JP2023532190A - Aerosol generator and system with means for adjusting visual characteristics of light emitter - Google Patents

Abstract

The system includes an aerosol generator and/or a charging device associated with the aerosol generator. A charging device and/or an aerosol generating device comprises at least one light emitter unit and a control module. The control module adjusts at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of the measured light intensity value and the local time obtained from the timer. configured to [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to automatic adjustment of visual characteristics of light emitters.

Aerosol generating devices and systems often include light emitters, such as light emitting diodes, that provide information to the user. For example, visual characteristics of light emitters may indicate the status of the device. Specific colors of light emitted by the light emitters, flashes and patterns produced by the light emitters can be associated with charging states, operational states, error states, and the like.

It is desirable to provide means for the visual characteristics of light emitters to be automatically adjusted to improve the experience of users interacting with the device and to improve efficiency.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a system comprising an apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least one light emitter unit and a control module. The control module adjusts at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of the measured light intensity value and the local time obtained from the timer. It may be configured as The device may be an aerosol generator and/or a charging device associated with the aerosol generator.

by adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of the measured light intensity value and the local time obtained from the timer. can automatically adjust at least one visual characteristic when an adjustment is required without requiring manual input.

The device may further comprise a communication interface configured to exchange data with the mobile terminal, the data including instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic. Exchanging data with the mobile terminal may include receiving instructions from the mobile terminal. The control module may be configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on instructions.

Accordingly, the system automatically adjusts at least one visual characteristic when an adjustment is required, even if the mobile terminal is not paired with the control module at the time the adjustment is required. be able to.

The system may further comprise a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may be configured to display a user interface for entering commands. The instructions may include a time setting and the user interface may include a first user interface element for entering the time setting. The control module may be configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the local time obtained from the timer corresponds to the time setting.

The first user interface element may be a time picker or date and time picker.

The first user interface element is arranged to allow a user to define the first time period and the second time period by moving the first interactive element and the second interactive element relative to each other. a first interactive element and a second interactive element provided. The first time period may be associated with the first visual characteristic and the second time period is associated with the second visual characteristic. The first user interface element may further include a circular element, the first interactive element and the second interactive element being movable relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element. configured to be

A first user interface element comprising a circular element configured such that the first interactive element and the second interactive element are movable relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element , allows the entry of time settings using smooth physical movements. This is particularly advantageous in small mobile terminals such as cell phones, where a user may use one hand to hold the cell phone and one finger or thumb to interact with the user interface.

A time setting may include an event associated with a time of day. An event can be a sunrise, sunset, or calendar event. The time may be obtained from a calendar application based on the event.

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic comprises adjusting a brightness characteristic of at least one light emitter unit, adjusting a color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit, and adjusting the color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter. At least one of changing a blinking pattern of light emitted by the unit.

The instructions may include visual feature settings for adjusting the at least one visual feature, and the user interface may include a second user interface element for entering the visual feature settings. The control module may adjust at least one visual feature based on the visual feature setting. A visual feature setting may be a brightness setting. A second user interface element may be a slider.

The at least one light emitter unit may comprise a single light emitter. The at least one light emitter unit may contain two or more light emitters. Adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit may include altering a pattern of light displayed by two or more light emitters. The light emitters may be light emitting diodes, LEDs.

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the measured light intensity value is such that the measured light intensity value is above or below the predetermined threshold. In some cases, it may include adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit.

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit increases the luminance of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value exceeds the predetermined threshold. can include

Increasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is above a predetermined threshold provides the advantage that the light emitter unit is more visible to the user, even when the ambient light is bright. It means that the state of the system can be monitored more easily.

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is below a predetermined threshold reduces the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit. can include

reducing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is below a predetermined threshold while the light emitter unit remains visible to a user for monitoring the status of the system; It offers the advantage that the light does not disturb the user at night.

The measured light intensity value may be based on an average light intensity measured over a predetermined amount of time.

Exchanging data with the mobile terminal may further include transmitting usage information related to use of at least one of the aerosol generating device and the charging device to the mobile terminal. Usage information may include information related to the use of the aerosol generating device and/or charging device.

A mobile terminal may include a processing module configured to generate instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic based on the usage information. Generating the instructions may include calculating a time setting based on the usage information. Generating the instructions may include inputting at least one of one or more time settings, one or more visual feature settings, and usage information into a trained classifier.

The aerosol generator and/or charging device may further comprise a light sensor for measuring light intensity. A mobile terminal may include a light sensor for measuring light intensity.

According to another aspect, a method is provided for adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol generating device and/or a charging device associated with the aerosol generating device. The method includes, by a control module, at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of a measured light intensity value and a local time obtained from a timer. may include adjusting the

The method may further include exchanging data with the mobile terminal via the communication interface, the data including instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic. Exchanging data with the mobile terminal may include receiving instructions from the mobile terminal.

The method may further comprise adjusting, by the control module, at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the instructions.

The method may further include displaying, by the mobile terminal, a user interface for entering instructions. The instructions may include a time setting and the user interface may include a first user interface element for entering the time setting.

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the local time obtained from the timer, if the local time obtained from the timer corresponds to the time setting. , adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit.

The first user interface element may be a time picker or date and time picker.

The first user interface element is arranged to allow a user to define the first time period and the second time period by moving the first interactive element and the second interactive element relative to each other. a first interactive element and a second interactive element provided. The first time period may be associated with the first visual characteristic and the second time period is associated with the second visual characteristic. The first user interface element may further include a circular element, the first interactive element and the second interactive element being movable relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element. configured to be

A time setting may include an event associated with a time of day. An event can be a sunrise, sunset, or calendar event. The time may be obtained from a calendar application based on the event.

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic comprises adjusting a brightness characteristic of at least one light emitter unit, adjusting a color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit, and adjusting the color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter. changing the blinking pattern of the light emitted by the unit.

The instructions may include a visual feature setting for adjusting at least one visual feature, and the user interface may include a second user interface element for entering the visual feature setting.

The method may further comprise adjusting at least one visual characteristic based on the visual characteristic setting.

A visual feature setting may be a brightness setting. A second user interface element may be a slider.

The at least one light emitter unit may comprise a single light emitter.

The at least one light emitter unit may contain two or more light emitters. Adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit may include altering a pattern of light displayed by two or more light emitters.

The light emitter may be a light emitting diode.

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the measured light intensity value is such that the measured light intensity value is above or below the predetermined threshold. In some cases, it may include adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit.

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit increases the luminance of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value exceeds the predetermined threshold. can include

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is below a predetermined threshold reduces the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit. Including.

The measured light intensity value may be based on an average light intensity measured over a predetermined amount of time.

Exchanging data with the mobile terminal may further include transmitting usage information related to use of at least one of the aerosol generating device and the charging device to the mobile terminal. Usage information may include information related to the use of the aerosol generating device and/or charging device.

The method may further include generating instructions for adjusting the at least one visual feature based on the usage information. Generating the instructions may include calculating a time setting based on the usage information. Generating the instructions may include inputting at least one of one or more time settings, one or more visual feature settings, and usage information into a trained classifier. The method may further comprise measuring light intensity with an optical sensor of the aerosol generating device and/or the charging device.

The method may further comprise measuring light intensity with a light sensor of the mobile terminal.

According to another aspect, a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described method is provided.

According to another aspect, at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit is determined based on the light intensity value measured by the light sensor or based on the time output by the timer. Use of a light sensor or timer is provided for controlling, by adjusting, the visual characteristics of at least one light emitter unit of the aerosol generator or a charging device associated with the aerosol generator.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-generating device may interact with one or both of an aerosol-generating article containing an aerosol-forming substrate and a capsule containing an aerosol-forming substrate. In some examples, the aerosol-generating device may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to facilitate release of volatile compounds from the substrate. An electrically operated aerosol generating device may comprise an atomizer, such as an electric heater, for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Aerosol-generating articles may be disposable. Aerosol-generating articles that include an aerosol-forming substrate that includes tobacco are sometimes referred to herein as tobacco sticks.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" refers to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Volatile compounds may be released by heating or burning the aerosol-forming substrate. As an alternative to heating or combustion, in some cases volatile compounds may be released by chemical reaction or by mechanical stimulation such as ultrasound. Aerosol-forming substrates may be solid or liquid, or may contain both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, the term "classifier" refers to a supervised machine learning algorithm that analyzes training data consisting of labeled training examples to generate an estimation function. A labeled training example is a pair consisting of an input and a corresponding known output. The classifier should be able to generalize to data not visible from the training examples by classifying new features into labels. Alternatively, the term "classifier" may refer to a semi-supervised machine learning algorithm that analyzes training data consisting of labeled training examples and unlabeled data to produce an estimation function.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, the following provides a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more of the features of other examples, embodiments, or aspects described herein.

Example 1:
A system comprising an aerosol generator and/or a charging device associated with the aerosol generator, the aerosol generator and/or charging device comprising at least one light emitter unit, a measured light intensity value, and a timer. a control module configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of light emitted from the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of the obtained local times.
Example 2:
According to example 1, wherein the aerosol generating device and/or charging device further comprises a communication interface configured to exchange data with the mobile terminal, the data comprising instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic. system.
Example 3:
3. The system according to embodiment 2, wherein exchanging data with the mobile terminal includes receiving instructions from the mobile terminal.
Example 4:
4. A system according to example 2 or example 3, wherein the control module is configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the instructions.
Example 5:
5. The system according to any of examples 2-4, wherein the system further comprises a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal configured to display a user interface for inputting instructions.
Example 6:
6. The system according to any of examples 2-5, wherein the instructions include a time setting and the user interface includes a first user interface element for entering the time setting.
Example 7:
7. A system according to embodiment 6, wherein the control module is configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the local time obtained from the timer corresponds to the time setting.
Example 8:
A system according to Example 6 or Example 7, wherein the first user interface element is a time picker or date and time picker.
Example 9:
The first user interface element is arranged to allow a user to define the first time period and the second time period by moving the first interactive element and the second interactive element relative to each other. 8. A system according to example 6 or example 7 comprising a first interactive element and a second interactive element provided.
Example 10:
10. A system according to example 9, wherein the first time period is associated with the first visual characteristic and the second time period is associated with the second visual characteristic.
Example 11:
The first user interface element further comprises a circular element, the first interactive element and the second interactive element being movable relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element. A system according to Example 9 or Example 10, wherein the system is configured to:
Example 12:
8. The system according to example 6 or example 7, wherein the time setting includes an event associated with the time of day.
Example 13:
13. The system according to example 12, wherein the event is a sunrise, sunset, or calendar event.
Example 14:
14. The system according to example 12 or example 13, wherein the time is obtained from a calendar application based on the event.
Example 15:
Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic comprises adjusting a brightness characteristic of at least one light emitter unit, adjusting a color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit, and adjusting the color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter. 15. The system according to any of the examples 1-14, comprising at least one of changing a blinking pattern of light emitted by the unit.
Example 16:
Examples 5-15, wherein the instructions include a visual feature setting for adjusting at least one visual feature and the user interface includes a second user interface element for entering the visual feature setting. system by any of the
Example 17:
17. The system according to example 16, wherein the control module adjusts at least one visual feature based on the visual feature setting.
Example 18:
18. A system according to example 16 or example 17, wherein the visual feature setting is a brightness setting and the second user interface element is a slider.
Example 19:
19. The system according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one light emitter unit comprises a single light emitter.
Example 20:
20. The system according to any of examples 1-19, wherein the at least one light emitter unit comprises two or more light emitters.
Example 21:
21. A system according to embodiment 20, wherein adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit comprises altering the pattern of light displayed by the two or more light emitters.
Example 22:
22. The system according to any of examples 19-21, wherein the light emitter is a light emitting diode.
Example 23:
Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the measured light intensity value is such that the measured light intensity value is above or below the predetermined threshold. 23. The system according to any of the examples 1-22, optionally including adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit.
Example 24:
Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit increases the luminance of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value exceeds the predetermined threshold. 24. A system according to embodiment 23, comprising:
Example 25:
Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is below a predetermined threshold reduces the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit. 24. A system according to embodiment 23, comprising:
Example 26:
26. The system according to any of Examples 1-25, wherein the measured light intensity value is based on an average light intensity measured over a predetermined length of time.
Example 27:
27. The system according to any of examples 2-26, wherein the data exchange with the mobile terminal further comprises transmitting to the mobile terminal usage information related to use of at least one of the aerosol generating device and the charging device.
Example 28:
28. A system according to example 27, wherein the usage information comprises information related to use of the aerosol generating device and/or charging device.
Example 29:
29. A system according to example 27 or example 28, wherein the mobile terminal comprises a processing module configured to generate instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic based on the usage information.
Example 30:
30. The system according to example 29, wherein generating the instructions includes calculating time settings based on usage information.
Example 31:
Generating the instructions comprises inputting at least one of one or more time settings, one or more visual feature settings, and usage information into a trained classifier, embodiment 27 or A system according to Example 28.
Example 32:
32. The system according to any of examples 1-31, wherein the aerosol generator and/or charging device further comprises a light sensor for measuring light intensity.
Example 33:
33. The system according to any of examples 2-32, wherein the mobile terminal includes a light sensor for measuring light intensity.
Example 34:
A method of adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol generator and/or a charging device associated with the aerosol generator, the method comprising: measuring by a control module adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of the obtained light intensity value and a local time obtained from a timer. .
Example 35:
35. The method according to example 34, further comprising exchanging data with the mobile terminal via the communication interface, the data including instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic.
Example 36:
36. The method according to example 35, wherein exchanging data with the mobile terminal includes receiving instructions from the mobile terminal.
Example 37:
37. A method according to example 35 or example 36, further comprising adjusting, by the control module, at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the instructions.
Example 38:
38. The method according to any of examples 35-37, further comprising displaying, by the mobile terminal, a user interface for entering instructions.
Example 39:
39. The method according to any of embodiments 35-38, wherein the instructions include time settings and the user interface includes a first user interface element for entering the time settings.
Example 40:
Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the local time obtained from the timer, if the local time obtained from the timer corresponds to the time setting. 40. A method according to embodiment 39, comprising adjusting at least one visual characteristic of at least one light emitter unit.
Example 41:
41. A method according to example 39 or example 40, wherein the first user interface element is a time picker or a date and time picker.
Example 42:
The first user interface element is arranged to allow a user to define the first time period and the second time period by moving the first interactive element and the second interactive element relative to each other. 41. A method according to example 39 or example 40, comprising a first interactive element and a second interactive element provided.
Example 43:
43. A method according to example 42, wherein the first time period is associated with the first visual characteristic and the second time period is associated with the second visual characteristic.
Example 44:
The first user interface element further comprises a circular element, the first interactive element and the second interactive element being movable relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element. The method according to example 42 or example 43, comprising:
Example 45:
41. A method according to example 39 or example 40, wherein the time setting comprises an event associated with the time of day.
Example 46:
46. The method according to example 45, wherein the event is a sunrise, sunset, or calendar event.
Example 47:
47. The method according to example 45 or example 46, further comprising obtaining the time from a calendar application based on the event.
Example 48:
Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic comprises adjusting a brightness characteristic of at least one light emitter unit, adjusting a color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit, and adjusting the color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter. 48. A method according to any preceding example, comprising at least one of altering a blinking pattern of light emitted by the unit.
Example 49:
Examples 38-48, wherein the instructions comprise a visual feature setting for adjusting at least one visual feature and the user interface comprises a second user interface element for entering the visual feature setting by any of
Example 50:
50. The method according to example 49, further comprising adjusting at least one visual characteristic based on the visual characteristic setting.
Example 51:
A method according to example 49 or example 50, wherein the visual feature setting is a brightness setting and the second user interface element is a slider.
Example 52:
52. The method according to any of embodiments 1-51, wherein the at least one light emitter unit comprises a single light emitter.
Example 53:
51. The method according to any of embodiments 34-50, wherein the at least one light emitter unit comprises two or more light emitters.
Example 54:
54. A method according to embodiment 53, wherein adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit comprises altering a pattern of light displayed by the two or more light emitters.
Example 55:
55. The method according to any of examples 52-54, wherein the light emitter is a light emitting diode.
Example 56:
Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the measured light intensity value is such that the measured light intensity value is above or below the predetermined threshold. 56. The method according to any of the examples 1-55, optionally comprising adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit.
Example 57:
Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit increases the luminance of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value exceeds the predetermined threshold. 57. The method according to example 56, comprising:
Example 58:
Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is below a predetermined threshold reduces the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit. 57. The method according to example 56, comprising:
Example 59:
59. The method according to any of Examples 1-58, wherein the measured light intensity value is based on an average light intensity measured over a predetermined length of time.
Example 60:
60. The method according to any of examples 35-59, wherein exchanging data with the mobile terminal further comprises transmitting to the mobile terminal usage information related to use of at least one of the aerosol generating device and the charging device.
Example 61:
61. The method according to example 60, wherein the usage information comprises information related to use of the aerosol generating device and/or charging device.
Example 62:
62. The method according to example 60 or example 61, further comprising generating instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic based on the usage information.
Example 63:
63. The method according to embodiment 62, wherein generating the instructions includes calculating time settings based on usage information.
Example 64:
62, wherein generating the instructions comprises inputting at least one of one or more time settings, one or more visual feature settings, and usage information into a trained classifier, or A method according to Example 63.
Example 65:
The method according to one of Examples 1-64, further comprising measuring light intensity with an optical sensor of the aerosol generating device and/or charging device.
Example 66:
66. The method according to any of examples 35-65, further comprising measuring light intensity with a light sensor of the mobile terminal.
Example 67:
A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any one of embodiments 34-66.
Example 68:
by adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by at least one light emitter unit based on the light intensity value measured by the light sensor or based on the time output by the timer. Use of a light sensor or timer to control visual characteristics of at least one light emitter unit of the generator or charging device associated with the aerosol generator.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 1 shows a system comprising a device and a mobile terminal. FIG. 2A shows an aerosol generator. FIG. 2B shows an aerosol generator. FIG. 3 shows a charging device associated with an aerosol generator. FIG. 4A shows the user interface. FIG. 4B shows the user interface. FIG. 5 shows the user interface. FIG. 6 shows the user interface. FIG. 7 illustrates a method of adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol generator and/or a charging device associated with the aerosol generator.

FIG. 1 shows a system comprising device 105 and mobile terminal 140 . Device 105 and mobile terminal 140 are configured to communicate with each other via their respective communication interfaces 135 and 145 . Specifically, device 105 and mobile terminal 140 may exchange data via their respective communication interfaces 135 and 145 . Communication interfaces 135 and 145 may be wireless communication interfaces, such as Bluetooth communication interfaces.

Mobile terminal 140 is a computing device such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, or personal digital assistant. Mobile terminal 140 includes communication interface 145 , control module 150 , storage means 155 , processing module 165 including one or more processors, and display 170 . Display 170 is configured to display a user interface for entering instructions 155 for adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit 110 of device 105 . As the user enters commands into the user interface displayed by display 170 , the commands may be stored by storage means 155 .

Instructions 160 may include one or more of time settings and visual feature settings. A visual characteristic setting corresponds to at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit 110 . The time settings correspond to one or more times at which at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit 110 is adjusted. One or more times of the time setting may be time of day, such as time on a 12-hour clock or a 24-hour clock.

For example, the user may indicate on the user interface as a time setting that means that at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 is adjusted to 8:30 am and 9:15 pm. 8:30 AM and 9:15 PM (or 08:30 and 21:15 using a 24 hour clock) may be entered.

Alternatively or additionally, the user may set the time as the time setting, meaning that at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 is adjusted to sunrise and sunset. Events such as "sunrise" or "sunset" may be entered into the user interface. Control module 150 may calculate the time corresponding to the event at the device's location based on event and time information received from a calendar application, such as a global calendar application.

Additionally, event inputs to the user interface may include calendar events. Calendar events may include events obtained from a calendar application installed on mobile terminal 140 . For example, a user may select an appointment or event stored by a calendar application as a time setting. Control module 150 may calculate the time of day based on the event and time information corresponding to the selected appointment or event received from the calendar application.

Device 105 comprises at least one light emitter unit 110 , timer 115 , control module 120 , storage means 125 , light sensor 130 and communication interface 135 . Device 105 receives instructions 160 from mobile terminal 140 via communication interface 135 . Instructions 160 may be stored by storage means 125 . Control module 120 is configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit 110 based on received instructions 160 .

At least one light emitter unit 110 includes one or more light emitters, such as light emitting diodes. At least one light emitter unit may additionally or alternatively be a display screen. adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 adjusting a luminance characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit; At least one of adjusting the color of the light and changing the blinking pattern of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 . The brightness characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit 110 may be brightness of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 . If the light emitter unit 110 includes multiple light emitters, adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 additionally or alternatively includes the multiple light emitters. may include changing the pattern of light displayed by.

Control module 120 may adjust at least one visual characteristic of at least one light emitter unit 110 based on the local time obtained from timer 115 . Control module 120 may periodically obtain the local time from timer 115 and compare the obtained local time to the time setting in the received instructions. If the control module 120 determines that the local time is the same as the time set, the control module 120 adjusts at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 . Each hour of the time setting may be associated with a visual feature setting. Therefore, if the control module 120 determines that the local time is the same as the time of the time setting, the control module 120 adjusts at least one visual feature according to the visual feature setting associated with the time of the time setting. do.

For example, in the above example, the user entered a time setting with two clock times of 8:30 am and 9:15 pm (or 08:30 and 21:15 using a 24 hour clock). ing. A clock time of 8:30 am may be associated with a first visual feature setting, such as increasing the brightness of at least one light emitter unit 110 . A clock time of 9:15 pm may be associated with a second visual feature setting, such as decreasing the brightness of at least one light emitter unit 110 .

When control module 120 detects that the local time obtained from timer 115 is 8:30 am, control module 120 increases the brightness of at least one light emitter unit 110 . When control module 120 detects that the local time obtained from timer 115 is 9:15 pm, control module 120 reduces the brightness of at least one light emitter unit 110 .

Additionally or alternatively, control module 120 may adjust at least one visual characteristic of at least one light emitter unit 110 based on light intensity values measured by light sensor 130 . For example, light sensor 130 is configured to measure light intensity, particularly the ambient light intensity of the environment in which device 105 is located. Light sensor 130 is configured to provide the measured light intensity value to control module 120 . Control module 120 determines whether the light intensity value received from light sensor 130 is above or below a predetermined light intensity threshold.

The predetermined light intensity threshold may be stored in storage means 125 . The predetermined light intensity threshold may be stored as part of a control program installed on device 105 during manufacture or initial configuration of device 105 . Alternatively or additionally, the predetermined light intensity threshold may be received from mobile terminal 140 as part of instructions 160, for example. If received instructions 160 include a predetermined light intensity threshold, the predetermined light intensity threshold may be entered by the user through a user interface displayed on display 170 .

Control module 120 may adjust the visual characteristics in response to receiving a single measured light intensity value. Alternatively, the control module may calculate an average light intensity measured by the light sensor over a predetermined time period (e.g., several minutes) based on the plurality of received measured light intensity values, and the control module The module may adjust visual features based on the calculated average light intensity.

If the control module 120 determines that the measured light intensity value is above or below the predetermined threshold, the control module 120 outputs at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110. to adjust. For example, if control module 120 determines that the measured light intensity value is above a predetermined threshold, control module 120 controls at least one light emitter unit 110 to remain visible when the ambient light is bright. The brightness of one light emitter unit 110 can be increased. If control module 120 determines that the measured light intensity value is below a predetermined threshold, control module 120 controls at least one light emitter unit 110 such that at least one light emitter unit 110 remains visible when ambient light is low. The brightness of the light emitter unit 110 can be reduced.

Device 105 may additionally provide usage information related to the use of device 105 to mobile terminal 140 . Specifically, device 105 may transmit usage information to mobile terminal 140 via communication interface 135 . Usage information may include information related to the use of device 105 . For example, usage information may include information related to the time the device was turned on, turned off, or otherwise operated by the user. Storage means 155 of mobile terminal 140 may store usage information.

Processing module 165 may process the received usage information to generate instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitter unit 110 of device 105 . Additionally or alternatively, the processing module 165 processes at least one of the one or more time settings and the one or more visual feature settings to provide a Instructions may be generated to adjust visual features.

Specifically, the processing module may use any suitable algorithm stored by storage means 155 to generate instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitter unit 110 of device 105 . For example, instructions may be generated by inputting at least one of one or more time settings, one or more visual feature settings, and usage information into a trained classifier.

Accordingly, the processing module 165 computes the time setting and optionally the visual feature setting based on at least one of the usage information, the one or more time settings, and the one or more visual feature settings. good too. For example, if the device 105 is operated by the user at 6:00 am every day, the processing module 165 will be activated at 5:55 am every day so that the state of the device 105 is clearly visible to the user when the user normally operates the device 105 . , may generate instructions to increase the brightness of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit.

The generated instructions may be stored by the storage means 155, or alternatively or as part of the instructions 160 received from the user interface, sent to the device 105.

Device 105 may be an aerosol generator, such as aerosol generator 200A shown in FIG. 2A or aerosol generator 200B shown in FIG. 2B. Device 105 may be a charging device for receiving an aerosol generating device, such as charging device 300 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, the aerosol generator 200A, the aerosol generator 200B, and the charging device 300 each include at least one light emitter unit 110, timer 115, and control unit discussed above in connection with FIG. A module 120 , a storage means 125 , an optical sensor 130 and a communication interface 135 may be provided. However, mobile terminal 140 may additionally or alternatively include a light sensor for measuring light intensity values. Aerosol-generating device 200A is configured to receive aerosol-generating article 220 .

As shown in FIG. 2A, aerosol-generating device 200A further comprises cavity 210 for receiving aerosol-generating article 220 . Aerosol-generating article 220 may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate of aerosol-generating article 220 may be solid, such as a tobacco stick. 200 A of aerosol generators are further equipped with the heating element 230. FIG. Heating element 230 is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

As shown in FIG. 2B, aerosol generating device 200B is configured to receive cartridge 280 . In particular, aerosol generating device 200B may include cavity 270 for receiving cartridge 280 . Cartridge 280 may include an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate of cartridge 280 may be liquid. Aerosol generator 200B further includes heating element 290 . Heating element 290 is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

Aerosol generator 200A and aerosol generator 200B each preferably include a power supply configured to power respective heating elements 230 and 290 . The power supply preferably comprises power supply 240 . Power source 240 is preferably a battery, such as a lithium ion battery. Alternatively, power source 240 may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. Power supply 240 may need recharging. For example, power supply 240 may have sufficient capacity to allow continuous generation of aerosol for approximately 6 minutes, or multiples of 6 minutes. In another embodiment, the power supply 240 may have sufficient capacity to allow a predetermined number of puffs or discontinuous activation of the heater assembly. Aerosol generator 200A and aerosol generator 200B may each include power contacts 250 for recharging power supply 240 .

The power supply may include control electronics. The control electronics may comprise a microcontroller. Preferably the microcontroller is a programmable microcontroller. The electrical circuit may contain further electronic components. The electrical circuit may be configured to regulate power delivery to the heater assembly. Power may be supplied to the heater assembly continuously after system activation, or may be supplied intermittently (eg, with each puff). Power may be supplied to the heater assembly in the form of current pulses.

Power source 240 may be recharged using a charging device, such as charging device 300 shown in FIG. Charging device 300 further comprises a cavity 310 configured to receive an aerosol generating device, such as aerosol generating device 200A and aerosol generating device 200B. Within cavity 310 may be power contacts 320 configured to contact corresponding power contacts of an aerosol generating device. Specifically, when aerosol generating device 200A or aerosol generating device 200B is received within cavity 310, power contacts 250 allow charging device 300 to power rechargeable power source 240 of aerosol generating device 200A or aerosol generating device 200B. It makes contact with the power contacts 330 so that it can be recharged.

Additionally, charging device 300 and aerosol generating device 200A or 200B may be configured to exchange data with each other. For example, charging device 300 and aerosol generating device 200A or 200B may be configured to wirelessly exchange data with each other. For example, charging device 300 and aerosol generating device 200A or 200B may exchange data via their respective communication modules 135 .

Additionally or alternatively, charging devices 300 may each include a data contact interface 330 for communicating with aerosol generating device 200A and aerosol generating device 200B. Referring again to FIGS. 2A and 2B, aerosol generator 200A and aerosol generator 200B are shown as including data contact interface 260. FIG. When aerosol generator 200A or aerosol generator 200B is received within cavity 310, data contact interface 330 contacts data contact interface 260 and data can be exchanged. For example, aerosol generating device 200A or 200B may communicate communication data, such as usage data, to charging device 300 via data contact interfaces 260 and 330 .

4A and 4B show a user interface 400 displayed on display 170 of mobile terminal 140 for entering instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic. User interface 400 includes a first user interface element 410 for entering time settings. As shown in Figure 4, the first user interface element 410 includes a time picker for entering a 24-hour clock time. The time picker contains a scrollable list of distinct values, each with a single selected value appearing in contrasting text in the center of the first user interface element 410 . In the example shown in FIG. 4, the time picker includes a first scrollable list of 24 values representing hours and a second scrollable list of 60 values representing minutes. However, it should be appreciated that the time picker may allow entry of a 12-hour clock time. Further, of course, the time picker may allow entry of both date and time.

User interface 400 further includes a second user interface element 420 for entering visual feature settings. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the visual feature setting is the brightness level setting of at least one light emitter unit 110. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4A, second user interface element 420A includes two buttons 430A and 430B that indicate percentages corresponding to brightness levels of at least one light emitter unit 110. As shown in FIG. A brightness level of 100 percent (button 430A) indicates maximum brightness of the light emitter unit. A brightness level of 50 percent (button 430B) indicates a brightness level that is 50 percent of the maximum brightness of the light emitter unit. A user may select button 430 to set the desired brightness of at least one light emitter unit 110 .

Although second user interface element 420A is shown with two buttons 430A and 430B, it is understood that second user interface element 420A may include any number of buttons. For example, the second user interface element 420A may include four buttons to allow the user to select brightness levels corresponding to 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, or 100 percent of maximum brightness.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the second user interface element 420B is a wheel-type user interface element that allows the user to change the percentage continuously from 0% to 100%. A second user interface element 420B includes a circular element 440 displaying a percentage value around the perimeter of the second and 440 and an interactive element 450 . The user may interact with interactive element 452 at a fraction of interactive element 450 around circular element 440 to select the desired percentage brightness. Additionally or alternatively, user interface 400 may comprise a second user interface element that is a slider, by which the user can change the brightness level in a continuous manner from 0 percent to 100 percent of maximum. can be made

Accordingly, the user can schedule times when the user wishes to decrease or increase the brightness level of at least one light emitter unit 110 . For example, the user may set the brightness of at least one light emitter unit 110 to 50 at 10:00 pm to avoid the inconvenience of bright lights when the user goes to bed while still allowing the status of the device 105 to be monitored. It can be scheduled to decrease by percentage.

4A and 4B show a user interface 400 for entering a single time and a single percentage value, the user interface 400 may allow the user to schedule brightness levels over multiple times. is understood. For example, a user may choose 25 percent brightness from 10pm to 6am, 50 percent brightness from 6am to 7am, 75 percent brightness from 7am to 8am, and 8am 100 percent brightness may be selected from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

FIG. 5 shows a user interface 500 displayed on display 170 of mobile terminal 140 for entering instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic. User interface 500 includes a first user interface element 510 for entering time settings, and second and third user interface elements 540 and 550 for entering visual feature settings. First user interface element 510 is a wheel-type user interface that includes circular element 520, first interactive element 530A, and second interactive element 530B. A number associated with the time is displayed adjacent to and around the perimeter of circular element 520 . A user interacts with first interactive element 530A and second interactive element 530B to center first interactive element 530A and second interactive element 530B on the center of circular element 520. They can be moved relative to each other along a circular path. By moving first interactive element 530A and second interactive element 530B relative to each other, the user defines a first time period and a second time period. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first time period defined by the positions of the first interactive element 530A and the second interactive element 530B is from 21:00 to 06:00 and the first interaction A second time period defined by the position of the formula element 530A and the second interactive element 530B is from 06:00 to 21:00.

The first time period may be associated with the first visual feature and the second time period may be associated with the second visual feature. As shown in FIG. 5, the visual characteristic is the luminance characteristic of at least one light emitter unit 110 . Second user interface element 540 and third user interface element 550 are sliders that the user can interact with to select a percentage brightness. The slider includes a horizontal track with controls (shown as solid circles) that the user slides to move between maximum and minimum percentage brightness values. Left and right icons indicate the meaning of minimum and maximum values, indicated herein as 0 percent and 100 percent. A second user interface element 540 may be associated with the first time period and a third user interface element 550 may be associated with the second time period. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the user sets the brightness level to 25 percent from 21:00 to 06:00 and sets the brightness level to 75 percent from 06:00 to 21:00. ing.

FIG. 6 shows a user interface 600 displayed on display 170 of mobile terminal 140 for entering instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic.

User interface 600 includes a first user interface element 610 for entering events into the user interface as time settings. A first user interface element 610 includes a list of events (event 1 through event N), each event having a corresponding checkbox. The user may select an event by selecting the check box (indicated by the cross next to "Event 2" in Figure 6) to enter the event as a time setting. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable user interface element, such as radio buttons, drop-down menus, scrollable lists of events, etc., may be used to select events.

As discussed above, an event means that at least one visual feature of the light emitted by at least one light emitter unit 110 is adjusted to sunrise and sunset, e.g. It may be an event such as "sunset". Control module 150 may obtain the time corresponding to the event at the device's location from a calendar application, such as a global calendar application.

Additionally, event inputs to the user interface may include calendar events. Calendar events may include events obtained from a calendar application installed on mobile terminal 140 . For example, a user may select an appointment or event stored by a calendar application as a time setting. Control module 150 may obtain the time corresponding to the selected appointment or event from the calendar application.

A user may use the second user interface element 620 to select a visual feature associated with the time setting. A second user interface element 620 is shown in FIG. 6 as a slider for selecting a brightness level, such as sliders 540 and 550 described in connection with FIG. 5 above. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable user interface element may be used to select visual feature settings.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of adjusting at least one visible characteristic of a light emitter unit. The method may be performed by the apparatus 105 described above in connection with FIGS. 1-6.

The method begins at step 710 where instructions 160 are received by control module 120 . As noted above, instructions 160 are received from mobile terminal 140 . The instructions include at least one of time settings and visual feature settings.

At step 720 , the control module monitors timer 115 . Additionally or alternatively, control module 120 monitors the light intensity values measured by light sensor 130 .

At step 730, control module 120 detects whether predetermined conditions associated with at least one of the time setting and visual feature setting are met. Predetermined conditions may include local time on timer 115 corresponding to the time setting. A predetermined condition may include a measured light intensity value being above or below a predetermined threshold. If the control module does not detect that the predetermined condition has been met, the method returns to step 720 and the control module 120 continues monitoring. If the predetermined condition is met, the method continues to step 740;

At step 740, control module 120 adjusts at least one visual characteristic of at least one light emitter unit, as described above.

Some or all of the method steps described above with respect to FIG. 7 may be computer-implemented in that they are performed by (or use) a processor, microprocessor, electronic circuitry, or processing circuitry. For example, implementations may be performed using non-transitory storage media, such as computer-readable storage media. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system.

Generally, embodiments can be implemented as a computer program product comprising program code or computer-executable instructions that, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, one of the methods is operable to implement Program code or computer-executable instructions may be stored, for example, on a computer-readable storage medium.

In one example, a storage medium (or data carrier, or computer readable medium) has stored thereon for performing one of the methods described herein when executed by a processor. contains a computer program or computer-executable instructions; In further embodiments, an apparatus comprises one or more processors and storage media as described above.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus comprises means, e.g., a processing circuit, such as a processor, in communication with a memory, the means being configured to perform one of the methods described herein, or are adapted.

A further embodiment comprises a computer installed with a computer program or instructions for performing one of the methods described herein.

The specific embodiments and examples described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It is understood that other embodiments of the invention may be made, and that the specific embodiments and examples described herein are not exhaustive.

For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc. are modified in all instances by the term "about." should be understood as Also, all ranges are inclusive of the maximum and minimum points disclosed and any intermediate ranges therebetween, whether or not specifically recited herein. There is also In this context, the number A may be considered to include numbers that are within a common standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, as used in the appended claims, may, in some cases, deviate substantially from the basic and novel feature(s) of the claimed invention. may deviate by the percentages listed above, provided that it does not. Also, all ranges are inclusive of the maximum and minimum points disclosed and any intermediate ranges therebetween, whether or not specifically recited herein. There is also

The specific embodiments and examples described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It is understood that other embodiments of the invention may be made, and that the specific embodiments and examples described herein are not exhaustive.

Claims (15)

A system comprising an aerosol generator and/or a charging device associated with the aerosol generator, wherein said aerosol generator and/or said charging device comprises:
at least one light emitter unit;
configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of a measured light intensity value and a local time obtained from a timer. A system comprising: a controlled module; said aerosol generating device and/or said charging device further comprising a communication interface configured to exchange data with a mobile terminal, said data comprising instructions for adjusting said at least one visual characteristic; The system of claim 1. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the system further comprises the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal being configured to display a user interface for inputting the instructions. 4. The system of any of claims 2 or 3, wherein the instructions include time settings, and wherein the user interface includes a first user interface element for entering the time settings. the time setting includes an event associated with a time of day;
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the time is obtained from a calendar application based on the event. The control module is configured to adjust the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the local time obtained from the timer corresponds to the time setting. Item 6. The system according to item 5. adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the measured light intensity value, wherein the light intensity value exceeds a predetermined threshold, or A system according to any preceding claim, comprising adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when falling below. A method of adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol generator and/or a charging device associated with the aerosol generator, said method comprising:
A control module adjusts at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of the measured light intensity value and the local time obtained from the timer. including, method. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising exchanging data with a mobile terminal via a communication interface, said data comprising instructions for adjusting said at least one visual characteristic. 10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein the method further comprises displaying, by the mobile terminal, a user interface for entering the instruction. 11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said instructions comprise time settings and said user interface comprises a first user interface element for entering said time settings. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the time setting comprises an event associated with a time associated with the event, and the method further comprises obtaining the time from a calendar application based on the event. adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the measured light intensity value, wherein the light intensity value exceeds a predetermined threshold, or A method according to any preceding claim, comprising adjusting said at least one visual characteristic of said at least one light emitter unit when falling below. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any one of claims 9-13. by adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by at least one light emitter unit based on the light intensity value measured by the light sensor or based on the time output by the timer. Use of said light sensor or said timer for controlling a visual characteristic of said at least one light emitter unit of a generator or of a charging device associated with an aerosol generator.

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