Electronic apparatus, notification method, program and notification system

Abstract

To make it easy to grasp both information about index value and information about reference value.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus includes: a first notification part; a second notification part different from the first notification part; and a control part. The control part acquires index value expressing activity situations the user performs and prescribed reference value compared with the index value; and a second notification part causes the first notification part to give first notification in a first periodic pattern corresponding to the index value while the user is performing an activity and, at the same time, causes the second notification part to give second notification in a second periodic pattern corresponding to the reference value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a notification method, a program, and a notification system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known electronic devices that are worn or carried by a user engaged in an activity such as running, and that support the activity by displaying an index value (e.g., running pace, etc.) that indicates the status of the activity on a display unit. Some such electronic devices are capable of displaying information on the index value and information on a reference value (e.g., target pace, etc.) to be compared with the index value as numerical values ​​on the display unit (e.g., Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-117512 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-described conventional technology, the user needs to gaze at the display unit in order to grasp both the index value information and the reference value information, which poses a problem that it is difficult to grasp the information when engaging in an activity where it is difficult to gaze at the display unit, such as running, or in situations where the visibility of the display unit is reduced, such as at night.

[0005] The present invention aims to make it easier to grasp both the information on index values ​​and the information on reference values. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the electronic device according to the present invention comprises: A first notification unit; a second notification unit different from the first notification unit; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit Acquire an index value representing the status of an activity being performed by a user and a predetermined reference value to be compared with the index value; While the user is performing the activity, the first notification unit issues a first notification of a first periodic pattern corresponding to the index value, while the second notification unit issues a second notification of a second periodic pattern corresponding to the reference value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to make it easier to grasp both the information on the index value and the information on the reference value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electronic timepiece. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an analog display unit, a first digital display unit, and a second digital display unit. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other arrangement positions of the light source. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating examples of a first periodic pattern and a second periodic pattern. [Figure 5] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating examples of a first periodic pattern and a second periodic pattern. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating examples of a first periodic pattern and a second periodic pattern. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of a notification setting table. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a notification reflection period and a pace aggregation period. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for activity support processing. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for a notification process. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for a notification process in Modification 1. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for a notification process in Modification 2. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of a notification setting table in Modification 3. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification system according to a sixth modification. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a smart ring. [Figure 16] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a first periodic pattern in Modification 7. [Figure 17] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of a first periodic pattern and a second periodic pattern in Modification Example 7. [Figure 18] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a first periodic pattern in Modification 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic watch 1 of this embodiment, whose functional configuration is shown in FIG. 1, is a wristwatch (wearable device) worn on a user's wrist. In addition to a normal mode in which the electronic watch 1 displays the date and time, it can also operate in an activity mode to support a user performing an activity. In the activity mode, the electronic watch 1 calculates, for example, an index value that represents the status of the user's activity and displays information about the index value and information about a predetermined reference value to be compared with the index value. An example of an activity is exercise such as running or walking. When the activity is running, the index value may be, for example, pace, speed, pitch, biological information (heart rate), etc., and the reference value is a target value for these index values. However, the activity, index value, and reference value are not limited to these. For example, the activity may be any activity other than exercise. The index value may also be the value of any index that represents the status of the activity.

[0010] 1, the electronic watch 1 (electronic device) includes a CPU 11 (Central Processing Unit) (control unit, control means), a RAM 12 (Random Access Memory), a storage unit 13, an analog display unit 141, a first digital display unit 142, a second digital display unit 143, an operation unit 15, a timing unit 16, a position information acquisition unit 17, a first notification unit 18, a second notification unit 19, a sensor unit 20, and a communication unit 21. The various units of the electronic watch 1 are connected via a communication path such as a bus.

[0011] The CPU 11 is a processor that functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the electronic watch 1 by reading and executing the program 131 stored in the memory unit 13 and performing various arithmetic processing. The electronic watch 1 may have multiple processors (e.g., multiple CPUs), and the multiple processes performed by the CPU 11 of this embodiment may be executed by these multiple processors. In this case, the control unit is made up of the multiple processors. In this case, the multiple processors may be involved in a common process, or the multiple processors may independently execute different processes in parallel. The RAM 12 provides working memory space for the CPU 11 and stores temporary data.

[0012] The storage unit 13 is a non-transitory recording medium readable by the CPU 11 as a computer, and stores a program 131 and various data. The storage unit 13 has a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The program 131 is stored in the storage unit 13 in the form of a program code readable by the computer. The data stored in the storage unit 13 includes a notification setting table 132 that is referenced in the notification process described below.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the analog display unit 141 has an hour hand 1411, a minute hand 1412, and a second hand 1413, and these hour hand 1411, minute hand 1412, and second hand 1413 display the time, the elapsed time of the activity, etc. in an analog format. The analog display unit 141 in Fig. 2 displays the elapsed time from the start of the activity (here, 0 hours, 13 minutes, and 18 seconds). The first digital display unit 142 and the second digital display unit 143 have liquid crystal display panels, and digitally display the day of the week, date, various index values ​​of the activity, etc. In Fig. 2, the first digital display unit 142 displays the pace (5 minutes and 43 seconds per kilometer) as an index value, and the second digital display unit 143 displays the target pace value (6 minutes per kilometer). "MSD" in the first digital display section 142 indicates that the index value is a measured value, and "TGT" in the second digital display section 143 indicates that the index value is a target value.

[0014] 1 has operation buttons, a crown, etc., and outputs operation signals indicating the operation of these operation buttons, the crown, etc. to the CPU 11. The operation unit 15 may also be equipped with other input devices such as a touch panel.

[0015] The timekeeping unit 16 includes an oscillation circuit, a frequency dividing circuit, a timekeeping circuit, etc. The frequency dividing circuit divides the clock signal generated by the oscillation circuit, and the timekeeping circuit counts the divided signal, thereby deriving and holding the current date and time.

[0016] The location information acquisition unit 17 receives and decodes radio waves transmitted from positioning satellites of a global positioning satellite system (GNSS) such as a global positioning system (GPS) to calculate the current location. The location information acquisition unit 17 calculates the current location under the control of the CPU 11 and outputs the result to the CPU 11.

[0017] The first notification unit 18 includes a light source 181 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a vibrator 182, and a speaker 183. The first notification unit 18 performs various notifications by turning on (emitting light from) the light source 181, vibrating the vibrator 182, or outputting sound from the speaker 183. The second notification unit 19 includes a light source 191 such as an LED, a vibrator 192, and a speaker 193. The second notification unit 19 performs various notifications by turning on (emitting light from) the light source 191, vibrating the vibrator 192, or outputting sound from the speaker 193. In this way, the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 each perform notifications using light, vibration, or sound. The notification method and timing of the notification action performed by first notification unit 18 and second notification unit 19, and the intensity of the notification action are controlled by CPU 11. Here, the intensity of the notification action refers to the light emission brightness of light sources 181 and 191, the vibration intensity of vibrators 182 and 192, and the volume of sound output from speakers 183 and 193. The light emission color of light source 181 may be different from the light emission color of light source 191. The vibration pattern of vibrator 182 may be different from the vibration pattern of vibrator 192. The sound quality, such as the pitch and / or tone, of the sound output by speaker 183 may be different from the sound quality, such as the pitch and / or tone, of the sound output by speaker 193.

[0018] The light source 181 and the light source 191 are provided on the inner wall surface of the side wall of the housing 1a, as shown in FIG. 2, for example. The light source 181 also functions to illuminate the dial of the analog display unit 141 and the first digital display unit 142. The second notification unit 19 also functions to illuminate the dial of the analog display unit 141 and the second digital display unit 143. The light source 181 and the light source 191 are located on opposite sides of the center of the dial. The light source 181 and the light source 191 may be provided on the outer wall surface of the side wall of the housing 1a (the outer surface of the electronic timepiece 1) as shown in FIG. 3, and may emit light toward the outside of the housing 1a. In this case, it is preferable to position the light source 181 and the light source 191 on the outer wall surface of the housing 1a between the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, which are easily visible to the user. This allows the user to understand the target pace (described later) and their own current pace simply by looking at the side of the electronic timepiece 1, without having to gaze at the dial.

[0019] The sensor unit 20 includes a motion sensor 201, an illuminance sensor 202, a tilt sensor 203, and a pulse wave sensor 204, and outputs detection data from each sensor to the CPU 11. The motion sensor 201 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor and a three-axis angular velocity sensor. The motion sensor 201 detects the acceleration and angular velocity occurring in the electronic timepiece 1 in response to the movement of the user's wrist and outputs the detection data to the CPU 11. The illuminance sensor 202 includes a light-receiving element that outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of incident light, detects the brightness around the electronic timepiece 1, and outputs the detection data to the CPU 11. The tilt sensor 203 is a switching element that switches on and off depending on the tilted position of the electronic timepiece 1. The tilt sensor 203 includes, for example, a metal ball, a passage through which the metal ball can move in one direction, and a contact point provided at one end of the passage; when the electronic timepiece 1 is tilted in a predetermined direction, the metal ball moves to one end of the passage, establishing electrical conduction with the contact point and outputting an ON signal. The state in which the tilt sensor 203 outputs an ON signal corresponds to the ON state. In this embodiment, the orientation of the tilt sensor 203 is adjusted so that the tilt sensor 203 is in the ON state when the user is holding the wrist on which the electronic timepiece 1 is worn in front of their face and gazing at the electronic timepiece 1. Therefore, the CPU 11 determines that the user is gazing at the electronic timepiece 1 when the tilt sensor 203 is in the ON state. The pulse wave sensor 204 includes a light-emitting element that emits green light that is easily absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood, and a light-receiving element that detects this light reflected by the skin, and detects the pulse wave at the user's wrist based on changes in the intensity of the light detected by the light-receiving element. The CPU 11 calculates the heart rate based on the waveform of the detected pulse wave.

[0020] The communication unit 21 is a communication module having an antenna, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, etc., and performs wireless data communication with external devices in accordance with a predetermined communication standard.

[0021] Next, the operation of the electronic watch 1 in activity mode will be described. While operating in activity mode, the electronic watch 1 provides the user with information on an index value that indicates the status of the activity and information on a reference value that is compared with the index value while the user is performing the activity. The following description will be given using an example in which the activity is running, the index value is the running pace (hereinafter referred to as "pace P"), and the reference value is the target pace (hereinafter referred to as "target pace Pt").

[0022] When the user starts running, the CPU 11 of the electronic watch 1 acquires location information from the location information acquisition unit 17 at a predetermined frequency and stores the progress of the user's current location in the RAM 12. At a certain point in time, the CPU 11 calculates the pace P at that time, i.e., the time required to cover 1 km of distance, based on the user's travel distance over a predetermined period up to that point in time and the length of that period. Calculating the pace P as an index value corresponds to acquiring the index value. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 11 displays the calculated pace P on the first digital display unit 142. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 11 displays a preset target pace Pt on the second digital display unit 143. The target pace Pt is input by the user, for example, using the operation unit 15 before starting to run.

[0023] However, when the user is running, it is difficult for the user to maintain a posture that allows them to focus on the electronic watch 1, making it difficult for the user to grasp the information displayed on the first digital display unit 142 and the second digital display unit 143. The same applies when the user is engaged in other activities that make it difficult for them to focus on the electronic watch 1. This problem can also occur in situations where visibility of the display unit is reduced, such as at night. Therefore, the electronic watch 1 of this embodiment has the first notification unit 18 provide an announcement corresponding to the calculated pace P, and the second notification unit 19 provide an announcement corresponding to the target pace Pt. By providing these announcements, the electronic watch 1 helps communicate information related to the pace P and the target pace Pt to the user.

[0024] Specifically, while the user is running, the CPU 11 causes the first notification unit 18 to issue a first notification of a first periodic pattern PPa corresponding to the calculated pace P. Furthermore, while the user is running, the CPU 11 causes the second notification unit 18 to issue a second notification of a second periodic pattern PPb corresponding to the target pace Pt. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the first notification of the first periodic pattern PPa is an operation of the light source 181 of the first notification unit 18 flashing at a certain cycle. Furthermore, the second notification of the second periodic pattern PPb is an operation of the light source 191 of the second notification unit 19 flashing at a certain cycle. The lighting operation of the light source 181 during the flashing corresponds to the first notification, and the lighting operation of the light source 191 during the flashing corresponds to the second notification. Based on the detection data of the illuminance sensor 202, the light emission brightness of the light source 181 and the light source 191 may be increased as the ambient illuminance increases.

[0025] The CPU 11 determines the period of the first period pattern PPa and the period of the second period pattern PPb in accordance with the notification setting table 132 shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the period of the second period pattern PPb of the second notification unit 19 is constant at a predetermined reference period t regardless of the value of the calculated pace P. The reference period t can be set to, for example, about 0.5 to 1 second, but is not limited to this range.

[0026] On the other hand, the period of the first period pattern PPa of the first notification unit 18 is set to a value corresponding to the calculated pace P. Specifically, when the calculated pace P is within a predetermined reference range including the target pace Pt, the period of the first period pattern PPa is set to the same reference period t as the second period pattern PPb. Here, the reference period is a range that satisfies (1-R)Pt≦P≦(1+R)Pt, where R is a constant (where R<1). The constant R is determined so that the reference period is such that the pace P within the reference range can be evaluated as being substantially equal to the target pace Pt. Furthermore, when the calculated pace P is greater than the upper limit value (1+R)Pt of the reference range (i.e., when the pace is slower than the upper limit value), the period of the first period pattern PPa is set to a first period different from the reference period t. In FIG. 7, the first period is 2t. Furthermore, when the calculated pace P is less than the lower limit (1-R)Pt of the reference range (i.e., when the pace is faster than the lower limit), the period of the first period pattern PPa is set to a second period different from the reference period t. In FIG. 7, the second period is 0.5t. Note that the first period is not limited to 2t, and the second period is not limited to 0.5t. Furthermore, when the index value is speed, or when it is appropriate to indicate a large index value by shortening the period of the first period pattern PPa, the first period may be made shorter than the reference period t, and the second period may be made longer than the reference period t. Furthermore, the constant R that determines the upper limit of the reference range and the constant R that determines the lower limit may be made different from each other.

[0027] When (1 + R)Pt < P is satisfied, as shown in FIG. 4, the first notification unit 18 blinks at the first period 2t, and the second notification unit 19 blinks at the reference period t. Here, the CPU 11 controls the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 so that at least a part of the timing when the first notification unit 18 lights up and the timing when the second notification unit 19 lights up coincide periodically. In FIG. 4, the lighting timing is adjusted so that the first notification unit 18 also lights up at the timing when the first notification unit 18 lights up. Since the period of the first cycle pattern PPa of the first notification unit 18 is longer than the period of the second cycle pattern PPb of the second notification unit 19, the user can intuitively grasp that the current pace P is slower than the target pace Pt.

[0028] When (1 - R)Pt ≤ P ≤ (1 + R)Pt is satisfied, as shown in FIG. 5, both the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 blink at the reference period t. Also in this case, the lighting timing is adjusted so that the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 light up at the same timing. Since the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 light up at the same period, the user can intuitively grasp that they are running at a pace substantially equivalent to the target pace Pt.

[0029] When P < (1 - R)Pt is satisfied, as shown in FIG. 6, the first notification unit 18 blinks at the second period 0.5t, and the second notification unit 19 blinks at the reference period t. Here, the lighting timing is adjusted so that the second notification unit 19 also lights up at the timing when the second notification unit 19 lights up. Since the period of the first cycle pattern PPa of the first notification unit 18 is shorter than the period of the second cycle pattern PPb of the second notification unit 19, the user can intuitively grasp that the current pace P is faster than the target pace Pt.

[0030] While the user is running, CPU 11 calculates pace P at the start of each of reflection periods A1, A2, A3, ..., each having a length Ta shown in FIG. 8 . Furthermore, CPU 11 causes first notification unit 18 to issue a first notification using a first cycle pattern PPa whose cycle corresponds to the calculated pace P during each reflection period A. That is, each time the reflection period A changes, the cycle of first cycle pattern PPa by first notification unit 18 is reset according to the pace P at that time. In the process of calculating pace P at the start of each reflection period A, CPU 11 calculates pace P based on data collected during a collection period B having a length Tb up to that start time. That is, in the process of calculating pace P at the start of reflection periods A1, A2, and A3 shown in FIG. 8 , CPU 11 calculates pace P based on data collected during the corresponding collection periods B1, B2, and B3. The length Ta of reflection period A may be, for example, approximately 10 seconds, and the length Tb of collection period B may be, for example, twice the length Ta.

[0031] Next, the activity support process executed by the CPU 11 to realize the above-mentioned operations will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. The activity support process is executed, for example, when the operation mode of the electronic watch 1 is switched to the activity mode by a user operation. When the activity support process starts, the CPU 11 sets a target pace Pt for running (step S101). Here, the CPU 11 stores the target pace Pt input by an input operation on the operation unit 15 in the storage unit 13. Alternatively, when the electronic watch 1 is connected to and communicates with an external device such as a smartphone (not shown), the CPU 11 may store the target pace Pt received from the external device in the storage unit 13.

[0032] The CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether the user has started running (step S102). For example, the CPU 11 determines that the user has started running when the user performs an input operation to announce the start of running. If it determines that the user has started running ("YES" in step S102), the CPU 11 starts acquiring output data from the position information acquisition unit 17 and the sensor unit 20 (step S103). Thereafter, the CPU 11 executes the processes of steps S104 to S106 for making the above-mentioned notification. In addition to these processes, the CPU 11 may concurrently execute other processes for supporting the activity using the output data from the position information acquisition unit 17 and the sensor unit 20. For example, the CPU 11 may derive, record, and display an index value related to the running form based on the output data of the motion sensor 201, etc. Furthermore, the CPU 11 may calculate the pulse rate based on the output data of the pulse wave sensor 204, and issue an alert or the like according to the pulse rate value.

[0033] The CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether or not a Ta second carry has been counted (step S104). Here, Ta seconds is the length of the reflection period A shown in FIG. 8. If Ta seconds is 10 seconds, the Ta second carry (10 second carry) is counted every 10 seconds after the start of running. However, in the first step S104 after the start of running, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the first Ta second carry has been counted after Tb seconds, which is the length of the aggregation period B, have elapsed since the start of running. If it determines that a Ta second carry has been counted ("YES" in step S104), the CPU 11 executes the notification process shown in FIG. 10 (step S105).

[0034] When the notification process is started, the CPU 11 causes the second notification unit 19 to execute the second notification in the second period pattern PPb of the reference period t (step S201). Here, the CPU 11 transmits a control signal to the second notification unit 19 to blink the light source 191 at the reference period t.

[0035] The CPU 11 calculates a pace P based on the position information acquired from the position information acquisition unit 17 during the aggregation period B of the most recent Tb seconds (step S202). When the calculated pace P satisfies (1 + R)Pt < P ( "YES" in step S203), the CPU 11 causes the first notification unit 18 to execute the first notification in the first cycle pattern PPa with a period of 2t (step S204). Here, the CPU 11 transmits a control signal to the first notification unit 18 to blink the light source 181 with a period of 2t. The processing in steps S206 and S207 described later is the same as step S204 except for the period. When the calculated pace P does not satisfy (1 + R)Pt < P ( "NO" in step S203) and satisfies P < (1 - R)Pt ( "YES" in step S205), the CPU 11 causes the first notification unit 18 to execute the first notification in the first cycle pattern PPa with a period of 0.5t (step S206). When the calculated pace P does not satisfy P < (1 - R)Pt ( "NO" in step S205), the CPU 11 causes the first notification unit 18 to execute the first notification in the first cycle pattern PPa with a reference period of t (step S207). When any of steps S204, S206, and S207 ends, the CPU 11 terminates the notification process and returns the process to the activity support process in FIG. 9. In the above, the case where the first notification and the second notification use light has been exemplified, but each of these notifications may be a method using vibration or a method using sound. When adopting the method using vibration, the CPU 11 vibrates the vibrator 182 or the vibrator 192 in steps S201, S204, S206, and S207. When adopting the method using sound, the CPU 11 outputs sound from the speaker 183 or the speaker 193 in steps S201, S204, S206, and S207.

[0036] 9 is completed, the CPU 11 determines whether the user has finished running (step S106). For example, the CPU 11 determines that the user has finished running when the user performs an input operation to declare that the user has finished running. If the CPU 11 determines that the user has not finished running ("NO" in step S106), the CPU 11 shifts the process to step S104. If the CPU 11 determines that the user has finished running ("YES" in step S106), the CPU 11 ends the activity support process.

[0037] As described above, the electronic watch 1 according to this embodiment includes a first notification unit 18, a second notification unit 19 different from the first notification unit 18, and a CPU 11. The CPU 11 acquires a pace P as an index value representing the running status of the user and a target pace Pt as a predetermined reference value to be compared with the pace P. While the user is running, the CPU 11 causes the first notification unit 18 to issue a first notification of a first periodic pattern PPa corresponding to the pace P, and causes the second notification unit 19 to issue a second notification of a second periodic pattern PPb corresponding to the target pace Pt. This allows the user to be notified of the pace P by the first notification, and the target pace Pt by the second notification. Therefore, even when engaging in an activity that makes it difficult to focus on the electronic watch 1, such as running, or when visibility of the displays is reduced, such as at night, both the pace P and the target pace Pt can be easily grasped. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether or not they are running at the target pace Pt.

[0038] Furthermore, CPU 11 controls second notification unit 19 so that the period of second period pattern PPb becomes a predetermined reference period t, controls first notification unit 18 so that the period of first period pattern PPa becomes the reference period t when pace P is within a predetermined reference range including target pace Pt, controls first notification unit 18 so that the period of first period pattern PPa becomes a first period different from the reference period t when pace P is greater than the upper limit of the reference period, and controls first notification unit 18 so that the period of first period pattern PPa becomes a second period different from the reference period t when pace P is less than the lower limit of the reference period, the first period being longer than the reference period t and the second period being shorter than the reference period t. This allows the user to intuitively grasp whether the current pace P is faster or slower than the target pace Pt from the magnitude relationship between the period of first period pattern PPa of first notification unit 18 and the period of second period pattern PPb of second notification unit 19.

[0039] Furthermore, when the CPU 11 causes the first notification unit 18 to perform the first notification operation and the second notification unit 19 to perform the second notification operation, it controls the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 so that the timing of the first notification and the second notification coincide with each other periodically at least partially. This results in a timing when one of the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19, which has a shorter period in its periodic pattern, performs the notification operation alone. This allows the user to intuitively know that the period of this one notification unit is relatively short. This allows the user to intuitively know which of the pace P and the target pace Pt is faster.

[0040] The first and second notifications are each made by using light, vibration, or sound, allowing the user to grasp both the pace P and the target pace Pt without having to look at the electronic timepiece 1.

[0041] Furthermore, the light source 181 and the light source 191 may be provided on the outer surface of the electronic watch 1, and at least one of the first and second notifications may be a notification method that uses light emitted from the light source 181 or the light source 191. This makes it easier to notice the first and / or second notification. For example, the first and / or second notification can be noticed while swinging the arm wearing the electronic watch 1 while running.

[0042] Furthermore, the notification method according to this embodiment acquires a pace P as an index value representing the running status of the user and a target pace Pt as a predetermined reference value to be compared with the pace P, and while the user is running, causes the first notification unit 18 to issue a first notification of a first cycle pattern PPa corresponding to the pace P, and causes the second notification unit 19 to issue a second notification of a second cycle pattern PPb corresponding to the target pace Pt. This makes it easier to grasp both information on the pace P and information on the target pace Pt.

[0043] Furthermore, the program 131 according to this embodiment causes the CPU 11 to function as a control means, and the control means acquires a pace P as an index value representing the running status of the user and a target pace Pt as a predetermined reference value to be compared with the pace P, and while the user is running, causes the first notification unit 18 to issue a first notification of a first cycle pattern PPa corresponding to the pace P, and causes the second notification unit 19 to issue a second notification of a second cycle pattern PPb corresponding to the target pace Pt. This makes it easier to grasp both information on the pace P and information on the target pace Pt.

[0044] Next, Modifications 1 to 7 of the above embodiment will be described. In each modification, differences from the above embodiment will be described, and a description of commonalities with the above embodiment will be omitted. Two or more of Modifications 1 to 7 may be combined.

[0045] Modification 1 will now be described. Modification 1 differs from the above embodiment in the content of the notification process. When the electronic watch 1 is in a bright environment with higher illuminance than a predetermined dark environment, the light from the light sources 181, 191 blends in with external light, making the first and second notifications using the light sources 181, 191 difficult to see unless the user is gazing at the electronic watch 1. For this reason, in modification 1, when the electronic watch 1 is in a bright environment, the CPU 11 executes the first and second notifications only if it can determine that the user is gazing at the electronic watch 1 based on the state of the tilt sensor 203.

[0046] The notification process in Modification 1 shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the notification process in FIG. 10 with steps S301 and S302 added before step S201. Steps S303 to S309 in FIG. 11 are the same as steps S201 to S207 in FIG. 10, and therefore will not be described here. In the notification process in Modification 1, the CPU 11 determines whether the electronic timepiece 1 is in a bright environment based on the output data of the illuminance sensor 202 (step S301). Here, the CPU 11 determines that the electronic timepiece 1 is in a bright environment if the illuminance indicated by the output data of the illuminance sensor 202 is equal to or greater than a reference illuminance. The reference illuminance is predetermined and stored in the storage unit 13. Note that instead of using the output data of the illuminance sensor 202, a method of determining that the electronic timepiece 1 is in a bright environment when the current time is daytime may be used, for example. If the CPU 11 determines that the electronic watch 1 is in a bright environment ("YES" in step S301), it determines whether the user is gazing at the electronic watch 1 based on the output data of the tilt sensor 203 (step S302). Here, the CPU 11 determines that the user is gazing at the electronic watch 1 if the tilt sensor 203 has been on for a predetermined period of time or longer. If the CPU 11 determines that the user is gazing at the electronic watch 1 ("YES" in step S302), or if the CPU 11 determines in step S301 that the electronic watch 1 is in a dark environment ("NO" in step S301), the CPU 11 executes steps S303 to S309 to issue the first and second notifications. On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines that the user is not gazing at the electronic watch 1 ("NO" in step S302), the CPU 11 ends the notification process without issuing the first and second notifications.

[0047] According to the notification method of Variation 1, in a bright environment, if the user is not gazing at the electronic timepiece 1, it is possible to omit the first and second notifications, assuming that there is a high possibility that the user will not be able to recognize the notifications. This reduces the power consumption of the electronic timepiece 1 and extends its operating time.

[0048] Next, Modification 2 will be described. Modification 2 differs from the above embodiment in the content of the notification process. As described above, when the electronic timepiece 1 is in a bright environment, notifications using light are difficult for the user to see. Therefore, in Modification 2, when the electronic timepiece 1 is in a bright environment, the CPU 11 sets the notification operation of the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 to vibration or sound, and causes the first notification and second notification to be performed using vibration or sound that can be recognized without visual intervention. When performing the first notification and / or second notification using vibration, the CPU 11 vibrates the vibrator 182 of the first notification unit 18 and / or the vibrator 192 of the second notification unit 19 for a period corresponding to the light emission period in FIGS. 4 to 6. Furthermore, when the first and / or second notification is performed using sound, the CPU 11 outputs sound from the speaker 183 of the first notification unit 18 and / or the speaker 193 of the second notification unit 19 during the period corresponding to the light emission period in Figures 4 to 6. On the other hand, when the electronic timepiece 1 is in a dark environment, the CPU 11 performs the first and second notifications using light, as in the above embodiment.

[0049] The notification process in Modification 2 shown in Figure 12 corresponds to the notification process in Figure 10 with steps S401 to S403 added before step S201. Steps S404 to S410 in Figure 12 are the same as steps S201 to S207 in Figure 10, and therefore will not be described here. In the notification process in Modification 1, the CPU 11 determines whether the electronic timepiece 1 is in a dark environment based on the output data of the illuminance sensor 202 (step S401). If it is determined that the electronic timepiece 1 is in a dark environment ("YES" in step S401), the CPU 11 sets the notification operation of the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 to light emission (step S402). Thereafter, the CPU 11 executes steps S404 to S410 to perform the first and second notifications using light. On the other hand, if it is determined that the electronic timepiece 1 is in a bright environment ("NO" in step S401), the CPU 11 sets the notification action of the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 to vibration or sound (step S403). The notification action of one of the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 may be set to vibration, and the notification action of the other may be set to sound. Thereafter, the CPU 11 executes steps S404 to S410 to perform the first notification and the second notification using vibration or sound.

[0050] According to the method of the second modification, the user can be made aware of the first and second notifications regardless of the brightness of the surroundings of the electronic timepiece 1.

[0051] Next, Modification 3 will be described. Modification 3 is different from the above embodiment in that the period of the first cycle pattern PPa is changed in multiple stages compared to the above embodiment. In Modification 3, for example, the notification setting table 132 shown in FIG. 13 is used. In the notification setting table 132 of Modification 3, the period of the first cycle pattern PPa is set in seven stages according to the range of the pace P. Specifically, the period of the first cycle pattern PPa is set to 1.6t when (1 + 3r)Pt < P, where r is a constant (however, r < 1 / 3); 1.4t when (1 + 2r) < P ≤ (1 + 3r)Pt; 1.2t when (1 + r) < P ≤ (1 + 2r)Pt; t when (1 - r) ≤ P ≤ (1 + r)Pt; 0.8t when (1 - 2r) ≤ P < (1 - r)Pt; 0.6t when (1 - 3r) ≤ P < (1 - 2r)Pt; and 0.4t when P < (1 - 3r)Pt.

[0052] As described above, in the third modification, the CPU 11 controls the first notification unit 18 so that the period of the first periodic pattern PPa becomes longer as the value of the pace P increases (the pace decreases). This allows the user to grasp the current pace in more detail based on the first notification. Note that, in cases where the index value is speed, for example, the first notification unit 18 may be controlled so that the period of the first periodic pattern PPa becomes shorter as the index value increases. Also, FIG. 13 is an example, and the period of the first periodic pattern PPa may be set to six or fewer stages or eight or more stages depending on the range of the pace P. Furthermore, the period of the first periodic pattern PPa may be set continuously depending on the pace P. This makes it easier to realize the difference from the target pace. For example, the CPU 11 may determine the period of the first periodic pattern PPa so that the period of the first periodic pattern PPa monotonically increases as the calculated value of the pace P increases. The period of the first periodic pattern PPa may be determined by a function using the value of the pace P as a variable. In addition, by shortening the length Ta of the reflection period A shown in Figure 8 and reflecting changes in running pace in the period of the first period pattern PPa in real time, the user can easily distinguish which of the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19, whose period changes in real time, is displaying his or her own pace P.

[0053] Next, Modification 4 will be described. In the above embodiment, the first notification unit 18 and the second notification unit 19 both perform the notification in the same manner. However, instead, the method of the first notification by the first notification unit 18 and the method of the second notification by the second notification unit 19 may be different from each other. For example, the first notification unit 18 may perform the first notification in a manner using light from the light source 181, and the second notification unit 19 may perform the second notification in a manner using vibration or sound. This allows the user to easily distinguish between the first notification and the second notification.

[0054] Next, Modification 5 will be described. When pace P changes from a value within the reference range to a value outside the reference range, or when pace P changes from a value outside the reference range to a value within the reference range, CPU 11 may cause first notification unit 18 or second notification unit 19 to issue a predetermined notification. This predetermined notification may be a notification method different from either the first notification or the second notification. Furthermore, if electronic timepiece 1 includes a third notification unit different from first notification unit 18 or second notification unit 19, the predetermined notification may be issued by the third notification unit. The third notification unit may be any of analog display unit 141, first digital display unit 142, and second digital display unit 143. Modification 5 allows the user to know that their pace has deviated from the reference range or that their pace has changed from a pace outside the reference range to a pace within the reference range without using the first notification or second notification.

[0055] Next, Modification 6 will be described. Modification 6 uses the notification system 100 shown in FIG. 14. The notification system 100 includes an electronic watch 1 (first electronic device) and a smart ring 3 (second electronic device) worn on a finger. As shown in FIG. 15, the smart ring 3 includes a CPU 31 (second control unit), a RAM 32, a storage unit 33, a notification unit 34 (second notification unit), and a communication unit 35. The CPU 31 controls the operation of each unit of the smart ring 3 by executing various processes according to a program 331 stored in the storage unit 33. The notification unit 34 performs notification operations using light, vibration, or sound according to the control of the CPU 31. The communication unit 35 performs wireless data communication with the electronic watch 1 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. Note that the second electronic device is not limited to the smart ring 3 and may be another wearable device or a portable device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal.

[0056] In Modification 6, the CPU 11 (first control unit) of the electronic clock 1 calculates the pace P as an index value and causes the first notification unit 18 to perform the first notification of the first cycle pattern PPa corresponding to the pace P. Further, the CPU 34 of the smart ring 3 acquires the target pace Pt as a reference value from the electronic clock 1 and causes the notification unit 34 to perform the second notification of the second cycle pattern PPb corresponding to the target pace Pt. In Modification 6, the second notification unit 19 of the electronic clock 1 does not perform a notification operation. A control signal for designating the timing of the notification operation may be transmitted and received between the electronic clock 1 and the smart ring 3 so that the timing of the notification operation by the first notification unit 18 and the timing of the notification operation by the notification unit 34 at least partially coincide periodically. Note that the second notification unit 19 of the electronic clock 1 may perform the second notification, and the notification unit 34 of the smart ring 3 may perform the first notification. According to the notification system 100 of Modification 6, the first notification and the second notification can be easily distinguished and recognized.

[0057] Next, Modification 7 will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the period of the first cycle pattern PPa is varied according to the value of the pace P. Instead of this, the operation modes of one notification operation in the first cycle pattern PPa may be made different from each other according to the value of the pace P. For example, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the number of times the light source 181 emits light in one notification operation may be varied according to the value of the pace P. For example, when (1 + R)Pt < P is satisfied, the light source 181 emits light once in one notification operation as shown in FIG. 16. When (1 - R)Pt ≤ P ≤ (1 + R)Pt is satisfied, the light source 181 emits light twice in one notification operation as shown in FIG. 17. When P < (1 - R)Pt is satisfied, the light source 181 may emit light four times in one notification operation as shown in FIG. 18. In this case, the light source 191 of the second notification unit 19 may emit light twice in one notification operation as shown in FIG. 17, for example. Also with the first cycle pattern PPa in such a mode, the user can intuitively grasp the magnitude relationship between their own pace P and the target pace Pt.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, although the light source 181 or the light source 191 is used as an example of a notification method using light, a periodic pattern notification may be performed by turning on and off the backlight of the first digital display unit 142 or the second digital display unit 143, or by switching the liquid crystal display panel between black and white.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the first digital display unit 142 that displays the calculated pace P and the second digital display unit 143 that displays the target pace Pt are provided separately, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, one of the first digital display unit 142 and the second digital display unit 143 may be omitted. In this case, both the pace P and the target pace Pt may be displayed on a single digital display unit. Also, both the first digital display unit 142 and the second digital display unit 143 may be omitted. Furthermore, instead of a digital display unit, the pace P and / or the target pace Pt may be displayed on a small analog display unit using pointers such as functional hands.

[0060] Furthermore, whether or not to issue the first and second notifications may be switched depending on the type of activity. For example, the first and second notifications may be issued when performing an activity that makes it difficult to focus on the display unit, such as running, and the first and second notifications may not be issued when performing an activity that makes it easy to focus on the display unit, such as walking. The type of activity may be determined by an input operation by the user, or may be determined based on detection data from the sensor unit 20.

[0061] Furthermore, although a target value (target pace Pt) has been exemplified as a reference value, this is not limiting. For example, if the user is to be assisted to maintain the activity index value at or above a certain lower limit, this lower limit may be used as the reference value. Alternatively, if the user is to be assisted to keep the activity index value at or below a certain upper limit, this upper limit may be used as the reference value. Alternatively, a representative value (such as an average value) of index values ​​of activities previously performed by the user may be used as the reference value in order to provide this representative value as a comparison target.

[0062] Alternatively, the difference between the measured pace P and the target pace Pt may be notified. For example, first notification unit 18 may be made to blink in a first periodic pattern having a period corresponding to the difference between pace P and target pace Pt, and second notification unit 19 may be made to blink in a second periodic pattern having a period corresponding to the case where the difference is zero. Alternatively, second notification unit 19 may be made to light up when the difference falls within a predetermined range.

[0063] Although the electronic watch 1 has been described as an example of an electronic device, the electronic device is not limited to this. The electronic device may be any wearable device worn on the user's body, such as a motion sensor terminal that measures exercise status or an activity meter. The electronic device may also be a portable device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal.

[0064] In the above description, an example has been disclosed in which a flash memory in the storage unit 13 is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, but this is not limiting. Other computer-readable media may include information recording media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and a CD-ROM. Furthermore, a carrier wave may also be used as a medium for providing data for the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0065] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the electronic timepiece 1 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0066] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...electronic watch (electronic device, first electronic device), 11...CPU (control unit, first control unit, control means), 18...first notification unit, 19...second notification unit, 3...smart ring (second electronic device), 31...CPU (second control unit), 34...notification unit (second notification unit), 100...notification system, P...pace (index value), Pt...target pace (reference value), PPa...first cycle pattern, PPb...second cycle pattern

Claims

1. A first notification unit; a second notification unit different from the first notification unit; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit Acquire an index value representing the status of an activity being performed by a user and a predetermined reference value to be compared with the index value; while the user is performing the activity, the first notification unit is caused to issue a first notification of a first periodic pattern corresponding to the index value, and the second notification unit is caused to issue a second notification of a second periodic pattern corresponding to the reference value; electronic equipment.

2. The control unit controlling the second notification unit so that the period of the second periodic pattern becomes a predetermined reference period; When the index value is within a predetermined reference range including the reference value, the first notification unit is controlled so that the period of the first periodic pattern becomes the reference period; When the index value is greater than an upper limit value of the reference range, the first notification unit is controlled so that the period of the first periodic pattern becomes a first period that is different from the reference period; When the index value is less than a lower limit value of the reference range, the first notification unit is controlled so that the period of the first periodic pattern becomes a second period different from the reference period. one of the first period and the second period is longer than the reference period, and the other of the first period and the second period is shorter than the reference period; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit controls the first notification unit so that the period of the first periodic pattern becomes shorter as the index value increases, or so that the period of the first periodic pattern becomes longer as the index value increases. The electronic device according to claim 2 .

4. When the control unit causes the first notification unit to perform the first notification operation and the second notification unit to perform the second notification operation, the control unit controls the first notification unit and the second notification unit so that notification timings of the first notification and the second notification are at least partially periodically coincident with each other. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

5. The first notification and the second notification are each a notification using any one of light, vibration, and sound. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

6. The method of the first notification is different from the method of the second notification. The electronic device according to claim 5 .

7. A tilt sensor is provided to detect the tilt of the electronic device. the first notification and the second notification are each a notification using a light method, The control unit determining, using a predetermined method, whether the electronic device is in a predetermined dark environment or in a bright environment with a higher illuminance than the dark environment; determining whether the user is gazing at the electronic device based on the detection data by the tilt sensor; When it is determined that the electronic device is in the bright environment, the first notification unit is caused to issue the first notification and the second notification unit is caused to issue the second notification only during a period in which it is determined that the user is gazing at the electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

8. The control unit determining, using a predetermined method, whether the electronic device is in a predetermined dark environment or in a bright environment with a higher illuminance than the dark environment; when it is determined that the electronic device is in the dark environment, causing the first notification unit to issue the first notification using the light method and causing the second notification unit to issue the second notification using the light method; When it is determined that the electronic device is in the bright environment, the first notification unit is caused to issue the first notification using the vibration or the sound, and the second notification unit is caused to issue the second notification using the vibration or the sound. The electronic device according to claim 5 .

9. a light source provided on an outer surface of the electronic device; At least one of the first notification and the second notification is a notification using a method that uses light emitted from the light source. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

10. The control unit When the index value changes from a value within a predetermined reference range including the reference value to a value outside the reference range, or when the index value changes from a value outside the reference range to a value within the reference range, a notification using a method different from either the first notification or the second notification is performed. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

11. 1. A notification method executed by a computer of an electronic device including a first notification unit and a second notification unit different from the first notification unit, Acquire an index value representing the status of an activity being performed by a user and a predetermined reference value to be compared with the index value; while the user is performing the activity, the first notification unit is caused to issue a first notification of a first periodic pattern corresponding to the index value, and the second notification unit is caused to issue a second notification of a second periodic pattern corresponding to the reference value; Notification method.

12. A computer of an electronic device including a first notification unit and a second notification unit different from the first notification unit is caused to function as a control unit. The control means Acquire an index value representing the status of an activity being performed by a user and a predetermined reference value to be compared with the index value; while the user is performing the activity, the first notification unit is caused to issue a first notification of a first periodic pattern corresponding to the index value, and the second notification unit is caused to issue a second notification of a second periodic pattern corresponding to the reference value; program.

13. a first electronic device including a first notification unit and a first control unit; a second electronic device including a second notification unit and a second control unit; Equipped with the first control unit acquires an index value representing a status of an activity being performed by a user, and causes the first notification unit to issue a first notification of a first periodic pattern corresponding to the index value while the user is performing the activity; the second control unit acquires a predetermined reference value to be compared with the index value, and causes the second notification unit to issue a second notification of a second periodic pattern corresponding to the reference value while the user is performing the activity. Notification system.

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