Vehicle and control method thereof

Abstract

The vehicle of the present invention may include a heating element mounted on a steering wheel; a blood flow sensor; at least one camera; and a control device that identifies a user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor, identifies information regarding a predetermined part of the user's body obtained through the at least one camera, and controls the heating of the heating element based on the identification of the user's blood flow and the identification of information regarding the predetermined part of the body.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle and a method for controlling the vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Heating elements may be installed in the wheels of a vehicle. The wheel heating elements may be installed inside the cover of the vehicle's steering wheel from a power supply and may generate heat based on the application of power. These wheel heating elements can relieve the discomfort felt by the driver of the vehicle from gripping a cold steering wheel in winter.

[0003] Conventional wheel heating systems are controlled by the user directly operating a switch. For example, the heating element of a conventional wheel generates heat based on the user turning the switch on and stops generating heat based on the user turning the switch off.

[0004] Consequently, there was an inconvenience in the past where the vehicle driver had to manually operate a switch to activate the wheel heaters. The problem to be solved

[0005] One aspect of the disclosed invention may provide a vehicle and a method for controlling the operation of a wheel heater based on the internal and / or external environment of the vehicle and the state of a user inside the vehicle.

[0006] For example, the disclosed vehicle and its control method improve upon a conventional wheel heater that operates by simple switch operation regardless of user environment conditions, and can appropriately control the operation of the wheel heater according to user environment conditions.

[0007] For example, the disclosed vehicle and its control method can control the operation of a wheel heater for a certain period of time based on the internal and / or external temperature of the vehicle, the user's current state, and / or current time information, without the user's operation of a switch, when the temperature inside the vehicle is low in cold weather.

[0008] Accordingly, users driving in cold weather can be provided with the convenience of using the vehicle's heated wheels and a comfortable driving environment. means of solving the problem

[0009] A vehicle according to one aspect may include a heating element mounted on a steering wheel; a blood flow sensor; at least one camera; and a control device that identifies a user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor, identifies information regarding a predetermined part of the user's body obtained through the at least one camera, and controls the heating of the heating element based on the identification of the user's blood flow and the identification of information regarding the predetermined part of the body.

[0010] The vehicle further includes an air conditioning system, and the control device can identify the temperature of the vehicle through the air conditioning system when it fails to identify the user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor, and control the heating element to generate heat in response to the temperature of the vehicle being below a predetermined reference temperature.

[0011] The control device can control the heating wire to heat up based on the fact that the user's blood flow is less than or equal to a first reference blood flow, and control the heating wire to terminate heating up based on the fact that the blood flow is greater than or equal to a second reference blood flow, which is greater than the first reference blood flow.

[0012] The above control device can repeatedly control the heating wire so that the heating wire is heated for a predetermined reference heating time and then the heating of the heating wire is terminated for a predetermined reference off time.

[0013] The above control device can specify the heating time of the heating wire based on the identification of information regarding the predetermined part of the body, and control the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on the elapsed time of the predetermined heating time after the heating of the heating wire.

[0014] The above-mentioned predetermined information regarding a certain part of the body includes whether or not a certain portion of the user's neck is exposed, and the control device can control the heating element to heat up for a predetermined first time in response to the identification of the exposure of a certain portion of the user's neck.

[0015] The above control device can control the heating wire to heat up for a predetermined second time, which is shorter than the predetermined first time, in response to the identification of non-exposure of a certain portion or more of the user's neck.

[0016] The vehicle further includes a driver's seat memory system that stores a reference blood flow rate for each of a plurality of users, and the control device identifies a first reference blood flow rate corresponding to the user among the reference blood flow rates of each of the plurality of users stored in the driver's seat memory system, and controls the heating element to heat up based on the fact that the user's blood flow rate is less than or equal to the first reference blood flow rate, and identifies a second reference blood flow rate corresponding to the user among the reference blood flow rates of each of the plurality of users stored in the driver's seat memory system, and controls the heating of the heating element to terminate based on the fact that the user's blood flow rate is greater than the second reference blood flow rate.

[0017] The vehicle further includes an input device, and the control device controls the heating element to heat up based on a first user input through the input device, and in response to the control to heat the heating element based on the first user input, identifies the first blood flow of the user through the blood flow sensor, and can control the driver's seat memory system so that the driver's seat memory system stores the first blood flow as the user's first reference blood flow.

[0018] The control device can control the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on a second user input through the input device, and in response to the control to terminate the heating of the heating wire based on the second user input, identify the second blood flow of the user through the blood flow sensor, and control the driver's seat memory system so that the driver's seat memory system stores the second blood flow as the user's second reference blood flow.

[0019] A method for controlling a vehicle according to one aspect may include identifying a user's blood flow through a blood flow sensor of the vehicle, identifying information regarding a predetermined part of the user's body obtained through at least one camera of the vehicle, and controlling the heating of a heating element of the vehicle based on the identification of the user's blood flow and the identification of the information regarding the predetermined part of the body.

[0020] The above control method may further include identifying the temperature of the vehicle through the vehicle's air conditioning system when the identification of the user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor fails, and controlling the heating element to generate heat in response to the vehicle's temperature being below a predetermined reference temperature.

[0021] Controlling the heating of the heating wire may include controlling the heating wire to heat up based on the fact that the user's blood flow is less than or equal to a first reference blood flow, and controlling the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on the fact that the blood flow is greater than or equal to a second reference blood flow that is greater than the first reference blood flow.

[0022] Controlling the heating of the heating wire may include repeatedly controlling the heating wire so that the heating wire is heated for a predetermined reference heating time and then the heating of the heating wire is terminated for a predetermined reference off time.

[0023] Controlling the heating of the heating wire may include specifying the heating time of the heating wire based on the identification of information regarding the predetermined part of the body, and controlling the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on the elapsed time of the predetermined heating time after the heating of the heating wire.

[0024] The above-determined information regarding a certain part of the body includes whether or not a certain portion of the user's neck is exposed, and controlling the heating of the heating wire may include controlling the heating wire to heat up for a predetermined first time in response to the identification of the exposure of a certain portion of the user's neck.

[0025] Controlling the heating of the heating wire may include controlling the heating wire to heat up for a predetermined second time that is shorter than the predetermined first time in response to the identification of non-exposure of a certain portion of the user's neck.

[0026] The above control method may further include identifying a first reference blood flow rate corresponding to a user among the reference blood flow rates of each of the plurality of users stored in the driver's seat memory system of the vehicle, controlling the heating element to heat up based on the fact that the user's blood flow rate is less than or equal to the first reference blood flow rate, identifying a second reference blood flow rate corresponding to a user among the reference blood flow rates of each of the plurality of users stored in the driver's seat memory system, and controlling the heating of the heating element to terminate based on the fact that the user's blood flow rate is greater than the second reference blood flow rate.

[0027] The above control method may further include controlling the heating element to heat up based on a first user input, identifying the user's first blood flow amount through the blood flow sensor in response to the control of the heating element to heat up based on the first user input, and controlling the driver's seat memory system so that the driver's seat memory system stores the first blood flow amount as the user's first reference blood flow amount.

[0028] The above control method may further include controlling the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on a second user input, identifying the user's second blood flow through the blood flow sensor in response to the control to terminate the heating of the heating wire based on the second user input, and controlling the driver's seat memory system to store the second blood flow as the user's second reference blood flow. Effects of the invention

[0029] A vehicle and a control method according to one aspect of the disclosed invention can enable a heating element of a wheel, which operates according to conventional manual control, to operate automatically when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0030] For example, a vehicle and its control method can control the heating element of the vehicle's wheel based on the vehicle's blood flow sensor, air conditioning system and / or camera.

[0031] Accordingly, users driving in cold weather can be provided with the convenience of using the vehicle's heated wheels and a comfortable driving environment. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a steering wheel of a vehicle according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of controlling a vehicle according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of a vehicle according to one embodiment. FIGS. 5A and FIGS. 5B are flowcharts of the operation of a vehicle according to one embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0033] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. This specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and general content in the art to which the invention pertains or content that overlaps between embodiments is omitted. The terms 'part, module, device' used in the specification may be implemented in software or hardware, and depending on the embodiments, a plurality of 'parts, modules, devices' may be implemented as a single component, or a single 'part, module, device' may include a plurality of components.

[0034] Throughout the specification, when a part is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are directly connected but also cases where they are indirectly connected, and indirect connections include connections made via a wireless communication network.

[0035] Furthermore, when it is stated that a part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0036] The terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by the aforementioned terms.

[0037] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless there is an obvious exception in the context.

[0038] In each step, identification codes are used for convenience of explanation and do not describe the order of the steps; the steps may be performed differently from the specified order unless a specific order is clearly indicated in the context.

[0039] Generally, in order to maintain a constant body temperature, the human body may reduce blood flow when a person feels cold and increase blood flow when a person feels hot. Based on this relationship between the human body's body temperature and blood flow, the embodiments of the present disclosure can control the heating element of a vehicle's steering wheel. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present disclosure can control the heating element of the vehicle's steering wheel through the vehicle's air conditioning system when the vehicle is unable to measure the occupant's blood flow due to errors in the vehicle's blood flow measurement sensor, etc. Additionally, the embodiments of the present disclosure can control the heating element of the vehicle's steering wheel by considering the occupant's perceived temperature based on the degree of body exposure through the vehicle's camera, etc.

[0040] The operating principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a steering wheel of a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0042] The vehicle (100) may include a heating element (110), an input device (120), a blood flow sensor (130), a camera (140), an air conditioning system (150), an integrated memory system (IMS) (160), and / or a control device (170).

[0043] A heating element (110) can be mounted on the steering wheel (200) (also called a handle) of a vehicle (100) as in FIG. 2.

[0044] For example, the heating element (110) may be mounted inside the cover of the steering wheel (200) and connected to a power supply unit (or battery) (not shown) of the vehicle (100) and configured to receive power from the power supply unit. The heating element (110) may generate heat based on the application of power so that the steering wheel (200) is kept warm.

[0045] The input device (120) may include a start button (122) and / or a wheel heater switch button (124).

[0046] The start button (122) can receive user input to start and / or stop the engine (not shown) of the vehicle (100).

[0047] For example, depending on user input to the start button (122) for starting the engine, the starter motor (not shown) of the vehicle (100) may be operated, and the engine, which is a power generating device, may be driven based on the operation of the starter motor. Additionally, depending on user input to the start button (122) for stopping the engine, the operation of the engine may be stopped.

[0048] The wheel heater switch button (124) can receive user input to cause the heater (110) mounted on the steering wheel (200) to heat up (or turn on the heater (110)) and / or turn off the heating (or turn off the heater (110)).

[0049] For example, the heating element (110) may be heated according to user input (or also referred to as the first user input) for the wheel heating element switch button (124) to cause the heating element (110) to heat up, and the heating of the heating element (110) may be stopped according to user input (or also referred to as the second user input) for the wheel heating element switch button (124) to stop the heating of the heating element (110).

[0050] The blood flow sensor (130) can measure the relative density of blood flowing in any part of the body by irradiating infrared rays onto any part of the user's body and measuring the amount of light reflected (or transmitted).

[0051] For example, the blood flow sensor (130) may include a laser and a photodetector to measure blood flow based on information regarding diffusion intensity fluctuations in the user's biological tissue. When the blood flow sensor (130) irradiates infrared light, if the density of the blood is high, more light is absorbed, so the amount of light reflected or transmitted is reduced, and conversely, if the density of the blood is low, the amount of light reflected or transmitted will increase. Accordingly, the blood flow sensor (130) can measure (or identify) the user's blood flow and changes in blood flow.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, the blood flow sensor (130) may be located in the center of the steering wheel of the vehicle (100) and may be configured in the form of a laser type probe.

[0053] The blood flow sensor (130) can measure the user's blood flow at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 5 minutes) and can measure the user's blood flow when a predetermined event occurs (e.g., user input to the wheel heater switch button (124)).

[0054] The camera (140) may be one or more and may be mounted inside the vehicle (100) to acquire images (or video).

[0055] For example, a camera (140) can be mounted inside a vehicle (100) to photograph a user sitting in the driver's seat.

[0056] The air conditioning system (150) may include a temperature sensor (152) and may measure the temperature of the vehicle (100) and perform air conditioning of the vehicle (100).

[0057] The driver's seat memory system (160) can store steering wheel position information, driver's seat position information, rearview mirror setting information and / or side mirror setting information for each of the multiple users (or drivers) of the vehicle (100).

[0058] The driver's seat memory system (160) can store a first reference blood flow rate that serves as a standard for controlling the heating element to heat up for each of the multiple users of the vehicle (100), and can store a second reference blood flow rate that serves as a standard for controlling the heating element to stop heating up for each of the multiple users of the vehicle (100).

[0059] The driver's seat memory system (160) can be used to control (and / or set) the components of the vehicle (100) based on stored information so as to correspond to the information of any driver when any driver uses the vehicle (100).

[0060] A control device (170) (also called a control circuit or processor) can control at least one other component of the connected vehicle (100) (e.g., a hardware component or a software component (software program)) and can perform various data processing and operations.

[0061] The control unit (170) may include an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the power system of the vehicle (100). The control unit (170) may include a processor and memory.

[0062] The control device (170) may include an air conditioning controller (172) capable of controlling the air conditioning system (150).

[0063] The control device (170) (or air conditioning controller (172)) can control the heating element (110) of the vehicle (100) to be turned on and / or off based on user input to the wheel heating element switch button (124), that is, the heating element (100) can be controlled.

[0064] The control device (170) (or air conditioning controller (172)) can control the heating element (100) of the vehicle (100) to be turned on and / or turned off, that is, the heating element (100), based on the identification of the user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor (130), the identification of the temperature of the vehicle (100) through the air conditioning system (150), and / or the identification of information regarding a predetermined part of the body through the camera (140).

[0065] The control device (170) (or air conditioning controller (172)) can control the heating of the heating element (100) based on information stored in the driver's seat memory system (160).

[0066] Generally, people may have different individual sensitivities to cold. Accordingly, in the disclosed embodiment, a driver's seat memory system (160) can be used to control the heating of the heating element (110) to suit each individual, that is, each user.

[0067] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the operation of controlling a heating element (110) of a vehicle (100) (and / or a control device (170) of the vehicle (100) according to one embodiment.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 3, the vehicle (100) can set the blood flow of a person in a normal case to a reference blood flow (or also called a reference value) for controlling the on and / or off of the heating element (110).

[0069] For example, the vehicle (100) may pre-set a blood flow rate of 5800 ml / min, which is the normal blood flow rate for feeling cold, as a first standard blood flow rate (A) for turning on the heating element (110). Additionally, the vehicle (100) may set a blood flow rate of 9500 ml / min as a second standard blood flow rate (B) for turning off the heating element (110). Accordingly, the vehicle (100) may turn on the heating element (110) when the user's blood flow rate is less than or equal to the first standard blood flow rate, and turn off the heating element (110) when the user's blood flow rate is greater than or equal to the second standard blood flow rate.

[0070] In addition, a reference blood flow rate for controlling the on and / or off of the heating element (110) for each user can be additionally set through learning about each user of the vehicle (100) via the blood flow sensor (130) of the vehicle (100).

[0071] The vehicle (100) may use a driver's seat memory system (160) to set a reference blood flow rate for on and / or off control of the heating element (110) for each user.

[0072] The vehicle (100) can identify current setting information of the vehicle (100) through the driver's seat memory system (160), for example, current position information of the steering wheel of the vehicle (100), position information of the driver's seat, setting information of the rearview mirror and / or setting information of the side mirror.

[0073] The driver's seat memory system (160) may store first setting information of the vehicle (100) corresponding to the first driver, second setting information of the vehicle (100) corresponding to the second driver, and / or third setting information of the vehicle (100) corresponding to the third driver.

[0074] The vehicle (100) can identify which driver is currently using the vehicle (100), i.e., the first driver, the second driver, or the third driver, based on the current setting information of the vehicle (100).

[0075] For example, the vehicle (100) can identify whether the current setting information of the vehicle (100) is a first setting information, a second setting information, and / or a third setting information, and determine the driver of the corresponding setting information as the user of the current vehicle (100).

[0076] For example, assuming that the vehicle (100) has determined that the first driver is the current user of the vehicle (100), when the heating element (110) is turned on based on the first user input to the wheel heating switch button (120), the driver's seat memory system (160) can be controlled to identify the user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor (130) and store the user's blood flow as a first reference blood flow for controlling the first driver's heating element (110) on. Additionally, when the heating element (110) is turned off based on the second user input to the wheel heating switch button (120), the vehicle (100) can identify the user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor (130) and store the user's blood flow as a second reference blood flow for controlling the first driver's heating element (110) off.

[0077] In this way, the vehicle (100) can set a reference blood flow rate that serves as a control standard for the on and / or off of the heating element (110) for each user, based on the user's manual operation of turning the heating element (110) on and / or off.

[0078] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of a vehicle (or a control device (170) of a vehicle (100)) according to one embodiment.

[0079] The vehicle (100) can identify the user's blood flow through a blood flow sensor (130) (401).

[0080] The vehicle (100) can identify information about a predetermined part of the user's body obtained through the camera (140) (403).

[0081] The parts of the human body that feel cold most easily are the ankles, wrists, and neck, and among these parts, the neck may be the most sensitive to cold.

[0082] Accordingly, predetermined information regarding certain parts of the body may include whether the user's neck is exposed, for example, whether a certain portion (or a predetermined range) or more of the user's neck is exposed.

[0083] The vehicle (100) can identify whether a certain portion of the user's neck is exposed by analyzing an image acquired through a camera (140) using image recognition technology. One of various conventional image recognition technologies may be applied.

[0084] For example, the vehicle (100) may divide the image obtained through the camera (140) into multiple parts and determine that the user's neck area is exposed if there is no color difference between the first part, such as the area around the user's lips and / or nose, and the neck area. Additionally, the vehicle (100) may determine that the user's neck area is exposed if the neck area is similar in color to the area around the user's lips and / or nose for more than a certain portion.

[0085] The vehicle (100) can control the heating of the heating element (110) based on the identification of the user's blood flow and the identification of information regarding some predetermined parts of the user's body (405).

[0086] The vehicle (100) can be controlled so that the heating element (110) turns on, that is, heats up, based on the fact that the user's blood flow is less than or equal to the first reference blood flow.

[0087] Additionally, the vehicle (100) can be controlled so that the heating element (110) of the vehicle (100) is turned off, that is, the heating is terminated, when the user's blood flow is greater than a predetermined second standard blood flow (or when it reaches a normal blood flow).

[0088] The blood flow rate of 5800 ml / min, which is the cardiac output of a normal person in a stable state, can be determined as the first reference blood flow rate, that is, the blood flow rate when the user feels cold.

[0089] The blood flow rate of 9500 ml / min, which is the cardiac output of a normal person during light exercise, can be determined as the second standard blood flow rate, that is, the blood flow rate in a state where the user does not feel cold.

[0090] The vehicle (100) can repeatedly control the heating element (110) so that the heating element (110) is heated for a predetermined standard heating time and then the heating element (110) is heated for a predetermined standard off time.

[0091] Generally, a person's perceived temperature can vary depending on whether or not their skin is exposed. For example, a person wearing a necktie in the summer can maintain a body temperature more than twice as high as a person not wearing a necktie. Additionally, the rate of body temperature rise and / or maintenance may differ depending on whether a person is wearing a suit or a shirt. Furthermore, if a person exposes their neck, their perceived temperature may be about 2 to 5 degrees lower than when the neck is not exposed. Also, if a person wears a hat, their perceived temperature may be about 2 degrees higher than when they do not wear a hat.

[0092] Accordingly, when the skin is exposed, the heating time of the heating element (110) can be set longer than when the skin is not exposed.

[0093] The vehicle (100) can specify (and / or adjust) the heating time (or heating duration) of the heating element (110) based on information regarding a predetermined part of the body, namely, identification of whether the user's neck is exposed, and control the heating of the heating element (110) to end based on the elapsed time of the predetermined heating time after the heating of the heating element (110).

[0094] The vehicle (100) can control the heating element (110) to heat up for a predetermined first time in response to the identification that a certain portion of the user's neck is exposed. Additionally, the vehicle (100) can control the heating element (110) to heat up for a predetermined second time, which is shorter than the predetermined first time, in response to the identification that a certain portion of the user's neck is not exposed.

[0095] For example, a predetermined first time may be 40 minutes, and a predetermined second time may be 10 minutes.

[0096] In addition to the above-described embodiment, the vehicle (100) can identify the temperature of the vehicle (100) (or also called the ambient temperature) through the air conditioning system (150) when it fails to identify the user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor (130), and in response to the temperature of the vehicle (100) being below a predetermined reference temperature, the heating element (110) can be turned on, that is, heated.

[0097] Generally, a person can physiologically feel cold when their body temperature drops below 36 degrees, and the external environment temperature at which a person feels cold can be 15 degrees or lower, and a person can feel cold when wearing winter clothes if the external environment temperature is 10 degrees or lower. For example, when the temperature is about 15 degrees or lower, a person can feel cold even while wearing a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, and when the temperature is 10 degrees or lower, a person can feel cold while wearing winter clothes.

[0098] Considering these points, a reference temperature that serves as a standard for activating the heating element (110) of the vehicle (100) can be predetermined, such as 10 degrees.

[0099] In addition to the above-described embodiment, the vehicle (100) can control the heating element (110) to heat up based on a first user input to the wheel heating element switch button (124), and additionally, can identify the user's first blood flow amount through the blood flow sensor (130). The vehicle (100) can control the driver's seat memory system (160) so that the driver's seat memory system (160) stores the first blood flow amount as the user's first reference blood flow amount. For example, the first reference blood flow amount may be a blood flow amount that serves as a reference for the heating element (110) to heat up when the user is riding in the vehicle (100).

[0100] Additionally, the vehicle (100) can control the heating of the heating element to be terminated based on a second user input to the wheel heating element switch button (124), and additionally, can identify the user's second blood flow through the blood flow sensor (130). The vehicle (100) can control the driver's seat memory system (160) so that the driver's seat memory system (160) stores the second blood flow as the user's second reference blood flow. For example, the second reference blood flow may be a blood flow that serves as a reference to terminate the heating of the heating element (110) when the user is riding in the vehicle (100).

[0101] The vehicle (100) identifies a first reference blood flow rate corresponding to a user among the reference blood flow rates of each of the multiple users stored in the driver's seat memory system (160), and can control the heating element (110) to heat up based on the fact that the user's blood flow rate is less than or equal to the first reference blood flow rate. The vehicle (100) identifies a second reference blood flow rate corresponding to a user among the reference blood flow rates of each of the multiple users stored in the driver's seat memory system (160), and can control the heating element (110) to stop heating up based on the fact that the user's blood flow rate is greater than the second reference blood flow rate.

[0102] FIGS. 5A and FIGS. 5B are flowcharts of the operation of a vehicle (or a control device (170) of a vehicle (100)) according to one embodiment.

[0103] The vehicle (100) can turn on the ignition of the vehicle (100) (501).

[0104] The vehicle (100) can turn on the ignition of the vehicle (100) based on user input to the ignition button (122).

[0105] The vehicle (100) can identify whether the user's blood flow is below a first reference blood flow amount through the blood flow sensor (130) (503).

[0106] For example, the first standard blood flow rate may be 5800 ml / min.

[0107] The vehicle (100) can perform operation 507 in response to the user's blood flow being less than or equal to the first reference blood flow, and otherwise perform operation 505.

[0108] The vehicle (100) can identify whether the temperature of the vehicle (100) is below a reference temperature (505).

[0109] For example, the reference temperature can be 10 degrees.

[0110] The vehicle (100) can perform operation 507 if the temperature of the vehicle (100) is below a reference temperature, and otherwise perform operation 503 again.

[0111] The vehicle (100) can turn on the heating element (110) of the vehicle (100) (507).

[0112] The vehicle (100) can identify the time when the heating element (110) is turned on, i.e., the first current time, in response to the turning on of the heating element (110) (509).

[0113] The vehicle (100) can identify whether the vehicle (511) is turned off (511).

[0114] For example, the vehicle (100) can identify whether the vehicle (100) is turned off based on user input to the start button (122) in response to turning on the wire (110).

[0115] The vehicle (100) can perform operation 513 when the engine of the vehicle (100) is turned off, and otherwise perform operation 515.

[0116] Depending on the engine off of the vehicle (100), the heating element (110) of the vehicle (100) can be turned off (513).

[0117] The vehicle (100) can identify whether more than a certain portion of the user's neck is exposed (515).

[0118] The vehicle (100) can analyze the image obtained through the camera (140) using image recognition technology, and accordingly, can identify whether a certain portion of the user's neck is exposed.

[0119] The vehicle (100) can perform action 517 if more than a certain part of the user's neck is exposed, and action 519 otherwise.

[0120] The vehicle (100) can identify whether a first reference time has elapsed since the identification of a first current time (517).

[0121] For example, the first standard time may be 40 minutes.

[0122] The vehicle (100) can perform the 519 operation in response to the elapsed first reference time after the identification of the first current time, and otherwise perform the 507 operation again.

[0123] The vehicle (100) can identify whether the user's blood flow is greater than or equal to a second standard blood flow (519).

[0124] For example, the second standard blood flow rate may be 9500 ml / min.

[0125] The vehicle (100) can perform operation 521 if the user's blood flow is greater than or equal to the second standard blood flow, and otherwise perform operation 507 again.

[0126] The vehicle (100) can control the vehicle (100)'s heating element (110) to turn off (521).

[0127] The vehicle (100) can identify the off time of the heating element (110), i.e., the second current time, in response to the control of the heating element (110) to be turned off (523).

[0128] The vehicle (100) can identify whether a second reference time has elapsed after identifying a second current time (525).

[0129] For example, the second standard time may be 1 minute, which may be a time set to prevent overheating of the heating element (110).

[0130] The vehicle (100) can perform the 519 operation in response to the elapsed second reference time after the identification of the second current time, or otherwise perform the 521 operation.

[0131] Meanwhile, in addition to the embodiments of FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b described above, the vehicle (100) can control the heating element (110) to be turned on based on a first user input to the driver's wheel heating switch button (124), and can control the heating element (110) to be turned off based on a second user input to the driver's wheel heating switch button (124).

[0132] The above-described embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, they may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0133] Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media that store instructions that can be decoded by a computer. Examples include ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage devices, etc.

[0134] As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been explained with reference to the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be practiced in forms different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical concept or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be interpreted restrictively. Explanation of the symbols

[0135] 100: Vehicle 110: Heated seat 120: Input device 122: Start button 124: Wheel heater switch button 130: Blood flow sensor 140: Camera 150: Climate Control System 152: Temperature Sensor 160: IMS 170: Control unit 172: HVAC controller

Claims

Claim 1 A vehicle comprising: a heating element mounted on a steering wheel; a blood flow sensor; at least one camera; and a control device that identifies a user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor, identifies information regarding a predetermined part of the user's body obtained through the at least one camera, and controls the heating of the heating element based on the identification of the user's blood flow and the identification of the information regarding the predetermined part of the body, wherein the vehicle comprises a driver's seat memory system that stores a reference blood flow of each of a plurality of users, wherein the control device identifies a first reference blood flow corresponding to the user among the reference blood flow of each of the plurality of users stored in the driver's seat memory system, controls the heating element to heat up based on the fact that the user's blood flow is less than or equal to the first reference blood flow, identifies a second reference blood flow corresponding to the user among the reference blood flow of each of the plurality of users stored in the driver's seat memory system, and controls the heating of the heating element to terminate based on the fact that the user's blood flow is greater than the second reference blood flow. Claim 2 In claim 1, the vehicle further comprises an air conditioning system, and the control device identifies the temperature of the vehicle through the air conditioning system when it fails to identify the user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor, and controls the heating element to generate heat in response to the temperature of the vehicle being below a predetermined reference temperature. Claim 3 A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the heating wire to heat up based on the fact that the user's blood flow is less than or equal to a first reference blood flow, and controls the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on the fact that the blood flow is greater than or equal to a second reference blood flow that is greater than the first reference blood flow. Claim 4 In claim 3, the control device repeatedly controls the heating wire to terminate heating during a predetermined reference off time after the heating wire has heated during a predetermined reference heating time. Claim 5 In claim 3, the control device specifies the heating time of the heating wire based on the identification of information regarding the predetermined part of the body, and controls the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on the elapsed time of the predetermined heating time after the heating of the heating wire. Claim 6 In claim 1, the information regarding the predetermined part of the body includes whether or not a certain portion of the user's neck is exposed, and the control device controls the heating element to heat up for a predetermined first time in response to the identification of the exposure of a certain portion of the user's neck. Claim 7 In claim 6, the control device controls the heating element to heat up for a predetermined second time, which is shorter than the predetermined first time, in response to the identification of non-exposure of a certain portion of the user's neck. Claim 8 delete Claim 9 In claim 1, the vehicle further comprises an input device, and the control device controls the heating element to heat up based on a first user input through the input device, identifies a first blood flow of the user through the blood flow sensor in response to the control to heat the heating element based on the first user input, and controls the driver's seat memory system so that the driver's seat memory system stores the first blood flow as the user's first reference blood flow. Claim 10 In claim 9, the control device controls the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on a second user input through the input device, identifies a second blood flow of the user through the blood flow sensor in response to the control to terminate the heating of the heating wire based on the second user input, and controls the driver's seat memory system so that the driver's seat memory system stores the second blood flow as the user's second reference blood flow. Claim 11 A method for controlling a vehicle, comprising identifying a user's blood flow through a blood flow sensor of the vehicle, identifying information regarding a predetermined part of the user's body obtained through at least one camera of the vehicle, and controlling the heating of a heating element of the vehicle based on the identification of the user's blood flow and the identification of the information regarding the predetermined part of the body, wherein the method comprises identifying a first reference blood flow corresponding to the user among the reference blood flows of each of a plurality of users stored in the driver's seat memory system of the vehicle, controlling the heating element to heat up based on the fact that the user's blood flow is less than or equal to the first reference blood flow, identifying a second reference blood flow corresponding to the user among the reference blood flows of each of the plurality of users stored in the driver's seat memory system, and controlling the heating of the heating element to terminate based on the fact that the user's blood flow is greater than the second reference blood flow. Claim 12 A vehicle control method according to claim 11, wherein the control method further comprises identifying the temperature of the vehicle through the air conditioning system of the vehicle when the identification of the user's blood flow through the blood flow sensor fails, and controlling the heating element to generate heat in response to the vehicle temperature being below a predetermined reference temperature. Claim 13 A method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein controlling the heating of the heating wire comprises controlling the heating wire to heat up based on the fact that the blood flow of the user is less than or equal to a first reference blood flow, and controlling the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on the fact that the blood flow is greater than or equal to a second reference blood flow that is greater than the first reference blood flow. Claim 14 A method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 13, wherein controlling the heating of the heating wire comprises repeatedly controlling the heating wire so that the heating of the heating wire is terminated during a predetermined standard off time after the heating wire has been heated for a predetermined standard heating time. Claim 15 A method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 13, wherein controlling the heating of the heating wire comprises specifying the heating time of the heating wire based on the identification of information regarding a predetermined part of the body, and controlling the heating of the heating wire to terminate based on the elapsed time of the predetermined heating time after the heating of the heating wire. Claim 16 A method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the information regarding the predetermined part of the body includes whether or not a certain portion of the user's neck is exposed, and controlling the heating of the heating wire includes controlling the heating wire to heat up for a predetermined first time in response to the identification of the exposure of a certain portion of the user's neck. Claim 17 A method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 16, wherein controlling the heating of the heating element comprises controlling the heating element to heat up for a predetermined second time that is shorter than the predetermined first time in response to identification of non-exposure of a certain portion of the user's neck. Claim 18 delete Claim 19 A method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the control method further comprises controlling the heating element to heat up based on a first user input, identifying the first blood flow of the user through the blood flow sensor in response to the control of the heating element to heat up based on the first user input, and controlling the driver's seat memory system so that the driver's seat memory system stores the first blood flow as the user's first reference blood flow. Claim 20 A method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 19, wherein the control method further comprises controlling the heating of the heating element to terminate based on a second user input, identifying the second blood flow of the user through the blood flow sensor in response to the control to terminate the heating of the heating element based on the second user input, and controlling the driver's seat memory system so that the driver's seat memory system stores the second blood flow as the user's second reference blood flow.

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