JP7741556B2 - Application provision and communication methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an application providing method and a communication method. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for providing selective and limited application information from a wearable device to a peripheral device. Furthermore, the present invention particularly relates to a communication method between a wearable device and a peripheral device, which includes an application providing step by the above-mentioned providing method.

Terminal devices that can detect various physical conditions of a user while attached to or in close proximity to the user's body and store and transmit the detected data are generally called wearable devices. Physical observation and management using wearable devices is used in a variety of situations, including health management during outdoor work (Patent Document 1), healthcare and medical diagnosis (Patent Document 2), and heatstroke monitoring and diagnosis (Patent Document 3).

In such physical observation and management, the wearable device wearer or a user other than the wearer can manage personal data acquired by the wearable device using an application installed on a second terminal device (peripheral device). A smartphone can be used as the second terminal device. Examples include management of children's personal data by childcare workers or guardians (Patent Document 4) and an analysis device for the senses, movements, and cognition of humans and non-human animals (Patent Document 5). Such management methods utilize applications installed on the second terminal device to analyze personal data from more diverse perspectives and enable the use of personal data for a wider variety of purposes. However, in reality, the effort of selecting and downloading only the applications that can actually be used on the peripheral device when connecting a wearable device to a peripheral device or when changing peripheral devices can be a burden for wearable device users.

Apparatuses and methods for selectively transmitting application information appropriate for a user device are known. For example, an apparatus and method have been proposed for connecting a digital device such as a television to a peripheral device such as a smartphone, in which the digital device receives system information from the peripheral device, analyzes this system information, generates a list of connection programs executable on the peripheral device, and transmits this connection program information to the peripheral device (Patent Document 6). However, the method and apparatus described in Patent Document 6 do not take into account wearable devices as the digital device.

JP 2015-154920 A JP 2017-18595 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-104327 JP 2018-93977 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-520358 Special Publication No. 2014-503926

A biometric information management and monitoring system that acquires a wearer's biometric information using sensors in a wearable device and utilizes that information through an application installed on a peripheral device is a technology that can be used in a variety of situations, including sports, medical care, welfare, games, and housework. For this technology to become widespread, it is desirable for anyone, not just young people accustomed to using IT devices, to be able to easily operate wearable and peripheral devices. However, as mentioned above, there is room for improvement in the process of downloading applications to peripheral devices that utilize biometric information. Furthermore, in recent years, the number and variety of personal mobile devices owned by users, such as smartphones, has increased. Adding or changing devices requires significant effort to synchronize wearable devices with other devices and to update applications on each device. Therefore, the inventor sought a communication method between a wearable device and a peripheral device that would reduce the user's workload when adding or changing peripheral devices. Specifically, the inventor sought a setup method for a wearable device and a peripheral device that would eliminate the user's need to pay attention to the model of the peripheral device or the changes to the peripheral device during communication between the wearable and peripheral devices. Furthermore, the inventors sought a method for communication between a wearable device and a peripheral device that minimizes the power consumption of the wearable device and can avoid erroneous pairing between the wearable device and the peripheral device.

As a result, the inventors have discovered that by providing application information from a wearable device to a peripheral device using a specific processing flow, the effort required by the user to set up the wearable device and peripheral device can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the inventors have discovered that by switching the communication method between the wearable device and peripheral device under specific conditions, the accuracy and economy of communication between the wearable device and peripheral device can be improved. That is, the present invention is as follows.
(Invention 1) An application providing method for a wearable device, which provides application information compatible with a peripheral device to the peripheral device, and does not provide application information incompatible with the peripheral device to the peripheral device.
(Invention 2) The wearable device has a sensor for acquiring biometric information of the wearer, a data processing unit for processing application information related to the biometric information and the biometric information, and a communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from peripheral devices,
The application providing method of Invention 1, wherein the communication unit receives model information of the peripheral device via the NFC method, the data processing unit extracts application information compatible with the peripheral device, and the extracted application information is transmitted from the communication unit to the peripheral device via the NFC method.
(Invention 3) An application providing method according to Invention 1 or 2, which is carried out by the peripheral device to download an application suited to the model.
(Invention 4) An application providing method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the peripheral device is a smartphone.
(Invention 5) The application providing method of any one of Inventions 1 to 4, wherein the peripheral device is an Android (registered trademark) smartphone or an iOS (registered trademark) smartphone.
(Invention 6) An application providing method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein the wearable device is a wristwatch type.
(Invention 7) A communication method between a wearable device and a peripheral device, comprising:
the wearable device has a sensor for acquiring biometric information of a wearer, a data processing unit for processing application information related to the biometric information and the biometric information, and a communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from peripheral devices;
an application providing step of receiving model information of the peripheral device in the communication unit, extracting only application information compatible with the peripheral device in the data processing unit, and transmitting the extracted application information to the peripheral device from the communication unit;
a pairing step in which the wearable device and the peripheral device are paired so that the peripheral device can receive the biological information;
a switching step of switching between the application providing step and the pairing step;
A method for communication between a wearable device and a peripheral device.
(Invention 8) A communication method of Invention 7, wherein in the application providing step, application information compatible with the model of the peripheral device is displayed on the display unit of the peripheral device, and application information incompatible with the model of the peripheral device is not displayed.
(Invention 9) The communication method of Invention 7 or 8, wherein the application providing step is performed using an NFC method.
(Invention 10) A communication method according to any one of Inventions 7 to 9, wherein the application providing step is performed by the peripheral device in order for the peripheral device to download an application compatible with its model.
(Invention 11) A communication method according to any one of Inventions 7 to 10, wherein the pairing step is performed using a method other than NFC.
(Invention 12) The communication method of any one of Inventions 7 to 11, wherein the pairing step is performed using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method for the biometric information.
(Invention 13) A communication method according to any one of Inventions 7 to 12, wherein in the switching step, a switching means provided in the wearable device operates to transition from the application providing step to the pairing step.
(Invention 14) A communication method according to any one of Inventions 7 to 13, wherein in the switching step, pairing between the wearable device and the peripheral device is stopped, thereby transitioning from the pairing step to the application providing step.
(Invention 15) The communication method of any one of Inventions 7 to 14, wherein the peripheral device is a smartphone.
(Invention 16) The communication method of any one of Inventions 7 to 15, wherein the peripheral device is an Android (registered trademark) smartphone or an iOS (registered trademark) smartphone.
(Invention 17) The communication method of any one of Inventions 7 to 16, wherein the wearable device is a wristwatch type.

In the application provision method of the present invention, the application information received by a peripheral device is limited to information compatible with the model of that peripheral device. When this application information is displayed on the peripheral device, the user can select the desired application without having to worry about whether the application is compatible with the model.

The communication method of the present invention combines such efficient application provision functions with the function of analyzing and managing biometric information, and by switching between these two functions using a simple mechanism, it has succeeded in improving the accuracy, economy, and convenience of communication between wearable devices and peripheral devices.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example (1) of a wearable device used in the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the application provision steps of the present invention performed between a wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and a smartphone (701). FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the switching step and pairing step performed between the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and the smartphone (701). FIG. 4 schematically shows the switching step between the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and the smartphone (701) and the standby state of the wristwatch-type wearable device (101). FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of application provision steps performed between the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) in standby mode and a new smartphone (702). FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a communication method between wristwatch-type wearable devices (111, 121, 131), smartphones (711, 721, 731), and peripheral devices including a teacher computer (15). FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a communication method between a wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and a smartphone (701), which is an example of the present invention. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams showing a wristwatch-type device (16) as an example of a wearable device used in the present invention, where (a) shows a front view and (b) shows a side view.

[Wearable device] The wearable device used in the present invention has a sensor for acquiring biometric information of the wearer, a data processing unit for storing the biometric information and application information related to the biometric information, and a communication unit for sending and receiving data to and from peripheral devices.

[Sensor] The sensor detects biometric information of the wearer. There are no particular limitations on the type and number of the biometric information and the sensors. The biometric information may be one or more pieces of biometric information selected from, for example, heart rate, pulse rate, breathing, body temperature, blood oxygen concentration, cardiac potential, body inclination, body activity, and horizontal and/or vertical movement. When the sensor detects, for example, a heart rate detection sensor is used, and the heart rate detection sensor is equipped with a detection program. When the sensor detects, for example, a pulse rate detection sensor is used, and the pulse rate detection sensor is equipped with a detection program. When the sensor detects, for example, a body temperature detection sensor is used, and the body temperature detection sensor is equipped with a detection program. When the sensor detects, for example, a body inclination, body activity, or horizontal and/or vertical movement, an acceleration sensor is used, and the acceleration sensor is equipped with a detection program. Similarly, detection sensors equipped with detection programs are used for sensors to detect other biometric information.

[Data Processing Unit] The data processing unit has an application processing unit. The application processing unit stores information on various applications (so-called "apps") that are effective for analyzing and managing the biometric information as a database. This database is searched to extract application information appropriate for the peripheral device. Such applications are not limited as long as they can utilize the biometric information. Examples include so-called health-related applications such as heart rate monitor apps, thermometer apps, running apps, and pedometer apps. The application processing unit stores URLs, compatible models (e.g., Android (registered trademark) smartphones or iOS (registered trademark) smartphones), icon information, version information, etc. corresponding to these applications.

The application processing unit executes a search program to search the database based on the model information received by the communication unit (first communication unit) described below, and extracts only the application information that is compatible with the peripheral device model. The extracted application information is sent from the application processing unit to the communication unit (first communication unit) described below.

The data processing unit further includes a biometric information processing unit. In the biometric information processing unit, the biometric information detected by the sensor is edited and stored using a storage program along with wearer information (wearer ID), detection time information, and wearer location information. The biometric information extracted from the biometric information processing unit is sent to the communication unit (second communication unit) described below.

[Communication Unit] The wearable device used in the present invention communicates with peripheral devices via the communication unit. The communication method used by the communication unit is preferably a so-called short-range wireless communication method, such as NFC (Near Field Communication), which has a communication distance of approximately 10 cm, infrared communication, which has a communication distance of approximately 30 cm to 1 m, Bluetooth (registered trademark), which has a communication distance of approximately 10 m at maximum, or wireless LAN, which has a communication distance of approximately 100 m at maximum. Using such a short-range wireless communication method reduces the possibility of incorrectly pairing the wearable device with a peripheral device.

The communication unit has a first function of transmitting application information to the peripheral device and a second function of pairing with the peripheral device and transmitting the biometric information to the peripheral device. In this invention, the part of the communication unit that has the first function is referred to as the "first communication unit," and the part that has the second function is referred to as the "second communication unit."

[First communication unit, application providing step] The wearable device used in the present invention provides application information compatible with the peripheral device to the peripheral device via the first communication unit, and does not provide application information incompatible with the peripheral device to the peripheral device. The first communication unit receives model information of the peripheral device, extracts only application information compatible with the peripheral device from the data processing unit, and transmits the extracted application information from the communication unit to the peripheral device. In this way, the communication unit of the present invention transmits selected and limited application information to the peripheral device. This transmission of application information from the communication unit of the present invention to the peripheral device is referred to as "application provision."

NFC is preferably used as the communication method between the first communication unit and the peripheral device. Using the NFX method allows for accurate identification of the peripheral device to which the application should be sent. When the first communication unit communicates using NFC and the peripheral device is a smartphone, the application can be provided with a single touch (a single action of holding the peripheral device over the wearable device or touching the peripheral device to the wearable device). When a user touches the wearable device used in the present invention with the peripheral device, the first communication unit receives a signal including model information (user agent). A matching program included in the wearable device used in the present invention extracts application information compatible with the user agent from application information stored in the data processing unit. The extracted application information is transmitted from the first communication unit to the smartphone. Information on applications stored in the data processing unit that are not compatible with the smartphone is not transmitted to the smartphone. Upon receiving the application information, the smartphone displays the received application information (URL, icon, name, description text, etc.) on the display unit using a display program and waits for a user download instruction. The applications displayed on the smartphone are limited to those that can be run on the smartphone that is touched. The user does not need to consider whether the displayed applications are compatible with the smartphone model. The user can simply specify the application information on the display screen, download the appropriate application for the smartphone, and complete the setup of the wearable device and smartphone.

This application provision method significantly reduces the effort required for users to download applications to peripheral devices. Ultimately, even users who are unfamiliar with the model of their new peripheral device (e.g., an Android® smartphone or an iOS® smartphone) can complete the setup of the wearable device and peripheral device with just one touch for NFC communication and one touch on the peripheral device's display.

[Second Communication Unit, Pairing Step] The wearable device and the peripheral device used in the present invention are paired via the second communication unit, enabling the biometric information stored in the biometric information processing unit to be transmitted to the peripheral device. The paired peripheral device receives the biometric information acquired by the wearable device used in the present invention via the second communication unit and can observe, analyze, and manage the biometric information using various applications. The present invention contemplates various combinations of wearable devices and peripheral devices, such as when the wearer of the wearable device operates the peripheral device while acquiring biometric information (e.g., when a runner wearing a watch-type wearable device monitors their speed and distance while running on a smartphone paired with the watch-type wearable device), when biometric information stored on the wearable device is transmitted to a paired PC or tablet device (e.g., when a patient provides biometric information to a doctor for a diagnosis), and when multiple wearable devices are paired with a single peripheral device (e.g., when a teacher or administrator monitors the physical condition of multiple children or workers to prevent heatstroke and accidents). Therefore, it is preferable that the second communication unit can communicate with peripheral devices not only in the NFC system but also in a system other than the NFC system, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) system.

When transmitting biometric information from one wearable device to a relatively nearby peripheral device for purposes such as sports, medical care, welfare, or entertainment, the communication method between the second communication unit and the peripheral device is preferably a short-range wireless communication method with a longer notification distance than NFC, such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth®. The wearable device used in the present invention preferably provides the application using the NFC method via the first communication unit and performs the pairing using the Bluetooth® method via the second communication unit. By selecting the communication method between the first communication unit and the second communication unit in this manner, the wearable device used in the present invention can accurately recognize the model information of the application destination and avoid erroneous pairing with a peripheral device located farther away.

[Switching Step] The wearable device used in the present invention preferably has means for switching the function of the communication unit between the first function and the second function. The switching means is, for example, a mechanism for receiving a switching command from a peripheral device, a switch such as a button or dial attached to the wearable device body, a selection display on the sub-screen or main screen, or a program for determining whether switching is necessary. When the switching means is activated, a switching program is started in the component that manages the communication unit, and the communication unit switches from the first communication unit to the second communication unit, or from the second communication unit to the first communication unit.

The wearable device used in the present invention communicates using the NFC method with the first communication unit, and uses a method other than NFC with the second communication unit, specifically a method with a longer communication distance than NFC. Therefore, a typical wearable device used in the present invention consumes more power when the second communication unit is enabled (pairing-enabled state, method other than NFC) than when the first communication unit is enabled (application-enabled state, NFC method). To avoid unnecessary power consumption, the communication unit of the wearable device used in the present invention waits for a peripheral device while the first communication unit is enabled (NFC method) (default state). The communication unit of the wearable device used in the present invention switches from the first communication unit to the second communication unit only when the switching means is activated. If pairing with the peripheral device is stopped or not initiated, the switching means switches the communication unit from the second communication unit to the first communication unit, and the wearable device used in the present invention returns to a standby state.

In this case, for example, after installing an application on the peripheral device via the first communication unit, when the user presses a switching button provided on the wearable device used in the present invention, a switching program is launched. The switching program switches the communication unit from the first communication unit to the second communication unit and initiates pairing between the wearable device and the peripheral device via the second communication unit. The paired peripheral device receives biometric information corresponding to the application from the second communication unit, and the biometric information is edited and displayed by the application. The user can manage and observe the biometric information of the wearer of the wearable device used in the present invention using the biometric information displayed on the peripheral device.

When the user activates the switching means, it is highly likely that the peripheral device will naturally be placed in the appropriate position (the user will either bring the desired peripheral device closer to the wearable device or confirm that the desired peripheral device is in the appropriate position relative to the wearable device). Therefore, even if communication is performed via the second communication unit using a method with a longer communication distance, there is little chance of pairing the wrong peripheral device.

Furthermore, in this case, for example, if the peripheral device disconnects pairing while the second communication unit is enabled, or if pairing with the peripheral device is not established for a certain period of time, the switching program is activated, the second communication unit switches to the first communication unit, and the wearable device returns to a standby state (default state) in which communication is possible via NFC. In this way, the user does not need to directly operate the wearable device to switch the communication unit from the second communication unit to the first communication unit. As a result, to the user, it appears that the wearable device used in the present invention is automatically maintained in a communication state with low power consumption.

In this case, the wearable device used in the present invention that has returned to a standby state can provide applications to a peripheral device different from or the same as the peripheral device via NFC. When pairing the wearable device that has returned to a standby state with the peripheral device again, the user operates the switching means again to switch from the first communication unit to the second communication unit.

[Communication Method] Communication between a wearable device and a peripheral device used in the present invention includes a state in which communication is performed using a first communication unit, a state in which communication is performed using a second communication unit, and a state in which the first communication unit and the second communication unit are switched between. That is, the communication method between a wearable device and a peripheral device used in the present invention includes an application providing step in which the communication unit receives model information of the peripheral device, the data processing unit extracts only application information compatible with the peripheral device, and transmits the extracted application information from the communication unit to the peripheral device; a pairing step in which the wearable device and the peripheral device are paired so that the peripheral device can receive the biometric information; and a switching step in which the application providing step and the pairing step are switched between. This communication method frees the user from the task of sorting out application information compatible with the peripheral device from application information that is not compatible with the peripheral device.

Communication between the wearable device and peripheral device used in the present invention preferably starts in a standby state in which the first communication unit, which communicates using the NFC method, is active, and communication with the peripheral device is performed using the NFC method in the application provision step. Only when the switching means is operated does the first communication unit switch to the second communication unit, which communicates using a method other than NFC, which has a longer communication distance, and the pairing step begins. If the switching determination program determines that the pairing step should not be maintained, the second communication unit transitions to the first communication unit, and communication between the wearable device and peripheral device used in the present invention returns to a standby state using the NFC method. The communication method used by the second communication unit is preferably the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method.

In this case, the only actions required of the user to control communication between the wearable device used in the present invention and the peripheral device are one touch to start the application provision step and one button press to start the pairing step. From the user's perspective, the wearable device used in the present invention is automatically maintained in a low power consumption state.

[Biometric Information Utilization Device] The application provision method and/or communication method of the present invention can be utilized in a biometric information utilization device that combines a wearable device and at least one peripheral device. Here, "utilization" refers to all actions using the biometric information of the wearer of the wearable device used in the present invention and data based on the biometric information, as well as the operations necessary for such actions. The biometric utilization device is, for example, a device used to acquire, process, transmit, and receive biometric information of the wearer of the wearable device used in the present invention, as well as to observe, analyze, manage, and diagnose the biometric information. The biometric utilization device includes the wearable device used in the present invention and at least one peripheral device capable of communicating with it. Examples of combinations of the biometric utilization devices include wearable device/smartphone/PC, wearable device/smartphone/PC/hard disk, and wearable device/smartphone/videophone system.

With reference to Figures 1 to 8, examples of wearable devices used in the present invention, application provision methods of the present invention, and communication methods of the present invention will be described. Figures 1 to 7 merely show examples of the present invention and its components, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In particular, the shapes and layouts of the various devices shown in Figures 1 to 5 have been exaggerated and modified for reference purposes to help understand the functions and effects of the present invention, and do not necessarily correspond to those of the actual devices.

[Example of a Wearable Device] The wearable device (1) has a sensor (2), which consists of a heart rate sensor (201), a pulse sensor (202), a body temperature sensor (203), an acceleration sensor (204), and a cardiac potential sensor (205). Biometric information detected by the sensors (2, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205) is sent to the biometric information processing unit (302) of the data processing unit (3) and stored in the memory of the biometric information processing unit (302). The application processing unit (301) of the data processing unit (3) stores information on applications that can utilize the biometric information detected by the sensors (2, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205). Data is communicated between the wearable device (1) and peripheral devices (not shown) via the communication unit (4).

In the communication unit (4), the first communication unit (401) that communicates using the NFC method is enabled, and the transmission/reception circuit of the second communication unit (402) that communicates using a method other than NFC is in an off state. When the switching means (5) is activated, the transmission/reception circuit of the first communication unit (401) is turned off and the transmission/reception circuit of the second communication unit (402) is turned on, enabling communication using a method other than NFC.

[Communication method] In the communication method between the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and the smartphone (701) shown in Figure 7, the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) is in a standby state in which it can start communication using the NFC method in the first communication unit.

When the smartphone (701) comes into close proximity (touches) with the wristwatch-type wearable device (101), the smartphone (701) receives application information appropriate for the model and becomes ready to use the application. When the user installs the application, the setup between the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and the smartphone (701) is completed. The wristwatch-type wearable device (101) then continues in standby mode.

When the switching button (501) on the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) is pressed and the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) detects and recognizes that the switching means has been activated, a switching program is activated, the communication unit switches from the first communication unit to the second communication unit, and pairing between the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and the smartphone (701) begins. When the pairing is released, the switching determination program makes a switching determination, followed by the switching program activation, and the communication unit switches from the second communication unit to the first communication unit. As a result, the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) returns to a standby state. Thereafter, upon receiving model information from the peripheral device, the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) can again send application information to the peripheral device, and the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) can again pair with the peripheral device.

In this communication method, the communication unit of the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) is basically controlled to communicate using the NFC method, and only when the user actively takes action (presses the switch button) does the second communication unit become active and communication using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method becomes possible.

[Example of application provision steps] When a smartphone (701) is brought close to (touched with) a wristwatch-type wearable device (1) in standby mode, the first communication unit (401) receives model information of the smartphone (701) and sends the received model information to the application processing unit (301). The application processing unit (301) uses an application search program to extract information (801) of an application that matches the model information from a database (application data 8) stored in memory and sends it to the first communication unit (401). The first communication unit (401) sends the application information (801) to the smartphone (701). When the smartphone (701) receives the application information (801), downloadable application information (802) is displayed on the smartphone (701). This completes application provision. The user can connect the smartphone (701) to the Internet (9) and install an application that matches the smartphone (701).

[Examples of switching steps and pairing steps] When the switching button (501) is pressed, a switching program is started, the communication unit (4) switches from the first communication unit (401) to the second communication unit (402), and pairing between the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and the smartphone (701) begins via Bluetooth (registered trademark). The paired smartphone (701) acquires the biometric information stored in the biometric information processing unit (302). An application (801) installed on the smartphone (701) edits the acquired biometric information and generates a biometric information management and observation screen display (10).

[Example of Switching Step, Return to Standby State] When the smartphone (701) moves out of the Bluetooth® communication range or the user turns off the Bluetooth® function of the smartphone (701), canceling the pairing between the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and the smartphone (701), or when pairing between the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) and the smartphone (701) is not established within a certain period of time despite the switching button (501) being pressed, the switching program is activated by the switching determination program. The switching program switches the communication unit (4) of the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) from the second communication unit (402) to the first communication unit (401). As a result, the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) returns to a state where it can communicate via NFC. The smartphone (701) shown in Figures 4 and 5 is not within a distance where it can communicate with the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) using the NFC method, and is not paired with the wristwatch-type wearable device (101) using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method. The display (11) of the smartphone (701) shown in Figures 4 and 5 indicates a standby state.

[Example of resuming an application step from a standby state] When a user brings another smartphone (702) close to (touches) the wristwatch-type wearable device (101), the first communication unit (401) receives model information of the smartphone (702) and sends the received model information to the application processing unit (301). The application processing unit (301) uses an application search program to extract information (803) of an application that matches the model information from a database (application data 8) stored in memory and sends it to the first communication unit (401). The first communication unit (401) sends the application information (803) to the smartphone (702). When the smartphone (702) receives the application information (803), downloadable application information (804) is displayed on the smartphone (701). This completes the provision of another application. The user can download an application that matches the smartphone (702) to the smartphone (702) connected to the Internet (9).

[Example of a Bio-Utilization Device] A bio-utilization device (running class device) (12) using the communication method of the present invention includes wristwatch-type wearable devices (111, 121, 131), smartphones (711, 721, 731), and a teacher's computer (15). Users of the running class device (12) include runners (110, 120, 130) and teachers (14). While the wristwatch-type wearable devices (111, 121, 131) are devices designated or provided by the running class, the smartphones (711, 721, 731) can be devices selected by the runners (110, 120, 130) and do not need to be standardized.

The runner (110) wears a wristwatch-type wearable device (111) to measure his/her physical condition while running (distance traveled, speed, pulse rate, etc.), and after finishing the run, sends the measurement data to a smartphone (711) paired with the wristwatch-type wearable device (111). The smartphone (711) analyzes and processes the received measurement data using a running management application. The runner (110) refers to the results as a running record. Similarly, the runner (120) can refer to his/her running record using a wristwatch-type wearable device (121) and smartphone (721). Similarly, the runner (130) can refer to his/her running record using a wristwatch-type wearable device (131) and smartphone (731). The running records of the runners (110, 120, 130) are sent from the smartphones (711, 721, 731) to a server (131) of the Internet cloud (13) and saved and accumulated in a database (132) of the cloud (13). A teacher (14), with the authority given to him, uses the personal data and standard data stored and accumulated in a database (132) of the cloud (13) via a teacher's computer (15) connected to the Internet to instruct and advise the runners (110, 120, 130).

In this running class device (12), the wristwatch-type wearable devices (111, 121, 131) can provide information on running management applications compatible with each smartphone (711, 721, 731). Regardless of the operating system of the smartphone (711, 721, 731) or whether the smartphone (711, 721, 731) is changed, all runners (110, 120, 130) can set up their smartphones on their respective wristwatch-type wearable devices with a common, simple operation (e.g., one-touch NFC).

[Example of a Wristwatch-Type Wearable Device] The wristwatch-type wearable device (16), an example of a wearable device used in the present invention, has a main body (161), a belt (162), a fastener (163), and a switching button (164). The main body (161) communicates with peripheral devices. The belt (162) and fastener (163) may be made of any material or have any shape, provided that the main body (161) can be worn on or near the user's wrist, like a wristwatch. The structure is not limited to that shown schematically in Figure 8 . The size, shape, and placement of the main body (161), the belt (162), the fastener (163), and the switching button (164) can be designed in a variety of ways depending on the various situations in which the wristwatch-type wearable device (161) will be used, such as for office work, sports, entertainment, and relaxation.

The application provision method of the present invention can be performed with simple operations and is highly economical. The communication method of the present invention enables application provision and biometric information utilization more easily and accurately than conventional methods. Furthermore, the present invention can flexibly accommodate replacement of users' peripheral devices, thereby meeting the needs of modern consumers. Therefore, the market value of the present invention is extremely high. With the present invention, users can utilize biometric information economically with simple operations, regardless of the model of peripheral device paired with the wearable device or changes to the peripheral device. It is expected that the use of wearable devices will become more widespread in various fields, such as health, medicine, welfare, sports, and entertainment.

1 Wearable device 101, 111, 121, 131 Wristwatch-type wearable device 2 Sensor 201 Heart rate detection sensor 202 Pulse detection sensor 203 Body temperature detection sensor 204 Acceleration sensor 205 Cardiac potential state detection sensor 3 Data processing unit 301 Application processing unit 302 Biometric information processing unit 4 Communication unit 401 First communication unit 402 Second communication unit 5 Switching means 501 Switching button 601, 602 Antenna 701, 702 Smartphone 711, 721, 731 Smartphone 8 Application data 801, 802, 803, 804 Application information 9 Internet 10 Biometric information management/observation screen display 11 Standby state display 12 Running class device 13 Internet cloud 131 Internet cloud server 132 Internet cloud database 110, 120, 130 User (runner)
14. User (Teacher)
15 Teacher's computer 16 Wristwatch-type wearable device 161 Main body 162 Belt 163 Fastener 164 Switching button

Claims (17)

1. A method for providing an application in a wearable device, comprising: providing application information compatible with a peripheral device to the peripheral device; and not providing application information incompatible with the peripheral device to the peripheral device,
The application is an application for analyzing and managing the wearer's biological information,
The wearable device is
a sensor for acquiring biometric information of the wearer;
a data processing unit for processing the application information and the biometric information;
a communication unit having a first communication unit and a second communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from a peripheral device;
the first communication unit receives model information of the peripheral device, extracts only the application information compatible with the peripheral device from the data processing unit, and transmits the extracted application information to the peripheral device;
The wearable device and the peripheral device are paired via the second communication unit,
the paired peripheral device receives the biological information via the second communication unit, and observes, analyzes, and manages the biological information using the application;
the wearable device further comprises means for switching between the first communication unit and the second communication unit ;
Only when the switching means is activated, the communication unit switches from the first communication unit to the second communication unit, and when pairing with the peripheral device stops or pairing with the peripheral device does not start, the communication unit switches from the second communication unit to the first communication unit by the switching means, and the wearable device returns to a standby state.
How the application is delivered. the first communication unit receives model information of the peripheral device by NFC;
the first communication unit transmits the extracted application information to the peripheral device via NFC;
The application providing method according to claim 1 . The application providing method described in claim 1 or 2, performed by the peripheral device to download an application compatible with the device model. The application providing method described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the peripheral device is a smartphone. The application providing method described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the peripheral device is an Android (registered trademark) smartphone or an iOS (registered trademark) smartphone. An application providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wearable device is a wristwatch type. A communication method between a wearable device and a peripheral device, comprising:
the wearable device has a sensor for acquiring biometric information of a wearer, a data processing unit for processing the biometric information and application information for analyzing and managing the biometric information, and a communication unit having a first communication unit and a second communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from a peripheral device;
an application providing step of receiving, in the first communication unit, model information of the peripheral device, extracting only the application information compatible with the peripheral device from the data processing unit, and transmitting the extracted application information to the peripheral device;
a pairing step in which the wearable device and the peripheral device are paired via the second communication unit, and the peripheral device receives the biological information, enabling the application to observe, analyze, and manage the biological information;
a switching step of switching between the application providing step and the pairing step,
Only when the switching step is activated, the communication unit is switched from the first communication unit to the second communication unit,
If pairing with the peripheral device is stopped or pairing with the peripheral device is not started, the communication unit is switched from the second communication unit to the first communication unit by the switching step , and the wearable device returns to a standby state.
A communication method between a wearable device and a peripheral device for observing, analyzing, and managing the above-mentioned biological information. In the application provision step above,
application information that is compatible with the model of the peripheral device is displayed on a display unit of the peripheral device, and application information that is not compatible with the model of the peripheral device is not displayed;
The communication method according to claim 7. The communication method described in claim 7 or 8, wherein the application providing step is performed using an NFC method. The application providing step is performed in the peripheral device so that the peripheral device can download an application compatible with the model.
The communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 9. A communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the pairing step is performed using a method other than NFC. A communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the pairing step is performed using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method for the biometric information. In the above switching step,
The transition from the application providing step to the pairing step is made by operation of a switching means provided in the wearable device, which is selected from a switch selected from a button or dial attached to the wearable device main body, a selection display on a sub-screen or main screen, or a switching necessity determination program.
The communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 12. In the above switching step,
When the pairing between the wearable device and the peripheral device is stopped, the process transitions from the pairing step to the application providing step.
A communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 13. A communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the peripheral device is a smartphone. A communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the peripheral device is an Android (registered trademark) smartphone or an iOS (registered trademark) smartphone. A communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein the wearable device is a wristwatch type.