JP7673262B2 - Charging device and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device, an operating method for a terminal device that communicates with the charging device, a program for causing the terminal device to execute the method, and a system including these.

Patent document 1 discloses a technology in which a computing device connects to a charging accessory device and collects charging session data. Communication between the computing device and the charging accessory device requires a certain amount of power consumption. Since the capacity of the power storage device of the charging accessory device is limited, a situation may arise in which the above power consumption needs to be reduced.

However, Patent Document 1 merely discloses communication between a computing device and a charging accessory device. It does not disclose any recognition of the power consumption issues that arise from communication between these devices or any technology that can solve this issue.

Special table number 2017-512459

This disclosure has been made in light of the above points.

The present disclosure aims to provide a technology for flexibly adjusting power consumption resulting from communication in a system in which a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device communicates with a terminal device.

The present disclosure also aims to provide a technique for properly establishing a communication connection between a charging device and a terminal device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for operating a terminal device that communicates with a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device, the method including the steps of obtaining charging information related to a battery of the charging device from the charging device, determining a charging status of the battery based on the charging information, and determining whether or not communication between the terminal device and the charging device is possible based on the charging status.

In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of instructing the charging device to transmit the charging information to the terminal device when it is determined from the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and a step of instructing the charging device not to transmit the charging information to the terminal device when it is determined from the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is less than the first threshold.

In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of disconnecting communication with the charging device when the charging status indicates that the remaining charge of the battery is less than a second threshold.

In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of instructing the charging device to transmit the charging information to the terminal device when the battery is supplied with power via a power interface of the charging device, regardless of the remaining charge of the battery.

In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of instructing the charging device to transmit the charging information to the terminal device when a communication connection with the charging device is first established, regardless of the remaining charge of the battery.

In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of issuing a notification to prompt the user to charge the battery if it is determined from the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is less than a third threshold.

In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of notifying the user to establish a communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device if the communication connection has not been established for a predetermined period of time or longer.

In one embodiment, the method further includes, if the terminal device does not receive the charging information from the charging device, estimating the charging information based on a transition of the charging information stored about the battery when it is not being charged.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a program is provided that causes a terminal device that communicates with a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device to execute the above-mentioned method.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device, the charging device comprising a battery, a power interface for supplying power to the battery, a control unit, and a communication unit. The control unit is configured to transmit charging information regarding the battery to a terminal device communicating with the charging device via the communication unit, and to receive information from the terminal device regarding the possibility of communication between the terminal device and the charging device, which is determined by the terminal device based on the charging status of the battery determined from the charging information.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit when the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and not to transmit the charging information to the terminal device when the remaining charge of the battery is less than the first threshold.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to disconnect the communication connection with the terminal device when the remaining charge of the battery is less than a second threshold.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit when the battery is supplied with power via the power interface, regardless of the remaining charge of the battery.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit when a communication connection with the terminal device is first established, regardless of the remaining charge of the battery.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to, when an instruction to charge the battery is received from the terminal device when the remaining charge of the battery is less than a third threshold, charge the battery in response to the instruction.

In one embodiment, when a communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device has not been established for a predetermined period or longer, the control unit is further configured to, upon receiving an instruction from the terminal device to establish a communication connection with the terminal device, establish the communication connection in response to the instruction.

In one embodiment, the charging device further includes a charging port for supplying power to the aerosol generating device, a first path between the battery and the charging port for supplying power from the battery to the aerosol generating device, and a second path between the power interface and the charging port for supplying power from the power interface to the aerosol generating device without passing through the battery.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to control the charging of the battery in the aerosol generating device in preference to the battery in the charging device when the aerosol generating device is connected to the charging device via the charging port.

In one embodiment, the charging device further includes a first notification unit for notifying the charging status of the battery of the aerosol generating device, and a second notification unit for notifying the charging status of the battery of the charging device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system is provided that includes a charging device as described above, a terminal device, and a server that transmits and receives data between the terminal device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a system in which a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device communicates with a terminal device, it is possible to provide a technique for flexibly adjusting power consumption resulting from the communication. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technique for appropriately establishing a communication connection between the charging device and the terminal device.

1 illustrates a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, including a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device and a terminal device that communicates with the charging device. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a flowchart of a method for operating a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of a notification performed during the process of FIG. 6 will be described below. 1 is a flowchart of a method for operating a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a flowchart of a method for operating a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a flowchart of a method for operating a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of a notification performed during the process of FIG. 8C is shown. 1 is a flowchart of a method for operating a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of a notification performed during the process of FIG. 10 will be described below. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example will be given in which a terminal device provides information to a user based on information obtained from an aerosol generating device.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, including a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device and a terminal device that communicates with the charging device.

The system 100 includes charging devices 102A and 102B (hereinafter, also collectively referred to as "charging devices 102"), terminal devices 104A and 104B (hereinafter, also collectively referred to as "terminal devices 104"), aerosol generating devices 106A and 106B (hereinafter, also collectively referred to as "aerosol generating devices 106"), a server 108, and a power source 110.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating device 106 may include, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette device, a heated tobacco device, and a nebulizer. The aerosol generating device 106 may include a variety of devices for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

The aerosol generating device 106A receives power from the charging device 102A and generates aerosol for inhalation by the user. The charging device 102A may be supplied with power from a power source 110.

The terminal device 104 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a personal computer, or other electronic device. In the system 100, the terminal device 104 is configured to be able to communicate with a server 108 located on a global network (cloud network) via a wired or wireless connection.

As shown by the dotted line between charging device 102A and terminal device 104A, charging device 102 and terminal device 104 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a local network such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition, charging device 102 may be configured to receive power from a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal of terminal device 104, as shown by the solid line between charging device 102B and terminal device 104B.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the charging device 102 includes a control unit 202, a communication unit 204, a memory unit 206, a battery 208, a charging port 210, a power interface 212, a first notification unit 214, and a second notification unit 216.

The communication unit 204 is an interface that provides a function for connecting the charging device 102 to the terminal device 104. As an example, the communication unit 204 may be a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) module, but the configuration of the communication unit 204 is not limited to this. The communication unit 204 may also be configured to communicate with the terminal device 104 according to other communication standards such as Wi-Fi.

The memory unit 206 stores various information obtained by or generated by the control unit 202.

The power interface 212 is an interface that provides a function of supplying power from the power source 110, such as a personal computer (PC) or a USB outlet, to the charging device 102. The power interface 212 is, for example, a USB interface, and supplies power via a USB connection. In this case, the power interface 212 receives power via a USB terminal provided on a device such as a PC or a USB outlet. The power interface 212 is not limited to a USB interface, and may be a Micro
The interface may be any of various interfaces capable of supplying power to the charging device 102, such as a USB interface, a power plug, or an interface capable of contactless charging.

The battery 208 is a rechargeable battery, and is charged by receiving power from a device connected to the charging device 102 via the power interface 212. The battery 208 may be, for example, a Li-Po battery. The battery 208 may also have the function of supplying power to the aerosol generating device 106 connected to the charging port 210.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the aerosol generating device 106 includes a battery 302. Although not shown, the aerosol generating device 106 may include various components such as a storage section for storing an aerosol source, an atomizing section for generating an aerosol from the aerosol source, and a control section for controlling the components in the aerosol generating device 106. The battery 302 is a rechargeable battery, and is charged by receiving power from the charging device 102. The battery 302 is, for example, a Li-Po (lithium ion polymer) battery. The battery 302 supplies power to each section of the aerosol generating device 106.

Returning to FIG. 2, the charging port 210 is configured to allow the aerosol generating device 106 to be connected to the charging device 102. In one example, the charging port 210 is configured to be in physical contact or connection with the aerosol generating device 106 and is used to supply power to the aerosol generating device 106. The charging port 210 may be configured to be in physical contact or connection with the aerosol generating device 106, for example, by a screw-type terminal. Alternatively, the charging port 210 may be configured to supply power to the aerosol generating device 106 by other methods, such as connection via a cable or contactless power supply, without physical contact with the aerosol generating device 106. The charging port 210 may also be used to transmit and receive information between the charging device 102 and the aerosol generating device 106.

As shown, the charging device 102 may include a first path 224 between the battery 208 and the charging port for powering the aerosol generating device 106 from the battery 208 via the charging port 210. The charging device 102 may also include a second path 226 between the power interface 212 and the charging port 210 for powering the aerosol generating device 106 from the power interface 212 via the charging port 210 without going through the battery 208.

The control unit 202 controls each component of the charging device 102. As an example, the control unit 202 may include a battery control unit 218 for controlling the power supply to the battery 208 of the charging device 102 and the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106, a notification control unit 220 for controlling the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216, and an information acquisition unit 222 for acquiring various information such as the remaining charge of the battery 208. Alternatively, the control unit 202 may be configured to have functions equivalent to those of these components.

The battery control unit 218 may be configured to control the charging of the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106 in preference to the battery 208 of the charging device 102 when the aerosol generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102 via the charging port 210.

The first notification unit 214 is configured to notify information (such as the remaining charge) about the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106. The second notification unit 216 is configured to notify information (such as the remaining charge) about the battery 208 of the charging device 102. In one example, the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216 may include a plurality of LEDs. In another example, the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216 may include a speaker, a vibrator, etc.

The notification control unit 220 controls the first notification unit 214 to notify information about the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106. In one example, the first notification unit 214 may include five surface-mounted ultra-small white LEDs. This configuration is merely an example, and a different number of LEDs may be used, or a light source with a different configuration may be used. In this case, the notification control unit 220 may blink the first LED when the remaining charge of the battery 302 is less than 20% of the maximum value, light the first LED and blink the second LED when the remaining charge is 20% or more and less than 40%, light the first and second LEDs and blink the third LED when the remaining charge is 40% or more and less than 60%, light the first to third LEDs and blink the fourth LED when the remaining charge is 60% or more and less than 80%, light the first to fourth LEDs and blink the fifth LED when the remaining charge is 80% or more and less than 100%, and light the first to fifth LEDs when the battery 302 is fully charged. In another example, when the first notification unit 214 includes a speaker, the notification control unit 220 may control the first notification unit 214 to output the information to be notified as sound. In yet another example, if the first notification unit 214 includes a vibrator, the notification control unit 220 may control the first notification unit 214 to output the information to be notified as a vibration.

The notification control unit 220 controls the second notification unit 216 to notify information about the battery 208 of the charging device 102. The second notification unit 216 may include five surface-mounted ultra-small white LEDs. This configuration is merely an example, and a different number of LEDs may be used, or a light source with a different configuration may be used. In this example, during charging of the battery 208, the notification control unit 220 may blink the first LED when the remaining amount of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum value, light the first LED and blink the second LED when the remaining amount is 20% or more and less than 40%, light the first and second LEDs and blink the third LED when the remaining amount is 40% or more and less than 60%, light the first to third LEDs and blink the fourth LED when the remaining amount is 60% or more and less than 80%, and light the first to fourth LEDs and blink the fifth LED when the remaining amount is 80% or more and less than 100%. Also, when the battery 208 is not being charged, the notification control unit 220 may turn on the first LED when the remaining amount of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum amount, turn on the first and second LEDs when the remaining amount is 20% or more and less than 40%, turn on the first to third LEDs when the remaining amount is 40% or more and less than 60%, turn on the first to fourth LEDs when the remaining amount is 60% or more and less than 80%, and turn on the first to fifth LEDs when the remaining amount is 80% or more and less than 100%. The first to fifth LEDs may also be turned on when the battery 208 is fully charged. The notification control unit 220 may also light up a specific LED in a mode previously associated with the error when an error occurs. In another example, when the second notification unit 216 includes a speaker, a vibrator, or the like, the notification control unit 220 may control the second notification unit 216 in the manner described above with respect to the first notification unit 214.

The information acquisition unit 222 acquires information about the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106, information about the battery 208 of the charging device 102, and the like. The information about the battery may include various information such as the remaining charge of the battery, information about the decrease in the remaining charge of the battery, the time required to charge the battery, information indicating the deterioration of the battery, the number of times the battery has been charged, the time elapsed since the last time the battery was charged, the date and time when charging of the battery was completed and the history thereof. The information acquisition unit 222 may also acquire information indicating that the aerosol generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102. The information indicating that the aerosol generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102 may include information about the date and time when the aerosol generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102 and the history thereof. The information acquisition unit 222 may also acquire information indicating that the charging device 102 is connected to the power source 110. The information indicating that the charging device 102 is connected to the power source 110 may include information about the date and time when the charging device 102 is connected to the power source 110 and the history thereof.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The terminal device 104 includes a control unit 402, a first communication unit 404, a second communication unit 405, a storage unit 406, and a notification unit 408. The control unit 402 may include a notification control unit 410, an information processing unit 412, and an information acquisition unit 414. Instead of having these components, the control unit 402 may be configured to execute functions equivalent to these components. In this case, the server 108 may provide the terminal 104 with a program, data, etc. for causing the control unit 402 to execute functions equivalent to these components. The program may be provided in a form that is installed in the terminal device 104 (a so-called "application (app)").

The control unit 402 controls the first communication unit 404 to communicate with the communication unit 204 of the charging device 102. The control unit 402 also controls the second communication unit 405 to communicate with the communication unit (described later) of the server 108. The control unit 402 acquires various information, including information on the battery 208 and the battery 302, from these communications using the information acquisition unit 414. The control unit 402 processes the acquired information using the information processing unit 412.

The memory unit 406 stores various information, such as information obtained by the information acquisition unit 414 and the information processing unit 412.

In one example, the notification unit 408 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. In this example, the control unit 402 causes the display device to display the information obtained by the information acquisition unit 414 and/or the information processing unit 412. This allows the information to be presented to the user. Such information may include, for example, various information regarding the battery, and specifically may include the remaining charge of the battery, information warning of a low remaining charge of the battery, information encouraging charging of the battery, the time required to charge the battery, information indicating deterioration of the battery, the number of times the battery has been charged (per day, per week, per month, etc.), the time elapsed since the battery was last charged, and the like. In addition, the notification unit 408 may present such information to the user by displaying a banner or a pop-up on the display device. In addition, the notification unit 408 may present such information to the user as a push notification by an application.

In another example, the notification unit 408 may be a speaker that provides information to the user using voice or sound, or a vibrator that provides information to the user using vibration.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The server 108 may include a control unit 502, a communication unit 504, and a storage unit 506. The communication unit 504 communicates with the second communication unit 405 of the terminal device 104 via the Internet or the like. The communication unit 504 may be capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal devices 104. The control unit 502 may receive various information including information related to the battery 208 and the battery 302 from the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 504, and store the information in the storage unit 506.

Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method of operating a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the description will be given assuming that the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 executes all steps. However, it should be noted that some steps may be executed by other components of the terminal device 104. It will also be understood that this embodiment may be implemented as a program that, when executed by a computer such as the terminal device 104, causes the computer to execute the method, or a computer-readable storage medium having the program stored thereon. The same applies to the examples described with respect to Figures 8A, 8B, 8C, and 10 described below.

In step 602, the control unit 402 obtains charging information regarding the battery 208 of the charging device 102 from the charging device 102.

The process proceeds to step 604, where the control unit 402 determines the charging status of the battery 208 based on the charging information obtained in step 602. Here, the charging status may include the remaining charge of the battery 208, battery deterioration, the number of times the battery has been charged, the time elapsed since the battery was last charged, etc.

Figure 7 shows an example in which the notification unit 408 of the terminal device 104 provides information to the user during the process of Figure 6. When the control unit 402 obtains charging information or the charging status of the battery 208 in step 602 or 604, the control unit 402 may present this information to the user via the notification unit 408. In this example, the notification unit 408 is a display unit 702 such as an LCD display, and information 704 relating to the remaining battery capacity of the charging device is displayed on the display unit 702. Note that the information 704 relating to the remaining battery capacity of the charging device may be displayed, for example, in percentage.

The process proceeds to step 606, where the control unit 402 determines whether or not communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 is possible based on the charging status obtained in step 604. A specific example will be described later.

6 is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 communicating with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the processing of FIG. 6. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to transmit charging information regarding the battery 208 to the terminal device 104 communicating with the charging device 102 via the communication unit 204, and to receive from the terminal device 104 information regarding the possibility of communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102, which is determined by the terminal device 104 based on the charging status of the battery 208 determined from the charging information.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart of a method of operating a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processes of steps 802A and 804A are similar to the processes of steps 602 and 604 in FIG. 6, and therefore will not be described.

In step 806A, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the first threshold based on the charging status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804A. If the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the first threshold ("Y" in step 806A), the process proceeds to step 808A. The first threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is an example and is not limited to this value. In step 808A, the control unit 402 instructs the charging device 102 to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104. On the other hand, if the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold ("N" in step 806A), the process proceeds to step 810A. In step 810A, the control unit 402 instructs the charging device 102 not to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104.

8A is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the processing of FIG. 8A. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and not to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold.

When the battery 208 is supplied with power via the power interface 212 of the charging device 102, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may instruct the charging device 102 to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208. When the battery 208 is supplied with power via the power interface 212, the charging device 102 (or the control unit 202 of the charging device 102) may be configured to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208.

In addition, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may instruct the charging device 102 to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 when a communication connection with the charging device 102 is first established, regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208. The charging device 102 (or the control unit 202 of the charging device 102) may be configured to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 when a communication connection with the terminal device 104 is first established, regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart of a method of operating a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processes of steps 802B and 804B are similar to those of steps 602 and 604, and therefore will not be described.

In step 806B, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold based on the charging status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804B. The second threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is an example and is not limited to this value. If the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold ("Y" in step 806B), the process proceeds to step 808B. In step 808B, the control unit 402 releases the communication connection with the charging device 102. On the other hand, if the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the second threshold ("N" in step 806B), the process returns to before step 802B.

Since the process of Fig. 8B is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the process of Fig. 8B. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to disconnect the communication connection with the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold. The process of Fig. 8A and the process of Fig. 8B may be combined, and the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may be configured to instruct the charging device 102 not to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than the second threshold, and to disconnect the communication connection with the charging device 102 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold. In this case, it is assumed that the first threshold is a value greater than the second threshold. In addition, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured not to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold value and greater than or equal to the second threshold value, and to disconnect the communication connection with the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold value.

FIG. 8C is a flowchart of a method of operating a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processes of steps 802C and 804C are similar to those of steps 602 and 604, and therefore will not be described.

In step 806C, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than a third threshold based on the charging status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804C. The third threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is an example and is not limited to this value. If the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold ("Y" in step 806C), the process proceeds to step 808C. In step 808C, the control unit 402 notifies the user to charge the battery 208. In response to this notification, the user may connect the power interface 212 of the charging device 102 to the power source 110 to charge the battery 208. Alternatively, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to charge the battery 208 in response to an instruction from the terminal device 104, and therefore, when the instruction is sent to the charging device 102 by the user operating the terminal device 104 (or a program installed in the terminal device 104) in response to the notification, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may charge the battery 208.

Figure 9 shows an example of the notification performed in step 808C. The control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 displays a message 904 on the notification unit 408 (display 902 in this example) stating, for example, "The battery level of the charging device is low. Please charge."

Returning to FIG. 8C, if the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the third threshold ("N" in step 806C), processing returns to before step 802C.

8C is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 communicating with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the process of FIG. 8C. For example, when the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 receives an instruction to charge the battery 208 from the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to charge the battery 208 in response to the instruction. Note that at least two or more of the processes of FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C may be executed in combination. In this case, the first threshold, the second threshold, and the third threshold may be different values from each other, or at least two of them may be the same value.

10 is a flowchart of a method of operating a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1002, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the end of the last communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102. If it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed ("Y" in step 1002), the process proceeds to step 1004. In step 1004, the control unit 402 issues a notification to prompt the user to make a communication connection. In response to this notification, the user operates the terminal device 104 (or a program installed in the terminal device 104) to make a communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102. At this time, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may send an instruction to the charging device 102 to make the communication connection. The control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to make the communication connection in response to the instruction.

Figure 11 shows an example of the notification performed in step 1004. If the above-mentioned predetermined period is one week, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 displays a message 1104 on the notification unit 408 (display 1102 in this example) stating, for example, "Communication with the charging device has not been performed for one week. Please establish a communication connection with the charging device."

Returning to FIG. 10, if it is determined that the specified period has not elapsed ("N" in step 1002), processing returns to before step 1002.

10 is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the process of FIG. 10. For example, when a communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 has not been established for a predetermined period of time or longer, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to, upon receiving an instruction from the terminal device 104 to establish a communication connection with the terminal device 104, establish the communication connection in response to the instruction.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, basically, when the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 are communicating with each other, the terminal device 104 periodically receives charging information from the charging device 102 and stores the charging information in the memory unit 406 or the like.

On the other hand, in another embodiment, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may be configured to estimate the charging information when the terminal device 104 does not receive the charging information from the charging device 102. As an example, consider a case where the charging information is the remaining charge of the battery 208. The terminal device 104 stores the transition of the remaining charge of the battery 208 and uses it to estimate the remaining charge. For example, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 calculates the decrease in the remaining charge per unit time (e.g., 1 minute, 1 hour, etc.) from the transition of the stored remaining charge. The control unit 402 may estimate the remaining charge based on the calculated decrease, the remaining charge stored at a previous point in time, the elapsed time from that point to the present, etc. Note that when the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is charged using the power source 110 via the power interface 212, the remaining charge of the battery 208 increases, making it difficult to use it to estimate the remaining charge. Therefore, in one example, the terminal device 104 may be configured not to store the progress of the remaining charge while the battery 208 is being charged, or not to use the progress in estimating the remaining charge.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing performed by the terminal device 104 (or the processing by the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 or the processing by a program installed in the terminal device 104) may include many more types of processing.

In one example, the terminal device 104 may notify the user to charge the battery 208 of the charging device 102 when the remaining charge is about to run out. For example, the terminal device 104 may notify the user when the remaining charge of the battery 208 falls below 20% of the maximum value. The terminal 104 may also notify the user of a low-charge alert indicating that the battery is no longer charging when the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 runs out.

In one example, the terminal device 104 may notify the completion of charging when charging of the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106 or the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is completed. For example, the terminal device 104 may constantly communicate with the charging device 102 while the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is being powered via the power interface 212, and obtain information regarding the charging state of the battery 208 and the battery 302. The terminal device 104 may notify the completion of each stage of charging when the charging of the battery 208 and/or the battery 302 is completed at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%, respectively.

In one example, the terminal device 104 may update information on the remaining charge of the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106 or the battery 208 of the charging device 102 at the timing when the communication connection with the charging device 102 is started, and may notify the updated information. Note that the information on the remaining charge of the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106 and/or the battery 208 of the charging device 102 may be the remaining charge of the battery 302 and/or the battery 208, and may be notified, for example, by displaying it in percentage. Also, the information on the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 may be notified as the charging rate at which the charging device 102 can charge the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106. For example, if the charging device 102 can charge the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106 by 80%, the information on the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 may be notified by displaying "80% charge of the aerosol generating device 106".

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device 104 may be configured to adjust the frequency of communication with the charging device 102 depending on the situation. Alternatively, the control unit 402 or a program installed in the terminal device 104 may operate the terminal device 104 in such a manner. In one example, when the charging device 102 is being charged, such as via the power interface 212, the terminal device 104 may communicate with the charging device 102 at all times. Also, when the charging device 102 is charging the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106, the terminal device 104 may communicate with the charging device 102 at all times. When the charging device 102 is not being charged, the terminal device 104 may communicate with the charging device 102 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 falls below a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is an example and is not limited to this value. In each of the above cases, the data communicated between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 may include the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102, the remaining charge of the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106, the product ID (IDentification) of the charging device 102, the date and time of the communication, etc.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device 104 may acquire information such as the user ID of the charging device 102, the product ID, the date of use of the charging device 102 (including the date of last use), and the estimated last life date of the user when a communication connection is established between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102, and transmit the information to the server 108. The information may be acquired, for example, once a day. The control unit 502 of the server 108 may receive the information via the communication unit 504 and store the information in the memory unit 506.

Figure 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol generating device 1200 may include a control unit 1202, a battery 1204, a communication unit 1206, a memory unit 1208, and an airflow detection unit 1210.

The airflow detection unit 1210 detects the airflow generated by the user inhaling the aerosol generating device 1200.

The control unit 1202 controls each part of the aerosol generating device 1200. The control unit 1202 may also generate various information, such as generating airflow information based on the airflow detected by the airflow detection unit 1210. Here, the airflow information is information about the airflow generated by the user's inhalation of the aerosol generating device 1200.

The memory unit 1208 can store various information acquired by the aerosol generating device 1200, such as airflow information generated by the control unit 1202.

The communication unit 1206 transmits information acquired by the aerosol generating device 1200, such as airflow information generated by the control unit 1202, to the charging device 102. In the charging device 102, the information may be received by the information acquisition unit 222 via the charging port 210. The communication unit 1206 may transmit information to the charging device 102 by other communication methods, such as BLE or Wi-Fi, instead of or in parallel with the method via the charging port 210.

The aerosol generating device 1200 shown in FIG. 12 can obtain more information than the aerosol generating device 106 shown in FIG. 3. Since the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 can obtain such information, it becomes possible to provide more information to the user. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the terminal device 104 provides information to the user based on information obtained from the aerosol generating device 1200. In this example, information such as information 1304 regarding the remaining battery charge of the charging device 102, the number of inhalations 1306 of the aerosol source (regular flavor) by the user using the aerosol generating device 1200, and the number of inhalations 1308 of the aerosol source (menthol flavor) by the user using the aerosol generating device 1200 is displayed on the notification unit 408 (display 1302 in this example).

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that modifications, additions, improvements, etc. of the embodiments can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

100...system, 102, 102A, 102B...charging device, 104, 104A, 104B...terminal device, 106, 106A, 106B...aerosol generating device, 108...server, 110...power source, 202...control unit, 204...communication unit, 206...storage unit, 208...battery, 210...charging port, 212...power interface, 214...first notification unit, 216...second notification unit, 218...battery control unit, 220...notification control unit, 222...information acquisition unit, 224...first path, 226...second path, 302...battery, 402...control unit, 404...first communication signaling unit, 405...second communication unit, 406...storage unit, 408...notification unit, 410...notification control unit, 412...information processing unit, 414...information acquisition unit, 502...control unit, 504...communication unit, 506...storage unit, 702...display, 704...information, 902...display, 904...message, 1102...display, 1104...message, 1200...aerosol generating device, 1202...control unit, 1204...battery, 1206...communication unit, 1208...storage unit, 1210...airflow detection unit, 1302...display, 1304, 1306, 1308...information

Claims (17)

A system including a charging device detachably connected to an aerosol generating device and a terminal device communicatively connected to the charging device,
The battery of the charging device is configured to supply power to the battery of the aerosol generating device through a port of the charging device;
The charging device is
Acquire the remaining charge of the battery of the aerosol generating device through the port, and acquire the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device;
performing a first notification operation based on a remaining charge of a battery of the aerosol generation device, and performing a second notification operation based on a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device;
It is configured as follows:
the charging device transmits a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device to the terminal device, whereby a third notification operation based on the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device and having a mode different from the second notification operation is performed in the terminal device ;
the charging device includes a plurality of first light sources;
the second notification operation is a notification operation using the plurality of first light sources regarding a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device, the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device is associated with any one of a plurality of remaining charge ranges, and the number of lights of the plurality of first light sources is set to correspond to each of the remaining charge ranges;
the third notification operation is an operation of notifying a user of a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device by displaying a percentage on a display unit of the terminal device.
system. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the charging device further comprises:
acquiring connection information indicating that the charging device is connected to the aerosol generation device;
transmitting the connection information to the terminal device;
The system is configured as follows.
system. In the system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The first notification operation is configured to cause the plurality of first light sources to emit light such that the number of the plurality of first light sources that are turned on increases as the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device increases. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The system, wherein the third notification operation is an operation of notifying a user of a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device by graphically displaying the remaining charge of the battery on a display unit of the terminal device. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The charging device is configured to transmit a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device to the terminal device in response to communication being established with the terminal device. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The system is configured such that the charging device transmits the remaining charge to the terminal device regardless of the remaining charge. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The charging device is
When the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold, the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device is transmitted to the terminal device;
When the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device is less than the first threshold, the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device is not transmitted to the terminal device.
The system is configured as follows. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The system is configured such that, when a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device is less than a predetermined second threshold, the terminal device performs a fourth notification operation to prompt a user to charge the battery. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The system is configured such that, in response to communication between the terminal device and the charging device being terminated, the terminal device performs a fifth notification operation to prompt a user to communicate with the charging device. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The system is configured such that the terminal device receives a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device in response to communication with the charging device, and updates the third notification operation based on the received remaining charge of the battery of the charging device. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
The charging device acquires at least one of a user ID associated with the charging device, a product ID, a date of use of the charging device, and an estimated final living date of the user;
The terminal device receives the at least one piece of information from the charging device.
The system is configured as follows. 12. The system of claim 11 ,
The at least one piece of information is obtained in response to communication being established between the terminal device and the charging device. An aerosol generating device that is detachably connected to the charging device provided in the system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 . A charging device that is communicatively connected to the terminal device included in the system according to claim 1 . A terminal device communicatively connected to the charging device of the system according to claim 1 . A charging device that is detachably connected to the aerosol generating device.
acquiring a remaining charge of a battery of the aerosol generating device and acquiring a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device;
transmitting a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device to a terminal device communicatively connected to the charging device;
performing a first notification operation based on a remaining charge of a battery of the aerosol generating device and performing a second notification operation based on a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device;
performing a third notification operation by the terminal device in a manner different from the second notification operation based on a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device;
Including,
the charging device includes a plurality of first light sources;
the second notification operation is a notification operation using the plurality of first light sources regarding a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device, the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device is associated with any one of a plurality of remaining charge ranges, and the number of lights of the plurality of first light sources is set to correspond to each of the remaining charge ranges;
the third notification operation is an operation of notifying a user of a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device by displaying a percentage on a display unit of the terminal device.
Computer-implemented method. A charging device that is detachably connected to the aerosol generating device,
Acquire a remaining charge of a battery of the aerosol generating device and acquire a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device;
Transmitting a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device to a terminal device communicatively connected to the charging device;
performing a first notification operation based on a remaining charge of a battery of the aerosol generation device, and performing a second notification operation based on a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device;
performing an action including
For the terminal device,
performing a third notification operation in a manner different from the second notification operation based on a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device;
performing an action including
the charging device includes a plurality of first light sources;
the second notification operation is a notification operation using the plurality of first light sources regarding a remaining charge of a battery of the charging device, the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device is associated with any one of a plurality of remaining charge ranges, and the number of lights of the plurality of first light sources is set to correspond to each of the remaining charge ranges;
the third notification operation is an operation of notifying a user of a remaining charge of the battery of the charging device by displaying a percentage on a display unit of the terminal device.
Computer program.

Images