Wearable device and method of controlling the same

Provided is a wearable device including: a biological-signal sensing unit that senses a biological signal of a user; a vehicle-state sensing unit that senses a state where a vehicle that the user gets in is moved; and a controller that determines a parking mode and a parking direction using a result of the sensing by the vehicle-state sensing unit, when the vehicle is parked, and that measures a level of user tension for the parking mode and the parking direction that are determined using the biological signal that is sensed while the vehicle is being parked, in which the controller selects the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, based on the measured level of user tension, and provides the user with information relating to a parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked in the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2014-0106887, filed on Aug. 18, 2014, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a wearable device capable of sensing various states of a user's body and a method of control the wearable device.

2. Background of the Disclosure

Wearable devices include various types of electronic devices that are wearable on a user's body or user's clothes. The wearable devices include, for example, a smartwatch, a wearable computer, a google glass, a Bluetooth headset, and a smart wear.

As described above, the wearable devices are wearable on the user's body or the user's clothes. Accordingly, in a case where a driver of a vehicle wears the wearable device, various states of the user's body associated with a driving state of the vehicle are measured. A tremendous amount of research has been devoted to utilization of advantages of the wearable device to provide the user with greater convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide a wearable device capable of providing a driver with information relating to a parking lot where a vehicle can be parked more easily and a method of controlling the wearable device.

Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a wearable device capable of recognizing a parking mode and a parking direction that a user feels comfortable with and providing the user with information relating to a parking lot in accordance with the parking mode and the parking direction that are recognized, and a method of controlling the wearable device.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a wearable device including: a biological-signal sensing unit that senses a biological signal of a user; a vehicle-state sensing unit that senses a state where a vehicle that the user gets in is moved; and a controller that determines a parking mode and a parking direction using a result of the sensing by the vehicle-state sensing unit, when the vehicle is parked, and that measures a level of user tension for the parking mode and the parking direction that are determined using the biological signal of the user that is sensed while the vehicle is being parked, in which the controller selects the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, based on the measured level of user tension, and provides the user with information relating to a parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked in the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected.

The wearable device may further include a location sensing unit that senses a current location of the user, in which at the request of the user, the controller may provide the user with the information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked, based on the current location of the user.

In the wearable device, the information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked may information relating to at least one parking lot that is determined by the number of times that other drivers recommend at least the one parking lot as a parking lot suitable for the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected, among the parking lots where the vehicle is able to be parked, which are located around the sensed current location.

In the wearable device, the information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked may be information relating to at least one parking lot that is determined by the number of spaces where the vehicle is able to be parked in the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected, among the parking lots where the vehicle is able to be parked, which are located around the sensed current location.

In the wearable device, the information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked may be information relating to at least one parking lot that is determined based on whether or not the vehicle is able to be parked in the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected, and on a distance from the sensed current location to at least the one parking lot, among the parking lots where the vehicle is able to be parked, which are located around the sensed current location.

In the wearable device, the information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked may be at least one piece of information that is selected based on the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected, among multiple pieces of information relating to the parking lot that are collected from a predetermined external server.

In the wearable device, the biological-signal sensing unit may sense at least one among a heart rate of, a body temperature of, and an amount of flowing blood of the user, and the controller may measure the level of user tension for the parking mode and the parking direction in which the vehicle is parked, based on a change in the heart rate of, the body temperature of, or the amount of flowing blood of the user that is sensed while the vehicle is being parked.

In the wearable device, in a case where at least one, among the heart rate of, the body temperature of, or the amount of flowing blood of the user that are sensed, is changed by a predetermined numerical value or greater, the controller may determine that the user is under tension, and may measure the level of user tension, based on a difference between at least the one, among the heart rate of, the body temperature of, and the amount of flowing blood of the user that are sensed, and the predetermined numerical value.

In the wearable device, the controller may compare at least the one, among the heart rate of, the body temperature of, and the amount of flowing blood of the user that are sensed, with an average value that is normally measured and thus determines whether or not the user is under tension, and the controller may measure the level of user tension, based on a difference between at least the one, among the heart rate of, the body temperature of, and the amount of flowing blood of the user that are sensed, and the average value.

In the wearable device, the controller may categorize results of measuring the level of user tension into multiple different parking modes and multiple different parking directions, may calculate an average level of user tension for each of the multiple different parking modes and each of the multiple different parking directions, based on the number of times that the vehicle is parked, and may determine that the lower the calculated average level of user tension, the more the parking mode and the parking direction associated with the calculated average level of user tension the user prefers.

In the wearable device, in a case where the number of times that the vehicle is parked in a specific parking mode and a specific parking direction is smaller, by a predetermined numerical value or greater, than in the other parking modes and the other parking directions, the controller may determine that the user avoids the specific parking mode and the specific parking direction.

In the wearable device, the controller may provide the user with information relating to a parking lot where the vehicle is parked in the parking mode and the parking direction that are determined as the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, using past parking history information on the vehicle.

In the wearable device, the information that is provided to the user may include information on a path to at least one parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked.

In the wearable device, the controller may display the information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked, in the form of video information, on a unit connected to the vehicle, on which the video information is able to be displayed.

In the wearable device, the controller may display the video information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked, on a display unit provided within the vehicle or on a windshield glass of the vehicle.

In the wearable device, the controller may determine whether or not the user is a driver of the vehicle, and, in a case where it is determined that the user is the driver of the vehicle, may measure the level of user tension for the parking mode and the parking direction in which the vehicle is parked.

In the wearable device, the controller may determine whether or not the user is the driver of the vehicle, based on a result of recognizing a face through a camera provided within the vehicle, or on a result of recognizing a position of a vehicle seat that the user sits down on.

In the wearable device, in a case where the vehicle is a vehicle of which a designated drive is the user, when the user gets in the vehicle, the controller may determine that the user is the driver of the vehicle.

In the wearable device, based on user selection, the controller may transmit information on user's recommendation of the parking lot where the vehicle is currently parked, to a predetermined external server.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a method of controlling a wearable device that senses a biological signal of a user, the method including: determining a parking mode and a parking direction, based on a moved state of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked; measuring a level of user tension for the parking mode and the parking direction that are determined, based on the biological signal of the user that is sensed while the vehicle is being parked; determining a level of user reference for each of the multiple different parking modes and each of the multiple different parking directions, using the level of user tension that is measured based on each of the parking modes and each of the parking directions; selecting the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, from among the parking modes and from among parking directions, based on a result of the determination; and providing the user with information relating to a parking lot where the vehicle is able to be parked in the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, among parking lots around a current location of the user, at the request of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1is a diagram for describing a wearable device according to the present invention,

As shown inFIG. 1, the wearable device100is shown having components such as a wireless communication unit110, an input unit120, a sensing unit140, an output unit150, an interface unit160, a memory170, a controller180, and a power supply unit190. It is understood that implementing all of the illustrated components ofFIG. 1is not a requirement, and that greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

Referring now toFIG. 1, the wireless communication unit110typically includes one or more modules which permit communications such as wireless communications between the wearable device100and a wireless communication system, communications between the wearable device100and another mobile terminal, communications between the wearable device100and an external server. Further, the wireless communication unit110typically includes one or more modules which connect the wearable device100to one or more networks. To facilitate such communications, the wireless communication unit110includes one or more of a broadcast receiving module111, a mobile communication module112, a wireless Internet module113, a short-range communication module114, and a location information module115.

The display unit151may have an inter-layered structure or an integrated structure with a touch sensor in order to facilitate a touch screen. The touch screen may provide an output interface between the wearable device100and a user, as well as function as the user input unit123which provides an input interface between the wearable device100and the user.

The memory170is typically implemented to store data to support various functions or features of the wearable device100. For instance, the memory170may be configured to store application programs executed in the wearable device100, data or instructions for operations of the wearable device100, and the like. Some of these application programs may be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. Other application programs may be installed within the wearable device100at time of manufacturing or shipping, which is typically the case for basic functions of the wearable device100(for example, receiving a call, placing a call, receiving a message, sending a message, and the like). It is common for application programs to be stored in the memory170, installed in the wearable device100, and executed by the controller180to perform an operation (or function) for the wearable device100.

Hereinafter, components of a wearable device100will be explained in more detail with reference toFIG. 1, before various embodiments are explained.

The mobile communication module112can transmit and/or receive wireless signals to and from one or more network entities. Typical examples of a network entity include a base station, an external mobile terminal, a server, and the like. Such network entities form part of a mobile communication network, which is constructed according to technical standards or communication methods for mobile communications (for example, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet access (HSDPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the like).

The wireless Internet module113is configured to facilitate wireless Internet access. This module may be internally or externally coupled to the wearable device100. The wireless Internet module113may transmit and/or receive wireless signals via communication networks according to wireless Internet technologies.

The short-range communication module114is configured to facilitate short-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing such short-range communications include BLUETOOTH™, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus), and the like. The short-range communication module114in general supports wireless communications between the wearable device100and a wireless communication system, communications between the wearable device100and another wearable device100, or communications between the wearable device and a network where another wearable device100(or an external server) is located, via wireless area networks. One example of the wireless area networks is a wireless personal area networks.

As one example, when the wearable device uses a GPS module, a position of the wearable device may be acquired using a signal sent from a GPS satellite. As another example, when the wearable device uses the Wi-Fi module, a position of the wearable device can be acquired based on information related to a wireless access point (AP) which transmits or receives a wireless signal to or from the Wi-Fi module.

The microphone122is generally implemented to permit audio input to the wearable device100. The audio input can be processed in various manners according to a function being executed in the wearable device100. If desired, the microphone122may include assorted noise removing algorithms to remove unwanted noise generated in the course of receiving the external audio.

The user input unit123is a component that permits input by a user. Such user input may enable the controller180to control operation of the wearable device100. The user input unit123may include one or more of a mechanical input element (for example, a key, a button located on a front and/or rear surface or a side surface of the wearable device100, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like), or a touch-sensitive input, among others. As one example, the touch-sensitive input may be a virtual key or a soft key, which is displayed on a touch screen through software processing, or a touch key which is located on the wearable device at a location that is other than the touch screen. On the other hand, the virtual key or the visual key may be displayed on the touch screen in various shapes, for example, graphic, text, icon, video, or a combination thereof.

The proximity sensor141may include a sensor to sense presence or absence of an object approaching a surface, or an object located near a surface, by using an electromagnetic field, infrared rays, or the like without a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor141may be arranged at an inner region of the wearable device covered by the touch screen, or near the touch screen.

If desired, an ultrasonic sensor may be implemented to recognize position information relating to a touch object using ultrasonic waves. The controller180, for example, may calculate a position of a wave generation source based on information sensed by an illumination sensor and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. Since light is much faster than ultrasonic waves, the time for which the light reaches the optical sensor is much shorter than the time for which the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. The position of the wave generation source may be calculated using this fact. For instance, the position of the wave generation source may be calculated using the time difference from the time that the ultrasonic wave reaches the sensor based on the light as a reference signal. On the other hand, the sensing unit140according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a biological-signal sensing unit144for sensing a biological signal of the user. At this point, the biological-signal sensing unit144checks a heart rate, a body temperature, and an amount of flowing blood of the user who wears the wearable device100, for a change in each of them.

In addition, in a case where the user is a driver of a predetermined vehicle, the sensing unit140of the wearable device100according to the present invention senses this and switches to a vehicle-connected state in which the vehicle is connected to the wearable device100for operation in conjunction with the wearable device100. When the vehicle is in the vehicle-connected state, the sensing unit140senses various piece of information relating to movements of the vehicle. In this case, the sensing unit140collects information relating to a current moving direction or a current moving state of the vehicle through a vehicle control unit of the vehicle that is connected to the wearable device100. Based on the collected pieces of information, the sensing unit140senses whether or not the vehicle is currently parked, which mode of a parallel parking mode, a perpendicular parking mode, and an angle parking mode the vehicle is parked in, or whether the vehicle is parked in a head-in direction or in a back-in direction. A sensor of the sensing unit140, which senses a vehicle-parked state, and a vehicle parking mode, and a vehicle parking direction, is hereinafter referred to as a “vehicle-state sensing unit143.”

The display unit151is generally configured to output information processed in the wearable device100. For example, the display unit151may display execution screen information of an application program executing at the wearable device100or user interface (UI) and graphic user interface (GUI) information in response to the execution screen information.

A signal output by the optical output module154may be implemented in such a manner that the wearable device emits monochromatic light or light with a plurality of colors. The signal output may be terminated as the wearable device senses that a user has checked the generated event, for example.

When the wearable device100is connected with an external cradle, the interface unit160can serve as a passage to allow power from the cradle to be supplied to the wearable device100or may serve as a passage to allow various command signals input by the user from the cradle to be transferred to the wearable device there through. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the wearable device is properly mounted on the cradle.

The controller180may typically control the general operations of the wearable device100. For example, the controller180may set or release a lock state for restricting a user from inputting a control command with respect to applications when a status of the wearable device meets a preset condition.

On the other hand, in the case where the user who wears the wearable device100is a driver of a predetermined vehicle, the controller180of the wearable device100according to the present invention senses this. For example, in a case where the user gets in a specific vehicle of which a designated driver is the user himself/herself, the controller180determines that the driver drives the vehicle. Alternatively, based on a result of sensing a position of the wearable device100within the vehicle, the controller180may recognize which of vehicle seats the user who wears the wearable device100sits down on and, based on the recognized seat, may determine that the user is the driver of the vehicle. Alternatively, according to a result of recognizing a face of the user using a camera provided within the vehicle, the controller180determines whether or not the user is a driver who currently drives the vehicle.

Then, in the case where the user is the driver of the vehicle, the controller180of the wearable device100according to the present invention measures a level of user tension, by sensing the biological signal of the user. For example, the controller180senses the changes in the heart rate, the body temperature, the amount, and the like of flowing blood of the user using a result of the sensing by the sensing unit140, and, through the use of this, determines whether or not the user is in a tense state. Then, in a case where the vehicle is currently parked as a result of the sensing by the vehicle-state sensing unit143, the controller180measures the level of tension that results from the mode and the direction in which the vehicle is currently parked, based on the result of the sensing by the biological-signal sensing unit144.

In this manner, the controller180measures the level of user tension while the vehicle is being parked in each of the vehicle parking mode, based on the result of sensing the biological signal of the user. Then, the controller180determines which parking mode and which parking direction the user feels comfortable with, based on the measured level of tension. In this case, the controller180may provide the user with various pieces of information relating to the parking mode and the parking direction that the user feels most comfortable with.

At this point, the various pieces of information relating to the parking mode and the parking direction are pieces of information relating to a parking lot. For example, at the request of the user, the controller180provides the user with the information relating to the parking lot, where the vehicle can be parked in the parking mode that the user feels most comfortable with. At this point, the information relating to the parking lot is one piece of information among pieces of information relating to the parking lots where the user has parked in the past, or is a pieces of information relating to the parking lot where the user can park the vehicle in the parking mode and the parking direction that the user feels most comfortable with, among the multiple pieces of information that are collected from an external server and the like. To do this, the controller180is connected to at least one external server. The external server collects the pieces of information relating to the parking lot, using a crowdsourcing method or collects, or collects the pieces of information relating to the parking lot from various companies that are engaged in doing parking business.

On the other hand, the controller180provides the user with the pieces of information relating to the parking lot in various ways. For example, the controller180provides the user with the information relating to the parking lot, in the form of video information that is displayed on a display unit251. Alternatively, the controller180may display the information relating to the parking lot on a display unit provided within the vehicle, which is connected to the vehicle control unit, or on a windshield glass of the vehicle, using a head-up display (HUD) method.

The power supply unit190receives external power or provide internal power and supply the appropriate power required for operating respective elements and components included in the wearable device100. The power supply unit190may include a battery, which is typically rechargeable or be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging.

The wearable device100may include a smart watch, a smart glass, a head mounted display (HMD), etc.

FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating one example of a watch-type wearable device200in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the watch-type wearable device200includes a main body201with a display unit251and a band202connected to the main body201to be wearable on a wrist. In general, wearable device200may be configured to include features that are the same or similar to that of wearable device100ofFIG. 1.

The main body201may include a case having a certain appearance. As illustrated, the case may include a first case201aand a second case201bcooperatively defining an inner space for accommodating various electronic components. Other configurations are possible. For instance, a single case may alternatively be implemented, with such a case being configured to define the inner space, thereby implementing a wearable device200with a uni-body.

The watch-type wearable device200can perform wireless communication, and an antenna for the wireless communication can be installed in the main body201. The antenna may extend its function using the case. For example, a case including a conductive material may be electrically connected to the antenna to extend a ground area or a radiation area.

The display unit251is shown located at the front side of the main body201so that displayed information is viewable to a user. In some embodiments, the display unit251includes a touch sensor so that the display unit can function as a touch screen. As illustrated, window251ais positioned on the first case201ato form a front surface of the terminal body together with the first case201a.

The illustrated embodiment includes audio output module252, a camera221, a microphone222, and a user input unit223positioned on the main body201. When the display unit251is implemented as a touch screen, additional function keys may be minimized or eliminated. For example, when the touch screen is implemented, the user input unit223may be omitted.

The band202is commonly worn on the user's wrist and may be made of a flexible material for facilitating wearing of the device. As one example, the band202may be made of fur, rubber, silicon, synthetic resin, or the like. The band202may also be configured to be detachable from the main body201. Accordingly, the band202may be replaceable with various types of bands according to a user's preference.

In one configuration, the band202may be used for extending the performance of the antenna. For example, the band may include therein a ground extending portion (not shown) electrically connected to the antenna to extend a ground area.

The band202may include fastener202a. The fastener202amay be implemented into a buckle type, a snap-fit hook structure, a Velcro® type, or the like, and include a flexible section or material. The drawing illustrates an example that the fastener202ais implemented using a buckle.

On the other hand,FIG. 3Ais a diagram illustrating an example in which the wearable device according to the present invention operates in conjunctional with the vehicle.

Referring toFIG. 3A, wearable device200is connected to the vehicle control unit (not illustrated) in a wired or wireless manner, and request the vehicle control unit to execute a specific function. A state where the vehicle is connected in this manner to the wearable device200for operation in conjunction with the wearable device200is hereinafter referred to as the “vehicle-connected state.”

In this manner, when the vehicle is in the “vehicle-connected state,” the wearable device200transmits video information, audio information, and/or the like that are output from the wearable device200, to an audio/video (AN) output device provided within the vehicle, through a predetermined interface. Then, the video information, the audio information, and/or the like that are transmitted to the A/V output device is output through a display unit300and/or an audio system (not illustrated). At this point, interfacing units for transmitting the video information and/or the audio information include, for example, an interfacing unit that supports wireless communication, such as a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) transmitting and receiving unit and a Bluetooth transmitting and receiving unit, and an interfacing unit that supports wired communication, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal.

On the other hand, when the vehicle is in the “vehicle-connected state,” the wearable device200enables at least one, among functions that are executable on the vehicle, to be executed on the vehicle. For example, the wearable device200may enable the video information, which is output to the display unit251, to be displayed on the display unit300provided within the vehicle or on a windshield glass302using the head-up display (HUD) method. Alternatively, through an interface that is displayed on the display unit251of the wearable device200, the user can perform control in such a manner that an window of the vehicle or specific music data is reproduced. In addition, navigation information relating to a predetermined specific point may be displayed on the display unit300of the vehicle.

FIG. 3Bis a block diagram illustrating an example in which a smartwatch according to the embodiment of the present invention collects the information relating to the parking lot.

As illustrated inFIG. 3B, the wearable device200receives traffic information from an information service center340that provides the traffic information and various type of data (for example, a program, an execution file, and the like) over a long-distance wireless communication network310and/or a short-distance wireless communication network, and provides a directions-suggestion service, based on a GPS signal received from a satellite320and on the traffic information. At this point, the networks may include wired or wireless communication networks such as the Local Area Network (LAN), and the Wide Area Network (WAN).

Various types of traffic information (for example, road traffic information or information on an interested place) such as signal light information are collected over the communication networks, and the collected pieces of information are transmitted to the wearable device200. In addition to the signal light information, the pieces of traffic information include pieces of information on various traffic conditions necessary for road driving, ocean sailing, and air flight, such as accidents, road situations, traffic congestion, road construction, road blockade, public transportation delay, air flight delay, and the like.

On the other hand, the pieces of traffic information may be processed, in compliance with Transport Protocol Expert Group (TPEG) standards, in the information service center340(for example, a server), and may transmitted to a broadcasting station. Accordingly, the broadcasting station superimposes the traffic information, which includes the signal light information, onto a broadcasting signal, for broadcasting to a telematics terminal (not illustrated) of the vehicle. At this point, the signal light information may be received from a server (not illustrated) that is installed in a signal light pole, when the vehicle passes by the signal light pole.

The server may reconfigure various type of traffic information, which are collected from various sources connected to the communication network, for example, operator inputs, the wired and wireless Internet, digital broadcasting services, such as Transparent Data Channel (TDC) and Multimedia Object Transport (MOC), other servers, and probe cars, into a traffic information format for transmission to the broadcasting, for example, in accordance with Transport Protocol Expert Group (TPEG) standards, which are standards for a traffic information service. At this point, the server may generate the traffic information format in accordance with the TPEG standards, which includes the light signal information, for the transmission to the broadcasting station.

The broadcasting station superimposes the traffic information including the light signal information received from the server onto the broadcasting signal for wireless transmission, in such a manner that the telematics terminal, for example, a navigation apparatus, mounted into the vehicle or the like that serves as a terminal for receiving the traffic information receives the traffic information superimposed onto the broadcasting signal. Then, the telematics terminal receives the traffic information superimposed onto the broadcasting signal. According to the present invention the wearable device200may receive the traffic information from the telematics terminal.

On the other hand, the information service center340collects various pieces of information relating to the parking lot. For example, the information service center340collects pieces of information relating to parking lots where multiple drivers parked their vehicles from them over a long-distance wireless communication network310. The collected pieces of information include pieces of information relating to geographical locations or sizes of such parking lots and pieces of information relating to the parking modes and the parking directions that are suitable in such parking lots.

That is, from the drivers, the information service center340collects pieces of information on which parking mode of the parallel parking mode, the perpendicular parking mode, an the angle parking mode the parking lots where the drivers parked their vehicles were suitable for, pieces of information on which direction of the head-in parking direction and the back-in parking direction the parking lots were suitable for, pieces of information relating to locations of the parking lots, pieces of information relating to sizes of the parking lots, pieces of information relating to vehicle-parking capacity of the parking lots, and the like. Alternatively, the information service center340collects the pieces of information (for example, information on a parking place) relating to the parking lot from companies that are engaged in parking business, or from different drivers, according to a region. Then, the information service center340may collect and store pieces of driver evaluation information on the parking lots.

Then, the information service center340categories the collected pieces of information relating to the parking lots by various references, and stores the categorized pieces of information. For example, the information service center340categorizes the collected pieces of information relating to the parking lots on a district basis, according to the region, the parking mode, and the parking direction. In this case, the pieces of information relating to the parking lots are arranged in decreasing order of a level of user recommendation for the parking lot in terms of the region, the parking mode, or the parking direction. At the request of the driver, pieces of information arranged in an orderly manner are transmitted to the wearable device200according to the embodiment of the present invention over the long-distance wireless communication network310or through a broadcasting station330or the satellite320.

A control method that is realized in the wearable device with the configuration described above, according to embodiments of the present invention is described below referring to the accompanying drawings. It is apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the related art that modifications to the present invention are possible in the scope that does not depart from the nature and essence of, and the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating an operational process that is performed by a smartwatch according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 4, the controller180of the wearable device100according to the present invention checks the biological signal of a wearer, that is, the user of the wearable device100, using the sensors of the biological-signal sensing unit144. It is more desirable that the controller180of the wearable device100according to the embodiment of the present invention should determine a moved state of a vehicle, using a result of the sensing by the vehicle-state sensing unit143. Then, in a case where the vehicle is being park, the controller180measures a level of user preference for a current parking mode in which the vehicle is being parked, based on the biological signal of the user that is sensed while the vehicle is being parked (S400).

In Step S400, the controller180of the wearable device100according to the present invention senses a moved state of the vehicle in various ways. For example, the controller180senses a state where a location of the wearable device100is moved, and based on a result of the sensing, determines whether or not the user gets in the vehicle, or whether or not the vehicle that the user gets in is in a parked state. For example, in a case where as a result of sensing the state where the location of the wearable device100is moved, it is determined that the vehicle has been in a stationary state for a predetermined period of time, the controller180determines that the vehicle that the user gets in came to a stop.

Alternatively, the wearable device100according to the present invention may receive information relating to the moved state of the vehicle from the vehicle control unit and use the received information. That is, in a case where the vehicle is in the vehicle-connected state where the vehicle is connected to the wearable device100, the vehicle-state sensing unit143of the wearable device100according to the present invention receives pieces of information relating to a direction in which the vehicle is moved, a speed at which the vehicle is moved, and the like from the vehicle control unit. Then, the vehicle-state sensing unit143determines whether a vehicle is currently driving or being parked, using the received information on the moved state of the vehicle.

Furthermore, in a state where it is determined that a vehicle that the user is in is being parked, the controller180may further determine the parking mode and the parking direction in which the vehicle is parked. For example, the controller180determines the parking mode and the parking direction in which the user parked the vehicle, based on at least one among operating of a steering wheel by the user, tracks of the vehicle that was parked, and a state where the vehicle was parked.

In a case where the parking mode and the parking direction in which the user parked the vehicle are determined in Step S400, the controller180determines the level of user preference for the current parking mode and the current parking direction in which the user parks the vehicle, based on the biological signal that is measured while the user is parking the vehicle. For example, the controller180senses a change in the biological signal of the user, such as body temperature, an amount of flowing blood, or a heart rate, and the like and thus determines a level of user tension while the vehicle is being parked. In this case, when the body temperature or the heart rate of the user increases while he/she is parking the vehicle, the controller180senses the biological signal indicating whether or not the amount of flowing blood increases, whether or not the user is in a cold sweat, or the like, and thus measures the level of user tension while the user is parking in the current parking mode and the current parking direction. Then, the controller180measures and collects the level of user tension that is measured each time the vehicle is being parked, categorizes the collected levels of user tension according to the vehicle parking mode and the vehicle parking direction, and stores a result of the categorizing in a database for future use.

On the other hand, based on results of measuring the level of user tension, which are stored in the database, the controller180determines the level of user preference for each of the vehicle parking modes in which different vehicles are parked, and each of the parking directions in which the different vehicles are parked. For example, the controller180determines that the user prefers the parking mode and the parking direction in which the user is under less tension, that is, a parking mode and a parking direction, in each of which the measured level of tension is lower than that in the other parking modes and the other parking directions. Then, based on the result of the determination, the controller180selects at least one parking mode and one parking direction that the user prefers, from among the multiple parking modes and the multiple parking directions, respectively. Alternatively, the controller180may determine order of preference for each of the multiple parking mode and each of the parking directions, based on the level of user preference, that is, the level of tension that is determined in this manner.

On the other hand, when the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefer are selected, at the request of the user, the controller180provides the user with the information on the parking lot where the vehicle can be parked in the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers. That is, the controller180senses whether or not the user makes a request for the parking lot (Step S404). For example, in a case where the user applies a touch input to a display unit151provided to the wearable device100, the display unit300provided within the vehicle, or a predetermined position in the vehicle, for example, such as a windshield glass, the controller180may sense this, and may determine that the user makes a request for the information relating to the parking lot.

Then, when as a result of the sensing in Step S404, it is sensed that the user makes a request for the information relating to the parking lot, the pieces of information relating to the parking lots around the user are provided according to the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected in Step S402or according to the order of preference (S406). For example, the controller180outputs the pieces of information relating to the parking lots as visual information. To do this, the controller180uses the display unit300provided within the vehicle or the display unit151provided to the wearable device100. Of course, the controller180may use at least one portion of the front windshield glass302of the vehicle in order to provide the user with the pieces of information relating to the parking lots. Furthermore, of course, the controller180may provide the user with the information relating to the parking lot not only in the form of visual information, but also in the form of audio information that is output through a sound output unit152of the wearable device100.

On the other hand, in Step S406, various types of pieces of information relating to the parking lot are provided to the user. For example, in a case where a parking lot where the vehicle has been parked in the past is present around a current place where the user makes a request for the information relating to the parking lot information, the controller180provides the user with information relating to such parking lot. At this point, in a case where the multiple parking lots where the vehicle has been parked in the past are present, based on the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, which is determined in Step S402, the controller180provides the user with information relating to at least one among the parking lot where the vehicle has been parked, or provides the use with the pieces of information that are arranged in an orderly manner according to the order of preference for the parking mode and the order of preference for the parking direction.

On the other hand, of course, the pieces of information relating to the parking lots may be provided through an external different server. For example, the controller180may extract the pieces of parking lot information relating to the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers from among the pieces of parking lot information that are collected by the information service center340, and may provide the user with the pieces of extracted information. For example, the pieces of parking lot information that are collected by the information service center340include pieces of information that are provided by an associated company, that is, a company engaged in doing parking business, such as a company that manages a parking place, and pieces of information that are provided by the company that provides a parking-related service according to the embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the pieces of parking lot information may be generated based on recommendation information or opinion information that are collected from different drivers. In this case, of course, the user can select any one from among the pieces of information that are collected from different drivers or the pieces of information that are provided by the associated companies, and can be provided with the parking lot information relating to the parking mode and the parking direction that he/she prefers.

FIG. 5illustrates in more detail an operational process in which results of determining the level of user preference for each of the parking modes and each of the parking directions are collected in the smartwatch according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, in a case where the user drives a vehicle, the controller180according to the present invention senses the biological signal of the user (S500). For example, the controller180determines whether or not the user is a driver who currently drives the vehicle, based on whether or not the vehicle that user currently gets in is a vehicle of which a designated drive is the user, or on a position of a vehicle seat that the user who wears the wearable device100sits down on. Then, in a case where it is determined that the user is a driver who currently drives the vehicle, the controller180senses the biological signal of the user that is sensed through the sensors of the biological-signal sensing unit144.

On the other hand, in a case where the vehicle is moved, the controller180senses the moved state of the vehicle. For example, as described above, the controller180is connected to the vehicle control unit and thus receives information on a vehicle state such as a speed at which the vehicle is moved or a direction in which the vehicle is moved. Then, the moved state of the vehicle is sensed using the information on the received vehicle state (S502).

Then, the controller180determines whether or not the vehicle state is a parked state, based on a result of the sensing in Step S502. For example, in a case where in a state where an engine of the vehicle is turned off, the vehicle has been in an stationary state for a predetermined period of time or longer, the controller180determines that the vehicle is in the parked state. Then, in a case where the vehicle is in the parked state, the controller180determines the parking mode and the parking direction in which the vehicle is currently parked, based on at least one among the parked state of the vehicle, the direction in which the vehicle is moved, and the tracks of the vehicle. The direction and the tracks of the vehicle are sensed while the vehicle is being parked.

For example, the controller180generates the tracks of the vehicle according to the state where the vehicle is moved while the vehicle is being parked, and based on the generated tracks of the vehicle, determines the parking mode and the parking direction in which the vehicle is parked. For example, in a case where the vehicle is parked in the head-in direction, the controller180determines that the vehicle is currently parked in the “head-in” direction. Alternatively, in a case where the vehicle is moved backwards while being parked, the controller180determines that the vehicle is currently parked in the “back-in” direction. In addition, in a case where the vehicle is parked in parallel with a direction in which the vehicle drives, the controller180determines that the vehicle is parked in the “head-in” direction (when the vehicle is moved forward while being parked) or in the “back-in” direction (when the vehicle is moved backward while being parked) in the parallel parking mode.

When it is determined in Step S504that the vehicle is parked, the controller180determines the parking mode and the parking direction in which the vehicle is parked. Then, in a case where it is determined in Step S504that the vehicle is parked, the controller180measures the level of user tension for the vehicle parking mode and the vehicle parking direction that are currently determined, based on his/her biological signal that is sensed while the vehicle is being parked (S506). For example, as described above, the controller180checks a heart rate, a body temperature, and an amount of flowing blood of the user to determine whether or not the user is under tension while parking the vehicle. At this point, in a case where the heart rate, the body temperature, the amount of flowing blood or the like is changed by a predetermined numerical value or greater, the controller180determines that the user is under tension, and may measure the level of user tension, based on a difference between the heart rate, the body temperature, or the amount of flowing blood that is sensed and the predetermined numerical value.

Furthermore, of course, the controller180may refer to a record of biological signals of the user that is pre-stored, when the level of user tension is measured based on the sensed biological signal of the user. That is, the controller180may compare a sensing value of the biological signal of the user that is sensed while the vehicle is being parked with an average value of the biological signal of the user, such as the heart rate, the body temperature, and the amount of flowing blood, and may determine whether or not the user is under tension and the level of tension that the user is.

On the other hand, based on the measured level of tension and on the pre-stored result of the measuring of the level of tension, which corresponds to the current parking mode and the current parking direction in which the vehicle is parked, the controller180determines the level of preference for the current parking mode and the current parking direction (S508). For example, the controller180categorizes the results of measuring the level of tension according to the multiple different parking modes and the multiple different parking directions, and calculates the average level of user tension is according to the number of times that the vehicles are parked. Then, based on the calculated level of user tension, the parking mode and the parking direction in which the user is under least tension, that is, the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers are selected. At this point, of course, in a case where the number of times that the vehicle is parked in a specific parking mode and in a specific parking direction is smaller by a predetermined numerical value than in different parking modes and different parking direction, the controller180may determine that the user intentionally avoids a specific parking mode and a specific direction and may determine the specific parking mode and the specific direction as the parking mode and the parking direction that the user does not prefer, respectively, regardless of the measured numerical value of the level of tension.

Accordingly, the controller180determines the level of user preference for each of the various parking modes and each of the various parking direction. Based on the level of user preference, in Step S402, the controller180selects the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers.

On the other hand, when the parking mode and the parking direction the user prefers in this manner, as the request of the user, the controller180provides the user with the information relating to the parking lot information relating to the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, when the user requests.

FIG. 6illustrates an operational process in which the information relating to the parking lot is provided to the user by the smartwatch according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 6, in a case where it is determined in Step S404that the user makes a request for the information relating to the parking lot, the controller180of the wearable device100according to the present invention senses a current location of the user (S600). Then, the controller180collects the pieces of information relating to parking lots that are available around the current location of the user that is sensed in Step S600(S602). In Steps S602, in a case where the record shows that the user has parked the vehicle around the sensed current location of the user in the past, the controller180collects the information relating to the recorded parking lot where the vehicle has been parked. Alternatively, in Step S602, the controller180may request a predetermined external server to transmit pieces of information relating to the parking lots around the currently-sensed location of the user and may collect the pieces of information that are transmitted from the server.

On the other hand, when in Step S602, the pieces of information relating to the parking lots around the current location of the user are collected, the controller180categorizes the collected pieces of information relating to the parking lots according to predetermined criteria for orderly arrangement and arranges the categorized pieces of information in an orderly manner (S604). For example, the controller180categorizes the collected pieces of information based on the parking mode and the parking direction (Step S402) that, in Step S604, are determined as a parking mode and a parking direction that the user prefers, respectively, and accordingly arranges the categorized pieces of information in an orderly manner. Alternatively, the controller180may categorize the collected pieces of information, based on criteria selected by the user, for example, such as the number of user recommendations, or the number of vehicles that can be parked in the parking place, and may accordingly arrange the categorized pieces of information in an orderly manner.

In a case where in Step S602, the collected pieces of information are categorized and are arranged in an orderly manner, the controller180provides the user with at least one piece of information among the pieces of information that are categorized and are arranged in an orderly manner (S606). For example, the controller180displays at least one piece of information in the form of video information, among the pieces of information are arranged in an orderly manner, on the display unit151provided to the wearable device100, the display unit300provided within the vehicle, or on the windshield glass302of the vehicle. Then, in a case where any one piece of information is selected from among the pieces of information that are displayed (for example, a gesture, such as a touch input, is sensed as being applied to the displayed video information), the controller180further displays detailed information relating to the information selected by the user. At this point, the pieces of detailed information include navigation information on a path to the parking lot selected by the user, information on the number of vehicles that can be parked in the parking lot selected by the user, information on a parking fee, and the like.

The operational processes by the wearable device100according to the embodiment of the present invention are described in detail above referring to the flowcharts.

An example in which under the control of the wearable device100according to the embodiment of the present invention, the pieces of information relating to the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers are provided to the user is described in more detail referring to the accompanying drawings. The following descriptions assume that under the control of the wearable device100according to the embodiment of the present invention, various pieces of video information are displayed on the display unit300provided within the vehicle. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pieces of video information described below or pieces of information corresponding to the pieces of video information described below may be displayed on the display unit151provided to the wearable device100. In addition, for convenience in description, the following descriptions assume that the user who wears the wearable device100according to the embodiment of the present invention is a driver of a vehicle.

As described above, the wearable device100according to the embodiment of the present invention measures the level of user preference for each of the multiple different parking modes and each of the multiple different parking directions, using the results of measuring the sensing by the biological-signal sensing unit144and the vehicle-state sensing unit143. Furthermore, as described above, the controller180of the wearable device100according to an embodiment of the present invention provides the user with the information relating to at least one among the parking lots around the current location of the user, based on the level of user preference that is measured in this manner.

FIG. 7Aillustrate an example in which according to the embodiment of the present invention, at the request of the user, the information relating to the parking lot around the user is displayed.

First, referring to the first drawing ofFIG. 7A, the wearable device100according to the present invention determines whether or not the user makes a request for the information. That is, as illustrated in the first drawing ofFIG. 7A, the controller180determines whether the user makes a request for the information relating to the parking lot, through a menu screen700that is displayed on the display unit300.

Then, in a case where as a result of the determination, the user makes a request for the information relating to the parking lot, the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers are selected. In this case, the controller180displays on the display unit300the result of measuring the level of user preference for each of the already-measured multiple different parking modes and each of the already-measured multiple different parking directions, in which case the parking modes and the parking directions are displayed on the display unit300in decreasing order of the level of user preference for the parking mode and the parking direction. The second drawing ofFIG. 7Aillustrates an example of this.

That is, for example, in a case where it is determined that the user is under least tension while parking in the parallel parking mode, the controller180selects the parallel parking mode as a parking mode that the user prefers most. Then, the controller180arranges the parking modes in an orderly manner in increasing order of the level of user tension, based on the level of user tension, which is measured while the vehicle is being parked in each of the parking mode and the parking direction. In a case where the user is under less tension while parking in the parallel parking mode and in the head-in parking direction than while parking in the parallel parking mode and in the back-in parking direction, as illustrated in the second drawing ofFIG. 7A, the controller180displays the video information710, in which items corresponding to different parking modes are arranged in an orderly manner, on the display unit300, as follows: “1. Parallel parking mode,” “2. Perpendicular parking mode and Head-in parking direction,” “3. Perpendicular parking mode and Back-in parking direction.”

On the other hand, in a case where the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers are selected, the controller180collects pieces of information relating to a parking lot that is available around a current location of the user. To do this, the controller180uses pieces of information that are collected from different drivers, pieces of information that are collected from companies engaged in doing parking business, which are stored in an external server, or pieces of information in the record that has been acquired when the vehicle have been parked in the past.

In this case, as illustrated in the third drawing ofFIG. 7A, the controller180displays video information720that alerts the user the current location of the user and video information730for displaying information relating to at least parking lot, on the display unit300. At this point, when displaying the information relating to the parking lot, the controller180categorizes the collected pieces of information relating to the parking lots, based on the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, and accordingly arranges the categorized pieces of information in an orderly manner for displaying on the display unit300.

That is, as illustrated in the second drawing ofFIG. 7A, in a case where the parking mode that the user prefers most is the “Parallel parking mode,732” the control180arranges pieces of information relating to the parking lots that are collected based on the “Parallel parking mode,” a parking mode that the user prefers most, in an orderly manner, and displays the pieces of information arranged in an orderly manner on the display unit300. At this point, the controller180determines order of priority in which the collected pieces of information relating to the parking lots are displayed, using various criteria. For example, the controller180may assign the highest priority level to the information relating to the parking lot that has the largest number of spaces where the vehicle can be parked in the parking mode that the user prefers, that is, in the parallel parking mode, among the collected parking lots. Alternatively, the controller180may assign the highest priority level to the place nearest the current position of the user, among the parking lots where the vehicle can be parked in the parallel parking mode. Alternatively, the controller180may assign the highest priority level to the parking lot that are most recommended, as the parking lot suitable for the parking in the parallel parking mode, by other drivers.

On the other hand, as illustrated in the third drawing ofFIG. 7A, the pieces of information relating to at least one parking lot suitable for the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers most are displayed on the display unit300according to the priority level that is determined in this manner. In a case where in this state, the user selects any one from among the pieces of information relating to the displayed parking lots, the controller180displays detailed information on the pieces of information relating to the currently-selected parking lot on the display unit300. For example, the controller180may display information relating to the number of vehicles that can be parked in the parking mode that the user prefers most, that is, in the parallel parking mode, in the currently-selected parking lot, on the display unit300, or may display a path to the parking lot selected by the user on the display300. The forth drawing ofFIG. 7Aillustrates an example in which information on the path to the parking lot selected by the user is displayed in this manner on the display unit300.

On the other hand, as described above, the wearable device100according to the present invention may display the video information on the display unit300provided within the vehicle or on the windshield glass302of the vehicle. The first drawing ofFIG. 7Band the second drawing of7B illustrate an example of this.

That is, in a case where it is possible to display the video information on the windshield glass302, according to the present invention, the controller180of the wearable device100according to the present invention displays various of video information on the windshield glass302of the vehicle in conjunction with the vehicle control unit. For example, as illustrated in the first drawing ofFIG. 7B, in a case where the user makes a request for the information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle can be parked, the controller180display video information710indicating a result of checking the already-collected level of user preference for each parking mode and each parking direction in which the vehicle is parked, on the windshield glass302.

In addition, as illustrated in the first drawing ofFIG. 7B, in a case where the vehicle parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers most are selected, the controller180may display video information730including the information relating to at least one parking lot around a current location of the user, on the windshield glass302, based on the vehicle parking mode and the parking direction that are currently selected. In addition, although not illustrated, as illustrated in the second drawing ofFIG. 7B, in a case where in a state where the video information730is displayed, the user selects any one information relating to the parking lot, of course, the controller180may display the information relating to the selected parking lot on the windshield glass302.

On the other hand, in the first drawing ofFIG. 7Ato the forth drawing of7A and the first drawing of7B and the second drawing of7B, the example is described above in which the multiple different parking modes and the multiple different parking direction are arranged for display in an orderly manner in decreasing order of the determined level of user preference and the parking mode that are assigned the highest level of user preference is selected from among the multiple different parking modes. However, of course, the user can arbitrarily select a specific parking mode and a specific parking direction, regardless of his/her preference. In the case, the controller180collects pieces of information relating to a current location of the user, based on the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected by the user. In addition, in this case, of course, the controller180may assign the priority level to each of the pieces of information relating to the parking lots that are collected based on the parking mode and the parking direction that are selected by the user, based on predetermined criteria, such as the number of vehicles that can be parked in the parking lot, a distance from the user to the parking lot, or the number of recommendations of other drivers, and may display the pieces of information relating to the parking lots on the display unit300according to the priority level.

FIGS. 8A to 8C, 8D to 8F, and 8G to 8Iare diagrams for describing examples of the various parking modes and the various parking directions according to the present invention.

First,FIGS. 8A to 8Care diagrams for describing an example in which a vehicle is parked in the perpendicular mode and in the head-in parking direction. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 8A to 8C, in a case where a vehicle800that enters a parking place and then a parking position is moved to the right or to the left to be parked in a direction820perpendicular to a direction810in which the vehicle800drives after entering the parking place, the controller180determines that the vehicle800is parked, in the head-in direction or in the back-in direction, in the perpendicular parking mode. Then, in a case where after entering the parking lot, the vehicle800is moved to the right, then is moved forward, and then is parked in the direction820perpendicular to the direction810, the controller180determines that the vehicle800is parked in the “head-in parking direction” in the perpendicular parking mode.

On the other hand, conversely, in a case where, as illustrated inFIGS. 8D to 8F, after entering the parking lot, the vehicle800is moved to the left, then is moved backward, and then is parked in the direction820perpendicular to the direction810, the controller180determines that the vehicle800is parked in the “back-in parking direction” in the perpendicular parking mode.

In addition, unlike in the above-described case of the parking in the head-in parking direction or the back-in direction in the perpendicular parking mode, in a case where, as illustrated inFIGS. 8G to 8I, after entering the parking lot, the vehicle800is moved backward and then is parked in the direction820parallel to the direction810, the controller800determines that the vehicle800is parked in the back-in parking direction in the “parallel parking mode.” Although not illustrated, in a case where after entering the parking lot, the vehicle800is moved forward and then is parked in the direction820parallel to the direction810, the controller800determines that the vehicle800is parked in the head-in parking direction in the “parallel parking mode.”

In this manner, the controller180determines the various parking modes and the various parking directions in which the vehicle800is parked, based on the moved state of the vehicle800. In addition, inFIGS. 8A to 8I, the example is described in which the parking mode and the parking direction in which the vehicle800is parked are determined by sensing the direction according to the moved state of the vehicle800, but of course, the parking mode and the parking direction may be determined in various ways. For example, in a case where the vehicle800is parked, the controller180may sense a state where other vehicles are parked in the vicinity and thus may determine whether the vehicle800is parked in the parallel parking mode, in the perpendicular parking mode, or in the angle parking mode, or whether the vehicle800is parked in the head-in parking direction, or in the back-in parking direction.

Alternatively, the controller180receives information on rotation of a steering wheel from the vehicle control unit. Of course, the controller180may recognize the parked state of the vehicle based on the received information, and may determine whether the vehicle is parked in the parallel parking mode, in the perpendicular parking mode, or in the angle parking mode, or whether the vehicle800is parked in the head-in parking direction, or in the back-in parking direction.

On the other hand, as described above, the controller180of the wearable device100according to the present invention may assign the priority level to each of the collected pieces of information relating to the parking lot according to various criteria and may display the collected pieces of information on the display unit300according to the priority level. Furthermore, as described above, the criteria may include the number of pieces of recommendation information, the number of vehicles that can be parked in the parking lot, and the like.

FIGS. 9A to 9Cillustrate an example in which according to the embodiment of the present invention, the collected pieces of information relating to the parking lots are provided to the user in different ways.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 9A, the controller180of the wearable device100according to the present invention displays video information910for alerting the user to a current location of the user and video information900including criteria for indicating the collected pieces of information relating to the parking lots on the display unit300provided within the vehicle.

For example, the criteria are broadly categorized into two types according to the collected information relating to the parking lot. That is, in a case where the pieces of information relating to the parking lots are collected from an external server, the controller180displays the pieces of information relating to the parking lots, which correspond to the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, based on the pieces of information that are provided from the associated companies, or display the pieces of information relating to the parking lots, which correspond to the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers, based on the pieces of recommendation information that are collected from other drivers.

For example, in a case where the user selects “1. CROWD” from among the criteria that are displayed on the display unit300, the controller180determines that the user selects the pieces of information relating to the parking lot based on the pieces of recommendation information that are collected from other drivers. In this case, the controller180arranges the collected pieces of information in an orderly manner in decreasing order of the number of recommendations, and thus display the collected pieces of information on the display unit300. That is, in a case where the user selects arrangement criteria as the number of recommendations (that is, in a case where the user selects “1. CROWD”920), the controller180displays the pieces of information relating to the parking lots that are collected from a predetermined external server according to the parking mode and the parking direction, in decreasing order of the number of recommendations of other drivers, on the display unit300.FIG. 9Billustrates an example of this.

Referring toFIG. 9B, as an example, in the case of a parking lot “Giant parking,” the number of recommendations of other drivers is 538, and in the case of a parking lot “Zeus Building,” the number of recommendations of other drivers is 202. This indicates that in a case where as illustrated in the first drawing ofFIG. 7Ato the forth drawing ofFIG. 7A, the parking mode that the user currently selects or that the user prefers most is, for example, the “parallel parking mode,” the number of times that the other users recommend the parking lot “Giant parking” as a parking lot suitable for the “parallel parking mode” is 538, and the number of times that the other users recommends the parking lot “Zeus Building” as the parking lot suitable for the “parallel parking mode” is 202.

Accordingly, the user can select the parking lot “Giant parking” that is recommended by the greatest number of drivers, according to the parking mode that he/she selects or that he/she prefers most. In this case, the controller180displays detailed information relating to the parking lot “Giant parking,” for example, information relating to a path to the parking lot “Giant parking,” the number of vehicles that can be parked in the parking lot “Giant parking,” a parking fee, and the like, on the display unit300or on the display unit151provided to the wearable device100. On the other hand, the user can arrange the pieces of information relating to the parking lots in an orderly manner, based on the pieces of information that are collected from the associated companies, instead of based on the number of times that other drivers recommend the parking lot. That is, in a case where inFIG. 9A, the user selects “2. Lot's Information,” the controller180may provide the pieces of information relating the parking lots, based on the pieces of information that, according to the present invention, are provided by companies that provide a parking-related service, or by companies engaged in doing parking business.

That is, the controller180assigns the priority level to each of the pieces of information relating to the parking lots that are received from the associated companies, based on the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers most. That is, as illustrated above, in the case where the parking mode that the user selects or that the user prefers most is the “parallel parking mode,” the controller180may assign the priority level to each of the pieces of information that are received from an external server, based on the parking lot suitable for the parallel parking mode, that is, based on the parking lot that has the greatest number of spaces where the vehicles can be parked in the parallel parking mode, or on the distance from the user to the parking lot where the vehicle can be parked in the parallel parking mode.FIG. 9Cillustrates an example in which in this case, the pieces of information are displayed based on the space (Parallel, side road934) where the vehicle is parked in the parallel parking mode.

That is, referring toFIG. 9C, among the parking lots around a current location (angel street) of the user, a parking lot “Angel parking” that has the greatest number of spaces (parallel) where the vehicles (250vehicles) can be parked in the parallel parking mode is displayed in the first place on the display unit300and a parking lot “Angel parking that has the next greatest number of spaces where the vehicle (170vehicles) can be parked in the parallel parking mode is displayed in the second place on the display unit300. Then, a parking lot “Zeus Building” is displayed in the third place on the display unit300.

In this manner, the wearable device100according to the present invention provides the user with the information relating to the parking lot around the current location of the user, based on the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers most. At this point, as described above, the wearable device100according to the present invention determines the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers most, based on the result of sensing the biological signal of the user while the user is parking the vehicle. Thus, even though the user does not know his/her preferred parking mode and parking direction, the wearable device100provides the user with the pieces of information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle can be parked in the parking mode and the parking direction that the user feels comfortable with.

On the other hand, as described above, the wearable device100according to the present invention may be provided with the pieces of information relating to the parking lots, based on the number of times that other drivers recommend the parking lot. To do this, the wearable device100according to the embodiment of the present invention also may transmit to a predetermined server the recommendation information relating to the parking lot where the user parks the vehicle.

FIGS. 10A to 10Cillustrate an example in which in this case, the information relating to the parking lot is collected according to the embodiment of the present invention.

For example, in a case where the vehicle is parked, the wearable device100according to the present invention confirms whether or not the recommendation information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle is currently parked is transmitted. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 10A, the controller180displays the parking lot where the vehicle is currently parked, and display a menu screen100through which the user confirms whether or not to recommend the parking lot where the vehicle is currently parked, on the display unit300.

Then, in a case where the user selects recommendation of the parking lot from the menu screen1000, the controller180immediately transmits to a predetermined external server the recommendation information relating to the parking lot where the vehicle is currently parked. In this case, the controller180transmits, to a predetermined external server, information on user's recommendation indicating that the parking lot is suitable at which the vehicle is currently parked in the vehicle parking mode and the vehicle parking direction that are currently set, that is, in the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers most.

In this case, the external server replies to the user's recommendation information with information relating to the current parking lot and information relating to the number of times that the other drives recommend the current parking lot. In this case, the controller180displays the information provided by the external server on the display unit300.FIG. 10Cillustrates an example of this.

On the other hand, of course, the controller180may perform control in such a manner that the user can recommend the parking lot where the current vehicle is to be parked, as being suitable for the parking mode and the parking direction other than the parking mode and the parking direction that are currently set. That is, for example, even though the user drives the vehicle into the current parking lot in order to park the vehicle in the parking mode and the parking direction that are set in advance, that is, in the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers most, for example, in the “parallel parking mode,” the user can determine that the current parking lot is practically suitable for the other parking modes and parking directions. For this reason, the controller180performs control in such a manner that the user can select the parking mode and the parking direction for recommendation of the parking lot, and thus can recommend the current parking lot as being suitable for the selected parking mode and the selected parking direction other than the parking mode and the parking direction that are currently set. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 10B, the controller180may display on the display unit300a menu screen1012through which the user selects at least one parking mode and at least one parking direction from the multiple parking mode and the multiple parking directions, and may transmit the recommendation information indicating that the current parking lot is suitable for the selected parking mode and the selected parking direction, to the predetermined external server.

In this case, as a response to the transmission of the recommendation information, the controller180receives information relating to a status on other drivers' recommendation of the current parking lot.FIG. 10Cillustrates an example in which the received information on the status on other drivers' recommendation is displayed. The information on the number of times that other drivers recommend the current parking lot as being suitable for a specific parking mode and a specific parking direction is displayed in the example.

Effects of the wearable device and the method of controlling the wearable device according to the present invention are described as follows.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers are determined, and the information relating to the parking lot according to the parking mode and the parking direction that are determined is provided. This provides an advantage that the user is provided with the information on the parking lot where the vehicle can be more easily parked.

In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the parking mode and the parking direction that the user prefers are determined based on a change in the biological signal of the user that is sensed while the vehicle is being parked. This provides an advantage that even though the user does not know the parking mode and the parking direction that he/she feels comfortable with, the user is provided with the information on the parking lot where the vehicle can be easily parked.