ELECTRONIC DEVICE PROVIDING CONTACT PRESSURE INFORMATION AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

Disclosed are an electronic device for providing contact pressure information and a method for controlling the electronic device. According to an embodiment, an electronic device comprises: a display, a camera, a communication circuit, and at least one processor configured to: control the communication circuit to establish a communication channel with an external electronic device via the communication circuit, obtain data for a contact pressure value from the external electronic device via the established communication channel, and output information related to the contact pressure value via the display using the obtained data for the contact pressure value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to an electronic device providing contact pressure information and a method for controlling the electronic device.

Description of Related Art

More and more services and additional functions are being provided via electronic devices, e.g., smart mirrors. For example, a user may carry out diagnosis on users skin via an electronic device, e.g., a smart mirror. As such, steadily increasing demand for home skin diagnosis and beauty devices calls for technology for skin condition measurement or skincare.

In order to measure the skin condition, e.g., the content of moisture or oil of the skin or the elasticity of the skin, the pressure at which the skin condition measuring device contacts the skin needs to remain constant. For example, when the moisture content of the skin is measured, the measurement of skin impedance may be varied depending on the contact pressure. Thus, a failure to maintain a proper contact pressure may cause a result from the actual content of skin moisture. Further, the skin condition measurement or skincare may remain reliable when it is carried out at the same or similar contact pressure to the previous contact pressure, i.e., at a constant contact pressure. In recent years, as ordinary consumers, who are not skincare professionals, use a skin condition measuring device or a skincare device, there is a need for developing technology capable of increasing the reliability of skin condition measurement or skincare.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure proved an electronic device which allows non-professional, ordinary consumers to obtain constant skin condition measurement results or skincare results by providing information related to a proper contact pressure in carrying out skin condition measurement or skincare.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device which allows non-professional, ordinary consumers to obtain constant skin condition measurement results or skincare results by providing information about a recommended path and recommended contact pressure for skin condition measurement or skincare.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for operating an electronic device which allows non-professional, ordinary consumers to obtain constant skin condition measurement results or skincare results by providing information related to a proper contact pressure in carrying out skin condition measurement or skincare.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for operating an electronic device which allows non-professional, ordinary consumers to obtain constant skin condition measurement results or skincare results by providing information about a recommended path and recommended contact pressure for skin condition measurement or skincare.

In accordance with an example embodiment, an electronic device comprises: a display, a camera, a communication circuit, and at least one processor configured to: control the communication circuit to establish a communication channel with an external electronic device via the communication circuit, obtain information for identifying a type of the external electronic device from the external electronic device via the established communication channel, based on the type of the external electronic device identified using the obtained information being a skin contact device, identifying a first point where the external electronic device is positioned on a user's body portion using the camera, obtain information about a contact pressure value from the external electronic device via the established communication channel, and output information related to a current contact pressure value for the first point via the display.

In accordance with an example embodiment, a method for controlling an electronic device comprises: controlling a communication circuit of the electronic device to establish a communication channel with an external electronic device via the communication circuit, obtaining information for identifying a type of the external electronic device from the external electronic device via the established communication channel, based on the type of the external electronic device identified using the obtained information being a skin contact device, identifying a first point where the external electronic device is positioned on a user's body portion using a camera of the electronic device, obtaining information about a contact pressure value from the external electronic device via the established communication channel, and outputting information related to a current contact pressure value for the first point via a display of the electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1Ais a diagram illustrating an example electronic device101according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 1A, according to an embodiment, an electronic device101may include a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry)110, a memory120, a display130, a camera140, and a first communication circuit150. In some embodiments, some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry. For example, the camera140may be embedded in the display130. According to an embodiment, at least some of the components ofFIG. 1may be excluded from the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the processor110may include various processing circuitry and execute, for example, software (e.g., a program) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device101coupled with the processor110, and may perform various data processing or computation. According to an embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor110may load a command or data obtained from another component (e.g., the sensor module176) in the memory120, process the command or the data stored in the memory120, and store resulting data in the memory120. According to an embodiment, the processor110may include, for example and without limitation, a main processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, a communication processor (CP)), or the like, that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor. The auxiliary processor may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor, or to be specific to a specified function. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor. The auxiliary processor may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display130or the camera140) of the electronic device101, instead of the main processor while the main processor is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state or along with the main processor while the main processor is an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor (e.g., an image signal processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera140) functionally related thereto.

According to an embodiment, the processor110may control the communication circuit150to establish a communication channel with an external electronic device102via the communication circuit150({circle around (1)} and {circle around (2)} ofFIG. 1A). According to an embodiment, the communication channel may include a wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wired communication channel may include, e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication channel or a power line communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication channel may include, e.g., a short-range communication network communication channel, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, or infrared data association (IrDA), or a long-range communication network communication channel, such as cellular network, Internet, or computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

According to an embodiment, the processor110may obtain device information about the external electronic device102using the communication channel established with the external electronic device102({circle around (3)} ofFIG. 1A). According to an embodiment, the device information about the external electronic device102may include at least one of, e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102(e.g., whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device or another type of device), information about the device model name of the external electronic device102, information about the function supported by the external electronic device102, information about the shape of the external electronic device102, or the like. According to an embodiment, the device information about the external electronic device102may be transmitted to the electronic device101via a specific format of data frame. According to an embodiment, the data frame may refer, for example, to a unit of information which is configured and transmitted as at least one block or at least one packet over a data communication network where devices (e.g., the electronic device101and the external electronic device102) are connected with one another.

According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify whether the type of the external electronic device102is a skin contact device using the information obtained from the external electronic device102({circle around (4)} ofFIG. 1A). According to an embodiment, the processor110may parse a specific format of frame obtained from the external electronic device102and identify data (e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102) included in the specific format of frame, thereby identifying whether the type of the external electronic device102is a skin contact device.

According to an embodiment, when the type of the external electronic device102is a skin contact device, the processor110may obtain skin measurement/care information from the external electronic device102({circle around (5)} ofFIG. 1A). According to an embodiment, the processor110may request the external electronic device102to provide skin measurement/care information via the first communication circuit150. According to an embodiment, the skin measurement/care information may include at least one of information about a recommended measurement position (e.g., a specific point) for performing skin condition measurement or skincare, information about per-part or each part (e.g., the left cheek, right cheek, around the chin, and/or the forehead) proper contact pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., the face), or information about a recommended measurement path for performing skin condition measurement or skincare. According to an embodiment, the skin measurement/care information may be obtained from a server operably connected with the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify the point where the external electronic device102is positioned (e.g., in contact or adjacent to) on the user's face ({circle around (7)} ofFIG. 1A). According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify the shape of the external electronic device102using the camera140({circle around (6)} ofFIG. 1A). According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify the shape of a front end of the external electronic device102that contacts the user's skin from the identified shape of the external electronic device102, using the shape of the external electronic device102received from the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify the shape of the front end of the external electronic device102by recognizing the color of the front end of the external electronic device102and a designated marker on the front end of the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify the point where the front end shape of the external electronic device102is positioned on the user's skin (e.g., face). According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify the point where the external electronic device102is positioned on the user's body portion (e.g., face) by identifying the point where the front end shape is positioned on the user's skin (e.g., face). According to an embodiment, there may be such an occasion where the front end shape of the external electronic device102is not correctly identified by the body of the external electronic device102or the user's hand holding the external electronic device102. For example, as at least part of the front end shape of the external electronic device102is hidden by the body of the external electronic device102or the user's hand holding the external electronic device102, the front end shape of the external electronic device102may not correctly be identified. In this case, according to an embodiment, the processor110may determine that a substantial center portion of the user's hand or body of the image of the body of the external electronic device102or the image of the user's hand obtained by the camera140is the point where the front end of the external electronic device102is positioned.

According to an embodiment, the processor110may obtain information about the contact pressure value from the external electronic device102({circle around (8)} ofFIG. 1A). According to an embodiment, the processor110may request the external electronic device102to provide the information about the contact pressure value via the first communication circuit150. However, the information about the contact pressure value, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted to the electronic device101, along with or included in skin measurement/care information if the external electronic device102contacts the user's skin. In other words, if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected, the information about the contact pressure value, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted from the external electronic device102to the electronic device101even before performing the operation of identifying the point where the external electronic device102is positioned (e.g., in contact or adjacent) on the user's face. According to an embodiment, the information about the contact pressure value may be transmitted to the electronic device101automatically without receiving a request from the electronic device101if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected. According to an embodiment, in the case where the external electronic device102contacts the user's skin (e.g., face), the external electronic device102may include a pressure sensor for measuring the contact pressure value. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device102may obtain the contact pressure value from the pressure sensor when the external electronic device102is brought in contact with the user's skin by the user. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device102may transmit the obtained information about the contact pressure value to the electronic device101via the communication channel.

According to an embodiment, the processor110may output contact pressure information related to the current contact pressure value via the display130, using the obtained information about the contact pressure value ({circle around (11)} ofFIG. 1A). For example, according to an embodiment, the processor110may output relative information (e.g., 5 of values preset to range from 0 to 10) or absolute information (e.g., 10 pascals (Pa)) about the obtained contact pressure value, via the display130. According to an embodiment, the memory120may store a lookup table in which contact pressure ranges and relative values have been mapped to one another, for the processor110to determine the relative information. According to an embodiment, the processor110may determine the relative information using the lookup table. According to an embodiment, the processor110may set the information about the per-part proper pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., face) received from the external electronic device102, as a recommended pressure value and output the current contact pressure value and the recommended contact pressure value via the display130. According to an embodiment, the processor110may compare the information about the per-part (e.g., the left cheek, right cheek, around the chin, and/or the forehead) proper contact pressure values of the user's body portion (e.g., face) received from the external electronic device102with the obtained contact pressure value, determine whether the current contact pressure value is a proper contact pressure, and output the result of the determination (e.g., proper) via the display130. According to an embodiment, as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 4D, the processor110may output the current contact pressure value measured and contact pressure values for the contacts made during a specific period (e.g., one week) via the display130. According to an embodiment, the processor110may compute (e.g., determine) the average contact pressure value for the contacts made to a specific point (e.g., the right cheek) during a specific period (e.g., one week), stored in the memory120({circle around (9)} and {circle around (10)} ofFIG. 1A). According to an embodiment, the processor110may compare the computed average contact pressure value with the current contact pressure value received from the external electronic device102. Thus, skin condition measurement or skincare may be performed constantly under the same or similar pressure condition, delivering a reliable result of skin condition measurement or skincare.

According to an embodiment, the memory120may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor110or the camera140) of the electronic device101. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. According to an embodiment, the memory120may include a volatile or non-volatile memory. The program may be stored, as software, in the memory and may include, e.g., an operating system (OS), middleware, an application, or the like. According to an embodiment, the memory120may store information about the contact pressure value during a specific period, received from the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, the display130may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., the user) of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the display130may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display130may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, or sensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch. According to an embodiment, the display130may obtain a display control signal from the processor110. According to an embodiment, the display control signal may include at least one of a command for displaying a recommended pressure value for a specific point, a command for displaying a result of determination of whether the current contact pressure value is a proper pressure, or a command for displaying a result of comparison as to how much difference is made between the current contact pressure value measured and the pressure value for the contacts made during a specific period (e.g., one week).

According to an embodiment, the camera140may capture a still image or moving image. According to an embodiment, the camera module180may include one or more lenses, image sensors (e.g., charge-coupled devices (CCDs), complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOSs), or the like), image signal processors, flashes, etc.

According to an embodiment, the first communication circuit150may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device101and the external electronic device102or support communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the first communication circuit150may include one or more communication processors that may include various communication processing circuitry and are operable independently from the processor110(e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the first communication circuit150may include a wireless communication circuit (e.g., a cellular communication circuit, a short-range wireless communication circuit, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication circuit) or a wired communication circuit (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication circuit or a power line communication (PLC) circuit). A corresponding one of these communication circuits may communicate with the external electronic device102via the first network (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication circuits may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit may identify and authenticate the electronic device101in a communication network, such as the first network or the second network, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module.

FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 1Dare diagrams illustrating an example external electronic device102according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 1B, according to an embodiment, an external electronic device102may include a pressure sensor102a, a measurement electrode102b, and a second communication circuit102c. According to an embodiment, the pressure sensor102amay include various circuitry and sense a pressure in a contact state when the external electronic device102contacts an external object (e.g., the user's skin). According to an embodiment, the pressure sensor102amay include, e.g., a force sensitive register (FSR) pressure sensor, a capacitive pressure sensor (CPS), or the like. According to an embodiment, the FSR pressure sensor may include a sensor that measures the contact pressure using variations in the resistance of the sensor according to the pressure. According to an embodiment, the CPS may include a sensor that measures the contact pressure using the principle that capacitance increases as the contact pressure rises. According to an embodiment, the pressure sensor102amay be placed around the center of a back end of the external electronic device102as shown inFIG. 1C. According to an embodiment, the pressure sensor102amay have a rectangular or circular shape but is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the pressure sensor102amay be disposed to be exposed to the outside of the housing of the external electronic device102to come in contact or adjacent to the user's skin. According to an embodiment, the measurement electrode102bmay be configured to input a predetermined frequency of input current to the user's skin and receive a current returning from the skin. According to an embodiment, the measurement electrode102bmay be disposed to be exposed to the outside of the housing of the external electronic device102to come in contact or adjacent to the user's skin. According to an embodiment, the measurement electrode102bmay include an input terminal (e.g., a +terminal) configured to provide the input current to the user's skin and a receiving terminal (e.g., a −terminal) configured to receive the current returning from the user's skin, as shown inFIG. 1C. According to an embodiment, the measurement electrode102bmay further include a reference electrode as shown inFIG. 1D. According to an embodiment, the input terminal and the receiving terminal may be distinctly disposed in positions adjacent to each other. According to an embodiment, the pressure sensor102aand the measurement electrode102bmay be disposed in a front end210configured to come in contact or adjacent to the user's skin. According to an embodiment, the second communication circuit102cmay establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device101and the external electronic device102or support communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the second communication circuit102cmay include one or more communication processors supporting direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the second communication circuit102cmay include a wireless communication circuit (e.g., a cellular communication circuit, a short-range wireless communication circuit, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication circuit) or a wired communication circuit (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication circuit or a power line communication (PLC) circuit). A corresponding one of these communication circuits may communicate with the electronic device101via the first network (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating an example method for providing contact pressure information by an electronic device according to various embodiments.FIGS. 3A and 3Bare diagrams illustrating an example method for determining the position of an external electronic device by an electronic device according to various embodiments.FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4Dare diagrams illustrating various examples of contact pressure information according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 2, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may establish a communication channel with the external electronic device102in operation210. According to an embodiment, the communication channel may include a wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wired communication channel may include, e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication channel or a power line communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication channel may include, e.g., a short-range communication network communication channel, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, or infrared data association (IrDA), or a long-range communication network communication channel, such as cellular network, Internet, or computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may obtain first information related to the external electronic device102in operation220. According to an embodiment, the first information related to the external electronic device102may include at least one of, e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102(e.g., whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device or another type of device), information about the device model name of the external electronic device102, information about the function supported by the external electronic device102, information about the shape of the external electronic device102, or the like.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine whether the external electronic device is a skin contact device in operation230. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify whether the type of the external electronic device102is a skin contact device by identifying the first information (e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102) obtained from the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, based on the external electronic device102being a skin contact device, the electronic device101may obtain second information related to skin measurement/care from the external electronic device102, in operation240. To that end, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may request the external electronic device102to provide skin measurement/care information via the first communication circuit150. According to an embodiment, the skin measurement/care information may include at least one of information about a recommended measurement position (e.g., a specific point) for performing skin condition measurement or skincare, information about per-part (e.g., the left cheek region, right cheek region, around the chin, and/or the forehead region) proper contact pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., the face), information about a recommended measurement path for performing skin condition measurement or skincare, or the like. According to an embodiment, the skin measurement/care information may be obtained from a server operably connected with the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify the point where the external electronic device102is positioned on the user's body portion (e.g., the left cheek region) in operation250. In other words, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify what part (e.g., the left cheek region) of the user's body portion (e.g., face) the external electronic device102is included. According to an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3A, the electronic device101may identify the shape of a front end210of the external electronic device102that contacts the user's skin from the identified shape of the external electronic device102, using the shape of the external electronic device102received from the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify the shape of the front end of the external electronic device102by recognizing the color of the front end210of the external electronic device102and a designated marker on the front end210of the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify the point where the shape of the front end210of the external electronic device102is positioned on the user's skin (e.g., face). According to an embodiment, the processor110may identify the point where the external electronic device102is positioned on the user's body portion (e.g., face) by identifying the point340where the front end shape is positioned on the user's skin (e.g., face). According to an embodiment, there may be such an occasion where the shape of the front end210of the external electronic device102is not correctly identified by the body of the external electronic device102or the user's hand holding the external electronic device102, as shown inFIG. 3B. For example, as at least part of the shape of the front end210of the external electronic device102is hidden by the body of the external electronic device102or the user's hand holding the external electronic device102, the shape of the front end210of the external electronic device102may not correctly be identified, as shown inFIG. 3B. In this case, according to an embodiment, the processor110may determine that a substantial center portion240of the user's hand or body of the image of the body of the external electronic device102or the image of the user's hand obtained by the camera140is the point where the front end210of the external electronic device102is positioned. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine what region of the user's body portion the identified position of the front end210is included and identify the point where the external electronic device102is positioned on the user's body portion. If the identified position of the front end210is at a boundary of a specific region, and 80% or more of the area of length (e.g., the horizontal or vertical length or diameter of the captured front end210) of the front end210are included in the specific region, the electronic device101may determine that the external electronic device102is positioned in the specific region. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may further perform the operation of identifying what part of the user's body portion is displayed on the electronic device101before or after performing operation250. For example, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may detect the user's body portion (e.g., face) using various algorithms for detecting the user's body portion (e.g., face) (e.g., principal component analysis (PCA) using the eigenface, linear discriminate analysis (LDA), elastic bunch graph matching, a hidden Markov model, multilinear subspace learning using a tensor representation or neuronal motivated dynamic link matching) and determine that the detected body portion is the body portion currently displayed on the electronic device101, thereby identifying what part of the user's body portion is currently displayed on the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may extract feature points from the user's image displayed on the electronic device101and compare the shape formed by the extracted feature points with a template pre-stored in the electronic device101, thereby identifying what part of the user's body portion is currently displayed on the electronic device101. According to the above-described operation of detecting the body portion and operation250, the electronic device101may identify what part (e.g., face) of the user's body portion the external electronic device102is positioned and may identify what region (e.g., the left cheek region) of the identified part the external electronic device102is positioned.

According to an embodiment, in operation260, the electronic device101may obtain third information about the current contact pressure value from the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the processor110may request the external electronic device102to provide the information about the contact pressure value via the first communication circuit150. However, the third information, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted to the electronic device101, along with or included in the second information if the external electronic device102contacts the user's skin. In other words, if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected, the information about the current contact pressure value, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted from the external electronic device102to the electronic device101even before operation250is performed. According to an embodiment, the information about the contact pressure value may be transmitted to the electronic device101automatically without receiving a request from the electronic device101if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected.

According to an embodiment, in operation270, the electronic device101may provide contact pressure information using the identified point (e.g., the left cheek), the obtained second information (e.g., a proper contact pressure value for the left cheek region), and third information (e.g., the current contact pressure value). For example, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may output the information410(e.g., the relative value or absolute value) about the current contact pressure value via the display130as shown inFIG. 4A. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may set the information about the per-part proper pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., face) received from the external electronic device102, as a recommended contact pressure value and output the information410about the current contact pressure value and the information420about the recommended contact pressure value via the display130, as shown inFIG. 4B. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may compare the information about the per-part (e.g., the left cheek, right cheek, around the chin, and/or the forehead) proper contact pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., face) received from the external electronic device102with the obtained contact pressure value, determine whether the current contact pressure value is a proper contact pressure, and output information (e.g., proper)430about the result of the determination via the display130, as shown inFIG. 4C. In this case, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may display the current contact pressure value410along with the information (e.g., proper)430about the result of determination. Alternatively, the electronic device101may display only the information (e.g., proper)430about the result of determination. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may output the current contact pressure value measured and contact pressure values for the contacts made during a specific period (e.g., one week) via the display130. According to an embodiment, the processor110may compute the average contact pressure value for the contacts made to a specific point (e.g., the right cheek) during a specific period (e.g., one week), stored in the memory120. According to an embodiment, the processor110may compare the computed average contact pressure value with the current contact pressure value received from the external electronic device102. Thus, skin condition measurement or skincare may be performed constantly under the same or similar pressure condition, delivering a reliable result of skin condition measurement or skincare.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare flowcharts illustrating an example method for providing a guide for a pre-measured measurement position and then providing contact pressure information, by an electronic device, according to various embodiments.FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6Dare diagrams illustrating an example of the method ofFIGS. 5A and 5Baccording to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 5A, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may establish a communication channel with the external electronic device102in operation500. According to an embodiment, the communication channel may include a wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wired communication channel may include, e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication channel or a power line communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication channel may include, e.g., a short-range communication network communication channel, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, or infrared data association (IrDA), or a long-range communication network communication channel, such as cellular network, Internet, or computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may obtain first information related to the external electronic device in operation510. According to an embodiment, the first information related to the external electronic device102may include at least one of, e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102(e.g., whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device or another type of device), information about the device model name of the external electronic device102, information about the function supported by the external electronic device102, or information about the shape of the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device in operation520. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify whether the type of the external electronic device102is a skin contact device by identifying the first information (e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102) obtained from the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, when the external electronic device102is a skin contact device, the electronic device101may obtain second information related to skin measurement/care from the external electronic device102, in operation530. According to an embodiment, the second information related to skin measurement/care may include at least one of information about a recommended measurement position (e.g., a specific point) for performing skin condition measurement or skincare, information about per-part (e.g., the left cheek, right cheek, around the chin, and/or the forehead) proper contact pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., the face), or information about a recommended measurement path for performing skin condition measurement or skincare.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may provide a guide for measurement position in operation540. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may provide a guide for measurement position using the obtained second information (e.g., information about a recommended measurement position (e.g., a specific point) for performing skin condition measurement or skincare). According to an embodiment, the guide610(refer toFIG. 6A) for measurement position may be displayed in an augmented reality (AR) manner on the screen where the body portion (e.g., face) of the user330is displayed as shown inFIG. 6Abut is not limited thereto. To provide the guide610for measurement position, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify feature points (in other words, a land mark) of the body portion of the user330. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify the body portion of the user330to thereby identify the shape of the body portion and display the guide610for measurement position in the position indicated by a recommended measurement position included in the second information, based on the identified shape of the body portion.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify the point where the external electronic device102is positioned on the user's body portion in operation550. The description made above in connection with operation250may apply to the following description.

According to an embodiment, in operation560, the electronic device101may determine whether the external electronic device102is positioned at a correct point. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine whether the position of the external electronic device102identified by operation560matches the position indicated by the guide610for measurement position. For example, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine that the external electronic device102is positioned at the correct point when 80% or more of the area or length (e.g., the horizontal or vertical length, or the diameter of the captured front end210) of the front end210of the external electronic device102are included in the area of the guide610for measurement position. According to an embodiment, when the external electronic device102is positioned at the correct point, the electronic device101may display a notification message (e.g., “Position: OK”) as shown inFIG. 6D.

According to an embodiment, in operation570, the electronic device101may obtain third information about the current contact pressure value from the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may request the external electronic device102to provide the information about the contact pressure value via the first communication circuit150. However, the third information, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted to the electronic device101, along with or included in the second information if the external electronic device102contacts the user's skin. In other words, if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected, the information about the current contact pressure value, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted from the external electronic device102to the electronic device101even before operations550and560are performed. According to an embodiment, the information about the contact pressure value may be transmitted to the electronic device101automatically without receiving a request from the electronic device101if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may provide contact pressure information based on the obtained second information and third information in operation580. For example, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may output the information410(e.g., the relative value or absolute value) about the current contact pressure value via the display130as shown inFIG. 4A. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may set the information about the per-part proper pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., face) received from the external electronic device102, as a recommended contact pressure value and output the information410about the current contact pressure value and the information420about the recommended contact pressure value via the display130, as shown inFIG. 4B. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may compare the information about the per-part (e.g., the left cheek, right cheek, around the chin, and/or the forehead) proper contact pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., face) received from the external electronic device102with the obtained contact pressure value, determine whether the current contact pressure value is a proper contact pressure, and output information (e.g., proper)430about the result of the determination via the display130, as shown inFIG. 4C or 6D. In this case, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may display the current contact pressure value410along with the information (e.g., proper)430about the result of determination. The electronic device101may display only the information (e.g., proper)430about the result of determination. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may output the current contact pressure value measured and contact pressure values for the contacts made during a specific period (e.g., one week) via the display130. To that end, according to an embodiment, the processor110may compute the average contact pressure value for the contacts made to a specific point (e.g., the right cheek) during a specific period (e.g., one week), stored in the memory120. According to an embodiment, the processor110may compare the computed average contact pressure value with the current contact pressure value received from the external electronic device102. Thus, skin condition measurement or skincare may be performed constantly under the same or similar pressure condition, delivering a reliable result of skin condition measurement or skincare.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may provide a notification indicating that the external electronic device102is not positioned at the correct point when the external electronic device102is positioned at an incorrect point (e.g., 80% or more of the area or length (e.g., the horizontal or vertical length, or the diameter of the captured front end210) of the front end210of the external electronic device102are not included in the area of the guide610for measurement position in operation590. According to an embodiment, the notification may include at least one of a visual notification (e.g., displaying a message), an auditory notification (e.g., outputting a sound message), or a tactile notification (e.g., a vibration).

FIG. 5Bis a flowchart illustrating an example method for providing contact pressure information after determining a measurement position according to a user's selection input by an electronic device, according to various embodiments.FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6Dare diagrams illustrating an example of the method ofFIGS. 5A and 5B. The description of operations500to530ofFIG. 5Amay be applied to operations503to512ofFIG. 5B.

Referring toFIG. 5B, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive a selection input for measurement position in operation515. Referring toFIG. 6B, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may display a captured image of the user330on the display130. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may receive a user input (e.g., a touch input)620for selecting a measurement part as shown inFIG. 6C. According to an embodiment, upon receiving a user input (e.g., a touch input) for selecting a measurement part, the electronic device101may determine that the selected measurement part is a point for performing skin condition measurement or skincare. The description of operations550to590ofFIG. 5Amay be applied to operations518to533.

Referring toFIG. 7A, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101and the external electronic device102may establish a communication channel in operation700. According to an embodiment, the communication channel may include a wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wired communication channel may include, e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication channel or a power line communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication channel may include, e.g., a short-range communication network communication channel, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, or infrared data association (IrDA), or a long-range communication network communication channel, such as cellular network, Internet, or computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may request the external electronic device102to transmit device information of the external electronic device102in operation710. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device102may transmit device information to the electronic device101according to the request from the electronic device101in operation720. According to an embodiment, the device information about the external electronic device102may include at least one of, e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102(e.g., whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device or another type of device), information about the device model name of the external electronic device102, information about the function supported by the external electronic device102, or information about the shape of the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, in operation730, the electronic device101may request the server103to transmit skin measurement/care information. According to an embodiment, the server103may transmit skin measurement/care information to the electronic device101according to the request from the electronic device101in operation740. According to an embodiment, the skin measurement/care information may include at least one of information about a recommended measurement position (e.g., a specific point) for performing skin condition measurement or skincare, information about per-part (e.g., the left cheek, right cheek, around the chin, and/or the forehead) proper contact pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., the face), or information about a recommended measurement path for performing skin condition measurement or skincare. The description of operations250,260and270may be applied to operations750,760and770. What has been described above in connection withFIGS. 5A and 5Bmay be applied to the other operations ofFIGS. 7B and 7Cthan the operation of requesting the server103to transmit skin measurement/care information (operation712ofFIG. 7Band operation716ofFIG. 7C) and the operation of receiving skin measurement/care information from the server103at the request (operation715ofFIG. 7Band operation719ofFIG. 7C), and detailed description thereof may not be repeated here.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating an example method for providing contact pressure information after providing a guide for a proper pressure and measurement path according to various embodiments.FIGS. 9A and 9Bare diagrams illustrating an example of the method ofFIG. 8according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 8, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may establish a communication channel with the external electronic device102in operation800. According to an embodiment, the communication channel may include a wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wired communication channel may include, e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication channel or a power line communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication channel may include, e.g., a short-range communication network communication channel, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, or infrared data association (IrDA), or a long-range communication network communication channel, such as cellular network, Internet, or computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may obtain first information related to the external electronic device in operation810. According to an embodiment, the first information related to the external electronic device102may include at least one of, e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102(e.g., whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device or another type of device), information about the device model name of the external electronic device102, information about the function supported by the external electronic device102, or information about the shape of the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device in operation820. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify whether the type of the external electronic device102is a skin contact device by identifying the first information (e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102) obtained from the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, when the external electronic device102is a skin contact device, the electronic device101may obtain second information related to skin measurement/care from the external electronic device102, in operation830. According to an embodiment, the second information related to skin measurement/care may include at least one of information about a recommended measurement position (e.g., a specific point) for performing skin condition measurement or skincare, information about per-part (e.g., the left cheek, right cheek, around the chin, and/or the forehead) proper contact pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., the face), or information about a recommended measurement path for performing skin condition measurement or skincare.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may provide a guide910(refer toFIGS. 9A and 9B) for a proper pressure and measurement path in operation840. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may provide the guide910for the proper pressure and measurement path using the obtained second information (e.g., information about a recommended measurement path for performing skin condition measurement or skincare). According to an embodiment, the guide910for the proper pressure and measurement path may be displayed in an augmented reality (AR) manner on the screen where the body portion (e.g., face) of the user330is displayed as shown inFIG. 9Abut is not limited thereto. To provide the guide910for the proper pressure and measurement path, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify feature points (in other words, a land mark) of the body portion of the user330. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify the body portion of the user330to thereby identify the shape of the body portion and display the guide910for the proper pressure and measurement path in the position indicated by a recommended measurement position included in the second information, based on the identified shape of the body portion. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may indirectly indicate a proper pressure for a specific portion by displaying the guide910for the proper pressure and measurement path in a different thickness. For example, when the thickness of the guide910for the proper pressure and measurement path is relatively large (e.g., a thick path910a), the user may be indirectly informed that this portion requires a relatively higher contact pressure. When the thickness of the guide910for the proper pressure and measurement path is relatively small (e.g., a thin path910b), the user may be indirectly informed that this portion requires a relatively lower contact pressure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify the point where the external electronic device102is positioned on the user's body portion in operation850. The description made above in connection with operation250may apply to the following description.

According to an embodiment, in operation860, the electronic device101may determine whether the external electronic device102is positioned at a correct point. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine whether the position of the external electronic device102identified by operation850matches the position indicated by the guide910for the proper pressure and measurement path. For example, according to an embodiment, when the region of the captured front end210covers the measurement path or at least part of the edge (or diameter) of the captured front end210abuts the measurement path, the electronic device101may determine that the identified position of the external electronic device102matches the position indicated by the guide910for the proper pressure and measurement path.

According to an embodiment, in operation880, the electronic device101may obtain third information about the current contact pressure value from the external electronic device102. To that end, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may request the external electronic device102to provide the information about the contact pressure value via the first communication circuit150. However, the third information, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted to the electronic device101, along with or included in the second information if the external electronic device102contacts the user's skin. In other words, if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected, the information about the current contact pressure value, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted from the external electronic device102to the electronic device101even before operations850and860are performed. According to an embodiment, the information about the contact pressure value may be transmitted to the electronic device101automatically without receiving a request from the electronic device101if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may provide contact pressure information based on the obtained second information and third information in operation890. For example, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may output the information410(e.g., the relative value or absolute value) about the current contact pressure value via the display130as shown inFIG. 4A. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may set a contact pressure value corresponding to the measurement path received from the external electronic device102, as a recommended contact pressure value and output the information410about the current contact pressure value and the information420about the recommended contact pressure value via the display130, as shown inFIG. 4B. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may compare the information about the contact pressure value, corresponding to the measurement path, received from the external electronic device102with the obtained contact pressure value, determine whether the current contact pressure value is a proper contact pressure, and output information (e.g., proper)430about the result of the determination via the display130, as shown inFIG. 9B. In this case, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may display the current contact pressure value410along with the information (e.g., proper)430about the result of determination. Alternatively, the electronic device101may display only the information (e.g., proper)430about the result of determination. According to an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4D, the electronic device101may output the current contact pressure value measured and contact pressure values for the contacts made during a specific period (e.g., one week) via the display130. To that end, according to an embodiment, the processor110may compute the average contact pressure value for the contacts made to a specific point (e.g., the right cheek) during a specific period (e.g., one week), stored in the memory120. According to an embodiment, the processor110may compare the computed average contact pressure value with the current contact pressure value received from the external electronic device102. Thus, skin condition measurement or skincare may be performed constantly under the same or similar pressure condition, delivering a reliable result of skin condition measurement or skincare.

According to an embodiment, in operation870, when the position of the external electronic device102is not the correct position (e.g., when the region of the captured front end210does not cover the measurement path or any of the edges (or diameter) of the captured front end210does not abut the measurement path), the electronic device101may provide a notification indicating that the position of the external electronic device102is not the correct position. According to an embodiment, the notification may include at least one of a visual notification (e.g., displaying a message), an auditory notification (e.g., outputting a sound message), or a tactile notification (e.g., a vibration).

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating an example method in which an electronic device identifies a sensitive skin portion and determines and provides, as a new measurement path, the measurement path except for the sensitive portion, according to various embodiments.FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11Care diagrams illustrating an example of the method ofFIG. 10according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 10, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may establish a communication channel with the external electronic device102in operation1000. According to an embodiment, the communication channel may include a wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wired communication channel may include, e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication channel or a power line communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication channel may include, e.g., a short-range communication network communication channel, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, or infrared data association (IrDA), or a long-range communication network communication channel, such as cellular network, Internet, or computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may obtain first information related to the external electronic device in operation1003. According to an embodiment, the first information related to the external electronic device102may include at least one of, e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102(e.g., whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device or another type of device), information about the device model name of the external electronic device102, information about the function supported by the external electronic device102, or information about the shape of the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device in operation1006. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify whether the type of the external electronic device102is a skin contact device by identifying the first information (e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102) obtained from the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, when the external electronic device102is a skin contact device, the electronic device101may obtain second information related to skin measurement/care from the external electronic device102, in operation1012. According to an embodiment, the second information related to skin measurement/care may include at least one of information about a recommended measurement position (e.g., a specific point) for performing skin condition measurement or skincare, information about per-part (e.g., the left cheek, right cheek, around the chin, and/or the forehead) proper contact pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., the face), or information about a recommended measurement path, per part, for performing skin condition measurement or skincare.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify a sensitive part1110(e.g., a part with skin troubles) of the user's body portion in operation1015. To identify the sensitive part1110(refer toFIG. 11A), according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify feature points (in other words, a land mark) of the body portion of the user330. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify feature points of the body portion of the user330to thereby identify the shape of the body portion and may identify a part (e.g., the sensitive part1110ofFIG. 11A) with a designated threshold pixel value or more, of the identified body portion shape, as the sensitive part1110.

According to an embodiment, in operation1018, the electronic device101may provide a guide for a proper pressure and path (e.g., a guide1130for a proper pressure and second measurement path as shown inFIG. 11C), except for the measurement path (e.g., a guide1120for a proper pressure and first measurement path as shown inFIG. 11B) determined based on the second information (e.g., information about per-part recommended measurement paths for performing skin condition measurement or skincare). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine a measurement path (e.g., the guide1120for the proper pressure and first measurement path as shown inFIG. 11B) based on the second information and the identified body portion of the user. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may extract only a path, which does not overlap the sensitive part1110, among the determined measurement paths. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine that the extracted path is the guide1130for the proper pressure and second measurement path. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may display the guide1130for the proper pressure and second measurement path on the display130. According to an embodiment, the guide1130for the proper pressure and second measurement path may be displayed in an augmented reality (AR) manner on the screen where the body portion (e.g., face) of the user330is displayed as shown inFIG. 11Cbut is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may indirectly indicate a proper pressure for a specific portion by displaying the guide1130for the proper pressure and second measurement path in a different thickness. For example, when the thickness of the guide1130for the proper pressure and second measurement path is relatively large, the user may be indirectly informed that this portion requires a relatively higher contact pressure. In contrast, when the thickness of the guide1130for the proper pressure and measurement path is relatively small, the user may be indirectly informed that this portion requires a relatively lower contact pressure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify the point where the external electronic device102is positioned on the user's body portion in operation1021. The description made above in connection with operation250may apply to the following description.

According to an embodiment, in operation1024, the electronic device101may determine whether the external electronic device102is positioned at a correct point. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine whether the position of the external electronic device102identified by operation1021matches the position indicated by the guide1130for the proper pressure and second measurement path. For example, according to an embodiment, when the region of the captured front end210covers the measurement path or at least part of the edge (or diameter) of the captured front end210abuts the measurement path, the electronic device101may determine that the identified position of the external electronic device102matches the position indicated by the guide1130for the proper pressure and second measurement path.

According to an embodiment, in operation1027, the electronic device101may obtain third information about the current contact pressure value from the external electronic device102. To that end, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may request the external electronic device102to provide the information about the contact pressure value via the first communication circuit150. However, the third information, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted to the electronic device101, along with or included in the second information if the external electronic device102contacts the user's skin. In other words, if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected, the information about the current contact pressure value, according to an embodiment, may be transmitted from the external electronic device102to the electronic device101even before operations1021and1024are performed. According to an embodiment, the information about the contact pressure value may be transmitted to the electronic device101automatically without receiving a request from the electronic device101if a contact of the external electronic device102to the user's skin is detected.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may provide contact pressure information based on the obtained second information and third information in operation1033. For example, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may output the information410(e.g., the relative value or absolute value) about the current contact pressure value via the display130as shown inFIG. 4A. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may set a contact pressure value corresponding to the measurement path received from the external electronic device102, as a recommended contact pressure value and output the information410about the current contact pressure value and the information420about the recommended contact pressure value via the display130, as shown inFIG. 4B. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may compare the information about the contact pressure value, corresponding to the measurement path, received from the external electronic device102with the obtained contact pressure value, determine whether the current contact pressure value is a proper contact pressure, and output information (e.g., proper)430about the result of the determination via the display130, as shown inFIG. 4B. In this case, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may display the current contact pressure value410along with the information (e.g., proper)430about the result of determination. Alternatively, the electronic device101may display only the information (e.g., proper)430about the result of determination. According to an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4D, the electronic device101may output the current contact pressure value measured and contact pressure values for the contacts made during a specific period (e.g., one week) via the display130. To that end, according to an embodiment, the processor110may compute the average contact pressure value for the contacts made to a specific point (e.g., the right cheek) during a specific period (e.g., one week), stored in the memory120. According to an embodiment, the processor110may compare the computed average contact pressure value with the current contact pressure value received from the external electronic device102. Thus, skin condition measurement or skincare may be performed constantly under the same or similar pressure condition, delivering a reliable result of skin condition measurement or skincare.

According to an embodiment, in operation1036, when the position of the external electronic device102is not the correct position (e.g., when the region of the captured front end210does not cover the measurement path or any of the edges (or diameter) of the captured front end210does not abut the measurement path), the electronic device101may provide a notification indicating that the position of the external electronic device102is not the correct position. According to an embodiment, the notification may include at least one of a visual notification (e.g., displaying a message), an auditory notification (e.g., outputting a sound message), or a tactile notification (e.g., a vibration).

According to an embodiment, the second information may not include information about the recommended path. In this case, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101may generate information about a recommended path and proper pressure according to the type of the external electronic device102. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine that the generated information about the recommended path and proper pressure is the guide1120for the proper pressure and first measurement path. According to an embodiment, at least of the operations ofFIG. 10may be omitted.

FIGS. 12A and 12Bare signal flow diagrams illustrating an example of receiving first information related to an external electronic device102from a server103, in the embodiments described above in connection withFIGS. 8, 9A, 9B, 10, 11A, 11B and 11Caccording to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 12A, according to an embodiment, the electronic device101and the external electronic device102may establish a communication channel in operation1200. According to an embodiment, the communication channel may include a wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wired communication channel may include, e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication channel or a power line communication channel. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication channel may include, e.g., a short-range communication network communication channel, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, or infrared data association (IrDA), or a long-range communication network communication channel, such as cellular network, Internet, or computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may request the external electronic device102to transmit device information of the external electronic device102in operation1210. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device102may transmit device information to the electronic device101according to the request from the electronic device101in operation1220. According to an embodiment, the device information about the external electronic device102may include at least one of, e.g., information for identifying the type of the external electronic device102(e.g., whether the external electronic device102is a skin contact device or another type of device), information about the device model name of the external electronic device102, information about the function supported by the external electronic device102, or information about the shape of the external electronic device102.

According to an embodiment, in operation1230, the electronic device101may request the server103to transmit skin measurement/care information. According to an embodiment, the server103may transmit skin measurement/care information to the electronic device101according to the request from the electronic device101in operation1240. According to an embodiment, the skin measurement/care information may include at least one of information about a recommended measurement position (e.g., a specific point) for performing skin condition measurement or skincare, information about per-part (e.g., the left cheek, right cheek, around the chin, and/or the forehead) proper contact pressure value of the user's body portion (e.g., the face), or information about a recommended measurement path for performing skin condition measurement or skincare. The description of operations840,850,860,880, and890may be applied to operations1250,1260,1270,1280and1290. What has been described above in connection withFIG. 10may be applied to the other operations ofFIG. 12Bthan the operation of requesting the server103to transmit skin measurement/care information (operation1212ofFIG. 7B) and the operation of receiving skin measurement/care information from the server103at the request (operation1215ofFIG. 12B), and a detailed description thereof may not be repeated here.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, a home appliance, or the like. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device is not limited to the above-listed embodiments.

As is apparent from the forgoing description, according to various embodiments, it is possible to allow non-professional, ordinary consumers to obtain constant skin condition measurement results or skincare results by providing information related to a proper contact pressure in carrying out skin condition measurement or skincare.

According to various embodiments, it is possible to allow non-professional, ordinary consumers to obtain constant skin condition measurement results or skincare results by providing information about a recommended path and recommended contact pressure for skin condition measurement or skincare.

The effects set forth herein are not limited thereto, and it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various effects may be disclosed herein.