Patent Description:
Stress is a factor not only causing various kinds of diseases but also having a great influence on the quality of life. Stress comes without the least respect of time, place, and object, like office workers suffering heavy work, students suffering excessive academic stress, housekeepers complaining about stress and depression resulting from hard housework, aged men feeling stress due to cut-off from family members and alienation from society, etc. As such, a problem on how this stress is managed is becoming an issue of very significance to modern people always exposed to stress.

In recent years, an electronic device can be used to calculate stress. For example, the electronic device can calculate stress on the basis of a heart rate or heart rate variability.

Commonly, the electronic device can calculate stress on the basis of a heart rate or heart rate variability and express and provide this by a numerical value. This stress information is for enabling a user to previously recognize the existence or non-existence of generation of stress or the possibility of generation thereof, and there is a problem in which it is impossible to directly relieve stress.

Background art document <CIT> discloses a system and method determining stress level and providing adapted content, as well as controlling external devices such as TVs and environment-controlled devices.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for recommending meditation contents for reducing a stress of a user in an electronic device.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for creating an execution environment corresponding to meditation contents in order to improve a stress relief effect in an electronic device.

An electronic device according to the invention is defined in independent claim <NUM>.

A method of operating an electronic device according to the invention is defined in method claim <NUM>. Further optional embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to the disclosure, an electronic device may recommend and provide meditation content corresponding to a stress level of a user, thereby reducing stress of the user. Also, according to various example embodiments, the electronic device may control at least one nearby control device to create an environment suitable to meditation contents reproduction, thereby effectively reducing stress.

An effect which may be obtained from the disclosure is not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned would be readily understood from the following disclosure by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

With regard to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used to refer to the same or similar components.

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing example embodiments of the present disclosure, related well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail where they may obscure the gist of the present disclosure. The terms described below are defined considering functions in the present disclosure, and may be modified in accordance to user and operator intention, practice, etc. Therefore, the definition should be given based on the content throughout the present specification.

It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with", "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

Wherein, the "non-transitory" storage medium is a tangible device, and may not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a meditation contents providing system <NUM> according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, in various embodiments, the meditation contents providing system <NUM> may include at least one collecting device <NUM>, a control device <NUM>, and a plurality of executing devices <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may include the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>. Also, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may include at least one of a mobile electronic device (e.g., a smart phone, a notebook, etc.) <NUM> or <NUM> whose carriage is easy, a wearable electronic device (e.g., a watch, a ring, a wristlet, an anklet, shoes, a hat, clothes, glasses, or a necklace-type electronic device) <NUM> wearable on part of a human body of a user, and/or a wearable electronic device (e.g., an electronic sticker, a smart speaker, a scale, a blood pressure meter, a remote control camera, etc.) <NUM> able to recognize and communicate with a nearby electronic device. However, this is merely an example, and an embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. As an embodiment, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may include a human-body mount type electronic device (e.g., a skin pad or tattoo) able to attach to part of the human body of the user and/or a bio implantation type electronic device inserted into the human body. According to an embodiment, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may be set as one group based on an account of the user.

According to an embodiment, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may include at least one sensor. Although not illustrated, the at least one sensor may include a first sensor configured to collect information related with health and a second sensor configured to collect information related with at least one of a state of a user or a collection environment.

The first sensor may include a biometric sensor. The biometric sensor may include a heart rate sensor. For example, the biometric sensor may be comprised of a light emitter and a light detector, and may be used to directly or indirectly measure a heart rate of a user and a heart rate variability. According to an embodiment, the first sensor may measure the heart rate variability periodically or at a time point at which a specified event occurs.

The second sensor may include an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and a proximity sensor which may acquire information related with a posture (or motion) and/or movement of the at least one collecting device <NUM> (or the user). Also, the second sensor may include a temperature/humidity sensor, an ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor, an infrared laser distance measurement (time of flight (ToF)) sensor, and/or an illuminance sensor which may acquire information about a measurement environment (e.g., a collection environment). However, this is merely illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the second sensor may include an iris sensor and/or an image sensor which may acquire information for user authentication. For another example, the second sensor may further include a communication module which may recognize a situation or location of the at least one collecting device <NUM>, such as WiFi and GPS. For further another example, the second sensor may include at least one of a taste sensor or an olfactory sensor which may acquire information related with at least one of the type of food that a user takes, a taste of the food, or a component of the food. This taste sensor or olfactory sensor may be buried and arranged not only inside the at least one collecting device <NUM> but also in part (e.g., a tooth, an artificial tooth, etc.) of the human body of the user. In this case, the second sensor buried in part of the human body of the user may deliver the acquired information to the communicatively coupled at least one collecting device <NUM> as well.

According to an embodiment, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may obtain a health state (e.g., stress) of a user based on information collected through a sensor (e.g., a biometric sensor). For example, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may calculate a stress level (e.g., strength) based on heart rate variability data measured through the biometric sensor. For another example, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may analyze a biometric component (e.g., lactic acid, glucose, etc.) within blood measured through the biometric sensor, to provide the type (e.g., mental stress, physical stress, etc.) of stress.

According to an embodiment, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may transmit stress information related with a calculated stress to the control device <NUM>. The at least one collecting device <NUM> may transmit, to the control device <NUM>, the information related with the calculated stress periodically or at a time point at which a specified event occurs. The specified event may be related with entrance or proximity to a registered area. However, this is merely illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, in response to a specified input (e.g., a voice input, a gesture input, a key input, a touch input, etc.), the information related with stress may be transmitted to the control device <NUM> as well. Also, the stress information may include at least one of a level (e.g., strength) of stress and/or the type (e.g., mental stress, physical stress, etc.) of stress. In the above description, an example has been explained in which the information related with stress is calculated by the at least one collecting device <NUM>, but this is illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the at least one collecting device <NUM> may transmit collected information (e.g., heart rate data or heart rate variability data) to the control device <NUM>, and the control device <NUM> may calculate stress based on the received information as well.

According to various embodiments, the control device <NUM> may be a cloud server which may form communication with the at least one collecting device <NUM> and the executing devices <NUM>, and some elements of the control device <NUM> may correspond to the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Also, as mentioned in greater detail below with reference to <FIG> below, in response to receiving information related with stress from the at least one collecting device <NUM>, the control device <NUM> may select at least one meditation content. According to an embodiment, the control device <NUM> may control the at least one executing device <NUM> for reproducing meditation content corresponding to a stress level. For example, the control device <NUM> may control the at least one executing device <NUM> to reproduce meditation content corresponding to a stress of a first level in a first environment. For instance, the control device <NUM> may control the lighting device to emit light at a first brightness range, and control an air conditioning system (not shown) to maintain a first temperature range, thereby creating a first environment. For another example, the control device <NUM> may control the at least one executing device <NUM> to reproduce meditation content corresponding to a stress of a second level in a second environment. For instance, the control device <NUM> may control the lighting device <NUM> to emit light at a second brightness range different from the first brightness range, and control the air conditioning system (not shown) to maintain a second temperature range different from the first temperature range, thereby creating a second environment. In the above description, the lighting device <NUM> and the air conditioning system (not shown) have been explained as the executing device <NUM> controlled to create an environment of reproduction of meditation contents, but this is illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the control device <NUM> may control the various executing devices <NUM>, thereby creating an environment of reproduction of meditation contents.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of executing devices <NUM> may include, for example, and without limitation, an air conditioner <NUM>, a motor curtain <NUM>, a television <NUM>, a lighting device <NUM>, a refrigerator <NUM>, etc. Although not illustrated, the plurality of executing devices <NUM> of various embodiments may further include a temperature control device, a crime prevention device, a gas valve control device, a door locking device, a dehumidifying device, an audio device, a video device, and/or an aromatic diffuser. According to an embodiment, the plurality of executing devices <NUM> may be set as one group based on an account of a user, and some elements of the executing device <NUM> may correspond to the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of executing devices <NUM> may each include a communication circuit, thereby forming communication with the control device <NUM> by a specified protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, etc.), to transceive various information. For example, the plurality of executing devices <NUM> may transmit information (e.g., device on/off information) about its own operation state to the control device <NUM>. Also, the plurality of executing devices <NUM> may receive a control message (e.g., an on/off control command of a device, other operation control commands of the device, etc.) from the control device <NUM>, to execute an operation corresponding to the control message. According to an embodiment, the executing device <NUM> may transmit the execution result of the operation corresponding to the control message, to the control device <NUM>.

In the above-described embodiment, the collecting device <NUM>, the control device <NUM> and the executing device <NUM> have been explained as mutually separated constructions, but this is illustrative and the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, at lease one of the collecting device <NUM>, the control device <NUM> and the executing device <NUM> may execute a function of another device. For instance, the control device <NUM> may additionally execute a function of the collecting device <NUM>, and the executing device <NUM> may additionally execute the function of the collecting device <NUM> as well.

<FIG> is a block diagram <NUM> illustrating an example configuration of the control device <NUM> according to various embodiments. <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example operation <NUM> of selecting meditation content in the control device <NUM> according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, some elements of the control device (e.g., the control device <NUM> of <FIG>) may correspond to the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the control device <NUM> may include a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) <NUM>, a memory <NUM> and a communication module (e.g., including communication circuitry) <NUM>, and may operate as a cloud server as mentioned earlier as well.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may include various processing circuitry and select at least one meditation content corresponding to stress based on information received from a collecting device (e.g., at least one collecting device <NUM> of <FIG>). The processor <NUM> may compare stress information received from the collecting device <NUM> and meta information stored in the memory <NUM>, to select meditation content corresponding to a stress level. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, meta information <NUM> may be information matching a stress level <NUM> to each of a plurality of meditation contents (e.g., the N number of meditation contents) <NUM>. Also, the meta information <NUM> may further include supplementary information <NUM> which includes at least one of user information (e.g., a gender, an age, a height, a weight, etc.) <NUM>, user state information (e.g., an activity state, a sleeping state, and an eating habit state) <NUM>, and/or environment information (e.g., a temperature, a humidity, a season, etc.) (not shown) as well. Also, the meta information <NUM> may include information about a recommended environment <NUM> for each of the meditation contents <NUM> as well. The information about the recommended environment <NUM> may be related with an operation mode of a peripheral executing device (e.g., the executing device <NUM> of <FIG>) suitable to stress relief.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may select at least one meditation content corresponding to a stress level, based on stress information provided from the collecting device <NUM>. Also, the processor <NUM> may confirm at least one executing device <NUM> intended to be controlled to create an execution environment (or a recommended environment) for the selected meditation content. For example, in response to receiving stress information <NUM> representing a stress strength (e.g., high (H)) of a first level from the collecting device <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may select a first mediation content (e.g., content <NUM>) <NUM> and a second meditation content (e.g., content <NUM>) <NUM> which are matched with the stress strength of the first level among the meditation contents <NUM> included in the stored meta information <NUM>. Also, through the meta information <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may confirm that there is a need to control a temperature (e.g., an indoor temperature) and a brightness (e.g., an indoor brightness) of an execution space in order to create a recommended environment for the selected first meditation content <NUM> and second meditation content <NUM>. At this time, through the meta information <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify an operation mode of the executing device <NUM> as well. For instance, as illustrated, at the time of execution of the first meditation content <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify an operation mode of an air conditioner (e.g., the air conditioner <NUM> of <FIG>) for decreasing a current temperature within a first temperature range (e.g., <NUM>%) and an operation mode <NUM> of a lighting device (e.g., the lighting device <NUM> of <FIG>) for decreasing a current brightness within a first brightness range (e.g., <NUM>%). Also, as illustrated, at the time of execution of the second meditation content <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify an operation mode of the air conditioner <NUM> for decreasing a current temperature within a second temperature range (e.g., <NUM>%) and an operation mode <NUM> of the lighting device <NUM> for decreasing a current brightness within a second brightness range (e.g., <NUM>%). For another example, although not illustrated, in response to receiving stress information representing a stress strength (e.g., low (L)) of a second level from the collecting device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may select meditation content (e.g., content N) matched with the stress strength of the second level among the stored meta information <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the processor <NUM> may additionally receive at least one of the user information <NUM> and the state information <NUM> from the collecting device <NUM>, and use this for selection of the meditation contents <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, in response to receiving information <NUM> capable of specifying (<NUM>) stress information representing a stress strength (e.g., high (H)) of a first level, the user information <NUM> capable of specifying a user, and the user state from the collecting device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may select a first meditation content (e.g., content <NUM>) <NUM> matched with a stress level, the user information and the supplementary information among the meditation contents <NUM> included in the stored meta information <NUM>. Also, through the meta information <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may confirm that there is a need to control a temperature (e.g., an indoor temperature) and a brightness (e.g., an indoor brightness) of an execution space in order to create a recommended environment for the selected first meditation content <NUM>. At this time, through the meta information <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify an operation mode <NUM> of the executing device <NUM> as well.

According to an embodiment, in response to confirming the at least one executing device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may process to execute the selected meditation contents <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the communication module <NUM> may include various communication circuitry and establish a communication channel between the control device <NUM> and the collecting device <NUM> and/or the control device <NUM> and the executing device <NUM>. The communication module <NUM> may include at least one wireless (e.g., mobile communication, WiFi, and/or Bluetooth, etc.) communication circuitry and/or at least one wired (e.g., high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), display port (DP), or universal serial bus (USB), etc.) communication circuitry. For example, the control device <NUM> may receive information collected by the collecting device <NUM> through the communication module <NUM>. Also, the control device <NUM> may transmit a meditation contents <NUM> execution command and an executing device <NUM> control command through the communication module <NUM>.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating example situations <NUM> and <NUM> of providing meditation contents in an electronic device according to various embodiments. The electronic device of <FIG> may be the control device <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device may provide suitable meditation contents (e.g., the meditation contents <NUM> of <FIG>) to a user based on the type of stress received from the collecting device <NUM> and previously stored meta information.

The type of stress may be divided into mental stress and physical stress. The mental stress may refer, for example, to a mental fatigue such as tension, anxiety, concern provided by an external stimuli, and the physical stress may refer, for example, to a physical fatigue such as the loss of appetite, the occurrence of emesis, and the occurrence of a heart disease provided by an external stimuli. The aforementioned type of stress is illustrative, and an embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. In an embodiment, the stress may be divided into strong stress and weak stress based on a stress index as well.

According to an embodiment, in response to a user's stress being identified as mental stress, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device may provide meditation contents for guiding breathing meditation in order to reduce the mental stress. For example, the electronic device may control a video device to reproduce contents (e.g., a candlelight screen) <NUM> guiding the breathing meditation and control an audio device to reproduce music (not shown) helpful for mental stability. Also, the electronic device may set an indoor brightness (e.g., <NUM> lux) <NUM> and an indoor temperature (e.g., <NUM>) <NUM> corresponding to an environment helpful for the breathing meditation.

According to another embodiment, in response to a user's stress being identified as physical stress, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device may control the video device to reproduce meditation contents (e.g., a mountain stream sound) <NUM> guiding sleeping meditation in order to reduce the physical stress and control the audio device to reproduce music (not shown) helpful for good sleep. Also, the electronic device may set an indoor brightness (e.g., <NUM> lux) <NUM> and an indoor temperature (e.g., <NUM>) <NUM> corresponding to an environment helpful for the sleeping meditation.

According to the invention, an electronic device (e.g., the control device <NUM>) may include a communication interface comprising communication circuitry (e.g., the communication module <NUM>), a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM>), and at least one processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) operatively coupled to the communication interface and the memory. According to an embodiment, the memory may store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to control the electronic device to: receive stress information from at least one collecting device (e.g., the collecting device <NUM>) using the communication interface, confirm meditation content corresponding to a stress level based on at least part of the received stress information, confirm at least one executing device (e.g., the executing device <NUM>) related to the confirmed meditation content, and control the execution of the confirmed meditation content and the confirmed at least one executing device using the communication interface.

According to an example embodiment, the memory may be configured to store meta information (e.g., the meta information <NUM>) matching a stress level to each of a plurality of meditation contents. Also, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor to control the electronic device to confirm the meditation content corresponding to the stress level based on at least part of a comparison result of the received stress information and the stored meta information.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions, when executed, may cause the processor to control the electronic device to: in response to receiving stress information representing a stress of a first level using the communication interface, identify first meditation content as the confirmed meditation content, and in response to receiving stress information representing a stress of a second level using the communication interface, identify second meditation content as the confirmed meditation content.

According to an example embodiment, the meta information may further include at least one of user information, a user state, or environment information. Also, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor to control the electronic apparatus to: in response to receiving supplementary information from the collecting device using the communication interface, confirm the meditation content corresponding to the stress level based on at least part of a comparison result of the received supplementary information and the stored meta information.

According to an example embodiment, the memory may be configured to store meta information in which a recommended environment is matched to each of a plurality of meditation contents. Also, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor to control an operation of the at least one executing device based on at least part of the meta information.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor to, in response to the first meditation content being confirmed, control the at least one executing device to execute the first meditation content in a first environment, and in response to the second meditation content being confirmed, control the at least one executing device to execute the second meditation content in a second environment different from the first environment.

According to an embodiment, the stress information may further include the type of stress. Also, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor to control the electronic device to: confirm the meditation content corresponding to the type of stress.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor to control the electronic device to: confirm at least one executing device related with the confirmed meditation content among a plurality of executing devices set as a group based on an account of a user.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor to control the collecting device to guide the viewing of the meditation content.

According to an example embodiment, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor to control the electronic device to: in response to receiving stress information from the collecting device using the communication interface, identify that the collecting device enters a previously registered area.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating an example operation of providing meditation contents in an electronic device according to various embodiments. In an example embodiment below, respective operations may be performed in sequence as well, but are not necessarily performed in sequence. For example, the order of respective operations may be changed as well, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel as well. The electronic device of <FIG> may be the control device <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may receive stress information from the at least one collecting device <NUM>. The stress information may include at least one of a level (e.g., strength) of stress and/or the type (e.g., mental stress, physical stress, etc.) of stress.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may confirm meditation content corresponding to a stress level. The processor <NUM> may compare the stress information with meta information stored in the memory <NUM>, to select the meditation content corresponding to the stress level. For example, as mentioned earlier through <FIG>, the meta information may be information matching the stress level <NUM> to each of the meditation contents <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may confirm at least one meditation content matched with the stress information received from the collecting device <NUM> among the meditation contents <NUM> included in the meta information <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may select meditation content suitable to user's stress relief.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may confirm at least one executing device <NUM> related to the confirmed meditation content. The executing device <NUM> may include an executing device of a first group for executing the confirmed meditation content and an executing device of a second group for creating an environment which is helpful for stress relief at the time of execution of the meditation content. For example, the executing device of the first group may include at least one of a video device (e.g., a television, a monitor, etc.) and an audio device (e.g., a speaker), and the executing device of the second group may include at least one of an air conditioner, a motor curtain, a lighting device or an aromatic diffuser. According to an embodiment, the electronic device may confirm at least one executing device of a first group and/or at least one executing device of a second group based on recommended environment information matched with the selected meditation contents.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may control the execution of the confirmed meditation content and the at least one executing device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may control the executing device <NUM> based on a recommended environment matched with the selected meditation content. For example, the processor <NUM> may set an operation mode of the at least one executing device <NUM> to create the recommended environment.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating an example operation of selecting meditation content in an electronic device according to various embodiments. Operations of <FIG> explained below may be ones representing various embodiments of operation <NUM> of <FIG>. Also, in an embodiment below, respective operations may be performed in sequence as well, but are not necessarily performed in sequence. For example, the order of respective operations may be changed as well, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel as well. The electronic device of <FIG> may be the control device <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may identify whether supplementary information (e.g., the supplementary information <NUM> of <FIG>) is received from the collecting device <NUM>. The supplementary information may include at least one of user profile information (e.g., a gender, an age, a height, a weight, etc.) (e.g., the user information <NUM> of <FIG>), user state (e.g., an activity state, a sleeping state, and an eating habit state) information (e.g., the state information <NUM> of <FIG>), and environment information (e.g., a temperature, a humidity, a season, etc.) at stress measurement.

In response to confirming that the supplementary information is not received ("No" in operation <NUM>), the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may select meditation content based on a stress level. For example, as mentioned earlier through operation <NUM> of <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may confirm the meditation content corresponding to the stress level.

In response to confirming that the supplementary information is received ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may confirm meditation content based on the stress level and the supplementary information. According to an embodiment, as mentioned earlier through <FIG>, the meta information <NUM> may further include the supplementary information <NUM> which includes at least one of the user information (e.g., a gender, an age, a height, a weight, etc.) <NUM>, a user state (e.g., an activity state, a sleeping state, and an eating habit state) or environment information (e.g., a temperature, a humidity, a season, etc.) as well. The processor <NUM> may compare stress information and the received supplementary information with the meta information <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM>, to select the meditation content corresponding to the stress level. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may select meditation contents suitable to user stress relief.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating an example operation of measuring stress in a system according to various embodiments.

As illustrated in <FIG>, according to various embodiments, stress may be measured by operations of a collecting device <NUM> (e.g., the collecting device <NUM> of <FIG>) and a control device <NUM> (e.g., the control device <NUM> of <FIG>).

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may sense the occurrence of an information collection event. According to an embodiment, as mentioned earlier, the collecting device <NUM> may be an electronic device in which body wearing is possible or body mount is possible. In this case, in response to sensing the body wearing or the body mount, the collecting device <NUM> may identify that the information collection event has occurred. However, this is merely an example, and an embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this and various embodiments may be applied. For instance, in response to sensing a previously specified input (e.g., a voice input, a gesture input, a key input, a touch input, etc.), the collecting device <NUM> may identify that the information collection event has occurred as well.

In response to sensing the occurrence of the information collection event, in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may collect information for stress calculation. The information for stress calculation may include a heart rate and/or heart rate variability. For example, the collecting device <NUM> may continuously or periodically collect the information for stress calculation.

In operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may identify whether stress on a user is sensed based on the collected information. For example, the collecting device <NUM> may calculate a stress level (e.g., a strength, an index, etc.) based on a user's heart rate or heart rate variability. Also, in response to a stress level of a specified level or more being calculated, the collecting device <NUM> may identify that stress has been sensed.

In response to it being identified that the stress has been sensed ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may store stress information in the collecting device (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>).

After storing the stress information or in response to identifying that the stress has not been sensed ("No" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may identify entrance or non-entrance into a registration area. According to an embodiment, the collecting device <NUM> may identify entrance into the registration area using at least one of GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE, sensor, and near field communication (NFC). For instance, the registration area may include a geo-fence.

In response to the entrance into the registration area not being identified ("No" in operation <NUM>), the collecting device <NUM> may collect information for stress calculation. According to an embodiment, until the entrance into the registration area is identified, the collecting device <NUM> may collect the information for stress calculation. For example, the collecting device <NUM> may continuously or periodically monitor whether a situation in which a user feels stress occurs or a situation in which stress is relieved during movement occurs. For instance, in response to the situation in which stress is relieved during movement occurring, the collecting device <NUM> may delete the stored stress information or store information representing the situation in which stress is relieved as well.

In response to the entrance into the registration area being identified ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may identify the storage or non-storage of the stress information.

In response to it being identified that the stress information has been stored ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may provide the stress information to the control device <NUM>. For example, the stress information may include the calculated stress level (e.g., strength, index, etc.).

Accordingly, in response to receiving the stress information, the control device <NUM> may control the execution of meditation contents. For example, the control device <NUM> may perform an operation related with at least one of operation <NUM> and operation <NUM> of <FIG>.

Also, in response to it being identified that the stress information has not been stored ("No" in operation <NUM>), the collecting device <NUM> may identify that it is a situation in which the user does not feel stress and thus, may not provide separate information to the control device <NUM>.

In the above description, an example has been explained in which stress information is calculated by the collecting device <NUM>, but this is illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the collecting device <NUM> may provide non-processed biometric information (raw data) to the control device <NUM>, and accordingly to this, the control device <NUM> may calculate stress based on the received biometric information as well. In this case, the control device <NUM> may calculate stress based on the received biometric information as well. Additionally, the control device <NUM> may obtain various information such as a blood pressure, a blood sugar, arrhythmia, an oxygen saturation, etc. based on the received biometric information.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may sense the occurrence of an information collection event. According to an embodiment, as mentioned earlier, as an example embodiment, the collecting device <NUM> may be an electronic device in which body wearing is possible or body mount is possible. In this case, in response to sensing the body wearing or the body mount, the collecting device <NUM> may identify that the information collection event has occurred.

In response to sensing the occurrence of the information collection event, in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may collect information for stress calculation. The information necessary for stress calculation may include a heart rate and/or heart rate variability. For example, the collecting device <NUM> may continuously or periodically collect the information necessary for stress calculation.

In response to it being identified that the stress has been sensed ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may provide stress information to the control device <NUM>. For example, the stress information may include the calculated stress level (e.g., strength, index, etc.).

After providing the stress information to the control device <NUM> or in response to identifying that the stress has not been sensed ("No" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may identify entrance or non-entrance into a registration area. According to an embodiment, the collecting device <NUM> may identify entrance into the registration area using at least one of GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE, sensor, and near field communication (NFC).

In response to the entrance into the registration area not being identified ("No" in operation <NUM>), the collecting device <NUM> may collect information for stress calculation while identifying the entrance or non-entrance into the registration area.

In response to the entrance into the registration area being identified ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the collecting device <NUM> may provide a notification of entrance into the registration area to the control device <NUM>. Accordingly, in response to receiving the entrance notification, the control device <NUM> may control the execution of meditation contents. For example, the control device <NUM> may perform an operation related with at least one of operation <NUM> and operation <NUM> of <FIG>.

The aforementioned operation of <FIG> has a difference with the aforementioned operation of <FIG> in an aspect in which the collecting device <NUM> provides the stress information to the control device <NUM> before the entrance into the registration area, in other words, in response to the stress sensing. For example, according to an embodiment of <FIG>, before the collecting device <NUM> enters the registered area, the control device <NUM> may previously identify meditation contents suitable to stress relief and an environment of execution of the meditation contents based on the stress information, and may create the environment of execution of the meditation contents at the same time when the collecting device <NUM> enters the registered area.

Also, in the above description, an example has been explained in which the stress information is calculated by the collecting device <NUM>, but this is illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as described above, the collecting device <NUM> may provide non-processed biometric information (raw data) to the control device <NUM>, and accordingly to this, the control device <NUM> may calculate stress based on the received biometric information as well.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating an example operation of providing meditation contents in an electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams <NUM> illustrating an example situation of guiding the viewing of meditation contents in a collecting device. Operations of <FIG> explained below may be ones representing various embodiments of operation <NUM> of <FIG>. Also, in an embodiment below, respective operations may be performed in sequence as well, but are not necessarily performed in sequence. For example, the order of respective operations may be changed as well, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel as well. The electronic device of <FIG> may be the control device <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of the invention identifies whether the collecting device <NUM> enters a registered area. According to the invention, in response to receiving an entrance notification from the collecting device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> identifies that the collecting device <NUM> enters the registered area.

In response to identifying that the collecting device <NUM> enters the registered area of various embodiments ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) controls the execution of meditation contents. According to the invention, the processor <NUM> controls at least one executing device (e.g., a television, a monitor, a speaker, etc.) of a first group to execute meditation content. Also, the processor <NUM> may control at least one executing device (e.g., an air conditioner, a motor curtain, a dehumidifier, a lighting device, an aromatic diffuser, etc.) of a second group in order to create an environment which is helpful for stress relief at the time of meditation content execution.

In response to identifying that the collecting device <NUM> does not enter the registered area of various embodiments ("No" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) may indicate the guidance of viewing of meditation contents. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may indicate the viewing guidance by providing the collecting device <NUM> with notification information notifying that a preparation of execution of meditation contents is completed. The collecting device <NUM> receiving this notification information may provide guide information guiding the viewing of meditation contents. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when a user who wears the collecting device <NUM> is in a driving state, the collecting device <NUM> may provide guide information <NUM> guiding to a place where meditation viewing is possible. For another example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the user who wears the collecting device <NUM> is in a state of being within a specified proximity to the registered area (e.g., a registration point), the collecting device <NUM> may provide guide information <NUM> guiding to the registration point as well.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating an example operation of selecting meditation content in an electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example situation of recommending meditation contents based on the type of stress. Operations of <FIG> explained below may be ones representing various embodiments of operation <NUM> of <FIG>. Also, in an embodiment below, respective operations may be performed in sequence as well, but are not necessarily performed in sequence. For example, the order of the respective operations may be changed as well, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel as well. The electronic device of <FIG> may be the control device <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may identify whether a plurality of meditation contents (e.g., the meditation contents <NUM> of <FIG>) are acquired.

In response to confirming that one meditation content is acquired ("No" in operation <NUM>), the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may control the execution of the selected meditation content. For example, the processor <NUM> may perform an operation related with at least one of operation <NUM> and operation <NUM> of <FIG>.

In response to confirming that the plurality of meditation contents are acquired ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), in operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may confirm the type of calculated stress. For example, stress may be divided into mental stress and physical stress.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of various embodiments may identify recommended meditation contents based on the type of stress. For example, each meditation content may include index information defining stress suitable for relieving through the corresponding meditation content. For instance, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, index information <NUM> or <NUM> may be a criterion for identifying whether the corresponding meditation content is suitable to mental stress or is suitable to physical stress. This index <NUM> information may be defined by a meditation contents provider. Also, this index information may be altered based on a use history of meditation contents and stress information of a user who uses the meditation contents as well.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify recommendation meditation content corresponding to the type of stress using index information of acquired meditation contents. For example, in response to a calculated stress corresponding to mental stress, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify, as recommendation meditation contents, meditation contents (e.g., breathing meditation contents) <NUM> including an index <NUM> corresponding to a mental stress level <NUM> among the acquired meditation contents. For another example, in response to the calculated stress <NUM> corresponding to physical stress, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may identify, as recommendation meditation contents, meditation contents (e.g., sleeping meditation contents) <NUM> including an index <NUM> corresponding to a physical stress level <NUM> among the acquired meditation contents.

According to the invention, an operating method of an electronic device (e.g., the control device <NUM>) may include receiving stress information from at least one collecting device (e.g., the collecting device <NUM>), confirming meditation content corresponding to a stress level based on at least part of the received stress information, confirming at least one executing device (e.g., the executing device <NUM>) related to the confirmed meditation content, and controlling the execution of the confirmed meditation content and the confirmed at least one executing device.

According to various example embodiments, confirming the meditation content may include confirming the meditation content corresponding to the stress level based on at least part of a comparison result of the received stress information and previously stored meta information (e.g., the meta information <NUM>). For example, the meta information may include information matching a stress level to each of a plurality of meditation contents.

According to an example embodiment, confirming the meditation content may include, in response to receiving stress information representing a stress of a first level, identifying first meditation content as the confirmed meditation content, and in response to receiving stress information representing a stress of a second level, identifying second meditation content as the confirmed meditation content.

According to an example embodiment, the meta information may further include at least one of user information, a user state, or environment information. According to an example embodiment, confirming the meditation content may include, in response to receiving supplementary information from the collecting device, confirming the meditation content corresponding to the stress level based on at least part of a comparison result of the received supplementary information and the stored meta information.

According to an example embodiment, controlling the at least one executing device may include controlling an operation of the at least one executing device based on at least part of meta information. For example, the meta information may include information in which a recommended environment is matched to each of a plurality of meditation contents.

According to an example embodiment, controlling the at least one executing device may include, in response to the first meditation content being confirmed, controlling to execute the first meditation content in a first environment, and in response to the second meditation content being confirmed, controlling to execute the second meditation content in a second environment different from the first environment.

According to an example embodiment, the stress information may further include the type of stress. According to an example embodiment, confirming the meditation content may include confirming the meditation content corresponding to the type of stress.

According to an example embodiment, confirming the at least one executing device may include confirming at least one executing device related to the confirmed meditation content among a plurality of executing devices which have been set as a group based on an account of a user.

According to an example embodiment, the operating method of the electronic device may include controlling the collecting device to guide the viewing of the meditation content.

According to the invention the operating method of the electronic device may include, in response to receiving stress information from the collecting device, identifying that the collecting device enters a previously registered area.

Claim 1:
An electronic device comprising:
a communication interface (<NUM>) comprising communication circuitry;
a memory (<NUM>); and
at least one processor (<NUM>) operatively coupled to the communication interface (<NUM>) and the memory (<NUM>),
wherein the memory (<NUM>) is configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor (<NUM>) to control the electronic device to:
receive stress information from at least one collecting device using the communication interface (<NUM>);
after receiving the stress information from the at least one collecting device, receive a notification of entrance into a previously registered area from the at least one collecting device using the communication interface (<NUM>);
based on receiving the notification of entrance into the previously registered area, identify that the at least one collecting device enters the previously registered area;
identify meditation content corresponding to a stress level based on at least part of the received stress information;
identify at least one executing device related to the meditation content; and
based on that the at least one collecting device enters the previously registered area, control the execution of the meditation content and the at least one executing device using the communication interface (<NUM>).