KR20240027737A - Aerosol generating device with progress indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate is configured to display the progress of an event during use of the aerosol-generating device. An example of such an event is a usage session during which aerosols are generated. The aerosol-generating device includes an indicator configured to indicate the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7, and an indicator configured to monitor the progress of the event and display display states indicative of the progress of the event. and a controller configured to control the indicator. The progress of the event is determined and displayed to the user.

Description

Aerosol generating device with progress indicator

The present invention relates to aerosol-generating devices configured to generate aerosols, and methods of using such devices. In particular, the invention relates to an aerosol-generating device in which data on the progress of the operational steps of the device are visually communicated to the user of the device.

Aerosol-generating devices configured to generate aerosols from aerosol-forming substrates, such as tobacco-containing substrates, are known in the art. Typically, inhalable aerosols are generated by heat transfer from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming substrate or material, which may be located within, around, or downstream of the heat source. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid substrate contained within the reservoir. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a component part of a separate aerosol-generating article configured to engage with an aerosol-generating device to form an aerosol. During consumption, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by transfer of heat from the heat source and are entrained into the air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

Some aerosol-generating devices are configured to have at least one operational step. These operational steps may be referred to as events. For example, some aerosol-generating devices may be configured to provide a user experience of finite duration. For example, an aerosol-generating device may be configured to operate for a certain period of time in any single use session. Aerosol-generating devices configured for use with separate aerosol-generating articles may be configured to operate in separate use sessions lasting no longer than the time it takes to deplete the aerosol-forming substrate within the individual aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to undergo a preheating step, which may have a fixed or variable duration.

An aerosol-generating device configured to monitor and display the progress of events, such as operational steps, may improve the user experience.

According to one aspect of the invention, an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate is configured to display the progress of an event during use of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may include an indicator configured to display the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7, for example greater than or equal to 10. The controller is configured to control the indicator to display a display state indicating the progress of the event. The controller is preferably configured to monitor the progress of the event and control the indicator to display a display state indicating the progress of the event.

Accordingly, an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate may be configured to display the progress of an event during use of the aerosol-generating device, and the aerosol-generating device may display the progress of the event to first to first n indicators configured to display as a sequence of different display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7, and a controller configured to monitor the progress of the event and control the indicators to display display states indicative of the progress of the event. .

It may be convenient for a user to be able to determine precisely how long any particular event should run. For example, a user may want to know how far they have progressed through a usage session, or how much further they have to go until the usage session ends. Traditional combustible cigarettes have a combustion line that moves along the cigarette as it is consumed, thereby providing the user with a constant visual indication of what is going on throughout the user experience. Accordingly, the user can determine, at any point in time, how many cigarettes can be consumed. For many aerosol-generating devices, this determination is more difficult. Some devices provide an indication that a usage session will end immediately prior to the end of such session, but do not provide the user with information regarding the progress of the usage session during the usage session. Information regarding progress may be particularly useful to users where the duration of their usage session is controlled by more than one parameter.

The number of display states is preferably greater than 7. That is, the number n is preferably greater than 7, for example greater than 8, or greater than 9, or greater than 10. For example, n can be 8, or 9, or 10, or 11, or 12. For example, the number n can be from 7 to 144. The larger the number, the greater the resolution that can present the progress of the event. However, if the number of states is too large, it may be more difficult to achieve meaningful distinctions between adjacent states in the sequence.

The indicators of the device may include one or more indicators selected from a list consisting of visual indicators, audio indicators, and haptic indicators. Preferably, the indicator is a luminescent indicator. The luminous indicator can be conveniently controlled to display in seven or more sequential display states. Preferably, the light emitting indicator comprises three or more distinct light emitting units. Each light-emitting unit is individually controllable to convey a series of display states.

Preferably, the indicator is a visual indicator comprising a predetermined number (i) of distinct light-emitting units, each light-emitting unit controllable to emit light in a predetermined number (j) of different states, the different display states being are different intensities or static luminance levels, i is a number from 3 to 24, or 4 to 24, and j is a number from 2 to 5. Preferably, each of the predetermined number j of display states represents a light intensity level from 0% to 100% of the possible emission intensity. By controlling each individual light-emitting unit to emit light at a predetermined number of different intensities or static luminance levels, the device is designed to display a relatively high number of sequential display states without requiring a correspondingly high number of different light-emitting units. It becomes possible to configure

Each separate light-emitting unit can be controlled to emit light at two different intensities, for example, at about 50% of the possible emission intensity and at about 100% of the possible emission intensity.

Each separate light emitting unit can be controlled to emit light at three different intensities, for example, at an intensity of about 33% of the possible emission intensity, about 66% of the possible emission intensity, and about 100% of the possible emission intensity.

Each separate light-emitting unit emits light at four different intensities, for example, at an intensity of about 25% of the possible emission intensity, about 50% of the possible emission intensity, about 75% of the possible emission intensity, and about 100% of the possible emission intensity. is controlled to emit.

The controller of the device is preferably configured to interact with one or more drivers to control the indicator to indicate the progress of the sequence of first to nth different display states. For example, a controller may interact with one or more LED drivers. The device may include a visual indicator including a plurality of light-emitting units, and the controller is configured to interact with one or more drivers to control the visual indicator to indicate the progress of the sequence of first to nth different visual display states.

The aerosol-generating device may include control electronics and at least one visual indicator comprising a plurality of light-emitting units, such as a light-emitting array. The control electronics preferably independently controls each of the plurality of light emitting units at least.

i) “off state” where the light emitting unit does not emit light;

ii) a “first light emitting state” in which the light emitting unit emits light at a first intensity or static luminance level; and

iii) is configured to control a “second light emitting state”, wherein the light emitting unit emits light at a second intensity or static brightness level that is different from the first static brightness level. The control electronics preferably control each one of the light-emitting units to be in at least one of the off state, the first light-emitting state, and the second light-emitting state, thereby providing a progression of events to the user as a sequence of first to nth different visual display states. It is configured to display the situation. The light emitting unit can be further controlled in a “third light emitting state” in which the light emitting unit emits light at a third intensity or static luminance level that is different from the first or second static luminance level. The light emitting unit may be further controlled in a “fourth light emitting state” in which the light emitting unit emits light at a fourth intensity or static luminance level that is different from the first, second or third static luminance level.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of light emitting units, the light emitting units being LEDs. Each of the plurality of light-emitting units is preferably configured to be independently controlled to a different static brightness level for displaying the progress of an event, and at least one of the light-emitting units displays light of a different color to indicate a state or event, such as a low power level. Can be controlled to indicate proximity to termination.

The control electronics may be configured to independently control each one of the plurality of light emitting units in a plurality of display states, wherein in each one of the plurality of display states, each light emitting unit is at a different static intensity/static luminance level. emits light. Using different static luminance levels for each of the plurality of luminance states facilitates data associated with multiple incremental changes in events being communicated to the user. The greater the number of display states, the more data that can be conveyed to the user about changes in events. In this way, a high degree of granularity of data regarding the status of an event can be conveyed to the user.

If the device includes a visual indicator, the visual indicator may include a plurality of windows for delivering light to the user and may further include one or more waveguides.

The discrete light-emitting units may be configured as a linear matrix on or extending through the housing of the device. For example, a linear matrix can be a 1x3 matrix, or 1x4 matrix, or 1x5 matrix, or 1x6 matrix, or 2x3 matrix, or 2x4 matrix, or 2x5 matrix, or 2x6 matrix, or 3x3 matrix, or 3x4 matrix, or 3x5 matrix, Or it could be a 3x6 matrix. A linear matrix can conveniently display progress as changing light intensity or a linear progression of light intensity.

The discrete light emitting units may be configured as an annular matrix on the housing of the device or may extend through the housing. For example, the annular matrix may comprise a single ring formed of 3 to 12 light emitting units, for example 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10, or 11 light emitting units. there is. The annular matrix may comprise two concentric rings, each ring containing 3 to 12 light emitting units, for example 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10, or 11 units. It is formed as a light emitting unit.

The indicator may be a visual indicator including an LCD display screen or an OLED display screen.

The progress of the event may be displayed by a visual indicator, such that the progress through the first to nth display states includes a corresponding increase in the intensity or luminance of light displayed by the visual indicator.

The progress of the event may be displayed by a visual indicator such that the progress through the first to nth display states includes a corresponding decrease in the intensity or luminance of light displayed by the visual indicator.

An event can be any operational phase of the device that has a duration. The duration of an event may be measured in time, or in terms of one or more other parameters. The duration of an event may depend on more than one parameter. An aerosol-generating device may be configured to perform a function during an event. The event may be a heating event, for example a preheating event in which a heater or heating element is heated to the temperature necessary to generate an aerosol. The event may be a calibration event, for example in which the response of a monitored parameter to heating of a heating element is determined. The event may be a charging event, where the battery in the device is charged. The event may be a pause event, where a usage session or heating mode is paused for a period of time. An event may be a use session in which an aerosol-forming substrate is heated to form an aerosol. An event can be defined as having an event start and an event end, and an event duration defined by an event start and an event end.

Typically, a usage session is a finite usage session, having a beginning and an end. The duration of a usage session, as measured by time, may be affected by usage during the usage session. The duration of a usage session may have a maximum duration determined by the maximum time from the start of the usage session. The duration of the usage session may be less than the maximum time if one or more monitored parameters reach a predetermined threshold before the maximum time from the start of the usage session. A use session may include a warm-up time and/or a calibration time. By way of example, the one or more monitored parameters may include one or more of i) the cumulative puff count of a series of puffs drawn by the user since the start of the use session, and ii) the cumulative volume of aerosol advanced from the aerosol-forming substrate since the start of the use session. It can be included.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” is used to describe a device that generates an aerosol by interacting with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is a smoking device that interacts with the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled directly through the user's mouth and into the user's lungs. The aerosol-generating device may be a holder for an aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article is a smoking article that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled directly through the user's mouth and into the user's lungs. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article is an article that generates a nicotine-containing aerosol that can be inhaled directly through the user's mouth and into the user's lungs. The aerosol-generating article may be an article that generates a nicotine-removing aerosol that can be inhaled directly into the user's lungs through the user's mouth.

As used herein, the term 'aerosol-generating article' refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that are capable of forming an aerosol. In certain embodiments, an aerosol-generating article can comprise an aerosol-forming substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating, capable of forming an aerosol.

As used herein, the term 'aerosol-forming substrate' refers to a substrate comprising or consisting of an aerosol-forming material that is capable of releasing volatile compounds when heated to generate an aerosol. Aerosols may contain nicotine. The aerosol may be a nicotine-free aerosol that contains one or more inhalable substances but does not contain nicotine.

As used herein, the term 'use session' refers to a period of operation of an aerosol-generating device of finite duration. A usage session may be initiated by user action. The use session may be terminated after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start of the use session. A usage session may be terminated after a monitored parameter reaches a threshold during the usage session. Typically, a usage session has a duration that allows the user to enjoy a single user experience. For example, in certain aerosol-generating devices, a usage session may have a duration that allows the user to consume a single disposable aerosol-generating article. After a usage session ends, the user must take additional steps to initiate a subsequent usage session.

As used herein, the term 'luminescent indicator' refers to an element of an aerosol-generating device that is capable of emitting an indication in the form of light that is visible to a user of the device.

As used herein, the term 'light-emitting unit' refers to a separate component of a light-emitting indicator capable of emitting light. Each light emitting unit provides a single display area of the light emitting indicator. The light emitting unit may be or comprise, for example, an individual light bulb or an individual LED. The light emitting unit may include more than one bulb or LED. The light emitted by the light-emitting unit can be visible to the user of the aerosol-generating device. The light emitting unit may be mounted to protrude through the housing of the aerosol generating device. The light-emitting unit may be enclosed within a housing of the aerosol-generating device, such that light emitted from the light-emitting unit is visible through a window of the aerosol-generating device. Light emitted from the light emitting unit may be transmitted along the waveguide structure to be visible to a user of the device.

If the device includes an LED, for example a plurality of LEDs, the light emitting diode control driver controls one or more of the plurality of light emitting diodes from the power source by a pulse width modulation scheme with a predetermined resolution. It may be configured to control electricity supply to the above LEDs. By way of example, the resolution of the pulse width modulation scheme may be 8 bits (with 256 levels), 10 bits (with 1024 levels), or 12 bits (with 4096 levels). The higher the desired resolution, the greater the number of distinct display states that can be produced by each of the plurality of light emitting diodes. In this way, the granularity or level of detail of data delivered to the user through different display states can be controlled by any resolution selected for the light emitting diode control driver.

As used herein, the term “light” refers to the emission of electromagnetic radiation within the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum is generally understood to include wavelengths ranging from about 380 nm to about 750 nm.

As used herein, the term “waveguide” refers to a structure configured to guide electromagnetic waves of light. The waveguide may be in the form of one or more optical fibers or light pipes. Conveniently, each light-emitting unit is associated with a corresponding waveguide, such that the light emitted from each light-emitting unit is transmitted via the corresponding waveguide to one or more display windows.

The aerosol-generating device is preferably configured to monitor parameters related to the progress of the event. A parameter may have an initial value at the onset or beginning of an event, and an end value that is different from the initial value. The monitored value of this parameter can then be used to calculate the progress of the parameter between its initial and final values, which is then used to determine the progress of the event. These parameters related to the progress of the event may be referred to as first parameters.

In some configurations, the aerosol-generating device may be configured to monitor both a first parameter relating to the progress of the event and a second parameter relating to the progress of the event, where the second parameter is a different parameter than the first parameter. The device can then be configured to determine the progress of the event with respect to both the first parameter and the second parameter. When the duration of an event is controlled over more than one parameter, it becomes increasingly difficult for the user to determine the progress of the event. Therefore, detailed display of progress improves the user experience.

The duration of a usage session may vary depending on how the user interacts with the device during the usage session. Accordingly, the parameter, or one or both of the first parameter and the second parameter, may be a user interaction parameter indicating use of the aerosol-generating device during the event. These parameter(s) may be monitored parameters. The parameter, or one or both of the first parameter and the second parameter, may be a cumulative parameter, eg, a cumulative value of a monitored parameter over the duration of the event. The progress of the event may be determined by the progress of the parameter between its initial value and its final value, or by the progress of one or both of the first parameter and the second parameter.

The progress of an event can conveniently be determined as a percentage. For example, the progress of a parameter (could be a first parameter or a second parameter) can be expressed in the equation {(monitored value of parameter - initial value of parameter) / (end value of parameter - initial value of parameter) x 100} It can be decided by . Note that for some parameters, the initial value of the parameter may be zero.

If more than one parameter is used to determine the progress of an event, the real-time progress may be determined by the most advanced of all parameters. For example, the progress of a first parameter may be determined during an event, the progress of a second parameter may be determined during an event, and then the progress of the event may be determined by the progress of the first parameter and the progress of the second parameter. It can be determined by which one has progressed most previously.

In a preferred example, the aerosol-generating device includes a visual indicator configured to display the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different visual display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7, and a visual indicator configured to monitor the progress of the event and indicate the progress of the event. and a controller configured to control the visual indicator to display in a visual display state. The aerosol-generating device may be further configured to monitor a first parameter related to the progress of the event, and to monitor a second parameter related to the progress of the event, wherein the progress of the event at a moment during the event is determined at that moment. is determined both for the value of the first parameter at and for the value of the second parameter at that moment.

Typically, time can be used as a convenient parameter to monitor, and the aerosol-generating device can include a timer in communication with or incorporated into the controller. For example, the parameter, first parameter, or second parameter can be time. Time is a useful parameter to monitor because many events, for example usage sessions, can benefit from a maximum time limit or time threshold.

In some preferred examples, the parameter, the first parameter, or the second parameter includes time, number of user puffs (e.g., cumulative number of user puffs taken during the event), volume of aerosol delivered (e.g., Cumulative volume of aerosol delivered during the event), energy consumed (e.g., cumulative volume of energy consumed during the event), current consumed (e.g., cumulative volume of current consumed during the event), temperature (e.g., cumulative volume of aerosol delivered during the event), e.g., the temperature of the heating element, or the temperature of the susceptor), the resistance of the heating element, and user interaction (e.g., any other monitorable or derivable parameter relating to user interaction, e.g., the use of The parameters may be selected from a list consisting of user interactions during the session.

Certain parameters may require aerosol-generating devices to include specific monitoring means. For example, the aerosol-generating device may include a temperature sensor to monitor the actual temperature of the heating element, or a puff sensor to detect and record user puffs. The device may also be configured to monitor changes in power supplied by the battery, for example to monitor current and voltage. The device may also be configured to derive parameters from other monitored parameters. For example, the controller of the device may be configured to determine the resistance of a heating element, or the apparent resistance of an inductor/susceptor couple, by monitoring the current and voltage supplied by the battery. The device may be configured to execute one or more algorithms to determine parameters, such as the volume of aerosol generated.

The progress of the event may be determined with reference to the first parameter and the second parameter, where the indication state displayed by the indicator is the progress of the first parameter, or the progress of the second parameter is the progress of the first monitored parameter. If it is greater than the situation, the progress of the second parameter is reflected.

In a preferred example, the event may be a usage session, and the usage session may extend between a usage session start and a usage session stop. The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that a usage session has a maximum duration determined by a timer, for example the maximum possible duration of a usage session is set by a time threshold. For example, the device may be configured to monitor a first parameter regarding the progress of the usage session and a second parameter regarding the progress of the usage session, where the first parameter is time and the second parameter is the user Number of puffs (cumulative number of user puffs taken during the event), volume of aerosol delivered (cumulative volume of aerosol delivered during the event), energy consumed (cumulative volume of energy consumed during the event), and current consumed ( A user interaction parameter selected from a list consisting of the cumulative amount of current consumed during an event.

Preferably, the usage session is configured to terminate when the user interaction parameter reaches a predetermined threshold. The user interaction parameter may represent a user puff taken during a use session, or may represent the volume of aerosol released by the aerosol-forming substrate or delivered to the user during the use session. The aerosol-generating device may include a puff counting mechanism to determine the number of puffs taken by the user, e.g., the number of puffs taken during an event, e.g., the number of puffs taken during a use session. The aerosol-generating device may be configured to terminate a use session when the number of user puffs taken during the use session reaches a predetermined threshold.

An exemplary aerosol-generating device may include monitoring parameters indicative of the progress of a usage session, e.g., monitoring parameters indicative of aerosol generation during operation of the aerosol-generating device, and analyzing the monitored parameters to identify user puffs. (the user puff is defined by puff start and puff end), analyzing the monitored parameters during the user puff to calculate a puff volume (the puff volume is the volume of aerosol generated during the user puff) ), and may be configured to perform the step of using the puff volume as the user interaction parameter.

Preferably, an event, for example a usage session, comprises, or can be divided into, at least seven sequential steps. Advantageously, the controller may be configured to control the indicator to display a different one of the first to nth sequence of different display states during each of the at least seven sequential steps. For example, the controller may be configured to control the luminous indicator to display a different one of at least a first to nth different display state during each of the at least seven sequential steps. Preferably, the light emitting indicator comprises three or more separate light emitting units, for example four light emitting units, or five light emitting units, or six light emitting units.

An event, for example a usage session, may be divided into n sequential steps, where n is greater than 7, for example 12 to 144 sequential steps, or for example 18 to 72 sequential steps. Accordingly, the number of sequential steps may be equal to the number of sequential display states.

The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that any one or each of the n sequential steps has a step duration defined by a step start and a step end. The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that any one or each of the n sequential steps has a maximum step duration determined by a timer. Accordingly, any or each of the n sequential steps may end when the monitored period reaches a predetermined threshold for the step if the step had not ended earlier.

An exemplary aerosol-generating device is configured wherein a first step of n sequential steps has a first step duration defined by a first step start and a first step end, wherein the first step is at the start of the event: For example, starting from the session start above. A second of the n sequential steps may have a second step duration defined by a second step start and a second step end, with the second step starting at the end of the first step. n sequential steps may be defined as a first step and n-1 subsequent steps, where each subsequent step follows the preceding step, where each of the n-1 subsequent steps is marked by a step start and a step end. With a defined phase duration, the phase begins at the end of the preceding phase. The event, for example a usage session, preferably ends at the end of the nth step.

The aerosol-generating device may be configured to monitor user interaction parameters indicative of use of the aerosol-generating device during an event, for example during a usage session. Advantageously, the duration of any or each of the n sequential steps can be controlled with reference to user interaction parameters. The duration of any or each of the n sequential steps may be controlled with reference to the user interaction parameter and at least one additional parameter.

Preferably, an event, such as a usage session, has a maximum duration of between 60 and 600 seconds, such as between 300 and 400 seconds, such as about 360 seconds. This maximum duration can replicate the length of a typical smoking session using a conventional cigarette.

Advantageously, an event, for example a usage session, may have a maximum duration of x seconds, where x is a number between 100 and 600. For example, an event may be divided into n sequential steps, and the maximum duration of each of the n sequential steps is approximately x/n seconds.

Events, such as usage sessions, may be controlled for the number of user puffs monitored, with a usage session having a threshold user puff number of 10 to 14, for example about 12.

In some examples, the aerosol-generating device is configured to monitor parameters indicative of aerosol generation during operation of the aerosol-generating device, and is configured to analyze the monitored parameters to identify a user puff as determined by puff start and puff end, and wherein the user puff configured to analyze parameters monitored during the user puff to calculate a puff volume, which is the aerosol volume generated during the puff, and configured to use the puff volume as a parameter regarding the progress of an event, e.g. You can. The parameter indicative of aerosol generation may represent the power supplied by the power supply, for example current or both current and voltage. Advantageously, puff volume can be used as a parameter to indicate the progress of a usage session. In particular, a usage session may have a threshold value of aerosols that can be delivered, and the cumulative volume of aerosols generated can be used as a parameter to indicate the progress of the usage session.

Measurement of the actual volume of aerosol generated can be complex to implement. A function of the monitored parameters can be calculated and evaluated in real time to determine puff volume. Analysis of the monitored parameter may include calculating a first characteristic of the monitored parameter, and analyzing the first characteristic to determine puff start and puff stop. Analysis of the monitored parameter may include calculating a second characteristic of the monitored parameter, and analyzing both the first characteristic and the second characteristic to determine puff start and puff stop. Puff initiation may be determined when the first characteristic and the second characteristic satisfy one or more predetermined conditions. Puff end may be determined when the first characteristic and the second characteristic satisfy one or more predetermined conditions. Preferably, the first characteristic may be a first moving average value of the monitored parameter, calculated on a first time window with a first time window duration. The second characteristic may be a second moving average value of the monitored parameter, computed on a second time window with a second time window duration, where the second time window duration is different from the first time window duration.

In some examples, the event may be a first event, and the device is further configured to monitor progress and display information, such as progress, in relation to a second event, where the second event is different from the first event. For example, an aerosol-generating device may be configured to display the progress of a first event and also the status or progress of a second event during use of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device is configured to display the progress of the first event as a first sequence of first to nth different display states, and the status and/or progress of the second event as a second sequence of different display states n, which is a number of 7 or more. May contain configured visual indicators. The device may also control the visual indicator to monitor progress of the first event and display an indicator state indicative of progress of the first event and also monitor the second event and indicate the status and/or progress of the second event. A controller configured to control the visual indicator to display in a display state. Although the term “controller” is used, where more than one separate controller is used to control the operation of the aerosol-generating device, the term is intended to include more than one controller.

The progress of the second event is preferably displayed as a second sequence of first to nth different display states, where the second sequence of display states is different from the sequence of first display states. By changing the sequence of display states, the user can easily determine the type of event the device is experiencing and how much progress has been made through the event.

The first event may be an event type selected from a list consisting of use sessions, a heat-up period (e.g., warm-up period), a calibration period, a charge period, and a pause period, and the second event may be an event type selected from a list consisting of use sessions. The event type may be selected from a list consisting of session, heating period (e.g., warm-up period), calibration period, charging period, and pause period, and the event type of the second event is different from the event type of the first event.

The controller determines the onset of the first event, determines the event type of the first event, monitors the progress of the first event, and controls a visual indicator to display a predetermined sequence of display states indicating the progress of the first event. It may be configured to display. The controller may also determine the onset of a second event, determine an event type of the second event, monitor the status and/or progress of the second event, and control a visual indicator to determine the status and/or progress of the second event. It may be configured to display a predetermined sequence of display states indicating progress.

The second event may occur after the end of the first event. For example, the first event may be a warm-up period and the second event may be a usage session that occurs after completion or termination of the warm-up period. For example, the first event may be a calibration period and the second event may be a usage session that occurs after completion or termination of the calibration period.

The second event may occur during the interruption of the first event. For example, the first event may be a usage session, and the second event may be a pause period that occurs during an interruption of the usage session. For example, the first event may be a usage session and the second event may be a recalibration period that occurs during an interruption of the usage session.

The device may be further configured to monitor progress of a third event and display the progress in relation to the third event, where the third event is different from the first event and the second event. In this case, the third event may be an event type selected from a list consisting of a use session, a heating period (eg, a warm-up period), a calibration period, a charging period, and a pause period. As an example, the first event may be a warm-up event, the second event may be a use session, and the third event may be a pause event.

The aerosol-generating device may be configured to allow a user to pause an event, for example a first event, during the progress of the event and enter a pause period. Accordingly, the device may include a memory configured to store the progress of the event such that display of the progress can be resumed upon resumption of the event.

The aerosol-generating device may further include a user interaction interface, such as an interface selected from the list consisting of buttons, touch-sensitive buttons, strain-sensitive buttons, gesture recognition interfaces, haptic interfaces, and accelerometers. The aerosol-generating device may include a power source, such as a battery, to supply energy to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate.

An aerosol-generating device as described herein may include a heater, such as a resistance heater or an induction heater, for heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The device may be configured to operate with solid aerosol-forming substrates. The device may be configured to operate with a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

Advantageously, the aerosol-generating device may comprise a sensor, for example a sensor for detecting parameters indicative of the progress of an event, for example a sensor for detecting user interaction parameters.

The aerosol-generating device may include a heater to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. The heater may be an induction heater. The induction heater may include an inductor configured to generate a fluctuating magnetic field designed to heat the susceptor. The heater may be a resistance heater.

The heater may include a heating element for heating the consumable aerosol-generating article. The heating element may be an internal heater designed to be inserted into a consumable aerosol-generating article, for example a susceptor or a resistive heating element in the form of a pin or blade that may be inserted into an aerosol-forming substrate positioned within a consumable aerosol article. The heating element may be an external heater designed to heat the external surface of the consumable aerosol-generating article, such as a resistive heating element or susceptor located at the periphery of or surrounding a substrate receiving cavity for receiving the consumable aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating device can include replaceable substrate sections containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The replaceable substrate section may form part of the body of the aerosol-generating device and may itself contain or position a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate for consumption within the device. The replaceable substrate section can be positioned distal to the proximal end of the device, for example distal to the mouthpiece. The replaceable substrate section may be located proximal to the distal end of the device. The replaceable substrate sections are joined to one or more other sections forming the body of the aerosol-generating device by coupling means such as threads, or bayonet fits, or magnetic connections, or mechanical latching means such as snap fits or interference fits. It can be.

The replaceable substrate section may include a reservoir of liquid aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the replaceable substrate section can contain a liquid containing nicotine and an aerosol former such as propylene glycol or glycerin. Alternatively, the replaceable substrate section may comprise a container of a solid aerosol-forming substrate, or a container of a colloidal aerosol-forming substrate, such as a gel substrate.

An aerosol-generating device may include replaceable substrate sections containing two or more components that when combined form an aerosol.

The replaceable substrate section may include an atomizer such as a heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate or at least one of two or more components that when combined form an aerosol. Accordingly, the replaceable substrate section may be in the form of a cartomizer and may include both an aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing component. In this embodiment, the replaceable substrate section preferably comprises electrical contacts configured to contact corresponding electrical contacts in the battery portion of the aerosol-generating device to provide power for operation of the nebulizer.

In one example, the atomizer may be a resistive heater, such as a resistive wire, or a resistive track on a substrate. In another example, the nebulizer may be an inductive susceptor that can be heated when placed within a fluctuating magnetic field generated by an inductive coil.

The aerosol-generating device may be configured to supply power to the heater to maintain the heater at a predetermined temperature during the use session.

Power may be supplied to the heater to increase the temperature of the heater element to an operating temperature range for generating an aerosol, and the heater element remains within the operating temperature range until the end of the use session. Power may be supplied to the heater during a use session, both when the user is puffing and when the user is not puffing. In this configuration, the power supplied during a user's puff may be greater than the power supplied when the user is not puffing, because less power is required to maintain the temperature of the heater between puffs.

An aerosol-generating device can be configured to receive an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may include a substrate receiving cavity for receiving a consumable aerosol-generating article, including, for example, an aerosol-forming substrate. Examples of aerosol-generating articles include pouches filled with solid aerosol-forming substrates, cigarettes, and tobacco-like articles containing the aerosol-forming substrate contained within a wrapper such as a cigarette paper, capsule, or container of a liquid aerosol-forming substrate or a container of a colloidal aerosol-forming substrate. do. A consumable aerosol-generating article may include replaceable substrate sections containing two or more components that when combined form an aerosol.

The consumable aerosol-generating article may include a nebulizer such as a heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate or at least one of two or more components that when combined form an aerosol. Accordingly, the consumable aerosol-generating article may be in the form of a cartomizer and may include both an aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing component. The consumable aerosol-generating article may, in this embodiment, comprise electrical contacts configured to provide power for operation of the nebulizer by contacting corresponding electrical contacts, preferably in the battery portion of the aerosol-generating device.

In an example, the atomizer may be a resistive heater, such as a resistive wire, or a resistive track on a substrate. In another embodiment, the nebulizer may be an inductive susceptor that can be heated when placed within a fluctuating magnetic field generated by an induction coil.

A preferred consumable aerosol-generating article may be in the form of a cigarette or tobacco-like article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate contained within a wrapper. Preferably, such article includes a mouth end intended to be inserted into the user's mouth for consumption of the article. Preferably, the mouth end includes a filter to mimic a conventional custom cigarette. Preferably, the consumable aerosol-generating article is configured to interact with a nebulizer, preferably a heater, located within the body of the aerosol-generating device. Accordingly, heating means, such as a resistive heating element, may be located within or about the substrate receiving cavity for receiving the consumable aerosol-generating article. The substrate receiving cavity may be located at the proximal end of the device. For example, the opening for the substrate receiving cavity can be located at the proximal end of the device.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article is a solid aerosol-forming substrate. However, aerosol-forming substrates can include both solid and liquid components. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises nicotine. More preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises tobacco. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco containing aerosol-forming material.

When the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be, for example, powders, granules, pellets containing one or more of herb leaves, tobacco leaves, tobacco ribs, puffed tobacco and homogenized tobacco. , may include one or more of shreds, strands, strips, or sheets.

Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds that will be released upon heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may also comprise one or more capsules containing, for example, additional tobacco volatile flavor compounds or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds, which capsules may melt during heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate can be provided on or embedded within a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of powders, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, strips or sheets. The solid aerosol-forming substrate can be deposited on the surface of the carrier, for example in the form of a sheet, foam, gel or slurry. The solid aerosol-forming substrate can be deposited on the entire surface of the carrier, or alternatively in a pattern to provide non-uniform flavor delivery during use.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises homogenized tobacco material. As used herein, the term “homogenized tobacco material” refers to material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material. As used herein, the term “sheet” refers to a laminated element having a width and length that is substantially greater than its thickness. As used herein, the term “corrugated” is used to describe a sheet that is entangled, folded, or otherwise compressed or contracted substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises an aerosol-forming agent. As used herein, the term "aerosol former" means any suitable known compound or compounds that, when used, facilitates the formation of an aerosol and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article. Used to describe mixtures.

Suitable aerosol formers are known in the art and include polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin; Esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, or mixtures thereof, most preferably glycerin.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a single aerosol-forming agent. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may include a combination of two or more aerosol-forming agents.

An aerosol-generating system can include an aerosol-generating device as described above and an aerosol-generating article configured to be received by the aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating article includes an aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-generating system may further include a charging device for charging the aerosol-generating device. The charging device may include a primary power source and may have a docking device configured to engage the elongated aerosol-generating device.

In one aspect, the present invention may provide a method for operating an aerosol-generating device,

(a) monitoring the progress of an event or operation performed by the aerosol-generating device, and

(b) controlling the indicator to indicate the progress of the event or operation as a sequence of first to nth different display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7.

The aerosol-generating device may include a light-emitting indicator and a controller configured to control the light-emitting indicator to display the progress of the event, wherein the light-emitting indicator displays the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different display states. represents, and n is a number of 7 or more.

The present invention can provide a method for operating an aerosol-generating device,

(a) monitoring the progress of an event or operation performed by the aerosol-generating device, and

(b) controlling a visual indicator to indicate the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different visual display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7.

The device may include a plurality of light emitting units controlled to a plurality of light intensities or brightness levels to display a sequence of first to nth different display states.

A method of operating an aerosol-generating device may be a method of operating any of the devices described herein.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of other examples, implementations, or aspects described herein.

Exi. An aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, comprising:

the aerosol-generating device is configured to perform a function during an event,

The aerosol generating device,

a controller configured to monitor the progress of the event and control an indicator to display the progress of the event, wherein the indicator is configured to display the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different display states; and n is a number greater than or equal to 7.

Exii. An aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, comprising:

the aerosol-generating device is configured to perform a function during an event,

The aerosol generating device,

Luminous indicator, and

a controller configured to control the luminous indicator to indicate the progress of the event, wherein the luminous indicator is configured to display the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different display states, where n is 7 More than one person, device.

Ex1. An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device configured to display the progress of an event during use of the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

an indicator configured to display the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7;

and a controller configured to monitor the progress of the event and control the indicator to display in a display state indicative of the progress of the event.

Ex2. The aerosol-generating device of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the indicator comprises one or more indicators selected from the list consisting of visual indicators, audio indicators, and haptic indicators.

Ex3. An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device configured to display the progress of an event during use of the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a visual indicator configured to display the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different visual display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7;

and a controller configured to monitor the progress of the event and control the visual indicator to display in a visual display state indicative of the progress of the event.

Ex4. In any of the previous embodiments,

An aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to monitor parameters related to the progress of the event.

Ex5. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex4, wherein the parameter has an initial value at the onset or beginning of the event and an end value that is different from the initial value.

Ex6. The method of Example Ex5, wherein the monitored value of the parameter is used to calculate the progress of the parameter between the initial value and the end value, and the progress of the parameter is used to determine the progress of the event. , aerosol generating device.

Ex7. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments Ex4 to Ex6, wherein the parameter related to the progress of the event is a first parameter.

Ex8. In Example Ex7,

The aerosol generating device is configured to monitor both a first parameter related to the progress of the event and a second parameter related to the progress of the event, wherein the second parameter is a different parameter from the first parameter. Generating device.

Ex9. The aerosol-generating device of embodiment Ex8, wherein the device is configured to determine the progress of the event with respect to both the first parameter and the second parameter.

Ex10. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein the event has an event start and an event end, the duration of the event defined by the event start and the event end.

Ex11. The aerosol-generating device of any one of Examples Ex4-Ex10, wherein the parameter, or one or both of the first parameter and the second parameter, is a user interaction parameter indicating use of the aerosol-generating device during the event. .

Ex12. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex4 to Ex11, wherein the parameter, or one or both of the first parameter and the second parameter, is a monitored parameter.

Ex13. The method of any one of embodiments Ex4 to Ex12, wherein the parameter, or one or both of the first parameter and the second parameter, is a cumulative parameter, e.g., a cumulative value of a monitored parameter over the duration of the event. Aerosol generating device.

Ex14. The method according to any one of embodiments Ex4 to Ex13, wherein the progress of the event is determined by the progress of the parameter, or the progress of one or both of the first parameter and the second parameter, between its initial value and its final value. Determined in, aerosol-generating device.

Ex15. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex14, wherein the progress of the event is determined as a percentage.

Ex16. According to any one of Examples Ex4 to Ex 15, the progress of the parameter is determined by the equation {(monitored value of the parameter - initial value of the parameter) / (end value of the parameter - initial value of the parameter) x 100} an aerosol generating device.

Ex17. According to any one of embodiments Ex4 to Ex 16, the progress of the first parameter is determined by the equation {(monitored value of the first parameter - initial value of the first parameter) / (end value of the first parameter - first parameter aerosol-generating device, determined by the initial value of) x 100}.

Ex18. According to any one of Examples Ex4 to Ex 17, the progress of the second parameter is determined by the equation {(monitored value of the second parameter - initial value of the second parameter) / (end value of the second parameter - the second parameter aerosol-generating device, determined by the initial value of) x 100}.

Ex19. The method according to any one of embodiments Ex4 to Ex17, wherein the progress of the first parameter is determined during the event, the progress of the second parameter is determined during the event, and the progress of the event is determined during the event An aerosol-generating device, which is determined by the most advanced of the progress of the parameter and the progress of the second parameter.

Ex20. According to any of the preceding embodiments, for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device is configured to display the progress of the event during use of the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a visual indicator configured to display the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different visual display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7;

and a controller configured to monitor the progress of the event and control the visual indicator to display a visual display indicating the progress of the event, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises: a first parameter related to the progress of the event; and configured to monitor a second parameter related to the progress of the event, wherein the progress of the event at a moment during the event is determined by: the value of the first parameter at that moment and the second parameter at that moment. Apparatus, wherein both values of the second parameter are determined.

Ex21. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex4-Ex20, wherein the parameter, the first parameter, or the second parameter is time.

Ex22. The method of any one of Examples Ex4 to Ex21, wherein the first parameter, or the second parameter is time, number of user puffs, cumulative number of user puffs taken during the event, volume of aerosol delivered, Cumulative volume of aerosol delivered during the event, energy consumed, cumulative volume of energy consumed during the event, and current consumed, cumulative amount of current consumed during the event, temperature, temperature of the heating element, temperature of the susceptor, heating An aerosol-generating device selected from a list consisting of resistance of elements, and user interaction.

Ex23. In any of the previous embodiments, the progress of the event is determined with reference to a first parameter and a second parameter, one of the first parameter and the second parameter is time, and the first parameter and the second parameter are determined. The other of the two parameters is the number of user puffs, the cumulative number of user puffs taken during the event, the volume of aerosol delivered, the cumulative volume of aerosol delivered during the event, the energy consumed, the cumulative volume of energy consumed during the event , and current consumed, cumulative amount of current consumed during said event, temperature, temperature of the heating element, temperature of the susceptor, resistance of the heating element, and user interaction.

Ex24. In any of the previous embodiments, the progress of the event is determined with reference to the first parameter and the second parameter, and the indication state displayed by the indicator is such that the progress of the second parameter is determined by the first parameter. An aerosol-generating device that reflects the progress of the first parameter or the progress of the second parameter when it is greater than the progress of the parameter.

Ex25. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the event is an operational step of the aerosol-generating device, for example, wherein the event is an event selected from the list consisting of a use session, a heating period, and a pause period. .

Ex26. The aerosol-generating device of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the event is a usage session, and the usage session extends between a usage session start and a usage session stop.

Ex27. The aerosol-generating device of embodiment Ex26, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured such that the usage session has a maximum duration determined by a timer and/or a time threshold.

Ex28. The method of embodiment Ex26 or Ex27, wherein the device is configured to monitor a first parameter regarding the progress of the usage session and a second parameter regarding the progress of the usage session, wherein the first parameter is time, and the second parameter is: The two parameters are the number of user puffs, the cumulative number of user puffs taken during the event, the volume of aerosol delivered, the cumulative volume of aerosol delivered during the event, the energy consumed, the cumulative volume of energy consumed during the event, and the consumption An aerosol-generating device, wherein the user interaction parameter is selected from a list consisting of the current drawn, the cumulative amount of current consumed during the event.

Ex29. The aerosol-generating device of Embodiments Ex26-Ex28, wherein the use session is configured to end when the monitored user interaction parameter reaches a predetermined threshold.

Ex30. The method of any of Examples Ex28 and Ex29, wherein the user interaction parameter represents a user puff taken during the use session, or the user interaction parameter is emitted by the aerosol-forming substrate during the use session or the user An aerosol-generating device, indicating the volume of aerosol delivered to the user.

Ex31. According to any of the preceding embodiments, the aerosol-generating device comprises a puff counting mechanism for determining the number of user puffs taken, e.g. the number of puffs taken during the event, e.g. the number of puffs taken during the use session. An aerosol generating device comprising:

Ex32. The aerosol-generating device of Embodiment Ex31, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to terminate the use session when the number of user puffs taken during the use session reaches a predetermined threshold.

Ex33. In any one of Examples Ex28 to Ex32,

monitoring parameters indicative of the progress of the use session, for example monitoring parameters indicative of aerosol generation during operation of the aerosol-generating device;

analyzing the monitored parameters to identify a user puff, wherein the user puff is defined by puff start and puff end;

Analyzing the monitored parameters during the user puff to calculate a puff volume, wherein the puff volume is the volume of aerosol generated during the user puff, and

An aerosol-generating device comprising using the puff volume as the user interaction parameter.

Ex34. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the event, eg the usage session, comprises at least 7 sequential steps, eg at least 10 sequential steps.

Ex35. The aerosol-generating device of embodiment Ex34, wherein the controller is configured to control the indicator to indicate a different one of the first to nth sequence of different indicator states during each of the at least seven sequential steps.

Ex36. The aerosol-generating device of embodiment Ex34 or Ex35, wherein the controller is configured to control the luminescent indicator to display a different one of the first to nth sequence of different display states during each of the at least seven sequential steps. .

Ex37. The method of any one of embodiments Ex34 to Ex36, wherein the event, e.g. the usage session, is divided into n sequential steps, n being a number greater than 7, e.g. 10 or more, e.g. 7 to 144. An aerosol-generating device comprising 2 sequential steps, or for example 18 to 72 sequential steps.

Ex38. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex34 to Ex37, wherein any one or each of the n sequential steps is configured to have a step duration defined by a step start and a step end. Device.

Ex39. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex34 to Ex38, wherein any one or each of the n sequential steps is configured to have a maximum step duration determined by a timer.

Ex40. The method of any one of Examples Ex34 to Ex39, wherein any one or each of the n sequential steps ends when the monitored period reaches a predetermined threshold for the step if the step had not ended earlier. an aerosol generating device.

Ex41. In any one of Examples Ex34 to Ex40,

A first of the n sequential steps has a first step duration defined by a first step start and a first step end, wherein the first step starts at the event start, e.g. the session start. An aerosol generating device.

Ex42. In any one of Examples Ex34 to Ex41,

A second stage of the n sequential stages has a second stage duration defined by a second stage start and a second stage end, wherein the second stage begins at the end of the first stage. Device.

Ex43. The method of any one of Examples Ex34 to Ex42, wherein the n sequential steps can be defined as a first step and n-1 subsequent steps, each of the subsequent steps following the preceding step,

Each n-1 subsequent step has a step duration defined by a step start and a step end, wherein the step begins at the end of the preceding step.

Ex44. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments Ex34-Ex42, wherein the event, eg the use session, ends at the end of the nth step.

Ex45. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to monitor user interaction parameters indicative of use of the aerosol-generating device during the event, for example during the use session.

Ex46. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments Ex34 to Ex46, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to monitor user interaction parameters indicative of use of the aerosol-generating device during the event, for example during the use session.

Ex47. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex46, wherein the duration of any one or each of the n sequential steps is controlled with reference to the user interaction parameter.

Ex48. The aerosol-generating device of Embodiment Ex46 or Ex47, wherein the duration of any one or each of the n sequential steps is controlled with reference to the user interaction parameter and at least one additional parameter.

Ex49. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex48, wherein the at least one additional parameter is the passage of time determined by a timer.

Ex50. The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples Ex45-Ex49, wherein the user interaction parameter is indicative of a user puff taken during the use session.

Ex51. The aerosol-generating device of any one of Examples Ex45-Ex49, wherein the user interaction parameter represents the power supplied to the heating element during the use session.

Ex52. The method of any one of Examples Ex34-Ex51, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a puff counting device for determining the number of user puffs taken during the use session, and performing any or each of the n sequential steps. An aerosol-generating device, the duration of which is controlled by reference to the number of user puffs taken during said use session.

Ex53. The method of any one of embodiments Ex34 to Ex52, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured such that each of the n sequential steps of the use session has a maximum step duration determined by a timer, and the aerosol-generating device is configured to: and configured to record at least one user interaction parameter during, wherein any one or each of the n sequential steps is greater than the maximum step duration when the value of the user interaction parameter reaches a predetermined threshold. Aerosol-generating device having a small duration.

Ex54. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said event, such as said usage session, has a maximum duration of 60 seconds to 600 seconds, such as 300 seconds to 400 seconds, such as about 360 seconds.

Ex55. According to any of the previous embodiments, the event, e.g. the usage session, has a maximum duration of x seconds, x is a number from 100 to 600, the event is divided into n sequential steps, and the n An aerosol-generating device, where the maximum duration of each of the sequential steps is approximately x/n seconds.

Ex56. According to any of the previous embodiments, the event, e.g. the usage session, is controlled for a number of monitored user puffs, wherein the usage session has a threshold user puff number of 10 to 14, e.g. about 12. , aerosol generating device.

Ex57. According to any of the preceding embodiments, the aerosol-generating device is configured to monitor parameters indicative of aerosol generation during operation of the aerosol-generating device, and analyzes the monitored parameters to generate a user puff determined by puff start and puff end. configured to identify, and configured to analyze parameters monitored during the user puff to calculate a puff volume, which is the aerosol volume generated during the user puff, and analyze the puff volume to determine the progress of the event, e.g., the progress of a usage session. Aerosol-generating device, used as a situation-related parameter.

Ex58. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex57, wherein the parameter representing aerosol generation represents the power supplied by the power supply.

Ex59. The method of any one of embodiments Ex57 to Ex58, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to generate an aerosol during a use session, and the device is configured to determine the start of the use session and indicate aerosol generation during the use session. An aerosol-generating device configured to monitor the parameter and use the puff volume as a parameter to indicate progress of the use session.

Ex60. The method of any one of embodiments Ex57-Ex59, wherein the device is configured to perform a method, the method comprising analyzing the monitored parameters to identify a plurality of user puffs performed during operation of the device, , wherein each of the plurality of user puffs has a puff start and a puff end determined by analyzing the monitored parameters.

Ex61. The method of Embodiment Ex60, wherein the device is configured to perform a method, the method comprising calculating a puff volume for each of the plurality of user puffs by analyzing monitored parameters during each of the plurality of identified user puffs, the plurality of user puffs comprising: determining a cumulative puff volume of aerosol generated during each identified user puff, and using the cumulative puff volume as a parameter to control operation of the device and/or to indicate the progress of a usage session. An aerosol generating device.

Ex62. The method of Embodiment Ex61, wherein the device is configured to perform a method, the method comprising: determining the start of a use session, monitoring a parameter indicative of aerosol generation during the use session, and determining an end of the use session. An aerosol-generating device comprising using cumulative puff volume as a parameter for:

Ex63. The aerosol-generating device of any one of Examples Ex57-Ex62, wherein a function of the monitored parameters is calculated and evaluated in real time to determine the puff volume.

Ex64. The method of any one of Examples Ex57 to Ex63, wherein the step of analyzing the monitored parameter includes calculating a first characteristic of the monitored parameter, and analyzing the first characteristic to determine puff start and puff stop. An aerosol generating device comprising:

Ex65. The method of Example Ex64, wherein the step of analyzing the monitored parameter comprises calculating a second characteristic of the monitored parameter, and analyzing both the first characteristic and the second characteristic to determine the puff start and the puff stop. An aerosol-generating device comprising the step of determining.

Ex66. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex65, wherein puff initiation is determined when the first characteristic and the second characteristic satisfy one or more predetermined conditions.

Ex67. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex65 or Ex66, wherein the end of the puff is determined when the first characteristic and the second characteristic satisfy one or more predetermined conditions.

Ex68. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments Ex65 to Ex67, wherein the first characteristic is a first moving average value of the monitored parameter calculated over a first time window with a first time window duration.

Ex69. The method of any one of embodiments Ex65 to Ex68, wherein the second characteristic is a second moving average value of the monitored parameter computed on a second time window having a second time window duration, wherein the second time window duration is a second time window duration. Aerosol-generating device, with different time window duration.

Ex70. For Example Ex69, puff start is determined when the first moving average value and the second moving average value meet a predetermined relationship to each other, for example, the first time window duration is the is shorter than the second time window duration, and the puff start is determined when the first moving average increases relative to the second moving average and reaches the puff start value, wherein the first moving average is the second moving average + An aerosol-generating device, equal to the first predetermined puff start constant.

Ex71. For Example Ex70, puff end is determined when, after detection of a puff onset, the first moving average decreases relative to the second moving average and reaches a puff end value, wherein the first moving average is determined by the second moving average. average - greater than a first predetermined puff end constant, and the second moving average is less than the value of the second moving average at puff start + a second predetermined puff end constant.

Ex72. The method of any one of embodiments Ex65 to Ex71, wherein the first characteristic is/is a first moving median of the monitored parameter, calculated on a first time window having a first time window duration, or the second The characteristic is a second moving median of the monitored parameter, calculated on a second time window having a second time window duration, wherein the second time window duration is different from the first time window duration, preferably Alternatively, puff start is determined when the first moving median and the second moving median meet a predetermined relationship to each other, for example, the first time window duration is shorter than the second time window duration, and The puff start is determined when the first moving median increases relative to the second moving median until the first moving median reaches a puff start value equal to the second moving median plus the first predetermined puff start constant, e.g. Puff end is determined when the first moving median decreases relative to the second moving median and, after detection of a puff start, the first moving median reaches a puff end value that is greater than the second moving median minus the first predetermined puff end constant. and the second moving center value is less than the second moving center value at the start of the puff + the second predetermined puff ending constant.

Ex73. According to any of the preceding embodiments, the indicator is a visual indicator comprising a predetermined number (i) of distinct light-emitting units, each light-emitting unit controllable to emit a predetermined number (j) of light of different intensities. And, i is a number from 4 to 24, and j is a number from 2 to 5.

Ex74. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex73, wherein each of the predetermined display state numbers j represents a light intensity level from 0% to 100% of the possible emission intensity.

Ex75. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex74, wherein each of the separate light-emitting units is controlled to emit light at two different intensities, e.g., at an intensity of about 50% of the possible emission intensity and about 100% of the possible emission intensity.

Ex76. Example Ex74, wherein each of the separate light emitting units has three different intensities, for example, an intensity of about 33% of the possible emission intensity, an intensity of about 66% of the possible emission intensity, and an intensity of about 100% of the possible emission intensity. An aerosol-generating device controlled to emit light.

Ex77. Example Ex74, wherein each of the separate light emitting units has four different intensities, for example about 25% of the possible emission intensity, about 50% of the possible emission intensity, about 75% of the possible emission intensity, and about 4 different intensities of the possible emission intensity. An aerosol-generating device controlled to emit light at 100% intensity.

Ex73A. According to any of the preceding embodiments, the indicator is a visual indicator comprising a predetermined number (i) of distinct light emitting units, each light emitting unit configured to emit light at a predetermined number (j) of different static luminance levels. Controllable, wherein i is a number from 4 to 24 and j is a number from 2 to 5.

Ex74A. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex73A, wherein each of the predetermined number of display states j represents a static luminance level from 0% to 100% of the possible static luminance.

Ex75A. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex74A, wherein each of the separate light-emitting units is controlled to emit light at two different static brightness levels, e.g., about 50% of the possible brightness and about 100% of the possible brightness. .

Ex76A. The method of Example Ex74A, wherein each of the separate light emitting units emits light at three different static brightness levels, e.g., about 33% of the possible brightness, about 66% of the possible brightness, and about 100% of the possible brightness. An aerosol-generating device controlled to emit.

Ex77A. In Example Ex74A, each of the separate light emitting units has four different static luminances, for example, about 25% possible brightness, about 50% possible brightness, about 75% possible brightness, and about 100% possible brightness. An aerosol-generating device controlled to emit light.

Ex78. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex73 to Ex77 or Examples Ex73A to Ex77A, wherein the discrete light emitting units are configured as a linear matrix on or extending through a housing of the device.

Ex79. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex78, wherein the linear matrix is a 1x4 matrix, or a 1x5 matrix, or a 1x6 matrix, or a 2x4 matrix, or a 2x5 matrix, or a 2x6 matrix, or a 3x4 matrix, or a 3x5 matrix, or a 3x6 matrix.

Ex80. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex73 to Ex77 or Examples Ex73A to Ex77A, wherein the discrete light emitting units are configured as an annular matrix on or extending through a housing of the device.

Ex81. The method of Example Ex80, wherein the annular matrix is formed of 4 to 12 light emitting units, for example 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10, or 11 light emitting units. An aerosol-generating device comprising a single ring.

Ex82. In Example Ex80, the annular matrix comprises two concentric rings, each ring comprising 4 to 12 light emitting units, for example 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9. , or an aerosol generating device formed by 10 or 11 light-emitting units.

Ex83. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator comprising an LCD display screen or an OLED display screen.

Ex84. According to any of the previous embodiments, the progress of the event is determined and displayed by a visual indicator, and the progress through the first to nth display states corresponds to the light intensity or luminance displayed by the visual indicator. An aerosol-generating device, comprising an increase in

Ex85. The method according to any one of embodiments Exi to Ex83, wherein the progress of the event is determined and displayed by a visual indicator, and the progress through the first to nth display states is determined by the intensity or luminance of light displayed by the visual indicator. An aerosol-generating device comprising a corresponding reduction of .

Ex86. According to any of the preceding embodiments, the event is a first event, and the device is further configured to monitor progress of a second event and display progress in relation to the second event, wherein the second event is An aerosol-generating device, different from the first event.

Ex87. An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to display the progress of a first event and/or the status and/or progress of a second event during use of the aerosol-generating device, , the aerosol generating device,

A visual indicator configured to display the progress of the first event as a first sequence of first to nth different display states, and the status and/or progress of the second event as a second sequence of different display states (

n is a number greater than or equal to 7),

and configured to monitor the progress of the first event and control the visual indicator to display in a display state indicating the progress of the first event,

and a controller configured to control the visual indicator to monitor the second event and display a display state indicating the status and/or progress of the second event.

Ex88. The method according to embodiment Ex86 or Ex87, wherein the progress of the second event is displayed as a second sequence of first to nth different display states, wherein the second sequence of display states is different from the sequence of first display states, Aerosol generating device.

Ex89. The method of any one of embodiments Ex86 to Ex88, wherein the first event is an event type selected from a list consisting of a use session, a heat-up period, and a pause period, and the second event is a use session, a heat-up period, and a pause period. An event type selected from a list consisting of, and the event type of the second event is different from the event type of the first event.

Ex90. The method of any of embodiments 86-89, wherein the controller determines initiation of the first event, determines an event type of the first event, monitors progress of the first event, and provides the visual indicator. and configured to control and display a predetermined display state sequence indicating the progress of the first event, wherein the controller determines the start of the second event, determines an event type of the second event, and determines the second event. and monitor the status and/or progress of the second event, and control the visual indicator to display a predetermined sequence of display states indicative of the status and/or progress of the second event.

Ex91. The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 86-90, wherein the second event occurs after completion of the first event.

Ex92. The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 86-90, wherein the second event occurs during an interruption of the first event.

Ex93. The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 86-90, wherein the second event occurs before the onset of the first event.

Ex94. The method of any one of embodiments 86-93, wherein the device is further configured to monitor progress of a third event and display progress with respect to the third event, wherein the third event is configured to include the first event and the An aerosol-generating device, different from the second event.

Ex95. The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 86-94, wherein the first event is a warm-up event and the second event is a use session.

Ex96. The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 86-94, wherein the first event is a use session and the second event is a pause event.

Ex97. The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 86-94, wherein the first event is a warm-up event, the second event is a use session, and the third event is a pause event.

Ex98. According to any of the preceding embodiments, the user is configured to pause the first event and enter a pause period during the progress of the first event, wherein the display of the progress is resumed upon resumption of the first event. An aerosol-generating device, comprising a memory configured to store progress of the first event.

Ex99. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a user interaction interface, e.g., an interface selected from the list consisting of buttons, touch-sensitive buttons, strain-sensitive buttons, gesture recognition interfaces, haptic interfaces, and accelerometers. Device.

Ex100. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a power source, such as a battery, for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate.

Ex101. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate, for example a resistance heater or an induction heater.

Ex102. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device is controlled to operate with a solid aerosol-forming substrate.

Ex103. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device is controlled for operation with a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

Ex104. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a sensor, for example a sensor for detecting a parameter indicative of the progress of an event, for example a sensor for detecting a user interaction parameter.

Ex105. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to interact with one or more drivers to control the indicator to indicate the progress of a sequence of first to nth different display states.

Ex106. According to any of the previous embodiments, the device includes a visual indicator including a plurality of light-emitting units, and the controller interacts with one or more drivers to control the visual indicator to display the first to ninth different visual display states. An aerosol-generating device configured to indicate the progress of a sequence.

Ex107. According to any of the previous embodiments, the device includes control electronics; and

At least one visual indicator, such as a light emitting array comprising a plurality of light emitting units,

The control electronics are configured to independently control each one of the plurality of light emitting units as follows, wherein:

i) an off state in which the light emitting unit does not emit light;

ii) a first light emitting state in which the light emitting unit emits light at a first static luminance level; and

iii) a second light-emitting state in which the light-emitting unit emits light at a second static luminance level different from the first static luminance level,

The control electronics controls each one of the light emitting units to be in one of the off state, the first light emitting state and the second light emitting state to display the event to the user as a sequence of first to nth different visual display states. An aerosol-generating device configured to indicate progress.

Ex108. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein the device includes a plurality of light-emitting units, wherein the light-emitting units are LEDs.

Ex109. The method according to Embodiment Ex107 or Ex108, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting units is configured to be independently controlled to a different static brightness level for displaying the progress of the event, and at least one of the light emitting units displays light of a different color An aerosol-generating device that is controllable to indicate conditions such as low power levels, or proximity to the end of the event.

Ex110. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a visual indicator, the visual indicator comprising a plurality of windows for transmitting light to a user, preferably further comprising one or more waveguides.

Ex111. A method for operating an aerosol-generating device, comprising:

monitoring the progress of an event or operation performed by the aerosol-generating device, and controlling an indicator to display the progress of the event or operation as a sequence of first to nth different display states, where n is Number of 7 or more, method.

Ex112. A method of operating an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

Luminous indicator, and

A method comprising a controller for controlling the luminous indicator to indicate the progress of the event, wherein the luminous indicator indicates the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different display states, and n is a number greater than or equal to 7.

Ex113. A method for operating an aerosol-generating device, comprising:

monitoring the progress of an event or operation performed by the aerosol-generating device, and controlling a visual indicator to display the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different visual display states, where n is Number of 7 or more, method.

Ex114. The method according to Embodiment Ex113, wherein the plurality of light emitting units are controlled to a plurality of light emission intensities or brightness levels to display a sequence of first to nth different display states.

Ex115. The method according to any one of embodiments Ex111 to Ex114, which is used as a method of operating any of the devices defined in any of embodiments Exi to Ex110.

Now, the embodiment will be further described with reference to the drawings.
Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an aerosol-generating device.
Figure 2 shows a schematic top end view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 and an aerosol-generating article for use with the device.
Figure 4 is a block diagram providing a schematic diagram of the various electronic components of the aerosol-generating device of Figures 1-3 and their interactions.
Figure 5 shows an example illustrating the operation of the light-emitting array provided on the aerosol-generating device of Figures 1-4 along with progression through a usage session.
Figure 6 shows a second example illustrating the operation of the light-emitting array provided on the aerosol-generating device of Figures 1-4 along with progression through a usage session.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 are flow diagrams illustrating method steps involved in determining and indicating to a user the progress of a usage session, where progress is determined by time and puff coefficient.

1-3, the exemplary aerosol-generating device 10 is a handheld aerosol-generating device and has an elongated shape defined by a housing 20 that is substantially circular and cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-generating device (10) includes an open cavity (25) located at the proximal end (21) of the housing (20) for receiving an aerosol-generating article (30) comprising an aerosol-forming substrate (31). The aerosol-generating device 10 includes a battery (not shown) located within a housing 20 of the device, and at least an aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 30 when the aerosol-generating article 30 is received within the cavity 25. It further comprises an electrically operated heater element (40) arranged to heat the portion (31).

The aerosol-generating device is configured to receive a consumable aerosol-generating article (30). The aerosol-generating article (30) is in the form of a cylindrical rod and includes an aerosol-forming substrate (31). The aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate comprising tobacco. The aerosol-generating article 30 further comprises a mouthpiece, such as a filter 32, arranged in coaxial alignment with the aerosol-forming substrate within the cylindrical rod. The aerosol-generating article 30 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cavity 25 of the device 10 and a length greater than the depth of the cavity 25, such that the article 30 is positioned within the cavity 25 of the device 10. ), the mouthpiece 32 extends out of the cavity 25 and allows the user to inhale, similar to a conventional cigarette. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating article is 45 mm long and 7.2 mm in diameter.

In use, the user inserts the article 30 into the cavity 25 of the aerosol-generating device 10 and turns on the device 10 by pressing the user button 50 to activate the heater 40 to initiate a use session. . The heater 40 heats the aerosol-forming substrate of the article 30 so that the volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate 31 are released and sprayed to form an aerosol. The user draws on the mouthpiece of article 30 and inhales the aerosol generated from the heated aerosol-forming substrate. After activation, the temperature of heater 40 increases from ambient temperature to a predetermined temperature to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The control electronics of device 10 supply power from a battery to the heater to maintain the temperature of the heater at approximately a constant level as the user puffs the aerosol-generating article 30. The heater continues to heat the aerosol-generating article until the end of the use session, when the heater is deactivated and cooled.

At the end of the use session, article 30 can be removed from device 10 for disposal, and device 10 can be coupled to an external power source to charge the battery of device 10.

The aerosol-generating device further includes a light-emitting indicator 60 in the form of a light-emitting array, where the light-emitting array is an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The light-emitting array 60 is integrated within the housing 20 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The light emitting array 60 is formed of a linear array of six LEDs 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f extending between the first and second ends 62, 63 of the light emitting array. Light emitting array 60 also has a display window 64 that forms part of the exterior surface of housing 20. As described in more detail below, when in use, the light produced by each of the LEDs 61a-61f is directed toward the display window 64 so that it is visible to the user of the aerosol-generating article 10.

Figure 4 provides a schematic diagram of the various electronic components of the aerosol-generating device and their interactions.

The microcontroller or controller 12 located within the housing 20 is connected to the battery 11, heater 40, timer 430, emission control driver 13, and emission indicator 60. The luminescent indicator includes an array of six separate LEDs 61a-61f coupled to six waveguides 65a-65f to emit light 66a-65f visible to a user viewing the device.

Battery 11 supplies energy to heat heater 40 and operate other electrical components. The battery 11, when fully charged, has sufficient energy to power two full sessions of use of the aerosol-generating device. Battery 11 is a rechargeable battery and can be connected to an external power supply to be recharged.

Heater 40 converts the energy supplied by the battery into heat and heats the aerosol-generating device sufficiently to form an aerosol. During operation, controller 12 controls the energy supply from the battery to maintain the heater at a substantially constant aerosol generation temperature.

Timer 430 provides timing signals to controller 12. Luminous indicator 60 creates a visual indication to the user. Luminous indicator 60 is configured to emit a visual indication in response to control signals from controller 12. The battery 11 and the controller 12 are coupled to each other and located within the housing 20. Controller 12 also includes a memory module 12a. Controller 12 is ultimately coupled to both heater element 40 and luminescence control driver 13. The controller 12 and the emission control driver 13 collectively form the control electronics section 100 of the aerosol-generating device 10. A light emission control driver 13 is coupled to each of the LEDs 61a-61f. Waveguides 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d, 65e, 65f are provided between LEDs 61a-61f and display window 64. Each of the waveguides 65a-65f is associated with a respective one of the LEDs 61a-61f such that, in use, each waveguide functions to direct light generated by its associated one of the LEDs to the display window 64. Waveguides 65a-65f are in the form of discrete lengths of optical fiber.

Memory module 12a contains instructions for execution by controller 12 during use of device 10. The instructions stored in the memory module 12a include criteria for determining the duration of the usage session, plus other data and information regarding the control and operation of the aerosol-generating device 10. When activated, the controller 12 accesses the instructions contained in the memory module 12a and controls the supply of energy from the battery 11 to the heater element 40 according to the instructions contained in the memory module 12a. . The controller 12 also controls the energy supply to the emission control driver 13. As a result, the emission control driver 13 controls the LEDs ( 61a-61f) Control the electricity supply to each individually. As shown in Figure 4, the three different shapes of crosshatching representing the light 66a-66f produced by different of the LEDs 61a-61f represent three different intensities or static brightness levels.

At the viewpoint shown in FIG. 4, the luminance of the light emitting array 60 is overall symmetrical with respect to the center of the light emitting array. Accordingly, the two centrally located LEDs 61c and 61d are independently controlled by the light emission control driver 13 to emit light at a first predetermined static luminance level, and the neighboring light emitting diodes 61b and 61e are independently controlled by the light emission control driver 13. 2 are independently controlled to emit light at a predetermined static luminance level, and the outermost light emitting diodes 61a and 61f are independently controlled to emit light at a third predetermined static luminance level. Accordingly, each of the distinct LEDs in array 60 can be independently controlled to achieve first intensity or static brightness levels 66c, 66d, second intensity or static brightness levels 66b, 66e, and third intensity or static brightness levels (66b, 66e). Light can be emitted at 66a, 66f).

The aerosol-generating device 10 of this particular embodiment is configured to determine and monitor the progress of the usage session and to output a visual indication of the progress of the usage session as a sequence of different display states. Each of the six LEDs can be controlled to have two different intensity or static brightness levels. The two different intensities or static luminance levels can conveniently be set to 50% of the maximum intensity and 100% of the maximum intensity, although it is possible to specify different predetermined intensities. Therefore, it is possible to display the progress of a usage session in 13 sequences of different display states by using all six LEDs to provide a sequence of 12 luminous states and 1 non-luminous state.

In the simple example sequence shown in Figure 5, the visual indicator may begin progress in a first, fully illuminated state, and then sequentially cycle through the illumination of the six LEDs in a further 12 steps, ending when the last LED is fully switched off. Progress can be indicated by decreasing. Accordingly, the progress of an event, such as a usage session, may be displayed as a countdown, with the overall luminance of the visual indicator gradually decreasing as the progress of the event increases.

Figure 5 shows an array of six LEDs 61a-61f. Each LED can be switched off (indicated by intensity level = 0), illuminated at 50% of maximum intensity (indicated by intensity level = 1), or illuminated at 100% intensity (indicated by intensity level = 2).

As shown in Figure 6(a), all six LEDs in the visual indicator array emit at an intensity level of 2. For this sequence, it can be described as a visual indicator in the first state.

As shown in Figure 6(b), the top, or first, LED in the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of 1. All other LEDs are maintained at an intensity level of 2. This can be described as the visual indicator being in a second state.

In the third state, the top, or first, LED in the visual indicator array is illuminated at an intensity level of zero (ie, non-emitting). All other LEDs are maintained at an intensity level of 2.

In the fourth state shown in Figure 6(c), the second LED of the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of 1. The first LED has an intensity level of 0, and the third to sixth LEDs are maintained at an intensity level of 2.

In the fifth state, the second LED in the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of zero. The first LED has an intensity level of 0, and the third to sixth LEDs are maintained at an intensity level of 2.

In the sixth state shown in Figure 6(d), the third LED of the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of 1. The first and second LEDs have an intensity level of 0, and the fourth to sixth LEDs are maintained at an intensity level of 2.

In the seventh state, the third LED in the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of zero. The first and second LEDs have an intensity level of 0, and the fourth to sixth LEDs are maintained at an intensity level of 2.

In the eighth state shown in Figure 6(e), the fourth LED in the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of 1. The first, second and third LEDs have an intensity level of 0, and the fifth and sixth LEDs are maintained at an intensity level of 2.

In the ninth state, the fourth LED in the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of zero. The first, second and third LEDs have an intensity level of 0, and the fifth and sixth LEDs are maintained at an intensity level of 2.

In the tenth state shown in Figure 6(f), the fifth LED in the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of one. The first, second, third and fourth LEDs have an intensity level of 0, and the sixth LED is maintained at an intensity level of 2.

In the eleventh state, the fifth LED in the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of zero. The first, second, third and fourth LEDs have an intensity level of 0, and the sixth LED is maintained at an intensity level of 2.

In the twelfth state shown in Figure 6(g), the sixth LED in the visual indicator array emits at an intensity level of 1. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth LEDs have an intensity level of zero.

In the thirteenth state shown in Figure 6(h), all six LEDs in the visual indicator array are illuminated at an intensity level of zero. That is, the visual indicator does not emit light.

This same information can be expressed in tabular form as shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Representation of progress in a 1 x 6 array (2 = 100% intensity, 1 = 50% intensity, 0 = 0% intensity)

In a further example of a simple sequence representing progress, each of the six LEDs could be illuminated sequentially, with each LED stepping through first and second intensities. In this way, the overall luminance provided by visual indicator 60 increases gradually in a series of 13 steps, as shown in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Representation of progression in a 1 x 6 array (2 = 100% intensity, 1 = 50% intensity, 0 = 0% intensity)

In a further simple sequence to indicate progress, each of the six LEDs could be stepped sequentially through first, second and third intensities. The first intensity may be 33.3% of maximum intensity, the second intensity may be 66.6% of maximum intensity, and the third intensity may be 100% of maximum intensity. In this way, the overall luminance provided by visual indicator 60 gradually increases or decreases as a series of 19 steps. An example of incremental progression across 19 states (18 different lighting states and 1 state in which all LEDs are not illuminated) is shown in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Representation of progression in a 1 x 6 array (3 = 100% intensity, 2 = 66.6% intensity, 1 = 33.3% intensity, 0 = 0% intensity)

You can display progress through events such as usage sessions without using all six LEDs. For example, the progress of a usage session may be indicated by using the top three of six LEDs, or the bottom three of six LEDs. For example, each of the three LEDs can be controlled to 2, 3, or 4 different intensity or static brightness levels. Therefore, by using three LEDs it is possible to display the progress of a usage session as a sequence of seven different display states. This is shown in Figure 5.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, three LEDs 61a-61c form the top half of the light-emitting array 60, and three LEDs 61d-61f form the bottom half of the light-emitting array. The luminance control driver 13 controls the energy supply from the battery 11 to vary the static luminance level of the light emitted by each of the light emitting diodes 61a-61c in the upper half of the luminescence array 60 over the course of a usage session. is configured to gradually decrease and start with the uppermost first light emitting diode 61a. The light emitting diodes 61a-61c are controlled by the light emission control driver 13 to emit light with one of three predetermined static luminance levels or to be in a deactivated state in which no light is emitted. Predetermined static luminance levels are designated as 3rd, 2nd, and 1st reduced luminance, with the disabled state numbered as 0th order. At the start of a usage session, all light emitting diodes 61a-61c in the upper half of light emitting array 60 are controlled to emit light with a maximum static luminance level, i.e. level 3. Over the course of a usage session, the light emission control driver 13 adjusts the energy supply to each of the light emitting diodes 61a - 61c to change the static luminance level of the light emitted by the light emitting diodes 61a - 61c from level 3 to level 3. Gradually decrease to level 2, then level 1, and finally level 0. The effect of the light emission control driver 13 is to progressively deactivate the light emitting diodes 61a-61c in the upper half of the light emitting array 60, gradually increasing the activation length of the upper half of the light emitting array with progress through the usage session. It is to reduce. At the end of a usage session, all light emitting diodes 61a-61c of the upper half of the light emitting array are in a deactivated state, i.e. at level 0 (see Figure 6e). During the duration of this use session, the light emitting diodes 61d...f in the lower half of the light emitting array 60 remain deactivated at a luminance level of zero.

When the user starts a second use session, the light emitting diodes 61d - 61f forming the lower half of the light emitting array 60 are connected to the light emitting diodes 61a - 61c of the upper half of the light emitting array for the previous use session. It can be controlled by the light emission control driver 13 in a similar way. In this context, the second usage session follows the previous usage session and is powered by the energy remaining in the battery 11 after the previous usage session. Battery 11 will not be recharged between the previous and second use sessions. Accordingly, at the start of the second usage session, all light emitting diodes 61d-61f in the lower half of the light emitting array 60 are controlled to emit light with a maximum static luminance level, i.e. level 3. During a usage session, the light emission control driver 13 regulates the energy supply to each of the light emitting diodes 61d - 61f, gradually increasing the static luminance level of the light emitted by the light emitting diodes 61d - 61f from level 3 to level 0. and starts with the light emitting diode (61d). At the end of the second usage session, all light emitting diodes 61d-61f of the lower half of the light emitting array will be in an inactive state, ie at level 0. During the duration of this second use session, the light emitting diodes 61a-61c in the lower half of the light emitting array remain deactivated at a luminance level of zero.

When fully charged, the battery can provide enough energy for at least one full usage session. The battery may provide sufficient energy for two or more usage sessions (e.g., 20 usage sessions).

As described above, the selection of the first three LEDs to indicate the progress of the first use session, and the selection of the second three LEDs to indicate the progress of the second use session can be shown in Table 4 below. . In this table, each individual LED is controlled at a first and second intensity level. During the first use session, the first, second and third LEDs 61a-61c are used to indicate progress, and during the second use session, the fourth, fifth and sixth LEDs 61d-61f are used to indicate progress. It is used to indicate a situation.

Table 4: Representation of two successive progressions using a 1 x 6 array (2 = 100% intensity, 1 = 50% intensity, 0 = 0% intensity).

Aerosol-generating articles for use with the device have a finite amount of aerosol-forming substrate, and therefore a session of use needs to have a finite duration to prevent the user from attempting to generate an aerosol when the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted. there is. A usage session is configured to have a maximum duration determined by the period from the start of the usage session. The usage session is also configured to have a duration less than the maximum duration if the user interaction parameters recorded during the usage session reach a threshold before the maximum duration as determined by the timer.

In certain implementations, the user interaction parameter is the number of puffs taken by the user during a usage session. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the aerosol-generating device is configured such that each use session lasts 6.5 minutes (390 seconds) from the start of the use session, or when the user takes 14 puffs within 6.5 minutes from the start of the use session. It is configured to have 14 puffs taken. The exact puff time or number can be changed to any suitable value. For example, a session may have a duration limited to 6 minutes, or 5.5 minutes. As a further example, the number of puffs allowed may be limited to 13 or 12.

During a usage session, a user may wish to have an indication of progress through the usage session. For example, a user may want to know how many puffs are left, or approximately how many usage sessions are left.

The controller includes a puff counter to monitor the number of puffs taken during a use session. The number of puffs taken by the user is determined by monitoring the power supplied to the heater during the use session. When the user takes a puff, the flow of air cools the heater, and therefore, a greater amount of energy is supplied by the battery to maintain the heater's temperature at its operating temperature. Accordingly, by monitoring the power supplied by the heater, the controller can determine the number of puffs taken during a use session.

To monitor progress, a usage session is divided into a number of sequential stages, starting with the first stage when the usage session begins and ending with the final stage when the usage session ends, and moving from one stage to the next. The elapse of time is determined by time and number of puffs in the same way as a usage session. Each step is considered complete when the criteria for that step meet a predetermined threshold. As the usage session progresses through its sequential steps, the controller instructs the illuminated indicator to emit a signal indicating each successive step. Accordingly, the user approximately knows the progress of the usage session.

In a particular example, a usage session may be divided into 13 sequential steps for display purposes. Figures 7, 8 and 9 present flow diagrams illustrating method steps involved in indicating the progress of a usage session to a user.

Step 600: The user initiates a use session by inserting the aerosol-generating article 30 into the cavity 25 of the device 10 and pressing the user button 50.

Step 605: A timer is started to record the time elapsed during the use session and a puff counter is started to record the number of puffs taken during the use session.

Step 607: The first phase of the usage session is considered to have started when the usage session begins. The controller instructs the illuminated indicator 60 to output an indication of the first or initial progress status of the usage session.

Step 610: The first step ends after the user has taken one puff after 30 seconds from the start of the use session, or if the puff is taken before 30 seconds from the start of the use session. And the second stage begins.

Step 615: The controller instructs the illuminated indicator 60 to output an indication of the second progress status of the usage session.

Step 620: After the user has taken two puffs after 60 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 60 seconds from the start of the use session, the second step is: It ends and the third stage begins.

Step 625: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the third progress status of the usage session.

Step 630: After the user has taken three puffs after 90 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 90 seconds from the start of the use session, the third step is: It ends and the fourth stage begins.

Step 635: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the fourth progress status of the usage session.

Step 640: After the user has taken four puffs after 120 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 120 seconds from the start of the use session, step 4 is: It ends and the fifth stage begins.

Step 645: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the fifth progress status of the usage session.

Step 650: After the user has taken 5 puffs after 150 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 150 seconds from the start of the use session, step 5 is: It ends and the sixth stage begins.

Step 655: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the sixth progress status of the usage session.

Step 660: After the user has taken 6 puffs after 180 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 180 seconds from the start of the use session, step 6 is: It ends and the 7th stage begins.

Step 665: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the seventh progress status of the usage session.

Step 670: After the user has taken 7 puffs after 210 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 210 seconds from the start of the use session, step 7 is: It ends and the 8th stage begins.

Step 675: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the eighth progress status of the usage session.

Step 680: After the user has taken 8 puffs after 240 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 240 seconds from the start of the use session, step 8 is: It ends and the 9th stage begins.

Step 685: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the ninth progress status of the usage session.

Step 690: After the user has taken 9 puffs after 270 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 270 seconds from the start of the use session, step 9: It ends and the 10th stage begins.

Step 695: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the tenth progress status of the usage session.

Step 700: After the user has taken 10 puffs after 300 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 300 seconds from the start of the use session, step 10 is: It ends and the 11th stage begins.

Step 705: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the eleventh progress status of the usage session.

Step 710: After the user has taken 11 puffs after 330 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 330 seconds from the start of the use session, step 11 is: It ends and the 12th stage begins.

Step 715: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the twelfth progress status of the usage session.

Step 720: After the user has taken 11 puffs after 360 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 360 seconds from the start of the use session, step 12: It ends and the 13th stage begins.

Step 725: The controller instructs the luminous indicator 60 to output an indication of the thirteenth progress status of the usage session.

Step 730: Step 13 is the final step of the usage session. During the final phase, the user can take two puffs, bringing the total number of puffs during a usage session to 14. The indication of the thirteenth progress state may include a further indication that the thirteenth stage is the final stage. For example, output indications may include changes in color as well as changes in overall intensity to indicate progress. Step 13 ends after the user has taken 14 puffs after 390 seconds from the start of the use session, or if these puffs are taken before 390 seconds from the start of the use session.

Step 735: The usage session ends.

The same information presented in Figures 7-9 may be presented in tabular form, for example, as shown in Table 5 below.

Table 5 Stages of a usage session, including the indication states displayed and criteria for ending each stage in terms of number of puffs or time from the start of the usage session.

This embodiment divides a usage session into 13 sequential stages, each ending when certain criteria regarding the number of puffs taken or time elapsed are met. Each of the 13 sequential steps can be displayed in one of 13 sequential display states. As an example, if the aerosol-generating device has an indicator in the form of a six LED array, the 13 sequential indication states may be as shown in Table 1 or Table 2 above.

In a further specific embodiment, control of a use session in an aerosol-generating device as shown in Figures 1-4 may be determined with respect to the volume of aerosol delivered to the user during the use session. During a usage session, a user may wish to have an indication of progress through the usage session. For example, a user may want to know how much potentially transmissible aerosol remains, or approximately how many use sessions are left.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the aerosol-generating device is such that each use session lasts 6.5 minutes (390 seconds) from the start of the use session, or a predetermined volume of aerosol is delivered to the user within 6.5 minutes from the start of the use session. It is configured to have delivery of a predetermined maximum volume of aerosol when available. The predetermined maximum volume of aerosol may be, for example, 750 ml of aerosol. The threshold for time or aerosol-volume can be set to any suitable number.

The controller is configured to detect puffs taken during a use session. The puff start point and puff end point for each detected puff are determined by monitoring the power supplied to the heater during the use session. When the user takes a puff, the flow of air cools the heater, and therefore, a greater amount of energy is supplied by the battery to maintain the heater's temperature at its operating temperature. Accordingly, by monitoring the power supplied by the heater, the controller can determine the starting and ending points of the puffs taken during the use session. By integrating the monitored power between the sensed puff start point and the sensed puff end point, a calculated value for the delivered aerosol can be obtained. By summing the calculated values of aerosol delivered during a use session, a cumulative value of aerosol delivered during a use session can be obtained.

To monitor progress, a usage session is divided into a number of sequential stages, starting with the first stage when the usage session begins and ending with the final stage when the usage session ends, and moving from one stage to the next. The course of is determined by the time and cumulative volume of the delivered aerosol. As the usage session progresses through its sequential steps, the controller instructs the illuminated indicator to emit a signal indicating each successive step. Accordingly, the user approximately knows the progress of the usage session.

In a particular example, a usage session may be divided into nineteen sequential steps for display purposes. The user initiates a use session by inserting the aerosol-generating article 30 into the cavity 25 of the device 10 and pressing the user button 50. A timer is then started to record the elapsed time during the use session, and the controller is started to identify the puffs taken during the use session and calculate the volume of aerosol delivered during each puff. The first phase of a usage session is considered to have begun when the usage session begins.

While in the first phase, the controller instructs the illuminated indicator 60 to emit a signal indicating that the usage session is in the first phase. After 20 seconds have elapsed from the start of the use session, or, if the first predetermined volume of aerosol is delivered before 20 seconds have elapsed from the start of the use session, after the first predetermined volume of aerosol has been delivered after the start of the use session, the first predetermined volume The stage ends and the second stage begins. The first predetermined volume of aerosol may be, for example, 40 ml.

The second phase of the usage session is considered to have begun when the first phase ends. While in the second phase, the controller instructs the illuminated indicator 60 to emit a signal indicating that the usage session is in the second phase. After 40 seconds have elapsed from the start of the use session, or, if the second predetermined volume of aerosol is delivered before 40 seconds have elapsed from the start of the use session, then the second predetermined volume of aerosol has been delivered after the start of the use session. The stage ends and the third stage begins. The second predetermined volume of aerosol may be, for example, 80 ml.

This process is repeated for each of steps 3 to 19. After the 19th and final step, the usage session ends.

Information regarding the indication status associated with each step and the criteria for terminating each step is presented in Table 6 below.

Table 6: Stages of a usage session, including the indication states displayed and criteria for ending each stage in terms of aerosol volume or time from the start of the usage session.

This embodiment divides the usage session into nineteen sequential stages, each stage ending when certain criteria regarding delivered aerosol volume or elapsed time are met. Each of the nineteen sequential steps can be displayed in one of nineteen sequential display states. As an example, if an aerosol-generating device has an indicator in the form of a six LED array, the nineteen sequential indicator states may be as shown in Table 3 above.

Aerosol-generating devices can experience a number of different operational events. Additionally, it may be desirable for a user to be able to determine the progress or status of one or more of these events. In a further example, the aerosol-generating device is configured to undergo a pre-heat operation to increase the temperature of the heater from ambient temperature to operating temperature prior to the start of a use session. This warm-up operation or warm-up mode may be part of the use session, but may also be initiated prior to the use session. As described above with respect to a usage session, the warm-up operation may be divided into a number of sequential steps, and progress through each of these sequential steps may be indicated by one of a number of display states.

Progress through the preheating operation can be controlled with respect to temperature. Time can also be a control parameter, although the device can be configured to not activate a usage session if the temperature of the heater does not reach the predetermined operating temperature.

In a particular example using an aerosol-generating device as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the preheating operation is controlled by the temperature of the heater and is divided into 13 sequential steps, each step where the temperature of the heater reaches a predetermined threshold. It ends when the value is met. The temperature of the heater can be monitored directly by the use of a temperature sensor, for example a thermistor or thermocouple. Alternatively, the temperature of the heater may be derived by monitoring other parameters, for example by monitoring the current and/or voltage supplied to the heater. When the preheating operation is initiated, power is supplied to the heater and the temperature of the heater increases. In certain examples, the preheating step may end when the temperature of the heater reaches 390°C. The temperature at the end of the preheating step may be changed to any suitable temperature. Note that the temperature at the end of the preheating phase may be higher or lower than the desired operating temperature to generate aerosols during the use session.

Table 7 below presents steps and criteria for determining and indicating the progress of the preheat operation.

Table 7: Stages of preheating operation, including criteria for ending each stage in terms of displayed indication status and temperature.

This embodiment divides the preheating operation into 13 sequential stages, each stage ending when certain criteria regarding the temperature of the heater are met. Each of the 13 sequential steps can be displayed in one of 13 sequential display states. As an example, if the aerosol-generating device has an indicator in the form of a six LED array, the 13 sequential indication states may be as shown in Table 1 or Table 2 above.

In certain implementations, an aerosol-generating device as shown in FIGS. 1-4 may be configured to determine progress through more than one event and display progress related thereto. As a specific example, an aerosol-generating device may be configured to undergo a warm-up operation followed by a use session. The user initiates the preheating operation by inserting the aerosol-generating article 30 into the cavity 25 of the device 10 and pressing the user button 50. Power is supplied to the heater of the device and the controller is initiated to determine the temperature of the heater. The first stage of the preheating operation is considered to have started when the preheating operation begins. As the temperature of the heater increases, the controller instructs the visual indicator to display the sequence of indication states shown in Table 7 above. The display status can conveniently display the progress of the preheating operation by increasing the overall brightness provided by the visual indicator 60, as shown in Table 2 above. Therefore, at the beginning of the preheating operation, none of the six LEDs will illuminate, but at the end of the preheating operation, when the temperature of the heater has reached a predetermined level (e.g. 390°C), all six LEDs will be fully illuminated. It emits light.

The usage session begins as soon as the warm-up operation ends. A usage session may proceed as described above in Table 5, for example. The display status can conveniently display the progress of a usage session as a decrease in overall luminance provided by the visual indicator 60, as shown in Table 1 above. Thus, when a usage session begins, all six LEDs are illuminated, but at the end of the usage session, if the criteria for ending the usage session have been met, none of the LEDs are illuminated.

Accordingly, the device is configured to monitor and determine the progress of more than one different event and to display the progress of these different events as different sequences of display states.

For the purposes of this description and the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, quantities, percentages, etc. are to be understood in all instances as being modified by the term “about.” Additionally, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include therein any intermediate ranges that may or may not be specifically recited herein. Therefore, in this context, the number “A” is understood as “A” ± 10% of “A”. Within this context, the number “A” may be considered to include measurements that are within the normal standard error of measurement for the characteristic that the number “A” modifies. In some cases, as used in the appended claims, the number "A" may deviate by the percentages enumerated above, provided that the amount by which "A" deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel feature(s) of the claimed invention. there is. Additionally, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include therein any intermediate ranges that may or may not be specifically recited herein.

Claims (15)

An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device configured to display the progress of an event during use of the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:
an indicator configured to display the progress of the event as a sequence of first to nth different display states, where n is a number greater than or equal to 7;
and a controller configured to monitor the progress of the event and control the indicator to display in a display state indicative of the progress of the event. 2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to monitor parameters related to the progress of the event. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the parameters include time, number of user puffs, cumulative number of user puffs taken during the event, volume of aerosol delivered, cumulative volume of aerosol delivered during the event, accumulation of energy expended during the event. Volume, and current consumed, cumulative amount of current consumed during said event, temperature, temperature of the heating element, temperature of the susceptor, resistance of the heating element, and user interaction. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the events are operational steps of the aerosol-generating device, for example, the events include a use session, a heating period (e.g. a warm-up period), a calibration period, An aerosol-generating device, wherein the event is selected from a list consisting of a charging period, and a pause period. 5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the event, e.g. the usage session, comprises at least seven sequential steps, and the controller performs the first step during each of the at least seven sequential steps. The aerosol-generating device is configured to control the indicator to indicate a different one of a sequence of from to nth different display states. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator comprising a predetermined number (i) of distinct light emitting units, each light emitting unit emitting a predetermined number (j) of light of different intensity. wherein i is a number from 4 to 24 and j is a number from 2 to 5. 7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein each of the predetermined display state numbers j represents a light intensity level from 0% to 100% of the possible emission intensity. 8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein each of the separate light-emitting units is controlled to emit light at two different intensities, for example, at an intensity of about 50% of the possible emission intensity and about 100% of the possible emission intensity. 9. The device of claim 7 or 8, wherein each of the separate light emitting units has three different intensities, for example an intensity of about 33% of the possible emission intensity, an intensity of about 66% of the possible emission intensity, and an intensity of about 66% of the possible emission intensity. An aerosol-generating device controlled to emit light at 100% intensity. 10. The method of claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein each of the separate light emitting units emits four different intensities, for example about 25% of the possible emission intensity, about 50% of the possible emission intensity, about 75% of the possible emission intensity. %, and controlled to emit light at an intensity of about 100% of the possible emission intensity. 11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the discrete light emitting units are configured as a linear matrix on or extending through the housing of the device, or the discrete light emitting units extend on or through the housing of the device. An aerosol-generating device comprising an annular matrix. 12. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator comprising an LCD display screen or an OLED display screen. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the progress of the event is determined and displayed by a visual indicator, and the progress through the first to nth display states is determined and displayed by the visual indicator. an aerosol-generating device, wherein progression through the first to nth display states comprises a corresponding decrease in intensity or brightness of light displayed by the visual indicator. 14. The method of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the event is a first event and the device is further configured to monitor progress of a second event and display progress in relation to the second event, wherein the second event is different from the first event. 15. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the device includes control electronics; and
At least one visual indicator, such as a light emitting array comprising a plurality of light emitting units,
The control electronics are configured to independently control each one of the plurality of light emitting units as follows, wherein:
i) an off state in which the light emitting unit does not emit light;
ii) a first light emitting state in which the light emitting unit emits light at a first static luminance level; and
iii) a second light-emitting state in which the light-emitting unit emits light at a second static luminance level different from the first static luminance level,
The control electronics controls each one of the light emitting units to be in one of the off state, the first light emitting state and the second light emitting state to display the event to the user as a sequence of first to nth different visual display states. An aerosol-generating device configured to indicate progress.