Wearable apparatus providing notification when external device is disconnected therefrom and operating method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a wearable device. According to one embodiment, whether a first device is connected to the wearable device is checked, and a notification operation indicating that the first device is not connected to the wearable device can be performed when it is determined that the first device is not connected to the wearable device.

Description

Wearable device providing notification when external device is disconnected and method of operating same

[0001] The embodiment relates to a wearable device that provides a notification when an external device is disconnected and a method of operating the same.

[0002] In general, a walking assistance device is a device or apparatus that helps patients who are unable to walk independently due to various diseases or accidents to perform walking exercises as part of rehabilitation. With the recent aging of the population, the number of people who have difficulty walking normally or complain of discomfort due to leg joint problems is increasing, leading to a growing interest in walking assistance devices. Walking assistance devices are worn on the user's body to assist the muscle strength required for walking and guide the user's gait to adopt a normal walking pattern.

[0003] If a user experiences any abnormalities in their body while exercising while wearing a wearable device, it can be difficult to immediately report their condition to the outside world. If the user falls, their smartphone may become separated from their body, making it difficult to report their condition.

[0004] If a wearable device detects an abnormality in the user's body while the device is wearing the device, a method may be needed to notify the user's situation (e.g., an emergency situation) to the outside world.

[0005] One embodiment may provide a way for a user to be notified of a user's situation (e.g., an emergency situation) through a simple operation while wearing a wearable device.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a wearable device may include a driving module that provides an external force to a user; a connector that includes at least one pin and connects a first device and the wearable device; and a processor that is electrically connected to the connector and controls the driving module so that the external force is provided to the user. The processor may check whether the first device is connected to the connector, and if it is checked that the first device is not connected to the connector, control a notification operation to be performed indicating that the first device is not connected to the connector.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a wearable device may include a driving module that provides an external force to a user; a connector that includes at least one pin and connects a first device to the wearable device; and a processor that is electrically connected to the connector and controls the driving module so that the external force is provided to the user. The processor may perform at least one of an operation of checking whether the first device is connected to the connector while the external force is provided to the user, and, if it is checked that the first device is not connected to the connector, an operation of controlling a notification operation indicating that the first device is not connected to the connector to be performed or an operation of controlling a provision of the external force to be stopped.

[0008] A method for operating a wearable device according to one embodiment may include: an operation for identifying an external device when the external device is connected to the wearable device; an operation for periodically checking whether the first device is connected to the wearable device when the external device is identified as a first device; and an operation for providing a notification indicating that the first device is not connected to the wearable device when it is checked that the first device is not connected to the wearable device.

[0009] FIG. 1A is a drawing for explaining an overview of a wearable device worn on a user's body according to one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 1b is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 2A illustrates a rear schematic diagram of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2b illustrates a left side view of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams illustrating an example of a configuration of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating interaction between a wearable device and an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wearable device and a first device according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an example of a connector of a wearable device and a connector of a first device according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIGS. 7A to 7C are drawings illustrating an example in which a first device according to one embodiment is connected to a wearable device.

[0018] FIGS. 8 and 9 are drawings illustrating another example of a first device according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIGS. 10A to 10D are drawings illustrating an example in which a first device according to one embodiment is connected to a wearable device.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIGS. 15 and 16 are drawings illustrating another example of a first device according to one embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0027] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and may be modified and implemented in various forms. Therefore, the actual implementation is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the scope of this specification includes modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the technical concepts described in the embodiments.

[0028] Although terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, these terms should be interpreted solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

[0029] When it is said that a component is "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there may also be other components in between.

[0030] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "comprises" or "has" should be understood to indicate the presence of a described feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but not to exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description with reference to the attached drawings, identical components are assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0033]

[0034] FIG. 1A is a drawing for explaining an overview of a wearable device worn on a user's body according to one embodiment.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1A, a wearable device (120) may be a device worn on a user's body to assist the user's walking, exercise, and / or work. The term "wearable device" may be replaced with a wearable robot, a walking assistance device, or an exercise assistance device. The user may be a human or an animal, but is not limited thereto. The wearable device (120) may be worn on the user's body (e.g., lower body (legs, ankles, knees, etc.), upper body (torso, arms, wrists, etc.), or waist) to provide an external force (e.g., assistance force and / or resistance force) to the user's body movement. Assistance force may refer to a force applied in the same direction as the user's body movement direction, and resistance force may refer to a force applied in the opposite direction to the user's body movement direction. The term "resistance force" may also be referred to as "exercise load."

[0036] When the wearable device (120) performs a walking assistance function to assist the user's walking, the wearable device (120) can assist the user's walking by providing assistance to some or all of the user's legs by providing assistance to the user's body. The wearable device (120) can assist the user's walking force, thereby enabling independent walking or long-term walking, thereby expanding the user's walking ability. The wearable device (120) can also help improve the walking of a pedestrian with abnormal walking habits or walking posture.

[0037] When the wearable device (120) performs an exercise function to enhance the user's exercise effect, the wearable device (120) may impede the user's body movement or provide resistance to the user's body movement by providing resistance to the user's body. When the wearable device (120) is, for example, a hip-type wearable device, the wearable device (120) may provide exercise load to the user's body movement while being worn on the leg, thereby further enhancing the user's exercise effect. The user may perform a walking motion while wearing the wearable device (120) for exercise, and in this case, the wearable device (120) may provide resistance to the leg movement during the user's walking motion.

[0038] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, for convenience of explanation, a hip-type wearable device (120) worn on the waist and legs is described as an example. However, as described above, the wearable device (120) may be worn on other body parts (e.g., upper arms, lower arms, hands, calves, feet) other than the waist and legs (particularly, thighs), and the shape and configuration of the wearable device may vary depending on the body part on which it is worn.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the angle of a joint (e.g., a hip joint, a knee joint, etc.) may be 0 degrees at a reference line (105). The reference line (105) may correspond, for example, to a line in the z-axis direction among three axes (e.g., an x-axis, a y-axis, a z-axis) of the joint. An area in front of the reference line (105) may represent a forward rotation area of ​​the joint, and an area behind the reference line (105) may represent a rearward rotation area of ​​the joint. When a user's joint rotates forward relative to the reference line (105), the angle value of the joint (e.g., a hip joint, a knee joint, etc.) may have a negative number value, and when a user's joint (e.g., a hip joint, a knee joint, etc.) rotates rearward relative to the reference line (105), the angle value of the joint (e.g., a hip joint, a knee joint, etc.) may have a positive number value. The forward rotation region may correspond to a negative (-) angle region, and the backward rotation region may correspond to a positive (+) angle region. For example, a joint angle value of -30 degrees may indicate that the joint has rotated 30 degrees forward from the reference line (105), and a joint angle value of +20 degrees may indicate that the joint has rotated 20 degrees backward from the reference line (105).

[0040] Depending on the implementation, the forward rotation area may correspond to a positive (+) angle area, and the backward rotation area may correspond to a negative (-) angle area. In this case, when the user's joint rotates forward relative to the reference line (105), the angle value of the joint may have a positive value, and when the user's joint rotates backward relative to the reference line (105), the angle value of the joint may have a negative value. For example, a joint angle value of +40 degrees may indicate that the joint rotates 40 degrees forward from the reference line (105), and a joint angle value of -10 degrees may indicate that the joint rotates 10 degrees backward from the reference line (105).

[0041] For the embodiments described below, the forward rotation region may correspond to a minus (-) angle region, and the rearward rotation region may correspond to a plus (+) angle region.

[0042]

[0043] FIG. 1b is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1B, an electronic device (110) can communicate with a wearable device (120) and remotely control the wearable device (120). The electronic device (110) may be of various forms. The electronic device (110) may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, or a home appliance device, but is not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0045] In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) and / or the wearable device (120) may be connected to another wearable device (130). For example, the wearable device (120), the electronic device (110), and the other wearable device (130) may be connected to each other via a wireless communication link (e.g., a Bluetooth communication link). The other wearable device (130) may be, for example, wireless earphones (131), a smart watch (132), or smart glasses (133), but is not limited to the aforementioned devices. The smart watch (132) may be a watch-type wearable device (or a watch-type electronic device), and the smart glasses (133) may be a glasses-type wearable device (or a glasses-type electronic device).

[0046] In one embodiment, the smart watch (132) can control the wearable device (120). When the smart watch (132) is connected to the electronic device (110) via a wireless communication link, and the electronic device (110) is connected to the wearable device (120) via a wireless communication link, the smart watch (132) can control the wearable device (120) via the electronic device (110). Without being limited thereto, the smart watch (132) can be directly connected to the wearable device (120) and control the wearable device (120).

[0047] In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) may transmit a control signal to another wearable device (130) that commands the other wearable device (130) to provide feedback corresponding to the state of the wearable device (120) to the user. The other wearable device (130) may, upon receiving the control signal, provide (or output) feedback (e.g., at least one of visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback) corresponding to the state of the wearable device (120).

[0048] In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) may communicate with the server (140) using short-range wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi) or mobile communication (e.g., 4G, 5G, etc.).

[0049] In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) may receive user profile information from the user. The profile information may include, for example, at least one of age, gender, height, weight, or BMI (Body Mass Index), or a combination thereof. The electronic device (110) may transmit the user profile information to the server (140).

[0050] In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) and / or the wearable device (120) may request the user to perform one or more target movements to determine (or check) the user's motor skills. The one or more target movements may include, for example, knee lifts, leg raises, etc. The knee lifts may be a movement in which the user starts from a standing upright position with both feet in contact with the ground, raises the legs as far back as possible without bending over, and then returns to a standing position. The leg raises may be a movement in which the user starts from a standing upright position with hands on a wall, raises the legs as far back as possible without bending over, and then returns to a standing position.

[0051] In one embodiment, a wearable device (120) may obtain movement information of a user performing a target movement using a sensor (e.g., an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)) and transmit the obtained movement information to an electronic device (110). The electronic device (110) may transmit the obtained movement information to a server (140).

[0052] In one embodiment, the server (140) may determine a user's target exercise amount for each exercise type (e.g., strength training, balance training, aerobic exercise) based on profile information and movement information received from the electronic device (110). The server (140) may transmit the target exercise amount for each exercise type to the electronic device (110).

[0053] In one embodiment, the server (140) may include a database storing information about a plurality of exercise programs that can be provided to a user through a wearable device (120). For example, the server (140) may manage a user account for a user of an electronic device (110) or a wearable device (120). The server (140) may store and manage exercise programs performed by the user and the results of the exercise programs, etc., in association with the user account.

[0054] In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) and / or the server (140) may provide the user with various exercise programs to achieve exercise goals in various exercise environments desired by the user. The exercise goals may include, for example, at least one of, or a combination of, muscle strength enhancement, physical fitness enhancement, cardiopulmonary endurance enhancement, core stability enhancement, flexibility enhancement, and symmetry enhancement.

[0055] In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) and / or the server (140) may recommend exercise programs to the user to achieve the user's exercise goal. Each exercise program may consist of one or more exercises. For example, each exercise may be a physical movement for achieving a specific exercise goal. For example, running may be an exercise for improving the user's cardiopulmonary endurance. For example, lunging may be an exercise for improving the user's core stability. Depending on the user's exercise goal, the combination of multiple exercises that constitute each exercise program may vary. Even for the same exercise goal, the electronic device (110) may provide the user with various exercise programs based on combinations of multiple exercises.

[0056] In one embodiment, a plurality of exercises may be stored in a database in an electronic device (110) or a server (140). The electronic device (110) or the server (140) may generate a plurality of exercise programs based on various pieces of information about the user, and may recommend a target exercise program among the plurality of exercise programs to the user by considering the user's exercise purpose or exercise performance status. For example, the electronic device (110) or the server (140) may determine a target exercise program to recommend to the user based on at least one of the user's exercise purpose, exercise history, or exercise performance result. Accordingly, even when the user performs exercise every day under the same exercise goal, the user may be recommended a new exercise program, and by performing the new exercise program, the user may feel like performing a different exercise than before.

[0057]

[0058] FIG. 2a illustrates a rear schematic diagram of a wearable device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2b illustrates a left side view of the wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0059] The wearable device (200) illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B may be an example of a wearable device (120).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2a, a wearable device (200) according to one embodiment may include a base body (10), a base frame (20), a driving module (30), a thigh fastening part (40a, 40b), a main belt (50), and a leg driving frame (70a, 70b).

[0061] According to one embodiment, the base body (10) can be positioned on the user's lumbar region (waist region) while the user wears the wearable device (200). The base body (10) can be mounted on the user's lumbar region to provide a cushioning feeling to the user's waist and support the user's waist. The base body (10) can be hung over the user's buttocks (hip region) to prevent the wearable device (200) from falling downward due to gravity while the user wears the wearable device (200). The base body (10) can distribute a portion of the weight of the wearable device (200) to the user's waist while the user wears the wearable device (200). The base body (10) can be connected to the base frame (20). Base frame connection elements (not shown) that can be connected to the base frame (20) can be formed at both ends of the base body (10).

[0062] According to one embodiment, the base body (10) may include a lighting unit (60). The lighting unit (60) may include a plurality of light sources (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs)). The lighting unit (60) may emit light under the control of a processor (e.g., a processor (310) of FIGS. 3A and 3B to be described later). According to an embodiment, the processor may control the lighting unit (60) so that visual feedback corresponding to a state of the wearable device (200) (e.g., booting state, sensing state, etc.) may be provided (or output) to a user through the lighting unit (60).

[0063] Although not illustrated in FIG. 2A, according to one embodiment, an opening may be formed in the base body (10), and a connector (e.g., a connector (520) to be described later with reference to FIG. 5) may be positioned in the formed opening. The connector may include, for example, a USB Type-C receptacle connector. An external device (e.g., a first device to be described later) may be connected to the connector.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the base frame (20) may extend from both ends of the base body (10). The user's lower body may be accommodated on the inside of the base frame (20). The base frame (20) may include at least one rigid body beam. Each beam may have a curved shape having a predetermined curvature so as to surround the user's lower body. A main belt (50) may be connected to an end of the base frame (20). A drive module (30) may be mounted on the base frame (20). The base frame (20) may include a connector (not shown) for mounting the drive module (30).

[0065] According to one embodiment, the drive module (30) may include a first drive module (30a) positioned on the left side of the user while the user is wearing the wearable device (200) and a second drive module (30b) positioned on the right side of the user while the user is wearing the wearable device (200).

[0066] According to one embodiment, the first driving module (30a) may include a first angle sensor (e.g., a first encoder or a first hall sensor) for measuring the user's left hip joint angle. The second driving module (30b) may include a second angle sensor (e.g., a second encoder or a second hall sensor) for measuring the user's right hip joint angle.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the first drive module (30a) may include a first actuator and a first reducer, and the second drive module (30b) may include a second actuator and a second reducer. An output terminal of the first actuator may be connected to an input terminal of the first reducer, and an output terminal of the second actuator may be connected to an input terminal of the second reducer.

[0068] According to one embodiment, a processor (e.g., a processor (310) to be described later) may be configured to generate a torque value (e.g., a torque value to be described later). ) can be determined, and the determined torque value (e.g. ) can be controlled to generate torque. By this control, the first actuator can generate torque, and the generated torque can be reduced by the first reducer. The torque reduced by the first reducer can rotate the first leg drive frame (70a). The torque reduced by the first reducer can be provided to the user's left leg through the first leg drive frame (70a), for example. The processor (e.g., the processor (310) to be described later) can generate a torque value (e.g., the torque value to be described later) ) can be determined, and the determined torque value (e.g. ) can be controlled to generate torque. By this control, the second actuator can generate torque, and the generated torque can be reduced by the second reducer. The torque reduced by the second reducer can rotate the second leg drive frame (70b). The torque reduced by the second reducer can be provided to the user's right leg, for example, through the second leg drive frame (70b).

[0069] According to one embodiment, the leg drive frame (70a, 70b) may support the user's leg (e.g., thigh) when the wearable device (200) is worn on the user's leg. The leg drive frame (70a, 70b) may include a first leg drive frame (70a) for supporting the user's left leg and a second leg drive frame (70b) for supporting the user's right leg.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the leg drive frame (70a, 70b) can transmit torque generated by, for example, the drive module (30a, 90b) (e.g., torque reduced by the reducer) to the user's thigh. One end of the leg drive frame (70a, 70b) is connected to the drive module (30a, 30b) and can rotate, and the other end of the leg drive frame (70a, 70b) is connected to the thigh fastening portion (40a, 40b), so that the leg drive frame (70a, 70b) can support the user's thigh while transmitting the torque generated by the drive module (30a, 30b) to the user's thigh. For example, the leg drive frame (70a, 70b) can push or pull the user's thigh. The leg drive frame (70a, 70b) can extend along the length direction of the user's thigh. The leg drive frame (70a, 70b) can be bent to wrap around at least a portion of the user's thigh.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the thigh fastening portions (40a, 40b) are connected to the leg drive frame (70a, 70b) and can secure the leg drive frame (70a, 70b) to the thigh. The thigh fastening portions (40a, 40b) may include a first thigh fastening portion (40a) for securing the first leg drive frame (70a) to the user's left thigh and a second thigh fastening portion (40b) for securing the second leg drive frame (70b) to the user's right thigh.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the first thigh fastening part (40a) may include a first cover, a first fastening frame, and a first strap, and the second thigh fastening part (40b) may include a second cover, a second fastening frame, and a second strap. The first cover and the second cover may be disposed on one side of the user's thigh. The first cover and the second cover may be disposed, for example, on the front side of the user's thigh. The first cover and the second cover may be disposed along the circumferential direction of the user's thigh. The first cover and the second cover may extend in both directions with the other end of the leg drive frame (70a, 70b) as the center, and may include a curved surface corresponding to the user's thigh. One end of the first cover and the second cover may be connected to the fastening frame, and the other end may be connected to the strap.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the first fastening frame and the second fastening frame may be arranged to, for example, surround at least a portion of the user's thigh, thereby preventing the user's thigh from being dislodged from the leg drive frame (70a, 70b). The first fastening frame may have a fastening structure connecting the first cover and the first strap, and the second fastening frame may have a fastening structure connecting the second cover and the second strap.

[0074] In one embodiment, the first strap may encircle the remaining portion of the user's left thigh that is not covered by the first cover and the first fastening frame, and the second strap may encircle the remaining portion of the user's right thigh that is not covered by the second cover and the second fastening frame. The first strap and the second strap may comprise, for example, an elastic material (e.g., a band).

[0075] According to one embodiment, the main belt (50) may be connected to the base frame (20). The main belt (50) may include a first main belt (50a) that can wrap around the left abdomen of the user while the user wears the wearable device (200) and a second main belt (50b) that can wrap around the right abdomen of the user while the user wears the wearable device (200). The first main belt (50a) may be formed in a shape having a longer length than the second main belt (50b), but is not limited thereto, and the first main belt (50a) may be formed in a shape having the same length as or a shorter length than the second main belt (50b). The first main belt (50a) and the second main belt (50b) may be connected to opposite ends of the base frame (20), respectively. The main belt (50) may be bent in a direction that wraps around the user's abdomen when the user's body is inserted in the direction in which the wearable device (200) is accommodated. The first main belt (50a) and the second main belt (50b) may be interconnected while the user is wearing the wearable device (200). The main belt (50) may distribute a portion of the weight of the wearable device (200) to the user's abdomen while the user is wearing the wearable device (200).

[0076] Referring to FIG. 2b, the base body (10) can be mounted on the back of the user's lower back and can support a portion of the weight of the wearable device (200) by being hung on the user's buttocks. The first driving module (30a) can be placed on the user's left lower back. The base frame (20) can extend from an end of the base body (10) and be inclined in a direction toward the first driving module (30a). The first main belt (50a) mounted on the base frame (20) can be in a state of wrapping around the user's left abdomen.

[0077]

[0078] FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams illustrating an example of a configuration of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the wearable device (300) of FIG. 3A may include a processor (310), angle sensors (320, 320-1), a battery (330), a PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit) (340), a memory (350), an IMU (360), motor driver circuits (370, 370-1), motors (380, 380-1) (e.g., the first and second actuators described with reference to FIG. 2A), and a communication module (390).

[0080] Although FIG. 3A illustrates a plurality of angle sensors (320, 320-1), a plurality of motor driver circuits (370, 370-1), and a plurality of motors (380, 380-1), this is merely exemplary, and the wearable device (300-1) illustrated in FIG. 3B may include one angle sensor (320), one motor driver circuit (370), and one motor (380). In addition, depending on the implementation, the wearable device (300, 300-1) may include a plurality of processors. The number of motor driver circuits, the number of motors, or the number of processors may vary depending on the body part on which the wearable device (300, 300-1) is worn.

[0081] The wearable device (300) of FIG. 3a and the wearable device (300-1) of FIG. 3b may correspond to examples of the wearable device (120) and the wearable device (200).

[0082] According to one embodiment, the angle sensor (320), the motor driver circuit (370), and the motor (380) may be included in the first drive module (30a) of FIG. 2a, and the angle sensor (320-1), the motor driver circuit (370-1), and the motor (380-1) may be included in the second drive module (30b) of FIG. 2a.

[0083] According to one embodiment, each of the angle sensor (320) and the angle sensor (320-1) may correspond to a Hall sensor, but is not limited thereto.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the angle sensor (320) can measure or sense at least one of an angle, an angular velocity, or an angular acceleration of a first joint of the user (e.g., a left hip joint, etc.). The angle sensor (320) can transmit a measurement result (e.g., at least one of an angle value, an angular velocity value, or an angular acceleration value of the first joint) to the processor (310). For example, the angle sensor (320) can measure the angular acceleration of the angle of the left hip joint of the user to obtain an angular acceleration value, and transmit the obtained angular acceleration value to the processor (310). The present invention is not limited thereto, and the angle sensor (320) can measure the angle or angular velocity of the angle of the left hip joint of the user to obtain an angular value or an angular velocity value, and transmit the obtained angular value or angular velocity value to the processor (310). The processor (310) can calculate an angular acceleration value of the left hip joint angle using the angular value or angular velocity value received from the angle sensor (320).

[0085] According to one embodiment, the angle sensor (320-1) can measure or sense at least one of an angle, an angular velocity, or an angular acceleration of a second joint (e.g., a right hip joint) of the user. The angle sensor (320) can transmit the measurement result (e.g., at least one of an angle value, an angular velocity value, or an angular acceleration value of the second joint) to the processor (310). For example, the angle sensor (320-1) can measure the angular acceleration of the angle of the right hip joint of the user to obtain an angular acceleration value, and transmit the obtained angular acceleration value to the processor (310). The present invention is not limited thereto, and the angle sensor (320-1) can measure the angle or angular velocity of the angle of the right hip joint of the user to obtain an angular value or an angular velocity value, and transmit the obtained angular value or angular velocity value to the processor (310). The processor (310) can calculate the angular acceleration value of the right hip joint angle through the angular value or angular velocity value received from the angle sensor (320-1).

[0086] According to one embodiment, depending on the position of the angle sensor (320) and the angle sensor (320-1), the angle sensor (320) and the angle sensor (320-1)) can additionally measure the user's knee angle and ankle angle.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the wearable device (300, 300-1) may include a potentiometer. The potentiometer may sense an R-axis joint angle, an L-axis joint angle, an R-axis joint angular velocity, and an L-axis joint angular velocity according to a user's walking motion. The R / L axes may be reference axes for the user's right / left legs. For example, the R / L axes may be set to be perpendicular to the ground, and may be set such that the front side of a person's torso has a negative value and the back side of the torso has a positive value.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the PMIC (340) can charge the battery (330) using power supplied from an external power source. For example, the external power source and the wearable device (300, 300-1) can be connected via a cable (e.g., a USB cable, etc.). The PMIC (340) can receive power from the external power source via the cable and charge the battery (330) using the received power. According to an embodiment, the PMIC (340) can charge the battery (330) via a wireless charging method.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the PMIC (340) can transfer power stored in the battery (330) to components (e.g., processor (310), angle sensors (320, 320-1), memory (350), IMU (360), motors (380, 380-1), etc.) within the wearable device (300, 300-1). The PMIC (340) can, for example, adjust the power stored in the battery (330) to a voltage or current level suitable for the components within the wearable device (300). The PMIC (340) can include, for example, a converter (e.g., a direct current (DC)-DC converter) or a regulator (e.g., a low drop out (LDO) regulator or a switching regulator) capable of performing the above-described adjustment.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the PMIC (340) can determine state information (e.g., state of charge, state of health, overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, overcharge, overdischarge, overheat, short circuit, or swelling) of the battery (330) and transmit the state information of the battery (330) to the processor (310). The processor (310) can provide the state information of the battery (330) to a user. For example, the processor (310) can output the state information of the battery (330) through at least one of an audio output module, a vibration output module, or a display module, which will be described later. For example, the processor (310) can transmit the state information of the battery (330) to the electronic device (110) through the communication module (390), and the electronic device (110) can display the state information of the battery (330) on a display.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the IMU (360) can acquire or measure acceleration information (or attitude information) of the user. For example, the IMU (360) can measure or acquire three-axis (e.g., x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) acceleration and rotation angle (e.g., roll, pitch, yaw) according to the user's movement. The IMU (360) can transmit the acquired acceleration information (e.g., measured three-axis acceleration and rotation angle) to the processor (310).

[0092] According to one embodiment, the processor (310) can control the wearable device (300, 300-1) as a whole.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the processor (310) may control components (e.g., motor driver circuits (370, 370-1), etc.) within the wearable device (300, 300-1) by executing software (or programs, instructions) stored in the memory (350), for example, and may perform various data processing or calculations. As at least a part of the data processing or calculations, the processor (310) may store data received from other components (e.g., IMU (360), angle sensors (320, 320-1), etc.) in the memory (350), and process instructions or data stored in the memory (350).

[0094] According to one embodiment, the processor (310) can determine a torque value for generating torque of each of the motors (380, 380-1). The processor (310) can control the motor driver circuits (370, 370-1) so that an external force (or torque) corresponding to the determined torque value can be provided to the user. For example, the processor (310) can determine a mathematical formula A state factor that indicates the state of the user's movement according to can be decided. can represent the angle value of the first joint (e.g. left hip joint), can represent the angle value of the second joint (e.g., right hip joint). The processor (310) uses the mathematical formula Torque value according to can be determined. Gain κ may be a parameter indicating the magnitude and direction of the torque to be generated by each of the motors (380, 380-1). The larger the value of gain κ, the stronger the torque can be output. If gain κ is negative, torque (or resistance torque) acting as a resistance force to the user may be output, and if gain κ is positive, torque (or assistance torque) acting as an assistance force to the user may be output. Delay △t may be a parameter related to the output timing of the torque. The value of gain κ and the value of delay △t may be preset and may be adjustable by the user, the wearable device (300), or the electronic device (110) paired with the wearable device (300). The processor (310) may be configured to perform mathematical expressions Torque value for generating torque from motor (380-1) according to can decide, Torque value for generating torque from the motor (380) according to can be decided.

[0095] According to one embodiment, each of the motor driver circuits (370, 370-1) can control each of the motors (380, 380-1) based on a torque value received from the processor (310), and by this control, each of the motors (380, 380-1) can generate torque.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the communication module (390) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the wearable device (300, 300-1) and an external electronic device, and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Any of these communication modules may communicate with an external electronic device via a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, WiFi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a second network (e.g., a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0097] According to one embodiment, the wearable device (300, 300-1) may include a display module. The display module may include, for example, a display and / or a lighting unit (e.g., the lighting unit (60) of FIG. 2A). The processor (310) may control the display module so that the display module can provide visual feedback to the user.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the wearable device (300, 300-1) may include an audio output module. The audio output module may include, for example, a speaker. The processor (310) may control the audio output module so that the audio output module can provide auditory feedback to the user.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the wearable device (300, 300-1) may include a vibration output module. The vibration output module may include, for example, a vibration motor. The processor (310) may control the vibration output module so that the vibration output module can provide tactile feedback (or haptic feedback) to the user.

[0100] According to one embodiment, at least one of a processor (310), a battery (330), a PMIC (340), a memory (350), an IMU (360), a communication module (390), a display module, an audio output module, or a vibration output module, or a combination thereof, may be located inside the base body (10) of FIGS. 2a and 2b.

[0101]

[0102] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating interaction between a wearable device and an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 4, the wearable device (120) can communicate with an electronic device (410) (e.g., a smartphone, a smartwatch (132), etc.). For example, the electronic device (410) can be a user terminal of a user using the wearable device (120) or a dedicated controller device for the wearable device (120). According to one embodiment, the wearable device (100) and the electronic device (410) can be connected to each other via short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth communication, Wi-Fi communication).

[0104] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (410) may execute an application for checking the status of the wearable device (120) or controlling or operating the wearable device (120). By executing the application, a screen of a user interface (UI) for controlling the operation of the wearable device (120) or determining the operation mode of the wearable device (120) may be displayed on the display (412) of the electronic device (410). The UI may be, for example, a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0105] According to one embodiment, a user may input a command to control the operation of the wearable device (120) (e.g., a command to instruct to operate in an assist mode that generates assistive force or a command to instruct to operate in a resistance mode that generates resistive force) or change the settings of the wearable device (120) through a GUI screen on the display (212) of the electronic device (410). The electronic device (410) may generate a control command (or a control signal) corresponding to the operation control command or setting change command input by the user, and transmit the generated control command to the wearable device (120). The wearable device (120) may operate according to the received control command, and may transmit a control result according to the control command and / or sensor data measured by a sensor of the wearable device (120) (e.g., an angle sensor (320, 320-1) and / or an IMU (360)) to the electronic device (410). The electronic device (410) can provide the user with result information (e.g., walking ability information, exercise ability information, exercise movement evaluation information) derived by analyzing the control result and / or sensor data through a GUI screen.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the wearable device (120) may receive a level value of the user's exercise intensity (e.g., exercise intensity of a target exercise) and / or control information indicating an operating mode (e.g., assist mode or resistance mode) of the wearable device (120) from the electronic device (110) and / or another wearable device (130).

[0107] The level value of the exercise intensity may be, for example, a value related to the strength of the external force (or torque) provided to the user by the wearable device (120). The higher the level value, the stronger the external force (or torque) provided to the user. The wearable device (120) may determine the magnitude of the gain using the level value. For example, the wearable device (120) may store a table in which the level value and the magnitude of the gain are mapped. Table 1 below shows an example of the table.

[0108] Exercise intensity gain magnitude level value = 1κ1 level value = 2κ2 level value = 3κ3 level value = 4κ4 level value = 5κ5

[0109] In Table 1 above, κ1 to κ5 can be greater than 0.

[0110] In Table 1 above, exercise intensity is classified into five levels, but this is only an example, and exercise intensity is not limited to five levels.

[0111] The assist mode may indicate an operating mode in which the wearable device (120) provides assistive force (or assistive torque) to the user. The wearable device (120) may determine the operating mode as the assistive mode according to received control information. The wearable device (120) may determine the sign of the gain in the assist mode as the first sign (e.g., plus). The resistance mode may indicate an operating mode in which the wearable device (120) provides resistive force (or resistive torque) to the user. The wearable device (120) may determine the operating mode as the resistance mode according to received control information. The wearable device (120) may determine the sign of the gain in the resistance mode as the second sign (e.g., minus).

[0112] For example, the wearable device (120) may receive control information (e.g., level value = 3 / operation mode = assist mode) from the electronic device (110) and / or another wearable device (130). The wearable device (120) may determine the value of the gain as a positive value (e.g., +κ3) based on the received control information (e.g., level value = 3 / operation mode = assist mode). For another example, the wearable device (120) may receive control information (e.g., level value = 2 / operation mode = resistance mode) from the electronic device (110) and / or another wearable device (130). The wearable device (120) may determine the value of the gain as a negative value (e.g., -κ2) based on the received control information (e.g., level value = 2 / operation mode = resistance mode).

[0113]

[0114] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wearable device and a first device according to one embodiment.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 5, a wearable device (500) according to one embodiment (e.g., wearable device (120), wearable device (200), wearable device (300), wearable device (300-1)) may be electrically connected to a first device (501). The first device (501) may represent, for example, a device that causes the wearable device (500) to perform a notification action (or a safety function) when the first device (501) is separated from the wearable device (500).

[0116] According to one embodiment, the first device (501) can be detached from the wearable device (500) by the user or a third party.

[0117] According to one embodiment, a wearable device (500) may include a processor (510) (e.g., processor (310)), a connector (520), a drive module (530) (e.g., drive module (30)), a communication module (540) (e.g., communication module (390)), and an output module (550).

[0118] According to one embodiment, the first device (501) may include a connector (503).

[0119] According to one embodiment, the connector (520) of the wearable device (500) may include, for example, a receptacle (e.g., a USB Type-C receptacle). The connector (503) of the first device (501) may include, for example, a plug (e.g., a USB Type-C plug). The connector (503) of the first device (501) may be inserted into the connector (520) of the wearable device (500). By inserting the connector (503) of the first device (501) into the connector (520) of the wearable device (500), the first device (501) may be electrically connected to the wearable device (500).

[0120] According to one embodiment, the output module (550) may include at least one of a speaker, a display, or a lighting unit (e.g., a lighting unit (60)).

[0121] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) can check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)). For example, the connector (520) of the wearable device (500) can include at least one pin (e.g., SBU (secondary bus) pin). The processor (510) can check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)) through at least one pin (e.g., SBU pin) of the connector (520).

[0122] According to one embodiment, when the processor (510) determines that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)), the processor (510) may control the output module (550) to perform a notification operation indicating that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)). For example, if the processor (510) checks that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)), the processor (510) may control the speaker to output a sound (or sound) (e.g., a first sound indicating that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500)) through the speaker and / or control the lighting unit to output a light (e.g., a first light indicating that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500)) through the lighting unit.

[0123] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) can control the driving module (530) so that the driving module (530) can provide an external force (e.g., an assist force or a resistance force) to the user. For example, the processor (510) can generate a torque value (e.g., a torque value) based on the user's hip joint movement information (e.g., the angle values ​​of both hip joints or the difference between the angle values ​​of both hip joints, etc.). ) can be determined, and the drive module (530) can be controlled based on the determined torque value so that an external force (or torque) corresponding to the determined torque value can be provided to the user. Under the control of the processor (510), the drive module (530) can provide an external force (or torque) to the user.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) may check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)) while an external force is provided to the user. If the processor (510) determines that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)) while an external force is provided to the user, the processor (510) may control the output module (550) to perform a notification operation (e.g., output of a first sound and / or output of a first light) indicating that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)), and may cause the driving module (530) to stop providing the external force to the user.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) may control the notification operation to be released if it is determined that the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)) within a certain period of time after the notification operation is started. For example, the processor (510) may control the first sound and the first light to not be output if it is determined that the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)) within a certain period of time from the time at which the first sound and the first light start to be output.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) may control an emergency notification to be sent to the user indicating that an emergency situation has occurred if there is no input to release the notification action (e.g., an input connecting the first device (501) to the wearable device (500)) even after a certain period of time has passed since the notification action was initiated.

[0127] For example, the communication module (540) may support cellular communication (e.g., 4G, 5G, etc.) and / or Wi-Fi communication, and the wearable device (500) may include a global positioning system (GPS) device. The processor (510) may control the communication module (540) to send an emergency notification to a designated contact (e.g., a contact of the user's guardian, an emergency contact) if there is no input to cancel the notification operation even after a certain period of time has passed after the notification operation is performed (or started). The emergency notification may include, for example, (i) an emergency message (or emergency call) indicating that an emergency has occurred to the user, and (ii) location information (e.g., GPS information) of the wearable device (500). The emergency contact may include, for example, 119 (Korea), 911 (USA), etc.

[0128] For another example, the communication module (540) may not support cellular communication (e.g., 4G, 5G, etc.) and / or Wi-Fi communication. If there is no input to cancel the notification operation even after a certain period of time has passed since the notification operation was performed, the processor (510) may request the electronic device (110) (or smart watch (132)) that is paired (e.g., Bluetooth pairing) with the communication module (540) to send an emergency notification. If the electronic device (110) (or smart watch (132)) receives an emergency notification sending request from the wearable device (500) (e.g., the communication module (540)), the electronic device (110) (or smart watch (132)) may send an emergency notification (e.g., the user's location information and an emergency message (or an emergency call)) to a designated contact (e.g., the user's guardian's contact information, an emergency contact, etc.).

[0129] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) can detect that the user has taken off the wearable device (500). For example, the wearable device (500) may include a first thigh fastening detection module that can detect whether the first thigh fastening part (40a) is normally fastened to the user's left thigh, and a second thigh fastening detection module that can detect whether the second thigh fastening part (40b) is normally fastened to the user's right thigh. The first thigh fastening detection module can obtain first sensor data whose value varies depending on whether the first thigh fastening part (40a) is fastened to the user's left thigh, and can transmit the obtained first sensor data to the processor (510). The first thigh fastening detection module may include, for example, at least one of a Hall sensor, a proximity sensor, or a strain gauge. When the first thigh fastening detection module includes a Hall sensor, the first thigh fastening detection module can obtain, as first sensor data, a magnetic field measurement value that varies depending on whether the first thigh fastening portion (40a) is fastened to the user's left thigh. When the first thigh fastening detection module includes a proximity sensor, the first thigh fastening detection module can obtain, as first sensor data, a capacitance measurement value or an electromagnetic field measurement value that varies depending on whether the first fastening frame and the first cover at the first thigh fastening portion (40a) are connected to each other. When the first thigh fastening detection module includes a strain gauge, the first thigh fastening detection module can obtain, as first sensor data, a tension measurement value that varies depending on whether the first strap of the first thigh fastening portion (40a), the first cover, and the first fastening frame are connected to each other. The second thigh fastening detection module can obtain sensor data whose value varies depending on whether the second thigh fastening portion (40b) is fastened to the user's right thigh, and can transmit the obtained second sensor data to the processor (510).The description of the first thigh fastening detection module can be applied to the second thigh fastening detection module. The processor (510) can detect that the user has taken off the wearable device (500) (or that the user is not wearing the wearable device (500)) through the first sensor data received from the first thigh fastening detection module and / or the second sensor data received from the second thigh fastening detection module.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) may check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)) after detecting that the user has taken off the wearable device (500). If the processor (510) determines that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)), the processor may control the output module (550) to perform a notification operation (e.g., output of a first sound and / or output of a first light) indicating that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)).

[0131] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) may control the notification operation to be released when a first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) or a second device (e.g., a charging adapter) capable of transmitting charging power to the wearable device (500) is connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time after the notification operation is started.

[0132]

[0133] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an example of a connector of a wearable device and a connector of a first device according to one embodiment.

[0134] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a connector (520) of a wearable device (500) and an example of a connector (503) of a first device (501).

[0135] According to one embodiment, the connector (520) of the wearable device (500) may include, for example, pins A1 to A12 and pins B1 to B12. The connector (503) of the first device (501) may include, for example, pins A1 to A12 and pins B1 to B12.

[0136] According to one embodiment, a first resistor (610) may be positioned between the A12 pin (ground pin) (603) and the A8 pin (SBU1 pin) (601) of the connector (503) of the first device (501), and a second resistor (620) may be positioned between the B12 pin (ground pin) (604) and the B8 pin (SBU2 pin) (602) of the connector (503) of the first device (501). The resistance value of the first resistor (610) and the resistance value of the second resistor (620) may be the same.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the connector (503) of the first device (501) may be inserted into the connector (520) of the wearable device (500). The processor (510) of the wearable device (500) may identify an external device when the external device is connected to the connector (520). The processor (510) may determine whether the external device connected to the connector (520) is the first device (501). For example, the processor (510) can recognize (or obtain) the resistance value of the first resistor (610) of the first device (501) through the A8 pin (SBU1 pin) (621) of the connector (520) or recognize (or obtain) the resistance value of the second resistor (620) of the first device (501) through the B8 pin (SBU2 pin) (622), and determine whether the recognized resistance value corresponds to a resistance value mapped to the first device (501). If the recognized resistance value corresponds to a resistance value mapped to the first device (501), the processor (510) can determine that the device connected to the connector (520) is the first device (501).

[0138] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) may periodically check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)). For example, the processor (510) may periodically monitor the voltage of the A8 pin (SBU1 pin) (621) and / or the voltage of the B8 pin (SBU2 pin) (622) of the connector (520) to check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)). The processor (510) may determine that the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)) when the voltage level of the A8 pin (SBU1 pin) (621) of the connector (520) is a first level (e.g., high level) or the voltage level of the B8 pin (SBU2 pin) (622) is a first level (e.g., high level). The processor (510) may determine that the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (e.g., connector (520)) (or that the first device (501) is disconnected from the wearable device (500)) when the voltage level of the A8 pin (SBU1 pin) (621) of the connector (520) is at the second level (e.g., low level) or the voltage level of the B8 pin (SBU2 pin) (622) is at the second level (e.g., low level).

[0139]

[0140] FIGS. 7A to 7C are drawings illustrating an example in which a first device according to one embodiment is connected to a wearable device.

[0141] Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7C, an opening may be formed in the base body (710) of the wearable device (500) (e.g., the base body (10) of FIGS. 2A and 2B), and a connector (520) may be positioned in the formed opening. Each of the first device (720) of FIG. 7A, the first device (730) of FIG. 7B, and the first device (740) of FIG. 7C may correspond to examples of the first device (501).

[0142] In the example illustrated in FIG. 7A, the first device (720) may be of the first type (e.g., a first ring type). A connector (503) may be positioned on one side of the first device (720), and the other side of the first device (720) may have a ring shape. A user (or a third party) may pull the ring-shaped portion of the first device (720) to separate the first device (720) from the wearable device (500).

[0143] In the example illustrated in FIG. 7B, the first device (730) may be of the second type (e.g., a lever type). A connector (503) may be positioned on one side of the first device (730), and the other side of the first device (730) may have a lever shape. A user (or a third party) may pull the lever-shaped portion of the first device (730) to separate the first device (730) from the wearable device (500).

[0144] In the example illustrated in FIG. 7c, the first device (740) may be of a third type (e.g., an accessory type). A connector (503) may be positioned on one side of the first device (740), and an accessory may be positioned on the other side of the first device (740).

[0145]

[0146] FIGS. 8 and 9 are drawings illustrating another example of a first device according to one embodiment.

[0147] The first device (801) to be described through FIG. 8 may correspond to an example of the first device (501).

[0148] Referring to FIG. 8, a first device (801) according to one embodiment may include a connector (803) (e.g., connector (503)), a string (805), and an object (807).

[0149] A connector (803) may be positioned on one side of the first device (801), and the other side of the first device (801) may be connected to one side of a string (805). An object (807) may be connected to the other side of the string. The object (807) may have a form that can be worn on the user's body (e.g., a band shape, a ring shape) or may be fixed to the user's clothing.

[0150] An example of the external appearance of the first device (801) is illustrated in FIG. 9. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, a connector (803) may be positioned on a first part (903) of the first device (801), and one side of a string (905) may be connected to a second part (904) of the first device (801). A ring-shaped object (907) may be connected to the other side of the string (905).

[0151]

[0152] FIGS. 10A to 10D are drawings illustrating an example in which a first device according to one embodiment is connected to a wearable device.

[0153] Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10D , an opening may be formed in the base body (1010) of the wearable device (500) (e.g., the base body (10) of FIGS. 2A and 2B ), and a connector (520) may be positioned in the formed opening. Each of the first device (1020) of FIG. 10A , the first device (1030) of FIG. 10B , the first device (1040) of FIG. 10C , and the first device (1040) of FIG. 10D may correspond to examples of the first device (801).

[0154] In the example illustrated in FIG. 10A, the first device (1020) may be of the fourth type (e.g., clip type). The first device (1020) may include, for example, a first portion (1021a) in which a connector (803) is positioned (e.g., the first portion (903) of FIG. 9), a string (1021b), and an object (1021c). The object (1021c) may include a clip that is fixed to the user's clothing. The user may pull the string (1021b) to detach the first device (1020) from the wearable device (500).

[0155] In the example illustrated in FIG. 10b, the first device (1030) may be of the fifth type (e.g., a band type). The first device (1030) may include, for example, a first portion (1031a) (e.g., the first portion (903) of FIG. 9 ) in which a connector (803) is positioned, a string (1031b), and an object (1031c). The object (1031c) may include a band that can be worn on a user's body (e.g., a wrist). The user may pull the string (1031b) to detach the first device (1030) from the wearable device (500).

[0156] In the example illustrated in FIG. 10c, the first device (1040) may be of the sixth type (e.g., the second ring type). The first device (1040) may include, for example, a first portion (1041a) (e.g., the first portion (903) of FIG. 9 ) in which a connector (803) is positioned, a string (1041b), and an object (1041c). The object (1041c) may include a ring that can be worn on a user's body (e.g., a finger). In the example illustrated in FIG. 10c , the user may perform an exercise while wearing the object (1041c) on a finger. The user may pull the string (1041b) to detach the first device (1040) from the wearable device (500).

[0157] In the example illustrated in FIG. 10d, the first device (1050) may be of the seventh type (e.g., the third ring type). The first device (1050) may include, for example, a first portion (1051a) where a connector (803) is positioned (e.g., the first portion (903) of FIG. 9), a string (1051b), and an object (1051c). The object (1051c) may include a ring larger than a ring that can be worn on a user's body (e.g., a finger). The size of the object (1051c) of FIG. 10d is larger than the size of the object (1041c) of FIG. 10c, so that the user may not be able to wear the object (1051c) of FIG. 10d on a finger. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10d, the user may perform an exercise while holding the object (1051c) in his / her hand. The user can pull the string (1051b) to separate the first device (1050) from the wearable device (500).

[0158]

[0159] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0160] Referring to FIG. 11, in operation 1101, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) can check whether the wearable device (500) is in a charging state. If the wearable device (500) is in a charging state (operation 1101 - Yes), in operation 1103, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) can perform charging.

[0161] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) in operation 1105 if the wearable device (500) is not in a charging state (operation 1101-No). For example, the processor (510) may check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) via a first pin (e.g., SBU pin) of the connector (520).

[0162] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may re-perform operation 1105 if the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (operation 1105-Yes). The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may periodically check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500).

[0163] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may check whether the wearable device (500) is in a pairing state in operation 1107 when the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (operation 1105-No). The pairing state may indicate, for example, a state in which a wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection) is formed between the wearable device (500) and the electronic device (110) (or another wearable device (130)). The non-pairing state may indicate, for example, a state in which a wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection) is not formed between the wearable device (500) and the electronic device (110) (or another wearable device (130)).

[0164] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may request the user to connect the first device (501) to the wearable device (500) in operation 1109 if the wearable device (500) is not in a pairing state (or if the wearable device (500) is in a non-pairing state) (operation 1107-No).

[0165] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may check whether the wearable device (500) is in a standby state or an external force providing state in operation 1111 when the wearable device (500) is in a pairing state (operation 1107 - Yes). The standby state of the wearable device (500) may include, for example, a state in which the user is detected to be performing a specific movement (e.g., walking in place) or a specific posture (e.g., standing in place) for a certain period of time before the user starts exercising. The external force providing state may indicate, for example, a state in which the wearable device (500) provides an external force to the user. After the standby state, the wearable device (500) may be in an external force providing state.

[0166] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may perform operation 1101 when the wearable device (500) is not in a standby state and an external force providing state (operation 1111-No) (e.g., a pause state during exercise, an exercise end state, etc.). The present invention is not limited thereto, and the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may perform operation 1109 when the wearable device (500) is not in a standby state and an external force providing state (operation 1111-No). The pause state during exercise of the wearable device (500) may correspond to, for example, a resting state of the user during exercise. The pause state during exercise of the wearable device (500) may include, for example, a state in which an external force is not provided to the user during a rest period.

[0167] The processor (510) may perform operation 1101 or operation 1109 when the first device (501) is separated from the wearable device (500) and the wearable device (500) is in a paused state or an exercise-ended state during exercise.

[0168] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may perform a notification operation (e.g., outputting a first sound and / or outputting a first light) in operation 1113 when the wearable device (500) is in a standby state or an external force providing state (operation 1111-Yes). When the wearable device (500) is in an external force providing state, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may perform the notification operation and temporarily stop the wearable device (500) from providing an external force to the user.

[0169] The embodiments described through FIGS. 1A to 10 can be applied to the embodiment of FIG. 11.

[0170]

[0171] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 12, in operation 1201, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may recognize (or determine) that the wearable device (500) is in a standby state. For example, the processor (510) may determine whether the user is performing a specific movement (e.g., walking in place, etc.) or a specific posture (e.g., standing in place) based on the measurement results of each of the angle sensors (320, 320-1). If the processor (510) determines that the user is performing a specific movement (e.g., walking in place, etc.) or a specific posture (e.g., standing in place), the processor (510) may recognize (or determine) that the wearable device (500) is in a standby state.

[0173] In operation 1203, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) can check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500). In a standby state, the processor (510) can check whether the first device (501) of the connector (520) is connected to the wearable device (500) through a first pin (e.g., SBU pin).

[0174] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may re-perform operation 1203 if the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (operation 1203-Yes). The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may periodically monitor whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500).

[0175] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may perform a notification operation (e.g., outputting a first sound and / or outputting a first light) in operation 1205 when the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (operation 1203-No).

[0176] In operation 1207, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time. The processor (510) may check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time after the start of the notification operation.

[0177] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may operate to send an emergency notification indicating that an emergency situation has occurred to the user in operation 1209 if the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time (operation 1207-No). For example, the wearable device (500) may be capable of cellular communication or Wi-Fi communication and may include a GPS device. The processor (510) may control the communication module (540) to send an emergency notification to a designated contact (e.g., contact of the user's guardian, emergency contact) if there is no input to cancel the notification operation even after a certain period of time has passed since the notification operation was started. Depending on the implementation, the wearable device (500) may be capable of cellular communication or Wi-Fi communication, but the processor (510) may request the electronic device (110) (or smart watch (132)) that is paired (e.g., Bluetooth pairing) with the wearable device (500) to send an emergency notification. As another example, the wearable device (500) may not be capable of cellular communication or Wi-Fi communication. If there is no input to cancel the notification operation even after a certain period of time has passed since the notification operation was started, the processor (510) may request the electronic device (110) (or smart watch (132)) that is paired (e.g., Bluetooth pairing) with the wearable device (500) to send an emergency notification. When the electronic device (110) (or smart watch (132)) receives an emergency notification transmission request from the wearable device (500) (e.g., communication module (540)), the electronic device can transmit an emergency notification (e.g., the user's location information and an emergency message (or emergency call)) to a designated contact (e.g., the user's guardian's contact information, emergency contact, etc.).

[0178] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may release the notification operation in operation 1211 if the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time (operation 1207 - Yes).

[0179] In operation 1213, the wearable device (500) may provide an external force (e.g., an assistive force or a resistive force) to the user. The wearable device (500) may provide the external force to the user when the user begins exercising.

[0180] The embodiments described through FIGS. 1A to 11 can be applied to the embodiment of FIG. 12.

[0181]

[0182] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0183] Referring to FIG. 13, in operation 1301, the wearable device (500) may provide an external force to the user.

[0184] In operation 1303, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) can check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500). In the external force providing state, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) can check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500).

[0185] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may re-perform operation 1303 when the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (operation 1303-Yes). The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may periodically monitor whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) in an external force providing state.

[0186] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may stop providing the external force to the user in operation 1305 and perform a notification operation (e.g., outputting a first sound and / or outputting a first light) if the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (operation 1303-No).

[0187] In operation 1307, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time.

[0188] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may operate to send an emergency notification indicating that an emergency situation has occurred to the user in operation 1309 if the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time (operation 1307-No). The description of operation 1209 may be applied to operation 1309.

[0189] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) can provide an external force to the user and release the notification action in operation 1309 if the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time (operation 1307 - Yes).

[0190] The embodiments described through FIGS. 1A to 12 can be applied to the embodiment of FIG. 13.

[0191]

[0192] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0193] Referring to FIG. 14, in operation 1401, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may detect that the wearable device (500) is separated from the user. For example, the user may take off the wearable device (500) when exercise is finished. The processor (510) may detect that the user has taken off the wearable device (500) (or that the user is not wearing the wearable device (500)) through first sensor data received from the first thigh fastening detection module and second sensor data received from the second thigh fastening detection module.

[0194] In operation 1403, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may check whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500).

[0195] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may re-perform operation 1403 if the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500) (operation 1403-Yes). The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may periodically monitor whether the first device (501) is connected to the wearable device (500).

[0196] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may perform a notification operation (e.g., outputting a first sound and / or outputting a first light) in operation 1405 when the first device (501) is not connected to the wearable device (500) (operation 1403-No).

[0197] In operation 1407, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may check whether a second device (e.g., a charging adapter) is connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time.

[0198] If the second device is not connected to the wearable device (500) within a predetermined time period (operation 1407-No), the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may request the user to connect the second device to the wearable device (500) in operation 1409. For example, the processor (510) may control the speaker to output an audio signal through the speaker indicating to connect the charging adapter (or the cable of the charging adapter) to the wearable device (500). Depending on the implementation, the wearable device (500) may request the user to connect the first device to the wearable device (500) in operation 1409.

[0199] The wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may disable the notification operation in operation 1411 if a second device is connected to the wearable device (500) within a certain period of time (operation 1407 - Yes). Depending on the implementation, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may disable the notification operation if a first device is connected within a certain period of time.

[0200] In operation 1413, the wearable device (500) (e.g., processor (510)) may receive power from a second device to charge the battery (330).

[0201] The embodiments described through FIGS. 1A to 13 can be applied to the embodiment of FIG. 14.

[0202]

[0203] FIGS. 15 and 16 are drawings illustrating another example of a first device according to one embodiment.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 15, a first device (1501) (e.g., first device (501)) according to one embodiment may be electrically connected to a wearable device (500).

[0205] According to one embodiment, a first device (1501) (e.g., first device (501)) may include a connector (1503) and a heart rate sensor (1505). The connector (1503) of the first device (1501) may be connected to a connector (520) of a wearable device (500) via a cable (e.g., a USB C to C cable). Each of the connector (1503) of the first device (1501) and the connector (520) of the wearable device (500) may include, for example, a USB Type-C receptacle.

[0206] According to one embodiment, the first device (1501) may be worn on a part of the user's body (e.g., a wrist). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16 , the first device (1601) (e.g., the first device (1501)) may be worn on the user's wrist. The first device (1601) may be connected to a connector (1503) located in an opening of a base body (1610) of a wearable device (500) (e.g., a base body (10)) via a cable (1603).

[0207] According to one embodiment, the heart rate sensor (1505) can measure the user's heart rate to obtain heart rate information and transmit the obtained heart rate information to the wearable device (500). The processor (510) of the wearable device (500) can monitor the user's heart rate based on the heart rate information received from the first device (1501) (e.g., the heart rate sensor (1505)).

[0208] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) of the wearable device (500) can check (or determine) whether the user's heart rate is within the user's target heart rate range.

[0209] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) may operate to allow the user's heart rate to enter the target heart rate range when the user's heart rate exceeds the target heart rate range. For example, the processor (510) may control the output module (550) (e.g., speaker and / or lighting unit (60)) to provide the user with a guide indicating to adjust (e.g., decrease) the exercise speed (e.g., walking speed, etc.) when the user's heart rate exceeds the target heart rate range, and / or control the drive module (530) to adjust the magnitude of the external force (e.g., decrease the magnitude of the resistance force or increase the magnitude of the assistance force).

[0210] According to one embodiment, the processor (510) may operate to allow the user's heart rate to enter the target heart rate range when the user's heart rate is below the target heart rate range. For example, the processor (510) may control the output module (550) (e.g., speaker and / or lighting unit (60)) to provide the user with a guide indicating to adjust (e.g., increase) the exercise speed (e.g., walking speed, etc.) when the user's heart rate is below the target heart rate range, and / or control the drive module (530) to adjust the magnitude of the external force (e.g., increase the magnitude of the resistance force or decrease the magnitude of the assistance force).

[0211] According to one embodiment, the PMIC (340) of the wearable device (500) can transfer power stored in the battery (330) to the first device (1501). The wearable device (500) and the first device (1501) may form a USB connection (e.g., a USB Type-C connection), so that the PMIC (340) of the wearable device (500) can transfer power stored in the battery (330) to the first device (1501). The first device (1501) can operate the heart rate sensor (1505) based on the power received from the wearable device (500).

[0212] According to one embodiment, the first device (1501) may further include a gyro sensor (1507) (and / or an acceleration sensor). The first device (1501) may operate the gyro sensor (1507) (and / or an acceleration sensor) based on power received from the wearable device (500). The first device (1501) may transmit sensor data of the gyro sensor (1507) (and / or an acceleration sensor) to the wearable device (500). The processor (510) of the wearable device (500) may determine whether the user has fallen based on sensor data (e.g., sensor data of the gyro sensor (1507) (and / or an acceleration sensor)) received from the first device (1501). The processor (510) may control a notification operation (e.g., output of a first sound and / or output of a first light) to be performed when the first device (1501) is separated from the wearable device (500) when it is determined that the user has fallen. The processor (510) may control an emergency notification to be sent to the user indicating that an emergency situation has occurred if there is no input to release the notification operation within a certain period of time after the start of the notification operation.

[0213]

[0214] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0215] Referring to FIG. 17, a wearable device (1700) (e.g., wearable device (120), wearable device (200), wearable device (300), wearable device (300-1)) according to one embodiment may include a processor (1710) (e.g., processor (310), processor (510)), a USB hub (1720), a driving module (1730) (e.g., driving module (30), driving module (530)), a communication module (1740) (e.g., communication module (390), communication module (540)), and an output module (1750) (e.g., output module (550)).

[0216] The description of each of the processor (510), the drive module (530), the communication module (540), and the output module (550) can be applied to each of the processor (1710), the drive module (1730), the communication module (1740), and the output module (1750).

[0217] According to one embodiment, the USB hub (1720) may include a plurality of connectors. Each of the connectors of the USB hub (1720) may include a connector (e.g., connector (520) of FIG. 5). Each of the connectors of the USB hub (1720) may include a USB Type-C receptacle.

[0218] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of first devices (1701-1 to 1701-n) may include a connector (e.g., connector (503) of FIG. 5). Each of the plurality of first devices (1701-1 to 1701-n) may include a USB Type-C plug.

[0219] According to one embodiment, a USB hub (1720) may be electrically connected to each of a plurality of first devices (1701-1 to 1701-n). Each of the first devices (1701-1 to 1701-n) may be any one of the first to seventh types described above.

[0220] According to one embodiment, when the processor (1710) determines that at least one of the first devices (1701-1 to 1701-n) is detached from the wearable device (1700), the processor (1710) may control the output module (1750) to perform a notification operation. When the processor (1710) determines that at least one of the first devices (1701-1 to 1701-n) is detached from the wearable device (1700) while an external force is being provided to the user, the processor (1710) may operate to stop providing the external force to the user and control the output module (1750) to perform a notification operation.

[0221] The embodiments described through FIGS. 1A to 16 can be applied to the embodiment of FIG. 17.

[0222]

[0223] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0224] Referring to FIG. 18, in operation 1810, a wearable device (e.g., wearable device (120), wearable device (200), wearable device (300), wearable device (300-1), wearable device (500), wearable device (1700)) according to one embodiment can identify an external device when the external device is connected to the wearable device.

[0225] For example, the wearable device can measure the resistance value of the external device through the first pin (e.g., SBU pin) of the connector (e.g., connector (520), at least one connector of the USB hub (1720)), and if the measured resistance value corresponds to a resistance value mapped to the first device (e.g., the first device (501), the first device (801), the first device (1501), the first devices (170-1 to 1701-n)), the wearable device can identify (or determine) the external device as the first device.

[0226] The wearable device can measure a resistance value of an external device through a second pin (e.g., a CC pin) of a connector (e.g., connector (520), at least one connector of a USB hub (1720)), and can identify (or determine) the external device as a second device if the measured resistance value corresponds to a resistance value mapped to the second device.

[0227] In operation 1820, if the wearable device identifies the external device as the first device, the wearable device may periodically check whether the first device is connected to the wearable device. For example, if the voltage level of the first pin of the connector of the wearable device is a first level (e.g., a high level), the wearable device may check that the first device is connected to the wearable device. If the voltage level of the first pin of the connector of the wearable device is a second level (e.g., a low level), the wearable device may check that the first device is not connected to the wearable device (or that the first device is disconnected from the wearable device).

[0228] In operation 1830, if the wearable device determines that the first device is not connected to the wearable device, the wearable device may provide a notification (e.g., a first sound and / or a first light) indicating that the first device is not connected to the wearable device.

[0229] In one embodiment, a wearable device may provide an external force (e.g., an assistive force or a resistive force) to a user while the user is exercising. If the wearable device determines that a first device is not connected to the wearable device while providing the external force to the user, the wearable device may stop providing the external force to the user and provide (or output) a notification indicating that the first device is not connected to the wearable device.

[0230] In one embodiment, the wearable device may not provide a notification if the first device is connected to the wearable device within a certain time from the time the wearable device starts providing the notification.

[0231] According to one embodiment, the wearable device may be configured to send an emergency notification to the user indicating an emergency situation if the first device is not connected to the wearable device within a certain period of time from the time when the notification is initiated. For example, if the wearable device is capable of cellular communication or Wi-Fi communication, the wearable device may send an emergency notification to a designated contact (e.g., the user's guardian's contact, an emergency contact). If the wearable device is not capable of cellular communication or Wi-Fi communication and is paired with the electronic device (110) (or smartwatch (132)), the wearable device may request the electronic device (110) (or smartwatch (132)) to send an emergency notification to a designated contact (e.g., the user's guardian's contact, an emergency contact). The electronic device (110) (or smartwatch (132)) may send an emergency notification to the designated contact (e.g., the user's guardian's contact, an emergency contact).

[0232] The embodiments described through FIGS. 1A to 17 can be applied to the operating method of the wearable device of FIG. 18.

[0233]

[0234] According to one embodiment, a wearable device (120; 200; 300; 300-1; 500; 1700) may include a driving module (30; 530; 1730) that provides an external force to a user, a connector (520) that includes at least one pin and connects a first device (501; 801; 1501) and the wearable device, and a processor (310; 510; 1710) that is electrically connected to the connector and controls the driving module so that the external force is provided to the user. The processor may check whether the first device is connected to the connector. If the processor determines that the first device is not connected to the connector, the processor may control a notification operation to be performed indicating that the first device is not connected to the connector.

[0235] The processor may check whether the first device is connected to the connector while the external force is provided to the user. If the processor determines that the first device is not connected to the connector while the external force is provided to the user, the processor may control the notification operation to be performed and control the provision of the external force to be stopped.

[0236] The processor may determine, if it is determined that the first device is not connected to the connector, whether the wearable device is in a pairing state in which a wireless connection is formed between the wearable device and the user's electronic device, or in a non-pairing state in which the wireless connection is not formed between the wearable device and the electronic device. If the processor determines that the wearable device is in the pairing state, the processor may determine whether the wearable device is in a first state (e.g., an external force providing state) in which it provides the external force to the user, or in a second state (e.g., a standby state) in which it waits to provide the external force to the user. If the processor determines that the wearable device is in the first state, the processor may control the notification operation to be performed and control the provision of the external force to be stopped.

[0237] The processor may control the notification operation to be performed when the wearable device is determined to be in the second state after the processor determines that the wearable device is in the pairing state.

[0238] The processor may control a signal to be output to request connection of the first device to the wearable device when the processor determines that the wearable device is in the non-pairing state.

[0239] The processor may check whether the first device is connected to the connector after detecting that the user has taken off the wearable device. If the processor determines that the first device is not connected to the connector, the processor may control a notification operation to be performed. If a second device capable of transmitting charging power is connected to the connector within a certain period of time after the notification operation is initiated, the processor may control the notification operation to be released.

[0240] The processor may control the notification operation to be released if it is checked that the first device is connected to the connector within a certain period of time after the notification operation is performed.

[0241] The above processor can control an emergency notification to be sent to the user indicating that an emergency situation has occurred if there is no input to cancel the notification action even after a certain period of time has passed since the notification action was performed.

[0242] The first device may include a heart rate sensor and be worn on a part of the user's body. The processor may receive heart rate information of the user from the heart rate sensor via the connector to monitor the user's heart rate.

[0243] The first device may include a plug that can be inserted into the connector, and a resistor (e.g., a first resistor (610) and / or a second resistor (620)) may be positioned between a first pin and a ground pin of the plug. The processor may detect a resistance value of the resistor when the first device is connected to the connector, thereby checking that the first device is connected to the connector.

[0244] The first device may include a string (e.g., string (805)) and an object (e.g., object (807)) connected to one side of the string and having a wearable form on the user's body.

[0245] The above connector may include a USB receptacle connector.

[0246] According to one embodiment, a wearable device (120; 200; 300; 300-1; 500; 1700) may include a driving module (30; 530; 1730) for providing an external force to a user, a connector (520) including at least one pin and connecting a first device (501; 801; 1501) and the wearable device, and a processor (310; 510; 1710) electrically connected to the connector and controlling the driving module so that the external force is provided to the user. The processor may check whether the first device is connected to the connector while the external force is provided to the user. When the processor determines that the first device is not connected to the connector, the processor may perform at least one of an operation of controlling a notification operation indicating that the first device is not connected to the connector to be performed or an operation of controlling the provision of the external force to be stopped.

[0247] The processor can determine whether the wearable device is in a paired state in which a wireless connection is formed between the wearable device and the user's electronic device, or in a non-paired state in which the wireless connection is not formed between the wearable device and the electronic device. After the processor determines that the wearable device is in the paired state, the processor can control the driving module so that the external force is provided to the user when the user performs exercise. The processor can perform an operation of controlling so that the notification operation is performed and an operation of controlling so that the provision of the external force is stopped when it is checked that the first device is not connected to the connector while the external force is provided to the user.

[0248] The processor may control a signal to be output to request connection of the first device to the wearable device when the processor determines that the wearable device is in the non-pairing state.

[0249] The processor may check whether the first device is connected to the connector after detecting that the user has taken off the wearable device. If the processor determines that the first device is not connected to the connector, the processor may control a notification operation to be performed. If a second device capable of transmitting charging power is connected to the connector within a certain period of time after the notification operation is initiated, the processor may control the notification operation to be released.

[0250] The processor may control the notification operation to be released if it is checked that the first device is connected to the connector within a certain period of time after the notification operation is performed.

[0251] The above processor can control an emergency notification to be sent to the user indicating that an emergency situation has occurred if there is no input to cancel the notification action even after a certain period of time has passed since the notification action was performed.

[0252] According to one embodiment, the operating method of a wearable device (120; 200; 300; 300-1; 500; 1700) may include an operation of identifying an external device when the external device is connected to the wearable device, an operation of periodically checking whether the first device is connected to the wearable device when the external device is identified as a first device (501; 801; 1501), and an operation of providing a notification indicating that the first device is not connected to the wearable device when it is checked that the first device is not connected to the wearable device.

[0253] The operating method of the wearable device may further include an operation of providing an external force to the user when the user performs exercise, and an operation of stopping providing the external force to the user and providing the notification when it is checked that the first device is not connected to the wearable device while providing the external force to the user.

[0254] The operating method of the wearable device may further include an operation of providing the notification when the first device is not connected to the connector after detecting that the user has taken off the wearable device; and an operation of stopping the provision of the notification when a second device capable of transmitting charging power is connected to the connector within a certain period of time after the notification is provided.

[0255]

[0256] The embodiments described above may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices, methods, and components described in the embodiments may be implemented using a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer, such as, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing instructions and responding to them. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and software applications running on the operating system. Furthermore, the processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For ease of understanding, the processing device is sometimes described as being used alone; however, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the processing device may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, a processing unit may include multiple processors, or a processor and a controller. Other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are also possible.

[0257] Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, which may configure a processing device to perform a desired operation or may, independently or collectively, command the processing device. The software and / or data may be permanently or temporarily embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device, or transmitted signal wave, for interpretation by the processing device or for providing instructions or data to the processing device. The software may also be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0258] The method according to the embodiment 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 store program commands, data files, data structures, etc., alone or in combination, and the program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the embodiment or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium 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 such as those generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0259] The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

[0260] Although the embodiments described above have been described with limited drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various technical modifications and variations can be applied based on the described embodiments. For example, appropriate results can still be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and / or components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. are combined or combined in a different manner than described, or are replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents.

[0261] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. In wearable devices (120; 200; 300; 300-1; 500; 1700), A driving module (30; 530; 1730) that provides external force to the user; A connector (520) including at least one pin and connecting the first device (501; 801; 1501) and the wearable device; and A processor (310; 510; 1710) electrically connected to the connector and controlling the drive module so that the external force is provided to the user. Including, The above processor, Checking whether the first device is connected to the connector, and if checking that the first device is not connected to the connector, controlling a notification operation indicating that the first device is not connected to the connector is performed. Wearable devices.

2. In paragraph 1, The above processor, Checking whether the first device is connected to the connector while the external force is provided to the user, and if checking that the first device is not connected to the connector while the external force is provided to the user, controlling so that the notification operation is performed and controlling so that the provision of the external force is stopped. Wearable devices.

3. In paragraph 1, The above processor, If it is checked that the first device is not connected to the connector, it is determined whether the wearable device is in a pairing state in which a wireless connection is formed between the wearable device and the user's electronic device or in a non-pairing state in which the wireless connection is not formed between the wearable device and the electronic device, and if it is determined that the wearable device is in the pairing state, it is determined whether the wearable device is in a first state in which it provides the external force to the user or in a second state in which it waits to provide the external force to the user, and if it is determined that the wearable device is in the first state, it is controlled so that the notification operation is performed and controlled so that the provision of the external force is stopped. Wearable devices.

4. In paragraph 3, The above processor, When the wearable device is determined to be in the pairing state and the wearable device is determined to be in the second state, controlling the notification operation to be performed. Wearable devices.

5. In paragraph 3, The above processor, Controlling to output a signal requesting to connect the first device to the wearable device when the wearable device is determined to be in the non-pairing state; Wearable devices.

6. In paragraph 1, The above processor, After detecting that the user has taken off the wearable device, checking whether the first device is connected to the connector, and controlling so that a notification operation is performed if it is checked that the first device is not connected to the connector, and controlling so that the notification operation is released if a second device capable of transmitting charging power is connected to the connector within a certain time after the notification operation is started. Wearable devices.

7. In paragraph 1, The above processor, If it is checked that the first device is connected to the connector within a certain time after the above notification action is performed, the notification action is controlled to be released. Wearable devices.

8. In paragraph 1, The above processor, If there is no input to cancel the above notification action even after a certain period of time has passed after the above notification action is performed, an emergency notification is sent to the user indicating that an emergency situation has occurred. Wearable devices.

9. In paragraph 1, The above first device includes a heart rate sensor and is worn on a part of the user's body, The above processor, Receiving the user's heart rate information from the heart rate sensor through the connector to monitor the user's heart rate, Wearable devices.

10. In paragraph 1, The first device includes a plug that can be inserted into the connector, and a resistor is located between the first pin and the ground pin of the plug, The above processor, When the first device is connected to the connector, the resistance value of the resistor is detected to check that the first device is connected to the connector. Wearable devices.

11. In paragraph 10, The above first device, string; and An object connected to one side of the above line and having a form that can be worn on the user's body Including, Wearable devices.

12. In paragraph 1, The above connector includes a USB (universal serial bus) receptacle connector, Wearable devices.

13. In the operating method of a wearable device (120; 200; 300; 300-1; 500; 1700), An action of identifying an external device when the external device is connected to the wearable device; If the external device is identified as the first device (501; 801; 1501), an operation of periodically checking whether the first device is connected to the wearable device; and If it is checked that the first device is not connected to the wearable device, an action of providing a notification indicating that the first device is not connected to the wearable device Including, Method of operation of a wearable device.

14. In paragraph 13, When the user performs an exercise, an action of providing an external force to the user; and If it is checked that the first device is not connected to the wearable device while providing an external force to the user, an action of stopping providing an external force to the user and providing the notification Including more, Method of operation of a wearable device.

15. In paragraph 13, An action of providing the notification when the first device is checked to be not connected to the connector after detecting that the user has taken off the wearable device; and Action to stop providing the above notification if a second device capable of transmitting charging power is connected to the above connector within a certain period of time after the above notification is provided. Including more, Method of operation of a wearable device.

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