WO2022002741A1

WO2022002741A1 - Battery level indication by request

Info

Publication number: WO2022002741A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/067296
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karima Lakraa
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2020-06-29
Filing date: 2021-06-24
Publication date: 2022-01-06
Also published as: JP2023530872A; EP4171290A1

Abstract

An aerosol generation device (10) comprising: a sensor (11) configured to detect device motion; and control circuitry (12) configured to indicate a battery state upon detection of a first motion by the sensor; wherein the first motion comprises: arranging the device in a first orientation (20) in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction (24); rotating the device by substantially a half turn (25) about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and counter-rotating the device by substantially a half turn (26) about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Description

BATTERY LEVEL INDICATION BY REQUEST FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to motion sensing in aerosol generation devices.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

An aerosol generation device such as an electronic cigarette typically requires power to operate. In order to use the device remotely, batteries can be used. The batteries need to be charged on occasion, but without an indication of battery level, a user of the device is unaware of how much longer the device may be operable. The battery level may be indicated permanently, for example using a light emitting diode, but this would consume additional power unnecessarily.

It is desirable to be able to easily determine the battery state of an aerosol generation device whilst reducing the power consumption of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generation device comprising: a sensor configured to detect device motion; and control circuitry configured to indicate a battery state upon detection of a first motion by the sensor. The first motion comprises: arranging the device in a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction; rotating the device by substantially a half turn about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and counter-rotating the device by substantially a half turn about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Advantageously, the current battery state of the device can be indicated upon request. The first motion, detected by the sensor, triggers the control circuitry to indicate the battery state. The first motion is particularly distinctive as the sequence of rotation by substantially a half turn followed by counter-rotation by substantially a half turn is outside the typical motion of the device. As such, unless the first motion is performed deliberately, it is unlikely that the sensor would detect the first motion. Therefore it is unlikely that the control circuitry would indicate the battery state accidentally. This advantageously reduces the power consumption. The first motion involves a rotation followed by a counter rotation so that the final orientation of the device at the conclusion of the first motion is the same as its initial orientation. This is particularly important in an aerosol generation device as it has a preferred orientation for use in which the longitudinal axis of the device must point towards the user’s mouth. Therefore, the user can readily check the battery state by rotating and then counter-rotating the device to bring it back into a natural orientation for vaping with the longitudinal axis aligned with the user’s mouth. This provides a gesture that can be easily performed by all users from a vaping position. The gesture has a low likelihood of being input by accident and it does not interfere with normal vaping operations, since the start and end position is one in which the longitudinal axis points towards the user’s mouth.

The sensor, configured to detect device motion, may comprise one or more inertial sensors. Inertial sensors are typically sensitive to changes in speed or direction of motion. Preferably, the inertial sensors include at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope. For example, the inertial sensors may include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or both an accelerometer and a gyroscope. Other inertial sensors may also be used. An accelerometer may be used to measure the change in velocity and displacement of the device, and a gyroscope may be used to measure the orientation and/or angular velocity of the device. Inertial sensors such as an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope may therefore provide feedback on the current orientation and the movement through space.

Advantageously, this allows the sensor to detect device motion such as the first motion described above. For example, the gyroscope may be able to detect the first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in the first direction; a combination of the accelerometer and the gyroscope may be able to detect the rotation of the device along an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and the accelerometer and the gyroscope may be able to detect the counter-rotation about substantially the same axis.

Optionally, the one or more inertial sensors comprise a six-axis gyro sensor. A six-axis gyro sensor typically includes a three-axis gyroscope and three-axis accelerometer, wherein the three axes are preferably orthogonal and may be referred to as pitch, yaw and roll axes. One axis of the gyro sensor may align with the longitudinal axis of the device. Advantageously, a six-axis gyro sensor can detect complex device motion and can easily distinguish between different device motions.

The indication of the battery state may be provided in a number of ways. Preferably, the aerosol generation device comprises a haptic unit, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the haptic unit to indicate the battery state. The haptic unit may be configured to vibrate upon activation. The length, in time, of the vibration may be adjustable. Similarly, the strength of the vibration may be adjustable. Furthermore the strength may vary during the course of the vibration so as to provide, for example, a pulsed vibration. The strength may drop to zero between pulses to provide a sequence of distinct vibrations. The features of the vibration may be configured to a factory setting or may be configurable by a user.

An advantage of haptic feedback is the ability to communicate information to a user without the user needing to focus on or look at the device. A further advantage of adjustable vibration patterns provided by the haptic unit is the ability to communicate a plurality of different messages to the user. Preferably, each of the plurality of messages correspond to a distinct vibration pattern. For example, different battery levels may be indicated by different patterns of vibration, with each battery level having a distinct, corresponding, pattern.

The battery state may also be indicated to the user using light. The aerosol generation device may comprise a light-emitting unit, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the light-emitting unit to indicate the battery state. The light-emitting unit may include any light-emitting components, and typically includes light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs may be white or coloured. Activation of the light-emitting unit by the control circuitry may involve turning on one or more of the LEDs. The control circuitry may activate different LEDs in the unit depending on the battery state. For example, a red LED may indicate a low battery level; a yellow LED may indicate an intermediate battery level; and a green LED may indicate a high battery level. Alternatively, or in addition, activation of the light-emitting unit may involve a pulsed pattern of light.

An advantage of photic feedback is the clarity of feedback provided. The different colours are typically clear to a user, and a combination of colours and pulses can be used to communicate many different messages.

The light-emitting unit may be activated separately or in conjunction with the haptic unit. The haptic unit may be activated separately. The mode of battery indication, i.e. using the light-emitting unit only, using the haptic unit only, or using the light-emitting unit and the haptic unit together, may be pre-set or may be decided by a user using a connected electronic device such as a mobile terminal device.

After indicating the battery state, the control circuitry is preferably further configured to inhibit indication of the battery state of a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be any suitable amount of time, such as three seconds. The inhibition or prevention of indication of the battery state means that even if the first motion is detected by the sensor, no sensory feedback, i.e. haptic or photic feedback, will be provided to the user.

This has the advantage that if the first motion is repeatedly detected by the sensor, for example as a result of a user playing with the aerosol generation device in a particular way, the battery level is not indicated constantly. This advantageously reduces power consumption.

In order for the sensor to detect the first motion, the sensor must determine the sequence of a rotation of the device by substantially a half turn about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis followed by a counter-rotation of the device by substantially a half turn about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The half turn may be approximately 180 degrees. However, the precise input of a half turn is typically not required in order for the sensor to be able to detect that a half turn of the device has occurred. Typically, the half turn is at least 140 degrees, and preferably the half turn is at least 160 degrees. The half turn may also be greater than 180 degrees. Furthermore, the half turn through which the device is rotated and the half turn through which the device is counter-rotated may differ. It can be difficult to perform a precise rotation or counter-rotation by 180 degrees, and therefore it is advantageous for the sensor to be able to determine the occurrence of a half turn from the input of a range of rotations.

The aerosol generation device is typically approximately cuboidal in shape with a particular length, width and height. The length of the device is typically the longest dimension and is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis. The rotation and counter-rotation of the device is about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Preferably the point of rotation of the device is positioned along the longitudinal axis. The point of rotation may be external to the device or internal to the device. For example, the point of rotation may be close to the centre of mass of the device.

The width of the device is preferably longer than the height. In this way, the device may have a substantially (non-square) rectangular cross-sectional shape with a mouthpiece that is shaped like a whistle having two major surfaces and two minor surfaces that represent respective edges. The rotation and counter rotation of the device is preferably only about an axis which is parallel with the width of the device or, in other words, is parallel with a surface normal located on an edge of the device. In this way, the rotation and counter-rotation can be readily performed when the whistle-shaped mouthpiece is aligned with the user’s mouth. In this way, detection only of a specific rotation of the cuboidal device about a specific axis can be used to indicate battery state. As explained above, the first motion comprises arranging the device in a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction. In some arrangements the first direction may be a predetermined direction. Thus, the device may indicate a battery state only when the initial device orientation matches a predetermined orientation. The predetermined orientation may be selected to match the expected orientation of a device in normal use. Typically this would be an orientation in which the mouthpiece is directed towards the user’s mouth, and the longitudinal axis is inclined downwards, relative to the horizontal.

The step in the first motion of arranging the device in the first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in the predetermined direction may be performed before the step of rotating the device and/or after the step of counter-rotating the device. In this way, the initial and final orientations of the device before any rotation or counter-rotation can be used to control whether a battery indication is provided. This can be used to ensure that the device is in its normal vaping orientation before execution of the rotation and counter-rotation.

During rotation or counter-rotation of the device, one end of the device may pass through an arc shape. For example, if the point of rotation is one end of the device, the other end of the device may pass through an arc shape with a radius equal to the length of the device.

Typically, the device motion is effected by a user. The user benefits from performing the device motion, as this allows the user to request the battery state information on demand using the device motion. The first motion is a natural action with which a user is easily and fluidly able to input to trigger the indication of the battery state. The input of the first motion allows a user to easily and conveniently check the battery state of the device.

The aerosol generation device may be configured to be connected to other electronic devices. For example, the aerosol generation device may be configured to connect to a mobile terminal device. Preferably, the aerosol generation device further comprises a communication module. When the aerosol generation device is connected to the mobile terminal device, the communication module may be configured to receive indication information from the mobile terminal device, wherein the indication information typically indicates the first motion.

In this way, the first motion may be indicated to the aerosol generation device by the mobile terminal device using the communication module. The first motion may be determined to be the rotation and counter-rotation sequence. The control circuitry may be configured to indicate the battery state upon detection by the sensor of the first motion as indicated by the indication information. The communication of indication information by the mobile terminal device to the aerosol generation device advantageously provides flexibility and personalisation for a user of the aerosol generation device.

Another aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generation device comprising: a sensor configured to detect user gestures; a selection module with which a user can select one or more gestures from a group of gestures; and control circuitry configured to indicate a battery state upon detection of the selected one or more gestures by the sensor.

The user can select one or more gestures from a group of gestures such that subsequent input of the selected one or more gestures results in the indication of the battery state. The control circuitry may be configured to inhibit indication of the battery state upon detection by the sensor of a gesture which is not one of the selected one or more gestures. Advantageously, this allows the user to personalise device operation by selecting one or more gestures which will result in the indication of the state of the battery.

The group of gestures preferably comprises one or more of a first gesture, a second gesture and a third gesture. The group of gestures may also comprise additional gestures. The first gesture may comprise arranging the device in a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction; rotating the device by substantially a half turn about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and counter-rotating the device by substantially a half turn about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second gesture may comprise a double tap. The third gesture may comprise a double shock, in which an impulse is applied to the device twice in quick succession.

The aerosol generation device may be programmed to recognise or detect the first gesture, the second gesture and the third gesture. Any additional gestures may also be pre-programmed or may be programmed by the user.

The first, second and third gestures have distinctive features. One of the first or second or third gestures may be easier to perform in a particular user situation than the other. For example, in a crowded space it may be easier for the user to perform the second gesture, or whilst walking it may be easier for the user to perform the first gesture. The third gesture may be easily performed without looking at the device. Alternatively, the user may wish to have a subset of gestures which correspond to battery state indication by the control circuitry and therefore the selection module can be used to select just one gesture in the group of gestures, or two of the three gestures.

The selection of one or more gestures by the user in this way beneficially provides the user with flexibility when using the device and the ability to program the device in accordance with their preferences. The selection may be performed at any time should the user preference or the particular user situation change.

The aerosol generation device may be configured to be connected to an electronic device such as a mobile terminal device. The aerosol generation device may further comprise a communication module which is typically configured to receive indication information from the mobile terminal device. The indication information may be used to indicate the selected one or more gestures. The selection of the one or more gestures may be performed at the mobile terminal device and communicated to the aerosol generation device accordingly. The mobile terminal device may include an application used for reviewing configuration details of the aerosol generation device such as the selected one or more gestures. An advantage of indicating the selected one or more gestures using indication information sent by the mobile terminal device is the ability to review the selected one or more gestures on the mobile terminal device. Furthermore, the selection may be performed using the application on the mobile terminal device. An advantage of performing the selection in this way is the relative simplicity of the interface and therefore of the selection input.

A further aspect of the invention provides a mobile terminal device configured to be in communication with an aerosol generation device, wherein the aerosol generation device comprises a sensor configured to detect user gestures, and wherein the mobile terminal device comprises: an application; and a selection module with which a user can select one or more gestures from a group of gestures. The sensor of the aerosol generation device is configured to detect the selected one or more gestures.

Advantageously, the configuration of the sensor to detect the selected one or more gestures enables the aerosol generation device to be personalised in a flexible manner. The selection of one or more gestures from a group of gestures at the selection module may be performed by a user.

Preferably, the mobile terminal device further comprises a sending module configured to send messages to the aerosol generation device. The messages typically contain information and/or commands. This advantageously allows the mobile terminal device to communicate with the aerosol generation device. For example, the aerosol generation device configuration may be updated using the application of the mobile terminal device, and the sending module can send information regarding the updates to the aerosol generation device.

Alternatively, a command may be input at the mobile terminal device, and the sending module may communicate the input command to the aerosol generation device. This advantageously allows the communication of the mobile terminal device with the aerosol generation device. The application interface at the mobile terminal device may beneficially provide a more accessible, user-friendly, interface with which to input commands and update configuration information in relation to the aerosol generation device.

Preferably, the sending module may be further configured to send indication information to the aerosol generation device; wherein the indication information indicates the selected one or more gestures. Advantageously, the selection of the one or more gestures from the group of gestures may be performed at the mobile terminal device using the selection module. The sending module is configured to send information, and can optionally send indication information to communicate to the aerosol generation device which gesture or gestures are selected.

The group of gestures from which the one or more gestures are selected may comprise one or more of a first gesture, a second gesture and a third gesture. The first gesture may comprise: arranging the device in a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction; rotating the device by substantially a half turn about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and counter-rotating the device by substantially a half turn about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second gesture may comprise a double tap. The third gesture may comprise a double shock. The group of gestures may comprise any of the first, second and third gestures along with additional gestures which may include any detectable device input.

Advantageously, the group of gestures may comprise gestures with different features which may be selected using the selection module depending on user preference. The selection of one or more gestures from a group of gestures provides additional convenience to the user through the flexibility of input gesture.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method for indicating a battery state of an aerosol generation device. The aerosol generation device comprises a sensor and control circuitry. The method comprises: detecting, by the sensor, a first motion, wherein the first motion comprises: arranging the device in a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction; rotating the device by substantially a half turn about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and counter-rotating the device by substantially a half turn about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The method further comprises: indicating, by the control circuitry, the battery state of the aerosol generation device.

Advantageously, the current battery state of the device is indicated following the detection by the sensor of the first motion. This allows the battery state to be requested on demand by performing the first motion, which is a distinctive motion of the device.

An aspect of the invention provides a method for determining one or more gestures for indicating battery state of an aerosol generation device. The method comprises: selecting, using a connected mobile terminal device, one or more gestures from a group of gestures; and sending, from the mobile terminal device, indication information to the aerosol generation device; wherein the indication information indicates the selected one or more gestures.

Advantageously, this method allows a battery state request to be adapted according to user preference. The aerosol generation device may be configured to indicate the current battery state to the user when one of the one or more gestures is performed.

Another aspect of the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to carry out steps comprising: detecting a first motion, wherein the first motion comprises: arranging the device in a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction; rotating the device by substantially a half turn about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and counter-rotating the device by substantially a half turn about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and indicating the battery state of the aerosol generation device. The first motion may be detected using a sensor which may include one or more inertial sensors. The raw data received from inertial sensors may be processed using a computer to transform the raw data into physical values which may be analysed. The first motion may be detected if the analysed motion matches a stored motion. Indication of the battery state of the aerosol generation device following detection of the first motion advantageously allows the battery state to be indicated upon request. In this way, the battery level does not need to be permanently indicated and can instead be indicated temporarily to reduce battery consumption.

A further aspect of the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to carry out steps comprising: determining one or more gestures from a group of gestures; and sending indication information to an aerosol generation device; wherein the indication information indicates the determined one or more gestures.

The one or more determined gestures from the group of gestures may be determined based on one or more gestures selected by a user. Sending indication information which indicates the determined one or more gestures advantageously provides flexible input according to user preference. Interaction with the aerosol generation device can beneficially be personalised to allow the user select one or more gestures which can be used as a battery indication request to trigger indication of the current battery level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an aerosol generation device in accordance with a first embodiment;

Figure 2A is a schematic illustration of a first portion of a first motion in accordance with a second embodiment; Figure 2B is a schematic illustration of a second portion of the first motion in accordance with the second embodiment;

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the recognition of a first motion in accordance with a third embodiment; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a user gesture in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating the recognition of a user gesture in accordance with a fifth embodiment;

Figure 6 is an illustration of an application interface in accordance with a sixth embodiment;

Figure 7A is a flow chart illustrating the function of a selection module in accordance with a seventh embodiment;

Figure 7B is a flow chart illustrating the function of a selection module in accordance with an eighth embodiment; Figure 7C is a flow chart illustrating the function of a selection module in accordance with a ninth embodiment;

Figure 8A is a schematic illustration of battery indication modes in accordance with a tenth embodiment;

Figure 8B is a schematic illustration of battery indication modes in accordance with an eleventh embodiment;

Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of an aerosol generation device and a mobile terminal device in accordance with a twelfth embodiment;

Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating communication between modules in accordance with a thirteenth embodiment; and Figure 11 is a flow chart illustrating a pre-determined time period in accordance with a fourteenth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an aerosol generation device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The aerosol generation device 10 can detect motion of the device or other input such as user gestures. The aerosol generation device 10 comprises a sensor 11 and control circuitry 12.

The sensor 11 is configured to detect motion of the aerosol generation device 10, and in particular is configured to detect a first motion. In this embodiment the sensor 11 includes inertial sensors including an accelerometer and a gyroscope. In this embodiment, the sensor includes a six-axis gyro sensor. The six-axis gyro sensor includes three accelerometers and three orientation sensors which are used to detect device motion. In alternative embodiments, the sensor may also include additional sensors such as a capacitive sensor.

The control circuitry 12 can be configured to respond in a particular way to a specific motion of the device. In this embodiment, the control circuitry 12 is configured to indicate a battery state upon detection of the first motion by the sensor 11. Examples of the first motion are described in more detail with reference to Figures 2A, 2B and 4.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate portions of a flip motion. The flip motion can be used to trigger the indication of battery state using vibrations, lights, or other sensory feedback. Prior to performing the flip motion, the device is arranged is a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction. In this embodiment the device is substantially cuboidal in shape with a measurable length, width, and height. The width of the device is longer than the height so that it has a non-square rectangular cross-sectional shape. The device 10 comprises a mouthpiece 13 that is shaped like a whistle with a width that is longer than its height and with a shape that flares outwardly along the length of the device. The length of the device is measured along its longitudinal axis. The device motion is measured relative to the first direction in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned. The device has two major surfaces 14, 16 on which a user tends to rest their fingers in normal use, a first edge surface 18, and a second edge surface (not visible in Figure 2A).

Figure 2A illustrates a first portion of the flip motion. In the first portion, the device is arranged in a first orientation 20 in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction 24. In this embodiment, the first direction is substantially horizontal. In normal use, the first direction 24 would be aligned with a user’s mouth so that it is ready for vaping. The device is rotated by substantially a half turn 25 about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is substantially parallel to the width axis. A half turn is approximately 180 degrees. In order for the sensor to recognise a half turn, the device rotation is at least 140 degrees, and preferably 160 degrees. At the end of the first portion, the device is arranged in a second orientation 21 which is substantially anti-parallel to the first orientation 20. In this embodiment, the second orientation 21 is also substantially horizontal, but the ends of the device are in the reverse position with respect to the first orientation 20. Thus, the major surface 16 that is initially pointing upwards is flipped so that it is pointing downwards while the major surface 14 that is initially pointing downwards is flipped so that it is pointing upwards. In this arrangement the first edge surface 18 continues to point to the side during the flip motion.

Figure 2B illustrates a second portion of the flip motion. In order to perform the flip motion, a sequence of the first portion followed by the second portion, or a sequence of the second portion followed by the first portion, is performed. In Figure 2B, the device is rotated by substantially a half turn 26 in the reverse direction to that illustrated in Figure 2A.

The control circuitry 12 can also perform a check that the device is in a predetermined orientation before the execution of the rotation and counter rotation. A battery indication can be provided only if the device is in this initial predetermined orientation and then the rotation and counter-rotation are detected. In one example, the predetermined orientation is a configuration in which the mouthpiece 13 and the first direction 24 is directed towards the user’s mouth, and the longitudinal axis is inclined downwards with respect to the horizontal. Thus, the predetermined orientation can correspond with an expected orientation of the device for normal vaping use. In this way, battery indications can be provided only when the device is determined to be in the initial predetermined orientation and then two half-turns are detected. This provides a specific gesture that can be performed by all users to check battery status while causing minimal disruption to normal vaping and preventing accidental triggers.

At the start of the second portion, the device is arranged in a third orientation 22. In this embodiment, the second portion follows the first portion, and the third orientation 22 is therefore approximately the same as the second orientation 21. The device is rotated by substantially a half turn 26 to a fourth orientation 23. The fourth orientation 23 is approximately the same as the first orientation 20 in that the longitudinal axis of the device is roughly aligned in the first direction 24, but the positioning of the device may differ between the fourth and first orientations 23, 20. In this embodiment, the first half turn 25 may be referred to as a rotation and the second half turn 26 may be referred to as a counter rotation. In normal use, this means that the device 10 can be rotated from an orientation in which it is aligned with a user’s mouth and then counter-rotated so that it is once more aligned with the user’s mouth and is ready for vaping.

Figure 3 illustrates the communication between system components in a process of recognising a first motion. The first motion may be the flip motion as described in Figures 2A and 2B. The application business logic 301, motion Al library 302 and inertial sensors 303 are in communication. In order to initiate the process, the application business logic 301 sends a message to the inertial sensors 303 to start the sensor data 310. The inertial sensors 303 send a response message 311. Subsequently, the motion recognition is initialized 312 by the application business logic 301. The application business logic 301 then sends a message to the motion Al library 302 to create a motion analyser 313. The motion Al library 302 starts listening for sensor data 314 and sends a response message 315 to the application business logic 301.

The motion Al library 302 receives data output by the inertial sensors 303 including accelerometer data 316 and gyroscope data 317. The motion Al library 302 processes the sensor data and sends a message to the application business logic 301 when a motion is recognized 318, 320. The application business logic determines the handle motion 319, 321, or the motion of the device.

In this embodiment, the motion Al library 302 handles output from the inertial sensors 303 and transforms the raw data received from the accelerometer and gyroscope into physical values. These physical values can be sent to the application business logic 301 and are used to communicate that a particular device motion has been detected and recognised as a particular motion such as the first motion. A double shock motion may also be detected using the inertial sensors 303 and the motion Al library 302 to determine that a sequence of two impulses has been applied to the device. In this embodiment, the detection of a double shock motion is not affected by the orientation of the device. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the point of contact between the device and the surface during the impulse does not affect the detection of the double shock.

In an alternative configuration the accelerometer data 316 and gyroscope data 317 can be processed to determine rotation of the device 10 through angular quadrants. A 180-degree rotation can be separated into four angular portions which each represent a 45-degree rotation. Thus, a successful rotation should involve motion detection through the four quadrants in a specific sequence, followed by a counter-rotation in which motion is detected through the same four quadrants in a reverse sequence. This technique involves simple processing while still producing reliable results. Advantageously this technique can be used to reduce the computational load and reduce power drain associated with the calculations. Figure 4 illustrates the double tap user gesture. The aerosol generation device

40 in this embodiment includes a capacitive sensor 41. The capacitive sensor

41 has a number of capacitive pads which can be separately identified. In an alternative embodiment, any sensor which can be used to detect touch may be used. The capacitive sensor can be used to recognize inputs such as a swipe action, tap, double tap, or any other user interaction patterns. The double tap 42 is a gesture which is typically input using a finger or thumb of a user, and involves pressing the capacitive sensor 41 once, releasing, and pressing the capacitive sensor 41 a second time. The double tap recognition process is described in more detail in relation to Figure 5.

Figure 5 illustrates a double tap recognition flow diagram. Once the double tap recognition process has been started 500, the device waits for the first press 501. One or more capacitive pads of a capacitive sensor in the aerosol generation device is pressed 510 by a thumb or a finger of a user. The pads are numbered, and the number of the pressed pad is identified and stored 511 along with the numbers of the neighbouring capacitive pads. In order for a double tap to be registered, the two taps or presses must be approximately in the same place on the capacitive sensor. A tap is a short press, distinguishing it from a hold gesture in which a user may touch and hold the capacitive sensor. In order for the press to be registered as a tap, the pressed pad or pads should be released within 250 milliseconds in this embodiment. The device is configured to wait 512 for 250 milliseconds. If 250 milliseconds has passed 513, the gesture is not registered as a tap and the device waits for the first press 501.

When the capacitive pad that was pressed is released 520, the press-release sequence is registered as a first tap 522 if the pad had been pressed for less than 250 milliseconds, i.e. the device was still waiting for a release 521. The wait time between first and second taps is also short, as the double tap is a quick gesture. In this embodiment, the time spent waiting for the second pad press 523 is set to 250 milliseconds. If 250 milliseconds passes 524 before a second press is registered, the double tap is not recognised and the device waits for the first press 501. If the capacitive sensor is pressed 530 within the 250 milliseconds wait time 531 , the number of the pressed pad or pads is identified. If the number is the same 532 as one of the numbers that were identified and stored 511 during the first tap, the device registers that the second press 530 is approximately in the same place as the first press 510. If the number does not match one of the previously stored numbers, then the gesture is not registered as a double tap and the device waits for the first press 501. If the second press is in roughly the same place as the first press, the pressed pad or pads should be released within 250 milliseconds in order for the press to be registered as a tap and not a hold gesture. The device is configured to wait 533 for 250 miliseconds. If 250 milliseconds has passed 534, the gesture is not registered as a tap and the device waits for the first press 501.

When the capacitive pad that was pressed is released 540, the press-release sequence is registered as a second tap 542 if the device was still waiting for a release 541. If the second tap is properly registered then the double tap is recognized 543.

Figure 6 illustrates an application interface of a mobile terminal device. The mobile terminal device is connected to an aerosol generation device, and the application can be used to monitor the status of the aerosol generation device and/or update configuration settings. Figure 6 shows the battery level module 61 shown in the application 60. The application can be used to edit settings or configuration details of the aerosol generation device. In this embodiment, a user can use the battery level module 61 to select one or more gestures from a group of gestures. In this embodiment, the group of gestures includes the flip motion as described in Figures 2A, 2B and 3 and the double tap as described in Figures 4 and 5. In an alternative embodiment, the group of gestures may also include the double shock motion. The aerosol generation device has a sensor which is configured to detect the selected one or more gestures and to perform an action. In this embodiment, the battery state is indicated to the user upon detection of one of the selected one or more gestures by the sensor. The selected one or more gestures is indicated in the selection option 63. An editing option may be accessed using an edit icon 62 to change the selection option 63 or to view alternative selection options. The mobile terminal device sends indication information to the aerosol generation device indicating the selected one or more gestures. When the selection option 63 is updated, the mobile terminal device sends updated indication information to the aerosol generation device. In Figure 6 the currently selected option 63 is shown as “Flip + Double Tap”. In this embodiment the group of gestures comprises a flip gesture and a double tap gesture. Accordingly, a user may select, using the mobile terminal device, “Flip”, “Double Tap” or “Flip + Double Tap”. The effect of selecting each one of these three options is illustrated in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C. In an alternative embodiment in which the group of gestures includes the double shock motion, additional configurations may be available for selection including “Flip + Double Shock”, “Double Tap + Double Shock” and “Flip + Double Tap + Double Shock”.

Figures 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate the effect of selecting one or more gestures as described in Figure 6. A user 701 can update the configuration of the aerosol generation device using the android application 702. The android application 702 communicates with the application business logic 703. In alternative embodiments, the android application may be any application for a mobile terminal device.

In Figure 7A, the user 701 sets up the battery request action 710 using the android application 702. The user 701 selects the battery request trigger “Double Tap” 711. Therefore, double tap is the selected gesture in this embodiment. The application business logic 703 stores 712 the user selection.

Subsequently, the user may perform 713 the double tap gesture as described in relation to Figures 4 and 5. The application business logic 703 checks 714 if double tap is set up for battery request, i.e. determines whether double tap is one of the one or more selected gestures. In this embodiment, double tap is the selected gesture and therefore the application business logic 703 returns battery level indication feedback 715 to the user 701. In this embodiment, the feedback is in the form of photic feedback. This means that the aerosol generation device is configured to light up to indicate the battery state. The colour, duration or sequence of light emitted varies depending on the battery level.

In this embodiment, when the user performs a different gesture, such as a flip motion 716, the application business logic 703 checks 717 if the flip motion is set up for battery request, i.e. if the flip motion is one of the selected gestures. In this embodiment the flip motion is not selected, and therefore the application business logic determines that no feedback 718 should be given to the user 701.

In Figure 7B, the user 701 sets up the battery request action 720 using the android application 702 to select the battery request trigger “Flip Motion” 721. Therefore, in this embodiment, flip motion is the selected gesture. The application business logic 703 stores 722 the user selection.

In this embodiment, if the user performs 723 the double tap gesture, when the application business logic 703 checks 724 whether double tap is set up for battery request, the application business logic 703 determines that double tap is not one of the selected gestures and therefore no feedback 725 is given to the user.

However, if the flip motion is performed 726 by the user 701 in this embodiment, the check 727 carried out by the application business logic 703 will determine that the flip is set up for the battery request and will return battery level indication feedback 728 to the user 701. In this embodiment, haptic feedback 728 is provided. This means that the device will vibrate to indicate the battery state, and the pattern of vibration will be different depending on the battery level.

In Figure 7C, the user 701 sets up the battery request action 730 using the android application 702 to select the battery request trigger “Flip + Double Tap” 731. In this embodiment, the selected gestures from the group of gestures include both the flip motion and the double tap gesture. The application business logic 703 stores 732 the user selection. Having selected both the flip motion and the double tap gesture, both of these gestures can be input by the user to request battery state feedback. In an alternative embodiment in which the double shock motion is a gesture in the group of gestures and the double shock motion is selected in addition to the flip motion and the double tap, any one of the three gestures can be input by the user to request battery state feedback. In this embodiment, when the user performs 733 the double tap gesture, the application business logic 703 checks 734 if the double tap is set up for battery request and provides feedback 735 accordingly. Similarly, when the user performs 736 the flip motion, the application business logic 703 checks 737 if the flip motion is set up for battery request and provides feedback 738 to the user 701. In this embodiment, the feedback is in the form of photic and haptic feedback. A combination of LEDs and vibrations in a specific pattern can be used to indicate a particular battery state to the user 701.

The feedback given to the user to indicate the battery level of the aerosol generation device can be designed according to specific preference. Figures 8A and 8B illustrate examples of feedback.

The battery level is described as a percentage so that when the battery is empty 800 it is at 0% and when the battery is full 806 it is at 100%. In Figure 8A, the battery level is divided into three sections 801 , 803, 805 which can be referred to as low battery level 801 , medium battery level 803 and high battery level 805. Low battery level 801 is defined as a battery level between empty 800 and a first transition point 802. High battery level 805 is defined as a battery level between full 806 and a second transition point 804. Medium battery level 803 is defined as a battery level between the first and second transition points 802, 804. In this embodiment, the first transition point 802 is 25% and the second transition point 804 is 65%. If the battery level is equal to the first transition point 802, or equal to the second transition point 804, it is determined to be medium battery level in this embodiment. In alternative embodiments, the first and second transition points can be set to any values, and the battery level may be further subdivided to include additional categories of battery level. For example, a different battery state indication may be given for low, medium-low, medium-high, and high battery levels.

In this embodiment, the battery level is indicated using haptic feedback. When the battery level is low 801, a first vibration pattern 821 is used. The first vibration pattern 821 is a single, short, vibration. The vibration may be up to 500 milliseconds. When the battery level is medium 803, a second vibration pattern 822 is used. The second vibration pattern 822 is two short vibrations. Each vibration may be up to 500 milliseconds and may be separated by up to 250 milliseconds. When the battery level is high 805, a third vibration pattern 823 is used. The third vibration pattern 823 is three short vibrations. Similarly, each vibration may be up to 500 milliseconds and may be separated by up to 250 milliseconds. In this embodiment the length of each vibration in the second and third vibration patterns 822, 823 is the same, but in alternative embodiments the length may vary.

In this embodiment the feedback which requires the most power to perform is chosen to reflect the highest battery level. Similarly, the feedback which requires the least power to perform indicates the lowest battery level. This allows the user to freely check the state of the battery without wasting power on the feedback. Haptic feedback allows the user to determine the battery level without needing to look at the device.

Figure 8B illustrates an embodiment in which feedback is both haptic and photic. In this embodiment, a first LED pattern 811 is used at the same time as a first vibration pattern 821 to indicate low battery level 801. A second LED pattern 812 is used with a second vibration pattern 822 to indicate medium battery level 802. A third LED pattern 813 is activated at the same time as a third vibration pattern 823 to indicate high battery level 805. In this embodiment, the first LED pattern 811 is a single flash of a red LED. The second LED pattern 812 is a single flash of a yellow LED. The third LED pattern 813 is a single flash of a green LED. In this embodiment, each flash lasts between 500 and 700 milliseconds. In alternative embodiments, any number of flashes of any duration and any colours of LEDs may be chosen to indicate each battery level. In this embodiment, red, yellow and green LEDs were chosen to represent low, medium and high battery levels respectively because the colours are easily associated with the relevant corresponding battery levels in the mind of the user. In an alternative embodiment, the feedback may be photic only.

Figure 9 schematically illustrates the components of an aerosol generation device and a mobile terminal device. The application modules 910 comprise a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) transport module 911 , communication protocol support 912, application business logic 913, a capacitive area control module 914, an LED control module 915, a haptic control module 916 and a battery supervisor 917. The dependencies 920 comprise a capacitive area driver 921 and a motion Al library 922. The application business logic 913 mediates between the hardware 930 and application modules 910.

The communication protocol support 912 mediates communication between the application business logic 913 and the BLE transport module 911. The BLE transport module is configured to communicate using BLE with a mobile terminal device 900.

The hardware 930 of the aerosol generation device comprises a capacitive area 931 , a white LED 932, a red-green-blue (RGB) LED 933, a haptic engine 934, inertial sensors 935 and a battery 936. Input to the capacitive area 931 is transformed using the capacitive area driver 921 into information about the input such as which capacitive pads were pressed and what level of force was applied. Capacitive events identified by the capacitive area driver 921 are transformed using a capacitive area control module 914 which is in communication with the application business logic 913. The capacitive area control module 914 can recognise input events such as swipe, tap, double-tap, or other user interaction patterns.

The LED control module 915 provides a link between the application business logic 913 and the white and RGB LEDs 932, 933. The LED control module 915 controls light indication. Similarly, the haptic control module 916 provides a link between the application business logic 913 and the haptic engine 934. The haptic control module 916 controls the specific vibration pattern output by the haptic engine 934.

The inertial sensors 935 include a six-axis gyro sensor in this embodiment. Data from the inertial sensors 935 is processed by the motion Al library 922. The motion Al library 922 transforms the raw data from the inertial sensors 935 into physical values which can be interpreted by the application business logic 913.

The battery supervisor 917 is in communication with the battery 936. The battery supervisor 917 requests the battery status from the battery 936 periodically. In this embodiment, the battery supervisor 917 requests the battery status every five seconds. The battery information is transformed to readable events like battery level as a percentage. The battery level can then be read by the application business logic 913. The battery supervisor 917 also responds to interruptions from the hardware when a charger is connected or disconnected.

Figure 10 illustrates the communication between the control circuitry configured to indicate a battery state upon detection of a particular motion of the aerosol generation device. The device is configured to indicate the battery state to the user if the gesture is one of the subgroup of gestures selected by the user, as described in Figures 6, 7A, 7B and 7C. After a selected battery request gesture is detected by a sensor of the aerosol generation device, the device implements the battery feature flow illustrated in Figure 10.

A battery request events handler 1001 sends a battery request event 1010 to application business logic 1002. The application business logic 1002 sends a request 1011 to the battery supervisor 1003 requesting the battery level. The battery supervisor 1003 sends a response message 1012 containing the current battery level. The application business logic 1002 assesses 1013 the battery level and determines whether the battery level is low, medium or high. In this embodiment, low battery is a level less than or equal to 25%, high battery is a level greater than 65%, and medium battery is above 25% and less than or equal to 65%. Once the application business logic 1002 has determined the battery level, the application business logic 1002 indicates 1014 the battery level to the LED control module 1004. The LED control module 1004 is configured to activate 1015 a red LED for low battery, a yellow LED for medium battery, and a green LED for high battery. The LED control module 1004 is configured to activate 1015 the appropriate LED for three seconds in this embodiment. In alternative embodiments the duration may be adjusted according to preference.

The application business logic 1002 also indicates 1016 the battery level to the haptic control module 1005. The haptic control module 1005 is configured to trigger 1017 one short vibration for low battery, two short vibrations for medium battery, and three short vibrations for high battery. In alternative embodiments, the pattern of vibrations may be adjusted according to preference.

In this embodiment the battery state is indicated to the user using an LED and a vibration pattern. In alternative embodiments the LED indication may be used alone, or the vibration indication may be used alone.

In any event, having indicated the battery level using the haptic engine and/or LEDs, subsequent battery requests may only accepted after a predetermined time period has passed. If a user gesture is entered during the predetermined time, the control circuitry is configured to inhibit indication of the battery state.

Figure 11 is a flow diagram illustrating the wait time between battery request events. In this embodiment the predetermined time period is three seconds. However, the duration of this time period can be adjusted according to preference.

In this embodiment, the application business logic starts listening for battery trigger events 110. In this embodiment, a double tap 111 , a flip motion 112 and a double shock 113 have been selected to be recognised as battery trigger events. Upon input of any of a double tap 111 , a flip motion 112, or a double shock 113, the input time is registered 115. The input time relative to the previous event is determined 116. If less than three seconds has passed, the application business logic does not proceed to indicate the battery level but instead continues to wait for a trigger event 114. However, if at least three seconds has passed, the battery level is indicated 117 as described in Figure 10. Once the battery level has been indicated 117, it is determined that the event has been handled 118, and the application business logic continues to listen for further battery trigger events 110. In alternative embodiments, the selected one or more gestures may comprise different gestures. For example, only the flip motion may be selected, or the flip motion and the double shock may be selected. If a gesture is not one of the selected gestures, such as double tap in the examples, input of the gesture which is not selected does not register as a battery trigger event.

As will be appreciated, an aerosol generation device is provided with sensors configured to detect one or more gestures. Control circuitry is configured to indicate the battery state upon detection by the sensor of the one or more gestures. The aerosol generation device can be connected to a mobile terminal device which can be used to select the one or more to-be-detected gestures. In this way a user can request the current battery state on demand using an easy, natural motion which can be selected by the user.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device comprising: a sensor configured to detect device motion; and control circuitry configured to indicate a battery state upon detection of a first motion by the sensor; wherein the first motion comprises: arranging the device in a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction; rotating the device by substantially a half turn about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and counter-rotating the device by substantially a half turn about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

2. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one or more inertial sensors.

3. The aerosol generation device according to claim 2, wherein the one or more inertial sensors include at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

4. The aerosol generation device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the one or more inertial sensors include a six-axis gyro sensor.

5. The aerosol generation device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a haptic unit, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the haptic unit to indicate the battery state.

6. The aerosol generation device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a light-emitting unit, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the light-emitting unit to indicate the battery state.

7. The aerosol generation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein after indicating the battery state, the control circuitry is further configured to inhibit indication of the battery state for a predetermined time period.

8. The aerosol generation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the half turn is at least 140 degrees, and preferably at least 160 degrees.

9. The aerosol generation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generation device is configured to connect to a mobile terminal device, and wherein the aerosol generation device further comprises: a communication module; wherein, when the aerosol generation device is connected to the mobile terminal device, the communication module is configured to receive indication information from the mobile terminal device, wherein the indication information indicates the first motion.

10. The aerosol generation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially rectangular, having a width and a height, wherein the width is larger than the height, and wherein the axis of rotation and counter-rotation is substantially parallel with the direction of the width.

11. The aerosol generation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first direction is a predetermined direction in which a mouthpiece of the device is pointed towards a user.

12. The aerosol generation device according to claim 11 , wherein the step in the first motion of arranging the device in the first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in the predetermined direction is performed before the step of rotating the device and/or after the step of counter rotating the device.

13. A method for indicating a battery state of an aerosol generation device comprising a sensor and control circuitry, wherein the method comprises: detecting, by the sensor, a first motion, wherein the first motion comprises: arranging the device in a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction; rotating the device by substantially a half turn about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and counter-rotating the device by substantially a half turn about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and indicating, by the control circuitry, the battery state of the aerosol generation device.

14. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to carry out steps comprising: detecting a first motion, wherein the first motion comprises: arranging the device in a first orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the device is aligned in a first direction; rotating the device by substantially a half turn about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and counter-rotating the device by substantially a half turn about the axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and indicating the battery state of the aerosol generation device.