WO2024085548A1

WO2024085548A1 - Aerosol generating system comprising aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2024085548A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/015877
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seok Su Jang; Ji Soo Kim; Jun Yeop Oh; Jeong Yeon Han
Original assignee: Kt&G Corporation
Priority date: 2022-10-20
Filing date: 2023-10-13
Publication date: 2024-04-25
Also published as: KR20240055495A

Abstract

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating article including an ink area in which ink that discolors in response to a change in temperature or a change in humidity is arranged, and an aerosol generating device including a heater that heats at least a portion of the aerosol generating article, a sensor that detects the ink area, and a processor that is configured to control a supply of power to the heater based on sensing information obtained from the ink area through the sensor.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM COMPRISING AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Various embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to an aerosol generating system that detects the state of an aerosol generating article.

Recently, demand for a method to replace shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, demand for a system for generating aerosol by heating a cigarette or aerosol generating material using an aerosol generating device, not by a method of generating aerosol by burning a cigarette, has increased.

The quality of a cigarette inserted in an aerosol generating device and used may affect the quality of aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device. Recently, to improve a user's sense of smoking, various methods to improve the quality of aerosol generated from an aerosol generating device have been researched.

A cigarette exposed to a humid environment may have an increased moisture content, and when the cigarette with the increased moisture content is heated by an aerosol generating device, an excessive amount of vapor and aerosol of a high temperature may be generated. Furthermore, a cigarette exposed to a high-temperature environment may have a partially changed cigarette taste. In this regard, a cigarette that has been already used should not be reused because it may not generate sufficient aerosol for smoking.

An embodiment according to the present disclosure provides an aerosol generating device which may control the supply of power to a heater based on the state of a cigarette.

The technical objectives to be achieved by the disclosure are not limited to the above-described objectives, and other technical objectives that are not mentioned herein would be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the disclosure.

An aerosol generating system according to embodiment includes an aerosol generating article including an ink area in which ink that discolors in response to at least one of a change in temperature and a change in humidity is arranged, and an aerosol generating device including a heater that heats at least a portion of the aerosol generating article, a sensor that detects the ink area, and a processor that is configured to control a supply of power to the heater based on sensing information obtained from the ink area through the sensor.

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a heater that heats at least a portion of an aerosol generating article, a sensor that senses an ink area of the aerosol generating article, and a processor that is configured to control a supply of power to the heater, based on sensing information obtained from the ink area through the sensor.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a cigarette may be heated differently depending on the state of the cigarette, and thus a user's discomfort and a reduction in smoking satisfaction due to a high temperature aerosol from a humid cigarette or reused cigarette may be reduced.

However, the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and other effects that are not described in the specification may be clearly understood from the specification and the accompanying drawings by one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view for describing an example of components of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining controlling an operation based on sensing information about an aerosol generating article by an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an example of an ink area corresponding to the state of an aerosol generating article, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating examples of temperature profiles of an aerosol generating device corresponding to the state of an aerosol generating article, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of a user interface (UI) screen of an aerosol generating device corresponding to the state of an aerosol generating article, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of an ink area corresponding to the state of an aerosol generating article, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

As used herein, hen an expression such as "at least any one" precedes arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged element. For example, the expressions "at least any one of a, b, and c" and "at least any one of a, b, and c" should be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an interior space thereof.

The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In an embodiment, the heater may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track.

The heater may include a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of a cigarette according to the shape of a heating element.

A cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be formed of sheets, strands, and tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may include at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool aerosols, and a second segment configured to filter a certain component in aerosols.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge that contains an aerosol generating material, and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may also be fixed to the main body so as not to be detached from the main body by a user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while accommodating an aerosol generating material therein. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. An aerosol generating material may also be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

The cartridge may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of various states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, or the like. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge may be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to perform a function of generating aerosols by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase. The aerosols may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate aerosols by heating a liquid composition, and generated aerosols may be delivered to a user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosols generated from the liquid composition may move along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage may be configured to allow aerosols to be delivered to a user by passing through a cigarette.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating aerosols by converting an aerosol generating material into aerosols with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and generate a short-period vibration through the vibrator to convert an aerosol generating material into aerosols. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be in a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs an aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be arranged to surround at least one area of the vibrator, or may be arranged to contact at least one area of the vibrator.

As a voltage (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick. The aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosols may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be lowered by the heat generated by the vibrator, and as the aerosol generating material having a lowered viscosity is granulated by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, aerosols may be generated, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device in an induction heating method.

The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In an embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned within the aerosol generating article.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

The aerosol generating device may configure a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above or may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating system 100 according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating device 200 and an aerosol generating article 300, and the aerosol generating device 200 may include a housing 205 into which the aerosol generating article 300 may be inserted.

In an embodiment, the housing 205 may form the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 200, and may include an inner space (or 'arrangement space') in which components of the aerosol generating device 200 may be arranged. Although the housing 205 is illustrated in the drawing as having a semi-circular shape cross-section, the shape of the housing 205 is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment (not shown), the housing 205 may have an entirely cylindrical shape, or in a polygonal column (e.g., a triangular column or a rectangular column) shape.

In an embodiment, components for generating aerosol by heating the aerosol generating article 300 inserted into the housing 205 and components for outputting a screen showing the state of the aerosol generating device 200 on the display 210 may be arranged in the housing 205, and detailed descriptions thereof are described below.

According to an embodiment, the housing 205 may include an opening 200h through which the aerosol generating article 300 may be inserted into the housing 205. At least a portion of the aerosol generating article 300 may be inserted into or accommodated in the housing 205 through the opening 200h. For example, the aerosol generating article 300 may be inserted into or accommodated in the housing 205, through the opening 200h, up to a portion where an ink area 310 is arranged.

As the aerosol generating article 300 inserted into or accommodated in the housing 205 is heated inside the housing 205, aerosol may be generated. The generated aerosol may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 200 through the aerosol generating article 300 that is inserted and/or a space between the aerosol generating article 300 and the opening 200h the aerosol generating device 200, and a user may inhale the discharged aerosol.

The aerosol generating device 200 according to an embodiment may further include a display 210 that displays visual information.

In an embodiment, the display 210 may be arranged such that at least a partial area is exposed to the outside of the housing 205. For example, the at least a partial area of the display 210 may be exposed through a cover glass outside the housing 205.

The aerosol generating device 200 may provide various pieces of visual information to a user through the display 210. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may display, through the display 210, information about the status of the aerosol generating article 300, information about the preheating and heating of the aerosol generating article 300, battery level information, time and date information, weather information, Bluetooth connection information, and the like. The information displayed through the display 210 is an example, and is not limited to the embodiment described above.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 may include a processor 210, a sensor 220, a heater, and a battery 240, and the heater may include an induction coil 230 and a susceptor 235. The components of the aerosol generating device 200 according to an embodiment are not limited thereto, and other components may be added or at least one component may be omitted depending on an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the sensor 220 may sense the ink area 310 of the aerosol generating article 300. The ink area 310 may be provided with ink that discolors in response to a change in temperature and/or humidity, and the sensor 220 may be an optical sensor (or a 'color sensor') that senses the color of the ink area 310.

For example, the sensor 220 may irradiate light having red, green, and blue (RGB) components onto the ink area 310 of the aerosol generating article 300, and sense the color of the ink area 310 based on the color component of the light reflected from the ink area 310. When a red ink is arranged in the ink area 310, reflected light from the ink area 310 includes a red color, and thus the sensor 220 may sense that red ink is arranged in the ink area 310. When black ink is arranged in the ink area 310, reflected light from the ink area 310 does not include any color, and thus the sensor 220 may sense that black ink is arranged in the ink area 310.

In an embodiment, the ink area 310 may include at least one of temperature-sensitive discoloration ink that discolors in response to a change of temperature and humidity-sensitive discoloration ink that discolors in response to a change of humidity. For example, the ink area 310 may include a first ink area in which the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink is arranged and a second ink area in which the temperature-sensitive discoloration ink is arranged. The first ink area and the second ink area may be spaced apart from each other by a certain distance (e.g., about 1 mm to about 10 mm).

The temperature-sensitive discoloration ink may be irreversible ink. For example, if the aerosol generating article 300 including temperature-sensitive discoloration ink that discolors at a temperature of 70°C is exposed to an ambient temperature of 70°C or higher, and then the ambient temperature is lowered to 25°C, the temperature-sensitive discoloration ink may maintain the discolored color.

That is, once the aerosol generating article 300 is used, the temperature-sensitive discoloration ink still displays the discolored color even when the ambient temperature is lowered. As such, the aerosol generating article 300 may be prevented from being reused through the aerosol generating device 200.

The humidity-sensitive discoloration ink may be reversible ink or irreversible ink. For example, if the aerosol generating article 300 including humidity-sensitive discoloration ink that discolors at a relative humidity of 15% is exposed to ambient humidity of a relative humidity 15% or higher, and then the ambient humidity is lowered to 8%, the ink may revert to its original color before discoloration if the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink is reversible ink. Otherwise, if the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink is irreversible ink, the discolored color may be maintained.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may control the supply of power to the heater (or, the induction coil 230) based on the sensing information about the ink area 310 which is obtained through the sensor 220.

For example, when the sensor 220 obtains sensing information corresponding to a humidity increase, from the ink area 310, the processor 210 may control the supply of power to the heater from the battery 240 based on a temperature profile corresponding to an increased humidity. In another example, when the sensor 220 obtains sensing information corresponding to a temperature increase from the ink area 310, the processor 210 may output a notification corresponding to the increased temperature. A detailed description thereof is presented below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining controlling an operation based on sensing information about aerosol generating article, an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, in operation 301, an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 2) may obtain sensing information from an ink area (e.g., the ink area 310 of FIG. 2) of an aerosol generating article (e.g., the aerosol generating article 300 of FIG. 2) through a sensor (e.g., the sensor 220 of FIG. 2).

In an embodiment, ink that discolors in response to a change in at least any one of temperature and humidity may be arranged in the ink area 310. For example, the ink area 310 may include at least one of temperature-sensitive discoloration ink that discolors as the ambient temperature reaches a set temperature and humidity-sensitive discoloration ink that discolors as the ambient humidity reaches a set humidity. In this state, a first ink area in which the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink is arranged and a second ink area in which the temperature-sensitive discoloration ink is arranged may be spaced apart from each other by a certain distance. Alternatively, the first ink area and the second ink area may be arranged substantially adjacent to each other.

According to an embodiment, in operation 303, the aerosol generating device 200 may detect whether first sensing information is obtained through the sensor 220. Here, the "first sensing information" may indicate that none of the inks arranged in the ink area 310 discolors.

For example, when the aerosol generating article 300 has not been previously exposed to an environment meeting specific discoloration conditions (e.g., a temperature of 50°C or higher or a humidity of 15% or higher), none of the inks in the ink area 310 of the aerosol generating article 300 undergoes discoloration. In this case, the aerosol generating device 200 may obtain first sensing information from the ink area 310 through the sensor 220.

However, when the aerosol generating device 200 detects discoloration of any one of the inks arranged in the ink area 310 through the sensor 220, the aerosol generating device 200 may proceed to operation 307 and perform subsequent operations.

In an embodiment, when the first sensing information is obtained through the sensor 220, in operation 305, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the heater based on a first temperature profile. The heater may include an induction coil (e.g., the induction coil 230 of FIG. 2) and a susceptor (e.g., the susceptor 235 of FIG. 2), and in this case, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the induction coil 230 based on the first temperature profile.

In an embodiment, the "first temperature profile" may be a temperature profile that is preset to correspond to the first sensing information. The first temperature profile may be a heating temperature profile optimized for an aerosol generating article in a normal state. For example, the first temperature profile may include a first preheating section and a first heating section.

According to an embodiment, in operation 307, the aerosol generating device 200 may detect whether second sensing information is obtained through the sensor 220. In this state, the "second sensing information" may indicate that there is ink that has discolored according to a change of humidity among the inks arranged in the ink area 310.

For example, when the aerosol generating article 300 is exposed to an environment that does not satisfy a temperature condition for discoloration but does meet a humidity condition for discoloration, the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink in the ink area 310 of the aerosol generating article 300 may undergo discoloration. In this regard, the aerosol generating device 200 may obtain second sensing information from the color of the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink that discolors in the ink area 310, through the sensor 220.

However, if no discoloration of the inks arranged in the ink area 310 is detected through the sensor 220, the aerosol generating device 200 may proceed to operation 309 and perform subsequent operations.

In an embodiment, when the second sensing information is obtained through the sensor 220, in operation 309, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the heater based on a second temperature profile. The heater may include the induction coil 230 and the susceptor 235. In this case, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the induction coil 230 based on the second temperature profile.

In an embodiment, the "second temperature profile" may be a temperature profile that is preset to correspond to the second sensing information. The second temperature profile may be a heating temperature profile optimized for an aerosol generating article in an excessively humid state. For example, the second temperature profile may include a second preheating section and a second heating section.

In an embodiment, the first temperature profile and the second temperature profile may differ in the preheating time. For example, the second preheating section of the second temperature profile may be longer than the first preheating section of the first temperature profile.

When the first temperature profile for an aerosol generating article in a normal state is applied to an aerosol generating article in an excessively humid state, an excessive amount of vapor and aerosol of a high temperature may be generated due to the increased moisture content in the aerosol generating article.

In this regard, by applying the second temperature profile including an increased preheating time compared with the first temperature profile to the aerosol generating article in an excessively humid state, the excessive moisture of the aerosol generating article may be partially dried during an increased preheating time. Thus, the generation of an excessive amount of vapor and aerosol of a high temperature may be prevented. As a result, the attenuation of smoking satisfaction and use's inconvenience due to aerosol of a high temperature may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, in operation 311, the aerosol generating device 200 may detect whether third sensing information is obtained through the sensor 220. Here, the "third sensing information" indicate that there is ink that has discolored according to a change of temperature among the inks arranged in the ink area 310.

For example, when the aerosol generating article 300 has been previously exposed to an environment that does not satisfy a humidity condition for discoloration but does meet a temperature condition for discoloration, the temperature-sensitive discoloration ink in the ink area 310 of the aerosol generating article 300 may undergo discoloration. In this case, the aerosol generating device 200 may obtain the third sensing information from the color of the temperature-sensitive discoloration ink that has discolored in the ink area 310, through the sensor 220.

In an embodiment, when the third sensing information is obtained through the sensor 220, in operation 313, the aerosol generating device 200 may output a notification through a user interface. Here, the notification may include a message indicating that an aerosol generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device 200 has already been used, and/or a message indicating that heating of the aerosol generating article cannot start.

The user interface may include a display (e.g., the display 210 of FIG. 1). For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may provide a user notification as visual information output from the display 210. In another embodiment, the user interface may include a haptic module and/or a sound output module. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may provide the user notification with tactile information output from a haptic module and/or auditory information output from a sound output module.

However, although FIG. 3 illustrates that operation 303, operation 307, and operation 311 are sequentially performed, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the order of operation 303, operation 307, and operation 311 may be changed, or operation 303, operation 307, and operation 311 may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an example of an ink area corresponding to a state of an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating article 300 may include the ink area 310 in which ink that discolors in response to a change in temperature and/or humidity is arranged. For example, the ink area 310 may include a first ink area 400 in which the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink that discolors in response to a change of humidity is arranged and a second ink area 410 in which the temperature-sensitive discoloration ink that discolors in response to a change of temperature is arranged.

In an embodiment, the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink arranged in the first ink area 400 may be reversible ink. In this state, the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink arranged in the first ink area 400 may include constituent materials, such as alcohol solvent, an indicator material, a solution, a buffer solution, a moisturizer, and the like, and the indicator material may display a different color based on a change in pH of the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink. For example, the indicator material may include at least any one of methyl red, methyl yellow, methyl orange, methyl violet, thymol blue, thymolphthalein, phenol red, phenolphthalein, anthocyanin, golden rod, alizarin red, indigo carmine, congo red, cresol red, crystal violet, chlorophenol red, litmus, malachite green, naphtholphthalein, neutral red, or bromothymol blue (BTB), but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

When the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink is dried after being applied to the first ink area 400, moisture included in the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink evaporates. Accordingly, the pH of the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink is lowered and the indicator material included in the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink may display a color (e.g., light blue) corresponding to the lowered pH.

Then, if the aerosol generating article 300 is exposed to a humid environment, the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink of the first ink area 400 reacts with moisture (H₂O). As such, the pH of the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink increases, and thus, the indicator material included in the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink may display a color (e.g., dark blue) corresponding to the increased pH.

The humidity-sensitive discoloration ink may be reversible ink that may display a different color in response to an increase and a decrease in the ambient humidity, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink may be irreversible ink.

In an embodiment, the temperature-sensitive discoloration ink arranged in the second ink area 410 may be irreversible ink. The temperature-sensitive discoloration ink arranged in the second ink area 410 may include solvent and thermochromic pigment. The thermochromic pigment may include a carrier that is permanently deformed when heated to a certain temperature or higher, thereby permanently displaying a different color. For example, the thermochromic pigment may include leuco dyes, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the first ink area 400 and the second ink area 410 are space apart from each other by a certain distance x as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 4. For example, the first ink area 400 and the second ink area 410 may be spaced apart from each other by about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

In an embodiment, if the aerosol generating article 300 has been previously exposed to a humidity condition for discoloration, the first ink area 400 of the aerosol generating article 300 may discolor as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 4. For example, the humidity-sensitive discoloration ink arranged in the first ink area 400 may discolor from one color (e.g., light blue) to another color (e.g., dark blue), from colored to colorless, or from colorless to colored.

In an embodiment, if the aerosol generating article 300 has been previously exposed to a temperature condition for discoloration (i.e., if the aerosol generating article 300 has been previously used), the second ink area 410 of the aerosol generating article 300 may discolor as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 4. For example, the temperature-sensitive discoloration ink arranged in the second ink area 410 may discolor from one color (e.g., light red) to another color (e.g., dark red), from colored to colorless, or from colorless to colored.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating examples of temperature profiles of an aerosol generating device corresponding to the state of an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 1) may set a heating temperature profile for an aerosol generating article, based on whether the state of an aerosol generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device 200 is in a normal state or in an excessively humid state.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 5, if an aerosol generating article 500 in a normal state is inserted into the aerosol generating device 200, the aerosol generating device 200 may obtain first sensing information from an ink area 510. The "first sensing information" may indicate that none of the inks arranged in the ink area 510 has discolored.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 may heat the aerosol generating article 500 based on the obtained first sensing information. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may heat the aerosol generating article 500 according to a first temperature profile 540 corresponding to the first sensing information. The first temperature profile 540 may include a first preheating section 550 and a first heating section (not shown), and the first preheating section 550 may mean a preheating time for preheating the aerosol generating article 500 to a target preheating temperature (e.g., 300°C).

In an embodiment, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 5, if an aerosol generating article 520 in an excessively humid state is inserted into the aerosol generating device 200, the aerosol generating device 200 may obtain second sensing information from an ink area 530. The "second sensing information" may indicate that one of the inks arranged in the ink area 530 (e.g., ink arranged in an upper portion of the ink area) has discolored according to a change of humidity.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 may heat the aerosol generating article 520 based on the obtained second sensing information. For example, a second temperature profile 560 corresponding to the second sensing information may include a second preheating section 570 and a second heating section (not shown). The second preheating section 570 may mean a preheating time for preheating the aerosol generating article 520 to a target preheating temperature (e.g., 300°C).

In an embodiment, the first temperature profile 540 and the second temperature profile 560 may have different preheating times. In other words, the second preheating section 570 of the second temperature profile 560 may include a preheating time longer than that of the first preheating section 550 of the first temperature profile 540. For example, the first preheating section 550 of the first temperature profile 540 may include a preheating time of about 35 seconds, and the second preheating section 570 of the second temperature profile 560 may include a preheating time of about 45 seconds.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of a user interface (UI) screen of an aerosol generating device corresponding to the state of an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 200 may output a notification UI screen through the display 210 when an aerosol generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device 200 is a used article.

In an embodiment, if an aerosol generating article 600 that has been previously used is inserted into the aerosol generating device 200, third sensing information may be obtained from an ink area 610. The "third sensing information" may indicate that one of the inks (e.g., ink arranged in a lower portion of the ink area) arranged in the ink area 610 has already discolored according to a change of temperature.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 may output a notification UI screen through the display 210, based on the obtained third sensing information. For example, the notification UI screen output through the display 210 may include the text "REUSED STICK DETECTED" and an icon (e.g., "!") indicating that heating cannot be initiated. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the notification UI screen may include various types of objects to implement a notification indicating that the inserted article has been previously used and/or a notification indicating that the heating of the aerosol generating article cannot be initiated.

Although FIG. 6 illustrates only an embodiment in which a notification is output through the display 210, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, a notification may be output through a haptic module and/or an acoustic output module.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of an ink area corresponding to the state of an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, an aerosol generating article 700 may include an ink area 710 where a plurality of strips of inks that discolor in response to a change of humidity are arranged. Each strip may include a different ink concentration, and therefore, the threshold humidity for discoloration may differ. In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 1) may sense the ink area 710 of the aerosol generating article 700 through a sensor (e.g., the sensor 220 of FIG. 2).

In an embodiment, the ink area 710 may include a plurality of strips which have different ink concentration values are arranged. The strips may respectively represent certain levels of moisture content in the aerosol generating article 700. Although FIG. 7 shows four strips including a first strip 712, a second strip 714, a third strip 716, and a fourth strip 718, the number of strips are not limited thereto.

For example, the first strip 712 may have a first concentration value corresponding to a first moisture content (e.g., 9%) of the aerosol generating article 700, the second strip 714 may have a second concentration value corresponding to a second moisture content (e.g., 12%) of the aerosol generating article 700, the third strip 716 may have a third concentration value corresponding to a third moisture content (e.g., 15%) of the aerosol generating article 700, and the fourth strip 718 may have a fourth concentration value corresponding to a fourth moisture content (e.g., 18%) of the aerosol generating article 700. In this state, as the first concentration value, the second concentration value, the third concentration value, and the fourth concentration value of the strips may be sequentially lowered. Accordingly, the sensitivity to a moisture content of the strips with different concentration values may be different. For example, the sensitivity to the moisture content of the first strip 712 having the first concentration value may be higher than the sensitivity to the moisture content of the fourth strip 718 having the fourth concentration value.

In the above example, if a moisture content of the aerosol generating article 700 is about 10%, the first strip 712 only discolors among the four strips. Therefore, a single line (i.e., discolored strip) appears in the ink area 710, and the sensor 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 may sense a single line indicating that the moisture content of the aerosol generating article 700 is between 9% and 12%.

In this case, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the moisture content of the aerosol generating article 700. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the heater based on a preset temperature profile optimized for an aerosol generating article in a normal state where a moisture content is in the range of 9% to 12%.

If the moisture content of the aerosol generating article 700 is about 16%, the first strip 712, the second strip 714, and the third strip 716 discolor, and the fourth strip 718 maintains its original color. That is, the ink area 710 may display three lines (i.e., three discolored strips), and the sensor 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 may sense three lines indicating that the moisture content of the aerosol generating article 700 is in the range of 15% to 18%.

In this case, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the moisture content of the aerosol generating article 700. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the heater based on a preset temperature profile optimized for an aerosol generating article in an excessively humid state where a moisture content is in the range of 15% to 18%.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 800 according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 800 may include a controller 810, a sensing unit 820, an output unit 830, a battery 840, a heater 850, a user input unit 860, a memory 870, and a communication unit 880. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 800 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 8. That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 800, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 8 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensing unit 820 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 800 and a state around the aerosol generating device 800, and transmit sensed information to the controller 810. Based on the sensed information, the controller 810 may control the aerosol generating device 800 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the heater 850, limiting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, or the like) is inserted, displaying a notification, or the like.

The sensing unit 820 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 822, an insertion detection sensor, and a puff sensor 826, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 822 may sense a temperature at which the heater 850 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 800 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 850, or the heater 850 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 822 may also be arranged around the battery 840 to monitor the temperature of the battery 840.

The insertion detection sensor 824 may sense insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 824 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may sense a signal change according to the insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article.

The puff sensor 826 may sense a user's puff on the basis of various physical changes in an airflow passage or an airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 826 may sense a user's puff on the basis of any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

The sensing unit 820 may include, in addition to the temperature sensor 822, the insertion detection sensor 824, and the puff sensor 826 described above, at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a location sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a red-green-blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor). Because a function of each of sensors may be intuitively inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art from the name of the sensor, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The output unit 830 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device 800 and provide the information to a user. The output unit 830 may include at least one of a display unit 832, a haptic unit 834, and a sound output unit 836, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 832 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 832 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 832 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 800 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 800 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 840 of the aerosol generating device 800, a preheating state of the heater 850, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 800 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 832 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 832 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or the like. In addition, the display unit 832 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 834 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 800 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit 834 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 836 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 800 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 836 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.

The battery 840 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 800. The battery 840 may supply power such that the heater 850 may be heated. In addition, the battery 840 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 820, the output unit 830, the user input unit 860, the memory 870, and the communication unit 880) in the aerosol generating device 800. The battery 840 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 840 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 850 may receive power from the battery 840 to heat an aerosol generating material. Although not illustrated in FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device 800 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 840 and supplies the same to the heater 850. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 800 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 800 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) that converts DC power of the battery 840 into AC power.

The controller 810, the sensing unit 820, the output unit 830, the user input unit 860, the memory 870, and the communication unit 880 may each receive power from the battery 840 to perform a function. Although not illustrated in FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device 800 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 840 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.

In an embodiment, the heater 850 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 850 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the heater 850 may be a heater of an induction heating type. For example, the heater 850 may include a susceptor that heats an aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

The user input unit 860 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 860 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a contact capacitive method, a pressure resistance film method, an infrared sensing method, a surface ultrasonic conduction method, an integral tension measurement method, a piezo effect method, or the like), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device 800 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may connect to other external devices through the connection interface, such as the USB interface, to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 840.

The memory 870 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 800, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 810. The memory 870 may include at least one type of storage medium from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card-type memory (for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory, etc.), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 870 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 800, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user's smoking pattern, etc.

The communication unit 880 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 880 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 882 and a wireless communication unit 884.

The short-range wireless communication unit 882 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 884 may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 884 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 800 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 810 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 800. In an embodiment, the controller 810 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The controller 810 may control the temperature of the heater 850 by controlling supply of power of the battery 840 to the heater 850. For example, the controller 810 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 840 and the heater 850. In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the heater 850 according to a control command of the controller 810.

The controller 810 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 820 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 810 may control power supplied to the heater 850 to start or end an operation of the heater 850 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 820. As another example, the controller 810 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 820, an amount of power supplied to the heater 850 and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater 850 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The controller 810 may control the output unit 830 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 820. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 826 reaches a preset number, the controller 810 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 800 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 832, the haptic unit 834, and the sound output unit 836.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer. The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media.

The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents thereof may be made. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

An aerosol generating system comprising:

an aerosol generating article comprising an ink area in which ink that discolors in response to at least one of a change in temperature and a change in humidity is arranged; and

an aerosol generating device comprising:

a heater configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating article;

a sensor configured to detect the ink area; and

a processor configured to control a supply of power to the heater based on sensing information obtained from the ink area through the sensor.
The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

when first sensing information is obtained from the ink area through the sensor, supply power to the heater based on a first temperature profile; and

when second sensing information is obtained from the ink area through the sensor, supply power to the heater based on a second temperature profile that is different from the first temperature profile.
The aerosol generating system of claim 2, wherein the second temperature profile includes a preheating time that is longer than a preheating time of the first temperature profile.
The aerosol generating system of claim 2, wherein the first sensing information indicates that the ink has not discolored, and the second sensing information indicates that the ink has discolored according to the change in humidity.
The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein

the aerosol generating device further comprises a user interface, and

the processor is further configured to, when third sensing information is obtained from the ink area through the sensor, output a notification through the user interface.
The aerosol generating system of claim 5, wherein the third sensing information indicates that the ink has discolored according to the change in temperature.
The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the ink area comprises:

a first ink area configured to discolor in response to the change of humidity; and

a second ink area configured to discolor in response to the change of temperature, and arranged apart from the first ink area.
The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the ink area comprises a plurality of strips of the ink that discolors in response to the change of humidity.
The aerosol generating system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of strips comprise:

a first strip in which the ink has a first concentration value such that the first strip is discolored when a moisture content of the aerosol generating article increases above a first moisture content; and

a second strip in which the ink has a second concentration value such that the second strip is discolored when the moisture content of the aerosol generating article increases above a second moisture content, the second moisture content being greater than the first moisture content.
The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to:

when the sensing information indicates discoloration of the first strip, supply power to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the first moisture content of the aerosol generating article; and

when the sensing information indicates discoloration of the first strip and the second strip, supply power to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the second moisture content of the aerosol generating article.
An aerosol generating device comprising:

a heater configured to heat at least a portion of an aerosol generating article;

a sensor configured to sense an ink area of the aerosol generating article; and

a processor configured to control a supply of power to the heater, based on sensing information obtained from the ink area through the sensor.
The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

when first sensing information is obtained from the ink area through the sensor, supply power to the heater based on a first temperature profile; and

when second sensing information is obtained from the ink area through the sensor, supply power to the heater based on a second temperature profile that is different from the first temperature profile.
The aerosol generating device of claim 11, further comprising a user interface,

wherein the processor is further configured to, when third sensing information is obtained from the ink area through the sensor, output a notification through the user interface.
The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

when sensing information indicates that a first strip is detected in the ink area, supply power to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to a first moisture content of the aerosol generating article; and

when sensing information indicates that the first strip and a second strip is detected in the ink area, supply power to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to a second moisture content of the aerosol generating article.