Abstract:
A method of calculating an exercise goal includes receiving a selection of exercise route data from the user indicating a length of an exercise route, calculating a distance that the user has completed on the exercise route and a corresponding elapsed time for a completed portion of the exercise route, and calculating a target pace for a remaining portion of the exercise route not yet completed, the target pace indicating a pace at which the user needs to move along the exercise route in order to achieve an exercise goal associated with the exercise route data received from the user. The method also includes outputting the target pace to the user for informing the user about the target pace, and repeatedly dynamically calculating the target pace and outputting the target pace until completion of the exercise route.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a portable electronic device, and more particularly, to a portable electronic device that dynamically calculates a target pace for a user on an exercise route in order to achieve a goal that the user set for the exercise route. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Global Positioning System (GPS) based navigation devices are well known and are widely employed as in-car navigation devices. Common functions of a navigation device include providing a map database for generating navigation instructions that are then shown on a display of the navigation device. These navigation devices are often mounted on or in the dashboard of a vehicle using a suction mount or other mounting means. 
         [0005]    The term “navigation device” refers to a device that enables a user to navigate to a pre-defined destination. The device may have an internal system for receiving location data, such as a GPS receiver, or may merely be connectable to a receiver that can receive location data. The device may compute a route itself, or communicate with a remote server that computes the route and provides navigation information to the device, or a hybrid device in which the device itself and a remote server both play a role in the route computation process. Portable GPS navigation devices are not permanently integrated into a vehicle but instead are devices that can readily be mounted in or otherwise used inside a vehicle. Generally (but not necessarily), they are fully self-contained—i.e. include an internal GPS antenna, navigation software and maps and can hence plot and display a route to be taken. 
         [0006]    Currently, portable electronic devices employing GPS or other such location calculating services are increasingly used for outdoor activities such as hiking, running, or cycling. As a result, users now commonly use a portable electronic device when training for a fitness event, such as a marathon. The portable electronic device can tell a user how far the user has traveled along a completed portion of an exercise route and how much time has elapsed while traveling along the completed portion of the exercise route. 
         [0007]    However, conventional portable electronic devices are unable to inform the user what target pace, also known as target speed, that the user must move at for a remaining portion of the exercise route not yet completed in order to achieve an exercise goal that the user set for the exercise route. The lack of the target pace that the user should be aiming for makes it more difficult for the user to know exactly what is required of the user in order for the user to achieve the exercise goal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore one of the primary objectives of the claimed invention to provide a method of calculating a target pace needed for the user of a portable electronic device to move at in order to achieve an exercise goal. 
         [0009]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, a method of informing a user of a portable electronic device about apace that the user needs to maintain in order to achieve an exercise goal is disclosed. The method includes receiving a selection of exercise route data from the user, the exercise route data including at least two parameters selected from the group consisting of a predetermined distance of the exercise route, a predetermined exercise time for the exercise route, and a desired pace to be used on the exercise route, receiving position signals indicating a current position of the portable electronic device as the user follows the exercise route, and calculating a distance that the user has completed on the exercise route and a corresponding elapsed time for a completed portion of the exercise route. The method also includes dynamically calculating a target pace for a remaining portion of the exercise route not yet completed, the target pace indicating a pace at which the user needs to move along the exercise route in order to achieve an exercise goal associated with the exercise route data received from the user, outputting the target pace to the user for informing the user about the target pace, and repeatedly dynamically calculating the target pace and outputting the target pace until completion of the exercise route. 
         [0010]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, a portable electronic device informing a user of the portable electronic device about apace that the user needs to maintain in order to achieve an exercise goal is disclosed. The portable electronic device includes a user interface for receiving a selection of exercise route data from the user, the exercise route data including at least two parameters selected from the group consisting of a predetermined distance of the exercise route, a predetermined exercise time for the exercise route, and a desired pace to be used on the exercise route. The portable electronic device also includes a position receiving device receiving position signals indicating a current position of the portable electronic device as the user follows the exercise route. The portable electronic device further includes a processor calculating a distance that the user has completed on the exercise route and a corresponding elapsed time for a completed portion of the exercise route, dynamically calculating a target pace for a remaining portion of the exercise route not yet completed, the target pace indicating a pace at which the user needs to move along the exercise route in order to achieve an exercise goal associated with the exercise route data received from the user, outputting the target pace to the user for informing the user about the target pace, and repeatedly dynamically calculating the target pace and outputting the target pace until completion of the exercise route. 
         [0011]    It is an advantage that the present invention method calculates a target pace for informing the user about the target pace that the user needs to move at for a remaining portion of the exercise route not yet completed in order to achieve an exercise goal that the user set for the exercise route. In this way, the user can quickly understand exactly what pace the user must move at during a remaining portion of the exercise route in order for the user to achieve the exercise goal. 
         [0012]    These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a portable electronic device according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a screen shown on the display of the portable electronic device showing exercise route data parameters selectable by a user of the portable electronic device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a screen showing a first set of fitness data metrics. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a screen showing a second set of fitness data metrics. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  are screens showing additional sets of fitness data metrics. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a screen shown when a user completes a goal of a predetermined distance. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a screen shown when a user completes a goal of a predetermined exercise time. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Please refer to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a portable electronic device  10  according to the present invention. The portable electronic device  10  contains a display  12  which can be a touch sensitive display, a GPS receiver  14  for receiving position signals indicating the current position coordinates of the portable electronic device  10 , a processor  18  for controlling operation of the portable electronic device  10 , a user interface  20 , a speaker  24  for outputting audio instructions to the user, and a memory  30 . Instead of the speaker  24 , a buzzer can also be used to provide audio feedback to the user. The memory  30  is used to store a map database  32  containing map data and points of interest. The memory  30  also stores routing software  34  used to create routes for the user to follow as well as to monitor routes that the user is following. User data such as exercise route data  36  is also stored in the memory  30  in order to have a record of what exercise route data parameters the user has entered for an exercise route being followed. The exercise route data parameters include a predetermined distance of an exercise route, a predetermined exercise time for the exercise route, and a desired pace to be used on the exercise route. The portable electronic device  10  can be created as a fitness watch wearable by a user, a personal navigation device, or a mobile phone. 
         [0021]    The portable electronic device  10  of the present invention receives the input exercise route data parameters from the user through the user interface  20 , monitors the current progress of the user on the exercise route, and provides the user with a target pace that the user needs to move at for a remaining portion of the exercise route in order to achieve an exercise goal that the user set for the exercise route. The processor  18  dynamically calculates the target pace according to the user&#39;s changing progress on the exercise route. The target pace can be updated constantly, such as once every second. The target pace is calculated according to the distance that the user has already completed on the exercise route and the corresponding elapsed time for the completed portion of the exercise route. 
         [0022]    The fitness data metrics that are output by the portable electronic device  10  will vary according to the exercise route data parameters entered by the user. Please refer to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a screen  100  shown on the display  12  of the portable electronic device  10  showing exercise route data parameters selectable by a user of the portable electronic device  10 . An “Enabled” option  102  allows a user to toggle on an off an Activity Pacer function which monitors the user&#39;s progress on an exercise route and calculates corresponding fitness data. A “Goal” option  104  allows the user to select a type of exercise data to be predetermined by the user. The goals that can be predetermined by the user include a combination of distance and time for the exercise route to last, a combination of distance for the exercise route to last along with a desired pace to be used on the exercise route, a combination of time for the exercise route to last along with a desired pace to be used on the exercise route, a distance for the exercise route to last, a time for the exercise route to last, or a desired pace to be used on the exercise route. 
         [0023]    A “Distance” option  106  allows the user to specify a predetermined distance that the exercise route is to cover, whereas a “Time” option  108  allows the user to specify a predetermined time duration that the exercise route is to take. A “Speed/Pace” option  110  allows the user to specify a desired pace that the user wishes to move at while exercising on the exercise route. Depending on the “Goal” option  104  specified, the user will be given the opportunity to enter numerical values for one or two of the choices including the “Distance” option  106 , the “Time” option  108 , and the “Speed/Pace” option  110 . 
         [0024]    Please refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 3  is a screen  120  showing a first set of fitness data metrics, and  FIG. 4  is a screen  130  showing a second set of fitness data metrics. The screen  120  displays a user&#39;s current pace  122 , which is shown as taking 9 minutes and 39 seconds per mile. A target pace  124  is also displayed, which is shown as taking 9 minutes and 40 seconds per mile. This means that the user&#39;s current pace  122  is slightly faster than the target pace  124 , and the user could slow down slightly and still complete the exercise route while meeting the user&#39;s original goals. Thus, the screen  120  provides the user with the target pace  124  for letting the user know exactly what pace will be needed from this point onwards to reach the overall goals for the exercise route. Screen  120  also displays a time ahead  126  of 3 minutes and 3 seconds, as well as a distance ahead  128  of 0.33 miles. The time ahead  126  and the distance ahead  128  let the user know exactly how much distance and time the user is ahead of the average pace needed to make the overall goal for the exercise route. 
         [0025]    The screen  130  displays additional fitness data metrics beyond those shown in screen  120 . An estimated time of arrival (ETA)  132  shows what time the user is expected to arrive at the end of the exercise route if the current pace is kept. In this example, the ETA is 10:54:00 am. An estimated total time  134  indicates that the user will exercise on the exercise route for 3 hours and 54 minutes if the current pace is kept. An estimated remaining time  136  estimates that there are 54 minutes remaining on the exercise route if the current pace is kept. A remaining distance  138  calculates that there are 6.20 miles remaining in the exercise route. 
         [0026]    The screens  120  and  130  are applicable when the user has specified exercise route data parameters of a predetermined distance of the exercise route and a predetermined exercise time for the exercise route. When the predetermined distance and the predetermined exercise time are provided by the user, the average pace of the exercise route will be automatically calculated by the portable electronic device  10 . In this situation the screen  120  will show the current pace  122 , the target pace  124 , the time ahead/behind  126 , and the distance ahead/behind  128 . The screen  130  will show the ETA  132 , the estimated total time  134 , the estimated remaining time  136 , and the remaining distance  138 . 
         [0027]    The screens  120  and  130  are also applicable when the user has specified exercise route data parameters of the predetermined distance of the exercise route and a desired average pace for the exercise route. When the predetermined distance and the desired pace are provided by the user, the exercise time of the exercise route will be automatically calculated by the portable electronic device  10 . In this situation the screen  120  will show the current pace  122 , the target pace  124 , the time ahead/behind  126 , and the distance ahead/behind  128 . The screen  130  will show the ETA  132 , the estimated total time  134 , the estimated remaining time  136 , and the remaining distance  138 . 
         [0028]    While the target pace  124  is dynamically calculated, all other parameters are dynamically changed based on the user&#39;s current pace  122 , such as ETA  132 , estimated total time  134 , the estimated remaining time  136 , and the remaining distance  138 . Therefore, when outputting the dynamically calculated target pace  124  to the user, other parameters outputted on the display  12  are also dynamically changed. For example, considering the user&#39;s current pace  122 , the ETA  132  will also be updated so the user will never be wondering what time he will be getting home. 
         [0029]    Please refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a screen  140  showing another set of fitness data metrics. The screen  120  of  FIG. 3  and the screen  130  of  FIG. 5  are applicable when the user has specified exercise route data parameters of the predetermined exercise time for the exercise route and a desired average pace for the exercise route. When the predetermined exercise time and the desired pace are provided by the user, the estimated distance of the exercise route will be automatically calculated by the portable electronic device  10 . 
         [0030]    The screen  140  displays additional fitness data metrics beyond those shown in screen  120 . An estimated time of arrival (ETA)  142  shows what time the user is expected to arrive at the end of the exercise route if the current pace is kept. In this example, the ETA is 11:00:00 am. An estimated total distance  144  indicates that the user will be able to move 26.66 miles if the current pace is kept. A remaining time  146  indicates that there is one hour remaining in the predetermined exercise time. An estimated remaining distance  148  shows that there is an estimated 6.66 miles remaining in the exercise route if the current pace is kept. 
         [0031]    When the predetermined exercise time and the desired pace are provided by the user, the estimated distance of the exercise route will be automatically calculated by the portable electronic device  10 . In this situation the screen  120  will show the current pace  122 , the target pace  124 , the time ahead/behind  126 , and the distance ahead/behind  128 . The screen  140  will show the ETA  142 , the estimated total distance  144 , the remaining time  146 , and the estimated remaining distance  148 . 
         [0032]    Please refer to  FIG. 4 . When only the predetermined distance is provided by the user, it is not possible to automatically calculate in advance an exact time for the exercise route or an average pace that the user will move at while on the exercise route. Instead, the portable electronic device  10  can only measure the user&#39;s current pace and estimate how long the exercise route will last based on the predetermined distance and the current pace. In this situation only the screen  130  is needed to convey the known fitness data metrics. The screen  130  will show the ETA  132 , the estimated total time  134 , the estimated remaining time  136 , and the remaining distance  138 . 
         [0033]    Please refer to  FIG. 5 . When only the predetermined exercise time is provided by the user, it is not possible to automatically calculate in advance an exact distance for the exercise route or an average pace that the user will move at while on the exercise route. Instead, the portable electronic device  10  can only measure the user&#39;s current pace and estimate a distance of the exercise route based on the predetermined exercise time and the current pace. In this situation only the screen  140  shown in  FIG. 5  is needed to convey the known fitness data metrics. The screen  140  will show the ETA  142 , the estimated total distance  144 , the remaining time  146 , and the estimated remaining distance  148 . 
         [0034]    Please refer to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a screen  150  showing another set of fitness data metrics. When only the desired exercise pace is provided by the user, it is not possible to automatically calculate in advance an exact distance or exercise time for the exercise route. Instead, the portable electronic device  10  can only measure the user&#39;s current pace and tell the user how far ahead or behind the desired pace the user is according to the user&#39;s current pace. In this situation only the screen  150  is needed to convey the known fitness data metrics. The screen  150  will show a user&#39;s current pace  152 , which is shown as taking 9 minutes and 39 seconds per mile. An average pace  154  over the portion of the exercise route completed so far is shown as being 9 minutes per mile. Thus, the user is currently moving slower than the user was moving earlier in the exercise route. The screen  150  also shows a time ahead  156  of 3 minutes and 3 seconds, as well as a distance ahead  158  of 0.33 miles. The time ahead  156  and the distance ahead  158  let the user know exactly how much distance and time the user is ahead of the desired pace set by the user as the goal for the exercise route. 
         [0035]    Please refer to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 7  is a screen  160  shown when a user completes a goal of a predetermined distance. In this example, the user set a goal of 26.2 miles. Once the distance goal is met, the screen  160  will indicate this fact to the user.  FIG. 8  is a screen  170  shown when a user completes a goal of a predetermined exercise time. In this example, the user set a goal of 4 hours. Once the exercise time goal is met, the screen  170  will indicate this fact to the user. 
         [0036]    It will be appreciated that exercise goals can be pre-stored in the exercise route data  36  portion of the memory  30  of the portable electronic device  10  so that the user does not need to manually enter new goals each time the user wishes to start on an exercise route. Instead of outputting the fitness data metrics on the display  12  of the portable electronic device  10 , updated fitness data metrics can be output through the speaker  24  instead so that the user does not need to take time to glance at the display  12 . 
         [0037]    In summary, the present invention calculates fitness data metrics for informing the user about the user&#39;s current progress on an exercise route. Notably, the present invention calculates a target pace for informing the user about the target pace that the user needs to move at for a remaining portion of the exercise route not yet completed in order to achieve an exercise goal that the user set for the exercise route. In this way, the user can quickly understand exactly what pace the user must move at during a remaining portion of the exercise route in order for the user to achieve the exercise goal. The user can then adjust the user&#39;s current pace to try and match the target pace calculated by the portable electronic device  10 . 
         [0038]    Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.