TWI763894B - Information processing method, information processing computer program product, charging device and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

An objective of this disclosure is to provide a technique for flexibly adjusting power consumption caused by communication in a system in which a charging device for charging an aerosol generating device communicates with a terminal device.

An embodiment of this disclosure provides a method which is an operation method of a terminal device 104 in communication with a charging device 102 for charging an aerosol generating device 106, which includes a step of acquiring a charging information relating to a battery 208 of the charging device 102 from the charging device 102, a step of determining the charging state of the battery 208 based on the charging information, and a step of determining whether the communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 can be performed based on the charging state.

Description

Information processing method, information processing computer program product, charging device and information processing system

The present disclosure relates to a charging device for charging a mist (aerosol, also known as aerosol) generating device, an operation method of a terminal device that communicates with the charging device, a program for causing the terminal device to execute the method, and a charging device having the same device, the system of the terminal device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for collecting data during charging by connecting an arithmetic device to a charging auxiliary device. A predetermined power consumption is required for communication between the computing device and the charging assist device. The above-described reduction in power consumption occurs due to the limitation of the capacity of the power storage device for charging assistance.

However, Patent Document 1 discloses at best a technique in which an arithmetic device communicates with a charging assist device. There has not been any disclosure regarding the recognition of the problem of power consumption caused by the communication between these devices or the technology to solve the problem.

(prior art literature) (patent literature)

Japanese Official Gazette No. 2017-512459

The present disclosure is made in view of the above-mentioned subject.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for flexibly adjusting power consumption caused by the communication in a system in which a charging device for charging a mist generating device communicates with a terminal device.

The purpose of the present disclosure is also to provide a technology for properly performing communication connection between the charging device and the terminal device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a terminal device that communicates with a charging device for charging a mist generating device, the method comprising: obtaining from the charging device a charge of a battery of the charging device The step of information; the step of judging the charging status of the battery according to the charging information; and the step of determining whether the terminal device and the charging device can communicate with each other according to the charging status.

In one embodiment, the method further includes: instructing the charging device to send the charging information to the terminal device when judging from the charging state that the remaining charge of the battery is above a first threshold; and determining the charging state from the charging state. The step of instructing the charging device not to send the charging information to the terminal device when it is determined that the remaining charge of the battery is less than the first threshold.

In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of releasing the communication connection with the charging device when it is determined from the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is less than a second threshold.

In one embodiment, the method further includes: when the battery is receiving power supply via the power interface of the charging device, regardless of the remaining charge of the battery, instructing the charging device to send the charging information to the terminal device. step.

In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of instructing the charging device to send the charging information to the terminal device regardless of the remaining charge of the battery when the communication connection with the charging device is initially established.

In one embodiment, the method further includes: when it is determined from the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is less than a third threshold, a step of urging the user to charge the battery is notified.

In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of performing a notification urging the user to perform the communication connection when the communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device has not been performed for a predetermined period or more.

In one embodiment, the method further includes: when the terminal device does not receive the charging information from the charging device, estimating the charging information according to a temporal change of the charging information memorized for the uncharged battery.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is also provided a program for causing a terminal device to execute the above-described method, the terminal device communicating with a charging device for charging the mist generating device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is also provided a charging device for charging a mist generating device, the charging device including a battery, a power interface for supplying power to the battery, a control unit, and a communication unit. The control unit is configured to transmit, via the communication unit, charging information about the battery to a terminal device that communicates with the charging device, and to receive from the terminal device: Information determined by the terminal device about whether the terminal device and the charging device can communicate with each other.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit when the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and when the remaining charge of the battery is less than the At the first threshold, the charging information is not sent to the terminal device.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to release the communication connection with the terminal device when the remaining charge of the battery is less than a second threshold value.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit regardless of the remaining charge of the battery when the battery is receiving power supply via the power interface.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit regardless of the remaining charge of the battery when the communication connection with the terminal device is first established.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to charge the battery in response to an instruction to charge the battery when receiving an instruction to charge the battery from the terminal device when the remaining charge of the battery is less than a third threshold value. .

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to perform communication with the terminal device upon receiving from the terminal device when the communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device is not performed for a predetermined period or more. When a connection instruction is given, the communication connection is made in response to the instruction.

In one embodiment, the charging device further includes: a charging port for supplying power to the mist generating device; and a first charging port between the battery and the charging port for feeding power from the battery to the mist generating device. a path; and a second path between the power interface and the charging port for feeding power from the power interface to the mist generating device without passing through the battery.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to charge the battery in the mist generating device with priority over the battery of the charging device when the mist generating device is connected to the charging device via the charging port. way to control.

In one embodiment, the charging device further includes: a first notification unit for notifying the charging state of the battery of the mist generating device; and a second notifying unit for notifying the charging state of the battery of the charging device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is also provided a system including the above-described charging device, a terminal device, and a server that transmits and receives data to and from the terminal device.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, in a system in which a charging device for charging a mist generating device communicates with a terminal device, a technique for flexibly adjusting power consumption caused by the communication can be provided. Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technique for appropriately performing communication connection between the charging device and the terminal device.

100‧‧‧System

102, 102A, 102B‧‧‧Charging device

104, 104A, 104B‧‧‧Terminal device

106, 106A, 106B‧‧‧Mist generator

108‧‧‧Server

110‧‧‧Power

202, 402, 502, 1202‧‧‧Control Department

204, 504, 1206‧‧‧Communication Department

206, 506, 1208‧‧‧Memory Department

208, 302, 1204‧‧‧battery

210‧‧‧Charging port

212‧‧‧Power Interface

214‧‧‧First Notification Department

216‧‧‧Second Notification Section

218‧‧‧Battery Control

220‧‧‧Notification Control Department

222‧‧‧Information Acquisition Department

224‧‧‧First Path

226‧‧‧Second Path

404‧‧‧First Communications Department

405‧‧‧Second Communications Department

406‧‧‧Memory Department

408‧‧‧Notification Department

410‧‧‧Notification Control Department

412‧‧‧Information Processing Department

414‧‧‧Information Acquisition Department

702, 902, 1102, 1302‧‧‧Display

704, 1304‧‧‧information

904, 1104‧‧‧Message

1200‧‧‧Mist generator

1210‧‧‧Airflow Detection Section

1306, 1308‧‧‧ times of smoking

FIG. 1 shows a system including a charging device for charging a mist generating device and a terminal device in communication with the charging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a mist generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the notification performed during the processing of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8A is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart of an operation method of the terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8C is a flowchart of an operation method of the terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an example of notification performed during the process of FIG. 8C.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows an example of notification performed during the process of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a mist generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which the terminal device provides information to the user based on the information obtained from the mist generating device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a system including a charging device for charging a mist generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a terminal device in communication with the charging device.

The system 100 includes: charging devices 102A and 102B (hereinafter, also referred to as "charging devices 102"), terminal devices 104A and 104B (hereinafter, also referred to as "terminal devices 104"), mist generating devices 106A and 106B, also referred to as " mist generating device 106"), server 108 and power supply 110.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the mist generating device 106 may also include a device for smoking an electronic cigarette, a device for smoking a heated cigarette, and an atomizer, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Mist-generating device 106 may include a wide variety of devices for generating the mist that a user inhales.

The mist generating device 106A receives the supply of electric power from the charging device 102A, and generates mist for the user to inhale. The charging device 102A can also be powered by the power source 110 .

The terminal device 104 may be, for example, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a personal computer, or other electronic devices. In the system 100, the terminal device 104 is configured to communicate with a server 108 disposed on a global network (cloud network) through a wired connection or a wireless connection.

As indicated by the dotted line drawn between the charging device 102A and the terminal device 104A, the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 are configured to communicate with each other via a local area network composed of Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. In addition, the charging device 102 may be configured to supply power from a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like of the terminal device 104 as indicated by a solid line drawn between the charging device 102B and the charging device 104B.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the charging device 102 includes a control unit 202 , a communication unit 204 , a memory unit 206 , a battery 208 , a charging port 210 , a power interface 212 , a first notification unit 214 and a second notification unit 216 .

The communication unit 204 is an interface for providing the function of connecting the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 . For example, the communication unit 204 may be a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Low Energy) module, but the configuration of the communication unit 204 is not limited to this. The communication unit 204 may be configured to communicate with the terminal device 104 in accordance with other communication standards such as Wi-Fi.

The storage unit 206 stores various kinds of information obtained or generated by the control unit 202 .

The power interface 212 is an interface that provides the function of supplying the charging device 102 with power from the power source 110 of a personal computer (PC), a USB socket, or the like. The power interface 212 is, for example, a USB interface, and supplies power through a USB connection. In this case, the power interface 212 receives power supply through a USB terminal or a USB socket provided in a device such as a PC. The power interface 212 is not limited to a USB interface, and can also be various interfaces that can supply power to the charging device 102, such as a Micro USB interface, a power socket, and an interface capable of non-contact charging.

The battery 208 is a rechargeable battery, and is supplied with power from a machine connected to the charging device 102 via the power interface 212 and charged. The battery 208 can be, for example, a Li-Po (Li-Polymer, lithium polymer) battery. The battery 208 may also have a function of supplying power to the mist generating device 106 connected to the charging port 210 .

Fig. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a mist generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the mist generating device 106 is provided with a battery 302 . Although not shown in the figure, the mist generating device 106 may include various components such as a storage part, an atomization part, and a control part, the storage part is used for storing the mist source, and the atomization part is used for The mist source generates mist, and the control unit is used to control the components in the mist generating device 106 . The battery 302 is a rechargeable battery, and is charged with power supplied from the charging device 102 . The battery 302 is, for example, a Li-Po (Li-Polymer, lithium polymer) battery. The battery 302 supplies power to each part of the mist generating device 106 .

Returning to FIG. 2 , the charging port 210 is configured to connect the mist generating device 106 to the charging device 102 . In one example, the charging port 210 is configured to physically contact or connect with the mist generating device 106 , and is used for power supply to the mist generating device 106 . The charging port 210 is, for example, capable of being configured. The charging port 210 is configured to be physically contactable or connectable with the mist generating device 106 by, for example, a screw-type terminal block. Alternatively, the charging port 210 may be configured not to be in physical contact with the mist generating device 106, but to supply power to the mist generating device 106 by other methods such as connection via a cable, non-contact power feeding, or the like. The charging port 210 can also utilize the transmission and reception of information between the charging device 102 and the mist generating device 106 .

As shown, the charging device 102 may also have a first path 224 between the battery 208 and the charging port, the first path 224 being a path for feeding power from the battery 208 to the mist generating device 106 via the charging port 210 . The charging device 102 may also have a second path 226 between the power interface 212 and the charging port 210 , the second path 226 is used to feed the mist from the power interface 212 to the mist via the charging port 210 instead of the battery 208 A path to the device 106 is generated.

The control unit 202 controls each component of the charging device 102 . As an example, the control unit 202 may also include a battery control unit 218 , a notification control unit 220 and an information acquisition unit 222 , and the battery control unit 218 is used to control the battery 208 of the charging device 102 and the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106 The notification control unit 220 is used to control the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216, and the information acquisition unit 222 is used to acquire various information such as the remaining charge of the battery 208. Alternatively, the control unit 202 may be configured to have the same functions as those of the constituent elements.

The battery control unit 218 may also be configured to control that the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106 is charged more preferentially than the battery 208 of the charging device 102 when the mist generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102 via the charging port 210 .

The first notification unit 214 is configured to notify information about the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106 (charge remaining amount, etc.). The second notification unit 216 is configured to notify information about the battery 208 of the charging device 102 (charge remaining amount, etc.). In one example, the first notification part 214 and the second notification part 216 may also include a plurality of LEDs. In another example, the first notification unit 214 and the second notification unit 216 may also include a speaker, a vibrator, or the like.

The notification control unit 220 controls the first notification unit 214 to notify information about the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106 . In one example, the first notification portion 214 may also include five surface-mounted ultra-small white LEDs. This configuration is only an example, and other numbers of LEDs may be used, and light sources with other configurations may also be used. At this time, the notification control unit 220 can make the first LED blink when the remaining capacity of the battery 302 is less than 20% of the maximum value, and when the remaining capacity is more than 20% and less than 40%, the first LED can be turned on and the second LED can be turned on. LED flashes, when the remaining amount is more than 40% and less than 60%, the first LED and the second LED can be turned on and the third LED can be flashed. When the remaining amount is more than 60% and less than 80%, the first LED can be turned on to the third LED and make the fourth LED flash, when the remaining amount is more than 80% and less than 100%, the first to fourth LEDs can be turned on and the fifth LED can be flashed, and when the battery 302 is fully charged, it can be turned on Turn on the first to fifth LEDs. In another example, when the first notification part 214 includes a speaker, the notification control part 220 can also control the first notification part 214 to output the information to be notified in the form of sound. Furthermore, in another example, when the first notification part 214 includes a vibrator, the notification control part 220 can also control the first notification part 214 to output the information to be notified in the form of vibration.

The notification control unit 220 controls the second notification unit 216 to notify information about the battery 208 of the charging device 102 . The second notification portion 216 may also contain five ultra-miniature white LEDs that are surface mounted. This configuration is only an example, and other numbers of LEDs may be used, and light sources with other configurations may also be used. In this example, when the battery 208 is being charged, the notification control unit 220 can make the first LED blink when the remaining amount of the battery 208 is 20% of the maximum value, and can light up when the remaining amount is more than 20% and less than 40% The first LED and the second LED blink, when the remaining amount is more than 40% and less than 60%, the first LED and the second LED can be turned on and the third LED can be blinked, when the remaining amount is more than 60% and less than 80% , the first to third LEDs can be turned on and the fourth LED can be flashed, and when the remaining amount is more than 80% and less than 100%, the first to fourth LEDs can be turned on and the fifth LED can be flashed. In addition, when the battery 208 is not being charged, the notification control unit 220 can turn on the first LED when the remaining capacity of the battery 208 is 20% of the maximum value, and can turn on when the remaining capacity is 20% or more and less than 40% The first LED and the second LED, when the remaining amount is more than 40% and less than 60%, can light up the first LED to the third LED, when the remaining amount is more than 60% and less than 80%, can light the first LED to The fourth LED can light up the first to fifth LEDs when the remaining amount is more than 80% and less than 100%. In addition, when the battery 208 is fully charged, the first to fifth LEDs can still be turned on. The notification control unit 220 can also make a predetermined LED emit light by using a preset form corresponding to the error when an error occurs. In another example, when the second notification unit 216 includes a speaker, a vibrator, etc., the notification control unit 220 can control the second notification unit 216 using the method described above with respect to the first notification unit 214 .

The information acquisition unit 222 acquires information about the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106 , information about the battery 208 of the charging device 102 , and the like. The information on the battery can include various information such as: the remaining amount of battery charging; information about the decrease in the remaining amount of the battery; the time required for battery charging; information showing deterioration of the battery; the number of times the battery has been charged; Elapsed time; the date and time when the battery was charged or its history, etc. In addition, the information acquisition unit 222 may also acquire information indicating that the mist generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102 . The information showing that the mist generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102 may also include information about the date and time when the mist generating device 106 is connected to the charging device 102 or its history. In addition, the information acquisition unit 222 may also acquire information indicating that the charging device 102 is connected to the power source 110 . The information showing that the charging device 102 is connected to the power source 110 may also include information about the date and time when the charging device 102 is connected to the power source 110 or its history.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The terminal device 104 includes a control unit 402 , a first communication unit 404 , a second communication unit 405 , a storage unit 406 , and a notification unit 408 . The control unit 402 may also include a notification control unit 410 , an information processing unit 412 , and an information acquisition unit 414 . The control unit 402 may be configured to perform functions equivalent to those of the components by substituting the components having the components. In this case, the server 108 may also provide the terminal device 104 with a program, data, or the like for causing the control unit 402 to perform functions equivalent to those of the constituent elements. In addition, the program may be provided in a form installed in the terminal device 104 (so-called "application program (APP)").

The control unit 402 controls the first communication unit 404 to communicate with the communication unit 204 of the charging device 102 . The control unit 402 also controls the second communication unit 405 to communicate with a communication unit (described later) of the server 108 . The control unit 402 acquires various information including the information of the battery 208 and the battery 302 from the above-mentioned communication through the information acquisition unit 414 . The control unit 402 processes the acquired information through the information processing unit 412 .

The memory unit 406 stores various information such as information obtained by the information acquisition unit 414 or the information processing unit 412 .

In one example, the notification unit 408 may also be a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence, electroluminescence) display. In this example, the control unit 402 causes the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 414 and/or the information processing unit 412 to be displayed on the display device. Thereby, information can be prompted to the user. As the aforementioned information, for example, it can also include various information about the battery. Specifically, it can include: warning about the remaining charge of the battery, information about the decrease of the remaining amount of the battery; information urging the battery to charge; the time required for the battery to charge; display Information on battery deterioration; number of battery charges (every day, cycle, month, etc.); elapsed time since the last battery charge, etc. Furthermore, the notification unit 408 can also display the above-mentioned information to the user in the form of a banner display or a pop-up display on the display device. In addition, the notification unit 408 may also prompt the above-mentioned information to the user through a push notification of the application.

In another example, the notification unit 408 may be a speaker that provides information to the user using sound or a single tone, or a vibrator that provides information to the user using vibration.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The server 108 may also include a control unit 502 , a communication unit 504 and a memory unit 506 . The communication unit 504 communicates with the second communication unit 405 of the terminal device 104 via the Internet or the like. The communication unit 504 may communicate with a plurality of terminal devices 104 . The control unit 502 may also receive various information including information about the battery 208 and the battery 302 from the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 504 , and store the information in the memory unit 506 .

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 will be described as executing all the steps. However, it should be noted that some of the steps may also be performed by other components of the terminal device 104 . In addition, it should be understood that the present embodiment can be implemented in the following manner: when executed by a computer of the terminal device 104 or the like, a program that causes the computer to execute the method, or a computer-readable storage medium storing the program. The same applies to the examples described later with respect to Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B, Fig. 8C, and Fig. 10.

In step 602 , the control unit 402 obtains charging information about the battery 208 of the charging device 102 from the charging device 102 .

The process proceeds to step 604 , and the control unit 402 determines the charging state of the battery 208 according to the charging information obtained in step 602 . Here, the charging status may include the remaining amount of charging of the battery 208 , deterioration of the battery, the number of times of charging the battery, the elapsed time from the last charging of the battery, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the notification unit 408 of the terminal device 104 provides information to the user during the process of FIG. 6 . When the control unit 402 obtains the charging information or the charging status of the battery 208 in step 602 or step 604 , the notification unit 408 may also prompt the user for such information. In this example, the notification unit 408 is a display unit 702 such as a liquid crystal display, and displays information 704 on the remaining battery level of the charging device on the display unit 702 . In addition, the information 704 about the remaining battery capacity of the charging device may also be displayed in %, for example.

The process proceeds to step 606, and the control unit 402 determines whether or not communication between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 is possible based on the charging status obtained in step 604. Specific examples will be described later.

The processing in FIG. 6 is executed by the terminal device 104, and therefore, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the processing in FIG. 6. FIG. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may also be configured to transmit charging information about the battery 208 to the terminal device 104 that communicates with the charging device 102 via the communication unit 204, and the terminal device 104 receives the charging information based on the judgment based on the charging information. Information about whether the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 can communicate with each other is determined by the terminal device 104 based on the charging state of the battery 208 .

FIG. 8A is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing of step 802A and step 804A is the same as the processing of step 602 and step 604 in FIG. 6 , so the description is omitted.

In step 806A, the control unit 402 determines whether or not the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value based on the state of charge of the battery 208 obtained in the step 804A. When the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (step 806A: YES), the process proceeds to step 808A. In addition, the first threshold value is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is exemplified and not limited to this value. Step 808A, the control unit 402 instructs the charging device 102 to send charging information to the terminal device 104 . On the other hand, when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is smaller than the first threshold value (step 806A: "No (N)"), the process proceeds to step 810A. Step 810A, the control unit 402 instructs the charging device 102 not to send charging information to the terminal device 104 .

Since the processing of FIG. 8A is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 14 may be configured to operate in accordance with the processing of FIG. 8A. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to transmit charging information to the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, and the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold. When a threshold is reached, no charging information is sent to the terminal device 104 .

In addition, when the battery 208 is receiving power supply through the power interface 212 of the charging device 102 , the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may also instruct the charging device 102 to send charging information to the terminal device 104 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208 . The charging device 102 (or the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 ) may also be configured to communicate with the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208 when the battery 208 is receiving power supply via the power interface 21 . Send charging information.

Furthermore, when the communication connection with the charging device 102 is initially established, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may instruct the charging device 102 to send charging information to the terminal device 104 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208 . The charging device 102 (or the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 ) may be configured to communicate with the terminal device 104 via the communication unit 204 regardless of the remaining charge of the battery 208 when the communication connection with the terminal device 104 is first established. Send charging information.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart of an operation method of the terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing of step 802B and step 804B is the same as that of step 602 and step 604, so the description is omitted.

In step 806B, the control unit 402 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold value according to the state of charge of the battery 208 obtained in step 804B. In addition, the second threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is exemplified and not limited to this value. When the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold (step 806B: "Yes (Y)"), the process proceeds to step 808B. In step 808B, the control unit 402 releases the communication connection with the charging device 102 . On the other hand, when the remaining amount of charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (step 806B: "No (N)"), the process returns to before step 802B.

Since the processing of FIG. 8B is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the processing of FIG. 8B. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to release the communication connection with the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold value. In addition, the processing of FIG. 8A and the processing of FIG. 8B may be combined, and the control unit 42 of the terminal device 104 may be configured to instruct charging when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold value and greater than or equal to the second threshold value The device 102 does not send charging information to the terminal device 104, and when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the second threshold, the communication connection with the charging device 102 is released. In this case, the first threshold is assumed to be larger than the second threshold. In addition, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may also be configured to not transmit the charging information to the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, and when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the first threshold When there are two thresholds, the communication connection with the terminal device 104 is released.

FIG. 8C is a flowchart of an operation method of the terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing of step 802C and step 804C is the same as that of step 602 and step 604, so the description is omitted.

In step 806C, the control unit 402 determines whether or not the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold based on the state of charge of the battery 208 obtained in step 804C. The third threshold is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is exemplified and not limited to this value. When the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold (step 806C: "Yes (Y)"), the process proceeds to step 808C. In step 808C, the control unit 402 issues a notification urging the user to charge the battery 208 . In response to the notification, the user may also connect the power interface 212 of the charging device 102 to the power source 110 to charge the battery 208 . Alternatively, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may also be configured to charge the battery 208 in response to an instruction from the terminal device 104 . When this instruction is transmitted to the charging device 102 by means of the program), the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 charges the battery 208 .

FIG. 9 shows an example of the notification performed at step 808C. The control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 displays a message 904 with a content such as "The remaining battery level of the charging device is reduced. Please charge." on the notification unit 408 (display 902 in this example).

Returning to Fig. 8C, when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is equal to or greater than the third threshold value (step 806C: "No (N)"), the process returns to before step 802C.

Since the processing of FIG. 8C is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the processing of FIG. 8C. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may also be configured to charge the battery 208 in response to an instruction to charge the battery 208 when receiving an instruction to charge the battery 208 from the terminal device 104 when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than the third threshold. . In addition, among the process of FIG. 8A, the process of FIG. 8B, and the process of FIG. 8C, at least two or more processes may be combined and executed. In this case, the first threshold, the second threshold and the third threshold may be different values from each other, or at least two of the thresholds may be the same value.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operation method of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1002, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the last communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 was completed. When it is determined that the reservation period has elapsed (step 102: "Yes (Y)", the process proceeds to step 1004. In step 1004, the control unit 402 issues a notification urging the user to connect to the communication. In response to the notification, The user operates the terminal device 104 (or a program installed in the terminal device 104) to perform communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102. At this time, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 can also be used to perform the communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102. The instruction of the content of the communication connection is transmitted to the charging device 102. The control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may also be configured to perform the communication connection in response to the instruction.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the notification performed at step 1004 . When the above-mentioned reservation period is one week, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 displays, for example, a message 1104 that reads "No communication with the charging device has been performed for one week. Please connect to the charging device for communication" on the notification unit (this An example is display 1102).

Returning to FIG. 10 , when it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed (step 1002 : “No (N)”), the process returns to before step 1002 .

Since the processing of FIG. 10 is executed by the terminal device 104, the charging device 102 that communicates with the terminal device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with the processing of FIG. 10. FIG. For example, the control unit 202 of the charging device 102 may be configured to perform communication with the terminal device 104 when it is received from the terminal device 104 that the communication connection between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 is not performed for a predetermined period or longer. When a connection instruction is given, the communication connection is made in response to the instruction.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, basically, when the charging device 102 communicates with the terminal device 104, the terminal device 104 periodically receives charging information from the charging device 102, and stores the charging information in the storage unit 406 or the like.

On the other hand, in another embodiment, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 may be configured to estimate the charging information when the terminal device 104 does not receive the charging information from the charging device 102 . As an example, it is conceivable that the charging information is the remaining amount of charging of the battery 208 . The terminal device 104 memorizes the temporal change of the remaining charge of the battery 208 and uses it for estimation of the remaining charge. For example, the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104 calculates the amount of decrease in the remaining charge per unit time (eg, one minute, one hour, etc.) from the temporal change in the stored charge remaining. The control unit 402 may estimate the remaining charge amount based on the calculated drop amount, the charge remaining amount memorized at a previous time, the elapsed time from that time point to the present, and the like. In addition, when the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is charged using the power source 110 via the power interface 212, since the remaining charge of the battery 208 increases, it is difficult to estimate the remaining charge. Therefore, in one example, the terminal device 104 may be configured not to store the temporal change of the remaining charge amount while the battery 208 is being charged, or to not use the temporal change for the estimation of the remaining charge amount.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing performed by the terminal device 104 (or the processing performed by the control unit 402 of the terminal device 104, or the processing performed by a program installed in the terminal device 104) may include more kind of processing.

For example, the terminal device 104 may also notify the user to urge the user to charge when the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is about to be exhausted. For example, when the remaining charge of the battery 208 is less than 20% of the maximum value, the terminal device 104 may also perform the notification. In addition, the terminal device 104 may notify the user of a charge depletion alarm indicating that the charge is depleted when the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is exhausted.

For example, the terminal device 104 may also notify the completion of charging at the time point when the charging of the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106 or the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is completed. For example, the terminal device 104 normally communicates with the charging device 102 during the period when the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is fed through the power interface 212 to obtain information about the charging status of the battery 208 and the battery 302 . The terminal device 104 may also notify the contents of the charging completion of each stage at each time point when the charging of the battery 208 and/or the battery 302 is 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% complete.

For example, the terminal device 104 may also update the information about the remaining charge of the battery 302 in the mist generating device 106 or the battery 208 in the charging device 102 at the time when the communication connection with the charging device 102 starts, and notify updated information. In addition, the information about the remaining amount of charging of the battery 302 in the mist generating device 106 and/or the battery 208 in the charging device 102 can also be used as the remaining amount of the battery 302 and/or the battery 208, for example, expressed in % to display to notify. In addition, the information about the remaining charge of the battery 208 in the charging device 102 may be notified as the charging rate at which the charging device 102 can charge the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106 . For example, when the charging device 102 can charge the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106 by 80%, the information about the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 can also be obtained by "can charge the mist generating device 106 80%". etc. to notify.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device 104 can also be configured to adjust the frequency of communication with the charging device 102 according to the situation. Alternatively, the control unit 402 or a program installed in the terminal device 104 may cause the terminal device 104 to operate as described above. For example, when the charging device 102 is charged via the power interface 212 or the like, the terminal device 104 may also communicate with the charging device 102 in normal times. In addition, when the charging device 102 charges the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106 , the terminal device 104 can also communicate with the charging device 102 in normal times. When the charging device 102 is not charging, the terminal device 104 may also communicate with the charging device 102 when the remaining amount of the battery 208 of the charging device 102 is below a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold value is, for example, 20% of the maximum value of the remaining charge of the battery 208, but 20% is exemplified and not limited to this value. In each of the above cases, the data communicated between the terminal device 104 and the charging device 102 may also include: the remaining charge of the battery 208 of the charging device 102, the remaining charge of the battery 302 of the mist generating device 106, and the charging device. Product ID (IDentification) of 102, date and time of communication, etc.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device 104 may also obtain the user ID of the charging device 102 , the product ID, the usage date of the charging device 102 ( Information such as the date of last use) and the estimated date of last survival for the user are included, and the information is sent to the server 108 . The acquisition of information can be performed, for example, once a day. The control unit 502 of the server 108 can also receive the information via the communication unit 504 and store the information in the memory unit 506 .

Fig. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a mist generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mist generating device 1200 may also include a control unit 1202 , a battery 1204 , a communication unit 1206 , a memory unit 1208 , and an airflow detection unit 1210 .

The airflow detection part 1210 detects the airflow generated by the user's inhalation of the mist generating device 1200 .

The control unit 1202 controls each unit of the mist generating device 1200 . In addition, the control unit 1202 can also generate air flow information according to the air flow detected by the air flow detection unit 1210, for example, to generate various kinds of information. The airflow information is information about the airflow generated by the user's inhalation of the mist generating device 1200 .

The memory unit 1208 can store various information obtained by the mist generating device 1200, such as airflow information generated by the control unit 1202, for example.

The communication unit 1206 transmits the information obtained by the mist generating device 1200 , such as the airflow information generated by the control unit 1202 , to the charging device 102 . In the charging device 102 , the information can also be received by the information acquisition unit 222 via the charging port 210 . The communication unit 1206 can also send information to the charging device 102 by other communication methods such as BLE or Wi-Fi instead of the charging port 210 , or in parallel with the charging port 210 .

Compared with the mist generating device 106 shown in FIG. 3, the mist generating device 1200 shown in FIG. 12 can obtain more information. Since the charging device 102 and the terminal device 104 can obtain the above-mentioned information, more information can be provided to the user. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the terminal device 104 provides information to the user based on the information obtained from the mist generating device 1200 . In this example, the notification unit 408 (display 1302 in this example) displays: information 1304 about the remaining battery level of the charging device 102 ; a mist source (regular) generated by the user using the mist generating device 1200 ) aroma) number of times of inhalation 1306, the number of times of inhalation 1308 of the mist source (menthol aroma) by the user using the mist generating device 1200, and the like.

The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that changes, additions, improvements, and the like of the embodiments can be appropriately made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-mentioned embodiments, but should be limited only by the scope of the patent application and its equivalents.

The feature of the present disclosure is the method, and the representative figure has no component symbols and the meanings they represent.

Claims (20)

An information processing method, which is an information processing method of a terminal device communicating with a charging device for charging a mist generating device, the information processing method comprising: an obtaining step of obtaining information about a battery of the charging device from the charging device charging information; the determining step is to determine the charging state of the battery according to the charging information; the determining step is to determine whether the terminal device and the charging device can communicate with each other according to the charging state; and the sending step is to the charging device Send information about whether the communication between the terminal device and the charging device is possible. According to the information processing method described in claim 1, the sending step further includes the following step: when it is judged from the charging state that the remaining charge of the battery is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending the charging device to the charging device to The terminal device sends an instruction of the charging information as the information on whether the communication between the terminal device and the charging device is possible; and when it is judged from the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is less than the first threshold, the charging is performed on the battery. The device transmits an instruction that the charging device does not transmit the charging information to the terminal device, as the information regarding whether or not communication is possible between the terminal device and the charging device. The information processing method described in claim 1 or 2 of the claimed scope further includes the following steps: when it is judged from the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is less than a second threshold, the communication connection with the charging device is released. The information processing method described in claim 1 or 2 further comprises the following steps: when the battery is receiving power supply through the power interface of the charging device, regardless of the remaining charge of the battery, instructing the charging The device sends the aforementioned charging information to the aforementioned terminal device. The information processing method described in claim 1 or 2 further comprises the following steps: when a communication connection with the charging device is initially established, irrespective of the remaining charge of the battery, instructing the charging device to The terminal device sends the aforementioned charging information. The information processing method described in claim 1 or 2 further comprises the following steps: when it is judged from the charging status that the remaining charge of the battery is less than a third threshold, a notification is sent to urge the user to charge the battery. The information processing method described in claim 1 or 2 further comprises the following step: when the communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device has not been performed for a predetermined period or more, prompting the user to perform the communication connection notice. The information processing method described in claim 1 or 2 further comprises the following steps: when the terminal device does not receive the charging information from the charging device, according to the process of the charging information memorized for the uncharged battery change over time to estimate the aforementioned charging information. An information processing computer program product that enables a terminal device to execute an application According to the information processing method described in any one of Items 1 to 8 of the scope of use, the terminal device communicates with a charging device for charging the mist generating device. A charging device for charging a mist generating device, the charging device is provided with: a battery; a power interface for supplying power to the battery; a control unit; and a communication unit; the control unit is configured to: via The communication unit transmits charging information about the battery to a terminal device that communicates with the charging device; Information about whether the device can communicate with the aforementioned charging device. The charging device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is further configured to transmit the charging information to the terminal device via the communication unit when the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, When the remaining charge of the battery is less than the first threshold, the charging information is not sent to the terminal device. The charging device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control unit is further configured to cancel the battery charge when the remaining charge of the battery is less than a second threshold value. Communication connection of the aforementioned terminal device. The charging device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control unit is further configured to: when the battery is receiving power supply via the power interface, regardless of the remaining charge of the battery, via the communication The part sends the charging information to the terminal device. The charging device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control unit is further configured to: when a communication connection with the terminal device is first established, irrespective of the remaining charge of the battery, via the communication The part sends the charging information to the terminal device. The charging device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control unit is further configured to: when the remaining charge of the battery is smaller than a third threshold value, when receiving a request to charge the battery from the terminal device When instructed, the aforementioned battery is charged in response to the instruction. The charging device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control unit is further configured to: if the communication connection between the terminal device and the charging device is not performed for a predetermined period or more, When the device receives an instruction to make a communication connection with the aforementioned terminal device, it responds to the instruction and makes the communication connection. The charging device according to item 10 or 11 of the scope of patent application, further comprising: a charging port for supplying power to the mist generating device; a first path is a path between the battery and the charging port, using to feed power from the battery to the mist generating device; the second path is the path between the power interface and the charging port The diameter is used to feed power from the power interface to the mist generating device without going through the battery. The charging device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control unit is further configured to give priority to the battery of the charging device when the mist generating device is connected to the charging device via the charging port The manner in which the battery in the mist generating device is charged is controlled appropriately. The charging device according to claim 10 or 11 of the scope of the patent application, further comprising: a first notification unit for notifying the charging status of the battery of the mist generating device; and a second notification unit for notifying the charging The state of charge of the device's battery. An information processing system is provided with: the charging device according to any one of items 10 to 19 of the scope of the application; the aforementioned terminal device; and a server for sending and receiving data with the aforementioned terminal device.

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