WO2021259988A1

WO2021259988A1 - An aerosol-generating device and system having a means for regulating visual characteristics of a light emitter

Info

Publication number: WO2021259988A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/067121
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexandra Nicole GORRA; Philip Naylor; Valerio OLIANA
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2020-06-23
Filing date: 2021-06-23
Publication date: 2021-12-30
Also published as: US20230232909A1; CN115867157A; KR20230028779A; EP4167786A1; JP2023532190A

Abstract

A system comprises an aerosol-generating device and/or a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device. The charging device and/or the aerosol-generating device comprise at least one light emitter unit and a control module. The control module is configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of: a measured light intensity value and a local time retrieved from a timer.

Description

AN AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE AND SYSTEM HAVING A MEANS FOR REGULATING VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A LIGHT EMITTER

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

Aerosol-generating devices and systems often comprise light emitters, such as light- emitting diodes, that provide information to a user. For example, the visual characteristics of the light emitters may indicate a status of a device. Specific colors of light emitted by the light emitters, flashing and patterns generated by the light emitters may be associated with a charging status, an operational status, an error status and so on.

It would be desirable to provide a means for the visual characteristics of the light emitters to be adjusted automatically in order to improve a user’s experience of interacting with the device and to improve efficiency.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a device, wherein the device comprises at least one light emitter unit and a control module. The control module may be configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of: a measured light intensity value and a local time retrieved from a timer. The device may be an aerosol-generating device and/or a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device.

By adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of a measured light intensity value and a local time retrieved from a timer, the system is able to automatically adjust the at least one visual characteristic when the adjustment is required without requiring manual input.

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

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

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

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

The first user interface element may comprise a first interactive element and a second interactive element arranged to enable a user to define a first period of time and a second period of time by moving the first interactive element and the second interactive element relative to each other. The first period of time may be associated with a first visual characteristic and the second period of time is associated with a second visual characteristic. The first user interface element may further comprise a circular element, and wherein the first interactive element and the second interactive element are configured to be moveable relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element.

The first user interface element comprising the circular element wherein the first interactive element and the second interactive element are configured to be moveable relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element allows for the inputting of time settings using a smooth physical movement. This is particularly advantageous on smaller mobile terminals, such as mobile phones, where a user may use one hand to hold the mobile phone and one finger or thumb to interact with the user interface.

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

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

The instructions may comprise a visual characteristic setting for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic, and wherein the user interface includes a second user interface element for inputting the visual characteristic setting. The control module may adjust the at least one visual characteristic based on the visual characteristic setting. The visual characteristic setting may be a brightness setting. The second user interface element may be a slider.

The at least one light emitter unit may comprise a single light emitter. The at least one light emitter unit may comprise two or more light emitters. Adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit may comprise changing a pattern of light displayed by the two or more light emitters. The light emitter may be a light emitting diode, LED. Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a measured light intensity value may comprise adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is above or below a predetermined threshold value.

When the measured light intensity value is above the predetermined threshold value, adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit may comprise increasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit.

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

When the measured light intensity value is below the predetermined threshold value, adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit may comprise decreasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit.

Decreasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is below the predetermined threshold value provides the advantage that the light emitter unit is remains visible to the user for monitoring the status of the system, but at the same time the light does not disturb the user at night.

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

The exchanging data with the mobile terminal may further comprise sending, to the mobile terminal, usage information relating to usage of at least one of the aerosol-generating device and the charging device. The usage information may comprise information relating to the usage of the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device.

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

The aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device may further comprise a light sensor for measuring the light intensity. The mobile terminal may comprise a light sensor for measuring the light intensity.

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

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

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

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

Adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a local time retrieved from a timer may comprises adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the local time retrieved from the timer corresponds to the time setting.

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

Adjusting at least one visual characteristic may comprises at least one of adjusting a brightness characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit, adjusting a color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit, and changing a flashing pattern of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit. The instructions may comprise a visual characteristic setting for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic, and the user interface may include a second user interface element for inputting the visual characteristic setting.

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

The visual characteristic setting may be a brightness setting. The second user interface element may be a slider.

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

The at least one light emitter unit may comprise two or more light emitters. Adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit may comprise changing a pattern of light displayed by the two or more light emitters.

The light emitter may be a light emitting diode.

Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a measured light intensity value may comprise adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is above or below a predetermined threshold value.

When the measured light intensity value is below the predetermined threshold value, adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit comprises decreasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit.

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

The method may further comprise generating the instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic based on the usage information. Generating the instructions may comprise computing a time setting based on the usage information. Generating the instructions may comprise inputting at least one of one or more time settings, one or more visual characteristic settings and the usage information into a trained classifier. The method may further comprise measuring, by a light sensor of the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device, the light intensity. The method may further comprise measuring, by a light sensor of the mobile terminal, the light intensity.

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

According to another aspect, there is provided a use of a light sensor or a timer to control a visual characteristic of at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol-generating device or of a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device, by adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a value of light intensity measured by the light sensor or based on a time output by a timer.

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

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate comprising tobacco may be referred to herein as a tobacco stick.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” refers to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The volatile compounds may be released by heating or combusting the aerosol-forming substrate. As an alternative to heating or combustion, in some cases, volatile compounds may be released by a chemical reaction or by a mechanical stimulus, such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid or may comprise both solid and liquid components. An aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, the term “classifier” refers to a supervised machine learning algorithm that analyzes training data consisting of labelled training examples to produce an inferred function. Each labelled training example is a pair consisting of an input and a corresponding known output. The classifier should be able to generalize from training examples to unseen data by classifying new features into labels. Alternatively, the term “classifier” may refer to a semi-supervised machine learning algorithm that analyzes training data consisting of labelled training examples and unlabeled data to produce an inferred function.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non- exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example Ex1 : A system comprising an aerosol-generating device and/or a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device comprise: at least one light emitter unit; and a control module configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of: a measured light intensity value and a local time retrieved from a timer.

Example Ex2: The system according to example Ex1 , wherein the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device further comprise a communication interface configured to exchange data with a mobile terminal, the data comprising instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic.

Example Ex3: The system according to example Ex2, wherein the exchanging data with a mobile terminal comprises receiving the instructions from the mobile terminal.

Example Ex4: The system according to example Ex2 or example Ex3, wherein the control module is configured to adjust the at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the instructions.

Example Ex5: The system according to any of example Ex2 to example Ex4, wherein the system further comprises the mobile terminal, and wherein the mobile terminal is configured to display a user interface for inputting the instructions.

Example Ex6: The system according to any of example Ex2 to example Ex5, wherein the instructions comprise a time setting and wherein the user interface includes a first user interface element for inputting the time setting.

Example Ex7: The system according to example Ex6, wherein the control module is configured to adjust the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the local time retrieved from the timer corresponds to the time setting.

Example Ex8: The system according to example Ex6 or example Ex7, wherein the first user interface element is a time picker or a date and time picker.

Example Ex9: The system according to example Ex6 or example Ex7, wherein the first user interface element comprises a first interactive element and a second interactive element arranged to enable a user to define a first period of time and a second period of time by moving the first interactive element and the second interactive element relative to each other.

Example Ex10: The system according to example Ex9, wherein the first period of time is associated with a first visual characteristic and the second period of time is associated with a second visual characteristic.

Example Ex11: The system according to example Ex9 or example Ex10, wherein the first user interface element further comprises a circular element, and wherein the first interactive element and the second interactive element are configured to be moveable relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element.

Example Ex12: The system according to example Ex6 or example Ex7, wherein the time setting comprises an event associated with a time of day.

Example Ex13: The system according to example Ex12, wherein the event is a sunrise, a sunset or a calendar event.

Example Ex14: The system according to example Ex12 or example Ex13, wherein the time of day is obtained from a calendar application based on the event.

Example Ex15: The system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein adjusting at least one visual characteristic comprises at least one of adjusting a brightness characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit, adjusting a color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit , and changing a flashing pattern of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit.

Example Ex16: The system according to any of example Ex5 to example Ex15, wherein the instructions comprise a visual characteristic setting for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic, and wherein the user interface includes a second user interface element for inputting the visual characteristic setting.

Example Ex17: The system according to example Ex16, wherein the control module adjusts the at least one visual characteristic based on the visual characteristic setting.

Example Ex18: The system according to example Ex16 or example Ex17, wherein the visual characteristic setting is a brightness setting, and wherein the second user interface element is a slider.

Example Ex19: The system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one light emitter unit comprises a single light emitter.

Example Ex20: The system according to any of example Ex1 to example Ex19, wherein the at least one light emitter unit comprises two or more light emitters. Example Ex21 : The system according to example Ex20, wherein adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit comprises changing a pattern of light displayed by the two or more light emitters.

Example Ex22: The system according to any of example Ex19 to example Ex21, wherein the light emitter is a light emitting diode.

Example Ex23: The system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a measured light intensity value comprises adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is above or below a predetermined threshold value.

Example Ex24: The system according to example Ex23, wherein, when the measured light intensity value is above the predetermined threshold value, adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit comprises increasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit.

Example Ex25: The system according to example Ex23, wherein, when the measured light intensity value is below the predetermined threshold value, adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit comprises decreasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit.

Example Ex26: The system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the measured light intensity value is based on an average light intensity measured over a predetermined amount of time.

Example Ex27: The system according to any of example Ex2 to example Ex26, wherein the exchanging data with the mobile terminal further comprises sending, to the mobile terminal, usage information relating to usage of at least one of the aerosol-generating device and the charging device.

Example Ex28: The system according to example Ex27, wherein the usage information comprises information relating to the usage of the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device.

Example Ex29: The system according to example Ex27 or example Ex28, wherein the mobile terminal comprises a processing module configured to generate the instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic based on the usage information.

Example Ex30: The system according to example Ex29, wherein generating the instructions comprises computing a time setting based on the usage information. Example Ex31: The system according to example Ex27 or example Ex28, wherein generating the instructions comprises inputting at least one of one or more time settings, one or more visual characteristic settings and the usage information into a trained classifier.

Example Ex32: The system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device further comprise a light sensor for measuring the light intensity.

Example Ex33: The system according any of example Ex2 to Example Ex32, wherein the mobile terminal comprises a light sensor for measuring the light intensity.

Example Ex34: A method of adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol-generating device and/or a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: adjusting, by a control module, at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of: a measured light intensity value and a local time retrieved from a timer.

Example Ex35: The method according to example Ex34, further comprising exchanging data with a mobile terminal via a communication interface, the data comprising instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic.

Example Ex36: The method according to example Ex35, wherein the exchanging data with a mobile terminal comprises receiving the instructions from the mobile terminal.

Example Ex37: The method according to example Ex35 or example Ex36, further comprising adjusting, by the control module, the at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on the instructions.

Example Ex38: The method according to any of example Ex35 to example Ex37, wherein the method further comprises displaying, by the mobile terminal, a user interface for inputting the instructions.

Example Ex39: The method according to any of example Ex35 to example Ex38, wherein the instructions comprise a time setting and wherein the user interface includes a first user interface element for inputting the time setting.

Example Ex40: The method according to example Ex39, wherein adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a local time retrieved from a timer comprises adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the local time retrieved from the timer corresponds to the time setting.

Example Ex41: The method according to example Ex39 or example Ex40, wherein the first user interface element is a time picker or a date and time picker. Example Ex42: The method according to example Ex39 or example Ex40, wherein the first user interface element comprises a first interactive element and a second interactive element arranged to enable a user to define a first period of time and a second period of time by moving the first interactive element and the second interactive element relative to each other.

Example Ex43: The method according to example Ex42, wherein the first period of time is associated with a first visual characteristic and the second period of time is associated with a second visual characteristic.

Example Ex44: The method according to example Ex42 or example Ex43, wherein the first user interface element further comprises a circular element, and wherein the first interactive element and the second interactive element are configured to be moveable relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element.

Example Ex45: The method according to example Ex39 or example Ex40, wherein the time setting comprises an event associated with a time of day.

Example Ex46: The method according to example Ex45, wherein the event is a sunrise, a sunset or a calendar event.

Example Ex47: The method according to example Ex45 or example Ex46, further comprising obtaining the time of day from a calendar application based on the event.

Example Ex48: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein adjusting at least one visual characteristic comprises at least one of adjusting a brightness characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit, adjusting a color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit, and changing a flashing pattern of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit.

Example Ex49: The method according to any of example Ex38 to example Ex48, wherein the instructions comprise a visual characteristic setting for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic, and wherein the user interface includes a second user interface element for inputting the visual characteristic setting.

Example Ex50: The method according to example Ex49, further comprising adjusting the at least one visual characteristic based on the visual characteristic setting.

Example Ex51: The method according to example Ex49 or example Ex50, wherein the visual characteristic setting is a brightness setting, and wherein the second user interface element is a slider.

Example Ex52: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one light emitter unit comprises a single light emitter. Example Ex53: The method according to any of example Ex34 to example Ex50, wherein the at least one light emitter unit comprises two or more light emitters.

Example Ex54: The method according to example Ex53, wherein adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit comprises changing a pattern of light displayed by the two or more light emitters.

Example Ex55: The method according to any of example Ex52 to example Ex54, wherein the light emitter is a light emitting diode.

Example Ex56: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a measured light intensity value comprises adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the measured light intensity value is above or below a predetermined threshold value.

Example Ex57: The method according to example Ex56, wherein, when the measured light intensity value is above the predetermined threshold value, adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit comprises increasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit.

Example Ex58: The method according to example Ex56, wherein, when the measured light intensity value is below the predetermined threshold value, adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit comprises decreasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit.

Example Ex59: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the measured light intensity value is based on an average light intensity measured over a predetermined amount of time.

Example Ex60: The method according to any of example Ex35 to example Ex59, wherein the exchanging data with the mobile terminal further comprises sending, to the mobile terminal, usage information relating to usage of at least one of the aerosol-generating device and the charging device.

Example Ex61 : The method according to example Ex60, wherein the usage information comprises information relating to the usage of the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device.

Example Ex62: The method according to example Ex60 or example Ex61 , further comprising a generating the instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic based on the usage information.

Example Ex63: The method according to example Ex62, wherein generating the instructions comprises computing a time setting based on the usage information. Example Ex64: The method according to example Ex62 or example Ex63, wherein generating the instructions comprises inputting at least one of one or more time settings, one or more visual characteristic settings and the usage information into a trained classifier.

Example Ex65: The method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising measuring, by a light sensor of the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device, the light intensity.

Example Ex66: The method according to any of example Ex35 to example Ex65, further comprising measuring, by a light sensor of the mobile terminal, the light intensity.

Example Ex67: A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, perform the method of one of example Ex34 to example Ex66.

Example Ex68: Use of a light sensor or a timer to control a visual characteristic of at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol-generating device or of a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device, by adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a value of light intensity measured by the light sensor or based on a time output by the timer.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a system comprising a device and a mobile terminal;

Figure 2A shows an aerosol-generating device;

Figure 2B shows an aerosol-generating device;

Figure 3 shows a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device;

Figure 4A shows a user interface;

Figure 4B shows a user interface;

Figure 5 shows a user interface;

Figure 6 shows a user interface; and

Figure 7 shows a method of adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol-generating device and/or a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device.

Figure 1 illustrates a system comprising a device 105 and a mobile terminal 140. The device 105 and the mobile terminal 140 are configured to communicate with each other via their respective communication interfaces 135 and 145. Specifically, the device 105 and the mobile terminal 140 may exchange data via their respective communication interfaces 135 and 145. The communication interfaces 135 and 145 may be wireless communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth communication interface. The mobile terminal 140 is a computing device, for example a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal digital assistant. The mobile terminal 140 comprises the communication interface 145, a control module 150, storage means 155, processing module 165 comprising one or more processors and a display 170. The display 170 is configured to display a user interface for inputting instructions 155 for adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by at least one light emitter unit 110 of the device 105. Once a user has input the instructions into the user interface displayed by the display 170, the instructions may be stored by storage means 155.

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

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

Alternatively or in addition, a user may input an event such as “sunrise” or “sunset” into the user interface as a time setting meaning that at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 is to be adjusted at sunrise and at sunset. The control module 150 may compute a time of day corresponding to the event at the location of the device based on the event and time information received from a calendar application, such as an earth calendar application.

In addition, an event input into the user interface may include a calendar event. Calendar events may comprise event obtained from a calendar application installed on the mobile terminal 140. For example, a user may select as a time setting an appointment or event stored by the calendar application. The control module 150 may compute a time of day based on the event and time information corresponding to the selected appointment or event received from the calendar application.

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

The at least one light emitter unit 110 comprises one or more light emitters, for example light emitting diodes. The at least one light emitter unit may additionally or alternatively be a display screen. Adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 comprises at least one of adjusting a brightness characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit, adjusting a color of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 and changing a flashing pattern of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110. A brightness characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit 110 may be the brightness of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110. When the light emitter unit 110 comprises a plurality of light emitters, adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 may additionally or alternatively comprise changing a pattern of light displayed by the plurality of light emitters.

The control module 120 may adjust the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit 110 based a local time retrieved from a timer 115. The control module 120 may periodically retrieve the local time from the timer 115 and compare the retrieved local time to the time setting in the received instructions. When the control module 120 determines that the local time is the same as a time of the time setting, the control module 120 adjusts at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110. Each time of the time setting may be associated with a visual characteristic setting. Accordingly, when the control module 120 determines that the local time is the same as a time of the time setting, the control module 120 adjusts the at least one visual characteristic in accordance with the visual characteristic setting associated with the time of the time setting.

For example, continuing the example above, the user has input a time setting having two clock times of 8:30 AM and 9:15 PM (or 08:30 and 21 :15 using the 24-hour clock). The clock time of 8:30 AM may be associated with a first visual characteristic setting, such as increasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit 110. The clock time of 9:15 PM may be associated with a second visual characteristic setting, such as decreasing the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit 110.

When the control module 120 detects that the local time retrieved from the timer 115 is 8:30 AM, the control module 120 increases the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit 110. When the control module 120 detects that the local time retrieved from the timer 115 is 9:15 PM, the control module 120 decreases the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit 110. In addition or alternatively, the control module 120 may adjust the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit 110 based on a light intensity value measured by a light sensor 130. For example, the light sensor 130 is configured to measure a light intensity, specifically an ambient light intensity of the environment in which the device 105 is located. The light sensor 130 is configured to provide a value of the measured light intensity to the control module 120. The control module 120 determines whether the light intensity value received from the light sensor 130 is above or below a predetermined light intensity threshold value.

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

The control module 120 may adjust the visual characteristic in response to receiving a single measured light intensity value. Alternatively, the control module may compute, based on a plurality of received measured light intensity values, an average light intensity measured by the light sensor over a predetermined period of time (such as a number of minutes) and the control module may adjust the visual characteristic based on the computed average light intensity.

When the control module 120 determines that the measured light intensity value is above or below the predetermined threshold value, the control module 120 adjusts at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110. For example, when the control module 120 determines that the measured light intensity value is above the predetermined threshold value, the control module 120 may increase the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit 110 so that the at least one light emitter unit 110 remains visible when the ambient light is bright. When the control module 120 determines that the measured light intensity value is below the predetermined threshold value, the control module 120 may decrease the brightness of the at least one light emitter unit 110 so that the at least one light emitter unit 110 remains visible when the ambient light is low.

The device 105 may additionally provide usage information relating to usage of the device 105 to the mobile terminal 140. Specifically, the device 105 may send the usage information to the mobile terminal 140 via the communication interface 135. Usage information may include information relating to usage of the device 105. For example, usage information may include information relating to the times of day that the device is switched on, switched off or otherwise operated by the user. The storage means 155 of the mobile terminal 140 may store the usage information.

The processing module 165 may process the received usage information to generate instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitter unit 110 of the device 105. In addition or alternatively, the processing module 165 may process at least one of one or more time settings and one or more visual characteristic settings to generate instructions for adjusting at least one visual characteristic of the light emitter unit 110 of the device 105.

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

Accordingly, the processing module 165 may compute a time setting, and optionally a visual characteristic setting, based on at least one of the usage information, the one or more time settings and the one or more visual characteristic settings. For example, if the device 105 is operated by the user at 6 AM every day, the processing module 165 may cause instructions to be generated that increase the brightness of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit at 5:55 AM every day so that the status of the device 105 is clearly visible to the user when the user usually operates the device 105.

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

The device 105 may be an aerosol-generating device, such as the aerosol-generating device 200A illustrated in Figure 2A or the aerosol-generating device 200B illustrated in Figure 2B. The device 105 may be a charging device for receiving an aerosol-generating device, such as the charging device 300 illustrated in Figure 3.

As illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B and 3, the aerosol-generating device 200A, the aerosol generating device 200B and the charging device 300 may each comprise the at least one light emitter unit 110, the timer 115, the control module 120, the storage means 125, the light sensor 130 and the communication interface 135 discussed above in relation to Figure 1. However the mobile terminal 140 may additionally or alternatively include a light sensor for measuring the light intensity value. The aerosol-generating device 200A is configured to receive an aerosol-generating article 220. As illustrated in Figure 2A, the aerosol-generating device 200A further comprises a cavity 210 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 220. The aerosol-generating article 220 may comprise an aerosol forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol generating article 220 may be a solid, such as a tobacco stick. The aerosol-generating device 200A further comprises a heating element 230. The heating element 230 is configured to heat the aerosol forming substrate to form an aerosol.

As illustrated in Figure 2B, the aerosol-generating device 200B is configured to receive a cartridge 280. In particular, the aerosol-generating device 200B further comprises a cavity 270 for receiving the cartridge 280. The cartridge 280 may comprise an aerosol forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate of the cartridge 280 may be a liquid. The aerosol generating device 200B further comprises a heating element 290. The heating element 290 is configured to heat the aerosol forming substrate to form an aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device 200A and the aerosol-generating device 200B each comprise a power supply configured to supply power to the respective heating elements 230 and 290. The power supply preferably comprises a power source 240. Preferably, the power source 240 is a battery, such as a lithium ion battery. As an alternative, the power source 240 may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power source 240 may require recharging. For example, the power source 240 may have sufficient capacity to allow for the continuous generation of aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period that is a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power source 240 may have sufficient capacity to allow for a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heater assembly. The aerosol-generating device 200A and the aerosol-generating device 200B may each comprise a power contact 250 for recharging the power supply 240.

The power supply may comprise control electronics. The control electronics may comprise a microcontroller. The microcontroller is preferably a programmable microcontroller. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components. The electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heater assembly. Power may be supplied to the heater assembly continuously following activation of the system or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heater assembly in the form of pulses of electrical current.

The power source 240 may be recharged using a charging device, such as the charging device 300 illustrated in Figure 3. The charging device 300 further comprises a cavity 310 that is configured to receive an aerosol-generating device, such as aerosol-generating device 200A and aerosol-generating device 200B. Within the cavity 310 there may be a power contact 320 configured to contact with a corresponding power contact of the aerosol-generating device. Specifically, when the aerosol-generating device 200A or the aerosol-generating device 200B is received within the cavity 310, the power contact 250 contacts with the power contact 330 so that the charging device 300 can charge the rechargeable power source 240 of the aerosol generating device 200A or the aerosol-generating device 200B.

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

Additionally or alternatively, the charging device 300 may each comprise a data contact interface 330 for communicating with the aerosol-generating device 200A and the aerosol generating device 200B. Referring back to Figures 2A and 2B, the aerosol-generating device 200A and the aerosol-generating device 200B are illustrated as comprising data contact interface 260. When the aerosol-generating device 200A or the aerosol-generating device 200B is received within the cavity 310, the data contact interface 330 contacts with the data contact interface 260 and data may be exchanged. For example, the aerosol-generating device 200A or 200B may communicate data, such as the usage data, to the charging device 300 via the data contact interfaces 260 and 330.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a user interface 400 displayed on the display 170 of mobile terminal 140 for inputting instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic. The user interface 400 comprises a first user interface element 410 for inputting the time setting. As illustrated in Figure 4, the first user interface element 410 comprises a time picker for inputting a 24-hour clock time. The time picker comprises scrollable lists of distinct values, each of which has a single selected value appearing in a contrasting text at the center of the first user interface element 410. In the example illustrated in Figure 4, the time picker comprises a first scrollable list of 24 values representing hours and a second scrollable list of 60 values representing minutes. However, it will be appreciated that the time picker may enable the inputting of a 12-hour clock time. It will also be appreciated that the time picker may enable the inputting of both a date and a time.

The user interface 400 further comprises a second user interface element 420 for inputting a visual characteristic setting. As illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, the visual characteristic setting is a brightness level setting of the at least one light emitter unit 110. As illustrated in Figure 4A, the second user interface element 420A comprises two buttons 430A and 430B indicating a percentage that corresponds to a brightness level of the at least one light emitter unit 110. A brightness level of 100 percent (button 430A) indicates the maximum brightness of the light emitter unit. A brightness level of 50 percent (button 430B) indicates a brightness level of 50 percent of the maximum brightness of the light emitter unit. The user may select a button 430 in order to set the desired brightness of the at least one light emitter unit 110.

Although the second user interface element 420A is illustrated two buttons 430A and 430B, it is to be understood that the second user interface element 420A may comprise any number of buttons. For example, the second user interface element 420A may comprise four buttons so that the user may select a brightness corresponding to 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent or 100 percent of the maximum brightness.

As illustrated in Figure 4B, the second user interface element 420B is a wheel-type user interface element that enables the user to vary the percentage in a continuous way from 0% to 100%. The second user interface element 420B comprises a circular element 440 that displays percentage values around the circumference of the second and 440 and an interactive element 450. The user may interact with the interactive element 452 slight the interactive element 450 around the circular element 440 in order to select a desired percentage brightness. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 400 may comprise a second user interface element that is a slider, thereby enabling the user to vary the brightness level in a continuous way from 0 percent of the maximum to 100 percent.

Accordingly, the user is able to schedule a time of day when the user wishes a reduction or an increase in brightness level of the at least one light emitter unit 110. For example, the user may schedule brightness of the at least one light emitter unit 110 to be reduced by 50 percent at 10 PM to avoid the inconvenience of having a bright light at night when the user goes to bed, while still enabling monitoring of the status of the device 105.

Although Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the user interface 400 for inputting a single time and a single percentage value, it will be appreciated that the user interface 400 may enable the user to schedule the brightness level for a plurality of times. For example, the user may choose 25 percent brightness from 10 PM to 6 AM, 50 percent brightness from six and 7 AM, 75 percent brightness from 7 AM to 8 AM and 100 percent brightness from 8 AM to 10 PM.

Figure 5 illustrates a user interface 500 displayed on the display 170 of mobile terminal 140 for inputting instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic. The user interface 500 comprises a first user interface element 510 for inputting the time setting and a second user interface element 540 and a third user interface element 550 for inputting the visual characteristic setting. The first user interface element 510 is a wheel-type user interface comprising a circular element 520, a first interactive element 530A and a second interactive element 530B. Numbers associated with a time of day are displayed adjacent to and around the circumference of the circular element 520. The user may interact with the first interactive element 530A and the second interactive element 530B to move the first interactive element 530A and the second interactive element 530B relative to each other along a circular path about the center of the circular element 520. By moving the first interactive element 530A and the second interactive element 530B relative to each other, the user defines a first period of time and a second period of time. For example, as illustrated in Figure 5, the first period of time defined by the position of the first interactive element 530A and the second interactive element 530B is from 21 :00 to 06:00 and the second period of time defined by the position of the first interactive element 530A and the second interactive element 530B is from 06:00 to 21 :00.

The first period of time may be associated with a first visual characteristic and the second period of time may be associated with a second visual characteristic. As illustrated in Figure 5, the visual characteristic is a brightness characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit 110. The second user interface element 540 and the third user interface element 550 are sliders that the user may interact with in order to select a percentage brightness. The sliders comprise a horizontal track with a control (illustrated as a solid circle) which a user slides to move between a maximum value and a minimum value of percentage brightness. Left and right icons illustrate the meaning of the minimum and maximum values, illustrated here as 0 percent and 100 percent. The second user interface element 540 may be associated with the first period of time and the third user interface element 550 may be associated with the second period of time. For example, as illustrated in Figure 5, the user has set the brightness level to 25 percent between 21:00 and 06:00 and the user has set the brightness to 75 percent between 06:00 and 21 :00.

Figure 6 illustrates a user interface 600 displayed on the display 170 of mobile terminal 140 for inputting instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic.

The user interface 600 comprises a first user interface element 610 for inputting an event into the user interface as a time setting. The first user interface element 610 comprises a list of events (event 1 to event N), where each event has a corresponding check box. A user may select an event by selecting the check box (indicated by the cross next “event 2” in Figure 6) in order to input the event as a time setting. As will be appreciated, however, any suitable user interface element may be used for selecting an event, such as radio buttons, a drop-down menu, a scrollable list of events and so on.

As discussed above, the event may be an event such as “sunrise” or “sunset” meaning that at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit 110 is to be adjusted at sunrise and at sunset. The control module 150 may obtain a time of day corresponding to the event at the location of the device from a calendar application, such as an earth calendar application.

In addition, an event input into the user interface may include a calendar event. Calendar events may comprise event obtained from a calendar application installed on the mobile terminal 140. For example, a user may select as a time setting an appointment or event stored by the calendar application. The control module 150 may obtain a time of day corresponding to the selected appointment or event from the calendar application.

The user may select the visual characteristic associated with the time setting using the second user interface element 620. The second user interface element 620 is illustrated in Figure 6 as a slider for selecting a brightness level, such as the sliders 540 and 550 described in relation to Figure 5 above. However, it is to be appreciated that any suitable user interface element may be used to select the visual characteristic setting.

Figure 7 illustrates a method of adjusting the at least one visible characteristic of the light emitter unit. The method may be performed by the device 105 as described above in relation to Figures 1 to 6.

The method begins at step 710 where instructions 160 are received by the control module 120. As described above, the instructions 160 are received from the mobile terminal 140. The instructions comprise at least one of a time setting and a visual characteristic setting.

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

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

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

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

Generally, examples can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code or computer-executable instructions, the program code or computer-executable instructions being operative for performing one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code or the computer-executable instructions may, for example, be stored on a computer-readable storage medium.

In an example, a storage medium (or a data carrier, or a computer-readable medium) comprises, stored thereon, the computer program or the computer-executable instructions for performing one of the methods described herein when it is performed by a processor. In a further example, an apparatus comprises one or more processors and the storage medium mentioned above.

In a further example, an apparatus comprises means, for example processing circuitry like e.g. a processor communicating with a memory, the means being configured to, or adapted to, perform one of the methods described herein.

A further example comprises a computer having installed thereon the computer program or instructions for performing one of the methods described herein.

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

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. A system comprising an aerosol-generating device and/or a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device comprise: at least one light emitter unit; and a control module configured to adjust at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of: a measured light intensity value and a local time retrieved from a timer.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device and/or the charging device further comprise a communication interface configured to exchange data with a mobile terminal, the data comprising instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system further comprises the mobile terminal, and wherein the mobile terminal is configured to display a user interface for inputting the instructions.

4. The system according to any of claims 2 to 3, wherein the instructions comprise a time setting and wherein the user interface includes a first user interface element for inputting the time setting.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the time setting comprises an event associated with a time of day, and wherein the time of day is obtained from a calendar application based on the event.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the control module is configured to adjust the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the local time retrieved from the timer corresponds to the time setting.

7. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a measured light intensity value comprises adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the light intensity value is above or below a predetermined threshold value.

8. A method of adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol-generating device and/or a charging device associated with an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: adjusting, by a control module, at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on at least one of: a measured light intensity value and a local time retrieved from a timer.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising exchanging data with a mobile terminal via a communication interface, the data comprising instructions for adjusting the at least one visual characteristic.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the method further comprises displaying, by the mobile terminal, a user interface for inputting the instructions.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the instructions comprise a time setting and wherein the user interface includes a first user interface element for inputting the time setting.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the time setting comprises an event associated with a time of day associated with an event, and wherein the method further comprises obtaining the time of day from a calendar application based on the event.

13. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a measured light intensity value comprises adjusting the at least one visual characteristic of the at least one light emitter unit when the light intensity value is above or below a predetermined threshold value.

14. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, perform the method of one of claims 9 to 13.

15. Use of a light sensor, ora timer to control a visual characteristic of at least one light emitter unit of an aerosol-generating device or of a charging device associated with an aerosol generating device, by adjusting at least one visual characteristic of light emitted by the at least one light emitter unit based on a value of light intensity measured by the light sensor, or based on a time output by the timer.