Patent Description:
Reactive oxygen species act as an important biological defense factor such as white blood cells protecting the body against infections. However, it has been known that excessive generation of reactive oxygen species in the body may lead to various tissue diseases. Common factors that cause the reactive oxygen species include stress, alcohol, peroxides, medicine, and the like. The reactive oxygen species produced by these factors may cause cranial nerve diseases, circulatory diseases, cancer, digestive tract diseases, liver diseases, arteriosclerosis, renal diseases, diabetes, aging, and the like. Our bodies have a series of antioxidant defense systems to protect against oxygen toxicity. For normal operation of the systems, it is essential to consume sufficient antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoid, flavonoid, and the like, and it is important to eat as many foods that are rich in antioxidants as possible for an effective antioxidant action. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus for easily identifying the amount of antioxidants in the body. <CIT> discloses a wearable device, a charger, and a method for estimating absorbance of the wearable device. The wearable device includes a spectroscope configured to emit a first light to a reference material of a charger, measure an intensity of the first light reflected from the reference material, emit a second light to a skin of a user, and measure an intensity of the second light reflected from the skin of the user; and a processor configured to determine absorbance of the skin of the user based on the intensity of the first light and the intensity of the second light. <CIT> discloses a method of calibrating an optical sensor including acquiring a first characteristic for an external light source through a detector of an optical sensor while an internal light source of the optical sensor is turned off, driving the internal light source, acquiring a second characteristic for the internal light source and the external light source through the detector, based on driving the internal light source, and acquiring a reference characteristic of the internal light source, for calculation of an absorbance of an object, based on the first characteristic and the second characteristic. It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved device and method for assisting a user in making an effective and accurate user input for estimating bio-information.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device according to claim <NUM> including: an optical sensor configured to emit a reference light to a reference object and detect the reference light reflected from the reference object during calibration, and emit a measurement light to a target object and detect the measurement light reflected from the target object during a measurement; and a processor configured to perform the calibration of the optical sensor while the electronic device is disposed to oppose or in contact with the reference object by controlling the optical sensor to emit and detect the reference light, and estimate bio-information based on a light quantity of the measurement light that is reflected from the target object by the optical sensor, and a light quantity of the reference light reflected from the reference object.

The sensor may include a light source configured to emit the reference light onto the reference object, and a detector configured to detect the reference light reflected from the reference object, wherein the processor may store, in a memory, calibration information including the light quantity of the reference light detected by the detector.

The electronic device further includes: an output device including either one or both of a haptic device and a speaker to output an output signal, the output signal including either one of both of a vibration signal and a sound signal, wherein the output device may be configured to output the output signal to guide the target object to press the optical sensor during a pressing phase of the measurement, stop outputting the output signal during a detection phase of the measurement in which the optical sensor detects the measurement light reflected from the target object, and output the output signal again during a completion phase of the measurement in which a detection of the measurement light is complete.

When the pressing phase begins, the output device may output the output signal with a predetermined intensity at least one or more times during the pressing phase, and then may gradually decrease an intensity of the output signal as pressure applied to the optical sensor increases, and in response to the pressure reaching a reference value, the output device may stop outputting the output signal.

During the pressing phase, in response to the pressure not reaching the reference value within a predetermined period of time, the output device may output the output signal in a different pattern from a pattern of the output signal which is output at a beginning of the pressing phase.

During the pressing phase, in response to pressure applied by the target object to the optical sensor reaching a reference value, the output device may output the output signal with a predetermined intensity at least one or more times.

The reference object may be disposed on a charger for charging the electronic device. When the electronic device is placed on the charger for charging and is in a charging state, the processor may automatically start to perform the calibration of the optical sensor.

The electronic device may further include a display configured to output a text that guides a user to estimate the bio-information when the electronic device is removed from the charger after the charging is complete or when a current time corresponds to a recommendation time based on a change in a user pattern.

The electronic device may further include a display configured to output a text or an image for guiding a user to place the target object on the optical sensor.

The processor may be further configured to determine a contact position when the target object comes into contact with the optical sensor. In response to the contact position not coinciding with a predetermined measurement position, an output device may output vibration or sound in a predetermined pattern.

The optical sensor may include a light source disposed at a center of the optical sensor, and a plurality of detectors disposed to surround the light source, wherein based on absorbances measured by each of the plurality of detectors, the processor may be further configured to determine the contact position of the target object.

The processor may be further configured to calculate absorbances at each wavelength based on the light quantity of the reference light measured from the reference object during the calibration, and the light quantity of the measurement light measured from the target object, obtain a feature value based on the calculated absorbances at each wavelength, and estimate the bio-information based on the obtained feature value.

The electronic device may further include a display configured to output a bio-information estimation result.

The processor may be further configured to combine the absorbances at each wavelength, obtain an antioxidant peak by correcting a baseline of a waveform of the absorbances, and obtain an antioxidant level based on the antioxidant peak by using a predefined antioxidant level estimation model.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method according to claim <NUM> of estimating bio-information by using an electronic device including an optical sensor. The method may include: performing calibration of the optical sensor by emitting a reference light to a reference object and detecting the reference light reflected from the reference object during calibration; guiding a user to follow measurement phases by outputting an output signal that includes either one or both of a vibration signal or a sound signal; measuring a light quantity of a measurement light that is emitted to and reflected from a target object; and estimating the bio-information based on the light quantity of the measurement light and a light quantity of the reference light reflected from the reference object.

The measurement phases include a pressing phase, a detection phase, and a completion phase, and the guiding may include outputting the output signal during the pressing phase in which the target object to guide the user to press the optical sensor, stopping outputting the output signal during the detection phase in which the optical sensor detects the measurement light reflected from the target object, and outputting the output signal during the completion phase in which a detection of the measurement light is complete.

The guiding may include, when the pressing phase begins, outputting the output signal with a predetermined intensity at least one or more times during the pressing phase, and then gradually decreasing an intensity of the output signal as pressure applied to the optical sensor increases, and in response to the pressure reaching a reference value, stopping outputting the output signal.

The guiding may include, during the pressing phase, in response to pressure applied by the target object to the optical sensor reaching a reference value, outputting the output signal with a predetermined intensity at least one or more times.

The reference object may be disposed on a charger for charging the electronic device, wherein the performing of the calibration may include, automatically starting to perform the calibration when the electronic device is placed on the charger for charging and is in a charging state.

The estimating of the bio-information may include: calculating absorbances at each wavelength based on the light quantity of the reference light measured during the calibration and the light quantity of the measurement light measured from the target object; obtaining a feature value based on the calculated absorbances at each wavelength; and estimating the bio-information based on the obtained feature value.

Any references to singular may include plural unless expressly stated otherwise. In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, an expression such as "comprising" or "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. Also, the terms, such as 'unit' or 'module', etc., should be understood as a unit that performs at least one function or operation and that may be embodied as hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure which will be described below may include, for example, at least one of a wearable device, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a mobile phone, a video phone, an electronic book reader, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a PDA, a portable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a medical device, and a camera. The wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type wearable device (e.g., wristwatch, ring, bracelet, anklet, necklace, glasses, contact lens, or head mounted device (HMD)), a textile/clothing type wearable device (e.g., electronic clothing), a body-mounted type wearable device (e.g., skin pad or tattoo), and a body implantable type wearable device. However, the wearable device is not limited thereto and may include home appliances, such as a television, a digital video disk (DVD) player, a stereo system, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel, a media box, a game console, an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, an electronic picture frame, etc., or may include various medical devices, for example, various portable medical measuring devices (blood glucose monitoring device, heart rate monitor, blood pressure measuring device, thermometer, etc.), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), imaging system, ultrasonic system, etc.). However, the electronic device is not limited to the above devices.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes a sensor <NUM>, an output device <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> may be disposed on a first surface (e.g., rear surface) of a main body of the electronic device <NUM>, and may include a light source <NUM> and a detector <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be implemented as any one or any combination of an optical health sensor, an antioxidant sensor, a blood glucose monitoring sensor, a triglyceride monitoring sensor, a blood alcohol detecting sensor, and a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. The light source <NUM> may include a light emitting diode (LED), a laser diode, a phosphor, and the like. There may be one or more light sources, each of which may emit light of different wavelengths (e.g., red wavelength, green wavelength, blue wavelength, infrared wavelength, etc.). For example, the light sources may emit light in a wavelength range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The detector <NUM> may include a photodiode (PD), a phototransistor (PTr), a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, and the like. The detector <NUM> may be formed as a single detector, a plurality of detectors, or a detector array. The plurality of detectors or the detector array may be formed in a predetermined shape, for example, a concentric circle with the detectors being arranged around the outside of the light source <NUM>, or in various shapes, such as a square, a triangle, and the like.

The output device <NUM> may visually or non-visually output data generated or processed by the electronic device <NUM>. The output device <NUM> may include a display device <NUM> and a haptic/sound device <NUM>.

The display device <NUM> may be disposed on a second surface (e.g., front surface) of the main body of the electronic device <NUM> and may visually provide information to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The display device <NUM> may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control the devices. The display device <NUM> may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, and/or sensor circuitry (e.g., force sensor, pressure sensor, etc.) adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch. In the following disclosure, the force sensor may also refer to the pressure sensor, and force measured by the force sensor may also refer to pressure. By contrast, the pressure sensor may also refer to the force sensor, and pressure measured by the pressure sensor may also refer to force.

A haptic/sound device <NUM> may be either a haptic device or a sound device. Alternatively, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may include both the haptic device and the sound device, in which case the respective devices may be provided as separate modules or may be integrally formed as one module.

The haptic module may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., vibration, motion, etc.) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user by tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. The haptic module may generate and apply forces, vibrations, or motions to a user. The haptic module may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, and/or an electric stimulator.

The sound device may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The sound device may include a speaker, a receiver, and/or an audio module. The receiver may be implemented separately from, or as part of, the speaker. The audio module may convert a sound into an electrical signal or vice versa. The audio module may obtain the sound via the input device, or may output the sound via the sound output device, and/or a speaker and/or a headphone of another electronic device directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device.

The processor <NUM> may be electrically or wirelessly connected to various components of the electronic device <NUM>, such as the sensor <NUM>, the output device <NUM>, etc., so as to control these components and to perform various data processing or computation.

For example, by controlling the sensor <NUM> and using light quantity data of light received by the detector <NUM> of the sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform calibration of the sensor <NUM> and/or may estimate bio-information. In particular, the bio-information may be antioxidant levels, including a concentration of carotenoid accumulated in skin. However, this is merely an example, and the bio-information may include a variety of information including blood glucose, triglyceride, alcohol, lactate, skin pigment, bloodstream amount, and the like.

First, the processor <NUM> may perform calibration of the sensor <NUM> using a reference object. In particular, the reference object may be a reflector (e.g., <NUM>% reflection mirror, white reflector), or an object coated with a reflective material. The reflective material may be a diffuse reflection material having a reflectivity of <NUM> % to <NUM> %, and may be, for example, Barium sulfate (BaSO4), Teflon (PTFE), etc., but is not limited thereto.

For example, the reference object may be formed on one surface of a charger, i.e., a surface opposite to or coming into contact with the first surface of the main body when the main body of the electronic device <NUM> is placed on the charger. For example, when a user places the main body on the charger for charging the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may sense a charging state and may automatically start to perform calibration during charging. However, even in the charging state, the processor <NUM> may not perform calibration if calibration conditions are not satisfied, including a case where a predetermined calibration cycle is not started, or a case where a residual battery capacity until fully charged is less than or equal to a threshold (<NUM> %), and the like.

The processor <NUM> may drive the light source <NUM> of the sensor <NUM> to emit light onto the reference object of the charger, and may store a quantity of light, reflected from the reference object and detected by the detector <NUM>, as a reference light quantity. The processor <NUM> may repeat or iterate this process a number of times, and may obtain a statistical value (e.g., an arithmetic mean value, a weighted mean value, a median value, a mode, a valley value, a peak value, etc.) of quantities of the reflected light, which are detected each number of times, as the reference light quantity of the light source. In addition, when the plurality of detectors <NUM> detect light quantities for each light source <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may obtain a statistical value (e.g., an arithmetic mean value, a weighted mean value, a median value, a mode, a valley value, a peak value, etc.) of the light quantities detected by the respective detectors <NUM> as the reference light quantity of the corresponding light source.

In another example, the reference object may be a reflector, such as white paper, a holder with no charging function, etc., which may be easily used by a user, and in response to a user's request, the processor <NUM> perform calibration by using a user's reflector. In this case, reflectivity may vary depending on a type of the user's reflector, such that in order to correct the reflectivity, the processor <NUM> may perform primary calibration at the initial time of use of the user's reflector, at predetermined calibration intervals or in response to a user's request, by using the reference object formed on the charger, and then may perform secondary calibration by using the user's reflector and may correct the secondary calibration based on a result of the primary calibration.

Then, the processor <NUM> may determine a measurement state of the electronic device <NUM>, and while providing a user with appropriate guide information for each stage through the output device <NUM> disposed on the second surface of the main body, the processor <NUM> may estimate bio-information by using the light quantity measured from the object (e.g., thumb) and the calibration result.

For example, if the electronic device <NUM> is in a state before estimating bio-information, the processor <NUM> may output visual information for guiding a user to estimate bio-information at a predetermined time of estimation recommendation. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is placed on the charger and calibration is performed during charging, the processor <NUM> may output a text message, indicating estimation recommendation, at a time when the charging is complete or when the user removes the electronic device <NUM> from the charger to use the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the processor <NUM> may further output an estimation recommendation alarm by sound, vibrations, tactile sensation, etc., using the haptic/sound device <NUM> and the like of the output device <NUM>.

Alternatively, by analyzing user patterns, such as a predetermined user preferred measurement time, a significant change in bio-information before a measurement time, or a change in life patterns, such as drinking, exercise, etc., the processor <NUM> may determine an estimation recommendation time, and upon determining that the estimation recommendation time has come, the processor <NUM> may output a text message, guiding a user to estimate bio-information, to the display device <NUM>.

In response to a user's request for estimating bio-information, the processor <NUM> may guide the user to place an object on the sensor <NUM> through the display device <NUM>. For example, the display device <NUM> may output a text, such as "please press the sensor <NUM> with your thumb," and/or may output an image of the thumb covering the sensor <NUM>.

When the user places the object on the sensor <NUM>, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may guide each measurement phase by interworking with the processor <NUM> to output different patterns of vibrations/sounds for each measurement phase. In particular, the patterns of vibrations/sounds may be defined as various patterns for each measurement phase based on, for example, an intensity of vibration/sound, a number of times of repeated outputs, a duration of each repeated output, and/or a time interval between the repeated outputs, and the like.

For example, in a contact phase in which the object comes into contact with the sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine a contact position between the object and the sensor <NUM>, and the haptic/sound device <NUM> may guide a measurement position of the sensor <NUM> based on the determined contact position. In particular, the sensor <NUM> may include the light source <NUM> disposed at the center thereof, and the plurality of detectors <NUM> arranged around the outside of the light source <NUM>, in which the processor <NUM> may calculate absorbance for each detector <NUM> based on quantities of light received by the respective detectors <NUM>, and may determine a contact position of the object based on the absorbance.

For example, if the contact position of the object does not coincide with the measurement position of the sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may output vibration/sound in a first pattern. The processor <NUM> may repeat the process. If the contact position coincides with the measurement position or falls within a predetermined threshold range (e.g., a distance between the center of a touched fingerprint of the thumb and a center point of the measurement position (e.g., center point of the sensor) being less than or equal to a threshold value), the processor <NUM> may proceed to a measurement phase in which the sensor <NUM> measures light from the object.

However, the above process of determining the contact position of the object may be omitted depending on characteristics of the object, such as the case where the object fails to completely cover the entire surface of the sensor <NUM>, or in response to a user's input. In this case, the processor <NUM> may proceed to a next phase of detecting light by using the detectors <NUM> being in contact with the object. If a contact region of the object does not satisfy a predetermined number of detectors <NUM> or does not cover a predetermined range (e.g., <NUM> %) of the sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may guide the measurement position as described above.

When the object is in contact with the measurement position of the sensor <NUM>, such that the sensor <NUM> measures light from the object, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output predetermined patterns of vibrations/sounds for each of a pressing phase in which the object presses the sensor <NUM>, a detection phase in which the sensor <NUM> detects light from the object, and a completion phase in which the light detection is complete.

First, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output vibration/sound in a second pattern for the pressing phase. For example, at the beginning of the pressing phase, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output vibration/sound with a predetermined intensity at least one or more times, and as pressure gradually increases by pressing, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may gradually decrease the intensity of the vibration/sound, and when the pressure reaches a reference value, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may stop outputting the vibration/sound. In another example, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may not output vibration/sound until pressure reaches the reference value when the object presses the sensor <NUM>, and at a time when the pressure reaches the reference value, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output the vibration/sound with a predetermined intensity at least one or more times, and then may stop outputting the vibration/sound. In yet another example, when the object presses the sensor <NUM> such that pressure gradually increases, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may gradually increase the vibration/sound within a range less than or equal to a first intensity, and at a time when the pressure reaches the reference value, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output vibration/sound with a second intensity at least one or more times, and then may stop outputting the vibration/sound. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples.

Then, when the pressure applied by the object to the sensor <NUM> reaches the reference value such that the haptic/sound device <NUM> enters into the detection phase, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output vibration/sound in a third pattern for a period of time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) when the sensor <NUM> detects light from the object. In this case, the third pattern may correspond to stopping the vibration/sound without outputting the vibration/sound. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The sensor <NUM> may sequentially or simultaneously drive one or more light sources of different wavelengths in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>, and may detect light of the respective wavelengths using the detectors.

Subsequently, when the sensor <NUM> completes detection of light from the object, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output vibration/sound in a fourth pattern. For example, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output vibration/sound with a predetermined intensity at least one or more times. In this case, the second pattern and the fourth pattern may be different patterns, but are not limited thereto and may be set to the same pattern.

Next, when the sensor <NUM> completes detection of light scattered or reflected from the object, the processor <NUM> may calculate absorbances at each wavelength based on a ratio between a measured light quantity and a reference light quantity, may extract a feature value by using the absorbances at each wavelength. For example, the processor <NUM> may obtain a feature value by combining the calculated absorbances at each wavelength and by correcting a baseline of a waveform. The processor <NUM> may obtain bio-information by applying the obtained feature value to a predefined estimation model. The following Equations <NUM> to <NUM> represent an example of calculating absorbances at each wavelength and determining antioxidant levels by using absorbances at least at three wavelengths.

Herein, A(λ) denotes the absorbance at each wavelength, Im denotes the measured light quantity, which is measured from the first portion of the object at a specific wavelength, and I<NUM> denotes the reference light quantity obtained by calibration at the specific wavelength.

Herein, AO denotes, as an example of the feature value, an antioxidant peak obtained by combining the absorbances at each wavelength and correcting the baseline of the waveform; λ<NUM>, λ<NUM>, and λ<NUM> denote wavelengths; and Aλ1, Aλ2, and Aλ3 denote the absorbances at each wavelength which are obtained using Equation <NUM>, in which the wavelengths are relatively long in the order of λ<NUM>, λ<NUM>, and Aλ<NUM>.

Herein, Y denotes the antioxidant level, AO denotes the antioxidant peak, and a and b denote predetermined values. While Equation <NUM> denotes an antioxidant level estimation model which is defined as a linear function equation, the equation is not limited thereto and may be defined as a nonlinear function equation, such as a logarithmic function equation, an exponential function equation, and the like.

Then, the processor <NUM> may provide a bio-information estimation result to a user through the output device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may display information, such as an estimated bio-information value, an estimation history graph, recommendations based on the estimated bio-information value, etc., and along with the information, the processor <NUM> may output alarm information by using the haptic/sound device <NUM> and the like.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes the sensor <NUM>, the output device <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, and a memory <NUM>. The sensor <NUM>, the output device <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> are described above, such that a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The communication module <NUM> may support establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel and/or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device and other electronic device, a server, or the sensor device within a network environment, and performing of communication via the established communication channel. The communication module <NUM> may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor <NUM> and support a direct communication and/or a wireless communication. The communication module <NUM> may include a wireless communication module, e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module, etc., and/or a wired communication module, e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, a power line communication (PLC) module, and the like. These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single chip, or may be separately implemented as multiple chips. The wireless communication module may identify and authenticate the electronic device <NUM> in a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), etc.) stored in a subscriber identification module.

For example, the communication module <NUM> may transmit necessary data so that an external device (e.g., smartphone, desktop PC) may output guide information for estimating bio-information at the same time when the output device <NUM> outputs guide information for estimating bio-information, and when the processor <NUM> completes estimation of bio-information, the communication module <NUM> may transmit a bio-information estimation result to the external device so that the estimation result may be output in various manners. Further, the communication module <NUM> may receive various data related to operation (e.g., estimation of bio-information) of the electronic device <NUM> from the external device.

The memory <NUM> may store operating conditions for operating the sensor <NUM>, and various data required for other components of the electronic device. The various data may include, for example, software and input data and/or output data for a command related thereto. For example, the memory <NUM> may store, as calibration results (e.g., the reference light quantity I<NUM> obtained through calibration to be used in Equation <NUM>), various data including the reference light quantity, the estimated bio-information value, the bio-information estimation model, and/or user characteristic information, such as a user's age, gender, health condition, and the like.

The memory <NUM> may include at least one storage medium of a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., an SD memory, an XD memory, etc.), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, various examples of guiding by the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a smart watch wearable device as an example of the above electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the wearable device <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and a strap <NUM>. The main body <NUM> forms the exterior of the wearable device <NUM>, and may have the display device <NUM> formed on a front surface thereof as illustrated herein, such that a variety of information including time information, received message information, bio-information estimation guide information, bio-information estimation results, and the like may be displayed thereon. Further, the sensor <NUM> may be disposed on a rear surface of the main body <NUM>. A force sensor may be further disposed at a lower end of the sensor <NUM>. The force sensor may measure a force applied when a user presses the sensor with a finger. If a force measured by the force sensor is equal to or greater than a reference value, the processor <NUM> mounted in the main body <NUM> may control the sensor <NUM> to proceed to the detection phase.

<FIG> is a diagram explaining an example of performing calibration of a sensor of an electronic device.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the smartwatch wearable device <NUM> may be placed on a charger <NUM> for wired or wireless charging. A reference object <NUM> may be disposed on the charger <NUM>. As illustrated herein, the reference object <NUM> may be disposed at a position coming into contact with or opposite to the sensor <NUM>, disposed on a rear surface of the main body <NUM>, when the main body <NUM> of the wearable device <NUM> is placed on the charger <NUM>. The reference object may be a reflector (e.g., reflection mirror, white reflector), or an object coated with a reflective material, for example, a diffuse reflection material having a reflectivity of <NUM> % to <NUM> %, and the diffuse reflection material may be, for example, Barium sulfate (BaSO4), Teflon (PTFE), and the like.

When the main body <NUM> of the wearable device <NUM> is placed on the charger <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may automatically start to sense a charging state, and may output a status bar <NUM>, indicating a charging level, to the display device <NUM>. Further, while the wearable device <NUM> is in a charging state, the processor <NUM> may perform calibration of the sensor, and at the same time may display a text message <NUM>, indicating that calibration is in progress, on the display device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may control the sensor <NUM> to emit light onto the reference object and to detect light reflected from the reference object <NUM>, and may store the detected light quantity as the reference light quantity I<NUM> in the memory <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram explaining an example of guiding estimation of bio-information.

The processor <NUM> may determine a bio-information measurement state, and if the electronic device is in a state before measuring bio-information, the processor <NUM> may display information for recommending estimation of bio-information on the display device <NUM>. For example, as illustrated herein, when charging is complete while the main body <NUM> is placed on the charger <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may display a text message <NUM>, such as "would you like to measure your antioxidant level?", on the display device <NUM>. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may output a message <NUM> for recommending estimation of bio-information at a time when a user removes the main body <NUM> from the charger <NUM> to use the wearable device <NUM> or at predetermined intervals. Alternatively, when a change in user pattern is detected, such as in the case where a user does intense exercise while wearing the wearable device <NUM> on the wrist or in the case where health-related data, including an antioxidant level, an alcohol level, blood pressure, blood glucose, triglyceride, and the like during a predetermined period, fall outside a predetermined range, the processor <NUM> may output a text message for recommending estimation of bio-information.

<FIG> are diagrams explaining an example of guiding a measurement position of a bio-signal.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in response to a user's request for estimating bio-information, the display device <NUM> may output a text message 121a guiding the user to place, for example, a thumb <NUM> on the sensor <NUM> disposed on the rear surface of the main body <NUM>. Alternatively, as illustrated in <FIG>, the display device <NUM> may display an image <NUM> of the thumb placed on the sensor disposed on the rear surface of the main body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the user may flip over the main body and place the thumb OBJ on the sensor <NUM> disposed on a rear surface <NUM> of the main body. In particular, as illustrated in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> may include one or more light sources LED disposed at the center thereof, and a plurality of detectors PD arranged in a concentric circle around the outside of the light sources LED. When the thumb is placed on the sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may calculate absorbances for the respective detectors PD by using the quantities of light detected by the respective detectors PD as shown in the above Equation <NUM>, and may determine the contact position based on the calculated absorbances. In this case, if the contact position of the object does not coincide with the measurement position of the sensor <NUM>, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output predetermined patterns of vibrations/sounds, as will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> are diagrams explaining an example of guiding measurement phases.

Referring to <FIG>, while the object OBJ is in contact with the sensor <NUM> disposed on the rear surface <NUM> of the main body, the haptic/sound device <NUM> may output vibration <NUM> and/or sound <NUM> for guiding each measurement phase when each of a plurality of measurement phases (e.g., a pressing phase, a detection phase, a completion phase) is performed.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, vibration/sound <NUM> is output with a first intensity V1 at a time A1 when pressurization <NUM> begins, and then gradually decreases with an increase in pressurization <NUM>, and may be stopped at a time A2 when the pressurization <NUM> reaches a reference value TP. Then, detection of light is performed while the output of the vibration/sound <NUM> remains stopped, and at a time A3 when the light detection is complete, the vibration/sound <NUM> may be output again with a second intensity V2. In this case, the first intensity and the second intensity may be different from or equal to each other.

In another example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the vibration/sound <NUM> is not output during a period from the time point A1 when the pressurization <NUM> begins until the pressurization <NUM> reaches the reference value TP, and at a time A2 when the pressurization <NUM> reaches the reference value TP, the vibration/sound <NUM> may be output with the first intensity V1. Then, detection of light is performed while the output of the vibration/sound <NUM> remains stopped, and at the time A3 when the light detection is complete, the vibration/sound <NUM> may be output again with the second intensity V2. In this case, the first intensity and the second intensity may be different from or equal to each other.

<FIG> are diagrams explaining an example of outputting a bio-information estimation result.

Once light is detected from the object, the processor <NUM> may obtain, for example, an antioxidant level, by using the reference light quantity which is obtained based on the measured light quantity and by calibration as described above with reference to Equations <NUM> to <NUM>, and may display the antioxidant level on the display device <NUM> by using various visual methods, such as a circular chart <NUM> and/or a text <NUM> indicating the antioxidant level as illustrated in <FIG>, so that a user may easily recognize an estimation result. The processor <NUM> may estimate the antioxidant level of an object in real time, or at the same time while the sensor <NUM> is collecting an optical signal from the object.

Further, referring to <FIG>, while estimating the antioxidant level and/or when completing estimation of bio-information, the processor <NUM> may transmit data regarding a progress and/or an estimation result to an external device <NUM> through the communication module, and the external device <NUM> may display a graphic object <NUM> indicating progress and/or a graphic object <NUM> indicating an estimation result on the display device <NUM>. In addition, referring to <FIG>, the external device <NUM> may manage results received from the wearable device, and in response to a user's request, the external device <NUM> may visually display an antioxidant level estimation history in a graph <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of estimating bio-information according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

The method of <FIG> is an example of a method of estimating bio-information performed by the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, which will be briefly described below in order to avoid redundancy.

First, the electronic device may determine whether the electronic device is in a charging state in operation <NUM>.

Then, when the electronic device is placed on, for example, the charger and charging is started, the electronic device may perform calibration of the sensor by emitting light to a reference object disposed on the charger and then collecting the light reflected from the reference object, in operation <NUM>. During the calibration, the electronic device may measure a reference light quantity of each light source based on the light reflected from the reference object, and may store the reference light quantity in the memory to be used in operation <NUM>.

Subsequently, the electronic device may determine whether the electronic device is in a measurement state for measuring bio-information in operation <NUM>, and if the electronic device is not in the measurement state, the electronic device may guide a user to measure bio-information in operation <NUM>. For example, when charging is complete after the electronic device is placed on the charger and calibration is performed, or when a user removes the electronic device from the charger to use the electronic device, the electronic device may output a text message, indicating estimation recommendation, on the display device of the electronic device. Alternatively, by analyzing a predetermined user preferred measurement time or a change in user pattern, the electronic device may determine a time of estimation recommendation. Further, in response to a user's request for estimating bio-information, the electronic device may output a text message, guiding a user to place the object on the sensor, to the display device.

Next, when the electronic device is in the measurement state in operation <NUM> when the user places the object on the sensor for estimating bio-information, the electronic device may guide the user on a measurement position in operation <NUM>. For example, the electronic device may determine a contact position of the object being in contact with the sensor, and may guide the user on the measurement position of the sensor through the haptic/sound device. In this case, based on a difference in quantities of light received by the plurality of detectors, the electronic device may determine the contact position, and may repeat the process until the contact position coincides with the measurement position. For example, the electronic device may determine that the contact position is good when a coincidence range between the contact position and the measurement position falls within a predetermined threshold range (e.g., when a distance between the center of a thumb placed on a contact surface of the sensor <NUM>, and the center of the contact surface of the sensor <NUM>, is less than or equal to a threshold value).

Then, when the contact position is determined to be good in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may guide the user on measurement phases in operation <NUM>. For example, after the object comes into contact with the measurement position, the haptic/sound device may guide each of the measurement phases by outputting vibrations/sound according to patterns for each of the pressing phase, detection phase, and completion phase.

Subsequently, when the contact pressure reaches a reference value, the sensor may measure an optical signal from the object in operation <NUM>.

Next, the electronic device may estimate bio-information in operation <NUM> by using the light quantity measured in operation <NUM> and the reference light quantity obtained in operation <NUM>. For example, the electronic device may calculate absorbances at each wavelength based on a ratio between the measured light quantity and the reference light quantity, may extract a feature value by using the absorbances at each wavelength, and may obtain bio-information by applying the obtained feature value to a predefined estimation model.

Then, the electronic device may provide the user with a bio-information estimation result through the output device in operation <NUM>. For example, the electronic device may display information, such as an estimated bio-information value, an estimation history graph, recommendations based on the estimated bio-information value, and the like, on the display device and along with the information, the electronic device may provide alarm information by using a sound output device, a haptic device, etc., and may transmit result data and the like to an external device so that the external device may output the data.

While not restricted thereto, an example embodiment can be embodied as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data that can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Also, an example embodiment may be written as a computer program transmitted over a computer-readable transmission medium, such as a carrier wave, and received and implemented in general-use or special-purpose digital computers that execute the programs. Moreover, it is understood that in example embodiments, one or more units of the above-described apparatuses and devices can include circuitry, a processor, a microprocessor, etc., and may execute a computer program stored in a computer-readable medium.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
an optical sensor (<NUM>) configured to emit a reference light to a reference object (<NUM>) and detect the reference light reflected from the reference object (<NUM>) during calibration, and emit a measurement light to a target object and detect the measurement light reflected from the target object during a measurement; and
a processor (<NUM>) configured to perform the calibration of the optical sensor (<NUM>) while the electronic device is disposed to oppose or in contact with the reference object (<NUM>) by controlling the optical sensor (<NUM>) to emit and detect the reference light, and estimate bio-information based on a light quantity of the measurement light that is reflected from the target object by the optical sensor (<NUM>), and a light quantity of the reference light reflected from the reference object (<NUM>),
an output device (<NUM>) comprising either one or both of a haptic device and a speaker to output an output signal, the output signal comprising either one of both of a vibration signal and a sound signal,
wherein the output device (<NUM>) is configured to output the output signal to guide the target object to press the optical sensor during a pressing phase of the measurement, stop outputting the output signal during a detection phase of the measurement in which the optical sensor detects the measurement light reflected from the target object, and output the output signal again during a completion phase of the measurement in which a detection of the measurement light is complete.