CN115151151A

CN115151151A - Computer-implemented method for controlling operation of an aerosol-generating device, system comprising an aerosol-generating device, and computer-readable storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN115151151A
Application number: CN202080081542.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·佐米尼
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2019-11-26
Filing date: 2020-11-26
Publication date: 2022-10-04
Also published as: EP4064917A1; JP2023502855A; WO2021105295A1

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for controlling operation of an aerosol-generating device is provided. In the method, the aerosol generating device receives a context message comprising context data regarding one or more context parameters relating to a current context of the aerosol generating device (S601). The aerosol-generating device determines whether to disable operation of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the determination is based at least in part on the received context data (S604). If the determination is positive, operation of the aerosol generating device is disabled (S605).

Description

Computer-implemented method for controlling operation of an aerosol-generating device, system comprising an aerosol-generating device, and computer-readable storage medium

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for controlling the operation of an aerosol-generating device, a system comprising an aerosol-generating device and a computer-readable storage medium.

The popularity and use of reduced risk or risk modified smoking devices (also known as electronic cigarettes, vaporizers or aerosol generating devices) has increased rapidly over the past few years. Such aerosol generating devices provide a replacement for traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and cigarettes. Such aerosol generating devices typically heat or warm an aerosolizable substance to generate an aerosol for inhalation, as opposed to burning tobacco in a conventional tobacco product. The aerosol generating device may provide an aerosol by heating but not burning a solid substrate of tobacco material or by vaporizing a liquid substrate containing tobacco material or the like.

The aerosol generating device typically comprises a battery, a mouthpiece and a heating member powered by the battery. In use of the device, the battery powers the heating element to heat the solid substrate or vaporize the e-liquid to produce an aerosol.

The vaporized aerosol is for inhalation by the user. The aerosol typically comprises fine solid particles and/or liquid droplets suspended in a gas, typically air. In contrast, cigarettes and other conventional smoking products produce aerosol smoke that is a product of tobacco combustion and contains carbon-based solid particles. The carbon-based solid particles in the smoke may be uncomfortable for others in the vicinity of the user and may affect people in the vicinity due to the odor of the carbon-based solid particles.

On the other hand, aerosols (i.e., smokeless) are more comfortable. This allows the user to consume aerosol-generating solid or liquid substrates in previously smokeless areas such as in buildings, apartments and houses and public spaces.

However, some regions do not allow use of even reduced risk or risk-corrected smoking devices. For example, hospitals are places where the use of any vapor-producing item is normally prohibited entirely. Apart from restrictions in hospitals and the like, local laws may prohibit consumers from using their aerosol generating devices in certain public areas. For example, kyoto has set rules that designate certain city streets as non-smoking (and e-smoking) areas.

Most aerosol generating devices incorporate some form of electronic control circuitry, typically including a simple computer processor, to allow a user to control the operation of the aerosol generating device. The electronic control circuit may employ a short-range wireless communication connection, such as bluetooth, and transmit and receive messages to and from a personal computing device, such as a smartphone. Using this type of connection may allow a consumer to control the aerosol generating device via a personal computing device in a more complex manner.

US 2019/0058970 A1 discloses an application of an aerosol generating device connected to a personal computing device. This document discloses a bluetooth connection between an e-cigarette and an application (app) running on a smartphone or other suitable mobile communication device (tablet, laptop, smartwatch, etc.). In one embodiment, the mobile communication device refers to a GPS-enabled mobile phone that receives GPS signals from a sufficient number of satellites to provide a set of reliable GPS coordinates, and then transmits these GPS coordinates to a server that references map data to accurately detect the location of the mobile communication device and correct or confirm the region where policy alert data is needed. The policy alert data obtained based on the location of the user provides the user with summary information for the region regarding any relevant regulatory restrictions (e.g., minimum age) associated with the e-cig, restrictions associated with indoor/outdoor e-cigs, and/or any social expectations associated with e-cigs. If, however, the user chooses to do so, the e-cigarette may continue to be used.

US 2018/0263283 A1 also discloses another method showing a smartphone communicating wirelessly with an electronic cigarette.

US 2015/181945 A1 discloses another aerosol generating device and a personal computing device. This document shows a mobile communication device (e.g. a smartphone) running a software application associated with an electronic cigarette and monitoring the location of the mobile communication device and thus the location of the electronic cigarette. The vapor supply capability of the e-cigarette 100 is disabled when the e-cigarette is deemed to be located within a distance of a location such as a recorded landmark known to prohibit smoking of the e-cigarette area (e.g., airport, hospital, restaurant, school, etc.) or in a vehicle whose location is being tracked (e.g., airplane, public transportation vehicle, rental car, etc.). A disadvantage of the proposed method is that it relies entirely on the mobile phone to determine whether the vapour provision capability of the electronic cigarette needs to be disabled. For example, a user may disconnect the aerosol generating device from the mobile communication device to avoid disablement. While this situation can generally be addressed by disabling the aerosol generating device and allowing only one use, this approach unduly limits the convenience of use for the user when the aerosol generating device and the communication device are connected, as the mobile communication device needs to have the aerosol generating device turned on to use the aerosol generating device.

The conventional approaches provided by the prior art are limited in that the large amount of data available locally in the e-cigarette must be sent to the communication device to determine its conditions of use and take appropriate action. This requires two-way communication and a large amount of data exchange.

The problem of the present invention is therefore to optimize the data exchange and to improve the reactivity of the e-cigarette. Furthermore, another problem with the present invention is to provide an appropriate level of security.

According to the present invention, this problem is solved by a computer-implemented method for controlling the operation of an aerosol generating device. The method comprises receiving a context message comprising context data relating to one or more context parameters relating to a current context of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol-generating device determines whether to disable operation of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the determination is based at least in part on the received context data. If the determination is positive, operation of the aerosol generating device is disabled. The context message may include an expiration date or expiration period.

This therefore ensures that the aerosol generating device is not permanently disabled if no further context messages are received (e.g. if a connection with a communication device is lost). However, at the same time, the aerosol generating device is disabled for a predetermined time. Further, the context message may include a timestamp so that an expiration date or expiration period may be calculated.

The aerosol-generating unit of the aerosol-generating device, in particular the heater of the unit, may be disabled, while the aerosol-generating device may still be configured to receive further messages. Thus, vapor generation is limited in certain areas.

Context data in a context message may be understood as a set of data that may be user-specific relating to geolocation information, environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, weather) and/or time. In particular, in relation to the present disclosure, the context may relate to information relating to the likelihood of use of the aerosol generating device at the current location of the aerosol generating device or the communication device. Thus, a user may be prevented from using the aerosol generating device in an unauthorized space.

Another application may be context data with biometric data such as heart pulse or blood pressure. If certain thresholds are exceeded, the context data can be used to activate the aerosol generating device to dispense a particular drug or deactivate the aerosol generating device.

Further, the context data may be a certain time of day. This may help the user to adjust his usage behavior. For example, the aerosol generating device may be used to gradually reduce the uptake of nicotine, and the user may define a calculation rule according to which the aerosol generating device may be disabled at certain times of the day.

The context data may be obtained from the internet (i.e. a network server, which may be public or private) by the communication device or the aerosol generating device. For example, the communication device or aerosol-generating device may comprise a sensor or receiver for obtaining user data (i.e. biometric data) and GNSS data.

One advantage of the present invention may be that the process of usage determination and decision making is performed directly on the aerosol generating device. The communication device collects only context parameters of the operation of the aerosol generating device (which are specific to the aerosol generating device) and sends the parameters in the context message to the aerosol generating device, and then determines whether to disable operation of the aerosol generating device locally. Since the decision is made locally, a more complex method is provided and the decision is more accurate.

In some embodiments, the context message may be a broadcast message. Thus, there may be no need to authenticate or encrypt the message. For example, some context data may be protected by encoding. In particular, the user identification data or biometric data may be encoded.

In a preferred embodiment, the context parameters comprise at least one of: the location of the aerosol generating device or the location of the communication device sending the context message to the aerosol generating device, in particular the GNSS location, user specific data, consumable profiles, user profiles, and environmental data (such as environmental conditions, in particular temperature, humidity and weather).

In a preferred embodiment, the context data comprises data specifying regions in which use of the aerosol generating device is not authorised or permitted.

In a preferred embodiment, the determination of whether to disable operation of the aerosol generating device is based on computational rules. Example calculation rules are unsupervised machine learning algorithms (e.g., cluster analysis), unsupervised decision trees, and supervised machine learning algorithms. The calculation rule may be received by the aerosol generating device from the communication device. In some embodiments, the communication device may receive (i.e., download) the calculation rule and forward the calculation rule to the aerosol generating device.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating device verifies the received contextual message using consumer data and/or consumable data stored on the aerosol generating device. In certain embodiments, the verification includes authentication using a public key system, such as shown in EP 19189885.7, filed on 8/2/2019 by JT International SA.

In a preferred embodiment, the context message comprises a set of multiple context parameters.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating device obtains local context data from a local storage unit of the aerosol generating device. The step of determining whether to disable operation of the aerosol generating device is based on both the context data and local context data comprised by the context message.

The local context data may include at least one of: data regarding historical usage of the aerosol generating device, in particular puff record, consumer identity, consumer settings and device settings. Other examples include event logging (e.g., removal or insertion of consumables, turning devices on or off) and historical decision logging, such as supervised machine learning.

In a preferred embodiment, the communication device may transmit a new context message when it detects a change in GNSS position. Particularly preferably, the communication device may transmit a new context message each time the GNSS position differs from the previous GNSS position by a predetermined threshold. For example, the communication device may send a new context message when a change in GNSS position occurs of at least 10m, 50m or 100 m.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating device sends a context request for a context message to the communication device.

In a preferred embodiment, the context request is sent in response to the aerosol generating device determining that it has no valid context messages, in particular when the most recent context message has expired.

In a preferred embodiment, a communication device is additionally provided. The communication device obtains context data and transmits a context message to the aerosol generating device.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transmission is performed in response to the communication device detecting a change in its position, in particular a change in GNSS information.

In a preferred embodiment, the context message is sent wirelessly from the communication device to the aerosol generating device.

According to another aspect of the invention, an aerosol-generating device is configured to perform the steps according to the above-described method.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising a communication device and an aerosol generating device as described above, wherein the communication device is configured to perform the steps as described above.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause an aerosol generating device and/or a communication device to perform the steps of the method as described above.

Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication network in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device operating in a communications network.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a personal computing device operating in a communication network.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a personal computing device.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a computer-implemented method according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of another computer-implemented method for requesting a context message.

Referring to fig. 1, in a communication network 100, a personal computing device 104 communicates with one or more aerosol generating devices 102 (each of which is a consumer device), according to a first embodiment. In the embodiment shown, the personal computing device 104 is in communication with potentially four aerosol generating devices 102. The communication link between the personal computing device 104 and each aerosol generating device 102 is a short-range wireless communication connection 116. In bookIn an embodiment, the short-range wireless communication connection 116 is

And (4) connecting. In other embodiments, short-range wireless communication connection 116 is using an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard

Infrared (IR) wireless connection,

A connection, or some other similar connection, implemented in one or more of the implementations. In one particular embodiment, the short-range wireless communication connection is a Near Field Communication (NFC) connection. NFC employs electromagnetic induction between two loop antennas. NFC enabled devices, such as personal computing device 104 and aerosol generating device 102, exchange information using globally available unlicensed radio bands, such as the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band of 13.56 MHz.

NFC communication is defined by the international organization for standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Joint Technical Committee (JTC). The ISO/IEC 18000-3 standard implements rates in the range of 106kbit/s to 424kbit/s. Thus, reference to "short range" in the context of the short-range wireless communication connection 116 means capable of maintaining several meters, e.g., up to about 100 meters but typically less than 10 meters, and indeed, e.g., less than 10cm or even no more than 4cm in the context of NFC.

Personal computing device 104 also communicates with remote server 114 via internet 112. In the present embodiment, the personal computing device 104 is arranged to communicate with the internet 112 via the access point 110.

The personal computing device 104 is arranged to communicate with the access point 110 via another short range wireless communication connection 118. In the present embodiment, the other short-range wireless communication connection 118 is

And (4) connecting. In other embodiments, the other short-range wireless communication connection 118 is

Connection, IR wireless connection,

A connection, or some similar connection. In the present embodiment, the personal computing device 104 is also arranged to communicate with the internet 112 via a cellular radio network link 120 using a suitable communications standard, such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or Long Term Evolution (LTE), to provide data communications.

Depending on availability and other criteria and preferences, the personal computing device 104 typically chooses to communicate with the internet 112 from time to time via another short-range wireless communication connection 118 and the access point 110, or via a cellular radio network link 120.

In the present embodiment, the personal computing device 104 is a mobile computing device, and in particular operates

A smart phone operating a system. In other embodiments, the personal computing device 104 is a smartphone, tablet computing device, or laptop computer running any other type of operating system (such as iOS, linux for mobile OS, or Windows). In most embodiments, the personal computing device 104 is arranged to communicate via a cellular radio network link 120, and thus, the personal computing device 104 may be referred to as User Equipment (UE). In other embodiments, the personal computing device 104 is a desktop Personal Computer (PC) configured to communicate via the internet 112 via a wired ethernet connection. In such an embodiment, the ethernet connection is actually similar to the further short range wireless connection 118 in that although it is via a fixed line or wired connection rather than a wireless connection, it connects to the access point 110, for example in the form of a broadband modem or the like, and then connects from the access point to the internet 112.

Referring to fig. 2, common with typical electronic consumer devices is that each aerosol generating device 102 comprises a processor 202, a memory 204, a storage device 206, a communication interface 208, an antenna 210, and a user interface 212 in communication with each other via a communication bus 214.

The aerosol generating device 102 also has aerosol generating components, in particular a heating element 216 and a consumable module 218 which in this embodiment includes a detector 219 for detecting when a suitable consumable 217 is inserted into the consumable module 218. Note that in this embodiment, the consumable 217 may be in the form of a tobacco rod or rod, or in the form of a liquid-containing capsule or pod, or in the form of a mouse, or in any form that may be vaporized or heated by an aerosol generating device. Accordingly, it should be understood that the aerosol generating device 102 described in the context of those methods is merely one example of a suitable consumer apparatus for use with those methods.

The aerosol generating device 102 further comprises a puff sensor (not shown) configured to detect when a user puffs on the aerosol generating device 102 when it is activated. The puff sensor may detect air flow or may be implemented as a temperature sensor for detecting a drop in temperature due to air flowing through the aerosol generating device 102 or as any other suitable sensor for detecting a puff.

Processor 202 may be, or may include, any suitable microprocessor or microcontroller, such as a low power application specific controller (ASIC) and/or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or a general purpose Central Processing Unit (CPU), designed or programmed specifically for controlling the tasks of the device as described herein. The processor is arranged to execute instructions, for example in the form of computer executable code, and to process data, for example in the form of values and character strings, including instructions and data stored in memory 204 and storage 206.

The memory 204 is implemented as one or more memory units that provide Random Access Memory (RAM) to the aerosol-generating device 102. In the illustrated embodiment, memory 204 is a volatile memory, such as in the form of on-chip RAM integrated with processor 202 using a system-on-chip (SoC) architecture.

However, in other embodiments, the memory 204 is separate from the processor 202. Memory 204 is arranged to store instructions and data that are executed and processed by processor 202. Typically, only selected elements of these instructions and data defining instructions and data that are essential to the operation of the aerosol-generating device 102 performed at that particular time are stored by the memory 204 at any one time. In other words, instructions and data are temporarily stored in the memory 204 while the processor 202 processes a particular process.

The storage device 206 is provided integrally with the aerosol-generating device 102 in the form of non-volatile memory. In most embodiments, storage 206 is embedded on the same chip as processor 202 and memory 204 using a SoC architecture, for example by being implemented as a Multiple Time Programmable (MTP) array. However, in other embodiments, the storage 206 is embedded flash memory or external flash memory, or the like. The storage device 206 stores instructions and data that are executed and processed by the processor 202. Storage 206 stores instructions and data permanently or semi-permanently, for example until overwritten. That is, instructions and data are stored non-temporarily in storage 206. Typically, the instructions and data stored by the storage device 206 relate to instructions that are fundamental to the operation of the processor 202, the communication interface 208, the user interface 212, and more generally the aerosol-generating device 102, and to application programs that perform the high-level functions of the aerosol-generating device 102.

Communication interface 208 supports short-range wireless communications, in particular

And (4) communication. The communication interface 208 is configured to establish a short-range wireless communication connection 116 with the personal computing device 104. Communication interface 208 is coupled to an antenna 210, via which antenna 210 wireless communications are transmitted and received over short-range wireless communication connection 116. The communication interface is further arranged to communicate with the processor 202 via a communication bus 214.

The user interface 212 includes a display 220 and an input device 222. In this embodiment, the display 220 is a plurality of individual indicators, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). In other embodiments, the display 220 is a screen, such as a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display or other suitable display. The input device 222 is one or more user-operable buttons that are responsive to a user pressing, toggling or touching. The user interface 212 is arranged to provide instructions to a user under the control of the processor 202, and to receive inputs from the user and to communicate these inputs to the processor 202 via the communication bus 214.

The aerosol generating device 102 may be described as a personal inhaler device, an electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette), a vaporizer, or a smoking device. In a particular embodiment, the aerosol generating device 102 is a heat-on-fire (HnB) device. All of these devices typically heat or warm an aerosolizable substance to generate an aerosol for inhalation, as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

In more detail, the aerosol generating device 102 is configured to heat a consumable item 217 inserted into a consumable module 218 using an associated heating element 216 to generate an inhalable aerosol or vapour for inhalation by a user. In this embodiment, the consumable module 218 is intended to receive a consumable 217, which may take the form of a rod containing processed tobacco material, a liquid-containing capsule, or any other form containing aerosol generating material.

The consumable module 218 has a detector 219 for detecting a consumable item 217 inserted into the consumable module 218. The detector 219 is operable to identify the type of consumable 217 inserted into the consumable module 218 and determine whether the inserted consumable 217 is suitable for use in the aerosol generating device 102. In this embodiment, consumable module 218 does this by detecting a marker (e.g., a printed barcode or RFID chip or NFC tag, etc.) on consumable 217.

The aerosol generating device 102 is configured to run a plurality of software modules. The software modules include a clock module 226, a short-range wireless communication controller 228, and a heating element controller 230. Each software module includes a set of instructions for performing one or more functions of the aerosol-generating device 102. These instructions are provided in the form of computer-executable code stored in storage 206 and/or memory 204 and processed by processor 202, communication interface 208, and user interface 212. The clock module 226 is configured to provide time information (e.g., time of day) and generate timestamps for puff data and even data that facilitates analysis of user preferences. Clock module 226 also determines when the validity period of the received context message expires.

The short-range wireless communication controller 228 is primarily configured to control the communication interface 208. Which is operable to establish a short-range wireless connection via communication interface 208. In this embodiment, the short-range wireless communication connection is

And (4) connecting. Thus, the short-range wireless communication controller 228 includes a wireless communication controller according to the teachings as available in www

The wireless communication standard, bluetooth 5.0 is currently a ubiquitous specification.

The heating element controller 230 is configured to control the heating element 216. Which is operable to monitor the amount of energy and power supplied to heating element 216 (i.e., the energy rate) and the temperature of heating element 216 (preferably by monitoring the resistance of heating element 216, which is known to vary in a predetermined manner with the temperature of heating element 216). In particular, but in the present embodiment, the heating element controller 230 is configured to receive a command to disable or enable use of the heating element 216. (note that in embodiments where the aerosol-generating device 102 does not itself include a heating element 216, but instead supplies power to a heating element within the consumable 217 (e.g., a vaporization cartridge), then the heating element controller 230 instead controls the supply of power to the heating element contained in the consumable 217).

Referring to fig. 3, personal computing device 104 (also referred to herein as a communication device) includes a CPU 302, a memory 304 (volatile memory), a storage 306 (non-volatile memory), a removable storage 308 (non-volatile memory, e.g., a micro Secure Digital (SD) card or some other portable flash device), a communication interface 310, an antenna 312, and a user interface 314, which communicate with each other via a communication bus 316. The CPU 302 is a computer processor, such as a microprocessor. Arranged to execute instructions, e.g., in the form of computer-executable code, and process data, e.g., in the form of values or character strings, including instructions and data stored in memory 304, storage 306, and removable storage 308. The instructions and data executed and processed by the CPU 302 include instructions and data for coordinating the operation of other components of the personal computing device 104, such as the communication interface 310 and the user interface 314. They also include instructions and data for running applications on personal computing device 104.

Communication interface 310 includes a short-range wireless communication interface and a cellular radio communication interface (or other connection to access point 110) and is coupled to an antenna 312. The short-range wireless interface is configured to establish short-range wireless communication 116 with the aerosol-generating device 102, e.g.

Connect and establish another short-range wireless communication connection 118 with the access point 110, e.g.

And (4) connecting. The cellular radio communication interface is configured to establish a cellular radio communication connection 120 to the internet 112 using a suitable protocol as previously discussed. As such, the communication interface 210 includes one or more wireless modems adapted to support the different communication connections 116, 118, 120 (see fig. 1). In another embodiment, communication interface 310 also includes a wired communication interface. The wired communication interface may be used to provide a wired communication connection, such as an ethernet or Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection (not shown), to the access point 110. The user interface 314 includes a display 318 and an input device 320. In this embodiment, the display 318 and the input device 320 are implemented togetherApplied as a touch sensitive screen.

The personal computing device 104 is configured to run a plurality of software modules. The software modules include an operating system 322, an aerosol generating device application 326, and a wireless communication controller 330. Each software module includes a set of instructions for performing one or more functions of the personal computing device 104. These instructions are provided in the form of computer-executable code stored in storage device 306, removable storage device 308, and/or memory 304, and processed by CPU 302, communication interface 310, and user interface 314.

In this embodiment, the personal computing device 104 is a smart phone and the operating system 322 may be a smart phone

An operating system,

OS (iOS) or

In the present embodiment, the aerosol-generating device application 326 is downloaded and/or installed by a user on a personal computing device. The aerosol generating device application 326 is related to controlling a paired aerosol generating device and may be in any type of application designed to run on a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet), including web applications, progressive web applications, mobile applications, native applications, and hybrid applications.

Referring to fig. 4, the personal computing device 104 obtains data from

different databases

402, 404, 408, and 410.

Databases

402, 404, 408, and 410 may be located on personal computing device as part of memory 304, storage 306, or removable storage 308, or additionally or alternatively on remote server 114 connected to personal computing device 104 through access point 110 or directly through cellular radio network link 120 (see fig. 1). Alternatively,

databases

402, 404, 408, and 410 may be implemented separately from storage, e.g., on separate storage units or hard drives.

Databases

402, 404, 408, and 410 may be accessible by applications running on the personal computing device.

Databases

402, 404, 408 and 410 are arranged to store context data of the aerosol generating device. Typically,

databases

402, 404, 408 and 410 are configured to store information relating to users who own or already own one or more aerosol generating devices 102, as well as configuration information relating to users and aerosol generating device(s) 102.

The context data includes context parameters related to the aerosol-generating device 102. In particular, these contextual parameters include the spatial location of the personal computing device 104 or the aerosol-generating device 102. The spatial location may be a GNSS (global navigation satellite system) location, such as a GPS, glonass, galileo, beidou location. The current location of the personal computing device 104 may be obtained via a GNSS module included in the personal computing device 104, and then stored in location database 408. The location database 408 may contain locations that the GNSS module obtained over a period of time. Alternatively, the position obtained by the GNSS module may be forwarded directly to the aggregator 424 for further use.

Another database 410 stored on the personal computing device 104 may include consumer profiles indicating user preferences. These preferences may be calculated using the data or downloaded from a server, such as remote server 114, or selected by the user on personal computing device 104 or aerosol generating device 102. For example, the consumer profile may include personal data (such as name, age, address, etc.), and a puff record and/or an event record or a preferred time period of use or a time period of non-permitted use. In particular, these puff records may include the number of puffs of the consumable, parameters of the puff flow (such as volume, duration, and/or intensity), puff frequency, session duration, and session frequency (i.e., the period of time that the aerosol generating device 104 is turned on), and the current time. Further, the consumer profile may indicate whether the user prefers a particular taste, i.e. a stronger or weaker taste.

Another database 410 or an additional database (not shown) may include general context data such as the types of consumables and their attributes. For example, the data may indicate a preferred temperature for a particular type of consumable, a number of puffs for a particular type of consumable, or the like.

Furthermore, another database 410 or another additional database (also not shown) may include calculation rules. The calculation rules may be forwarded wirelessly, for example by bluetooth communication, from the personal computing device 104 to the aerosol generating device 102 in order for the aerosol generating device 102 to decide whether to disable operation of the aerosol generating device.

In addition to the local database on the personal computing device, the personal computing device 104 may also have access to a database stored on a remote server (e.g., remote server 114) (see fig. 1). Database 402 and database 404 on remote web server 114 (or two different remote servers) may include context data. In principle, the database can also be stored anywhere on the network ("network data"). The database 402 includes locations or regions for which the aerosol-generating device is not authorized for use. The personal computing device 104 may access the database 402 and compare the location stored on the database 402 with its current location or the current location of the aerosol-generating device 102. The area in which the aerosol-generating device is not authorized may particularly comprise a hospital, an airport, a museum, a public area (e.g. a street) in which the use of the aerosol-generating device is prohibited, or the like.

The area on the database 402 is specifically a portion on a map and in a preferred embodiment may be stored on a website that may be continuously updated by the service provider. The area on the map where the aerosol generating device is not authorized to be used may resemble a no-fly zone of a drone or other Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) crowded with people or regulated by local regulations that specifically restrict the smoking of e-cigarettes.

The personal computing device may locally replicate the database 402 in its memory 304 or on one of its

storage devices

306, 308. In a preferred embodiment, the personal computing device 104 compares its location or the current location of the aerosol generating device 104, then selects a subset of locations stored in the database 402 that are located nearby (i.e., within a certain distance range), and obtains the smaller subset of locations from the database 402. The database 402 may be accessed and data aggregated by a software module running on the personal computing device 104.

Additionally, the personal computing device 104 may access another database 404 that includes context data. In particular, database 404 may include general context data, such as current weather, including temperature, humidity, and the like.

After obtaining data from

databases

402, 404, 408, and 410 (and/or any other suitable databases), personal computing device 104 aggregates data obtained from different sources (e.g., geolocation, internet, network server, storage on personal computing device) in aggregator 420 into context messages. The context message is then forwarded to the communication interface 310 and sent to the aerosol generating device 102 via the antenna 312 by the short-range wireless communication described above. Although wireless communication is preferred, the contextual message may also be provided to the aerosol generating device 102 by wired communication.

The context message may include all of the data included in

databases

402, 404, 408, and 410, or the data may be pre-processed or pre-filtered by the personal computing device, thereby reducing the flow of the personal computing device to the aerosol generating device.

Referring now to fig. 5, the aerosol generating device 102 receives the context message through the antenna 210 and its communication interface 208. After receiving the context message, it is authenticated and then stored on the memory 204 or storage device 206 of the aerosol generating device 102. The verifying step may include verifying, using a key system or other technique that includes a public key and a private key, whether the information was transmitted from a previously paired personal computing device.

After verification, the context message is forwarded to a microcontroller unit ("MCU"). Furthermore, local context data ("local context data") stored on the aerosol generating device 102 is also forwarded to the MCU. The local context data may be stored in a

database

502, 504 stored on the memory 204 or storage 206 of the aerosol-generating device 102 (see fig. 2). Database 502 may specifically include a puff record, an event record (i.e., insertion or removal of a consumable), and a historical decision record. For example, the database 502 includes entries for when and where to turn the aerosol generating device 102 on and off and when to puff. Further, the second database 504 may include entries for consumer IDs.

These entries are forwarded to the MCU as local context messages containing local context data. The MCU receives local context data and context messages from the personal computing device 104 and decides whether to disable the heater according to the calculation rules. The calculation rule is based on, inter alia, an unsupervised machine learning algorithm or a supervised machine learning algorithm. For example, the calculation rules may compare a consumer ID stored locally on the aerosol generating device (i.e., in a local context message) with a consumer profile (i.e., a consumer ID) in a context message received from the personal computing device 104, and then disable the heater when the IDs are determined to be not identical. In other words, if another unauthorized person attempts to connect another phone to the aerosol generating device and send a contextual message, the aerosol generating device can treat the received message as coming from an anonymous sender and disable itself for security. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention relate to disabling the heater when the aerosol-generating device is in an area where use of the aerosol-generating device is not authorised. The calculation rules may compare the GNSS data with the unlicensed regions indicated in the context message and obtained from the database 402. If the MCU determines to disable the heater, a heater switch command is sent to the heater to disable the heater of the aerosol generating device. As a result, the aerosol generating device 102 cannot generate aerosol until the heater is again activated.

In another preferred embodiment, whether or not certain substrates can be consumed depends on environmental data. For example, the calculation rules may determine that humidity or temperature of a certain type of consumable may be prevented from being above a certain threshold by disabling operation of the aerosol generating device 102.

The calculation rules may be stored in a memory or storage device of the aerosol generating device. In some embodiments, the calculation rules may be updated. In these cases, however, the calculation rules may preferably be forwarded from the personal computing device 104 to the aerosol generating device 102 in a separate message as part of the context message.

Note that the decision to disable the aerosol generating device (i.e. to disable the heater) is made on the aerosol generating device 102 itself. The personal computing device 104 provides only data relevant to the decision. Thus, data need only be forwarded from the network server and the personal communication device to the aerosol generating device. The data flow required in the upload direction from the aerosol generating device to the personal computing device is reduced. Furthermore, disconnecting the aerosol generating device 102 from the personal computing device 104 cannot avoid disabling because the aerosol generating device itself enables or disables the heater and also includes the necessary information for decision making. Thus, the present invention provides a safer and more reliable mechanism for disabling the aerosol-generating device 102 when necessary.

The aerosol generating device may be completely disabled. However, preferably only a part, in particular only the aerosol generating unit (i.e. the heater) is disabled. The communication interface as well as the MCU and the user interface 212 may remain active so that further context messages may be received and the aerosol generating device may be switched off.

Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for disabling an aerosol generating device. In a first step, the aerosol generating device receives a context message (S601). Then, in an optional second step (S602), a calculation rule is received from the calculation device. The aerosol generating device may simply use the calculation rules from the default settings or previously received, and in this case step S602 is not performed. The calculation rules may be updated when new context messages are transmitted to the aerosol generating device or periodically by the manufacturer to update the firmware. In a third, also optional step (S603), local context data is obtained on the aerosol generating device. Note that the order of step S602 and step S603 is reversible. The appropriate computing rules may be selected based on available data, context data received from the computing device, and/or locally stored context data. Then, it is determined whether operation of the aerosol-generating device is to be disabled on the aerosol-generating device according to the calculation rule (S604). Upon determining to disable operation, a command is sent to the heating unit of the aerosol generating device to disable the heating unit (S605).

The context message may remain valid as long as no new context message is sent to the aerosol generating device. In some embodiments, the personal computing device 104 may send the context message to the aerosol generating device periodically (i.e., every minute, every 10 minutes, every hour, etc.). In other embodiments, the sending of the new context message is triggered by an event. For example, a new context message may be sent each time a new GNSS location is obtained or a GNSS location differs from a previous GNSS location by a certain (possibly predefined) threshold. In other embodiments, a new context message is sent (and received) when other new context parameters are available in any of

databases

402, 404, 408, and 410. These embodiments relate to pushing context messages from the communication device 104 to the aerosol generating device 102. However, as will be shown with reference to fig. 7, the context message may also be pulled from the communication device 104 by the aerosol generating device 102.

Referring to fig. 7, a method of updating a context message is shown. In the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the aerosol generating device 102 requests a context message. In step S701, the aerosol generating device 102 sends a request for a context message to the personal computing device 104. In response, the personal computing device 104 sends a context message to the aerosol generating device 102 in step S702. The aerosol-generating device 102 verifies whether a message is received (S703) and verifies the message itself in step S704. If the context message is not received, another request for the context message is sent to the personal computing device (S701). If a context message is received, the validity of the context message is determined. If the determination is positive, a context message (S705) is used (e.g., as previously described in fig. 6) to enable or disable operation of the aerosol generating device. In the embodiment of fig. 7, the context message includes an expiration date or expiration period, and is used as long as a new context message is not received (S705). However, if the context message has expired, a new context message is requested (S701). Operation of the aerosol generating device (i.e. operation of the heater) may be disabled when the aerosol generating device 102 has no valid context messages.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling the operation of an aerosol generating device, the method comprising the steps of:

-the aerosol generating device (102) receiving a context message comprising context data (S601) regarding one or more context parameters related to a current context of the aerosol generating device;

-the aerosol generating device determining whether to disable operation of the aerosol generating device, wherein the determination is based at least in part on the received context data (S604);

-disabling the operation of the aerosol generating device (S605) if the determination is positive, characterized in that the context message comprises an expiration date or an expiration term.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the context parameters comprise at least one of: the location of the communication device, in particular the GNSS location, user specific data, consumable profiles, user profiles, and environmental conditions, in particular temperature, humidity and weather.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the context data comprises data specifying areas for which use of the aerosol generating device is not authorised or permitted.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

-the aerosol generating device receives calculation rules (S602);

-determining whether to disable operation of the aerosol generating device is based on the calculation rule.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating device verifies the received contextual message using consumer data and/or consumable data stored on the aerosol generating device.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

-the aerosol generating device obtaining local context data from a local storage unit of the aerosol generating device (S603);

wherein the step of determining whether to disable operation of the aerosol generating device is based on both the context data comprised by the context message and the local context data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the local context data comprises at least one of: data relating to the historical usage of the aerosol generating device, in particular puff record, consumer identity, consumer settings and device settings.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

-sending a context request for a context message from the aerosol generating device to the communication device (S701).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the context request is sent in response to the aerosol generating device determining that it has no valid context message, in particular when a latest context message has expired (S705).

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps performed by the communication device:

-obtaining the context data; and

-transmitting the context message to the aerosol generating device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of transmitting the context message is performed in response to the communication device detecting a change in its position, in particular a change in GNSS information.

12. An aerosol-generating device configured to perform the steps of any of claims 1 to 9.

13. A system comprising a communication device and an aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the communication device is configured to perform the steps of any of claims 10 to 11.

14. A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause an aerosol generating device and/or a communication device to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.