Extension Unit for an Aerosol Generation Device, Aerosol Generation Device and System

Abstract

An extension unit for an aerosol generation device includes a first connection interface, at a first end of the extension unit, that is connectable to the aerosol generation device. Further, the unit includes means for enabling at least one additional functionality of the aerosol generation device, further to aerosol generation, when connected to the aerosol generation device. An aerosol generation device and a system include such an extension unit.

1 . An extension unit for an aerosol generation device, the extension unit comprising:
 a first connection interface, at a first end of the extension unit, that is connectable to the aerosol generation device; and   means for enabling at least one additional functionality of the aerosol generation device, further to aerosol generation, when connected to the aerosol generation device,   wherein the first connection interface comprises one or more power terminals and at least one of a magnitude of power supply and a direction of power supply by the first connection interface is controlled by the aerosol generation device, when connected to the aerosol generation device.   
     
     
         2 . The extension unit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second connection interface, at a second end of the extension unit opposite to the first end, that is connectable to a second extension unit.   
     
     
         3 . The extension unit of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first connection interface is further connectable to a third extension unit; and   the second connection interface is further connectable to the aerosol generation device.   
     
     
         4 . The extension unit of  claim 2 , wherein the first connection interface and/or the second connection interface comprises at least one of a magnetic connector, an interference fit connector, a plug connector, or a socket connector connectable to the aerosol generation device or the second extension unit. 
     
     
         5 . The extension unit of  claim 2 , wherein:
 at least one of the first connection interface and the second connection interface comprises one or more data terminals, wherein the first and second connection interfaces include inter-integrated circuit, I2C, interfaces.   
     
     
         6 . The extension unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the extension unit is configured to receive power supplied from the aerosol generation device, when connected to the aerosol generation device.   
     
     
         7 . The extension unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one additional functionality comprises a flashlight functionality; and   the means for enabling the at least one additional functionality comprises at least one LED.   
     
     
         8 . The extension unit of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the at least one LED is configured to emit light and/or to blink or dim the emitted light in response to control signalling received from the aerosol generation device.   
     
     
         9 . The extension unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one additional functionality comprises a haptic feedback functionality for indicating a status of the aerosol generation device; and   the means for enabling the at least one additional functionality comprises at least one of an eccentric rotating mass, ERM, vibration motor or a linear resonant actuator, LRA, vibration motor to generate haptic feedback in the form of vibrations in response to control signalling received from the aerosol generation device.   
     
     
         10 . The extension unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one additional functionality comprises a power supply functionality of supplying power to a connected device; and   the means for enabling the at least one additional functionality comprises at least one power supply.   
     
     
         11 . The extension unit of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the means for enabling at least one additional functionality further comprises a control section configured to control at least one of a magnitude and a direction of the supply of power.   
     
     
         12 . The extension unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one additional functionality comprises a display functionality; and   the means for enabling the at least one additional functionality comprises at least one display unit configured to display information to a user of the aerosol generation device in response to control signalling received from the aerosol generation device.   
     
     
         13 . An aerosol generation device comprising a power supply unit, wherein the power supply unit comprises:
 a power supply;   a control section; and   a connection interface that is connectable to an extension unit in accordance with  claim 1 ,   wherein the connection interface comprises one or more power terminals and the control section is configured to control at least one of a magnitude of power supply via the connection interface and a direction of power supply by the connection interface.   
     
     
         14 . The aerosol generation unit of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the connection interface comprises at least one of a magnetic connector, an interference fit connector, a plug connector, or a socket connector connectable to the extension unit; and/or   the connection interface comprises one or more data terminals and the connection interface is configured to control transfer of data via the connection interface, wherein the connection interface includes an inter-integrated circuit, I2C, interface.   
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 an aerosol generation device in accordance with  claim 13 ; and   a first extension unit in comprising:
 a first connection interface, at a first end of the extension unit, that is connectable to the aerosol generation device; and 
 means for enabling at least one additional functionality of the aerosol generation device, further to aerosol generation, when connected to the aerosol generation device, 
 wherein the first connection interface comprises one or more power terminals and at least one of a magnitude of power supply and a direction of power supply by the first connection interface is controlled by the aerosol generation device, when connected to the aerosol generation device, and 
   wherein the first extension unit is connected to the connection interface of the power supply unit.