A method of operating an aerosol generating device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of operating an aerosol-generating device. The method comprises: determining the orientation of the device during use; monitoring the use of the device; upon determining that the device is in a first orientation, enabling a first operating mode, wherein, in the first mode, a first indication is provided to a user when the use of the device reaches a first threshold; and upon determining that the device is in a second orientation, enabling a second operating mode, wherein, in the second mode, no indication is provided to the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating an aerosol-generating device to enhance the user experience. More specifically, the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device, such as an electronic cigarette or a heat-not-burn device, that can indicate aerosol intake to a user based on the device's position. Background Art

[0002] Inhalers or aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes or suction devices are becoming increasingly popular. As opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products, such aerosol generating devices typically heat or warm aerosolizable substances to produce an aerosol for inhalation. The aerosol produced can contain flavor and / or stimulant (e.g., nicotine or other active ingredients). Users of these inhalers may wish to occasionally monitor the amount of flavor or stimulant taken in during use.

[0003] Most aerosol-generating devices incorporate some form of electronic control circuitry, typically including a simple computer processor, to allow a user to control the operation of the aerosol-generating device. However, these devices can be quite limited in their settings and may not offer the user much flexibility. Even in devices that allow the user to customize settings, this requires some effort on the part of the user and may not be intuitive.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a device that can be operated and controlled according to user preferences for aerosol monitoring without much effort. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for operating an aerosol generating device is provided, the method comprising determining a positional orientation of the device when in use; monitoring the use of the device; enabling a first operating mode when it is determined that the device is in a first orientation, wherein, in the first mode, a first indication is provided to a user when the use of the device reaches a first threshold; and enabling a second operating mode when it is determined that the device is in a second orientation, wherein, in the second mode, no indication is provided to the user.

[0006] Advantageously, the user can choose to operate in two different modes by simply turning the inhalation device over in different orientations. In both modes, inhalation use can be monitored, but when operating in the first mode, an indication is provided to the user when a use threshold is reached. In this way, the user can have more control over his or her inhalation habits.

[0007] Preferably, the first indication is only provided when usage of the device in the first orientation reaches the first threshold.

[0008] Preferably, in the method, if it is determined that the device is in the second orientation for less than a predetermined period of time and returns to the first orientation within the predetermined period of time, then the first mode is maintained.

[0009] Preferably, the first mode is maintained if the device is used in the second orientation for less than a predetermined number of puffs before returning to the first orientation.

[0010] Preferably, in the method, it is determined whether the apparatus is in the first orientation at least once during a predetermined period of use, and if so, a second indication is provided to the user at the end of the predetermined period of use.

[0011] Preferably, the second indication is provided to the user when usage of the apparatus during the predetermined usage period reaches a second threshold.

[0012] Preferably, in the method, an aerosol source is identified to automatically set the second threshold based on the aerosol source.

[0013] Preferably, in the method, input is received from the user to set the second threshold.

[0014] Preferably, in the method, regardless of which operating mode is enabled, when usage of the device reaches the second threshold after the predetermined usage period, the second indication is provided to the user.

[0015] Preferably, in the method, the number of puffs is counted to determine usage of the device, wherein each puff is associated with a timestamp to enable analysis of usage over time.

[0016] Preferably, the method further comprises receiving input from the user setting the number of puffs in a session to a first threshold for the first mode, and if the user changes the setting during the session, the puff count is reset to zero.

[0017] Preferably, in the method, the first orientation differs from the second orientation by 180 degrees along the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control circuit system for an aerosol-generating device, the control circuit system being configured to perform the above method.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device is provided, which includes: a body having an inlet and an outlet, wherein an air channel is defined between the inlet and the outlet; an orientation sensor, which is configured to detect the position orientation of the device when in use; a controller, which is configured to: monitor the use of the device; enable a first operating mode when the device is detected to be in a first orientation, wherein, in the first mode, an indication is provided to the user when the use of the device reaches a first threshold; and enable a second operating mode when the device is detected to be in a second orientation, wherein, in the second mode, no indication is provided to the user.

[0020] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium program product comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the above method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 An aerosol generating device according to an aspect of the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 a block diagram of the various components of the device;

[0024] Figure 3 Shows the operation Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for an apparatus; and

[0025] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Shown Figure 1 A diagram of the control operations of the device.

[0026] Figure 6 Shown with Figure 1 The user's inhalation profile is displayed on a personal computing device linked to the aerosol-generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Next, various aspects of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that in the following descriptions of the figures, identical or similar reference numerals are used to identify identical or similar parts. It should be noted that the figures are schematic, and the proportions of each dimension may differ from the actual dimensions. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description.

[0028] Figure 1A non-combustion aerosol-generating device 100 is shown. This non-combustion aerosol-generating device is a device for inhaling an aerosol by heating or vaporizing it without combustion. The device 100 has a rod-like shape, with a main body 101 extending from a non-mouthpiece end 102 to a mouthpiece end 103. An air passage or path is defined in the main body 100 between the opposing ends 102 and 103. The aerosol-generating device 100 in this example is an electronic cigarette or inhalation device and is hereinafter referred to as the electronic cigarette 100. The electronic cigarette 100 releases flavors and / or stimulants for inhalation by the user through the mouthpiece end 103 by vaporizing or heating an aerosol source inserted into the electronic cigarette 100. The construction and operation of such aerosol-generating devices are well known in the art, and those skilled in the art will understand that the invention disclosed herein can be applied to aerosol-generating devices of any shape and configured with any aerosol-generating technology, and is not limited to this example.

[0029] The electronic cigarette 100 may include an activation switch 104 that may be configured to at least one of turn the power supply of the electronic cigarette 100 on and off. The activation switch 104 may be a push button or a touch button disposed at any convenient location on the surface of the body 101 of the electronic cigarette 100. Alternatively, the electronic cigarette 100 does not rely on an on / off button to activate the power supply of the heater, but instead relies on a puff sensor to detect airflow and trigger the device to begin generating aerosol.

[0030] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the various components or modules of the electronic cigarette 100. In one example, the electronic cigarette 100 includes a consumables module 201a and a heating element 202, which vaporizes a consumable item 201b received by the consumables module 201a to release an aerosol containing a flavor and / or stimulant for inhalation by the user. In this example, the consumable item 201b is a substance containing nicotine. The presence of the consumable item 201b in the consumables module 201a can be detected by a detector 201c. The consumable item 201b can be in solid or liquid form and is heated by the heating element 202 to release an aerosol without combustion. If the consumable item 201b is a liquid reservoir, more than one consumable item can be received at the consumables module 201a. The heating element 202 can be powered by a power source 203.

[0031] The power supply 203 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The power supply 203 supplies the power necessary for the operation of the electronic cigarette 100. For example, the power supply 203 supplies power to all other components or modules included in the electronic cigarette 100.

[0032] For the purposes of this specification, it should be understood that the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" are interchangeable. In some examples, the heating element is disposed within the capsule or cigarette-like aerosol-generating material and is connectable to the aerosol-generating device, rather than being a component of the aerosol-generating device itself.

[0033] In one embodiment, the flavoring is present in the consumable item 201b. The flavoring may include ethyl vanillin (vanilla), menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil), or the like. In another embodiment, the consumable item 201b may include an additional flavor source (not shown) that is disposed on one side of the mouthpiece end 103, beyond the consumable module 201a consumable item 201b, and produces a flavor to be inhaled by the user together with the aerosol produced from the consumable item 201b. In yet another embodiment, the electronic cigarette 100 includes more than one consumable item, each consumable item including flavoring and / or a certain level of active ingredient (nicotine). In this case, each consumable item can be heated independently to produce an aerosol.

[0034] The electronic cigarette 100 also includes a controller 204 configured to control various components within the electronic cigarette. For example, the controller 204 may control a timing unit 205 (including a timer), a communication unit 206, a memory 207, an orientation sensor 208, and a puff sensor 209 included within the electronic cigarette 100. The timing unit 205 is configured to provide time information (e.g., time of day) and generate timestamps for puff data or event data, which can aid in analyzing a user's puffing preferences. The timing unit 205 is further configured to monitor the timing of each puff and the breaks between puffs, and provide this information to the controller 204 to monitor and potentially limit the user's use of the electronic cigarette 100. For example, upon reaching a puff threshold, the timing unit 205 may determine when to indicate to the user. It should be noted that the functionality of the timing unit 205 may be incorporated into the controller 204.

[0035] The communication unit 206 is configured to manage communications with any personal computing device, server, tracking device, or other electronic cigarettes in the vicinity of the electronic cigarette 100. The memory 207 is configured to store puff usage history and information, such as user settings and preferences.

[0036] The electronic cigarette 100 may also include various sensors, such as an orientation sensor 208 and a puff sensor 209. The orientation sensor 208 (e.g., a gyroscope) is configured to determine the positional orientation of the electronic cigarette 100, for example, to determine whether the electronic cigarette 100 is held facing up or facing down during use. When the electronic cigarette 100 is held facing up during use (such that the activation button 104 and / or LED and / or logo are facing up), a first operating mode is enabled, in which an indication is provided to the user when the puff threshold is reached. This mode is also referred to as session mode.

[0037] When the electronic cigarette is facing down during use (so that the activation button 104 and / or LEDs are facing downward), a second operating mode is enabled in which no indication is provided to the user when the puff threshold has been reached. This mode is also referred to as free mode. In other words, the electronic cigarette 100 is rotated or turned 180 degrees along its longitudinal axis to switch between conversation mode and free mode. In conversation mode, the LEDs face upward, and the puff threshold is indicated to the user via the LEDs, which are easily visible to the user. In free mode, the LEDs face downward, and no indication is provided to the user of the puff threshold.

[0038] It should be noted that the electronic cigarette 100 facing up or down can also be defined relative to any visual image (such as a logo or surface design) for the user to refer to. The activation button and LED may not necessarily provide such a reference. In any case, the sensors on the device may not rely on these physical or visual elements.

[0039] The puff sensor 209 is configured to determine the number of puffs taken to inhale the aerosol. The puff sensor 209 can also determine the time period required for one puff to inhale the aerosol. The recorded usage data may include puff duration (i.e., the length of the puff), puff interval (i.e., the time between consecutive puffs), and fluid and / or nicotine consumption.

[0040] The electronic cigarette 100 may further include a consumable identification sensor (not shown) configured to identify the consumable item 201b inserted into the electronic cigarette 100. The identification sensor may be included in the consumable module 201a or the detector 201c. The identification sensor may use NFC, RFID, or any other known technology to identify the strength of the stimulant contained in the consumable item 201b from an NFC / RFID tag disposed on the consumable item 201b.

[0041] The electronic cigarette 100 may also include an input-output (I / O) or user interface 210 configured to provide indications to the user and receive input from the user. The I / O interface 210 preferably includes an indication device and an input device. The indication device may include a visual lighting element comprising one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a screen display, a sound emitter, or other suitable device for providing indications to the user. The visual lighting element, such as an LED, may be disposed at the tip of the non-mouthpiece end 102 or on a side surface of the electronic cigarette 100. Such LEDs may exhibit various lighting patterns to provide the following indications to the user: a puff state (in which aerosol is being inhaled); a non-puff state (in which aerosol is not being inhaled); a pre-heating state (in which the heater is heating); a ready-to-use state (in which the heater is operating at a target temperature to generate aerosol); a depletion state (in which an LED bar indicates the depletion level of the aerosol source); and any other information related to the operating state of the electronic cigarette. The input device may be one or more user-operable buttons or a touch-sensitive panel that can be pressed, toggled, or touched.

[0042] All the elements described above transmit and / or receive commands and / or data via the communication bus 211 .

[0043] In one embodiment, the electronic cigarette 100 is also configured to communicate with a personal computing device (not shown) owned by the user. The personal computing device may be a smartphone, tablet computer, or laptop computer. For simplicity, the personal computing device is referred to as a smartphone hereinafter. Preferably, the electronic cigarette 100 is configured to be communicatively connected or paired with a smartphone in a wireless manner using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless communication standards. The smartphone preferably runs a mobile application (commonly referred to as an App) that allows the user to interact with the electronic cigarette 100 through a user-friendly interface. The App may be hosted by the manufacturer of the electronic cigarette 100 and integrated with an iOS or iPod touch. TM and Android TM Compatible with different mobile platforms.

[0044] Figure 3 A flow chart of a process 300 for operating an electronic cigarette 100 is shown. It should be noted that the steps in process 300 may not necessarily be performed in the same order. In addition, not all steps are shown, and some steps may be optional and may be omitted.

[0045] At step 301, the device's positional orientation during use is determined. In this example, when a user begins using the electronic cigarette 100, the orientation sensor 208 in the electronic cigarette 100 determines whether the electronic cigarette 100 is held in a face-up or face-down position. Alternatively, the orientation sensor 208 may be activated when the user pushes the activation switch 104. Furthermore, a motion sensor may be present that detects movement of the electronic cigarette 100 in addition to detecting activation of the activation switch 104. Signals from the orientation sensor 208, the activation switch 104, and the motion sensor may all be processed by the controller 204 to determine whether to activate one of the two operating modes.

[0046] At step 302, the device is monitored for use. In this example, upon determining that the device is in use, regardless of orientation, the controller 204 begins monitoring the use of the electronic cigarette 100 using the puff sensor 209 and the timing unit 205. The puff sensor 209 detects each puff taken by the user, and the timing unit 205 timestamps each puff and monitors the start and end of each puff. In session mode, the timing unit 205 starts and ends a timer between two consecutive puffs and monitors interruptions in the puff session. This is described later with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 However, in both conversation mode and free mode, the number of puffs inhaled by the user is counted and recorded to analyze the user's smoking pattern over time.

[0047] At step 303 , it is determined whether the device is in the first orientation. In this example, if the controller 204 determines that the electronic cigarette 100 is held facing upwards via a signal received from the orientation session 208 , the session moves to step 304 , otherwise it moves to step 307 .

[0048] At step 304, the first operating mode is enabled. In this example, once it is determined that the electronic cigarette 100 is held in the face-up position, the controller 204 enables the session operating mode. In session mode, the timing unit 205 actively monitors the timing and count of each puff and communicates with the controller 204 to take necessary actions when needed. In one embodiment, the user can set the number of puffs in a session in session mode based on user preferences. For example, none, 5, 10, 15, or 20 puffs in a session, and the user is notified when the number of puffs in a session is reached. When "None" is selected, no minimum number of puffs is set in the session. In addition, when the user is in the middle of a session and sets new parameters or standards, the number of puffs and the amount of puffs used are reset to zero.

[0049] At step 305, a determination is made as to whether usage has reached a first threshold. In this example, in conversation mode, the timing unit continuously monitors the number of puffs taken by the user and compares the count to a predetermined threshold (also referred to as a puff threshold). When the count reaches the puff threshold, the timing unit 205 notifies the controller 204 and the process moves to step 306. Otherwise, the process returns to step 302, where the controller 204 continues to monitor usage of the electronic cigarette 100.

[0050] In step 306, an indication is provided to the user. In this example, once it is determined that the puff count has reached the puff threshold, the controller 204 enables one or more indicators on the I / O interface 210. For example, after reaching the 15th puff (e.g., 1 second after the end of the inhalation), the upward-facing LED on the I / O interface 210 illuminates softly and the electronic cigarette 100 vibrates (e.g., two short vibrations) to provide the user with both visual and tactile indications to remind him or her of the continued continuous puffing. In addition, the user can also receive notifications on the app set up on the linked smartphone. If the user continues to puff thereafter, additional indications can be provided to the user after reaching another threshold or the Nth puff (e.g., after reaching the 30th puff, the 45th puff, etc.).

[0051] On the other hand, at step 307, the second operating mode is enabled. In this example, upon determining that the electronic cigarette 100 is facing downward during use, the controller 204 enables the free mode. In free mode, the controller 204 continues to monitor the number of counts and changes in the positional orientation of the electronic cigarette 100, but does not perform activation control. Therefore, no indication is provided to the user when operating in free mode, as shown in step 308. However, if session mode is enabled only once during a predetermined time period (e.g., during a day), the electronic cigarette 100 enters the safe mode, providing an indication to the user when a safety threshold is reached within this predetermined time period, regardless of which operating mode is currently enabled. For example, if the user is currently using in free mode and has taken 50 puffs that day and has taken at least one puff in session mode during that day, the controller 204 provides an indication to the user via the I / O interface 210 when the 50th puff is reached.

[0052] In one embodiment, the safety threshold may be based on the strength of the consumable item 201b identified by the identification sensor. For example, if the nicotine strength of the consumable item 201b is 12 mg / ml, the safety threshold may be automatically set to 50 puffs per day, and if the strength is 18 mg / ml, the safety threshold may be set to 40 puffs per day. In another embodiment, the safety threshold may be set based on user input.

[0053] Figure 4A graph 400 illustrating the relative responses of the timing unit 205 and the puff sensor 209 in the electronic cigarette 100 is shown. The response of the timing unit 205 is plotted on the X-axis, while the response of the puff sensor 209 is plotted on the X-axis. The puff sensor 209 detects the first puff 400-1 taken by the user. Once the first puff 400-1 ends (i.e., at the falling edge of the puff pulse), the timing unit 205 starts the timer. The timing unit 205 continues monitoring time, and the timer remains on until the next puff is detected. Once the next puff is detected (i.e., at the rising edge of the next puff pulse), the timer is turned off. The timer is turned on again at the falling edge of this puff pulse.

[0054] In session mode, the controller 204 uses this information from the timing unit 205 to monitor the breaks taken by the user between puffs. If the break period between two consecutive puffs (as determined by the timer turning on and off) is within the preset time period, the controller 204 keeps counting the puffs in the same session. When the number of puffs in this session reaches the puff threshold, the controller 204 triggers the I / O interface 210 to provide an indication to the user. On the other hand, when the break period exceeds the preset time period (e.g., 7 minutes), the controller 204 restarts counting the puffs in a new session. Figure 4 As shown, after the third puff 400-3, the user takes a longer break and then takes the next puff 400-4. If this longer break is less than 7 minutes, the timing unit 205 counts the break as the fourth puff in the same session. However, if this longer break is longer than 7 minutes, the timing unit 205 resets the count and counts puff 400-4 as the first puff in a new session. In this way, when the user takes a longer break between puffs and does not take continuous puffs all at once, unnecessary instructions are not provided to him or her.

[0055] Figure 5 A graph 500 illustrating the puff count correction method employed by controller 204 is shown. The parameters of graph 500 are the same as those of graph 400. In this example, while the user does intend to continue holding the electronic cigarette 100 face-up (thus operating in conversation mode), controller 204 monitors for instances in which the user accidentally holds the electronic cigarette 100 face-down (thus operating in free mode). If the user turns the electronic cigarette 100 back to the face-up orientation within the correction threshold, controller 204 determines that the electronic cigarette was accidentally held in the face-down orientation. Therefore, controller 204 continues counting puffs in conversation mode and triggers an indication when the puff count exceeds the puff threshold.

[0056] In the first scenario, if Figure 5As shown, assume that a user holds the electronic cigarette 100 facing up (first / session mode enabled) and takes ten puffs in one session until the tenth puff 500-10. Then, after a 2-minute break, the user accidentally takes the next two puffs with the electronic cigarette 100 facing down (second / free mode enabled). The user quickly realizes the error and turns the electronic cigarette 100 to face up (within a correction threshold, e.g., three puffs) and takes another three puffs. In this scenario, the controller 204 will understand that the two puffs taken in the face-down orientation were accidental and will therefore count the two puffs in session mode and therefore determine that the total number of puffs taken is 15 (the puff threshold) and therefore provide an indication to the user after the fifteenth puff 500-15.

[0057] In the second scenario, the other conditions are the same as in the first scenario. The user ultimately takes five puffs with the electronic cigarette 100 facing downward (free mode) before turning the electronic cigarette 100 to face upward. In this scenario, because the number of puffs exceeds the calibration threshold, the controller 204 will not count these five puffs in the session mode. Therefore, even though the total number of puffs taken by the user is fifteen, no indication is provided to the user.

[0058] Figure 6 A graphical representation of a user's puff profile is shown. In this example, an app installed on a smartphone linked to the electronic cigarette 100 generates a user's puff profile 600. As can be seen, the puff profile 600 shows the total number of puffs taken by the user in the current puff session and the total amount of vapor or aerosol inhaled by the user that day. Furthermore, information is provided regarding the puff duration and the total number of sessions for that day, which are displayed hourly via a line graph. The profile 600 can also show the remaining battery charge of the electronic cigarette 100 and indicate the number of sessions or puff duration remaining with the current battery usage. It should be noted that monitoring of the user's puff history is independent of the operating mode. Therefore, the user can view the puff profile on the app in both session mode and free mode.

[0059] It will be appreciated that the above-described devices and methods may be modified based on design choices and manufacturer preferences. For example, the operating mode may be modified based on alternative device orientations. Furthermore, the timing control and the order of puff counts may be altered. Furthermore, the various thresholds and preset values ​​may be hard-coded or user-configurable.

[0060] Controller 204 can also regulate aerosol delivery to increase or reduce the material in the aerosol and / or add local flavor to aerosol according to the preference of the user.The amount of material in the aerosol can be modified (increase or reduce) in many ways.In one example, the amount of the aerosol discharged from consumables article 201b can be changed, the amount of the material to be sucked by the user can be affected thus.In another example, a multi-trough suction device can be used, which comprises two or more liquid reservoirs, and each liquid reservoir contains the different liquids of substance concentration.By switching the supply to the reservoir containing different concentrations of liquid, the material intake can be regulated, while maintaining identical aerosol amount.In another example again, the substance delivery amount can be modified by controlling the heating operation (for example, by controlling the energy supplied to the heater) or controlling the pressurized liquid source in the device based on steam without burning formula device and based on the device of steam.

[0061] The processing steps described herein, performed by the master control unit or controller, may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or storage device associated with the master control unit. Computer-readable media may include non-volatile media and volatile media. Volatile media may include, in particular, semiconductor memory and dynamic memory. Non-volatile media may include, in particular, optical disks and magnetic disks.

[0062] The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0063] As used herein, the term "non-transitory computer-readable medium" is intended to mean any tangible computer-based device implemented in any method or technology for short-term and long-term storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and submodules, or other data in any device. Thus, the methods described herein can be encoded as executable instructions presented in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, including but not limited to a storage device and / or a memory device. Such instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform at least a portion of the methods described herein. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "non-transitory computer-readable medium" includes all tangible computer-readable media, including but not limited to non-transitory computer storage devices, including but not limited to volatile and non-volatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media, such as firmware, physical and virtual storage devices, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and any other digital source, such as a network or the Internet, as well as digital devices yet to be developed, with the sole exception of transient propagation signals.

[0064] As will be understood based on the foregoing description, the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using computer programming or engineering techniques, including computer software, firmware, hardware, or any combination or subset thereof. According to the embodiments discussed in this disclosure, any such generated program having computer readable code means may be presented or provided within one or more computer readable media, thereby creating a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture. Articles of manufacture containing computer code may be manufactured and / or used by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the code from one medium to another, or by transmitting the code over a network.

Claims

1. A method of operating an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: determining the positional orientation of the device when in use; monitoring the use of the device; enabling a first mode of operation when the apparatus is determined to be in the first orientation, wherein, in the first mode, a first indication is provided to a user when usage of the apparatus reaches a first threshold; and A second mode of operation is enabled when the apparatus is determined to be in a second orientation, wherein in the second mode, no indication is provided to the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first indication is provided only when usage of the apparatus in the first orientation reaches the first threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: If it is determined that the device is in the second orientation for less than a predetermined period of time and returns to the first orientation within the predetermined period of time, the first mode is maintained.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: If the device is used in the second orientation for less than a predetermined number of puffs before returning to the first orientation, the first mode is maintained.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: A determination is made as to whether the apparatus is in the first orientation at least once during a predetermined period of use, and if so, a second indication is provided to the user at the end of the predetermined period of use.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: If usage of the device during the predetermined usage period reaches a second threshold, the second indication is provided to the user.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: An aerosol source is identified to automatically set the second threshold based on the aerosol source. The method of claim 6 , further comprising receiving input from the user to set the second threshold.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising: Regardless of which mode of operation is enabled, when usage of the device reaches the second threshold after the predetermined usage period, the second indication is provided to the user.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The number of puffs is counted to determine usage of the device, wherein each puff is associated with a timestamp to analyze the usage over time.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: If the break between two consecutive puffs is within a preset time period, the puffs are counted continuously in the same session; Input is received from the user setting the number of puffs in the same session to a first threshold for the first mode, and if the user changes the setting during the session, the puff count is reset to zero.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein: The first orientation differs from the second orientation by 180 degrees along the longitudinal axis of the device.

13. Control circuitry for an aerosol-generating device, the control circuitry being configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet, wherein an air passage is defined between the inlet and the outlet; an orientation sensor configured to detect the positional orientation of the device when in use; A controller configured to: monitoring the use of the device; enabling a first mode of operation upon detecting that the apparatus is in a first orientation, wherein, in the first mode, an indication is provided to a user when usage of the apparatus reaches a first threshold; and A second mode of operation is enabled when the apparatus is detected to be in a second orientation, wherein in the second mode no indication is provided to the user.

15. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 12.

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