an intermediate value in the predetermined range and an upper limit in the predetermined range.

5. The exercise support device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one processor estimates the biological information when the user passes the load section, which is estimated biological information, before the user reaches the load section, wherein the notification unit changes, based on the estimated biological information, notification contents notified to the outside when the distance between the load section and the current position is smaller than the distance reference value.

6. The exercise support device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one processor adds a value of the biological information to an estimated amount of change in the biological information due to the user passing the load section, to thereby calculate the estimated biological information.

7. The exercise support device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one processor sets the estimated amount of change based on an amount of change in the biological information when the user has passed the load section.

8. The exercise support device according to claim 2, wherein the load section increases the exercise load beyond an increase amount reference value, which is predetermined, and the increase amount reference value is set to be smaller at a higher load level of the user indicated by the biological information.

9. An exercise support method, comprising: setting a route that a user moves in map information; acquiring a current position; and making a notification to the outside when a distance between a load section and the current position is smaller than a distance reference value, the load section being located ahead of the current position in the route and increasing an exercise load on the user.

10. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium that stores a control program for controlling an exercise support device, the control program causing the exercise support device to execute the steps of: setting a route that a user moves in map information; acquiring a current position; and making a notification to the outside when a distance between a load section and the current position is smaller than a distance reference value, the load section being located ahead of the current position in the route and increasing an exercise load on the user.