EP4189524A1

EP4189524A1 - Gesture based control using an aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: EP4189524A1
Application number: EP21748888.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karima Lakraa
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2020-07-28
Filing date: 2021-07-23
Publication date: 2023-06-07
Also published as: JP2023536230A; WO2022023216A1

Abstract

A method (300) of operating an aerosol generating device (100) is disclosed. The method (300) comprises: establishing a communicative coupling with an electronic device (200) using a pairing process, thereby establishing the electronic device as a paired electronic device; detecting a gesture performed with the aerosol generating device (100); and outputting a command to the paired electronic device (200) in response to detecting the gesture, wherein the command is configured to cause an audio alert to be output at the paired electronic device (200).

Description

Gesture Based Control using an Aerosol Generating Device

The present invention relates to devices and methods for outputting an audio alert at an electronic device in response to a gesture performed with an aerosol generating device.

Aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes, and other electronic device such as a mobile phones, are popular consumer devices. Often, a person will carry both an aerosol device and a mobile phone on their person throughout the day.

However, due to the small size and high portability of mobile phones, a user may often misplace their mobile phone. For example, a user may lose their mobile phone within their house.

An object of the present invention is to address this problem.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol generating device using a pairing process, thereby establishing the electronic device as a paired electronic device, comprising: establishing a communicative coupling with an electronic device; detecting a gesture performed with the aerosol generating device; and outputting a command to the paired electronic device in response to detecting the gesture, wherein the command is configured to cause an audio alert to be output at the paired electronic device.

In this way, a user is able to locate a misplaced electronic device by performing a gesture with the aerosol generating device. For example, the electronic device may be a mobile phone which the user has misplaced within their house. In response to a gesture performed with the aerosol generating device, an audible alert is played at the mobile phone, and the user is able to follow the sound to locate the mobile phone. Advantageously, as the audio alert command is output in response to a gesture rather than, for example, actuation of a button on the aerosol generating device, the likelihood of accidentally causing an audio alert to be output at the electronic device is reduced. For example, if the aerosol generating device is stored in the user’s pocket, it would be easy to accidentally actuate a button on the aerosol generating device, resulting in the output of an unnecessary audio alert at the electronic device. On the other hand, relying on gesture can reduce the manufacturing complexity to arrange a button on the aerosol generating device especially when the device has a relatively small size and limited space for such a button.

In particular, the method may comprise comparing the detected gesture to a predefined gesture, and outputting the command to the electronic device when the detected gesture matches the predefined gesture. In particular, the command may be output to the electronic device when the detected gesture is sufficiently similar to the predefined gesture.

Preferably, the command is selected from a plurality of commands based on the gesture. Additionally or alternatively, the method may comprise generating the command based on the gesture.

Preferably, the command is configured to cause an audio alert to be output at the electronic device until a user input is received at the electronic device. In this way, the command causes the audio alert to be output at the electronic device until the user is able to locate the electronic device. When the user locates the electronic device, the user is able to stop the electronic device from playing the alert by interacting with the electronic device.

Preferably, the gesture comprises one or more taps of the aerosol generating device against an object. More preferably, the gesture comprises two successive taps against an object. In this way, a unique gesture or trajectory pattern of movement is required to cause output of the command to the electronic device, which is unlikely to be accidentally performed by the user during normal operation of the aerosol generating device. Hence, the accidental output of an audio alert at the electronic device is prevented.

Preferably, the method further comprises: deferring output of the command when the aerosol generating device is not in communication range of the electronic device; and outputting the command when the aerosol generating device is in communication range of the electronic device. In this way, if the communication link between the aerosol generating device and electronic device is such that the electronic device would be unable to receive the audio alert command, the audio alert command is not sent until the electronic device would be able to receive the audio alert command. In particular, the aerosol generating device may locally store the command if it is determined that the electronic device is out of connectable range, and output the locally stored command when the electronic device enters back into connectable range. For example, if the aerosol generating device and electronic device are communicatively coupled via a Bluetooth connection, the devices may need to be within a connectable range of 10 or 20 meters in order to successively communicate. In this case, the aerosol generating device may only output the command when the electronic device is within a distance of 10 or 20 metres.

Preferably, the method further comprises: monitoring a deferred time, wherein the deferred time is a length of time over which output of the command has been deferred; and modifying or deleting the command based on the deferred time.

Preferably, the method further comprises: deleting the command when the deferred time reaches a threshold time so that the command is not output to the electronic device when the aerosol generating device is in communication range of the electronic device, and wherein outputting the command when the aerosol generating device is in communication range of the electronic device comprises outputting the command when the aerosol generating device is in communication range of the electronic device and the deferred time is less than the threshold time.

Preferably, the method further comprises: modifying an alert indication of the command based on the deferred time, wherein the alert indication controls one or more characteristics of the audio alert. For example, characteristics of the audio alert may include the type of alert, the tone of alert, and/or the volume of audio alert. Preferably, the method further comprises: in response to detecting the gesture, providing an indication at the aerosol generating device of a communication status between the aerosol generating device and the electronic device. In this way, if the user performs the gesture with the aerosol generating device but is unable to hear the audio alert, the user is able to know whether the alert cannot be heard due to the electronic device being too far away for the alert to be audible, or if the alert cannot be heard because the command never reached the electronic device in the first place. Thus, the ability to locate the electronic device is improved. For example, this feature may be particularly useful if the user has a large house and must first walk around the house to enter into connectable range (e.g. 10 or 20 metres) of the electronic device.

Preferably, the method further comprises: detecting a further gesture performed with the aerosol generating device; and outputting a further command to the electronic device in response to detecting the further gesture, wherein the further command is configured to stop the audio alert being output at the electronic device. It will be understood that the command and the gesture may also be referred as a first command and a first gesture, and the further command and the further gesture may also be referred to as a second command and a second gesture.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating an electronic device, comprising: establishing a communicative coupling with an aerosol generating device using a pairing process, thereby establishing the aerosol generating device as a paired aerosol generating device; receiving a command from the paired aerosol generating device, based on a gesture performed with the paired aerosol generating device; and in response to receiving the command, outputting an audio alert at the electronic device.

Preferably, the method further comprises: receiving a user input at the electronic device; and stopping output of the audio alert at the electronic device in response to receiving the user input. Preferably, the method further comprises: receiving a further command from the aerosol generating device, based on a further gesture performed with the aerosol generating device; and in response to receiving the further command, stopping output of the audio alert at the electronic device.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising processing circuitry configured to perform the method of the first aspect. The aerosol generating device comprises means for detecting the user gesture such as an accelerometer or gyroscope.

According to fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer- readable medium comprising executable instructions which, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic device comprising processing circuitry configured to perform the method of the second aspect.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer- readable medium comprising executable instructions which, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of the second aspect.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to carry out the method of the second aspect.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol generating device and an electronic device, the method comprising performing the method of the first aspect in conjunction with performing the method of the second aspect. According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising an aerosol generating device comprising processing circuitry configured to perform the method of the first aspect in conjunction with an electronic device configured to perform the method of the second aspect.

Also described herein is a method of operating an aerosol generating device, comprising: establishing a communicative coupling with an electronic device; detecting a gesture performed with the aerosol generating device; and outputting a command to the electronic device in response to detecting the gesture, wherein the command is configured to cause an audio alert to be output at the electronic device.

Also described herein is a method of operating an electronic device, comprising: establishing a communicative coupling with an aerosol generating device; receiving a command from the aerosol generating device, based on a gesture performed with the aerosol generating device; and in response to receiving the command, outputting an audio alert at the electronic device.

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device and an electronic device according to embodiments of the invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of selected components, modules and data in the aerosol generating device;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of selected components, modules and data in the electronic device;

Figure 4 is a flow diagram showing method steps for operating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing method steps for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 illustrates an aerosol generating device 100 and an electronic device 200 according to the present invention. The aerosol generating device 100 is operable to heat an aerosol generating material held within the aerosol generating device 100, and produce an aerosol (or vapour) for inhalation by a user. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may be an electronic cigarette, a vape, a heat-not-burn device, or any other type of aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating device 100 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the electronic device 200. In this example, the electronic device 100 is a mobile phone (e.g. a smartphone). However, the skilled person will appreciate that, in other examples, the electronic device 100 may be a tablet, a smart watch, or any other type of mobile (e.g. portable) device configured for wireless communication.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating components, modules and data in the aerosol generating device 100. As illustrated, the aerosol generating device 100 includes hardware components 102 and a memory/storage device 114.

The hardware components 102 comprises one or more inertial sensors 104, one or more LEDs 106, a battery 108, processing circuitry 110, and a wireless receiver/transmitter 112.

The memory/storage device 114 stores modules and data, which include a motion library 116 and a communication module 118. The memory/storage device 114 may store a computer program embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the various functions of the aerosol generating device 100.

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating components, modules and data in electronic device 200. As illustrated, the electronic device 200 includes hardware components 202 and a memory/storage device 214.

The hardware components 202 comprise a speaker 204, an input device 206, a display 208, processing circuitry 210, and a wireless receiver/transmitter 212. The memory/storage device 214 stores modules and data, which include a vape application 216 and a communication module 218. The vape application 218 may be embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the various functions of the electronic device 200. In particular, the vape application 218 may comprise instructions which, when the vape application 218 is executed by processing circuitry 210, cause the processing circuitry 210 to perform the various functions of the electronic device 200, including communicating wirelessly with the aerosol generating device 100.

Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart which is a method 300 of controlling an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 300 begins at step 302, when a communicative coupling is established between the aerosol generating device 100 and an electronic device 200.

The aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 are able to send and receive wireless signals via respective wireless receivers and transmitters 112, 212. The wireless communication may be controlled using respective communication modules 118, 218. Preferably, the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 are configured to communicate via Bluetooth. However, in other examples, the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 may be configured to communicate via alternative wireless communication protocols such as WiFi, satellite, radio frequency (RF), and/or near-field communication (NFC).

In order to initially establish a communicative coupling between the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200, a pairing process may be required. During the pairing process, a user may manually authorise the wireless connection between the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200. For example, this may be performed using the vape application 218 on the electronic device 200. After performing the pairing process, the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 may automatically connect when the devices 100, 200 are in communication range of each other and wireless communication is enabled on both devices 100, 200 (e.g. Bluetooth is turned on).

At step 304, the user performs a gesture with the aerosol generating device 100, which is detected by the aerosol generating device 100. In particular, the gesture is detected by the one or more inertial sensors 104, which may include a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The term “gesture” refers to a particular trajectory or pattern of movement of the aerosol generating device 100 in three- dimensional space.

In order to identity the gesture, the one or more inertial sensors 104 sense the motion of the aerosol generating device 100 and output data indicative of the motion. This data can be compared to data stored within the motion library 116 to identify the gesture. If the gesture performed by the user corresponds to a predefined gesture, the method 300 will move to the next step. In other words, the gesture detected by the aerosol generating device is compared to the predefined gesture, and a positive match (or sufficient similarity) will cause a command to be generated (or selected) and sent to the electronic device 200, as will be further discussed later. If the detected gesture does not correspond to the predefined gesture, the command is not output to the electronic device 200.

For example, the predefined gesture may comprise one or more taps of the aerosol generating device 100 against an object, and preferably two successive taps of the aerosol generating device 100, e.g. the user may tap the aerosol generating device 100 against their hand twice in succession. This gesture may also be referred to as a “double shock” motion.

Of course, the skilled person will appreciate that the predefined gesture may be an alternative gesture, such as a circular motion or a double cast motion performed with the aerosol generating device 100. Moreover, in some examples, the predefined gesture may be customised (i.e. defined and set) by the user. At step 306, the aerosol generating device 100 detects whether the electronic device 200 is in communication range (i.e. connectable range). In other words, the aerosol generating device 100 checks whether the aerosol generating device 100 is currently able to communicate (i.e. send and/or receive wireless signals) with the electronic device 200. Examples of instances wherein the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 may be considered to be out of communication range include: if the devices 100, 200 are too far apart to wirelessly communicate; if either device 100, 200 is located in an area with poor signal; if the electronic device 200 is switched off; or if the wireless transmitter/receiver 212 of the electronic device 200 is deactivated, e.g. Bluetooth is switched off.

At step 308, an indication of whether the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 are in communication range (i.e. the communication status) is provided at the aerosol generating device 100.

For example, the one or more LEDs 106 may be lit as an indication of the communication status. If the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 are in communication range, a first colour (e.g. green) LED 106 may be switched on. Otherwise, if the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 are out of communication range, a second colour (e.g. red) LED 106 may be switched on.

The skilled person will appreciate that alternative indications of communication status may be used. For example, haptic feedback may be used to indicate the communication status between the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200.

At step 310, if the electronic device 200 is within communication range of the aerosol generating device 100, the method 300 proceeds to step 314. Otherwise, if the electronic device 200 is out of communication range of the aerosol generating device 100, the method 300 proceeds to step 312. At step 314, the aerosol generating device 100 outputs (i.e. transmits) a command to the electronic device 200, wherein the command is configured to cause an audio alert to be output at the electronic device 200. The command is output in response to the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100. In particular, the command is output in response to the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100 corresponding to (i.e. matching) the predefined gesture.

The command is sent using the wireless transmitter 112. Preferably, the command is sent using the same wireless communication protocol over which the aerosol generating device 100 and electronic device 200 are communicatively coupled, e.g. Bluetooth.

The command is configured to cause the electronic device 200 to play an audio alert, i.e. a sound. Moreover, in some embodiments, the command may be configured to cause the electronic device 200 to continue playing the audio alert or repeat the audio alert on a periodic basis (e.g., every 30 seconds, or 1 min or 2 mins) until a user input is received at the electronic device 200. In this way, if the user has misplaced the electronic device 200, the user is able to locate the electronic device 200 by performing a gesture with the aerosol generating device 100, such that the audio alert is output at the electronic device 200. The user is able to follow the sound of the audio alert to locate the electronic device 200. Once the user has located the electronic device 200, the user may then interact with the electronic device 200 (e.g. provide user input) in order to stop output of the audio alert.

Alternatively, if the electronic device 200 is determined to be out of communication range of the aerosol generating device 100, the method 300 proceeds to step 312.

At step 312, output of the command to the electronic device 200 is deferred and the method 300 loops back to step 306, wherein the aerosol generating device 100 detects whether the electronic device 200 is in communication range. When the electronic device 200 is detected to be in communication range, the method then proceeds to step 314, and the command is output to the electronic device 200.

In one embodiment, if the electronic device 200 is determined to be out of connectable range of the aerosol generating device 100, the command is not sent immediately in response to the gesture but, instead, the command is held (i.e. not sent) until the aerosol generating device 100 is determined to be in connectable range of the electronic device 200. In another embodiment, the command is maintained and valid at the aerosol generating device 100 for a predetermined period (e.g., 10 or 20 mins), which may also be referred to as a validity period or a threshold time. If the aerosol generating device 100 enters the connectable range of the electronic device 200 within the predetermined period, the command is automatically sent to the electronic device 200. If the predetermined period elapses and the aerosol generating device 100 still cannot connect to the electronic device 200, the aerosol generating 100 device will delete the command and thus no command is sent to the electronic device 200 next time they are connected. In other words, if the time over which the command is deferred exceeds the predetermined period, the command is deleted. Thus, when the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 enter back within connectable range, the command is not output to the electronic device 200 as the command has been deleted.

Settings of the predetermined period (e.g., activating the additional feature of command validity and adjusting values for the validity period) may be configured and adjusted on vape application 218 of the electronic device 200 by the user. Optionally, the aerosol generating device 100 may disable its wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth) module 218 after elapse of the command validity period so that the electronic device 200 stops searching for connectable electronic devices, saving energy of its battery.

In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 is configured to modify the command if output (i.e. transmission) of the command to the electronic device 200 is deferred. The modification of the command is dependent on the deferred time (i.e. the length of time over which output of the command has been deferred), and the command may be modified to adjust or change the audio alert that is played by the electronic device 200. The command comprises an alert indication, i.e. , one or more digits indicating a characteristic of the audio alert (e.g., type of alert, tone of alert, volume of audio alert etc.), and the value of these digits can be modified based on the deferred time. Once the aerosol generating device 100 determines to defer transmission of the command, a timer is started to monitor the deferred time and the deferred time is used to modify the alert indication. For example, once a gesture matching the predetermined gesture is detected, the aerosol generating device 100 generates the command with an alert indication that can cause the electronic 200 device to play a first audio alert. When the deferred time exceeds a first time (e.g. output of the command is deferred by 5 mins), the aerosol generating device 100 modifies the alert indication of the command so that the command, and in particular the modified alert indication, causes the electronic device 200 to play a second audio alert. Preferably, when the deferred time exceeds a second time (e.g. output of the command is deferred by another 5 mins so that the command is deferred by a total of 10 mins), the aerosol generating device 100 further modifies the alert indication of the command so that the command, and in particular the further modified alert indication, causes the electronic device 200 to play a third audio alert. The first, second, and third audio alerts are different from each other for at least one characteristic, such as harsher tone or softer tone. Different alerts, alert characteristics and/or the correspondence of different alerts with the deferred time (i.e. the length of deferred time associated with each alert) can be pre-set, defined and/or adjusted via vape application 218 on the electronic device 200 by the user.

The command that is output to the electronic device 200 may be selected and/or generated in response to the gesture. For example, the predetermined gesture may be associated with the audio alert command and, in response to determining that the gesture is the predefined gesture, the audio alert command may be generated or selected. In one example, the audio alert command may be selected from a plurality of commands, wherein the other commands of the plurality of commands may have different functions and be respectively associated with different predetermined gestures.

Thus, deferring output of the command may comprise storing the (e.g. generated or selected) command locally (e.g. within memory/storage 114) at the aerosol generating device 100 until the aerosol generating device 100 and electronic device 200 enter back within communication range or, in some embodiments, until the deferred time exceeds the threshold time. Once the aerosol generating device 100 and electronic device 200 enter back within communication range, the locally stored command is sent to the electronic device 200. However, in some embodiments, the locally stored command is only output to the electronic device 200 if the deferred time is less than the threshold time, i.e. the command has not already been deleted.

The skilled person will appreciate the steps 306, 308, 310, and 312 are optional, and the method 300 may be performed without detecting whether the electronic device 200 is in communication range, i.e. the command may be output to the electronic device 200 (step 314) in response to detecting the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100 (step 304), without detecting or determining whether the electronic device 200 is in communication range.

Equally, the method 300 may be performed with all steps other than step 308, i.e. the aerosol generating device 100 detects whether the electronic device 200 is in communication range so that output of the command may be deferred if the devices 100, 200 are out of communication range, but an indication of the communication status is not provided to the user.

The method 300 may also be performed with all steps other than step 310 and 312, such that the indication of the communication status is provided at the aerosol generating device 100, but the aerosol generating device 100 always attempts to send the command in response to the gesture (so long as, in some embodiments, the validity period has not been exceeded), regardless of whether the electronic device 200 is detected as being out of communication range. In a further embodiment, the method 300 may comprise detecting a further gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100; and outputting a further command to the electronic device 200 in response to detecting the further gesture, wherein the further command is configured to stop the audio alert being output at the electronic device 200. The further gesture may be the same pattern of motion as the gesture performed by the user at step 304 (e.g. a “double shock” motion), or may be a different pattern of motion. The skilled person will appreciate that detecting the further gesture may be performed in the same manner as described above with reference to the (first) gesture/command, e.g. by comparing the detected further gesture to a further predefined gesture, and outputting the further command to the electronic device 200 when the detected further gesture matches the further predefined gesture.

Figure 5 illustrates a method 400 of controlling an electronic device 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method begins at step 402, when a communication coupling is established between the electronic device 200 and the aerosol generating device 100, as discussed above with reference to method 300. For example, the user may authorise and/or enable connection of the electronic device 200 and the aerosol generating 100 using the vape application 218.

At step 404, the electronic device 200 receives a command from the aerosol generating device 100. The command is configured to cause an audio alert to be output at the electronic device 200, and is indicative of a gesture performed using the aerosol generating device 100. The command may be received at the wireless transmitter 212 and processed by vape application 218 and/or the processing circuitry 212.

On receipt of the command, the electronic device 200 outputs an audio alert (step 406). The audio alert may be a sound played though the speaker 204 of the electronic device 100. For example, the audio alert may be a song, musical tone or ringtone. In this embodiment, the electronic device 200 is configured to output the audio alert until a user input (or interaction) is received at the electronic device 200. Therefore, at step 408, the electronic device 200 checks (i.e. detects) whether user input has been received.

User input may be received though the input device 206, which may be a touchscreen, keyboard, motion sensor, or other input device. For example, output of the audio alert at the electronic device 200 may be accompanied by a dialog box or notification displayed on the display 208 of the electronic device 200, which may prompt the user to interact with the electronic device 100 (e.g. interact with the dialog box or notification) to stop output of the audio alert.

Hence, when user input is received at the electronic device 200, indicating that the user has located the electronic device 200, the method 400 proceeds to step 410, and output of the audio alert is stopped. Alternatively, if user input is not received at the electronic device 200, the method 400 loops back to step 406, and the audio alert continues to be output, or is output at periodic intervals, at the electronic device 200 (until user input is received).

The skilled person will appreciate that, in other embodiments, the method 400 may not comprise step 408. In this case, the audio alert may be output at the electronic device 100 for a period of time, and output of the alert may be stopped when the period of time has elapsed.

In a further embodiment, the electronic device 200 may be configured to output the audio alert until a further command is received from the aerosol generating device 100, wherein the further command is based on a further gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100. In response to receiving the further command, output of the audio alert is stopped at the electronic device 200.

The skilled person will appreciate that stopping the audio alert in response to receiving the further command may be an alternative to stopping the audio alert in response to receiving user input at the electronic device 200, or the electronic device 200 may be configured to stop the audio alert in response to receiving the further command or receiving user input, i.e. the audio alert is stopped in response to whichever event occurs first.

Optionally, the method 400 may comprise receiving updated settings of the aerosol generating device 100 at the electronic device 200. The settings may be configured and/or updated via the vape application 218 of the electronic device 200 by the user. For example, the validity period of the command may be adjusted or updated by the user at the electronic device 200. The alert indications (e.g. audio alert characteristics) and the deferred time associated with each alert indication may also be adjusted at the electronic device 200 by the user. The method 400 may further comprise transmitting the updated settings from the electronic device 200 to the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the updated settings may be sent to the aerosol generating device 100 in response to the settings being updated by the user. When the aerosol generating device 100 receives the updated settings, the firmware at the aerosol generating device 100 may be updated to implement the updated settings.

Claims

1. A method of operating an aerosol generating device, comprising: establishing a communicative coupling with an electronic device using a pairing process, thereby establishing the electronic device as a paired electronic device; detecting a gesture performed with the aerosol generating device; and outputting a command to the paired electronic device in response to detecting the gesture, wherein the command is configured to cause an audio alert to be output at the paired electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the command is selected from a plurality of commands based on the detected gesture.

3. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the command is configured to cause an audio alert to be output at the paired electronic device until a user input is received at the electronic device.

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the gesture comprises one or more taps of the aerosol generating device against an object.

5. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising: deferring output of the command when the aerosol generating device is not in communication range of the paired electronic device; and outputting the command when the aerosol generating device is in communication range of the paired electronic device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: monitoring a deferred time, wherein the deferred time is the length of time over which output of the command has been deferred; and modifying or deleting the command based on the deferred time.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: deleting the command when the deferred time reaches a threshold time so that the command is not output to the paired electronic device when the aerosol generating device is in communication range of the paired electronic device, and wherein outputting the command when the aerosol generating device is in communication range of the paired electronic device comprises outputting the command when the aerosol generating device is in communication range of the paired electronic device and the deferred time is less than the threshold time.

8. The method of claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising: modifying an alert indication of the command based on the deferred time, wherein the alert indication controls one or more characteristics of the audio alert.

9. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising: in response to detecting the gesture, providing an indication at the aerosol generating device of a communication status between the aerosol generating device and the paired electronic device.

10. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising: detecting a further gesture performed with the aerosol generating device; and outputting a further command to the paired electronic device in response to detecting the further gesture, wherein the further command is configured to stop the audio alert being output at the paired electronic device.

11. A method of operating an electronic device, comprising: establishing a communicative coupling with an aerosol generating device using a pairing process, thereby establishing the aerosol generating device as a paired aerosol generating device; receiving a command from the paired aerosol generating device, based on a gesture performed with the paired aerosol generating device; and in response to receiving the command, outputting an audio alert at the electronic device.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: receiving a user input at the electronic device; and stopping output of the audio alert at the electronic device in response to receiving the user input.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: receiving a further command from the paired aerosol generating device, based on a further gesture performed with the paired aerosol generating device; and in response to receiving the further command, stopping output of the audio alert at the electronic device.

14. An aerosol generating device comprising processing circuitry configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 10.

15. A computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions which, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 13.