WO2024045156A1

WO2024045156A1 - Aerosol-generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2024045156A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/116728
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guoqiang CAI; Hongjie XU; Johnny GRZAN
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2022-09-02
Filing date: 2022-09-02
Publication date: 2024-03-07

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is proposed, which comprises control circuitry operatively coupled to an energy storage configured to supply electrical energy to the control circuitry for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating article. The control circuitry is configured to receive a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions which the aerosol-generating device is provides after the energy storage has been charged, and limit operation of the aerosol-generating to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter.

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of aerosol-generating devices and systems for generating aerosol. In particular, the present disclosure relates to electronic aerosol-generating devices and systems configured to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of an aerosol-generating article or substrate. The present disclosure further relates to use of an aerosol-generating device or system, to a method of operating an aerosol-generating device or system, to a corresponding computer program and to a computer-readable medium storing such computer program.

Aerosol-generating devices are typically designed as handheld devices that can be used by a user for consuming or experiencing, for instance in one or more usage sessions, aerosol generated by heating an aerosol-generating substrate or at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article comprising such substrate. It will be appreciated that aerosol-generating devices can generate aerosol by other means, such as for example by vibrating, by spraying or other means.

Exemplary aerosol-generating substrates can comprise solid substrate material, such as tobacco material or tobacco cast leaves ( “TCL” ) material. The substrate material can, for example, be assembled, often with other elements or components, to form a substantially stick-shaped aerosol-generating article. Such a stick or aerosol-generating article can be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-generating device, which, for example, can comprise a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article and/or the aerosol-generating substrate. Alternatively or additionally, aerosol-generating substrates can comprise one or more liquids and/or solids, which can for example be supplied to the aerosol-generating device in the form of a cartridge or container. Exemplary aerosol-generating articles can comprise a cartridge or container that contains or is fillable with the liquid and/or solid substrate, which can be vaporized during aerosol consumption by the user based on heating the substrate. Usually, such cartridge can be coupled to, attached to and/or at least partially inserted into the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, the cartridge may be fixedly mounted to the aerosol- generating device and refilled by inserting liquid and/or solid substrate material into the cartridge.

For generating aerosol during use or consumption, a user typically actuates a user interface of the aerosol-generating device, thereby triggering supply of one or more aerosol-generating means or aerosol generators, such as one or more heating elements or heat sources, with electrical energy, for example to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate or article. At least a part of the aerosol-generating means or aerosol generator, for example at least a part of the heating element, can be arranged in the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of the aerosol-generating means or aerosol generator, for example at least a part of the heating element, can be arranged in the aerosol-generating article.

Exemplary heating elements can be based on one or more of resistive heating, inductive heating and microwave heating using electrical energy supplied via, drawn from or stored in an energy storage of the aerosol-generating device. Exemplary energy storages can include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more accumulators or other types of energy storage.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating device may be configured to supply electrical energy to one or more other aerosol-generating means, aerosol engines or aerosol generators to generate aerosol. For example, the aerosol-generating device and/or aerosol-generating article may comprise one or more vibrating elements, one or more vibrating meshes, one or more spraying devices, or other means for generating aerosol.

Generally, an amount of electrical energy provided by the energy storage and usable by or available to a user of the aerosol-generating device to operate the aerosol-generating device, for example to experience one or more aerosol-generating articles in one or more usage sessions, may be limited, thereby potentially limiting functionality or usability of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol.

Further, limitations in capacity of the energy storage and/or frequent use of the device to generate aerosol in one or more usage sessions may result in frequent charging and discharging of the energy storage. Potentially, such frequent charging and discharging of the energy storage may adversely affect a quality of the energy storage and its capability to store electrical energy may potentially decrease over time. After a certain lifetime or service-life of the energy storage, the aerosol-generating device or at least the energy storage may be replaced.

It may, therefore, be desirable to provide for an improved aerosol-generating device or system, for example an aerosol-generating device or system overcoming or at least mitigating one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks.

This is achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Optional features are provided by the dependent claims and by the following description.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating system configured to generate aerosol from at least a part of an aerosol-generating article or aerosol-generating substrate, for example based on supplying one or more aerosol generators with electrical energy. The present disclosure further relates to use of such aerosol-generating device and system, to a method of operating such aerosol-generating device and system, to a corresponding computer program and to a corresponding computer-readable medium, for example a non-transitory computer-readable medium, storing such computer program. Any disclosure presented hereinabove and hereinbelow with reference to one or an aspect of the present disclosure, equally applies to any other aspect of the present disclosure.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises control circuitry and an energy storage configured to supply electrical energy to the control circuitry for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate. The control circuitry may be operatively coupled to the energy storage. The control circuitry is configured to receive a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions which the aerosol-generating device provides or can provide, for example to the user, after the energy storage has been charged. The control circuitry is further configured to limit or control operation of the aerosol-generating device to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter.

For example, providing the user-defined number of usage session by the aerosol-generating device to the user may mean that the aerosol-generating device is operable or can be operated by the user generate aerosol for the user-defined number of usage sessions. In an example, the energy storage and/or control circuitry may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one aerosol-generating means or at least one aerosol generator for generating aerosol from at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device. Exemplary aerosol generators or means may include one or more heating elements, one or more heat sources, one or more vibrating elements, one or more vibrating meshes, and one or more spraying devices.

For example, the energy storage and/or control circuitry may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one heating element to generate aerosol from an aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device, for example based on heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article

Controlling the aerosol-generating device based on the limitation parameter and/or the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by or associated with the limitation parameter may generally increase versatility, flexibility and functionality of the device, in particular since the device may be configured in accordance with user-specific demands or wishes, which can be reflected by or included in the limitation parameter.

The usage session may be a finite usage session; that is a usage session having a start and an end. The duration of the usage session as measured by time may be influenced by use during the usage session. The duration of the usage session may have a maximum duration determined by a 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 reaches a predetermined threshold before the maximum time from the start of the usage session. By way of example, the one or more monitored parameters may comprise one or more of: i) a cumulative puff count of a series of puffs drawn by a user since the start of the usage session, and ii) a cumulative volume of aerosol evolved from the aerosol-forming substrate since the start of the usage session.

Alternatively or additionally, a user-specific energy management, for example tailored to the user’s demands or habits in terms of the number of usage sessions per charge of the energy storage, can be implemented. For example, it was found that some users may tend to charge the energy storage after each usage session, whereas other users use the device for more than one usage sessions before charging or re-charging the device. Limiting operation of the device to the user-defined number of usage sessions per charge of the energy storage can, for example, allow to reduce or avoid excessive charging or discharging events, which may increase a lifetime or cycle life of the energy storage and/or the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure may particularly refer to an electronic aerosol-generating device configured to generate aerosol, for example which can be inhaled by a user of the aerosol-generating device in or during one or more usage sessions based on heating at least a part of a heating element, at least a part of the aerosol-generating article and/or at least a part of an aerosol-generating substrate contained in the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature. The aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure may also be referred to as heat-not-burn device.

As used herein the predetermined heating temperature may refer to or denote a temperature, level of temperature or temperature range above room temperature sufficient to generate aerosol and/or release aerosol from the aerosol-generating article or substrate, which released aerosol can be inhaled by the user during or in one or more usage sessions using one or more aerosol-generating articles.

Depending on the type and composition of the specific aerosol-generating article or substrate to be used with the device, the predetermined heating temperature may be in a range between 250 degree Celsius and 450 degree Celsius, particularly between 270 degree Celsius and 430 degree Celsius, more particularly between 315 degree Celsius and 355 degree Celsius. These temperatures may be suitable operating or heating temperatures sufficient to allow volatile compounds to be released from the aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a solid and/or liquid comprising nicotine. Exemplary aerosol-generating articles or substrates usable with the aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure can be stick-like formed and at least partly inserted into the aerosol-generating device. Alternative exemplary aerosol-generating articles can comprise a container or cartridge, which can be fixedly attached or detachably coupled to the aerosol-generating device. Typically, a liquid, solid or a mixture of solid and liquid aerosol-generating substrate is contained in or can be inserted into such aerosol-generating article and heated to generate aerosol. Any such as well as other forms and designs of aerosol-generating articles can be used with the aerosol-generating device and system of the present disclosure.

The control circuitry may, for example, be configured to control the energy storage based on the limitation parameter, such that operation of the aerosol-generating device by a user to generate aerosol in one or more usage sessions is limited to the user-defined number of usage sessions in accordance with the limitation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, upon receiving the limitation parameter, the control circuitry may configure the aerosol-generating device, such that the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, is operable or is usable by the user to generate aerosol for the user-defined number of usage sessions after the energy storage has been charged.

Generally, the control circuitry, also referred to as device control circuitry herein, may be configured to control one or more device functions of the aerosol-generating device. In particular, the control circuitry may include one or more processors for data or signal processing. The control circuitry may be configured to operatively control the aerosol-generating device, its energy storage and/or one or more further components of the aerosol-generating device. Operative control may involve controlling operation of the aerosol-generating device and/or one or more components thereof. Optionally, operative control of one or more device functions and/or of the energy storage may include generating and/or providing one or more control signals to one or more components of the aerosol-generating device, such as for example the energy storage.

As used herein, the energy storage of the aerosol-generating device may be configured to store or may store electrical energy that can be supplied to the at least one heating element to generate aerosol. Optionally, the energy storage may be re-chargeable, for example by connecting the aerosol-generating device to a power supply or a companion device, also referred to herein as receiving device. For example, the energy storage may be re-charged by connecting the aerosol-generating device to the companion device or power supply via cable or inductive coupling.

It is noted that the aerosol-generating device can comprise a plurality of energy storages. Accordingly, any reference to a single energy storage herein includes a plurality of energy storages.

In an example, the energy storage may include one or more batteries, accumulators, capacitors, or other types of energy storage for storing electrical energy, such as for example an energy storage configured to store potential energy associated with a change in configuration of internal chemical elements or molecules of the energy storage. Also a combination of any of the aforementioned types of energy storages can be implemented in the aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure.

The at least one heating element may refer to or denote any one or more of an inductive heating element, a resistive heating element and a microwave heating element. In other words, the heating element can be configured to heat the aerosol-generating article based on one or more of inductive heating, microwave heating and resistive heating.

In an example, the heating element may be an inductive heating element, for example including an inductive coil, configured to inductively heat a susceptor or susceptor material arranged in the aerosol-generating article or substrate. Alternative or additionally, the heating element may comprise one or more heating blades or resistive heating elements which may at least partly be inserted into the aerosol- generating article or substrate, and supplied with electrical energy for generating aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element may include a microwave generator configured to heat the aerosol-generating article based on microwave heating. Other forms, such as loop gap resonators may be used in addition or as alternative.

At least a part of or the entire at least one heating element can be arranged in the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of or the entire heating element may be arranged in the aerosol-generating article. For example, the aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating arrangement or heating circuit including at least one heating element. Optionally, a part of the heating element, circuit or heating arrangement may be arranged in the aerosol-generating device and a further part of the heating element, circuit or arrangement may be arranged in the aerosol-generating article. Further, it is noted that the aerosol-generating device and/or the aerosol-generating article can comprise a plurality of heating elements. Accordingly, any reference to a single heating element hereinabove and hereinbelow can include a plurality of heating elements.

In an example, the aerosol-generating device may comprise one or more user interfaces actuatable, controllable or operable by the user to activate or operate the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol. Exemplary user interfaces may include a button, a switch, a touch display, an acoustic interface, a gesture control interface, a haptic interface, a tactile interface or a combination thereof.

The control circuitry may be operable to receive and/or process one or more user inputs from the user interface and operate or power the heating element, respectively a heating circuit or arrangement including the heating element, to generate aerosol in accordance with or based on the one or more user inputs. For instance, in response to an actuation of the user interface, electrical energy may be supplied to the at least one heating element to heat at least a part of the aerosol-generating article to or above the predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol in a usage session.

As used herein, the limitation parameter may contain information associated with and/or related to the user-defined number of usage sessions. Accordingly, the limitation parameter itself may be user-defined. The limitation parameter may be indicative, descriptive and/or representative of the user-defined number of usage sessions the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, is operable or can be operated after the energy storage has been charged. The phrase or functional description “after the energy storage has been charged” may refer to or be synonymously used herein with “after the energy storage has been charged the last time” or “between two consecutive charging events” . Accordingly, the limitation parameter may be indicative, descriptive and/or representative of the user-defined number of usage sessions the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide or is operable per charge of the energy storage, for example per complete charge of the energy storage. Alternatively or additionally, the limitation parameter may be indicative, descriptive and/or representative of the user-defined number of usage sessions which the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, (or for which the device is operable or can be operated) after the after a last or latest charging event, in which the energy storage has been charged. Alternatively or additionally, the limitation parameter may be indicative, descriptive and/or representative of the user-defined number of usage sessions the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, is operable or can be operated before a next, subsequent or consecutive charging event. Alternatively or additionally, the limitation parameter may be indicative, descriptive and/or representative of the user-defined number of usage sessions the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, is operable or can be operated with a charged or fully charged energy storage, and/or between two temporally consecutive charging events.

It is noted that a complete charge of the energy storage or a fully charged energy storage may refer to or denote an energy storage that has been charged up to a maximum energy capacity, such that a maximum amount of electrical energy storage is stored in the energy storage. Therein, the maximum energy capacity, also referred to herein as storage capacity or capacity of the energy storage, may be defined by physical or chemical limits of the energy storage. Alternatively or additionally, the maximum energy capacity may be defined by a corresponding configuration of the energy storage.

The control circuitry may be configured to limit operation of the aerosol-generating device per charge, for example complete charge, of the energy storage to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry may be configured to control, based on the limitation parameter, the aerosol-generating device to allow use of the device for the user-defined number of usage sessions to generate aerosol after the energy storage has been charged, in particular after the energy storage has been charged the last time, since the last or latest charging event, before the next charging event and/or between two consecutive charging events. In other words, the control circuitry may grant or allow use of the device between two charging events or per charge of the energy storage for the user-defined number of usage sessions.

In an example, the limitation parameter may be indicative of a maximum or threshold number of usage sessions the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, or is operable to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of the heating element and/or the at least portion of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above the predetermined heating temperature. For instance, the limitation parameter may refer to a threshold value for the maximum or threshold number of usage sessions the device can be operated after the last charging event, before the next charging event and/or between two consecutive charging events.

The energy storage may be configured with or may have a capacity, energy capacity or storage capacity for storing electrical energy to heat the at least portion of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature in a predefined or capacity-defined number of usage sessions. Accordingly, the capacity-defined number of usage sessions may refer to the number of usage sessions the device can in principle be used per charge of the energy storage, since the energy storage has been charged the last time, before the next charging event and/or between two consecutive charging events.

Optionally, the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter may be different than the predefined or capacity-defined number of usage sessions. Accordingly, the user-defined number of usage sessions may be smaller or greater than the capacity-defined number of usage sessions.

In an exemplary implementation, the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter may be smaller than the predefined or capacity-defined number of usage sessions, as defined by the storage capacity of the energy storage. Accordingly, use or operation of the device to generate aerosol may be limited based on the limitation parameter to less or fewer usage sessions than would be granted or allowed based on the capacity-defined or predefined number of usage sessions.

Certain users may typically use the aerosol-generating device in only a few usage sessions after the last charging event, before the next charging event and/or between two consecutive charging events. Some users may even charge or re-charge the energy storage after each usage session. Limiting use of the device to a number of usage sessions per charge smaller than the capacity-defined number may allow to flexibly adapt the aerosol-generating device or operation thereof in accordance with users’ habits or demands. Alternatively or additionally, excessive charging and/or discharging may be avoided or reduced, which may increase the lifetime of the energy storage.

For example, the control circuitry may be configured to limit, based on the limitation parameter, operation of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol to a single usage session per charge of the energy storage, after the energy storage has been charged the last time, after the last charging event, before the energy storage is charged the next time and/or between two consecutive charging events. Accordingly, only a discrete or single usage session may be allowed or granted to the user per charge of the energy storage.

In an example, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise communication circuitry or a communication interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device to at least one of a computing device and a companion device. The companion device may also be referred to herein as receiving device. Therein, the limitation parameter may be received based on transmitting the limitation parameter from at least one of the computing device and the companion device to the aerosol-generating device. Thus, the aerosol-generating device or control circuitry may be re-configured or configured by the user based on transmitting the limitation parameter from one or more of the computing device and the companion device to the aerosol-generating device. For instance, the limitation parameter may be transmitted from the computing device or companion device directly to the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively or additionally, the limitation parameter may be transmitted from the computing device to the companion device and from the companion device to the aerosol-generating device. Generally, the limitation parameter may be transmitted or exchanged between one or more of the aerosol-generating device, the computing device and the companion device, for example based on transmitting or exchanging corresponding data or data elements. Accordingly, the limitation parameter or corresponding data may also be transmitted from the aerosol-generating device to the companion device and/or computing device.

One or more communication interface types or communication protocols may be implemented in the aerosol-generating device and its communication interface or circuitry. In particular, the communication interface or circuitry may be configured for one or both wired and wireless communication with one or more of the computing device and the companion device. In a non-limiting example, the communication interface or circuitry of the aerosol-generating device may be based on one or more of a BUS communication, a cable communication, a Bluetooth communication, a Wireless Local Area Network communication, an infrared communication, a nearfield communication, an internet communication or any other suitable type of communication or communication protocol.

As used herein, the computing device may refer to any device or apparatus with data processing capabilities, such as a server, a server network, a mobile device, a smart phone, a tablet, a smart device, and a smart wearable. The computing device may be configured to communicate or transmit the limitation parameter, for example wirelessly or by wire, to the aerosol-generating device. Accordingly, the computing device may include a communication interface or circuitry configured to transmit the limitation parameter or corresponding data to the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device may be couplable, for example operatively and/or communicatively couplable, to the companion or receiving device, in particular for supplying electrical energy to the energy storage. Optionally, the limitation parameter may be received from the companion or receiving device upon coupling the aerosol-generating device to the companion device.

The companion or receiving device may be configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-generating device, for example for charging the aerosol-generating device and/or or for storing the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be configured for wireless charging by the companion device. For example, the companion device and the aerosol-generating device may be inductively coupled to charge the energy storage of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry may be configured to establish an electrical connection with the companion device to charge the energy storage. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating device may be configured for being operatively coupled to the companion for charging the energy storage of the aerosol-generating device.

Alternatively or additionally, the companion device may comprise a communication interface for communicatively coupling the companion device to the aerosol-generating device, and for example for transmitting the limitation parameter or corresponding data from the companion device to the aerosol-generating device. Optionally, communicative coupling of the aerosol-generating device and the companion device may be established upon operative coupling of the aerosol-generating device with the companion device to charge the aerosol-generating device, and vice versa.

In an example, the control circuitry may be configured to receive the limitation parameter based on retrieving the limitation parameter from a data storage or memory of the aerosol-generating device. For instance, the limitation parameter or corresponding data may be stored at the data storage and accessed by the control circuitry to control the device or energy storage in accordance with or based on the limitation parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the received limitation parameter may be user-defined and/or may be based on one or more user inputs indicative of the user-defined number of usage sessions, in particular the user-defined number of usage sessions per charge of the energy storage or since the energy storage has been charged the last time.

Exemplary and non-limiting user inputs may relate, be associated with, and/or contain information about a user’s habit or behavior in terms of using the aerosol-generating device for generating aerosol in one or more usage sessions, for example a single usage session or a plurality of consecutive usage sessions. For example, a user may provide a number of usage sessions per time period, for example a number of usage sessions per day, hour, week or month, which the user intends to use or operate the device. Alternatively or additionally, a user may provide a number of usage sessions per charge of the energy storage or number of usage sessions the device can be operated or provides between two consecutive charging events. Alternatively or additionally, a user may provide information about a time or duration of one or more usage sessions.

Optionally, one or more of the control circuitry, the companion device, and the computing device may compute the limitation parameter and/or the user-defined number of usage sessions based on one or more user inputs received or provided at one or more user interfaces of one or more of the aerosol-generating device, the companion device and the computing device. In other words, the limitation parameter may be received via at least one of a user interface of the aerosol-generating device, a computing device communicatively couplable to the aerosol-generating device, and a companion device communicatively couplable to the aerosol-generating device. Accordingly, the limitation parameter may be received via one or more user interfaces of one or more the aerosol-generating device, the companion device and the computing device.

In a non-limiting example, the aerosol-generating device includes a user interface, wherein the control circuitry may be configured to compute or determine the limitation parameter or user-defined number of usage sessions based on one or more user inputs provided at the user interface of the aerosol-generating device. The user interface of the aerosol-generating device may be any type of user interface, including a display, touch display, a button, a switch, a haptic interface, a tactile interface, and an acoustic interface. Accordingly, the control circuitry may derive the user-defined number of usage sessions from the one or more user inputs.

Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry may be configured to compute the limitation parameter based on one or more user inputs provided at a computing device and/or at a receiving device. Optionally, this may include transmitting one or more user inputs from at least one the computing device and the companion device to the aerosol-generating device via a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device. Accordingly, the control circuitry may derive the user-defined number of usage sessions from the one or more user inputs provided at the computing device and/or the companion device.

For instance, the computing device and/or the companion device may include one or more user interfaces for receiving one or more user inputs that can be transmitted, for example in the form of one or more data elements or signals, to the aerosol-generating device.

In an example, the one or more user inputs may be associated with one or more of a number of usage sessions available to the user per charge of the energy storage, a duration of a usage session, a duration of a plurality of usage sessions, energy consumption per usage session or charge of the energy storage, availability of one or more device functions of the aerosol-generating device, and availability of a pause mode at the aerosol-generating device to interrupt or resume an ongoing usage session. Alternatively or additionally, a number of usage sessions per time period, for example a number of usage sessions per day, hour, week or month, may be provided by the user. Alternatively or additionally, a user may provide general or categorical information about its consumption behavior, such as “low, medium, high” , as user input. Based thereon, the control circuitry may compute or determine a corresponding number of user sessions. Accordingly, a user may configure the device in terms of the user-defined number of usage sessions based on providing one or more user inputs at one or more user interfaces of one or more of the aerosol-generating device, the computing device, and the companion device.

Optionally, the user may configure the device in terms of availability of one or more device functions. In other words, the user may configure the device to enable or disable one or more device functions, for example a main heating function or one or more auxiliary device functions.

As used herein, a device function may refer to any operation or function of the aerosol-generating device, which can involve operative control of the aerosol-generating device and/or one or more components of the aerosol-generating device by the control circuitry, such as operative control of one or more of the at least one heating element, the communication circuitry, the energy storage, and one or more user interfaces of the aerosol-generating device.

In an example, the one or more device functions can include a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device, which is also referred to herein as main device function. The main heating function may refer to operation of the aerosol-generating device to heat at least a part of the at least one heating element, the at least part of the aerosol-generating article and/or the substrate to or above a predetermined heating temperature of the heating element, the aerosol-generating article and/or the aerosol-generating substrate to generate aerosol.

The main heating function of the aerosol-generating device may be executed or performed during or in a usage session. As used herein, a usage session may refer to a period of time, during which a user may use the device to generate, consume, experience or inhale aerosol using the aerosol-generating device. Therein, a usage session may be finite. In other words, a usage session may have a start, an end and a duration.

It is noted that operation of the aerosol-generating device in a usage session to generate aerosol may be synonymously used herein with operating the aerosol-generating device in the main device function, with operating the device to perform the main heating function, with executing or performing the main device heating function and/or with heating one or more of the heating element, the aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-generating substrate to a temperature at or above the predetermined heating temperature.

The one or more device functions can include one or more auxiliary device functions. Therein, an auxiliary device function may refer to an operation or function of the aerosol-generating device, which is different than the main heating function of the aerosol-generating device. For example, an auxiliary device function may differ from the main heating function in terms of one or more of a type of the function, a purpose of the function, a duration of the function, one or more components involved in performing the function, energy consumption. However, an auxiliary device function can differ in any other aspect, characteristic or element with respect to the main heating function. Generally, any device function other than the main heating function may be regarded or referred to as auxiliary device function in the context of the present disclosure.

For example, an auxiliary device function may include one or more of operating the aerosol-generating device at reduced energy consumption with respect to operation during a usage session (or in an aerosol-releasing mode) to generate aerosol, heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol, heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol, heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol for a predefined period of time, for example during a use pause, activating or deactivating haptic control of the aerosol-generating device, activating or deactivating one or more user interfaces of the aerosol-generating device, operating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device, operating a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device to a computing device or receiving device, operating a sensor of the aerosol-generating device, and operating a biometric sensor of the aerosol-generating device for user authentication. Therein, operating may include one or more of actuating, enabling, disabling, activating and deactivating.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise heating circuitry and/or a heating arrangement that may be operated in at least two operation modes, an aerosol-releasing mode and a pause mode. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating device may be operated in at least two operation modes. The heating circuitry may be part of or may be provided by the control circuitry. The aerosol-generating device, the heating circuitry and/or the control circuitry may be configured to heat the heating element, the aerosol-generating article and/or the substrate at a first temperature level in the aerosol-releasing mode, for example during a usage session. Therein, the first temperature level may correspond to the predetermined heating temperature or a temperature above. The aerosol-generating device may further be configured to heat the heating element, the aerosol-generating article and/or the substrate at a second temperature level below the first temperature level in a pause mode of the aerosol-generating device. The second temperature level may, for example, refer to a temperature above room temperature and below the first temperature level.

A usage sessions or user experience, also referred to as experience of an aerosol-generating article herein, may be interrupted, for example by switching the device into the pause mode, and resumed by a user later, wherein the aerosol-generating article or substrate may be kept in pause mode of the aerosol-generating device at a temperature below the first temperature level and/or below the predetermined heating temperature used during normal use of the device (in particular during a user experience or usage session) , but still above or well above room temperature. That is, the second temperature level preferably may be chosen such as to avoid degradation of the non-depleted substrate or aerosol-generating article. In particular, the second temperature level may be chosen such as to be sufficiently low in order to minimize depletion of the substrate or article during the pause mode, and at the same time to be sufficiently high in order to avoid vapor to condensate in the device which otherwise could affect the quality of the non-depleted aerosol-generating substrate or article.

During use of the device, in particular when a user experience or usage session is to take place, the heating element, the heating circuitry and/or the heating arrangement may be operated in the aerosol-releasing mode, whereas during a use pause of the device, that is, when no user experience or usage session is to take place and/or when a usage session is interrupted by a pause, the aerosol-generating device may be operated in the pause mode. During both, the aerosol-releasing mode and the pause mode of the aerosol-generating device, the heating element, a heating circuitry and/or a heating arrangement may be in operation, in particular in heating operation, yet at different temperature levels, namely, at a first temperature level during the aerosol-releasing mode, which may be chosen to be sufficiently high in order to generate an aerosol, and at a second temperature level below the first temperature level during the pause mode, which may be chosen to be sufficiently low in order to minimize depletion of the substrate, whilst avoiding degradation.

Depending on the type and composition of the specific aerosol-generating article or substrate to be used with the device, the predetermined heating temperature or first temperature level may be in a range between 250 degree Celsius and 450 degree Celsius, particularly between 270 degree Celsius and 430 degree Celsius, more particularly between 315 degree Celsius and 355 degree Celsius. These temperatures may be suitable operating or heating temperatures sufficient to allow volatile compounds to be released from the aerosol-generating article or substrate, for example during one or more usage sessions and/or when operating the device in the aerosol releasing mode. For example, the first temperature level and/or pre-determined heating temperature for liquid aerosol-generating articles or substrates may be lower than the first temperature level for solid aerosol-generating articles or substrates.

In general, the second temperature level may be chosen to maintain a usability of the aerosol-generating article or substrate for a prolonged time. The second temperature level may also depend on the type and composition of the aerosol-generating article or substrate to be used with the device. Accordingly, the second temperature level may be in a range between 175 degree Celsius and 225 degree Celsius, particularly between 185 degree Celsius to 215 degree Celsius, more particularly between 195 degree Celsius and 205 degree Celsius. These temperatures may be sufficiently low in order to minimize depletion of the substrate during the pause mode but at the same time sufficiently high in order to avoid vapor to condensate in the device, which could lead to degradation of the aerosol-generating article or substrate.

In order to avoid condensation effects in the device, in particular to avoid condensation of substances in the aerosol-generating article or substrate, the second temperature level may be at least 150 degree Celsius, in particular at least 175 degree Celsius, preferably at least 185 degree Celsius, more preferably at least 195 degree Celsius.

Vice versa, in order to minimize depletion of the substrate or article during the pause mode the second temperature level may be at most 220 degree Celsius, in particular at most 225 degree Celsius, preferably at most 215 degree Celsius, more preferably at least 205 degree Celsius. In particular, the second temperature level may be chosen such as to reduce the formation of aerosols by at least 50 percent compared to the aerosol-releasing mode.

In relative terms, the second temperature level may be lower than the first temperature level, for example by at least 50 degree Celsius, in particular at least 75 degree Celsius, more particularly at least 100 degree Celsius.

The temperature values given above preferably may be average temperatures of the aerosol-generating article or substrate during operation of the device. In addition, as already mentioned, the temperature values may depend, inter alia, on the type and composition of the aerosol-generating article or substrate to be used with the device.

As used herein, the pause mode may refer to a first operational mode of aerosol-generating device, in which the heating element, the heating circuitry and/or a heating arrangement may be operated during an operation pause, that is, a use pause of the aerosol-generating device, that is, when a user experience or usage session is paused and aerosol generation may not take place, or at least may be reduced to a minimum level. That is, in the pause mode the aerosol-generating device is in a use pause.

Vice versa, the aerosol-releasing mode may refer to a second operational mode of the aerosol-generating device, which is the normal heating operational mode of the heating element, circuitry, and/or arrangement for aerosol generation, in which heating element, the heating circuitry and/or a heating arrangement may be operated during use of the device by a user, that is, when a user experience or usage session takes place, in particular when aerosol generation takes place. In general, aerosol generation may take place continuously or on demand, in particular on a puff basis, that is, on demand of a user when taking a puff.

The aerosol-generating device may optionally comprise at least one sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of the device being in operation by a user, that is, in use by a user, or in an operation pause, that is, a use pause. Advantageously, such a sensor may facilitate to automatically detect whether operation of the heating arrangement can be switched into the pause mode since the device is currently not in use and thus in an operation pause that is, a use pause. Thus, aerosol generation may be stopped in a timely manner in order to avoid an ongoing but undesired depletion of the aerosol-forming substrate. Likewise, such a sensor may facilitate to automatically detect whether operation of the heating arrangement is to be switched back into the aerosol-releasing mode, that is, back into the normal heating operational mode for aerosol generation when a user wants to resume a user experience or usage session.

In an exemplary implementation, the limitation parameter may be indicative of an availability of one or more device functions, such as the main heating function and one or more auxiliary device functions other than or different than the main heating function. For instance, the limitation parameter may be indicative of one or more of an availability of a pause mode at the aerosol-generating device and a number of usage pauses the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide or is operable in the pause mode after the energy storage has been charged the last time, before the energy storage is charged for the next time and/or between two consecutive charging events. The control circuitry may be configured to limit one or more of operation of the aerosol-generating device in the pause mode and the number of usage pauses based on the limitation parameter. Hence, functionality of the device may be tailored to the user’s wishes, demands and needs.

In a further example, the control circuitry may be further configured to determine a number of partial and/or completed usage sessions the aerosol-generating device has been used to generate aerosol based on heating one or more aerosol-generating articles at or above the predetermined heating temperature since the last charging event and/or since the energy storage has been charged the last time. Further, the control circuitry may be configured to compare the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

For example, the control circuitry may be configured to allow or prevent operation or use of the aerosol-generating device in a further, subsequent or next usage session based on comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Optionally, the control circuitry may be configured to determine a number of remaining usage sessions available to the user until re-charging based on comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter. Accordingly, the number of remaining usage sessions may be determined based on the comparison. For instance, the number of remaining usage sessions may be computed based on subtracting the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions from the user-defined number of usage sessions.

Further optionally, the control circuitry may be configured to operate and/or actuate a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate and/or notify the number of remaining usage sessions available to the user. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry may be configured to operate and/or actuate a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate and/or notify the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry may be configured to operate and/or actuate a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate and/or notify the user-defined number usage sessions to the user. Accordingly, one or more of the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions, the number of remaining usage sessions and the user-defined number of usage sessions may be notified and/or indicated to the user based on actuating one or more user interfaces of the aerosol-generating device. For instance, a number of Light Emitting Diodes, LEDs, may be switched on or off in accordance with one or more of the number of partial usage sessions, the number of completed usage sessions, the number of remaining usage sessions and the user-defined number of usage sessions. Other means may be used in addition or in the alternative, such as for example displaying one or more of the numbers or corresponding categorical information at a user interface or display of the aerosol-generating device.

In an exemplary implementation, the control circuitry may be configured to enforce re-charging or charging of the energy storage upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter. Therein, enforcing re-charging of the energy storage may include triggering re-charging and/or requesting re-charging.

For example, one or more device functions, in particular the main heating function may be disabled or prevented by the control circuitry upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry may render the aerosol-generating device inoperable for the user to generate aerosol in a further usage sessions upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter. Enforcing re-charging of the energy storage may ensure that the device can only be used for the user defined number of usage sessions per charge of the energy storage. Hence, effective and reliable control and energy management can be implemented.

Optionally, the control circuitry may be configured to operate and/or actuate a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to provide a notification to a user to re-charge the energy storage upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter. For example, one or more LEDs may indicate that re-charging is enforced, triggered or requested by the control circuitry.

In yet another exemplary configuration, the control circuitry may be configured to determine and/or compute, based on the limitation parameter, at least one threshold value indicative of an amount of energy available to the user to heat the at least portion of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above the predetermined heating temperature in a one or more usage sessions. For example, a threshold value for the energy consumption per usage session or for a plurality of usage sessions, for example the user-defined number of usage sessions may be computed by the control circuitry.

Optionally, the control circuitry may be configured to determine a storage status of the energy storage indicative of at least one an amount of electrical energy currently stored and an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage. The control circuitry may further be configured to evaluate and/or analyze the determined storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value, and to enable or disable, based on the evaluation, at least one device function of the aerosol-generating device.

The at least one threshold value may be associated with or related to at least one device function. For instance, the threshold value may be associated with heating of the aerosol-generating device, for example in one or more usage sessions or in one or more pause modes. In a non-limiting example, the at least one threshold value may be descriptive and/or indicative of one or more criteria, predefined criteria, requirements and/or prerequisites for performing one or more device functions associated with the at least one threshold value. In other words, the at least one threshold value may reflect or encode one or more criteria, requirements and/or prerequisites that should be fulfilled in order to perform the at least one device function and/or in order to enable the at least one device function.

In an example, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of and/or correlate with an energy consumption of the aerosol-generating device for performing or executing one or more device functions.

For example, the at least one threshold value may correlate with and/or be indicative of an amount of energy required for performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device in one or more usage sessions. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one threshold value may correlate with and/or be indicative of an amount of energy required for heating the at least part of the aerosol-generating article to or above the predetermined heating temperature during or in one or more usage sessions. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one threshold value may correlate with and/or be indicative of an amount of energy required for performing one or more auxiliary device functions.

As used herein enabling a device function may refer to or include allowing the device function, for example allowing execution of the device function by a user. Alternatively or additionally, enabling a device function may include activating the device function, such that it can be performed, for example based on one or more user inputs or automatically. For instance, enabling or allowing a device function may include configuring the aerosol-generating device, such that the device function is executable or can be performed. Alternatively or additionally, enabling a device function may include making or rendering the device function available to the user of aerosol-generating device. In a non-limiting example, a flag or marker indicative of the device function being allowed may be set by the control circuitry based on the evaluation of the storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value and/or limitation parameter in order to enable a device function.

As used herein disabling a device function may refer to or include preventing the device function, for example preventing execution of the device function by a user. Alternatively or additionally, disabling a device function may include deactivating the device function, such that it cannot be performed, for example based on one or more user inputs or automatically. Alternatively or additionally, disabling a device function may include making or rendering the device function unavailable to the user of aerosol-generating device. For instance, disabling or preventing a device function may include configuring the aerosol-generating device, such that the device function and/or its execution is inhibited. In a non-limiting example, a flag or marker indicative of the device function being prevented may be set by the control circuitry based on the evaluation of the storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value and/or the limitation parameter in order to disable a device function.

Evaluating the storage status of the energy storage with respect to the at least one threshold value computed based on the limitation parameter, and enabling or disabling at least one device function based thereon can allow for an energy management and efficient operation of the aerosol-generating device. In particular, operation of the device may be optimised based on adapting a repertoire or set of device functions available at the aerosol-generating device by evaluating the storage status. In other words, functionality of the device can be adapted in accordance with the evaluated storage status, which can allow to optimize or maximize overall functionality of the device with respect to the available energy. Also, enabling or disabling particular device functions may allow to prioritize particular device functions with respect to others, which can increase overall usability and operability of the device for the user.

Accordingly, enabling or disabling a device function may include altering, modifying or changing a configuration of the aerosol-generating device, such that the device function is available or unavailable at the aerosol-generating device, for example available or unavailable to a user of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively or additionally, enabling or disabling a device function may include adapting a repertoire or set of device functions available at the aerosol-generating device. For instance, enabling a device function may include expanding the repertoire or set of device functions available at the aerosol-generating device by said device function. Alternatively or additionally, disabling a device function may include reducing the repertoire or set of device functions available at the aerosol-generating device by said device function. Alternatively or additionally, disabling a device function may include removing said device function from the repertoire or set of device functions available at the aerosol-generating device.

In an example, the determined storage status may include at least one of a current energy level of electrical energy stored in the energy storage, and a health status of the energy storage indicative of an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage. For example, the current energy level may refer to or be indicative of a current charging state of the energy storage. The current charging state or charging level of the energy storage may also be referred to herein as actual or current capacity level of the energy storage. Further, the energy storable in the energy storage may correlate with or be indicative of a storage capacity of the energy storage. Accordingly, the storage status may be indicative of one or both a current charging state of the energy storage and a storage capacity of the energy storage.

Optionally, the storage status may include one or more storage variables or storage status variables, for example one indicative of the current charging state of the energy storage and a further one indicative of the storage capacity of the energy storage.

In particular when the aerosol-generating device is frequently used or operated to generate aerosol, a quality or health of the energy storage, which may relate to or be indicative of its capability to store electrical energy, may decrease over time. This effect may also referred to as aging or aging effect of the energy storage. Based on the storage status, the aging effect of the energy storage can be comprehensively considered for energy management, which may allow to further increase overall energy efficiency. Also, taking the aging effect into consideration may allow to dynamically adjust the repertoire of device functions available to the user in accordance with the energy storage’s health state or status, which may increase the cycle life or lifetime.

It is noted that in the context of the present disclosure the terms energy and capacity of the energy storage can be interchangeably used and/or can be converted into one another. For instance, an energy value, for example given in units of Wh or mWh, may be computed based on the capacity of the energy storage, for example given in Ah or mAh, multiplied by a nominal voltage of the energy storage.

According to an example, evaluating the determined storage status may include comparing the determined storage status to the at least one threshold value. Optionally, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold storage status. For example, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold or minimum amount of electrical energy currently stored in the energy storage. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold or minimum charging state of the energy storage.

For instance, upon determining by the control circuitry that the storage status reaches or exceeds the at least one threshold value, the control circuitry may enable the at least one device function for execution, for example by the user. Alternatively or additionally, upon determining that the storage status is below the at least one threshold value, the control circuitry may disable the at least one device function for execution, for example by the user, or vice versa.

In an example, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy or energy amount required for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article, in particular to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy or energy amount required for performing the main heating function of the aerosol-generating device. Based on evaluating the storage status with the threshold energy, it may be reliably determined whether or not the amount of energy currently stored in the energy storage is sufficient to complete the at least one usage session and/or is sufficient to allow the user to experience or consume at least one aerosol-generating article in one or more usage sessions.

For instance, the storage status may be indicative of a current charging state and the control circuitry may be configured to compare the storage status with the threshold value that may be indicative of a threshold energy or energy amount required for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article, in particular to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol. Upon determining that the storage status or charging state indicated by the storage status reaches or exceeds the threshold value, the at least one device function, for instance the main heating function, may be enabled. Alternatively or additionally, upon determining that the storage status or charging state indicated by the storage status is below the threshold value, the at least one device function, for instance the main heating function, may be disabled. Accordingly, use of the aerosol-generating device by a user to generate aerosol in one or more usage sessions may be prevented in the latter case.

In an exemplary implementation, the control circuitry may be configured to enable the at least one device function upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol. Accordingly, the control circuitry may be configured to determine, based on the evaluation, whether the amount of energy currently stored in the energy storage is sufficient to complete one or more usage sessions.

In a further example, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy required for performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session, the main heating function involving supplying electrical energy to the at least one heating element to heat at least a part of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry may be configured to enable a main heating function upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for performing the main heating function during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol. Accordingly, the main heating function may only be enabled by the control circuitry if the energy stored in and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient to execute the main function at least one time during at least one usage session, for example using at least one aerosol-generating article.

Optionally, in response to determining that the energy stored in the energy storage is sufficient to perform the main heating function in one or more usage sessions, for example using one or more aerosol-generating articles, the control circuitry may indicate availability of one or more usage sessions to the user, for example based on actuating one or more user interfaces of the aerosol-generating device, such as a control light, one or more LEDs or a display.

In an exemplary implementation, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of and/or correlate with a threshold energy required for performing at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device, such as operating the aerosol-generating device in one or more usage pauses based on switching the device into the pause mode. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry may be configured to enable and/or allow at least one auxiliary device function upon determining, based on the evaluation of the storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for performing the at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device. Accordingly, the storage status may be analysed in terms of whether sufficient energy is stored therein to execute or complete the at least one auxiliary device function. If the energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for completing the auxiliary device function, the function may be enabled or activated. Hence, the repertoire of functions or functionalities available to the user may be expanded or increased. Alternatively or additionally, upon determining that the energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is not sufficient for performing or completing the auxiliary device function, said function may be prevented, disabled and/or deactivated, for example such that it cannot be initiated by or is unavailable to the user.

In yet another example, the at least one device function can include at least one of a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol in at least one usage session based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol, and at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device, which differs from the main heating function. In other words, the at least one device function, which the at least one threshold value may be associated with and/or which may be enabled or disabled by the control circuitry based on the evaluation of the storage status, may refer to or include one or both the main heating function and an auxiliary device function that differs from the main device function. For instance, the control circuitry may evaluate the storage status at least in terms of the main heating function, and optionally in terms of one or more auxiliary device functions.

In an exemplary implementation, the at least one threshold value may correlate with a threshold energy required for a) performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device in at least one usage session to generate aerosol, and b) for performing an auxiliary device function different than, other than and/or non-related to the main heating function of the aerosol-generating device. In other words, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of an energy consumption when performing both the main heating function and the at least one auxiliary device function. It should be noted that also two threshold values may be used, a first threshold value indicative of the energy required for performing the main heating function of the aerosol-generating device in at least one usage session to generate aerosol, and a second threshold value indicative of the energy required for performing the auxiliary device function.

Optionally, the at least one threshold value may correlate with a threshold energy required for operating the aerosol-generating device a) during at least one usage session in an aerosol-releasing mode generating inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above the predetermined heating temperature, and b) during a usage pause in a pause mode interrupting the at least one usage session. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry may be configured to enable a) a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device in at least one usage session to generate aerosol based on heating the heating element, the article and/or substrate to a temperature at or above the predetermined heating temperature, and b) at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device different than, other than, and/or non-related to the main heating function, upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for performing the main heating function and the at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively or additionally, upon determining based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is insufficient for performing the main heating function and the at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device, the control circuitry may disable or prevent one or both the main heating function and the at least one auxiliary device function.

For instance, the at least one auxiliary device function may refer to and/or be associated with heating of the heating element, the aerosol-generating article and/or the substrate to the second temperature level or second temperature during the use pause or pause mode of the device, wherein the second temperature level may be above room temperature and below the predetermined heating temperature. Accordingly, the control circuitry may reliably detect whether the energy storage stores sufficient electrical energy to perform the main heating function in one or more usage sessions and to perform at least one use pause interrupting the one or more usage sessions. Hence, it may be reliably determined whether the device can be operated in one or more use pauses. Also, operation of the device in the pause mode may dynamically be allowed or prevented, depending on the storage status of the energy storage, and for example the user’s wishes as reflected in the limitation parameter. In turn, the number of usage sessions may be maximized for the user, for example based on preventing the pause mode and/or the at least one auxiliary device function.

In an exemplary implementation, the control circuitry may be configured to trigger, enforce and/or request re-charging of the energy storage based on the evaluation of the determined storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value. For instance, upon determining that an insufficient amount of energy is stored and/or storable in the energy storage, the control circuitry may re-quest the user to re-charge the energy storage, for example to a predetermined charging state or to a maximum charging state of the energy storage. Accordingly, triggering recharging of the energy storage may include indicating to the user, for example based on actuation of one or more user interfaces, that the device should be re-charged. Alternatively or additionally, triggering recharging can include rendering the device inactive for further use.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow, and an aerosol-generating article couplable or coupled to the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol. The aerosol-generating device may generate aerosol, for example, by supplying electrical energy to one or more aerosol generators for generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating article. Any disclosure presented hereinabove and hereinbelow with reference to the aerosol-generating device equally applies to the aerosol-generating system, and vice versa.

Optionally, the aerosol-generating system may include a companion device configured to one or more of at least partially receive the aerosol-generating device, charge and re-charge the energy storage of the aerosol-generating device.

The energy storage and/or control circuitry may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one aerosol-generating means or aerosol generator for generating aerosol from at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device. Exemplary aerosol generators or means may include one or more heating elements, one or more heat sources, one or more vibrating elements, one or more vibrating meshes, and one or more spraying devices.

For example, the energy storage and/or control circuitry may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one heating element to generate aerosol from an aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device, for example based on heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

A further aspect of the disclosure relates to use of an aerosol-generating device and/or system, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of operating an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device operated in accordance with the method may be an aerosol-generating device, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow with reference to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, any feature function and/or element described hereinabove and hereinbelow with reference to the aerosol-generating device may be a feature, function, element and/or step of the method of operating the aerosol-generating device, and vice versa. Alternatively or additionally, the method may relate to a method of operating an aerosol-generating system, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow.

The aerosol-generating device operated in accordance with the method of the present disclosure includes an energy storage configured to supply electrical energy to control circuitry for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating article. The energy storage may be configured to supply electrical energy to a heating element to heat at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device. The control circuitry may be operatively coupled to the energy storage. The method comprises receiving, with a control circuitry of the aerosol-generating device, a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions which the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide or is operable after the energy storage has been charged, for example the last time. The method further comprises limiting and/or controlling, with the control circuitry, operation of the aerosol-generating device to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on or in accordance with the limitation parameter.

For example, the limitation parameter may be received based on transmitting the limitation parameter from at least one of the computing device and a companion device to the aerosol-generating device via a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device.

Alternatively or additionally, receiving the limitation parameter may include retrieving the limitation parameter from a data storage of the aerosol-generating device.

In an example, receiving the limitation parameter may include receiving one or more user inputs indicative of the user-defined number of usage sessions. Therein, the one or more user inputs may be provided at one or more user interfaces of one or more of the aerosol-generating device, a computing device and a companion device communicatively couplable to the aerosol-generating device.

Optionally, the method may further comprise computing and/or determining, with the control circuitry, the limitation parameter or user-defined number of usage sessions based on one or more user inputs provided at the user interface of the aerosol-generating device.

Alternatively or additionally, the method may further comprise computing and/or determining, with the control circuitry, the limitation parameter based on one or more user inputs provided at at least one of a computing device and at a companion device. For instance, one or more user inputs may be provided at one or both the companion device and the computing device. The one or more user inputs may be transmitted to the aerosol-generating device and the control circuitry may compute the limitation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the limitation parameter may be computed at the computing device and/or companion device and transmitted to the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more user inputs may constitute the limitation parameter. In other words, the one or more user inputs may be used as or may form the limitation parameter.

In an exemplary implementation, the method may further comprise determining a number of partial and/or completed usage sessions the aerosol-generating device has been used to generate aerosol based on heating one or more aerosol-generating articles at or above the predetermined heating temperature since the last charging event. The method may further comprise comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Optionally, the method may further comprise allowing or preventing operation of the aerosol-generating device in a further usage session based on comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Further optionally, the method may comprise determining a number of remaining usage sessions available to the user until re-charging based on comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

In an exemplary implementation of the method, the method may comprise operating, controlling and/or actuating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate the number of remaining usage sessions available to the user. Alternatively or additionally, the method may comprise operating, controlling and/or actuating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate one or more of the number of partial usage sessions, the number of completed usage sessions and the number of remaining usage sessions to the user.

Optionally, the method may comprise enforcing, triggering and/or requesting re-charging of the energy storage upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

For example, the method may include operating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to provide a notification to a user to re-charge the energy storage upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

In an example, the user-defined number of usage sessions may be one and the method may comprise limiting, based on the limitation parameter, operation of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol to a single usage session per charge of the energy storage.

In an exemplary implementation, the limitation parameter may be indicative of one or more of an availability of a pause mode at the aerosol-generating device and a number of usage pauses the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide or is operable in the pause mode after the energy storage has been charged the last time. The method may further comprise limiting one or more of operation of the aerosol-generating device in the pause mode and the number of usage pauses based on the limitation parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the limitation parameter may be indicative of an availability of one or more device functions at the aerosol-generating device, for example the main heating function and/or one or more auxiliary device functions.

In yet another exemplary implementation, the method may comprise determining, based on the limitation parameter, at least one threshold value indicative of an amount of energy available to the user to heat the at least portion of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above the predetermined heating temperature in a one or more usage sessions.

The method may further comprise determining a storage status of the energy storage indicative of at least one of an amount of electrical energy currently stored and an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage, evaluating the determined storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value, and enabling or disabling, based on the evaluation, at least one device function of the aerosol-generating device.

In an example, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy required for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature.

The determined storage status may, for example, include at least one of a current energy level of electrical energy stored in the energy storage, and a health status of the energy storage indicative of an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage.

Optionally, evaluating the determined storage status may include comparing the determined storage status to the at least one threshold value.

Further optionally, the method may comprise enabling the at least one device function upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol.

For example, the method may comprise enabling a main heating function upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for performing the main heating function during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one device function may include at least one of a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol in at least one usage session based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol, and at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device, which differs from the main heating function.

For instance, enabling the device function or one or more auxiliary device functions may include one or more of operating the aerosol-generating device at reduced energy consumption with respect to operation during a usage session to generate aerosol, heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol, heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol, heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol for a predefined period of time, activating or deactivating haptic control of the aerosol-generating device, operating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device, operating a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device to a computing device or receiving device, operating a sensor of the aerosol-generating device, and operating a biometric sensor of the aerosol-generating device for user authentication.

For example, the at least one threshold value may correlate with a threshold energy required for a) performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device in at least one usage session to generate aerosol, and b) for performing an auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device different than the main heating function of the aerosol-generating device.

Alternatively or additionally, determining the storage status may include determining at least one of a current energy level of electrical energy stored in the energy storage, and a health status of the energy storage indicative of the amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage. Optionally, evaluating the determined storage status includes comparing the determined storage status to the at least one threshold value.

For example, the at least one device function may be enabled by the control circuitry upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature, and optionally during at least one usage pause in a pause mode.

A further aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer program, which when executed by an aerosol-generating device or an aerosol-generating system, instructs the aerosol-generating device or system to perform steps of the method according to the present disclosure, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow.

A further aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer-readable medium, for example a non-transitory computer-readable medium, storing a computer program, which when executed by an aerosol-generating device or an aerosol-generating system, instructs the aerosol-generating device or system to perform steps of the method according to the present disclosure, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow.

It is emphasized that any feature, step, function, element, technical effect and/or advantage described herein with reference to one aspect of the disclosure equally applies to any other aspect of the disclosure.

Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example 1: An aerosol-generating device, comprising: control circuitry and an energy storage configured to supply electrical energy to the control circuitry for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating article, the control circuitry being configured to:

receive a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions which the aerosol-generating device can provide or provides after the energy storage has been charged, and

limit operation of the aerosol-generating device to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter.

Example 1a: The aerosol-generating device according to example 1, wherein the energy storage is configured to supply electrical energy to one or more aerosol generators for generating aerosol from at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device.

Example 1b: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the energy storage is configured to supply electrical energy to at least one heating element to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device.

Example 1c: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is operatively coupled to the energy storage.

Example 1d: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein limiting the operation of the aerosol-generating device to the user-defined number of usage sessions comprises:

determining a number of usage sessions that have been provided since the energy storage was last charged;

comparing the determined number of usage sessions to the limitation parameter; and

if the determined number of usage sessions reaches, is equal to, or exceeds the limitation parameter, prohibiting the device from generating aerosol, preferably until the energy storage is charged, for example at least partially or completely, and/or until the energy storage is connected to a charger.

Example 2: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is configured to limit operation of the aerosol-generating device to the number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter since the energy storage has been charged the last time.

Example 3: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limitation parameter is indicative of a maximum number of usage sessions the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, or is operable to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of a heating element and/or the at least portion of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature.

Example 4: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the energy storage is configured for heating the at least portion of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature in a predefined or capacity-defined number of usage sessions; and wherein the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter is different than the predefined or capacity-defined number of usage sessions.

Example 5: The aerosol-generating device according to example 4, wherein the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter is smaller than the predefined or capacity-defined number of usage sessions.

Example 6: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising communication circuitry for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device to at least one of a computing device and a companion device for at least partially receiving the aerosol-generating device; and wherein the limitation parameter is received based on transmitting the limitation parameter from at least one of the computing device and the companion device to the aerosol-generating device.

Example 7: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive the limitation parameter based on retrieving the limitation parameter from a data storage of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 8: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the received limitation parameter is user-defined or is based on one or more user inputs indicative of the user-defined number of usage sessions.

Example 9: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limitation parameter is received via at least one of a user interface of the aerosol-generating device, a computing device communicatively couplable to the aerosol-generating device, and a companion device communicatively couplable to the aerosol-generating device.

Example 10: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, further including a user interface, wherein the control circuitry is configured to compute the limitation parameter or user-defined number of usage sessions based on one or more user inputs provided at the user interface of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 11: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is configured to compute the limitation parameter based on one or more user inputs provided at at least one of a computing device and a receiving device and transmitted to the aerosol-generating device via a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 12: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 10 and 11, wherein the one or more user inputs are associated with one or more of a number of usage sessions available to the user per charge of the energy storage, a duration of a usage session, energy consumption per usage session or charge of the energy storage, availability of one or more auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device, and availability of a pause mode at the aerosol-generating device to interrupt or resume an ongoing usage session.

Example 13: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine a number of partial and/or completed usage sessions the aerosol-generating device has been used to generate aerosol, for example based on heating one or more aerosol- generating articles at or above the predetermined heating temperature, since the last charging event; and compare the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 14: The aerosol-generating device according to example 13, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow or prevent operation of the aerosol-generating device in a further usage session based on comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 15: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 13 and 14, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine a number of remaining usage sessions available to the user until re-charging based on comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 16: The aerosol-generating device according to example 15, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to operate a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate the number of remaining usage sessions available to the user.

Example 17: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 13 to 16, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to operate a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user.

Example 18: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 13 to 17, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to enforce re-charging of the energy storage upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 19: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 13 to 18, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to operate a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to provide a notification to a user to re-charge the energy storage upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 20: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to limit, based on the limitation parameter, operation of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol to a single usage session per charge of the energy storage.

Example 21: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limitation parameter is indicative of one or more of an availability of a pause mode at the aerosol-generating device and a number of usage pauses the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, or is operable in the pause mode after the energy storage has been charged the last time; and wherein the control circuitry is configured to limit one or more of operation of the aerosol-generating device in the pause mode and the number of usage pauses based on the limitation parameter.

Example 22: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine, based on the limitation parameter, at least one threshold value indicative of an amount of energy available to the user to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above the predetermined heating temperature in a one or more usage sessions.

Example 23: The aerosol-generating device according to example 22, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

determine a storage status of the energy storage indicative of at least one an amount of electrical energy currently stored and an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage;

evaluate the determined storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value; and

enable or disable, based on the evaluation, at least one device function of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 24: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 22 and 23, wherein the at least one threshold value is indicative of a threshold energy required for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature.

Example 25: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 22 to 24, wherein the determined storage status includes at least one of a current energy level of electrical energy stored in the energy storage, and a health status of the energy storage indicative of an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage.

Example 26: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 22 to 25, wherein evaluating the determined storage status includes comparing the determined storage status to the at least one threshold value.

Example 27: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 22 to 26, wherein the control circuitry is configured to enable the at least one device function upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol.

Example 28: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 22 to 27, wherein the at least one threshold value is indicative of a threshold energy required for performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session, the main heating function involving supplying electrical energy to the at least one heating element to heat at least a part of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol.

Example 29: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 22 to 28, wherein the control circuitry is configured to enable a main heating function upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for performing the main heating function during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol.

Example 30: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 22 to 29, wherein the at least one device function includes at least one of a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol in at least one usage session based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol, and at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device, which differs from the main heating function.

Example 31: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 22 to 30, wherein the device function includes an auxiliary device function including one or more of:

operating the aerosol-generating device at reduced energy consumption with respect to operation during a usage session to generate aerosol; heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol; heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol; heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol for a predefined period of time; activating or deactivating haptic control of the aerosol-generating device; operating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device; operating a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device to a computing device or receiving device; operating a sensor of the aerosol-generating device; and operating a biometric sensor of the aerosol-generating device for user authentication.

Example 32: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 22 to 31,

wherein the at least one threshold value correlates with a threshold energy required for a) performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device in at least one usage session to generate aerosol, and b) for performing an auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device different than the main heating function of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 32a: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol comprises nicotine.

Example 32b: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the user-defined number of usage sessions is at least one or a single usage session, and wherein the control circuitry is configured determine whether the aerosol-generating device has delivered the at least one or single usage session to the user, and to at least one of prohibit the aerosol-generating device from generating aerosol and indicate to the user to re-charge and/or connect the aerosol-generating device to a charger or a charging device.

Example 32c: The aerosol-generating device according to example 32b, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine that the aerosol-generating device has been connected to the charger or charging device, and in response thereto determine if the current state of charge of the energy storage reaches or exceeds a usage session threshold value indicative of the state of charge required for the user-defined number of usage sessions and/or the single usage session.

Example 32d: The aerosol-generating device according to example 32c, wherein the control circuitry is configured to, upon determining that the current state of charge of the energy storage reaches or exceeds the usage session threshold value, determine not to charge the energy storage and/or prohibit charging of the energy storage.

Example 32e: The aerosol-generating device according to example 32c or example 32d, wherein the control circuitry is configured, upon determining that the current state of charge of the energy storage is below the usage session threshold value, determine to charge the energy storage and/or enable charging of the energy storage.

Example 32f: The aerosol-generating device according to example 32e, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine, during charging of the energy storage, that the state of charge of the energy storage reaches or exceeds the usage session threshold value, and in response notify to the user via a user interface that the aerosol-generating device is ready for use or aerosol generation.

Example 32g: The aerosol-generating device according to example 32e or example 32f, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine that the energy storage is fully charged, and in response notify to the user via the user interface that the device is ready for use or aerosol generation.

Example 33: An aerosol-generating system, comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, and an aerosol-generating article couplable or coupled to the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol from at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article, optionally based on heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

Example 33a: The aerosol-generating system according to example 33 wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substate comprising nicotine.

Example 34: The aerosol-generating system according to example 33 or 33a, further including a companion device configured to one or more of at least partially receive the aerosol-generating device and re-charge or charge the energy storage of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 35: Use of an aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 1 to 32g or an aerosol-generating system according to any one of examples 33 to 34 to generate aerosol.

Example 36: A method of operating an aerosol-generating device including an energy storage configured to supply electrical energy to control circuitry operatively for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating article, the method comprising:

receiving, with a control circuitry of the aerosol-generating device, a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions which the aerosol- generating device can provide, provides or is operable after the energy storage has been charged, and

limiting, with the control circuitry, operation of the aerosol-generating device to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter.

Example 36a: The method according to example 36, wherein the energy storage is configured to supply electrical energy to a heating element to heat an aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device.

Example 36b: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 36a wherein the control circuitry is operatively coupled to the energy storage.

Example 36c: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 36b, wherein the energy storage is configured to supply electrical energy to one or more aerosol generators for generating aerosol from at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device.

Example 36d: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 36c, wherein the energy storage is configured to supply electrical energy to at least one heating element to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article couplable to the aerosol-generating device.

Example 36e: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 36d, wherein the control circuitry is operatively coupled to the energy storage.

Example 36f: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 36e wherein limiting the operation of the aerosol-generating device to the user-defined number of usage sessions comprises:

if the determined number of usage sessions reaches, is equal to, or exceeds the limitation parameter, prohibiting the device from generating aerosol, preferably until the energy storage is charged, at least partially or completely, and/or until the energy storage is connected to a charger.

Example 37: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 36f, wherein the limitation parameter is received based on transmitting the limitation parameter from at least one of the computing device and a companion device to the aerosol-generating device via a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 38: The method according to any one of examples 36 and 37, wherein receiving the limitation parameter includes retrieving the limitation parameter from a data storage of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 39: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 38, wherein receiving the limitation parameter includes receiving one or more user inputs indicative of the user-defined number of usage sessions.

Example 40: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 39, further comprising computing, with the control circuitry, the limitation parameter or user-defined number of usage sessions based on one or more user inputs provided at the user interface of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 41: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 40, further comprising computing, with the control circuitry, the limitation parameter based on one or more user inputs provided at at least one of a computing device and at a companion device and transmitted to the aerosol-generating device via a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 42: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 41, further comprising:

determining a number of partial and/or completed usage sessions the aerosol-generating device has been used to generate aerosol based on heating one or more aerosol-generating articles at or above the predetermined heating temperature since the last charging event; and

comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 43: The method according to example 42, further comprising allowing or preventing operation of the aerosol-generating device in a further usage session based on comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 44: The method according to any one of examples 36 and 43, further comprising determining a number of remaining usage sessions available to the user until re-charging based on comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 45: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 44, further comprising operating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate the number of remaining usage sessions available to the user.

Example 46: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 45, further comprising operating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user.

Example 47: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 46, further comprising enforcing re-charging of the energy storage upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 48: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 47, further comprising operating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to provide a notification to a user to re-charge the energy storage upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

Example 49: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 48, further comprising limiting, based on the limitation parameter, operation of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol to a single usage session per charge of the energy storage.

Example 50: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 49, wherein the limitation parameter is indicative of one or more of an availability of a pause mode at the aerosol-generating device and a number of usage pauses the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, or is operable in the pause mode after the energy storage has been charged the last time; and wherein the method further comprises limiting one or more of operation of the aerosol-generating device in the pause mode and the number of usage pauses based on the limitation parameter.

Example 51: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 50, further comprising determining, based on the limitation parameter, at least one threshold value indicative of an amount of energy available to the user to heat the at least portion of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above the predetermined heating temperature in a one or more usage sessions.

Example 52: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 51, further comprising determining a storage status of the energy storage indicative of at least one an amount of electrical energy currently stored and an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage; evaluating the determined storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value; and enabling or disabling, based on the evaluation, at least one device function of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 53: The method according to any one of examples 51 and 52, wherein the at least one threshold value is indicative of a threshold energy required for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature.

Example 54: The method according to any one of examples 51 to 53, wherein the determined storage status includes at least one of a current energy level of electrical energy stored in the energy storage, and a health status of the energy storage indicative of an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage.

Example 55: The method according to any one of examples 51 to 54, wherein evaluating the determined storage status includes comparing the determined storage status to the at least one threshold value.

Example 56: The method according to any one of examples 52 to 55, further comprising enabling the at least one device function upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol.

Example 57: The method according to any one of examples 52 to 56, further comprising enabling a main heating function upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for performing the main heating function during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol.

Example 58: The method according to any one of examples 52 to 57, wherein the at least one device function includes at least one of a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol in at least one usage session based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol, and at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device, which differs from the main heating function.

Example 59: The method according to any one of examples 52 to 58, wherein the device function includes an auxiliary device function including one or more of: operating the aerosol-generating device at reduced energy consumption with respect to operation during a usage session to generate aerosol; heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol; heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol; heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol for a predefined period of time; activating or deactivating haptic control of the aerosol-generating device; operating a user interface of the aerosol-generating device; operating a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device to a computing device or receiving device; operating a sensor of the aerosol-generating device; and operating a biometric sensor of the aerosol-generating device for user authentication.

Example 60: The method according to any one of examples 52 to 59, wherein the at least one threshold value correlates with a threshold energy required for a) performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device in at least one usage session to generate aerosol, and b) for performing an auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device different than the main heating function of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 61: The method according to any one of examples 52 to 60, wherein determining the storage status includes determining at least one of a current energy level of electrical energy stored in the energy storage, and a health status of the energy storage indicative of the amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage.

Example 62: The method according to any one of examples 52 to 61, wherein evaluating the determined storage status includes comparing the determined storage status to the at least one threshold value.

Example 63: The method according to any one of examples 52 to 62, wherein the at least one device function is enabled by the control circuitry upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for operating the aerosol-generating device during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature.

Example 63a: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 64 wherein the aerosol comprises nicotine.

Example 63b: The method according to any one of examples 36 to 63a wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate comprising nicotine.

Example 64: A computer program, which when executed by an aerosol-generating device or an aerosol-generating system, instructs the aerosol-generating device or system to perform steps of the method according to any one of examples 36 to example 63b.

Example 65: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program according to example 64.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating system;

Figure 2 illustrates operation of an aerosol-generating device or system; and

Figure 3 illustrates a method of operating aerosol-generating device or system.

The figures are schematic only and not true to scale. In principle, identical or like parts, elements and/or steps are provided with identical or like reference numerals in the figures.

Figure 1 shows an exemplary aerosol-generating device 100. The aerosol-generating device 100 of figure 1 is exemplary shown as part of an aerosol-generating system 1000, which includes optional components, such as an aerosol-generating article 200, a companion device 300, a mobile device 400, and a computing device 500. It is noted that the aerosol-generating device 100 may be operated as standalone device 100 without any of the

optional components

200, 300, 400, 500 of the system 1000.

The aerosol-generating device 100 includes one or more energy storages 102 for storing electrical energy and/or for providing electrical energy to generate aerosol. The one or more energy storages may be one or more batteries (e.g. a lithium-ion battery) . When the energy storage (s) 102 is/are a battery/batteries the cathode material may comprise lithium-cobalt-oxide (LCO) , lithium-manganese-oxide (LMO) , lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide (NMC) , lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) , and/or lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminium-oxide (NCA) . The anode material may comprise carbon (e.g. graphite) , silicon and/or lithium-titanate-oxide (LTO) .

The exemplary aerosol-generating device 100 shown in figure 1 includes at least a part of a heating circuit 104 with at least one heating element 106 for heating at least a part of an aerosol-generating article 200 couplable to the aerosol-generating device 100. It should be noted that the heating circuit 104 and heating element 106 are optional only. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of or the entire heating circuit 104, heating arrangement 104 and/or heating element 106 may be integrated or arranged in the aerosol-generating article 200. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of the heating circuit 104 may be integrated into a control circuitry 110 of the aerosol-generating device 100.

It should be noted that the heating element 106 is merely for illustrative purposes shown in figure 1 as inductive coil configured to inductively heat at least a part of the aerosol-generating article 200, for example a susceptor material arranged in an aerosol-generating substrate 202 of the aerosol-generating article 200. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one heating element 106 may be configured for one or more of resistive heating and microwave heating.

Further, it should be noted that the aerosol-generating article 200 is only exemplary shown in figure 1 as having a stick-like or tubular shape and as being at least partially insertable through an opening 105 of a housing 107 of the aerosol-generating device 100, for example into a heating chamber 109 of the aerosol-generating device 100. In other exemplary designs, the aerosol-generating article 200 may be shaped as container or cartridge that may be fixedly integrated in the aerosol-generating device 100 or that may be couplable to the device 100.

The aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises control circuitry 110 or device control circuitry 110 operatively coupled to the energy storage 102. The control circuitry 110 may optionally include one or more processors 112, controllers 112 and/or microcontrollers 112 for data processing. The control circuitry 110 may comprise a microcontroller comprising a processor, memory and input/output means.

Further optionally, the aerosol-generating device 100 and/or the control circuitry 110 includes a data storage 114 for storing data, such as for example a limitation parameter, one or more user inputs or corresponding data, a user-defined number of usage sessions, a number of partial usage sessions, a number of remaining usage sessions and/or a number of completed usage sessions. Alternatively or additionally, a storage status of the energy storage, one or more threshold values associated with at least one device function and/or information or data related to one or more use pauses may be stored in the data storage 114.

Alternatively or additionally, software instructions may be stored in the data storage 114, which when executed by the control circuitry 112 instruct the aerosol-generating device 100 to perform one or more functions of the device 100, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow.

The aerosol-generating device 100 optionally includes a user interface 120 for receiving one or more user inputs from a user, for example to operate the aerosol-generating device 100 to generate aerosol. The user interface 120 is exemplary shown as button in figure 1. Any other type of user interface 120, such as an acoustic interface, a haptic interface, a touch interface, a display, a tactile interface, an arrangement of one or more LEDs or other means can be optionally included in the aerosol-generating device 100 in the alternative or in addition.

Further optionally, the aerosol-generating device 100 includes a communication interface or circuitry 130 for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device 100 to one or more optional components of the aerosol-generating system 1000, in particular to one or more of the companion device 300, the mobile device 400, and the computing device 500.

One or more communication interface types or communication protocols may be implemented in the aerosol-generating device 100 and its communication interface or circuitry 130. In particular, the communication interface or circuitry 130 may be configured for one or both wired and wireless communication with one or more of the computing device 500, the mobile device 400 and the companion device 300. For example, the communication interface 130 may be based on one or more of a BUS communication, a cable communication, a Bluetooth communication, a Wireless Local Area Network communication, an infrared communication, a nearfield communication, an internet communication or any other suitable type of communication or communication protocol.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may optionally be coupled to, for example physically coupled and/or at least partly inserted into, the companion device 300 for charging the energy storage 102 and/or for storing the aerosol-generating device 100. Charging may, for example, be based on inductive charging or via electrical connections.

The aerosol-generating device 100 and/or the control circuitry 110 is configured to supply electrical energy to the at least one heating element 106 to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 200 to or above the predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol, as described hereinabove.

The control circuitry 110 is configured to receive a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions the aerosol-generating device 100 provides, can provide, or is operable after the energy storage 102 has been charged, has been charged the last time, since the last or latest charging event, per charge of the energy storage 102, before a next charging is requested and/or between two consecutive charging events.

The control circuitry 110 is further configured to limit operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter. Accordingly, the control circuitry 110 may control the aerosol-generating device 100, heating element 106, heating circuit 104 and/or energy storage 102, such that the device 100 can only be used for the user-defined number of usage sessions to generate aerosol based on performing or executing the main heating function of the device 100 and/or based on heating the aerosol-generating article 200 to or above the predetermined heating temperature before recharging is enforced by the control circuitry 110 and/or before at least connection to a charger (or “charging device” ) is enforced.

In an example, the user-defined number of usage sessions may be different than, for example smaller than, a capacity-defined number of usage sessions or number of usage sessions that could be provided based on the energy storage’s 102 capacity or currently stored amount of electrical energy.

As described in detail hereinabove, the limitation parameter may be received by the aerosol-generating device 100 based on retrieving it from the data storage 114. Alternatively or additionally, the limitation parameter may be received via the communication circuitry 120 from one or more of the companion device 300, the mobile device 400 and the computing device 500.

Alternatively or additionally, the limitation parameter may be received by the aerosol-generating device 100 based on one or more user inputs provided by the user at one or more of the user interface 120 of the aerosol-generating device 100, a user interface of the companion device 300, a user interface of the mobile device 400 and a user interface of the computing device 500.

For instance, one or more user inputs may be provided, which may be indicative of the user-defined number of usage sessions and/or associated with one or more of a number of usage sessions available to the user per charge of the energy storage, a duration of a usage session, energy consumption per usage session or charge of the energy storage, a n umber of usage sessions per period of time, availability of one or more auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device, and availability of a pause mode at the aerosol-generating device to interrupt or resume an ongoing usage session.

Optionally, the control circuitry 110 may compute the user-defined number of usage sessions and/or the limitation parameter based on one or more user inputs. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the companion device 300, the mobile device 400 and the computing device 500 may compute the limitation parameter and/or the user-defined number of usage sessions based on one or more user inputs and transmit corresponding data or information to the aerosol-generating device 100.

The control circuitry 110 may further be configured to determine a number of partial and/or completed usage sessions the aerosol-generating device 100 has been used to generate aerosol based on heating one or more aerosol-generating articles 200 at or above the predetermined heating temperature since the last charging event, and to compare the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter. Optionally, a number of remaining usage sessions may be computed by the control circuitry 110.

Further, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to allow or prevent execution of one or more device functions, for example the main heating function and/or one or more auxiliary device functions, based on comparing the determined number of partial and/or completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.

One or more of the user-defined number of usage sessions, the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions and the number of remaining usage sessions may be notified to the user based on actuating the user interface 120.

Upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter, the control circuitry 110 may enforce re-charging of the energy storage 102. For instance, the device 100 may be rendered inactive (e.g. by prohibiting the device from generating aerosol) and the request for recharging may optionally be notified to the user via the user interface 120. Additionally or alternatively, upon determining that the number of partial and/or completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter, the control circuitry 110 may prohibit the device from generating aerosol and notify to the user to charge the device. Prohibiting the device from generating aerosol may continue until the device is at least connected to a charger or a charging device.

Optionally, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to enable or re-enable use or operation of the device 100 for aerosol generation in one or more subsequent usage sessions upon recharging the energy storage 102, upon determining that the energy storage 102 has been re-charged and/or upon determining that the device has been connected to a charger, or a charging device.

Further optionally, the limitation parameter may be indicative of one or more of an availability of a pause mode at the aerosol-generating device and a number of usage pauses the aerosol-generating device provides, can provide, or is operable in the pause mode after the energy storage has been charged the last time, and the control circuitry 110 may limit one or more of operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 in the pause mode and the number of usage pauses based on the limitation parameter.

Further, the control circuitry 110 may compute, based on the limitation parameter, at least one threshold value indicative of an amount of energy available to the user to heat the at least portion of the aerosol-generating article 200 to a temperature at or above the predetermined heating temperature in one or more usage sessions.

For instance, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to determine a storage status of the energy storage 102 indicative of at least one an amount of electrical energy currently stored and an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage 102. The control circuitry 110 may evaluate the determined storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value, and hence with respect to the limitation parameter.

Further, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to enable or disable, based on the evaluation, at least one device function of the aerosol-generating device 100. Therein, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy required for operating the aerosol-generating device 100 during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article 200 to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature.

The at least one threshold value determined by the control circuitry 110 based on the limitation parameter may be associated with at least one device function of the aerosol-generating device 110, for example associated with heating of the aerosol-generating article 200 during a usage session or in the aerosol-releasing mode, or during a usage pause in the pause mode.

Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to determine a storage status of the energy storage 102 indicative of at least one of an amount of electrical energy currently stored and an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage, to evaluate the determined storage status with respect to at least one threshold value, wherein the at least one threshold value correlates with a threshold energy required for performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device 100 for heating the aerosol-generating article 200 at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol in at least one usage session, and optionally for performing at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device 100 different than the main heating function. The control circuitry 110 may further be configured to enable or disable, based on the evaluation, at least one of the main heating function and the at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device 100.

Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to determine a storage status including a health status of the energy storage 102 indicative of an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage, to evaluate the determined storage status with respect to at least one threshold value associated with at least one device function of the aerosol-generating device 100, and to enable or disable, based on the evaluation, at least one device function of the aerosol-generating device 100.

Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to determine a storage status of the energy storage indicative of at least one of an amount of electrical energy currently stored and an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage 102, evaluate the determined storage status with respect to at least one threshold value associated with at least one device function of the aerosol-generating device 100, wherein the at least threshold value may be adjustable, for example based on the limitation parameter.

In the following, various exemplary designs and configurations of the aerosol-generating device 100 are described and summarized. In an example, the the determined storage status includes at least one of a current energy level of electrical energy stored in the energy storage, and a health status of the energy storage indicative of an amount of electrical energy currently storable in the energy storage 102. For instance, the control circuitry 110 may compare the determined storage status to the threshold value.

For instance, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy required for operating the aerosol-generating device 100 during at least one usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article 100 to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy required for performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device 100 during at least one usage session, the main heating function involving supplying electrical energy to the at least one heating element 106 to heat at least a part of the aerosol-generating article 200 to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol.

For example, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy required for completing a current usage session to generate inhalable aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article 200 to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy required for operating the aerosol-generating device 100 during at least one usage pause in a pause mode interrupting a usage session.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one threshold value may be indicative of a threshold energy required for performing at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device 100. The auxiliary device function may be non-related to or differ from heating the aerosol-generating device during a usage session to generate aerosol based on heating the aerosol-generating article 200 to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature to generate aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the auxiliary device function may be associated with a pause mode interrupting a usage session.

Optionally, the auxiliary device function may include one or more of operating the aerosol-generating device at reduced energy consumption with respect to operation during a usage session to generate aerosol; heating the at least one heating element 106 and/or the aerosol-generating article 200 to a temperature below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol; heating the at least one heating element and/or the aerosol-generating article to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol; heating the at least one heating element 106 and/or the aerosol-generating article 200 to a temperature above room temperature and below a heating temperature sufficient to generate aerosol for a predefined period of time; activating or deactivating haptic control of the aerosol-generating device 100; operating a user interface 120 of the aerosol-generating device 100; operating a communication circuitry 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100 for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device 100 to a computing device 500, mobile device 400 and/or companion device 300; operating a sensor of the aerosol-generating device 100; and operating a biometric sensor of the aerosol-generating device 100 for user authentication.

In an example, the at least one threshold value may correlate with a threshold energy required for a) performing a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device 100 in at least one usage session to generate aerosol, and b) for performing an auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device different than the main heating function of the aerosol-generating device. The control circuitry 110 may be configured to enable a) a main heating function of the aerosol-generating device in at least one usage session to generate aerosol, and b) at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device different than the main heating function of the aerosol-generating device, upon determining, based on the evaluation, that a current energy level of electrical energy stored and/or storable in the energy storage is sufficient for performing the main heating function and the at least one auxiliary device function of the aerosol-generating device.

Optionally, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to trigger re-charging of the energy storage 102 based on the evaluation of the determined storage status with respect to the at least one threshold value.

Further, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to determine a health status of the energy storage 102 based on determining one or more of a current maximum capacity of the energy storage 102, a current maximum capacity of the energy storage 102 with respect to an initial maximum capacity of the energy storage, a number of usage sessions the aerosol-generating device 100 has been used to generate aerosol, an operation time the aerosol-generating device 100 has been operated to generate aerosol, charging data related to charging of the energy storage 102 in one or more charging cycles, and a total energy consumption of the aerosol-generating device 100.

In yet another example, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to determine a current maximum capacity of the energy storage 102 indicative of a maximum amount of energy storable in the energy storage 102 and a current energy level or amount of electrical energy currently stored in the energy storage 102.

Optionally, the control circuitry 110 may be configured to adjust the at least one threshold value, for example based on one or more user inputs and/or based on the limitation parameter.

As described above, one of the aerosol-generating device’s 100 device function or auxiliary device function may be the pause mode, which may allow a user to interrupt an ongoing usage session and resume it without substantial degradation of the aerosol-generating article 200, for example due to condensation of vapor in the device 100 or article 200. As described in detail above, the device 100 may be switched by the user, for example based on actuating the user interface 120, from the aerosol-releasing mode, in which the main heating function of the device 100 may be active and the heating element 106 may be heated to the predetermined heating temperature, into the pause mode. During the usage pause or in the pause mode, the temperature of the heating element 106 may be kept at a temperature above room temperature and below the predetermined heating temperature.

The control circuitry 110 of the device 100 may be configured to determine, based on evaluating a determined storage status of the energy storage 102 with at least one threshold value associated with the pause mode or a device function, whether or not the pause mode should be allowed or enabled at the device 100.

Generally, pause mode may allow users to pause in between puffs during a usage session. The pause can, for example range between a few seconds up to a couple of minutes, for example eight or ten minutes. During usage pause, the temperature of the substrate 202, article 200, and/or heating element 106 may be kept at certain level, for example the second temperature level, as described hereinabove. When the pause mode is terminated by the user or otherwise ends, the temperature would raise to the predetermined heating temperature or first temperature level allowing the user to continue the experience or usage session. As energy will be consumed during the pause mode, to ensure the energy storage 102 would have sufficient energy to complete the experience or usage session, one or more requirements, criteria, or preconditions may be considered and should preferably be fulfilled for activation of the pause mode. One or more of these requirements can be defined or included in the at least one threshold value that is evaluated with the storage status of the energy storage 102 and/or that is determined based on the limitation parameter.

For example, at least one threshold value indicative of a current capacity of the energy storage 102 and/or at least one threshold value indicative of a health status of the energy storage 102 may be considered and used by the control circuitry 110 to evaluate the storage status of the energy storage 102.

Particularly, a capacity value of the energy storage 102 or amount of electrical energy currently stored in the energy storage 102 may be, for example, at least 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%and 100%of a current maximum capacity. Preferably, the capacity value or amount of electrical energy currently stored in the energy storage 102 should be at least 90%, 95%and 100%of the current maximum capacity.

Alternatively or additionally, pause mode may be enabled upon determining that the energy storage 102 is fully or completely charged, or upon re-charging the energy storage 102.

With continued reference to figure 1 and subsequent figure 2, illustrative exemplary features of exemplary aerosol-generating devices 100 and systems 1000 according to the disclosure are summarized, which can be implemented alone or in combination with any of the functions of the aerosol-generating device 100 described hereinabove. In particular, figure 2 illustrates operation of an aerosol-generating device 100 or system 1000 based on the limitation parameter.

Generally, a lifetime or cycle life of an energy storage 102 may be limited, especially for the energy storage 102 being used in an aerosol-generating device 100. This may be because the energy storage 102 may need to provide a high power to heat up the aerosol-generating article 200 in a short period of time. Furthermore, the energy storage 102 may be relatively compact and small in size. Hence, a volume of electrodes and the capacity or amount of energy storable in the energy storage 102 may be limited. In turn, a user may need frequently charge and recharge the energy storage 102. Those characteristics may further shorten the lifetime of the energy storage 102 in the aerosol-generating device 100.

To lengthen the cycle life of the energy storage 102, options are provided to users to select for example based on their user habit, as reflected by the limitation parameter, and to configure the device 100 accordingly. In particular, it was found that some users would only have a discrete or single usage session per charge of the energy storage 102, while others may use the device 100 in consecutive usage sessions with a single charge of the energy storage 102 and/or between two consecutive charging events.

Based on one or more user inputs at the aerosol-generating device 100, the companion device 300, the mobile device 400 and the computing device 500, a user may define or select either a discrete usage session or consecutive usage sessions per charge of the energy storage 102. For instance, a user may enter the user-defined number of usage sessions, for example one or more, and the control circuitry 110 may limit operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 accordingly, as described in detail hereinabove. Hence, users may be provided with the flexibility to choose the number of usage sessions or experiences per charge, fitting to the consumption habits and adjusting to the situational needs.

Optionally, a user may select either a discrete usage session or consecutive usage sessions session or enter the user-defined number of usage sessions, for example at one or more interfaces of the aerosol-generating device 100, the companion device 300, the mobile device 400 and/or the computing device 500.

For example, a user can select the limitation parameter to be five usage sessions per charge. After finishing the fifth consumption, as illustrated with reference numeral 2002 in figure 2, the device 100 or control circuitry 110 may notify the user to recharge the energy storage 102, as illustrated with reference numeral 2004 in figure 2. The control circuitry 110 may the re-set or re-configure the device 100 to allow for the next five usage sessions, as illustrated by reference numeral 2006 in figure 2.

Alternatively, when a user selects the discrete usage session or a single usage session per charge of the energy storage 102, the user may use the device for a single usage session only, as schematically illustrated with

reference numerals

2002 and 2006 in figure 2, and may be requested to recharge the device 100 after each experience, usage session and/or aerosol-generating article 200 consumed, as illustrated with reference numeral 2004 in figure 2. It should be noted that the amount of energy drawn from the energy storage 102 in the example of a single usage session per charge of the energy storage 102 may be less than the amount of energy drawn in the example of five usage sessions per charge, however both the amount of energy drawn in a single and in five usage sessions are, for reasons of simplicity, schematically illustrated in figure 2 with

reference numerals

2002 and 2006 as referring to the same amount of energy drawn from the energy storage 102.

In particular, it was found that the rate of aging of the energy storage 102 can be slowed down based on controlling the device 100 using the limitation parameter.

For instance, a user may provide one or more user inputs, such as enter the user-defined number of usage sessions, or select either discrete or consecutive usage sessions on the device 100, the companion device 300, the mobile device 400 and/or the computing device 500. The control circuitry 110 may identify the one or more user inputs, optionally request usage data from a storing data unit or data storage 114, optionally determine the user-defined number of usage sessions and/or the limitation parameter, and optionally count or determine the number of completed usage sessions. When the number of completed usage sessions reaches the user-define number of usage sessions, the control circuitry 110 may control the user interface 120 or an indicator to provide a notification to the user to re-charge the device 100 or energy storage 102. Optionally, the user interface 120 or indicator may show the number of usage sessions completed or number of usage sessions remaining or available.

In another example, a user can select a certain number of usage sessions, e.g. a single usage session. In this example, after the device 100 has delivered the single usage session, the control circuitry 110 prohibits the device 100 from generating aerosol and indicates to the user to connect the device 100 to a charger or a charging device. Then, the user connects the device 100 to the charger or the charging device. At that point, the control circuitry 110 determines that the device 100 has been connected to the charger or charging device, and in response determines if the current state of charge of the energy storage 102 reaches or exceeds a usage session threshold value indicative of the state of charge required for the certain number of usage sessions (in this case, one usage session) . If the current state of charge of the energy storage 102 reaches or exceeds the usage session threshold value, the control circuitry 110 determines not to charge the energy storage 102 and/or prohibits charging of the energy storage 102. However, if the current state of charge of the energy storage 102 is below the usage session threshold value, the control circuitry 110 determines to charge the energy storage 102 and/or enables charging of the energy storage. During charging, the control circuitry 110 may determine that the state of charge of the energy storage 102 reaches or exceeds the usage session threshold value, and in response notify to the user via the user interface 120 that the device is ready for use. Alternatively, the control circuitry 110 may determine that the energy storage 102 is fully charged, and in response notify to the user via the user interface 120 that the device is ready for use. This way, even if the number of usage sessions defined by the limitation parameter is less than the maximum number of usage sessions that the device 100 can deliver per “full charge” , a wider range of the capacity of the energy storage 102 can be utilised.

Figure 3 illustrates a method of operating aerosol-generating device 100 or system 1000, for example an aerosol-generating device 100 described with reference to any one or more of the previous figures.

In step S1, the control circuitry 110 of the aerosol-generating device 100 receives a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions the aerosol-generating device 100 provides, can provide or is operable after the energy storage has been charged the last time.

At step S2, the control circuitry 110 limits or controls operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about" or “substantially” . Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 20%of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

An aerosol-generating device, comprising:

control circuitry and an energy storage configured to supply electrical energy to the control circuitry operatively coupled to the energy storage and configured to:

receive a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions which the aerosol-generating device provides after the energy storage has been charged, and

limit operation of the aerosol-generating to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to limit operation of the aerosol-generating device to the number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter since the energy storage has been charged the last time.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy storage is configured with a capacity for heating the at least portion of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at or above a predetermined heating temperature in a capacity-defined number of usage sessions; and

wherein the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter is different than the capacity-defined number of usage sessions.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter is smaller than the capacity-defined number of usage sessions.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising communication circuitry for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device to at least one of a computing device and a companion device for at least partially receiving the aerosol-generating device; and

wherein the limitation parameter is received based on transmitting the limitation parameter from at least one of the computing device and the companion device to the aerosol-generating device.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive the limitation parameter based on retrieving the limitation parameter from a data storage of the aerosol-generating device.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the limitation parameter is based on one or more user inputs indicative of the user-defined number of usage sessions.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the limitation parameter is received via at least one of a user interface of at least one of the aerosol-generating device, a computing device communicatively couplable to the aerosol-generating device, and a companion device communicatively couplable to the aerosol-generating device.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a user interface, wherein the control circuitry is configured to compute the limitation parameter or user-defined number of usage sessions based on one or more user inputs provided at the user interface of the aerosol-generating device.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuitry is configured to compute the limitation parameter based on one or more user inputs provided at at least one of a computing device and at a receiving device and transmitted to the aerosol-generating device via a communication circuitry of the aerosol-generating device.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

determine a number of completed usage sessions the aerosol-generating device has been used to generate aerosol based on heating one or more aerosol-generating articles at or above the predetermined heating temperature since the last charging event; and

compare the determined number of completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.
The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow or prevent operation of the aerosol-generating device in a further usage session based on comparing the determined number of completed usage sessions to the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to operate a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to indicate one or more the user-defined number of usage sessions, the number of completed usage sessions, and a number of remaining usage sessions available to the user.
The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to enforce re-charging of the energy storage upon determining that the number of completed usage sessions reaches or exceeds the user-defined number of usage sessions indicated by the limitation parameter; and/or

wherein the control circuitry is further configured to limit, based on the limitation parameter, operation of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol to a single usage session per charge of the energy storage.
An aerosol-generating system, comprising:

an aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, and

an aerosol-generating article couplable or coupled to the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol from at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.