JP2023521944A - Method of operating an aerosol generator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of operating an aerosol generating device. The method includes determining a positional orientation of the device in use, monitoring usage of the device, and activating a first mode of operation when the device is determined to be in the first orientation. providing a first indication to a user when usage of the device reaches a first threshold in the first mode; activating the first mode; activating a second mode of operation when the posture is determined, wherein no indication is provided to the user in the second mode. . [Selection drawing] Fig. 3

Description

The present invention relates to a method of operating an aerosol generating device for an enhanced user experience. In particular, the present invention relates to aerosol-generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes, non-heated combustion devices, etc., that can indicate aerosol intake to the user based on the location of the device.

Inhalers or aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes or vaping devices are becoming increasingly popular. They generally heat or warm an aerosolizable substance to produce an aerosol for inhalation, as opposed to burning tobacco as in conventional tobacco products. The aerosol produced may contain flavors and/or stimulants (eg, nicotine or other active ingredients). At times users of such inhalers may wish to monitor the amount of flavor or stimulant taken during use.

Most aerosol generating devices incorporate some form of electronic control circuitry, typically including a simple computer processor, to allow the user to control the operation of the aerosol generating device. However, these devices can be very restrictive in their settings and may not offer much flexibility to the user. Even devices that allow the user to customize settings require some effort on the part of the user and may not be intuitive.

Therefore, a need exists for a device that can be operated and controlled according to user preferences for aerosol monitoring without requiring much effort.

According to an aspect of the invention, a method of operating an aerosol generating device comprises determining a positional orientation of the device in use, monitoring usage of the device, and adjusting the device in a first orientation. activating a first mode of operation when determined to be present, wherein in the first mode, providing a first indication to the user when usage of the device reaches a first threshold; activating the first mode; and activating a second mode of operation when the device is determined to be in the second pose, wherein the user is prompted in the second mode to and activating the second mode, not provided.

Advantageously, the user can choose to operate in two different modes by simply flipping the vaping device to different positions. It is possible to monitor vaping usage in both modes, but an indication is provided to the user when usage thresholds are reached while operating in the first mode. In this way, the user has more control over his vaping habits.

Preferably, the first indication is provided only when usage of the device in the first pose reaches a first threshold.

Preferably, in the above method, if the device is determined to be in the second posture for less than the preset period of time and is returned to the first posture within the preset period of time, then the first mode is maintained.

Preferably, the first mode is maintained if the usage of the device in the second position is less than a preset number of puffs before the device is returned to the first position.

Preferably, in the above method, at least once during a predetermined period of use, it is determined whether the device is in the first position, and if so, at the end of the predetermined period of use, the user is prompted to 2 labels are provided.

Preferably, a second indication is provided to the user when the usage of the device reaches a second threshold during the predetermined usage period.

Preferably, in the above method, the aerosol source is identified and the second threshold is automatically set based on the aerosol source.

Preferably, in the above method, input is received from a user to set the second threshold.

Preferably, in the above method, a second indication is provided to the user when usage of the device reaches a second threshold after a predetermined period of use, regardless of the active mode of operation.

Preferably, in the above method, puffs are counted to determine usage of the device, and each puff is associated with a timestamp for analysis of usage over time.

Preferably, the method receives input from the user setting the number of puffs during the session as the first threshold for the first mode; , resetting the puff count to zero.

Preferably, in the above method, the difference between the first position and the second position is 180 degrees along the longitudinal axis of the device.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a control circuit for use in an aerosol generating device, the control circuit being configured to operate the method described above.

According to another aspect of the invention, an aerosol-generating device comprises a body having an inlet and an outlet, with an air channel defined between the inlet and the outlet, and detecting the orientation of the device in use. and a controller for monitoring usage of the device and activating a first mode of operation when the device is detected to be in a first posture; wherein an indication is provided to the user when usage of the device reaches a first threshold, activating a second mode of operation when the device is detected to be in the second pose, and in the second mode , a controller configured such that no indication is provided to the user.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method described above.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

1 illustrates an aerosol generating device according to one aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a block diagram of various components of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a method of operating the apparatus of Figure 1; 2 shows a graph illustrating the control operation of the device of FIG. 1; 2 shows a graph illustrating the control operation of the device of FIG. 1; 2 shows a user's vaping profile displayed on a personal computing device linked with the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1;

Various aspects of the invention are now described. It should be noted that, in the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic representations and the proportions of the respective sizes are different from the actual ones. Therefore, specific sizes and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description.

FIG. 1 shows a non-combustion aerosol generating device 100, which is a device for inhaling an aerosol by heating or vaporizing it without burning it. The device 100 has a rod shape with a body 101 extending from a non-mouthpiece end 102 to a mouthpiece end 103 . An air channel or pathway is defined within body 100 between opposing ends 102 , 103 . The aerosol generating device 100 in this embodiment is an electronic cigarette or vaping device, hereinafter referred to as e-cig 100. The e-cig 100 functions by vaporizing or heating an aerosol source that is inserted into the e-cig 100 to release flavors and/or stimulants for inhalation by the user through the mouthpiece end 103 . The construction and operation of such devices for generating aerosols are well known in the art, and the invention disclosed herein can be constructed according to any aerosol generation technique, without limitation, in any shape. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that it may be applicable to any aerosol generating device.

The e-cig 100 may include an activation switch 104 that may be configured to power on and/or power off the e-cig 100 . Activation switch 104 may be a push button or touch button located at any convenient location on the surface of body 101 of e-cig 100 . Alternatively, the e-cig 100 does not rely on a switch button to activate power to the heater, but relies on a puff sensor to detect airflow and trigger the device to begin generating aerosol.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing various components or modules of the e-cig 100. As shown in FIG. In one embodiment, the e-cig 100 vaporizes the consumable module 201a and the consumable 201b received by the consumable module 201a to release an aerosol containing flavors and/or stimulants for inhalation by the user. and a heating element 202 . In this embodiment, the consumable 201b is a substance containing nicotine. The presence of consumable 201b within consumable module 201a may be detected by detector 201c. Consumable 201b may be in solid or liquid form and is heated by heating element 202 to emit an aerosol without burning. If consumable 201b is a liquid reservoir, more than one consumable may be received in consumable module 201a. Heating element 202 may be powered by power supply 203 .

Power source 203 is, for example, a lithium ion battery. Power supply 203 provides the power necessary for operation of e-cig 100 . For example, power supply 203 powers all other components or modules included in e-cig 100 .

For the purposes of this description, the terms vapor and aerosol should be understood to be interchangeable. In some embodiments, the heating element is located inside the capsule or cigarette-like aerosol-generating material and is connectable to the aerosol-generating device rather than being a component of the aerosol-generating device itself.

In one embodiment, a flavorant is present within consumable 201b. Flavoring agents may include ethyl vanillin (vanilla), menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil), or the like. In another embodiment, the consumable 201b may include an additional flavor source (not shown) provided beyond the consumable module 201a and on the side of the mouthpiece end 103 to provide an aerosol generated from the consumable 201b. together with generate a flavor that is inhaled by the user. In yet another embodiment, the e-cig 100 includes more than one consumable, each containing a flavorant and/or some level of active ingredient (nicotine). In this case, each consumable may be heated independently to generate an aerosol.

The e-cig 100 also includes a controller 204 that is configured to control various components within the e-cig. For example, controller 204 may control timing unit 205 (including timers), communication unit 206, memory 207, attitude sensor 208, and puff sensor 209 included in e-cig 100. FIG. Timing unit 205 is configured to provide time information (eg, time of day) and generate time stamps for puff or event data to aid in analysis of a user's vaping preferences. The timing unit 205 is further configured to monitor the timing of each puff and the pauses between them and provide this information to the controller 204 to monitor and potentially limit usage of the user's e-cig 100. be done. For example, the timing unit 205 may determine when to indicate to the user that the puff threshold has been reached. Note that the functionality of timing unit 205 may be integrated into controller 204 .

Communications unit 206 is configured to manage communications with any personal computing device, server, tracking device, or other e-cig in the vicinity of e-cig 100 . Memory 207 is configured to store information such as vaping usage history and user settings and preferences.

The e-cig 100 may also include various sensors such as an attitude sensor 208 and a puff sensor 209 . An orientation sensor 208, such as a gyroscope, is configured to determine the positional orientation of the e-cig 100, eg, whether the e-cig 100 is held up or down in use. When the e-cig 100 is used face up (so that the activation button 104 and/or LED and/or logo are facing up), it provides an indication to the user that the puff threshold has been reached. A first mode is activated. This mode is also called session mode.

A second mode of operation in which no indication is provided to the user that the puff threshold has been reached when the e-cig is used face down (so that the activation button 104 and/or LEDs are facing down). is activated. This mode is also called free mode. In other words, the e-cig 100 is rotated or turned 180 degrees along its longitudinal axis to switch between session mode and free mode. In session mode, with the LED facing up, the user is presented with a puff threshold using an LED that is easily visible to the user. In free mode, with the LED pointing down, no puff threshold is indicated to the user.

Note that an e-cig 100 facing upwards or downwards may also be defined relative to any visual pattern, such as a logo or surface design, that acts as a reference for the user. An activation button and LED may not be necessary to provide such a reference. In any event, sensors on the device may not rely on these physical or visual factors.

Puff sensor 209 is configured to determine the number of puffs to inhale the aerosol. Puff sensor 209 may determine the time required for one puff to inhale the aerosol. The usage data recorded may include puff duration (ie, puff length), puff interval (ie, time between successive puffs), and fluid and/or nicotine consumption.

The e-cig 100 may also include a consumable identification sensor (not shown) configured to identify the consumable 201b inserted into the e-cig 100. FIG. The recognition sensor may be included in consumable module 201a or detector 201c. The recognition sensor may use NFC, RFID, or any other known technology for recognizing the strength of the stimulant contained in consumable 201b from an NFC/RFID tag located on consumable 201b. good.

The e-cig 100 may also include an input/output (I/O) or user interface 210 configured to provide indications to the user and accept input from the user. The I/O interface 210 preferably includes indicator devices and input devices. The signage device may include visible light emitting elements including one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), screen displays, or acoustic emitters, or other suitable means of providing signage to a user. A visible light emitting element, such as an LED, may be placed on the tip of the non-mouthpiece end 102 or on the side of the e-cig 100 . Such LEDs are in a puff state when aerosol is being inhaled, a non-puff state when aerosol is not being inhaled, a preheat state when the heater is heating, and when the heater is operating at a target temperature to produce an aerosol. various lighting modes to provide the user with a vape ready state, a depletion state where the LED bar indicates the depletion level of the aerosol source, and any other indication of information regarding the operating state of the e-cig. can show The input device may be one or more user-operable buttons or sensible touch panels that respond to presses, toggles, or touches.

All of the elements described above send and/or receive commands and/or data via communication bus 211 .

In some embodiments, the e-cig 100 is also configured to communicate with a personal computing device (not shown) owned by the user. A personal computing device may be a smart phone, tablet, or laptop. For simplicity, the personal computing device will hereinafter be referred to as a smart phone. The e-cig 100 is preferably configured to wirelessly communicatively connect or pair with a smartphone using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless communication standards. Smartphones preferably run mobile applications (commonly referred to as apps) that allow users to interact with the e-cig 100 through a user-friendly interface. The app may be hosted by the e-cig 100 manufacturer and may be compatible with different mobile platforms such as iOS™ and Android™.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram for a process 300 of operating the e-cig 100. As shown in FIG. Note that the steps in process 300 do not necessarily have to be performed in the same order. Also, not all steps are shown and some of the steps may be optional or omitted.

In step 301, the orientation of the device when in use is determined. In this example, when the user begins to use the e-cig 100, the attitude sensor 208 of the e-cig 100 determines whether the e-cig 100 is being held in an upright position or a downright position. do. Optionally, attitude sensor 208 may be activated when the user presses activation switch 104 . Additionally, there may be a motion sensor that detects movement of the e-cig 100 in addition to activation of the activation switch 104 . Signals from attitude sensor 208, activation switch 104, and motion sensors may all be processed by controller 204 to determine whether one of two modes of operation should be activated.

At step 302, device usage is monitored. In this example, controller 204 begins monitoring usage of e-cig 100 using puff sensor 209 and timing unit 205 when the device is determined to be in use, regardless of orientation. A puff sensor 209 detects each puff inhaled by the user, and a timing unit 205 monitors the beginning and end of each puff as well as timestamping each puff. In session mode, timing unit 205 starts and stops a timer between two consecutive puffs and monitors pauses within the puff session. This will be explained in detail later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. In any event, in both session mode and free mode, the number of puffs inhaled by the user is counted and recorded in order to analyze the user's vaping pattern over time.

In step 303 it is determined whether the device is in the first pose. In this example, if controller 204 determines from signals received from attitude session 208 that e-cig 100 is being held upward, the process moves to step 304; Moving.

At step 304, the first mode of operation is activated. In the present example, controller 204 activates a session mode of operation upon determining that e-cig 100 is held in the upward position. In session mode, timing unit 205 actively monitors the timing and counting of each puff and communicates with controller 204 to take necessary actions as needed. In some embodiments, the user may set the number of puffs within a session in session mode based on user preferences. For example, no puffs, 5, 10, 15, or 20 puffs in one session, and the user is notified when the set value of puffs in the session is reached. If "no puffs" is selected, no minimum number of puffs is set for the session. Additionally, when the user is in the middle of a session and new parameters or criteria are set, the puff count and vape volume are reset to zero.

At step 305, it is determined whether the usage has reached a first threshold. In this example, in session mode, the timing unit continuously monitors the number of puffs made by the user and compares the count to a predetermined threshold (also called puff threshold). If the count reaches the puff threshold, timing unit 205 informs controller 204 and the process moves to step 306; continue to monitor

At step 306, an indicator is provided to the user. In this example, upon determining that the puff count has reached the puff threshold, controller 204 activates one or more indicators on I/O interface 210 . For example, after reaching the 15th puff (e.g., 1 second after finishing the inhalation), the upward facing LED on the I/O interface 210 emits a soft light and the e-cig 100 vibrates (2 short vibrations). etc.) to provide both visual and tactile indications to the user to remind the user that continuous vaping is continuing. Additionally, the user may also receive notifications on an application provided on the linked smart phone. If the user continues to vape after this, further indicators may be provided to the user after reaching further thresholds or Nth puffs, ie 30th puff, 45th puff, etc.

On the other hand, in step 307 the second mode of operation is activated. In the present example, controller 204 activates free mode upon determining that e-cig 100 is being used while facing downward. In free mode, controller 204 continues to monitor counts and changes in e-cig 100 positional orientation, but no activation control is performed. Thus, as indicated by step 308, no indication is provided to the user while operating in free mode. However, if the session mode is activated even once for a given period of time (eg, for a day), regardless of the currently active mode of operation, reaching the safety threshold within that given period of time: The e-cig 100 enters secure mode and provides an indication to the user. For example, if the user is currently vaping in free mode, and has reached 50 puffs in the day, and has vaped in active session mode at least once in the day, the controller 204 will It provides an indication to the user through the I/O interface 210 that the puff has been reached.

In one embodiment, the safety threshold may be based on the concentration of consumable 201b identified by the recognition sensor. For example, if the nicotine concentration of consumable 201b is 12 mg/ml, the safety threshold may be automatically set to 50 puffs per day, and if the concentration is 18 mg/ml, the safety threshold is 1 Set at 40 puffs per day. In another embodiment, the safety threshold may be set based on user input.

FIG. 4 shows a graph 400 showing the relevant responses of timing unit 205 and puff sensor 209 in e-cig 100 . The timing unit 205 response is plotted on the X-axis and the puff sensor 209 response is plotted on the Y-axis. The puff sensor 209 detects the first puff 400-1 made by the user. As soon as the first puff 400-1 ends, ie at the trailing edge of the puff wave, timing unit 205 starts the timer. Timing unit 205 continues to monitor the time and the timer is on until the next puff is detected. As soon as the next puff is detected, ie at the leading edge of the next puff wave, the timer is turned off. The timer is turned on again at the trailing edge of this puff wave.

In session mode, controller 204 uses this information from timing unit 205 to monitor pauses made by the user between puffs. If the rest period taken between two consecutive puffs, as determined by the timer being turned on and off, is within a preset period of time, the controller 204 continues in the same session. Keep counting puffs. When the number of puffs within that session reaches the puff threshold, controller 204 triggers I/O interface 210 to provide an indication to the user. On the other hand, when the idle period exceeds a preset period of time, eg, 7 minutes, the controller 204 restarts counting puffs in a new session. As shown in FIG. 4, after the third puff 400-3, the user takes a long pause and then the next puff 400-4. If this long pause is shorter than 7 minutes, timing unit 205 counts it as the fourth puff within the same session. However, if this long pause is longer than seven minutes, timing unit 205 resets the counters and counts and puff 400-4 is the first puff in the new session. In this way, the user is not provided with unnecessary indications when the user has long pauses in between and is therefore not engaged in sustained continuous vaping at one time.

FIG. 5 shows a graph 500 illustrating the puff count correction method employed by controller 204. As shown in FIG. The parameters of graph 500 are the same as those of graph 400 . In this example, the controller 204 prevents the user from accidentally holding the e-cig 100 face down when the user actually tried to hold the e-cig 100 face up (hence trying to operate in session mode). Monitor the situation (hence running in free mode). The controller 204 determines that the e-cig 100 was erroneously held in the face down position if the user returned it to the face up position within the correction threshold. The controller 204 thus continues to count puffs in session mode and triggers an indicator when the puff count exceeds the puff threshold.

In the first scenario, the user holds the e-cig 100 upwards (activating the first/session mode) and within one session until the tenth puff 500-10 shown in FIG. Consider doing 10 puffs. Then, followed by a two minute rest period, the user accidentally turns the e-cig 100 downward (activating the second/free mode) for the next two puffs. The user quickly realizes the mistake and turns the e-cig 100 back upward (within the correction threshold, eg, 3 puffs) and takes 3 more puffs. In this scenario, the controller 204 assumes that the two puffs made in the downward posture are coincidental and therefore counts these two puffs in session mode, bringing the total number of puffs made in this manner to 15. (puff threshold), so after the fifteenth puff 500-15, an indicator is provided to the user.

In a second scenario, other things being the same as in the first scenario, the user made 5 puffs with the e-cig 100 facing down (free mode) before turning the e-cig 100 back up. put away. In this scenario, if the number of puffs exceeds the correction threshold, controller 204 will not count these five puffs in session mode. Thus, no indication is provided to the user even though the total number of puffs made by the user is 15.

FIG. 6 shows a graphical representation of a user's vaping profile. In this example, an app provided on a smart phone linked to the e-cig 100 generates the user's vaping profile 600 . As can be seen, the vaping profile 600 indicates the total number of puffs made by the user within the current puff session and the total amount of vapor or aerosol inhaled by the user during the day. In addition, there is information related to vaping hours and session totals for the day, with hourly analysis shown by line graphs. The profile 600 may also indicate the remaining battery level of the e-cig 100 and may also indicate the number of remaining sessions or vaping time left with the current battery usage. Note that the user's vaping history is monitored regardless of the operating mode. Therefore, in both session mode and free mode, the user may be able to see all vaping profiles on the app.

It should be understood that the apparatus and methods described above may be modified according to design choices and manufacturer preferences. For example, the operating mode may be changed based on other orientations of the device. Additionally, the timing control and puff count sequence may be changed. Additionally, various thresholds and preset values may be hard-coded or configurable by the user.

The controller 204 may also adjust the aerosol delivery to increase or decrease the substance in the aerosol and/or add flavor to the aerosol depending on user preferences. The amount of substance in the aerosol can be modified (increased or decreased) in a number of ways. In one example, the amount of aerosol emitted from consumable 201b may be altered, thereby affecting the amount of material inhaled by the user. In another embodiment, a multi-tank vaping device may be used that includes two or more liquid reservoirs, each containing liquid having a different concentration of substance. By switching the feed to reservoirs containing different concentrations of liquid, it is possible to regulate the substance intake while maintaining the same aerosol volume. In yet another embodiment, substance delivery is achieved by controlling the heating action in heated non-combustion and steam-based devices (e.g., by controlling the energy supplied to the heater) or in steam-based devices. It may be modified by controlling the pressurized liquid source.

The processing steps described herein performed by the main control unit, or controller, may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or storage associated with the main control unit. Computer-readable media can include non-volatile media and volatile media. Volatile media can include semiconductor memory and dynamic memory, among others. Non-volatile media can include, among others, optical and magnetic disks.

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments. .

As used herein, the term "non-transitory computer-readable media" refers to information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and sub-modules, or other data in any device. is intended to represent any tangible computer-based device implemented in any method or technology for short-term and long-term memory of Accordingly, the methods described herein are encoded as executable instructions embodied in tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media, including, but not limited to, storage devices and/or memory devices. may be Such instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform at least some of the methods described herein. Moreover, as used herein, the term "non-transitory computer-readable medium" includes, but is not limited to, volatile and non-volatile media, non-transitory computer storage devices, firmware, All tangible computer readable media, including but not limited to physical and virtual storage, removable and non-removable media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and any other digital sources such as networks or the Internet, as well as , also includes as-yet-undeveloped digital means, with the sole exception of transient propagating signals.

As will be appreciated based on the foregoing specification, the above-described embodiments of the disclosure employ computer programming or engineering techniques, including computer software, firmware, hardware, or any combination or subset thereof. may be implemented using Any such resulting program having computer readable code means may be embodied or provided in one or more computer readable media, thereby allowing a computer, according to the contemplated embodiments of the present disclosure, to A program product, or article of manufacture, may be created. An article of manufacture containing computer code is created and/or by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the code from one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over a network. may be used.

Claims (15)

A method of operating an aerosol generating device comprising:
determining a positional orientation of the device in use;
monitoring usage of the device;
activating a first mode of operation when the device is determined to be in a first pose, wherein in the first mode the usage of the device reaches a first threshold; then providing the first indicator to the user;
activating a second mode of operation when the device is determined to be in a second posture, wherein in the second mode no indication is provided to the user;
A method, including 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indication is provided only if the usage of the device in the first pose reaches the first threshold. If the device is determined to be in the second posture for less than a preset period of time and is returned to the first posture within the preset period of time, the first mode is selected. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining. maintaining the first mode if the usage of the device when in the second posture is less than a preset number of puffs before the device is returned to the first posture; 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether the device is in the first posture at least once during a predetermined period of use; 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising providing two indicators. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second indication is provided to the user when the usage of the device reaches a second threshold during the predetermined usage period. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising identifying an aerosol source and automatically setting the second threshold based on the aerosol source. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving input from the user to set the second threshold. 11. Further comprising providing said second indication to said user when said usage of said device reaches said second threshold after said predetermined period of use, regardless of the active mode of operation. The method according to any one of 6-8. 10. Any of claims 1-9, further comprising counting puffs to determine the usage of the device, each puff being associated with a timestamp for analyzing the usage over time. The method according to item 1. receiving input from the user setting a number of puffs during a session as the first threshold for the first mode; and if the setting is changed by the user during the session; 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising resetting the puff count to zero. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the difference between the first position and the second position is 180 degrees along the longitudinal axis of the device. Control circuit for use in an aerosol generating device, said control circuit being configured to operate the method according to any one of claims 1-12. An aerosol generator,
a body having an inlet and an outlet with an air channel defined between the inlet and the outlet;
an orientation sensor configured to detect the positional orientation of the device in use;
is a controller,
monitoring usage of the device;
activating a first mode of operation when the device is detected to be in a first posture, wherein in the first mode the usage of the device reaches a first threshold; an indicator is then provided to the user; and
activating a second mode of operation when the device is detected to be in a second posture, wherein no indication is provided to the user in the second mode;
a controller configured to:
An aerosol generator, comprising: A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to perform the steps of the method of claims 1-12.

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