Aerosol generator with improved user smoke detection and method for improving user smoke detection

Abstract

This disclosure relates to an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate consumable by inhalation by a user, the generator comprising: a first means configured to detect a first parameter indicating user inhalation; a second means configured to detect a second parameter indicating user inhalation; and a controller configured to determine whether or not user inhalation occurs based on the first and second parameters, wherein the first and second means are based on different detection modalities. This disclosure further relates to a method for determining whether or not user inhalation occurs in an aerosol generator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate by a user smoking, having improved user smoking detection, and a corresponding system having the aerosol generating device and aerosol-generating articles. The present disclosure further relates to a method for improving the detection of user smoking in an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating devices configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate are generally known from the prior art. For example, an aerosol may be generated by heating an aerosol-forming substrate having the ability to release a volatile compound when heated. As the released compound cools, the compound condenses to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user when smoking the device.

[0003] When a user session starts, the volatile compounds in the aerosol-forming substrate deplete. As a result, the quality of the generated aerosol may deteriorate during the course of the user session. Thus, the aerosol generating device may be configured to limit the user session to prevent the generation of lower quality aerosols. Additionally, limiting the user session may be used to approximate the experience of consuming a conventional cigarette.

[0004] In some aerosol generators, the duration of a user session is determined purely by a finite operating time or by a certain number of inhalations the user can perform. However, these limitations do not account for the diversity of user behavior. For example, one user may inhale for a long time and therefore deplete the aerosol-forming substrate within the finite operating time or a given number of inhalations of the user session. Conversely, another user or the same user under different conditions may inhale less intensely and therefore, unconsumed substrate may still be available at the end of the finite operating time or after a certain number of inhalations. To mitigate this problem, it has been proposed to use the aerosol volume generated during inhalation by multiple users as a parameter for determining the duration of a user session. In such applications, accurate and precise detection of whether a user is inhaling or not is necessary for the accuracy of determining the generated aerosol volume. However, known aerosol generators generally rely on a single sensor or multiple sensors that determine the value of a common parameter, which has the disadvantage of being prone to failure in detecting user inhalation. Specifically, user inhalation may be detected and characterized, but the user may not have actually inhaled. Conversely, user inhalation may not be reliably detected by the aerosol generator. As a result, the calculation of the generated aerosol volume may be subject to a large margin of error.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to have an aerosol generator that has the advantages of prior art solutions while mitigating their limitations. Specifically, it is desirable to have an aerosol generator that can more reliably detect whether or not user inhalation occurs, and therefore can more accurately characterize user inhalation. [Overview of the project]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generator is provided for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate consumable by inhalation by a user, the generator comprising: a first means configured to detect a first parameter indicating user inhalation; a second means configured to detect a second parameter indicating user inhalation; and a controller configured to determine whether user inhalation occurs or not based on the first and second parameters, wherein the first and second means are based on different detection modalities. Thus, the first parameter is determined by the first means according to the first detection modality, and the second parameter is determined by the second means according to the second detection modality. The controller is configured to determine whether user inhalation occurs or not based on the first and second parameters. Thus, the controller is provided with redundant parameters, a first parameter and a second parameter, to reliably determine whether user inhalation occurs or not, but the first and second parameters are based on different detection modalities. Thus, compared to known solutions, the determination of occurrence or non-occurrence does not depend on only one parameter or only one detection modality.

[0007] As used herein, the term “detection modality” refers to a detection technique that utilizes a particular physical mechanism or a particular physical property to detect or determine parameters that indicate a user’s smoking.

[0008] For example, the detection modality may be a thermal detection modality, an electrical detection modality, a pressure detection modality, a flow detection modality, or an optical detection modality. For example, in a thermal detection modality, the parameter may be an expression of the temperature in the aerosol generation system. In an electrical detection modality, the parameter may be an expression of the electrical characteristics of the aerosol generator, such as current, voltage, or power. In a pressure detection modality, the parameter may be an expression of the pressure in the aerosol generation system. In a flow detection modality, the parameter may be an expression of the flow characteristics of the device, specifically the airflow characteristics of the device, such as the velocity or speed of the airflow. In an optical detection modality, the parameter may be an expression of optical characteristics, such as diffraction caused by aerosol particles.

[0009] Therefore, the first and second parameters may be described as expressions of different physical characteristics that characterize the user's smoking.

[0010] As used herein, the term “aerosol generator” describes a device that operates electrically for interaction with an aerosol-forming substrate in order to generate an aerosol. The aerosol may be generated in different ways, for example, by means of an ultrasonic aerosol generator, by means of a spray device, or by other heating methods and means, by resistively and / or inductively heating the aerosol-forming substrate through at least one susceptor element, by dielectrically heating by the use of a dielectric heater. Specifically, an aerosol generator is a fume extractor for generating an aerosol that can be directly inhaled by a user through the user’s mouth. Preferably, the aerosol generator is a handheld aerosol generator.

[0011] As discussed above, the controller is provided with redundant parameters to determine whether or not user inhalation occurs. To further improve detection accuracy, the first parameter may all be dominant in determining whether or not user inhalation occurs.

[0012] As used herein, the term “all-prevailing” refers to the primary parameter that is essential for determining whether or not a user inhales smoke. Therefore, the primary parameter is the condition necessary to determine whether or not a user inhales smoke.

[0013] Therefore, the detection of the value of the first parameter, which ultimately indicates the occurrence of user inhalation, may be a necessary condition for user inhalation, as determined by the controller.

[0014] In other words, user inhalation may be determined only if the detected value of the first parameter ultimately indicates user inhalation. This means that the value of the second parameter may indicate user inhalation, but that user inhalation is only determined if the value of the first parameter also indicates user inhalation.

[0015] The first means and the second means may be unrelated to each other. Therefore, the first means and the second means are each separate physical entities.

[0016] The first means may be configured to detect at least one of the following characteristics, characteristic changes, parameters, or parameter changes associated with the airflow through the device that displays the user's smoke inhalation. Specifically, the first means may be configured to detect at least one of the following characteristics of the airflow through the device that displays the user's smoke inhalation: temperature, temperature changes, pressure, pressure changes, velocity or speed, or velocity or speed changes.

[0017] The first means may comprise at least one temperature sensor, specifically at least one thermistor, or at least one thermocouple, or at least one pyrometer, or at least one resistance thermometer. This means that the first means may be based on a thermal detection modality. When smoke inhalation is performed by the user, an airflow is generated through the device, and a temperature drop may be detected by at least one temperature sensor indicating the generation of smoke inhalation by the user. Accordingly, at least one temperature sensor may be configured and arranged to detect at least one of the temperature or temperature change in the airflow through the device indicating user smoke inhalation, as exemplary disclosed in the international application published as International Publication No. 2020 / 216765 A1 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the first means may include at least one pressure-sensitive sensor, specifically at least one microphone, piezoelectric sensor, strain gauge sensor, or diaphragm sensor. This means that the first means may be based on a pressure detection modality. When smoke inhalation is performed by the user, an airflow is generated through the device. The aforementioned airflow may cause a pressure change within the device that indicates the user's smoke inhalation. Therefore, at least one pressure-sensitive sensor may be configured and arranged to detect at least one of the pressure or pressure change of the airflow through the device that indicates the user's smoke inhalation.

[0019] Alternatively, or additionally, the first means may include at least one flow measuring sensor, for example, an electromagnetic flow sensor, an ultrasonic flow sensor, an obstacle-type flow sensor with a cantilever, or other types of airflow sensors. This means that the first means may be based on a flow detection modality.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the first means may include at least one optical sensor. The optical sensor may be configured to detect, for example, parameters indicating aerosol generation within the apparatus. The optical sensor may also be a diffraction sensor and thus configured to detect diffraction caused by the generated aerosols. This means that the first means may be based on an optical detection modality.

[0021] The second means may be configured to detect a parameter that indicates the power supplied by the apparatus during user inhalation for aerosol generation, specifically a parameter that indicates a change in the power supplied by the apparatus during user inhalation for aerosol generation, e.g., a power peak or any other power fluctuation supplied by the apparatus during user inhalation, as exemplarily disclosed in the international application published as International Publication No. 2013 / 098397 A1 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). This means that the second means may be based on an electrical detection modality. When inhalation is performed by the user, an airflow is generated through the apparatus and the aerosol-forming substrate. The aforementioned airflow carries the aerosol away, thus leading to the dissipation of the energy used by the apparatus to generate the aerosol. To compensate for the dissipation of energy, power is supplied by the apparatus to generate the aerosol. For example, the apparatus may include a heating arrangement for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate the aerosol. The airflow may cool the heating element and / or aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol generator, and the controller may act on power control to provide more power to counteract the cooling of the heating element. For example, more power may be supplied to the heating element by the device to maintain it at a predefined operating temperature. By detecting the power supplied by the device, in particular a parameter that displays the power change, the user can determine whether generation or non-generation is occurring without the need for additional components of the second means, thereby simplifying the aerosol generator.

[0022] Specifically, the second means may include at least one current sensor and / or at least one voltage sensor. Since the power supplied by the device is a function of current and voltage, the parameters for displaying the supplied power may be chosen to display the current and / or voltage supplied by the device.

[0023] To further improve the user's determination of whether or not smoke inhalation has occurred, the detection resolution of at least one of the first and second means may be adjustable. Similarly, the detection sensitivity of at least one of the first and second means may be adjustable.

[0024] As used herein, “detection resolution” refers to the smallest change in a measured parameter that can be detected.

[0025] As used herein, “detection sensitivity” refers to the magnitude of the output signal that represents the measured parameter when the input parameter is changed.

[0026] Since it cannot be ruled out that the parameters detected by the first and / or second means may change during the lifespan of the aerosol generator, it is advantageous to provide adjustable detection resolution and / or sensitivity to adapt the aerosol generator to the aforementioned changes. For example, the resolution and / or sensitivity of the first and / or second means may change over time due to environmental or operating conditions and may therefore become unsuitable for detecting the parameters (first and / or second) indicating user inhalation. By providing adjustment of resolution and / or sensitivity, this change can be mitigated in reaction, and the reliability of the device may be increased.

[0027] In this regard, the controller may be configured to adjust at least one of the detection resolutions of the first means and the second means, specifically when the detected values of the first parameter or the second parameter respectively indicate the non-occurrence of user smoking.

[0028] Similarly, the controller may be configured to adjust at least one of the detection sensitivities of the first means and the second means, specifically when the detected values of the first parameter or the second parameter respectively indicate the non-occurrence of user smoking. The resolution and / or sensitivity may be adjusted specifically in response to the values of other parameters, the second parameter, or the first parameter that respectively indicate the occurrence of user smoking. In such cases, when the value of one parameter (either the first parameter or the second parameter) indicates the occurrence of user smoking and the value of the other parameter (the second parameter or the first parameter) indicates the non-occurrence of user smoking, the resolution and / or sensitivity of the first means and / or the second means may be adjusted to enable the controller to either verify the occurrence of user smoking (when the value of the parameter detected by the means with the adjusted resolution and / or sensitivity indicates the occurrence of user smoking, thereby confirming that the value of the other parameter indicates user smoking) or to ignore the parameter indicating the occurrence of user smoking to determine the non-occurrence of user smoking (when the value of the parameter detected by the means with the adjusted resolution and / or sensitivity still represents the non-occurrence of user smoking).

[0029] The controller may also be configured to determine the occurrence or non-occurrence of user smoking based on a comparison of the detected value of the first parameter with a predefined value of the first parameter threshold.

[0030] If the detected value of the first parameter exceeds the predefined value of the first parameter threshold, it may be possible to display the occurrence of the user's smoking, in particular.

[0031] As used herein, "exceeding the predefined value of the (first or second) parameter threshold" means that the detected value of the (first or second) parameter reaches, exceeds, or falls below the predefined value of the (first or second) parameter threshold.

[0032] Regarding the adjustment of resolution and / or sensitivity, it may be advantageous to adjust the value of the first parameter threshold. Therefore, the controller may be configured to adjust the value of the first parameter threshold, specifically to decrease or increase it, when the detected value of the second parameter indicates the occurrence of the user's smoking, while the value of the first parameter detected during that smoking does not exceed the predefined value of the first parameter threshold, thereby indicating the non-occurrence of the user's smoking.

[0033] In this case, the controller may be configured to determine the occurrence of the user's smoking when the detected value of the first parameter exceeds the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, specifically due to the adjustment of the value of the first parameter threshold. Similarly, the controller may be configured to determine the non-occurrence of the user's smoking when the detected value of the first parameter still does not exceed the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, despite the adjustment of the value of the first parameter threshold.

[0034] Therefore, similar to resolution and / or sensitivity adjustments, the value of the first parameter threshold may be adjusted to confirm the occurrence of user inhalation (after adjustment of the value of the first parameter threshold, the detected value of the first parameter indicates the occurrence of user inhalation). If, after adjustment of the value of the first parameter threshold, the detected value of the first parameter still indicates the absence of user inhalation, it may be determined that the user has not inhaled smoke, or the value of the first parameter threshold may be adjusted again.

[0035] The controller may be configured to reset the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold to a predefined value after each adjustment (meaning after it has been determined whether or not the user has inhaled smoke). Thus, when determining whether or not subsequent user inhalation has occurred, the comparison of the detected values ​​of the first parameter is performed along with the reset of the first parameter threshold to a predefined value, and then adjusted as described above.

[0036] Similar to the adjustment of the first parameter threshold value cited above, the controller may be configured to determine whether or not smoke inhalation occurs for the user based on a comparison of the detected value of the second parameter with a predefined value of the second parameter threshold.

[0037] The controller may be configured to adjust, specifically by decreasing or increasing, the value of the second parameter threshold if the detected value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the detected value of the second parameter during that inhalation indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, in particular by ensuring that the value does not exceed a predefined value of the second parameter threshold.

[0038] Preferably, the controller may also be configured to reset the adjusted value of the second parameter threshold to a predefined value of the second parameter threshold after each adjustment.

[0039] In a preferred configuration according to an aspect of the present invention, the controller may be configured to characterize the user's inhalation qualitatively and / or quantitatively, meaning that it determines values ​​qualitatively and / or quantitatively associated with the user's inhalation. Specifically, the controller may be configured to determine values ​​of operational characteristics of aerosol generation during the user's inhalation. Thus, the values ​​of the operational characteristics are qualitatively and / or quantitatively associated with the user's inhalation. The operational characteristics may be determined as discussed above, if both the values ​​of the first parameter, particularly the values ​​associated with the adjustment of the first parameter threshold value, and the values ​​of the second parameter, particularly the values ​​associated with the adjustment of the second parameter threshold value, indicate the generation of the user's inhalation.

[0040] As used herein, “qualitative characterization” refers to the characterization of a user’s smoking in terms of quality, for example, whether or not that user smokes, according to the criteria applied for the determination.

[0041] As used herein, “quantitative characterization” refers to characterizing a user’s smoke in terms of the amount of smoke the user inhales, e.g., the size, duration, and power required to generate an aerosol; the volume of fluid associated with the user’s smoke inhalation, e.g., the volume of air drawn out during the user’s smoke inhalation, or the volume of air containing an aerosol; the volume of aerosol generated from / due to the user’s smoke inhalation.

[0042] Qualitative and / or quantitative characterization of a user's inhalation may be performed by a controller configured to assign predefined characteristics to the user's inhalation, specifically by setting the aerosol generation behavior characteristics during the user's inhalation to predefined values ​​such that the detected value of a first parameter indicates the generation of smoke inhalation by the user, while the detected value of a second parameter indicates the non-generation of smoke inhalation by the user.

[0043] Therefore, if the first and second means provide the controller with conflicting data (user inhalation versus non-inhalation), and the conflicting data makes it impossible to reliably determine user inhalation, the aerosol generation operating characteristics may be set to a predefined value to account for the uncertainty of the measurement.

[0044] The operating characteristics may be the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation, specifically the electrical energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation. As cited above, the energy provided by the device may be easily calculated by monitoring the current and / or voltage provided by the device without requiring any auxiliary components of the device. Thus, the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation may be determined by known solutions, for example, calculating the differential and integral calculus of the power provided during that user's inhalation, but not limited to these solutions. If necessary, the electrical energy actually provided by the device for aerosol generation may be determined by subtracting the electrical energy that would be provided anyway, even when the user is not inhaling.

[0045] The energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation may be used as an indicator of the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation.

[0046] As used herein, “aerosol volume” or “aerosol volume” means a value that indicates the amount of aerosol generated during a user’s inhalation, for example, the volume of air drawn out during the user’s inhalation in the direction of airflow passing downstream of the device and the aerosol-forming substrate, the volume of air containing aerosol drawn out during the user’s inhalation, the amount of air combined with the aerosol that is released, or the amount of aerosol-forming substrate that volatilizes during the user’s inhalation.

[0047] Specifically, the controller may be configured to determine the volume of aerosols generated during the user's inhalation based on a determined value of the energy supplied by the device for aerosol generation during the user's inhalation. The energy supplied by the device for aerosol generation during the user's inhalation correlates with the volume of aerosols generated during the user's inhalation. Therefore, by determining the energy supplied by the device during the user's inhalation, the volume of aerosols generated during the user's inhalation can sometimes be easily calculated using simple mathematical operations.

[0048] As already discussed, the controller may receive conflicting data regarding the occurrence or non-occurrence of smoke inhalation by the user. Therefore, the controller may be configured to set the volume of aerosol generated during a user's smoke inhalation to a predefined value, and to assign the aforementioned predefined value of the volume of aerosol generated for that user's smoke inhalation to account for the uncertainty in the measurement of the volume of aerosol generated, when the value of the first parameter indicates that the user has inhaled smoke, while the value of the second parameter indicates that the user has not inhaled smoke.

[0049] The volume of aerosols generated during a user's inhalation may be used to calculate the total volume of aerosols generated during a user session, where a user session includes inhalations by multiple users. This also implies that the number of user inhalations may be counted to determine the total number of user inhalations for that user session.

[0050] The second parameter may be qualitatively and / or quantitatively related to the user's inhalation, specifically qualitatively and quantitatively related to the operational characteristics of aerosol generation during the user's inhalation.

[0051] Therefore, the controller may be configured to quantitatively determine the value of the operating characteristic based on a second parameter, the operating characteristic may specifically be the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation. Preferably, the operating parameter may be the electrical energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation.

[0052] As already discussed, the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation may represent the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation.

[0053] The volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation may be determined by the controller based on a determined value of the energy supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0054] The controller may be further configured to set the volume of aerosols generated during a user's inhalation to a predefined value if the value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke.

[0055] According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol apparatus is provided for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate consumable by user inhalation. Accordingly, the above description applies in accordance with this preferred embodiment. The apparatus may comprise a first means configured to detect a first parameter at least qualitatively associated with user inhalation, a second means configured to detect a second parameter qualitatively and quantitatively associated with user inhalation, and a controller configured to determine and characterize user inhalation based on the first and second parameters. In this preferred embodiment, the first and second means may be based on the same detection modality. The determination of user inhalation is carried out based on a first parameter which is at least a qualitative representation of user inhalation, and a second parameter which is both qualitative and quantitative representation of user inhalation.

[0056] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for determining whether or not user inhalation occurs in an aerosol generator or system, specifically in an aerosol generator as described above, the method comprising the steps of detecting a first parameter indicating user inhalation, detecting a second parameter indicating user inhalation, and determining whether or not user inhalation occurs based on the first and second parameters, the first and second parameters being detected based on different detection modalities.

[0057] Therefore, the above description of the aerosol generator applies according to the method according to the present invention.

[0058] The first parameter may all be dominant in determining whether or not the user inhales smoke.

[0059] Ultimately, detecting the value of the first parameter that indicates user smoke inhalation may be a necessary condition for user smoke inhalation, as determined by the controller.

[0060] User smoke inhalation may be determined only if the value of the first parameter detected ultimately indicates user smoke inhalation.

[0061] The first and second parameters may be expressions of different physical characteristics that characterize the user's smoking.

[0062] The first parameter and the second parameter may be detected by the first and second means, respectively, and they may be independent of each other.

[0063] The first parameter may display at least one of the following: a characteristic, characteristic change, parameter, or parameter change associated with the airflow through the device, which indicates the user's smoke intake.

[0064] The first parameter may display at least one of the following: temperature, temperature change, pressure, pressure change, velocity or speed, or velocity or speed change of the airflow passing through the device that displays the user's smoke intake.

[0065] The second parameter may display the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation, specifically the power change of the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation, for example, the power peak.

[0066] The detection resolution of at least one of the first and second parameters may be adjustable.

[0067] The detection sensitivity of at least one of the first and second parameters may be adjustable.

[0068] Specifically, if the detected value of the first parameter or the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, the detection resolution of at least one of the first and second parameters may be adjusted.

[0069] Specifically, if the detected value of the first parameter or the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, the detection sensitivity of at least one of the first and second parameters may be adjusted.

[0070] Whether or not a user inhales smoke may be determined based on a comparison between the detected value of the first parameter and a predefined value of the threshold for the first parameter.

[0071] If the detected value of the first parameter exceeds a predefined value of the first parameter threshold, the generation of smoke inhalation by the user may be determined.

[0072] The value of the first parameter threshold may be adjusted, specifically decreased or increased, if the detected value of the second parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the first parameter detected during that inhalation does not exceed a predefined value of the first parameter threshold, thereby indicating that the user is not inhaling smoke.

[0073] If, following an adjustment of the value of the first parameter threshold, the detected value of the first parameter exceeds, specifically, the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, and this indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, then the user's inhalation may be determined.

[0074] Even if the value of the first parameter threshold is adjusted, if the detected value of the first parameter still indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, specifically by not exceeding the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, then the user may be deemed not to be inhaling smoke.

[0075] The adjusted value of the first parameter threshold may be reset to the predefined value of the first parameter threshold after each adjustment.

[0076] Whether or not a user inhales smoke may be determined based on a comparison between the detected value of the second parameter and a predefined value of the threshold for the second parameter.

[0077] The value of the second parameter threshold may be adjusted, specifically decreased or increased, if the detected value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter detected during that inhalation does not exceed a predefined value of the first parameter threshold, thereby indicating that the user is not inhaling smoke.

[0078] The adjusted value of the second parameter threshold may be reset to the predefined value of the second parameter threshold after each adjustment.

[0079] User inhalation may be characterized qualitatively and / or quantitatively, specifically by determining the operational characteristics of aerosol generation during user inhalation, such that both the value of the first parameter, particularly the value associated with the adjustment of the first parameter threshold, and the value of the second parameter indicate user inhalation generation.

[0080] A user's inhalation may be qualitatively and / or quantitatively characterized by assigning predefined characteristics to the user's inhalation, specifically by setting the operational characteristics of aerosol generation during the user's inhalation to predefined values, where the detected value of the first parameter indicates the generation of smoke inhalation by the user, while the detected value of the second parameter indicates the non-generation of smoke inhalation by the user.

[0081] The operating characteristics may be the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation, specifically, the electrical energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0082] The energy provided by the device for aerosol generation during the user's inhalation may indicate the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation.

[0083] The volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation may be determined based on a determined value of the energy supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0084] If the value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, the volume of aerosols generated during the user's inhalation may be set to a predefined value.

[0085] The second parameter may be qualitatively and / or quantitatively associated with the user's smoking.

[0086] The second parameter may be qualitatively and quantitatively related to the operational characteristics of aerosol generation during the user's inhalation.

[0087] The values ​​of the operating characteristics may be determined quantitatively based on a second parameter.

[0088] The operating characteristics may be the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation, specifically, the electrical energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0089] The energy provided by the device for aerosol generation during the user's inhalation may indicate the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation.

[0090] The volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation may be determined based on a determined value of the energy supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0091] If the value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, the volume of aerosols generated during the user's inhalation may be set to a predefined value.

[0092] As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” means a substrate formed from or containing an aerosol-forming material having the ability to release volatile compounds, preferably upon heating, in order to generate an aerosol. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is intended to be heated rather than burned in order to release aerosol-forming volatile compounds. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate, a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, a gel-like aerosol-forming substrate, or any combination thereof. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain, for example, both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco-flavoring compounds released from the substrate upon heating. Alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may further contain aerosol-forming materials. Examples of suitable aerosol-forming materials are glycerin and propylene glycol. The aerosol-forming substrate may also contain other additives and components, such as nicotine, flavorings, or botanicals. The aerosol-forming substrate may also be a paste-like material, a sachet of a porous material containing the aerosol-forming substrate, or, for example, loose tobacco mixed with a gelling agent or adhesive, which may contain a common aerosol-forming agent such as glycerin, and which is compressed or molded into a plug.

[0093] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising at least one aerosol-forming substrate having the ability to release volatile compounds that can form aerosols when preferably heated. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article is a heated aerosol-generating article; that is, an aerosol-generating article comprising at least one aerosol-forming substrate intended to be heated rather than burned. The aerosol-generating article may be a consumable, specifically a consumable that is discarded after a single use. For example, the article may be a cartridge containing a heated liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In another embodiment, the article may be a rod-shaped article similar to a conventional cigarette, specifically a tobacco article.

[0094] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exclusive list of non-limiting embodiments is provided below. One or more features of these embodiments may be combined with one or more features of any of the features described above, for example, one or more features of other embodiments, forms, or aspects described herein.

[0095] Example Ex1: An aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate consumable by inhalation by a user, comprising: a first means configured to detect a first parameter indicating user inhalation; a second means configured to detect a second parameter indicating user inhalation; and a controller configured to determine whether or not user inhalation occurs based on the first and second parameters, wherein the first and second means are based on different detection modalities.

[0096] Example Ex2: An aerosol generator according to Example Ex1, wherein the first parameter is entirely dominant for determining whether or not smoke is generated for the user.

[0097] Example Ex3: An aerosol generator according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the detection of a value of a first parameter that ultimately indicates the generation of smoke inhalation by the user is a condition required for the generation of smoke inhalation by the user, as determined by the controller.

[0098] Example Ex4: An aerosol generator according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the generation of user smoke inhalation is determined only when the detected value of the first parameter ultimately indicates the generation of user smoke inhalation.

[0099] Example Ex5: An aerosol generator according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first and second parameters represent different physical characteristics that characterize the user's smoke inhalation.

[0100] Example Ex6: An aerosol generator according to any one of the prior embodiments, wherein the first and second means are unrelated to each other.

[0101] Example Ex7: An aerosol generator according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first means is configured to detect at least one of characteristics, characteristic changes, parameters, or parameter changes associated with the airflow through a device that displays the user's smoke inhalation.

[0102] Example Ex8: An aerosol generator according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first means is configured to detect at least one of the temperature, temperature change, pressure, pressure change, velocity, or velocity change of the airflow passing through a device that displays the user's smoke inhalation.

[0103] Example Ex9: An aerosol generator according to any one of the prior embodiments, wherein the first means comprises at least one temperature sensor, specifically at least one thermistor, or at least one thermocouple, or at least one pyrometer, or at least one resistance thermometer.

[0104] Example Ex10. An aerosol generator comprising one of the preceding Examples Ex1 to Ex8, wherein the first means includes at least one pressure-sensitive sensor, specifically at least one microphone.

[0105] Example Ex11: An aerosol generator according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein a second means is configured to detect a parameter that displays the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation, specifically a parameter that displays a power change of the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0106] Example Ex12: An aerosol generator according to any one of the prior embodiments, wherein the second means comprises at least one current sensor and / or at least one voltage sensor.

[0107] Example Ex13: An aerosol generator according to any one of the prior embodiments, wherein the detection resolution of at least one of the first and second means is adjustable.

[0108] Example Ex14: An aerosol generator according to any one of the prior embodiments, wherein the detection sensitivity of at least one of the first and second means is adjustable.

[0109] Example Ex15: An aerosol generator according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the detection resolution of at least one of the first and second means, specifically, when the detected value of the first parameter or the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke.

[0110] Example Ex16: An aerosol generator according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the detection sensitivity of at least one of the first and second means, specifically, when the detected value of the first parameter or the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke.

[0111] Example Ex17: An aerosol generator according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not smoke inhalation occurs for the user based on a comparison of a detected value of a first parameter with a predefined value of a threshold for the first parameter.

[0112] Example Ex18: An aerosol generator according to Example Ex17, which displays the generation of smoke inhalation by the user when the detected value of the first parameter exceeds a predefined value of the first parameter threshold.

[0113] Example Ex19: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples Ex17 to Ex18, wherein if the detected value of the second parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the first parameter detected during that smoke inhalation does not exceed a predefined value of the first parameter threshold, indicating that the user is not inhaling smoke, the controller is configured to adjust the value of the first parameter threshold, specifically by decreasing or increasing it.

[0114] Example Ex20: An aerosol generator according to Example Ex19, wherein the controller is configured to determine user inhalation when the detected value of the first parameter exceeds the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, in accordance with the adjustment of the value of the first parameter threshold.

[0115] Example Ex21: An aerosol generator according to Example Ex19, wherein the controller is configured to determine non-inhalation of user smoke when, despite adjustment of the value of the first parameter threshold, the detected value of the first parameter still does not exceed, specifically, the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, indicating non-inhalation of user smoke.

[0116] Example Ex22: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples Ex19 to Ex21, wherein the controller is configured to reset the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold to a predefined value of the first parameter threshold after each adjustment.

[0117] Example Ex23: An aerosol generator according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not smoke inhalation occurs for the user based on a comparison of a detected value of a second parameter with a predefined value of a threshold for the second parameter.

[0118] Example Ex24: An aerosol generator according to Example Ex23, wherein if the detected value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter detected during that smoke inhalation does not exceed a predefined value of the second parameter threshold, indicating that the user is not inhaling smoke, the controller is configured to adjust the value of the second parameter threshold, specifically by decreasing or increasing it.

[0119] Example Ex25: An aerosol generator according to Example Ex24, wherein the controller is configured to reset the adjusted value of the second parameter threshold to a predefined value of the second parameter threshold after each adjustment.

[0120] Example Ex26: An aerosol generator according to any one of the preceding embodiments, configured to qualitatively and / or quantitatively characterize the user's inhalation, specifically, the operational characteristics of aerosol generation during the user's inhalation, when both the value of a first parameter, particularly the value associated with the adjustment of the first parameter threshold value and the value of a second parameter indicate the generation of the user's inhalation.

[0121] Example Ex27: An aerosol generator according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein, when the detected value of a first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the detected value of a second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, the controller is configured to qualitatively and / or quantitatively characterize the user's inhalation by assigning predefined characteristics to the user's inhalation, specifically by setting the operating characteristics of aerosol generation during the user's inhalation to predefined values.

[0122] Example Ex28: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples Ex26 to Ex27, wherein the operating characteristic is the energy provided by the device during the user's smoke inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0123] Example Ex29: An aerosol generator according to Example Ex28, wherein the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation indicates the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation.

[0124] Example Ex30: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples Ex28 to Ex29, wherein the controller is configured to determine the volume of aerosols generated during the user's inhalation of smoke based on a determined value of the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0125] Example Ex31: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples Ex29 to Ex30, wherein the controller is configured to set the volume of aerosols generated during a user's smoke inhalation to a predetermined value when the value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke.

[0126] Example Ex32: An aerosol generator according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the second parameter is qualitatively and / or quantitatively associated with the user's inhalation.

[0127] Example Ex33: An aerosol generator according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the second parameter is qualitatively and / or quantitatively related to the operating characteristics of aerosol generation during user inhalation.

[0128] Example Ex34: An aerosol generator according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to quantitatively determine the value of the operating characteristics based on a second parameter.

[0129] Example Ex35: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples Ex33 to Ex34, wherein the operating characteristic is the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0130] Example Ex36: An aerosol generator according to Example Ex35, wherein the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation indicates the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation.

[0131] Example Ex37: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples Ex35 to Ex36, wherein the controller is configured to determine the volume of aerosols generated during the user's inhalation of smoke based on a determined value of the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0132] Example Ex38: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples Ex36 to Ex37, wherein the controller is configured to set the volume of aerosols generated during a user's smoke inhalation to a predetermined value when the value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke.

[0133] Example Ex39: A method for determining whether or not smoke is generated or not in an aerosol generator or system, particularly an aerosol generator according to any one of the prior embodiments, - A step of detecting a first parameter that indicates the user's smoking, - A step of detecting a second parameter that indicates the user's smoking, A method comprising the steps of determining whether or not smoke inhalation occurs in a user based on a first parameter and a second parameter, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are detected based on different detection modalities.

[0134] Example Ex40: The method according to Example Ex39, in which the first parameter is entirely dominant for determining whether or not smoke is generated by the user.

[0135] Example Ex41: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex40, wherein the detection of a value for a first parameter that ultimately indicates the generation of smoke inhalation by the user is a condition required for the generation of smoke inhalation by the user, as determined by the controller.

[0136] Example Ex42: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex41, wherein user smoke inhalation is determined only if the detected value of the first parameter ultimately indicates user smoke inhalation.

[0137] Example Ex43: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex42, wherein the first and second parameters represent different physical characteristics that characterize the user's smoking.

[0138] Example Ex44: A method according to any one of Examples Ex39 to Ex43, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are detected by a first means and a second means, respectively, which are independent of each other.

[0139] Example Ex45: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex44, wherein the first parameter displays at least one of a characteristic, characteristic change, parameter, or parameter change associated with the airflow through a device that displays the user's smoke inhalation.

[0140] Example Ex46: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex45, wherein the first parameter displays at least one of the following: temperature, temperature change, pressure, pressure change, velocity, or velocity change of the airflow through a device that displays the user's smoke intake.

[0141] Example Ex47: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex46, wherein the second parameter displays the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation, specifically, the power change of the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0142] Example Ex48: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex47, wherein the detection resolution of at least one of the first and second parameters is adjustable.

[0143] Example Ex49: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex48, wherein the detection sensitivity of at least one of the first and second parameters is adjustable.

[0144] Example Ex50: Specifically, a method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex49, wherein the detection resolution of at least one of the first and second parameters is adjusted if the detected value of the first parameter or the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke.

[0145] Example Ex51: Specifically, a method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex50, wherein the detection sensitivity of at least one of the first and second parameters is adjusted if the detected value of the first parameter or the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke.

[0146] Example Ex52: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex51, in which the occurrence or non-occurrence of smoke inhalation by the user is determined based on a comparison between a detected value of a first parameter and a predefined value of a threshold for the first parameter.

[0147] Example Ex53: The method according to Example Ex52, wherein the generation of smoke inhalation by the user is determined when the detected value of the first parameter exceeds a predefined value of the first parameter threshold.

[0148] Example Ex54: A method according to any one of Examples Ex52 to Ex53, in which, if the detected value of the second parameter indicates that the user has inhaled smoke, while the value of the first parameter detected during that inhalation does not exceed a predefined value of the first parameter threshold, thereby indicating that the user has not inhaled smoke, the value of the first parameter threshold is adjusted, specifically by decreasing or increasing it.

[0149] Example Ex55: The method according to Example Ex54, wherein user smoke inhalation is determined when the detected value of the first parameter exceeds the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, specifically when the detected value of the first parameter threshold exceeds the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold.

[0150] Example Ex56: The method according to Example Ex54, in which the detection value of the first parameter still indicates the absence of user smoke inhalation, even if the value of the first parameter threshold is adjusted, specifically by not exceeding the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold.

[0151] Example Ex57: A method according to any one of Examples Ex54 to Ex56, wherein the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold is reset to a predefined value of the first parameter threshold after each adjustment.

[0152] Example Ex58: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex57, in which the occurrence or non-occurrence of smoke inhalation by the user is determined based on a comparison between the detected value of the second parameter and a predefined value of the threshold of the second parameter.

[0153] Example Ex59: The method according to Example Ex58, in which, if the detected value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter detected during that smoke inhalation specifically does not exceed a predefined value of the second parameter threshold, thereby indicating that the user is not inhaling smoke, the value of the second parameter threshold is adjusted, specifically by decreasing or increasing it.

[0154] Example Ex60: The method according to Example Ex59, wherein the adjusted value of the second parameter threshold is reset to a predefined value of the second parameter threshold after each adjustment.

[0155] Example Ex61: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex60, wherein the user's inhalation is characterized qualitatively and / or quantitatively, by determining the operational characteristics of aerosol generation during the user's inhalation, such that both the value of the first parameter, particularly the value associated with the adjustment of the first parameter threshold, and the value of the second parameter indicate the generation of the user's inhalation.

[0156] Example Ex62: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex61, wherein, when the detected value of the first parameter indicates the generation of smoke inhalation by the user, while the detected value of the second parameter indicates the non-generation of smoke inhalation by the user, the user's smoke inhalation is qualitatively and / or quantitatively characterized by assigning predefined characteristics to the user's smoke inhalation, specifically by setting the operating characteristics of aerosol generation during the user's smoke inhalation to a predefined value.

[0157] Example Ex63: A method according to any one of Examples Ex61 to Ex62, wherein the operating characteristic is the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0158] Example Ex64: A method according to Example Ex63, wherein the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation represents the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation.

[0159] Example Ex65: A method according to any one of Examples Ex63 to Ex64, wherein the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation is determined based on a determined value of the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0160] Example Ex66: A method according to any one of Examples Ex64 to Ex65, wherein if the value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation is set to a predetermined value.

[0161] Example Ex67: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex66, wherein the second parameter is qualitatively and / or quantitatively associated with the user's smoking.

[0162] Example Ex68: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex67, wherein the second parameter is qualitatively and quantitatively related to the operational characteristics of aerosol generation during user inhalation.

[0163] Example Ex69: A method according to any one of the preceding Examples Ex39 to Ex68, wherein the value of the operating characteristic is quantitatively determined based on a second parameter.

[0164] Example Ex70: A method according to any one of Examples Ex68 to Ex69, wherein the operating characteristic is the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0165] Example Ex71: A method according to Example Ex70, wherein the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation represents the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation.

[0166] Example Ex72: A method according to any one of Examples Ex70 to Ex71, wherein the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation is determined based on a determined value of the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

[0167] Example Ex73: A method according to any one of Examples Ex71 to Ex72, wherein if the value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, and the value of the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation is set to a predetermined value.

[0168] Here, we will further describe the examples with reference to the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0169] [Figure 1] Figure 1 schematically shows an aerosol generating article for use with the aerosol generating device according to the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 2 schematically shows the aerosol generator according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 schematically shows a flowchart of a method for operating the aerosol generator according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 schematically shows a plot of the first parameter during a user's smoking. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0170] Figure 1 schematically shows (not to scale) an induction-heatable aerosol generating article 10 equipped with a susceptor element 1. The aerosol generating article 10 is a substantially rod-shaped consumable comprising five elements arranged coaxially and continuously: a distal forward plug element 11, a base element 12, a first tube element 13, a second tube element 14, and a filter element 15. The distal forward plug element 11 is positioned at the distal end 16 of the aerosol generating article 10 to cover and protect the distal forward end of the base element 12, while the filter element 15 is positioned at the proximal end 17 of the aerosol generating article 10. Both the distal forward plug element 11 and the filter element 15 may be made of the same filter material. The filter element 15 preferably functions as a mouthpiece, preferably together with the second tube element 14 as part of the mouthpiece.

[0171] The filter element 15 may have a length of 10 to 14 millimeters, for example, 12 millimeters, while the distal forward plug element 11 may have a length of 3 to 6 millimeters, for example, 5 millimeters. The substrate element 12 includes not only the aerosol-forming substrate 18 to be heated, but also a susceptor element 1 configured and disposed to heat the aerosol-forming substrate 18. For this purpose, the susceptor element 1 is completely embedded within the aerosol-forming substrate 18, such as being in direct thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate 18. The substrate element 12 may have a length of 10 to 14 millimeters, for example, 12 millimeters. Each of the first tube element 13 and the second tube element 14 is a hollow cellulose acetate tube having central air passages 19, 20, and the cross-section of the central air passage 20 of the second tube element 14 is larger than the cross-section of the central air passage 19 of the first tube element 13. The first tube element 13 and the second tube element 14 may have a length of 6 mm to 10 mm, for example, 8 mm.

[0172] During use, volatile compounds released from the base element 12 upon heating are drawn out towards the proximal end 17 of the aerosol generating article 10 through the first tube element 13, the second tube element 14, and the filter element 15, as the user inhales the smoke, cools it, and condenses it to form an aerosol. Each of the aforementioned elements 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 may be substantially cylindrical. Specifically, all elements 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 may have the same external cross-sectional shape and dimensions.

[0173] In addition, the elements may be surrounded by one or more outer wrappers, for example, to hold the elements together and to maintain the desired cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped article. The distal forward plug element 11, the base element 12, and the first tube element 13 are surrounded by a first wrapper 21, while the second tube element 14 and the filter element 15 are surrounded by a second wrapper 22. The second wrapper 22 also surrounds at least a portion of the first tube element 13 (after being wrapped by the first wrapper 21), connecting the distal forward plug element 11, the base element 12, and the first tube element 13, which are surrounded by the first wrapper 21, to the second tube element 14 and the filter element 15. Preferably, the first wrapper 21 and the second wrapper 22 are made of paper. In addition, the second wrapper 22 may have perforations around its circumference (not shown). The wrappers 21, 22 may further have an adhesive to bond the overlapping free ends of the wrappers together.

[0174] As shown in Figure 2, the aerosol generating article 10 according to Figure 1 is configured for use with an induction heating aerosol generator 23. Together, the aerosol generator 23 and the aerosol generating article 10 form an aerosol generating system 24. The aerosol generator 23 includes a cylindrical receiving cavity 25 defined within the proximal portion 26 of the aerosol generator 23 to receive at least the distal portion of the aerosol generating article 10 therein. The aerosol generator 23 further includes an induction heating arrangement including an induction coil 27 to generate an alternating magnetic field, specifically a high-frequency magnetic field, within the cylindrical receiving cavity 25. The induction coil 27 is a helical coil that circumferentially surrounds the cylindrical receiving cavity 25. The induction coil 27 is arranged such that the susceptor element 1 of the aerosol generating article 10 is exposed to the magnetic field as the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the cylindrical receiving cavity 25 of the aerosol generator 23. Therefore, when the induction heating arrangement is activated, the susceptor element 1 is heated due to eddy currents and / or hysteresis losses induced by the alternating magnetic field, depending on the magnetic and electrical properties of the susceptor material of the susceptor element 1. The susceptor element 1 is heated until it reaches a predetermined operating temperature sufficient to vaporize the aerosol-forming substrate 18 surrounding the susceptor element 1 within the aerosol-generating article 10. Within the distal portion 28, the aerosol generator 23 further comprises a DC power supply 29 and a controller 30 (illustrated schematically in Figure 2 only) for supplying power and controlling the heating process. Apart from the induction coil 27, the induction heating arrangement is preferably at least partially integrated with the controller 30. A smoke inhalation sensor 31 connected to the controller 30 (illustrated schematically by a dashed line) may be disposed within the receiving cavity 25 to detect user smoke inhalation.The smoke absorption sensor 31 may be a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermistor, but not limited thereto), a pressure-sensitive sensor (e.g., a microphone, a piezoelectric sensor, a strain gauge sensor, a diaphragm sensor, but not limited thereto), an airflow measuring sensor (e.g., an electromagnetic flow sensor, an ultrasonic flow sensor, or an obstacle-type flow sensor with a cantilever, but not limited thereto), or an optical sensor (e.g., a diffraction sensor, but not limited thereto).

[0175] Here, the operation of the aerosol generator 23 according to at least some aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The aerosol generator 23 comprises a first means configured to detect a first parameter indicating user inhalation based on a first detection modality. In this embodiment, the first means comprises a smoke sensor 31, which comprises at least one thermistor. Thus, the value of the first parameter is the temperature measured by at least one thermistor. When a user inhales smoke, an airflow is generated in the receiving cavity 25 of the aerosol generator 23. The airflow is sensed by at least one thermistor and causes a temperature drop in the receiving cavity 25, which is used to determine whether the first parameter, the temperature value, indicates the occurrence or non-occurrence of user inhalation, as will be described in more detail below. Thus, the detection modality is a thermal detection modality.

[0176] The aerosol generator 23 further comprises a second means configured to detect a second parameter that indicates the user's inhalation based on a second detection modality. In this embodiment, the second means is configured to detect a second parameter that indicates the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation. The second means may comprise dedicated components such as voltage sensors and / or current sensors for detecting the value of the second parameter and a dedicated controller / analyzer for determining the value of the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation, but preferably relies on components already present in the aerosol generator 23 and / or controller 30, as will be described in more detail below, and is configured to detect the power supplied to the induction coil 27 during the operation of the aerosol generator.

[0177] When a user inhales smoke, air is drawn from around the aerosol generating article 10 and through the aerosol generating article 10, as described above. The generated airflow cools the susceptor element 1. The controller 30 is configured to determine the temperature of the susceptor element 1. Once the temperature change of the susceptor element 1 is determined, the controller 30 increases the power supplied to the induction coil 27 by the power supply 29 of the aerosol generator 23 to maintain the susceptor element 1 at a predetermined operating temperature. Thus, an increase in power delivered by the power supply 29, specifically an increase in power above a predetermined threshold, or an increase in the parameter that indicates power, is used to qualitatively determine whether the second parameter indicates the generation of smoke inhalation by the user. Thus, the second detection modality is an electrical detection modality. In addition, the second parameter may be used to quantitatively characterize the user's smoke inhalation. A user's inhalation may be quantitatively characterized by calculating the volume of aerosols generated during that user's inhalation, which correlates with the power delivered during that user's inhalation, and then assigning the calculated volume of generated aerosols to that user's inhalation.

[0178] The aerosol generator 23 may operate according to the workflow shown in Figure 3. While the aerosol generator 23 is operating, the user may inhale smoke. To determine whether or not the user has inhaled smoke, a first parameter and a second parameter are continuously monitored by the controller 30. The controller 30 may then determine that at least one of the first parameter and the second parameter indicates that the user has inhaled smoke. At this point, in step 100, the controller determines whether or not the value of the first parameter detected by the first means indicates the occurrence or non-occurrence of user smoke by comparing the detected value of the first parameter (temperature T) with a predefined value of the first parameter threshold (here, the temperature threshold TT). This means that the controller 30 determines whether or not the temperature T detected by the thermistor has fallen below the temperature threshold TT. Alternatively, the first parameter may be a temperature change, and the predefined value of the first parameter threshold may be a temperature change threshold. Thus, the controller 30 may determine whether or not a temperature change, specifically a temperature drop, within a predefined time interval has exceeded the value of a predefined temperature change threshold.

[0179] If the temperature T falls below the temperature threshold TT, and it is determined that the first parameter indicates the occurrence of smoke inhalation by the user, the controller 30 determines in step 110 whether the value of the second parameter (power supplied by the power supply 29) detected by the second means indicates the occurrence or non-occurrence of smoke inhalation by the user.

[0180] If the controller 30 determines in step 110 that the second means has detected a value for a second parameter indicating that the user has not inhaled smoke, then in step 100 the detected value of the first parameter has been determined, and therefore in step 120 the controller 30 still determines that the user has inhaled smoke, which is a necessary condition for determining the occurrence of the user's smoke inhalation and indicates that the user has inhaled smoke. The user's smoke inhalation is counted, and the count may be stored in the controller 30 to determine the number of times the user inhaled smoke during the user session. However, since the detected value of the second parameter indicates that the user has not inhaled smoke, the second parameter is not used to quantitatively characterize the user's smoke inhalation. Instead, a predefined volume of generated aerosol is assigned to the user's smoke inhalation. The assigned volume of generated aerosol may also be stored in the controller 30 to determine the total volume of aerosol generated during the user session.

[0181] However, if in step 110 the controller 30 determines that the second means has detected a value for a second parameter indicating the generation of user inhalation, then in step 130 the generation of user inhalation is determined and the user inhalation is counted. The user inhalation is then quantitatively characterized, and the volume of aerosol generated is calculated and assigned to that user inhalation, and used to determine the total volume of aerosol generated during the user session.

[0182] In step 100, if the controller determines that the detected value of the first parameter indicates, however, that the user is not inhaling smoke, then the controller 30, in step 140 as in step 110, determines whether the value of the second parameter (power supplied by the power supply 29) detected by the second means indicates that the user is inhaling smoke or not.

[0183] If the controller 30 determines in step 140 that the second means has detected a value for a second parameter indicating the generation of smoke inhalation by the user, the predefined value of the first parameter threshold is adjusted in step 150 (in this embodiment, the temperature threshold is adjusted from the temperature threshold TT to the adjusted temperature threshold ATT).

[0184] Next, in step 160, similar to step 100, the controller determines whether the detected value of the first parameter (temperature T) detected by the first means indicates the occurrence or absence of user smoke inhalation by comparing the detected value of the first parameter (temperature T) with an adjusted value of the first parameter threshold (adjusted temperature threshold ATT). This means that the controller 30 determines whether the temperature T detected by the thermistor has fallen below the adjusted temperature threshold ATT. If the temperature T has fallen below the adjusted temperature threshold ATT, and therefore the value of the first parameter is determined in step 160 to indicate the occurrence of user smoke inhalation, then step 130 is performed to determine the occurrence of user smoke inhalation and to count the user smoke inhalation. The user smoke inhalation is then quantitatively characterized, and the volume of aerosol generated is calculated, assigned to that user smoke inhalation, and used to determine the total volume of aerosol generated during the user session.

[0185] However, if the temperature T in step 160 does not fall below the adjusted temperature threshold ATT, and therefore the value of the first parameter is still determined to indicate no user smoke inhalation, the control unit 30 determines in step 170 that no user smoke inhalation has occurred, and no user smoke inhalation is counted or characterized.

[0186] Figure 3 also shows the path from process 100 through process 140 to process 170. In this case, in process 100, the controller determines that the detected value of the first parameter indicates that no smoke inhalation has occurred for the user, and in process 140, the detected value of the second parameter indicates that no smoke inhalation has occurred for the user, which inevitably leads to process 170. Here, the control unit 30 determines that no smoke inhalation has occurred for the user, and no smoke inhalation by any user is counted or characterized.

[0187] In Figure 4, steps 150 and 160 are schematically illustrated by the means of plotting the temperature T sensed by the thermistor during smoke inhalation by two different users. In the plot on the left, it can be seen that the temperature T does not fall below the predefined value TT of the temperature threshold. However, the detected value of the second parameter is determined in step 140 to indicate the occurrence of smoke inhalation by the user. Therefore, according to step 150, the value of the first parameter threshold, in this case the temperature threshold TT, is adjusted to the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, the adjusted temperature threshold ATT: as shown in Figure 4, the temperature T falls below the adjusted temperature threshold ATT, and the control unit also determines in step 160 that the detected value of the first parameter indicates the occurrence of smoke inhalation by the user. However, in the plot on the right, the temperature T has fallen but does not fall below the adjusted temperature threshold ATT. Therefore, the control unit determines in step 160 that the detected value of the first parameter indicates the non-occurrence of smoke inhalation by the user, and step 170 is carried out.

[0188] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers representing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc., are understood to be modified in all cases by the term “approximately.” Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges within them, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A ± 5%. In this context, the number A may be considered to include a number within the general standard error of the measurement of the characteristic that the number A modifies. In some examples used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate by the percentages listed above, as long as the amount of deviation from A does not substantially affect the fundamental and novel characteristics of the invention described in the claims. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges within them, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol generator for generating aerosols from aerosol-forming substrate consumables by having the user inhale smoke, - A first means configured to detect a first parameter that indicates the user's smoking, - A second means configured to detect a second parameter indicating the user's smoking, - A controller configured to determine whether or not smoke inhalation occurs for the user based on the first parameter and the second parameter, wherein the first means and the second means are based on different detection modalities, Aerosol generator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the detection sensitivity and / or resolution of at least one of the first and second means when the detected value of the first parameter or the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke.

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the value of the first parameter that ultimately indicates the generation of smoke inhalation by the user is a condition necessary for the generation of smoke inhalation by the user, as determined by the controller.

3. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the first means is configured to detect at least one of the temperature, temperature change, pressure, pressure change, velocity, or velocity change of the airflow passing through the device that displays the user's smoke inhalation.

4. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second means is configured to detect a parameter that indicates the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation, specifically a parameter that indicates a change in the power of the power supplied by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

5. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second means comprises at least one current sensor and / or at least one voltage sensor.

6. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not smoke inhalation by the user occurs based on a comparison of the detected value of the first parameter with a predefined value of the first parameter threshold.

7. The aerosol generator according to claim 6, which displays the generation of smoke inhalation by the user when the detected value of the first parameter exceeds the predetermined value of the first parameter threshold.

8. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein if the detected value of the second parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, and the value of the first parameter detected during the smoke inhalation does not exceed the predetermined value of the first parameter threshold, thereby indicating that the user is not inhaling smoke, the controller is configured to adjust the value of the first parameter threshold, specifically by decreasing or increasing it.

9. The aerosol generator according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to determine when the detected value of the first parameter exceeds the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, in accordance with the adjustment of the value of the first parameter threshold, thereby indicating that the user is inhaling smoke.

10. The aerosol generator according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to determine non-inhalation of user smoke when, despite adjustment of the value of the first parameter threshold, the detected value of the first parameter does not exceed, specifically, the adjusted value of the first parameter threshold, thereby indicating non-inhalation of user smoke.

11. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein if the detected value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, and the detected value of the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke, the controller is configured to qualitatively and / or quantitatively characterize the user's inhalation by assigning a predefined characteristic to the user's inhalation, specifically by setting the operating characteristics of aerosol generation during the user's inhalation to a predefined value.

12. The aerosol generator according to claim 11, wherein the operating characteristics are the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation of smoke for aerosol generation.

13. The aerosol generator according to claim 12, wherein the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation represents the volume of aerosol generated during the user's inhalation.

14. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the controller is configured to determine the volume of aerosols generated during the user's inhalation of smoke based on the determined value of the energy provided by the device during the user's inhalation for aerosol generation.

15. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the controller is configured to set the volume of aerosols generated during a user's smoke inhalation to a predetermined value when the value of the first parameter indicates that the user is inhaling smoke, while the value of the second parameter indicates that the user is not inhaling smoke.

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