Color Identification for Aerosol Generating Devices and Systems

Abstract

An aerosol generating device or system may include one or more optical sensors, one or more light emitting elements, and a control device. The one or more optical sensors may detect the color of ambient light, and the one or more light emitting elements may emit light. The control device receives a signal indicating the color of ambient light from the one or more optical sensors, determines an ambient color value, generates a plurality of generated color values, determines a color distance between the ambient light value and each of the plurality of generated color values, selects one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances, and causes the one or more light emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol generating devices and systems. In particular, the present invention relates to optical radiation and color identification of aerosol generating devices and systems.

Background Art

[0002] Existing aerosol generating devices and systems generally do not include a light source. Such devices and systems include a charger or a holder and can blend in with the surrounding environment. Thus, when a user places an aerosol generating device or system on a table or counter after use, such a device may go unnoticed and be easily forgotten. Further, when such devices are used in a social environment, the color of the aerosol generating device, charger, or holder may be similar to the color of other devices or the environment in which they are placed, and may be confused with other users' devices or systems.

[0003] It would be desirable to provide aerosol generating devices and systems with means or improvements by which such devices and systems can distinguish themselves from the surrounding environment. Further, it may be desirable for such means or improvements to also enable aerosol generating devices and systems to distinguish themselves from other aerosol generating devices and systems. Also, it would be desirable for users to interact with aerosol generating devices and systems and be able to personalize them, improving the user experience and engagement.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device may comprise a housing, an airflow channel, a heating element, one or more optical sensors, one or more light emitting elements, and a control device. The housing may have a mouthpiece element and an air inlet. The airflow channel may extend within the housing between the mouthpiece element and the air inlet. The heating element may be fixed within the housing. One or more optical sensors may be disposed within the housing, detect the color of ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device, and provide a signal indicative of the color of the ambient light. One or more light emitting elements may be disposed on or within the housing and emit light. The control device may comprise one or more processors operably coupled to the one or more optical sensors and the one or more light emitting elements. The control device receives a signal indicative of the color of the ambient light from the one or more optical sensors, determines a peripheral color value corresponding to the color of the ambient light based on the signal indicative of the color of the ambient light, generates a plurality of generated color values, determines a color distance between the ambient light value and each of the plurality of generated color values to provide a plurality of color distances, selects one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances, and causes the one or more light emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values.

[0005] Advantageously, with an aerosol generating device including one or more optical sensors and one or more light emitting elements, the aerosol generating device can distinguish itself from the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device. By detecting the color of ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device and emitting light in a color based on the color distance from the color of the ambient light, the aerosol generating device can provide a greater contrast between itself and the surrounding environment. Further, the aerosol generating device can display a message with increased legibility due to the greater contrast with the surrounding environment.

[0006] The control device can be configured to randomly generate each of a plurality of generated color values. To randomly generate color values, the control device can be configured to use one or more of a pseudo-random number generator, a random number generator, an entropy source, a hardware random number generator, a digital random number generator, or other software or hardware for generating random numbers. The control device can be configured to generate each of a plurality of generated color values within a predetermined color space. For example, the predetermined color space can be a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space. Generally, the control device can generate color values in any suitable color space for a light-emitting element or a display, such as, for example, a hue, saturation, lightness (HSL) color space, a hue, saturation, value (HSV) color space, any International Commission on Illumination (CIE)-specified color space (e.g., CIE 1931 color space, CIE 1976 L * u * v * (CIELUV) color space, or CIE L * a * b * (CIELAB) color space), or any other suitable color space for a light-emitting element or a display, such as other standardized color spaces. Further, the predetermined color space can be a subset of a standard color space. For example, the predetermined color space can be a subset of the RGB color space. The predetermined color space can be a part of a standard color space selected by a user of the aerosol generator. Still further, the predetermined color space can be based on the color range of one or more light-emitting devices.

[0007] Advantageously, the random generation of color values can enable the aerosol generator and the system to distinguish themselves from other aerosol generators and systems. The random generation can reduce the likelihood that two or more aerosol generators or systems emit the same color(s).

[0008] The color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values can be determined using any suitable technique for determining the color distance. For example, the color distance can be the Euclidean distance between two color values in a color space. Generally, a color space uses three variables or color space values that can be mapped to a three-dimensional graph representing such a color space to represent various colors. The Euclidean distance between the ambient color value and the generated color value (ΔEa→g) can be determined using Equation 1, where X, Y, and Z each correspond to one of the color values of R, G, or B, the subscript g indicates the color space value of the generated color value, and the subscript a indicates the color space value of the ambient color value.

Equation

[0009] Using Equation 1, the color distance between color values in any suitable color space can be determined. For example, CIELAB color space values (L*, a*, and b*) can be assigned to X, Y, and Z respectively.

[0010] Another color distance that can be used is a hybrid of the Euclidean distance and the taxicab distance between two color values. The Euclidean-taxi hybrid distance can be used in a color space that includes luminance values or chrominance values. For example, Equation 2 can be used to determine the color distance between two color values, where the CIELAB color space values a* and b* are represented by X and Y respectively, the luminance color space value L* is represented by Z, the subscript g indicates the color space value of the generated color value, and the subscript a indicates the color space value of the ambient color value.

Equation

[0011] Yet another color distance that can be used is the Hausdorff distance between two color values. Generally, the Hausdorff distance determines how far apart two subsets of a space are from each other. The Hausdorff distance can be calculated using Equations 3 - 5, where A is the set of color space values of the ambient color values (A = {x 1 , x 2, x 3}) represents, and B represents a set of color space values of the generated color values (B = {y 1 , y 2 , y 3}). [Number]

[0012] The above color distance and formula can be adjusted or modified to indicate a perceptual distance. While some color spaces can be normalized based on perceptual differences, other color spaces may not. With a color space normalized based on perceptual differences, the color distance between color values in the color space can be proportional to the perceptual difference between the color values. The perceptual difference can be based on human color perception and the general ability of humans to distinguish colors. Therefore, the color distance or formula can be modified so that the resulting color distance indicates the perceptual distance between the surrounding color value and the plurality of generated color values. Even further, the above color distance and formula can be adjusted or modified to indicate perceptual differences corresponding to various types of color vision deficiencies.

[0013] One of the selected color distances among the plurality of generated color values can be the maximum color distance among the plurality of color distances. In other words, the control device can be configured to select a certain color value among the plurality of generated color values that is farthest from the surrounding color value. Selecting a color value with the maximum color distance from the surrounding color value can provide a greater contrast between the aerosol generator and the environment surrounding the aerosol generator. Therefore, the aerosol generator can select and emit one or more color values that enable the aerosol generator to stand out from the environment surrounding the aerosol generator.

[0014] Advantageously, by determining a color value with the maximum color distance from the surrounding color value, the perceptual difference between the aerosol generator and the system and the surrounding environment can be increased. Therefore, such aerosol generators and systems can be easier to locate, and the possibility of being forgotten or misplaced can be reduced.

[0015] One or more light-emitting elements may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). One or more light-emitting elements may comprise a display including a plurality of pixels. One or more light-emitting elements may comprise one or more LEDs and a display including a plurality of pixels. For example, one or more light-emitting elements may include one or more light-emitting diodes that provide a backlight to a display panel including a plurality of pixels. The display panel may include a liquid crystal display panel. Alternatively, each of the one or more light-emitting elements may be a single pixel of a display including a plurality of pixels. For example, one or more light-emitting elements may include an organic LED (OLED) display or a micro LED display. The control device may be further configured to cause the display to display one or more symbols based on a selected one of a plurality of generated color values. Further, the control device may be configured to display a plurality of symbols based on a selected one of a plurality of generated color values. Still further, the control device may be configured to display a plurality of symbols, each based on a different selected color value.

[0016] The control device may be configured to cause one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having two or more colors. The control device may be configured to emit a number of colors equal to the number of light-emitting elements, the number of pixels, the number of symbols, or other quantity of elements being displayed, among the one or more light-emitting elements. For example, if two colors are desired, the control device generates a second plurality of generated color values, determines the color distance between the peripheral color value and each of the second plurality of generated color values to provide a second plurality of color distances, selects one of the second plurality of generated color values based on the second plurality of color distances, and causes one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of generated color values and a selected one of the second plurality of generated color values. In other words, the control device may be configured to generate a set number of generated color values equal to the number of desired colors and select a certain color value from each set of generated color values based on the color distance of each generated color value to the peripheral color value. Thus, multiple colors may be emitted by the aerosol generating device.

[0017] The control device can be configured to cause one or more light-emitting elements to emit light corresponding to a plurality of selected color values. The control device can be configured to cause each of the plurality of light-emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to a different one of the plurality of selected color values. The control device can be configured to cause one or more light-emitting elements to emit light corresponding to each of the plurality of selected color values in sequence. The control device can be configured to repeat the sequence. The control device can be configured to display a plurality of symbols, with the color of each symbol corresponding to one of the plurality of selected color values.

[0018] The aerosol generating device can further comprise a user interface configured to receive user input. The control device can be configured to receive one or more user inputs using the user interface. The user interface can include one or more buttons, a graphical user interface (GUI), a touch screen, a microphone, or other input devices. The user interface can be operably coupled to the control device. One or more user inputs can indicate a color frame, and a plurality of generated color values can be generated based on the color frame. In other words, the user input can define a predetermined color space as a subset or frame of the standard color space. One or more user inputs can indicate one or more symbols. The control device can be further configured to provide a selected one of the plurality of generated color values and one or more symbols in order to cause one or more light-emitting elements to display each of the one or more symbols having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values. The one or more symbols can include one or more words.

[0019] Advantageously, the aerosol generating device and system can emit or display combinations of colors and symbols that are less likely to be replicated by other devices. Accordingly, an aerosol generating device and system can be provided that is customizable and easily distinguishable from other aerosol generating devices and systems.

[0020] A portion of the housing may cover one or more light-emitting elements, and the portion of the housing may be transparent. Thus, the housing can provide protection for one or more light-emitting elements while making the color of the emitted light visible in the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device.

[0021] The one or more optical sensors may include any suitable device for receiving light from the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device and providing a signal representing the color of ambient light. For example, the one or more optical sensors may include one or more filters, one or more photodiodes, one or more optical intensity sensors, or other optical sensing devices. The signal representing the color of ambient light may include one or more voltage signals. Each of the one or more voltage signals may represent a color value mapped in a color space. For example, the one or more optical sensors may include three band-pass filters, such that a first band-pass filter of the three band-pass filters allows it to pass through red light, a second band-pass filter of the three band-pass filters allows it to pass through green light, and a third band-pass filter of the three band-pass filters allows it to pass through blue light. The optical intensity sensor may correspond to each filter such that voltages corresponding to the intensities of red, green, and blue are provided.

[0022] The heating element may be arranged and configured to fit into and heat the aerosol generating article. The heating element may be disposed within a heating chamber. The heating chamber may be configured to receive the aerosol generating article such that the heating element is received or fitted into the aerosol generating article. The heating chamber may be at least partially disposed within the mouthpiece element. When the aerosol generating article is fitted to the heating element, the airflow channel may be coupled to the airflow path through the aerosol generating article. The airflow path through the aerosol generating article may be in fluid communication with the aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol generating article.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generation system is provided. The aerosol generation system may comprise an aerosol generator, one or more optical sensors, and a computing device. The aerosol generator may comprise a housing having a mouthpiece element and an air inlet, an airflow channel extending within the housing between the mouthpiece element and the air inlet, a heating element fixed within the housing along the airflow channel, and one or more light-emitting elements disposed on or within the housing for emitting light. The one or more optical sensors may be configured to detect the color of ambient light in an environment surrounding the aerosol generator and provide a signal indicative of the color of the ambient light. The computing device may comprise one or more processors operatively coupled to the one or more optical sensors and the aerosol generator. The computing device is configured to receive a signal indicative of the color of the ambient light from the one or more optical sensors, determine a peripheral color value corresponding to the color of the ambient light based on the received signal indicative of the color of the ambient light, generate a plurality of generated color values, determine a color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values to provide a plurality of color distances, select one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances, and provide the selected one of the plurality of generated color values to the aerosol generator to cause the one or more light-emitting elements to emit light based on the selected one of the plurality of generated color values.

[0024] Advantageously, with an aerosol generation system including one or more optical sensors and one or more light-emitting elements, the aerosol generation system can distinguish itself from the environment surrounding the aerosol generation system or device. By detecting the color of ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generator and emitting light having a color corresponding to a color value determined based on the color distance of the color value from the color of the ambient light, the aerosol generation system can provide a greater contrast between itself and the surrounding environment. Further, the aerosol generation system can display a message with increased clarity due to the greater contrast with the surrounding environment.

[0025] The computing device may be configured to randomly generate each of a plurality of generated color values. To randomly generate color values, the computing device may be configured to use one or more of a pseudo-random number generator, a random number generator, an entropy source, a hardware random number generator, a digital random number generator, or other software or hardware for generating random numbers. The computing device may be configured to generate each of a plurality of generated color values within a predetermined color space. For example, the predetermined color space may be a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space. Generally, the computing device may generate color values in, for example, a hue, saturation, lightness (HSL) color space, a hue, saturation, value (HSV) color space, any International Commission on Illumination (CIE) specified color space (e.g., CIE 1931 color space, CIE 1976 L * u * v * (CIELUV) color space, or CIE L * a * b * (CIELAB) color space), or any suitable color space for a light emitting element or display such as other standardized color spaces. Further, the predetermined color space may be a subset of a standard color space. For example, the predetermined color space may be a subset of the RGB color space. The predetermined color space may be a portion of a standard color space selected by a user of the aerosol generating device. Still further, the predetermined color space may be based on the color range of one or more light emitting devices.

[0026] Advantageously, the random generation of color values may enable the aerosol generating device and system to distinguish itself from other aerosol generating devices and systems. The random generation may reduce the likelihood that two or more aerosol generating devices or systems emit the same color(s).

[0027] The color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values can be determined using any suitable technique for determining the color distance. For example, the color distance can be the Euclidean distance between two color values in a color space. Generally, a color space uses three variables or color space values that can be mapped to a three-dimensional graph representing such a color space to represent various colors. The Euclidean distance between the ambient color value and the generated color value (ΔEa→g) can be determined using Equation 1, where X, Y, and Z each correspond to one of the color values of R, G, or B, the subscript g indicates the color space value of the generated color value, and the subscript a indicates the color space value of the ambient color value. Equation 1 can be used to determine the color distance between color values in any suitable color space. For example, the CIELAB color space values (L * , a * , and b * ) can be assigned to X, Y, Z, respectively.

[0028] Another color distance that can be used is a hybrid of the Euclidean distance and the taxi distance between two color values. The Euclidean-taxi hybrid distance can be used in a color space that includes luminance values or chrominance values. For example, Equation 2 can be used to determine the color distance between two color values, where the CIELAB color space values a* and b* are represented by X and Y, respectively, the luminance color space value L* is represented by Z, the subscript g indicates the color space value of the generated color value, and the subscript a indicates the color space value of the ambient color value.

[0029] Yet another color distance that can be used is the Hausdorff distance between two color values. Generally, the Hausdorff distance determines how far apart two subsets of a space are from each other. The Hausdorff distance can be calculated using Equations 3 - 5, where A represents the set of color space values of the ambient color values (A = {x 1 , x 2 , x 3}) and B represents the set of color space values of the generated color values (B = {y 1 , y 2 , y 3}).

[0030] The above color distance and formula can be adjusted or modified to indicate a perceptual distance. While some color spaces can be normalized based on perceptual differences, other color spaces may not. A color space normalized based on perceptual differences allows the color distance between color values in the color space to be proportional to the perceptual difference between the color values. The perceptual difference can be based on human color perception and the general ability of humans to distinguish colors. Thus, the color distance or formula can be modified such that the resulting color distance indicates the perceptual distance between the surrounding color value and the plurality of generated color values. Even further, the above color distance and formula can be adjusted or modified to indicate perceptual differences corresponding to various types of color vision deficiencies.

[0031] One of the selected color distances among the plurality of generated color values can be the maximum color distance of the plurality of color distances. In other words, the computing device can be configured to select a color value among the plurality of generated color values that is farthest from the surrounding color value. Selecting a color value with the maximum color distance from the surrounding color value can provide a greater contrast between the aerosol generating device and the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device. Thus, the aerosol generating device can select and emit one or more color values that enable the aerosol generating device to stand out from the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device.

[0032] Advantageously, by determining a color value with the maximum color distance from the surrounding color value, the perceptual difference between the aerosol generating device and system and the surrounding environment can be increased. Thus, such aerosol generating devices and systems can be more easily located and less likely to be forgotten or misplaced.

[0033] One or more light-emitting elements may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). One or more light-emitting elements may comprise a display including a plurality of pixels. One or more light-emitting elements may comprise one or more LEDs and a display including a plurality of pixels. For example, one or more light-emitting elements may include one or more light-emitting diodes that provide backlighting to a display panel including a plurality of pixels. The display panel may include a liquid crystal display panel. Alternatively, each of the one or more light-emitting elements may be a single pixel of a display including a plurality of pixels. For example, one or more light-emitting elements may include an organic LED (OLED) display or a micro LED display. The computing device may be further configured to cause the display to display one or more symbols based on a selected one of a plurality of generated color values. Further, the computing device may be configured to display a plurality of symbols based on a selected one of a plurality of generated color values. Still further, the computing device may be configured to display a plurality of symbols, each based on a different selected color value.

[0034] The computing device may be configured to provide a plurality of generated color values to an aerosol generator to cause one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having two or more colors. The computing device may be configured to provide a number of color values equal to the number of light-emitting elements among the one or more light-emitting elements, the number of pixels, the number of symbols, or other quantity of the displayed elements. For example, if two colors are desired, the computing device generates a second plurality of generated color values, determines the color distance between each of the peripheral color values and each of the second plurality of generated color values to provide a second plurality of color distances, selects one of the second plurality of generated color values based on the second plurality of color distances, and causes one or more light-emitting elements to emit light based on the selected one of the plurality of generated color values and the selected one of the second plurality of generated color values. In other words, the computing device may be configured to generate a set number of generated color values equal to the number of desired colors and select a certain color value from each set of generated color values based on the color distance of each generated color value with respect to the peripheral color values. Thus, a plurality of colors may be emitted by the aerosol generator.

[0035] The computing device may be configured to cause one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to a plurality of selected color values. The computing device may be configured to cause each of the plurality of light-emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to a different one of the plurality of selected color values. The computing device may be configured to cause one or more light-emitting elements to sequentially emit light having a color corresponding to each of the plurality of selected color values. The computing device may be configured to repeat the sequence. The computing device may be configured to display a plurality of symbols, with the color of each symbol corresponding to one of the plurality of selected color values.

[0036] The computing device may further include a user interface configured to receive user input. The computing device may be configured to receive one or more user inputs using the user interface. The user interface may include one or more buttons, a graphical user interface (GUI), a touch screen, a microphone, or other input devices. The user interface may be operably coupled to one or more processors. One or more user inputs may indicate a color frame, and a plurality of generated color values may be generated based on the color frame. In other words, a user input may define a predetermined color space as a subset or frame of a standard color space. One or more user inputs may indicate one or more symbols. The computing device may be further configured to provide a selected one of the plurality of generated color values and one or more symbols to cause one or more light-emitting elements to display each of the one or more symbols having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values. One or more symbols may include one or more words.

[0037] Advantageously, the aerosol generating device and system may emit or display combinations of colors and symbols that are less likely to be replicated by other devices. Accordingly, an aerosol generating device and system that is customizable and easily distinguishable from other aerosol generating devices and systems may be provided.

[0038] A portion of the housing may cover one or more light-emitting elements, and a portion of the housing may be transparent. Accordingly, the housing may provide protection for the one or more light-emitting elements while making the color of the emitted light visible in the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device.

[0039] The aerosol generating device may include a computing device. Alternatively, the computing device may be a separate device from the aerosol generating device. The computing device may include a charger for the aerosol generating device. The computing device may include a computing device separate from the aerosol generating device and the charger for the aerosol generating device.

[0040] One or more optical sensors may include any suitable device for receiving light from the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device and providing a signal representative of the color of ambient light. For example, one or more optical sensors may include one or more filters, one or more photodiodes, one or more optical intensity sensors, or other optical sensing devices. The signal representative of the color of ambient light may include one or more voltage signals. Each of the one or more voltage signals may represent a color value mapped to a color space. For example, one or more optical sensors may include three band-pass filters, such that a first band-pass filter of the three band-pass filters allows it to pass through red light, a second band-pass filter of the three band-pass filters allows it to pass through green light, and a third band-pass filter of the three band-pass filters allows it to pass through blue light. The optical intensity sensor may correspond to each filter such that a voltage corresponding to the intensity of each of red, green, and blue is provided.

[0041] One or more optical sensors may be disposed on or within any device within the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device. One or more optical sensors are disposed on or within the housing of the aerosol generating device. The optical sensor may be disposed on or within a computing device. The computing device may be a charger for the aerosol generating device.

[0042] The heating element may be arranged and configured to fit into and heat the aerosol generating article. The heating element may be disposed within a heating chamber. The heating chamber may be configured to receive the aerosol generating article such that the heating element is received or fitted into the aerosol generating article. The heating chamber may be at least partially disposed within the mouthpiece element. When the aerosol generating article is fitted to the heating element, the airflow channel may be coupled to the airflow path through the aerosol generating article. The airflow path through the aerosol generating article may be in fluid communication with the aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol generating article.

[0043] According to one aspect of the present invention, receiving a signal indicating the color of ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device from one or more optical sensors, determining a peripheral color value corresponding to the color of the ambient light based on the signal indicating the color of the ambient light, generating a plurality of generated color values, determining a color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values to provide a plurality of color distances, selecting one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances, and providing the aerosol generating device with one of the plurality of generated color values selected, to cause one or more light emitting elements of the aerosol generating device to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values. A method is provided that includes:

[0044] Advantageously, the method enables the aerosol generating device to distinguish itself from the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device. By detecting the color of the ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device and providing a color value for emitting light in a color based on the color distance from the color of the ambient light, the aerosol generating device can provide a greater contrast between itself and the surrounding environment. Further, the method can enable the aerosol generating device to display a message with increased clarity due to the greater contrast with the surrounding environment.

[0045] Each of the plurality of generated color values can be generated randomly. One or more of a pseudo-random number generator, a random number generator, an entropy source, a hardware random number generator, a digital random number generator, or other software or hardware for generating random numbers can be used to generate numbers randomly. Each of the plurality of generated color values can be generated within a predetermined color space. For example, the predetermined color space can be a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space. Generally, the control device can represent the color value, for example, in a hue, saturation, lightness (HSL) color space, a hue, saturation, value (HSV) color space, any International Commission on Illumination (CIE) defined color space (e.g., CIE 1931 color space, CIE 1976 L * u * v * (CIELUV) color space, or CIE L * a* b * (CIELAB) color space), or any suitable color space for a light-emitting element or display, such as another standardized color space. Further, a predetermined color space may be a subset of a standard color space. For example, a predetermined color space may be a subset of the RGB color space. A predetermined color space may be a part of a standard color space selected by a user of the aerosol generator. Still further, a predetermined color space may be based on the color ranges of one or more light-emitting devices.

[0046] Advantageously, by randomly generating color values, the aerosol generator and system can distinguish themselves from other aerosol generators and systems. By random generation, the possibility that two or more aerosol generators or systems emit the same color (single or plural) can be reduced.

[0047] The color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values can be determined using any suitable technique for determining the color distance. For example, the color distance can be the Euclidean distance between two color values in a color space. Generally, a color space uses three variables or color space values that can be mapped to a three-dimensional graph representing such a color space to represent various colors. The Euclidean distance between the ambient color value and the generated color value (ΔEa→g) can be determined using Equation 1, where X, Y, and Z each correspond to one of the color values of R, G, or B, the subscript g indicates the color space value of the generated color value, and the subscript a indicates the color space value of the ambient color value. Equation 1 can be used to determine the color distance between color values in any suitable color space. For example, CIELAB color space values (L * , a * , and b * ) can be assigned to X, Y, Z, respectively.

[0048] Another color distance that can be used is a mixture of the Euclidean distance and the taxicab distance between two color values. The Euclidean-taxi cab hybrid distance can be used in a color space that includes luminance values or chrominance values. For example, Equation 2 can be used to determine the color distance between two color values, where the CIELAB color space values a* and b* are represented by X and Y, respectively, the luminance color space value L* is represented by Z, the subscript g indicates the color space value of the generated color value, and the subscript a indicates the color space value of the surrounding color value.

[0049] Yet another color distance that can be used is the Hausdorff distance between two color values. Generally, the Hausdorff distance determines how far apart two subsets of a space are from each other. The Hausdorff distance can be calculated using Equations 3-5, where A represents the set of color space values of the surrounding color values (A = {x 1 , x 2 , x 3}), and B represents the set of color space values of the generated color values (B = {y 1 , y 2 , y 3}).

[0050] The above color distances and equations can be adjusted or modified to indicate a perceptual distance. Some color spaces can be normalized based on perceptual differences, while others may not. With a color space normalized based on perceptual differences, the color distance between color values in the color space can be proportional to the perceptual difference between the color values. The perceptual difference can be based on human color perception and the general ability of humans to distinguish colors. Therefore, the color distance or equation can be modified so that the resulting color distance indicates the perceptual distance between the surrounding color value and the plurality of generated color values. Even further, the above color distances and equations can be adjusted or modified to indicate perceptual differences corresponding to various types of color vision deficiencies.

[0051] One of the selected color distances among the plurality of generated color values can be the maximum color distance among the plurality of color distances. In other words, a certain color value among the plurality of generated color values that is farthest from the surrounding color values can be selected. Selecting the color value having the maximum color distance from the surrounding color values can provide a greater contrast between the aerosol generator and the environment surrounding the aerosol generator. Thus, one or more color values that enable the aerosol generator to stand out from the environment surrounding the aerosol generator can be selected.

[0052] Advantageously, by determining the color value having the maximum color distance from the surrounding color values, the perceived difference between the aerosol generator and system and the surrounding environment can be increased. Thus, such aerosol generators and systems can be more easily located and less likely to be forgotten or misplaced.

[0053] The method can include providing a plurality of generated color values for causing one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having two or more colors. The method can include selecting and providing an equal number of color values to the number of light-emitting elements, number of pixels, number of symbols, or other quantity of elements displayed among the one or more light-emitting elements. For example, if two colors are desired, the method can include generating a second plurality of generated color values, determining the color distance between the surrounding color values and each of the second plurality of generated color values to provide a second plurality of color distances, selecting one of the second plurality of generated color values based on the second plurality of color distances, and causing one or more light-emitting elements to emit light based on one of the selected ones of the plurality of generated color values and one of the selected ones of the second plurality of generated color values. In other words, the method can include generating a set number of generated color values equal to the number of desired colors, and selecting a certain color value among each set of generated color values based on the color distance of each generated color value with respect to the surrounding color values. Thus, the method can cause a plurality of colors to be emitted by one or more light-emitting devices.

[0054] The method may include selecting a plurality of color values and causing one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having colors corresponding to the plurality of color values. The method may include causing each of the plurality of light-emitting elements to emit light having a different one of the plurality of selected color values. The method may include causing one or more light-emitting elements to sequentially emit light having colors corresponding to each of the plurality of selected color values. The method may include repeating the sequence. The method may include displaying a plurality of symbols, wherein the color of each symbol corresponds to one of the plurality of selected color values. The method may include causing each of the plurality of light-emitting elements to emit light having a different one of the plurality of selected color values.

[0055] The method may further include receiving one or more user inputs using a user interface. The user interface may include one or more buttons, a graphical user interface (GUI), a touch screen, a microphone, or other input devices. The one or more user inputs may indicate a color frame, and the plurality of generated color values may be generated based on the color frame. In other words, the user input may define a given color space as a subset or frame of a standard color space. The one or more user inputs may indicate one or more symbols. The method may include providing one of the plurality of generated color values and one or more symbols to cause one or more light-emitting elements to display each of the one or more symbols having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values. The one or more symbols may include one or more words.

[0056] Advantageously, the aerosol generating device and system may emit or display combinations of colors and symbols that are less likely to be replicated by other devices. Thus, an aerosol generating device and system that is customizable and easily distinguishable from other aerosol generating devices and systems may be provided.

[0057] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a program code portion stored thereon. When the program product is executed on a computer or a network device, the program code portion is configured to receive, from one or more optical sensors, a signal indicating the color of ambient light in an environment surrounding an aerosol generator, determine a peripheral color value corresponding to the color of the ambient light based on the signal indicating the color of the ambient light, generate a plurality of generated color values, determine a color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values to provide a plurality of color distances, select one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances, and provide the aerosol generator with the selected one of the plurality of generated color values in order to cause one or more light-emitting elements of the aerosol generator to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values.

[0058] Advantageously, the computer program product enables the aerosol generator to distinguish itself from the environment surrounding the aerosol generator. By detecting the color of the ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generator and providing a color value for emitting light in a color based on the color distance from the color of the ambient light, the aerosol generator can provide a greater contrast between itself and the surrounding environment. Further, the computer program product enables the aerosol generator to display a message with increased legibility due to the greater contrast with the surrounding environment.

[0059] Each of the plurality of generated color values can be generated randomly. A pseudo-random number generator, a random number generator, an entropy source, a hardware random number generator, a digital random number generator, or one or more of other software or hardware for generating random numbers can be used to generate numbers randomly. Each of the plurality of generated color values can be generated within a predetermined color space. For example, the predetermined color space can be a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space. Generally, the control device can generate color values, for example, within a hue, saturation, lightness (HSL) color space, a hue, saturation, value (HSV) color space, any International Commission on Illumination (CIE)-specified color space (e.g., CIE 1931 color space, CIE 1976 L * u * v * (CIELUV) color space, or CIE L * a * b * (CIELAB) color space), or can be configured to generate within any suitable color space for a light-emitting element or a display, such as other standardized color spaces. Further, the predetermined color space can be a subset of a standard color space. For example, the predetermined color space can be a subset of the RGB color space. The predetermined color space can be a part of a standard color space selected by a user of the aerosol generator. Still further, the predetermined color space can be based on the color range of one or more light-emitting devices.

[0060] Advantageously, the random generation of color values can enable the aerosol generator and system to distinguish themselves from other aerosol generators and systems. The random generation can reduce the likelihood that two or more aerosol generators or systems emit the same color (single or plural).

[0061] The color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values can be determined using any suitable technique for determining color distance. For example, the color distance can be the Euclidean distance between two color values in a color space. Generally, a color space uses three variables or color space values that can be mapped to a three-dimensional graph representing such a color space to represent various colors. The Euclidean distance between the ambient color value and the generated color value (ΔEa→g) can be determined using Equation 1, where X, Y, and Z each correspond to one of the color values of R, G, or B, the subscript g indicates the color space value of the generated color value, and the subscript a indicates the color space value of the ambient color value. Equation 1 can be used to determine the color distance between color values in any suitable color space. For example, CIELAB color space values (L * , a * , and b * ) can be assigned to X, Y, Z, respectively.

[0062] Another color distance that can be used is a hybrid of the Euclidean distance and the taxicab distance between two color values. The Euclidean-taxi cab hybrid distance can be used in a color space that includes luminance values or chrominance values. For example, Equation 2 can be used to determine the color distance between two color values, where the CIELAB color space values a * and b * are represented by X and Y, respectively, the luminance color space value L * is represented by Z, the subscript g indicates the color space value of the generated color value, and the subscript a indicates the color space value of the ambient color value.

[0063] Yet another color distance that can be used is the Hausdorff distance between two color values. Generally, the Hausdorff distance determines how far apart two subsets of a space are from each other. The Hausdorff distance can be calculated using Equations 3 - 5, where A represents the set of color space values of the ambient color values (A = {x 1 , x 2 , x 3}), and B represents the set of color space values of the generated color values (B = {y 1 , y 2 , y 3}).

[0064] The above color distance and formula can be adjusted or modified to indicate a perceptual distance. While some color spaces can be normalized based on perceptual differences, other color spaces may not be. A color space normalized based on perceptual differences allows the color distance between color values in the color space to be proportional to the perceptual difference between the color values. The perceptual difference can be based on human color perception and the general ability of humans to distinguish colors. Thus, the color distance or formula can be modified such that the resulting color distance indicates the perceptual distance between the surrounding color value and the plurality of generated color values. Even further, the above color distance and formula can be adjusted or modified to indicate perceptual differences corresponding to various types of color vision abnormalities.

[0065] One of the selected color distances among the plurality of generated color values can be the maximum color distance of the plurality of color distances. In other words, a certain color value among the plurality of generated color values that is farthest from the surrounding color value can be selected. Selecting a color value with the maximum color distance can provide a greater contrast between the aerosol generator and the environment surrounding the aerosol generator. Thus, one or more color values can be selected that enable the aerosol generator to stand out from the environment surrounding the aerosol generator.

[0066] Advantageously, by determining the color value with the maximum color distance from the surrounding color value, the perceptual difference between the aerosol generator and system and the surrounding environment can be increased. Thus, such aerosol generators and systems can be more easily located and may be less likely to be forgotten or misplaced.

[0067] The program portion can be configured to provide a plurality of generated color values to cause one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having two or more colors. The program portion can be configured to select and provide a number of color values equal to the number of light-emitting elements, the number of pixels, the number of symbols, or other quantity of elements displayed among the one or more light-emitting elements. For example, if two colors are desired, the program portion generates a second plurality of generated color values, determines the color distance between the peripheral color value and each of the second plurality of generated color values to provide a second plurality of color distances, selects one of the second plurality of generated color values based on the second plurality of color distances, and causes one or more light-emitting elements to emit light based on one of the selected ones of the plurality of generated color values and one of the selected ones of the second plurality of generated color values. In other words, the program portion can be configured to generate a set number of generated color values equal to the number of desired colors and select a certain color value from each set of generated color values based on the color distance of each generated color value with respect to the peripheral color value. Accordingly, the computer program product can cause a plurality of colors to be emitted by one or more light-emitting devices.

[0068] The program portion can be configured to select a plurality of color values and cause one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having colors corresponding to the plurality of color values. The program portion can be configured to cause each of the plurality of light-emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to a different one of the plurality of selected color values. The program portion can be configured to cause one or more light-emitting elements to sequentially emit light having colors corresponding to each of the plurality of selected color values. The program portion can be configured to repeat the sequence. The program portion can be configured to display a plurality of symbols, with the color of each symbol corresponding to one of the plurality of selected color values. The program portion can be configured to cause each of the plurality of light-emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to a different one of the plurality of selected color values.

[0069] The program portion can be configured to receive one or more user inputs using a user interface. The user interface can include one or more buttons, a graphical user interface (GUI), a touch screen, a microphone, or other input devices. The one or more user inputs can indicate a color frame, and a plurality of generated color values can be generated based on the color frame. In other words, the user input can define a predetermined color space as a subset or frame of a standard color space. The one or more user inputs can indicate one or more symbols. The program portion can be configured to provide a selected one of the plurality of generated color values and one or more symbols to cause one or more light-emitting elements to display each of the one or more symbols having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values. The one or more symbols can include one or more words.

[0070] Advantageously, the aerosol generating device and system can emit or display a combination of colors and symbols that is less likely to be replicated by other devices. Accordingly, an aerosol generating device and system can be provided that is customizable and easily distinguishable from other aerosol generating devices and systems.

[0071] As used herein, the term "color value" refers to a set of "color space values" corresponding to a "color space". For example, the color values of an RGB color space include a red space value (R), a green space value (G), and a blue space value (B).

[0072] As used herein, the term "display" refers to an electronic device including a plurality of pixels for visual presentation of one or more symbols or images. The plurality of pixels of the display used herein includes at least enough pixels to display a single character of any ASCII printable character. In one or more embodiments, the display includes at least 25 pixels.

[0073] As used herein, the term "symbol" refers to any one or more of alphanumeric characters, ASCII printable characters, icons, or other visual representations of an object, function, or process in any suitable language.

[0074] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" refers to a substrate having the ability to release a volatile compound that can form an aerosol upon heating. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate of a smoking article according to the present disclosure may be visible or invisible and may include vapor (e.g., fine particles of a substance in a gaseous state that is normally liquid or solid at room temperature) as well as gases and droplets of condensed vapor. One example of a heat-type aerosol-generating article is the IQOS HeatStick used in IQOS (also known as MARLBORO HEATSTICKS manufactured by Phillip Morris International), a heat-not-burn aerosol-generating device (also manufactured by Phillip Morris International).

[0075] The term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device configured to use or utilize an aerosol-generating article that releases a volatile compound to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user.

[0076] The terms "control device" and "processor" refer to any device or apparatus having the ability to provide suitable computing and control capabilities, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), equivalent discrete logic circuitry or integrated logic circuitry, or any combination thereof, and the ability to provide suitable data storage capabilities including any medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, a CD-ROM, a magnetic recordable medium such as a disk or tape) that may contain digital bits that may be readable and / or writable (e.g., encoded in binary or ternary, etc.).

[0077] The term "communication interface" refers to any device or instrument having the ability to provide suitable data communication capabilities between an aerosol generating device and a charger or other devices such as a computing device (e.g., various telemetry circuits and antennas, etc.), and may use one or more wired or wireless (e.g., radio frequency) data transmission protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, any protocol in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band, any protocol in the super-high frequency (SHF) band, low frequency, or combinations thereof.

Examples

[0078] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more of the features of any other example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0079] Example 1: An aerosol generating device comprising a housing having a mouthpiece element and an air inlet, an air flow channel extending within the housing between the mouthpiece element and the air inlet, a heating element fixed within the housing, one or more optical sensors disposed within the housing for detecting the color of ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device and providing a signal indicative of the color of the ambient light, one or more light emitting elements disposed on or within the housing for emitting light, and a control device comprising one or more processors operably coupled to the one or more optical sensors and the one or more light emitting elements, the control device being configured to receive a signal indicative of the color of the ambient light from the one or more optical sensors, determine a peripheral color value corresponding to the color of the ambient light based on the signal indicative of the color of the ambient light, generate a plurality of generated color values, determine a color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values for providing a plurality of color distances, select one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances, and cause the one or more light emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values. Example 2: The aerosol generator according to Example 1, wherein the control device is configured to randomly generate each of a plurality of generated color values. Example 3: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 2, wherein the control device further comprises: determining a color distance between a peripheral color value and each of a second plurality of generated color values to provide a second plurality of color distances for generating a second plurality of generated color values; selecting one of the second plurality of generated color values based on the second plurality of color distances; and causing one or more light emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values and the selected one of the second plurality of generated color values. Example 4: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the control device is configured to generate each of a plurality of generated color values within a predetermined color space. Example 5: The aerosol generator according to Example 4, wherein the predetermined color space is a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space. Example 6: The aerosol generator according to Example 4, wherein the predetermined color space is a subset of a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space. Example 7: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the color distance is a Euclidean distance. Example 8: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the color distance is a Hausdorff distance. Example 9: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the color distance of the selected one of the plurality of generated color values is the maximum color distance of the plurality of color distances. Example 10: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein a portion of the housing covers one or more light emitting elements, and the portion of the housing is transparent. Example 11: The aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the one or more light-emitting elements include one or more light-emitting diodes. Example 12: The aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the one or more light-emitting elements include a display including a plurality of pixels. Example 13: The aerosol generating device according to Example 12, wherein the control device is further configured to cause the display to display one or more symbols based on a selected one of the plurality of generated color values. Example 14: The aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the heating element is disposed and configured to fit into and heat the aerosol generating article. Example 15: A system comprising: an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a housing having a mouthpiece element and an air inlet; an air flow channel extending within the housing between the mouthpiece element and the air inlet; a heating element fixed along the air flow channel within the housing; one or more light-emitting elements disposed on or within the housing for emitting light; one or more optical sensors for detecting the color of ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generating device and providing a signal indicative of the color of the ambient light; and a computing device comprising one or more processors operably coupled to the one or more optical sensors and the aerosol generating device, the computing device configured to receive a signal indicative of the color of the ambient light from the one or more optical sensors, determine a peripheral color value corresponding to the color of the ambient light based on the signal indicative of the color of the ambient light, generate a plurality of generated color values, determine a color distance between the peripheral color value and each of the plurality of generated color values to provide a plurality of color distances, select one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances, and provide the selected one of the plurality of generated color values to the aerosol generating device to cause the one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values. Example 16: The computing device further comprises a user interface configured to receive user input, and the computing device is further configured to receive one or more user inputs using the user interface, the system according to Example 15. Example 17: One or more user inputs indicate a color frame, and a plurality of generated color values are generated based on the color frame, the system according to Example 16. Example 18: One or more user inputs indicate one or more symbols, and the computing device is further configured to provide a selected one of the plurality of generated color values and one or more symbols to cause one or more light-emitting elements to display one or more symbols having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values, the system according to any one of Examples 16 or 17. Example 19: One or more symbols include one or more words, the system according to Example 18. Example 20: One or more optical sensors are disposed on or within the housing of the aerosol generator, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 19. Example 21: The optical sensor is disposed on or within the computing device, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 19. Example 22: The computing device comprises a charger for the aerosol generator, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 21. Example 23: The computing device is configured to randomly generate each of the plurality of generated color values, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 22. Example 24: The computing device is further configured to generate a second plurality of generated color values, to provide a second plurality of color distances by determining a color distance between a peripheral color value and each of the second plurality of generated color values, to select one of the second plurality of generated color values based on the second plurality of color distances, and to cause one or more light-emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values and the selected one of the second plurality of generated color values, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 23. Example 25: Each of the plurality of generated color values is generated within a predetermined color space, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 24. Example 26: The predetermined color space is a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space, the system according to Example 25. Example 27: The predetermined color space is a subset of a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space, the system according to Example 25. Example 28: The color distance is a Euclidean distance, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 27. Example 29: The color distance is a Hausdorff distance, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 27. Example 30: The distance of the selected one of the plurality of generated color values is the maximum distance of the plurality of color distances, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 29. Example 31: A portion of the housing covers one or more light-emitting elements, and a portion of the housing is transparent, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 30. Example 32: The one or more light-emitting elements include one or more light-emitting diodes, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 31. Example 33: The one or more light-emitting elements include a display including a plurality of pixels, the system according to any one of Examples 15 to 32. Example 34: The system of Example 33, wherein the computing device is further configured to cause the display to display one or more symbols having a color corresponding to one of the plurality of generated color values. Example 35: A method comprising: receiving, from one or more optical sensors, a signal indicative of the color of ambient light in an environment surrounding an aerosol generating device; determining an ambient color value corresponding to the color of the ambient light based on the signal indicative of the color of the ambient light; generating a plurality of generated color values; determining a color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values to provide a plurality of color distances; selecting one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances; and providing, to one or more light emitting elements of the aerosol generating device, one of the plurality of generated color values having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values. Example 36: The method of Example 35, wherein each of the plurality of generated color values is generated randomly. Example 37: The method according to any one of Examples 35 or 36, further comprising: generating a second plurality of generated color values; determining a color distance between the ambient color value and each of the second plurality of generated color values to provide a second plurality of color distances; selecting one of the second plurality of generated color values based on the second plurality of color distances; and providing, to the one or more light emitting elements, one of the plurality of generated color values having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values and one of the second plurality of generated color values having a color corresponding to the selected one of the second plurality of generated color values, to cause the one or more light emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values and the selected one of the second plurality of generated color values. Example 38: The method according to any one of Examples 35 to 37, wherein each of the plurality of generated color values is generated randomly. Example 39: The method according to any one of Examples 35 to 38, wherein each of the plurality of generated color values is generated within a predetermined color space. Example 40: The method according to Example 39, wherein the predetermined color space is the RGB color space. Example 41: The method according to Example 39, wherein the predetermined color space is a subset of the RGB color space. Example 42: The method according to any one of Examples 35 to 41, wherein the color distance is the Euclidean distance. Example 43: The method according to any one of Examples 35 to 41, wherein the color distance is the Hausdorff distance. Example 44: The method according to any one of Examples 35 to 43, wherein a selected one of the plurality of generated color values is the maximum color distance among the plurality of color distances. Example 45: A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a program code portion stored thereon, the program code portion being configured to receive, when the program product is executed on a computer or a network device, a signal indicating the color of ambient light in an environment surrounding an aerosol generator from one or more optical sensors, determine a peripheral color value corresponding to the color of the ambient light based on the signal indicating the color of the ambient light, generate a plurality of generated color values, determine a color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values to provide a plurality of color distances, select one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances, and provide the aerosol generator with a selected one of the plurality of generated color values in order to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values to one or more light emitting elements of the aerosol generator. Example 46: The computer program product according to Example 45, wherein the program code portion is configured to randomly generate each of the plurality of generated color values when the program product is executed on a computer or a network device. Example 47: The program code portion is further configured such that, when the program product is executed on a computer or a network device, it generates a second plurality of generated color values, provides a second plurality of color distances, determines a color distance between a peripheral color value and each of the second plurality of generated color values, selects one of the second plurality of generated color values based on the second plurality of color distances, and provides one of the selected generated color values among the plurality of generated color values and one of the selected generated color values among the second plurality of generated color values to cause one or more light emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values and the selected one of the second plurality of generated color values, a computer program product according to any one of Examples 45 or 46. Example 48: The program code portion is configured to generate each of the plurality of generated color values within a predetermined color space when the program product is executed on a computer or a network device, a computer program product according to any one of Examples 45 to 47. Example 49: The predetermined color space is a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space, a computer program product according to Example 48. Example 50: The predetermined color space is a subset of a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space, a computer program product according to Example 48. Example 51: The color distance is a Euclidean distance, a computer program product according to any one of Examples 45 to 50. Example 52: The color distance is a Hausdorff distance, a computer program product according to any one of Examples 45 to 50. Example 53: The color distance of one of the selected generated color values among the plurality of generated color values is the maximum color distance of the plurality of color distances, a computer program product according to any one of Examples 45 to 52.

[0080] Here, the examples will be further described with reference to the figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0081]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0082] Figures 1 - 3 show system 100 and aerosol generating device 102. Figure 1 shows system 100 including an aerosol generating device. Figure 2 shows aerosol generating device 102 in more detail. Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of system 100. System 100 includes aerosol generating device 102 and charger 140.

[0083] Aerosol generating device 102 includes housing 104, one or more light emitting elements 106, one or more optical sensors 108, user interface 110, control device 112, and communication interface 114. Housing 104 includes mouthpiece element 116 and air inlet 118. Air flow channel 119 extends within the housing between mouthpiece element 116 and air inlet 118. Heating element 120 is fixed within the housing. Heating element 120 is arranged and configured to fit and heat aerosol generating article 122. Aerosol generating device 102 also includes a power source (not shown), such as a battery, to supply power to and heat heating element 120.

[0084] The charger 140 includes a charger housing 142, one or more light-emitting elements 144, an optical sensor 146, a user interface 148, a control device 150, and a communication interface 152. The charger housing 142 also includes a charging device (not shown) for charging the aerosol generator 102.

[0085] The system 100 may also include a computing device 160. The computing device 160 may be, for example, any fixed or mobile computer system (e.g., a personal computer, a tablet computer, a mobile device, a cellular phone, a wearable device). The exact configuration of the computing device 160 is not limiting and, in essence, any device having suitable computing and control capabilities (e.g., generation of color values, determination of color distances between generated color values and surrounding color values, control of light-emitting elements for emitting colored light, or other methods and processes described herein) may be used. Further, it is envisioned that various peripheral devices such as a computer display, a mouse, a keyboard, a memory, a printer, a scanner, or other peripheral devices may be used in combination with the computing device 160. The computing device 160 includes a display 162, an optical sensor 164, a user interface 166, one or more processors 168, and a communication interface 170.

[0086] One or more light-emitting elements 106 may be disposed on or within the housing 104 to emit light. Similarly, one or more light-emitting elements 144 may be disposed within or on the charger housing 142. One or more light-emitting elements 106, 144 may be configured to emit light of any color within the visible light spectrum. One or more light-emitting elements 106, 144 may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light sources. Further, one or more light-emitting elements 106, 144 may include a display including a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels may be defined by a plurality of light-emitting diodes, a liquid crystal display panel, or other types of display devices. The plurality of pixels may be arranged such that one or more light-emitting elements 106, 144 can display any alphanumeric characters, symbols, or ASCII characters. One or more light-emitting elements 106, 144 may also display images and animations in any suitable color(s).

[0087] The optical sensor 108 is disposed within the housing 104 and detects the color of ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generator 102. The environment surrounding the aerosol generator 102 may refer to the space in which the aerosol generator 102 is located. The environment surrounding the aerosol generator 102 may refer to the space within about 5 meters of the radius of the aerosol generator 102, one or more surfaces, or one or more objects. The ambient light may include light emitted from a nearby light source or reflected light from a surface or object within the ambient environment. The optical sensor 108 may include any suitable device for receiving light from the environment surrounding the aerosol generator 102 and providing a signal representative of the color of the ambient light.

[0088] Similarly, the optical sensor 146 is disposed within the charger housing 142 to detect the color of ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generation system 100 or the aerosol generator 102. The computing device 160 also includes an optical sensor 164 that can sense the ambient light in the environment surrounding the aerosol generation system 100 or the aerosol generator 102. It may include any suitable device or devices for receiving the ambient light and providing a signal representative of the color of the ambient light.

[0089] The optical sensors 108, 146, 164 may include one or more filters, one or more photodiodes, one or more optical intensity sensors, or other optical sensing devices. A signal representing the color of ambient light may include one or more voltage signals. Each of the one or more voltage signals may represent a color value mapped in a color space. For example, each of the optical sensors 108, 146, 164 may include three band-pass filters. As a result, the first band-pass filter of the three band-pass filters allows red light to pass through it, the second band-pass filter of the three band-pass filters allows green light to pass through it, and the third band-pass filter of the three band-pass filters allows blue light to pass through it. The optical intensity sensor may correspond to each filter such that voltages corresponding to the intensities of red, green, and blue are provided.

[0090] The user interfaces 110, 148, 166 may be configured to receive user input. The user interfaces 110, 148, 166 may include one or more buttons, a graphical user interface, a touch screen, a microphone, or other input devices.

[0091] The control device 112 of the aerosol generator 102 may include one or more processors and may be operably coupled to one or more display elements 106 and optical sensors 108, providing suitable computing power and control capabilities (e.g., receiving sensor signals, generating color values, and other processes described herein). The control device 112 may also be operably coupled to the user interface 110 to receive user input.

[0092] Similarly, the control device 150 of the charger 140 may include one or more processors and may be operably coupled to one or more display elements 144 and optical sensors 146, providing suitable computing and control capabilities (e.g., receiving sensor signals, generating color values, and other processes described herein). The control device 150 may also be operably coupled to the user interface 148 to receive user input.

[0093] Each of the aerosol generator 102, the charger 140, and the computing device 160 includes communication interfaces 114, 152, 170, providing communication capabilities with each other or with other computing devices or apparatuses. For example, user input may be received at the computing device 160 and transmitted to the aerosol generator. In other embodiments, the computing device 160 may receive a signal indicating the color of ambient light from the aerosol generator 102 or the charger 140 and perform the methods described herein (e.g., determining a peripheral color value corresponding to the color of ambient light based on the signal indicating the color of ambient light, generating a plurality of generated color values, determining a color distance between the color of ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values to provide a plurality of color distances, selecting one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances, or other steps or processes described herein). The computing device 160 may provide one of the selected ones of the plurality of generated color values to the aerosol generator 102 to cause the one or more light-emitting elements 106 to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values. Alternatively, the control device 150 of the charger 140 may receive a signal indicating the color of ambient light from the aerosol generator 102 and perform the methods described herein.

[0094] A schematic block diagram of another aerosol generation system 200 according to the embodiments described in this specification is shown in FIG. 4. The aerosol generation system 200 may include a computing device or processor 202, one or more light emitting elements 210, and an optical sensor 212. Generally, the one or more light emitting elements 210 may be operatively coupled to the computing device 202 and may include any suitable circuit or device configured to emit light similar to the light emitting elements 106, 144 of FIGS. 1-3. For example, the one or more light emitting elements 210 may include one or more LEDs or displays. The one or more light emitting elements 210 may be disposed within or included in an aerosol generator, or a charger such as the aerosol generator 102 or the charger 140.

[0095] The aerosol generation system 200 further includes an optical sensor 212. The optical sensor may be operatively coupled to the computing device 202 and may include any suitable circuit or device configured to detect the color of ambient light similar to the optical sensors 108, 146, 164. For example, the optical sensor 212 may include one or more filters, one or more photodiodes, one or more optical intensity sensors, or other optical sensing devices. The optical sensor 212 may be disposed within or included in an aerosol generator, or a charger such as the aerosol generator 102 or the charger 140.

[0096] Furthermore, the computing device 202 includes a data storage device 204. The data storage device 204 enables access to a processing program, routine, or computer program product 206, and one or more other types of data 208 that can be used to implement techniques, processes, and algorithms for selecting and providing color values based on color distances from peripheral color values. For example, the processing program or routine 206 may include a program or routine for determining to provide / determine color values, determine color distances, generate color values, filter noise, transmit data, receive data, thresholds, computational mathematics, matrix mathematics, Fourier transforms, compression algorithms, calibration algorithms, color space conversions, inversion algorithms, signal processing algorithms, normalization algorithms, deconvolution algorithms, averaging algorithms, standardization algorithms, comparison algorithms, vector mathematics, or any other processing necessary to implement one or more embodiments described herein.

[0097] The data 208 may include, for example, signal data, color space data, color value data, color distance data, color frames, calibration data, resistance calculations, device settings, error bit states, history data, thresholds, arrays, meshes, grids, variables, counters, statistical estimates of the accuracy of results, results from one or more processing programs or routines employed in connection with the present disclosure herein, or any other data that may be necessary to implement one or more processes or techniques described herein.

[0098] In one or more embodiments, the aerosol generation system 200 can be controlled using one or more computer programs implemented on a programmable computer, such as a computer including a processing capability (e.g., a microcontroller, a programmable logic device, etc.), a data storage device (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, and / or storage elements), an input device, and an output device. The program code and / or logic described herein can be applied to input data to perform the functions described herein and generate the desired output information. The output information can be applied as input to one or more other devices and / or processes as described herein, or as applied in a well-known manner.

[0099] The computer program product used to implement the processes described herein can be provided using any programmable language, such as a high-level procedural language and / or an object-oriented programming language suitable for communication with a computer system. Such any program product can be stored, for example, on any suitable device, such as a storage medium readable by a general-purpose or special-purpose program, a computer, or a processor device for configuring and operating a computer when read by a suitable device to perform the procedures described herein. In other words, in at least one embodiment, the aerosol generation system 200 can be controlled using a computer-readable storage medium configured with a computer program, and such a configured storage medium causes the computer to operate in a specific and predetermined manner to perform the functions described herein.

[0100] The computing device 202 can be any fixed or mobile computer system, such as, for example, a personal computer or a minicomputer. The exact configuration of the computing device is not limited, and essentially, any device capable of providing suitable computing power and control capabilities can be used. Further, the computing device 202 can be incorporated into the aerosol generating device 102 or the charger 140. Additionally, various peripheral devices such as a computer display, a mouse, a keyboard, a memory, a printer, a scanner, etc. are envisioned to be used in combination with the computing device 202. Further, in one or more embodiments, the data 208 can be analyzed by a user or used by another machine that provides an output based thereon. As described herein, a digital file can be any volatile or non-volatile medium containing digital bits that can be read and / or written by the computing device 202 described herein. Also, as described herein, a user-readable format file can be any representation of data (e.g., ASCII text, binary, hexadecimal, decimal, audio, graphical) that can be presented on any medium (e.g., paper, display, sound wave) readable and / or understandable by a user.

[0101] In view of the above, it will be readily apparent that the functions described in one or more embodiments according to the present disclosure can be implemented in any manner well-known to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the computer language, computer system, or any other software / hardware used to implement the processes described herein is not limited to the scope of the systems, processes, or programs described herein (e.g., the functions provided by such systems, processes, or programs).

[0102] The techniques or various components described in this disclosure, including those arising from this system, may be implemented, at least in part, in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, various aspects of this technology may be executed by a computing device 202, which may use one or more processors, such as, for example, one or more microprocessors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, CPLDs, microcontrollers, or any other equivalent integrated circuit or discrete logic circuit, as well as any combination of such components, an image processing device, or other devices. The terms "processing device", "processor", or "processing circuit" generally may refer to any of the foregoing logic circuits, either alone or in combination with other logic circuits, or any other equivalent circuit. Further, the use of the term "processor" is not intended to be limited to the use of a single processor, but rather is intended to mean that at least one processor may be used to implement the techniques and processes described herein.

[0103] Such hardware, software, and / or firmware may be implemented within the same device or within separate devices to assist with the various operations and functions described in this disclosure. Additionally, any of the described components may be implemented together or separately as individual but interoperable logic devices. The description of different features is intended, for example, using block diagrams, to highlight different functional aspects, and does not necessarily mean that such features must be implemented by separate hardware or software components. Rather, the functions may be implemented by separate hardware or software components, or integrated within common or separate hardware or software components.

[0104] The functions resulting from the systems, apparatuses, and techniques described in this disclosure, when implemented in software, can be embodied as instructions on a computer-readable medium such as RAM, ROM, NVRAM, EEPROM, flash memory, magnetic data storage media, optical data storage media, or the like. The instructions can be executed by a computing device 202 to assist with one or more aspects of the functions described in this disclosure.

[0105] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc. are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A ± 10 percent of A. Within this context, the number A can be considered to include numerical values within the general standard error of the measurement of the property being modified by the number A. The number A can deviate by the percentages recited above in some instances as used in the appended claims, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not substantially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a housing having a mouthpiece element and an air inlet; an air flow channel extending within the housing between the mouthpiece element and the air inlet; a heating element fixed to the housing; one or more optical sensors disposed within the housing for detecting the color of ambient light in an environment surrounding the aerosol generating device and providing a signal indicative of the color of the ambient light; one or more light emitting elements disposed on or within the housing for emitting light; a control device comprising one or more processors operably coupled to the one or more optical sensors and the one or more light emitting elements, the control device being configured to: receive the signal indicative of the color of the ambient light from the one or more optical sensors; determine a peripheral color value corresponding to the color of the ambient light based on the signal indicative of the color of the ambient light; generate a plurality of generated color values; determine a color distance between the color of the ambient light and each of the plurality of generated color values to provide a plurality of color distances; select one of the plurality of generated color values based on the plurality of color distances; and cause the one or more light emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to randomly generate each of the plurality of generated color values.

3. The control device is further configured to: generate a second plurality of generated color values; determine a color distance between the peripheral color value and each of the second plurality of generated color values to provide a second plurality of color distances; select one of the second plurality of generated color values based on the second plurality of color distances; and cause the one or more light emitting elements to emit light having a color corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of generated color values and the selected one of the second plurality of generated color values.

4. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device is configured to generate each of the plurality of generated color values within a predetermined color space.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined color space is a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined color space is a subset of a red, green, and blue (RGB) color space.

7. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the color distance is a Euclidean distance.

8. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the color distance is a Hausdorff distance.

9. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the selected one of the plurality of generated color values is the maximum color distance among the plurality of color distances.

10. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a part of the housing covers the one or more light emitting elements, and the part of the housing is transparent.

11. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the one or more light emitting elements include one or more light emitting diodes.

12. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the one or more light emitting elements include a display including a plurality of pixels.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein the control device is further configured to cause the display to display one or more symbols based on the selected one of the plurality of generated color values.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 13, wherein the one or more symbols include one or more words.

15. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the heating element is disposed and configured to fit into and heat an aerosol generating article.

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