Required Time Calculation Using Topographic Route Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for predicting marathon completion times fail to accurately account for the specific features of an actual marathon course and an athlete's abilities, resulting in low accuracy and reliability of predicted times.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that uses data from daily training routes to calculate the time required to complete a competition route by employing a chest sensor, wrist coordinator, and information terminal to collect and analyze biological and positional data, constructing a database of training data, simulating competition times based on similar topographic data, and providing real-time exercise assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional simulation methods using arbitrary unit distance and exercise intensity coefficients are used, then the calculation process is simple, but the accuracy and reliability of predicted time is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepredicted time accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The competition course is divided into multiple sections with different topographic characteristics (flat, uphill, downhill). The system separately calculates predicted time for each section based on similar training sections, then aggregates them. This segmentation allows the system to account for varying course features while maintaining manageable calculation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter basis from arbitrary unit distance to actual topographic parameters (altitude difference, distance, slope). By using concrete topographic parameters from training data that match the competition course characteristics, the system achieves more accurate predictions without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If only body condition and geographic information are provided during competition, then the information provided is minimal, but the sufficiency for achieving target result is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoideffectiveness of exercise assistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback during the competition by comparing the athlete's actual progress against the predicted time for each section. This feedback includes information about remaining distance, remaining time, and required pace adjustment, enabling the athlete to make informed decisions to achieve target results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculation of predicted times for each competition section before the competition begins, based on training data. This pre-computed information is then used during the competition to provide timely and relevant guidance without requiring complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If training data from daily exercise is not effectively utilized, then the data collection process is simple, but the ability to provide suitable assistance for achieving target result is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of exercise assistanceVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital copy of the competition course topography using training course data. By matching topographic parameters (altitude difference, distance, slope) between training and competition courses, the system transfers the reliability of training data to competition predictions without requiring direct measurement of competition performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2642251B1Required time calculating system, required time calculating method, and computer-readable recording medium storing required time calculating program
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP2642251B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2642251B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2642251B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A required time calculating system including a required time calculating section (36, 56), in which the required time calculating section (36, 56) extracts the topographic data of one section of a measured route similar to or matching the topographic data of one section of a calculated route determined from the positional and altitude information of each point in the above-described section of the calculated route divided into a plurality of sections, from among the topographic data of the measured route determined from the positional and altitude information of each point of the measured route detected by a first sensor (21) that travels with a human when the human travels a predetermined section of the measured route, and calculates the amount of time required for the human to travel the above-described section of the calculated route, based on the amount of time taken for the human to travel the above-described section of the measured route.