KR102552885B1 - Apparatus and method for controlling of wearable device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present embodiment relates to an apparatus and method for controlling an operation of a wearable device.
A control device for a wearable device according to an embodiment includes a light emitting unit generating light to the outside; a light receiving unit receiving light incident from the outside; Controls the operation of the light emitting unit, detects light incident to the light receiving unit according to the operation of the light emitting unit, detects an operation control signal of a device worn by the user based on the detected light, and transmits the detected operation control signal It outputs as an operation control signal of the device.

Description

Operation control device and method of wearable device {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OF WEARABLE DEVICE}

The embodiment relates to an apparatus and method for controlling an operation of a wearable device.

In general, portable terminals are following the trend of high sensitivity, miniaturization, and light weight of electronic components, and bar-type mobile phones became common as the first generation, and flip-type mobile phones became common as the second generation. Currently, flip-type and third-generation folder-type mobile phones coexist and become commonplace.

In addition, a wearable device worn on a part of the body or clothes, including a watch type mobile phone worn on a user's wrist, has been developed.

The body worn device operates by directly inputting a control signal to the device or by receiving an operation control signal input through a specific external device. For example, when a watch type device is worn, an operation signal of the device must be input with the hand on the opposite side of the device to control the device. In this case, it is not easy to input a motion control signal of the device, and it is not easy to detect a user's minute motion signal in a miniaturized device. Therefore, there is a problem that the device malfunctions or an input signal different from the user's intention is input to the device.
(Patent Document 1) KR 10-2016-0041553 A

Embodiments provide a control apparatus and method for a wearable device capable of detecting a user's minute movement in order to receive an operation control signal of the wearable device.

In addition, the embodiment provides a control device and method for a wearable device capable of detecting an accurate user's motion signal and controlling the device accordingly regardless of the size of the wearable device.

The technical tasks to be achieved in the proposed embodiment are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned are clear to those skilled in the art from the description below to which the proposed embodiment belongs. will be understandable.

A control device for a wearable device according to an embodiment includes a light emitting unit generating light to the outside; a light receiving unit receiving light incident from the outside; Controls the operation of the light emitting unit, detects light incident to the light receiving unit according to the operation of the light emitting unit, detects an operation control signal of a device worn by the user based on the detected light, and transmits the detected operation control signal It outputs as an operation control signal of the device.

In addition, a control method of a wearable device according to an embodiment includes checking an operation mode of a control device; operating a light emitting unit according to the confirmed operation mode; sensing light incident on the light receiving unit according to the operation of the light emitting unit; sensing an operation control signal of a device worn by a user based on the sensed light; and outputting a control signal of the device corresponding to the detected operation control signal.

According to the present embodiment, a user's input can be facilitated to control the operation of the wearable device, and a control signal can be accurately recognized accordingly.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, it has an effect of increasing the convenience of controlling the wearable device and preventing malfunction.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the wearable device can be miniaturized according to the control convenience of the wearable device.

1 is an exemplary view of a wearable device to which this embodiment is applied.
2 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a control device for a wearable device according to an exemplary embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a control device of a wearable device according to an embodiment.
4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example of inputting an operation control signal of a wearable device according to the present embodiment.
5 is an operation flowchart for explaining an operation of inputting a user signal of a wearable device according to an exemplary embodiment.
6 is an operation flowchart for explaining an operation of inputting an operation control signal of a wearable device according to an exemplary embodiment.
7 and 8 are exemplary diagrams for explaining an example for extracting an operation control signal from a user input signal input to a wearable device according to the present embodiment.

In describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the embodiments of the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or custom of a user or operator. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

Additionally, each block or each step may represent a module, segment or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions for executing specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative embodiments, it is possible for the functions recited in blocks or steps to occur out of order. For example, two blocks or steps shown in succession may in fact be performed substantially concurrently, or the blocks or steps may sometimes be performed in reverse order depending on their function.

1 is an exemplary view of a wearable device to which this embodiment is applied.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a watch type terminal worn on a user's wrist will be described as an example of a wearable device. (a) As shown in the illustration, the watch type terminal 10 is generally worn on the user's wrist and displays a screen displayed on a general portable terminal on the display surface. In addition, by configuring the screen as a touch window, a control signal for controlling the operation of the wearable device may be received through a touch operation on the screen.

The watch type terminal 10 according to the embodiment includes a control device 100 for receiving a user signal on the rear surface 10b opposite to the upper surface 10a where the screen is disposed, as shown in (b) the exemplary diagram. can be configured. That is, the control device 100 capable of detecting a user's finger movement in contact with the user's skin is formed on the rear surface 10b of the watch type terminal 10 . Accordingly, a user input signal for controlling the watch type terminal 10 may be sensed through the control device 100 described above.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the device 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 .

2 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a control device for a wearable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a control device of a wearable device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the control device 100 includes a light emitting unit 110 , a light receiving unit 120 and a control unit 130 .

The light emitting unit 110 generates light according to a control signal from the control unit 130 .

The light emitting unit 110 can be largely divided into a light emitting means for generating light and a driving means for driving the light emitting means.

The driving unit of the light emitting unit 110 is a digital-analog conversion unit 111 that converts a digital signal output through the control unit 130 into an analog signal, and a signal converted through the digital-analog conversion unit 111. It includes an amplifier 112 that amplifies. Amplification unit 112 may be composed of a plurality.

Here, the digital-analog converter 111 converts a digital signal into an analog signal to set the current of the light emitting element 114 .

Also, the amplification unit 112 is a signal amplification unit for supplying an alternating current necessary for driving the light emitting element 113 to the light emitting element 113 .

And the light emitting means of the light emitting unit 110 includes a light emitting element 114 that generates light according to the signal amplified by the amplifier 112 . The light emitting device 113 can be implemented as a light emitting diode (LED).

In addition, the light emitting diode 113 may generate light of different wavelengths according to the type of user signal to be detected. That is, the light emitting element 113 may be a red light emitting diode when the human body signal to be detected is heart rate, and may be a green light emitting diode when the user operation signal is detected.

The light receiving unit 120 receives incident light including light reflected from the subject according to the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit 110 .

The light receiving unit 120 includes a light receiving element 121 for receiving the incident light, a first amplifying part 122 for primary amplifying the light signal incident through the light receiving element 121, and the first amplifying part 122. A second amplification unit 123 that secondarily amplifies the first amplified signal through the second amplification unit 123, and an analog-digital converter that converts the second amplified signal into a digital signal through the second amplification unit 123. A conversion unit 124 is included.

The light receiving element 121 receives light incident from the outside. At this time, it can be implemented with the light receiving element 121, photodiode (PD) or transistor (TR).

In addition, the first amplifier 122 converts the weak light current detected by the light receiving element 121 into a voltage and amplifies it, which may be a Transimpedance Amplifier (TIA).

In addition, the second amplifier 123 amplifies the voltage amplified by the first amplifier 122 to a voltage of sufficient magnitude to be processed by the analog-to-digital converter 124 .

Also, the analog-to-digital conversion unit 124 converts an analog voltage into a corresponding digital voltage according to a designated sampling rate.

The control unit 130 controls the operation of the light emitting unit 110 and the light receiving unit 120 .

In addition, the control unit 130 detects the magnitude of the optical signal received through the light receiving unit 120 according to the operation mode of the light emitting unit 110 and the light receiving unit 120, and performs an operation according to the intensity of the detected optical signal. carry out

At this time, the operation mode detects the movement of muscles or bones according to the movement of the user's finger, and executes the operation of the wearable device accordingly.

Specifically, the operation mode is performed while the wearable device 10 is worn on the user's body such as a wrist. Specifically, this is a mode in which the control device 100 detects a motion of a bone or muscle connected from the user's finger to the wrist, and detects and outputs a control signal for controlling the operation of the wearable device 10 .

Therefore, the control unit 130 detects the type of light emitted from the light emitting unit 110 and the light incident on the light receiving unit 120, detects a corresponding user operation signal, and generates and outputs an operation control signal of the wearable device 10 can do.

When the type of light emitted from the light emitting unit 110 is red, the controller 130 may operate in an operation mode for acquiring and checking user body information such as heart rate. In addition, when the type of light emitted from the light emitting unit 110 is green, an operation mode for detecting an operation control signal of the wearable device 10 may be performed.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 3 , the structure of the control device 100 as described above includes a substrate 140, a light emitting element 113, a light receiving element 121, a support part 150, a barrier rib 160, and a cover window 170. ).

The substrate 140 is a base substrate for supporting or mounting components constituting the control device.

The light emitting element 113 generates light of a specific wavelength range according to a light emitting control signal.

The light receiving element 121 receives incident light according to the light generated through the light emitting element 114 .

The support part 150 is a support structure for supporting the cover window 170 .

The barrier rib 160 is disposed between the light emitting element 113 and the light receiving element 121 to prevent light generated through the light emitting element 113 from being directly incident to the light receiving element 121 .

The cover window 170 is spaced apart from the light emitting and light receiving surfaces of the light emitting element 113 and the light receiving element 121 by a predetermined interval, and protects the light emitting element 113 and the light receiving element 121 from the outside.

In addition, the cover window 170 forms a light path so that the light generated through the light emitting element 113 is supplied to the outside, and the light incident from the outside is supplied to the light receiving element 121 .

At this time, the light receiving element 121 receives light incident from the outside, and the light is largely composed of three lights.

That is, the light received through the light receiver 120 includes at least one of the first light L1, the second light L2, and the third light L3.

The first light L1 means light generated through the light emitting unit 110 is reflected by the muscle M of the subject and incident to the light receiving unit 120 according to the light reflected by the muscle M. do.

In the second light L2, light generated through the light emitting unit 110 is reflected by the skin tissue C of the subject to be inspected and incident to the light receiving unit 120 according to the light reflected from the skin tissue C. means light.

The third light L3 refers to light incident to the light receiving unit 120 according to external ambient light regardless of the operation of the light emitting unit 110 .

In general, as the wearable device 10 is worn by the user to be in contact with the wrist, the control unit 130 uses the first light L1 incident within a sensing distance of the control device 100 to control the wearable device 10 of the user. Detect control action.

The control operation is a user motion signal detected by the control device 130 of the wearable device 10, and specifically, the operation of the wearable device 10, such as performing a mouse function and a keyboard function using a user's finger movement It is a control signal.

Hereinafter, an example of a user operation signal for controlling the operation of the wearable device 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 .

4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example of inputting an operation control signal of a wearable device according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, (a) is an example of an operation when the direction of a finger moves upward and downward. The above operation may correspond to a click operation for selecting an object displayed on the display unit of the device 10 using a mouse.

(b) The illustration is an operation when the direction of the finger moves to the left (Light) and the right (Right). The above operation may correspond to a flicking operation such as switching a screen displayed on the display unit of the device 10 .

(c) The example shows an operation when the finger moves upward and downward in a direction corresponding to the ground. The above operation may correspond to a scroll up/down operation of moving up/down the screen displayed on the display unit of the device 10 using a mouse.

In addition to the above examples, in the embodiment, the operation of the wearable device can be received as a signal input from a user input device such as a mouse or a keyboard by a user's finger movement.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an operation of detecting a user input signal as shown in (a) of the above exemplary diagrams will be described in detail.

5 is an operation flowchart for explaining an operation of inputting a user signal of a wearable device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the control unit 130 executes the operation mode of the control device 100 (S510). At this time, the control unit 130 can check the set operation mode (S520). Specifically, the control unit 130 Based on the type (color) of light emitted from the light emitting unit 110, it is checked whether the wearable device 10 is in an operating mode for detecting an operation control signal or an operating mode for measuring a living body state.

The controller 130 determines whether the checked operation mode is a motion signal detection mode for detecting an operation control signal of the wearable device 10 (S530).

If the determined operation mode is the operation signal sensing mode, the control unit 130 emits motion signal sensing light (green light) through the light emitting unit 110 (S540).

On the other hand, if the checked operation mode is not the motion signal sensing mode, the controller 130 determines whether it is a human body signal sensing mode such as a pulse (S550).

If the determined operation mode is the human body signal sensing mode, the controller 130 emits human body signal sensing light (red light) through the light emitting unit 110 (S560).

As described above, the control unit 130 may execute a plurality of operation modes in which a user's motion signal or bio-signal is sensed according to the setting state of the control device 100 .

Hereinafter, the operation of the control device 100 when the operation mode is the operation signal detection mode will be described in detail in the drawings.

6 is an operation flowchart for explaining an operation of inputting an operation control signal of a wearable device according to an exemplary embodiment. 7 and 8 are exemplary diagrams for explaining an example for extracting an operation control signal from a user input signal input to a wearable device according to the present embodiment.

6 to 8, the controller 130 checks whether the operation mode of the control device 100 is the operation signal detection mode. (S610)

As a result of the confirmation (S610), if the control unit 130 is in the operation signal detection mode, it outputs a light emission control signal for controlling the operation of the light emitting unit 110, and the light emitting unit 110 operates a light emission operation according to the light emission control signal. (S620)

The controller 130 detects a light reception signal for light incident to the light receiver 120 according to the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit 110 (S630). Specifically, the controller 130 controls that the light emitting unit 110 The emitted light is reflected by the skin tissue (C) or the muscle (M) and detects a signal input to the light receiver 120 . At this time, the light incident to the light receiver 120 may include the first light reflected from the muscle M, the second light reflected from the skin tissue C, and the third light that is externally incident light, as described above with reference to FIG. 3 . there is.

Therefore, the control unit 130 detects the light reception signal detected by the light receiver 120 (S630) and classifies each light from the detected light reception signal (S640). Specifically, the control unit 130 is as shown in FIG. Likewise, light incident through the light receiving unit 120 may be sensed. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a case in which a movement of a muscle according to a tap of a finger is detected, such as a click operation using a mouse.

In FIG. 7 , when the click operation is performed once, the frequency of the peak level may be detected once as illustrated in FIG. (a). In addition, when the click operation is performed twice, the frequency of the peak level may be detected twice as shown in the exemplary diagram (b). In addition, when the click operation is performed 3 times, the frequency of the peak level may be detected 3 times as shown in the exemplary diagram (c). As described above, the peak level frequency can be detected according to the muscle movement, and the user's finger motion can be detected according to the frequency or period of occurrence of the peak level frequency. In addition to this, the light receiving unit 120 may receive a low level signal as shown in the exemplary diagram (d), and the input signal may be light reflected by the skin tissue (c). That is, even when the light receiving unit 120 operates in the motion signal detection mode, light reflected from the skin tissue c may be incident to the light receiving unit 120 as a minute signal.

Therefore, the control unit 130 filters the light reception signal as shown in FIG. 8 to check the user's motion signal (S650). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a single click operation (T1) and two clicks The user's motion input signal is extracted, such as the click motion (T1, T2) and the three-time click motion (T1, T2, T3).

The control unit 130 checks the extracted operation signal and generates a control signal corresponding to the checked operation signal (S650).

The control unit 130 outputs the generated control signal to the control unit of the wearable device 10 so that the wearable device 10 performs a corresponding operation mode. (S660)

In this embodiment, a case where a finger is moved up and down in space as a user motion detection signal, that is, a mouse click motion has been described as an example. However, other than that, the user's finger movement may cause a signal value of a peak level to be different or may be differently detected and determined according to an input period.

Therefore, the control device 100 detects the movement of the user's finger wearing the wearable device 10 by the control device 100 including the light emitting unit 110 and the light receiving unit 120, and operates the device 10 accordingly. By generating the control signal, the user's convenience of operating the device 10 can be increased. In addition, it has an effect of pursuing miniaturization of the device.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and is common in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications are possible by those who have knowledge of, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or prospect of the present invention.

110: light emitting unit
120: light receiving unit
130: control unit

Claims (12)

A device for controlling motion of a wearable device,
A first light emitting element generating light of a first color in a first operation mode for detecting an operation control signal of the wearable device, and a first light emitting element for generating light of a first color in a second operation mode for acquiring body information of a user wearing the wearable device. a light emitting unit including a second light emitting element generating light of a second color different from the first color;
a light receiving unit receiving light incident from the outside according to the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit;
A control unit determining an operation mode of the wearable device based on the color of light emitted from the light emitting unit and obtaining a detection signal corresponding to one of the operation control signal and the user body information according to the determined operation mode do,
The control unit,
In the first operation mode, the light of the first color is generated through the first light emitting element, and a first light receiving signal for light incident to the light receiving unit is sensed according to the light emitting operation of the first light emitting element. , using the peak level of the first light reception signal, detecting an operation control signal according to the user's movement, and controlling the operation of the wearable device according to the detected operation control signal;
In the second operation mode, the second color light is generated through the second light emitting element, and a second light receiving signal for light incident to the light receiving unit is sensed according to the light emitting operation of the second light emitting element. , Obtaining user body information including heart rate using the second light receiving signal,
The control unit,
In the first operation mode, detecting the number of occurrences of a peak level of the first light receiving signal;
Classifying the user movement based on the number of appearances of the peak level;
An operation control device for a wearable device that controls an operation of the wearable device according to an operation control signal corresponding to the identified user movement. According to claim 1,
The light of the first color is green light,
The second color light is red light, the device for controlling an operation of a wearable device. According to claim 1,
The first light receiving signal,
The 1-1 light receiving signal reflected from the user's muscles;
Includes first and second light receiving signals reflected from the skin tissue;
The control unit,
Filtering the first light reception signal to extract the 1-1 light reception signal;
An operation control device for a wearable device that detects an operation control signal according to the user's movement using the peak level of the extracted 1-1 light reception signal. According to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The user movement includes a click operation,
wherein the control unit detects the number of clicks based on the number of appearances of the peak level. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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