Charging device

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging device. A charging device that supplies power to an aerosol-generating device that generates an aerosol includes: a connection part that can connect the charging device to the aerosol-generating device, supplies power from the charging device to a battery of the aerosol-generating device, and transmits and receives information between the charging device and the aerosol-generating device; the power interface is connected with a power supply; a control unit that acquires connection information indicating that the aerosol-generating device has been connected to the charging device; and a communication unit that provides a function for connecting to a terminal device, the control unit being configured so as to transmit at least the connection information to the terminal device via the communication unit.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of July 31, 2018, application number 201880096181.9, and invention name “Charging device and information processing system”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device, an operation method of a terminal device that communicates with the charging device, a program that causes the terminal device to execute the method, and a system including the same. Background Art

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a technology for connecting a computing device to a charging accessory device and collecting charging session data. The communication between the computing device and the charging accessory device requires a certain power consumption. Since the capacity of the power storage device of the charging accessory device is limited, there may be a situation where the above power consumption needs to be reduced.

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 only discloses that a computing device communicates with a charging accessory device, and does not disclose any knowledge related to the problem of power consumption caused by communication between these devices or any technology capable of solving the problem.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-512459 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is 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.

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for appropriately performing a communication connection between a charging device and a terminal device.

[0012] Means for solving problems

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an operation method of a terminal device, which communicates with a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device, the operation method comprising: a step of acquiring charging information related to a battery of the charging device from the charging device; a step of judging the charging status of the battery based on the charging information; and a step of deciding whether to communicate between the terminal device and the charging device based on the charging status.

[0014] In one embodiment, the action method also includes: when it is determined based on the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is greater than a first threshold, the step of instructing the charging device to send the charging information to the terminal device; and when it is determined based on the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is less than the first threshold, the step of instructing the charging device not to send the charging information to the terminal device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the operation method further includes the step of: when it is determined based on the charging status that the remaining charge amount of the battery is less than a second threshold, releasing the communication connection with the charging device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the operation method further includes the step of instructing the charging device to transmit the charging information to the terminal device regardless of the remaining charge amount of the battery when the battery is supplied with power via the power interface of the charging device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the operation method further includes the step of instructing the charging device to transmit the charging information to the terminal device regardless of the remaining charge amount of the battery when the communication connection with the charging device is established for the first time.

[0018] In one embodiment, the operation method further includes the step of, when it is determined based on the charging status that the remaining charge amount of the battery is less than a third threshold, notifying a user to charge the battery.

[0019] In one embodiment, the operation method further includes the step of, when the communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device has not been established for a predetermined period of time or longer, notifying a user to establish the communication connection.

[0020] In one embodiment, the operation method further includes a step of estimating the charging information based on a change in charging information stored in relation to the battery when not being charged, when the terminal device has not received the charging information from the charging device.

[0021] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a program for causing a terminal device to execute the above method, the terminal device communicating with a charging device for charging the aerosol generating device.

[0022] In addition, 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 send charging information related to the battery to a terminal device communicating with the charging device via the communication unit, and receive information related to whether to communicate between the terminal device and the charging device, which is determined by the terminal device based on the charging status of the battery determined based on the charging information, from the terminal device.

[0023] In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to send the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit when the remaining charge of the battery is above a first threshold, and not send the charging information to the terminal device when the remaining charge of the battery is less than the first threshold.

[0024] In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to release the communication connection with the terminal device when the remaining charge amount of the battery is less than a second threshold value.

[0025] In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit regardless of a remaining charge amount of the battery when the battery is supplied with electric power via the power interface.

[0026] In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit regardless of the remaining charge amount of the battery when the communication connection with the terminal device is established for the first time.

[0027] In one embodiment, when the remaining charge amount of the battery is less than a third threshold, the control unit is further configured to charge the battery in response to receiving an instruction to charge the battery from the terminal device.

[0028] In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to perform the communication connection with the terminal device in response to an instruction to perform the communication connection with the terminal device if the communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device has not been performed for more than a specified period of time.

[0029] In one embodiment, the charging device further comprises: 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 to the aerosol generating device from the power interface instead of via the battery.

[0030] In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to perform control so that, when the aerosol generating device is connected to the charging device via the charging port, the battery in the aerosol generating device is charged preferentially over the battery in the charging device.

[0031] In one embodiment, the charging device further comprises: a first notification unit for notifying the aerosol generating device of a charging status of a battery; and a second notification unit for notifying the charging device of the charging status of the battery.

[0032] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a system including: the above-mentioned charging device; a terminal device; and a server that transmits and receives data to and from the terminal device.

[0033] Effects of the Invention

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a technology for flexibly adjusting the power consumption caused by the communication in a system in which a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device communicates with a terminal device can be provided. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a technology for appropriately performing a communication connection between a charging device and a terminal device can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 A system including a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device and a terminal device communicating with the charging device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 2 It is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a charging device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a server according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 7 Indicated in Figure 6 Examples of notifications of the process being performed.

[0042] Fig. 8A This is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 8B This is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 8C This is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Fig. 9 Indicated in Figure 8C Examples of notifications of the process being performed.

[0046] Fig.10 This is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Fig.11 Indicated in Fig.10 Examples of notifications of the process being performed.

[0048] Fig.12 This is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Fig.13 This shows an example in which the terminal device provides information to the user based on the information acquired from the aerosol generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 1 A system including a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device and a terminal device communicating with the charging device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] 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 supply 110.

[0053] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating device 106 may also include a device for electronic cigarette inhalation, a device for heated cigarette inhalation, and an atomizer, but is not limited thereto. The aerosol generating device 106 may include various devices for generating aerosol for the user to inhale.

[0054] The aerosol generating device 106A receives power from the charging device 102A to generate aerosol for the user to inhale. The charging device 102A may also be supplied with power from the power source 110 .

[0055] The terminal device 104 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a personal computer, or other electronic devices. In the system 100, the terminal device 104 is configured to communicate with a server 108 configured on a global network (cloud network) via a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0056] As shown by the dotted line drawn between the charging device 102A and the terminal device 104A, the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a local area network based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. In addition, as shown by the solid line drawn between the charging device 102B and the terminal device 104B, the charging device 102 may also be configured to be supplied with power from a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal of the terminal device 104 or the like.

[0057] Figure 2 In this example, the charging device 102 includes a control unit 202 , a communication unit 204 , a storage unit 206 , a battery 208 , a charging port 210 , a power interface 212 , a first notification unit 214 , and a second notification unit 216 .

[0058] 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 also be a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) module, but the structure of the communication unit 204 is not limited thereto. The communication unit 204 may also be configured to communicate with the terminal device 104 in accordance with other communication standards such as Wi-Fi.

[0059] The storage unit 206 stores various information acquired or generated by the control unit 202 .

[0060] The power interface 212 is an interface that provides a function of supplying power from a power source 110 such as a personal computer (PC) or a USB socket to the charging device 102. The power interface 212 is, for example, a USB interface, and supplies power through a USB connection. In this case, the power interface 212 receives power supply via a USB terminal or a USB socket provided by a device such as a PC. The power interface 212 is not limited to a USB interface, and may also be a variety of interfaces that can supply power to the charging device 102, such as a Micro USB interface, a power plug, an interface that can perform contactless charging, and the like.

[0061] The battery 208 is a rechargeable battery, and is supplied with power and charged 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 a function of supplying power to the aerosol generating device 106 connected to the charging port 210.

[0062] Figure 3 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure 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 in the figure, the aerosol generating device 106 may also include various structural elements such as a storage unit for storing an aerosol source, an atomization unit for generating an aerosol from the aerosol source, and a control unit for controlling structural elements in the aerosol generating device 106. The battery 302 is a rechargeable battery and is charged by receiving power supply 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 component of the aerosol generating device 106.

[0063] return Figure 2 The charging port 210 is configured to enable 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 also be configured to be in physical contact or connection with the aerosol generating device 106, for example, through a screw-type terminal. Alternatively, the charging port 210 may also be configured not to be in physical contact with the aerosol generating device 106, but to supply power to the aerosol generating device 106 through other methods such as connection via a cable, contactless power supply, etc. The charging port 210 may also be used to send and receive information between the charging device 102 and the aerosol generating device 106.

[0064] As shown, the charging device 102 may also include a first path 224 between the battery 208 and the charging port, and the first path 224 is used to supply power from the battery 208 to the aerosol generating device 106 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, and the second path 226 is used to supply power from the power interface 212 to the aerosol generating device 106 via the charging port 210 instead of the battery 208.

[0065] The control unit 202 controls various components of the charging device 102. As an example, the control unit 202 may include: a battery control unit 218 for controlling the supply of power 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 the same functions as these components.

[0066] The battery control unit 218 may be configured to control the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106 to be charged preferentially over 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 .

[0067] The first notification unit 214 is configured to notify information (such as the remaining charge amount) related to the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106. The second notification unit 216 is configured to notify information (such as the remaining charge amount) related to the battery 208 of the charging device 102. In one example, the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216 may also include a plurality of LEDs. In other examples, the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216 may also include a speaker, a vibrator, etc.

[0068] The notification control unit 220 controls the first notification unit 214 to notify information related to the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106. In one example, the first notification unit 214 may also include five surface-mounted ultra-small white LEDs. This structure is only an example, and other numbers of LEDs may be used, and light sources of other structures may be used. In this case, the notification control unit 220 may also flash the first LED when the remaining amount of the battery 302 is less than 20% of the maximum value, light up the first LED and flash the second LED when the remaining amount is greater than 20% and less than 40%, light up the first LED and the second LED and flash the third LED when the remaining amount is greater than 40% and less than 60%, light up the first LED to the third LED and flash the fourth LED when the remaining amount is greater than 60% and less than 80%, light up the first LED to the fourth LED and flash the fifth LED when the remaining amount is greater than 80% and less than 100%, and light up the first LED to the fifth LED 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 also control the first notification unit 214 to output the information to be notified by voice. In another example, when the first notification unit 214 includes a vibrator, the notification control unit 220 may also control the first notification unit 214 to output the information to be notified by vibration.

[0069] The notification control unit 220 controls the second notification unit 216 so that the second notification unit 216 notifies the information related to the battery 208 of the charging device 102. The second notification unit 216 may also include five surface-mounted ultra-small white LEDs. This structure is only an example, and other numbers of LEDs may be used, and other structures of light sources may be used. In this example, during the charging process of the battery 208, the notification control unit 220 may also flash the first LED when the remaining amount of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum value, light up the first LED and flash the second LED when the remaining amount is greater than 20% and less than 40%, light up the first LED and the second LED and flash the third LED when the remaining amount is greater than 40% and less than 60%, light up the first LED and the second LED and flash the third LED when the remaining amount is greater than 60% and less than 80%, light up the first LED to the third LED and flash the fourth LED when the remaining amount is greater than 80% and less than 100%, and light up the first LED to the fourth LED and flash the fifth LED. In addition, if the battery 208 is not in the charging process, the notification control unit 220 may also light up the first LED when the remaining amount of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum value, light up the first LED and the second LED when the remaining amount is more than 20% and less than 40%, light up the first LED to the third LED when the remaining amount is more than 40% and less than 60%, light up the first LED to the fourth LED when the remaining amount is more than 60% and less than 80%, and light up the first LED to the fifth LED when the remaining amount is more than 80% and less than 100%. In addition, the first LED to the fifth LED may also be lit when the battery 208 is fully charged. The notification control unit 220 may also light up a specified LED in a manner previously associated with the error when an error occurs. In other examples, when the second notification unit 216 includes a speaker, a vibrator, etc., the notification control unit 220 may also control the second notification unit 216 by the method described above with respect to the first notification unit 214.

[0070] The information acquisition unit 222 acquires information related to the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106, information related to the battery 208 of the charging device 102, and the like. The information related to the battery may include various information such as the remaining charge of the battery, information related to the reduction of the remaining charge of the battery, the time required for charging the battery, information indicating the deterioration of the battery, the number of times the battery has been charged, the time elapsed since the last battery charge, the date when the battery charging is completed, and the history thereof. In addition, 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 also include information related to the date when the aerosol generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102 and the history thereof. In addition, the information acquisition unit 222 may also acquire information indicating that the charging device 102 is connected to the power supply 110. The information indicating that the charging device 102 is connected to the power supply 110 may also include information on the date when the charging device 102 is connected to the power supply 110 and the history thereof.

[0071] Figure 4 It is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a terminal device of one 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 also include a notification control unit 410, an information processing unit 412, and an information acquisition unit 414. The control unit 402 may also be configured to perform functions equivalent to these structural elements to replace these structural elements. In this case, the server 108 may also provide the terminal 104 with a program or data for causing the control unit 402 to perform functions equivalent to these structural elements. In addition, the program may also be provided in a manner installed in the terminal device 104 (so-called "application program").

[0072] The control section 402 controls the first communication section 404 to communicate with the communication section 204 of the charging device 102. The control section 402 also controls the second communication section 405 to communicate with a communication section (described later) of the server 108. Through the information acquisition section 414, the control section 402 acquires various information including information of the battery 208 and the battery 302 from these communications. The control section 402 processes the acquired information through the information processing section 412.

[0073] The storage unit 406 stores various information such as information acquired by the information acquisition unit 414 or the information processing unit 412 .

[0074] In one example, the notification unit 408 may also be a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, etc. In this example, the control unit 402 causes the information obtained by the information acquisition unit 414 and / or the information processing unit 412 to be displayed on the display device. In this way, information can be prompted to the user. Such information may also include, for example, various information related to the battery, specifically, the battery charge remaining, information warning that the battery remaining is reduced, information urging the battery to be charged, the time required for the battery to be charged, information indicating the deterioration of the battery, the number of times the battery is charged (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.), the time after the last battery charge, etc. In addition, the notification unit 408 may also prompt the user by displaying such information as a banner or pop-up display on the display device. In addition, the notification unit 408 may also prompt the user with such information as a push notification from an application.

[0075] In other examples, 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.

[0076] Figure 5 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The server 108 may also 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 also be able to communicate with a plurality of terminal devices 104. The control unit 502 may also 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.

[0077] Figure 6 104. It is a flowchart of the operation method of the terminal device of one embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the case where all steps are executed by the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 is described. However, it should be noted that some steps can also be executed by other structural elements of the terminal device 104. In addition, it can be understood that when executed by a computer such as the terminal device 104, this embodiment can be implemented as a program that causes the computer to execute the method, or a computer-readable storage medium storing the program. This also applies to the following description of the method. Fig. 8A , Figure 8B , Figure 8C and Fig.10 Example.

[0078] In step 602 , the control unit 402 obtains charging information related to the battery 208 of the charging device 102 from the charging device 102 .

[0079] 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 also include the remaining charge of the battery 208, the battery degradation, the number of times the battery has been charged, the time elapsed since the last battery charge, etc.

[0080] Figure 7 Indicated in Figure 6 The example of the notification unit 408 of the terminal device 104 providing information to the user during the process of the processing. When the charging information or charging status of the battery 208 is obtained in step 602 or 604, the control unit 402 may also prompt the user with this information via the notification unit 408. In this example, the notification unit 408 is a display unit 702 such as a liquid crystal display, and the information 704 related to the remaining battery of the charging device is displayed on the display unit 702. In addition, the information 704 related to the remaining battery of the charging device may also be displayed in %, for example.

[0081] The process proceeds to step 606, where the control unit 402 determines whether to perform communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 based on the charging status obtained in step 604. A specific example will be described later.

[0082] because Figure 6 The processing is performed by the terminal device 104, so the charging device 102 communicating with the terminal device 104 can also be configured to correspond to Figure 6 For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to send charging information related to the battery 208 to the terminal device 104 communicating with the charging device 102 via the communication unit 204, and receive the following information from the terminal device 104: information related to whether to communicate 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 based on the charging information.

[0083] Fig. 8A is a flowchart of the operation method of the terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 The processing of steps 602 and 604 is the same, so their description is omitted.

[0084] In step 806A, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is greater than the first threshold value based on the charging status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804A. When the remaining charge of the battery 208 is greater than the first threshold value ("Yes" in step 806A), the process proceeds to step 808A. In addition, the first threshold value is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is only an example and is not limited to this value. In step 808A, the control unit 402 instructs the charging device 102 to send charging information to the terminal device 104. On the other hand, when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold value ("No" in step 806A), the process proceeds to step 810A. In step 810A, the control unit 402 instructs the charging device 102 not to send charging information to the terminal device 104.

[0085] because Fig. 8A The processing is performed by the terminal device 104, so the charging device 102 communicating with the terminal device 104 can also be configured to correspond to Fig. 8A For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to send charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is greater than the first threshold, and not send charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold.

[0086] In addition, when the battery 208 receives power supply 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 send charging information to the terminal device 104 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208. When the battery 208 receives power supply via the power interface 212, the charging device 102 (or the control unit 202 of the charging device 102) may also be configured to send charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208.

[0087] Furthermore, when the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 establishes a communication connection with the charging device 102 for the first time, it may instruct the charging device 102 to send charging information to the terminal device 104 regardless of the remaining charge amount of the battery 208. The charging device 102 (or the control unit 202 of the charging device 102) may also be configured to send charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 regardless of the remaining charge amount of the battery 208 when the communication connection with the terminal device 104 is established for the first time.

[0088] Figure 8BThis is a flowchart of the operation method of the terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing of steps 802B and 804B is the same as that of steps 602 and 604, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0089] In step 806B, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold value based on the charging status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804B. In addition, the second threshold value is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is only an example and is not limited to this value. When the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold value ("Yes" 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, when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is greater than the second threshold value ("No" in step 806B), the process returns to before step 802B.

[0090] because Figure 8B The processing is performed by the terminal device 104, so the charging device 102 communicating with the terminal device 104 can also be configured to communicate with Figure 8B For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to release the communication connection with the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold. Fig. 8A Processing and Figure 8B In the processing of the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104, when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold and is greater than the second threshold, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may also be configured to instruct the charging device 102 not to send charging information to the terminal device 104, and when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold, the communication connection with the charging device 102 is terminated. 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 also be configured to not send charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold and is greater than the second threshold, and when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold, the communication connection with the terminal device 104 is terminated.

[0091] Figure 8C This is a flowchart of the operation method of the terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Since the processing of steps 802C and 804C is the same as that of steps 602 and 604, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] In step 806C, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold value based on the charging status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804C. The third threshold value is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is only an example and is not limited to this value. When the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold value ("Yes" 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 can also connect the power interface 212 of the charging device 102 to the power supply 110 to charge the battery 208. Alternatively, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may also be configured to charge the battery 208 in response to an instruction from the terminal device 104. Therefore, when the user responds to the above notification and sends the instruction to the charging device 102 by operating the terminal device 104 (or a program installed on the terminal device 104), the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may also charge the battery 208.

[0093] Fig. 9 This shows an example of notification performed in step 808C. The control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 displays a message 904 such as "The remaining battery level of the charging device is low. Please charge." on the notification unit 408 (display 902 in this example).

[0094] return Figure 8C When the remaining charge amount of the battery 208 is greater than or equal to the third threshold value (“No” in step 806C), the process returns to before step 802C.

[0095] because Figure 8C The processing is performed by the terminal device 104, so the charging device 102 communicating with the terminal device 104 can also be configured to correspond to Figure 8C For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to charge the battery 208 in response to a charge instruction received from the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold. Fig. 8A Processing, Figure 8B Processing and Figure 8C In the processing, at least two or more processing may be combined and executed. 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.

[0096] Fig.10This is a flowchart of the operation method of the terminal device of one embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1002, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 determines whether a specified period has passed since the last communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 was terminated. If it is determined that the specified period has passed ("Yes" in step 1002), the processing enters step 1004. In step 1004, the control unit 402 notifies the user to make a communication connection. In response to the notification, the user operates the terminal device 104 (or the program installed on 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 also send an instruction to the charging device 102 stating that "the communication connection should be made." The control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may also be configured to make a communication connection in response to the instruction.

[0097] Fig.11 This shows an example of notification performed in step 1004. When the above-mentioned prescribed period is one week, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 displays a message 1104 such as "There has been no communication with the charging device for one week. Please establish a communication connection with the charging device." on the notification unit 408 (display 1102 in this example).

[0098] return Fig.10 If it is determined that the prescribed period has not passed (“No” in step 1002 ), the process returns to before step 1002 .

[0099] because Fig.10 The processing is performed by the terminal device 104, so the charging device 102 communicating with the terminal device 104 can also be configured to correspond to Fig.10 For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to perform the communication connection with the terminal device 104 in response to an instruction to perform the communication connection with the terminal device 104 when the communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 has not been performed for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0100] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, basically, when the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 are communicating, the terminal device 104 periodically receives charging information from the charging device 102 and stores the charging information in the storage unit 406 or the like.

[0101] On the other hand, in another embodiment, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may also 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 the case where the charging information is the charge remaining amount of the battery 208. The terminal device 104 stores the change in the charge remaining amount of the battery 208 and uses it to estimate the charge remaining amount. For example, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 calculates the decrease in the charge remaining amount per unit time (for example, per minute, per hour, etc.) based on the change in the stored charge remaining amount. The control unit 402 may also estimate the charge remaining amount based on the calculated decrease, the charge remaining amount stored at a certain time in the past, the time elapsed from that time to the present, etc. In addition, when the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is charged using the power supply 110 via the power interface 212, the charge remaining amount of the battery 208 increases, so it is difficult to use the change for estimating the charge remaining amount. Therefore, in one example, the terminal device 104 may be configured not to store the change in the remaining charge amount while the battery 208 is being charged, or not to use the change in estimating the remaining charge amount.

[0102] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing performed by the terminal device 104 (or the processing performed by the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 or the processing performed by the program installed in the terminal device 104) may further include many types of processing.

[0103] In one example, the terminal device 104 may also notify the user to charge when the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is about to run out. For example, the terminal device 104 may make the notification once the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum value. In addition, the terminal 104 may also notify the user of a charge exhaustion reminder indicating that the charge is exhausted when the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is exhausted.

[0104] In one example, the terminal device 104 may also make a notification of charging completion at the timing 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, while the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is powered via the power interface 212, the terminal device 104 may always communicate with the charging device 102 and obtain information related to the charging status of the battery 208 and the battery 302. The terminal device 104 may also make a notification that charging of each stage has been completed at each timing when the charging of the battery 208 and / or the battery 302 is 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%.

[0105] In one example, the terminal device 104 may update information related to 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 of starting the communication connection with the charging device 102, and notify the updated information. In addition, the information related to 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 by displaying the remaining charge of the battery 302 and / or the battery 208, for example, in %. In addition, the information related to 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, when the charging device 102 can charge the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106 to 80%, information related to the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 can also be notified by displaying "The aerosol generating device 106 can be charged to 80%".

[0106] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device 104 may also be configured to adjust the frequency of communication with the charging device 102 according to circumstances. Alternatively, the control unit 402 or the program installed on the terminal device 104 causes the terminal device 104 to operate in this manner. In one example, when the charging device 102 is being charged via the power interface 212 or the like, the terminal device 104 may always communicate with the charging device 102. In addition, when the charging device 102 is charging the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106, the terminal device 104 may always communicate with the charging device 102. When the charging device 102 is not being charged, the terminal device 104 may also communicate with the charging device 102 when the remaining amount of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is lower than a prescribed threshold. The prescribed threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is only an example and is not limited to this value. In the above cases, the data communicated between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 may also 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 when the communication starts, etc.

[0107] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device 104 may also obtain information such as the user ID, product ID, usage date (including the last usage date), and the last active date estimated for the user of the charging device 102 when establishing the communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102, and send the information to the server 108. The information may also be obtained once a day, for example. The control unit 502 of the server 108 may also receive the information via the communication unit 504 and store the information in the storage unit 506.

[0108] Fig.12 1200 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol generating device 1200 may include a control unit 1202 , a battery 1204 , a communication unit 1206 , a storage unit 1208 , and an airflow detection unit 1210 .

[0109] The airflow detection unit 1210 detects the airflow generated when the user inhales the aerosol generating device 1200 .

[0110] The control unit 1202 controls the components of the aerosol generating device 1200. The control unit 1202 may also generate various information, such as airflow information based on the airflow detected by the airflow detecting unit 1210. Here, the airflow information is information related to the airflow generated when the user inhales the aerosol generating device 1200.

[0111] The storage unit 1208 can store various information acquired by the aerosol generating device 1200 , such as the airflow information generated by the control unit 1202 .

[0112] The communication unit 1206 sends information acquired by the aerosol generating device 1200, such as the airflow information generated by the control unit 1202, to the charging device 102. In the charging device 102, the information may also be received by the information acquiring unit 222 via the charging port 210. The communication unit 1206 may also send information to the charging device 102 via other communication methods such as BLE or Wi-Fi, instead of via the charging port 210, or in parallel with the method via the charging port 210.

[0113] and Figure 3 Compared to the aerosol generating device 106 shown, Fig.12 The aerosol generating device 1200 shown can obtain more information. Since the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 can obtain this information, more information can be provided to the user. Fig.13This shows an example of the terminal device 104 providing information to the user based on the information obtained from the aerosol generating device 1200. In this example, information 1304 related to the remaining battery level of the charging device 102, the number of puffs 1306 of the aerosol source (standard flavor) taken by the user using the aerosol generating device 1200, and the number of puffs 1308 of the aerosol source (menthol flavor) taken by the user using the aerosol generating device 1200 are displayed on the notification unit 408 (display 1302 in this example).

[0114] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, but it should be understood that these are only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the embodiments may be appropriately changed, added, improved, etc. without departing from the purpose and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above embodiments, but should only be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0115] Description of symbols

[0116] 100 system; 102, 102A, 102B charging device; 104, 104A, 104B terminal device; 106, 106A, 106B aerosol generating device; 108 server; 110 power supply; 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 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

1. A charging device for supplying power to an aerosol generating device for generating aerosol, comprising: a connection unit capable of connecting the charging device to the aerosol generating device, supplying power from the charging device to a battery of the aerosol generating device, and transmitting and receiving information between the charging device and the aerosol generating device; Power interface, connected to the power source; a control unit, which obtains connection information indicating that the aerosol generating device has been connected to the charging device; as well as The communication unit provides a function for connecting with a terminal device. The control unit is configured to transmit at least the connection information to the terminal device via the communication unit.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit is further configured to: obtain charging information related to the battery of the aerosol generating device, The charging device also has: The first notification unit includes a plurality of first light sources for notifying the acquired charging information related to the battery of the aerosol generating device.

3. The charging device according to claim 2, wherein: The charging information related to the battery of the aerosol generating device includes the remaining charge of the battery of the aerosol generating device. The first notification unit is configured to notify the remaining charge level of the battery of the aerosol generating device in a first notification mode corresponding to the remaining charge level of the battery of the aerosol generating device.

4. The charging device according to claim 3, wherein: The remaining charge amount of the battery of the aerosol generating device is associated with one of a plurality of first remaining charge levels, and the number of lightings of the plurality of first light sources is set to correspond to each of the first remaining charge levels.

5. The charging device according to claim 3, wherein: In the first notification unit, the plurality of first light sources emit light in such a manner that the number of lighting of the plurality of first light sources increases as the remaining charge level of the battery of the aerosol generating device increases.

6. The charging device according to claim 5, wherein: The charging device also has: a first path between the battery of the charging device and the connecting portion for supplying power from the battery of the charging device to the aerosol generating device; and The second path between the power interface and the connection portion is used to supply power from the power interface to the aerosol generating device without passing through the battery of the charging device.

7. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The charging device also includes: a battery control unit for controlling power supply to the battery of the charging device and the battery of the aerosol generating device, The battery control unit is configured to control charging of the battery of the aerosol generating device according to a priority of charging of the battery of the charging device when the aerosol generating device is connected to the charging device via the connecting unit.

8. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The charging device also includes: The second notification unit includes a plurality of second light sources for notifying charging information related to the battery of the charging device.

9. The charging device according to claim 8, wherein: The charging information related to the battery of the charging device includes the remaining charge of the battery of the charging device, The second notification unit is configured to notify the remaining charge amount of the battery of the charging device in a second notification mode corresponding to the remaining charge amount of the battery of the charging device.

10. The charging device according to claim 9, wherein: The remaining charge amount of the battery of the charging device is associated with one of a plurality of second remaining charge amount levels, and the number of lightings of the plurality of second light sources is set to correspond to each of the second remaining charge amount levels.

11. The charging device according to claim 9, wherein: In the second notification unit, the plurality of second light sources emit light in such a manner that the number of the plurality of second light sources turned on increases as the remaining charge level of the battery of the charging device increases.

12. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The control unit is further configured to transmit charging information related to the battery of the charging device to the terminal device via the communication unit in order for the terminal device to determine the charging status.

13. The charging device according to claim 12, wherein: The charging information related to the battery of the charging device transmitted to the terminal device includes information related to the remaining charge amount of the battery of the charging device notified by a % display in the terminal device.

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