Proximity-Activated Display Control for Aerosol Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-combustible aerosol-generating devices lack efficient mechanisms to automatically activate and modify displays based on user or remote device proximity, leading to unnecessary power consumption and user experience limitations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating control circuitry with sensors, such as capacitive proximity sensors or communication interfaces, to detect user or remote device presence and switch the display from a deactivated to an activated state, allowing for image display and modification without physical touch, using wireless signals like Bluetooth, and integrating displays that conform to the device's contours for a seamless user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the display remains in a deactivated state to save power, then battery consumption is reduced, but user experience is limited due to inability to display information automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user proximity using the sensor before activating the display. This allows the display to be activated in advance of actual user interaction, providing smooth transitions and avoiding sudden wake-ups that would waste energy. The display can remain off during extended periods without users, then activate proactively when proximity is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides continuous feedback about user proximity to the control circuitry, which dynamically adjusts display state based on this feedback. When the sensor detects a user within a threshold distance, the control circuitry activates the display; when the user moves beyond the threshold, the display deactivates. This closed-loop feedback system optimizes the balance between power consumption and user experience.
2Ease of operation
If the display is activated continuously to provide always-on information display, then user experience is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the display operates periodically based on detected user proximity. The system alternates between powered-off and powered-on states, activating the display only during periods when a user is detected within proximity range. This periodic activation pattern significantly reduces average power consumption while maintaining user experience during relevant periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The display state is made dynamic rather than static, automatically adjusting between on and off states based on real-time proximity detection. The control circuitry dynamically responds to sensor input, transitioning the display between operational and power-saving states as needed, optimizing the balance between information availability and energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the display requires physical touch to activate, then power consumption is controlled, but ease of use is reduced due to additional user action required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor acts as an intermediary between the user and the display activation mechanism. Instead of requiring direct physical contact with the display, the sensor detects user proximity and automatically triggers display activation through the control circuitry. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct touch while maintaining controlled power consumption, as the sensor can detect proximity without requiring sustained contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical touch-based activation system with a sensor-based proximity detection system. Instead of requiring physical mechanical contact to wake the display, the sensor detects the presence of a user through proximity and triggers activation electronically. This substitution maintains power control while significantly improving ease of use.
4Device complexity
If no proximity detection is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to user presence and remote device control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a proximity detection device and as a trigger for display activation. The same sensor component that detects user proximity also initiates the display wake-up sequence, eliminating the need for separate activation mechanisms. This universal approach increases adaptability while minimizing the addition of complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service functionality where the sensor automatically triggers display activation without requiring external intervention or complex control sequences. When proximity is detected, the control circuitry automatically activates the display based on sensor input, making the system self-regulating and adaptive to user presence without requiring additional user actions or complex programming.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables power-efficient display activation and modification based on user proximity, enhancing user experience by automatically switching the display on and off, reducing battery consumption, and allowing for customizable image display through remote device control.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be a capacitive proximity sensor
Implementation Method 2
The sensor may be a communication interface configured to receive a signal from a remote device spaced from, but proximal to, the aerosol-generating device. The signal may be a wireless signal, such as wireless signal using the Bluetooth protocol.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-combustible aerosol-generating device is disclosed. It comprises a display for displaying an image visible to a user in an activated state, and control circuitry configured to detect the presence of a user and/or a remote device in the proximity of the aerosol-generating device, and to switch the display from a deactivated state in which no image is displayed to an activated state in response to said detection. Also disclosed is a non-combustible aerosol-generating device in which a displayed image is modified or changed when a user and/or device is proximal to the aerosol-generating device. A non-combustible aerosol-generating system and a method of controlling a non-combustible aerosol-generating device is also disclosed.