Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
  • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
  • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
  • H04N21/42222—Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/65—Devices with integrated communication means, e.g. wireless communication means
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
  • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
  • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
  • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
  • H04N21/4222—Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/47—End-user applications
  • H04N21/485—End-user interface for client configuration
  • H04N21/4852—End-user interface for client configuration for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor

Definitions

• the present invention relates to devices and methods for controlling media playback at an electronic device in response to a gesture performed with an aerosol generating device.
• Aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes, are becoming increasingly popular as consumer devices. Often, a person will carry an aerosol generating device on their person throughout the day.
• Electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and computers are also popular consumer devices. Such electronic devices are frequently used to host and/or stream media content. For example, a user may interact with a mobile phone to play an audio track, either through an internal speaker or an external speaker (e.g. a Bluetooth speaker).
• an internal speaker e.g. a Bluetooth speaker
• An object of the present invention is to improve the control of media playback on an electronic device.
• 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 control an aspect of a media playback at the electronic device, the command being one of: a first command configured to increase a volume of the media playback at the electronic device; a second command configured to decrease a volume of the media playback at the electronic device; a third command configured to: when the electronic device is playing a media track, pause the media track; and when the electronic device is not playing the media track, play the media track; a fourth command configured to skip to a next media track at the electronic device; or a fifth command configured to skip to a previous media track at the electronic device.
• the electronic device may be a mobile phone having media (e.g. audio) playing functionality and, in response to a gesture performed with the aerosol generating device, the media playback may be controlled at the mobile phone.
• media e.g. audio
• the user is able to control the media playback without physically interacting with the electronic device, i.e. the electronic device can be controlled from a distance.
• the aerosol generating device may be kept on the user’s person throughout the day, this is particularly advantageous.
• the media playback is controlled in response to a gesture rather than, for example, actuation of a button on the aerosol generating device, the likelihood of accidentally controlling an aspect of the media playback at the electronic device is reduced. For example, if the aerosol generating device is stored in the user’s pocket, it may be easy to accidentally actuate a button on the aerosol generating device, resulting in the inadvertent control of the media playback at the electronic device.
• the command is configured to control an aspect of audio playback at the electronic device.
• the command is selected from a plurality of commands based on the gesture.
• the method may comprise generating the command based on the gesture.
• detecting the gesture comprises: sensing a motion of the aerosol generating device; and comparing the motion to a plurality of predefined motions to identify the gesture.
• the command is the first command configured to increase a volume of the media playback at the electronic device.
• the command is the second command configured to decrease a volume of the media playback at the electronic device.
• the command is the third command configured to: when the electronic device is playing a media track, pause the media track; and when the electronic device is not playing the media track, play the media track.
• the command is the fourth command configured to skip to a next media track at the electronic device.
• the command is the fifth command configured to skip to a previous media track at the electronic device.
• the user may control various aspects of the media playback by performing one or more unique gestures with the aerosol generating device.
• the pattern of motion for each of the one or more gestures is such that the each gesture is unlikely to be accidentally performed during normal operation of the aerosol generating device. Hence, the inadvertent control of the media playback output at the electronic device is prevented.
• a second aspect of the invention there is provided 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, controlling an aspect of a media playback at the electronic device, the command being one of: a first command configured to increase a volume of the media playback at the electronic device; a second command configured to decrease a volume of the media playback at the electronic device; a third command configured to: when the electronic device is playing a media track, pause the media track; and when the electronic device is not playing the media track, play the media track; a fourth command configured to skip to a next media track at the electronic device; or a fifth command configured to skip to a previous media track at the electronic device.
• 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.
• 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.
• an electronic device comprising processing circuitry configured to perform the method of the second aspect.
• 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.
• 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.
• an eighth aspect of the invention there is provided 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.
• 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 second aspect.
• 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.
• Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing method steps for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 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.
• 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 has a first end 101 and a second opposed end 103.
• the first end 101 is a mouth end for insertion into the mouth of the user.
• the aerosol generating device 100 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the electronic device 200.
• the electronic device 200 is a mobile phone (e.g.
• the electronic device 200 may be a tablet, a smart watch, a laptop, a computer, or any other type of electronic device configured for wireless communication and being operable to play media content (e.g. audio and/or video tracks). In other words, the electronic device 200 has media playing functionality.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components, modules and data in the aerosol generating device 100.
• 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, a battery 106, processing circuitry 108, and a wireless receiver/transmitter 112.
• the memory/storage device 112 stores modules and data, which include a motion library 114 and a communication module 116.
• the memory/storage device 112 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 one or more output devices 204, one or more input devices 206, a battery 208, processing circuitry 210, and a wireless receiver/transmitter 212.
• the one or more output devices 204 may include an internal speaker for playing audio and/or a display for playing video. Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic device 200 may be connected or configured to be connected to an external speaker (e.g. a Bluetooth speaker) which operates as an output device 204 for playing media or audio tracks. The electronic device 200 may also be connected or configured to be connected to an external display which operates as an output device for playing media or video tracks.
• an external speaker e.g. a Bluetooth speaker
• the electronic device 200 may also be connected or configured to be connected to an external display which operates as an output device for playing media or video tracks.
• the memory/storage device 214 stores modules and data, which include a media application 216, a wireless pairing application 218, and a communication module 220.
• the media application 216 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.
• the media application 216 may comprise instructions which, when the media application 216 is executed by processing circuitry 210, cause the processing circuitry 210 to perform the various functions of the electronic device 200, including controlling media playback at the electronic device 200.
• the wireless pairing application 218 may be a system application, e.g. a Bluetooth system application.
• the wireless pairing application 218 may a vape application operable to communicatively couple the electronic device 200 with the aerosol generating device, e.g. via Bluetooth.
• the media application 216 and the wireless paring application 218 may both be the vape application.
• 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 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.
• the aerosol generating device 100 and the electronic device 200 are configured to communicate via Bluetooth.
• 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).
• RF radio frequency
• NFC near-field communication
• 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.
• this may be performed using the wireless pairing application 218 on the electronic device 200.
• 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).
• the user performs a gesture with the aerosol generating device 100, which is detected by the aerosol generating device 100.
• 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.
• 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 motion data stored within the motion library 116 to identify the gesture.
• the motion library 116 comprises a plurality of predefined motion data associated with a plurality of respective gestures. If the data produced by the inertial sensors 104 matches or corresponds to a predefined motion stored within the motion library 116, the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100 is identified.
• a command is output to the electronic device 200 based on the detected (i.e. identified) gesture.
• the command is configured to control an aspect of media playback at the electronic device 200.
• media playback refers to the act of playing media, multimedia, audio and/or video files (e.g. tracks).
• the files may be stored in the memory/storage device 214 of the electronic device 200 or may be streamed from an external server.
• the command may sent to the media application 216 on the electronic device 200, and be configured to control the functionality provided by the media application 216.
• the command is sent using the wireless transmitter 212.
• 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 aspect of media playback that is controlled varies depending on the gesture that is performed (and detected) at the aerosol generating device 100.
• a command configured to increase the sound volume of media playback at the electronic device 200 is selected or generated (step 306) and output to the electronic device 200 (step 316).
• a “clockwise motion” refers to the movement of the aerosol generating device 100 in a clockwise circular (or elliptical) course about an axis of revolution.
• the volume may be increased in accordance with (e.g. in proportion to) the number of revolutions performed with the aerosol generating device 100. For example, if the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100 consists of one revolution around the axis of revolution, the volume of media playback (e.g. audio playback) may be increased by 10%. If the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100 consists of two revolutions around the axis of revolution, the volume of media playback may be increased by 20%. If the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100 consists of 1.5 revolutions around the axis of revolution, the volume of media playback may be increased by 15%.
• the volume of media playback e.g. in proportion to
• the user may be required to perform a threshold number of revolutions with the aerosol generating device 200 in order to output the increase volume command.
• the volume may be continuously increased until the user stops performing the clockwise motion with the aerosol generating device 100.
• an anticlockwise motion refers to the movement of the aerosol generating device 100 in an anticlockwise circular (or elliptical) course about an axis of revolution.
• the volume may be decreased in accordance with (e.g. in proportion to) the number of revolutions performed with the aerosol generating device 100. For example, if the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100 consists of one revolution around the axis of revolution, the volume of media playback (e.g. audio playback) may be decreased by 10%. If the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100 consists of two revolutions around the axis of revolution, the volume of media playback may be decreased by 20%. If the gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100 consists of 1.5 revolutions around the axis of revolution, the volume of media playback may be decreased by 15%.
• the volume of media playback e.g. in proportion to
• the user may be required to perform a threshold number of revolutions with the aerosol generating device 200 in order to output the decrease volume command.
• the volume may be continuously increased until the user stops performing the anticlockwise motion with the aerosol generating device 100.
• a “forward cast motion” refers to movement of the aerosol generating device 100 wherein the first end 101 of the aerosol generating device 100 is accelerated in an arc, followed by an abrupt stop of the motion. For example, this may be achieved by the user holding the aerosol generating device 100 (e.g. at the second end 103) and snapping or flicking their wrist forward.
• the command causes media playback to be either played or paused at the electronic device 100 depending on the current playing state of media playback. For example, if an audio track is being played at the electronic device 100, the command will cause the audio track to be paused. Alternatively, if an audio track is paused at the electronic device 100, the command will cause the audio track to be played.
• a “left to right” motion refers to a trajectory of the aerosol generating device 100 wherein the aerosol generating device 100 is moved by the user in a left to right direction from the perspective of the user.
• the left to right motion may be a swiping motion wherein the first end of the aerosol generating device 100 travels in an arced left to right direction from the perspective of the user.
• this may be achieved by the user holding the aerosol generating device 100 (e.g. at the second end 103) and snapping or flicking their wrist to the left.
• a command configured to skip to a previous media (e.g. audio) track at the electronic device 200 is selected or generated (step 314) and output to the electronic device 200 (step 316).
• the command may be configured to skip to the beginning of the track currently being played.
• a “right to left” motion refers to a trajectory of the aerosol generating device 100 wherein the aerosol generating device 100 is moved by the user in a right to left direction from the perspective of the user.
• the right to left motion may be a swiping motion wherein the first end of the aerosol generating device 100 travels in an arced right to left direction from the perspective of the user. For example, this may be achieved by the user holding the aerosol generating device 100 (e.g. at the second end 103) and snapping or flicking their wrist to the right.
• the commands and associated gestures illustrated in Figure 4 are simply a preferred embodiment of the invention, and the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to recognise a variety of additional and/or alternative gestures with associated commands. Moreover, the skilled person will appreciate that the gestures and/or associated commands may be customised (i.e. defined and set) by the user.
• 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.
• the user may authorise and/or enable connection of the electronic device 200 and the aerosol generating 100 using the wireless pairing application 218.
• the electronic device 200 receives a command from the aerosol generating device 100.
• the command is configured to control an aspect of media playback at the electronic device 200, based on a gesture performed with the aerosol generating device 100.
• the command may be received at the wireless transmitter 212 and processed by media application 216 (e.g. a vape application) and/or the processing circuitry 210.
• media application 216 e.g. a vape application
• the electronic device 200 controls an aspect of media playback based on the command (step 406).
• the electronic device 200 For example, if the electronic device 200 receives a command based on a clockwise motion performed with the aerosol generating device 100, the electronic device 200 increases a volume of media playback. If the electronic device 200 receives a command based on an anticlockwise motion performed with the aerosol generating device 100, the electronic device 200 decreases a volume of media playback. If the electronic device 200 receives a command based on two forward cast motions performed with the aerosol generating device 100, the electronic device 200 either plays or pauses a media (e.g. audio or video) track, depending on the current playing state of media playback, i.e. whether the track is currently being played.
• a media e.g. audio or video
• the electronic device 200 If the electronic device 200 receives a command based on a left to right motion performed with the aerosol generating device 100, the electronic device 200 skips to a next (e.g. audio or video) track. If the electronic device 200 receives a command based on a right to left motion performed with the aerosol generating device 100, the electronic device 200 skips to a previous (e.g. audio or video) track or, alternatively, skips to the beginning of the current track.
• a next e.g. audio or video
• the electronic device 200 may be connected to an external speaker or other multimedia (e.g. audio or video) output device.
• multimedia e.g. audio or video
• the electronic device 100 may stream music to a Bluetooth speaker, such that audio output at the Bluetooth speaker is controlled by the electronic device 200 in response to receiving the command from the aerosol generating device 100.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
• Telephone Function (AREA)
• Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=71842564

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2021
  • 2021-07-23 WO PCT/EP2021/070711 patent/WO2022023217A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2021-07-23 EP EP21748637.2A patent/EP4189966A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2021-07-23 JP JP2023504674A patent/JP2023536708A/ja active Pending

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events