Charging device and information processing system

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a computing device connects to a charging accessory device and collects charging session data. Communication between the computing device and the charging accessory device requires a predetermined power consumption. Since the capacity of the power storage device of the charging accessory device is limited, a situation where the above power consumption should be reduced may occur.

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

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

[0007] This disclosure also aims to provide technology for properly establishing communication connections between a charging device and a terminal device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, there is a method for operating a terminal device that communicates with a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device, the method comprising: obtaining charging information relating to the battery of the charging device from the charging device; determining the charging status of the battery based on the charging information; and determining whether or not communication between the terminal device and the charging device is permitted based on the charging status.

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

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

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

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

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

[0014] In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of notifying the user to establish a communication connection if a communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device has not been established for a predetermined period of time or longer.

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

[0016] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a program is provided that causes a terminal device communicating with a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device to perform the above-described method.

[0017] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging device for charging an aerosol generator is provided, comprising a battery, a power interface for supplying power to the battery, a control unit, and a communication unit. The control unit is configured to transmit charging information relating to the battery to a terminal device that communicates with the charging device via the communication unit, and to receive from the terminal device information regarding whether or not communication between the terminal device and the charging device is possible, which is determined by the terminal device based on the charging status of the battery determined from the charging information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0024] In one embodiment, the charging device further includes a charging port for supplying power to the aerosol generating device, a first path between the battery and the charging port for supplying power from the battery to the aerosol generating device, and a second path between the power interface and the charging port for supplying power from the power interface to the aerosol generating device without passing through the battery.

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

[0026] In one embodiment, the charging device further includes a first notification unit for notifying the charging status of the battery of the aerosol generating device, and a second notification unit for notifying the charging status of the battery of the charging device.

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

Advantages of the Invention

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

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] A system including a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device and a terminal device that communicates with the charging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] An example of a notification that occurs during the processing shown in Figure 6 is presented. [Figure 8A] This is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] This is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8C] This is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] An example of a notification that occurs during the processing shown in Figure 8C is presented. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] An example of a notification that occurs during the processing shown in Figure 10 is presented. [Figure 12] This is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] This example shows how a terminal device provides information to a user based on information obtained from an aerosol generator. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device and a terminal device that communicates with the charging device.

[0032] System 100 includes charging devices 102A and 102B (hereinafter collectively referred to as "charging device 102"), terminal devices 104A and 104B (hereinafter collectively referred to as "terminal device 104"), aerosol generators 106A and 106B (hereinafter collectively referred to as "aerosol generator 106"), server 108, and power supply 110.

[0033] In embodiments of this disclosure, the aerosol generator 106 may include, but is not limited to, a device for inhaling an e-cigarette, a device for inhaling a heated tobacco product, and a nebulizer. The aerosol generator 106 may include various devices for generating an aerosol for the user to inhale.

[0034] The aerosol generator 106A receives power from the charging device 102A and generates an aerosol for the user to inhale. The charging device 102A may be powered by the power supply 110.

[0035] The terminal device 104 may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, mobile phone, personal computer, or other electronic device. In system 100, the terminal device 104 is configured to communicate with a server 108 located on a global network (cloud network) via a wired or wireless connection.

[0036] As indicated by the dotted line drawn between the charging device 102A and the terminal device 104A, the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 are configured to communicate with each other via a local network such as Bluetooth®. Furthermore, the charging device 102 may be configured to receive power from the USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal of the terminal device 104, as indicated by the solid line drawn between the charging device 102B and the terminal device 104B.

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a charging device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the charging device 102 includes a control unit 202, a communication unit 204, a storage unit 206, a battery 208, a charging port 210, a power interface 212, a first notification unit 214, and a second notification unit 216.

[0038] The communication unit 204 is an interface that provides functions for connecting the charging device 102 to the terminal device 104. For example, the communication unit 204 may be a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) module, but the configuration of the communication unit 204 is not limited to this. The communication unit 204 may be configured to communicate with the terminal device 104 according to other communication standards such as Wi-Fi.

[0039] The memory unit 206 stores various types of information obtained or generated by the control unit 202.

[0040] The power interface 212 is an interface that provides the function of supplying power from a power source 110, such as a personal computer (PC) or a USB outlet, to the charging device 102. The power interface 212 is, for example, a USB interface, and power is supplied via a USB connection. In this case, the power interface 212 receives power through a USB terminal on a device such as a PC, or via a USB outlet. The power interface 212 is not limited to a USB interface; it can also be a Micro USB interface. The charging device 102 may have various interfaces that can supply power, such as a USB interface, a power plug, or an interface that enables contactless charging.

[0041] Battery 208 is a rechargeable battery that is charged by power supplied from a device connected to the charger 102 via the power interface 212. Battery 208 may be, for example, a Li-Po battery. Battery 208 may also have the function of supplying power to the aerosol generator 106 connected to the charging port 210.

[0042] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an aerosol generator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the aerosol generator 106 includes a battery 302. Although not shown, the aerosol generator 106 may include various components such as a storage unit for storing an aerosol source, an atomizing unit for generating aerosols from the aerosol source, and a control unit for controlling the components within the aerosol generator 106. The battery 302 is a rechargeable battery that is charged by power supplied from a charging device 102. The battery 302 is, for example, a Li-Po (lithium-ion polymer) battery. The battery 302 supplies power to each part of the aerosol generator 106.

[0043] Returning to Figure 2, the charging port 210 is configured to allow the aerosol generator 106 to be connected to the charging device 102. In one example, the charging port 210 is configured to physically contact or connect to the aerosol generator 106 and is used to supply power to the aerosol generator 106. The charging port 210 may be configured to physically contact or connect to the aerosol generator 106, for example, by a screw terminal. Alternatively, the charging port 210 may be configured to supply power to the aerosol generator 106 by other means, such as connection via cable or contactless power supply, without physical contact with the aerosol generator 106. The charging port 210 may also be used to send and receive information between the charging device 102 and the aerosol generator 106.

[0044] As shown in the figure, the charging device 102 may include a first path 224 between the battery 208 and the charging port 210 for supplying power from the battery 208 to the aerosol generator 106 via the charging port 210. The charging device 102 may also include a second path 226 between the power interface 212 and the charging port 210 for supplying power from the power interface 212 to the aerosol generator 106 via the charging port 210 without going through the battery 208.

[0045] The control unit 202 controls each component of the charging device 102. For example, the control unit 202 may include a battery control unit 218 for controlling the power supply to the battery 208 of the charging device 102 and the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106, a notification control unit 220 for controlling the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216, and an information acquisition unit 222 for acquiring various information such as the remaining charge of the battery 208. Alternatively, the control unit 202 may be configured to have functions equivalent to these components.

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

[0047] The first notification unit 214 is configured to notify information (such as the remaining charge) regarding the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106. The second notification unit 216 is configured to notify information (such as the remaining charge) regarding the battery 208 of the charger 102. In one example, the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216 may include multiple LEDs. In another example, the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216 may include a speaker, a vibrator, and so on.

[0048] The notification control unit 220 controls the first notification unit 214 to notify information regarding the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106. In one example, the first notification unit 214 may include five surface-mounted miniature white LEDs. This configuration is just one example, and a different number of LEDs or a different light source configuration may be used. In this case, the notification control unit 220 may blink the first LED when the remaining charge of the battery 302 is less than 20% of the maximum value, light up the first LED and blink the second LED when the remaining charge is 20% or more but less than 40%, light up the first and second LEDs and blink the third LED when the remaining charge is 40% or more but less than 60%, light up the first to third LEDs and blink the fourth LED when the remaining charge is 60% or more but less than 80%, light up the first to fourth LEDs and blink the fifth LED when the remaining charge is 80% or more but less than 100%, and light up the first to fifth LEDs when the battery 302 is fully charged. In another example, if the first notification unit 214 includes a speaker, the notification control unit 220 may control the first notification unit 214 to output the information to be notified as sound. In yet another example, if the first notification unit 214 includes a vibrator, the notification control unit 220 may control the first notification unit 214 to output the information to be notified as vibration.

[0049] The notification control unit 220 controls the second notification unit 216 to notify information regarding the battery 208 of the charging device 102. The second notification unit 216 may include five surface-mounted miniature white LEDs. This configuration is merely an example, and a different number of LEDs or a different light source configuration may be used. In this example, while the battery 208 is charging, the notification control unit 220 may blink the first LED when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum value, light up the first LED and blink the second LED when the remaining charge is 20% or more but less than 40%, light up the first and second LEDs and blink the third LED when the remaining charge is 40% or more but less than 60%, light up the first to third LEDs and blink the fourth LED when the remaining charge is 60% or more but less than 80%, and light up the first to fourth LEDs and blink the fifth LED when the remaining charge is 80% or more but less than 100%. Furthermore, when the battery 208 is not being charged, the notification control unit 220 may light up the first LED when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum value, light up the first and second LEDs when the remaining charge is 20% or more but less than 40%, light up the first to third LEDs when the remaining charge is 40% or more but less than 60%, light up the first to fourth LEDs when the remaining charge is 60% or more but less than 80%, and light up the first to fifth LEDs when the remaining charge is 80% or more but less than 100%. Note that the first to fifth LEDs may also be lit when the battery 208 is fully charged. The notification control unit 220 may also light up predetermined LEDs in a manner that is associated with the error when an error occurs. In other examples, if the second notification unit 216 includes a speaker, a vibrator, etc., the notification control unit 220 may control the second notification unit 216 in the same manner as described above with respect to the first notification unit 214.

[0050] The information acquisition unit 222 acquires information regarding the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106, information regarding the battery 208 of the charging device 102, and so on. The battery information may include various information such as the remaining charge level of the battery, information regarding the decrease in battery level, the time required to charge the battery, information indicating battery degradation, the number of times the battery has been charged, the time elapsed since the last time the battery was charged, and the date and time when charging of the battery was completed and its history. The information acquisition unit 222 may also acquire information indicating that the aerosol generator 106 is connected to the charging device 102. The information indicating that the aerosol generator 106 is connected to the charging device 102 may include information regarding the date and time when the aerosol generator 106 was connected to the charging device 102 and its history. The information acquisition unit 222 may also acquire information indicating that the charging device 102 is connected to the power supply 110. The information indicating that the charging device 102 is connected to the power supply 110 may include information regarding the date and time when the charging device 102 was connected to the power supply 110 and its history.

[0051] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The terminal device 104 comprises a control unit 402, a first communication unit 404, a second communication unit 405, a storage unit 406, and a notification unit 408. The control unit 402 may also include a notification control unit 410, an information processing unit 412, and an information acquisition unit 414. The control unit 402 may be configured to perform functions equivalent to these components instead of having these components. In this case, the server 108 may provide the terminal 104 with programs, data, etc., to cause the control unit 402 to perform functions equivalent to these components. The programs may be provided in a form that is installed on the terminal device 104 (a so-called "application (app)").

[0052] The control unit 402 controls the first communication unit 404 to communicate with the communication unit 204 of the charging device 102. The control unit 402 also controls the second communication unit 405 to communicate with the communication unit (described later) of the server 108. The control unit 402 uses the information acquisition unit 414 to acquire various information from these communications, including information about batteries 208 and 302. The control unit 402 uses the information processing unit 412 to process the acquired information.

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

[0054] In one example, the notification unit 408 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. In this example, the control unit 402 causes the information obtained by the information acquisition unit 414 and / or the information processing unit 412 to be displayed on the display device. This allows information to be presented to the user. Such information may include, for example, various information related to the battery, specifically, the remaining battery charge, information warning of low battery level, information prompting the battery to be charged, the time required to charge the battery, information indicating battery degradation, the number of times the battery has been charged (per day, per week, per month, etc.), and the time elapsed since the battery was last charged. The notification unit 408 may also present such information to the user by displaying it as a banner or pop-up on the display device. Alternatively, the notification unit 408 may present such information to the user as a push notification from an application.

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

[0056] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a server according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The server 108 may include a control unit 502, a communication unit 504, and a storage unit 506. Unit 504 communicates with the second communication unit 405 of the terminal device 104 via the internet or the like. The communication unit 504 may be capable of communicating with multiple terminal devices 104. The control unit 502 may receive various information from the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 504, including information about batteries 208 and 302, and store this information in the storage unit 506.

[0057] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the description assumes that the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 performs all steps. However, it should be noted that some steps may be performed by other components of the terminal device 104. It will also be understood that this embodiment can be implemented as a program that causes a computer, such as the terminal device 104, to perform the method, or as a computer-readable storage medium storing such a program. The same applies to the examples described with respect to Figures 8A, 8B, 8C, and 10 below.

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

[0059] The process proceeds to step 604, where the control unit 402 determines the charging status of the battery 208 based on the charging information obtained in step 602. Here, the charging status may include the remaining charge of the battery 208, battery degradation, the number of times the battery has been charged, and the time elapsed since the battery was last charged.

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

[0061] The process proceeds to step 606, where the control unit 402 determines whether or not to allow communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 based on the charging status obtained in step 604. Specific examples will be described later.

[0062] Since the process in Figure 6 is performed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the process in Figure 6. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to transmit charging information regarding the battery 208 to the terminal device 104 that communicates with the charging device 102 via the communication unit 204, and to receive from the terminal device 104 information regarding whether or not communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 is possible, which is determined by the terminal device 104 based on the charging status of the battery 208 determined from the charging information.

[0063] Figure 8A is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing of steps 802A and 804A is the same as the processing of steps 602 and 604 in Figure 6, so the explanation is omitted.

[0064] In step 806A, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than a first threshold, based on the charge status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804A. If the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the first threshold ("Y" in step 806A), the process proceeds to step 808A. The first threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is an example and is not limited to this value. In step 808A, the control unit 402 sends charge information to the terminal device 104. The control unit 402 instructs the charging device 102 not to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104. On the other hand, if the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold ("N" in step 806A), the process proceeds to step 810A. In step 810A, the control unit 402 instructs the charging device 102 not to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104.

[0065] Since the process shown in Figure 8A is performed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the process shown in Figure 8A. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to send charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and not send charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold.

[0066] Furthermore, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may instruct the charging device 102 to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208, if the battery 208 is receiving power via the power interface 212 of the charging device 102. The charging device 102 (or the control unit 202 of the charging device 102) may be configured to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208, if the battery 208 is receiving power via the power interface 212.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may instruct the charging device 102 to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208 when a communication connection with the charging device 102 is first established. The charging device 102 (or the control unit 202 of the charging device 102) may be configured to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208 when a communication connection with the terminal device 104 is first established.

[0068] Figure 8B is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing in steps 802B and 804B is the same as in steps 602 and 604, so the explanation is omitted.

[0069] In step 806B, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold, based on the charge status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804B. The second threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is an example and is not limited to this value. If the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold ("Y" in step 806B), the process proceeds to step 808B. In step 808B, the control unit 402 disconnects the communication connection with the charging device 102. On the other hand, if the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the second threshold ("N" in step 806B), the process returns to before step 802B.

[0070] Since the process in Figure 8B is performed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the process in Figure 8B. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to disconnect the communication connection with the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold. Alternatively, the processes in Figure 8A and Figure 8B may be combined, and the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may be configured to instruct the charging device 102 not to send charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, and to disconnect the communication connection with the charging device 102 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold. In this case, the first threshold is assumed to be a value greater than the second threshold. Alternatively, the system may be configured to not transmit charging information to the terminal device 104, and to disconnect the communication connection with the terminal device 104 if the remaining charge of the battery 208 is below the second threshold.

[0071] Figure 8C is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing in steps 802C and 804C is the same as in steps 602 and 604, so the explanation is omitted.

[0072] In step 806C, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold, based on the charge status of the battery 208 obtained in step 804C. The third threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is an example and is not limited to this value. If the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold ("Y" in step 806C), the process proceeds to step 808C. In step 808C, the control unit 402 issues a notification prompting the user to charge the battery 208. In response to this notification, the user may connect the power interface 212 of the charging device 102 to the power supply 110 and charge the battery 208. Alternatively, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to charge the battery 208 in response to instructions from the terminal device 104. Therefore, when the user operates the terminal device 104 (or a program installed on the terminal device 104) in response to the notification, and the instruction is sent to the charging device 102, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may charge the battery 208.

[0073] Figure 9 shows an example of a notification that takes place in step 808C. The control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 displays a message 904 on the notification unit 408 (in this example, the display 902) that contains, for example, "The battery level of the charging device is low. Please charge it."

[0074] Returning to Figure 8C, if the remaining charge of battery 208 is above the third threshold ("N" in step 806C), the process returns to before step 802C.

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

[0076] Figure 10 is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1002, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the end of the last communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102. If it is determined that a predetermined period has elapsed ("Y" in step 1002), the process proceeds to step 1004. In step 1004, the control unit 402 sends a notification prompting the user to establish a communication connection. In response to this notification, the user operates the terminal device 104 (or a program installed on the terminal device 104) to establish a communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102. At this time, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may also send an instruction to the charging device 102 to establish the communication connection. The control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to establish a communication connection in response to this instruction.

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

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

[0079] Since the process in Figure 10 is performed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the process in Figure 10. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to make a communication connection with the terminal device 104 in response to an instruction from the terminal device 104 to make a communication connection if a communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 has not been made for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0080] In the embodiments of this disclosure, when the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 are communicating, the terminal device 104 periodically receives charging information from the charging device 102 and stores the charging information in the storage unit 406 or the like.

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

[0082] In embodiments of this disclosure, the processing performed by the terminal device 104 (or processing performed by the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 or processing performed by a program installed on the terminal device 104) may include many more types of processing.

[0083] For example, terminal device 104 may notify the user to charge the battery 208 of charging device 102 when the battery level is about to run out. For example, terminal device 104 may notify the user when the battery level of battery 208 falls below 20% of its maximum value. Alternatively, terminal 104 may notify the user of a low battery alert when the battery 208 of charging device 102 runs out of charge.

[0084] In one example, the terminal device 104 may notify the completion of charging when the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106 or the battery 208 of the charging device 102 has finished charging. For example, the terminal device 104 may communicate with the charging device 102 at all times while the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is being powered via the power interface 212, and obtain information regarding the charging status of batteries 208 and 302. The terminal device 104 may also notify the completion of each charging stage when the batteries 208 and / or 302 have reached 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of their charge.

[0085] In one example, the terminal device 104 may update information regarding the remaining charge of the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106 or the battery 208 of the charger 102 when it initiates communication with the charging device 102, and notify the terminal device 104 of the updated information. The information regarding the remaining charge of the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106 and / or the battery 208 of the charger 102 may be the remaining charge of the battery 302 and / or the battery 208, and may be notified by displaying it as a percentage, for example. In addition, the information regarding the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charger 102 may be notified as the charge level to which the charger 102 can charge the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106. For example, if the charger 102 can charge the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106 to 80%, the information regarding the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charger 102 may be notified by displaying "Aerosol generator 106 can be charged to 80%", etc.

[0086] In embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device 104 may be configured to adjust the frequency of communication with the charging device 102 depending on the situation. Alternatively, a program installed in the control unit 402 or the terminal device 104 may cause the terminal device 104 to operate in this manner. For example, when the charging device 102 is being charged via the power interface 212, the terminal device 104 may communicate with the charging device 102 at all times. Also, when the charging device 102 is charging the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106, the terminal device 104 may communicate with the charging device 102 at all times. When the charging device 102 is not being charged, the terminal device 104 may communicate with the charging device 102 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 falls below a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is an example and is not limited to this value. In each of the above cases, the data communicated between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 may include the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102, the remaining charge of the battery 302 of the aerosol generator 106, the product ID (IDentification) of the charging device 102, and the date and time the communication took place.

[0087] In embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device 104 may, at the time a communication connection is established between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102, acquire information such as the user ID of the charging device 102, the product ID, the date of use of the charging device 102 (including the last date of use), and the estimated last lifespan of the user, and transmit this information to the server 108. This information may be acquired, for example, once a day. The control unit 502 of the server 108 may receive this information via the communication unit 504 and store it in the storage unit 506.

[0088] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol generating device 1200 may include a control unit 1202, a battery 1204, a communication unit 1206, a storage unit 1208, and an airflow detection unit 1210.

[0089] The airflow detection unit 1210 detects the airflow generated by the user's suction towards the aerosol generator 1200.

[0090] The control unit 1202 controls each part of the aerosol generator 1200. The control unit 1202 may also generate various types of information, such as generating airflow information based on the airflow detected by the airflow detection unit 1210. Here, the airflow information is information about the airflow generated by the user's suction to the aerosol generator 1200.

[0091] The memory unit 1208 can store various types of information acquired by the aerosol generator 1200, such as airflow information generated by the control unit 1202.

[0092] The communication unit 1206 transmits information acquired by the aerosol generator 1200, such as airflow information generated by the control unit 1202, to the charging device 102. In the charging device 102, this information may also be received by the information acquisition unit 222 via the charging port 210. Alternatively, the communication unit 1206 may transmit the information to the charging device 102 using another communication method, such as BLE or Wi-Fi, instead of via the charging port 210, or in parallel with the method using the charging port 210.

[0093] The aerosol generator 1200 shown in Figure 12 can acquire more information compared to the aerosol generator 106 shown in Figure 3. Since the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 can acquire this information, they can provide more information to the user. Figure 13 shows an example of the terminal device 104 providing information to the user based on the information obtained from the aerosol generator 1200. In this example, information such as the battery level of the charging device 102 1304, the number of times the user has inhaled the aerosol source (regular flavor) using the aerosol generator 1200 1306, and the number of times the user has inhaled the aerosol source (menthol flavor) using the aerosol generator 1200 1308 are displayed on the notification unit 408 (in this example, the display 1302).

[0094] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that modifications, additions, and improvements to the embodiments can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the embodiments described above, but should be defined solely by the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 100...System, 102, 102A, 102B...Charging device, 104, 104A, 104B...Terminal device, 106, 106A, 106B...Aerosol generator, 108...Server, 110...Power supply, 202...Control unit, 204...Communication unit, 206...Storage unit, 208...Battery, 210...Charging port, 212...Power interface, 214...First notification unit, 216...Second notification unit, 218...Battery control unit, 220...Notification control unit, 222...Information acquisition unit, 224...First route, 226...Second route, 302...Battery, 402...Control unit, 404...First Communication unit, 405…Second communication unit, 406…Storage unit, 408…Notification unit, 410…Notification control unit, 412…Information processing unit, 414…Information acquisition unit, 502…Control unit, 504…Communication unit, 506…Storage unit, 702…Display, 704…Information, 902…Display, 904…Message, 1102…Display, 1104…Message, 1200…Aerosol generator, 1202…Control unit, 1204…Battery, 1206…Communication unit, 1208…Storage unit, 1210…Airflow detection unit, 1302…Display, 1304, 1306, 1308…Information

Claims

1. A terminal device that displays the status of an aerosol generator to the user, First information relating to the battery of the aerosol generating device is acquired, and based on the first information, the remaining charge level of the battery of the aerosol generating device is displayed on the display. The display shows second information that allows the user to recognize the amount that can be aspirated into the aerosol generator. It is configured in such a way, A terminal device in which the display of the remaining charge is updated in response to a predetermined operation performed by the user on the terminal device.

2. In the terminal device described in claim 1, The second information includes the number of times the user can inhale into the aerosol generating device, and is a terminal device.

3. In the terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, The remaining charge of the aforementioned battery is displayed as a percentage on the display. Terminal device.

4. A method for presenting the status of an aerosol generating device to a user, wherein in a terminal device, The steps include: obtaining first information regarding the battery of the aerosol generator, and displaying the remaining charge level of the battery of the aerosol generator on a display based on the first information; The steps include displaying on a display second information that allows the user to recognize the amount that the user can aspirate into the aerosol generating device, Includes, A method in which the display of the remaining charge is updated in response to a predetermined operation performed by the user on the terminal device.

5. In the method according to claim 4, The second information includes a method, which includes the number of times the user can inhale into the aerosol generating device.

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