KR20240027738A - Aerosol-generating device with user-selectable progression criteria - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate includes a controller configured to control a usage session. The controller is configured to control the usage session with reference to the first criterion or with reference to a second criterion that is different from the first criterion. The first criterion may be, for example, the number of puffs taken during the use session, and the second criterion may be, for example, the volume of aerosol generated during the use session. The ability to select different criteria for control of a usage session allows the user to configure control of the device to his or her preferences.

Description

Aerosol-generating device with user-selectable progression criteria

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 includes a controller configured to control an event, such as a usage session. The controller is configured to control the event by reference to a first criterion or by reference to a second criterion that is different from the first criterion. Control of an event may refer to a first standard or a second standard. For example, the controller may be configured to control the event duration with reference to a first criterion or with reference to a second criterion. The duration of an event may be different if it is controlled with reference to a first criterion rather than to a second criterion. The event is preferably a usage session.

Selection of criteria to be used as control inputs can occur automatically. For example, an aerosol-generating device may be activated based on external parameters, or based on monitored parameters, or based on the identity or type of aerosol-generating article inserted within the device, or based on a user ID, or based on the user ID and the user. The criteria used can be selected based on a combination of history or user usage profiles. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating device can be programmed with parameters allowing selection of criteria to be used at the start of a use session.

Selection of the criteria used may be user-selected. That is, the user can choose whether the usage session is controlled with reference to the first criterion or the second criterion.

By way of example, the first criterion may be the number of puffs taken by the user during a use session, which may be used in the control of the use session, for example, to control the duration of the use session and/or to control the thermal parameters used during the use session. It may be a parameter. In this example, the second criterion may be that the volume of aerosol generated during the use session is the parameter used in the control of the use session.

The user may decide that he or she prefers to use puff count as a control parameter because it is simple to take a predetermined number of puffs over the duration of a usage session. Perhaps the user expects to take a certain number of puffs per usage session. In this case, the user can select which first criterion is to be used as the control parameter. The controller then accesses the selection criteria, rules, which may be stored in memory, and applies the selection criteria to control the operation of the usage session using the puff count as a parameter.

However, the user may prefer to use the generated aerosol volume as a control parameter. A user may habitually take many light puffs, for example. If puff count is the control parameter, the user's usage session can be terminated before completely depleting the aerosol-forming substrate, or after a short period of time. Alternatively, users may habitually take a strong puff before the end of a puff control use session and completely deplete the aerosol-forming substrate, resulting in an unsatisfactory experience. In either situation, the user may prefer to select generated aerosol volume as a parameter for control of the usage session rather than puff control. Accordingly, an aerosol-generating device configured such that the usage session is controlled with reference to the first or second criteria may be adapted to suit the user's own usage style, for example to maximize the efficiency of aerosol generation over the duration of the usage session. It allows configuring the device to be controlled in a suitable manner.

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 a specific type of event that can be performed by an aerosol-generating device. 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 connected to a corresponding waveguide, such that the light emitted from each light-emitting unit is transmitted to one or more display windows via the corresponding waveguide.

In some devices, the controller may be configured to control a usage session relative to a first criterion, a second criterion, or at least one additional criterion that is different from the first or second criteria. The at least one additional criterion may be a combination of the first and second criteria, or a third or fourth criterion.

Preferably, the device includes a visual indicator configured to display the progress of the usage session during use of the aerosol-generating device. The controller is preferably configured to determine which criteria are being used to control usage sessions and control visual indicators to provide an indication of progress regarding selection criteria.

Preferably, the device comprises a user interface configured to enable the user to select either the first criteria or the second criteria or, if applicable, at least one additional criteria to be used to control the usage session. This interface may be a simple push button, or it may be a different type of button, for example a touch sensitive button. The interface may be a haptic interface, for example a gesture recognition interface. The interface may, for example, consist of software that allows the user to select criteria on a remote terminal or mobile device and communicate the selection to the controller, for example by means of a Wi-Fi connection or Bluetooth.

Advantageously, said first criterion, said second criterion or, if applicable, at least one additional criterion may be a criterion selected from the list consisting of:

(a) time, (b) number of user puffs, (c) aerosol generation volume, (d) monitored user interaction parameters, (e) combination of number and time of user puffs, (f) aerosol generation volume and time. a combination of, (g) a combination of monitored user action parameters and time, (h) a combination of time, number of user puffs, and volume of generated aerosol, and (i) time, number of user puffs, and monitored user Combination of interaction parameters.

The usage session preferably extends between session start and session stop. The aerosol-generating device may be configured to have a maximum duration determined by a threshold for selection criteria used to control the usage session. The duration of a usage session may be controlled relative to a criterion selected from a plurality of available criteria, for example a first criterion and a second criterion.

As an example, if the selection criterion is time, a usage session may have a maximum duration determined by a time threshold.

If the selection criterion is the number of user puffs, a usage session may have a maximum duration determined by a threshold number of user puffs taken during the usage session.

If the selection criterion is the volume of aerosol generated, the use session may have a maximum duration determined by the critical volume of aerosol generated during the use session.

If the selection criterion is a combination of the number and time of user puffs, a use session may have a duration determined by reference to both the threshold number and the threshold time of user puffs taken during the use session.

If the selection criterion is a combination of volume and time of aerosol generation, a use session may have a duration determined with reference to both the critical volume and the critical time of aerosol generated during the use session.

The aerosol-generating device preferably includes a timer, for example a timer in communication with a controller. The preferred device is configured such that a usage session has a maximum duration determined by a time threshold, although other criteria are referenced in the control of the usage session.

The aerosol-generating device may be configured to monitor user interaction parameters indicative of user interaction. For example, such user interaction parameters 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 a use session.

The aerosol-generating device may include a puff counting device and/or a puff sensor for determining the number of puffs taken by a user during a use session. Puffs can be determined by simply receiving a signal from a puff sensor, for example an airflow sensor. Alternatively, parameters regarding the power delivered to the heater can be analyzed by the controller to determine the user puff. For example, during a user puff, the heater is cooled by the airflow generated by the puff. Accordingly, more power can be delivered by the power supply to maintain the heater at a predetermined operating temperature. This power difference can be sensed by the controller to identify the start and end of the user's puff.

Advantageously, the device may include a visual indicator comprising a plurality of light-emitting units, and control electronics, such as a controller, independently control each one of the plurality of light-emitting units to inform the user of the progress of the usage session. It is constructed to represent. In a preferred example, the controller may be configured to control a visual indicator to indicate the progress of a usage session, wherein the luminous indicator is 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 4.

The number of display states is preferably 7 or more, or 10 or more. That is, the number n is preferably 7 or 10 or more. 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 an event or usage session. However, if the number of states is too large, it may be more difficult to achieve meaningful distinctions between adjacent states in the sequence. Displaying a larger number of display states requires increased device complexity. For example, a display with more than seven display states would require a larger number of indicators, such as LEDs, a larger number of drivers for the indicators, and greater complexity in the controller and its programming. Additionally, there are additional power supply considerations with larger numbers of LEDs, and more LEDs may require additional considerations related to thermal management. However, greater complexity preferably provides greater functionality.

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 four 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 2 to 24, 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.

Advantageously, the device may comprise a visual indicator comprising a plurality of light-emitting units as described above, wherein the control electronics independently control each of the plurality of light-emitting units, such that the usage session is determined by the first configured to display a first indication to indicate to the user the progress of the usage session when controlled by a criterion, and to display a first indication to the user to indicate the progress of the usage session when the usage session is controlled by the second criterion. and configured to display a second indication that is visually distinguishable from the first indication. For example, my The first display and/or the second display may be a light-emitting sequence displayed by a plurality of light-emitting units. Preferably, the first indication is a different emission sequence than the second indication and/or the first indication is a different color emission than the second indication. Accordingly, the user can distinguish whether either the first criterion or the second criterion is being used to control the usage session.

Exemplary aerosol-generating devices are configured or operated such that an event, for example a usage session, is divided into a plurality of n sequential steps. For example, in a plurality of n sequential steps, a first step of the n sequential steps has a first step duration defined by a first step start and a first step end, and the first step is It starts at the start of an event, for example the start of a session. 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. Each of the plurality of n sequential steps can be conveniently represented by one of a first to nth sequence of different visual display states, where n is the same value.

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. Accordingly, the user interaction parameter may be considered a criterion, for example a primary criterion or a secondary criterion. The duration of any one or each of the n sequential steps may be controlled with reference to a user interaction parameter and at least one additional parameter, in which case the combination of the user interaction parameter and the at least one additional parameter controls the event. It will be considered a standard for.

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, for example usage sessions, may be controlled on criteria based on the number of user puffs monitored, for example a usage session has a threshold user puff number of 10 to 14, for example about 12.

In some examples, events, such as usage sessions, may be controlled on a basis based on monitored or calculated values representing the volume of aerosol generated. For example, 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 the user puff configured to analyze parameters monitored during the user's puff to calculate a puff volume, which is the aerosol volume generated during the puff volume; It can be configured to be used as a parameter regarding . 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.

Direct measurement of the actual volume of generated aerosol 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. The aerosol volume can then be derived or calculated, for example, by determining the power supplied to the heater during the puff and relating this power to the volume of aerosol delivered by the aerosol-generating device during the puff.

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

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 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 of operating an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating device includes a controller configured to control a usage session, wherein the controller comprises: Determine whether a first criterion for control of a session or a second criterion for control of the usage session that is different from the first criterion is selected, and the controller determines whether the selected one of the first criterion and the second criterion is selected. Based on the usage session, it is controlled. The first criterion or the second criterion may be used to control the duration of the usage session. The method may include the user selecting whether the first or second criteria will be used to control the usage session.

The method may further include determining progress of the usage session, and controlling a visual indicator to display the progress. The method may operate in conjunction with any device described herein.

In a further aspect, the invention may provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device being configured to display the progress of events during use of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may include a visual indicator, comprising a plurality of light-emitting units configured to display the progress of an event. The memory is programmed with a first display mode capable of displaying the progress of the event and a second display mode capable of displaying the progress of the event. The device is configured to allow the user to select which of the first display mode and the second display mode is used to display the progress of the event. Additional display modes may be available for the user to select different user modes that may be stored on or programmed into memory.

The event may be an event type selected from a list consisting of use session, heating period (eg, warm-up period), calibration period, charging period, and pause period.

Accordingly, the user can select a desired type of display mode from a plurality of such modes available for selection. Users may find one such mode easier to understand than another. For example, the user may prefer that the progress of an event be displayed as a countdown with decreasing intensity, or the progress display may include a blinking light, or the user may prefer that the progress of the event be displayed as a countdown with decreasing intensity, or the user may prefer that the progress display is higher or lower. You may prefer to be displayed at a lower intensity. When a user can select different criteria to control an event, for example a usage session, the user can select which of a plurality of available display modes is used to display progress when controlled by the first criteria. It is possible to select, and when controlled by the second criteria, any of a plurality of available display modes to be used to display the progress.

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.

Preferably, the event is a usage event, eg a usage event with a duration extending between the start of the usage session and the end of the usage session.

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.

Preferably, the first display mode is a first predetermined sequence of different display states, and the second display mode is a second predetermined sequence of different display states. In some examples, the first display mode may be configured to display the progress of an event at a different resolution than the second display mode. Some users may be able to assimilate information more consistently if that information is available in more or less granular form. A device configured to switch between different resolutions may improve the overall experience for some users by allowing them to select a display mode that suits their style of using the aerosol-generating device. Such devices may be technically more complex, since they need to include means to enable the user to switch between different display modes, and the memory may be capable of storing at least two different display modes. It is necessary to have the capacity, and the device also needs to include associated drivers and display means, for example LED drivers and LEDs, so that displays at different resolutions can be implemented.

The first display mode may display the progress of an event between an event start and an event end, for example a usage session event, in a first number of different display states. The second display mode may display the progress of the event between the event start and the event end as a second number of different display states, the second number being higher than the first number. For example, the first number may be 3 to 12, such as 4 to 8, or about 6, and the second number may be 6 to 72 or 6 to 144, such as 12 to 56, such as 18 to 6. It could be 36.

One way to change the resolution may be to change the number of different intensities at which each of the plurality of light emitting units can display light. For example, in a first display mode, each one of the plurality of light emitting units, e.g. LEDs, is driven to emit light at one of two intensities, e.g. 50% of the maximum intensity and 100% of the maximum intensity. It can be. In the second display mode, the same light emitting unit can be driven to emit light at one of three intensities, for example, 33.3% of maximum intensity, 66.6% of maximum intensity, and 100% of maximum intensity. By increasing the number of allowable intensities at which light can be emitted, the number of display states can be increased.

One way to change the resolution may be to change the number of light emitting units involved in the display of any particular state. For example, the controller controls two or three or more groups of the plurality of light emitting units simultaneously to display the progress of an event at the first resolution, and independently controls each one of the plurality of light emitting units to display the progress of the event at the first resolution. It may be configured to display the progress of the event at a second, higher resolution.

It is noted that any device as described above in connection with another aspect of the invention may advantageously be configured such that progress information can be displayed in at least a first display mode and a second display mode. These devices are configured to allow the user to select a specific display mode to suit the user's needs.

In a further aspect, the present invention may provide a method of operating an aerosol-generating device configured to display progress of events during use of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may include a visual indicator, comprising a plurality of light-emitting units configured to display the progress of an event. The memory is programmed with a first display mode capable of displaying the progress of the event and a second display mode capable of displaying the progress of the event. The method includes the user selecting which of the first display mode and the second display mode is used to display the progress of the event. The method may operate in conjunction with any device 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 embodiments may be combined with any one or more features of other embodiments, implementations, or aspects described herein.

Exi. An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device comprising a controller configured to control an event. The controller is configured to control the event by reference to a first criterion or by reference to a second criterion that is different from the first criterion.

Exii. An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate according to Example Exi, wherein the aerosol-generating device includes a controller configured to control an event. The controller is configured to select either a first criterion or a second criterion different from the first criterion and control the event with reference to the selected criterion.

Ex1. An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device comprising a controller configured to control a usage session, wherein the controller refers to a first reference or refers to a second reference that is different from the first reference. An aerosol-generating device configured to control said usage session.

Ex1a. For generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate according to any one of embodiments Exi, Exii, or Ex1, the aerosol-generating device comprises a controller configured to control a usage session, the controller comprising a first criterion and the first criterion. and configured to select one of the second criteria different from and control the event with reference to the selected criteria.

Ex1b. For generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate according to any one of embodiments Exi, Exii, or Ex1, the aerosol-generating device comprises a controller configured to control a usage session, the controller comprising a first criterion and the first criterion. and configured to control the event with reference to a selected one of the first and second criteria.

Ex2. The aerosol-generating device of embodiment Ex1, Ex1a, or Ex1b, wherein the controller is configured to control the duration of the use session with reference to the first criterion or with reference to the second criterion.

Ex3. According to any of the previous embodiments, the controller is configured to control the usage session with respect to the first criterion, the second criterion, or at least one additional criterion different from the first criterion or the second criterion. Aerosol generating device.

Ex4. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device includes a visual indicator configured to display the progress of the usage session during use of the aerosol-generating device.

Ex5. According to any of the preceding embodiments, the device is configured to allow a user to select either the first criteria or the second criteria or, if applicable, at least one additional criterion to be used to control the usage session. An aerosol-generating device comprising a user interface.

Ex6. According to any of the preceding embodiments, the first criterion, the second criterion, or, if applicable, at least one additional criterion is (a) time, (b) number of user puffs, (c) aerosol generation volume, (d) a list of monitored user interaction parameters, (e) a combination of number and time of user puffs, (f) a combination of aerosol generation volume and time, and (g) a combination of monitored user interaction parameters and time. An aerosol-generating device, which is a standard selected from .

Ex7. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the use session extends between session start and session stop.

Ex8. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the use session is configured to have a maximum duration determined by a threshold for the selection criteria used to control the use session.

Ex9. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the duration of the use session is controlled with respect to a criterion selected from a plurality of available criteria, for example a first criterion and a second criterion.

Ex10. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex9, wherein when the selection criterion is time, the usage session has a maximum duration determined by a time threshold.

Ex11. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex9 or Ex10, wherein when the selection criterion is the number of user puffs, the use session has a maximum duration determined by the threshold number of user puffs taken during the use session.

Ex12. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex9 to Ex11, wherein when the selection criterion is the volume of aerosol generated, the use session has a maximum duration determined by the critical volume of aerosol generated during the use session.

Ex13. The method of any one of Examples Ex9 to Ex12, wherein when the selection criterion is a combination of number and time of user puffs, the use session is a duration determined with reference to both the threshold time and the threshold number of user puffs taken during the use session. Aerosol-generating device with time.

Ex14. The method of any of Examples Ex9 to Ex12, wherein when the selection criterion is a combination of aerosol generation volume and time, the use session has a duration determined with reference to both the critical volume and the critical time of aerosol generated during the use session. Having, an aerosol generating device.

Ex15. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising a timer.

Ex16. The aerosol-generating device of any of the preceding embodiments, configured to monitor user interaction parameters indicative of user interaction.

Ex17. The method of Example Ex16, wherein the user interaction parameter represents a user puff taken during the use session, or the user interaction parameter represents the volume of aerosol released by the aerosol-forming substrate or delivered to the user during the use session. representing an aerosol-generating device.

Ex18. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device includes a puff counting device and/or a puff sensor for determining the number of puffs taken by a user during the use session.

Ex19. According to any of the previous embodiments, the device includes a visual indicator including a plurality of light-emitting units, and control electronics independently control each one of the plurality of light-emitting units to monitor the progress of the usage session to the user. An aerosol-generating device, configured to indicate to an aerosol-generating device.

Ex20. According to any of the previous embodiments, the device includes a visual indicator including a plurality of light-emitting units, the controller is configured to control the visual indicator to display the progress of the usage session, and the light-emitting indicator is configured to display the event configured to display the progress of as a sequence of first to nth different display states, where n is a number of 4 or more.

Ex21. In embodiment Ex19 or Ex20, the control electronics/controller independently controls each of the plurality of light emitting units by at least the following:

i) 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 are configured to control each of the light-emitting units to be in one of the off state, the first light-emitting state, and the second light-emitting state, so as to display the progress of the use session of the aerosol-generating device to the user. an aerosol generating device.

Ex22. According to any of the preceding embodiments, the device includes a visual indicator including a plurality of light-emitting units, and control electronics independently control each of the plurality of light-emitting units, such that the use session is determined by the first configured to display a first indication to indicate to the user the progress of the usage session when controlled by a criterion, and to display a first indication to the user to indicate the progress of the usage session when the usage session is controlled by the second criterion. An aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to display a second indicia that is visually distinguishable from the first indicia.

Ex23. The aerosol-generating device according to embodiment Ex22, wherein the first indication and/or the second indication is a lighting sequence displayed by the plurality of light emitting units.

Ex24. The aerosol-generating device of embodiment Ex23, wherein the first indication is a different illumination sequence than the second indication and/or the first indication is a different color light emission than the second indication.

Ex25. 1. A method of operating an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating device includes a controller configured to control a usage session, wherein the controller comprises: a first criterion for controlling the usage session; Determining whether a second criterion for control of the usage session that is different from a first criterion is selected, and controlling the usage session based on the selected one of the first criterion and the second criterion.

Ex26. The method of embodiment Ex25, wherein the first criterion or the second criterion is used to control the duration of the use session.

Ex27. The method of Embodiment Ex 25 or Ex 26, comprising the user determining whether the first criteria or the second criteria will be used to control the usage session.

Ex28. The method of any of embodiments Ex25-Ex27, comprising determining progress of the usage session, and controlling a visual indicator to display the progress.

Ex29. The method of any one of Examples Ex25 to Ex28, comprising operating the method for any of the devices defined in Examples Ex1 to Ex24.

Ex30. To generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device is configured to display the progress of events during use of the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

and a visual indicator including a plurality of light-emitting units configured to display the progress of the event, wherein the memory includes a first display mode capable of displaying the progress of the event and a second display mode capable of displaying the progress of the event. An aerosol-generating device programmed with two display modes, wherein the device is configured to allow a user to select which of the first display mode and the second display mode is used to display the progress of the event.

Ex31. The aerosol-generating device of Example Ex30, wherein the event is a use event, e.g., a use event having a duration extending between the start of the use session and the end of the use session.

Ex32. The aerosol-generating device according to embodiment Ex30 or Ex31, wherein the first display mode is a first predetermined sequence of different display states and the second display mode is a second predetermined sequence of different display states.

Ex33. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments Ex30 to Ex32, wherein the first display mode is configured to display the progress of the event at a different resolution than the second display mode.

Ex34. The method of embodiment Ex33, wherein the first display mode displays the progress of the event, for example the usage event, in a first number of different display states between the start of the event and the end of the event, and the second display mode displays the progress of the event in a second number of different display states between the start of the event and the end of the event, the second number being a higher number than the first number.

Ex35. The method of Example Ex34, wherein the first number is 3 to 12, such as 4 to 8, or about 6, and the second number is 6 to 72, such as 12 to 56, such as 18 to 36. , aerosol generating device.

Ex36. According to any one of embodiments Ex30 to Ex35, the controller simultaneously controls two or more groups of the plurality of light emitting units to display the progress of the event at a first resolution, and each one of the plurality of light emitting units configured to independently control to display the progress of the event at a second resolution higher than the first resolution.

Ex37. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex24, further comprising the features of any one of the aerosol-generating devices defined in Examples Ex30 to Ex36.

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 controlling and displaying the progress of a usage session to the user, control performed with reference to first criteria including both time and puff count; indicates.

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 section (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, 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 that is 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 may include at least first and second criteria for controlling the use session, for example for determining the duration of the use session, plus control and operation of the aerosol-generating device 10. Includes other data and information. 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 produce a first intensity or static brightness level (66c, 66d), a second intensity or static brightness level (66b, 66e), and a third intensity or static brightness level (66b, 66e). Light can be emitted at 66a, 66f).

The aerosol-generating device 10 of this particular embodiment is configured to control the use session and determine and monitor the progress of the use session, and is configured to output a visual indication of the progress of the use 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 within the visual indicator array is illuminated at an intensity level of zero (i.e., not illuminated). 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 upper half of the light emitting array 60, and three LEDs 61d - 61f form the lower 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. Whichever criteria is chosen for usage session control, the 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.

The aerosol-generating device can be operated such that the usage session is controlled against a first criterion or a second criterion different from the first criterion. Instructions for both criteria are stored in memory and the controller implements the selected control criterion. The user can select whether the first or second criteria is used to control the usage session by accessing the menu using user button 50.

In certain implementations, the first criterion for controlling a usage session is a user interaction parameter regarding the number of puffs taken by the user during the usage session. Accordingly, in this particular embodiment, the aerosol-generating device determines that if the first criterion is selected and 14 puffs are taken within 6.5 minutes from the start of the use session, then each use session lasts 6.5 minutes (390 seconds) from the start of the use session. ), or 14 puffs taken by the user. The exact number of puffs or time can be varied 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 the usage session, the user may wish to have an indication of progress through the usage session. For example, when using the first criterion above, the user may want to know how many puffs remain, or approximately how many usage sessions remain.

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 when using puff counts as part of the first criterion.

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. The user selects a primary criterion for control of the usage session.

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 five 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 six 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 luminescent 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 displayed indication states ; Use sessions controlled according to the first criteria for ending each phase in terms of puff count or time from the start of the use session.

This embodiment divides a usage session into 13 sequential stages, each stage ending when a first criterion regarding the number of puffs taken or the time elapsed is 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 this particular embodiment, the second criterion for control of the use session in the aerosol-generating device includes 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, when operating the device under a second selection criterion, the user may wish to know how much potentially transmissible aerosol remains, or approximately how many sessions of use remain.

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 controlled according to the second selected criteria may be divided into 13 sequential steps for presentation 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. The user selects a second criterion for control of the usage session. 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 30 seconds have elapsed from the start of the use session, or, if the first predetermined volume of aerosol is delivered before 30 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, 60 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 60 seconds have elapsed from the start of the use session, or, if the second predetermined volume of aerosol is delivered before 60 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, 120 ml.

This process is repeated for each of the third to thirteenth steps. After the thirteenth 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 displayed indication states using a secondary criterion 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 13 sequential stages, each stage ending when a second criterion regarding delivered aerosol volume or elapsed time is 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 Tables 1 or 2 above.

Preferably, the device is configured such that a different display state or display mode is used when the usage session is controlled with reference to the first reference compared to when the usage session is controlled with reference to the second reference. For example, the display states presented in Table 1 can be used to indicate progress when the device is controlled against a first criterion, and the indicator states presented in Table 2 can be used to indicate progress when the device is controlled against a second criterion. It can be used to indicate a situation.

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 may be controlled with respect to temperature, for example the temperature of the heater may be the first criterion. Additionally, time may be a control parameter, for example the device may be configured to not initiate a usage session if the temperature of the heater does not reach the predetermined operating temperature, but the time taken for the warm-up operation may be a secondary criterion. there is. Selection of criteria for controlling the preheating operation is best accomplished automatically using a predetermined selection protocol programmed into the device.

In a particular example using an aerosol-generating device as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the preheating operation is controlled by a first criterion of the temperature of the heater and is divided into 13 sequential steps, each step being a temperature of the heater. It ends when meets a predetermined threshold. 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 displaying the progress of the preheating operation according to a first criterion based on the temperature of the heater.

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, a user can select a display mode to be used for the display from a plurality of such display modes. Accordingly, the device may be configured to allow a user to select to display the progress of a usage session using a display mode set forth in Table 1, or alternatively, a user may select a display mode set forth in Table 2. The device may have memory programmed with several possible display modes. The user can select which of a plurality of possible display modes is used to display the progress of the usage session controlled by the first criteria and to be used to display the progress of the usage session controlled by the second criteria.

In certain implementations, a user can select a first display mode or a second display mode to display the progress of an event, such as a usage session, with the first display mode having a different resolution than the second display mode. By way of example, the above-described device may control the duration of a use session based on a first criterion of puff count or a second criterion of generated aerosol volume. As described above, the progress of a usage session is displayed as a sequence of 13 display states, for example as shown in Tables 1 or 2 above. For example, display of progress according to the sequence shown in Table 1 may be the first display mode. However, the user may wish to display progress at a larger resolution. The device may be programmed to display the progress of the usage session according to a second display mode, for example a display mode comprising 19 sequential display steps.

When the user selects the second display mode, the controller may control the indicator to effect the second display mode. Accordingly, in a particular example, the user may determine that control of the usage session is performed with respect to a second criterion, i.e. using the volume of the aerosol generated, and also that the display mode can be selected from one of the 13 display states specified by the first display mode (e.g. , as shown in Table 6), rather than a second display mode that displays the progress of the usage session as a series of 19 display states. In this particular example, if the second display mode is selected, the use session still has a duration of 6.5 minutes (390 seconds) from the start of the use session, or delivery of a volume of 750 ml of aerosol. However, usage sessions are broken down into more steps to allow progress to be displayed at higher resolution.

Accordingly, in this particular example, the usage session may be divided into nineteen sequential steps for display purposes under the second display mode. 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 8 below. This can be compared to the decomposition of different display states as shown in Table 6 above.

Table 8: 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.

In an alternative example showing a change in display resolution between a user-selectable first and second display modes, the controller of the aerosol-generating device may determine the same lighting conditions for successive display states to reduce the resolution of the progress display. It can be configured to operate. Thus, as an example, the first display mode may use the progression shown in Table 1, where the progression of a usage session is presented as a sequence of 13 display states of decreasing luminescence. To reduce the resolution of the display, the controller can control the lighting state of the LEDs to iterate over successive display states, as shown in Table 9. We can see that the LED now only emits light when emitting either 100% intensity or 0% intensity. In addition, the first and second display states are identical to each other, the third and fourth display states are identical to each other, the fifth and sixth display states are identical to each other, the seventh and eighth display states are identical to each other, It can be seen that the 9th and 10th display states are the same as each other, and the 11th and 12th display states are the same as each other. As a result, the progress of the same usage session is presented as a sequence of seven display states of decreasing luminescence.

Table 9: Representation of progress in a 1 x 6 array (2 = 100% intensity, 0 = 0% intensity)

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.

As shown, the user can select criteria for controlling events, particularly usage sessions, from a plurality of available criteria. The user can also select the particular display mode used to display the progress of the event from a plurality of possible display modes. In some cases, different display modes may display progress at different resolutions. The increase in device complexity and control elements of the device can be offset by improvements in functionality, efficiency, and user experience.

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 comprising a controller configured to control a usage session, wherein the controller controls one of a first criterion and a second criterion different from the first criterion. and configured to control the usage session with reference to the selected criteria, wherein both the first criteria and the second criteria include (a) time, (b) number of user puffs, and (c) aerosol generation. volume, (d) monitored user interaction parameters, (e) combination of number and time of user puffs, (f) combination of aerosol generation volume and time, and (g) combination of monitored user interaction parameters and time. A device, the criteria for which is selected from a list made up. 2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the duration of the use session with reference to the first criterion or with reference to the second criterion. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to control the usage session with respect to the first criterion, the second criterion, or at least one additional criterion different from the first criterion or the second criterion. , aerosol generating device. 4. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises a visual indicator configured to display the progress of the usage session during use of the aerosol-generating device. 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device allows the user to select either the first criterion or the second criterion, or, if applicable, at least one additional criterion to be used to control the usage session. An aerosol-generating device comprising a user interface configured to enable 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one additional criterion is (a) time, (b) number of user puffs, (c) aerosol generation volume, (d) monitored user interaction parameter, (e) number of user puffs. and time, (f) a combination of aerosol generation volume and time, and (g) a combination of the monitored user interaction parameters and time. 7. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the use session is configured to have a maximum duration determined by a threshold for the selection criteria used to control the use session. ,
For example, if the duration of the usage session is controlled relative to a criterion selected from a plurality of available criteria, e.g. a first criterion and a second criterion, or if the selection criterion is time, the usage session is determined by a time threshold. has a maximum duration determined by, or, if the selection criterion is the number of user puffs, then the usage session has a maximum duration determined by the threshold number of user puffs taken during the usage session, or when the selection criterion occurs In the case of volume of aerosol, the use session has a maximum duration determined by the critical volume of aerosol generated during the use session, or if the selection criterion is a combination of the number and time of user puffs, the use session has a maximum duration determined by the critical volume of aerosol generated during the use session. has a duration determined by reference to both a threshold number of user puffs taken during a use session and a threshold time, or, if the selection criteria is a combination of aerosol generation volume and time, the use session is a threshold number of aerosols generated during the use session. A device having a duration determined by reference to both time and critical volume. 8. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, configured to monitor user interaction parameters indicative of user interaction. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the user interaction parameter represents a user puff taken during the use session, or the user interaction parameter represents a volume of aerosol released by the aerosol-forming substrate or delivered to the user during the use session. representing an aerosol-generating device. 10. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises a puff counting device and/or a puff sensor for determining the number of puffs taken by a user during the use session. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the device includes a visual indicator including a plurality of light-emitting units, and the controller is configured to control the visual indicator to display the progress of the usage session, 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 a number of 4 or more. 12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the device includes a visual indicator including a plurality of light emitting units, and the control electronics independently control each of the plurality of light emitting units to enable the use of the device. configured to display a first indication to indicate to a user the progress of the usage session when the session is controlled by the first criterion, and wherein the usage session is controlled by the second criterion. The aerosol-generating device is configured to display a second indication visually distinguishable from the first indication to indicate to the user the progress of the aerosol-generating device. 13. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the first indication and/or the second indication is a lighting sequence displayed by the plurality of light emitting units. 14. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 13, wherein the first indicia is a different illumination sequence than the second indicia and/or the first indicia is a different color illumination than the second indicia. 1. A method of operating an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating device includes a controller configured to control a usage session, wherein the controller is configured to: Determine whether a second criterion is selected for control of the usage session that is different from the first criterion, and controls the usage session based on the selected one of the first criterion and the second criterion, wherein the first criterion is: and both of the above second criteria are (a) time, (b) number of user puffs, (c) aerosol generation volume, (d) monitored user interaction parameters, (e) a combination of number and time of user puffs, (f) a combination of aerosol generation volume and time, and (g) a combination of the monitored user interaction parameters and time.