KR102558567B1 - Aerosol generating device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device including a communication module and a processor, wherein the processor generates a control message based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device, and transmits the generated control message to an appliance control device that controls at least one target appliance through the communication module, so that at least one target appliance is controlled according to the control message, so that the appliance can be automatically controlled based on the information related to the aerosol generating device without the need for a user to manually control the appliance in a home or office.

Description

Aerosol generating device and control method thereof {AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device. More specifically, it relates to an aerosol generating device that generates control messages for controlling an appliance.

In recent years there has been a growing demand for alternative methods that overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol as an aerosol-generating material in a cigarette or liquid reservoir is heated by an electronic aerosol-generating device, rather than a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette.

As the use of electronic aerosol generating devices increases, consumer demand for aerosol generating devices that can communicate with other devices to perform a variety of convenient functions also increases.

KR 10-2013-0138699 a

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of controlling an appliance provided in a home or office.

Problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the above-described problems, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problem, a first aspect of the present disclosure is an aerosol generating device including a communication module and a processor, wherein the processor generates a control message based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device, transmits the generated control message to an appliance control device that controls at least one target appliance through the communication module, and controls the at least one target appliance according to the control message.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is an aerosol generating device including a communication module and a processor, wherein the processor generates a control message based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device, transmits the generated control message to at least one target appliance through the communication module, and controls the at least one target appliance according to the control message.

A third aspect of the present disclosure is an appliance control device including a communication module and a processor, wherein the processor receives a control message generated from an aerosol generating device based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device through the communication module, and controls at least one target appliance according to the received control message.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is an aerosol generating device including a communication module and a processor, and an appliance control system including an appliance control device, wherein the processor generates a control message based on at least one information related to the aerosol generating device, transmits the generated control message to the appliance control device controlling at least one target appliance through the communication module, and the appliance control device controls the at least one target appliance according to the control message. system can be provided.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure may provide a control method of an aerosol generating device, comprising generating a control message based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device, and transmitting the generated control message to an appliance control device that controls at least one target appliance, and controlling the at least one target appliance according to the control message.

According to the above-mentioned means for solving the problems of the present disclosure, the appliance can be automatically controlled based on the information related to the aerosol generating device without the need for the user to manually control the appliance at home or in the office.

In addition, user convenience may be increased by controlling a plurality of appliances in an optimal mode according to a distance between the aerosol generating device and the appliance control device.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
2 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a control method of a target appliance according to an embodiment.
4A is a conceptual diagram for explaining that the location of an aerosol generating device is determined to be indoors or outdoors according to a distance.
4B is a conceptual diagram for explaining that a target appliance is differently controlled according to an increase or decrease in distance.
4C is a conceptual diagram for explaining that the smoking function of the aerosol generating device is blocked depending on the distance.
5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a control method of a target appliance according to another embodiment.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an appliance control device according to an embodiment.

The terms used in the embodiments have been selected from general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, but they may vary depending on the intention of a person skilled in the art, precedent, or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in a specific case, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, not simply the name of the term.

When it is said that a certain part "includes" a certain component throughout the specification, it means that it may further include other components without excluding other components unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as “…unit” and “…module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software.

Also, terms including ordinal numbers such as 'first' or 'second' used in this specification may be used to describe various components, but components should not be limited by the terms. Terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

In addition, some components in the drawings may be shown in a slightly exaggerated size or ratio. Also, a component shown in one drawing may not be shown in another drawing.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an aerosol generating device 1 may include a battery 11, a heater 12, a sensor 13, a user interface 14, a memory 15, a processor 16, and a communication module 17. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1 . Depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1, those skilled in the art can understand that some of the hardware components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may consist of only a main body, in which case the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1 are located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may be composed of a main body and a cartridge, and hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1 may be separately located in the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1 may be located in the main body and the cartridge, respectively.

Hereinafter, the operation of each component will be described without limiting the space where each component included in the aerosol generating device 1 is located.

The battery 11 supplies power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1 . That is, the battery 11 may supply power so that the heater 12 can be heated. In addition, the battery 11 may supply power necessary for the operation of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1, that is, at least one sensor 13, user interface 14, memory 15, and processor 16. The battery 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 11 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 12 receives power from the battery 11 under the control of the processor 16 . The heater 12 may receive power from the battery 11 to heat a cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 or a cartridge mounted in the aerosol generating device 1 .

The heater 12 may be located in the body of the aerosol generating device 1 . Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device 1 is composed of a main body and a cartridge, the heater 12 may be located in the cartridge. When the heater 12 is located in the cartridge, the heater 12 may receive power from the battery 11 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

Heater 12 may be formed from any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials can be metals or metal alloys including, but not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, and the like. In addition, the heater 12 may be implemented as a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the heater 12 may be a component included in the cartridge. The cartridge may include a heater 12, a liquid delivery means and a liquid reservoir. The aerosol-generating material contained in the liquid reservoir moves to the liquid delivery means, and the heater 12 heats the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the liquid delivery means to generate an aerosol. For example, the heater 12 may comprise a material such as nickel chrome and may be wound around or positioned adjacent to the liquid delivery means.

In another embodiment, the heater 12 may heat a cigarette inserted into the receiving space of the aerosol generating device 1 . As the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 12 may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. In this way, the heater 12 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

Meanwhile, the heater 12 may be an induction heating type heater. The heater 12 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette or cartridge by induction heating, and the cigarette or cartridge may include a susceptor capable of being heated by the induction heater.

An induction coil may be positioned around a cavity included in the aerosol-generating device 1 . An induction coil may surround the susceptor and cavity, but is not limited thereto.

When the cigarette is accommodated in the cavity of the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may supply power to the induction coil so that the induction coil generates an alternating magnetic field. As the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil passes through the susceptor, the susceptor may be heated. The aerosol-generating material in the cigarette may be heated by the heated susceptor to generate an aerosol. The generated aerosol passes through the cigarette and is delivered to the user.

The induction coil may be an electrically conductive coil that generates an alternating magnetic field by power supplied from the battery 11 . The susceptor is heated as an alternating magnetic field generated from an induction coil passes therethrough, and may include metal or carbon. For example, the susceptor 602 may include at least one of ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum.

In addition, the susceptor may include at least one of ceramics such as graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, nickel alloy, metal film, and zirconia, transition metals such as nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), and metalloids such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P). there is However, the susceptor is not limited to the above example, and may be applicable without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature as an alternating magnetic field is applied.

The susceptor may include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a bar heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette 200 according to the shape of the heating element.

The aerosol generating device 1 may comprise at least one sensor 13 . A result sensed by at least one sensor 13 is transmitted to the processor 16, and according to the sensing result, the processor 16 may control the aerosol generating device 1 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of a heater, restricting smoking, determining whether a cigarette (or cartridge) is inserted, displaying a notification, and the like.

For example, at least one sensor 13 may include a puff detection sensor. The puff sensor may detect a user's puff based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change.

Also, at least one sensor 13 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature at which the heater 12 (or aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater 12, or the heater 12 itself may serve as a temperature sensor instead of including a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1 while the heater 12 serves as a temperature sensor.

In addition, at least one sensor 13 may include a position change detection sensor. The position change detection sensor may detect a position change of the slider movably coupled with respect to the main body.

Also, at least one sensor 13 may include an external temperature sensor. The external temperature sensor can detect the external temperature of the aerosol generating device 1 . In addition, the external temperature may be sensed based on the suction pressure of the aerosol generating device 1 detected by the puff sensor and the vaporization temperature of the aerosol generating material detected by the temperature sensor without including a separate external temperature sensor.

Also, at least one sensor 13 may include a position sensor. The position sensor may be, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor or a GPS module. A GPS sensor can detect the position of the aerosol generating device 1 . The distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and other devices can be derived using the location information of the aerosol generating device 1 . For example, the processor 16 may determine the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device.

In addition, the memory 15 or the processor 16 of the aerosol generating device 1 may receive various types of data sensed by the at least one sensor 13 . Specifically, whenever it is determined whether or not a cigarette is inserted, the memory 15 or the processor 16 may receive data to count or store the number of smoking, detect cigarette insertion, and calculate or store the time elapsed from the last smoking.

The user interface 14 may provide information about the status of the aerosol-generating device 1 to the user. The user interface 14 includes a display or lamp that outputs visual information, a motor that outputs tactile information, a speaker that outputs sound information, input/output (I/O) interfacing means (eg, a button or touch screen) that receives information input from a user or outputs information to a user, terminals for data communication or supply of charging power, and wireless communication with an external device (eg, WI-FI, WI-FI Direct, Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication (NFC), etc.) It may include various interfacing means such as a communication interfacing module.

However, only some of the various examples of the user interface 14 illustrated above may be selected and implemented in the aerosol generating device 1 .

The memory 15 is hardware that stores various data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and the memory 15 may store data processed by the processor 16 and data to be processed. The memory 15 may be implemented in various types such as random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).

The memory 15 may store the number of times of smoking of the aerosol generating device 1, the time elapsed after smoking, the external temperature, the operation time, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

The processor 16 is hardware that controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1 . The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which programs executable by the microprocessor are stored. Also, those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

Processor 16 analyzes the result sensed by at least one sensor 13 and controls subsequent processes to be performed.

The processor 16 may control power supplied to the heater 12 to start or end the operation of the heater 12 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13 . In addition, the processor 16 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 12 and the time during which the power is supplied so that the heater 12 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13.

Also, in one embodiment, the processor 16 may generate a control message based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device 1 . In addition, the generated control message may be transmitted to an appliance control device that controls at least one target appliance through the communication module 17 . Operations performed by the processor 16 in this regard will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 .

In another embodiment, the processor 16 may set the mode of the heater 12 to a preheating mode in order to start the operation of the heater 12 after receiving a user input for the aerosol generating device 1 . In addition, the processor 16 may switch the mode of the heater 12 from a preheating mode to an operating mode after detecting a user's puff using a puff sensor. In addition, the processor 16 may count the number of puffs using the puff sensor and stop supplying power to the heater 12 when the number of puffs reaches a predetermined number.

The processor 16 may control the user interface 14 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13 . For example, when the number of puffs reaches a predetermined number after counting the number of puffs using a puff detection sensor, the processor 16 uses at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker to notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1 will soon end.

In addition, the processor 16 may display the content according to the generated control message on the user interface 14 . For example, if the number of cigarettes used per day exceeds 10, the processor 16 may notify that a control message for starting the operation of the air cleaner has been generated or that a control message has been transmitted through the user interface 14.

The communication module 17 may perform a communication function with an appliance control device, a target appliance, or other devices according to a wired or wireless communication method. A control message may be transmitted through the communication module 17 . Specifically, when the communication module 17 is the short-range communication module 17, a short-range wireless communication network may be formed to perform short-range communication between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device. Accordingly, a control message may be transmitted.

The wired communication method may include an Ethernet communication method or a USB communication method, and the wireless communication method may include a short-distance communication method such as wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth, Zigbee, infrared data association (IrDA), near field communication (NFC), and radio-frequency identification (RFID), as well as a long-distance communication method such as low-power long-distance communication technology (LPWAN). However, those skilled in the art can understand without difficulty that other types of communication methods may be further included without being limited thereto.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. A series of processes according to FIG. 2 may be performed by a processor.

Referring to step 210, a control message may be generated based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device.

The at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device may include information generated by the aerosol generating device, information processed by the aerosol generating device, information stored in the aerosol generating device, or a combination thereof. For example, usage information of the aerosol generating device, status information, and information sensed from at least one sensor may be included therein.

Specifically, the status information may include the location of the aerosol generating device and the distance between the aerosol generating device and the appliance control device. Usage information may include whether or not the smoking function of the aerosol generating device is activated or smoking data.

The control message may be data including information required to control at least one target appliance. Specifically, after the appliance control device receives the control message, it may be data including information necessary for issuing a control command to at least one target appliance by using the control message. The control message may be transmitted to the appliance control device or the target appliance through the communication module.

Referring to step 220, the generated control message may be transmitted to an appliance control device that controls at least one target appliance.

The target appliance refers to an appliance that is subject to control. For example, it may include an air purifier, styler, washing machine, air conditioner, heater, ventilator, vacuum cleaner, water purifier, dryer, and dehumidifier. In addition, a motor is provided and may further include a window or an automatic door capable of automatically opening and closing. However, those skilled in the art can understand without difficulty that other products that can be electrically controlled may be further included without being limited thereto.

The appliance control device refers to a device that receives a control message from the aerosol generating device and issues a control command to at least one target appliance according to the received control message.

Specifically, the appliance control device may communicate with at least one target appliance and control the operation of the target appliance. Specifically, the appliance control device and the target appliance may communicate by wire or wirelessly.

As described in FIG. 1, an ethernet communication method may be used for wired communication, and communication methods such as WLAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee, IrDA, and RFID may be used for wireless communication.

The appliance control device may not only be installed within a home or office, but may also be installed outside the home or office in close proximity to the appliance control device. The aerosol generating device and the appliance control device may each include an independent communication module, through which control messages may be transmitted and received.

When a control message is sent to the appliance control device, the at least one target appliance may be controlled according to the control message.

The control message may cause at least one target appliance to be controlled even though it is not separately processed by the appliance control device. For example, the control message may be generated based on the external temperature detected by the external temperature sensor of the aerosol generating device, and may be a command generated so that the appliance control device may issue a control command to operate the air conditioner in the home.

In addition, the control message may be data including a command for allowing one or more target appliances to be differently controlled for each appliance. For example, the operation of the air conditioner may be initiated and the operation of the heater may be terminated by one control message.

Also, the control message may be generated according to user settings. Specifically, the user can match information related to a specific aerosol generating device in advance with the operation of a specific target appliance. According to preset user settings, a control message allowing the target appliance to be controlled may be generated.

For example, if the number of smoking using the aerosol generating device exceeds 10 times, the air purifier can be matched to operate for 20 minutes and then shut down. When such a control message is transmitted to the appliance control device, the appliance control device may issue a control command to shut down the air purifier after operating for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, the control message may be reprocessed by the appliance control device. According to the reprocessed control message, more optimal target appliance control for a home or office environment can be performed. Regarding reprocessing, it will be described in more detail in FIG. 6 .

3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a control method of a target appliance according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3 , an appliance control system 3 comprising an aerosol generating device 1 including a communication module and a processor and an appliance control device 2 is shown.

The processor generates a control message based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device 1, transmits the generated control message to the appliance control device 2 that controls at least one target appliance A1, A2, ... An through a communication module, and the appliance control device 2 can control the at least one target appliance A1, A2, ... An according to the control message.

Specifically, the aerosol generating device 1 may perform data communication with the appliance control device 2 through a communication module. Accordingly, the control message generated by the aerosol generating device 1 can be transmitted to the appliance control device 2 .

In addition, the appliance control device 2 may issue a control command by communicating with at least one controlled appliance.

Although only one aerosol generating device 1 is shown in FIG. 3 , the appliance control device 2 can communicate with a plurality of aerosol generating devices 1 . In addition, a communication connection may be established not only by manual setting, but also automatically, so that the specific aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 communicate. For example, when the aerosol generating device 1 approaches a wireless communication network provided in the home, a communication connection with the appliance control device 2 provided in the home may be automatically established.

In addition, the target appliances (A1, A2, ... An) are illustrated as being disposed within the building, but may be disposed outside the building as long as they can receive a control command from the appliance control device 2.

A communicable distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 may vary depending on the communication method. For example, in the case of communication using a local area network, a communication possible distance may be limited to several tens to several hundred meters. However, in the case of communication using a long-distance communication network, the communicable distance may be several tens of kilometers or more.

4A is a conceptual diagram for explaining that the location of an aerosol generating device is determined to be indoors or outdoors according to a distance.

The processor can determine the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 . For example, the distance between the two devices may be determined by detecting location information of the aerosol generating device 1 from a GPS sensor included in the aerosol generating device 1 and calculating a difference from a pre-stored location of the control device of the appliance.

In addition, the processor may determine the distance between the two devices by communicating with the appliance control device 2 through a communication module included in the aerosol generating device 1. For example, a distance between two devices may be determined using a communication available distance and/or communication strength. Specifically, the processor may determine that the distance between the two devices is closer as the communication strength is stronger within the communication available distance.

The processor may generate a control message based on the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 .

For example, if the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 is too great, control of the target appliance may be unnecessary. In this way, when the processor determines that the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 is not within a predetermined distance, a control message is not generated or the target appliance is not substantially controlled. A control message may be generated.

The processor may determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is indoors or outdoors based on the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 .

According to one embodiment, the processor may determine that the aerosol generating device 1 is indoors when the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 is within the first threshold distance R1.

In addition, the processor may generate a control message based on whether the smoking function of the aerosol generating device 1 is operated, on the premise that the aerosol generating device 1 is indoors.

For example, if the smoking function is activated when the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 is less than or equal to the first threshold distance R1, at least one target appliance for ventilating the room can be controlled. Accordingly, the operating intensity of the air purifier in operation may be increased, and the closed window may be opened.

In addition, the processor may generate a control message based on information combining the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 and whether the smoking function of the aerosol generating device 1 is activated.

According to one embodiment, according to turning on/off the smoking function of the aerosol generating device 1 in a state where it is determined that the aerosol generating device 1 is indoors, the operating mode of at least one target appliance may be set to one of on, off and mode change.

Here, on/off means that the smoking function is turned on or off. In addition, that the operation mode of at least one target appliance is set to one of on, off, and mode change means that the operation of the target appliance starts, ends, or operates in another mode as the smoking function is turned off or on.

For example, if the smoking function of the aerosol generating device 1 is turned on in a state where it is determined that the aerosol generating device 1 is indoors, a control message allowing the indoor environment to be comfortably adjusted may be generated. Accordingly, the operation of the air cleaner may be started, the window may be opened, and the operating intensity of the ventilating fan may be increased.

In addition, when the smoking function of the aerosol generating device 1 is turned off, a control message is generated based on this, and accordingly, the operation of the air purifier is terminated, the window is closed, and the operating intensity of the operating fan may be lowered.

According to another embodiment, the processor may determine that the aerosol generating device 1 is outdoors when the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 is not within the first threshold distance R1.

For example, when the first threshold distance R1 exceeds a communicable distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2, it may be determined that the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 is not within the first critical distance R1.

The processor may generate a control message based on the smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device 1 on the premise that the aerosol generating device 1 is outdoors, and transmit the generated control message to the appliance control device 2 when the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 becomes within the first threshold distance R1.

In addition, the processor may generate a control message based on information combining the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 and the smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device 1, and transmit the generated control message to the appliance control device 2 when the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 becomes within the first threshold distance R1.

The smoking data may be at least one of data generated as a user uses the aerosol generating device 1 and information collected by at least one sensor included in the aerosol generating device 1 .

For example, the smoking data may include at least one of the number of cigarettes smoked in the aerosol generating device (such as the number of cigarettes smoked per day or the number of cigarettes per week), the cumulative number of cigarettes (such as the number of cigarettes used per day or the amount of cartridges consumed), and the time elapsed after smoking. For example, the smoking count may include the number of cigarettes consumed during a preset period of time and the number of operation of a smoking function during a preset period of time. The time elapsed after smoking may refer to the time elapsed from the time when the smoking function of the aerosol generating device 1 was last operated.

According to an embodiment, the smoking data is the number of smoking, and the processor may generate a control message based on whether the number of smoking reaches a preset threshold number. Specifically, the preset threshold number of times may be 10 cigarettes per day. When the number of cigarettes consumed per day by the user exceeds 10 in a state where it is determined that the aerosol generating device 1 is outdoors, a control message allowing the indoor environment to be comfortably adjusted before the user moves indoors is generated based on this, and when the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 becomes within the first threshold distance R1, the generated control message can be transmitted to the appliance control device 2. Accordingly, the operating intensity of the indoor air purifier and the ventilation fan may be increased.

According to another embodiment, the smoking data is time elapsed after smoking, and the processor may generate a control message based on whether the time elapsed after smoking reaches a preset threshold time. Specifically, the preset threshold time may be 2 hours. In a state in which it is determined that the aerosol generating device 1 is outdoors, the processor may generate a control message for making the room comfortable for a period of time from when the smoking function of the aerosol generating device 1 was last operated before a critical time of 2 hours elapsed. Accordingly, the operating intensity of the indoor air purifier and the ventilation fan may increase until a sufficient time has elapsed from the time of last smoking.

According to another embodiment, the processor may generate a control message based on external temperature information. Specifically, when the external temperature detected by the external temperature sensor included in the aerosol generating device 1 is higher than the preset temperature, a control message allowing the indoor temperature to be lowered may be generated based on the external temperature. Accordingly, the operation of the air conditioner may be started before the user moves into the room.

Also, when the external temperature is lower than the preset temperature, a control message for increasing the indoor temperature may be generated based on the external temperature. Accordingly, the operation of the heater may be started before the user moves into the room.

In addition, in a state in which it is determined that the aerosol generating device 1 is outdoors, the processor additionally considers not only the smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device 1 but also the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 to generate a control message. For example, at least one target appliance may be controlled only when the distance between the aerosol generating device 1 and the appliance control device 2 is shorter than a preset distance.

4B is a conceptual diagram for explaining that a target appliance is differently controlled according to an increase or decrease in distance.

The processor may change the control message according to an increase or decrease in the distance between the aerosol generating devices 1a, 1b and 1c and the appliance control device 2. Depending on the changing control message, at least one target appliance (A1, A2, ... An) may be controlled differently from before the distance increases or decreases.

Referring to Fig. 4b, it is shown that the distance between the aerosol generating device 1a and the appliance control device 2 is D1 when the aerosol generating device 1a is in the first position. When the aerosol-generating device 1a is in the first position, the processor can generate a control message that causes the two target appliances A1 and A2 to start operating.

When the aerosol generating device 1b is moved to the second position, the distance between the aerosol generating device 1b and the appliance control device 2 is reduced to D2. As the distance decreases, a control message may be generated that allows the target appliances A1 and A2 to be controlled differently compared to when the appliance control device 2 is in the first position. For example, when the aerosol generating device 1b is in the second position, the processor may generate a control message such that the operating strength of the two target appliances A1 and A2 is higher than when they are in the first position.

Further, when the aerosol generating device 1c is moved to the third position, the distance between the aerosol generating device 1c and the appliance control device 2 increases to D3. As the distance increases, a control message may be generated so that the target appliances A1 and A2 are differently controlled compared to when the appliance control device 2 is in the first position. For example, when the aerosol-generating device 1c is in the third position, the processor may generate a control message to operate only one target appliance A1.

4C is a conceptual diagram for explaining that the smoking function of the aerosol generating device is blocked depending on the distance.

The processor determines the distance between the aerosol generating devices 1d and 1e and the appliance control device 2 through the communication module or at least one sensor, and if the distance is within the second critical distance R2, the smoking function of the aerosol generating devices 1d and 1e can be blocked.

Referring to Fig. 4c, it is shown that the distance between the aerosol generating device 1d and the appliance control device 2 is D4 when the aerosol generating device 1d is in the fourth position. Since the aerosol generating device 1d is farther than the second threshold distance R2 when the aerosol generating device 1d is in the fourth position, the smoking function may not be blocked.

It is shown that the distance between the aerosol generating device 1e and the appliance control device 2 is D5 when the aerosol generating device 1e is in the fifth position. Since the aerosol generating device 1e is closer than the second threshold distance R2 when the aerosol generating device 1e is in the fifth position, the smoking function can be cut off.

By blocking only the smoking function of the aerosol generating devices 1d and 1e close to the appliance control device 2, the area around the home or office can be set as a non-smoking zone. Through these functions, a more comfortable living space can be formed.

5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a control method of a target appliance according to another embodiment.

5, the processor generates a control message based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device 1, transmits the generated control message to at least one target appliance (A1, A2, ... An) through a communication module, and the at least one target appliance (A1, A2, ... An) can be controlled according to the control message.

That is, the communication module of the aerosol generating device 1 may directly communicate with at least one communicable target appliance A1, A2, ... An. Accordingly, a control message may be transmitted to the target appliances A1, A2, ... An, and the operation of at least one target appliance A1, A2, ... An may be controlled according to the received control message.

For example, when the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor included in the aerosol generating device 1 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the processor generates a control message for lowering the indoor temperature based on this, and the air conditioner receiving the control message is started to operate according to the control message, and the target temperature can be appropriately set.

In addition, a communication module may be included in at least one target appliance (A1, A2, ... An) to communicate with the aerosol generating device 1 and at least one target appliance (A1, A2, ... An). In addition, a processor for reprocessing the control message may be further included in at least one target appliance (A1, A2, ... An).

6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an appliance control device according to an embodiment.

The appliance control device 2 may include a processor 21 and a communication module 22 . However, the internal structure of the appliance control device 2 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6 . Depending on the design of the appliance control device 2, those skilled in the art can understand that some of the hardware configurations shown in FIG. 6 may be omitted or new configurations may be further added.

Hereinafter, the operation of each component will be described without limiting the space where each component included in the appliance control device 2 is located.

The processor 21 is hardware that controls the overall operation of the appliance control device 2 . The processor 21 may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor 21 and a memory in which a program that may be executed by the microprocessor 21 is stored. Also, those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The processor 21 of the appliance control device 2 receives a control message generated based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device from the aerosol generating device through the communication module 22, and controls at least one target appliance according to the received control message.

Specifically, the appliance control device 2 may be connected to at least one target appliance by wire or wirelessly. Accordingly, a control command may be issued to at least one target appliance according to the control message received from the aerosol generating device. For example, the appliance control device 2 may be installed in a home or office and wirelessly connected to an air purifier, air conditioner, and ventilator. According to the control message received from the aerosol generating device, the appliance control device 2 may issue a control command to start operation of the air purifier, stop operation of the air conditioner, and increase the operation intensity of the ventilation fan.

In addition, the appliance control device 2 may receive a control message generated based on the distance between the aerosol generating device and the appliance control device 2, and control the target appliance accordingly.

Also, the processor 21 of the appliance control device 2 may reprocess the received control message. Reprocessing may mean that the processor 21 processes data included in the received control message using the processor 21 of the appliance control device 2 in order to more efficiently control at least one target appliance.

Specifically, the control message may be raw data generated by the aerosol generating device based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device. The processor 21 may reprocess the received raw data, convert it into optimal data for controlling at least one target appliance, and issue a control command to the at least one target appliance according to the reprocessed control message. Optimum data may refer to data processed to be most suitable for controlling at least one target appliance in consideration of a relationship between the appliance control device 2 and at least one target appliance.

For example, when the appliance control device 2 receives a control message including raw data indicating that the outdoor temperature detected by the sensor of the aerosol generating device is below freezing and the number of cigarettes smoked per day is 20, the processor 21 may reprocess the raw data to raise the indoor temperature and generate a reprocessing control message including a control command for operating an air purifier, a ventilator, and a heater to make the air comfortable.

Although not shown in FIG. 6 , the appliance control device 2 may further include a gateway for efficiently controlling at least one target appliance. Accordingly, a control command may be issued to a larger number of target appliances without communication delay.

An embodiment may be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executed by a computer. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Also, computer readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal such as program modules, or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

Those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment will be able to understand that it may be implemented in a modified form within a range that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the present invention.

1: aerosol generating device 2: appliance control device
3: appliance control system 11: battery
12: heater 13: sensor
14: user interface 15: memory
16: processor 17: communication module
21: processor 22: communication module
R1: 1st critical distance R2: 2nd critical distance

Claims (17)

An aerosol generating device comprising a communication module and a processor,
the processor,
generating a control message based on at least one information related to the aerosol generating device;
Transmitting the generated control message to an appliance control device for controlling at least one target appliance through the communication module;
The at least one target appliance is controlled according to the control message,
the processor,
Generating the control message based on whether the smoking function of the aerosol generating device is operating or smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device;
An aerosol generating device configured to determine that the aerosol generating device is outdoors when the distance between the aerosol generating device and the appliance control device is not within a first threshold distance and generate the control message based on smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device. delete According to claim 1,
the processor,
Wherein the aerosol generating device determines that the aerosol generating device is indoors when the distance is within the first threshold distance, and generates the control message based on whether the smoking function is operated. According to claim 3,
According to the on / off of the smoking function, the operation mode of the target appliance is set to any one of on, off and mode change. delete According to claim 1,
Wherein the processor transmits the generated control message to the appliance control device when the distance is within the first threshold distance. According to claim 1,
The smoking data is the number of cigarettes smoked,
Wherein the processor generates the control message based on whether the number of smoking reaches a preset threshold number of times, the aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
The smoking data is the time elapsed after smoking,
Wherein the processor generates the control message based on whether the time elapsed after smoking reaches a preset threshold time, the aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
The processor changes the control message according to the increase or decrease of the distance,
Wherein the at least one target appliance is differently controlled according to the changing control message. According to claim 1,
the processor,
determining a distance between the aerosol generating device and the appliance control device, and blocking a smoking function of the aerosol generating device when the distance is within a second threshold distance. According to claim 1,
The control message is reprocessed by the appliance control device,
wherein the at least one target appliance is controlled according to the reprocessed control message. An aerosol generating device comprising a communication module and a processor,
the processor,
generating a control message based on at least one information related to the aerosol generating device;
Transmitting the generated control message to at least one target appliance through the communication module;
The at least one target appliance is controlled according to the control message,
the processor,
Generating the control message based on whether the smoking function of the aerosol generating device is operating or smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device;
When the distance between the aerosol generating device and the appliance is not within a first threshold distance, determining that the aerosol generating device is outdoors and generating the control message based on smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device. An aerosol generating device. An appliance control device including a communication module and a processor,
the processor,
Receiving a control message generated based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device from an aerosol generating device through the communication module;
Control at least one target appliance according to the received control message;
The control message,
It is generated based on whether the smoking function of the aerosol generating device is operating or smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device,
When the distance between the aerosol generating device and the appliance control device is not within a first threshold distance, it is determined that the aerosol generating device is outdoors and generated based on smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device. Appliance control device. delete According to claim 13,
the processor,
and reprocessing the control message, and controlling the at least one target appliance based on the reprocessed control message. An appliance control system comprising an aerosol generating device and an appliance control device including a communication module and a processor,
the processor,
generating a control message based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device;
Transmitting the generated control message to the appliance control device for controlling at least one target appliance through the communication module;
The appliance control device,
Control the at least one target appliance according to the control message;
the processor,
Generating the control message based on whether the smoking function of the aerosol generating device is operating or smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device;
the processor,
When the distance between the aerosol generating device and the appliance control device is not within a first threshold distance, it is determined that the aerosol generating device is outdoors, and the control message is generated based on smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device. Appliance control system. A control method of an aerosol generating device comprising:
generating a control message based on at least one piece of information related to the aerosol generating device; and
Transmitting the generated control message to an appliance control device that controls at least one target appliance;
The at least one target appliance is controlled according to the control message,
Generating the control message,
Generating the control message based on whether the smoking function of the aerosol generating device is operating or smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device;
determining that the aerosol generating device is outdoors when the distance between the aerosol generating device and the appliance control device is not within a first threshold distance, and generating the control message based on smoking data stored in the aerosol generating device.

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