Portable Device Target Pace Calculation for Exercise Routes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable electronic devices cannot inform users of the target pace needed to achieve an exercise goal on an ongoing exercise route, making it difficult for users to know exactly what pace to maintain.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that receive exercise route data, calculate the completed distance and time, and dynamically output a target pace for the remaining route to help users achieve their exercise goals, using a GPS receiver, processor, and user interface to continuously update and display the required pace.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional portable electronic devices only display completed distance and time, then the device complexity remains low, but the user cannot determine the required pace to achieve exercise goals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget pace informationVSAvoidcalculation and processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores multiple exercise route data sets with various parameters (distance, time, pace) before the user begins exercising. When the user selects a goal, the system has the target pace information ready for rapid display without requiring complex real-time calculations during exercise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary that receives position signals, compares current progress against pre-stored exercise route data, and outputs the calculated target pace. This intermediary processing layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the calculation logic in a dedicated component rather than requiring complex integrated processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the device provides real-time target pace calculations, then the user can achieve exercise goals more effectively, but the processing power and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise goal achievement efficiencyVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system updates and displays target pace information at periodic intervals rather than continuously calculating in real-time. The processor receives position signals and recalculates target pace at regular intervals, reducing computational load and energy consumption while still providing timely feedback to the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Exercise route data including distance, time, and pace parameters are pre-calculated and stored before the exercise session begins. During exercise, the system only needs to retrieve and display pre-prepared target pace information based on current position, minimizing real-time processing requirements and energy usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If the device displays detailed target pace information continuously, then the user can better monitor progress, but the ease of operation decreases due to information overload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepace information availabilityVSAvoiduser interface simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and displays only the most critical target pace information (current target pace and completed progress) while omitting less important details. This selective extraction of essential information maintains user awareness of pace requirements without overwhelming the user with excessive data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the user interface provide different levels of information detail. The main display shows simplified target pace information for quick reference, while detailed exercise route parameters and calculation data are available on demand or in less prominent areas, allowing users to access comprehensive information without constant exposure to all details

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20140074262A1Method of calculating target pace for achieving a goal on an exercise route and related portable electronic device

Publication Date: 2014.03.13 MITAC INT CORP

AI summary

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