US20160058376A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20160058376A1
Application number: US14/844,595
Authority: US
Inventors: Hyun-Jae BAEK; Jung-Taek Oh; Jae-Geol Cho; Chul-Ho CHO; Gun-Woo JIN
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-03
Filing date: 2015-09-03
Publication date: 2016-03-03
Also published as: WO2016036114A1; EP2992817A1; CN105380597B; US11617539B2; US20200077952A1; CN111317449A; EP2992817C0; US20220047215A1; US11166675B2; KR20220093306A; EP4018919A1; KR102444585B1; EP2992817B1; CN111317449B; CN105380597A

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for measuring a vital signal by an electronic device. A motion of the electronic device is detected. It is determined whether an amount of the motion is less than or equal to a threshold. At least one vital signal is measured at least once if the amount of the motion is less than or equal to the threshold. A parameter of the at least one vital signal is analyzed. The parameter is converted into vital information.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Korean Application Serial Nos. 10-2014-0117297, 10-2015-0001341 and 10-2015-0101716, which were filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 3, 2014, Jan. 6, 2015, and Jul. 17, 2015, respectfully, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an electronic device and a method for signal measurement, and more particularly, to an electronic device and method for determining vital information from a measured a vital signal.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to increase the value of an electronic device and meet various demands of users, various applications have been developed for execution by the electronic device.

A user can measure his/her own vital signals relating to health care through an electronic device. Methods for measuring a vital signal include, for example, electrocardiogram (ECG), photoplethysmography (PPG), ballistocardiogram (BCG), and impedance plethysmography. Since a heart rate measurement method is noninvasive and includes various pieces of health-related information, it is considered as an optimal measurement method for mobile health care. Through the heart rate measurement method, heart rate variability (HRV) may be measured. A balance level of the autonomic nervous system of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system may be monitored through the HRV.

When the HRV is measured, a calculation of a stress index generally only determines an increase/decrease of the corresponding parameter.

For example, in one measurement method, stress may be determined through a parameter in a frequency domain of the HRV. In order to analyze the HRV in the frequency domain, a minimum measurement time of two (2) minutes is required, and it is not easy to apply such a required time period to a mobile heath care device.

In another measurement method, in addition to the stress index, a fatigue index and a heath index may be calculated using the HRV. Indexes may be replaced with blood sugar level, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight, but it is impossible to analyze the HRV by using the blood sugar level, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight.

In an additional measurement method, it may require five (5) minutes to analyze a frequency area of the HRV, and non-linearity and an analysis is performed by reading an ECG from a memory. However, when a stress index is measured, different personal HRVs are not reflected and the same method is applied, so that individual variance is not reflected to the stress measurement.

The above-described methods are only applicable to an on-demand product that a user operates with an intention to measure stress. Further, in order to measure stress, the user should remain still, without any movement, for a minimum of two (2) minutes or longer. However, except for a case where the user intentionally measures stress, no movement for two (2) minutes or longer is unlikely.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides an electronic device and a method for measuring a vital signal.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for measuring a vital signal by an electronic device. A motion of the electronic device is detected. It is determined whether an amount of the motion is less than or equal to a threshold. At least one vital signal is measured at least once if the amount of the motion is less than or equal to the threshold. A parameter of the at least one vital signal is analyzed. The parameter is converted into vital information.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided for measuring a vital signal. The electronic device includes a first sensor configured to detect a motion of the electronic device, and a second sensor unit configured to measure at least one vital signal at least once if an amount of the motion is less than or equal to a threshold. The electronic device also includes a controller configured to determine whether the amount of the motion is less than or equal to the threshod, analyze a parameter of the at least one vital signal, and convert the parameter into vital information.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided for measuring a vital signal. The electronic device includes a first sensor configured to detect a motion of the electronic device, and a second sensor configured to measure a vital signal. The electronic device also includes a controller configured determine whether an amount of the motion is less than or equal to a threshold, and measure at least one vital signal by using the second sensor, if the amount of motion is less than or equal to the threshold.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided for measuring a vital signal. The electronic device includes a first sensor configured to detect a motion of the electronic device, and a second sensor configured to measure a vital signal. The electronic device also includes a controller configured to determine whether an amount of motion is less than or equal to a threshold, and convert the vital signal measured by using the second sensor into vital information, if the amount of motion is less than or equal to the threshold.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory computer readable medium with computer executable instructions stored thereon exected by a processor to perform the method of measuring a vital signal by an electronic device. The method includes detecting a motion of the electronic device; determining whether an amount of the motion is less than or equal to a threshold; measuring at least one vital signal at least once if the amount of the motion is less than or equal to the threshold; analyzing a parameter of the at least one vital signal; and converting the parameter into vital information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network environment including an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device that measures a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a part of the electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating a sensor module of the electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a patch type electronic device that measures a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a patch type electronic device that measures a vital signal, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an electronic device mounted on a body part (chest or wrist), according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating an electronic device worn on a wrist, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4E is a diagram illustrating an electronic device worn on the forehead, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4F is a diagram illustrating an electronic device worn on the ankle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a comparison between a user's stress index and an average stress index at the same age range, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a comparison result when the user's stress index is higher than the average stress index at the same age range, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of measuring a vital signal and storing a stress index in accordance with the measured vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of combining vital signals to convert the vital signal into vital information, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating sections in which a vital signal is measured, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a motion strength, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating a change in stress measured for one day, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of comparing a current stress index and an average stress index of the user, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a comparison between the current stress index of the user and a pre-stored average stress index, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an average stress index of the user based on each time zone, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a comparison between a current stress index and an average stress index based on the date, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11D is a diagram illustrating a comparison between a current stress index and an average stress index based on the month, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11E is a diagram illustrating a comparison between a current stress index and an average stress index based on the day of the week, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11F is a diagram illustrating a comparison between a current stress index and an average stress index based on the weekday and the weekend, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11G is a diagram illustrating a comparison between a current stress index and an average stress index based on working hours and the non-working hours, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process for outputting a personalized breathing guide to reduce stress when stress is high, and outputting a result of a comparison between actual breathing and the guide, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating real time breathing for reducing the stress index when guide is output, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring a vital signal, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating the displaying of a stress index in real time according to measurement of the vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating the displaying of a stress index corresponding to a vital signal measured for a predetermined time, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16A is a graph illustrating an ECG of a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16B is a graph illustrating a BCG of a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16C is a graph illustrating a PPG of a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16D is a graph illustrating an impedance plethysmography of a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16E is a graph illustrating an RR interval of an ECG, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16F is a graph illustrating a JJ interval of a BCG, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17A is a diagram illustrating a correlation for each age range between a result of an analysis of parameters in a time domain based on standard 5-minute length data and a result of an analysis of the parameters based on data of different lengths, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 17B and 17C are diagrams illustrating a correlation for each age range between a result of an analysis of parameters in the frequency domain based on standard 5-minute length data and a result of an analysis of the parameters based on data of different lengths, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a communication protocol among a plurality of electronic devices, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar components maybe designated by the same or similar reference numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention.

Herein, the expressions “include”, “have”, “may include”, and “may have” refer to the existence of a corresponding function, operation, or element, and do not exclude the existence of one or more additional functions, operations, or elements.

Herein, the expression “or” includes any or all combinations of words enumerated together. For example, the expression “A or B” may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

Herein, expressions including ordinal numbers, such as “first” and “second,” may modify various elements. However, such elements are not limited by the above expressions. For example, the above expressions do not limit the sequence and/or importance of the elements. The above expressions are used merely for the purpose of distinguishing an element from the other elements. For example, a first user device and a second user device indicate different user devices, although both are user devices. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

When an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “accessed by” other elements, it should be understood that the element may be directly connected to or accessed by the other elements, or another element may exist between them. Contrarily, when an element is referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directly connected” to any other element, it should be understood that no element is interposed therebetween.

As used herein, singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those of skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted to have the same meanings as the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted to have ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in the present disclosure.

An electronic device, according to an embodiment the present invention, may be a device including a display control function. For example, the electronic device may be embodied as at least one of a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a mobile medical device, a camera, a wearable device (for example, a head-mounted-device (HMD) such as electronic glasses, electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet, an electronic necklace, an electronic appcessory, an electronic tattoo, and a smart watch).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device may be embodied as a smart home appliance with a display control function. The smart home appliance may include at least one of, for example, a television, a digital versatile disc (DVD) player, an audio player, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a TV box, a game console, an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, and an electronic picture frame.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device may include at least one of various medical devices such as, for example, a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) scanner, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, a computed tomography (CT) scanner, a scanner, an ultrasonograph, or the like, a navigation device, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, an event data recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), a vehicle infotainment device, an electronic equipment for ship (for example a ship navigation device and gyro-compass and the like, avionics, a security device, a head unit for vehicle, an industrial or household robot, an automatic teller machine (ATM) in a banking facilitys or a point of sales (POS) device in a store.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device may be embodied as at least one of furniture or a part of a building/structure, an electronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector, and various types of measuring devices (for example, a water meter, an electricity meter, a gas meter, a radio wave meter and the like) including a display control function. The electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, may be a combination of one or more of the aforementioned devices. Also, the electronic device may be a flexible device. Further, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the electronic device is not limited to the aforementioned devices.

Hereinafter, an electronic device, according to various embodiments of the present invention, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The term “user”, as used herein, may refer to a person who uses an electronic device or a device (for example, an artificial intelligence electronic device) that uses an electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network environment including an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, anelectronic device101 includes abus110, aprocessor120, astorage unit130, an input/output interface140, adisplay150, acommunication interface160, and avital signal controller170.

An electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may include various electronic devices capable of transmitting and receiving data, and executing a predetermined operation by transmitting or receiving a vital signal. Further, the electronic device may include a wearable device worn on a particular part of the human body to measure a vital signal, to store a measurement result therein, or to transmit the measured vital signal to smart phone, a mobile phone, or a notebook.

Thebus110 may be a circuit to connect the above-described components and to transfer communication (for example, control messages) between the above-described components.

Theprocessor120 may receive commands from other components (for example, thestorage unit130, the input/output interface140, thedisplay150, thecommunication interface160, or the vital signal controller170) through thebus110, analyze the received commands, and execute calculation or data processing according to the analyzed commands.

Thestorage unit130 may store commands or data received from or generated by theprocessor120 or other components (for example, the input/output interface140, thedisplay150, thecommunication interface160, or the vital signal controller170). Thestorage unit130 includes programming modules, for example, akernel131,middleware132, an application programming interface (API)133,applications134, or the like. Each of the aforementioned programming modules may be formed of software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of at least two thereof.

Thekernel131 may control or manage system resources (for example, thebus110, theprocessor120, thestorage unit130, or the like) used to execute operations or functions implemented by the remaining other programming modules, for example, themiddleware132, theAPI133, or theapplications134. Furthermore, thekernel131 may provide an interface through which themiddleware132, theAPI133, and theapplications134 may access individual components of theelectronic device101 to control or manage them.

Themiddleware132 may act as a relay to allow theAPI133 or theapplications134 to communicate with thekernel131 to exchange data. Further, in association with task requests received from theapplications134, themiddleware132 may control (for example, scheduling or load-balancing) the task requests by using, for example, a method of assigning at least one of the applications134 a priority for using system resources (for example, thebus110, theprocessor120, thestorage unit130, or the like) of theelectronic device101.

TheAPI133 is an interface through which theapplications134 control functions provided from thekernel131 or themiddleware132, and may include, for example, at least one interface or function (for example, an instruction) for file control, window control, image processing, text control, or the like.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, theapplications134 may include a short message service (SMS)/multimedia messaging service (MMS) application, an email application, a calendar application, an alarm application, a health care application (for example, application measuring a quantity of exercise or blood sugar), an environmental information application (for example, application providing information associated with pressure, humidity, temperature, or the like), or the like. Additionally or alternatively, theapplications134 may be an application related to an information exchange between theelectronic device101 and an external electronic device (for example, a first externalelectronic device102 and/or a second external electronic device104). Theelectronic device101 and the first externalelectronic device102 may be connected through wired/wireless communication164, and theelectronic device101 and the second externalelectronic device104 may be connected through anetwork162. The application related to information exchange may include, for example, a notification relay application for transferring predetermined information to the external electronic device or a device management application for managing the external electronic device.

For example, the notification relay application may include a function of transmitting notification information generated by another application (for example, SMS/MMS application, email application, health care application, or environment information application) of theelectronic device101 to the externalelectronic device102 and/or104. Additionally or alternatively, the notification relay application may receive notification information from, for example, an external electronic device (for example, the electronic device104) and provide the same to a user. The device management application may manage (for example, install, remove, or update) at least a part of functions (for example, turning on/off the external electronic device (or some components of the external electronic device) or controlling a brightness of the display) of the externalelectronic device104 communicating with theelectronic device101, an application executed in the external electronic device, or a service (for example, call service or message service) provided by the external electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, theapplications134 may10 include applications, which are designated according to attributes (for example, the type of electronic device) of the externalelectronic device102 and/or104. For example, when the external electronic device is an MP3 player, theapplication134 may include an application related to the reproduction of music. Similarly, when the external electronic device is a mobile medical device, theapplications134 may include an application related to health care. According to an embodiment of the present invention, theapplications134 may include at least one of an application designated to theelectronic device101 and an application received from an external

electronic device

102,104, or aserver106.

The input/output interface140 may transmit commands or data input from the user through an input/output device (for example, a sensor, a display, a keyboard, or touch screen) to theprocessor120, thestorage unit130, thecommunication interface160, or thevital signal controller170 through, for example, thebus110. For example, the input/output interface140 may provide theprocessor120 with data relating to a user's touch, which is input through the touch screen. The input/output interface140 may output, through the input/output device (for example, a speaker or a display), commands or data received, from theprocessor120, thememory130, thecommunication interface160, or thevital signal controller170 through, for example, thebus110. For example, the input/output interface140 may output voice data processed by theprocessor120 to the user through the speaker.

Thedisplay150 may display various pieces of information (for example, multimedia data, text data, or the like) to the user.

Thecommunication interface160 may provide communication between theelectronic device101 and an

external device

102,104, or theserver106. For example, thecommunication interface160 may be connected to thenetwork162 through wireless or wired communication to communicate with an external device (e.g., the second externalelectronic device104 or the server106). The wireless communication may include at least one of, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (BT), near field communication (NFC), GPS, and cellular communication (for example, long term evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro), and global system for mobile communication (GSM)). The wired communication may include at least one of, for example, a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), recommended standard 232 (RS-232), and a plain old telephone service (POTS).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, thenetwork162 may be a telecommunication network. The telecommunication network may include at least one of a computer network, the Internet, the Internet of Things (IoT), and a telephone network. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a protocol (for example, transport layer protocol, data link layer protocol, or physical layer protocol) for the communication between theelectronic device101 and the

external device

102 or104 may be supported by at least one of theapplications134, theAPI133, themiddleware132, thekernel131, and thecommunication interface160.

Each of the first and second external

electronic devices

102 and104 may be a device which is the same as or different from theelectronic device101. According to an embodiment of the present invention, theserver106 may include a group of one or more servers. According to an embodiment of the present invention, all or some of the operations performed by theelectronic device101 may be performed by another electronic device or a plurality of

electronic devices

102,104, or theserver106. According to an embodiment of the present invention, when theelectronic device101 should perform some functions or services automatically or by request, theelectronic device101 may make a request, to another

device

102,104, or theserver106, for performing at least some of the functions related to the functions or services, in addition to or instead of performing the functions or services by itself. The other

electronic device

102,104, or theserver106 may carry out the requested function or the additional function, and transfer the result to theelectronic device101. Theelectronic device101 may provide the requested functions or services based on the received result as it is or after processing the received result. To this end, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technology may be used.

Theserver106 includes a vital signalcontrol server module108 capable of supporting thevital signal controller170 implemented in theelectronic device101. For example, the vital signalcontrol server module108 may include at least one component of thevital signal controller170 to perform (for example, perform as a proxy) at least one of the operations performed by thevital signal controller170.

Thevital signal controller170 may process at least a part of the information obtained from other component elements (for example,processor120,storage unit130, input/output interface140, or communication interface160), and provide the processed information to the user in various ways. For example, thevital signal controller170 may control at least some functions of theelectronic device101 using theprocessor120, or independently from theprocessor120, so that theelectronic device101 may interwork with otherelectronic devices104 or theserver106. According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one component of thevital signal controller170 may be included in the server106 (for example, the vital signal control server module108), and at least one operation implemented in thevital signal controller170 may be supported by theserver106. Thevital signal module170 is described in greater detail below with reference toFIGS. 2 to 19.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device that measures a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, theelectronic device101 measuring the vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes asensor unit210, thestorage unit130, thedisplay150, and thevital signal controller170.

Thesensor unit210 includes amotion sensor220, a vitalsignal measurement sensor230, and an analog to digital converter (ADC)211. Thesensor unit210 may read a sensing value by turning on each sensor when needed. Further, theADC211 may be included in the sensor unit or separately included in theelectronic device101. Themotion sensor220 includes a sensor for detecting a motion, such as, for example, anacceleration sensor221 or a gyro sensor. Themotion sensor220, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may further include various sensors for detecting a motion as well as theacceleration sensor221 and the gyro sensor. Further, the vitalsignal measurement sensor230 includes, for example, aphoto sensor231, a galvanic skin response (GSR)sensor232, atemperature sensor233, and aheart rate sensor234. The vitalsignal measurement sensor230, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may also include additional various sensors for measuring a user's vital signal.

Themotion sensor220 may output a data value according a motion of theelectronic device101. According to an embodiment of the present invention, theacceleration sensor221 may include a biaxial (x and y axes) acceleration sensor or a triaxial (x, y, and z axes) acceleration sensor.

The vitalsignal measurement sensor230 may measure various vital signals of the human body and output various sensor values related to the human body. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vitalsignal measurement signal230 may measure various vital signals to determine whether theelectronic device101 is worn on the human body and output a vital sensor value corresponding to the measured signal.

Thephoto sensor231 may convert a light or information included in the light into an electrical signal. Thephoto sensor231 may include a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and may emit a light through the light emitting unit and receive a light through the light receiving unit. Thephoto sensor231 may be in close proximity to or may contact part of the human body when theelectronic device101 is worn on the human body. When theelectronic device101 is in close proximity to or contacts the part of the human body, thephoto sensor231 may irradiate the light emitted through the light emitting unit to the human body and receive a light generated by reflecting the light irradiated to the human body or by allowing the light irradiated to the human body to pass through the human body by the light receiving unit. Thephoto sensor231 may output the light through the light emitting unit and then measure and output a light amount of the light received through the light receiving unit. The measured light amount may be used for determining whether thephoto sensor231 is in close proximity to or contacts the part of the human body, and whether thephoto sensor231 is in close proximity to or contacts the part of the human body may be used for determining whether theelectronic device101 is worn on the human body. Alternatively, thephoto sensor231 may be used for measuring the vital signal through an increase/decrease in the amount of the light received through the light receiving unit. For example, thephoto sensor231 may be used for measuring a blood pressure or a heart rate through PPG.

TheGSR sensor232 may include a GSR response sensor. TheGSR sensor232 may be one of an electrodermal response (EDR) sensor, a psycho galvanic reflect (PGR) sensor, a skin conductance response (SCR) sensor. TheGSR sensor232 may include an ohmmeter and may measure electrical conductivity between two points of the skin. When theelectronic device101 is worn on the human body, thephoto sensor232 may be in close proximity to or contact part of the human body. When theGSR sensor232 is in close proximity to or contacts the part of the human body, theGSR sensor232 may allow a predetermined small current to flow in the skin of the human body and then measure electrical conductivity between two points of the skin and output a skin resistance value. The measured electrical conductivity may be used for determining whether theGSR sensor232 is in close proximity to or contacts the part of the human body, and whether theGSR sensor232 is in close proximity to or contacts the part of the human body may be used for determining whether theelectronic device101 is worn on the human body.

Thetemperature sensor233 may be a sensor that, when an internal resistance value, voltage value, or current value is changed by a temperature change, measures a temperature by using the changed internal resistance value, voltage value, or current value. When theelectronic device101 is worn on the human body, thetemperature sensor233 may be in close proximity to or contact part of the human body. When thetemperature sensor233 is in close proximity to or contacts the part of the human body, thetemperature sensor233 may output the changed internal resistance value, voltage value, or current value by the heat of the human body. The measured changed internal resistance value, voltage value, or current value may be used for determining whether thetemperature sensor233 is in close proximity to or contacts the part of the human body, and whether thetemperature sensor233 is in close proximity to or contacts the part of the human body may be used for determining whether theelectronic device101 is worn on the human body.

Theheart rate sensor234 may measure the vital signal associated with the heart rate through a mechanical, an electrical, or an optical method. Theheart rate sensor234 may include an ECG sensor for measuring ECG, a BCG sensor for measuring BCG, or a phonocardiography sensor for converting a vibration generated by the heart or big blood vessels into an electrical signal. Further, theheart rate sensor234, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may further include various sensors for measuring a user's vital signal as well as the aforementioned sensors. The vitalsignal measurement sensor230 may include an HRV sensor for measuring a pulse wave signal.

Thestorage unit130 includes a vitalsignal acquisition module240, aparameter analysis module250, a stressindex conversion module260, and a stress solutionguide provision module270. At least one of the vitalsignal acquisition module240, theparameter analysis module250, the stressindex conversion module260, and the stress solutionguide provision module270 may be loaded to thevital signal controller170 in accordance with the operation of at least one sensor included in thesensor unit210.

Thevital signal controller170 may include a read only memory (ROM)172 that stores a control program for controlling theelectronic device101, and a random access memory (RAM)171 that is used as a storage area for storing a signal or data input from the outside of theelectronic device101, or for work performed in theelectronic device101. Thevital signal controller170 may include a single core, a dual core, a triple core, or a quadruple core. A central processing unit (CPU), theROM172, and theRAM171 may be connected to each other through an internal bus.

When at least one sensor included in thesensor unit210 operates, thevital signal controller170 may load the corresponding module into theRAM171 and perform at least one function performed by each module. A function performed by at least one of the vitalsignal acquisition module240, theparameter analysis module250, the stressindex conversion module260, and the stress solutionguide provision module270 may be performed by theprocessor120, and thevital signal controller170 may be referred to as a controller.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, thevital signal controller170 may acquire a vital signal measured by thesensor unit210, analyze a parameter of the acquired vital signal, convert the analyzed parameter into vital information, compare a converted stress index with a stress index at the same age range as that of the user of the measured vital signal, and output a result of the comparison.

Thevital signal controller170 may acquire the vital signal from thesensor unit210 at least one time. Thevital signal controller170 may detect a motion of theelectronic device101 to acquire the vital signal and, when the motion is smaller than a predetermined (or preset) threshold, acquire the vital signal from thesensor unit210. The predetermined threshold may be variably controlled. Thevital signal controller170 may receive information on whether breathing detected through at least one sensor included in a sensor module, and information on a breathing rate to determine that breathing is detected and analyze the breathing rate.

When the motion is smaller than the threshold, thevital signal controller170 may measure the vital signal for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) to analyze a parameter of the vital signal. When the motion smaller than the threshold lasts, thevital signal controller170 may continuously measure the vital signal for the predetermined time. When the motion smaller than the threshold lasts for a time (for example, 10 seconds) shorter than the predetermined time to calculate a vial signal parameter, thevital signal controller170 may measure the vital signal only for a section of time during which no motion is generated. Thevital signal controller170 may add values of each of a plurality of vital signals of time sections in which the vital signals are measured, an interval between the time sections being shorter than a predetermined time, and analyze parameters of the added values of the vital signals. When two sections, which are not continuous with each other, are separated by an interval shorter than a predetermined threshold, thevital signal controller170 may continuously combine the sections and use the combined sections to calculate the parameter of the vital signal. For example, when non-continuous sections in which the vital signal is measured correspond to 10 seconds, 15 seconds, and 5 seconds, and data sections are separated by an interval shorter than or equal to a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), thevital signal controller170 may combine the sections to generate 30 seconds and use it to calculate the vital signal parameter. Further, the predetermined threshold may be variably controlled.

Thevital signal controller170 may acquire the vital signal at least once and analyze the acquired parameter of the vital signal. Thevital signal controller170 may analyze the parameter in the time domain of the acquired vital signal and analyze a variation of the parameter by using an interval between beats of the vital signal. The vital signal may include at least one of a heartbeat, a pulse, an impedance plethysmography, a BCG, an ECG, PPG, and a blood flow rate. The parameter may include at least one of a heart rate (HR), an RR interval, a standard deviation of N-N intervals (SDNN), a root mean of sum of squared differences (RMSSD), and a percent of successive normal NN intervals difference greater than 50 msec (pNN50). The heartbeat interval may include at least one of an RR interval, a pulse interval, and a JJ interval of the vital signal. The RR interval refers to an interval between two peaks of the ECG, the JJ interval refers to an interval between two peaks of the BCG, and the pulse interval refers to an interval between two peaks of the impedance plethysmography and the PPG.

Thevital signal controller170 may convert the analyzed parameter into vital information (for example, a stress index) by taking the natural logarithm (ln) of a reciprocal of the parameter. Thevital signal controller170 may convert the analyzed parameter into the vital information by taking the natural logarithm of a value generated by dividing 1000 by the HRV. Thevital signal controller170 may compare the converted stress index with a stress index at the same age range as that of the user of which the vital signal is measured. Thevital signal controller170 may receive a user's age, and compare the converted stress index with an average stress index at the same age or the same age range as that of the user of which the converted stress index is input. Through the comparison, it may be determined whether the stress index of the user of which the vital signal is measured is higher or lower than the average stress index at the same age or the same age range. The average stress index may be pre-stored in theelectronic device101 or received from theserver106.

Thevital signal controller170 may compare the converted stress index with the average stress index at the same age or the same age range as that of the input user and output a result of the comparison through thedisplay150. Thevital signal controller170 may output the result of the comparison through at least one of a sound, vibration, and graphic user interface (GUI). Thevital signal controller170 may generate a guide indicating a breathing method to reduce the stress based on the result of the comparison and output the generated guide through thedisplay150. When the converted stress index is higher than the stress index at the same age range, thevital signal controller170 may generate and output a guide to reduce the stress index. When the converted stress index is lower than the stress index at the same age range, thevital signal controller170 may generate and output a guide indicating that the stress index is lower and including information useful for health. The guide may include at least one of information to reduce the stress index, an alarm informing that the stress index is higher, and a breathing method to reduce the stress index. When breathing is detected from the user in a state where the guide is output, thevital signal controller170 may compare the detected breathing with the guide in real time and output a result thereof. Thevital signal controller170 may score the stress index that is changed by the detected breathing and output the stress index that is changed according to breathing, so as to allow the user to recognize the change in the stress index by the breathing.

Further, thevital signal controller170 may store the converted stress index. Thevital signal controller170 may calculate an average of the stress indexes based on at least one of time zones, dates, days of the week, months, and years, and store the average in thestorage unit130. Thestorage unit130 may store the converted stress index in real time according to the vital signal measured by the user, and calculate and store the average of the stored stress indexes based on at least one of time zones, dates, days of the week, months, and years. Further, thestorage unit130 may store the average stress index for each age range (for example, teens, twenties, thirties . . . ), periodically or aperiodically receive the average stress index from theserver106, and store the received average stress index.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vitalsignal acquisition module240 may acquire at least one vital signal measured by thesensor unit210, as described above. The vitalsignal acquisition module240 may measure the vital signal in real time and transfer the measured value to theparameter analysis module250.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, theparameter analysis module250 may analyze the parameter of the vital signal through the vital signal received from the vitalsignal acquisition module240, as described above. Theparameter analysis module250 may transfer a result of the analysis to the stressindex conversion module260.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the stressindex conversion module260 may convert the parameter received from theparameter analysis module250 to vital information, as described above.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the stress solutionguide provision module270 may generate a guide including a result of the comparison between the stress index of the user received from the stressindex conversion module260 and the stress index at the same age range as that of the user.

At least one function performed by each of the vitalsignal acquisition module240, theparameter analysis module250, the stressindex conversion module260, and the stress solutionguide provision module270 may be performed by thevital signal controller170 or theprocessor120.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a part of the electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating a sensor module of the electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3A, theelectronic device101 may be worn as, for example, a watch, an arm band, a hair band, or an anklet. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and theelectronic device101 may also be embodied as a bracelet, a strip, a band, a mounted type (band-aid type) band, a belt, ear mounted earphones, a headphone, a cloth type, a shoe type, an HMD, a hat type, a glove type, a thimble type (finger-tip mounted type), a clip type, an arm band type, a contact lens device, digital clothes, and a remote control. Further, theelectronic device101 may be applied to a part of the user's body having curvature. For example, a part of the user's body having the curvature may include a wrist or an ankle. Further, the electronic device worn on various parts of the user's body according to a configuration of the wearing part.

Theelectronic device101, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes abody part310 and a wearingpart320 including wearing members, such as a band or a strap. Thebody part310 may be configured to be coupled to or separated from the wearingpart320. Adisplay device311 for displaying various pieces of information, a press key (for example, a side key331), a sensor unit (for example, the vital signal measurement sensor), and/or a touch input unit may be disposed on thebody part310. Thebody part310 includes a front surface F and a rear surface R, which contacts the user's body when worn on the user's body. Thedisplay device311 is disposed on the front surface F of thebody part310, and the sensor unit is disposed on at least one of the rear surface R of thebody part310 and the wearingpart320.

Thebody part310 may be a bar type and may have a curvature that at least partially corresponds to the user's body. For example, thebody part310 may have a rectangular shape substantially extending in a vertical direction (Y axis direction) and a curvature. Coupling grooves that engage with the wearingpart320 may be formed on a side surface of thebody part310. The coupling grooves may include a plurality of grooves formed on the side surface of thebody part310 or may have a closed curve shape extending along a circumference of thebody part310.

The wearingpart320 may be formed with an elastic material, and may allow thebody part310 to be stably worn on the user's body while in close contact with the skin of the user's body. Further, thebody part310 may be configured to be removable from the wearingpart320, and thus the wearingpart320 may be replaced. According to an embodiment of the present invention, aseat part321 of the wearingpart320, which is coupled to thebody part310, may be configured to be elastically deformed, and an internal surface of the wearingpart320, which closely contacts the user's body, may not be formed with the elastic material. The wearingpart320 includes an opening that extends in one direction and from which thebody part310 is removable. Theseat part321 is configured to surround the circumference of the opening. When thebody part310 is coupled to the wearingpart320, at least a part of theseat part321 is inserted into the coupling grooves extending along the side surface of thebody part310.

First and second wearing

members

340aand340bare separated from at least a part of theseat part321 in the vertical direction (Y) of thebody part310. However, when theelectronic device101 is worn on the user's body, the first and second wearing

members

340aand340bhave a curved form in a thickness direction (Z) of thebody part310 with respect to theseat part321. Further, the wearingpart320 includes a means for fastening the first and second wearing

members

340aand340b.

Abody housing330 of thebody part310 may have a shape including the curvature. Since theseat part321 is formed with the elastic material and elastically deformed, theseat part321 may be coupled to thebody part310 while being deformed to be suitable for the shape of thebody part310. When the wearingpart320 has a changeable structure, the wearingpart320 may be implemented in various designs or colors. For example, the wearingpart320 may be used as an accessory showing the individuality of the user.

Referring toFIG. 3B, thebody part310 has a curvature. The front surface F of thebody housing330 has thedisplay311 disposed thereon to allow the user to conveniently view the displayed screen. The rear surface (R) of thebody housing330 has the sensor module210 (for example, the vital signal measurement sensor) disposed thereon, so as to closely contact the wrist of the user's body.

Thebody housing330 may have a proper curvature in consideration of a user's body shape, for example, a thickness or a curvature of the wrist. Thesensor unit210 included in thebody part310 may include at least one of the photo sensor, the GSR sensor, the temperature sensor, and the heartbeat sensor. Although thedisplay311 has a shape reflecting the user's body curve as an example, thedisplay311 may be implemented by a flat LCD or OLED display, a curved display, or a flexible display.

Thesensor unit210 includes asensor interface unit360, e.g., an interface window, disposed on the rear surface R of thebody part310. Thesensor interface unit360 may be disposed on a protrusion unit so that thesensor unit210 may more closely contact the user's body when detecting the vital signal.Connection members350, for example, charging terminals, are also arranged on the rear surface R of thebody part310. Theconnection members350 may be disposed close to thesensor unit210.

Referring toFIG. 3C, thesensor unit210 includes theacceleration sensor221 and vital sensors for measuring vital signal, for example, theheart rate sensor234, theGSR sensor232, and thetemperature sensor233. The sensor unit may be disposed on the rear surface R of thebody part310 or at a predetermined location of the wearingpart320, which closely contacts the user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, theacceleration sensor221 may be a biaxial (x and y axes) acceleration sensor or a triaxial (x, y, and z axes) acceleration sensor. Thesensor unit210 may measure various vital signals of the human body and output various vital sensor values related to the human body, and at least one of the vital sensors may be activated to detect a wearing state. According to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to detect the wearing state, theheart rate sensor234 may be activated, theGRS sensor232 may be activated, or thetemperature sensor233 may be activated. Alternatively, two or more sensors may be activated. In addition to the aforementioned sensors, other vital sensors for detecting a sensing value may be included to determine the wearing state.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a patch type electronic device that measures a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a patch type electronic device that measures a vital signal, according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an electronic device mounted on a body part, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating an electronic device worn on the wrist, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4E is a diagram illustrating an electronic device worn on the forehead, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4F is a diagram illustrating an electronic device is worn on the ankle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Theelectronic device101, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may include a wearable (or patch type) electronic device having at least one sensor for measuring a vital signal of the user, and theelectronic device101 or at least one sensor may be mounted on a body part. Further, theelectronic device101, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may receive a vital signal measured by at least one sensor, analyze a received parameter, and convert the analyzed parameter into vital information. At least one sensor may be mounted on the body while being structurally separated from the electronic device, and theelectronic device101 may include various electronic devices such as a portable terminal, a mobile phone, a notebook, and a tablet PC, which can be carried by the user.

Referring toFIG. 4A, a patch typeelectronic device404 is integrally configured with anadhesive part401 to be attached to the skin of the human body, and apad403 flexibly bent along a curved surface of the human body when attached. Theelectronic device404 may be attached to a particular part of the human body through theadhesive part401 and, even when the surface of the human body is bent, maintain adhesion due to thepad403. Further, the exterior of theelectronic device404 includes aswitch402 for controlling the operation of theelectronic device404. Theswitch402 may control an ON/OFF operation of theelectronic device404. Further, a hole for measuring the vital signal may be formed on theadhesive part401, and theelectronic device404 may measure the vital signal through the hole. The patch typeelectronic device404 may transmit the measured vital signal to theelectronic device101.

Referring toFIG. 4B, a patch typeelectronic device406, according to another embodiment of the present invention, is integrally configured with anadhesive part405 for attachment to the skin of the human body. Further, the exterior of theelectronic device406 includes aswitch407 for controlling the operation of theelectronic device406. In addition, a hole for measuring the vital signal may be formed on theadhesive part405, and theelectronic device406 may measure the vital signal through the hole. The patch typeelectronic device406 may transmit the measured vital signal to theelectronic device101. The exteriors, size, and designs of the patch type electronic devices ofFIGS. 4A and 4B may be freely changed to easily measure the vital signal and may vary depending on a desired attachment location on the human body.

Referring toFIG. 4C, the user may wear an electronic device410 (for example, a smart watch) including at least one sensor on the wrist. Further, theelectronic device410 may receive the measured vital signal from a patch type electronic device420 (for example, a heart rate measuring device) attached to the chest. The

electronic devices

410 and420 may include a sensor for measuring the vital signal. The

electronic devices

410 and420 may transmit the measured vital signal to various electronic devices, such as, for example, a portable terminal, a mobile phone, a notebook, or a tablet PC of the user. Alternatively, the

electronic devices

410 and420 may transmit vital information acquired using the measured vital signal to various electronic devices, such as, for example, a portable terminal, a mobile phone, a notebook, or a tablet PC of the user.

Referring toFIG. 4D, theelectronic device101 is embodied as anarm band430 which can be worn on the arm. Thearm band430 may calculate a motion strength within a predetermined time and determine a change in the motion strength. When a pattern of the change in the motion strength corresponds to a predetermined pattern, thearm band430 may determine whether thearm band430 is worn on the arm. When thearm band430 is worn on the arm, thearm band430 may monitor sleep.

Referring toFIG. 4E, theelectronic device101 may be embodied as ahair band440 which can be worn on the head. Thehair band440 may calculate a motion strength within a predetermined time and determine a change in the motion strength. When a pattern of the change in the motion strength corresponds to a predetermined pattern, thehair band440 may determine whether thehair band440 is worn on the head. When thehair band440 is worn on the head, thehair band440 may monitor sleep.

Referring toFIG. 4F, theelectronic device101 may be embodied as ananklet450 which can be worn on the ankle. Theanklet450 may calculate a motion strength within a predetermined time and determine a change in the motion strength. When a pattern of the change in the motion strength corresponds to a predetermined pattern, theanklet450 may determine whether theanklet450 is worn on the ankle. When theanklet450 is worn on the ankle, theanklet450 may monitor sleep. According to an embodiment of the present invention, various electronic devices may be mounted on any body part of the user from which the vital signal of the user can be measured..

At least one of the

electronic devices

101,404,406,410,420,430,440, and450 may detect a motion to measure the vital signal and, when the motion is smaller than a predetermined threshold, measure the vital signal. At least one of the

electronic devices

101,404,406,410,420,430,440, and450 may detect a motion, and include at least one of the acceleration sensor, photo sensor, GSR sensor, temperature sensor, and heart rate sensor, which may measure the vital signal.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring a vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Theelectronic device101 measures the vital signal for a predetermined time, instep510. Theelectronic device101 may measure the vital signal at least one time. Theelectronic device101 may measure the vital signal for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) at least one time. The predetermined time may be in units of seconds or minutes. The measurement may be made in units of milliseconds ms. The predetermined time and the time of the measurement unit (for example, ms) may be variably controlled.

The measurement time based on the parameter of the vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1

HRV
variables	Length (s)	Correlation	p-value

HR

10	0.9321	0.5879
SDNN	240	0.9866	0.1280
RMSSD	30	0.7716	0.0905
pNN50	60	0.9168	0.1278
LF	90	0.8636	0.0975
HF	20	0.6709	0.1863
TF	240	0.9989	0.0971
VLF	270	0.9997	0.2663
nLF	90	0.8452	0.6357
nHF	90	0.8452	0.6357
LF/HF	90	0.8151	0.6357

Table 1 shows a correlation and a p-value between values acquired through analysis based on standard 5 minutes and a minimum analysis time determined with respect to parameters in a time domain, such as, for example, HR, SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50, and parameters in a frequency domain, such as, for example, low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF), time-frequency (TF), very low-frequency (VLF), normalized low-frequency (nLF), normalized high-frequency (nHF), and low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF), through a Kruskal-Wallis test

The Kruskal-Wallis test corresponds to a method of arranging data between two different groups in a size order, deciding orders, and then testing the data by using an average of the orders. When the Kruskal-Wallis test is performed, the p-value is output, which is a reference of determining correctness of a null hypothesis. In the null hypothesis, there is generally a conditional difference in a resulting difference between two compared sample groups. Alternatively, a hypothesis that the two sample groups do not belong to the same population is set.

The null hypothesis may be dismissed when the p-value is very small. For example, in order to show that two groups are meaningfully different (that is there is a meaningful difference between averages of the two groups), a condition of p-value <0.05 or p-value <0.01 is generally used. When the p-value meets the condition, the null hypothesis is dismissed. Since the p-values of the parameters of the time domain such as, for example, HR,15 SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50, and the parameters of the frequency domain, such as, for example, LF, HF, TF, VLF, nLF, nHF, and LF/HF, do not meet the condition p-value <0.05 or p-value <0.01, the null hypothesis indicating that the two groups are meaningfully different is dismissed. Accordingly, it is noted that there is no statistically meaningful difference between the measured value of each parameter for a corresponding time and the measured value for 5 minutes.

The correlation indicates a linearity level between two groups, or whether two groups have a linearity relation therebetween. When a value measured by one group increases, and a value measured by the other group also increases, positive linearity exists. In contrast, when a value measured by one group increases, and a value measured by the other group decreases, negative linearity exists. The correlation shows the linearity level.FIGS. 17A,17B, and17C illustrate the correlation for each age range between a result of analysis of each parameter in the time domain and each parameter in the frequency domain based on data of different lengths and a result of analysis of the parameters based on standard 5-minute length data, and illustrate results of measuring the parameters of Table 1 according to each age range for each of various durations of time.

As shown in Table 1, in a case of the time domain parameters HR, SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50, data lengths of 10 seconds, 240 seconds, 30 seconds, and 60 seconds have statistically similar values to those of 5-minute data. In general, SDNN is related to stress and RMSSD has a high correlation with SDNN. Accordingly, the vital signal can be sufficiently measured without distortion by using RMSSD requiring 30 seconds instead of SDNN requiring 240 seconds. Further, since unconscious and continuous vital signal measurement can be performed in the wearable device, SDNN can be used.

Theelectronic device101 analyzes the variation of the parameter in the time domain by using the measured vital signal, instep512. Theelectronic device101 converts the analyzed parameter into vital information, instep514. Theelectronic device101 may measure the vital signal at least one time and analyze the parameter of the measured vital signal. Theelectronic device101 may analyze the parameter in a time domain of the measured vital signal and analyze a variation of the parameter by using an interval between beats of the vital signal. The HR corresponding to the parameter in the time domain may be a square root of an average value of values generated by raising differences of continuous RR intervals, and the measurement time may be in units of seconds. In this case, theelectronic device101 may accumulate measured RR intervals and measure and accumulate the RR intervals until a final sum thereof exceeds a predetermined time. Further, theelectronic device101 may measure and accumulate the RR intervals until the number of heartbeats reaches a predetermined threshold. The vital signal may include at least one of a heartbeat, a pulse, an impedance plethysmography, a BCG, an ECG, a PPG, and a blood flow rate. The parameters may include at least one of an HR, an RR interval, an SDNN, an RMSSD, and a pNN50. The heartbeat interval may include at least one of the RR interval, the pulse interval, and the JJ interval of the vital signal. The RR interval refers to an interval between two peaks of the ECG, the JJ interval refers to an interval between two peaks of the BCG, and the pulse interval refers to the PPG and an interval between two peaks of the PPG.

Theelectronic device101 may convert the parameter into the vital information by taking the natural logarithm (ln) of a reciprocal of the parameter. Theelectronic device101 may convert the analyzed parameter into the vital information by using Equation (1) below.

ln(1000/P) (1)

In Equation (1), P denotes a parameter.

Theelectronic device101 compares the converted vital information, e.g., stress index, with a pre-stored average vital information, e.g., stress index, at the same age range and output a result of the comparison, in

steps

516 and518. Theelectronic device101 may compare the converted stress index with a stress index at the same age range as that of the user. The average stress index may be pre-stored in theelectronic device101 or received from theserver106. Through the comparison, it may be determined whether the stress index of the user of which the vital signal is measured is higher or lower than the average stress index at the same age or the same age range.

When the converted stress index is higher than the stress index at the same age range, theelectronic device101 may generate and output a guide to reduce the stress index. When the converted stress index is lower than the stress index at the same age range, theelectronic device101 may generate and output a guide indicating that the stress index is low and including information useful for health. The guide may include at least one of information to reduce the stress index, an alarm informing that the stress index is high, and a breathing method to reduce the stress index. Theelectronic device101 may output the comparison result and/or the generated guide through at least one of a sound, a vibration, and a GUI. Theelectronic device101 may detect a breathing quantity or receive information on whether breathing is detected through at least one sensor included in thesensor module1840 and information on the breathing rate to determine that the breathing is detected and analyze the breathing rate. When breathing is detected from the user while the guide is output, theelectronic device101 may compare the detected breathing with the guide in real time and output a result thereof.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a comparison of the user's stress index and an average stress index at the same age range, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.6B is a diagram illustrating a user's stress index that is higher than the average stress index at the same age range, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 6A, an average and a deviation of parameters of a plurality of people are calculated according to each age range, and the measured parameters of the user are converted into stress indexes based on the average and the deviation at the same age range. The stress indexes are divided into a plurality of sections according to a level how much higher or lower the stress index of the user is than the stress index at the same age range. Accordingly, the user may identify how much higher or lower the user's stress index is. A first section represents a case where the user's stress index is significantly lower than the average stress index at the same age range. A second section represents a case where the user's stress index is a little lower than the average stress index at the same age range. A third section represents a case where the user's stress index is a little higher than the average stress index at the same age range. A fourth section represents a case where the user's stress index is a moderately higher than the average stress index at the same age range. A fifth section represents a case where the user's stress index is significantly higher than the average stress index at the same age range. Through the comparison, the user is able to determine how much higher or lower his/her own stress index is than stress indexes of other people at the same age range, and a result of the comparison may be output through thedisplay150.

Referring toFIG. 6B, when the user's stress index is higher than the average stress index at the same age range, theelectronic device101 outputs the comparison result through thedisplay150. According to the comparison result, thedisplay150 may display information for reducing the stress index when the user's stress index is higher than the stress index at the same age range. Thedisplay150 may be divided into afirst area610 for displaying information indicating that the stress index is high or low and information useful for health, and asecond area620 for displaying how much higher or lower the user's stress is than the average stress index in the same age range.

For example, when the user's stress index is higher than the stress index at the same age range, thefirst area610 displays a warning message to instruct the user to pay attention to his/her health since the stress index is higher than the stress index at the same age range. Thefirst area610 may also display various pieces of information such as, for example, foods, an exercise method, a weight control method, and a breathing method to reduce the stress index. Further, thefirst area610 may display an animation to instruct the user to pay attention to his/her health since the stress index is higher than the stress index at the same age range. Thesecond area620 displays agraph523 corresponding to the user's stress index and agraph521 corresponding to the average stress index at the same age range. Further, according to a difference between the user's stress index and the stress index at the same age range, thesecond area620 may display emoticons with different

facial expressions

522 and524, and the user may recognize the seriousness in reducing the user's stress through the facial expressions of the emoticons.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of measuring a vital signal and storing a stress index in accordance with the measured vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Theelectronic device101 measures a vital signal, instep710, as described above with respect toFIG. 5.

Theelectronic device101 analyzes a parameter variation in the time domain by using the measured vital signal, instep712. The electronic device converts the analyzed parameter into vital information, instep714, as described above with respect toFIG. 5.

Theelectronic device101 stores the analyzed parameter variation and the converted vital information, instep716, as described above with respect toFIG. 5.

In step178, theelectronic device101 determines whether the vital signal is detected. When the vital signal is detected, theelectronic device101 returns to step710 and measures the vital signal.Steps710 to718 are repeatedly performed for a predetermined time or while the vital signal is detected.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of combining vital signals to convert the vital signal into vital information, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 8, instep810, it is determined whether motion is generated. When no motion is generated, theelectronic device101 measures the vital signal and temporarily stores the measured vital signal, instep820. When motion is detected, theelectronic device101 determines whether the generated motion lasts longer than a predetermined time. When the generated motion does not last as long as the predetermined time, theelectronic device101 returns to step810 to detect whether the motion is generated. When the generated motion lasts as long as or longer than the predetermined time, the methodology terminates.

Instep830, the electronic device determines whether a total sum of times when a vital signal is measured is longer than or equal to a predetermined value. When a total sum of measurement times is larger than or equal to a predetermined value, theelectronic device101 analyzes a parameter variation in the time domain by using at least one temporarily stored vital signal, instep840. Theelectronic device101 may add stored vital signals and analyze the parameter variation in the time domain by using the added vital signals.

Theelectronic device101 may convert the analyzed parameter into vital information and store the analyzed parameter variation and the converted vital information, instep850.

When it is determined the total sum of measurement times is smaller than the predetermined value instep830, theelectronic device101 returns to step310 determine whether motion is generated.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a section in which the vital signal is measured, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a motion strength, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating an aspect of a change in stress measured for one day, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9A, theelectronic device101 measures the vital signal while no motion is generated. When the motion is generated, theelectronic device101 temporarily stops measuring the vital signal. Afirst section911, athird section913, afifth section915, and aseventh section917 correspond to sections in which the vital signal is measured, and asecond section912, afourth section914, and asixth section916 correspond to sections in which the vital signal is not measured. Thefirst section911 is a section in which the vital signal is measured for a first time (t1), thethird section913 is a section in which the vital signal is measured for a third time (t3), thefifth section915 is a section in which the vital signal is measured for a fifth time (t5), and theseventh section917 is a section in which the vital signal is measured for a seventh time (t7). Similarly, thesecond section912 is a section in which no vital signal is measured for a second time (t2), thefourth section914 is a section in which no vital signal is measured for a fourth time (t4), and thesixth section916 is a section in which no vital signal is measured for a sixth time (t6).

When a total sum of the time of the sections in which the vital signal is measured (for example, the first, third, fifth, and seventh sections) is longer than a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), theelectronic device101 may combine the vital signals measured in thefirst section911, thethird section913, thefifth section915, and theseventh section917 and analyze the parameter variation in the time domain by using the combined vital signal. When the motion of theelectronic device101 is continuously generated for a predetermined time (for example,1 minute) or longer in a state where the total sum of the time of the sections in which the vital signal is measured is shorter than the predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), theelectronic device101 may not use the vital signal, which is measured before the motion is generated, for combing the vital signals.

Referring toFIG. 9B, a horizontal (X) axis corresponds to a time axis and a vertical (Y) axis corresponds to a motion strength axis. graph segment (a) illustrates a motion strength according to the time, graph segment (b) illustrates a section in which the sensor module is activated according to a conventional predetermined time period, and graph section (c) illustrates a section in which the sensor module is activated when the motion strength is smaller than a predetermined threshold (for example, smaller than 1), according to an embodiment of the present invention. Through a comparison between graph segments (b) and (c), the sensor module is activated according to apredetermined time period920 but the sensor module is activated only when the motion strength is smaller than a predetermined threshold (for example, smaller than 1), as indicated byreference numeral930. Accordingly, the sensor module is activated only when needed, thereby reducing battery consumption.

Referring toFIG. 9C, theelectronic device101 measures the vital signal while no motion is generated. When the motion is generated, theelectronic device101 temporarily stops measuring the vital signal. When no motion is generated after the temporarily stop, theelectronic device101 measures the vital signal again. When no motion is generated or the motion is smaller than a predetermined threshold, theelectronic device101 measures the vital signal to determine stress, and the stress may be shown by agraph960 according to the measurement time. Theelectronic device101 may display asection970 in which the vital signal is not measured together with thegraph960.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of comparing a current stress index and an average stress index of the user, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, instep1010, it is determined whether a vital signal is measure. When the vital signal is not measured, the methodology terminates. When the vital signal is measured, theelectronic device101 analyzes a parameter variation in the time domain by using the measured vital signal, instep1012. The electronic device converts the analyzed parameter into vital information (for example, the stress index), instep1014.

Theelectronic device101 compares the converted stress index and the pre-stored average stress index, instep1016. Theelectronic device101 may compare the stress index and the user's average stress index pre-stored in thestorage unit130. Theelectronic device101 may compare the user's current stress index and the user's average stress index pre-stored in thestorage unit130 in response to the measurement of the vital signal. Thestorage unit130 may store the converted stress index in accordance with the vital signal measured by the user in real time under a control of theelectronic device101. Thestorage unit130 may calculate an average of the converted stress indexes in accordance with the vital signal measured by the user in the unit of at least one of time zones, dates, days of the week, months, and years and store the calculated average under a control of theelectronic device101. Thestorage unit130 may calculate an average of a plurality of pre-stored stress indexes in the unit of at least one of time zones, dates, days of the week, months, and years and store the calculated average under a control of theelectronic device101. Further, thestorage unit130 may store the average stress index for each age range (for example, teens, twenties, thirties . . . ), periodically or aperiodically receive the average stress index from theserver106, and store the received average stress index.

Theelectronic device101 outputs a result of the comparison, instep1018. Further, when the converted stress index is higher than the pre-stored stress index, theelectronic device101 may generate a guide to reduce the stress index. When the converted stress index is lower than the pre-stored stress index, theelectronic device101 may generate a guide indicating that the stress index is low and including information useful for health.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a comparison between the user's current stress index and the pre-stored average stress index, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating the average stress index of the user at each time zone, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a comparison between the current stress index and the average stress index based on each date, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11D is a diagram illustrating a comparison between the current stress index and the average stress index based on each month, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11E is a diagram illustrating a comparison between the current stress index and the average stress index based on each day of the week, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11F is a diagram illustrating a comparison between the current stress index and the average stress index based on the weekday and the weekend, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11G is a diagram illustrating a comparison between the current stress index and the average stress index based on working hours and non-working hours, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 11A, when the user's stress index is higher or lower than the pre-stored average stress index, theelectronic device101 outputs a result of the comparison through thedisplay150. According to the comparison result, thedisplay150 is divided into afirst area1110 for displaying information indicating that the stress index is high or low and information useful for health, and asecond area1120 for displaying how much higher or lower the user's stress is than the average stress index at the same age range.

For example, when the user's stress index is higher than the pre-stored stress index, thefirst area1110 displays a warning message to instruct the user to pay attention to his/her health since the stress index is higher than the average stress index previously measured and calculated, and may display various pieces of information such as, for example, foods, an exercise method, a weight control method, and a breathing method to reduce the stress index. Further, thefirst area1110 may display an animation to instruct the user to pay attention to his/her health since the stress index is higher than the average stress index. Thesecond area1120 may display agraph823 corresponding to the user's current stress index and agraph821 corresponding to the pre-stored average stress index. Further, according to a difference between the user's stress index and the pre-stored average stress index, thesecond area1120 may display emoticons with different

facial expressions

822 and824, and the user may recognize the seriousness in reducing the stress through the facial expressions of the emoticons.

Referring toFIG. 11B, theelectronic device101 displays a stress index averaged according to eachtime segment1131 on adisplay1130. For example, when today is Aug. 2, 2014, theelectronic device101 may calculate an average of stress indexes according to each time segment on August2, and display the calculated average on thedisplay1130 in units of time. For example, theelectronic device101 displays an average of a plurality of stress indexes measured by the user at time segments from 14:00 to 15:00 as apoint834, and the user may recognize the time segment at which the stress index is high. When the current time is 15:12, thepoint1133 indicating the current stress index may change in real time according to a real time change in the stress index. When it becomes 16:00, theelectronic device101 may calculate an average of stress indexes measured for one hour from 15:00, and display the average on thedisplay1130 like thepoint834.Point1132 shows a level of the current stress index compared to a maximum value and a minimum value at the same time.

Referring toFIG. 11C, theelectronic device101 displays a stress index averaged according to eachday1141 on adisplay1140. For example, when this month is August, 2014, theelectronic device101 calculates an average of stress indexes according to each date in August, and displays the calculated average according to each date on thedisplay1140. For example, theelectronic device101 displays a maximum value and a minimum value of the stress index measured according to each date as points, and the user may recognize the date on which the stress index is high or low. For example, when displaying the stress index on August 1, the electronic device may display apoint1143 indicating a maximum stress index and apoint1144 indicating a minimum stress index, so that the user may recognize a stress change amount on August 1 and compare the stress index with a stress index on another date. A point indicating the current stress index may also change in real time according to a real time change in the stress index. An average stress index on August 1 is displayed as apoint1145. When today is August 2, theelectronic device101 displays a maximum stress index and a minimum stress index measured on (August 2, and calculates an average of the stress indexes measured during today and display apoint1146 on thedisplay1140. Apoint1142 shows a level of the average stress index on current date. Further, a point may change in real time according to a real time change in the stress index.

Referring toFIG. 11D, theelectronic device101 displays a stress index averaged according to eachmonth1151 on adisplay1150. For example, when this year is 2014, theelectronic device101 calculates an average of stress indexes according to each month of 2014, and displays the calculated average according to each month on thedisplay1150. For example, theelectronic device101 displays a maximum value and a minimum value of the stress index measured according to each month as points, and the user may recognize the month in which the stress index is high or low. For example, when displaying the stress index on August, theelectronic device101 displays apoint1153 indicating a maximum stress index and apoint1154 indicating a minimum stress index. When the current month is August, a point indicating the current stress index may change in real time according to a real time change in the stress index. An average stress index on August may be displayed as apoint1155. Apoint1152 shows a level of the average stress index on current month.

Referring toFIG. 11E, theelectronic device101 displays a stress index averaged according to each day of the week on adisplay1160. Theelectronic device101 calculates an average of the stress indexes according to each day of the week and each time of day and displays the calculated average on thedisplay1160 according to each day of the week and each time of day.

Theelectronic device101 displays a maximum value and a minimum value of the stress index measured according to each day of the week as points, and the user may recognize the day of the week on which the stress index is high or low. For example, when displaying the stress index on Friday, theelectronic device101 displays apoint1161 indicating a maximum stress index at 4 p.m. on Friday and apoint1162 indicating a minimum stress index at 4 p.m. on Friday, so that the user may recognize a stress change amount on Friday and compare the stress index with a stress index on another day of the week. An average stress index at 4 p.m. on Friday may be displayed as apoint1163.

Referring toFIG. 11F, theelectronic device101 displays a stress index averaged according to weekdays and the weekend on adisplay1170. In general, the weekdays refer to Monday to Friday, and the weekend refers to Saturday and Sunday. Theelectronic device101 calculates averages of the stress indexes of the weekdays and the weekend by times on those days and displays the calculated averages on thedisplay1170.

Theelectronic device101 may display a maximum value and a minimum value of the stress index measured according to the weekdays and the weekend as points, and the user may recognize which one between the weekdays and the weekend has a high stress index or a low stress index. For example, when displaying the stress index at 4 p.m. on weekdays, theelectronic device101 displays apoint1171 indicating a maximum stress index and a point1172 indicating a minimum stress index, so that the user may recognize a stress change amount on weekdays and compare the stress index with a stress index on the weekend. An average stress index at 4 p.m. on weekdays may be displayed as apoint1173.

Referring toFIG. 11Q theelectronic device101 displays stress indexes averaged according to working hours and non-working hours on adisplay1180. In general, working hours correspond to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and non-working hours correspond to the time other than the working hours. Theelectronic device101 calculates averages of the stress indexes of the working hours and the non-working hours and displays the calculated averages on thedisplay1180. The working hours and the non-working hours may be variably controlled.

Theelectronic device101 displays a maximum value and a minimum value of the stress index measured according to the working hours and the non-working hours as points, and the user may recognize which one between the working hours and the non-working hours has a high stress index or a low stress index. For example, when displaying the stress index of the working hours, theelectronic device101 displays apoint1181 indicating a maximum stress index at 4:00 p.m. during the working hours and apoint1182 indicating a minimum stress index at 4 p.m. during the working hours, so that the user may recognize a stress change amount during working hours and compare the stress index with a stress index during non-working hours. An average stress index at 4:00 p.m. of the working hours may be displayed as apoint1183.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process for outputting a personalized breathing guide to reduce stress when the stress is high, and outputting a result of a comparison between actual breathing and the guide, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Instep1210, theelectronic device101 determines whether measured vital information for user is higher than vital information at a same age range. When the measured user's vital information, e.g., stress index, is higher than the stress index at the same age range, theelectronic device101 generates a breathing guide for reducing the stress index, instep1212. A process for measuring the vital signal, converting the measured vital signal into the vital information, and comparing the converted vital information with the average vital information at the same age range is the same as described above.

Instep1214, theelectronic device101 determines whether breathing is detected. When the breathing is detected, theelectronic device101 compares the detected breathing with the generated breathing guide in real time, instep1216, and outputs a result of the comparison, instep1218. Theelectronic device101 may detect breathing or receive information on whether there is breathing detected through at least one sensor included in a sensor module and information on a breathing rate to determine that the breathing is detected and analyze the breathing quantity. Theelectronic device101 may output the generated guide and the stress index varying according to real time breathing. Theelectronic device101 may output the comparison result and/or the generated guide through at least one of a sound, a vibration, and a GUI.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating real time breathing for reducing the stress index in a state where the guide is output, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring a vital signal, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Instep1410, the electronic device determines whether an input for measuring a vital signal is generated. When an input for measuring the vital signal is generated, theelectronic device101 analyzes a parameter variation in the time domain in real time by using the measured vital signal, instep1420. Theelectronic device101 may analyze the parameter variation by using an interval between beats of the measured vital signal. For example, when the user desires to know a change in the stress index of the user for a predetermined time, such as while watching a movie or a soap opera, or going to a concert, theelectronic device101 starts measuring the vital signal in response to the input.

Theelectronic device101 converts the analyzed parameter into vital information and stores the vital information, instep1430. Theelectronic device101 displays the converted stress index in real time. instep1440. Theelectronic device101 may display the stored stress index on thedisplay150.

Instep1450, it is determined whether an input for stopping measurement of the vital signal is generated. When the input for stopping measurement of the vital signal is detected, theelectronic device101 stops measuring the vital signal and displays the stress index stored instep1430 on thedisplay150, instep1460. For example, when the user desires to know a change in the stress index through the vital signal measured for a predetermined time, such as while watching a movie or a soap opera, theelectronic device101 may display the stress index stored instep1430 on thedisplay150 in the form of a graph in response to the input. Accordingly, the user may know the section in which the stress index increases or decreases for the predetermined time.

When it is determined that an input for stopping measurement of the vital signal is not generated instep1450, the electronic device returns to step1420.

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating the displaying of the stress index in real time according to the measurement of the vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 15B is diagram illustrating the displaying of the stress index corresponding to the vital signal measured for a predetermined time, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 15A, theelectronic device101 displays the stress index on thedisplay150 in real time according to the measurement of the vital signal. Theelectronic device101 may display information indicating that the stress is currently measured in afirst area1510, and the trend of the change in thestress index1521 in asecond area1520. Accordingly, the user may recognize thetrend1521 of the current stress index of the user. For example, when the user desires to know a change in the stress index of the user for a predetermined time, such as while watching a movie or a soap opera, or going to a concert, theelectronic device101 may start measuring the vital signal in response to an input and display the stress index corresponding to the measured vital signal on thedisplay150 in real time.

Referring toFIG. 15B, theelectronic device101 displays the stored stress index on thedisplay150 according to the measurement of the vital signal. Theelectronic device101 may store the stress index converted through the measured vital signal according to the measurement of the vital signal. In the measurement of the vital signal, storing the stress index may be repeatedly performed for a predetermined time. Theelectronic device101 displays information informing of a stress measurement result in afirst area1530 and the stored stress index in asecond area1540 in response to the detection of the input for stopping measuring the vital signal. Accordingly, the user may view atrend1541 of the stress index of the user for the predetermined time. For example, when the user desires to know the change in the stress index of the user for a predetermined time, such as while watching a movie or a soap opera or going to a concert, theelectronic device101 may display the stress index corresponding to the vital signal measured for the predetermined time (for example,2 hours) on thedisplay150.

FIG. 16A is a graph illustrating an ECG of the vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 16B is a graph illustrating a BCG of the vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 16C is a graph illustrating a PPG of the vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 16D is a graph illustrating an impedance plethysmography of the vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 16E is a graph illustrating an RR interval of the ECG, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 16F is a graph illustrating a JJ interval of the BCG, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The vital signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may include at least one of a heart rate, a pulse, an impedance plethysmography, a BCG, an ECG, a PPG, and a blood flow rate. The present disclosure may include various vital signals used for measuring the user's stress index as well as the aforementioned vital signal. Parameters analyzed through the vital signal may include at least one of a HR, an RR interval, SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50. The heart rate interval may include at least one of the RR interval, the pulse interval, and the JJ interval of the vital signal. The RR interval refers to an interval between two peaks of the ECG, the JJ interval refers to an interval between two peaks of the BCG, and the pulse interval refers to an interval between peaks of the impedance plethysmography and the PPG.

FIG. 17A is a chart showing a correlation for each age range between a result of analysis of parameters in the time domain based on standard5-minute length data and a result of analysis of the parameters based on data of different lengths, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 17B and 17C are charts showing a correlation for each age range between a result of analysis of parameters in the frequency domain based on standard 5-minute length data and a result of analysis of the parameters based on data of different lengths, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 17A,17B, and17C illustrate results of Table1, which shows the correlation between HRV parameters calculated through the conventional standard 5-minute and the measurement time, according to an embodiment of the present invention, according to each age range and each of various time zones for the parameters in the time domain and the parameters in the frequency domain. As illustrated inFIGS. 17A,17B, and17C, the correlation indicates whether the linearity exits, and decreases with respect to all age ranges and the HRV parameter as the measurement time of the RR interval decreases.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Anelectronic device1800 may configure a part or the entirety of theelectronic device101 illustrated inFIG. 1. Referring toFIG. 18, the electronic device1088 includes at least one application processor (AP)1810, acommunication module1820, a subscriber identifier module (SIM)card1824, amemory1830, asensor module1840, aninput module1850, adisplay1860, aninterface1870, anaudio module1880, acamera module1891, apower management module1895, abattery1896, anindicator1897, and amotor1898.

TheAP1810 may control a plurality of hardware or software components connected to theAP1810 by driving an operating system or an application program, process various types of data including multimedia data, and perform calculations. TheAP1810 may be implemented by, for example, a system on chip (SoC). According to an embodiment, theAP1810 may further include a GPU.

The communication module1820 (for example, the communication interface160) may perform data transmission/reception in communication between the electronic device1800 (for example, the electronic device101) and other electronic devices (for example, the second externalelectronic device104 or the server106) connected over a network. According to an embodiment of the present invention, thecommunication unit1820 includes acellular module1821, aWiFi module1823, aBT module1825, aGPS module1827, aNFC module1828, and a radio frequency (RF)module1829.

Thecellular module1821 may provide a voice call, a video call, a text service, an Internet service, and the like, through a communication network (for example, LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS, WiBro, GSM, or the like). Also, thecellular module1821 may identify and authenticate an electronic device in a communication network by using, for example, a subscriber identification module (for example, the SIM card1824). According to an embodiment of the present invention, thecellular module1821 may perform at least some of the functions which may be provided by theAP1810. For example, thecellular module1821 may perform at least a part of the multimedia control function.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, thecellular module1821 may include a communication processor (CP). Also, thecellular module1821 may be implemented by, for example, an SoC. Although the cellular module1821 (for example, the communication processor), thememory1830, and thepower management module1895 are illustrated as components separate from theAP1810 inFIG. 18, theAP1810 may be implemented to include at least some of the above described components (for example, the cellular module1821), according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, theAP1810 or the cellular module1821 (for example, the communication processor) may load a command or data received from at least one of a non-volatile memory and other components connected thereto in a volatile memory, and process the loaded command or data. Further, theAP1810 or thecellular module1821 may store data received from or generated by at least one of the other components in a non-volatile memory.

Each of the Wi-Fi module1823, theBT module1825, theGPS module1827, and theNFC module1828 may include, for example, a processor for processing data transmitted/received through the corresponding module. Although thecellular module1821, the Wi-Fi module1823, theBT module1825, theGPS module1827, and theNFC module1828 are illustrated as individual blocks inFIG. 18, at least some (for example, two or more) of thecellular module1821, the Wi-Fi module1823, theBT module1825, theGPS module1827, and theNFC module1828 may be included within one integrated circuit (IC) or one IC package. For example, at least some of processors corresponding to thecellular module1821, theWiFi module1823, theBT module1825, theGPS module1827, and the NFC module1828 (for example, a CP corresponding to thecellular module1821 and a WiFi processor corresponding to the WiFi module1823) may be implemented by one SoC.

TheRF module1829 may transmit/receive data, for example, an RF signal. Although not illustrated, theRF module1829 may include, for example, a transceiver, a power amp module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), or the like. Furthermore, theRF module1829 may further include a component for transmitting/receiving electronic waves over a free air space in wireless communication, for example, a conductor, a conducting wire, or the like. Although thecellular module1821, the Wi-Fi module1823, theBT module1825, theGPS module1827, and theNFC module1828 are illustrated as sharing oneRF module1829 inFIG. 18, at least one of thecellular module1821, the Wi-Fi module1823, theBT module1825, theGPS module1827, and theNFC module1828 may transmit/receive the RF signal through a separate RF module.

TheSIM card1824 may include a subscriber identification module, and may be insertable into a slot formed in a particular portion of the electronic device. TheSIM card1824 may include unique identification information (for example, an integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (for example, an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory1830 (for example, the memory130) includes at least one of aninternal memory1832 and anexternal memory1834. Theinternal memory1832 may include at least one of a volatile memory (for example, a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and the like) and a non-volatile memory (for example, a one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a NAND flash memory, a NOR flash memory, and the like).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, theinternal memory1832 may be a solid state drive (SSD). Theexternal memory1834 may further include a flash drive, for example, a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a Micro-SD, a Mini-SD, an extreme digital (xD), a memory stick, or the like. Theexternal memory1834 may be functionally connected to theelectronic device1800 through various interfaces. According to an embodiment of the present invention, theelectronic device1800 may further include a storage device (or storage medium), such as a hard drive.

Thesensor module1840 may measure a physical quantity or detect an operating state of theelectronic device1800, and convert the measured or detected information into an electrical signal. Thesensor module1840 includes, for example, at least one of agesture sensor1840A, agyro sensor1840B, anatmospheric pressure sensor1840C, amagnetic sensor1840D, anacceleration sensor1840E, agrip sensor1840F, aproximity sensor1840G, acolor sensor1840H (for example, red, green, and blue (RGB) sensor), abiometric sensor18401, a temperature/humidity sensor1840J, anillumination sensor1840K, and an Ultra Violet (UV)sensor1840M. Additionally or alternatively, thesensor unit1840 may include, for example, an E-nose sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an ECG sensor, an Infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor, a fingerprint sensor, and the like. Thesensor unit1840 may include at least one sensor that may sense or recognize the vital signal such as, a fingerprint, a foot fingerprint, an iris, a face, a heart rate, a brainwave, a joint, a pulse or the like. Further, thesensor module1840 may include various sensors that may detect user's breathing as well as the plurality of aforementioned sensors. Thesensor module1840 may further include a control circuit for controlling one or more sensors included therein.

Theinput module1850 includes at least one of atouch panel1852, a (digital)pen sensor1854, a key1856, and anultrasonic input device1858. Thetouch panel1852 may recognize a touch input in at least one type of, for example, a capacitive type, a resistive type, an infrared type, and an ultrasonic type. Thetouch panel1852 may further include a control circuit. A capacitive touch panel may recognize a physical contact or proximity. Thetouch panel1852 may further include a tactile layer. In this instance, thetouch panel1852 may provide a tactile reaction to a user.

The (digital)pen sensor1854 may be implemented, for example, using a method identical or similar to receiving a user's touch input or using a separate recognition sheet. The key1856 may include, for example, a physical button, an optical key or a keypad. Theultrasonic input device1858 may detect an acoustic wave with a microphone (for example, a microphone1888) of theelectronic device1800 through an input tool for generating an ultrasonic signal to identify data, and wireless recognition is possible therethrough. According to an embodiment, theelectronic device1800 may also receive a user input from an external device (for example, a computer or a server) connected thereto, using thecommunication unit1820.

The display1860 (for example, the display150) includes at least one of apanel1862, ahologram device1864, and aprojector1866. Thepanel1862 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an active matrix-organic light emitting diode (AM-OLED), or the like. Thepanel1862 may be embodied to be, for example, flexible, transparent, or wearable. Thepanel1862 may also be configured to be integrated with thetouch panel1852 as a single module. Thehologram device1864 may show a stereoscopic image in the air by using interference of light. Theprojector1866 may project light onto a screen to display an image. For example, the screen may be located inside or outside theelectronic device1801. According to an embodiment of the present invention, thedisplay1860 may further include a control circuit for controlling thepanel1862, thehologram device1864, or theprojector1866.

Theinterface1870 includes, for example, at least one of anHDMI1872, aUSB1874, anoptical interface1876, and a D-subminiature (D-sub)1878. Theinterface1870 may be included in, for example, thecommunication interface160 illustrated inFIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, the interface290 may include, for example, a mobile high-definition link (MHL) interface, an SD card/multi-media Card (MMC) interface, or an infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

Theaudio module1880 may bilaterally convert a sound and an electrical signal. At least some components of theaudio module1880 may be included in, for example, the input/output interface140 ofFIG. 1. Theaudio module1880 may process sound information input or output through, for example, aspeaker1882, areceiver1884, earphones1886, themicrophone1888, or the like.

Thecamera module1891 is a device capable of capturing a still image or a moving image and, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may include one or more image sensors (for example, a front sensor or a rear sensor), a lens, an image signal processor (ISP), or a flash (for example, an LED or xenon lamp).

Thepower management unit1895 may manage power of theelectronic device1800. Thepower management unit1895 may include, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery gauge.

The PMIC may be mounted to, for example, an integrated circuit or an SoC semiconductor. Charging methods may be classified into a wired charging method and a wireless charging method. The charger IC may charge a battery and prevent over voltage or over current from a charger. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the charger IC may include a charger IC for at least one of the wired charging method and the wireless charging method. Examples of the wireless charging may include magnetic resonance charging, magnetic induction charging, and electromagnetic charging, and an additional circuit such as a coil loop, a resonance circuit, and a rectifier may be added for the wireless charging.

The battery gauge may measure, for example, the residual quantity of thebattery1896, a charging voltage, current, or temperature. Thebattery1896 may store or generate electricity, and may supply power to theelectronic device1800 using the stored or generated electricity. Thebattery1896 may include, for example, a rechargeable battery or a solar battery.

Theindicator1897 may show particular statuses of theelectronic device1800 or a part (for example, the AP1810) of theelectronic device1800, for example, a boot-up status, a message status, a charging status and the like. Themotor1898 may convert an electrical signal into mechanical vibration. Theelectronic device1800 may include a processing device (for example, a GPU) for supporting mobile TV. The processing unit for supporting the mobile TV may process media data according to a standard of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), media flow or the like.

Each of the components of the electronic device may be implemented by one or more components and the name of the corresponding component may vary depending on a type of the electronic device. The electronic device may be configured by including at least one of the above-described elements, and some of the elements may be omitted, or other elements may be added. Further, some of the elements of the electronic device may be combined to be one entity, which can perform the same functions as those of the elements before the combination.

Referring toFIG. 19, acommunication protocol1900 includes adevice discovery protocol1951, acapability exchange protocol1953, anetwork protocol1955, and anapplication protocol1957.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, thedevice discovery protocol1951 may be a protocol that electronic devices (for example, a firstelectronic device1910 or a second electronic device1930) use to detect an external electronic device that is capable of communicating with the electronic devices or to connect to the detected external electronic device. For example, the first electronic device1910 (for example, the electronic device101) may sense the second electronic device1930 (for example, the second external electronic device104) through a communication method available in the first electronic device1910 (for example, Wi-Fi, BT, USB, or the like), using thedevice discovery protocol1951. For a communication connection with the secondelectronic device1930, the firstelectronic device1910 may acquire identification information of the secondelectronic device1930 detected through thedevice discovery protocol1951 and store the acquired identification information. The firstelectronic device1910 may establish the communication connection with the secondelectronic device1930, based on, for example, at least the identification information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, thedevice discovery protocol1951 may be a protocol for a mutual authentication among a plurality of electronic devices.10 For example, the firstelectronic device1910 may execute authentication between the firstelectronic device1910 and the secondelectronic device1930, based on communication information (for example, a media access control (MAC) address, a universally unique identifier (UUID), a subsystem identification (SSID), and an IP address) for a connection with at least one secondelectronic device1930.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, thecapability exchange protocol1953 is a protocol for exchanging information associated with a function of a service that may be supported by at least one of the firstelectronic device1910 and the secondelectronic device1930. For example, the firstelectronic device1910 and the secondelectronic device1930 may exchange information associated with a function of a service that each electronic device currently provides, through thecapability exchange protocol1953. The information that may be exchanged may include identification information indicating a predetermined service from among a plurality of services that may be provided in the firstelectronic device1910 and the secondelectronic device1930. For example, the firstelectronic device1910 may receive, from the secondelectronic device1930, identification information of a predetermined service provided by the secondelectronic device1930, through thecapability exchange protocol1953. In this instance, the firstelectronic device1910 may determine whether the firstelectronic device1910 supports the predetermined service based on the received identification information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, thenetwork protocol1955 may be a protocol to control data flow, for example, which is transmitted or received between electronic devices connected for communication (for example, the firstelectronic device1910 and the second electronic device1930), to provide services by working together. For example, at least one of the firstelectronic device1910 and the secondelectronic device1930 may execute error control, data quality control, or the like, using thenetwork protocol1955. Additionally or alternatively, thenetwork protocol1955 may determine a transport format of data transmitted/received between the firstelectronic device1910 and the secondelectronic device1930. Also, at least one of the firstelectronic device1910 and the secondelectronic device1930 may manage at least a session (connect the session or terminate the session) for exchanging data between them using thenetwork protocol1955.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, theapplication protocol1957 may be a protocol for providing a process or information for exchanging data related to a service provided to an external electronic device. For example, the first electronic device1910 (for example, the electronic device101) may provide a service to the second electronic device1930 (for example, theelectronic device104 or the server106) through theapplication protocol1957.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, thecommunication protocol1900 may include a standard communication protocol, a communication protocol designated by an individual or organization (for example, a communication protocol self-designated by a communication device manufacturing company, a network supplying company, or the like) or a combination thereof.

The term “module”, as used herein, may refer to, for example, a unit including one or more combinations of hardware, software, and firmware. The term “module” may be interchangeable with terms, such as unit, logic, logical block, component, or circuit. A module may be a minimum unit of an integrated component element or a part thereof. A module may be a minimum unit for performing one or more functions or a part thereof. A module may be mechanically or electronically implemented. For example, a module, according to an embodiment the present invention, may include at least one of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a programmable-logic device for performing operations.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the devices (for example, modules or functions thereof) or the method (for example, operations) may be implemented by a command stored in a computer-readable storage medium in a programming module form. When the instruction is performed by at least one processor (for example, the processor120), the at least one processor may perform a function corresponding to the instruction. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, the memory18. At least some of the programming modules may be implemented (for example, executed) by, for example, theprocessor120. At least some of the programming modules may include, for example, a module, a program, a routine, a set of instructions or a process for performing one or more functions.

The computer-readable recording medium may include magnetic media such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape, optical media such as a compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM) and a DVD, magneto-optical media such as a floptical disk, and hardware devices specially configured to store and perform a program instruction (for example, programming module), such as a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and the like. In addition, the program instructions may include high class language codes, which can be executed in a computer by using an interpreter, as well as machine codes made by a compiler. The aforementioned hardware device may be configured to operate as one or more software modules in order to perform the operation of the present disclosure, and vice versa.

The programming module, according to embodiments of the present invention, may include one or more of the aforementioned components or may further include other additional components, or some of the aforementioned components may be omitted. Operations executed by a module, a programming module, or other component elements, according to embodiments of the present invention, may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic manner. Further, some operations may be executed according to another order or may be omitted, or other operations may be added. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium having commands stored therein is provided. The commands are configured to allow one or more processors to perform one or more operations when executed. The operations may include a first command set for detecting a motion of an electronic device, a second command set for measuring a vital signal at least one time when the detected motion is smaller than or equal to a threshold, a third set for analyzing a parameter of the measured vital signal, and a fourth command set for converting the analyzed parameter into vital information.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.