Aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration and control method thereof

Abstract

An aerosol-generating method is provided. The aerosol generation method includes: acquiring specific information of a cartridge from a tag of the cartridge connected to an electronic device using short-range wireless communication; authenticating the smoke cartridge based on the specific information of the smoke cartridge; when the cartridge is authenticated, an aerosol is generated by vibrating an aerosol-generating substance contained in the cartridge on the basis of natural vibration frequency information of a vibrator included in the cartridge acquired from the tag.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to a technology for controlling an electronic device to which a cigarette cartridge equipped with a tag is connected. Background Art

[0002] The demand for e-cigarettes has been on the rise recently. In addition, the rising demand for e-cigarettes has accelerated the continuous development of e-cigarette related functions. In particular, functions related to the types and characteristics of e-cigarettes are continuously developed. Summary of the invention

[0003] Technical issues to be solved

[0004] Embodiments may provide a method of controlling an electronic device to which a cartridge equipped with a tag is connected.

[0005] Embodiments may provide an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol.

[0006] Technical solutions to the problem

[0007] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating method performed by an electronic device includes: using short-range wireless communication to obtain unique information of the cigarette cartridge from a tag of the cigarette cartridge connected to the electronic device; authenticating the cigarette cartridge based on the unique information of the cigarette cartridge; and when the cigarette cartridge is authenticated, generating an aerosol by vibrating an aerosol generating substance contained in the cigarette cartridge based on the inherent vibration frequency information of a vibrator included in the cigarette cartridge obtained from the tag.

[0008] The aerosol generating method may further include transmitting usage information of the electronic device to the tag.

[0009] The usage information may include number of puffs, usage time, or reuse information.

[0010] The tag may be embedded in the interior of the cigarette cartridge in the form of a near field wireless communication (NFC) module, or attached to the exterior of the cigarette cartridge in the form of a sticker.

[0011] The aerosol generating substance may be aerosolized by ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator included in the cartridge.

[0012] The aerosol generating method may further include: acquiring the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator from the tag; and calibrating a driving circuit to which the vibrator is connected based on the natural vibration frequency information.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the electronic device includes a controller configured to execute a program for authenticating a cigarette cartridge connected to the electronic device, wherein the controller is configured to: obtain unique information of the cigarette cartridge from a tag of the cigarette cartridge connected to the electronic device using short-range wireless communication; authenticate the cigarette cartridge based on the unique information of the cigarette cartridge; and generate an aerosol by vibrating an aerosol generating substance contained in the cigarette cartridge based on the inherent vibration frequency information of a vibrator included in the cigarette cartridge obtained from the tag when the cigarette cartridge is authenticated.

[0014] The controller may be further configured to transmit usage information of the electronic device to the tag.

[0015] The usage information may include number of puffs, usage time, or reuse information.

[0016] The tag may be embedded in the interior of the cigarette cartridge in the form of a near field wireless communication (NFC) module, or attached to the exterior of the cigarette cartridge in the form of a sticker.

[0017] The aerosol generating substance may be aerosolized by ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator included in the cartridge.

[0018] The controller may be further configured to: acquire the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator from the tag; and calibrate a driving circuit to which the vibrator is connected based on the natural vibration frequency information.

[0019] Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to an embodiment, a method of controlling an electronic device to which a cartridge equipped with a tag is connected may be provided.

[0021] According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol may be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a cigarette cartridge and a main body of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0025] Figure 4 It is a stereoscopic view of a cigarette cartridge and a body of an aerosol generating device coupled together according to one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5 is a flow chart of an aerosol generating method according to one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a method for transmitting usage information of an aerosol generating device to a tag according to one embodiment.

[0028] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method for calibrating a drive circuit of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following description of the specific structure or function of the embodiment is only for the purpose of describing the embodiment described herein, and can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, the actual form of the embodiment is not understood to be limited to the embodiment described herein, but should be understood to include all changes, equivalents or alternatives within the concept and technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to explain various components, the components are not limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

[0031] When it is mentioned that one component is “connected,” “coupled,” or “engaged” to another component, it can be understood that one component is directly connected, coupled, or engaged to the other component, or another component may be interposed between the two components.

[0032] In the absence of special instructions in the content, singular expressions include plural meanings. It should be further understood that in this specification, the terms "include" or "comprises" are used to express the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, accessories or combinations thereof recorded in the specification, and do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, accessories or combinations thereof.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms (including technical or scientific terms) used herein have the common meanings understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Commonly used terms that are the same as dictionary definitions should be understood as meanings consistent with the common content of the relevant technology and should not be overly idealized or interpreted as formal meanings unless otherwise defined herein.

[0034] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same components, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0035] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0036] According to one embodiment, Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 100 in the embodiment may include a controller 110, a sensing unit 120, an output unit 130, a battery 140, an atomizer 150, a user input unit 160, a memory 170, and a communication unit 180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to Figure 1 As shown. A person skilled in the art of the present disclosure will appreciate that the aerosol generating device 100 may be omitted according to different designs. Figure 1 Some of the components shown or Figure 1 Some of the components shown have further new components added.

[0037] The sensing unit 120 can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the surrounding state of the aerosol generating device 100, and transmit the sensed information to the controller 110. The controller 110 can control the aerosol generating device 100 to perform the following based on the sensed information: operation of the atomizer 150, restriction of smoking, determination of whether an aerosol generating product (e.g., an aerosol generating product, a cigarette cartridge, etc.) is inserted, display notifications, and perform other functions.

[0038] The sensing unit 120 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 122 , an insertion detection sensor 124 , and a suction sensor 126 , but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0039] The temperature sensor 122 can sense the temperature of the atomizer 150 (or the aerosol generating substance). The aerosol generating device 100 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the atomizer 150, or the atomizer 150 itself may be used as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be disposed around the battery 140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 140.

[0040] The insertion detection sensor 124 can sense whether the aerosol generating article is inserted and / or removed. For example, the insertion detection sensor 124 can include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistance sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductance sensor, and an infrared sensor, and the insertion detection sensor 124 can sense a signal change caused by inserting and / or removing the aerosol generating article.

[0041] The suction sensor 126 can sense the user's suction based on various physical changes in the airflow path or airflow channel. For example, the suction sensor 126 can sense the user's suction based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change and pressure change.

[0042] In addition to the above sensors (122 to 126), the sensing unit 120 may further include at least one of the following: a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, or a red, green, and blue (RGB) sensor (e.g., an illumination sensor). Since a person of ordinary skill in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from the name, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0043] The output unit 130 may output status information about the aerosol generating device 100 and provide the information to the user. The output unit 130 may include at least one of a display 132, a tactile portion 134, or a sound outputter 136, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. When the display 132 and the touch panel are arranged in a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display 132 may be used not only as an output device but also as an input device.

[0044] The display 132 can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 100 may include the charging / discharging state of the battery 140 of the aerosol generating device 100, the state of the atomizer 150, the insertion / removal state of the aerosol generating product, or the use restriction state of the aerosol generating device 100 (for example, abnormal items are detected), etc., and the display 132 can output the information to the outside. The display 132 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), etc. The display 132 can also be provided in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) element.

[0045] The haptic portion 134 may convert the electrical signal into a mechanical stimulation or an electrical stimulation to provide the user with information about the aerosol generating device 100 in a tactile manner. For example, the haptic portion 134 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0046] The sound outputter 136 may provide the user with information about the aerosol generating device 100 in the form of sound. For example, the sound outputter 136 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the sound signal to the outside.

[0047] The battery 140 can provide the power required for the operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 140 can supply power to the atomizer 150 to operate the atomizer 150. In addition, the battery 140 can provide the power required for the operation of other components (such as the sensing unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180) included in the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 140 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0048] The nebulizer 150 may receive power from the battery 140 to nebulize the aerosol generating substance. Figure 1 Although not shown in the figure, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC) to direct current (DC / DC) converter) that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies the power to the atomizer 150. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 100 adopts an ultrasonic vibration method to generate aerosol, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a direct current to alternating current (AC) (DC / AC) converter to convert the DC power of the battery 140 into AC power.

[0049] The controller 110, the sensing unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180 may receive power from the battery 140 to implement functions. Figure 1 Although not shown in the figure, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a power conversion circuit, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage stabilization circuit, which converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies the power to various components.

[0050] In one embodiment, the atomizer 150 may include a vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibrations by an applied signal (e.g., electricity). For example, the material of the vibrator may include piezoelectric ceramics, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The vibrator may include a piezoelectric body. According to one embodiment, the piezoelectric body may serve as a conversion element capable of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, and may generate ultrasonic vibrations under the control of the controller 110. In one embodiment, when AC power is applied to the piezoelectric body subjected to polarization treatment, the piezoelectric body may repeatedly expand and contract. When a signal is applied to the vibrator, a short high-frequency vibration may be generated, and the generated vibration may break the aerosol-generating substance into small particles, thereby atomizing the aerosol-generating substance into an aerosol.

[0051] The user input unit 160 may receive information input by a user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (e.g., a contact capacitance type, a pressure resistance film type, an infrared sensing type, a surface ultrasonic conduction type, an overall tension measurement type, a piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc., but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In addition, although Figure 1 Not shown, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may be connected to other external devices via the connection interface such as the USB interface to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 140.

[0052] The memory 170 is hardware for storing various data processed by the aerosol generating device 100, and can store data processed by the controller 110 and data to be processed by the controller 110. The memory 170 is at least one storage medium selected from a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (such as an SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. The memory 170 can store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature curve, or data associated with the user's smoking pattern.

[0053] The communication unit 180 may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 180 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 182 and a wireless communication unit 184 .

[0054] The short-range wireless communication unit 182 includes a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit (Near Field Communication unit), a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, an ultra wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc., but the implementation method is not limited thereto.

[0055] The wireless communication unit 184 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 184 may use subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 100 within the communication network.

[0056] The controller 110 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. In one embodiment, the controller 110 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program executable by the microprocessor. In addition, it should be understood by a person skilled in the art that the processor may be implemented as other forms of hardware.

[0057] The controller 110 may control the operation of the atomizer 150 by controlling the power supply from the battery 140 to the atomizer 150. For example, the controller 110 may control the power supply by controlling the switching of a switching element of the drive circuit 138 between the battery 140 and the atomizer 150.

[0058] The controller 110 may analyze the sensing result obtained by the sensing of the sensing unit 120 and control the subsequent process to be performed. For example, the controller 110 may control the power supplied to the atomizer 150 according to the sensing result obtained by the sensing of the sensing unit 120, thereby starting and shutting down the operation of the atomizer 150. For another example, the controller 110 may control the amount of power supplied to the atomizer 150 and the power supply time according to the sensing result obtained by the sensing of the sensing unit 120, so that the atomizer 150 can vibrate at a predetermined frequency or maintain an appropriate vibration frequency.

[0059] The controller 110 may control the output unit 130 according to the sensing result obtained by the sensing of the sensing unit 120. For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 126 reaches a preset number, the controller 110 may inform the user through at least one of the display 132, the tactile portion 134, and the sound outputter 136 that the aerosol generating device 100 is about to stop.

[0060] In one embodiment, the controller 110 can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount of the atomizer 150 by controlling the driving circuit 138 according to the state of the aerosol generating product sensed by the sensing unit 120. For example, the controller 110 can control the vibration frequency of the vibrator of the atomizer 150 according to the type or remaining amount of the aerosol generating product.

[0061] The embodiment can be implemented in the form of a storage medium, which includes instructions that can be executed by a computer, such as a program module that can be executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer, and include all volatile media, non-volatile media, and removable media, non-removable media. In addition, computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include all volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media for storing computer-readable instruction codes, data structures, program modules, or other data information implemented by any method or technology. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data (such as program modules) in modulated data signals, or other transmission mechanisms, and include any information transmission media.

[0062] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0063] Reference Figure 2 , aerosol generating device 200 (e.g., Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 100 may include a cartridge 220 containing an aerosol generating substance and a body 210 connected to the cartridge 220 .

[0064] The cartridge body 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 may be coupled to the body 210 while containing the aerosol generating substance in the cartridge body 220. For example, when at least a portion of the cartridge 220 is inserted into the body 210, the cartridge 220 and the body 210 may be coupled. In another example, when at least a portion of the body 210 is inserted into the cartridge 220, the cartridge 220 and the body 210 may be coupled.

[0065] The cartridge 220 and the body 210 may be coupled by at least one of a snap-fit, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, or an interference fit method, but the coupling method of the cartridge 220 and the body 210 is not limited to the above examples.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the cigarette cartridge 220 may include a housing 222 , a mouthpiece 224 , a storage portion 230 , a transmission portion 240 , a vibrator 250 , and an electrical terminal 260 .

[0067] The housing 222 of the aerosol generating device 200 may constitute the overall appearance of the cartridge 220 together with the mouthpiece 224, and the components for operating the cartridge 220 may be arranged inside the housing 222. For example, the housing 222 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the housing 222 is not limited to the above embodiment. According to the embodiment, the housing 222 may be formed in the shape of a polygonal cylinder (e.g., a triangular cylinder or a pentagonal cylinder) or a cylindrical cylinder.

[0068] The nozzle 224 of the aerosol generating device 200 may be disposed in an area of ​​the housing 222, and may include an outlet 224e for discharging the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substance to the outside. For example, the nozzle 224 may be disposed in another area opposite to an area of ​​the cartridge 220 coupled to the body 210, and when the user brings the mouth into contact with the nozzle 224 and inhales the aerosol, the user may receive the aerosol from the cartridge 220.

[0069] Due to the user's inhalation or suction operation, a pressure difference may be generated between the outside of the cartridge 220 and the inside of the cartridge 220, and due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cartridge 220, the aerosol generated inside the cartridge 220 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 through the outlet 224e. That is, when the user contacts the mouth with the suction nozzle 224 and inhales the aerosol, the user can receive the aerosol discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 through the outlet 224e.

[0070] The storage part 230 of the aerosol generating device 200 may be disposed in the internal space of the housing 222, and the storage part 230 of the aerosol generating device 200 may contain an aerosol generating substance. In the present disclosure, the expression "the storage part contains an aerosol generating substance" means that the storage part 230 simply performs the function of containing an aerosol generating substance (e.g., the purpose of a container), and the storage part 230 contains an element impregnated (containing) with an aerosol generating substance, such as a sponge, cotton, cloth, or a porous ceramic structure therein. In addition, the above expression may be used as the same meaning as follows.

[0071] The storage part 230 may contain the aerosol generating substance in any one of liquid, solid, gas, and gel states.

[0072] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco material containing volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

[0073] For example, the liquid composition may include any one of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavoring agent and vitamin mixture or a mixture of these ingredients. For example, spices may include menthol, mint, spearmint oil, various fruity ingredients, etc., but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0074] The flavoring agent may include ingredients that provide different flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, or vitamin E, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol former such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0075] For example, the liquid composition can include glycerol and propylene glycol solutions with any weight ratio of nicotine salts added. The liquid composition can also contain two or more nicotine salts. Nicotine salts can be formed by adding appropriate acids (including organic acids or inorganic acids) to nicotine. Nicotine can be naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine, and nicotine can have a concentration of any suitable weight relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0076] The acid used to form the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected based on the absorption rate of nicotine in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 200, the aroma or taste, the solubility, etc. For example, the acid used to form the nicotine salt may include a single acid or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the following: benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid or malic acid. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0077] The transfer part 240 of the aerosol generating device 200 may absorb the aerosol generating substance. For example, the aerosol generating substance stored or contained in the storage part 230 may be transferred from the storage part 230 to the vibrator 250 through the transfer part 240, and the vibrator 250 may generate an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating substance of the transfer part 240 or the aerosol generating substance received from the transfer part 240. Here, the transfer part 240 may include at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but the transfer part 240 is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0078] According to an exemplary embodiment, the transfer portion 240 may be disposed adjacent to the storage portion 230 to receive the liquid aerosol generating substance from the storage portion 230. For example, the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage portion 230 may be discharged to the outside of the storage portion 230 through a liquid supply port formed in a region of the storage portion 230 facing the transfer portion 240, and the transfer portion 240 may absorb at least a portion of the aerosol generating substance discharged from the storage portion 230 to absorb the aerosol generating substance from the storage portion 230.

[0079] According to an exemplary embodiment, the smoke bomb 220 may further include an absorbent, which is arranged to cover at least a portion of the vibrator 250 that generates the aerosol, and the absorbent transfers the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the transfer portion 240 to the vibrator 250. The absorbent may be made of a material capable of absorbing the aerosol generating substance. For example, the absorbent may include at least one material of SPL 30 (H), SPL 50 (H) V, NP 100 (V8), SPL 60 (FC) or melamine. Since the smoke bomb 220 also includes an absorbent, the aerosol generating substance may not only be absorbed by the transfer portion 240, but also be absorbed by the absorbent, thereby increasing the amount of the aerosol generating substance absorbed.

[0080] The vibrator 250 of the aerosol generating device 200 may be disposed inside the housing 222, and may generate aerosol by changing the phase of the aerosol generating substance stored in the cartridge 220. For example, the vibrator 250 may generate aerosol by heating or vibrating the aerosol generating substance.

[0081] In addition, since the absorber is configured to cover at least a portion of the vibrator 250, the absorber can act as a physical barrier to prevent particles that are not fully atomized from being "sprayed" and directly discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 200 during the aerosol generation process. Here, "spraying" can mean that particles with relatively large sizes in the aerosol generating substance are not fully atomized and are discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220. Since the cartridge 220 also includes the absorber, the possibility of "spraying" can be reduced, thereby improving the user's smoking satisfaction.

[0082] In an embodiment, the absorbent may be positioned between one surface of the vibrator 250 generating the aerosol and the transfer part 240, and may transfer the aerosol supplied to the transfer part 240 to the vibrator 250. For example, one area of ​​the absorbent may be in contact with an area of ​​the transfer part 240 facing the -z direction, and another area of ​​the absorbent may be in contact with an area of ​​the vibrator 250 facing the +z direction. That is, the absorbent may be positioned on the top surface (e.g., +z direction) of the vibrator 250, and may supply the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the transfer part 240 to the vibrator 250.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the vibrator 250 of the aerosol generating device 200 can change the phase of the aerosol generating substance by using an ultrasonic vibration method, which uses ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol generating substance. For example, the vibrator 250 can generate short-period vibrations, and the vibrations generated by the vibrator 250 can be ultrasonic vibrations. The frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations can be in the range of about 100 kilohertz (kHz) to about 10 megahertz (MHz) (preferably, in the range of about 100kHz to about 3.5MHz), but the embodiment is not limited thereto. When the vibrator 250 generates ultrasonic vibrations in the above-mentioned frequency band, the vibrator 250 can vibrate in the longitudinal direction (e.g., z-axis direction) of the cigarette cartridge 220 or the housing 222. However, the embodiment is not limited to the direction along which the vibrator vibrates, and the direction along which the vibrator vibrates can be changed to various directions (e.g., any one of the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction or a combination thereof). Through the short-period vibration generated by the vibrator 250 , the aerosol generating substance provided from the storage part 230 to the vibrator 250 may be vaporized and / or changed into particles to be atomized into an aerosol.

[0084] For example, the vibrator 250 may include piezoelectric ceramics, which may be a functional material that can generate electricity (voltage) through physical force (pressure) and generate vibration (mechanical force) when electricity is applied thereto, thereby converting electricity and mechanical force into each other. That is, when electricity is applied to the vibrator 250, a vibration (physical force) with a short period may be generated, and the generated vibration may break the aerosol generating substance into small particles and atomize the aerosol generating substance into an aerosol.

[0085] The vibrator 250 may be electrically connected to other components of the aerosol generating device 200 through the electronic terminal 260. The electronic terminal 260 may be disposed on one surface of the cartridge 220. For example, the electronic terminal 260 may be disposed on a coupling surface of the cartridge 220, where the cartridge 220 is coupled to the body 210 of the aerosol generating device 20. The electronic terminal 260 may be disposed on a side of the housing 222 opposite to the mouthpiece 224.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the vibrator 250 may be electrically connected to at least one of the driving circuit 212 , the controller 214 , and the battery 216 of the body 210 via an electronic terminal 260 disposed inside the housing 222 of the cigarette cartridge 220 .

[0087] For example, the vibrator 250 can be electrically connected to the electronic terminal 260 disposed inside the cartridge 220 through a first conductor, and the electronic terminal 260 can be electrically connected to the driving circuit 212 of the body 210 through a second conductor. In other words, the vibrator 250 can be electrically connected to the components of the body 210 through the electronic terminal 260.

[0088] The vibrator 250 may generate ultrasonic vibrations by receiving power from the battery 216 of the body 210 through the electronic terminal 260. In addition, the vibrator 250 may be electrically connected to the controller 214 of the body 210 through the electronic terminal 260, and the controller 214 may control the operation of the vibrator 250 through the driving circuit 212.

[0089] For example, the electronic terminal 260 is at least one of a pogo pin, a wire, a cable, a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), or a C-clip, but the electronic terminal 260 is not limited to the above examples.

[0090] In an embodiment, the vibrator 250 can be implemented as a mesh shape or plate shape vibration accommodating portion, which performs the following two functions: a function of absorbing aerosol generating substances and maintaining the aerosol generating substances in an optimal state for conversion into aerosol; and a function of transmitting vibrations to the aerosol generating substances to generate aerosol without the need for a separate transmission portion (e.g., the transmission portion 240).

[0091] The aerosol generated by the vibrator 250 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 through the airflow channel 223 and supplied to the user.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the airflow channel 223 may be positioned inside the cartridge 220 and may be connected to the vibrator 250 and the outlet 224e of the mouthpiece 224. Therefore, the aerosol generated by the vibrator 250 may flow along the airflow channel 223 and may be discharged through the outlet 224e to the outside of the cartridge 220 or the aerosol generating device 200. The user may receive the aerosol by contacting the mouthpiece 224 with the mouth and inhaling the aerosol discharged from the outlet 224e.

[0093] Although not shown in the figure, the airflow channel 223 may include at least one inlet for air outside the cartridge 220 to flow into the cartridge 220. The inlet may be provided in at least a portion of the housing 222 of the cartridge 220. For example, the inlet may be positioned on a coupling surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the cartridge 220, where the cartridge 220 is coupled to the body 210 at the coupling surface of the cartridge 220.

[0094] Since at least one gap may be formed in a portion of the location where the cartridge 220 and the body 210 are coupled, external air may flow in through the gap between the cartridge 220 and the body 210 and move to the inside of the cartridge 220 through the inlet.

[0095] The airflow channel 223 may be connected from the inlet to the space where the vibrator 250 generates the aerosol, and the airflow channel 223 may be connected from the corresponding space to the outlet 224e.

[0096] Therefore, the air flowing in through the inlet may be transferred to the vibrator 250 , and the transferred air moves to the outlet 224 e together with the aerosol generated by the vibrator 250 , thereby achieving airflow circulation inside the cartridge 220 .

[0097] According to an embodiment, within the housing 222, at least a portion of the airflow channel 223 may be surrounded by the storage portion 230. In another example, at least a portion of the airflow channel 223 may be disposed between the inner wall of the housing 222 and the outer wall of the storage portion 230. The arrangement structure of the airflow channel 223 is not limited to the above example, and the airflow channel 223 may be disposed in a different structure that allows airflow to circulate between the inlet, the vibrator 250, and the outlet 224e.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the cartridge 220 may selectively include a first tag 272 attached to the outside of the cartridge 220 in the form of a sticker and / or a second tag 274 embedded in the inside of the cartridge 220 in the form of a near field communication (NFC) module.

[0099] The first tag 272 and the second tag 274 may include an NFC integrated circuit (IC) and an antenna. The NFC IC may modulate and demodulate wireless signals and process and store data. The antenna may transmit and receive radio waves. The first tag 272 and the second tag 274 may have a high operating frequency (e.g., 13.56 MHz). The first tag 272 and the second tag 274 may have a communication range of a shorter distance (e.g., about 10 cm).

[0100] The first tag 272 and the second tag 274 may store the unique information of the cartridge 220 and the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator 250 included in the cartridge 220. The unique information on the cartridge 220 may indicate information for identifying the cartridge 220, such as activation information (e.g., serial number) of the cartridge 220. The natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator 250 included in the cartridge 220 may indicate a natural vibration frequency determined by the physical properties of the vibrator 250. When the frequency of the signal provided to the vibrator 250 is close to the natural vibration frequency, a stronger resonance is generated.

[0101] When the body 210 of the aerosol generating device 200 and the cigarette cartridge 220 are coupled, the aerosol generating device 200 can communicate with the cigarette cartridge 220 using a short-range communication unit (e.g., Figure 1 The short-range communication unit 182 described above communicates with the first tag 272 or the second tag 274.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the body 210 may include a driving circuit 212, a controller 214, and a battery 216 inside, and one end of the body 210 may be connected to one end of the cartridge 220. For example, the body 210 may be coupled to a bottom surface or a coupling surface of the cartridge 220.

[0103] When the vibrator 250 of the cigarette cartridge 220 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 212 through the electronic terminal 260, the drive circuit 212 can supply power to the vibrator 250. For example, the amount of power provided to the vibrator 250 can be determined by the controller 214. The vibration frequency of the vibrator 250 can be controlled according to the amount of power. According to an embodiment, the drive circuit 212 can be configured in the following forms: a class E power amplifier circuit, a half-bridge circuit, or a full-bridge circuit, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0104] The controller 214 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 200. For example, the controller 214 may control the amount of aerosol generated by the vibrator 250 by controlling the power supplied from the battery 216 to the vibrator 250. For example, the controller 214 may control the power supplied to the vibrator 250 so that the vibrator 250 may vibrate at a predetermined frequency.

[0105] The controller 214 may be implemented as a plurality of logic gate arrays, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program executable by the microprocessor. In addition, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the controller 214 may be other forms of hardware.

[0106] The controller 214 may analyze the sensing result obtained by sensing by at least one sensor included in the aerosol generating device 200 and control a subsequent process to be performed. For example, the controller 214 may control the power supplied to the vibrator 250 according to the sensing result obtained by sensing by at least one sensor, thereby activating or deactivating the vibrator 250. In addition, the controller 214 may control the amount of power supplied to the vibrator 250 and the time for supplying power to the vibrator 250 based on the sensing result obtained by sensing by at least one sensor, so that the vibrator 250 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol.

[0107] The battery 216 may supply power for operating the aerosol generating device 200. For example, when the body 210 is electrically connected to the cartridge 220, the battery 216 may supply power to the vibrator 250.

[0108] The battery 216 may supply power required for the operation of other hardware elements (eg, sensors, user interface, memory, and controller 214) disposed within the aerosol generating device 200. The battery 216 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

[0109] For example, the battery 216 may include a nickel-based battery (eg, a nickel metal hydride battery or a nickel cadmium battery) or a lithium-based battery (eg, a lithium cobalt battery, a lithium phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, a lithium ion battery, or a lithium polymer battery).

[0110] In one embodiment, the shape of the cross section of the aerosol generating device 200 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 220 and / or the body 210 may be circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or various polygonal shapes. However, it is understood that the cross-sectional shape of the cartridge 220 and / or the body 210 is not limited to the above shapes, nor is it limited to a shape that extends linearly when the aerosol generating device 200 extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0111] In one embodiment, the shape of the cross section of the aerosol generating device 200 can be extended to a longer streamlined arc or bent at a predetermined angle in a specific area to make it easier for the user to hold the aerosol generating device 200 in hand, and the shape of the cross section of the aerosol generating device 200 can change along the longitudinal direction.

[0112] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional diagram of a cigarette cartridge and a body of an aerosol generating device separated according to one embodiment, Figure 4 It is a stereoscopic view of a cigarette cartridge and a body of an aerosol generating device coupled together according to one embodiment.

[0113] According to an embodiment, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The aerosol generating device 300 shown may be Figure 2 The aerosol generating device 200 (or Figure 1 A modification of the aerosol generating device 100) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The cigarette cartridge 220-1 and the body 210-1 according to the embodiment shown in the figure may be respectively Figure 2 The illustrated examples are modifications of the cartridge 220 and the body 210 , and therefore repeated details will be omitted below.

[0114] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The cartridge 220-1 may be detachably coupled to the body 210-1. For example, at least a portion of the cartridge 220-1 is inserted into the body 210-1, and the cartridge 220-1 may be coupled to the body 210-1.

[0115] The cigarette cartridge 220-1 may include a mouthpiece 10m that can move between an open position and a closed position. For example, the mouthpiece 10m can be opened and closed by rotating between the open position and the closed position.

[0116] The main body 10b of the cigarette cartridge 220-1 can be coupled to the nozzle 10m by a rotating shaft. In one example, the nozzle 10m can be in an open position. The open state of the nozzle 10m may refer to a state in which the nozzle 10m is unfolded in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette cartridge 220-1 for the user to contact with the mouth. Here, the length direction may refer to the direction in which the cigarette cartridge 220-1 extends the longest in multiple directions. In another example, the nozzle 10m may be in a closed position. The closed state of the nozzle 10m may refer to a state in which the nozzle 10m is folded in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cigarette cartridge 220-1 to accommodate the nozzle 10m in the body 210-1 of the aerosol generating device 300.

[0117] The cigarette cartridge 220-1 may include a body portion 10b, which includes various components required for generating aerosol and discharging the generated aerosol. For example, the body portion 10b may include a storage portion, a vibrator, and at least a portion of an airflow channel.

[0118] The body 210-1 may include a coupling portion 20a that can be coupled to the cartridge 220-1. For example, the body 210-1 may include a receiving groove 20a-1, and at least a portion of the cartridge 220-1 may be received in the receiving groove 20a-1. The body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 may be inserted into the receiving groove 20a-1. For example, the body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 may have a substantially rectangular columnar shape, and the corners of the rectangular column may be chamfered or rounded. However, the shape of the body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 is not limited to the above examples, but may be a cylindrical or polygonal columnar shape.

[0119] As mentioned above Figure 2 The cartridge 220-1 and the body 210-1 may be coupled by at least one of a snap-fit ​​method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, and an interference fit method. For example, the cartridge 220-1 may include a first magnet, and the body 210-1 may include a second magnet, so that the cartridge 220-1 and the body 210-1 may be coupled by magnetic force. However, the strength of the first magnet and the second magnet may be designed considering the convenience of attachment and removal of the cartridge 220-1 and the body 210-1 and / or the operational stability of the aerosol generating device 300.

[0120] The body 210-1 may include a button 20b. The button 20b may be positioned on one surface of the body 210-1. For example, the button 20b may be positioned on one surface of the body 210-1 corresponding to one end 20c-1 of the cover 20c. When using the aerosol generating device 300, the user may use the button 20b to control the operation of the aerosol generating device 300.

[0121] The body 210-1 may further include a housing 20s that can accommodate the mouthpiece 10m of the cartridge 220-1 when the mouthpiece 10m is moved to the closed position. The housing 20s may be positioned on one surface of the body 210-1 and may have a shape or size corresponding to that of the mouthpiece 10m.

[0122] like Figure 4 As shown, when the nozzle 10m moves to the closed position, the nozzle 10m can minimize the portion of the aerosol generating device 1 protruding outward at the closed position, that is, minimize the portion protruding outward from the outer surface of the body 210-1 at the closed position, thereby improving portability.

[0123] In an exemplary embodiment, the body 210-1 may further include a cover 20c coupled to a portion of the body 210-1. The cover 20c may be coupled to at least one surface of the body 210-1. For example, the cover 20c may be coupled to a side of the body 210-1 where the coupling portion 20a is located. In addition, the cover 20c may be coupled to a surface where the receiving portion 20s of the body 210-1 is located.

[0124] The cover 20c may include an opening 20c-o. The cover 20c may include an opening 20c-o having a size corresponding to the size of the nozzle 10m. For example, the opening 20c-o may have a predetermined length and width. Here, the width of the opening 20c-o may be less than or equal to the width of the body of the cartridge 220-1 and may be greater than or equal to the width of the nozzle 10m. The length of the opening 20c-o may be greater than or equal to the length of the nozzle 10m.

[0125] The cover 20c may extend from one end 20c-1 to the other end 20c-2, and the cover 20c may be placed on the seat 20c' of the body 210-1. For example, the seat 20c' may have a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the cover 20c. The seat 20c' may be provided in the form of a recess having a predetermined depth, which extends from the inlet side portion of the coupling portion 20a and the accommodating portion 20s in both side directions, so that the cover 20c can be coupled to the recess.

[0126] When the cartridge 220-1 is coupled to the body 210-1, the cover 20c may be attached to the body 210-1 after the cartridge 220-1 is coupled to the body 210-1. The cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the body 210-1 using at least one of a snap fit method, an interference fit method, or a magnetic coupling method, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0127] Since the cover 20c includes the opening 20c-o through which the mouthpiece 10m can pass, the opening and closing operations of the mouthpiece 10m are not affected when the cartridge 220-1 is coupled to the body 210-1 and the coupling between the cartridge 220-1 and the body 210-1 is maintained.

[0128] Figure 4 The aerosol generating device 300 is shown with the cartridge 220-1 and the cover 20c coupled to the body 210-1 and the mouthpiece 10m in a closed position. Figure 3 As shown, since the body 210-1 includes a accommodating portion 20s having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the nozzle 10m, and a seating portion 20c' having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the cover 20c, and the cover 20c includes an opening 20c-o having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the nozzle 10m, the overall surface of the aerosol generating device 300 is strong and smooth.

[0129] To separate the cartridge 220-1 from the body 210-1, the cover 20c may be separated from the body 210-1 first, and then the cartridge 220-1 may be separated from the body 210-1. As described above, the cover 20c and the cartridge 220-1 may be separated from the body 210-1 or coupled to the body 210-1 in sequence.

[0130] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method for generating an aerosol according to one embodiment.

[0131] Operations 510 to 530 described below may be performed by an electronic device (e.g., Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 100, or Figure 2 aerosol generating device 200).

[0132] In operation 510, the electronic device may use short-range wireless communication to receive a signal from a cigarette cartridge (e.g., Figure 2 The label of the cigarette cartridge 220 (for example, Figure 2 The first tag 272 or the second tag 274) obtains the unique information of the cigarette cartridge connected to the electronic device.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the tag may be stored inside the cartridge in the form of an NFC module, or attached to the outside of the cartridge in the form of a sticker. The tag may include an NFC IC and an antenna.

[0134] The tag can store unique information on the cartridge. The unique information on the cartridge can indicate information used to identify the cartridge (hereinafter referred to as activation information), such as the serial number of the cartridge.

[0135] When the electronic device and the cigarette cartridge are coupled, the electronic device can communicate with the tag using the short-range communication unit.

[0136] In operation 520, the electronic device may authenticate the cartridge based on the unique information. For example, activation information of a cartridge compatible with the electronic device may be pre-stored in the electronic device, and the electronic device may authenticate the cartridge by comparing the unique information with the activation information.

[0137] In operation 530, when the cartridge is authenticated, the electronic device may generate a signal based on the vibrator of the cartridge obtained from the tag (e.g., Figure 2 The aerosol is generated by vibrating the aerosol generating material contained in the cigarette cartridge based on the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator 250).

[0138] The tag may store the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator included in the cigarette cartridge. The natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator included in the cigarette cartridge may indicate the natural vibration frequency determined by the physical characteristics of the vibrator. When the frequency of the signal provided to the vibrator is close to the natural vibration frequency, a stronger resonance is generated.

[0139] According to one embodiment, the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator included in the cigarette cartridge can be obtained from the tag together with the unique information of the cigarette cartridge.

[0140] According to one embodiment, when the cigarette cartridge is authenticated based on the unique information of the cigarette cartridge, the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator included in the cigarette cartridge may be acquired from the tag.

[0141] According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substance in the cartridge may be aerosolized by ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator included in the cartridge.

[0142] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a method for transmitting usage information of an aerosol generating device to a tag according to one embodiment.

[0143] According to one embodiment, the following operation 610 may be referred to above. Figure 5 Operation 610 may be performed by an electronic device (e.g., Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 100 or Figure 2 aerosol generating device 200).

[0144] In operation 610 , the electronic device may transmit usage information of the electronic device to a tag.

[0145] According to one embodiment, the usage information may include information related to the cigarette cartridge (e.g., Figure 2The tag may be used to store the number of puffs, usage time, or repeated use information of the cigarette cartridge of the user of the electronic device coupled to the cigarette cartridge 220 in the electronic device. The usage information transmitted from the electronic device may be stored in the tag.

[0146] According to one embodiment, the number of puffs and the usage time may indicate the number of puffs and the usage time when the user starts the electronic device and smokes once. Alternatively, the number of puffs and the usage time may indicate the cumulative number of puffs and the usage time since the user started the electronic device. For example, the reuse information may indicate information about the number of times the cartridge has been reused. That is, in one embodiment, when the aerosol generating substance in the cartridge is used up, the user can reuse the cartridge by refilling the aerosol generating substance into the cartridge. The electronic device may refer to the reuse information stored in the tag and may stop operating when the reuse information exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0147] According to one embodiment, the usage information stored in the tag can be used to manage the history records of the cigarette cartridge.

[0148] According to one embodiment, the usage information stored in the tag may be referenced to manage the user's usage pattern in a database.

[0149] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method for calibrating a drive circuit of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0150] According to one embodiment, operations 710 and 720 may be performed with Figure 5 Operations 510 and 520 are performed in parallel. Operations 710 to 720 may be performed by an electronic device (e.g., Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 100 or Figure 2 aerosol generating device 200).

[0151] In operation 710, the electronic device may obtain a cigarette cartridge (eg, Figure 2 The vibrator (e.g., Figure 2 Information about the natural vibration frequency of the vibrator 250).

[0152] According to one embodiment, the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator included in the cigarette cartridge can be obtained from the tag together with the unique information of the cigarette cartridge.

[0153] According to one embodiment, when the cigarette cartridge is authenticated based on the unique information of the cigarette cartridge, the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator included in the cigarette cartridge can be obtained from the tag.

[0154] In operation 720, the electronic device may calibrate a driving circuit to which the vibrator is connected based on the natural vibration frequency information. The electronic device may perform optimization control on the authenticated cigarette cartridge based on the natural vibration frequency information.

[0155] According to one embodiment, the electronic device may use capacitors, inductors or switching elements to calibrate the driving circuit. The driving circuit may include components for optimizing the control of the cigarette cartridge, such as a monitoring circuit, a converter or an amplifier.

[0156] According to an embodiment, the electronic device may control the vibration frequency of the drive circuit by connecting at least one capacitor in parallel to the vibrator so that the vibration frequency of the drive circuit matches the natural vibration frequency of the vibrator. When resonance occurs due to the above reasons, the vibration efficiency of the vibrator can be improved and overheating can be prevented. The drive circuit may include at least one capacitor, and at least one capacitor may be arranged in the drive circuit so as to be connected in parallel with the vibrator when the vibrator of the cigarette cartridge is connected to the drive circuit. The capacitor may be connected in series with the switch. By turning on / off the switch, the capacitor connected in series with the switch may or may not be connected in parallel with the vibrator.

[0157] According to an embodiment, the electronic device can control the vibration frequency of the driving circuit by using an inductor included in the driving circuit so that the vibration frequency of the driving circuit matches the natural vibration frequency of the vibrator. For example, the inductor can be connected between the electric contact of the vibrator of the cigarette cartridge connected to the driving circuit and the power supply device that provides a signal to the vibrator.

[0158] According to an embodiment, the electronic device may provide a test signal having a test frequency to the driving circuit. The test frequency may be within a preset range similar to the natural frequency of the vibrator. When the response of the driving circuit to the test signal does not meet the preset driving condition, the electronic device may calibrate the driving circuit to which the vibrator is connected based on the information of the natural vibration frequency.

[0159] According to an embodiment, the above-referenced Figure 5 The operation 530 is described.

[0160] The exemplary embodiments described herein can be implemented by hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware components and software components. The devices, methods, and components described in the embodiments can be implemented using one or more general-purpose computers or special-purpose computers as follows: such as, for example, processors, controllers, arithmetic logic units (arithmetic logic units, ALU), digital signal processors (DSP), microcomputers, field programmable gate arrays (field programmable gate array, FPGA), programmable logic units (programmable logic units, PLU), microprocessors, or any other device capable of responding to and executing instructions in a limited manner. The processing device can run an operating system (OS) and one or more application software running on the operating system. The processing device can also access, store, operate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For simplicity, it is described that only one processing device is used, but it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the processing device can include multiple processing elements (processing element) and multiple types of processing elements. For example, the processing device can include multiple processors, or a processor and a controller. In addition, other processing configurations (processing configurations) such as parallel processors (parallel processors) can also be included.

[0161] Software may include a computer program, code, instruction, or a combination of some of the above to cause a processing device to operate in a desired manner, or to command a processing device independently or collectively. Software and / or data can be interpreted by a processing device or provide commands or data to a processing device, and the software and / or data can be stored in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device, or in a transmitted signal wave. Software can also be distributed on computer systems connected by a network so that the software is stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data can be stored in a non-transitory computer readable recording medium.

[0162] The method according to the embodiment as described above can be recorded in a non-transient computer-readable medium, which includes program instructions to implement various operations that can be performed by a computer. The medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. in a separate or combined form. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be instructions specially designed and constructed for the purpose of implementing the embodiment, or the program instructions may be instructions known and available to ordinary technicians in the field of computer software. Examples of non-transient computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical disks, and hardware devices that are specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes of codes generated by, for example, compilers, but also files containing high-level language codes that can be executed by computers using interpreters.

[0163] To perform the operations of the above-described embodiments, the hardware devices described above may be configured to function as one or more software modules, or vice versa.

[0164] Although the present disclosure includes embodiments described with reference to limited drawings, a person skilled in the art may make various technical modifications and changes thereto. For example, suitable results may be achieved in the following cases: the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or the components in the described systems, structures, devices, or circuits are combined in a different form, and / or the components in the described systems, structures, devices, or circuits are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalent contents.

[0165] Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating method performed by an electronic device, the method comprising: Using short-range wireless communication to obtain unique information of the cigarette cartridge from a tag of the cigarette cartridge connected to the electronic device; authenticating the cigarette cartridge based on the unique information of the cigarette cartridge; as well as When the cartridge is authenticated, aerosol is generated by vibrating the aerosol generating substance contained in the cartridge based on the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator included in the cartridge acquired from the tag.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The usage information of the electronic device is transmitted to the tag.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The usage information includes the number of puffs, usage time or repeated use information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The tag is embedded in the interior of the cigarette cartridge in the form of a near field wireless communication (NFC) module, or attached to the exterior of the cigarette cartridge in the form of a sticker.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The aerosol generating substance is aerosolized by ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator included in the cartridge.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Acquire the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator from the tag; as well as A drive circuit to which the vibrator is connected is calibrated based on the natural vibration frequency information. 7 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to claim 1 .

8. An electronic device comprising: a controller configured to execute a program for authenticating a cigarette cartridge connected to the electronic device, Wherein, the controller is configured to: Using short-range wireless communication to obtain unique information of the cigarette cartridge from a tag of the cigarette cartridge connected to the electronic device; authenticating the cigarette cartridge based on the unique information of the cigarette cartridge; and When the cartridge is authenticated, aerosol is generated by vibrating the aerosol generating substance contained in the cartridge based on the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator included in the cartridge acquired from the tag.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein: The controller is also configured to: The usage information of the electronic device is transmitted to the tag.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein: The usage information includes the number of puffs, usage time or repeated use information.

11. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein: The tag is embedded in the interior of the cigarette cartridge in the form of a near field wireless communication (NFC) module, or attached to the exterior of the cigarette cartridge in the form of a sticker.

12. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein: The aerosol generating substance is aerosolized by ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator included in the cartridge.

13. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein: The controller is also configured to: Acquiring the natural vibration frequency information of the vibrator from the tag; and A drive circuit to which the vibrator is connected is calibrated based on the natural vibration frequency information.

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