Aerosol-generating device with use limitation

Abstract

There is described an aerosol-generating device comprising device control circuitry and an energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy to the device control circuitry for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article. And device control circuitry configured to receive a restriction parameter indicative of a restriction to use the aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, where the device control circuitry is configured to control the energy storage device based on the restriction parameter, and limiting the user to operate the aerosol generating device to generate the aerosol according to the limiting parameter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of aerosol generating devices and systems for generating aerosols. In particular, the present disclosure relates to electronic aerosol generating devices and systems configured to generate aerosols based on heating at least a portion of an aerosol generating article or substrate. The present disclosure also relates to the use of such aerosol generating devices or systems, methods of operating such aerosol generating devices or systems, corresponding computer programs, and non-transitory computer-readable media storing such computer programs. Background Art

[0002] Typically, an aerosol generating device is designed as a handheld device that can be used by a user to consume or experience an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol generating substrate or an aerosol generating article comprising such a substrate, for example during one or more use sessions. It should be understood that an aerosol generating device can generate an aerosol by other means, such as by vibration, by spraying or other means.

[0003] Exemplary aerosol generating substrates may include solid substrate materials, such as tobacco materials or tobacco cast leaf ("TCL") materials. The substrate material may, for example, be generally assembled with other elements or components to form a substantially rod-shaped aerosol generating product. Such a rod or aerosol generating product may be configured in shape and size to be at least partially inserted into an aerosol generating device, which may, for example, include a heating element for heating the aerosol generating product and / or the aerosol generating substrate. Alternatively or in addition, the aerosol generating substrate may include one or more liquids and / or solids, which may, for example, be supplied to the aerosol generating device in the form of a tube or container. Exemplary aerosol generating products may include a tube or container containing or being fillable with a liquid and / or solid substrate, which may evaporate based on the heating substrate during the user's consumption of the aerosol. Typically, such a tube may be coupled to, attached to, or at least partially inserted into an aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the tube may be fixedly mounted to the aerosol generating device and refilled by inserting the liquid and / or solid substrate material into the tube.

[0004] In order to generate an aerosol during use or consumption, the user typically actuates a user interface of the aerosol generating device, thereby triggering the supply of electrical energy to one or more aerosol generating members or aerosol generators (e.g. one or more heating elements or heat sources), for example to heat at least a portion of an aerosol generating substrate or article. At least a portion of the aerosol generating member or aerosol generator, such as at least a portion of a heating element, may be arranged in the aerosol generating device. Alternatively or in addition, at least a portion of the aerosol generating member or aerosol generator, such as at least a portion of a heating element, may be arranged in the aerosol generating article.

[0005] Exemplary heating elements may be based on one or more of resistive heating, inductive heating, and microwave heating using electrical energy supplied via, drawn from, or stored in an energy storage device of the aerosol generating device. Exemplary energy storage devices may include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more supercapacitors, one or more accumulators, or other types of energy storage devices.

[0006] Alternatively or in addition, the aerosol generating device may be configured to supply electrical energy to one or more other aerosol generating components, aerosol machines or aerosol generators to generate an aerosol. For example, the aerosol generating device and / or aerosol generating article may include one or more vibrating elements, one or more vibrating meshes, one or more spray devices or other devices for generating an aerosol. Summary of the invention

[0007] In particular, when the aerosol generating device is frequently used or operated to generate an aerosol, the quality of the energy storage device or its ability to store electrical energy may decrease over time, and after a certain life or service life of the energy storage device, the aerosol generating device or at least the energy storage device may need to be replaced. For example, the life or service life of the energy storage device, and thus the possible life or service life of the aerosol generating device, may be adversely affected by overcharging and / or discharging of the energy storage device, which may be caused by overuse or excessive use of the aerosol generating device by a user.

[0008] It may therefore be desirable to provide an improved aerosol generating device or system, for example an aerosol generating device or system having an improved lifespan or useful life.

[0009] This is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Optional features are provided by the dependent claims and the following description.

[0010] According to aspects of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol is provided. The aerosol generating device includes a device control circuit system and an energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device is configured to supply electrical energy to the device control circuit system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating article. The device control circuit system may optionally be operably connected to the energy storage device. The device control circuit system is configured to receive a restriction parameter indicating a restriction on using the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol. In addition, the device control circuit system is configured to control the energy storage device based on the restriction parameter so that a user is restricted from operating the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol according to the restriction parameter.

[0011] The energy storage device and / or the device control circuit system can be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one aerosol generating member or at least one aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from at least a portion of an aerosol generating article that can be coupled to the aerosol generating device. Exemplary aerosol generators or members can include one or more heating elements, one or more heat sources, one or more vibrating elements, one or more vibrating meshes, and one or more spray devices.

[0012] For example, the energy storage device and / or device control circuitry may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one heating element to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article connectable to an aerosol-generating device, for example based on heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

[0013] The aerosol generating device of the present disclosure may particularly refer to or represent an electronic aerosol generating device. In addition, the exemplary aerosol generating article may be formed into a stick shape and at least partially inserted into the aerosol generating device. Alternative exemplary aerosol generating articles may include a container or a cartridge that may be fixedly attached or removably connected to the aerosol generating device. Typically, a liquid, solid, or a mixture of solid and liquid aerosol generating substrates is contained in such aerosol generating article or may be inserted into such aerosol generating article and heated to generate an aerosol. Any such form and design of aerosol generating article and other forms and designs may be used with the aerosol generating devices and systems of the present disclosure.

[0014] Typically, the device control circuit system may be configured to control one or more device functions of the aerosol generating device. In particular, the device control circuit system may include one or more processors configured to receive and / or process limiting parameters. The device control circuit system may be configured to operably control the aerosol generating device and / or its energy storage device based on the limiting parameters. Optionally, operational control of one or more device functions and / or the energy storage device may include generating one or more control signals and / or providing one or more control signals to one or more components of the aerosol generating device, such as the energy storage device.

[0015] In an exemplary configuration, the device control circuit system can be configured to receive the limiting parameters based on retrieving or obtaining the limiting parameters from a data storage device or memory of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively or in addition, the limiting parameters can be received or obtained from a computing device and / or an associated device that is communicatively coupled to the aerosol generating device. As will be further described below, an exemplary computing device that is communicatively coupled to the aerosol generating device may include a server, a server network, a smart phone, a mobile device, a smart device, or other type of computing device.

[0016] As used herein, a limiting parameter may include operational data or information for operably controlling an aerosol generating device and / or its energy storage device, for example based on processing the limiting parameter using a device control circuit system. The limiting parameter may indicate a limitation on the use or operation of the aerosol generating device by a user to generate an aerosol. The limitation on the use of the aerosol generating device may refer to or represent a limitation or restriction on the use of the aerosol generating device by a user to generate an aerosol. In other words, the limiting parameter may indicate or represent a consumption limit or an operating limit that limits the use or operation of the device for generating an aerosol, for example thereby preventing the user from further consuming the aerosol.

[0017] Typically, the limiting parameter may be related to, convertible into and / or indicative of one or more operating parameters, and the one or more operating parameters are related to, associated with and / or involved in the operation of the aerosol generating device used to generate the aerosol. This may include one or more operating parameters that are directly or indirectly associated with the generation of the aerosol by the aerosol generating device. For example, the limiting parameter may be time-based, energy-based and / or usage-based or consumption-based. Alternatively or in addition, the limiting parameter may infer a limitation on the use of the aerosol generating device, which limitation may be time-based, energy-based and usage-based. These and other aspects will be described in further detail herein.

[0018] Typically, a user may operate an aerosol generating device using one or more aerosol generating articles to consume or experience an aerosol during multiple uses, wherein the energy storage device may be recharged multiple times in multiple charging cycles. Wherein, a charging cycle may refer to a process by which the energy storage device may be charged from a minimum energy level or "depleted state" to a maximum energy level or "fully charged" state. Due to the charging and discharging of the energy storage device, the quality of the energy storage device or its ability to store electrical energy may decrease or may be adversely affected over time. After a certain life or service life of the energy storage device, the aerosol generating device or at least the energy storage device may be replaced to ensure the full functionality of the aerosol generating device, for example to ensure that a sufficient amount of electrical energy can be stored in the energy storage device to heat the heating element to generate an aerosol. Overcharging and / or discharging of the energy storage device, which may be caused by excessive use or excessive use of the aerosol generating device by the user, may further adversely affect the life or service life of the energy storage device and the aerosol generating device.

[0019] Such adverse effects on the life or service life of the energy storage device can advantageously be avoided or at least mitigated by an aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure, and in particular by limiting the use of the aerosol generating device based on the limiting parameters. In other words, limiting the use or operation of the aerosol generating device by a user to generate an aerosol based on the limiting parameters can advantageously allow increasing or improving the life or service life of the energy storage device, and in turn can allow improving or increasing the life or service life of the aerosol generating device. Due to the increased lifespan, the sustainability of the aerosol generating device can also be significantly improved, and the environmental impact caused by, for example, the disposal of the aerosol generating device or the energy storage device can be reduced.

[0020] As used herein, an energy storage device of an aerosol generating device may be configured to store or may store electrical energy that may be supplied to at least one heating element to generate an aerosol. Optionally, the energy storage device may be rechargeable, for example by connecting the aerosol generating device to a power source or an associated device. For example, the energy storage device may be recharged by connecting the aerosol generating device to an associated device or a power source via a cable or inductive coupling. It should be noted that the aerosol generating device may include multiple energy storage devices. Therefore, any reference to a single energy storage device above and below includes multiple energy storage devices.

[0021] In an example, the energy storage device may include one or more batteries, accumulators, capacitors, supercapacitors, or other types of energy storage devices for storing electrical energy, such as energy storage devices configured to store potential energy associated with a configuration change of internal chemical elements or molecules of the energy storage device. In addition, a combination of any of the foregoing types of energy storage devices may be implemented in the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure.

[0022] In an example, the aerosol generating device may include a user interface that can be actuated by a user to activate or operate the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol. Exemplary user interfaces may include buttons, switches, touch displays, acoustic interfaces, gesture control interfaces, or combinations thereof. When the limit of using the aerosol generating device indicated by the limiting parameters is not reached, the device control circuit system may be operable to receive one or more user inputs from the user interface, and operate the heating element (the corresponding heating circuit or heating circuit including the heating element) or power it according to the one or more user inputs to generate an aerosol. In particular, in response to actuation of the user interface, when the limit or condition of using the aerosol generating device indicated by the limiting parameters is not reached or met, electrical energy may be supplied to at least one heating element to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating article and generate an aerosol. When the limit of using the aerosol generating device indicated by the limiting parameters is reached, the device control circuit system may configure the energy storage device to limit or prevent aerosol generation, for example, regardless of one or more user inputs received at the user interface and indicating the user's request to generate an aerosol.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, upon reaching the limit on the use of the aerosol generating device indicated by the limiting parameter, the device control circuit system may configure the aerosol generating device and / or the energy storage device to an inoperable state in which the device is not operable by a user to generate an aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the device control circuit system may configure the aerosol generating device and / or the energy storage device to an operable state in which the user may operate the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol if or when the limit on the use of the aerosol generating device indicated by the limiting parameter is not reached.

[0024] In an example, the limiting parameter may indicate an amount of electrical energy available to a user for generating an aerosol. Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuitry may be configured to control the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter such that the energy available to the user for generating an aerosol may be limited according to the limiting parameter. Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuitry may be configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to the user for generating an aerosol based on the limiting parameter. The device control circuitry may be configured to control one or both of charging and discharging of the energy storage device to limit use of the device for generating an aerosol according to the amount of electrical energy available to the user indicated by the limiting parameter.

[0025] As used herein, the amount of electrical energy available to a user to generate an aerosol may refer to or represent the amount of electrical energy that can be drawn from the energy storage device and / or can be supplied to the heating element, for example in response to one or more user inputs requesting aerosol generation or consumption during one or more uses. By associating a limiting parameter with the amount of electrical energy available to generate an aerosol, aerosol consumption or generation can be effectively limited or prevented, as the heating element or heating circuit may not be powered when the limit of the device of use indicated by the limiting parameter is reached. In addition, by limiting the amount of electrical energy available, overcharging and discharging can be effectively avoided, thereby increasing the service life or life of the energy storage device and the aerosol generating device.

[0026] The use process may be a finite use process; that is, a use process that has a start and an end. The duration of the use process measured in time may be affected by the use during the use process. The duration of the use process may have a maximum duration determined by a maximum time from the start of the use process. If one or more monitored parameters reach a predetermined threshold before the maximum time from the start of the use process, the duration of the use process may be less than the maximum time. For example, the one or more monitored parameters may include one or more of the following: i) a cumulative puff count of a series of puffs taken by the user since the start of the use process, and ii) a cumulative volume of aerosol formed from the aerosol-forming substrate or article since the start of the use process.

[0027] The amount of electrical energy available may be indicated or defined by a limiting parameter in any suitable absolute or relative scale. For example, a limiting parameter may indicate or be given as a fraction, percentage or portion of a nominal capacity or nominal amount of electrical energy storable in an energy storage device. Alternatively or in addition, the amount of electrical energy available to a user may be given as an absolute value, for example based on a specified current, voltage, operating time or one or more of other operating parameters. Alternatively or in addition, a limiting parameter may indirectly limit the amount of energy available to a user, for example based on specifying or defining a usage limit according to the number of use processes in which the aerosol generating device may be used, the number of aerosol generating articles that may be used or consumed with the device, and the number of puffs or inhalations that a user may perform using the aerosol generating device.

[0028] In an example, the limiting parameters may indicate one or more predefined values ​​of one or more operating parameters related to, associated with and / or involved in the operation of the aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol. For example, the one or more operating parameters may be involved in supplying electrical energy from the energy storage device to the heating element to generate the aerosol. Typically, the one or more operating parameters may include one or more operating parameters related to the charging of the energy storage device and / or one or more operating parameters related to the discharging of the energy storage device.

[0029] It should be noted that the limit parameters may include a plurality of elements, each element indicating at least one predefined value of at least one operating parameter related to, associated with and / or involved in the operation of the aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of limit parameters may be utilized, each limit parameter indicating at least one predefined value of at least one operating parameter.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the predefined value of an operating parameter may refer to, include or indicate a threshold or a threshold value of the operating parameter.

[0031] For example, the device control circuitry may be configured to monitor one or more operating parameters during use or operation of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuitry may be configured to determine whether one or more predefined values ​​or thresholds of one or more operating parameters indicated by the limiting parameters are reached. This may include comparing one or more values ​​of the one or more monitored operating parameters with one or more predefined values ​​or thresholds of one or more operating parameters indicated by the limiting parameters.

[0032] For example, the limiting parameter may indicate one or more of the following operating parameters: a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, a predefined charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device to recharge the energy storage device, a predefined potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined number of charging cycles during which the energy storage device can be charged. Other exemplary operating parameters directly or indirectly related to the use or operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol may be a predefined number of use sessions that the aerosol generating device can be used to generate an aerosol, a predefined operating time that the aerosol generating device can be used to generate an aerosol, a predefined number of aerosol generating articles that can be used or consumed with the aerosol generating device, a predefined number of puffs or inhalations that a user can take, a predefined amount of aerosol generating substrate or article that can be used with the aerosol generating device, a predefined date range (e.g., including a start date and an end date), and an amount of energy that can be drawn from the energy storage device for aerosol generation. Any one or more of the foregoing and other operating parameters may be considered or reflected by the limiting parameters and used to infer usage limits for the aerosol generating device.

[0033] In an example, the device control circuit system can be configured to determine one or more of the following based on the limiting parameters: a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, a predefined charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a predefined potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined number of charging cycles that the energy storage device can be charged.

[0034] Optionally, determining the predefined parameter based on the limiting parameter may include deriving a predefined value or threshold of the parameter from the limiting parameter. For example, the device control circuit system may process the limiting parameter to measure or calculate one or more predefined values ​​or thresholds of one or more operating parameters, such as a predefined value or threshold of the output voltage, a predefined value or threshold of the charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a predefined value or threshold of the potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of the internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined or threshold number of charging cycles that the energy storage device can be charged. Other predefined values ​​or thresholds of other operating parameters may alternatively or additionally be determined based on the limiting parameter, as described in more detail above and below.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, determining the predefined parameters based on the limit parameters may include determining whether one or more values ​​of the one or more operational parameters correspond to, match and / or are equal to one or more predefined or threshold parameter values ​​indicated or defined by the limit parameters.

[0036] Typically, one or more predefined parameter values ​​or threshold parameter values ​​for one or more operating parameters may be indicated by the limiting parameter and optionally derived from the limiting parameter by the device control circuitry. Exemplary and non-limiting predefined parameter or threshold parameter values ​​indicated by the limiting parameter and / or derivable from the limiting parameter are a minimum output voltage of the energy storage device, a maximum charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a maximum charging time, a maximum charging current, and a maximum charging voltage of the energy storage device. Other exemplary and non-limiting thresholds that may be defined by limiting parameters may include one or more of the following: a maximum reduction in the output voltage of the energy storage device, a potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a change in the configuration of the internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, a maximum value of the potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a change in the configuration of the internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, a maximum number of charging cycles in which the energy storage device can be charged, a maximum operating time that the aerosol generating device can be used to generate an aerosol, a maximum date range (e.g., including a start date and an end date or a duration) that the aerosol generating device can be used to generate an aerosol, a maximum number or amount of aerosol generating articles that can be used or consumed with the aerosol generating device, a maximum number of puffs or inhalations that a user can perform, a maximum amount of aerosol generating substrate that can be used with the aerosol generating device, and a maximum amount of energy that can be drawn from the energy storage device for aerosol generation.

[0037] In an example, the device control circuit system may be configured to limit the use of the aerosol generating device at an output voltage equal to or below a minimum output voltage indicated or defined by the limiting parameter. Wherein the minimum output voltage may optionally be different from a nominal minimum output voltage, such as a nominal output voltage according to a nominal characteristic of the energy storage device. Thus, the discharge of the energy storage device may be modified with respect to the nominal characteristic of the energy storage device to control the aerosol generating device or the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter.

[0038] For example, the limiting parameter may indicate a minimum output voltage of the energy storage device that is higher than the nominal output voltage of the energy storage device. The device control circuit system may monitor, measure, track and / or determine the output voltage or actual output voltage of the energy storage device during use of the device and compare it to the minimum output voltage indicated by the limiting parameter. When the actual output voltage reaches or drops below the minimum output voltage, the device control circuit system may configure the device or energy storage device to an inoperable state in which it is impossible for the user to generate an aerosol. In this example, the amount of energy that the user can draw from the energy storage device may be limited by the limiting parameter.

[0039] Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuit system can be configured to limit and / or control the amount of energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, stored in the energy storage device, and / or stored in the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles. For example, the device control circuit system can be configured to control one or more charging parameters for charging or recharging the energy storage device, which may also be referred to herein as operating parameters related to charging the energy storage device. Exemplary charging parameters that the device control circuit system can control are: charging voltage, which can refer to the voltage applied to the energy storage device during charging of the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles; charging current, which can refer to the current supplied to the energy storage device during charging of the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles; charging time, which can refer to the time or time period for charging the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles; and the number of charging cycles that can be performed. For example, the limiting parameter can indicate and / or define one or more of the maximum charging energy, the maximum charging current, the maximum charging voltage, the maximum charging time, and the maximum number of charging cycles. Optionally, the device control circuit system can derive one or more of the aforementioned thresholds from the limiting parameter.

[0040] During charging of the energy storage device, one or more of the actual charging voltage, the actual charging energy, the actual charging current, the actual charging time, and the actual number of charging cycles may be determined by the device control circuit system and compared with the corresponding one or more threshold values ​​indicated by the limiting parameters. When one or more of these threshold values ​​are reached, the device control circuit system may terminate or prohibit charging or recharging of the energy storage device. Since one or more charging parameters defined by the limiting parameters may be different from the corresponding nominal values, the energy storage device may be charged with an amount of electrical energy that is less than the nominal maximum amount that can theoretically be stored in the energy storage device. Therefore, the amount of electrical energy that can be stored in the energy storage device and therefore the amount of energy that can be used by the user to generate an aerosol can be effectively and reliably limited based on the limiting parameters. In addition, overcharging and discharging can be prevented, thereby effectively avoiding or at least reducing degradation of the energy storage device.

[0041] As described above, the characteristics of one or more charging cycles may be modified based on limiting parameters regarding a nominal charging cycle of an energy storage device. Wherein, a charging cycle may refer to a process by which an energy storage device may be charged from a minimum energy level or a "depleted state" to a maximum energy level or a "fully charged" state. The modification of the nominal charging cycle of the energy storage device inferred by the limiting parameters may include one or both of a modification of the minimum energy level and a modification of the maximum energy level of one or more charging cycles. For example, the charging cycle may be altered, changed, or modified based on the limiting parameters so that the minimum energy level at which the energy storage device is in a depleted state may be different from the nominal minimum energy level or the physical depleted state of the energy storage device. Alternatively or in addition, the charging cycle may be altered, changed, or modified based on the limiting parameters so that the maximum energy level at which the energy storage device is in a fully charged state may be different from the nominal maximum energy level or the physical fully charged state of the energy storage device.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the limiting parameter may indicate a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, wherein the predefined output voltage may indicate an open circuit voltage. For example, the predefined output voltage may indicate the output voltage of the energy storage device when the heating element is switched off or the heating circuit is disconnected (e.g. during charging or when the aerosol generating device is deactivated).

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, the predefined output voltage of the energy storage device indicated by the limiting parameter may indicate a closed circuit voltage of the energy storage device. For example, the predefined output voltage may indicate the output voltage of the energy storage device when the heating element is switched on or the heating circuit is closed (e.g. during use of the aerosol generating device for aerosol consumption).

[0044] In an example, the device control circuit system may be configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to a user by controlling the charging of the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles of the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter. Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuit system may be configured to control the charging process and / or the amount of electrical energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, storable in the energy storage device and / or stored in the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles, such that the amount of energy that can be drawn from the energy storage device and / or supplied to the heating element can be limited according to the limiting parameter. Thus, degradation of the energy storage device can be prevented, and the user's operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol can be effectively limited according to the amount of electrical energy that can be stored in the energy storage device.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the device control circuit system can be configured to perform one or more of the following based on the limiting parameters: terminate the charging cycle of the energy storage device, signal the completion of the charging cycle, signal a user that the energy storage device is empty, trigger recharging of the energy storage device, request recharging of the energy storage device, disable the aerosol generating device from generating aerosol, and enable the aerosol generating device to generate aerosol.

[0046] For example, the device control circuit system can be configured to determine one or more actual values ​​of one or more operating parameters and compare the one or more actual values ​​to one or more predefined values ​​of one or more operating parameters indicated or defined by the limit parameters. Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuit system can be configured to perform one or more of the following based on the comparison: terminate the charging cycle of the energy storage device, signal the completion of the charging cycle, signal a user that the energy storage device is empty, trigger recharging of the energy storage device, request recharging of the energy storage device, disable the aerosol generating device from generating aerosol, and enable the aerosol generating device to generate aerosol.

[0047] For example, the device control circuit system may be configured to monitor one or more operating parameters, which may include determining an actual or current value of the one or more operating parameters. In addition, the device control circuit system may be configured to compare one or more monitored or determined values ​​of the one or more operating parameters with one or more predefined values ​​or thresholds of the one or more operating parameters as indicated by the limiting parameters, defined by the limiting parameters and / or derived from the limiting parameters. Upon determining that at least one of the actual values ​​of the at least one operating parameter corresponds to, matches and / or is equal to at least one of the predefined values ​​or thresholds of the at least one operating parameter, the device control circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the following: terminate a charging cycle of the energy storage device, signal completion of the charging cycle, signal a user that the energy storage device is empty, trigger recharging of the energy storage device, request recharging of the energy storage device, and disable the aerosol generating device from generating aerosol. Alternatively or in addition, upon determining that the predefined value or threshold is not reached, the device control circuit system may enable the aerosol generating device to generate aerosol.

[0048] Thus, to control the amount of electrical energy storable in the energy storage device, the device control circuitry may terminate the charging cycle and / or signal completion of the charging cycle so that a predefined amount of electrical energy as indicated or defined by the limiting parameters is available to the user for aerosol generation, wherein the charging cycle may terminate at an energy level less than or equal to a nominal maximum energy level of the energy storage device, e.g., a maximum capacity of the energy storage device.

[0049] Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuitry may signal a user that the energy storage device is empty, trigger recharging of the energy storage device, and / or request recharging of the energy storage device, thereby controlling the amount of electrical energy that can be drawn from the energy storage device and / or available to the user for generating aerosols. Wherein, recharging of the energy storage device may be triggered at an energy level equal to or higher than that of a fully depleted energy storage device. Thus, recharging of the energy storage device may be initiated before the energy storage device is completely empty or physically depleted, thereby limiting the amount of electrical energy available to the user for generating aerosols.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be deactivated or disabled to prevent aerosol generation based on the limiting parameters. For example, the supply of electrical energy from the energy storage device to the heating element or heating circuit may be prohibited by the device control circuit system according to or based on the limiting parameters. For example, the aerosol generating device may be deactivated when the limit of use of the device indicated by the limiting parameters is reached. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be activated or enabled for aerosol generation or for further use without reaching the limit of use of the device indicated by the limiting parameters.

[0051] In yet another example, the limiting parameter may indicate a maximum charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device for charging the energy storage device, wherein the device control circuit system may be configured to control the charging energy supplied to the energy storage device based on the maximum charging energy indicated by the limiting parameter. For example, the device control circuit system may be configured to determine one or more actual values ​​of the charging energy supplied to the energy storage device during charging or recharging of the energy storage device, and compare the determined one or more actual values ​​of the charging energy with the maximum charging energy defined by the limiting parameter. Optionally, the actual value of the charging energy may be monitored or determined over time during the charging of the energy storage device, for example, continuously or at discontinuous moments. Further optionally, upon determining that the actual charging energy is equal to or exceeds the maximum charging energy, the device control circuit system may terminate the charging cycle, terminate the charging of the energy storage device, and / or signal the completion of the charging cycle to the user. For example, the completion of the charging cycle may be signaled based on providing an acoustic, tactile, and / or optical signal to the user via a user interface of the aerosol generating device, a computing device communicatively coupled to the aerosol generating device, and / or a matching device. By limiting the amount of energy stored or storable in the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter, the energy storage device can be protected from overcharging while effectively limiting the use of the device for aerosol consumption. In addition, the service life of the energy storage device and the aerosol generating device can be improved or increased.

[0052] In an example, the device control circuit system can be configured to control the charging energy based on controlling one or more of the charging time, charging voltage, and charging current of the energy storage device. Wherein, the charging time may refer to the time or time period during which the charging voltage and charging current are supplied to the energy storage device, for example, during one or more constant current phases of a constant current-constant voltage charging sequence of a charging cycle. The charging current may refer to the current supplied to the energy storage device during charging, for example, during one or more constant current phases of a charging cycle. The charging voltage may refer to the voltage supplied to the energy storage device during charging, for example, during one or more constant current or constant voltage phases of a charging cycle. For example, one or more of the charging voltage, charging current, and charging time may be controlled, changed, and / or kept constant by the device control circuit system during charging of the energy storage device, so that a predefined amount of electrical energy as indicated by a limiting parameter can be stored in the energy storage device.

[0053] In yet another example, the device control circuitry may be configured to terminate a charge cycle of the energy storage device, terminate charging of the energy storage device, and / or signal a user of completion of the charge cycle upon determining that the charge energy supplied to the energy storage device equals or exceeds a maximum charge energy indicated by a limiting parameter. For example, the device control circuitry may determine one or both of a charge current and a charge voltage, and calculate the charge energy supplied to the energy storage device during a charge time until the supplied charge energy equals a predefined maximum charge energy.

[0054] Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuit system can be configured to terminate the charging cycle of the energy storage device, terminate the charging of the energy storage device and / or signal the user of the completion of the charging cycle upon determining that one or more of the charging current, charging time and charging voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or exceeds one or more of the maximum charging current, maximum charging time and maximum charging voltage indicated by the limiting parameters.

[0055] In yet another example, the limiting parameter may indicate a maximum number of charging cycles that the energy storage device may be charged, wherein the device control circuit system may be configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to a user based on limiting the number of charging cycles of the energy storage device according to the limiting parameter. For example, the device control circuit system may be configured to track or monitor an actual number of charging cycles, which may correspond to the number of times the energy storage device has been charged from a minimum energy level to a maximum energy level. The device control circuit system may optionally compare the determined actual number of charging cycles with the maximum number indicated by the limiting parameter. Further optionally, the device control circuit system may disable and / or deactivate the aerosol generating device upon determining that the actual number of charging cycles reaches or exceeds the maximum number. By limiting the number of charging cycles, the number of times a user can use the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol can be effectively and reliably limited, while also preventing wear of the energy storage device.

[0056] In an exemplary configuration, the aerosol generating device may include a data storage device that stores a plurality of predefined configurations of the energy storage device associated with one or more predefined capacity levels of the energy storage device, wherein the device control circuit system may be configured to select one of the plurality of predefined configurations based on a limiting parameter and configure the energy storage device to the selected configuration. Wherein, the capacity level may refer to, be related to and / or be associated with a specific amount of electrical energy that can be stored and / or stored in the energy storage device. One or more predefined capacity levels may be given as relative values, for example as a fraction, percentage or portion of a nominal capacity level of the energy storage device. Alternatively, the capacity level may be given as an absolute capacity or energy level.

[0057] According to an example, an aerosol generating device may include an energy storage device controller, wherein the device control circuit system may be configured to control the energy storage device based on configuring the energy storage device controller according to a limiting parameter. For example, the device control circuit system may configure the energy storage device and / or the energy storage device controller to a selected configuration based on setting one or more of a maximum charge time, a maximum charge current, a maximum charge voltage, and a maximum number of charge cycles in the energy storage device controller. This may allow the configuration of the energy storage device to be dynamically adjusted according to the limiting parameter, for example, if the limiting parameter changes over time or after a certain period of time.

[0058] As described above, the device control circuitry may be configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to a user based on controlling the discharge of the energy storage device during one or more charging cycles of the energy storage device based on the limiting parameters.

[0059] For example, the limiting parameter may indicate a maximum number of use sessions during which the aerosol generating device is operable by a user or can be used by a user to generate an aerosol, wherein the device control circuit system may be configured to, upon determining that the number of use sessions during which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate an aerosol equals or exceeds the maximum number of use sessions indicated by the limiting parameter, perform one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device. In an example, the device control circuit system may determine, monitor and / or track the number of use sessions or the actual number of use sessions, which may correspond to the number of times the aerosol generating device has been used by the user to generate an aerosol, and compare the determined actual number of use sessions with the maximum number of use sessions indicated by the limiting parameter. When the maximum number of use sessions is reached, the device control circuit system may disable the energy storage device, signal an empty energy storage device, trigger recharging, and / or request recharging of the energy storage device, such that further use of the aerosol generating device may be inhibited, for example until the limiting parameter is modified or the number of use sessions is reset.

[0060] It should be noted that a new aerosol-generating article may be used during each use, or the same aerosol-generating article may be used during multiple uses. Thus, the number of uses may be the same as the number of aerosol-generating articles, or the number of uses may be different from the number of aerosol-generating articles.

[0061] The aerosol generating device may optionally include a counter for counting the number of use processes in which the aerosol generating device has been used to generate an aerosol. In addition, the device control circuit system can be configured to control the energy storage device based on comparing the number of use processes indicated by the counter with the maximum number of use processes indicated by the limiting parameter. This counter can be implemented in hardware and / or software. For example, the counter can be implemented as a mechanical or electronic counter. Optionally, the counter can be configured to continuously store the number of use processes, for example, to store the number of use processes regardless of whether the counter is supplied with electrical energy. Based on this counter, the number of use processes can be reliably monitored, and the use of the device can be reliably limited according to the limiting parameters.

[0062] Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may optionally include a counter for counting the number or amount of aerosol generating articles used with the aerosol generating device. Furthermore, the device control circuitry may be configured to control the energy storage device based on comparing the number of aerosol generating articles indicated by the counter with the maximum number of aerosol generating articles indicated by the limiting parameter. Alternatively or additionally, a counter for counting the number of inhalations or puffs may be used.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the limit parameter may indicate a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device. In addition, the device control circuit system may be configured to measure the output voltage of the energy storage device and compare the measured output voltage of the energy storage device with the predefined output voltage indicated by the limit parameter. The predefined output voltage may, for example, indicate or refer to a threshold output voltage or a minimum output voltage of the energy storage device. Wherein, the output voltage or the predefined output voltage may refer to an open circuit voltage or a closed circuit voltage of the energy storage device.

[0064] In yet another example, the device control circuitry may be configured to, upon determining that the measured output voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or drops below a predefined output voltage indicated by the limit parameter, perform one or more of the following: disable the energy storage device, signal an empty energy storage device, trigger recharging, and request recharging of the energy storage device. Thus, the device control circuitry may monitor or track the output voltage, compare the output voltage to a minimum output voltage as indicated by the limit parameter, and upon determining that the measured output voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or drops below a predefined output voltage indicated by the limit parameter, perform one or more of the following: disable the energy storage device, signal an empty energy storage device, trigger recharging, and request recharging of the energy storage device.

[0065] In yet another example, the device control circuit system can be configured to control the discharge rate of the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter. For example, the limiting parameter can indicate a predefined or threshold discharge rate, and the device control circuit system can be configured to determine the actual discharge rate and compare it to the predefined discharge rate to control the amount of electrical energy available to the user for generating aerosol. Wherein, the discharge rate can be given, for example, as a number of discharge cycles per given time period, where a discharge cycle can refer to the consumption of the energy storage device from a maximum energy level of the energy storage device to a minimum energy level.

[0066] In another exemplary embodiment, the limiting parameter may indicate a fraction of the maximum amount of energy that can be stored in the energy storage device, wherein the device control circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that the reduction in energy stored in the energy storage device is equal to or higher than the fraction of the maximum amount of energy that can be stored indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device. For example, the fraction of the maximum amount of energy that can be stored in the energy storage device may be related to and / or refer to a fraction of the nominal storage capacity or the maximum nominal capacity of the energy storage device. Furthermore, the fraction may be given in an absolute or relative value, for example as a percentage of the maximum nominal amount of energy that can be physically or theoretically stored in the energy storage device. Thus, the use of an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol may be limited by limiting the amount of electrical energy that can be drawn from the energy storage device and supplied to the heating element to generate the aerosol.

[0067] In an example, the limiting parameter may indicate a specific percentage of a maximum or nominal amount of energy that can be stored in the energy storage device, and the device control circuit system may determine, monitor, and / or track the energy drawn from the energy storage device. Upon determining that the energy drawn from the energy storage device equals or drops below the percentage indicated by the limiting parameter, the device control circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device. Thus, a user may only use a specific percentage of the energy to generate an aerosol, and if this specific percentage has been used, operation of the aerosol generating device may be disabled, such as by forcing recharging of the energy storage device, even though the energy storage device may not be completely physically exhausted.

[0068] In yet another example, the limiting parameter may indicate a maximum operating time during which the aerosol generating device is operable by the user to generate an aerosol, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to, upon determining that the operating time of the aerosol generating device is equal to or exceeds the maximum operating time indicated by the limiting parameter, perform one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device. For example, the operating time of the aerosol generating device may refer to the time during which the user operates the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol during one or more use processes, which operating time may be determined, monitored, and / or tracked by the device control circuit system. In addition, the device control circuit system may compare the determined operating time with the maximum operating time indicated by the limiting parameter. Optionally, the device control circuit system may be configured to, upon determining that the operating time of the aerosol generating device is equal to or exceeds the maximum operating time indicated by the limiting parameter, perform one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device. Thus, use of an aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol may be reliably limited by limiting the time or period of time during which the aerosol generating device may be operated to generate an aerosol.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, the limiting parameter may indicate a time period during which the aerosol generating device may be used to generate an aerosol. For example, the limiting parameter may indicate one or more of a start date from which the device may be operated to generate an aerosol and an end date before which the aerosol generating device may be operated to generate an aerosol. The start and / or end date may be given, for example, as a specific year, month and day.

[0070] In another exemplary embodiment, the limiting parameter may indicate a maximum number or amount of aerosol generating articles that can be used by a user of the aerosol generating device, wherein the device control circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that the number or amount of aerosol generating articles used with the aerosol generating device equals or exceeds the maximum number or amount of aerosol generating articles indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0071] For example, the device control circuit system may monitor and / or track the number or amount of aerosol generating articles used with the aerosol generating device for aerosol consumption. In addition, the device control circuit system may compare the determined number or amount of aerosol generating articles with the maximum number or amount of aerosol generating articles indicated by the limiting parameter. Optionally, the device control circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that the number or amount of aerosol generating articles equals or exceeds the maximum number or amount of aerosol generating articles indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device. Thus, the use of an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol can be reliably limited by limiting the number or amount of aerosol generating articles that can be used with the aerosol generating device.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, the device control circuit system may be configured to retrieve the limiting parameter from a data storage device of the aerosol generating device. In other words, the limiting parameter may be stored on the data storage device of the aerosol generating device. Optionally, retrieving the limiting parameter may include loading the limiting parameter from the data storage device. Further optionally, a plurality of limiting parameters may be stored on the data storage device, and one of the limiting parameters may be selected by the device control circuit system, for example based on a control signal received from a computing device or an associated device communicatively coupled to the aerosol generating device and / or based on one or more user inputs.

[0073] In an exemplary configuration, the aerosol generating device may include a communication interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device to a computing device, wherein the limiting parameters may be received from the computing device via the communication interface. The communication interface may be configured for one or both of wired and wireless communications with the computing device. For example, the communication interface may include one or more of a BUS interface, a cable interface, a Bluetooth interface, a wireless LAN interface, an infrared communication interface, a near field communication interface, an Internet communication interface, or any other suitable type of communication interface. In addition, multiple computing devices may be communicatively coupled to the aerosol generating device via the communication interface, for example using the same or different types of communication protocols.

[0074] In an example, the computing device includes at least one of a server and a mobile device. The server may also refer to a plurality of servers, such as a server network. Alternatively or in addition, the mobile device may refer to a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a wearable device, a smart device, or any other type of mobile computing device. The server and / or the mobile device may include a communication interface to communicatively couple the server and / or the mobile device to the aerosol generating device, for example, to transmit the limiting parameters or corresponding control signals to the aerosol generating device.

[0075] Optionally, an application or software may be run on the server and / or the mobile device, which may allow the user to define limit parameters, e.g. based on a user account of the user and / or based on an identification number of the aerosol generating device, and initiate the transmission of the limit parameters to the aerosol generating device. However, it should be noted that it is not necessarily possible to transmit the entire limit parameters from the computing device to the aerosol generating device, but only corresponding control signals indicating specific limit parameters may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device, which corresponding control signals may then be loaded from the data storage device of the aerosol generating device.

[0076] In yet another exemplary configuration, the aerosol generating device may comprise a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs, wherein the limit parameter may be based on the one or more user inputs received via the user interface of the aerosol generating device. Thus, the limit parameter may be user definable via the one or more user inputs.

[0077] In an example, the limiting parameters may be reset, modified and / or updated based on user input at the user interface. Alternatively or in addition, the limiting parameters may be reset, modified and / or updated based on receiving corresponding control signals from a computing device and / or an associated device that is communicatively coupled to the aerosol generating device.

[0078] In yet another example, the aerosol generating device may be connectable (e.g., operably and / or communicatively connectable) to a companion device for supplying electrical energy to the energy storage device, wherein the limiting parameters may be received from the companion device when the aerosol generating device is connected to the companion device.

[0079] The accessory device can be configured to at least partially receive the aerosol generating device, for example for charging the aerosol generating device and / or for storing the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device can be configured for wireless charging by the accessory device. For example, the accessory device and the aerosol generating device can be inductively coupled to charge an energy storage device of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuit system can be configured to establish an electrical connection with the accessory device to charge the energy storage device. Therefore, the aerosol generating device can be configured to be operably connected to the accessory for charging the energy storage device of the aerosol generating device.

[0080] Alternatively or in addition, the accessory device may include a communication interface for communicatively coupling the accessory device to the aerosol generating device and, for example, for transmitting the limiting parameters or corresponding control signals from the accessory device to the aerosol generating device. Optionally, the communication connection between the aerosol generating device and the accessory device may be established when the aerosol generating device is operably coupled to the accessory device to charge the aerosol generating device, or vice versa.

[0081] In an example, the accessory device may include a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs (e.g., to define limiting parameters at the accessory device), which may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device. Alternatively or in addition, the accessory device may be communicatively coupled to a computing device, such as a server or a mobile device, and the limiting parameters or corresponding control signals may be received by the accessory device from the computing device and then transmitted to the aerosol generating device.

[0082] In an exemplary configuration, the aerosol generating device may include at least a portion of a heating element or a heating circuit that is coupled to the energy storage device and configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating article. Thus, at least a portion of the heating element and / or at least a portion of the heating circuit may be integrated into the aerosol generating device. For example, a resistive blade, a resonator, an exciter coil, a microwave generator, or other type of heating element may be at least partially arranged and / or integrated into the aerosol generating device.

[0083] Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be connectable to an aerosol generating article comprising a heating element or at least a portion of a heating circuit, wherein the energy storage device may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one heating element of the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol. For example, a resistive blade, a resonator, an exciter coil, a microwave generator, or other type of heating element may be at least partially arranged and / or integrated in the aerosol generating device and powered or supplied with electrical energy drawn from the energy storage device of the aerosol generating device.

[0084] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system, comprising an aerosol generating device as described above and below, and an aerosol generating article that can be connected or coupled to the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol from at least a portion of the aerosol generating article (e.g., based on heating). Any disclosure presented above and below with reference to the aerosol generating device and / or the aerosol generating article is equally applicable to the aerosol generating system, and vice versa.

[0085] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of an aerosol generating device and / or system as described above and below.

[0086] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of operating an aerosol generating device. An aerosol generating device operated according to the method may be an aerosol generating device as described above and below. Thus, any feature function and / or element described above and below with reference to the aerosol generating device may be a feature, function, element and / or step of a method of operating the aerosol generating device, and vice versa.

[0087] An aerosol generating device operated according to the method of the present disclosure comprises an energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy to a device control circuit system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating substrate. The method comprises at least the following steps:

[0088] - receiving, with the device control circuitry of the aerosol generating device, a restriction parameter indicative of a restriction on use of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol; and

[0089] - configuring, with device control circuitry of the aerosol generating device, the energy storage device based on the limiting parameters, thereby limiting operation of the aerosol generating device by a user to generate an aerosol according to the limiting parameters.

[0090] The energy storage device and / or the device control circuit system can be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one aerosol generating member or aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from at least a portion of an aerosol generating article that can be coupled to the aerosol generating device. Exemplary aerosol generators or members can include one or more heating elements, one or more heat sources, one or more vibrating elements, one or more vibrating meshes, and one or more spray devices.

[0091] For example, the energy storage device and / or device control circuitry may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one heating element to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article connectable to an aerosol-generating device, for example based on heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

[0092] Alternatively or additionally, generating an aerosol may be limited according to a limiting parameter.Optionally, configuring the energy storage device may comprise controlling the energy storage device such that operation of said aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol is limited according to the limiting parameter.

[0093] In an example, the method may further comprise controlling the amount of electrical energy available to a user for generating an aerosol based on the limiting parameter.Alternatively or additionally, configuring the energy storage device may comprise controlling the amount of electrical energy available to a user for generating an aerosol based on the limiting parameter.

[0094] In yet another example, the method may further include determining, based on the limiting parameters, one or more of: a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, a predefined charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a predefined potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined number of charging cycles in which the energy storage device can be charged.

[0095] In yet another example, the method may further include controlling the amount of electrical energy available to the user by controlling one or more of charging and discharging of the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles based on the limiting parameter.

[0096] Optionally, the method may also include performing one or more of the following based on the limiting parameters: terminating a charging cycle of the energy storage device, signaling completion of the charging cycle, signaling a user of an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging of the energy storage device, requesting recharging of the energy storage device, disabling the aerosol generating device from generating aerosol, and enabling the aerosol generating device from generating aerosol.

[0097] In another example, the method may further include determining one or more actual values ​​of one or more operating parameters, comparing the one or more actual values ​​with one or more predefined values ​​of one or more operating parameters indicated or defined by the limiting parameters, and performing one or more of the following based on the comparison: terminating a charging cycle of the energy storage device, signaling completion of the charging cycle, signaling a user of an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging of the energy storage device, requesting recharging of the energy storage device, disabling the aerosol generating device from generating aerosol, and enabling the aerosol generating device to generate aerosol.

[0098] According to an example, the method may further include controlling the charging energy supplied to the energy storage device based on controlling one or more of a charging time, a charging voltage, and a charging current of the energy storage device.

[0099] Optionally, the method may further include determining, monitoring and / or tracking charging energy that has been supplied to the energy storage device, and terminating a charging cycle of the energy storage device in response to determining that the charging energy equals or exceeds a maximum charging energy indicated by a limiting parameter.

[0100] Further optionally, the method may include terminating a charging cycle of the energy storage device upon determining that one or more of the charging current, charging time, and charging voltage at which the energy storage device has been charged equals or exceeds one or more of the maximum charging current, maximum charging time, and maximum charging voltage indicated by the limiting parameters.

[0101] Alternatively or in addition, the method may also include limiting one or more of the number of charging cycles of the energy storage device, the number of use processes in which the aerosol generating device can be used to generate aerosol, the number or amount of aerosol generating articles that can be used with the aerosol generating device, and the number of inhalations or puffs that a user can perform according to the limiting parameters, thereby controlling and / or limiting the amount of electrical energy available to the user.

[0102] In an instance, the aerosol generating device may further include a data storage device storing a plurality of predefined configurations of the energy storage device associated with one or more predefined capacity levels of the energy storage device, and wherein the method may further include selecting one of the plurality of predefined configurations based on a limiting parameter, and configuring the energy storage device to the selected configuration.

[0103] Optionally, the method may further include configuring, by the device control circuitry, an energy storage device controller according to the limiting parameters.

[0104] In yet another example, the method may further include determining the number of use sessions during which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate an aerosol; and upon determining that the number of use sessions equals or exceeds the maximum number of use sessions indicated by the limiting parameter, performing one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device. Optionally, the method may further include storing the number of use sessions in a counter, such as an electronic or mechanical counter, of the aerosol generating device. Further optionally, the method may include comparing the number of use sessions indicated by the counter of the aerosol generating device with the maximum number of use sessions indicated by the limiting parameter.

[0105] In yet another example, the method may further include determining the number or amount of aerosol generating articles that the aerosol generating device has been used with to generate an aerosol; and upon determining that the number or amount of aerosol generating articles equals or exceeds the maximum number or amount of aerosol generating articles that can be used with the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol as indicated by a limiting parameter, performing one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device. Optionally, the method may further include storing the number or amount of aerosol generating articles used with the aerosol generating device in a counter of the aerosol generating device, such as an electronic or mechanical counter. Further optionally, the method may include comparing the number or amount of aerosol generating articles indicated by the counter of the aerosol generating device with the maximum number or amount of aerosol generating articles indicated by the limiting parameter.

[0106] In yet another example, the method may further include measuring an output voltage of the energy storage device, and comparing the measured output voltage of the energy storage device with a minimum output voltage indicated by the limiting parameter, wherein the output voltage may refer to an open circuit or closed circuit output voltage.

[0107] Optionally, the method may further include, in response to determining that a measured output voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or drops below a minimum output voltage indicated by a limiting parameter, performing one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0108] Alternatively or additionally, the method may include controlling a discharge rate of the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter, wherein the discharge rate may be given, for example, as a number of discharge cycles per given time period, wherein a discharge cycle may refer to consumption of the energy storage device from a maximum energy level to a minimum energy level.

[0109] In another example, the method may further include determining a decrease in energy stored in the energy storage device, and upon determining that the decrease in energy stored in the energy storage device is equal to or greater than a fraction of a maximum amount of energy storable in the energy storage device indicated by a limiting parameter, performing one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0110] In yet another example, the method may further include determining an operating time during which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate an aerosol; and upon determining that the operating time of the aerosol generating device is equal to or exceeds a maximum operating time indicated by a limiting parameter, performing one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0111] In an exemplary embodiment of the method, receiving the limit parameters may comprise retrieving the limit parameters from a data storage device of the aerosol generating device.

[0112] Alternatively or in addition, the limiting parameters may be received from a computing device and / or an accompanying device communicatively coupled or connected to the aerosol generating device via a communication interface of the aerosol generating device.

[0113] Alternatively or additionally, the method may further comprise receiving one or more user inputs via a user interface of the aerosol generating device, wherein the limiting parameter may be based on the one or more user inputs received via the user interface of the aerosol generating device. For example, a user may specify or define the limiting parameter via the user interface. Alternatively or additionally, the device control circuitry may be configured to determine or generate the limiting parameter based on the one or more user inputs.

[0114] In an example, the method may further include supplying electrical energy to a heating element of the aerosol-generating device or to a heating element of an aerosol-generating article coupled to the aerosol-generating device.

[0115] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer program which, when executed by an aerosol generating device or an aerosol generating system, instructs the aerosol generating device or the system to perform the steps of the method as described above and below.

[0116] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, storing a computer program, which, when executed by an aerosol generating device or an aerosol generating system, instructs the aerosol generating device or the system to perform the steps of the method as described above and below.

[0117] It is emphasized that any features, steps, functions, elements, technical effects and / or advantages described herein with reference to one aspect of the present disclosure are also applicable to any other aspects of the present disclosure.

[0118] In the following, illustrative examples and exemplary embodiments of one or more aspects of the present disclosure are summarized. An aerosol generating device may, for example, refer to an electronic aerosol generating device or a heat-not-burn device that can be used with various forms or types of aerosol generating articles. Typically, such electronic devices can be mass-produced to individually meet the consumption needs of multiple users. Based on the completion of use (e.g., the consumption of one or more aerosol generating articles), the user may discard the used electronic device in the surrounding environment. In the case where the used electronic device is not handled in an appropriate manner such as recycling, the used electronic device may pollute the surrounding environment and may have an adverse effect in the surrounding environment. Therefore, it may be advantageous to limit the number of aerosol generating devices produced on a large scale to minimize the environmental impact in the surrounding environment. However, in the case where the number of aerosol generating devices is limited, it may be difficult to meet the needs of multiple users. In order to address such needs from multiple users, it may be desirable to provide a technical solution that allows a limited number of aerosol generating devices to be shared between multiple users, as described herein, which can be achieved by controlling the aerosol generating device based on limiting parameters. This solution can improve sustainability and make the best use of each aerosol generating device without the need to produce multiple devices for multiple users.

[0119] Furthermore, in some cases, the aerosol generating device may be overused, and due to such overuse, the energy storage device may have excessive charge and / or discharge cycles, which may affect the service life of the aerosol generating device. Therefore, it may be desirable to limit the use of the aerosol generating device, for example to limit the number of charge and / or discharge cycles to improve the service life of the energy storage device, such as may be achieved by controlling the aerosol generating device based on a limiting parameter.

[0120] In some other cases, the user may be interested in setting a limit on the use of the aerosol generating device. For example, the user may set a limit to N inhalation experiences, use sessions and / or aerosol generating articles, but may end up using more aerosol generating devices than this. Alternatively or in addition, the user may be interested in optimizing his expenses for his usage patterns, so again, a system that prevents the use of the device above a certain threshold set by the user may be beneficial in controlling his expenses. Based on the limit parameters, the use of the device above a certain threshold may be advantageously prevented.

[0121] Thus, an aerosol generating device of the present disclosure employing usage restrictions based on restriction parameters may advantageously be provided to multiple users at an optimal cost, which may be commensurate with the actual use of the device. Alternatively or additionally, restricting the use of the aerosol generating device may advantageously improve the useful life of an energy storage device of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively or additionally, the environmental impact of the electronic device may be reduced by sharing the electronic device between different users. Alternatively or additionally, the restriction parameters may enable a user to set usage restrictions on the aerosol generating device, for example without the risk of forgetting current or past use.

[0122] In a non-limiting example, the restriction parameter may be associated with a subscription of a user. For example, a user account may be managed at a computing device, which account may be associated with a subscription, a subscription level and / or a subscription model. Optionally, the aerosol generating device may be associated with an account, for example based on an identification number of the aerosol generating device. Thus, the restriction parameter may reflect and / or indicate a subscription, a subscription level and / or a subscription model associated with a user and / or an aerosol generating device.

[0123] In an example, the aerosol generating device may be configured to be enabled for a certain subscription limit as indicated by a limit parameter, such as for a certain amount or number of aerosol generating articles and / or for a certain time of use of the aerosol generating device. Based on the completion of a certain subscription limit, the aerosol generating article may be controlled, such as disabled to prevent further use, or enabled for further use. In some cases, the device may be controlled, such as enabled or disabled, by a computing device and / or ancillary device communicatively coupled to the aerosol generating device.

[0124] In another example, the aerosol generating device may be configured to be enabled for a certain consumption limit, such as a certain amount or number of aerosol generating articles, based on a subscription to the aerosol generating device for a certain consumption limit and / or based on a limitation parameter. Based on the completion of a certain consumption limit reflected by the limitation parameter, the aerosol generating device may be controlled, such as disabled to prevent further use, or enabled for further use, such as based on the renewal of the subscription and / or based on the receipt of the corresponding limitation parameter.

[0125] In another example, the aerosol generating device may be configured to be enabled for a certain or predefined period of time according to a subscription indicated by a limit parameter for a certain consumption period. The certain period of time may be determined based on a counter, such as a mechanical counter or an electronic counter. Based on the completion of the certain or predefined period of time, the aerosol generating device may be controlled, for example disabled to prevent further use, or enabled for further use, for example according to the renewal of the subscription and according to the receipt of the corresponding limit parameter.

[0126] In yet another example, the aerosol generating device may be configured to be enabled for use within a certain or predefined consumption period based on a subscription and / or restriction parameter that may indicate a predefined consumption limit within a predefined time period or consumption period, such as a certain amount or number of aerosol generating articles used within a certain consumption period. It should be noted that the consumption period may refer to the operating time of the aerosol generating device.

[0127] A non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below.Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment or aspect described herein.

[0128] Example 1: An aerosol generating device, comprising:

[0129] a device control circuitry and an energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy to the device control circuitry for use in generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article;

[0130] wherein the device control circuitry is configured to receive a restriction parameter indicative of a restriction on use of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol; and

[0131] Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter such that operation of the aerosol generating device by a user to generate aerosol is limited according to the limiting parameter.

[0132] Example 1a: An aerosol-generating device according to example 1, wherein the energy storage device is configured to supply electrical energy to one or more aerosol generators for generating an aerosol from at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article connectable to the aerosol-generating device.

[0133] Example 1b: An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the energy storage device is configured to supply electrical energy to at least one heating element to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article connectable to the aerosol-generating device.

[0134] Example 1c: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuitry is operably coupled to the energy storage device.

[0135] Example 2: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the limiting parameter is indicative of an amount of electrical energy available to the user for generating an aerosol.

[0136] Example 3: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to the user for generating an aerosol based on the limiting parameter.

[0137] Example 4: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the limit parameters indicate one or more predefined values ​​of one or more operating parameters associated with operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol.

[0138] Example 5: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the limiting parameter indicates one or more of: a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, a predefined charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a predefined potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined number of charging cycles that the energy storage device can be charged; and / or

[0139] Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to determine one or more of the following based on the limiting parameters: a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, a predefined charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a predefined potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined number of charging cycles that the energy storage device can be charged.

[0140] Example 6: An aerosol generating device according to Example 5, wherein the predefined output voltage of the energy storage device is indicative of an open circuit voltage or a closed circuit voltage of the energy storage device.

[0141] Example 7: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the limiting parameters indicate one or more of the following: a minimum output voltage, a maximum charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a maximum charging time, a maximum charging current, a maximum charging voltage, and a maximum number of charging cycles in which the energy storage device can be charged.

[0142] Example 8: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to the user by controlling the charging of the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles of the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter.

[0143] Example 9: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following based on the limiting parameters: terminating a charging cycle of the energy storage device, signaling completion of a charging cycle, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging of the energy storage device, requesting recharging of the energy storage device, disabling the aerosol generating device from generating aerosol, and enabling the aerosol generating device to generate aerosol.

[0144] Example 10: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to determine one or more actual values ​​of one or more operating parameters and compare the one or more actual values ​​with one or more predefined values ​​of the one or more operating parameters indicated by the limit parameters; and

[0145] Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following based on the comparison: terminate a charging cycle of the energy storage device, signal completion of a charging cycle, signal an empty energy storage device to the user, trigger recharging of the energy storage device, request recharging of the energy storage device, disable aerosol generation by the aerosol generating device, and enable aerosol generation by the aerosol generating device.

[0146] Example 11: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limiting parameter indicates a maximum charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device for charging the energy storage device, and

[0147] Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device based on the maximum charging energy indicated by the limiting parameter.

[0148] Example 12: An aerosol generating device according to Example 11, wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control the charging energy based on controlling one or more of a charging time, a charging voltage, and a charging current of the energy storage device.

[0149] Example 13: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to terminate a charging cycle of the energy storage device upon determining that the charging energy supplied to the energy storage device equals or exceeds the maximum charging energy indicated by the limiting parameter.

[0150] Example 14: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to terminate the charging cycle of the energy storage device upon determining that one or more of the charging current, charging time, and charging voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or exceeds one or more of the maximum charging current, maximum charging time, and maximum charging voltage indicated by the limiting parameters.

[0151] Example 15: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limiting parameter indicates a maximum number of charging cycles during which the energy storage device can be charged; and

[0152] Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to the user based on limiting the number of charging cycles of the energy storage device according to the limiting parameter.

[0153] Example 16: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a data storage device storing a plurality of predefined configurations of the energy storage device associated with one or more predefined capacity levels of the energy storage device; and

[0154] Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to select one of the plurality of predefined configurations based on the limiting parameter and configure the energy storage device to the selected configuration.

[0155] Example 17: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising an energy storage device controller, wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control the energy storage device based on configuring the energy storage device controller based on the limiting parameter.

[0156] Example 18: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to the user based on the limiting parameter and based on controlling the discharge of the energy storage device during one or more charging cycles of the energy storage device.

[0157] Example 19: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limit parameter indicates a maximum number of uses of the aerosol generating device that can be operated by the user to generate an aerosol; and

[0158] Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that the number of use processes in which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate aerosol is equal to or exceeds the maximum number of use processes indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0159] Example 20: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising a counter for counting the number of times the aerosol generating device has been used to generate aerosol; and

[0160] Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control the energy storage device based on comparing the number of usage processes indicated by the counter with a maximum number of usage processes indicated by the limiting parameter.

[0161] Example 21: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limiting parameter indicates a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device; and

[0162] Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to measure an output voltage of the energy storage device and compare the measured output voltage of the energy storage device to the predefined output voltage indicated by the limit parameter.

[0163] Example 22: An aerosol generating device according to Example 21, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following when it is determined that the measured output voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or drops below the predefined output voltage indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0164] Example 23: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control a discharge rate of the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter.

[0165] Example 24: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limiting parameter indicates a fraction of a maximum amount of energy storable in the energy storage device; and

[0166] Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that a decrease in energy stored in the energy storage device is equal to or greater than a fraction of the maximum amount of storable energy indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0167] Example 25: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limit parameter indicates a maximum operating time during which the aerosol generating device is operable by the user to generate an aerosol; and

[0168] Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that the operating time of the aerosol generating device is equal to or exceeds the maximum operating time indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0169] Example 26a: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the limit parameter indicates a maximum number of aerosol generating articles that can be used by the user of the aerosol generating device; and

[0170] Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that the number of aerosol generating articles used with the aerosol equals or exceeds the maximum number of aerosol generating articles indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0171] Example 26b: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the limiting parameter indicates a time period during which the aerosol generating device is operable to generate an aerosol, optionally wherein the limiting parameter indicates one or more of a start date and an end date, the device being operable to generate an aerosol from the start date and the aerosol generating device being operable to generate an aerosol before the end date.

[0172] Example 27: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the device control circuitry is configured to retrieve the limit parameter from a data storage device of the aerosol generating device.

[0173] Example 28: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a communication interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device to a computing device; and

[0174] Wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to receive the limiting parameter from the computing device via the communication interface.

[0175] Example 29: An aerosol generating device according to Example 28, wherein the computing device comprises a server or a mobile device.

[0176] Example 30: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs; and

[0177] Wherein the limiting parameters are based on one or more user inputs received via a user interface of the aerosol generating device.

[0178] Example 31: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol generating device is connectable to a companion device for supplying electrical energy to the energy storage device; and

[0179] The aerosol generating device is configured to receive the limiting parameter from the matching device when the aerosol generating device is connected to the matching device.

[0180] Example 32: An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising at least a portion of a heating element coupled to the energy storage device and configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

[0181] Example 33a: An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device is connectable to an aerosol-generating article comprising at least a portion of a heating element; and

[0182] Wherein the energy storage device is configured to supply electrical energy to at least a portion of a heating element of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

[0183] Example 33b: An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol comprises nicotine.

[0184] Example 34: An aerosol generating system comprising:

[0185] An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, and

[0186] An aerosol-generating article is coupleable to the aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol from at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article, optionally based on heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

[0187] Example 34a: An aerosol-generating system according to example 34, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate comprising nicotine.

[0188] Example 35: Use of an aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 33b or an aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 34 and 34a for generating an aerosol.

[0189] Example 36: A method of operating an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising an energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy to a device control circuit system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating article, the method comprising:

[0190] receiving, with the device control circuitry, a restriction parameter indicative of a restriction on use of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol; and

[0191] The energy storage device is configured, using the device control circuitry, based on the limiting parameters, thereby limiting user operation of the aerosol generating device to generate aerosol according to the limiting parameters.

[0192] Example 36a: The method of Example 36, wherein the energy storage device is configured to supply electrical energy to one or more aerosol generators for generating an aerosol from at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article that is connectable to the aerosol-generating device.

[0193] Example 36b: The method of any of Examples 36 to 36a, wherein the energy storage device is configured to supply electrical energy to at least one heating element to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article that is connectable to the aerosol-generating device.

[0194] Example 36c: The method of any of Examples 36-36b, wherein the device control circuitry is operably coupled to the energy storage device.

[0195] Example 37: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 36c, further comprising controlling the amount of electrical energy available to the user for generating aerosol based on the limiting parameter.

[0196] Example 38: The method according to any one of Examples 36 to 37 further includes determining one or more of the following based on the limiting parameters: a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, a predefined charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a predefined potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined number of charging cycles that the energy storage device can be charged.

[0197] Example 39: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 38 further includes controlling the amount of electrical energy available to the user by controlling one or more of charging and discharging of the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles based on the limiting parameter.

[0198] Example 40: The method according to any one of Examples 36 to 39 further includes performing one or more of the following based on the limiting parameters: terminating a charging cycle of the energy storage device, signaling completion of the charging cycle, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging of the energy storage device, requesting recharging of the energy storage device, disabling the aerosol generating device from generating aerosol, and enabling the aerosol generating device to generate aerosol.

[0199] Example 41: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 36 to 40, further comprising determining one or more actual values ​​of one or more operating parameters;

[0200] comparing the one or more actual values ​​to one or more predefined values ​​of the one or more operating parameters indicated by the limiting parameters; and

[0201] Based on the comparison, perform one or more of the following: terminate the charging cycle of the energy storage device, signal the completion of the charging cycle, signal the user that the energy storage device is empty, trigger recharging of the energy storage device, request recharging of the energy storage device, disable the aerosol generating device from generating aerosol, and enable the aerosol generating device to generate aerosol.

[0202] Example 42: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 41 further includes controlling charging energy supplied to the energy storage device based on controlling one or more of a charging time, a charging voltage, and a charging current of the energy storage device.

[0203] Example 43: The method according to any one of Examples 36 to 42 also includes determining the charging energy that has been supplied to the energy storage device; and terminating the charging cycle of the energy storage device in response to determining that the charging energy is equal to or exceeds the maximum charging energy indicated by the limiting parameter.

[0204] Example 44: The method according to any one of Examples 36 to 43 also includes terminating the charging cycle of the energy storage device when it is determined that one or more of the charging current, charging time, and charging voltage at which the energy storage device has been charged is equal to or exceeds one or more of the maximum charging current, maximum charging time, and maximum charging voltage indicated by the limiting parameters.

[0205] Example 45: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 44, further comprising limiting the number of charging cycles of the energy storage device according to the limiting parameter, thereby controlling the amount of electrical energy available to the user.

[0206] Example 46: A method according to any one of Examples 36 to 45, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises a data storage device storing a plurality of predefined configurations of the energy storage device associated with one or more predefined capacity levels of the energy storage device, and wherein the method further comprises selecting one of the plurality of predefined configurations based on the limiting parameter, and configuring the energy storage device to the selected configuration.

[0207] Example 47: The method of any of Examples 36 to 46, further comprising configuring, by the device control circuitry, an energy storage device controller based on the limiting parameter.

[0208] Example 48: The method according to any one of Examples 36 to 47 also includes determining the number of usage processes in which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate aerosol; and performing one or more of the following when it is determined that the number of usage processes is equal to or exceeds the maximum number of usage processes indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0209] Example 49: The method of Example 47 further comprises comparing the number of usage sessions indicated by the counter of the aerosol generating device with the maximum number of usage sessions indicated by the limit parameter.

[0210] Example 50: The method of any of Examples 36 to 49, further comprising measuring an output voltage of the energy storage device, and comparing the measured output voltage of the energy storage device to a minimum output voltage indicated by the limiting parameter.

[0211] Example 51: The method according to Example 50 also includes, in response to determining that the measured output voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or drops below the minimum output voltage indicated by the limiting parameter, performing one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0212] Example 52: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 51 further includes controlling a discharge rate of the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter.

[0213] Example 53: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 52 further includes determining a reduction in the energy stored in the energy storage device; and upon determining that the reduction in the energy stored in the energy storage device is equal to or greater than a fraction of the maximum amount of energy that can be stored in the energy storage device indicated by the limiting parameter, performing one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0214] Example 54: The method according to any one of Examples 36 to 53 further includes determining an operating time during which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate an aerosol; and when it is determined that the operating time of the aerosol generating device is equal to or exceeds the maximum operating time indicated by the limiting parameter, performing one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0215] Example 55: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 54 further includes determining the number of aerosol generating articles used with the aerosol; and when it is determined that the number of aerosol generating articles used with the aerosol device is equal to or exceeds the maximum number of aerosol generating articles indicated by the limiting parameter, performing one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0216] Example 56: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 55, wherein receiving the limit parameters comprises retrieving the limit parameters from a data storage device of the aerosol generating device.

[0217] Example 57: A method according to any one of Examples 36 to 56, wherein the limiting parameter is received from a computing device and / or an accompanying device communicatively coupled to the aerosol generating device via a communication interface of the aerosol generating device.

[0218] Example 58: The method according to any one of Examples 36 to 57 further includes receiving one or more user inputs via a user interface of the aerosol generating device, wherein the restriction parameter is based on the one or more user inputs received via the user interface of the aerosol generating device.

[0219] Example 59: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 58, further comprising supplying electrical energy to a heating element of the aerosol-generating device or to a heating element of an aerosol-generating article coupled to the aerosol-generating device.

[0220] Example 59a: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 59, wherein the aerosol contains nicotine.

[0221] Example 59b: The method of any one of Examples 36 to 59a, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate comprising nicotine.

[0222] Example 60: A computer program which, when executed by an aerosol generating device or an aerosol generating system, instructs the aerosol generating device or system to perform the steps of the method according to any one of Examples 36 to 59.

[0223] Example 61: Non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program according to Example 60. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0224] Examples will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0225] Figure 1 An aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system are shown;

[0226] Figure 2 An exemplary charging curve for an energy storage device of an aerosol generating device is shown;

[0227] Figures 3 to 5 illustrates an exemplary application of one or more limiting parameters in an aerosol generating device; and

[0228] Figure 6 A method of operating an aerosol generating device is shown.

[0229] The drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. In principle, identical or similar parts, elements and / or steps are provided with identical or similar reference numerals in the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0230] Figure 1 An exemplary aerosol generating device 100 is shown. Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 100 is exemplarily shown as part of an aerosol generating system 1000, which includes optional components, such as an aerosol generating article 200, a companion device 300, a mobile device 400, and a computing device 500. It should be noted that the aerosol generating device 100 can be operated as a stand-alone device 100 without any of the optional components 200, 300, 400, 500 of the system 1000.

[0231] The aerosol generating device 100 includes one or more energy storage devices 102 for storing electrical energy and / or for providing electrical energy to generate an aerosol. The one or more energy storage devices may be one or more batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries). When the (one or more) energy storage devices 102 are one or more batteries, the cathode material may include lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium manganese oxide (LMO), lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and / or lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA). The anode material may include carbon (e.g., graphite), silicon and / or lithium titanate oxide (LTO).

[0232] Figure 1 The exemplary aerosol generating device 100 shown in 100 includes at least a portion of a heating circuit 104 having at least one heating element 106 for heating at least a portion of an aerosol generating article 200 that can be coupled to the aerosol generating device 100. It should be noted that the heating circuit 104 and the heating element 106 are merely optional. Alternatively or in addition, at least a portion or all of the heating circuit 104 and / or the heating element 106 may be integrated or arranged in the aerosol generating article 200.

[0233] Additionally, it should be noted that the heating element 106 is used for illustrative purposes only. Figure 1 2 is an induction coil configured to inductively heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 200, such as a susceptor material disposed in the aerosol-generating substrate 202 of the aerosol-generating article 200. Alternatively or in addition, the at least one heating element 106 may be configured for one or more of resistive heating and microwave heating.

[0234] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aerosol generating article 200 is only Figure 1 100 and 106. The aerosol-generating article 200 is exemplarily shown as having a rod-like or tubular shape and can be at least partially inserted through the opening 105 of the housing 107 of the aerosol-generating device 100, for example, into the heating chamber 109 of the aerosol-generating device 100. In other exemplary designs, the aerosol-generating article 200 can be formed as a container or a cartridge, which can be fixedly integrated in the aerosol-generating device 100 or can be coupled to the device 100.

[0235] The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a device control circuitry 110 or control circuitry 110 operably coupled to the energy storage device 102. The device control circuitry 110 may optionally include one or more processors 112 for data processing. The control circuitry 110 may optionally include a microcontroller including a processor, memory, and input / output devices.

[0236] Further optionally, the aerosol generating device 100 and / or the device control circuit system 110 includes a data storage device 114 for storing data (e.g., limit parameters or other data). Alternatively or in addition, software instructions may be stored in the data storage device 114, which, when executed by the device control circuit system 112, instruct the aerosol generating device 100 to perform one or more functions of the device 100, as described above and below.

[0237] The aerosol generating device 100 optionally comprises a user interface 120 for receiving one or more user inputs from a user, for example to operate the aerosol generating device 100 to generate an aerosol. The user interface 120 may be configured to: Figure 1 Any other type of user interface 120 , such as an acoustic interface, a tactile interface, a touch interface, a display, etc., may optionally be included in the aerosol generating device 100 as an alternative or in addition.

[0238] Further optionally, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a communication interface or circuit system 130, which is used to communicatively connect the aerosol generating device 100 to one or more optional components of the aerosol generating system 1000, in particular to one or more of the supporting device 300, the mobile device 400 and the computing device 500.

[0239] As mentioned above, one or more communication interface types or communication protocols may be implemented in the aerosol generating device 100 and its communication interface or circuit system 130. In particular, the communication interface or circuit system 130 may be configured for one or both of wired and wireless communications with one or more of the computing device 500, the mobile device 400, and the companion device 300. For example, the communication interface 130 may be based on one or more of BUS communication, cable communication, Bluetooth communication, wireless LAN communication, infrared communication, near field communication, Internet communication, or any other suitable type of communication or communication protocol.

[0240] As mentioned above, the aerosol generating device 100 may optionally be coupled to (e.g. at least partially inserted into) a companion device 300 for charging the energy storage device 102 and / or for storing the aerosol generating device 100. Charging may, for example, be based on inductive charging or via an electrical connection.

[0241] The aerosol generating device 100 and / or the device control circuit system 110 are configured to supply electrical energy to the at least one heating element 106 to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 200. In addition, the device control circuit system 110 is configured to receive a restriction parameter indicating a restriction on the use of the aerosol generating device 100 to generate an aerosol, wherein the device control circuit system 110 is configured to control the energy storage device 102 based on the restriction parameter so that the user's operation of the aerosol generating device 100 to generate an aerosol is restricted according to the restriction parameter.

[0242] The restriction parameters may be received by the device control circuitry 110 based on retrieving the restriction parameters from the data storage device 114. Alternatively or additionally, the restriction parameters may be based on one or more user inputs received at the user interface 120. Alternatively or additionally, the restriction parameters may be received from any one or more of the companion device 300, the mobile device 400, and the computing device 500.

[0243] In the following, various exemplary designs and configurations of the aerosol generating device 100 are described and summarized. In an example, the limiting parameter may indicate the amount of electrical energy available to the user to generate an aerosol, which is also referred to herein as available energy, and the device control circuit system 110 may be configured to control the amount of available energy based on controlling one or both of charging and discharging of the energy storage device 102.

[0244] Alternatively or in addition, the limiting parameters may indicate one or more predefined values ​​of one or more operating parameters associated with the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 to generate an aerosol. For example, the device control circuit system 110 may be configured to monitor the one or more operating parameters during use or operation of the aerosol generating device 100. Alternatively or in addition, the device control circuit system 110 may be configured to determine whether one or more predefined values ​​or thresholds of one or more operating parameters indicated by the limiting parameters are reached. This may include comparing one or more values ​​of the one or more monitored operating parameters with one or more predefined values ​​or thresholds of the one or more operating parameters indicated by the limiting parameters.

[0245] For example, the limiting parameter may indicate one or more of: a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, a predefined charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device to recharge the energy storage device, a predefined potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of the internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined number of charging cycles during which the energy storage device can be charged. Other exemplary predefined values ​​of the operating parameter may be a predefined number of use processes that the aerosol generating device can be used to generate an aerosol, a predefined operating time that the aerosol generating device can be used to generate an aerosol, a predefined number of aerosol generating articles that can be used or consumed with the aerosol generating device, a predefined number of puffs or inhalations that a user can take, a predefined amount of aerosol generating substrate or article that can be used with the aerosol generating device, and an amount of energy that can be drawn from the energy storage device for aerosol generation. Any one or more of the foregoing and other operating parameters may be taken into account or reflected by the limiting parameter and used to infer usage limits for the aerosol generating device 100.

[0246] For example, the device control circuit system 110 can be configured to determine one or more actual values ​​of one or more operating parameters and compare the one or more actual values ​​with one or more predefined values ​​of one or more operating parameters indicated by limiting parameters, wherein the device control circuit system 110 can be configured to perform one or more of the following based on the comparison: terminate the charging cycle of the energy storage device, signal the completion of the charging cycle, signal a user that the energy storage device is empty, trigger recharging of the energy storage device 102, request recharging of the energy storage device 102, disable the aerosol generating device 100 from generating aerosol, and enable the aerosol generating device 100 to generate aerosol.

[0247] In yet another example, the limiting parameters may indicate one or more thresholds of one or more operating parameters related to charging or discharging of energy storage device 102, such as a minimum output voltage, a maximum charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a maximum charging time, a maximum charging current, a maximum charging voltage, and a maximum number of charging cycles in which the energy storage device can be charged. Among other things, device control circuit system 110 may be configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to a user by controlling the charging of energy storage device 102 in one or more charging cycles of energy storage device 102 based on the limiting parameters.

[0248] For example, the device control circuit system 110 may be configured to control the charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device based on the maximum charging energy indicated by the limiting parameter. This may include controlling one or more of the charging time, charging voltage, and charging current of the energy storage device 102. For example, the device control circuit system 110 may be configured to terminate the charging cycle of the energy storage device 102 when it is determined that the charging energy supplied to the energy storage device is equal to or exceeds the maximum charging energy indicated by the limiting parameter. This may include determining that one or more of the charging current, charging time, and charging voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or exceeds one or more of the maximum charging current, maximum charging time, and maximum charging voltage indicated by the limiting parameter.

[0249] Alternatively or additionally, the limiting parameter may indicate a maximum number of charging cycles that energy storage device 102 may be charged, and wherein device control circuitry 110 may be configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to a user based on limiting the number of charging cycles of energy storage device 102 according to the limiting parameter.

[0250] In yet another exemplary configuration, the aerosol generating device 100 includes an energy storage device controller 103 that may be configured by the device control circuitry 110 in accordance with or based on the limiting parameters. For example, a plurality of predefined configurations of the energy storage device 102 associated with one or more predefined capacity levels of the energy storage device 102 may be stored in the data storage device 114, and the device control circuitry may be configured to select one of the plurality of predefined configurations based on the limiting parameters and configure the energy storage device 102 and / or the energy storage device controller 103 to the selected configuration.

[0251] Alternatively or in addition, the limiting parameters may be consumption-based or usage-based. For example, the limiting parameters may indicate the maximum number of uses of the aerosol generating device that can be operated by a user to generate an aerosol, the maximum operating time, the maximum number or amount of aerosol generating articles 200 that can be used with the device, and the maximum number of inhalations or puffs that can be taken by a user.

[0252] To this end, the aerosol generating device 100 may optionally include a counter 115 (e.g., a mechanical or electronic counter 115) to determine one or more of the following: the actual number of use sessions that the device 100 has been used, the actual operating time that the device 100 has been used, the actual number or amount of aerosol generating articles 200 used with the device 100, and the actual number of inhalations or puffs taken by the user. Any one or more of these operating parameters may be determined by the device control circuit system 110 and compared to corresponding thresholds indicated by the limit parameters. Upon reaching or exceeding one or more of the thresholds, the device control circuit system 110 may be configured to perform one or more of the following: disabling the energy storage device 102, signaling an empty energy storage device 102, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device 102.

[0253] In yet another example, the limit parameter may indicate a predefined output voltage of energy storage device 102, and device control circuit system 110 may be configured to measure the output voltage of energy storage device 102 and compare the measured output voltage of the energy storage device with the predefined output voltage indicated by the limit parameter. Optionally, device control circuit system 110 may be configured to, upon determining that the measured output voltage of energy storage device 102 is equal to or drops below the predefined output voltage indicated by the limit parameter, perform one or more of the following: disable energy storage device 102, signal an empty energy storage device 102, trigger recharging, and request recharging of energy storage device 102.

[0254] Alternatively or in addition, the limiting parameter may indicate a fraction of a maximum or nominal amount of energy that can be stored in the energy storage device 102, and the device control circuit system 110 may be configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that a decrease in energy stored in the energy storage device 102 is equal to or greater than the fraction of the maximum amount of energy that can be stored indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device 102, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

[0255] Continue to refer Figure 1 and follow-up Figures 2 to 5 , outlines exemplary and illustrative use cases and embodiments of an aerosol generating device 100 according to the present disclosure, which may be implemented alone or in combination with any of the functions of the aerosol generating device 100 described above. The aerosol generating device 100 includes an energy storage device 102 and a device control circuit system 110. The device control circuit system 110 may be configured to control the energy available to a user to a certain value or a predefined value based on a limiting parameter.

[0256] The limiting parameter may optionally be based on a subscription, subscription model, or subscription level of a user. For example, based on an activated subscription, the available energy of the energy storage device 102 to operate the aerosol generating device 100 may be controlled to a higher energy value, for example, for a number N of usage processes of the user. Based on the end of the activated subscription and / or based on the limiting parameter, the energy of the energy storage device 102 may be reduced to a lower energy value, for example, to provide a number M of usage processes, where M may be less than N. Based on the activation of another subscription and the corresponding receipt of the limiting parameter at the aerosol generating device 100, the energy of the energy storage device 102 may be controlled again to a higher energy value. In an example, based on a subscription, the available energy of the energy storage device 102 may be controlled by the server 500 or the computing device 500, for example, via a secure channel.

[0257] Such examples may rely on controlling the energy available to the user by controlling the charging process and / or discharging process of the energy storage device 102. As used herein, available energy may mean the energy available to the user to operate the device to generate aerosol, for example, to operate the device 100 normally before a new battery charging process or cycle may be forced by the device 100 or the device control circuit system 110 based on limiting parameters.

[0258] The limitation of the charging process can be achieved by limiting, for example, the charging time, charging current and / or charging voltage of the energy storage device 102, and optionally by signaling to the user that the device 100 is ready for use (even if theoretically the energy storage device 102 can still be further charged). In another example, the same effect can be achieved by maintaining a fixed charging time and reducing the charging current and / or charging voltage. The reduction in charging energy can limit the available battery energy and thus can limit the use of the device 100 to a lower number of use processes before another charge can be requested or forced.

[0259] For example, the computing device 500, the mobile device 400, and / or the companion device 300 may include or may communicate with a subscription server that transmits limiting parameters to the aerosol generating device 100, the limiting parameters being optionally transmitted in encrypted form, the limiting parameters may, for example, define one or more of a maximum charging time, a maximum charging current, a maximum charging voltage, and a maximum charging energy. For example, these parameters or values ​​may be defined for a constant current phase of a constant current-constant voltage charging sequence or cycle. Optionally, the device control circuit system 110 may configure the energy storage device controller 103 to control the charging process or one or more charging cycles based on the limiting parameters.

[0260] Figure 2An exemplary charging curve of the energy storage device 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 is shown. This charging curve or a similar charging curve can be stored at one or more of the aerosol generating device 100, the companion device 300, the mobile device 400, and the computing device 500. Wherein the x-axis shows the charging time in arbitrary units, the left y-axis shows the charging energy in arbitrary units, and the right y-axis shows the fraction or percentage of the energy available for generating aerosol relative to the nominal energy that can be stored in the energy storage device 102 or the nominal capacity of the energy storage device.

[0261] For example, the energy storage device 102 may be available for a nominal maximum number of use sessions, such as 20 use sessions, using the full amount of energy nominally storable in the energy storage device 102. Based on the limiting parameter, only a maximum number of five use sessions may be allowed, which may be converted to a fraction, percentage or level of 25% of the available energy, as may be determined by the device control circuit system 110, for example based on processing data related to the charging curve and / or based on processing the limiting parameter. Alternatively or in addition, the charging curve may be stored at the companion device 300, the mobile device 400 and / or the computing device 500, and the corresponding value may be determined thereat and transmitted to the aerosol generating device 100 in the form of a limiting parameter or a corresponding control signal.

[0262] The device control circuitry 110 may then load a specific maximum charging time indicated by the limiting parameter, such as X minutes. Figure 2 Thus, the defined maximum charging time may allow charging the energy storage device 102 with a maximum charging energy of Y mWh (see Figure 2 ), the maximum charge energy that can be stored in the energy storage device 102 in one or more charging cycles and used to generate aerosol in five use processes. Similarly, the aerosol generating device 100 can be configured based on the limiting parameters to use 50% (e.g., corresponding to ten use processes), 75% (corresponding to 15 use processes), or any other percentage or fraction of the nominal storage capacity of the energy storage device 102. Alternatively or additionally, the charging current and / or charging voltage can be varied, optionally while keeping the charging time constant.

[0263] Figures 3 to 5 An exemplary application of one or more limiting parameters in the aerosol generating device 100 is shown. In particular, Figure 3 Several limiting parameters a, b, c are shown relative to the energy available for aerosol generation in arbitrary units. Figure 3The correlation between the available energy and the corresponding limiting parameters a, b and c is shown, which can optionally be associated with different subscription levels. In a first case, the aerosol generating device 100 can be provided with a predefined energy (e.g. 500 mAh of energy) that can be supplied to the energy storage device 102 and / or available to the user, which is due to or inferred by the limiting parameter a, which can correspond to a first subscription level. In an example, the aerosol generating device 100 can control the energy storage device 102 to limit the charging or discharging energy to 500 mAh according to the selected limiting parameter or subscription level. Based on the use of the energy defined by the limiting parameter a (e.g. 500 mAh), the aerosol generating device 100 can be turned off. In order to further switch on the aerosol generating device, the user can renew the subscription service and / or update the limiting parameters of the aerosol generating device 100, for example with limiting parameters b or c, which can be associated with a higher energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device 102 and / or can be used by the user to generate an aerosol. In another example, limit parameter a may enable continuous utilization of the associated energy, meaning that after each recharge, a predefined amount (e.g. 500 mAh) corresponding to limit parameter a is available for use. The user may then decide to continue recharging at a certain frequency, or update to limit parameters b or c associated with a higher energy level, which in turn will reduce the frequency of recharging for the same overall consumption.

[0264] In yet another example, the aerosol generating device 100 may be provided with a second amount of energy that may be supplied to the energy storage device 102 and / or may be used to generate an aerosol (e.g., 1000 mAh of energy corresponding to a second subscription level). In other words, the available energy of the energy storage device 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 may be set or enhanced to 1000 mAh of energy based on the limiting parameter b. In an example, the aerosol generating device 100 may control the energy storage device 102 associated with the aerosol generating device, for example, transmit a command to the energy storage device 102 to control, for example, increase the available energy to a predefined value indicated by the limiting parameter b (e.g., 1000 mAh at the second subscription level). The increased available energy may allow a user to consume a greater number of aerosol generating articles 200 before recharging, or to use the aerosol generating device 100 for a longer period of time. Similar to the example with limiting parameter a, the available energy defined by limiting parameter b may be achieved by controlling the charging and / or discharging process. Based on the discharge of available energy indicated by limiting parameter b, the aerosol generating device 100 may be switched off or disabled or even remain active in order to achieve a higher amount of available energy after each charging cycle compared to the previous example with limiting parameter a.

[0265] Similar to the previous two examples with limit parameters a and b, the aerosol generating device may be provided with a limit parameter c associated with an even higher available energy (e.g. an available energy of 1500 mAh). The limit parameter c may be loaded by subscribing to a third subscription level and / or receiving a corresponding limit parameter c or control signal at the aerosol generating device 100.

[0266] In some cases, the aerosol generating device 100 may communicate remotely with the computing device 500 (e.g., a cloud server) to receive information associated with the limiting parameters and, for example, associated with the available energy, such as information associated with the voltage, current, and / or power of the energy storage device 102. In such cases, the computing device 500 may control the aerosol generating device 100, such as transmitting a command, based on the information associated with the limiting parameters and / or the subscribed available energy stored at the computing device 500. The available energy may relate to one or more of an open circuit voltage of the energy storage device, a charging current of the energy storage device, a charging time of the storage device, or a change in the potential energy of the energy storage device 102 based on a configuration change of the internal chemical elements of the energy storage device 102. In an example, various ranges of available energy storage device capacity or energy may be preset or predefined in the aerosol generating device 100. Based on the discharge of the available energy, the aerosol generating device 100 may be controlled, such as disabled to prevent further use, or enabled based on the renewed or updated limiting parameters. As an alternative or in addition to the computing device 500 , the mobile device 400 or the companion device 300 may be used to transmit the limiting parameters to the aerosol generating device 100 .

[0267] Also refer to Figure 1 As described, the aerosol generating device 100 may include an energy storage device controller 103. The device control circuit system 110 may be configured to communicate with the computing device 500, the mobile device 400, and / or the companion device 300 to transmit or receive information associated with the limiting parameters and / or the energy storage device 102. Multiple configurations (e.g., first, second, and third configurations) of the aerosol generating device 100 or the energy storage device 102 may be stored, for example, at the data storage device 114.

[0268] In a first configuration, the aerosol generating device 100 may be provided with an initial available energy (e.g. 500 mAh) to use a number M of aerosol generating articles or use processes. Once the limiting parameters and the associated available energy are uploaded to the aerosol generating device 100, operation that utilizes the available energy at most may be permitted, and prohibited when the available energy has been used. In the latter case, for further utilization of the aerosol generating device 100, updated limiting parameters may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device 100. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device 100 may be further operated with the same available energy until the limiting parameters may be updated and / or replaced, for example configured to an upgraded configuration corresponding to an upgraded subscription level, or configured to a downgraded configuration corresponding to a downgraded subscription level.

[0269] In an upgraded configuration, based on the higher energy available for generating aerosol (e.g. 1000 mAh), the aerosol generating device 100 may be used for an increased number of N experiences, aerosol generating articles and / or usage sessions, for example for N usage sessions, where N may be greater than M compared to a default configuration associated with limiting parameters indicating a number of M experiences, aerosol generating articles and / or usage sessions. Such a configuration may be configured in the same or similar manner as described above once the corresponding limiting parameters and the available energy indicated thereby are uploaded or received at the aerosol generating device 100.

[0270] In a limited or degraded configuration, the aerosol generating device may be operated for a limited number of O experiences, use processes and / or aerosol generating articles, where O may be less than M compared to a default number of M experiences, use processes and / or aerosol generating articles. Based on user interests and / or limiting parameters, the aerosol generating device 100 may control the energy storage device 102 to charge and / or discharge with limited energy. This configuration may be configured in the same or similar manner as described above once the corresponding limiting parameters and the available energy indicated thereby are uploaded or received at the aerosol generating device 100.

[0271] In another example, the available energy may be controlled by limiting the discharge or the discharge process based on a limiting parameter and optionally based on a subscription level associated therewith. The limitation of the discharge process may be achieved based on a consumption-based or usage-based limiting parameter. This may be achieved, for example, by defining, with limiting parameters, the number of aerosol-generating articles, the number of usage processes and / or the number of inhalations that a user may obtain after the energy storage device 102 has been charged, and by signaling to the user that the device 100 needs to be further charged (even if theoretically the energy storage device 102 may still be further discharged). In other words, recharging may be forced based on limiting parameters.

[0272] For example, based on the limiting parameters, optionally based on the subscription level and the device 100 owned by the user, a maximum number of aerosol generating articles, a maximum number of use processes and / or a maximum number of inhalations allowed before forcing a recharge can be determined. This number can be transmitted through an encrypted and secure channel, for example, from the computing device 500, the mobile device 400 or the companion device 300 to the device control circuit system 110 of the aerosol generating device 100. The aerosol generating device 100 and / or the device control circuit system 110 may include a counter 115, which can be set to a number defined by the limiting parameters and decreases whenever the corresponding operating parameter (the number of aerosol generating articles, the number of use processes and / or the number of inhalations, respectively) increases. When the maximum number indicated by the limiting parameters is reached, the device control circuit system 110 can prevent further initiation of the heating sequence and can force a signal on the interface 120 to notify the user about the need for recharging.

[0273] Alternatively or additionally, an output voltage may be measured, such as an open circuit voltage of energy storage device 102. Once the measured output voltage has decreased to a predetermined value indicated by the limit parameter, device control circuitry 110 may again force recharging and / or prompt the user to recharge.

[0274] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may be controlled by controlling the rate of discharge of the available energy of the energy storage device 102 based on the limiting parameters and, optionally, based on the subscription level associated therewith. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may control the energy storage device 102 to allow the discharge of a certain percentage (e.g., 20%) of the nominal energy or storage capacity of the energy storage device 102 based on specific limiting parameters and / or subscription levels. Based on the discharge of the certain percentage (e.g., 20%) of the nominal energy or storage capacity of the energy storage device 102, the aerosol generating device 100 may prompt the user to update the limiting parameters to use the remaining portion (e.g., 80%) of the nominal energy of the energy storage device 102. Based on the complete discharge of the energy storage device 102, the aerosol generating device may be controlled, for example, disabled to prevent further use, or enabled for recharging based on updated limiting parameters and / or a renewed subscription for further use.

[0275] In yet another example, the limiting parameter may be time based. Figure 4 Several limiting parameters a, b, c are shown relative to the operating time in arbitrary units. Figure 4The correlation between the operating time and the corresponding limiting parameters a, b and c is shown. Therein, the operating time may refer to the time period during which the device 100 is used for aerosol generation. Alternatively or in addition, the operating time may be related to the subscribed usage duration of the aerosol generating device 100. The operating time may be a certain period of time (e.g., certain hours, days, weeks, months or years), which may be set on a counter 115 (e.g., a mechanical counter or an electronic counter) that may be provided in the aerosol generating device 100. In an example, the aerosol generating device 100 may integrally include a counter 115 to set or determine a predefined operating time as indicated by the limiting parameters a, b, c.

[0276] In another example, the aerosol generating device 100 can communicate remotely with an electronic counter, which can be stored at the computing device 500, the mobile device 400, and / or the companion device 300. The electronic counter can determine information associated with the start date of the aerosol generating device 100, the end date of the aerosol generating device 100, and optionally the user's subscription period, and store the determined information at the computing device 500, the mobile device 400, and / or the companion device 300. Based on the determined information, the computing device 500, the mobile device 400, and / or the companion device 300 can remotely disable the aerosol generating device 100 without any further interaction of the user with the aerosol generating device 100.

[0277] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may be used Figure 4 The aerosol generating device 100 may be operated according to the restriction parameter a shown in , which restriction parameter may be associated with, for example, a first subscription period or a first operation time of a first subscription level. Based on the completion of the first subscription period or the first operation time indicated by the restriction parameter a, the aerosol generating device 100 may be switched off or deactivated from further use. To further switch on the aerosol generating device 100, the user may update the restriction parameter, for example to renew a subscription service of the aerosol generating device 100. The aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to enable or disable use based on the restriction parameter, which restriction parameter may be saved as a predefined maximum operation time in a counter 115 and / or a data storage device 114 of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0278] In another example, the aerosol generating device 100 may be used Figure 4 The restriction parameter b shown in , the restriction parameter may be associated with a second subscription period or a second operation time. The second operation time may be longer than the first operation time. Upon completion of the second operation time, the aerosol generating device 100 may be turned off. To further turn on or enable the aerosol generating device 100, the user may update the restriction parameter, for example, to renew the subscription service of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0279] In another example, the aerosol generating device 100 may be used Figure 4 The aerosol generating device 100 may be operated according to the restriction parameter c shown in , which restriction parameter may be associated with a third subscription period or a third operation time. The third operation time may be longer than the first operation time and the second operation time. Upon completion of the third operation time, the aerosol generating device 100 may be turned off. In order to further switch on or enable the aerosol generating device 100, the user may update the restriction parameter, for example, to renew the subscription service of the aerosol generating device 100. Additional restriction parameters indicating additional operation time periods may be similarly implemented.

[0280] In yet another example, the limiting parameters may be consumption-based or usage-based and time-based. Figure 5 On the y-axis is shown the number of usage sessions, the number of aerosol-generating articles 200 , the number of inhalations, and / or any other countable quantity representing aerosol generation using the device 100 . Figure 5 The x-axis shows the operation time in arbitrary units. The two operation parameters, namely the predefined number and the predefined operation time, may be defined by one or more limiting parameters a, b, c, d imposed by the device 100 to limit the use of said device for aerosol generation. Figure 5 Each bar in may represent a specific restriction parameter a, b, c, d, which may optionally be associated with a different subscription level.

[0281] Based on which limiting parameter a, b, c, d is activated in the device 100, the time period and the maximum number of one or more of the use process, inhalation and aerosol generating products can be changed. For example, the limiting parameter a can define an operating time of one week and a maximum number of 20 use processes can be allowed during the first operating time. After completing the maximum number of use processes, the user may need to wait for the completion of the first time period or update the limiting parameter, for example, to update the limiting parameter to one of the parameters b, c or d. Alternatively or in addition, the limiting parameter a can be reset, for example, by re-subscribing to this level. In addition, based on the completion of the maximum number of use processes within the first operating time, the aerosol generating device 100 can be turned off or disabled. In order to further switch on the aerosol generating device, the user can update the limiting parameter, for example, to renew the subscription service of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0282] In an exemplary configuration, a timestamp or time at which an operating time interval begins, a duration corresponding to the operating time, and one or more of an optional predefined amount or number of uses, articles, and / or inhalations may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device 100 from one or more of the computing device 500, the mobile device 400, and the companion device 300 in the form of one or more limiting parameters. The device control circuit system 110 may decrypt the limiting parameters and store them in, for example, a permanent memory or a data storage device 114 (such as a flash memory), and may utilize an internal real-time clock to define the actual start and end times of the operating time or time period. To record the amount or number (e.g., the use process), the device control circuit system 110 may increase a counter 115 (e.g., a register in a memory or flash memory) and compare its value to a maximum number defined by the limiting parameters before reaching the completion time of the operating time.

[0283] As described above, the restriction parameters may be received by the aerosol generating device 100 via one or more of the user interface 120, the accessory device 300, the mobile device 400, and the computing device 500. Thus, the use of the aerosol generating device 100 may be indirectly controlled via one or more of the devices 300, 400, 500. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may be directly or indirectly connected to the computing device 500 via one or more of the mobile device 400 and the accessory device 300. One or both of the mobile device 400 and the accessory device 300 may receive the restriction parameters from the computing device 500, and may optionally submit a lock and / or unlock signal or command to the aerosol generating device 100, for example, by using a secure channel (e.g., a Bluetooth low energy connection) of the communication interface 130.

[0284] An unlock command may instruct the device control circuitry 110 to enable the aerosol generating device 100 for aerosol generation, while a lock command may prevent aerosol generation. These commands may, for example, be used to set a flag, such as a 1 or a 0, in a data storage device 114 of the aerosol generating device 100. For example, a "1" may be associated with a "device locked state" and a "0" associated with a "device unlocked state".

[0285] Alternatively or in addition, the aerosol generating device 100 may be locked and / or unlocked by a publicly available dispensing box in a street or in a store, in which the aerosol generating device 100 will be unlocked according to the limiting parameters. Alternatively or in addition, the use of the device 100 for aerosol generation may be controlled by a plug-in type SIM card, which may, for example, include a permanent memory storing information of the limiting parameters and optionally a subscription associated therewith. The memory may be accessed by the device control circuit system 110 of the aerosol generating device 100 to retrieve the limiting parameters, for example to enable the start of a heating sequence or the need for additional recharging. Alternatively or in addition, the use of the aerosol generating device 100 may be controlled by the mobile device 400, the companion device 300 and / or the computing device 500 based on scratching a scratch card to make the hidden limiting parameters or corresponding codes visible and inserting the limiting parameters or codes into the respective device 300, 400, 500 to transmit them to the aerosol generating device 100. The restriction parameters or codes may be exchanged for an encrypted token and decrypted by the device control circuitry 110 of the aerosol generating device 100 , and optionally stored in the data storage device 114 .

[0286] In an example, the counter 115 of the aerosol generating device 100 as described above may be implemented to allow, among other things, a predefined number of use processes, aerosol generating articles 200 and / or inhalations. The predefined number of the limiting parameter may be stored in the data storage device 114 or memory of the device, and each time the device 100 is used to generate an aerosol or inhale an aerosol, the corresponding number stored in the counter 115 may be reduced. When the counter 115 reaches zero, the aerosol generating device 100 may deny any request by the user for further aerosol generation, as described above. Vice versa, the counter 115 may be increased and compared with the predefined value indicated by the limiting parameter after each increase.

[0287] The counter 115 can optionally be enabled, reset, or reloaded by one or more user inputs at the user interface 120, the companion device 300, the mobile device 400, and the computing device 500.

[0288] Figure 6 A method of operating an aerosol generating device 100 is shown. The aerosol generating device 100 may be the aerosol generating device described above, for example with reference to Figures 1 to 5 One of the exemplary aerosol generating devices 100 described in any one of the above.

[0289] In step S1 , a restriction parameter indicating a restriction of using the aerosol generating device 100 to generate an aerosol is received by the device control circuitry 110 of the aerosol generating device 100. This may include processing the restriction parameter by the device control circuitry 110.

[0290] In step S2 , the energy storage device 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 is configured using the device control circuitry 110 based on the limiting parameters, thereby limiting the user's operation of the aerosol generating device 100 to generate aerosol according to the limiting parameters.

[0291] It should be noted that, as described above, any one or more of the features, functions and configurations of the aerosol generating device 100 may be implemented as Figure 6 optional, additional or alternative steps in the method.

[0292] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise stated elsewhere, all numbers representing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc. should be understood to be modified by the term "about" or "substantially" in all cases. In addition, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Therefore, in this article, the number A is understood to be 20% of A±A. In this article, the number A can be regarded as a value within the general standard error of the measurement of the characteristic modified by the number A. In addition, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

[0293] Although the present invention has been shown and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and those who practice the claimed invention based on a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0294] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a device control circuitry and an energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy to the device control circuitry for use in generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article; wherein the device control circuitry is configured to receive a restriction parameter indicative of a restriction on use of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol; and Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter such that operation of the aerosol generating device by a user to generate aerosol is limited according to the limiting parameter.

2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the limiting parameter indicates an amount of electrical energy available to the user for generating an aerosol; and Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to the user to generate aerosol based on the limiting parameter.

3. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the limit parameters are indicative of one or more predefined values ​​of one or more operating parameters associated with operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol.

4. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the limiting parameter indicates one or more of: a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, a predefined charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a predefined potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined number of charging cycles that the energy storage device can be charged; and / or Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to determine one or more of the following based on the limiting parameters: a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device, a predefined charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device, a predefined potential energy of the energy storage device associated with a configuration change of internal chemical elements of the energy storage device, and a predefined number of charging cycles that the energy storage device can be charged.

5. An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to control the amount of electrical energy available to the user by controlling the charging of the energy storage device in one or more charging cycles of the energy storage device based on the limiting parameter.

6. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device control circuitry is configured to determine one or more actual values ​​of one or more operating parameters and to compare the one or more actual values ​​with one or more predefined values ​​of the one or more operating parameters indicated by the limiting parameters; and Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following based on the comparison: terminate a charging cycle of the energy storage device, signal completion of a charging cycle, signal an empty energy storage device to the user, trigger recharging of the energy storage device, request recharging of the energy storage device, disable aerosol generation by the aerosol generating device, and enable aerosol generation by the aerosol generating device.

7. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the limiting parameter indicates a maximum charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device for charging the energy storage device, and Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to control charging energy that can be supplied to the energy storage device based on the maximum charging energy indicated by the limiting parameter.

8. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to terminate the charging cycle of the energy storage device when it is determined that the charging energy supplied to the energy storage device is equal to or exceeds the maximum charging energy indicated by the limiting parameter, preferably, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to terminate the charging cycle of the energy storage device when it is determined that one or more of the charging current, charging time and charging voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or exceeds one or more of the maximum charging current, maximum charging time and maximum charging voltage indicated by the limiting parameter.

9. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a data storage device storing a plurality of predefined configurations of the energy storage device associated with one or more predefined capacity levels of the energy storage device; and Wherein the device control circuitry is configured to select one of the plurality of predefined configurations based on the limiting parameter and configure the energy storage device to the selected configuration.

10. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the limit parameter indicates a maximum number of uses of the aerosol generating device which the user can operate to generate an aerosol; and Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that the number of use processes in which the aerosol generating device has been operated to generate aerosol is equal to or exceeds the maximum number of use processes indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

11. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the limiting parameter is indicative of a predefined output voltage of the energy storage device; and wherein the device control circuit system is configured to measure the output voltage of the energy storage device and compare the measured output voltage of the energy storage device with the predefined output voltage indicated by the limiting parameter, preferably wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that the measured output voltage of the energy storage device is equal to or drops below the predefined output voltage indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

12. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the limiting parameter is indicative of a fraction of a maximum amount of energy storable in the energy storage device; and Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that a decrease in energy stored in the energy storage device is equal to or greater than a fraction of the maximum amount of storable energy indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

13. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the limit parameter indicates a maximum operating time during which the aerosol generating device is operable by the user to generate an aerosol; and Wherein the device control circuit system is configured to perform one or more of the following upon determining that the operating time of the aerosol generating device is equal to or exceeds the maximum operating time indicated by the limiting parameter: disabling the energy storage device, signaling an empty energy storage device, triggering recharging, and requesting recharging of the energy storage device.

14. An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device control circuit system is configured to retrieve the limiting parameters from a data storage device of the aerosol generating device and / or from one or more of a computing device and an accompanying device that are communicatively connected to the aerosol generating device via a communication interface of the aerosol generating device.

15. An aerosol generating system comprising: An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, and An aerosol-generating article is coupleable to the aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol from at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

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