Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-189736, filed Aug. 30, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a course creation support apparatus, a computer readable storage medium, a course creation support method, and a course creation support system that support creation of a course. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A disclosed technique is known as a conventional course creation support apparatus (Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2011-120740). According to this technique, a program is executed on a personal computer to provide a habitual course generation module, an information acquisition module, a course search module, and a display generation module. Then, based on state information and environment information acquired by the information acquisition module, the habitual course generation module generates a habitual course for a user based on a predetermined rule. When the information acquisition module acquires the user&#39;s request, the course search module searches for one of the jogging courses stored in a jogging course database which best approximates a habitual course. The display generation module generates and presents an image displaying the searched-for jogging course to the user. Thus, the user can acquire the jogging course approximating the user&#39;s routine jogging. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a course creation support apparatus including an acquisition module configured to acquire at least one of area information indicative of an area and landmark information indicative of a landmark, an identification module configured to identify a component of a circuit course based on the information acquired by the acquisition module, and a creation module configured to create a circuit course comprising the component identified by the identification module. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a general configuration of a course creation support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram schematically illustrating the course creation support system according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a server. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a wrist terminal. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a smartphone terminal or a PC. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a process procedure according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a process procedure according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing a process procedure according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing a process procedure according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing a process procedure according to a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing a process procedure according to a sixth embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the sixth embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart showing a process procedure according to a seventh embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the seventh embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a general configuration of a course creation support system according to the present embodiment. 
     A social networking site (SNS)  10  including a server  11  is connected to members&#39; smartphone terminals  1 - 1 ,  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3 , wrist terminals  2 - 1 ,  2 - 2 ,  2 - 3 , and a personal computer (PC)  3 - 1  via the Internet  500 . The wrist terminals  2 - 1 ,  2 - 2 ,  2 - 3  are of a watch type that can be worn on the wrist. The wrist terminals  2 - 1 ,  2 - 2 ,  2 - 3  can also be connected by radio to the smartphone terminals  1 - 1 ,  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3 . The number of terminals and PC is not limited to that shown in  FIG. 1 . An application program is installed on each of the smartphone terminals  1 - 1 ,  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  so that the smartphone terminals  1 - 1 ,  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  perform an operation of cooperating with the SNS  10 . A relatively lightweight application program is also installed on each of the wrist terminals  2 - 1 ,  2 - 2 ,  2 - 3  so that the wrist terminals  2 - 1 ,  2 - 2 ,  2 - 3  operate to cooperate with the smartphone terminals  1 - 1 ,  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3 . Furthermore, the wrist terminals  2 - 1 ,  2 - 2 ,  2 - 3  and the server  11  are directly connected together to provide a route through the wrist terminals  2 - 1 ,  2 - 2 ,  2 - 3  and the server  11  can exchange information without communicating with the smartphone terminals  1 - 1 ,  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3 . 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram schematically illustrating a course creation support system according to the present embodiment. The wrist terminals  2 - 1  and  2 - 2  worn by training members, the smartphone terminal  1 - 1 , and the PC  3  are connected together via the SNS  10 . Thus, a course created by the SNS  10  can be transmitted to a member who is training with the wrist terminal  2 - 1  on or to another member who is training with the wrist terminal  2 - 2  on, or to another member&#39;s smartphone terminal  1 - 1  or PC  3 . Cloud services may be used as the SNS  10 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a general configuration of the server  11 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , a CPU  102  controls the whole system. A program memory  104  stores various control programs. The CPU  102  carries out various processes by executing the programs in the program memory  104 . A course setting program  1041  is a program for setting a course as described below. The course may be set by a user by tracing a course the user has actually run with the wrist terminal  2 - 1  on the arm or tracing on a map with the user&#39;s finger or the like. Alternatively, several landmarks may be specified to allow setting of a 5- or 10-kilometer course that circles around or passes the landmarks. Any error between an actual map and a specified course can be corrected by a well-known map matching technique. 
     A member management module  106  manages the members as an SNS system. The member management module  106  also manages the friendships among the members. Furthermore, profile images P 1  are stored and managed for the respective members. 
     A history memory  120  stores a history of training so that the user can train a plurality of times and subsequently compare the results of the training with one another. 
     A course memory  130  stores various courses. The various courses include a plurality of existing predefined courses pre-created by the server  11 , for example, a Tokyo Marathon course (first predefined course)  130 A, a Honolulu Marathon course (second predefined course)  130 B, an Imperial Palace jogging course (third predefined course)  130 C, . . . and a first custom course  1301 , a second custom course  1302 , a third custom course  1303 , . . . which are set and recorded by the user. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of the wrist terminal  2 - 1 . The other wrist terminals are similarly configured. A display unit  40  includes an LCD and a drive circuit that drives the LCD. A display controller  254  controls a display status of the display unit  40 . An input unit  256  includes various keys and switches. A course memory  230  stores various courses, for example, a plurality of courses pre-downloaded from the server  11 . As is the case with course memory  130  of the server  11 , for example, the Tokyo Marathon course, the Honolulu Marathon course, and the Imperial Palace jogging course may be stored in the course memory  230 . 
     A GPS module  250  utilizes a well-known GPS (Global Positioning System) to measure the current position. That is, the GPS module  250  receives, via an antenna  2   a , radio waves transmitted by a plurality of positioning satellites (GPS satellites) to acquire position data including latitude and longitude, which are indicative of the current position, and supplies the acquired position data to a CPU  202  as location information indicative of the location of the user&#39;s action. A sensor  252  includes a triaxial magnetic field sensor, a uniaxial acceleration sensor, and a uniaxial gyroscope. Thus, the advancing direction of the wrist terminal  1 - 1  can be measured using, in addition to the GPS module  250 , the sensor  252  including the triaxial magnetic field sensor, the uniaxial acceleration sensor, and the uniaxial gyroscope. This enables a further increase in accuracy. 
     The CPU  202  controls the whole wrist terminal  2 - 1 . A program memory  204  pre-stores a control program  2041 , an application program  2042 , and the like. The control program  2041  is a basic program that controls the whole wrist terminal. The application program  2042  is a program for cooperation with the smartphone terminal  1 - 1  and the server  11 . The wrist terminal further includes an interface  258  for establishing a Bluetooth (registered trademark) link with a cellular terminal and an interface  260  for establishing a Wi-Fi link or the like with the server. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of the smartphone terminal  1 - 1  and the PC  3 . The other smartphone terminals are similarly configured. The smartphone terminal  1 - 1  and the PC  3  differ from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  only in that neither of the smartphone terminal  1 - 1  and the PC  3  includes the GPS module  250  or the sensor  252 . The remaining parts of the smartphone terminal  1 - 1  and the PC  3  are similar to the corresponding parts of the wrist terminal  2 - 1 . That is, a display unit  340  includes an LCD and a drive circuit that drives the LCD. A display controller  354  controls a display status of the display unit  340 . An input unit  356  includes various keys and switches for the smartphone terminal  1 - 1  and includes a mouse in addition to various keys and switches for the PC  3 . A course memory  330  stores various courses. The various courses include a plurality of courses pre-downloaded from the server  11 . 
     The CPU  302  controls the whole smartphone terminal  1 - 1  and PC  3 . A program memory  304  pre-stores a control program  3041 , an application program  3042 , and the like. The control program  3041  is a basic program that controls the whole smartphone terminal  1 - 1  and PC  3 . The application program  3042  is a program for cooperation with the wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the server  11 . The smartphone terminal further includes an interface  258  for establishing a Bluetooth (registered trademark) link with a cellular terminal and an interface  260  for establishing a Wi-Fi link or the like with the server. 
     (First Embodiment) 
     A first embodiment of the present invention relates to a course creation support system using the member&#39;s wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the server  11  of the SNS  10  which are connected together via the Internet  500 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a process procedure of the server  11  according to the present embodiment. In step S 100 , the server  11  allows the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to display a map on the display unit  40 . The member operates the input unit  256  of the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to specify coordinates corresponding to a finishing point on the map displayed on the display unit  40 . Then, information indicative of the finishing point is transmitted to the server  11  via the Internet  500 , and the server  11  sets the finishing point for the member (step S 101 ). 
     On the other hand, the wrist terminal  2 - 1  detects, by means of the GPS module  250 , the current position at regular time intervals to transmit the current position to the server  11 . The server  11  determines at step S 102  whether or not the member has started running depending on whether or not the current position has changed since the setting of the finishing point. Upon determining that the member has started running, the server  11  sets the last current position received from the GPS module  250  to be a starting point (step S 103 ). 
     When the member has thus started running, the server  11  checks, by the GPS module  250 , whether or not the current position transmitted at the regular time intervals has been received as described above (step S 104 ), and every time the current position is received, records the received position and the time (step S 105 ). The server  11  also compares the received current position with the finishing point to determine whether or not the member has reached the finishing point (step S 106 ). 
     If the member has reached the finishing point, the server  11  joins together the positions recorded at the regular time intervals in step S 105  to generate a movement locus along which the member has run (step S 107 ). The server  11  displays the movement locus on the map to create a course and calculates the distance of the course. The server  11  transmits the course and the distance to the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to allow the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to display the course and the distance on the display unit  40  (step S 108 ). 
     Upon viewing the course and distance displayed on the display unit  40 , the member operates the input unit  256  of the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to transmit an OK signal if the member is satisfied with the course and the distance. The server  11  determines whether or not the OK signal has been received from the member&#39;s wrist terminal  2 - 1  (step S 109 ). If the OK signal has been received, the server  11  records the created course with the corresponding distance as one of the member&#39;s custom courses  1301  to  1303  (step S 110 ). 
     Thus, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when a member  503  performs an OK operation via the wrist terminal  2 - 1  after running 3.45 km (0.45+2.55+0.45=3.45) from a starting point  501  to a finishing point  502 , the 3.45-km course from the starting point  501  to the finishing point  502  is recorded as the member  503 &#39;s custom course.  FIG. 7  is a diagram conceptually showing how the course setting program  1041  of the server  11  sets a course. 
     The above-described course is favored by the member  503  as a result of the member&#39;s actual running and thus reflects the member  503 &#39;s intension. Furthermore, what course is set for running varies among the members, and thus, the set course is one of various courses. Hence, any of the various courses which reflects the user&#39;s intension can be created. 
     Furthermore, if the server  11  determines in step S 109  that the OK signal has not been received, the server  11  determines whether or not an instruction to change the starting point has been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  (step S 111 ). If the instruction to change the starting point has been received, the server  11  changes the starting point in accordance with the content of the change subsequently transmitted by the wrist terminal  2 - 1  (step S 112 ). 
     Thus, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the member  503  specifies a corrected starting point  504  corresponding to a 0.45-km reduction in distance, a 3-km course from the corrected starting point  504  to the finishing point  502  is created. Furthermore, in this state, performing an OK operation allows the 3-km course from the corrected starting point  504  to the finishing point  502  to be recorded as a custom course. 
     In step S 113  subsequent to step S 112 , the server  11  determines whether or not an instruction to change the finishing point has been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1 . If the instruction to change the finishing point has been received, the server  11  changes the finishing point in accordance with the content of the change subsequently transmitted by the wrist terminal  2 - 1  (step S 114 ). 
     Thus, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the member  503  also specifies a corrected finishing point  505  corresponding to a 0.45-km reduction in distance, a 2.55-km course from the corrected starting point  504  to the corrected finishing point  505  is created. Furthermore, in this state, performing an OK operation allows the 2.55-km course from the corrected starting point  504  to the corrected finishing point  505  to be recorded as a custom course. 
     That is, the present embodiment enables one of the following courses to be recorded as a custom course. 
     (1) 3.45-km course from the starting point  501  to the finishing point  502   
     (2) 3-km course from the corrected starting point  504  to the finishing point  502   
     (3) 3-km course from the starting point  501  to the corrected finishing point  505   
     (4) 2.55-km course from the corrected starting point  504  to the corrected finishing point  505   
     (Second Embodiment) 
     A second embodiment of the present invention relates to also a course creation support system using the member&#39;s wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the server  11  of the SNS  10  which are connected together via the Internet  500 .  FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a process procedure of the server  11  according to the present embodiment. Steps S 201  to S 210  in this flowchart are the same as steps S 101  to S 110  according to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . If the determination in step S 209  is NO and the OK signal has not been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1 , then the server  11  receives a subsequently transmitted corrected distance (step S 211 ). Upon receiving the corrected distance, the server  11  creates and transmits a pattern  1  to a pattern X that are X corrected courses including the corrected distance, to the wrist terminal  2 - 1  so that the patterns  1  to X can be displayed on the display unit  40  (step S 212 ). 
     That is, as shown in  FIG. 9 , it is assumed that the member  503  transmits, for example, 5 km as a corrected distance after running 3.45 km (0.45+2.55+0.45=3.45) from the starting point  501  to the finishing point  502 . Then, to change the 3.45-km course into a 5-km course desired by the member, the server  11  creates a 4.1-km course shown by an illustrated dashed line and passing illustrated points in the following order:  504 ,  506 ,  507 ,  508 ,  509 ,  505 . Moreover, the server  11  allows the display unit  40  to display a 5-km (4.1+0.45+0.45=5) corrected course: pattern  1  obtained by adding a distance of 0.45 km from the starting point  501  to the point  504  and a distance of 0.45 km from the point  505  to the finishing point  502  to the 4.1-km course passing the illustrated points in the following order:  504 ,  506 ,  507 ,  508 ,  509 ,  505 .  FIG. 9  is a diagram conceptually showing how the course setting program  1041  of the server  11  sets a course. 
     Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, courses with pattern  2 , . . . , and pattern X which are similarly 5 km in distance but which involve different paths are displayed on the display unit  40  in a switchable manner. Then, with one of the courses with the pattern  1 , . . . , and pattern X displayed on the display unit  40 , an operation of selecting this course is performed on the wrist terminal  2 - 1 . A select signal is then transmitted from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to the server  11 , resulting in an affirmative determination in step S 213 . Hence, the server  11  advances the processing from step S 213  to step S 210  to record the selected corrected course as a custom course for the member. 
     Thus, the present embodiment allows various courses including a common actual starting point and a common actual finishing point but having a distance desired by the member and different paths to be recorded as custom courses. 
     (Third Embodiment) 
     A third embodiment of the present invention relates to a course creation support system using any of the members&#39; wrist terminal  2 - 1 , smartphone terminal  1 - 1 , and PC  3  (hereinafter collectively referred to as a member terminal) and the server  11  of the SNS  10  which are connected together via the Internet  500 .  FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing a process procedure of the server  11  according to the present embodiment. The server  11  transmits map data in accordance with a request from the member terminal to allow the member terminal to display a map (step S 301 ). While referencing the displayed map, the member uses the closed loop  510  to specify an area in which a circuit course is to be set as shown in  FIG. 11 . Then, the member terminal side transmits area information indicative of the specified area, which is received by the server  11  (step S 302 ).  FIG. 11  is a diagram conceptually showing how the course setting program  1041  of the server  11  sets a course. 
     Subsequently, the server  11  creates a circuit course inside the closed loop  510  and transmits the created circuit course and the corresponding distance to the member terminal to allow the member terminal to display the circuit course and the distance (step S 303 ). Upon viewing the displayed course and distance, the member operates the input unit  256  of the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to transmit an OK signal if the member is satisfied with the course and the distance. The server  11  determines whether or not the OK signal has been received from the member wrist terminal  2 - 1  (step S 304 ). If the OK signal has been received, the server  11  records the created course with the corresponding distance as one of custom courses  1301  to  1303  (step S 305 ). 
     If the OK signal has not been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the determination in step S 304  is NO, the server  11  receives a subsequently transmitted corrected distance (step S 306 ). Upon receiving the corrected distance, the server  11  creates a pattern  1  to a pattern X that are X corrected circuit courses including the corrected distance, to the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to allow the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to display the patterns  1  to X on the display unit  40  (step S 307 ). 
     That is, as shown in  FIG. 11 , if the member specifies 5 km as a corrected distance, the server  11  presents a 5-km circuit course shown by an illustrated dotted line and passing illustrated points in the following order:  501 ,  511 ,  512 ,  513 ,  514 ,  515 ,  516 ,  517 ,  501 . Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, corrected circuit courses with pattern  2 , . . . , and pattern X which are similarly 5 km in distance but which involve different paths are displayed on the display unit  40  in a switchable manner. Then, with one of the corrected circuit courses with the pattern  1 , . . . , and pattern X displayed on the display unit  40 , an operation of selecting this course is performed on the member terminal. A select signal is then transmitted from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to the server  11 , resulting in an affirmative determination in step S 308 . Hence, the server  11  advances the processing from step S 308  to step S 305  to record the selected corrected circuit course as a course for the member. 
     Thus, the present embodiment allows recording of various circuit courses located inside the area desired by the member and having the desired distance and different paths. Of course, in this case, if such a closed loop as includes the member&#39;s house shown in  FIG. 11  is set, a circuit course including the member&#39;s house can be recorded as a custom course. 
     (Fourth Embodiment) 
     A fourth embodiment of the present invention relates to a course creation support system using the member terminal and the server  11  of the SNS  10  which are connected together via the Internet  500 .  FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing a process procedure of the server  11  according to the present embodiment. The server  11  transmits map data in accordance with a request from the member terminal so that the member terminal can display a map (step S 401 ). While referencing the displayed map, the member specifies a landmark  512  desired to be the center of a circuit course as shown in  FIG. 13 . Then, the member terminal side transmits information indicative of the landmark  512 . The server  11  receives the information and sets the central landmark (step S 402 ).  FIG. 13  is a diagram conceptually showing how the course setting program  1041  of the server  11  sets a course. 
     Moreover, while referencing the displayed map, the member uses the closed loop  510  to specify an area in which a circuit course is to be set as shown in  FIG. 13 . Then, the member terminal side transmits area information indicative of the specified area. The server  11  receives the area information and sets the area (step S 403 ). 
     At this time, the member terminal may transmit a maximum distance to specify the maximum distance for circuit courses to be created. 
     Subsequently, the server  11  creates a circuit course inside the closed loop  510  which is centered around the landmark  512  and which includes the maximum distance, and transmits the created circuit course and the corresponding distance to the member terminal for display (step S 405 ). Upon viewing the displayed course and distance, the member operates the input unit  256  of the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to transmit an OK signal if the member is satisfied with the circuit course and the distance. The server  11  determines whether or not the OK signal has been received from the member wrist terminal  2 - 1  (step S 406 ). If the OK signal has been received, the server  11  records the created course with the corresponding distance as one of custom courses  1301  to  1303  (step S 407 ). 
     If the OK signal has not been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the determination in step S 406  is NO, the server  11  receives subsequently transmitted information indicative of a closed loop for a corrected area (step S 408 ). Upon receiving the information indicative of the closed loop for the corrected area, the server  11  creates a circuit course centered around the landmark  512  again, and transmits the created circuit course and the corresponding distance to the member terminal for display (step S 405 ). 
     Furthermore, if no corrected area has been set and the determination in step S 408  is NO, the server  11  receives subsequently transmitted information indicative of a corrected distance (step S 409 ). Upon receiving the information indicative of the corrected distance, the server  11  creates a circuit course including the corrected distance and centered around the landmark  512  again, and transmits the created circuit course and the corresponding distance to the member terminal for display (step S 405 ). Upon receiving the OK signal, the server  11  records the created course with the corresponding distance as one of custom courses  1301  to  1303  (step S 407 ). 
     Thus, the present embodiment allows a member&#39;s desired circuit course to be selected from a plurality of circuit courses centered around a landmark desired by the member and having different paths and distances so that the selected circuit course can be recorded. 
     (Modification of the Fourth Embodiment) 
     In a modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, steps S 401  and S 402  in the flowchart in  FIG. 12  are performed. 
     Subsequently, the member further specifies the distance or duration of the circuit course. Then, the member terminal side transmits information on the specified distance or duration, and the server  11  receives and sets the distance or the duration. 
     The server  11  subsequently creates a circuit course centered around the landmark and including the specified distance or duration, and transmits the created circuit course and the distance to the member terminal for display. 
     That is, if the distance is specified, a course circling the landmark and having the specified distance is calculated and created on the map. Thus, for example, a 10- or 20-km course circling the landmark can be created. 
     Furthermore, if the duration is specified, a course circling the landmark and having the specified duration is calculated and created on the map so that when the user moves at an average speed or a specified speed or a speed suitable for the user, the movement takes the specified duration. Thus, for example, a 30-minute or one-hour course circling the landmark can be created. 
     For adjustment of the distance or duration, the same path may be taken a plurality of times or a turn may be included in the course. 
     Upon viewing the displayed course and distance, the member operates the input unit  256  of the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to transmit an OK signal if the member is satisfied with the circuit course and the distance. The server  11  determines whether or not the OK signal has been received from the member wrist terminal  2 - 1 . Upon receiving the OK signal, the server  11  records the created course with the corresponding distance as one of custom courses  1301  to  1303 . 
     If the OK signal has not been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the determination is NO, the server  11  receives subsequently transmitted information indicative of a corrected distance or duration. Upon receiving the corrected information, the server  11  creates a circuit course centered around the landmark  512  again, and transmits the created circuit course and the corresponding distance to the member terminal for display. Then, upon receiving the OK signal, the server  11  records the created course with the corresponding distance as one of custom courses  1301  to  1303 . 
     Thus, the present modification allows a member&#39;s desired circuit course to be selected from a plurality of circuit courses centered around a landmark desired by the member and having different paths and distances or different durations so that the selected circuit course can be recorded. 
     (Fifth Embodiment) 
     A fifth embodiment of the present invention relates to a course creation support system using the member terminal and the server  11  of the SNS  10  which are connected together via the Internet  500 .  FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing a process procedure of the server  11  according to the present embodiment. The server  11  transmits map data in accordance with a request from the member terminal to allow the member terminal to display a map (step S 501 ). When the member specifies the distance (for example, 3 km) of a circuit course, the member terminal side transmits information indicative of the specified distance. The server  11  receives the information (step S 502 ). 
     Moreover, while referencing the displayed map, the member uses the closed loop  510  to specify an area in which a circuit course is to be set as shown in  FIG. 15 . Then, the member terminal side transmits area information indicative of the specified area. The server  11  receives the area information (step S 503 ).  FIG. 15  is a diagram conceptually showing how the course setting program  1041  of the server  11  sets a course. 
     The server  11  subsequently creates a plurality of circuit courses inside the closed loop  510  which are referred to as a first recommended course, a second recommended course, a third recommended course, and which include the circuit course with the specified distance. The server  11  transmits the created plurality of recommended courses and the distances to the member terminal for display (step S 504 ). The processing in step S 504  allows the first recommended circuit course to the third recommended circuit course to be displayed as shown in  FIG. 15 . Furthermore, the first recommended course to the third recommended course include the circuit course including the distance specified by the member (first recommended course). 
     Upon viewing the displayed courses and distances, the member operates the input unit  256  of the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to select one of the first recommended course to the third recommended course and transmit an OK signal if the member is satisfied with the selected recommended course. The server  11  determines whether or not a recommended course number and the OK signal have been received from the member wrist terminal  2 - 1  (step S 505 ). If the OK signal has been received, the server  11  records the selected recommended course and the distance thereof as one of custom courses  1301  to  1303  (step S 506 ). 
     If the OK signal has not been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the determination in step S 505  is NO, the server  11  receives a subsequently transmitted corrected distance (step S 507 ). Upon receiving the corrected distance, the server  11  creates and transmits a corrected circuit course including the corrected distance, to the member terminal for display (step S 508 ). Then, with the corrected circuit course displayed, an operation of selecting the corrected circuit course is performed on the member terminal. A select signal is then transmitted from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to the server  11 , resulting in an affirmative determination in step S 505 . Hence, the server  11  advances the processing from step S 505  to step S 506  to record the selected corrected circuit course as a custom course for the member. 
     Thus, the present embodiment not only allows one of a plurality of recommended circuit courses including different distances to be selected and recorded as a custom course but also allows the member to specify a distance and record a desired course as a custom course if the member favors none of the plurality of recommended circuit courses. In this case, when such a closed loop as includes an illustrated hotel where the member is staying is set, a circuit course including the member&#39;s hotel can be recorded as a custom course. 
     (Sixth Embodiment) 
     A sixth embodiment of the present invention relates to a course creation support system using the member terminal and the server  11  of the SNS  10  which are connected together via the Internet  500 .  FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing a process procedure of the server  11  according to the present embodiment. The server  11  transmits map data in accordance with a request from the member terminal so that the member terminal can display a map (step S 602 ). While referencing the displayed map, the member specifies a plurality of landmarks such as a park  518 , a riverside  519 , and a post office  520  which are to be included in a circuit course. The server  11  receives this information and sets the plurality of central landmarks (step S 602 ).  FIG. 17  is a diagram conceptually showing how the course setting program  1041  of the server  11  sets a course. 
     When the member further specifies the order in which the member desires to pass the specified landmarks, the server  11  receives this information and sets the order in which the member passes the specified landmarks (step S 603 ). Thus, for example, the order of the landmarks is set as follows. 
     First: Park  518   
     Second: Riverside  519   
     Third: Post office  520   
     The server  11  subsequently creates a recommended circuit course along which the member passes the landmarks in the above-described order, and transmits the created recommended circuit course and a distance (12.7 km) to the member terminal for display (step S 604 ). Upon viewing the displayed course and distance, the member operates the input unit  256  of the wrist terminal  2 - 1  to transmit an OK signal if the member is satisfied with the recommended circuit course and the distance. The server  11  determines whether or not the OK signal has been received from the member wrist terminal  2 - 1 . If the OK signal has been received, the server  11  records the recommended circuit course with the corresponding distance as one of custom courses  1301  to  1303 . 
     If the OK signal has not been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the determination in step S 606  is NO, the server  11  determines whether or not information indicative of a corrected distance has been received (step S 607 ). Upon receiving information indicative of a corrected distance, the server  11  creates a corrected circuit course having the corrected distance and along which the member passes the landmarks in the above-described order, and transmits the created corrected circuit course and distance to the member terminal for display (step S 604 ). 
     Thus, according to the present embodiment, when 10 km is specified as a corrected distance as shown in  FIG. 17 , distance correction is carried out as shown by a dotted line in  FIG. 17 . Then, a corrected circuit course can be recorded which includes the distance desired by the member and which passes a plurality of landmarks desired by the member in the desired order. 
     (Seventh Embodiment) 
     A seventh embodiment of the present invention relates to a course creation support system using the member terminal and the server  11  of the SNS  10  which are connected together via the Internet  500 .  FIG. 18  is a flowchart showing a process procedure of the server  11  according to the present embodiment. The server  11  determines whether or not a time priority mode has been selected (step S 701 ). When the member operates the member terminal to select the time priority mode, information indicating that the time priority mode has been selected is transmitted to the server  11 , which then determines that the time priority mode has been selected (step S 701 : YES). Thus, the server  11  advances the processing from step S 701  to step S 702  to create a 60-minute course, a 30-minute course, and a 15-minute course, and transmits the created plurality of circuit courses and the corresponding distances to the member terminal for display (step S 702 ). The processing in step S 702  allows display of a first recommended circuit course (60-minute course), a second recommended circuit course (30-minute course), and a third recommended circuit course (15-minute course) as shown in  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 19  is a diagram conceptually showing how the course setting program  1041  of the server  11  sets a course. 
     In this process, a starting point may be pre-specified. In this case, a first recommended course to a third recommended course having the member&#39;s house or hotel as a starting point are created and displayed. 
     Upon viewing the displayed courses and distances, the member operates the member terminal to select one of the first recommended course to the third recommended course and transmit an OK signal if the member is satisfied with the selected recommended course. The server  11  determines whether or not a recommended course number and the OK signal have been received from the member wrist terminal  2 - 1  (step S 703 ). If the OK signal has been received, the server  11  records the selected recommended course and the distance thereof as one of custom courses  1301  to  1303  (step S 706 ). 
     If the OK signal has not been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the determination in step S 703  is NO, the server  11  automatically sets a distance priority mode instead of the time priority mode, creates a 7-, a 5-, and a 3-km course, and transmits the created plurality of circuit courses and the corresponding distances to the member terminal for display (step S 704 ). Upon viewing the displayed courses and distances, the member operates the member terminal to select any of the recommended courses and transmit an OK signal if the member is satisfied with the selected recommended course. The server  11  determines whether or not a recommended course number and the OK signal have been received from the member wrist terminal  2 - 1  (step S 705 ). If the OK signal has been received, the server  11  records the selected course and the distance thereof as one of custom courses  1301  to  1303  (step S 706 ). 
     If the OK signal has not been received from the wrist terminal  2 - 1  and the determination in step S 705  is NO, the server  11  corrects the duration based on correction information subsequently transmitted by the member terminal (step S 707 ). The server  11  then creates a corrected course including the corrected duration, and transmits the corrected course to the member terminal along with the duration of the course for display (step S 708 ). 
     Thus, if the member favors none of the first recommended course (60-minute course), the second recommended course (30-minute course), and the third recommended course (15-minute course) and corrects the duration to 20 minutes, a corrected course  521  (20-minute course) that is different from the first recommended course (60-minute course), the second recommended course (30-minute course), and the third recommended course (15-minute course) is created and displayed, as shown in  FIG. 19 . Then, when the member selects the corrected course  521  (20-minute course) and performs an OK operation, the corrected course  521  (20-minute course) is recorded as a custom course. 
     Thus, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of courses with different durations are created in the time priority mode and a plurality of courses with different distances are created in the distance priority mode, so that the desired one of these courses can be recorded as a custom course. Moreover, a course with a duration desired by the member may be automatically created. 
     While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. For example, the present invention can be practiced as a computer readable recording medium in which a program for allowing the computer to function as predetermined means, allowing the computer to realize a predetermined function, or allowing the computer to conduct predetermined means.

Technology Category: g