JP2014143473A - Information processing device, communication system, information processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve motivation of a user for physical exercise.SOLUTION: A clocking unit 111 is means for measuring time. A distance measuring unit 112 is means for measuring the travel distance of a user. An acquisition unit 113 is means for acquiring distance data indicating the travel distance of another user. A notification unit 114 is means for giving notice of the comparison result between the distance measured by the distance measuring unit 112 and distance corresponding to the time measured by the clocking unit 111 at the time in the distance data whenever the time measured by the clocking unit 111 increases by a prescribed time. Here, the distance data is data indicating the transition of the travel distance relative to elapsed time of the other user.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for supporting exercise such as running.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of information communication technology, technology that supports exercise such as running using an information network has been developed. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses holding a virtual marathon on a homepage. Participants in this virtual marathon can participate in the race by running a predetermined distance at their favorite place using Nike + and transmitting the running data to the homepage.

Nike Japan, “Shonan International Marathon Certified Virtual Race Using Nike +-5th Shonan International Marathon Certified Nike + Virtual Race”, [online], April 19, 2010, [December 8, 2012 Search], Internet <URL: http: //www.shonan-kokusai.jp/5th/images/press/press20100419nike.pdf>

  However, in the method disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, since the participant basically runs alone, in a real race, the motivation is increased by competing with other participants, and such an effect is obtained. I can't.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and it aims at improving the motivation of a user's exercise | movement.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a time measuring unit for measuring time, a distance measuring unit for measuring a moving distance of the own device, a first acquiring unit for acquiring distance data indicating a moving distance, Every time the time measured by the time measuring means increases for a predetermined time, or every time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the distance measured by the distance measuring means at that time An information processing apparatus is provided that includes notification means for notifying a comparison result with the distance represented by the distance data acquired by the first acquisition means.

  In a preferred aspect, the distance data is data indicating a transition of a moving distance with respect to an elapsed time, and the notification means includes a distance measured by the distance measuring means at the time point, and the time point in the distance data. In this case, the comparison result with the distance corresponding to the time measured by the time measuring means may be notified.

  Further, the present invention provides a time measuring means for measuring time, a distance measuring means for measuring the moving distance of the own device, a first acquiring means for acquiring data indicating a transition of the moving distance with respect to the elapsed time, and the time measuring means. Each time the time measured by the time measurement unit increases by a predetermined time, or each time the distance measured by the distance measurement unit increases by a predetermined distance, the time measured by the time measuring unit at that time, There is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: notifying means for notifying a comparison result with a time corresponding to a distance measured by the distance measuring means in the distance data acquired by one acquiring means.

  Moreover, this invention is a communication system provided with the information processing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3, and a server apparatus, Comprising: The said server apparatus is communication of the user who uses the said information processing apparatus. A second acquisition unit that acquires user identification information for identifying another user as a partner and a distance data stored in the storage unit in association with the user identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit There is provided a communication system, comprising: a third acquisition unit configured to output; and an output unit configured to output the distance data acquired by the third acquisition unit.

  In a preferred aspect, when there are a plurality of other users, the third acquisition unit acquires distance data stored in association with each other in the storage unit for user identification information of each of the plurality of users. Determining means for determining a notification order of a plurality of distance data acquired by the third acquiring means, which is specified based on a history of communications performed with a user who uses the information processing apparatus. And determining means for determining the notification order so that the distance data associated with the user identification information of other users having higher values has a higher notification order, and the output means includes the third acquisition You may output the some distance data acquired by the means, and the alerting | reporting order information which shows the alerting | reporting order determined by the said determination means.

  Further, the present invention is an information processing method executed in an information processing apparatus including time measuring means for measuring time and distance measuring means for measuring the moving distance of the own device, and acquires distance data indicating the moving distance Every time the time measured by the time measuring means increases by a predetermined time, or every time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the distance measuring means at that time There is provided an information processing method comprising a notifying step for notifying a comparison result between a measured distance and a distance represented by the distance data acquired by the acquiring step.

  Further, the present invention is an information processing method executed in an information processing apparatus including a time measuring unit that measures time and a distance measuring unit that measures a moving distance of the own device, and the transition of the moving distance with respect to the elapsed time is measured. The acquisition step of acquiring data to be shown, and whenever the time measured by the time measuring means increases by a predetermined time, or whenever the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, at the time An information processing method comprising: a notifying step for notifying a comparison result between a time measured by the time measuring means and a time corresponding to the distance measured by the distance measuring means in the distance data acquired by the acquiring step I will provide a.

  Further, the present invention provides a computer having a time measuring means for measuring time and a distance measuring means for measuring a moving distance of the own device, an acquisition step of acquiring distance data indicating the moving distance, and the time measuring means. Each time the measured time increases by a predetermined time, or each time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the distance measured by the distance measuring means at that time, and the acquisition step A program for executing a notification step of notifying a comparison result with a distance represented by the acquired distance data is provided.

  Further, the present invention provides a computer comprising a time measuring means for measuring time and a distance measuring means for measuring a moving distance of the own machine, an acquisition step of acquiring data indicating a transition of the moving distance with respect to the elapsed time; Each time the time measured by the means increases by a predetermined time, or every time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the time measured by the time measuring means at that time, and There is provided a program for executing a notifying step of notifying a comparison result with a time corresponding to a distance measured by the distance measuring means in the distance data acquired by the acquiring step.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a user's exercise | movement motivation can be improved.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a communication terminal 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of functions realized by a communication terminal 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a management server 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of functions realized by a management server 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a social graph. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an exercise support server 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of distance DB321. It is a figure which shows the structure of the function implement | achieved by the exercise support server. 3 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the communication system 100. It is a flowchart which shows a user specific process. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the communication terminal 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an exercise | movement assistance process. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of variable table TBL1. It is a flowchart which shows an exercise | movement assistance process. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of distance DB321A. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of variable table TBL2.

1. Embodiment 1-1. Configuration 1-1-1. Communication system 100
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system 100 according to the present embodiment. The communication system 100 is a system that provides an exercise support service. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a communication terminal 1, a management server 2, and an exercise support server 3. Each device is connected to each other by a communication line 4. Here, the communication line 4 is a network constituted by, for example, a mobile communication network or the Internet. Although only one communication terminal 1 is shown in FIG. 1, two or more communication terminals 1 may be used.

1-1-2. Communication terminal 1
The communication terminal 1 is a portable computer device used for a user to use an exercise support service. The communication terminal 1 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a tablet terminal. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the communication terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication terminal 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a voice processing unit 15, a communication unit 16, a positioning unit 17, and a timer. 18. Each component is connected to each other by a bus 19.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12. To control each unit of the communication terminal 1. Further, the control unit 11 has a timer 18 that measures time.

  The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM) or a flash memory, and stores programs and data executed by the CPU. For example, the storage unit 12 stores communication destination information and communication history information. Here, the communication destination information is identification information for specifying a communication destination (communication partner) such as a telephone number or an e-mail address. The communication destination information includes a user name in a social networking service (SNS). The communication history information is information indicating a history of communication performed by the communication terminal 1. Specifically, it is information related to incoming / outgoing calls (communication destination and communication date / time) and information related to transmission / reception of electronic mail (communication destination and communication date / time). Note that the communication history information includes information related to the transmission and reception of information in the SNS (date and time of transmission and reception, and the user name responding to the information transmitted from the user name of the transmission destination). In other words, “communication” in the present embodiment is not limited to information exchange via telephone or e-mail, but also includes information exchange using SNS.

  The operation unit 13 is an operation button such as a numeric key or a touch panel, and outputs a signal corresponding to a user operation to the control unit 11. The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays an image under the control of the control unit 11. The sound processing unit 15 includes a microphone, a speaker, and a sound processing circuit such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The sound processing unit 15 outputs sound information indicating sound collected by the microphone to the control unit 11 and also controls the control unit 11. The sound represented by the signal input from is output from the speaker. The communication unit 16 is an interface card for communicating with an external device via the communication line 4. The positioning unit 17 is a means for measuring the position of the communication terminal 1 using a GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning method.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of functions realized by the control unit 11. The functions shown in FIG. 3 particularly relate to operations that support the user's exercise. This function is realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 12 by the CPU.

  The timer unit 111 is means for measuring time. More specifically, the time measuring unit 111 is a means for measuring an elapsed time during the user's exercise.

  The distance measuring unit 112 is a means for measuring the moving distance of the user. More precisely, it is means for measuring the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 possessed by the user. The distance measuring unit 112 measures the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 based on the transition of the position of the communication terminal 1 measured by the positioning unit 17.

  The acquisition unit 113 is a means for acquiring distance data indicating the movement distance of another user. Specifically, the acquisition unit 113 acquires distance data transmitted from the exercise support server 3 via the communication unit 16.

  The notification unit 114 is represented by the distance measured by the distance measurement unit 112 at that time and the distance data acquired by the acquisition unit 113 each time the time measured by the time measuring unit 111 increases by a predetermined time. It is a means to alert | report the comparison result with a distance. Here, the distance data is specifically data indicating the total movement distance of other users.

In addition, every time the time measured by the time measuring unit 111 increases by a predetermined time, the notification unit 114 calculates the distance measured by the distance measuring unit 112 at that time and the distance data from the time measuring unit 111 at that time. It is also means for notifying the comparison result with the distance corresponding to the time measured by. Here, the distance data is data indicating the transition of the moving distance with respect to the elapsed time of other users.
Here, “notification” is not limited to a form of notifying information by characters or images, but also includes a form of notifying information by voice.

1-1-3. Management server 2
The management server 2 is a computer device that manages information related to the communication terminal 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the management server 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the management server 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. Each component is connected to each other by a bus 24.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and controls each unit of the management server 2 when the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores a program executed by the CPU. In addition, the storage unit 22 stores communication destination information 221 and communication history information 222 of the user of each communication terminal 1. The communication destination information 221 and the communication history information 222 are acquired from each communication terminal 1 and updated every predetermined period. The communication unit 23 is an interface card for communicating with an external device via the communication line 4.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of functions realized by the control unit 21. The function illustrated in FIG. 5 particularly relates to an operation of identifying another user having a connection with the user based on the user ID acquired from the exercise support server 3 and outputting the user ID of the user. This function is realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 22 by the CPU.

  The acquisition unit 211 is a means for acquiring a user ID. Specifically, the acquisition unit 211 acquires a user ID transmitted from the exercise support server 3 via the communication unit 23.

  The first user specifying unit 212 is a unit that specifies other users connected to the user identified by the user ID acquired by the acquiring unit 211. Specifically, the first user specifying unit 212 specifies a communication destination (specifically, another user's ID) based on the user communication destination information 221 identified by the acquired user ID. Here, the connection between users can be expressed by a so-called social graph. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a social graph.

  In the social graph shown in FIG. 6, each node (node) of A to G represents a user, and an edge (solid line) between the nodes indicates that there is a connection between the nodes. The social graph in FIG. 6 indicates that the user A's communication destination information 221 includes user IDs of the user B, the user C, the user D, the user F, and the user G.

  The calculating unit 213 is a unit that calculates the degree of connection between another user specified by the first user specifying unit 212 and the user identified by the user ID acquired by the acquiring unit 211. The calculation unit 213 calculates the connection degree based on the communication history information 222 of the user identified by the user ID acquired by the acquisition unit 211. Here, the degree of connection refers to an index indicating the degree of connection, relevance, connection, or intimacy between users, and particularly refers to an index calculated based on a communication history between users.

  For example, the calculation unit 213 may determine the degree of connection between users by calculating the number of communications (communication frequency) performed between the users per unit time. Specifically, for example, when the number of communications performed between the users A and B per month is 100 times, the numerical value “100” may be used as the connection degree.

  The second user specifying unit 214 is means for specifying another user whose connection degree calculated by the calculating unit 213 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Specifically, the second user specifying unit 214 compares each connection degree calculated by the calculation unit 213 with a predetermined threshold value, and obtains the user IDs of other users having a connection degree equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value. Identify.

  The output unit 215 is means for outputting the user ID specified by the second user specifying unit 214.

1-1-4. Exercise support server 3
The exercise support server 3 is a computer device that receives a request from the communication terminal 1 and provides distance data of other users to the communication terminal. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the exercise support server 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the exercise support server 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. Each component is connected to each other by a bus 34.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and controls each unit when the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 32. The storage unit 32 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and stores a program executed by the CPU. The storage unit 32 also stores a distance database (DB) 321 that stores distance data of each user of the communication terminal 1. The communication unit 33 is an interface card for communicating with an external device via the communication line 4.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the distance DB 321. The distance data stored in the DB includes, for example, items of “user ID”, “date”, “distance”, “time”, and “movement distance transition”. The distance data is generated in each communication terminal 1 and uploaded to the exercise support server 3.

“User ID” is identification information for identifying a user. The user ID includes identification information of the communication terminal 1 used by the user. “Date” is the date on which the distance data was generated.
“Distance” is a total movement distance (km) when the user exercises. “Time” is the total exercise time (minutes). “Transition of travel distance” is a transition of travel distance (km) for each elapsed time (minute) during exercise. For example, in the case of the first distance data, it indicates that the movement is 0.2 km 1 minute after the start of the exercise, and the movement is 0.3 km after 2 minutes.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of functions realized by the control unit 31. The function shown in FIG. 9 is realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 32 by the CPU, particularly regarding an operation when providing distance data of another user to the communication terminal 1.

  The user ID acquisition unit 311 is means for acquiring a user ID for identifying another user who is a communication partner of the user who uses the communication terminal 1. Here, the other user is specified based on communication destination information and / or communication history information of the user who uses the communication terminal 1. The user ID acquisition unit 311 acquires the user ID from the management server 2.

  The distance data acquisition unit 312 is a unit that acquires distance data stored in the distance DB 321 in association with the user ID acquired by the user ID acquisition unit 311.

  The determination unit 313 is a unit that determines the notification order of the plurality of distance data acquired by the distance data acquisition unit 312 when the user ID acquisition unit 311 acquires user IDs of a plurality of other users. At that time, the determination unit 313 determines the notification order so that the distance data associated with the user ID of another user having a high connection degree has a higher notification rank. Here, “notification” is not limited to a form of notifying information by characters or images, but also includes a form of notifying information by voice. Moreover, the information which shows a connection degree is acquired from the management server 2 with the user ID of another user.

  The output unit 314 is means for outputting the distance data acquired by the distance data acquisition unit 312 and notification order information indicating the notification order determined by the determination unit 313.

1-2. Operation Next, an operation of the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. Specifically, an operation until the exercise support program is executed in the communication terminal 1 and a list of exercise opponents is displayed on the communication terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence chart showing the operation. In the following description, running is assumed as an exercise.

  In step S1 of FIG. 10, when the user of the communication terminal 1 starts an exercise support program and performs an operation for requesting a list of competitors (step S1), the control unit 11 of the communication terminal 1 The request signal and the user ID of the user are transmitted to the exercise support server 3 via the communication unit 16 (step S2).

  When acquiring the list request signal and the user ID via the communication unit 33, the control unit 31 of the exercise support server 3 transmits the user ID to the management server 2 (step S3). When acquiring the user ID via the communication unit 23, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 executes a user ID specifying process (step S4).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the user specifying process. In step S41 of FIG. 11, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 specifies another user who has a connection with the user identified by the acquired user ID. Specifically, the control unit 21 refers to the communication destination information 221 of the user identified by the acquired user ID, and specifies the communication destination (specifically, the ID of another user).

  Next, the control unit 21 calculates the degree of connection between the other user specified in step S41 and the user identified by the acquired user ID (step S42). Specifically, the control unit 21 calculates the number of communications per unit time with other users based on the communication history information 222 of the user identified by the acquired user ID, and the calculated value Is the degree of connection.

Next, the control unit 21 specifies another user whose connection degree calculated in step S42 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S43). Specifically, the control unit 21 compares each calculated connection degree with a predetermined threshold value, and specifies a user ID of another user having a connection degree equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value.
The above is the user specifying process.

  When the user specifying process ends, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 transmits the user ID specified in the process to the exercise support server 3 (step S5 in FIG. 10).

  When acquiring the user ID via the communication unit 33, the control unit 31 of the exercise support server 3 acquires distance data stored in the distance DB 321 in association with the acquired user ID (step S6). For example, when the acquired user ID is “U0001” and the data configuration of the distance DB 321 is as shown in FIG. 8, the first and second distance data of the DB are acquired.

  Next, when a plurality of user IDs are acquired from the management server 2, the control unit 31 determines the display order of the distance data acquired in step S6. At this time, the control unit 31 determines the display order so that the display order of the distance data associated with the user IDs of other users having a high connection degree is higher. Information indicating the degree of connection is acquired from the management server 2 together with the user IDs of other users.

  When the display order is determined, the control unit 31 transmits information indicating the determined display order and the distance data acquired in step S6 to the communication terminal 1 as a response signal to the list request signal (step S8). Here, the information indicating the display order is information indicating the display position of each content ID, for example.

  When the control unit 11 of the communication terminal 1 acquires the distance data and the display order information via the communication unit 16, the control unit 11 displays a screen on the display unit 14 according to these information. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed at this time. The competitor list L is displayed on the screen shown in FIG. In this competitor list L, the date, distance and time are displayed in association with the user ID. The competitor list L is an example of a list displayed when the degree of connection between other users is high in the order of “U0001”, “U0015”, “U0022”, and “U0009”.

  In the state where the competitor list L shown in FIG. 12 is displayed, the user of the communication terminal 1 performs an operation of selecting the distance data of any competitor, and with the start of his / her exercise (running) When the predetermined operation is performed, the control unit 11 executes the following exercise support process. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the exercise support process.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the first distance data in the distance DB 321 shown in FIG. 8 is selected by the user while the competitor list L is displayed. In addition, it is assumed that the timer 18 is started and the position acquisition by the positioning unit 17 is started in accordance with the predetermined operation. Further, when the exercise support process is executed, a variable table TBL1 shown in FIG. 14 is generated in the RAM of the control unit 11.

  In the variable table TBL1, a value of time increasing by a predetermined value is stored in association with the value of the variable N. The example of FIG. 14 shows an example in which the time value increases by 10 minutes. The time set in the variable table TBL1 represents the timing of outputting a predetermined voice message to the user. In the example shown in FIG. 14, in the first distance data in the distance DB 321 shown in FIG. 8, since the user has finished exercising in 58 minutes, the variable N is set to “5”. The increment of the time value may be arbitrarily set by the user.

  In step 10 of FIG. 13, the control unit 11 sets N = 1 and initializes the variable N. Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not N> Th1 for the variable N (step S11). Here, the threshold value Th1 is a threshold value for determining the timing to end the exercise support process. In this example, the threshold value Th1 is set to “5” that is the upper limit value of the variable N.

  When the result of this determination is affirmative (step S11; YES), the control unit 11 ends the exercise support process. On the other hand, when the result of this determination is negative (step S11; NO), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S12.

  In step S12, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. Specifically, the control unit 11 compares the time measured by the timer 18 with the time associated with the variable N in the RAM, and determines whether or not the former is greater than or equal to the latter. Here, since the variable N is “1”, “10” is specified as the time value (see FIG. 14).

  When the result of this determination is negative (step S12; NO), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S15. On the other hand, when the result of this determination is affirmative (step S12; YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S13.

  In step S13, the control unit 11 calculates the difference between the moving distance of the communication terminal 1 and the moving distance of the competitor. Specifically, the communication terminal 1 determines the time measured by the timer 18 in the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 specified based on the transition of the position measured by the positioning unit 17 and the distance data of the competitor. The corresponding distances are compared, and the difference between them (“movement distance of communication terminal 1” − “movement distance of competitors”) is calculated. Here, “1.7 (km)” is specified as the movement distance of the competitor (see FIG. 8), and when the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 is “1.6 (km)”, the difference The value of “−0.1 (km)” is calculated.

Next, the control part 11 outputs the audio | voice message with respect to a user from a speaker based on the difference calculated in step S13 (step S14). Specifically, the control unit 11
If the difference calculated in step S13 is negative, a voice message notifying that the user is behind the competitor is output by the difference, while if the difference is positive, For the difference, a voice message notifying that the user is leading the competitor is output. For example, when the difference calculated in step S13 is “−0.1 (km)”, a voice message “100 ms behind Mr. A” is output.
After executing the process of step S14, the control unit 11 executes the process of step S15.

  In step S15, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a predetermined distance has been moved. Specifically, the control unit 11 compares the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 specified based on the transition of the position measured by the positioning unit 17 with a predetermined distance, and whether the former is equal to or greater than the latter. Determine whether. Here, the predetermined distance is the total movement distance of the competitors. In this example, it is “10 (km)”.

  If the result of this determination is negative (step S15; NO), the controller 11 sets N = N + 1 (step S17) and executes the process of step S11. On the other hand, when the result of this determination is affirmative (step S15; YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S16.

In step S16, the control unit 11 outputs a voice message to the user from the speaker. Specifically, the control unit 11 outputs a voice message notifying that the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 has reached the total movement distance of the competitor. For example, the control unit 11 outputs a voice message with a content such as “Mr. A has finished running”. The control part 11 will complete | finish the said exercise | movement assistance process, if the process of step S16 is performed.
The above is the content of the exercise support process.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the user can be notified of a comparison result between his / her own exercise performance that changes every moment and the exercise performance of another person during exercise. That is, the user can obtain a feeling as if competing with another person during exercise. Therefore, even if the user exercises alone, exercise motivation can be improved.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, the other user who has a connection with a user is designated as a user's competitor. Therefore, the user can improve the motivation of the exercise more than the case of competing with another person who has no connection.

2. Modifications The above embodiment may be modified as follows. The following modifications may be combined with each other.

2-1. Modification 1
In the above embodiment, in the exercise support process, the difference in the movement distance between the user and the competitor is notified each time a predetermined time elapses. However, instead of this, for example, every time a predetermined distance is moved, a difference in time between the user and the race opponent may be notified. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing exercise support processing in such a case. In this flowchart, processes that are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 13 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In adopting this modification, the item “movement distance transition” stored in the distance DB 321 in FIG. 8 may be replaced with the item “movement time transition”. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the distance DB 321A when such replacement is performed. “Transition of travel time” in the distance DB 321A shown in the figure indicates the transition of elapsed time (seconds) for each travel distance (km) during exercise. For example, in the case of the first distance data, the elapsed time when moving 0.1 km after the start of exercise is 35 seconds, and the elapsed time when moving 0.2 km is 69 seconds. In the following description, it is assumed that the first distance data is selected by the user.

  In addition, when the exercise support process described below is executed, a variable table TBL2 shown in FIG. 17 is generated. In the variable table TBL2, the value of the distance that increases by a predetermined value is stored in association with the value of the variable N. The example of FIG. 17 shows an example in which the distance value increases by 0.2 km. The distance set in the variable table TBL2 represents the timing for outputting a predetermined voice message to the user. In the example shown in FIG. 17, since the user has finished exercising at 10 km in the first distance data in the distance DB 321 </ b> A shown in FIG. 16, the variable N is set to “5”. The increment of the distance value may be arbitrarily set by the user.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 15, when it is determined in step S11 that N> Th1 is not satisfied for the variable N (step S11; NO), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S20. In step S20, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the communication terminal 1 has moved a predetermined distance. Specifically, the control unit 11 compares the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 specified based on the transition of the position measured by the positioning unit 17 and the distance associated with the variable N in the RAM. , It is determined whether or not the former is greater than or equal to the latter. Here, since the variable N is “1”, “2” is specified as the distance value (see FIG. 17).

  If the result of this determination is negative (step S20; NO), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S15. On the other hand, when the result of this determination is affirmative (step S20; YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S21.

  In step S21, the control unit 11 calculates the difference between the elapsed time on the communication terminal 1 side and the elapsed time on the competitor side. Specifically, the communication terminal 1 sets the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 specified based on the time measured by the timer 18 and the transition of the position measured by the positioning unit 17 in the distance data of the competitor. The corresponding time is compared, and the difference between the two (“elapsed time on the communication terminal 1 side” − “elapsed time on the competitor side”) is calculated. Here, “35 (seconds)” is specified as the elapsed time on the competitor side (see FIG. 16), and when the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 is “37 (seconds)”, the difference value is “2 (seconds)” is calculated.

Next, the control part 11 outputs the audio | voice message with respect to a user from a speaker based on the difference calculated in step S21 (step S22). Specifically, the control unit 11
If the difference calculated in step S21 is positive, a voice message notifying that the user is behind the competitor is output for the difference, while if the difference is negative, For the difference, a voice message notifying that the user is leading the competitor is output. For example, when the difference calculated in step S21 is “2 (seconds)”, a voice message “2 seconds behind Mr. A” is output.

When executing the process of step S22, the control unit 11 next executes the process of step S15.
The above is the content of the exercise support process according to the present modification.

2-2. Modification 2
In the above embodiment, in the exercise support process, the difference in the movement distance between the user and the competitor is notified each time a predetermined time elapses. However, the timing for notifying the difference in the moving distance between the user and the competitor is not limited every time a predetermined time has elapsed. For example, the notification may be performed every time the communication terminal 1 moves a predetermined distance.

  Specifically, in the above embodiment, the control unit 11 of the communication terminal 1 may determine whether or not a predetermined distance has been moved in step S12 of the flowchart of FIG. More specifically, the control unit 11 compares the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 specified based on the transition of the position measured by the positioning unit 17 and the distance associated with the variable N in the RAM. Thus, it may be determined whether the former is greater than or equal to the latter. Here, instead of the variable table TBL1, a variable table TBL2 may be employed.

2-3. Modification 3
In the above modification 1, every time a predetermined distance is moved, the difference between the time of the user and the race opponent is notified. However, the timing for notifying the time difference between the user and the competitor is not limited every time a predetermined distance is moved. For example, the notification may be performed every time a predetermined time elapses.

  Specifically, in Modification 1 described above, the control unit 11 of the communication terminal 1 may determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed in Step S20 of the flowchart of FIG. More specifically, the control unit 11 compares the time measured by the timer 18 with the time associated with the variable N in the RAM, and determines whether or not the former is greater than or equal to the latter. You may do it. Here, the variable table TBL1 may be adopted instead of the variable table TBL2.

2-4. Modification 4
In the exercise support process of the above embodiment, every time a predetermined time elapses, the user may be notified of the difference between the user's travel distance and the total travel distance of the race opponent. Specifically, the control unit 11 of the communication terminal 1 determines the movement distance of the communication terminal 1 specified based on the transition of the position measured by the positioning unit 17 and the total number of competitors each time a predetermined time elapses. The moving distance may be compared, and a voice message indicating the comparison result may be output from the speaker.

  For example, when the moving distance of the communication terminal 1 is 5 km and the total moving distance of the competitor is 10 km, a voice message such as “5 km remaining” may be output. These processes may be performed in place of steps S13 and S14 in the flowchart of FIG. 13, or may be performed in addition to steps S13 and S14.

  Similarly, in the first modification described above, the user may be notified of the difference between the moving distance of the user and the total moving distance of the race opponent whenever the predetermined distance is moved. In this case, these processes may be performed instead of steps S21 and S22 in the flowchart of FIG. 15, or may be performed in addition to steps S21 and S22.

2-5. Modification 5
In the above embodiment, the degree of connection between the users is calculated based on the number of communications per unit time between the users (see step S42 in FIG. 11). However, the calculation method of the connection degree is not limited to this, and may be calculated based on, for example, the bidirectionality of communication between users. More specifically, the ratio of the number of transmissions and the number of receptions in the total number of communications performed between users is calculated, and it is determined that the degree of connection is higher between users whose transmission ratio and reception ratio are closer. You may do it.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when calculating the degree of connection between users, the novelty of communication may be taken into consideration. Specifically, the weight of each communication may be changed according to the newness of the communication. In this case, the numerical value of the weight may be increased as the communication is newer.

2-6. Modification 6
In said embodiment, the control part 21 of the management server 2 is transmitting the user ID of the other user whose connection degree is more than a predetermined threshold value to the exercise support server 3 (refer step S43 of FIG. 11). However, here, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 may transmit only the user IDs of the other users having the highest degree of connection to the exercise support server 3 among the other users connected to the user. Good.

  In this case, in the race partner list L displayed on the communication terminal 1, only the distance data of the other users with the highest degree of connection is displayed, but when there is only one distance data Instead of displaying the competitor list L on the communication terminal 1, the data may be automatically determined as competitor distance data. Even if a plurality of distance data exist, the latest distance data may be automatically determined as the distance data of the competitor.

  Further, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 may transmit the user IDs of all other users connected to the user to the exercise support server 3. That is, step S43 may be omitted in the user specifying process of FIG.

2-7. Modification 7
In the above embodiment, some or all of the functions of the exercise support server 3 may be executed in the management server 2. Specifically, a part or all of the distance data acquisition process (step S6 in FIG. 10) and the display order determination process (step S7) executed in the exercise support server 3 are executed in the management server 2. Also good. Conversely, some or all of the functions of the management server 2 may be executed by the exercise support server 3. Specifically, part or all of the user specifying process (step S4 in FIG. 10) executed in the management server 2 may be executed in the exercise support server 3.

2-8. Modification 8
In the above-described embodiment or modification, a program executed by the control unit 11 of the communication terminal 1, the control unit 21 of the management server 2, or the control unit 31 of the exercise support server 3 is a recording medium that can be read by a computer device. It may be provided to each device via. Here, the recording medium is, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk, an optical recording medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the program may be provided to each device via a network such as the Internet.

2-9. Modification 9
In the above embodiment, running is assumed as the exercise, but the exercise to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to racewalking, bicycle racing, motor sports, and the like. The present invention is considered applicable to competitions that compete for distance per unit time and competitions that compete for time per unit distance.

2-10. Modification 10
In the above embodiment or modification, in the exercise support process, a voice message is output to the user every predetermined time or every predetermined distance. And the interval of the predetermined time or the predetermined distance is set to be constant. However, the predetermined time interval or the predetermined distance interval may be set at random. Specifically, it may be set based on a random number generated in the communication terminal 1. That is, in the present invention, “predetermined time” and “predetermined distance” include time and distance set based on random numbers.

2-11. Modification 11
In the above-described embodiment, when a list of opponents of exercise is requested by the communication terminal 1, a list of distance data of other users connected to the user is provided. However, the distance data provided here does not necessarily have to be distance data of a person connected to the user. For example, the exercise support server 3 may store the distance data of prominent athletes in the distance DB 321 and cause the user to download the data.

2-12. Modification 12
In the above embodiment, the control unit 31 of the exercise support server 3 determines the display order of the distance data according to the degree of connection between users (see step S7 in FIG. 10). Here, the control unit 31 may weight the connection degree according to the distance data. For example, the connection degree may be weighted according to the total distance of the distance data generated within a predetermined period (for example, one month) from the present. In this case, the numerical value of the weight may be increased as the total distance is increased.

  At this time, the control unit 31 may automatically determine the distance data having the highest display order as the distance data of the competitor. In this case, display of the competitor list L in the communication terminal 1 (step S9 in FIG. 10) may be omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication terminal, 2 ... Management server, 3 ... Exercise support server, 4 ... Communication line, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 13 ... Operation part, 14 ... Display part, 15 ... Audio | voice processing part, 16 ... Communication , 17 ... Positioning unit, 18 ... Timer, 19 ... Bus, 21 ... Control unit, 22 ... Storage unit, 23 ... Communication unit, 24 ... Bus, 31 ... Control unit, 32 ... Storage unit, 33 ... Communication unit, 34 ... Bus, 100 ... Communication system, 111 ... Time measuring unit, 112 ... Distance measuring unit, 113 ... Acquisition unit, 114 ... Notification unit, 211 ... Acquisition unit, 212 ... First user specifying unit, 213 ... Calculation unit, 214 ... Second user identification unit, 215 ... output unit, 221 ... communication destination information, 222 ... communication history information, 311 ... user ID acquisition unit, 312 ... distance data acquisition unit, 313 ... determination unit, 314 ... output unit, 321 ... Distance DB

Claims (9)

A time measuring means for measuring time;
Distance measuring means for measuring the distance traveled by the aircraft;
First acquisition means for acquiring distance data indicating a movement distance;
Every time the time measured by the time measuring means increases by a predetermined time or every time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the distance measured by the distance measuring means at that time And an informing means for informing a comparison result with the distance represented by the distance data acquired by the first acquiring means. The distance data is data indicating a transition of a moving distance with respect to an elapsed time,
The notification means notifies the comparison result between the distance measured by the distance measurement means at the time point and the distance corresponding to the time measured by the time measurement means at the time point in the distance data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A time measuring means for measuring time;
Distance measuring means for measuring the distance traveled by the aircraft;
First acquisition means for acquiring data indicating a transition of the movement distance with respect to the elapsed time;
Every time when the time measured by the time measuring means increases by a predetermined time, or every time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the time measured by the time measuring means at that time An information processing apparatus comprising: notification means for notifying a comparison result with a time corresponding to the distance measured by the distance measurement means in the distance data acquired by the first acquisition means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A communication system comprising a server device,
The server device
Second acquisition means for acquiring user identification information for identifying another user who is a communication partner of the user who uses the information processing apparatus;
Third acquisition means for acquiring distance data stored in the storage means in association with the user identification information acquired by the second acquisition means;
An output means for outputting the distance data acquired by the third acquisition means. The third acquisition means acquires distance data stored in association with the storage means for user identification information of each of the plurality of users when there are a plurality of other users,
Determination means for determining a notification order of a plurality of distance data acquired by the third acquisition means, which is specified based on a history of communications performed with a user who uses the information processing apparatus. Further comprising a determining means for determining the notification order so that the distance data associated with the user identification information of other users having a higher value has a higher notification order;
5. The output unit according to claim 4, wherein the output unit outputs a plurality of distance data acquired by the third acquisition unit and notification order information indicating the notification order determined by the determination unit. Communications system. A time measuring means for measuring time;
An information processing method executed in an information processing apparatus comprising a distance measuring means for measuring a moving distance of the own machine,
An acquisition step of acquiring distance data indicating a moving distance;
Every time the time measured by the time measuring means increases by a predetermined time or every time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the distance measured by the distance measuring means at that time And a notification step of notifying a comparison result with the distance represented by the distance data acquired by the acquisition step. A time measuring means for measuring time;
An information processing method executed in an information processing apparatus comprising a distance measuring means for measuring a moving distance of the own machine,
An acquisition step of acquiring data indicating a transition of the travel distance with respect to the elapsed time;
Every time when the time measured by the time measuring means increases by a predetermined time, or every time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the time measured by the time measuring means at that time An information processing method comprising: a notifying step of notifying a comparison result with a time corresponding to the distance measured by the distance measuring means in the distance data acquired by the acquiring step. A time measuring means for measuring time;
A computer equipped with a distance measuring means for measuring the distance traveled by the aircraft,
An acquisition step of acquiring distance data indicating a moving distance;
Every time the time measured by the time measuring means increases by a predetermined time or every time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the distance measured by the distance measuring means at that time And a notifying step for notifying a result of comparison with the distance represented by the distance data acquired in the acquiring step. A time measuring means for measuring time;
A computer equipped with a distance measuring means for measuring the distance traveled by the aircraft,
An acquisition step of acquiring data indicating a transition of the travel distance with respect to the elapsed time;
Every time when the time measured by the time measuring means increases by a predetermined time, or every time the distance measured by the distance measuring means increases by a predetermined distance, the time measured by the time measuring means at that time A program for executing a notification step of notifying a comparison result with a time corresponding to the distance measured by the distance measuring means in the distance data acquired by the acquisition step.

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