Charging device and information processing system

Abstract

To provide a charging device for charging an aerosol generation device, a method of operating a terminal device that communicates with the charging device, a program for causing the terminal device to execute the method, and a system comprising these.SOLUTION: In a system in which a charging device 102 for charging an aerosol generation device 106 communicates with a terminal device 104, a method for flexibly adjusting power consumption due to the communication includes: a step in which the terminal device 104 obtains charging information regarding a battery 208 of the charging device 102 from the charging device 102; a step of determining a charging status of the battery 208 on the basis of the charging information; and a step of determining the propriety of communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 on the basis of the charging status.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device, an operation method of a terminal device communicating with the charging device, a program for causing the terminal device to execute the method, and a system including these components.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique 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 predetermined amount of power consumption. Since the capacity of the power storage device of the charging accessory device is limited, a situation may occur where the above power consumption should be reduced.

[0003] However, Patent Document 1 only discloses that the computing device and the charging accessory device communicate with each other. No recognition of the problem of power consumption caused by communication between these devices and no technique for solving this problem are shown.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for flexibly adjusting power consumption caused by communication in a system in which a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device communicates with a terminal device.

[0007] The present disclosure also aims to provide a technology for appropriately performing a communication connection between a charging device and a terminal device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a terminal device that communicates with a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device, the method including: obtaining charging information regarding a battery of the charging device from the charging device; determining a charging state of the battery based on the charging information; and determining whether communication between the terminal device and the charging device is possible based on the charging state.

[0009] In one embodiment, the method further includes: instructing the charging device to transmit the charging information to the terminal device when it is determined from the charging state that the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or greater than a first threshold; and instructing the charging device not to transmit the charging information to the terminal device when it is determined from the charging state that the remaining charge of the battery is less than the first threshold.

[0010] In one embodiment, the method further includes: disconnecting a communication connection with the charging device when it is determined from the charging state that the remaining charge of the battery is less than a second threshold.

[0011] In one embodiment, the method further includes: instructing the charging device to transmit the charging information to the terminal device regardless of the remaining charge of the battery when the battery is receiving power supply via a power interface of the charging device.

[0012] In one embodiment, the method further includes: instructing the charging device to transmit the charging information to the terminal device regardless of the remaining charge of the battery when a communication connection with the charging device is first established.

[0013] In one embodiment, when it is determined from the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is less than a third threshold value, the method further includes the step of notifying the user to charge the battery.

[0014] In one embodiment, when the communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device has not been made for a predetermined period or more, the method further includes the step of notifying the user to make the communication connection.

[0015] In one embodiment, when the terminal device does not receive the charging information from the charging device, the method further includes the step of estimating the charging information based on the transition of the charging information stored for the battery when it is not charged.

[0016] Also, 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-described method.

[0017] Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device, including 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 that communicates with the charging device via the communication unit, and to receive information regarding the availability of communication between the terminal device and the charging device, determined by the terminal device based on the charging status of the battery determined from the charging information, from the terminal device.

[0018] In one embodiment, when the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit, and when the remaining charge of the battery is less than the first threshold value, not to transmit the charging information to the terminal device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to release the communication connection with the terminal device when the remaining charge of the battery is less than a second threshold value.

[0020] In one embodiment, when the battery is receiving power supply via the power interface, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit regardless of the remaining charge of the battery.

[0021] In one embodiment, when the communication connection with the terminal device is first established, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit regardless of the remaining charge of the battery.

[0022] In one embodiment, when the remaining charge of the battery is less than a third threshold value and the control unit receives an instruction to charge the battery from the terminal device, the control unit is further configured to charge the battery in response to the instruction.

[0023] In one embodiment, when the communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device has not been performed for a predetermined period or more and the control unit receives an instruction to establish a communication connection with the terminal device from the terminal device, the control unit is further configured to perform the communication connection in response to the instruction.

[0024] 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.

[0025] In one embodiment, when the aerosol generating device is connected to the charging device via the charging port, the control unit is further configured to perform control so that the battery in the aerosol generating device is charged prior to the battery of the charging device.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a system including the above-described charging device, a terminal device, and a server that transmits and receives data to and from the terminal device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technique for flexibly adjusting power consumption caused by communication in a system in which a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device communicates with a terminal device. Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technique for appropriately establishing a communication connection between a charging device and a terminal device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 8C

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a system including a charging device for charging an aerosol generation device and a terminal device communicating with the charging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] The system 100 includes charging devices 102A and 102B (hereinafter also collectively referred to as "charging device 102"), terminal devices 104A and 104B (hereinafter also collectively referred to as "terminal device 104"), aerosol generation devices 106A and 106B (hereinafter also collectively referred to as "aerosol generation device 106"), a server 108, and a power supply 110.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating device 106 may include, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette suction device, a heated tobacco suction device, and a nebulizer. The aerosol generating device 106 may include various devices for generating an aerosol that a user inhales.

[0034] The aerosol generating device 106A receives power supply from the charging device 102A and generates an aerosol for a user to inhale. The charging device 102A may be supplied with power from the power source 110.

[0035] 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 be communicable with a server 108 disposed on a global network (cloud network) by a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0036] As indicated 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 communicable with each other via a local network such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Further, the charging device 102 may be configured to be supplied with power from a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal or the like of the terminal device 104, as indicated by the solid line drawn between the charging device 102B and the terminal device 104B.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a 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 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.

[0038] 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 be configured to communicate with the terminal device 104 according to other communication standards such as Wi-Fi.

[0039] The storage unit 206 stores various information obtained by the control unit 202 through acquisition or generation.

[0040] The power interface 212 is an interface that provides a function for supplying power from a 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 through a USB connection. In this case, the power interface 212 receives power supply through a USB terminal provided in a device such as a PC or a USB outlet. The power interface 212 is not limited to the USB interface and may be various interfaces capable of supplying power to the charging device 102, such as a Micro USB interface, a power plug, an interface capable of wireless charging, etc.

[0041] The battery 208 is a rechargeable battery and is charged by receiving power supply from a device connected to the charging device 102 through 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.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, 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 unit for storing an aerosol source, an atomizing unit for generating an aerosol from the aerosol source, and a control unit for controlling components within the aerosol generating device 106. The battery 302 is a rechargeable battery and is charged by receiving power supply from a charging device 102. The battery 302 is, for example, a Li-Po (lithium ion polymer) battery. The battery 302 supplies power to each part of the aerosol generating device 106.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 2, the charging port 210 is configured to enable connection of the aerosol generating device 106 to the charging device 102. In one example, the charging port 210 is configured to physically contact or connect to the aerosol generating device 106 and is used for power supply to the aerosol generating device 106. The charging port 210 may be configured to physically contact or connect to 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 non-contact power feeding without physically contacting the aerosol generating device 106. The charging port 210 may also be used for transmission and reception of information between the charging device 102 and the aerosol generating device 106.

[0044] As shown, the charging device 102 may include a first path 224 between the battery 208 and the charging port for feeding 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 for feeding power from the power interface 212 to the aerosol generating device 106 via the charging port 210 without passing through the battery 208.

[0045] 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 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 amount of the battery 208. Alternatively, the control unit 202 may be configured to have functions equivalent to these components.

[0046] The battery control unit 218 may be configured to perform control so that when the aerosol generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102 via the charging port 210, the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106 is charged with priority over the battery 208 of the charging device 102.

[0047] The first notification unit 214 is configured to notify information (such as the remaining charge amount) regarding 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) regarding 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, and the like.

[0048] The notification control unit 220 controls the first notification unit 214 to notify information regarding the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 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, when the remaining amount of the battery 302 is less than 20% of the maximum value, the notification control unit 220 blinks the first LED; when the remaining amount is 20% or more and less than 40%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first LED and blinks the second LED; when the remaining amount is 40% or more and less than 60%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first and second LEDs and blinks the third LED; when the remaining amount is 60% or more and less than 80%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first to third LEDs and blinks the fourth LED; when the remaining amount is 80% or more and less than 100%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first to fourth LEDs and blinks the fifth LED; when the battery 302 is fully charged, the notification control unit 220 may turn on the first to fifth LEDs. 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, when 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 vibration.

[0049] The notification control unit 220 controls the second notification unit 216 to notify information regarding 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, when the remaining amount of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum value, the notification control unit 220 blinks the first LED; when the remaining amount is 20% or more and less than 40%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first LED and blinks the second LED; when the remaining amount is 40% or more and less than 60%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first and second LEDs and blinks the third LED; when the remaining amount is 60% or more and less than 80%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first to third LEDs and blinks the fourth LED; when the remaining amount is 80% or more and less than 100%, the notification control unit 220 may turn on the first to fourth LEDs and blink the fifth LED. Also, when the battery 208 is not being charged, when the remaining amount of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum value, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first LED; when the remaining amount is 20% or more and less than 40%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first and second LEDs; when the remaining amount is 40% or more and less than 60%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first to third LEDs; when the remaining amount is 60% or more and less than 80%, the notification control unit 220 turns on the first to fourth LEDs; when the remaining amount is 80% or more and less than 100%, the notification control unit 220 may turn on the first to fifth LEDs. Note that even when the battery 208 is fully charged, the first to fifth LEDs may be turned on. The notification control unit 220 may also cause a predetermined LED to emit light in a manner associated with the error in advance when an error occurs. In another example, when the second notification unit 216 includes a speaker, a vibrator, etc., the notification control unit 220 may control the second notification unit 216 in the same manner as described above for the first notification unit 214.

[0050] The information acquisition unit 222 acquires information regarding the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106, information regarding the battery 208 of the charger 102, and the like. The information regarding the battery may include various information such as the remaining charge of the battery, information regarding the decrease in the remaining amount 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 elapsed time since the battery was last charged, the date and time when the charging of the battery was completed, and its history. Further, the information acquisition unit 222 may acquire information indicating that the aerosol generator 106 is connected to the charger 102. The information indicating that the aerosol generator 106 is connected to the charger 102 may include information regarding the date and time when the aerosol generator 106 is connected to the charger 102 and its history. Further, the information acquisition unit 222 may acquire information indicating that the charger 102 is connected to the power supply 110. The information indicating that the charger 102 is connected to the power supply 110 may include information regarding the date and time when the charger 102 is connected to the power supply 110 and its history.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the 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. Note that the program may be provided in a form installed in the terminal device 104 (so-called "application (app)").

[0052] 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 by the information acquisition unit 414. The control unit 402 processes the acquired information by the information processing unit 412.

[0053] The storage unit 406 stores various information such as information obtained by the information acquisition unit 414 and the information processing unit 412.

[0054] 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. Thereby, information can be presented to the user. Such information may include, for example, various information regarding the battery, specifically, the remaining charge of the battery, information warning of a decrease in the remaining amount of the battery, information prompting charging of the battery, the time required for charging the battery, information indicating deterioration of the battery, the number of times of charging the battery (per day, per week, per month, etc.), and the elapsed time since the battery was last charged. Further, the notification unit 408 may present such information to the user by banner display or pop-up display on the display device. Further, the notification unit 408 may present such information to the user as a push notification by an application.

[0055] In another example, the notification unit 408 may be a speaker that provides information to the user using sound or voice, or a vibrator that provides information to the user using vibration.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the 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. Communication The 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 regarding 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.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the description will be made assuming that the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 executes all the steps. However, it should be noted that some steps may be executed by another component of the terminal device 104. It will also be understood that the present embodiment can be implemented as a program for causing a computer such as the terminal device 104 to execute the method, or a computer-readable storage medium storing the program. The same applies to the examples described with respect to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 10 described later.

[0058] In step 602, the control unit 402 obtains charging information regarding the battery 208 of the charging device 102 from the charging device 102.

[0059] The process proceeds to step 604, and 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, the deterioration of the battery, the number of times the battery has been charged, and the elapsed time since the battery was last charged.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows an example in which the notification unit 408 of the terminal device 104 provides information to the user in the process of the processing of FIG. 6. When the control unit 402 obtains the charging information and charging status of the battery 208 in step 602 or 604, these pieces of information may be presented to the user via the notification unit 408. In this example, the notification unit 408 is a display unit 702 such as a liquid crystal display, and information 704 regarding the remaining battery level of the charging device is displayed on the display unit 702. Note that the information 704 regarding the remaining battery level of the charging device may be displayed, for example, in percentage display.

[0061] The process proceeds to step 606, and the control unit 402 determines whether communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 is possible based on the charging status obtained in step 604. Specific examples will be described later.

[0062] Since the processing of FIG. 6 is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in correspondence with the processing of FIG. 6. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 transmits charging information regarding the battery 208 to the terminal device 104 that communicates with the charging device 102 via the communication unit 204, and based on the charging status of the battery 208 determined from the charging information, information regarding whether communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 is possible, which is determined by the terminal device 104, may be configured to be received from the terminal device 104.

[0063] FIG. 8A is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing of steps 802A and 804A is the same as the processing of steps 602 and 604 of FIG. 6, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0064] In step 806A, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than a 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. Note that the first threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is merely 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, 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 send charging information to the terminal device 104. Since the process of FIG. 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 correspondence with the process of FIG. 8A. For example, when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204, and when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold, it may be configured not to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104.

[0065] Note that when the battery 208 is receiving 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 transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 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 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208 when the battery 208 is receiving power supply via the power interface 212.

[0066]

[0067] ​Further, when the communication connection with the charging device 102 is first established, 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 amount 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 the communication connection with the terminal device 104 is first established, regardless of the remaining charge amount of the battery 208.

[0068] FIG. 8B is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The processes of steps 802B and 804B are the same as those of steps 602 and 604, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0069] In step 806B, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge amount of the battery 208 is less than a second threshold value based on the charging status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804B. The second threshold value is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge amount of the battery 208, but 20% is merely an example and is not limited to this value. If the remaining charge amount of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold value (''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 amount of the battery 208 is equal to or more than the second threshold value (''N'' in step 806B), the process returns to before step 802B.

[0070] 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 corresponding to the process of FIG. 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 amount of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold. Also, the process of FIG. 8A and the process of FIG. 8B may be combined. The control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may instruct the charging device 102 not to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge amount of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, and may be configured to release the communication connection with the charging device 102 when the remaining charge amount 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. Note that the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 does not transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge amount of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, and may be configured to release the communication connection with the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge amount of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold. In the case where the remaining charge amount of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, the charging information is not transmitted to the terminal device 104, and in the case where the remaining charge amount of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold, the communication connection with the terminal device 104 may be released.

[0071] FIG. 8C is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Since the processes of steps 802C and 804C are the same as those of steps 602 and 604, the description thereof is omitted.

[0072] In step 806C, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than a 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 an example and is not limited to this value. If the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold value (''Y'' in step 806C), the process proceeds to step 808C. In step 808C, the control unit 402 issues a notification prompting 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. Therefore, when the user operates the terminal device 104 (or a program installed in the terminal device 104) in response to the above notification and the instruction is sent to the charging device 102, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may charge the battery 208.

[0073] FIG. 9 shows an example of the notification performed in step 808C. The control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 displays, on the notification unit 408 (the display 902 in this example), a message 904 with the content such as ''The remaining charge of the battery of the charging device has decreased. Please charge it.''

[0074] Returning to FIG. 8C, if the remaining charge of the battery 208 is greater than or equal to the third threshold value (''N'' in step 806C), the process returns to before step 802C.

[0075] Since the process of FIG. 8C is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate corresponding to the process of FIG. 8C. For example, when the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 receives an instruction from the terminal device 104 to charge the battery 208 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold value, the control unit 202 may be configured to charge the battery 208 in response to the instruction. Among the processes of FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C, at least two or more of the processes may be combined and executed. In this case, the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and the third threshold value may be different from each other, or at least two of them may be the same as each other.

[0076] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operation method of 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 or not 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 prompting the user to establish 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 establish 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 indicating that the communication connection should be established. The control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to establish a communication connection in response to the instruction.

[0077] FIG. 11 shows an example of the notification performed in step 1004. When the above-mentioned predetermined period is one week, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 displays, for example, a message 1104 with the content ''Communication with the charging device has not been performed for one week. Please establish a communication connection with the charging device.'' on the notification unit 408 (the display 1102 in this example).

[0078] Returning to FIG. 10, if it is determined that a predetermined period has not elapsed (”N” in step 1002), the process returns to before step 1002.

[0079] Since the process of FIG. 10 is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate corresponding to the process of FIG. 10. For example, when the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 receives an instruction to establish a communication connection with the terminal device 104 from 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 or more, the control unit 202 may be configured to perform the communication connection in response to the instruction.

[0080] 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.

[0081] On the other hand, in another embodiment, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may be configured to estimate charging information when the terminal device 104 does not receive charging information from the charging device 102. As an example, consider the 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 for estimating the remaining charge. For example, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 calculates the amount of decrease in the remaining charge per unit time (e.g., 1 minute, 1 hour, etc.) from the stored transition of the remaining charge. The control unit 402 may estimate the remaining charge based on the calculated amount of decrease, the remaining charge stored at a previous point in time, the elapsed time from that point to the present, and the like. When the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is being charged using the power supply 110 via the power interface 212, the remaining charge of the battery 208 increases, so it is difficult to use it for estimating the remaining charge. For this reason, in one example, the terminal device 104 may be configured not to store the transition of the remaining charge while the battery 208 is being charged or not to use the transition for estimating the remaining charge.

[0082] 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 even more types of processing.

[0083] In one example, the terminal device 104 may notify the user to charge at a timing when the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is about to run out. For example, when the remaining charge of the battery 208 drops below 20% of the maximum value, the terminal device 104 may issue such a notification. Further, the terminal 104 may notify the user of a power-off alert indicating that the charge has run out at the timing when the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 has run out.

[0084] In one example, the terminal device 104 may notify that the charging is completed at the timing when the 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 always communicate with the charging device 102 while the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is being powered through the power interface 212, and obtain information on the charging states of the battery 208 and the battery 302. The terminal device 104 may notify that the charging at each stage is completed at the respective timings when the charging of the battery 208 and / or the battery 302 is 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% completed.

[0085] In one example, when starting communication connection with the charging device 102, the terminal device 104 may update information regarding the remaining charge of the battery 302 of the aerosol generating device 106 or the battery 208 of the charging device 102, and notify the updated information. Note that the information regarding 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 amount of the battery 302 and / or the battery 208, and may be notified, for example, by displaying it as a percentage. Also, the information regarding 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 by 80%, the information regarding the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 may be notified by displaying, such as "The aerosol generating device 106 can be charged by 80%".

[0086] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device 104 may be configured to adjust the communication frequency with the charging device 102 according to 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 constantly. 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 constantly. When the charging device 102 is not being charged, the terminal device 104 may communicate with the charging device 102 when the remaining amount of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 falls below a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the 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 when the communication was performed, and the like.

[0087] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at the timing when a communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 is established, the terminal device 104 may acquire information such as the user ID of the charging device 102, the product ID, the usage date of the charging device 102 (including the last usage date), and the estimated last survival date of the user, and transmit the information to the server 108. The acquisition of information may be performed, for example, once a day. The control unit 502 of the server 108 may receive these information via the communication unit 504 and store the information in the storage unit 506.

[0088] FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration 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.

[0089] The airflow detection unit 1210 detects an airflow generated by the user's suction on the aerosol generating device 1200.

[0090] The control unit 1202 controls each part of the aerosol generating device 1200. Further, the control unit 1202 may generate various information, for example, generate airflow information based on the airflow detected by the airflow detection unit 1210. Here, the airflow information is information regarding the airflow generated by the user's suction on the aerosol generating device 1200.

[0091] 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, for example.

[0092] The communication unit 1206 transmits information acquired by the aerosol generation 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 be received by the information acquisition unit 222 via the charging port 210. Instead of via the charging port 210, or in parallel with the method via the charging port 210, the communication unit 1206 may transmit the information to the charging device 102 by other communication methods such as BLE or Wi-Fi.

[0093] The aerosol generation device 1200 shown in FIG. 12 can acquire more information compared to the aerosol generation 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 the information obtained from the aerosol generation device 1200. In this example, information such as the remaining battery level information 1304 of the charging device 102, the number of inhalations 1306 of the aerosol source (regular flavor) by the user using the aerosol generation device 1200, and the number of inhalations 1308 of the aerosol source (menthol flavor) by the user using the aerosol generation device 1200 is displayed on the notification unit 408 (in this example, the display 1302).

[0094] 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 changes, additions, improvements, etc. to the embodiments can be appropriately made 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.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0095] 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…Memory 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…Memory unit, 408…Notification unit, 410…Notification control unit, 412…Information processing unit, 414…Information acquisition unit, 502…Control unit, 504…Communication unit, 506…Memory 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…Memory unit, 1210…Airflow detection unit, 1302…Display, 1304, 1306, 1308…Information

Claims

1. A terminal device for presenting the state of an aerosol generating device to a user, acquiring first information regarding a battery included in the aerosol generating device, and based on the first information, displaying, on a display, second information that enables the user to recognize the amount that the user can inhale from the aerosol generating device. The terminal device is configured as such.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the second information includes the number of times the user can inhale from the aerosol generating device.

3. The terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, further configured to display, on the display, the remaining charge of the battery of the aerosol generating device based on the first information.

4. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the remaining charge of the battery is displayed as a percentage on the display. The terminal device.

5. The terminal device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the display of the remaining charge is updated at a predetermined timing.

6. A method for presenting the state of an aerosol generating device to a user, the method including, in a terminal device, acquiring first information regarding a battery of the aerosol generating device, and based on the first information, displaying, on a display, second information that enables the user to recognize the amount that the user can inhale from the aerosol generating device. The method includes the above steps.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second information includes the number of times the user can inhale from the aerosol generating device.

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