EA040707B1 - DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A DEVICE GENERATING STEAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a steam generating device, as well as to a system comprising a steam generating device and a consumable element for the device.

Steam generating devices that generate steam by heating a consumable element are well known and are becoming increasingly popular. Such devices often serve to heat a solid material such as tobacco or a liquid with a flavor generating component to generate vapor for inhalation by the user. Such devices have the advantage that they generate inhalable vapor without the need to burn the consumable element. In such devices, it is preferred that heating occurs only for a specific period of time, or only for a specific amount of the consumable item to be heated, at any given time, so that the sensations can thus be tailored to suit the user.

Such devices are typically used by the user at different times and at different intervals throughout the day. Therefore, smoking articles should be suitable for heat management and preferably tracking the use of a consumable element to ensure high quality vapor generation. In addition, there is a need to control the type of consumable item that is inserted into the device to ensure that only approved and safety-validated consumable items are used, and therefore the device can operate safely and reliably according to the type of consumable item inserted into it.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that can improve the reliability of the steam generating device to ensure safe and reliable use by the consumer. The present invention is intended to provide this.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a steam generating device that generates steam by using a consumable element, the apparatus comprising a storage medium configured to store data associated with controlling activation of the device and data associated with controlling the steam generating device. , using; and communication means for communicating with the device such that, in use, both activation and operation of the device can be controlled based on the stored data.

The device may form part of the device; in which case the apparatus may be part of the controller of the apparatus and the communication means for communicating with the apparatus may simply be a built-in means for reading data stored in the storage medium and sending control signals to the steam generating unit of the apparatus (e.g., a wire made with the possibility of selective connection to the battery).

In such a case, the communication means may also communicate with an identifier associated with the consumable item. For example, it may communicate with a storage medium provided on a package containing multiple consumables, wherein the storage medium contains identification data relating to multiple consumables contained in the package.

The present invention has the advantage that it can store data to control both the activation of the device and the operation of the device when a consumable is used, thus only safe consumables can be used and the safety conditions for using the consumable can be effectively managed.

The data associated with the operation of the device may contain data related to the operation associated with the consumption of the consumable item. The data may be at least one of the following: operating time of a heater associated with the steam generating device; the operating temperature of the heater associated with the steam generating device; a puff detection sensor in the steam generating device; a level sensor of the consumable element in the device that generates steam; a sensor for the level of energy consumption or the level of battery charge in the device that generates steam; and a device for detecting replacement of the consumable element in the steam generating device.

Using this aspect of the present invention, the steam generating device can be optimally controlled to ensure safe and reliable steam generation.

The data relating to the operation of the steam generating device may further comprise data specifying a period of time or number of activations that the steam generating device may have.

The advantage of this aspect of the present invention is that the consumable element is used only for a specific and set period of time or a predetermined number of times, which is chosen to ensure optimal quality of steam generation, as well as safety.

The apparatus can be configured such that once the data stored in the storage medium is used to control the steam generating device, the data is not reused.

This characteristic of the present invention does not allow multiple use of the apparatus and,

- 1 040707 therefore limits its use to ensure the use of unsafe or counterfeit consumer material.

The apparatus may be configured such that data associated with the activation of the steam generating device or data associated with the control of the steam generating device, in use, provides control of a first counter that counts the usage level of the consumable element for one steam generation session and stops operation of the device after a predetermined level of use of the consumable element for one session of steam generation, and resetting the first counter after providing data regarding the replacement of the consumable element.

Examples of data regarding the replacement of a consumable are data from a consumable detection sensor, data from a heater lid open/close sensor, and data from a heat controller indicating that a heating session has ended.

Usage level examples are heater run time, number of puffs, and battery power consumption.

One steam generation session corresponds to an allowable session provided by the amount of consumable element that can be properly inserted into the chamber in which the consumable element generates steam.

This feature of the present invention limits the use of a steam generating device beyond a given usage level for a single consumable element or a specific amount of consumable element intended for a single steam generating session. This ensures that the user is using consumables that are in good condition.

The device can be configured such that such data associated with the activation of the steam generating device or data associated with the control of the steam generating device, in use, controls a second counter that counts the number of consumable elements used by the device, thus , the steam generating device can only be used for a given fixed number of consumable items until the second counter is reset by providing new data related to device activation control, or data related to controlling the steam generating device when in use, or which counts the consumable usage level for multiple smoking sessions that have been used by the device, so the vapor generating device can only be used for a given fixed consumable usage until the second counter is reset by by means of providing new data related to the activation control of the steam generating device or data related to the control of the steam generating device in use.

These aspects of the present invention ensure that the device is used only for specific fixed, i. one or more fixed quantities or volume of consumables for several sessions of steam generation before the data in the device stops the use of the device. It may be useful to provide a cancel function, whereby the user can cancel the stop of the device to allow troubleshooting of the device. It may be useful if such a cancel function can only be used by the user for a predetermined number of times before the user needs to contact the help function (for example, a helpdesk related to the manufacturer or distributor, etc.) to again provide additional use of the undo function.

The apparatus may be configured such that the data stored therein is rewritable. This ensures that the data is updated for safe operation and reduces the requirement for a relatively high storage capacity.

The present invention also provides a system comprising an apparatus as described above, a steam generating device for receiving signals from the apparatus, and at least one consumable item from which the steam generating device generates steam in use.

With this system, the apparatus can be provided on the packaging for at least one consumable item or in the material placed in the packaging, which ensures reliable data transmission and ease of manufacture. It also provides a versatile package design so that customer information can be provided in conjunction with the apparatus if required. In addition, it is not necessary for the user to have additional components for providing the machine.

The consumable item may comprise at least one of the following: tobacco, a nicotine-containing evaporative liquid, or a nicotine-free evaporable liquid.

The apparatus may be implemented as part of an RFID tag that wirelessly communicates with a steam generating device to provide control data to it. This ensures reliable data transmission and, again, simple manufacturing.

The system may be configured such that the steam generating device comprises a control means for controlling components in the steam generating device based on data transmitted from the apparatus. This ensures optimal control of the device.

The system may be configured such that the steam generating device comprises an identification means for identifying the presence of a consumable element placed therein, a second counter for counting the serial number of the consumable elements placed therein, or the usage level of the consumable element for several steam generation sessions, and /or a first counter for counting the consumption level of the consumable element for one steam generation session and a control means for controlling the steam generation, which can operate depending on the output of the identification means and counters. This provides efficient yet simple control of the device through an inexpensive, easy-to-implement apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a steam generating device and a package containing several consumables (consumables), the device comprising a steam generating unit and a device controller, the device controller comprising a device data store; the package includes a package data carrier for storing device control data; and wherein the steam generating device further comprises a reader for the packaging data carrier for reading data stored in the packaging data carrier and for updating the device control data stored in the device data storage according to the read data, wherein the controller is configured to the ability to control the operation of the device (including at least control the operation of the steam generating unit) depending on the updated device control data stored in the device data store, and additionally update the device control data stored in the device data store, depending on the controlled operation devices.

Preferably, the device control data is used to control some aspect of the amount of work that the device can perform. For example, a device can calculate how much work must be done by the device to fully consume a consumable and limit the total amount of work required to consume all of the consumables contained in a consumable package. Additionally, when the device determines that sufficient device operation has been achieved to fully consume the consumable, it may indicate to the user that the consumable item currently in use should be replaced with a new consumable item. A sensor detecting the opening of a hatch providing access to the heating chamber portion may be used to indicate that the consumable item has been replaced with a new consumable item. Thus, for example, by keeping track of the number of times the hatch has been opened to allow access to the heating chamber portion of the device to receive the consumable item, and keeping track of the amount of time the steam generating unit has been operating to generate steam, can calculate when the user has consumed all of the consumables contained in the package and prevent further use of the device until the device is updated with data from a new consumable package. Thus, it prevents the user from attempting to vaporize consumables other than those sold for use with the device.

Preferably, the consumables consist of degradable organic matter that can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner with minimal negative impact on the environment. For example, the consumable item may be a piece of tobacco or a piece of processed tobacco containing a humectant such as vegetable glycerin and/or propylene glycol, and optionally further containing components that are safe to swallow, such as polysaccharides, flavors, gelling agents, etc. Such consumables are ill-suited for incorporating complex storage media such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags. Moreover, the inclusion of such components in consumables increases their environmental impact when they are disposed of and can lead to problems when they are heated in a device that includes an oven to heat the consumable to generate steam from it.

Preferably, the packaging data carrier comprises an RFID tag (preferably a passive RFID tag), and the reader for the packaging data carrier for reading the data stored in the RFID tag comprises an RFID reader. In such a case, it is also preferable if the RFID reader can also write to the RFID tag, so that after the package is read by the device, the device is updated with the addition of data (e.g., usage credits) associated with the device and, at the same time, the RFID - The tag on the package is also updated (for example, these usage credits are removed from the RFID tag), so the tag can no longer (or be reused) used to update a device with a specific amount of work allowed.

If the packaging data carrier is not an RFID tag, it may be inconvenient to write new data to it after it has been used to authorize the device to operate for a given amount of time. A package with such a data carrier can be called a read-only package. For example, the packaging data carrier may simply be a printed indication, such as a barcode. In such a case, it is preferable if the printed indication element is unique for each package, and, in addition, if it

- 3 040707 contains some encrypted data by which the indication element can be authorized (for example, only if the device knows the secret key, it can decrypt the data and compare it with some aspect of the rest of the indication element, etc.). When a device has read a package, it may store the identification information of the package it has read, so it does not update its data again to allow further operation of the device based on a second or subsequent reads of the same package.

In the case of a read-only package, it may be advantageous to provide a (steam-generating) device containing a communication means for making a data connection with a remote device (eg, a remote server), for example via a portable user device such as a smartphone. Thus, the device can communicate with a remote server as soon as it reads a read-only package, whereby the remote server can store details of consumed packages.

When reading a new package, the device may query the remote server for details of the package ID to determine if it has already been used. If so, the device may not update its storage medium to perform a particular amount of device work (and it may inform the user accordingly via an appropriate user interface (eg, smartphone)). In turn, if the remote server reports that the package ID has not yet been used, the device will update its data store to allow the specified amount of device operation, and the server will update its records so it will not acknowledge any subsequent rereads of that package ID, and etc.

Alternatively, if the device can communicate with, for example, a remote server via, for example, a smartphone, it may be appropriate for the user to purchase a new package of consumables via the smartphone, and the details of the purchased package can be used to update the corresponding steam generating device for which this package consumables has been purchased. In such a case, the user can indicate to the steam generating device (for example, through an application or similar functional item using a smartphone or similar device, such as a computer) which type of consumable item (out of the existing many different types associated with many different purchased packages) has been or will be installed by the user in the device, etc.

Preferably, the device can control both the amount of work of the steam generating unit and the specific control settings for its operation (for example, the heating temperature (possibly together with the heating duration) or the temperature profile (i.e. the sequence of heating temperatures over a certain period of time)), specific to the specific consumable items contained in the package, based on data read from the package's data carrier.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a steam generating device and a package containing several consumable items (consumables), the device comprising a steam generating unit and a device controller, the device controller comprising a device data store; the package includes an apparatus for controlling a steam generating device, the apparatus comprising a package data carrier for storing device control data; the steam generating device further comprises a reader for the packaging data carrier for reading data stored in the packaging data carrier and for updating the device control data stored in the device data storage according to the read data, wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the device (including at least operation control of the steam generating unit) depending on the updated device control data stored in the device data store, and additional update of the device control data stored in the device data store depending on the controlled operation of the device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a steam generating device that generates steam by using a consumable element, the apparatus comprising a storage medium configured to store data used to control activation of the device and data used to control the steam generating device. , using; and a communication unit for communicating with the device such that, when used, both activation and operation of the device can be controlled based on the stored data.

Preferably, the communications unit of the apparatus further communicates with the consumable item. Alternatively, the apparatus communication means further communicates with the consumable item identifier.

Preferably, the data used to control the device contains data used to consume the consumable item.

Preferably, the work associated with the consumption of the consumable element is at least one of the following: the operating time of the heater of the steam generating device; working

- 4 040707 temperature of the heater of the steam generating device; information from the puff detection sensor on the device generating steam; determining the level of the consumable element in the steam generating device; determining the power consumption and/or battery level of the steam generating device; and determining the replacement of the consumable element in the steam generating device.

Preferably, the data used to control the steam generating device further comprises data specifying a time period or number of activations that the steam generating device may have.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured such that once the data stored in the storage medium is used to control the steam generating device, reuse of the data is prevented. This can be achieved by deleting the data, transferring the data to an inaccessible area of the storage medium, and overwriting the data so that it cannot be reused after the data has been used to control the device. Other ways to prevent data reuse will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Preferably, the data used to activate the steam generating device or the data used to control the steam generating device, in use, controls the first counter that counts the consumption level of the consumable element for one steam generation session and ensures that the operation of the device stops after a predetermined level. using a consumable element for one steam generation session, and resetting the first counter after providing data regarding the replacement of the consumable element.

An example of stopping the operation of a device is to temporarily or permanently block the steam generation function by deactivating the heater or atomizer of the device. Another example is to prevent access of the consumable element to the heating chamber or equivalent element by, for example, blocking the cover of the heating chamber. Other examples of stopping the operation of the device are blocking the air supply to components of the device such as a heating chamber, or blocking air flow between components such as a heating chamber and the mouthpiece. Another example of shutdown is blocking the user interface of a device to prevent activation of the device. Other examples will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Preferably, the data used to activate the steam generating device or the data used to control the steam generating device, when used, controls a second counter that counts the number of consumable items used by the device, thus the steam generating device can be used for only a given number of consumables until the second counter is reset by providing new data used to control the activation of the device, or data used to control a device that generates steam in use, or that counts the usage level of the consumables for multiple generation sessions pair that have been used by the device, so the steam generating device can only be used for the given fixed usage of consumable items until the second counter is reset by providing new yes data used to control the activation of the steam generating device, or data used to control the steam generating device when in use.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured such that the data stored in the storage medium is rewritable.

This aspect of the present invention also provides a system comprising the apparatus described above in this aspect, a steam generating device for receiving signals from the apparatus, and at least one consumable item from which the steam generating device generates steam when in use.

Preferably, the apparatus of the system is provided on the package for at least one consumable item or material secured in the package.

Preferably, the at least one consumable item comprises at least one of tobacco, nicotine-containing evaporative liquid, or nicotine-free evaporable liquid.

Preferably, the apparatus of the system is configured as part of an RFID tag that wirelessly communicates with the steam generating device to provide control data to the steam generating device.

Preferably, the steam generating device comprises a control unit for controlling components in the steam generating device based on data transmitted from the machine.

Preferably, the steam generating device comprises a first counter for counting the consumption level of the consumable element for one steam generation session, a second counter for counting the serial number of the consumable elements placed in the device, or the device usage level for several steam generation sessions, and a control unit that additionally controls the generation couple depending on counters.

- 5 040707

Next, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system in which the apparatus of the present invention is used; and in FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a steam generating device that can be used in the system according to the present invention with the apparatus according to the present invention also shown in schematic form.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 according to the present invention is in this example provided as an RFID tag with a data processing and storage component 2 and an antenna 3. In this example, the apparatus 1 is configured to be applied to a case-shaped package 15 that holds the consumable product 4. element. In this example, the consumable product is packaged tobacco, cut tobacco, foamed tobacco, or a tobacco rod that can be heated to generate steam. However, it should be understood that other forms of consumables are possible, for example, sachets of a different type of heated material or containers of evaporating liquid may be provided. It should also be understood that although in this example the apparatus is in the form of an RFID tag, other forms may be used, such as electronic circuitry provided within the package or each individual consumable item as needed.

The system according to the present invention comprises an apparatus 1 in combination with a consumable product 4 and a steam generating device 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the steam generating device in this example comprises an antenna 6, a control circuit 7 and a heater 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device 5 includes a mouthpiece 9 that communicates with an airflow conduit 10 that connects to a heater 8 and a chamber. Battery 11 powers circuit 7 and heater 8 and in this example battery 11 is rechargeable via charging port 12. Cover 13 is located on heater 8 and provides access for the user to insert consumable item 4.

The apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a circuit 2 which contains a data storage component for storing data associated with a consumable item. This data is used to control the device 5, as will be described below. Circuit 2 may contain passwords and identification codes to ensure only secure communication via antenna 3 with any device 5. The data stored on circuit 2 may be writable or may only be read once.

When used, the consumer purchases a consumable element or consumable elements 4 in a package in the form of a case 15 and apparatus 2 communicates via antenna 3 with device 5 via its antenna 6. The data in diagram 2 is read by device 5, and if device 5 determines that the data is valid, the device 5 receives and writes data regarding the activation of the device 5 and regarding the operation of the device 5 in accordance with the consumable item 4 associated with the data in the diagram 2. After reading the data from the diagram 2, the data can be deleted or blocked from it, thus, they can only be used once, so that an outsider cannot use the apparatus 1 to subsequently identify consumable items that are not necessarily authorized or safe, thus reducing the possibility of counterfeiting.

The data provided regarding the operation of the device may, for example, indicate that the inserted consumable is a tobacco-based consumable and that one consumable product case 15 contains 12 consumable products 4. Each unit may be configured to provide a specific number (eg, five minutes) of use or a specific number of puffs (eg, ten) per unit. The device 5 is then activated with successive insertion of 12 units of the consumable element and then after each insertion is switched on for, for example, five minutes of use or ten puffs, etc. After this period of time (or number of puffs, etc.), further operation of the device 5 is stopped until a new consumable item is inserted or after all 12 consumable items have been used. The device 5 is reactivated after purchasing a replacement set of consumables and the next apparatus 2 is used to reactivate the device 5. Thus, the data controls the first counter that counts the consumption level of the consumable element for one steam generation session and ensures that the device stops working after a predetermined consumable element usage level for one steam generation session, and resetting the first counter after providing data regarding replacement of the consumable element.

With reference to the device 5, in use, the user activates the device 5 by placing the device 2 adjacent to it. The user can insert the consumable 4 into the heating compartment 8 of the device 5. Optionally, the consumable 4 can be further verified by an additional identifier located on this consumable 4, which again can use a wireless connection or be simply an optical bar code or other identifier. . Then circuit 7 on device 5 controls

- 6 040707 the operation of the device 5 under the guidance of the user or by detecting the puff on the mouthpiece 9 or through other components, such as a battery power consumption sensor, to control the operation of the heater 8 and generate steam from the consumable element 4. Scheme 7 uses as part of this process control the operating data received from the apparatus 1, thus, after, for example, a certain period of use or a certain number of puffs, further operation of the heater is stopped until the consumable element 4 is removed and replaced. Scheme 7 may use one or more counters that assist in the control and which provide output data used to interact with the operating data and activation data received from the device 1. As described above, the first counter can control the operation of the device 5 for each individual consumable. element 4 by counting the frequency of use or the number of puffs, etc. Similarly, the second counter may have an indicator that shows a count of the number of consumables used since device 5 was activated and stops further operation when a particular number of consumables has been used. Thus, the data controls a second counter that counts the number of consumables used by the device, so the steam generating device can only be used for a given fixed number of consumables until the second counter is reset by providing new data, associated with the activation control of the device, or data associated with the control of the steam generating device in use, or which counts the usage level of the consumable items for multiple steam generation sessions that have been used by the device, thus the steam generating device can only be used for a given fixed use of consumables until the second counter is reset after providing new data related to the activation control of the steam generating device or data related to the control of the steam generating device when using use.

As will become clear, a number of communication methods can be used to provide data from apparatus 1 to device 5. These may include, among other well-known techniques, Wi-Fi standards, Bluetooth connection. Apparatus 1, as mentioned above, may be in the form of an RFID tag, which does not require power in itself and may be designed to be located either outside or inside the case 15 for consumables 4, or in some cases even be applied to a separate consumable (although this is not preferred).

As will become clear from the above description, the present invention provides an apparatus which is very adaptable in terms of its application and association with single or multiple consumables, and which can nevertheless provide control data to the steam generating device in a very simple and efficient manner. In the apparatus in the system according to the present invention, the manufacturer or supplier of the evaporative device and its consumable elements can control in a safe and efficient manner the type of consumable element that can be used by the device 5, and also control how steam is generated from the consumable element to optimize steam generation and provide high quality and safety.

In an alternative embodiment, the device is configured to accommodate multiple sets of first and second meters so that several different types of consumable items can be used in an interchangeable manner without having to complete the entire packaging of the first type of consumable item before switching to the second type consumable item. For example, if a user purchased two packages of different types of consumables (for example, a first package of 20 tobacco flavored consumables and a second package of 10 menthol tobacco flavored consumables), the user can provide the first package data to the device and then insert into the device is a consumable item with tobacco flavoring. This causes the device to start the second counter associated with the first package and set it to 20. After this consumable item has been completely consumed (using the operating parameters selected as suitable for use in the vaporization of the tobacco flavored consumable item), the device decrements the value of the second counter associated with the first package, up to 19.

The user may then wish to use a menthol tobacco flavored consumable. To do this, the user can provide a second package to the device. When reading the second package, the device may start an additional second counter associated with the second package and set it to 10. The user then inserts the menthol tobacco flavored consumable into the device and, when the device determines that it has been consumed, it decrements the value of the second counter associated with the second package up to 9. If the user again wants to return to the consumables from the first package, he can do this by re-provisioning the first package to the device. This will cause the device to wait for the consumable from the first package to be inserted into the device. And therefore, during the further operation of the device, parameters suitable for the evaporation of a consumable item with tobacco flavor will be used. If a new consumable item is inserted into the device after

Claims (8)

If a (second) tobacco-flavored consumable is removed without providing packaging to the device, the device considers the new consumable to be from the same packaging as the previous one. As such, although the number of different packages that can be used at the same time is not particularly limited in terms of storage capacity of the device, in practice, the allowable limit for simultaneous use is approximately 10 different packages. In an alternative embodiment, with respect to the sets of first and second counters described above, the device can recognize the type of consumable item placed in it, thus the packaging device can recognize where the consumable item came from. In this case, it is not necessary for the user to provide each package to the device prior to switching to a different consumable type. This ensures that the device automatically reduces the value of each counter without additional effort on the part of the user. CLAIM 1. An apparatus for controlling a steam generating device that generates steam by using a consumable element, wherein the apparatus comprises a storage medium configured to store data associated with the activation control of the device and data associated with the control of the steam generating device when using ; and communication means for communicating with said device in such a manner that, in use, it is possible to control both the activation and operation of said device based on the stored data, the apparatus being configured such that after the data stored in the storage medium has been used to ensure control of the steam generating device, the reuse of this data is prevented. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication means further communicates with an identifier associated with the consumable item. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the data associated with the operation of the device includes data relating to operation associated with the consumption of the consumable item. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the work associated with consuming the consumable item is at least one of the following: operating time of the heater associated with the steam generating device; operating temperature of the heater associated with the steam generating device; information from the puff detection sensor on the device that generates steam; determination of the level of the consumable element in the device that generates steam; determining the level of energy consumption and/or the level of battery charge in the steam generating device; determining the replacement of a consumable element in a device that generates steam. 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data relating to the operation of the steam generating device further comprises data defining a period of time or number of activations that the steam generating device may have. 6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein data associated with the activation of the steam generating device or data associated with the control of the steam generating device in use provides control of the first counter that counts the level of use of the consumable element for one session steam generation and ensures that the operation of the device stops after a predetermined level of use of the consumable element for one steam generation session, and resets the first counter after providing data regarding the replacement of the consumable element. 7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data associated with the activation of the steam generating device or the data associated with the control of the steam generating device, in use, controls a second counter that counts the number of consumable elements used by the device, thereby , the steam generating device can only be used for a given number of consumable items until the second counter is reset by providing new data related to device activation control, or data related to controlling the steam generating device when in use, or which counts consumable usage level for multiple steam generation sessions that have been used by the device, thus the steam generating device can only be used for a given fixed consumable usage until the second counter is reset by providing new data related to the activation control of the device, or data related to the control of the steam generating device when used. 8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, configured such that the data stored therein is rewritable. -