Method for controlling household appliances and electronic device performing method

Abstract

A method for controlling home appliances and an electronic device performing the method may be provided. In detail, a method for controlling home appliances and an electronic device performing the method may be provided, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining sleep information about a user and driving information about each of a plurality of home appliances present in home; determining, from among the plurality of home appliances, a noise causing device that generates noise outside a deep-sleepable range at the time of change in a sleep stage of the user included in the sleep information; and controlling the operation of the noise causing device so that the noise generated from the noise causing device is generated within the deep-sleepable range.

Description

Method for controlling home appliances and electronic device performing the method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling home appliances and an electronic device performing the method. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling multiple home appliances to facilitate a user's sleep, and an electronic device performing the method.

[0002] Within a home, such as a user's home, multiple devices may be placed and operated, generating noise. For example, a home may contain multiple appliances such as an air conditioner, a refrigerator, and a television. An air conditioner may generate noise through its drain pump while operating. A refrigerator may generate noise through its compressor while operating. A television may also generate noise by outputting sound while displaying images.

[0003] To avoid disturbing a user's sleep, multiple devices, such as home appliances, can operate in a low-noise mode, which reduces noise generated by limiting their operating functions or performance. For example, when a sleep time is set, multiple devices can operate in low-noise mode during the set sleep time. However, it may not be easy to identify the device among the multiple devices that generates noise that disturbs the user's sleep. Consequently, all devices may operate in low-noise mode simultaneously, which may reduce the overall usability of the multiple devices. Furthermore, it may not be easy to determine the degree to which the operating functions or performance of each of the multiple devices should be limited to avoid disturbing the user's sleep. Consequently, it may be difficult to effectively help the user sleep by insufficiently limiting the operating functions or performance of each of the multiple devices.

[0004] A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an operation of acquiring sleep information of a user and operation information of each of a plurality of home appliances in a home. The method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of determining a noise-generating device among a plurality of home appliances that generates noise outside a range suitable for deep sleep at a time of change in a sleep stage of the user included in the sleep information. The method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of controlling the operation of the noise-generating device so that noise generated from the noise-generating device is generated within a range suitable for deep sleep.

[0005] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a communication module, a memory storing at least one instruction, and at least one processor executing at least one instruction. According to one embodiment, the at least one processor may obtain sleep information of a user and operation information of each of a plurality of home appliances through the communication module. According to one embodiment, the at least one processor may determine, at a time point when a sleep stage of the user included in the sleep information changes, a noise-generating device among the plurality of home appliances that generates noise outside a range suitable for deep sleep. According to one embodiment, the at least one processor may control the operation of the noise-generating device so that noise generated from the noise-generating device is generated within a range suitable for deep sleep.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a server may receive, from an electronic device, acquisition information including at least a portion of a user's sleep information and operation information of each of a plurality of home appliances. According to one embodiment, the server may determine, based on the received acquisition information, a noise-generating device among the plurality of home appliances that generates noise outside a range suitable for deep sleep at a time when the user's sleep stage included in the sleep information changes. According to one embodiment, the server may transmit the determination information to the electronic device so that the electronic device may control the operation of the noise-generating device so that the noise generated from the noise-generating device is within a range suitable for deep sleep.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating controlling multiple devices for a user's sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling multiple devices for a user's sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating sleep information acquired for a control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for acquiring and analyzing sleep information for a control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating determining a noise source device and controlling its operation for a control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating determining a noise source device and controlling its operation for a control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the operation of a noise source device according to a sleep stage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a system for controlling multiple devices in real time for a user's sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling multiple devices in real time for a user's sleep.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating controlling multiple devices according to the distance between a user and multiple devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling multiple devices according to a distance between a user and multiple devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating controlling a plurality of devices according to noise generated from each of the plurality of devices and the distance from a user to each of the plurality of devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a plurality of devices according to noise generated from each of the devices and the distance from a user to each of the devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a UI that informs a user to control multiple devices for sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a UI that helps a user sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] The terms used in this disclosure will be briefly explained, and one embodiment of the present disclosure will be specifically described.

[0024] The terms used in this disclosure are selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of one embodiment of the disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant embodiments of the disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be defined simply as names of terms, but rather based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the disclosure.

[0025] In this disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b or c” may refer to “a”, “b”, “c”, “a and b”, “a and c”, “b and c”, “all of a, b and c”, or variations thereof.

[0026] Throughout this disclosure, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies the inclusion of other components, unless otherwise specifically stated. Furthermore, terms such as "part," "module," and the like described herein refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0027] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, one embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted to clearly describe one embodiment of the present disclosure, and similar parts are designated with similar drawing reference numerals throughout the present disclosure.

[0028] A method for controlling multiple devices for a user's sleep according to the present disclosure and an electronic device performing the method seek to determine a noise-causing device that affects a change in the user's sleep stage.

[0029] A method for controlling a plurality of devices for a user's sleep according to the present disclosure and an electronic device performing the method control the operation mode of a determined noise source device to a low-noise mode suitable for the user, thereby providing a customized sleep noise environment for each user.

[0030] Hereinafter, a system for controlling multiple devices for a user's sleep according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating controlling a plurality of devices (410, 420) for a user's sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] The electronic device (100) may be a portable terminal such as a smart phone, tablet, or notebook. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the electronic device (100) may be a data processing device capable of performing calculations and judgments to control multiple devices for the user's sleep. The electronic device (100) may receive the user's sleep information. The electronic device (100) may receive the user's sleep information from the user's wearable device (200).

[0033] The wearable device (200) may be a device worn by a user, such as a smart watch. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the wearable device (200) may be a biometric information detection device capable of acquiring biometric information of the user. The wearable device (200) may acquire sleep information of the user from the user. The wearable device (200) may acquire sleep information of the user while the user wears the wearable device (200). The wearable device (200) may acquire sleep information input by the user into the wearable device (200). The wearable device (200) may store the acquired sleep information. The wearable device (200) may be paired with the electronic device (100). The wearable device (200) may transmit the stored sleep information to the electronic device (100).

[0034] The electronic device (100) can obtain sleep information using each of the plurality of devices (410, 420). At least one of the plurality of devices (410, 420) can include a microphone. At least one of the plurality of devices (410, 420) can obtain a user's breathing sound using the microphone. At least one of the plurality of devices (410, 420) that obtains the user's breathing sound using the microphone can transmit voice data corresponding to the user's breathing sound to the electronic device (100). The electronic device (100) can receive voice data corresponding to the user's breathing sound from at least one of the plurality of devices (410, 420) that obtains the user's breathing sound using the microphone. The electronic device (100) can obtain the user's sleep information based on the received voice data.

[0035] The electronic device (100) may include a microphone. The electronic device (100) may acquire the user's breathing sounds using the microphone. The electronic device (100) may acquire the user's sleep information based on the acquired user's breathing sounds.

[0036] The electronic device (100) can receive operating information from each of a plurality of devices (410, 420). The plurality of devices (410, 420) may be devices that are placed and operated within a home, such as a user's house. For example, the plurality of devices (410, 420) may be a plurality of home appliances, such as an air conditioner (410), a refrigerator (420), and a TV (not shown). The electronic device (100) can receive first operating information from the air conditioner (410) among the plurality of devices (410, 420). The electronic device (100) can receive second operating information from the refrigerator (420) among the plurality of devices (410, 420).

[0037] The user's sleep information and the operating information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) received by the electronic device (100) may be referred to as acquisition information. The electronic device (100) may directly process the acquisition information or transmit at least a portion of the acquisition information to the server (300). If it is possible for the electronic device (100) to directly process the acquisition information and the efficiency thereof is higher, the electronic device (100) may directly process the acquisition information. If it is impossible for the electronic device (100) to directly process the acquisition information or the efficiency thereof is lower, the electronic device (100) may transmit at least a portion of the acquisition information to the server (300).

[0038] The server (300) can receive at least a portion of the acquired information from the electronic device (100). The server (300) can process at least a portion of the received acquired information. Based on at least a portion of the acquired information, the server (300) can determine a noise-causing device among a plurality of devices (410, 420). The server (300) can transmit the determination information including the determined noise-causing device to the electronic device (100).

[0039] The electronic device (100) can determine a noise-causing device among a plurality of devices (410, 420). The noise-causing device may be a device among the plurality of devices (410, 420) that generates noise outside of a range suitable for deep sleep. The range suitable for deep sleep may be a range of noise levels within which a user can maintain sleep. The noise-causing device may be a device that generates noise that disturbs the user's sleep. If the electronic device (100) can directly process the acquired information and has higher efficiency, the electronic device (100) can directly process the acquired information to determine the noise-causing device. If the electronic device (100) cannot directly process the acquired information or has lower efficiency, the electronic device (100) can determine the noise-causing device based on decision information received from the server (300).

[0040] The electronic device (100) can control the operation of the noise-causing device so that the noise of the determined noise-causing device falls within a range suitable for deep sleep. The range suitable for deep sleep may be a range of noise that can maintain sleep while maintaining the user's sleep stage. The range suitable for deep sleep may be a range of noise that does not cause a change in the user's sleep stage. If an air conditioner (410) is determined as the noise-causing device among a plurality of devices (410, 420), the electronic device (100) can perform a first operation control on the air conditioner (410) so that the noise generated from the air conditioner (410) falls within a range suitable for deep sleep. If a refrigerator (420) is determined as the noise-causing device among a plurality of devices (410, 420), the electronic device (100) can perform a second operation control on the refrigerator (420) so that the noise generated from the refrigerator (420) falls within a range suitable for deep sleep. When both the air conditioner (410) and the refrigerator (420) among the multiple devices (410, 420) are determined to be noise-causing devices, the electronic device (100) can perform the first driving control and the second driving control simultaneously.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may include a communication module (110), a memory (120), and a processor (140). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the electronic device (100) may further include a display that displays a status of controlling a plurality of devices.

[0042] The communication module (110) can establish a wireless communication connection with the wearable device (200), the server (300), and a plurality of devices (410, 420). The communication module (110) can transmit and receive data and information with the wearable device (200), the server (300), and a plurality of devices (410, 420). The communication circuit (110) can include a short-range communication circuit and a long-range communication circuit.

[0043] In one embodiment, the short-range communication circuit can support Near Field Communication (NFC) communication, Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1) communication, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, WLAN communication, Zigbee communication, infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication, Ultra Wideband (UWB) communication, or Ant+ communication. The short-range communication circuit can perform short-range communication with the wearable device (200) and a plurality of devices (410, 420).

[0044] In one embodiment, the telecommunication circuitry may support a wireless communication network. The network may include a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a local area network (LAN) formed around an Access Point (AP). The telecommunication circuitry may perform wireless communication with a server (300). The telecommunication circuitry may transmit and receive wireless signals with the server (300) over a mobile communication network. The wireless signals may include various types of data, such as voice call signals, video call call signals, or text / multimedia message transmission and reception. The telecommunication circuitry may include, but is not limited to, a 3G module, a 4G module, an LTE module, a 5G module, a 6G module, an NB-IoT module, an LTE-M module, and the like.

[0045] The memory (120) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory (120) may store information received by the electronic device (100). The memory (120) may store a program. The program may be used by the processor (140) to process information.

[0046] The processor (140) can control the overall operation of the electronic device (100). The processor (140) can directly process the received sleep information and the operating information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420). The processor (140) can determine to transmit at least a portion of the acquired information among the received sleep information and the operating information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) to the server (300). The processor (140) can receive decision information from the server (300). The processor (140) can determine the noise-causing device based on the result of directly processing the received sleep information and the operating information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420). The processor (140) can determine the noise-causing device based on the decision information received from the server (300). For example, the processor (140) can identify a noise-causing operation based on the decision information received from the server (300). The processor (140) can determine the device performing the identified noise-causing operation as the noise-causing device. The processor (140) can control the operation of the noise source device so that the noise generated from the determined noise source device falls within a range that allows for deep sleep.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling multiple devices for a user's sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] In operation 310, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can obtain sleep information of a user and operating information of each of a plurality of home appliances (410, 420) in the home.

[0049] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may obtain the user's sleep information. The user's sleep information may include information about the user's sleep stages according to time zone. The sleep stages may include a non-sleep (wake) stage, a REM sleep stage, and a non-REM sleep stage. The sleep information may include a time point when the user's sleep stage changes. For example, the sleep information may include information indicating that the user's sleep stage changed from a non-sleep stage to a REM sleep stage at 1:00 AM. The electronic device (100) may monitor the user's sleep state in real time to obtain information about the user's sleep stages. The electronic device (100) may learn the user's sleep information. For example, the electronic device (100) may learn the user's sleep history to collect information about the user's sleep stages.

[0050] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can obtain operating information of each of a plurality of home appliances (410, 420) located in a home. The operating information of each of the plurality of appliances (410, 420) may include information on what operating modes each of the plurality of appliances (410, 420) has. For example, the operating information of an air conditioner (410) among the plurality of appliances (410, 420) may include information that the air conditioner (410) operates in any one of a strong wind operation mode, a weak wind operation mode, a sleep operation mode, and a condensate discharge mode. For example, the operating information of a refrigerator (420) among the plurality of appliances (410, 420) may include information that the refrigerator (420) operates in a power freezing mode, a compressor operation mode, and a power saving mode. The electronic device (100) can learn the operating information (410, 420) of each of the plurality of appliances located indoors.

[0051] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may obtain device information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) along with operating information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420). The device information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) may include information about the type of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) and information about the model name of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420).

[0052] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may obtain noise information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) along with operating information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420). The noise information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) may include information on the size and frequency of noise generated during operation of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420). It has been clarified that the sleep-possible range is analyzed using learning in operation 320 and the noise-causing device is determined.

[0053] In operation 320, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can determine a noise source device that generates noise outside the range of a good night's sleep among a plurality of home appliances (410, 420) at a time of change in the user's sleep stage included in the sleep information.

[0054] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can analyze the time point of change in the user's sleep stage included in the sleep information. According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can determine the time point of change in the user's sleep stage based on the learned sleep information. The electronic device (100) can determine the time point of change in the user's sleep stage as the time point of interruption in the user's sleep. For example, the electronic device (100) can determine the time point of change in the user's sleep stage from a non-REM sleep stage to a non-sleep stage as the time point of interruption in the user's sleep. The electronic device (100) can learn the time point of change in the user's sleep stage using a learning method such as deep learning or machine learning.

[0055] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can analyze noise generated from each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) at the time when the user's sleep is disturbed based on the time when the user's sleep stage changes. The electronic device (100) can check the operating mode of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) at the time when the user's sleep is disturbed. The electronic device (100) can check the size and frequency of noise generated in the operating mode of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) at the time when the user's sleep is disturbed.

[0056] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may determine a user's sleep-prone range. The sleep-prone range may be a noise level range and a noise frequency range that do not disturb the user's sleep. The sleep-prone range may be a noise level range that maintains the user's sleep stage while maintaining sleep. The sleep-prone range may be a noise level range that prevents changes in the user's sleep stage. For example, the sleep-prone range may be a range below a threshold value variably set for each sub-frequency band within the audible frequency range. For example, if the user is more likely to wake up as the noise frequency increases, the sleep-prone range may be a noise level of 50 dB or lower in the low-frequency band of the audible frequency range, and a noise level of 40 dB or lower in the high-frequency band. The electronic device (100) may learn the user's sleep-prone range using learning methods such as deep learning and machine learning. An electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can determine a range of deep sleep possible according to the user's surrounding environment based on the operating information of each of a plurality of devices (410, 420) at the time when the sleep stage changes.

[0057] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may determine a noise-causing device among the plurality of devices (410, 420) based on the result of analyzing noise generated from each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) and the user's sleep range. The noise-causing device may be a device that generates noise outside the user's sleep range. The electronic device (100) may determine whether the noise generated from each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) is outside the user's sleep range. The electronic device (100) may determine which of the plurality of devices (410, 420) is operating while generating noise outside the user's sleep range at the time of changing the user's sleep stage. At the time of changing the user's sleep stage, the electronic device (100) may determine a device among the plurality of devices (410, 420) that generates noise outside the user's sleep range as the noise-causing device. The electronic device (100) can determine the noise source device using a learning method such as deep learning or machine learning.

[0058] In operation 330, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may control the operation of a noise-generating device so that noise generated from the noise-generating device falls within a range that allows for deep sleep. The electronic device (100) may analyze a plurality of operation modes included in the operation information of the noise-generating device. The electronic device (100) may determine noise generated in each of the plurality of operation modes included in the operation information of the noise-generating device. The electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may control the operation of the noise-generating device based on learned sleep information and operation information. The electronic device (100) may select a operation mode that generates noise that falls within a range that allows for deep sleep among the plurality of operation modes included in the operation information of the noise-generating device. For example, when the noise-generating device is operated in a low-noise mode and the noise generated from the noise-generating device falls within a range that allows for deep sleep, the electronic device (100) may control the noise-generating device to be operated in the low-noise mode.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing sleep information (210) acquired for a control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Sleep information (210) according to an embodiment may include a sleep stage (211). The electronic device (100) may monitor the user's sleep stage (211). The electronic device (100) may receive information related to the user's sleep to monitor the user's sleep stage (211). The information related to the user's sleep may include at least one of the user's heart rate information, the user's respiration information, and the user's movement information. For example, the electronic device (100) may receive at least one of the user's heart rate information and the user's respiration information from the wearable device (200). For example, the electronic device (100) may obtain the user's movement information using a sensor module including a gyro sensor. The electronic device (100) may determine whether the user's sleep stage (211) belongs to a non-sleep stage, a REM sleep stage, or a non-REM sleep stage based on at least one of the user's heart rate information and the user's movement information. The electronic device (100) can determine whether the user's sleep stage (211) belongs to a non-sleep stage, a REM sleep stage, or a non-REM sleep stage based on the user's breathing information. For example, the sleep stage (211) can indicate that the user slept in the following order: non-sleep, REM sleep, first non-REM sleep, REM sleep, second non-REM sleep, third non-REM sleep, and non-sleep.

[0061] Sleep information (210) according to one embodiment may include time information (212). The time information (212) may include information regarding the time at which the user's sleep stage (211) changed. For example, the time information (212) may include information that the user's sleep stage (211) changed at 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM.

[0062] Sleep information (210) according to one embodiment may include noise information (213). The noise information (213) may include information regarding noise that occurred at a time when the user's sleep stage (211) changed. For example, the noise information (213) may include information that a noise with a size of 50 dB was detected at 2:00 AM and a noise with a size of 55 dB was detected at 4:00 AM.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for acquiring and analyzing sleep information for a control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a method for learning a user's sleep patterns and storing them in an electronic device (100) or server (300). FIG. 5 also illustrates a method for identifying a change in a user's sleep stage based on the results of learning the user's sleep patterns.

[0064] In operation 510, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may obtain information on the user's sleep stage and location information indicating where the user is sleeping. The location information indicating where the user is sleeping may indicate the user's location in terms of a space within the home, such as the living room, the first room, or the second room.

[0065] In operation 520, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can obtain identification information, operating mode information, and noise information generated according to the operating mode of each of a plurality of devices (410, 420) located indoors. Hereinafter, indoors may mean inside a home. For example, indoors may mean inside a user's house. Hereinafter, indoors and inside a home may be used interchangeably. The electronic device (100) can learn device information and operating information by time zone of each of a plurality of devices (410, 420) located indoors. The electronic device (100) can obtain information about the size and frequency of noise generated when each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) located indoors operates in a certain operating mode. For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain information that among the multiple devices (410, 420) located in the house, the air conditioner (410) generates noise of 70 dB in strong wind operation mode, 60 dB in weak wind operation mode, and 50 dB in sleep operation mode.

[0066] In operation 530, an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may exclude data on environmental factors other than noise from among environmental factors that affect sleep. The electronic device (100) may search for home appliances that interfere with the user's sleep based on noise. The electronic device (100) may determine environmental factors other than noise as noise that interferes with the search process.

[0067] In operation 540, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can identify whether and when a user's sleep stage has changed based on sleep stage information.

[0068] In operation 550, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may determine a noise range that allows a user to sleep soundly. The noise range that allows a user to sleep soundly may include a critical noise level. The noise range that allows a user to sleep soundly may include a critical noise level for each frequency band of noise. The electronic device (100) may determine the noise range by determining the critical noise level. The electronic device (100) may determine the noise range by determining the critical noise level for each frequency band of noise. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine the noise range by multiplying the critical noise level value by a safety factor. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine the noise range by multiplying the critical noise level value for each frequency band of noise by a safety factor. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating determining a noise source device and controlling its operation for a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] The electronic device (100) can generate noise-causing device information (610) that determines a noise-causing device. For example, the electronic device (100) can determine an air conditioner as a noise-causing device through the noise-causing device information (610). The electronic device (100) can extract information on when a sleep stage changes from sleep stage information accumulated over a set period of time. The electronic device (100) can analyze the operating information of the home appliance at that time. The operating information of the home appliance can include noise information of the home appliance. The electronic device (100) can generate noise-causing device information (610) based on the noise information of the home appliance.

[0070] The electronic device (100) can obtain driving mode information (620) related to multiple driving modes of the noise-generating device. For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain driving mode information (620) indicating that the noise-generating device has a first mode, a second mode, a third mode, and a fourth mode.

[0071] The electronic device (100) can obtain driving mode information (620) related to multiple driving modes of the noise-generating device. For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain driving mode information (620) indicating that the noise-generating device has a first mode, a second mode, a third mode, and a fourth mode.

[0072] The electronic device (100) can obtain noise level information (630) in each of a plurality of driving modes of the noise source device. For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain noise level information (630) indicating that the noise source device generates noise of 50 dB in a first mode, noise of 60 dB in a second mode, noise of 70 dB in a third mode, and noise of 50 dB in a fourth mode.

[0073] The electronic device (100) can obtain noise frequency information (640) in each of a plurality of driving modes of the noise source device. For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain noise frequency information (640) that the noise source device generates noise in a frequency band of 1 kHz to 2 kHz in a first mode, generates noise in a frequency band of 1 kHz to 2 kHz in a second mode, generates noise in a frequency band of 1 kHz to 3 kHz in a third mode, and generates noise in a frequency band of 500 Hz to 1 kHz in a fourth mode.

[0074] The electronic device (100) can obtain information (650) on the user's sleep-enabled range. For example, the electronic device (100) can learn the user's sleep pattern over a certain period of time to obtain information (650) on the user's sleep-enabled range. For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain information (650) on the user's sleep-enabled range based on the results of analyzing noise generated at the time of the user's sleep stage change. For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain information on the noise level range and the noise frequency range that allow the user to sleep by time zone, and obtain information (650) on the sleep-enabled range. For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain information on the noise level range and the noise frequency range that allow the user to sleep by season, and obtain information (650) on the sleep-enabled range. For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain information on the noise level range and the frequency range of noise that allow the user to sleep according to temperature, and thereby obtain deep sleep range information (650). For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain information on the noise level range and the frequency range of noise that allow the user to sleep according to humidity, and thereby obtain deep sleep range information (650). For example, the electronic device (100) can obtain deep sleep range information (650) that includes information that the user's deep sleep range is 55 dB or less at 100 Hz to 1 kHz and 45 dB or less at 1 kHz to 5 kHz.

[0075] The electronic device (100) can generate driving control information (660) based on driving mode information (620), noise level information (630), noise frequency information (640), and deep sleep range information (650). For example, the electronic device (100) can determine that the air conditioner falls within the deep sleep range expressed in the deep sleep range information (650) only when it is driven in the fourth mode based on the noise level information (630) and the noise frequency information (640). The electronic device (100) can generate driving control information (660) to determine the driving mode of the air conditioner during sleep as the fourth mode.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating determining a noise source device and controlling its operation for a control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] In operation 710, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may determine a noise source device based on the timing of a change in sleep stage. The electronic device (100) may determine a noise source device that changes the user's sleep stage based on whether and when the sleep stage changes. The electronic device (100) may obtain identification information and operating mode information of the determined noise source device.

[0078] In operation 720, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may acquire and analyze sleep information to determine a range of sleep possibilities. The electronic device (100) may analyze the user's critical noise level and critical noise frequency included in the sleep information. The electronic device (100) may determine the user's range of sleep possibilities based on the critical noise level and critical noise frequency.

[0079] In operation 730, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may change the operating mode of a noise-generating device based on the determined sleep-enabled range. The electronic device (100) may change the operating mode of the noise-generating device according to the sleep stage so that the noise generated from the noise-generating device during sleep falls within the sleep-enabled range.

[0080] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the operation of a noise source device according to a sleep stage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] In operation 810, the electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may control the operation of a noise-generating device to perform at least a portion of a performance priority mode, which is an operation mode that generates noise outside the range of a deep sleep possible, in advance during a first deep sleep stage. The first deep sleep stage may be a non-REM sleep stage among the user's sleep stages. The first deep sleep stage may be a stage in which the user's sleep is not affected by general sounds generated by home appliances. The performance priority mode may be a mode that prioritizes securing the performance of the home appliance over the user's sleep. The performance priority mode may be a mode that does not take into account the presence of a sleeping user. For example, the performance priority mode may be a mode in which an air conditioner operates with strong wind or a drain pump operates. For example, the performance priority mode may be a mode in which a refrigerator's compressor operates. For example, the performance priority mode may be a mode in which a TV generates a loud sound. The electronic device (100) can control the operation of the noise source device to perform the performance priority mode in advance in the first deep sleep stage when the noise source device is scheduled to perform the performance priority mode at regular intervals.

[0082] In operation 820, the electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may control the operation of a noise-generating device to delay the performance priority mode in a shallow sleep stage and perform a low-noise mode, which is an operation mode that generates noise within a range that allows for deep sleep. The shallow sleep stage may be a stage adjacent to a non-sleep stage among the user's sleep stages. The shallow sleep stage may be a REM sleep stage among the user's sleep stages. The shallow sleep stage may be a stage in which the user's sleep is affected by general sounds generated by home appliances. The low-noise mode may be a mode that prioritizes maintaining the user's sleep over the performance of the home appliance. The low-noise mode may be a mode that assumes the presence of a sleeping user. For example, the low-noise mode may be a mode in which an air conditioner operates at low wind speed or a drain pump suspends operation. For example, the performance priority mode may be a mode in which a refrigerator's compressor suspends operation. For example, the performance priority mode may be a mode in which a TV operates in a silent state. The electronic device (100) can control the operation of the noise-causing device to operate in a low-noise mode rather than a performance-priority mode during the shallow sleep stage.

[0083] In operation 830, the electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may perform a delayed performance priority mode in a second deep sleep stage following a shallow sleep stage. The electronic device (100) may control the operation of a noise source device so that the performance priority mode, which was not performed in the shallow sleep stage, may be performed in the second deep sleep stage.

[0084] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a system for controlling multiple devices (410, 420) in real time for a user's sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0085] The electronic device (100) can receive sleep information in real time from the user's wearable device (200).

[0086] The electronic device (100) can receive real-time noise information from each of a plurality of devices (410, 420). The electronic device (100) can receive first real-time noise information from an air conditioner (410) among the plurality of devices (410, 420). The electronic device (100) can receive second real-time noise information from a refrigerator (420) among the plurality of devices (410, 420).

[0087] The user's sleep information received by the electronic device (100) and the real-time noise information of each of the multiple devices (410, 420) may be referred to as a noise pattern. The electronic device (100) may directly process the noise pattern or transmit at least a portion of the noise pattern to the server (300).

[0088] The server (300) can receive at least a portion of the noise pattern from the electronic device (100). The server (300) can process at least a portion of the received noise pattern. Based on at least a portion of the noise pattern, the server (300) can determine a noise-causing device among a plurality of devices (410, 420). The server (300) can transmit user-customized information including the determined noise-causing device to the electronic device (100).

[0089] The electronic device (100) can determine a noise-generating device among a plurality of devices (410, 420). The noise-generating device may be a device among the plurality of devices (410, 420) that generates noise outside the range that allows for deep sleep. The noise-generating device may be a device that generates noise that disturbs the user's sleep.

[0090] The electronic device (100) can control the operation of the noise-causing device so that the noise of the determined noise-causing device falls within the range that allows for deep sleep. If an air conditioner (410) is determined as the noise-causing device among a plurality of devices (410, 420), the electronic device (100) can perform a first customized control of the air conditioner (410) so that the noise generated from the air conditioner (410) falls within the range that allows for deep sleep. If a refrigerator (420) is determined as the noise-causing device among a plurality of devices (410, 420), the electronic device (100) can perform a second customized control of the refrigerator (420) so that the noise generated from the refrigerator (420) falls within the range that allows for deep sleep. When both the air conditioner (410) and the refrigerator (420) among the multiple devices (410, 420) are determined to be noise-causing devices, the electronic device (100) can perform the first customized control and the second customized control simultaneously.

[0091] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling multiple devices in real time for a user's sleep.

[0092] In operation 1010, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can monitor sleep information and operating information. The electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can obtain, in real time, the user's sleep information and operating information of each of a plurality of devices located indoors.

[0093] In operation 1020, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can detect a change in a sleep stage based on sleep information. The electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can obtain a point in time when a user's sleep stage changes based on the monitored sleep information.

[0094] In operation 1030, the electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may determine a noise-causing device based on the time point at which a change in sleep stage is detected and the operating information. The electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may determine a device that disturbs the user's sleep based on the operating information of each of a plurality of devices at the time point at which the sleep stage changes.

[0095] In operation 1040, the electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can control the operation of the determined noise source device. The electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can change the operation mode of the noise source device so as not to disturb the user's sleep.

[0096] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating control of a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) according to a distance between a user and a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (100) may obtain location information of a user (200). For example, when collecting sleep information of a user (200), the electronic device (100) may collect information on the user's sleep location. When the electronic device (100) collects information on the user's sleep location, the electronic device (100) may determine that the user (200) is generally in the corresponding location while sleeping. The electronic device (100) may collect information on the user's sleep location by living room or room in the home. For example, the electronic device (100) may obtain information on the user's sleep location and determine that the user primarily sleeps in the first room.

[0098] An electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can obtain location information of each of a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). For example, when collecting information on home appliances, the electronic device (100) can collect location information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). The electronic device (100) can collect location information of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) by living room or room unit. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine that among the plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480), the first device (410) is in the first room, the second device (420) is at the border between the first room and the kitchen, the third device (430) is in the living room, and the fourth device (440) is in the kitchen. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine that among the plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480), the fifth device (450) is in the living room, the sixth device (460) is in the second room, the seventh device (470) is in the third room, and the eighth device (480) is in the multipurpose room.

[0099] An electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can calculate the distance from a user (200) to each of a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480).

[0100] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (100) may set a threshold distance (1110) from the center of a user (200). The electronic device (100) may determine whether each of a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) is within the threshold distance (1110). For example, the threshold distance (1110) may be set to a distance specified by a user. For example, the threshold distance (1110) may be set based on a sleep sensitivity level set by a user. For example, the threshold distance (1110) may be set to a longer distance when the sleep sensitivity level set by the user is high than when the sleep sensitivity level set by the user is low.

[0101] According to one embodiment, when a change in a user's sleep stage is detected, the electronic device (100) may determine, as a noise-causing device, among at least one device (410, 420, 430) within a set threshold distance (1110) that generates noise that is outside the range for deep sleep. When determining the noise-causing device, the electronic device (100) may consider only the noise generated from at least one device (410, 420, 430) within the threshold distance (1110) among a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). The electronic device (100) may determine the noise-causing device by obtaining noise information of the devices (410, 420, 430) within the threshold distance (1110) at a time when the user's sleep stage is changed. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine that a first device (410) among the devices (410, 420, 430) within a threshold distance (1110) during a time period when the user's sleep stage has changed has generated noise that is outside the range of a good night's sleep, and may determine the first device (410) as the noise-causing device.

[0102] An electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can control the operation of a determined noise-generating device. For example, the electronic device (100) can control a first device (410) determined as a noise-generating device to cause the first device (410) to generate noise within a sleep-inducing range.

[0103] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling multiple devices according to a distance between a user and multiple devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] In operation 1210, the electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may set a threshold distance. For example, the threshold distance (1110) may be set to a distance specified by the user. For example, the threshold distance (1110) may be set based on the sleep sensitivity set by the user. For example, the threshold distance (1110) may be set to a longer distance when the sleep sensitivity set by the user is high than when the sleep sensitivity set by the user is low.

[0105] In operation 1220, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may obtain, in real time, sleep information of a user and operating information of a plurality of devices located within a threshold distance. An electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may monitor sleep information and operating information of at least one device within a threshold distance. An electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may obtain, in real time, operating information of at least one device located within a threshold distance among a plurality of devices of a user.

[0106] In operation 1230, the electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can detect a change in sleep stage. The electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can detect a point in time when the user's sleep stage changes based on sleep information.

[0107] In operation 1240, the electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may determine a noise-causing device among a plurality of devices. The electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may determine a noise-causing device among at least one device located within a threshold distance. The electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may analyze the operating information of at least one device located within the threshold distance at a time when a sleep stage is changed. The electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may determine a noise-causing device that disturbs the user's sleep among the at least one device based on the analyzed result. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine at least one device that generates noise greater than a certain level value designated by a manufacturer as a noise-causing device. For example, the electronic device (100) may determine at least one device that generates noise greater than a noise value designated by a user as a noise-causing device. For example, if there is one device among the at least one device located within the threshold distance that generates noise greater than a value designated by a manufacturer or a user, the electronic device (100) may determine that one device as a noise-causing device.

[0108] In operation 1250, the electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can customize the control of the determined noise source device. The electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can control the operation of the determined noise source device to suit the user's sleep. The electronic device (100) according to one embodiment can change the operation mode of the noise source device so as not to disturb the user's sleep.

[0109] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating controlling a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) according to noise generated from each of the devices and the distance from a user to each of the devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] The electronic device (100) can control the home appliances by considering both the noise level generated from each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) and the distance to each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). In this case, it is possible to determine which of the plurality of devices is the noise-causing device that causes a change in the user's sleep stage without learning in advance the information on the noise-causing device that changes the user's sleep stage and the operation information of the noise-causing device.

[0111] According to one embodiment, a user can input the type and location of home appliances on a map. The user can input the type and location of home appliances into a home appliance control application stored in an electronic device (100). The input information on the type and location of home appliances can be stored in the memory (120) of the electronic device (100) or in the storage space of a server (300). The user's sleep state can be monitored using a wearable device.

[0112] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) may include a microphone. The microphone of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) may collect noise information of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) when each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) is operated. The electronic device (100) can obtain noise information of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) collected by the microphones of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). The electronic device (100) can monitor the noise level of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) through the noise information of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480).

[0113] The electronic device (100) may determine at least one of the home appliances that is in operation when the user's sleep stage changes as a noise-causing device. For example, if one home appliance is in operation when the user's sleep stage changes, the electronic device (100) may determine the corresponding device as a noise-causing device and control the corresponding device to a low noise level. For example, if one or more home appliances (410, 430) among a plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) are in operation when the user's sleep stage changes, the electronic device (100) may determine the noise-causing device that has changed the user's sleep stage based on the noise level generated from each of the one or more home appliances (410, 430) and the distance from each of the one or more home appliances (410, 430) to the user. For example, when the user's sleep stage changes and the third device (430) and the eighth device (480) among the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) are operated, the electronic device (100) may determine the noise-causing device as the third device (430) based on information that the first noise was generated from the third device (430) and the second noise was generated from the eighth device (480), the distance from the third device (430) to the user, and the distance from the eighth device (480) to the user. The electronic device (100) may control the operation of the third device (430), which is determined to be the noise-causing device, to a low-noise mode.

[0114] In one embodiment, a microphone may be located in the room where the user is sleeping. The electronic device (100) may consider the noise level collected by the microphone located in the room where the user is sleeping. The electronic device (100) may determine the noise source that disturbs the user's sleep by considering the noise level collected by the microphone located in the room where the user is sleeping.

[0115] According to one embodiment, based on the noise generated during operation of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480), the surrounding environment, and the distance, noise information reaching the user can be learned through a microphone located in the room where the user is sleeping. For example, the noise information reaching the user can change depending on whether the environment in which each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) is placed is adjacent to a wall in the house or adjacent to a door in the house. The electronic device (100) can determine the noise-causing device based on the result learned through the microphone located in the room where the user is sleeping.

[0116] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a plurality of devices according to noise generated from each of the devices and the distance from a user to each of the devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0117] In operation 1410, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can register the type and location information of each of a plurality of devices located indoors.

[0118] In operation 1420, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can obtain the user's sleep information and noise information.

[0119] In operation 1430, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can identify an operating device among a plurality of devices at a time when the sleep stage is changed.

[0120] In operation 1440, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment can determine a noise-causing device that generates noise outside the sleep-enabled range among the identified devices and control the operation of the noise-causing device.

[0121] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a UI that informs a user to control multiple devices for sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may display information about the determined noise source device and information on controlling the operation of the determined noise source device. For example, the electronic device (100) may display a first notification UI (1510), a second notification UI (1520), and a third notification UI (1530).

[0123] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may display the information determined as a sleep mode customized for the sleeper through the first notification UI (1510). The electronic device (100) may provide a user notification through the first notification UI (1510) for the purpose of monitoring the user. The electronic device (100) may display user sleep information, user sleep stage monitoring information, user's possible deep sleep range, noise source device information, operation information of the noise source device, and change operation information of the noise source device through the first notification UI (1510). For example, the electronic device (100) may display a message such as "The operation mode of the air conditioner has been changed to the pump low-speed operation mode" through the first notification UI (1510), thereby informing that the air conditioner is a noise source device and that the air conditioner is being controlled in a low-noise mode.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may provide information on the results of the change in operation of the noise source device through the second notification UI (1520). For example, the electronic device (100) may provide information on the results of the change in operation of the washing machine, such as, "The washing completion time has increased by 20 minutes due to a change in the operation mode of the washing machine." through the second notification UI (1520).

[0125] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can perform feedback control through the third notification UI (1530). The electronic device (100) can continuously monitor the user's sleep stage to optimally adjust the user-customized sleep mode and provide feedback through the third notification UI (1530). For example, the electronic device (100) can display guidance through the third notification UI (1530) such as "Your sleep stage has changed from REM sleep to non-REM sleep. Manage indoor devices in noise reduction sleep mode," thereby providing guidance that the electronic device (100) is monitoring the user's sleep stage in real time and managing home appliances so as not to disturb the user's sleep.

[0126] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a UI that helps a user sleep according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may generate suggestions for a good night's sleep for the user by synthesizing information on the user's sleep stage monitoring, the user's sleep-prone range, information on noise-causing devices, etc. through a display. For example, the electronic device (100) may display a first suggestion UI (1610), a second suggestion UI (1620), and a third suggestion UI (1630).

[0128] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may, through the first suggestion UI (1610), suggest to the user to change the location of a noise-causing device within the home that has affected the user's sleep more than a certain number of times. For example, the electronic device (100) may, through the first suggestion UI (1610), display a suggestion such as, "We suggest that you change the location of the "AirDresser" that has affected the user's sleep more than five times from the dressing room to the living room."

[0129] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may suggest a sleeping location for the user based on the locations of noise-causing devices that have affected the user's sleep a certain number of times or more through the second suggestion UI (1620). For example, the electronic device (100) may display a suggestion through the second suggestion UI (1620) such as, "Considering the current locations of the devices, would you consider sleeping in Room 2 instead of Room 1?"

[0130] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may guide noise reduction behavior based on the location of a noise source device that has affected the user's sleep more than a certain number of times through the third suggestion UI (1630). For example, the electronic device (100) may display a suggestion through the third suggestion UI (1630) such as, "How about closing the utility room door and sleeping so that you don't hear the noise of the "washing machine" that has affected your sleep more than 5 times?" For example, the electronic device (100) may suggest a sleep aid device that supports a noise-canceling function to the user through the third suggestion UI (1630).

[0131] A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of acquiring sleep information of a user and operation information of each of a plurality of home appliances (410, 420) in a home. A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of determining a noise-generating device among a plurality of home appliances (410, 420) that generates noise outside a range suitable for deep sleep at a time point when a sleep stage of the user included in the sleep information changes. A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of controlling operation of a noise-generating device so that noise generated from the noise-generating device is generated within a range suitable for deep sleep.

[0132] An operation of acquiring sleep information and driving information according to one embodiment may include an operation of acquiring noise information generated from each of a plurality of home appliances (410, 420) according to the driving mode of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420).

[0133] An operation of obtaining sleep information and driving information according to one embodiment may include an operation of excluding data on environmental factors other than noise among environmental factors that affect the user's sleep.

[0134] The operation of determining a noise source device according to one embodiment may include an operation of identifying identification information and driving mode information of a noise source device that changes a sleep stage (211). The operation of determining a noise source device according to one embodiment may include an operation of determining a user's sleep-prone range based on at least one of the user's threshold noise level and threshold noise frequency.

[0135] An operation of controlling operation of a noise source device according to one embodiment may include an operation of controlling the noise source device to perform in advance at least some of the performance priority modes in which noise outside the sleep-enabled range is generated in the first sleep stage.

[0136] The operation of obtaining sleep information and driving information according to one embodiment may include an operation of monitoring the sleep information and driving information in real time. The operation of obtaining sleep information and driving information according to one embodiment may include an operation of determining a point in time when the user's sleep stage changes based on the sleep information monitored in real time.

[0137] A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of acquiring in real time operating information of at least one device (410, 430) located within a threshold distance (1110) from a user that may affect the user's sleep among a plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). The method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of determining a range in which deep sleep is possible based on the acquired operating information. The method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of controlling the operation of at least one device (410, 430) located within the threshold distance based on the determined range in which deep sleep is possible.

[0138] A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of registering type and location information of each of a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of identifying at least one device (430, 480) that is operating at a time when a user's sleep stage changes among a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of determining a noise-causing device among the identified at least one device (430, 480) and controlling operation of the noise-causing device.

[0139] A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of outputting at least one notification UI (1510, 1520, 1530) that notifies that a noise-causing appliance is being controlled.

[0140] A method for controlling a home appliance according to one embodiment may include an operation of outputting at least one suggestion UI (1610, 1620, 1630) including guide information related to the operation or arrangement of the home appliance to prevent sleep disturbance in relation to a noise-causing device.

[0141] An electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may include a communication module (110), a memory (120) storing at least one instruction, and at least one processor (140) executing at least one instruction. The at least one processor (140) according to one embodiment may obtain sleep information of a user and operation information of each of a plurality of home appliances (410, 420) in a home through the communication module (110). The at least one processor (140) according to one embodiment may determine a noise-generating device among the plurality of home appliances (410, 420) that generates noise outside a range that allows deep sleep, at a time when a sleep stage of the user included in the sleep information changes. The at least one processor (140) according to one embodiment may control the operation of the noise-generating device so that noise generated from the noise-generating device is generated within a range that allows deep sleep.

[0142] At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment can obtain noise information generated from each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) according to the driving mode of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420).

[0143] At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment may exclude data on environmental factors other than noise from among environmental factors affecting the user's sleep.

[0144] At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment may identify identification information and driving mode information of a noise source device that changes a sleep stage (211). At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment may determine a user's sleep-prone range based on the user's threshold noise level and threshold noise frequency.

[0145] At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment may control a noise source device to preemptively perform at least some of the performance priority modes that generate noise outside the sleep-enabled range during the first sleep stage.

[0146] At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment can monitor sleep information and the driving information in real time. At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment can determine when the user's sleep stage changes based on the sleep information monitored in real time.

[0147] According to one embodiment, at least one processor (140) can obtain in real time the operation information of at least one device (410, 430) located within a threshold distance (1110) from the user that may affect the user's sleep among a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). According to one embodiment, at least one processor (140) can determine a range of possible deep sleep based on the obtained operation information. According to one embodiment, at least one processor (140) can control the operation of at least one device (410, 430) located within the threshold distance based on the determined range of possible deep sleep.

[0148] At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment can register the type and location information of each of a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment can identify at least one device (430, 480) that is operating at the time of a change in the user's sleep stage among the plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment can determine a noise-causing device among the identified at least one device (430, 480) and control the operation of the noise-causing device.

[0149] At least one processor (140) according to one embodiment may control a display of the electronic device (100) to output at least one notification UI (1510, 1520, 1530) indicating that the noise source device is to be controlled.

[0150] According to one embodiment, at least one processor (140) may control a display of the electronic device (100) to output at least one suggestion UI (1610, 1620, 1630) including guide information related to the operation or arrangement of a home appliance to prevent sleep disturbance in relation to a noise source device.

[0151] According to one embodiment, the server (300) may receive, from the electronic device (100), acquisition information including at least a portion of the user's sleep information and the operation information of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420) in the home. Based on the received acquisition information, the server (300) according to one embodiment may determine, at a time point when the user's sleep stage included in the sleep information changes, a noise-causing device among the plurality of home appliances (410, 420) that generates noise outside the range of a good night's sleep. According to one embodiment, the server (300) may transmit the determination information to the electronic device (100) so that the electronic device (100) may control the operation of the noise-causing device so that the noise generated from the noise-causing device is within the range of a good night's sleep.

[0152] According to one embodiment, a server (300) can obtain noise information generated from each of a plurality of devices (410, 420) according to the driving mode of each of the devices (410, 420).

[0153] According to one embodiment, the server (300) can exclude data on environmental factors other than noise from among environmental factors that affect the user's sleep.

[0154] According to one embodiment, the server (300) can identify the identification information and operating mode information of a noise source device that changes the sleep stage (211). According to one embodiment, the server (300) can determine the user's sleep-prone range based on the user's threshold noise level and threshold noise frequency.

[0155] According to one embodiment, the server (300) can control the noise source device to perform at least some of the performance priority modes in advance in which noise outside the sleep-enabled range is generated in the first sleep stage.

[0156] According to one embodiment, a server (300) can monitor sleep information and the driving information in real time. According to one embodiment, the server (300) can determine when a user's sleep stage changes based on the sleep information monitored in real time.

[0157] According to one embodiment, a server (300) can obtain in real time the operation information of at least one device (410, 430) located within a critical distance (1110) from a user that may affect the user's sleep among a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). According to one embodiment, the server (300) can determine a range of possible deep sleep based on the obtained operation information. According to one embodiment, the server (300) can control the operation of at least one device (410, 430) located within the critical distance based on the determined range of possible deep sleep.

[0158] According to one embodiment, a server (300) can register the type and location information of each of a plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). According to one embodiment, a server (300) can identify at least one device (430, 480) that is operating at the time when a user's sleep stage changes among the plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480). According to one embodiment, a server (300) can determine a noise-causing device among the identified at least one device (430, 480) and control the operation of the noise-causing device.

[0159] According to one embodiment, the server (300) can control the display of the electronic device (100) to output at least one notification UI (1510, 1520, 1530) that notifies that a noise source device is being controlled.

[0160] According to one embodiment, a server (300) may control a display of an electronic device (100) to output at least one suggestion UI (1610, 1620, 1630) including guide information related to the operation or arrangement of a home appliance to prevent sleep disturbance in relation to a noise source device.

[0161] The method for controlling home appliances according to the present disclosure and the electronic device performing the method determine a noise-causing device based on the sleep pattern of a target sleeper, and control a plurality of home appliances to suit the sleeper, thereby more reliably ensuring the sleep of the sleeper.

[0162] In addition, the method for controlling home appliances according to the present disclosure and the electronic device performing the method can reduce unnecessary restrictions on the use of home appliances because they identify and control the operation of noise-causing devices that substantially affect a sleeper's sleep.

[0163] A method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., alone or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present disclosure or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program commands include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0164] Some embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by a computer. Computer-readable media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer, and include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Furthermore, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically contains computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. Furthermore, some embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented as a computer program or computer program product containing computer-executable instructions, such as a computer program that is executed by a computer.

[0165] A device-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory storage medium" simply means a tangible device that does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is permanently stored in the storage medium and cases where data is temporarily stored. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0166] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

Claims

1. An operation to obtain the user's sleep information and the operation information of each of multiple home appliances (410, 420) in the home; An operation of determining a noise source device among the plurality of home appliances (410, 420) that generates noise outside the range of a good night's sleep at the time of change in the sleep stage of the user included in the sleep information; and A method for controlling a home appliance, comprising an operation of controlling operation of a noise-causing device so that the noise generated from the noise-causing device is generated within the range where sound sleep is possible.

2. In paragraph 1, The operation of obtaining the above sleep information and the above driving information is as follows: A method for controlling a home appliance, comprising an operation of obtaining noise information generated from each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420) according to the driving mode of each of the plurality of home appliances (410, 420).

3. In one of the clauses 1 and 2, The operation of obtaining the above sleep information and the above driving information is as follows: A method for controlling a home appliance, comprising an action of excluding data on environmental factors other than noise from among environmental factors affecting the sleep of the user.

4. In at least one of clauses 1 to 3, The operation of determining the above noise source device is as follows: An operation for identifying the identification information and driving mode information of the noise source device that changes the above sleep stage (211); and A method for controlling a home appliance, comprising an operation of determining a range of possible deep sleep for a user based on at least one of a threshold noise level and a threshold noise frequency of the user.

5. In at least one of clauses 1 to 4, The operation of controlling the operation of the above noise-causing device is as follows: A method for controlling a home appliance, comprising: controlling the noise-causing device to perform in advance at least some of the performance priority modes in which noise outside the sleep-enabled range is generated during the first sleep stage.

6. In at least one of clauses 1 to 5, The operation of obtaining the above sleep information and the above driving information is as follows: An operation of monitoring the above sleep information and the above driving information in real time; and A method for controlling a home appliance, comprising an action of determining a point in time when the user's sleep stage changes based on the sleep information monitored in real time.

7. In at least one of clauses 1 to 6, An operation of acquiring in real time the operation information of at least one device (410, 430) among the plurality of home appliances (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480) located within a critical distance (1110) from the user that may affect the user's sleep; An operation for determining the range of possible deep sleep based on the acquired driving information; and A method for controlling a home appliance, comprising an operation of controlling the operation of at least one device (410, 430) located within the threshold distance based on the determined sleep-able range.

8. In at least one of clauses 1 to 7, An operation of registering the type and location information of each of the above multiple devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480); An operation of identifying at least one device (430, 480) that is operating at the time of the change in the sleep stage of the user among the plurality of devices (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480); and A method for controlling a home appliance, comprising an operation of determining a noise-causing device among at least one device (430, 480) identified above and controlling operation of the noise-causing device.

9. In at least one of clauses 1 to 8, A method for controlling a home appliance, further comprising an action of outputting at least one notification UI (1510, 1520, 1530) notifying that the above noise-causing device is controlled.

10. In at least one of clauses 1 to 9, A method for controlling a home appliance, further comprising an action of outputting at least one suggestion UI (1610, 1620, 1630) including guide information related to operation or arrangement of a home appliance to prevent sleep disturbance in relation to the above noise source device.

11. Communication module (110); A memory (120) storing at least one computer program; and It includes at least one processor (140) electrically connected to the communication module (110) and the memory (120), The at least one program comprises at least one instruction executable by a computer, and the at least one processor (140), by executing the at least one instruction, Through the above communication module (110), the user's sleep information and the operation information of each of the multiple home appliances (410, 420) in the home are obtained, At the time of change in the sleep stage of the user included in the sleep information, a noise source device that generates noise outside the range of a good sleep is determined among the plurality of home appliances (410, 420), and An electronic device that controls the operation of the noise-generating device so that the noise generated from the noise-generating device is generated within the range that allows sound sleep.

12. In paragraph 11, At least one processor (140) above, An electronic device (100) that obtains noise information generated from each of the plurality of devices (410, 420) according to the driving mode of each of the plurality of devices (410, 420).

13. In one of the clauses 11 and 12, At least one processor (140) above, An electronic device (100) that excludes data on environmental factors other than noise from among environmental factors affecting the sleep of the user.

14. In at least one of clauses 11 to 13, At least one processor (140) above, Identify the identification information and driving mode information of the noise source device that changes the above sleep stage (211), An electronic device (100) that determines a user's sleep range based on the user's critical noise level and critical noise frequency.

15. In at least one of clauses 11 to 14, At least one processor (140) above, An electronic device (100) that controls the noise source device to perform at least some of the performance priority modes that generate noise outside the sleep-enabled range during the first sleep stage.

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