Heated non-combustion (HNB) aerosol-generating device with capsule reuse detection function

Abstract

A non-combustible aerosol-generating device includes a memory storing computer-readable instructions and a controller. The controller is configured to execute computer readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to: apply power to the heater to preheat the aerosol-forming substrate; determining whether the warm-up monitor timer has exceeded a warm-up timer threshold; in response to the warm-up monitoring timer not exceeding the warm-up timer threshold, determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between the first threshold power level and the power applied to the heater; and in response to the warm-up monitoring timer having exceeded the warm-up timer threshold, determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the power applied to the heater.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application is a partial continuation application of U.S. Application No. 17 / 479,260, filed on September 20, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to heat - not - burn (HNB) aerosol - generating devices, methods for detecting the authenticity, integrity, and / or reusability of a cartridge, and / or methods for controlling an HNB aerosol - generating device. Background art

[0004] Some electronic devices are configured to heat plant material to a temperature sufficient to release the components of the plant material while keeping the temperature below the combustion point of the plant material to avoid any significant pyrolysis of the plant material. Such devices may be referred to as aerosol - generating devices (e.g., heat - not - burn aerosol - generating devices), and the plant material being heated may be tobacco. In some cases, the plant material may be directly introduced into the heating chamber of the aerosol - generating device. In other cases, the plant material may be pre - packaged in a separate container for ease of insertion into and removal from the aerosol - generating device. Summary of the invention

[0005] One or more example embodiments provide a non - flammable aerosol - generating device, comprising: a memory storing computer - readable instructions; and a controller. The controller is configured to execute the computer - readable instructions to cause the non - flammable aerosol - generating device to: apply power to a heater to pre - heat an aerosol - forming substrate; determine whether a pre - heat monitoring timer has exceeded a pre - heat timer threshold; in response to the pre - heat monitoring timer not having exceeded the pre - heat timer threshold, determine whether the aerosol - forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a first threshold power level and the power applied to the heater; and in response to the pre - heat monitoring timer having exceeded the pre - heat timer threshold, determine whether the aerosol - forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the power applied to the heater.

[0006] According to one or more example embodiments, the non - flammable aerosol - generating device may further include a cartridge that includes an aerosol - forming substrate and a heater.

[0007] One or more example embodiments provide a method of operating a non-flammable aerosol generating device, the method comprising: applying power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate; determining whether a preheat monitoring timer has exceeded a preheat timer threshold; in response to the preheat monitoring timer not having exceeded the preheat timer threshold, determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated based on a comparison between a first threshold power level and the power applied to the heater; and in response to the preheat monitoring timer having exceeded the preheat timer threshold, determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the power applied to the heater.

[0008] One or more example embodiments provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a controller in a non-flammable aerosol generating device, cause the controller to perform a method of operating the non-flammable aerosol generating device, the method comprising: applying power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate; determining whether a preheat monitoring timer has exceeded a preheat timer threshold; in response to the preheat monitoring timer not having exceeded the preheat timer threshold, determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated based on a comparison between a first threshold power level and the power applied to the heater; and in response to the preheat monitoring timer having exceeded the preheat timer threshold, determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the power applied to the heater.

[0009] The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to terminate applying power to the heater in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated.

[0010] The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated.

[0011] The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to permit aerosol generation in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has not previously been heated.

[0012] One or more example embodiments provide a non-flammable aerosol generating device, comprising: a memory storing computer-readable instructions; and a controller. The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to: apply power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate within a cartridge; determine whether a preheat monitoring timer has exceeded a preheat timer threshold; in response to the preheat monitoring timer not having exceeded the preheat timer threshold, determine whether the cartridge is at least one of a counterfeit cartridge or a degraded cartridge based on a comparison between a first threshold power level and the power applied to the heater; and in response to the preheat monitoring timer having exceeded the preheat timer threshold, determine whether the cartridge is at least one of a counterfeit cartridge or a degraded cartridge based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the power applied to the heater.

[0013] The cartridge may be a detachable cartridge including an aerosol-forming substrate and a heater.

[0014] The cartridge may be a degraded cartridge, and the degradation of the cartridge may be due to a previous heating of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0015] The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to terminate applying power to the heater in response to determining that the cartridge is at least one of a counterfeit cartridge or a degraded cartridge.

[0016] The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the cartridge is at least one of a counterfeit cartridge or a degraded cartridge.

[0017] The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to allow aerosol generation in response to determining that the cartridge is not at least one of a counterfeit cartridge or a degraded cartridge.

[0018] The first threshold power level may be less than the second threshold power level.

[0019] The applied power may be the maximum power applied to the heater or the power target of the heater.

[0020] The first threshold power level and / or the second threshold power level may be based on the maximum power or the power target. Description of the Drawings

[0021] After reading the detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein may become more apparent. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Unless explicitly stated, the drawings should not be considered to be drawn to scale. For clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have been exaggerated.

[0022] Figure 1A - 1CShows various perspective views of an aerosol-generating device in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

[0023] Figure 2A Shows an aerosol-generating device in accordance with at least one example embodiment Figure 1A - 1C thereof.

[0024] Figure 2B Shows a capsule for an aerosol-generating device in accordance with at least one example embodiment for Figure 1A - 1C the aerosol-generating device.

[0025] Figure 2C - 2D Shows a partially exploded view of an aerosol-generating device in accordance with at least one example embodiment Figure 1A - 1C thereof.

[0026] Figure 2E - 2F Shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device in accordance with at least one example embodiment Figure 1A - 1C thereof.

[0027] Figure 3 Shows an electrical system of an aerosol-generating device and a capsule in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

[0028] Figure 4 Shows a heater voltage measurement circuit in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

[0029] Figure 5 Shows a heater current measurement circuit in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

[0030] Figure 6A - 6B Shows a compensation voltage measurement circuit and algorithm in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

[0031] Figure 7A - 7C Shows a circuit diagram of a heating engine control circuit in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

[0032] Figure 8A - 8B Shows a method for controlling a heater in a non-flammable aerosol-generating device in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

[0033] Figure 9 Shows a block diagram of a temperature heating engine control algorithm in accordance with at least one or more example embodiments.

[0034] Figure 10 Shows a timing diagram of the method shown in one or more example embodiments Figure 8A - 8B thereof.

[0035] Figure 11A and Figure 11BA flowchart showing a method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0036] Figure 12 A flowchart showing a method for verifying a cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0037] Figure 13 A graph showing a recorded waveform of a valid cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0038] Figure 14 is Figure 13 An enlarged view of a part of the shown recorded waveform.

[0039] Figure 15 A graph showing a recorded waveform of a deteriorated and invalid cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0040] Figure 16 is Figure 15 An enlarged view of the shown waveform.

[0041] Figure 17 A graph showing a recorded waveform of another exemplary valid cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0042] Figure 18 A graph showing a recorded waveform of another invalid cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0043] Figure 19 is Figure 18 An enlarged view of the shown waveform.

[0044] Figure 20 A flowchart showing a method for detecting cartridge reuse according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0045] Figure 21 A flowchart showing another method for detecting cartridge reuse according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0046] Figure 22 A graph showing an exemplary comparison of recorded power target waveforms of a new cartridge and a reused cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Some detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative details for describing the exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0048] Accordingly, while example embodiments may have various modifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative forms. Throughout the description of the drawings, like numbers represent like elements.

[0049] It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "connected to", "coupled to", "attached to", "adjacent to", or "covering" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to, or covering the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. Throughout the specification, like numbers represent like elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations or sub-combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0050] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layers, and / or portions, these elements, regions, layers, and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, region, layer, or portion from another region, layer, or portion. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or portion discussed below could be termed a second element, region, layer, or portion without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0051] For ease of description, spatial relative terms (such as "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc.) may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature shown in the drawings to another element or feature. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the drawings. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as "lower" or "beneath" will then be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0052] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing various example embodiments only and are not intended to limit the example embodiments. The singular forms used herein are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be further understood that when the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, and / or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or groups thereof.

[0053] When the words "about" and "substantially" are used in this specification in connection with a numerical value, unless otherwise clearly defined, they are intended to mean that the associated numerical value includes a tolerance of ±10% of that numerical value.

[0054] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the example embodiments belong. It should also be understood that terms (including terms defined in common dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0055] Hardware can be implemented using processing or control circuitry, such as but not limited to one or more processors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more systems on a chip (SoCs), one or more programmable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other device capable of responding and executing instructions in a defined manner.

[0056] One or more example embodiments will be described herein, which in at least some instances are performed by an aerosol generating device that includes at least one processor and a memory storing computer-executable instructions, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the aerosol generating device to perform the operations of one or more example embodiments. Additionally, the processor, the memory, and the example algorithms (encoded as computer program code) can be used as means for providing or causing the execution of the operations discussed herein.

[0057] Figure 1A is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an example embodiment. Figure 1B is Figure 1A a rear perspective view of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1C is Figure 1A a upstream perspective view of the aerosol generating device of. Refer toFigure 1A - 1C The aerosol generating device 10 is configured to receive and heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating device 10 includes, but is not limited to, a front housing 1202, a rear housing 1204, and a bottom housing 1206 coupled to a frame 1208 (such as a chassis). A door 1210 is also pivotally connected / attached to the front housing 1202. For example, the door 1210 is configured to move or swing about a hinge 1212 and is configured to reversibly engage / disengage with the front housing 1202 via a latch 1214 to transition between an open position and a closed position. The aerosol-forming substrate may be contained within a capsule 100 (such as in FIG. 2), and the aerosol-forming substrate may be loaded into the aerosol generating device 10 through the door 1210. During operation of the aerosol generating device 10, the generated aerosol may be drawn out of the aerosol generating device 10 through an aerosol outlet 1102 defined by a mouthpiece end segment 1104 of a mouthpiece 1100 (such as in FIG. 2).

[0058] As Figure 1B shown, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a first button 1218 and a second button 1220. The first button 1218 may be a preheating button, while the second button 1220 may be a power button (or vice versa). Additionally, one or both of the first button 1218 and the second button 1220 may include a light-emitting diode (LED) configured to emit visible light when the first button 1218 and / or the second button 1220 is pressed. When both the first button 1218 and the second button 1220 include LEDs, the emitted light may be the same color or different colors. The light may also have the same intensity or different intensities. Furthermore, the light may be configured as continuous light or intermittent light. For example, a light connected to the power button (such as the second button 1220) may blink / fl ash to indicate that the power source (such as a battery) is low and needs to be charged. Although the aerosol generating device 10 is shown as having two buttons, it should be understood that more (such as three) or fewer buttons may be provided depending on the desired interface and functionality.

[0059] The aerosol generating device 10 may have a shape similar to a cuboid, which includes a front face, a back face opposite to the front face, a first side face located between the front face and the back face, a second side face opposite to the first side face, a downstream end face, and an upstream end face opposite to the downstream end face. As used herein, "upstream" (and conversely "downstream") is related to the flow of the aerosol, while "proximal" (and conversely "distal") is related to an adult operator during the aerosol generation process of the aerosol generating device 10. Although the aerosol generating device 10 is shown as having a cuboid shape with a polygonal cross-section (e.g., a rounded cuboid), it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 10 may have a shape similar to a cylinder, which has a circular cross-section (e.g., a cylinder) or an elliptical cross-section (e.g., an elliptical cylinder).

[0060] As Figure 1C shown, the aerosol generating device 10 includes an air intake insert 1222, which is configured to allow ambient air to enter the device body 1200 (e.g., FIG. 2). In an exemplary embodiment, the air intake insert 1222 defines a hole as an air inlet that is in fluid communication with the aerosol outlet 1102. Thus, when a suction (e.g., smoking) or negative pressure is applied to the aerosol outlet 1102, ambient air will be drawn into the device body 1200 through the hole in the air intake insert 1222. The size (e.g., diameter) of the hole in the air intake insert 1222 can be adjusted, while also considering other variables in the flow path (e.g., the capsule 100), to provide a desired total draw resistance (RTD). In other embodiments, the air intake insert 1222 may be completely omitted, such that the air inlet is defined by the bottom housing 1206.

[0061] The aerosol generating device 10 may further include a jack 1224 and a port 1226. In an exemplary embodiment, the jack 1224 allows the download of operation information (e.g., via an RS232 cable) for research and development (R&D) purposes. The port 1226 is configured to receive current from an external power source (e.g., via a USB / mini-USB cable) to charge an internal power source within the aerosol generating device 10. In addition, the port 1226 may also be configured to send data to and / or receive data from another aerosol generating device or other electronic devices (e.g., a phone, a tablet, a computer) (e.g., via a USB / mini-USB cable). Further, the aerosol generating device 10 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with another electronic device (e.g., a phone) (via an application software (app) installed on the electronic device). In this case, an adult operator can control the aerosol generating device 10 or otherwise interact with the aerosol generating device 10 (e.g., locate the aerosol generating device, check usage information, change operation parameters) through the application software.

[0062] Figure 2A is Figure 1A - 1C A front perspective view of an aerosol-generating device, in which the mouthpiece 1100 and the capsule 100 are separated from the device body. Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol-generating device 10 includes a device body 1200 configured to receive the capsule 100 and the mouthpiece 1100. In an exemplary embodiment, the device body 1200 defines a socket 1228 configured to receive the capsule 100. The socket 1228 may be in the form of a cylindrical socket having diametrically opposed side slots extending outwardly to accommodate the electrical ends / contacts of the capsule 100. However, it should be understood that the socket 1228 may take other forms based on the shape / configuration of the capsule 100.

[0063] As described above, the device body 1200 includes a door 1210 configured to open to allow insertion of the capsule 100 and the mouthpiece 1100 and configured to close to hold the capsule 100 and the mouthpiece 1100. The mouthpiece 1100 includes a mouthpiece end (e.g., the mouthpiece segment 1104) and an opposite capsule end (e.g., the capsule segment 1106). In an exemplary embodiment, the capsule end is larger than the mouthpiece end and is configured to prevent the mouthpiece 1100 from detaching from the capsule 100 when the door 1210 of the device body 1200 is closed. When the capsule 100 is received / fixed within the device body 1200 and ready to generate aerosol, the capsule 100 may be visually hidden, while the mouthpiece segment 1104 defining the aerosol outlet 1102 of the mouthpiece 1100 is visible. As shown, the mouthpiece segment 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100 may extend through the downstream end face of the device body 1200. Additionally, the mouthpiece segment 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100 may be closer to the front face of the device body 1200 than to the rear face.

[0064] In some cases, the device body 1200 of the aerosol generating device 10 may optionally include a mouthpiece sensor and / or a door sensor. The mouthpiece sensor may be disposed on the edge of the socket 1228 (e.g., near the front face of the device body 1200). The door sensor may be disposed on a portion of the front housing 1202 near the hinge 1212 and within the swing path of the door 1210. In an example embodiment, the mouthpiece sensor and the door sensor are spring-loaded (e.g., retractable) protrusions configured as safety switches. For example, when the mouthpiece 1100 is fully engaged with the capsule 100 loaded in the socket 1228, the mouthpiece sensor may retract / be depressed (e.g., activated). Additionally, when the door 1210 is fully closed, the door sensor may retract / be depressed (e.g., activated). In this case, the control circuit of the device body 1200 may allow current supply to the capsule 100 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate therein (e.g., allow preheating when the first button 1218 is depressed). Conversely, when the mouthpiece sensor and / or the door sensor is not activated or deactivated (e.g., released), the control circuit (e.g., the controller 2105) of the device body 1200 may block or stop the current supply. Thus, if the mouthpiece 1100 is not fully inserted and / or the door 1210 is not fully closed, heating of the aerosol-forming substrate will not be initiated. Similarly, if the door 1210 is opened during heating of the aerosol-forming substrate, the current supply to the capsule 100 will be interrupted / stopped.

[0065] The capsule 100 will be discussed in more detail herein. It generally includes a housing that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The aerosol-forming substrate is disposed within the chamber of the housing. Additionally, a heater may extend from outside the housing into the housing. The housing may include a body portion and an upstream portion. The body portion of the housing includes a proximal end and a distal end. The upstream portion of the housing may be configured to engage with the distal end of the body portion.

[0066] Figure 2B An illustration of a capsule for an aerosol generating device according to at least one example embodiment is shown for Figure 1A - 1C use with.

[0067] The aerosol - forming substrate contained within the capsule 100 may be in the form of a first aerosol - forming substrate 160a and a second aerosol - forming substrate 160b. In an exemplary embodiment, the first aerosol - forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol - forming substrate 160b are housed between the first cap 110 and the second cap 120. During operation of the aerosol - generating device 10, the first aerosol - forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol - forming substrate 160b may be heated by a heater 336 to generate an aerosol. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the heater 336 includes a first end 142, an intermediate portion 144, and a second end 146. Additionally, the heater 336 may be installed in the base 130 during the manufacturing process prior to the assembly of the capsule 100.

[0068] As shown, the first cap 110 of the capsule 100 defines a first upstream groove 112, a first notch 114, and a first downstream groove 116. The first upstream groove 112 and the first downstream groove 116 may each be in the form of a series of grooves. Similarly, the second cap 120 of the capsule 100 defines a second upstream groove, a second notch, and a second downstream groove 126. In an exemplary embodiment, the second upstream groove, the second notch, and the second downstream groove 126 of the second cap 120 are identical to the first upstream groove 112, the first notch 114, and the first downstream groove 116 of the first cap 110, respectively. Specifically, in some cases, the first cap 110 and the second cap 120 are identical and complementary structures. In this case, positioning the first cap 110 opposite the second cap 120 to engage with the base 130 will form a complementary arrangement. Thus, one component can be interchangeably used as the first cap 110 or the second cap 120, thereby simplifying the manufacturing method.

[0069] The first notch 114 of the first cap 110 and the second notch of the second cap 120 together form a chamber that is configured to receive the intermediate portion 144 of the heater 336 when the first cap 110 and the second cap 120 are coupled to the base 130. The first aerosol - forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol - forming substrate 160b may also be housed within the chamber so as to be in thermal contact with the intermediate portion 144 of the heater 336 when the capsule 100 is assembled. The chamber may have a longest dimension extending from at least one inlet (e.g., the inlet of the upstream channel 162) to a corresponding outlet (e.g., the outlet of the downstream channel 166). In an exemplary embodiment, the housing of the capsule 100 has a longitudinal axis, and the longest dimension of the chamber extends along the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0070] The first downstream groove 116 of the first lid 110 and the second downstream groove 126 of the second lid 120 together form a downstream channel 166. Similarly, the first upstream groove 112 of the first lid 110 and the second upstream groove of the second lid 120 together form an upstream channel 162. The downstream channel 166 and the upstream channel 162 are sized small or narrow enough to hold the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b within the chamber, but large or wide enough to allow air and / or aerosol to pass therethrough when the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b are heated by the heater 336.

[0071] In one case, each of the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b can be in a consolidated form (e.g., sheet-like, tray-like, tablet) which is configured to maintain its shape so as to allow the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b to be placed in the first groove 114 of the first lid 110 and the second groove of the second lid 120 in a uniform manner, respectively. In this case, the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a can be disposed on one side of the middle portion 144 of the heater 336 (e.g., the side facing the first lid 110), while the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b can be disposed on the other side of the middle portion 144 of the heater 336 (e.g., the side facing the second lid 120) so as to substantially fill the first groove 114 of the first lid 110 and the second groove of the second lid 120, respectively, thereby sandwiching / embedding the middle portion 144 of the heater 336 therebetween. Alternatively, one or both of the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b can be in a loose form (e.g., granules, fibers, powders, fragments, shreds) which does not have a fixed shape but is configured to assume the shape of the first groove 114 of the first lid 110 and / or the shape of the second groove of the second lid 120 when introduced.

[0072] As described above, the housing of the capsule 100 may include a first lid 110, a second lid 120, and a base 130. When the capsule 100 is assembled, the height (or length) of the housing is about 30–40 millimeters (e.g., 35 millimeters), but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. In addition, the depth of each of the first groove 114 of the first lid 110 and the second groove of the second lid 120 is about 1–4 millimeters (e.g., 2 millimeters). In this case, the total thickness of the chamber formed jointly by the first groove 114 of the first lid 110 and the second groove of the second lid 120 is about 2–8 millimeters (e.g., 4 millimeters). Along these lines, if the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b are in a consolidated form, the thickness of each aerosol-forming substrate is about 1–4 millimeters (e.g., 2 millimeters). Thus, the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b can be heated relatively quickly and uniformly by the middle part 144 of the heater 336.

[0073] The control circuit may instruct the power supply to supply current to the heater 336. The current supply of the power supply may respond to manual operation (e.g., button activation) or automatic operation (e.g., puffing / smoking activation). Due to the effect of the current, the capsule 100 may be heated to generate an aerosol. In addition, the change in the resistance of the heater can be used to monitor and control the temperature of aerosol generation. The generated aerosol may be puffed from the aerosol-generating device 10 through the mouthpiece 1100. In addition, the control circuit (e.g., the controller 2105) may instruct the power supply to supply current to the heater 336 to maintain the temperature of the capsule 100 between puffs.

[0074] As described herein, the aerosol-forming substrate is a material or combination of materials that can generate an aerosol. The aerosol relates to the substance generated or output by the disclosed and claimed devices and their equivalents. The material may include a compound (e.g., nicotine), where an aerosol containing the compound is generated when the material is heated. The heating may be below the combustion temperature so as to generate an aerosol without involving significant pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming substrate or significant generation of combustion by-products (if any). Thus, in the exemplary embodiments, no pyrolysis occurs during heating and the resulting aerosol generation. In other cases, there may be some pyrolysis and combustion by-products, but the extent may be considered relatively small and / or merely incidental.

[0075] The aerosol-forming substrate can be a fibrous material. For example, the fibrous material can be a plant material. The fibrous material is configured to release a compound upon heating. The compound can be a natural component of the fibrous material. For example, the fibrous material can be a plant material such as tobacco, and the released compound can be nicotine. The term "tobacco" includes any tobacco plant material, including tobacco leaves, tobacco plugs, reconstituted tobacco, compressed tobacco, shaped tobacco, or powdered tobacco, as well as combinations from one or more tobacco plants (e.g., Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana tabacum).

[0076] In some example embodiments, the tobacco material can include materials from any member of the genus Nicotiana. Additionally, the tobacco material can include a mixture of two or more different tobacco varieties. Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, dark tobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, rare tobacco, specialty tobacco, mixtures thereof, and the like. The tobacco material can be provided in any suitable form, including, but not limited to, tobacco leaves, processed tobacco materials (e.g., volumetrically expanded or puffed tobacco), processed tobacco stems (e.g., cut-rolled or cut-puffed stems), reconstituted tobacco materials, mixtures thereof, and the like. In some example embodiments, the tobacco material is in the form of a substantially dry tobacco mass. Additionally, in certain cases, the tobacco material can be mixed and / or combined with at least one of propylene glycol, glycerol, sub-combinations thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0077] The compound can also be a natural component of a medicinal plant having a medically recognized therapeutic effect.

[0078] Furthermore, the compound can be or can additionally include a non-natural additive subsequently introduced into the fibrous material. In one case, the fibrous material can include at least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, combinations thereof, etc. (e.g., in the form of a gauze). In another case, the fibrous material can be a cellulose material (e.g., non-tobacco). In either case, the introduced compound can include nicotine and / or a flavorant. The flavorant can be from a natural source such as a plant extract (e.g., tobacco extract) and / or an artificial source. In another case, when the fibrous material includes tobacco, the compound can be or can additionally include one or more flavorants (e.g., menthol, mint, vanilla). Thus, the compounds within the aerosol-forming substrate can include natural components and / or non-natural additives. In this regard, it should be understood that the existing level of natural components in the aerosol-forming substrate can be increased by supplementation. For example, the existing level of nicotine in a certain amount of tobacco can be increased by supplementing with a nicotine-containing extract.

[0079] The first cover 110 and the second cover 120 also respectively define a first groove 118 and a second groove 128. The first groove 118 and the second groove 128 together form a downstream groove configured to receive the first annular member 150a. Similarly, the base 130 defines an upstream groove 138 configured to receive the second annular member 150b. As described above, the base 130 includes a joining assembly 136 configured to facilitate connection with the first cover 110 and the second cover 120. The joining assembly 136 can be an integrally formed part of the base 130. In an exemplary embodiment, the base 130 defines a base outlet 134 in fluid communication with the base inlet 132, and the joining assembly 136 is in the form of a protruding edge / collar on both sides of the base outlet 134. Additionally, each of the first cover 110 and the second cover 120 can define a slot configured to receive the respective protruding edge / collar of the joining assembly 136. Thus, the first cover 110 and the second cover 120 (e.g., via their distal ends) can be interlocked (while also butting against each other) with the joining assembly 136 of the base 130 to form the housing of the bladder 100.

[0080] The first cover 110 and the second cover 120 can be made of liquid crystal polymer, PEEK (polyetheretherketone), aluminum, or the like.

[0081] A sheet can be cut or otherwise processed (e.g., stamping, electrochemical etching, die cutting, laser cutting) to produce the heater 336. The sheet can be formed of one or more conductors configured to perform Joule heating (also known as ohmic / resistive heating). Suitable conductors for the sheet include iron-based alloys (e.g., stainless steel, iron aluminide), nickel-based alloys (e.g., nichrome), and / or ceramics (e.g., metal-coated ceramics). For example, the stainless steel can be of the SS316L type known in the art, however the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The thickness of the sheet can be about 0.1–0.3 millimeters (e.g., 0.15–0.25 millimeters). The resistance of the heater 336 can be between 0.5–2.5 ohms (e.g., 1–2 ohms).

[0082] The heater 336 has a first end 142, a middle portion 144, and a second end 146. The first end 142 and the second end 146 are configured to receive current from a power source during startup of the heater 336. When the heater 336 is started (e.g., for Joule heating), the temperatures of the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b may increase, and aerosol may be generated and aspirated or otherwise released through the downstream channel 166 of the capsule 100. The first end 142 and the second end 146 may each include fork terminals to facilitate electrical connection to the power source (e.g., via connection bolts), but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, since the heater 336 can be made of a sheet, the first end 142, the second end 146, and the middle portion 144 can be coplanar. Further, the middle portion 144 of the heater 336 can have a planar and meandering form, similar to a compressed waveform or a zigzag, including a plurality of parallel segments (e.g., eight to sixteen parallel segments). However, it should be understood that other forms of the middle portion 144 of the heater 336 are possible (e.g., spiral, flower-shaped).

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 extends through the base 130. In this case, the ends of the first end 142 and the second end 146 can be regarded as the outer segments of the heater 336 protruding from opposite sides of the base 130. Specifically, the middle portion 144 of the heater 336 can be located on the downstream side of the base 130 and aligned with the base outlet 134. During manufacturing, the heater 336 can be embedded within the base 130 by injection molding (e.g., insert molding, overmolding). For example, the heater 336 can be embedded such that the middle portion 144 is evenly spaced between a pair of protruding edges / collars of the engagement assembly 136.

[0084] Although the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336 are shown in the figures as protrusions (e.g., fins) extending from the sides of the base 130, it should be understood that in some exemplary embodiments, the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336 can be configured to form part of the sides of the capsule 100. For example, the dimensions and orientations of the exposed portions of the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336 can be designed to lie / fold on the sides of the base 130 (e.g., while also following the underlying profile of the base 130). Thus, the first end 142 and the second end 146 can respectively form the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, as well as part of the sides of the capsule 100.

[0085] Figure 2C is Figure 1A - 1C a partially exploded view of an aerosol generating device. Figure 2D is a partially exploded view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2. See Figure 2C - 2D, a frame 1208 (such as a metal chassis) serves as a base for internal components of the aerosol-generating device 10, and these components can be directly or indirectly attached to the frame 1208. Regarding the structures / components shown in the figures and discussed above, it should be understood that these related teachings also apply to this section and may not be repeated for the sake of brevity. In an example embodiment, the bottom housing 1206 is fixed to the upstream end of the frame 1208. Additionally, a socket 1228 (for receiving the capsule 100) can be mounted on the front side of the frame 1208. Between the socket 1228 and the bottom housing 1206 is an air intake passage 1230, which is configured to direct an incoming ambient air flow to the capsule 100 in the socket 1228. An air intake insert 1222 (such as Figure 1C ) can be provided at the distal end of the air intake passage 1230, and the incoming air can flow through the air intake insert 1222. Additionally, the socket 1228 and / or the air intake passage 1230 can include a flow sensor (such as an integrated flow sensor).

[0086] A cover 1232 and a power source 1234 therein (such as Figure 2E ) can be mounted on the rear side of the frame 1208. To establish an electrical connection with the capsule 100 (for example, located in the socket 1228 and covered by the capsule end segment 1106 of the mouthpiece 1100), a first power terminal block 1236a and a second power terminal block 1236b can be provided to facilitate the supply of current. For example, the first power terminal block 1236a and the second power terminal block 1236b can establish the necessary electrical connection between the power source 1234 and the capsule 100 through the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336. The first power terminal block 1236a and / or the second power terminal block 1236b can be made of brass.

[0087] The aerosol-generating device 10 can also include a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) configured to facilitate its operation. In an example embodiment, a first printed circuit board 1238 (for example, a bridging PCB for power and I2C) is mounted on the downstream end of the cover 1232 of the power source 1234. Additionally, a second printed circuit board 1240 (for example, an HMIPCB) is mounted on the rear of the cover 1232. In another example, a third printed circuit board 1242 (for example, a serial port PCB) is fixed to the front of the frame 1208 and located behind the air intake passage 1230. Additionally, a fourth printed circuit board 1244 (for example, a USB-C PCB) is provided between the rear of the frame 1208 and the cover 1232 of the power source 1234. However, it should be understood that the example embodiments regarding the printed circuit boards herein should not be construed as restrictive, as their size, shape, and location can vary according to the intended characteristics of the aerosol-generating device 10.

[0088] Figure 2EYes Figure 1A - 1C Cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device Figure 2F Yes Figure 1A - 1C Another cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device. Regarding the structures / components shown in the figure and discussed above, it should be understood that these related teachings also apply to this section and may not be repeated for the sake of brevity. Referring to Figure 2E - 2F , the mouth end section 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100 is shown as defining an aerosol outlet 1102 in the form of a single outlet. However, it should be understood that the example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the aerosol outlet 102 may alternatively take the form of a plurality of smaller outlets (e.g., two to six outlets). In one instance, the plurality of outlets may take the form of four outlets. The outlets may be arranged radially and / or inclined outwardly to release a divergent aerosol stream

[0089] In the example embodiments, at least one of a filter or a flavoring medium may optionally be provided within the mouth end section 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100. In this case, the filter and / or the flavoring medium will be located downstream of the chamber 164 such that the aerosol generated therein passes through at least one of the filter or the flavoring medium before leaving through at least one aerosol outlet 1102. The filter may reduce or prevent particles of the aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., aerosol-forming substrate 160a and / or aerosol-forming substrate 160b) from being inadvertently drawn out of the capsule 100. The filter may also help to reduce the temperature of the aerosol to provide a desired taste. The flavoring medium (e.g., flavor beads) may release a flavoring agent as the aerosol passes therethrough, thereby imparting a desired flavor to the aerosol. The flavoring agent may be the same as the flavoring agents described above with respect to the aerosol-forming substrate. Additionally, the filter tip and / or the flavor medium may have a consolidated form or a loose form as described above in connection with the aerosol-forming substrate

[0090] The aerosol generating device 10 may further include a third annular member 150c located within the socket 1228. The third annular member 150c (e.g., an elastomeric O-ring) is configured to form an airtight seal when the base 130 of the capsule 100 is fully inserted into the socket 1228. Thus, most (if not all) of the air inhaled into the socket 1228 will pass through the capsule 100 and any bypass flow around the capsule 100 will be negligible (if any). In the example embodiments, the first annular member 150a, the second annular member 150b, and / or the third annular member 150c may be formed of transparent silicone

[0091] In addition to the printed circuit board already discussed above, the aerosol generating device 10 may further include a fifth printed circuit board 1246 (e.g., a main PCB), which is disposed between the frame 1208 and the power source 1234. The power source 1234 may be a 900 mAh battery, however, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, a sensor 1248 may be disposed upstream of the cartridge 100 to enhance the operation of the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the sensor 1248 may be an air flow sensor. Due to the sensor 1248 and the first button 1218 and the second button 1220, the operation of the aerosol generating device 10 may be an automatic operation (e.g., draw activation) or a manual operation (e.g., button activation). In at least one exemplary embodiment, the sensor may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow or pressure sensor, or another type of sensor configured to measure air flow, such as a hot wire anemometer.

[0092] When the aerosol generating device 10 is activated, the cartridge 100 within the device body 1200 may be heated to generate an aerosol. In an exemplary embodiment, the activation of the aerosol generating device 10 may be triggered by the sensor 1248 detecting an air flow and / or generating a signal associated with pressing the first button 1218 and / or the second button 1220. Regarding the detection of the air flow, sucking or applying a negative pressure at the aerosol outlet 1102 of the mouthpiece 1100 will draw ambient air into the device body 1200 through the intake passage 1230, where the air may initially pass through the intake insert 1222 (e.g., Figure 1C ). Once inside the device body 1200, the air will flow through the intake passage 1230 to the socket 1228, where it is detected by the sensor 1248. After passing through the sensor 1248, the air continues through the socket 1228 and enters the cartridge 100 through the base 130. Specifically, the air will flow through the base inlet 132 of the cartridge 100 and then enter the chamber 164 through the upstream channel 162. Additionally, a control circuit (e.g., the controller 2105) may instruct the power source to supply current to the heater 336 to maintain the temperature of the cartridge 100 between draws.

[0093] The detection of the air flow by the sensor 1248 may cause the control circuit of the power source 1234 to supply current to the cartridge 100 through the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336. As a result, the temperature of the middle portion 144 of the heater 336 will increase, which in turn will cause the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., the aerosol-forming substrate 160a and / or the aerosol-forming substrate 160b) inside the chamber 164 to increase, such that the aerosol-forming substrate releases volatiles to generate an aerosol. The generated aerosol will be carried away by the air flowing through the chamber 164. Specifically, the aerosol generated in the chamber 164 will pass through the downstream channel 166 of the cartridge 100 and then exit the aerosol generating device 10 from the aerosol outlet 1102 of the mouthpiece 1100.

[0094] Figure 3 Shows an electrical system of an aerosol - generating device and a cartridge according to one or more example embodiments.

[0095] See Figure 3 , the electrical system includes an aerosol - generating device electrical system 2100 and a cartridge electrical system 2200. The aerosol - generating device electrical system 2100 may be included in the aerosol - generating device 10, and the cartridge electrical system 2200 may be included in the cartridge 100.

[0096] In Figure 3 the example embodiment shown, the cartridge electrical system 2200 includes a heater 336.

[0097] The cartridge electrical system 2200 may further include a body electrical / data interface (not shown) for transmitting power and / or data between the aerosol - generating device 10 and the cartridge 100. According to at least one example embodiment, for example, Figure 2B the electrical contacts shown in may be used as the body electrical interface, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0098] The aerosol - generating device electrical system 2100 includes a controller 2105, a power source 1234, a device sensor or measurement circuit 2125, a heating - engine control circuit 2127, an aerosol indicator 2135, product - on controls 2150 (such as Figure 1B the buttons 1218 and 1220 shown in ), a memory 2130, and a clock circuit 2128. In some example embodiments, the controller 2105, the power source 1234, the device sensor or measurement circuit 2125, the heating - engine control circuit 2127, the memory 2130, and the clock circuit 2128 are located on the same PCB (such as the main PCB 1246). The aerosol - generating device electrical system 2100 may also include a cartridge electrical / data interface (not shown) for transmitting power and / or data between the aerosol - generating device 10 and the cartridge 100.

[0099] The power source 1234 may be an internal power source for applying power to the aerosol - generating device 10 and the cartridge 100. The power application of the power source 1234 may be controlled by the controller 2105 through a power - control circuit (not shown). The power - control circuit may include one or more switches or transistors for regulating the power output of the power source 1234. The power source 1234 may be a lithium - ion battery or its variant (such as a lithium - ion polymer battery).

[0100] The controller 2105 may be configured to control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10. According to at least some example embodiments, the controller 2105 may include processing circuitry, such as hardware including logic circuits; a hardware / software combination, such as a processor that executes software; or a combination thereof. For example, the processing circuitry may more specifically include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like.

[0101] In Figure 3 the illustrated example embodiment, the controller 2105 is shown as a microcontroller, which includes: input / output (I / O) interfaces, such as general purpose input / output (GPIO), inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interfaces, serial peripheral interface bus (SPI) interfaces, and the like; a multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC); and a clock input terminal. However, the example embodiment should not be limited to this example. In at least one example embodiment, the controller 2105 may be a microprocessor.

[0102] The memory 2130 is shown as being external to the controller 2105. In some example embodiments, the memory 2130 may be located on the controller 2105.

[0103] The controller 2105 is communicatively coupled to the device sensor 2125, the heating engine control circuit 2127, the aerosol indicator 2135, the memory 2130, the product on control 2150, the clock circuit 2128, and the power supply 1234.

[0104] The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via GPIO (general purpose input / output) pins. The memory 2130 is connected to the controller 2105 via SPI (serial peripheral interface) pins. The clock circuit 2128 is connected to the clock input pin of the controller 2105. The aerosol indicator 2135 is connected to the controller 2105 via I2C (inter-integrated circuit) interface pins and SPI / GPIO pins. The device sensor 2125 is connected to the controller 2105 via the respective pins of the multi-channel ADC.

[0105] The clock circuit 2128 may be a timing mechanism, such as an oscillator circuit, to enable the controller 2105 to track the idle time, preheat length, aerosol generation (puff) length, combination of idle time and aerosol generation (puff) length, power consumption time of the aerosol generating device 10, to determine a heat capsule alert (e.g., 30 seconds after the instance ends), etc. The clock circuit 2128 may also include a dedicated external clock crystal, which is configured to generate the system clock of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0106] The memory 2130 can be a non-volatile memory for storing the operation parameters and computer-readable instructions for the controller 2105 to execute the algorithms described herein. In one example, the memory 2130 can be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), such as a flash memory, etc.

[0107] Still referring to Figure 3 , the device sensor 2125 can include multiple sensors or measurement circuits configured to provide signals indicating sensor or measurement information to the controller 2105. In Figure 3 the example shown, the device sensor 2125 includes a heater current measurement circuit 21258, a heater voltage measurement circuit 21252, and a compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250. Figure 3 The electrical system of Figure 1A - 2F can also include the sensors discussed with reference to

[0108] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 can be configured to output (e.g., a voltage) a signal indicating the current passing through the heater 336. Example embodiments of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 will be discussed in more detail later with reference to Figure 5 .

[0109] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 can be configured to output (e.g., a voltage) a signal indicating the voltage across the heater 336. Example embodiments of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 will be discussed in more detail in conjunction with Figure 4 .

[0110] The compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 can be configured to output (e.g., a voltage) a signal indicating the resistance of the power interface (e.g., an electrical connector) between the capsule 100 and the aerosol generating device 10. In some example embodiments, the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 can provide a compensation voltage measurement signal to the controller 2105. Example embodiments of the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 will be discussed in more detail later with reference to Figure 6A - 6B .

[0111] As described above, the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250, the heater current measurement circuit 21258, and the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 are connected to the controller 2105 through the pins of a multi-channel ADC. To measure the characteristics and / or parameters of the aerosol generating device 10 and the capsule 100 (e.g., the voltage, current, resistance, temperature, etc. of the heater 336), the multi-channel ADC at the controller 2105 can sample the output signals from the device sensor 2125 at a sampling rate suitable for the given characteristics and / or parameters to be measured by each device sensor.

[0112] The electrical system 2100 of the aerosol generating device may include a sensor 1248 to measure the air flow through the aerosol generating device 10. In at least one example embodiment, the sensor may be a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) flow or pressure sensor, or another type of sensor configured to measure air flow, such as a hot wire anemometer. In an example embodiment, the output of the sensor for measuring air flow to the controller 2105 is the flow rate (in mL / s or cm 3 / s) instantaneously measured through a digital interface or SPI. In other example embodiments, the sensor may be a hot wire anemometer, a digital MEMS sensor, or other known sensors. The flow sensor may operate as a puff sensor, detecting a puff when the flow rate value is greater than or equal to 1 mL / s and terminating the puff when the flow rate value subsequently drops to 0 mL / s. In another example, the flow sensor may operate as a puff sensor, detecting a puff when the flow rate value is greater than or equal to 1 mL / s and terminating the puff when the flow rate value subsequently drops below 1 mL / s. In an example embodiment, the sensor 1248 may be a differential pressure sensor based on a MEMS flow sensor, converting the differential pressure (in pascals) to an instantaneous flow rate reading (in mL / s) using a curve fitting calibration function or a look-up table (for the flow rate value for each differential pressure reading). In another example embodiment, the flow sensor may be a capacitive pressure drop sensor.

[0113] The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via GPIO pins. The heating engine control circuit 2127 is configured to control (enable and / or disable) the heater 336 of the aerosol generating device 10 by controlling the power of the heater 336.

[0114] The controller 2105 may control the aerosol indicator 2135 to indicate the status and / or operation of the aerosol generating device 10 to an adult operator. The aerosol indicator 2135 may be implemented at least in part through an optical waveguide and may include a power indicator (such as an LED) that may be activated when the controller 2105 senses that an adult operator presses a button. The aerosol indicator 2135 may also include a vibrator, a speaker, or other feedback mechanisms and may indicate the current status of aerosol generation parameters (such as aerosol volume) controlled by the adult operator.

[0115] Still referring to Figure 3 , the controller 2105 may control the power applied to the heater 336 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate according to a heating curve (e.g., heating based on volume, temperature, flavor, etc.). The heating curve may be determined based on empirical data and may be stored in the memory 2130 of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0116] Figure 4An example implementation of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 is shown.

[0117] Refer to Figure 4 , the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 includes a resistor 3702 and a resistor 3704. The resistor 3702 and the resistor 3704 are connected between a terminal for receiving an input voltage signal COIL_OUT and ground in a voltage divider configuration. The resistance values of the resistor 3702 and the resistor 3704 are 8.2 kΩ and 3.3 kΩ respectively. The input voltage signal COIL_OUT is the voltage input to the heater 336 (the voltage at the input terminal of the heater). The node N3716 between the resistor 3702 and the resistor 3704 is coupled to the positive input of an operational amplifier (Op - Amp) 3708. A capacitor 3706 is connected between the node N3716 and ground to form a low - pass filter circuit (R / C filter) to stabilize the voltage input to the positive input of the Op - Amp 3708. The capacitance of the capacitor 3706 can be, for example, 18 nF. The filter circuit can also reduce inaccuracies caused by switching noise due to the PWM signal used to power the heater 336, and has the same phase response / group delay for current and voltage.

[0118] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 further includes resistors 3710 and 3712 and a capacitor 3714. The resistor 3712 is connected between the node N3718 and a terminal configured to receive an output voltage signal COIL_RTN. For example, the resistance of the resistor can be 8.2 kΩ. The output voltage signal COIL_RTN is the voltage output from the heater 336 (the voltage at the output terminal of the heater).

[0119] The resistor 3710 and the capacitor 3714 are connected in parallel between the node N3718 and the output of the operational amplifier 3708. For example, the resistance of the resistor 3710 can be 3.3 kΩ, and the capacitance of the capacitor 3714 can be 18 nF. The negative input of the operational amplifier 3708 is also connected to the node N3718. The resistors 3710 and 3712 and the capacitor 3714 are connected in a low - pass filter circuit configuration.

[0120] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 measures the voltage difference between the input voltage signal COIL_OUT and the output voltage signal COIL_RTN using the operational amplifier 3708, and outputs a scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL representing the voltage across the heater 336. The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 outputs the scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL to the ADC pin of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement by the controller 2105.

[0121] The gain of the operational amplifier 3708 can be set according to surrounding passive electronic components (such as resistors and capacitors) to improve the dynamic range of voltage measurement. In one example, the dynamic range of the operational amplifier 3708 can be achieved by scaling the voltage such that the maximum voltage output matches the maximum input range of the ADC (e.g., approximately 2.5V). In at least one example embodiment, the scaling ratio can be approximately 402mV / V. Thus, the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 can measure up to approximately 2.5V / 0.402V = 6.22V.

[0122] The voltage signals COIL_OUT and COIL_RTN are clamped by diodes 3720 and 3722 respectively to reduce the risk of damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) events.

[0123] In some example embodiments, four-wire / Kelvin measurements can be used and the voltage signals COIL_OUT and COIL_RTN can be measured at the measurement contact points (also referred to as voltage sensing connections rather than main power contacts) to account for the contact resistance and bulk resistance of the power interface (such as an electrical connector) between the heater 336 and the aerosol generating device 10.

[0124] Figure 5 is shown Figure 3 an example embodiment of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 shown in

[0125] Referring Figure 5 , the output current signal COIL_RTN_I is input to a four-terminal (4T) measurement resistor 3802 connected to ground. The differential voltage across the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 is scaled by an operational amplifier 3806, and the operational amplifier 3806 outputs a heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR representing the current flowing through the heater 336. The heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR is output to the ADC pin of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement of the current flowing through the heater 336 at the controller 2105.

[0126] In Figure 5 the example embodiment shown, the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 can be used to reduce errors in current measurement using the four-wire / Kelvin current measurement technique. In this example, separating the current measurement path from the voltage measurement path can reduce the noise on the voltage measurement path.

[0127] The gain of the operational amplifier 3806 can be set to improve the dynamic range of the measurement. In this example, the scaling ratio of the operational amplifier 3806 can be approximately 0.820V / A. Thus, the heater current measurement circuit 21258 can measure up to approximately 2.5V / (0.820V / A) = 3.5A.

[0128] Referring in more detail to Figure 5 ,a first terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 is connected to a terminal of the heater 336 to receive the output current signal COIL_RTN_I. A second terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 is grounded. A third terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 is connected to a low-pass filter circuit (R / C filter) that includes a resistor 3804, a capacitor 3808, and a resistor 3810. For example, the resistance of the resistor 3804 can be 100 ohms, the resistance of the resistor 3810 can be 8.2 kiloohms, and the capacitance of the capacitor 3808 can be 3.3 nanofarads.

[0129] The output of the low-pass filter circuit is connected to the positive input of the operational amplifier 3806. The low-pass filter circuit can reduce inaccuracies caused by switching noise due to the PWM signal used to power the heater 336, and can also have the same phase response / group delay for current and voltage.

[0130] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 also includes resistors 3812 and 3814 and a capacitor 3816. The resistors 3812 and 3814 and the capacitor 3816 are connected in a low-pass filter circuit configuration to a fourth terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802, the negative input of the operational amplifier 3806, and the output of the operational amplifier 3806, where the output of the low-pass filter circuit is connected to the negative input of the operational amplifier 3806. The resistors 3812 and 3814 can have resistances of 100 ohms and 8.2 kiloohms, respectively, while the capacitor 3816 can have a capacitance of 3.3 nanofarads.

[0131] The operational amplifier 3806 outputs a differential voltage as the heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR to the ADC pin of the controller 2105 for the controller 2105 to sample and measure the current flowing through the heater 336.

[0132] According to at least this example embodiment, the configuration of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 is similar to the configuration of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252, except that the low-pass filter circuit including the resistors 3804 and 3810 and the capacitor 3808 is connected to one terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802, and the low-pass filter circuit including the resistors 3812 and 3814 and the capacitor 3816 is connected to the other terminal of the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802.

[0133] The controller 2105 may average multiple samples (such as voltages) within a time window corresponding to the "tick" time (the iteration time of the control loop) used in the aerosol generating device 10 (e.g., about 1 millisecond), and convert the average value into a mathematical representation of the voltage across the heater 336 and the current flowing through the heater 336 by applying a scaling value. The scaling value may be determined based on the gain settings implemented at the respective operational amplifiers, and these gain settings may be specific to the hardware of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0134] The controller 2105 may filter the converted voltage and current measurements using, for example, a three-tap moving average filter to attenuate measurement noise. Then, the controller 2105 may use the filtered measurements to calculate: the resistance R of the heater 336 HEATER (R HEATER = COIL_VOL / COIL_CUR), the power P applied to the heater 336 HEATER (P HEATER = COIL_VOL * COIL_CUR), etc.

[0135] According to one or more example embodiments, the gain settings of the passive components of the circuit shown in Figure 4 and / or 5 may be adjusted to match the output signal range to the input range of the controller 2105.

[0136] Figure 6A An electrical system of an aerosol generating device including a separate compensated voltage measurement circuit is shown according to one or more example embodiments.

[0137] As Figure 6A shown, the contact interface between the heater 336 and the aerosol generating device electrical system 2100 includes a four-wire / Kelvin arrangement having an input power contact 6100, an input measurement contact 6200, an output measurement contact 6300, and an output power contact 6400.

[0138] The voltage measurement circuit 21252A receives the measurement voltage COIL_OUT_MEAS at the input measurement contact 6200 and receives the output measurement voltage COIL_RTN_MEAS at the output measurement contact 6300. The voltage measurement circuit 21252A is the same circuit as the voltage measurement circuit 21252 shown in Figure 4 and outputs a scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL. Although in Figure 4COIL_OUT and COIL_RTN are shown, but it should be understood that in an example embodiment without a separate compensation voltage measurement circuit, the voltage measurement circuit 21252 can receive voltages at the input measurement contacts 6200 and the output measurement contacts 6300, rather than at the input power contacts 6100 and the output power contacts 6400.

[0139] Figure 6A The system shown also includes a compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250. The compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 is the same as the voltage measurement circuit 21252A, except that the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 receives the voltage COIL_OUT at the input power contact 6100 and receives the voltage COIL_RTN at the output power contact 6400 and outputs a compensation voltage measurement signal V COMP 。

[0140] The current measurement circuit 21258 receives the output current signal COIL_RTN_I at the output power contact 6400 and outputs a heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR.

[0141] Figure 6B A method of using the compensation voltage measurement signal to adjust the target power of the heater according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0142] The controller 2105 can execute Figure 6B the method shown.

[0143] At step 6500, the controller starts a cycle of powering the heater. At 6505, the controller extracts operating parameters (e.g., heating engine control circuit threshold voltage, power loss threshold, and wetting timer limit) from memory.

[0144] At 6510, the controller determines the power P dissipated at the contacts CONTACT whether it exceeds the loss threshold. The controller can determine the power P dissipated at the contacts as follows CONTACT :

[0145] P CONTACT = absolute value((VCOMP * COIL_CUR) – (COIL_VOL * COIL_CUR))

[0146] The loss threshold can be an absolute value (e.g., 3 W) or a percentage of the power applied to the heater (e.g., 25%).

[0147] If the controller determines that the power loss P CONTACT is equal to or less than the loss threshold, the controller clears the wetting flag at step 6515. The controller monitors the compensation voltage measurement signal V at step 6520 COMP, and determine the compensation voltage measurement signal V at step 6525 COMP whether it exceeds the threshold voltage V MAX . The threshold voltage V MAX can be the rated voltage of the heating engine control circuit 2127.

[0148] If the controller determines that the compensation voltage measurement signal V COMP does not exceed the threshold voltage V MAX , then the controller continues to the next iteration (i.e., the next time period) at step 6530. If the controller determines that the compensation voltage measurement signal V COMP exceeds the threshold voltage V MAX , then the controller reduces the heater power target for the next iteration at step 6532 and proceeds to the next iteration at 6530.

[0149] Therefore, if the power loss P CONTACT is less than the loss threshold, the controller can reduce the applied power to reduce the contact heating effect.

[0150] Return to step 6510. If the controller determines that the power loss P CONTACT is greater than the loss threshold, the controller determines whether a wetting flag is set at 6535. If the controller determines that the wetting flag is set at step 6535, the controller terminates heating at step 6550 (e.g., does not apply power to the heater).

[0151] If the controller determines at step 6535 that the wetting flag is not set, the controller determines at step 6540 whether the wetting timer is running. The wetting time is used to allow the power loss to increase over an expected / selected time period (e.g., 200 milliseconds).

[0152] If the controller determines that the wetting timer is not running, the controller starts the wetting timer at step 6545 and then continues to monitor the compensation voltage measurement signal V at 6520 COMP .

[0153] If the controller determines at step 6540 that the wetting timer is running, the controller determines at step 6555 whether the wetting timer has expired. If the controller determines that the wetting timer has not expired, the controller continues to monitor the compensation voltage measurement signal V at step 6520 COMP . Therefore, if the wetting timer is still running, the power loss in the contact P CONTACT is allowed to be higher than the power loss threshold.

[0154] If the controller determines that the wetting timer has expired, the controller sets the wetting flag at 6560. Then, the controller reduces the heater power target at step 6565 such that the contact PCONTACT The power loss in COMP is lower than the loss threshold, and the controller continues to monitor the compensated voltage measurement signal V at 6520.

[0155] In other example embodiments, the controller may change the temperature target.

[0156] The contact resistance varies with temperature (and may also decrease due to the "wetting current" removing the contact oxide layer), so the proportion of power lost in the power supply contact may change during use. By compensating for the power loss at the contact, the electrical system can improve the power delivery to the heater (e.g., once the wetting effect occurs, the waiting time to reach the heater temperature can be reduced by increasing the power).

[0157] In Figure 6B each subsequent iteration of the power supply loop shown, the controller 2105 may re - enter the "wetting" process (e.g., in response to a change in the contact force), however, the wetting flag is used to ensure that the controller does not continuously restart the process.

[0158] Figure 7A - 7C is a circuit diagram showing a heating engine control circuit according to an example embodiment. Figure 7A - 7C The heating engine control circuit shown in Figure 3 is an example of the heating engine control circuit 2127 shown in

[0159] The heating engine control circuit includes a boost converter circuit 7020 ( Figure 7A ), a first stage 7040 ( Figure 7B ), and a second stage 7060 ( Figure 7C ).

[0160] The boost converter circuit is configured to generate a voltage signal VGATE (e.g., a 9V power supply) (also referred to as a power signal or an input voltage signal) from a voltage source BATT based on a first power enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE (also referred to as a shutdown signal) to power the first stage 7040. When the aerosol generating device is ready for use, the controller may generate the first power enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE with a logic high level. In other words, when at least the controller detects that the cartridge is correctly connected to the aerosol generating device, the first power enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE has a logic high level. In other example embodiments, when the controller detects that the cartridge is correctly connected to the aerosol generating device and the controller detects an action (e.g., pressing a button), the first power enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE has a logic high level.

[0161] The first stage 7020 uses the input voltage signal VGATE of the boost converter circuit 7020 to drive the heating engine control circuit 2127. The first stage 7040 and the second stage 7060 form a buck-boost converter circuit.

[0162] In Figure 7A In the example embodiment shown, the boost converter circuit 7020 generates the input voltage signal VGATE only when the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE is valid (present). The controller 2105 may cut off the power supply to the first stage 7040 by canceling (stopping or terminating) the enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE. The first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE may be used as a device status power signal for performing an aerosol generation shutdown operation at the device 1000. In this example, the controller 2105 may perform the aerosol generation shutdown operation by canceling the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE, thereby disabling the power supplies to the first stage 7040, the second stage 7060, and the heater 336. Then, the controller 2105 may enable the aerosol generation at the device 1000 by setting the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE of the boost converter circuit 7020 again.

[0163] The controller 2105 may generate the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE with a logic level such that the boost converter circuit 7020 outputs an input voltage signal VGATE with a high level (at or about 9V) in response to the aerosol generation condition at the device 1000 to enable the power supply to the first stage 7040 and the heater 336. The controller 2105 may generate the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE with another logic level such that the boost converter circuit 7020 outputs an input voltage signal VGATE with a low level (at or about 0V) to disable the power supply to the first stage 7040 and the heater 336, thereby performing a heater shutdown operation.

[0164] Referring in more detail to Figure 7A the boost converter circuit 7020 in, a capacitor C36 is connected between the voltage source BATT and ground. The capacitor C36 may have a capacitance of 10 microfarads.

[0165] A first end of an inductor L1006 is connected to a node NODE1 between the voltage source BATT and the capacitor C36. The inductor L1006 serves as the main energy storage element of the boost converter circuit 7020. The inductance of the inductor L1006 may be 10 microhenries.

[0166] The node 1 is connected to the voltage input pin A1 of the boost converter chip U11. In some example embodiments, the boost converter chip may be a TPS61046.

[0167] A second end of the inductor L1006 is connected to the switch pin SW of the boost converter chip U11, and the enable pin EN of the boost converter chip U11 is used to receive a first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE issued by the controller 2105.

[0168] In Figure 7A the example shown, the boost converter chip U11 serves as the main switching element of the boost converter circuit 7020.

[0169] A resistor R53 is connected between the enable pin EN of the boost converter chip U11 and ground as a pull-down resistor to ensure that when the first enable signal PWR_EN_GATE is in an indeterminate state, the heater 336 is prevented from operating. In some example embodiments, the resistance value of the resistor R53 may be 100 kiloohms.

[0170] The voltage output pin VOUT of the boost converter chip U11 is connected to the first end of a resistor R49 and the first end of a capacitor C58. The second end of the capacitor C58 is grounded, and the voltage output from the voltage output pin VOUT is the input voltage signal VGATE.

[0171] The second end of the resistor R49 is connected to the first end of a resistor R51 at a second node NODE2. The second node NODE2 is connected to the feedback pin FB of the boost converter chip U11, and the boost converter chip U11 is configured to generate an input voltage signal VGATE of approximately 9V using the ratio of the resistance value of the resistor R49 to the resistance value of the resistor R51. In some example embodiments, the resistance value of the resistor R49 may be 680 kiloohms, and the resistance value of the resistor R51 may be 66.5 kiloohms.

[0172] Capacitors C36 and C58 are used as smoothing capacitors, and their capacitances can be 10 microfarads and 4.7 microfarads respectively. The inductance of inductor L1006 can be selected according to the required output voltage (e.g., 9V).

[0173] Now referring to Figure 7B , the first stage 7040 receives the input voltage signal VGATE and the second enable signal COIL_Z. The second enable signal is a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal and is an input to the first stage 7040.

[0174] The first stage 7040 includes, but is not limited to, an integrated gate driver U6, which is configured to convert a low-current signal from the controller 2105 into a high-current signal for controlling the switches of the transistors of the first stage 7040. The integrated gate driver U6 is also configured to convert the voltage level from the controller 2105 into the voltage level required by the transistors of the first stage 7040. In Figure 7B the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the integrated gate driver U6 is a half-bridge driver. However, the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example.

[0175] More specifically, the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020 is input to the first stage 7040 through a filter circuit including a resistor R22 and a capacitor C32. The resistor R22 may have a resistance of 10 ohms, while the capacitor C32 may have a capacitance of 1 microfarad.

[0176] The filter circuit including the resistor R22 and the capacitor C32 is connected to the VCC pin (pin 4) of the integrated gate driver U6 and the anode of the zener diode D2 at node NODE3. The second end of the capacitor C32 is grounded. The anode of the zener diode D2 is connected to the first end of the capacitor C32 and the boost pin BST (pin 1) of the integrated gate driver U6 at node NODE7. The second end of the capacitor C31 is connected to the switch node pin SWN (pin 7) between the transistors Q2 and Q3 of the integrated gate driver U6 at node NODE8. In Figure 7B the illustrated embodiment, the zener diode D2 and the capacitor C31 form part of a bootstrap charge pump circuit that is connected between the input voltage pin VCC and the boost pin BST of the integrated gate driver U6. Since the capacitor C31 is connected to the input voltage signal VGATE of the boost converter circuit 7020, the capacitor C31 is charged to a voltage almost equal to the input voltage signal VGATE through the diode D2. The capacitance of the capacitor C31 is 220 nanofarads.

[0177] Still referring to Figure 7B, the resistor R25 is connected between the high-side gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) and the switch node pin SWN (pin 7). The first end of the resistor R29 is connected to the low-side gate driver pin DRVL at the node NODE9. The second end of the resistor R29 is grounded.

[0178] The resistor R23 and the capacitor C33 form a filter circuit, which is connected to the input pin IN (pin 2) of the integrated gate driver U6. The filter circuit is used to remove the high-frequency noise in the second heater enable signal COIL_Z input to the input pin IN. The second heater enable signal COIL_Z is a PWM signal from the controller 2105. Therefore, the filter circuit is designed to filter out the high-frequency components in the PWM square wave pulse train, slightly reduce the rise and fall times of the square wave edges, and make the transistor turn on and off gradually.

[0179] The resistor R24 is connected to the filter circuit and the input pin IN at the node NODE10. The resistor R24 is used as a pull-down resistor so that if the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is floating (or indeterminate), the input pin IN of the integrated gate driver U6 remains at a logic low level to prevent the activation of the heater 336.

[0180] The resistor R30 and the capacitor C37 form a filter circuit, which is connected to the pin OD (pin 3) of the integrated gate driver U6. This filter circuit is used to remove the high-frequency noise in the input voltage signal VGATE input to the pin OD.

[0181] The resistor R31 is connected to the filter circuit and the pin OD at the node NODE11. The resistor R31 is used as a pull-down resistor so that if the input voltage signal VGATE is floating (or indeterminate), the pin OD of the integrated gate driver U6 remains at a logic low level to prevent the activation of the heater 336. The signal output by the filter circuit formed by the resistor R30 and the capacitor C37 is called the filtered signal GATEON. R30 and R31 also form a voltage-dividing circuit so that the signal VGATE is divided to ~2.5V for the input of the transistor driver chip.

[0182] The transistors Q2 and Q3 are field effect transistors (FETs), which are connected in series between the voltage source BATT and the ground. In addition, the first end of the inductor L3 is connected to the voltage source BATT. The second end of the inductor L3 is connected to the first end of the capacitor C30 and the drain of the transistor Q2 at the node NODE12. The second end of the capacitor C30 is grounded. The inductor L3 and the capacitor C30 form a filter to reduce and / or prevent transient spikes from the voltage source BATT.

[0183] The gate of transistor Q3 is connected to the low-side gate driver pin DRVL (pin 5) of the integrated gate driver U6. The drain of transistor Q3 is connected to the switch node pin SWN (pin 7) of the integrated gate driver U6 at node NODE8, and the source of transistor Q3 is connected to ground GND. When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate driver pin DRVL is high, transistor Q3 is in a low-impedance state (ON), thereby connecting node NODE8 to ground.

[0184] As described above, since capacitor C31 is connected to the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020, capacitor C31 is charged to a voltage equal to or substantially equal to the input voltage signal VGATE through diode D2.

[0185] When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate drive pin DRVL is low, transistor Q3 switches to a high-impedance state (OFF), and the high-side gate drive pin DRVH (pin 8) is internally connected to the boost pin BST within the integrated gate driver U6. Thereby, transistor Q2 is in a low-impedance state (ON), connecting the switch node SWN to the voltage source BATT and pulling the switch node SWN (node 8) to the voltage of the voltage source BATT.

[0186] In this case, node NODE7 is boosted to the bootstrap voltage V(BST) ≈ V(VGATE) + V(BATT), which makes the gate-source voltage of transistor Q2 the same as or substantially the same as the voltage of the input voltage signal VGATE (e.g., V(VGATE)), independent of (or independent from) the voltage of the voltage source BATT. This circuit arrangement ensures that the BST voltage does not change as the voltage of the voltage source drops, i.e., the transistor can switch effectively even if the voltage of the voltage source BATT changes.

[0187] As a result, the switch node SWN (node 8) provides a high-current switching signal, which can be used to generate a voltage output to the second stage 7060 (and the voltage output to the heater 336). The maximum value of this voltage is equal to the battery voltage source BATT, but is otherwise substantially independent of the voltage output from the battery voltage source BATT.

[0188] The first end of capacitor C34 and the anode of zener diode D4 are connected to the output of the second stage 7060 at node NODE13. Capacitor C34 and resistor R28 are connected in series. The second end of capacitor C34 and the first end of resistor R28 are connected. The cathode of zener diode D4 and the second end of resistor R28 are grounded.

[0189] Capacitor C34, Zener diode D4, and resistor R28 form a back electromotive force (EMF, electric and magnetic field) protection circuit, which prevents energy from inductor L4 (as Figure 7C shown) from flowing back to the first stage 7040.

[0190] Resistor R25 is connected between the gate of transistor Q2 and the drain of transistor Q3. Resistor R25 acts as a pull-down resistor to ensure more reliable switching of transistor Q2 to a high impedance.

[0191] The output of the first stage 7040 is substantially independent of the voltage source voltage and is less than or equal to the voltage source voltage. When the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is 100% PWM, transistor Q2 is always on, and the output of the first stage 7040 is the voltage source voltage or substantially the voltage source voltage.

[0192] Figure 7C The second stage 7060 is shown. The second stage 7060 boosts the voltage of the output signal from the first stage 7040. More specifically, when the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is at a constant logic high level, the third enable signal COIL_X can be activated to boost the output of the first stage 7040. The third enable signal COIL_X is a PWM signal from the controller 2105. The controller 2105 controls the pulse width of the third enable signal COIL_X to boost the output of the first stage 7040 and generate the input voltage signal COIL_OUT. When the third enable signal COIL_X is at a constant logic low level, the output of the second stage 7060 is the output of the first stage 7040.

[0193] The second stage 7060 receives the input voltage signal VGATE, the third enable signal COIL_X, and the filter signal GATEON.

[0194] The second stage 7060 includes, but is not limited to, an integrated gate driver U7, which is configured to convert a low-current signal from the controller 2105 into a high-current signal for controlling the switches of the transistors of the second stage 7060. The integrated gate driver U7 is also configured to convert the voltage level from the controller 2105 into the voltage level required by the transistors of the second stage 7060. In Figure 7B the example embodiment shown, the integrated gate driver U7 is a half-bridge driver. However, the example embodiment should not be limited to this example.

[0195] More specifically, the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020 is input to the second stage 7060 through a filter circuit including resistor R18 and capacitor C28. The resistance value of resistor R18 can be 10 ohms, and the capacitance value of capacitor C28 is 1 microfarad.

[0196] A filter circuit including resistor R18 and capacitor C28 is connected to the VCC pin (pin 4) of integrated gate driver U7 and the anode of Zener diode D1 at node NODE14. The second end of capacitor C28 is grounded. The anode of Zener diode D2 is connected to the first end of capacitor C27 and the boost pin BST (pin 1) of integrated gate driver U7 at node NODE15. The second end of capacitor C27 is connected to the switch node pin SWN (pin 7) between transistors Q1 and Q4 of integrated gate driver U7 at node NODE16.

[0197] In Figure 7C the illustrated embodiment, Zener diode D1 and capacitor C27 form part of a bootstrap charge pump circuit that is connected between the input voltage pin VCC and the boost pin BST of integrated gate driver U7. Since capacitor C27 is connected to the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020, capacitor C27 is charged to a voltage almost equal to the input voltage signal VGATE through diode D1. Capacitor C31 can have a capacitance of 220 nanofarads.

[0198] Still referring to Figure 7C , resistor R21 is connected between the high-side gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) and the switch node pin SWN (pin 7). The gate of transistor Q4 is connected to the low-side gate driver pin DRVL (pin 5) of integrated data driver U7.

[0199] The first end of inductor L4 is connected to the output of the first stage 7040, and the second end of inductor L4 is connected to node NODE16. Inductor L4 serves as the main storage element for the output of the first stage 7040. In an example operation, when integrated gate driver U7 outputs a low-level signal from the low-side gate driver pin DRVL (pin 5), transistor Q4 switches to a low-impedance state (ON), allowing current to flow through inductor L4 and transistor Q4. This stores energy in inductor L4, and the current increases linearly with time. The current in the inductor is proportional to the switching frequency of the transistor (controlled by the third heater enable signal COIL_X).

[0200] Resistor R10 and capacitor C29 form a filter circuit connected to the input pin IN (pin 2) of integrated gate driver U7. This filter circuit is used to remove high-frequency noise in the third heater enable signal COIL_X input to the input pin IN.

[0201] Resistor R20 is connected to the filter circuit and input pin IN at node NODE17. Resistor R20 serves as a pull - down resistor such that if the third heater enable signal COIL_X is floating (or indeterminate), the input pin IN of integrated gate driver U7 remains at logic low to prevent activation of heater 336.

[0202] Resistor R30 and capacitor C37 form a filter circuit, which is connected to pin OD (pin 3) of integrated gate driver U6. This filter circuit is used to remove high - frequency noise in the input voltage signal VGATE input to pin OD.

[0203] Pin OD of integrated gate driver U7 receives the filtered signal GATEON.

[0204] Transistors Q1 and Q4 are field - effect transistors (FETs). The gate of transistor Q1 and the first end of resistor R21 are connected to the high - side gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) of integrated gate driver U7 at node NODE18.

[0205] The source of transistor Q1 is connected to the second end of resistor R21, the anode of zener diode D3, the drain of transistor Q4, the first end of capacitor C35, the second end of capacitor C27, and the switch node pin SWN (pin 7) of integrated gate driver U7 at node NODE16.

[0206] The gate of transistor Q4 is connected to the low - side gate driver pin DRVL (pin 5) of integrated gate driver U7 and the first end of resistor R27 at node NODE19. The source of transistor Q4 and the second end of resistor R27 are grounded.

[0207] The second end of capacitor C35 is connected to the first end of resistor R29. The second end of resistor R29 is grounded.

[0208] The drain of transistor Q1 is connected to the first end of capacitor C36, the cathode of zener diode D3, and the cathode of zener diode D5 at node NODE20. The second end of capacitor C36 and the anode of zener diode D5 are grounded. The output terminal 7065 of the second - stage 7060 is connected to node NODE20, outputting the input voltage signal COIL_OUT. Output terminal 7065 serves as the output of the heating engine control circuit 2127.

[0209] The capacitor C35 can be a smoothing capacitor, and the resistor limits the inrush current. The Zener diode D3 is a blocking diode that prevents the voltage in node NODE20 from discharging into the capacitor C35. The capacitor C36 is an output capacitor charged by the second stage 7060 (and reduces the ripple in COIL_OUT), and the Zener diode D5 is an ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection diode.

[0210] When the low-side gate drive signal output by the low-side gate driver pin DRVL is high, the transistor Q4 is in a low-impedance state (conducting), thereby grounding node NODE16 and increasing the energy stored in the magnetic field of the inductor L4.

[0211] As described above, since the capacitor C27 is connected to the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020, the capacitor C27 is charged to a voltage equal to or substantially equal to the input voltage signal VGATE through the diode D1.

[0212] When the low-side gate drive signal output by the low-side gate driver pin DRVL is low, the transistor Q4 switches to a high-impedance state (OFF), and the high-side gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) is internally connected to the bootstrap pin BST within the integrated gate driver U7. As a result, the transistor Q1 is in a low-impedance state (ON), thereby connecting the switch node SWN to the inductor L4.

[0213] In this case, node NODE15 is boosted to the bootstrap voltage V(BST) ≈ V(VGATE) + V(inductor), which makes the gate-source voltage of the transistor Q1 the same as or substantially the same as the voltage of the input voltage signal VGATE (e.g., V(VGATE)), regardless of (or independent of) the voltage of the inductor L4. Since the second stage 7060 is a boost circuit, the bootstrap voltage can also be referred to as the boost voltage.

[0214] The switch node SWN (NODE8) is connected to the inductor voltage and the output capacitor C36 is charged, thereby generating a voltage output signal COIL_OUT (the voltage output to the heater 336) that is substantially independent of the voltage output by the first stage 7040.

[0215] Figures 8A to 8B A method of controlling a heater in a non-flammable aerosol generating device according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0216] Many non-flammable devices preheat organic materials (such as tobacco) before use. The preheating is used to raise the temperature of the material to the point where the target compounds start to volatilize so that the first negative pressure applied by an adult operator contains an aerosol of appropriate volume and composition.

[0217] In at least some example embodiments, the energy applied during preheating is used as a basis for controlling the heater. Using the applied energy to control the heater can improve the quality and consistency of the first negative pressure applied by an adult operator. In contrast, time and temperature are typically used as a basis for controlling preheating.

[0218] Figure 8A - 8B The method can be implemented at the controller 2105. In one example, Figure 8A - 8B The method can be implemented as part of the implementation of the device manager finite state machine (FSM) software executed at the controller 2105.

[0219] As Figure 8A shown, the method includes applying a first power at S805 based on a first target preheating temperature. Figure 8B An example embodiment of S805 is further shown.

[0220] As Figure 8B shown, the controller detects that the cartridge is inserted into the aerosol generating device. In some example embodiments, the controller obtains a signal from an open / close switch coupled to the door, such as the switch Figure 1A - 1C shown. In other example embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes (or alternatively includes) a cartridge detection switch. The cartridge detection switch detects whether the cartridge is correctly inserted (e.g., when the cartridge is correctly inserted, the cartridge detection switch is pressed / closed). When the cartridge is correctly inserted, the controller may generate a signal PWR_EN_VGATE (as Figure 7A shown) as a logic high level. Additionally, the controller may perform a heater continuity check to determine that the cartridge has been inserted and that the heater resistance is within a specified range (e.g., ±20%).

[0221] After the cartridge is inserted (detected by the switch) and / or after the aerosol generating device 10 is turned on (e.g., by operating a button), the heater 336 can be powered by a low power signal (~1W) from the heating engine control circuit for a short period of time (~50 ms), and the resistance can be calculated based on the voltage and current measured during this energy pulse. If the measured resistance is within the specified range (e.g., nominal 2100 mΩ ± 20%), the cartridge is considered acceptable and the system can proceed with aerosol generation.

[0222] The low power and short duration are intended to provide the least amount of heating to the cartridge (to prevent any aerosol generation).

[0223] At S825, the controller obtains operating parameters from the memory. The operating parameters can include values identifying a maximum power level (Pmax), an initial preheat temperature, a subsequent preheat temperature, and a preheat energy threshold. For example, the operating parameters can be predetermined based on empirical data or adjusted based on measurements (such as voltage and current) obtained from the cartridge. However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally or alternatively, the operating parameters can include different initial preheat temperatures for subsequent instances of a multi-instance device. For example, the controller can obtain operating parameters for an initial instance and operating parameters for a second subsequent instance.

[0224] At S830, the controller can cause the aerosol-generating device to display an "on" state. The controller can cause the aerosol-generating device to generate a visual indication and / or a tactile feedback to display the "on" state.

[0225] At S835, the controller determines whether preheating has started. In some example embodiments, the controller can start preheating upon receiving an input from the on-product control that indicates that the consumer has pressed a button to start preheating. In some example embodiments, the button can be separate from the button that activates the aerosol-generating device, and in other example embodiments, the button can be the button that activates the aerosol-generating device. In other example embodiments, preheating can be started based on another input (such as sensing an airflow above a threshold level). In other example embodiments, the on-product control can allow an adult operator to select one or more temperature curves (each temperature curve associated with operating parameters stored in the memory).

[0226] If the controller determines that preheating has not started, the method proceeds to S880, where the controller determines whether a shutdown timer has expired. If the shutdown timer has not expired, the method returns to S830, and if the controller determines that the shutdown timer has expired, the controller causes the aerosol-generating device to display an "off" state at S885 and turn off the power at S890. The shutdown timer starts when the detected airflow is below a threshold level. The shutdown timer is used to display the "off" state based on a period of inactivity (such as 15 minutes). However, the example embodiments are not limited to 15 minutes. For example, the duration of the shutdown timer can be between about 5 minutes and about 60 minutes or longer.

[0227] If the controller determines at S835 that preheating has started (e.g., detects an input from the on-product control), the controller obtains operation parameters associated with the input from the on-product control from the memory. In an example where the aerosol generation instance is not the initial instance for the cartridge, the controller may obtain operation parameters associated with the instance number. For example, the memory may store different temperature targets based on the instance number (e.g., store different temperature targets for each instance number) and store different target energy levels for preheating based on the instance number.

[0228] The initial instance occurs when the controller detects that the cartridge has been removed and reinserted and the preheating algorithm is first started. Additionally, if the instance times out (e.g., after 8 minutes) or the consumer turns off the device during the instance, the instance number will increment.

[0229] After obtaining the operation parameters at S840, at S845, the controller may cause the aerosol generation device to display an indication that preheating has started via the aerosol indicator.

[0230] At S850, the controller boosts the power of the heater to the maximum available power (via the VGATE, COIL_Z, and COIL_X signals provided to the heating engine control circuit 2127) (e.g., the controller provides 10W of maximum available power within 200 milliseconds). More specifically, the controller requests the maximum power but ramps up to the maximum power to reduce the instantaneous load on the power supply. In an example implementation, the maximum available power is a set value based on the battery capacity and minimizes overshoot such that the aerosol-forming substrate is not burned by the heater (i.e., how much energy can be put into the aerosol-forming substrate without burning). The maximum available power can be set based on empirical evidence and can be between 10 - 15W. At S855, the controller provides the maximum available power until the controller determines that the target initial preheating temperature of the heater (e.g., 320°C) is approaching. While 320°C is used as an example target initial preheating temperature, it should be understood that the example implementation is not limited thereto. For example, the target initial preheating temperature can be less than 400°C, such as 350°C. Additionally, the target initial preheating temperature is based on the materials in the aerosol-forming substrate. The controller may use the measured voltage from the heater voltage measurement circuit (e.g., COIL_VOL) and the compensation voltage measurement circuit and the measured current from the heater current measurement circuit (e.g., COIL_RTN_I) to determine the temperature of the heater. The controller may determine the temperature of the heater 336 in any known manner (e.g., based on the relatively linear relationship between the resistance and temperature of the heater 336).

[0231] Additionally, the controller may use the measured current COIL_RTN_I and the measured voltage COIL_RTN to determine the resistance of the heater 336, i.e., the heater resistance R HEATER(e.g., using Ohm's law or other known methods). For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the controller can divide the measured voltage COIL_RTN (or the compensated voltage V COMP ) by the measured current COIL_RTN_I to obtain the heater resistance R HEATER .

[0232] In some example embodiments, the measured voltage COIL_RTN measured at the measurement contact for resistance calculation can be used for temperature control.

[0233] For example, the controller 2105 can use the following equation to determine (i.e., estimate) the temperature:

[0234] R HEATER = R0[1 + α(T - T0)]

[0235] where α is the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) value of the heater material, R0 is the starting resistance, T0 is the starting temperature, R HEATER is the current measured resistance value, and T is the estimated temperature.

[0236] The starting resistance R0 is stored in the memory 2130 by the controller 2105 during the initial preheating period. More specifically, when the power applied to the heater 336 reaches a value where the influence of the measurement error on the temperature calculation is small, the controller 2105 can measure the starting resistance R0. For example, when the power applied to the heater 336 is 1W (the resistance measurement error is approximately less than 1%), the controller 2105 can measure the starting resistance R0.

[0237] The starting temperature T0 is the ambient temperature when the controller 2105 measures the starting resistance R0. The controller 2105 can use the on-board thermistor to measure the starting temperature T0 or use any temperature measurement device to determine the starting temperature T0.

[0238] According to at least one example embodiment, a 10 ms (millisecond) measurement interval can be used to obtain measurement data from the heater current measurement circuit 21258 and the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 (since this may be the maximum sampling rate). However, in at least one other example embodiment, for resistance-based heater measurements, a 1 ms measurement interval (the tick rate of the system) can be used.

[0239] In other example embodiments, the determination of the heater temperature value can include obtaining the heater temperature value from a look-up table (LUT) based on the determined resistance. In certain example embodiments, a look-up table indexed according to the resistance change relative to the starting resistance can be used.

[0240] The lookup table can store multiple temperature values corresponding to multiple heater resistors respectively, and the obtained heater temperature value can be the temperature value corresponding to the determined resistor among the multiple temperature values stored in the lookup table.

[0241] In addition, the aerosol generating device 10 can store (e.g., in the memory 2130) a lookup table (LUT) that stores multiple heater resistance values as indexes for multiple respectively corresponding heater temperature values also stored in the lookup table. Thus, the controller can estimate the current temperature of the heater 336 by using the previously determined heater resistance R HEATER as an index of the lookup table to identify (e.g., look up) the corresponding heater temperature T from the heater temperatures stored in the lookup table.

[0242] Once the controller determines that the target initial preheating temperature is about to be reached, the controller starts to reduce the power applied to the heater to a medium power level to avoid temperature overshoot at S855.

[0243] A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller (as Figure 9 shown) applies proportional control according to the error signal (i.e., the target temperature minus the currently determined temperature). Thus, when the error signal decreases to zero, the controller 2105 starts to reduce the applied power (which is mainly controlled by the proportional term (P) of the PID controller, but the integral term (I) and the derivative term also contribute).

[0244] The P, I, and D values balance overshoot, delay, and steady-state error with each other and control how the PID controller adjusts its output. The P, I, and D values can be obtained through experience or simulation.

[0245] Figure 9 A block diagram of a temperature heating engine control algorithm according to at least some example embodiments is shown.

[0246] Referring Figure 9 , the temperature heating engine control algorithm 900 uses a PID controller 970 to control the power applied to the heating engine control circuit 2127 to achieve the desired temperature. For example, as discussed in more detail below, according to at least some example embodiments, the temperature heating engine control algorithm 900 includes obtaining a determined temperature value 974 (e.g., determined as described above); obtaining a target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 976) from the memory 2130; and controlling the power level supplied to the heater by a PID controller (e.g., PID controller 970) based on the determined heater temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0247] In addition, according to at least some example embodiments, the target temperature 976 serves as a set point (i.e., temperature set point) in the PID control loop controlled by the PID controller 970.

[0248] Accordingly, the PID controller 970 continuously corrects the level of the power control signal 972 to control the power waveform 930 (i.e., COIL_X and COIL_Z) output by the power level setting operation 944 to the heating engine control circuit 2127, such that the difference (e.g., the magnitude of the difference) between the target temperature 976 and the determined temperature 974 is reduced or minimized. The difference between the target temperature 976 and the determined temperature 974 can also be regarded as the error value that the PID controller 970 operates to reduce or minimize.

[0249] For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the power level setting operation 944 outputs the power waveform 930 such that the level of the power waveform 930 is controlled by the power control signal 972. The heating engine control circuit 2127 increases or decreases the amount of power supplied by the power supply 1234 to the heater 336 in a manner proportional to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of the power level of the power level waveform output to the heating engine control circuit 2127. Accordingly, by controlling the power control signal 972, the PID controller 970 controls the power level (e.g., supplied by the power supply 1234) provided to the heater 336 such that the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value (e.g., the target temperature 976) and the determined temperature value (e.g., the determined temperature 974) is reduced or minimized.

[0250] According to at least some example embodiments, the PID controller 970 may operate according to known PID control methods. According to at least some example embodiments, the PID controller 970 may generate two or more terms from the proportional term (P), the integral term (I), and the derivative term (D), and the PID controller 970 may use these two or more terms to adjust or correct the power control signal 972 according to known methods. In some example embodiments, the same PID settings may be used for the initial and subsequent preheating phases.

[0251] In other example embodiments, different PID settings may be used for each phase (e.g., if the temperature targets for the initial and subsequent preheating are substantially different).

[0252] Figure 10 An example manner in which the level of the power waveform 930 may vary over time is shown, as the PID controller 970 continuously corrects the power control signal 972 provided to the power level setting operation 944. Figure 10 An example manner in which the level of the power waveform 930 may vary upon reaching a temperature threshold and an energy threshold is shown. Figure 10 The power in is COIL_VOL * COIL_CUR. In Figure 10 when the temperature approaches the set point, the PID loop will start from the maximum power P MAXReduce the applied power to reduce overshoot of the target temperature.

[0253] This will be discussed in more detail below Figure 10 .

[0254] Referring again to Figure 8A , at S810, the controller determines the estimated energy that has been delivered to the heater as part of applying the first power.

[0255] As Figure 8B shown and discussed previously, the controller controls the power supplied to the heater at S855. At S860, the controller determines whether the estimated energy applied to the heater has reached a preheat energy threshold. More specifically, the controller integrates the power delivered to the heater since the start of preheating to estimate the energy delivered to the heater. In an example implementation, the controller determines the power applied to the heater per millisecond (Power = COIL_VOL * COIL_CUR) and uses the determined power as part of the integration.

[0256] If the controller determines that the preheat energy threshold has not been reached, the method proceeds to S855, where power is supplied to the heater as part of the heater preheating process.

[0257] When the controller determines that the applied energy has reached the preheat energy threshold (e.g., 75 J), at S865, the controller causes the aerosol generating device to output a preheat complete indication via the aerosol indicator.

[0258] Referring to Figure 8A and 8B , when the preheat energy threshold is reached, the controller applies a second power to the heater at S815. The second power can be less than the first power.

[0259] The controller changes the target initial preheat temperature of the heater to a subsequent preheat temperature (e.g., 300 °C), and the controller uses the temperature control algorithm described in Figure 9 to correspondingly reduce the input power to the second power. The subsequent preheat temperature can be based on empirical data and is lower than the target initial preheat temperature. In some example implementations, the subsequent preheat temperature can be based on the number of times a negative pressure is applied to the device with the capsule in the device.

[0260] Although Figure 8B and Figure 10 show preheating to the subsequent preheat temperature target, an adult operator can start aerosol generation after reaching the initial preheat temperature target. More specifically, when it is detected that an adult operator applies a negative pressure and the initial preheat temperature target is reached, the controller 2105 can initiate aerosol generation (i.e., apply power to the heater such that the heater reaches a temperature sufficient to generate aerosol).

[0261] The preheating energy threshold can be determined based on empirical data and is determined to be the energy sufficient to generate a desired / selected amount of aerosol when applying a negative pressure above the pressure threshold.

[0262] At S875, an adult operator can apply a negative pressure to the aerosol generating device. In response, the aerosol generating device heats the pre - atomization formulation in the capsule to generate an aerosol.

[0263] By using the applied energy as a factor to control the heater temperature and / or the heating process, the sensory experience and energy efficiency are improved, thus saving battery power.

[0264] Figure 10 is shown Figure 8A - 8B A timing diagram of the method shown in is presented. At T1, preheating starts and the controller increases the power to apply a first power to the heater, which is the maximum power P in this example. MAX . At T2, the controller determines that the heater is approaching the initial preheating target temperature TEMP1 (due to the decreasing error signal in the PID control loop) and starts to reduce the applied power from P MAX to an intermediate power P INT to avoid temperature overshoot. The reduction to the intermediate power P INT includes at least two intervals INT1 and INT2. The controller reduces the power at a faster rate (i.e., a greater slope) during interval INT2. Interval INT2 has a smaller rate of change to allow the intermediate power P to be reached substantially simultaneously when the controller determines that the initial preheating temperature TEMP1 has been reached. INT . The PID settings for preheating may be the same for intervals INT1 and INT2 (e.g., P = 100, I = 0.25, and D = 0). The change in power application during intervals INT1 and INT2 is the result of the decreasing temperature error signal.

[0265] At time T3, the controller determines that the initial preheating temperature TEMP1 has been reached. At time T4, the controller determines that the applied energy reaches the preheating energy threshold and reduces the power to a second power P2 to maintain the heater temperature at a subsequent preheating temperature TEMP2.

[0266] From the intermediate power P INT to the second power P2, the transition includes two intervals INT3 and INT4. In interval INT3, the controller reduces the power at a first slope. In interval INT4, the controller increases the power at a slope with an amplitude less than the first slope. When the power is P DIP , the controller starts interval INT4, which is the P DIP to the second power P2.

[0267] According to one or more example embodiments, a (non-combustible) aerosol-generating device may determine the effectiveness of an inserted cartridge based on the length of time of the maximum power applied to a heater, a measured heating characteristic and / or a heating characteristic waveform (also referred to as a curve) of at least a portion of the cartridge (such as the heater and / or the aerosol-forming substrate), and control the aerosol-generating device based on the determined cartridge effectiveness. The aerosol-generating device may measure and record the heating characteristic and / or the heating characteristic waveform in real time.

[0268] According to one or more example embodiments, the aerosol-generating device may be configured to determine the effectiveness of a cartridge during a preheating of the cartridge and enable or disable further preheating and / or aerosol generation based on whether the cartridge is a valid cartridge.

[0269] Among other things, the aerosol-generating device may include a controller and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the aerosol-generating device to: apply power to the heater during a preheating interval; record, during at least a portion of the preheating interval, one or more heating characteristic waveforms generated by applying power to the heater during the preheating interval; and determine whether the cartridge is valid based on the one or more heating characteristic waveforms and / or the length of time of applying the maximum power to the heater. The maximum power applied to the heater may be measured directly.

[0270] According to one or more example embodiments, one or more heating characteristics and / or characteristic waveforms (such as during at least a portion of an initial preheating from an initial temperature (such as room temperature) to an initial preheating temperature target) may be associated with a plurality of physical variables in the cartridge construction. These physical variables may include, for example: (i) the composition of the aerosol-forming substrate (such as organic plant material, etc.) in terms of thermal mass, thermal conductivity within the aerosol-forming substrate mass, thermal contact with the heater, etc., which changes as the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted; (ii) the construction of the heater in terms of surface area, thermal mass, temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), structural integrity (such as partial short circuits caused by the individual elements of the heater coming into contact with each other), etc.; and / or (iii) the materials used in the cartridge body (such as the thermal mass and electrical conductivity of the materials), such as the housing or housing assembly of the cartridge, where the material used for the housing and its thickness may have a relatively strong influence on the heating characteristics of the cartridge.

[0271] These physical variables may indicate the effectiveness of the aerosol-forming substrate and / or the cartridge construction. Thus, a deviation from an expected heating characteristic (and / or heating characteristic waveform) may be utilized to determine whether a cartridge inserted into the aerosol-generating device is a valid cartridge (such as whether the cartridge is genuine (or counterfeit), whether the cartridge meets relatively strict production standards (sufficient quality), whether the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted or substantially depleted, etc.).

[0272] As described herein, a valid cartridge may refer to, for example, a genuine, properly manufactured cartridge (e.g., a cartridge having an appropriate or sufficient quality and within manufacturing tolerances or relatively strict production standards), a cartridge that has not been damaged or tampered with prior to insertion into an aerosol-generating device, a non-depleted cartridge (e.g., fully depleted), etc.

[0273] One or more heating characteristic waveforms may include a recorded resistance waveform (also referred to as a characteristic resistance signature), an applied power waveform (also referred to as an applied power signature), and / or a recorded temperature waveform (also referred to as a characteristic temperature waveform). One or more heating characteristic waveforms may be acquired during preheating of the heater to a target preheat temperature. According to one or more example embodiments, an airflow waveform may also be recorded. The airflow waveform may be used to compensate for (or mask) perturbations introduced in other waveforms. The period of time during which one or more heating characteristic waveforms are recorded may be referred to as the validity determination period.

[0274] According to at least one example embodiment, the controller may determine whether a cartridge is valid based on a comparison between one or more heating characteristic waveforms and corresponding one or more expected heating characteristic envelopes (also referred to as profiles, signatures, or waveforms). As described herein, one or more expected heating characteristic envelopes may more generally be referred to as cartridge validity information, cartridge verification information, or cartridge authentication information. Cartridge verification information may be stored in a memory. In one example, the cartridge verification information may be stored in a look-up table (LUT).

[0275] One or more expected heating characteristic envelopes may include one or more expected resistance curve envelopes, expected power curve envelopes, and / or expected temperature curve envelopes that are expected in response to applying power to the heater in the cartridge during preheating. The controller may compare one or more heating characteristic waveforms recorded during preheating with the corresponding waveforms in one or more expected heating characteristic envelopes to determine whether the cartridge inserted into the aerosol-generating device is valid.

[0276] The expected resistance curve envelope may be defined as upper and lower resistance limits for each 1 millisecond time step or timer interval "tick" (e.g., at least a portion of the preheat interval). The expected power curve envelope may be defined as upper and lower power limits for each 1 millisecond time step or timer interval "tick". The expected temperature curve envelope may be defined as upper and lower temperature limits for each 1 millisecond time step or timer interval "tick".

[0277] The upper and lower limits for each of the one or more expected heating characteristic envelopes for each 1 millisecond tick may be set as needed based on, for example, empirical evidence or test results obtained from known valid cartridges.

[0278] In one example, a tolerance of approximately ±5% from the nominal value can be used as the upper and lower limits. However, the example embodiments should not be limited to this example. Instead, in another example, a more stringent tolerance (e.g., approximately ±1% from the nominal value) can be used at the start of the waveform, and the tolerance can increase as the waveform progresses. This may reflect practical considerations that at the start of the waveform, the curve may be better controlled (e.g., dominated by the heater structure) than at the end of the waveform, while at the end of the waveform, the curve may be dominated by more variable effects such as tobacco components, heat conduction, etc.

[0279] This will be referred to later with reference to Figures 13 - 19 the example heating characteristic waveforms.

[0280] The example embodiments will be discussed in more detail below in connection with the previously described devices and electrical systems (e.g., Figures 1A - 10 ). However, the example embodiments should not be limited to these examples.

[0281] Figure 11A and Figure 11B shows a flowchart of a control method of an aerosol-generating device according to an example embodiment.

[0282] For illustration purposes, the operations performed by the controller 2105 in Figure 3 will be described for the example embodiments shown in Figure 11A and 11B . However, the example embodiments should not be limited to this example. Figure 11A and 11B The methods shown in can be described as being performed by an aerosol-generating device including at least one processor and a memory storing computer-executable instructions, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the aerosol-generating device to perform the operations of one or more example embodiments. Additionally, the processor, the memory, and the example algorithms encoded as computer program code can be used as means for providing or causing the execution of the operations discussed herein.

[0283] Referring to Figure 11A and 11B , at S820, the controller 2105 detects that the cartridge 100 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 10 in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to S820 in Figure 8B .

[0284] At S825, the controller 2105 obtains the operation parameters from the memory 2130 in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to S825 in Figure 8B .

[0285] At S830, the controller 2105 causes the aerosol-generating device 10 to display an "on" state in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 8B S830 therein.

[0286] At S835, the controller 2105 determines whether preheating of the aerosol-generating device 10 has started in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 8B S835 therein.

[0287] If the controller 2105 determines that preheating has not started, then at S880, the controller 2105 determines whether a shutdown timer has expired. The shutdown timer is used to display an "off" state based on inactivity for a period of time (e.g., 15 minutes). However, the example embodiments are not limited to 15 minutes. For example, the duration of the shutdown timer can be between about 5 minutes and about 60 minutes or longer. In one example, the shutdown timer can be started when the cartridge 100 is inserted (and the aerosol-generating device 10 is on).

[0288] If the shutdown timer has not expired, the method returns to S830 and continues as discussed herein.

[0289] Returning to S880, if the controller 2105 determines that the shutdown timer has expired, then the controller 2105 causes the aerosol-generating device 10 to display an "off" state at S885 and turn off the power at S890, as discussed above with respect to Figure 8B therein.

[0290] Returning to S835, if the controller 2105 determines that preheating has started (e.g., an input from the product on-control is detected), then at S1140, the controller 2105 obtains operation parameters related to the input from the product on-control from the memory 2130 in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 8B S840 therein. Also at S1140, the controller 2105 starts a preheating timer at the clock circuit 2128. The preheating timer tracks the current preheating time interval of the cartridge 100.

[0291] After obtaining the operation parameters and starting the preheating timer at S1140, at S845, the controller 2105 causes the aerosol-generating device 10 to display an indication that preheating has started via the aerosol indicator 2135 in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 8B S845 therein.

[0292] At S1156, the controller 2105 starts a maximum power timer and a preheat monitoring timer. The preheat monitoring timer is a timer that defines the length of a measurement window for recording a sample for subsequent cartridge effectiveness checking of the cartridge 100. In one example, the measurement window may be about 7 seconds. The maximum power timer tracks the length of time the system is at maximum power (e.g., applying the maximum available power to the heater 336).

[0293] Go to Figure 11B , at S855, the controller 2105 applies power (activates) to the heater 336. In one example, the controller 2105 causes the heating engine control circuit 2127 to provide the maximum available power (e.g., about 10 W) to the heater 336 in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 8B S850 (by signals VGATE, COIL_Z, and COIL_X provided to the heating engine control circuit 2127).

[0294] In one example, the controller 2105 causes the heating engine control circuit 2127 to apply the maximum available power until the controller 2105 determines that the target initial preheat temperature (e.g., 320 °C) of the heater 336 is approaching. The controller 2105 can determine that the target initial preheat temperature (e.g., 320 °C) of the heater 336 is approaching in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 8B discussed.

[0295] Although Figure 11A and 11B are not shown, if an adult operator aspirates (e.g., applies sufficient negative pressure) the aerosol generating device 10 during preheating (e.g., negative pressure sufficient to trigger the sensor 1248 to detect the air flow and activate the aerosol generating device 10), the controller 2105 can measure the air flow rate through the aerosol generating device 10 and compensate for the resulting change in the heating characteristics accordingly. The controller 2105 can measure the air flow rate based on the information from the sensor 1248 in any known manner.

[0296] The controller 2105 can compensate for the resulting change in the heating characteristics by ignoring (or alternatively filtering out) the recorded measurement values during the air flow duration and a subsequent stabilization period. In one example, the stabilization period may be the same or substantially the same as the length of the air flow event. In this example, the affected period will not be included in the cartridge 100 effectiveness check.

[0297] In another example, the controller 2105 can use a mathematical transform to correct the waveform cooling effect caused by the air flow.

[0298] In another example, the controller 2105 may calculate an estimated cooling effect of the air flow and a power surge / resistance change caused by the cooling effect based on, for example, a state-space model of the system. Then, the estimated changes may form an array of correction factors that the controller 2105 can subtract / add as needed (e.g., subtract the power surge and add the resistance reduction) to correct and / or compensate for the heating feature waveform.

[0299] By compensating for the resulting changes, the occurrence of false positives due to the application of negative pressure during preheating can be reduced and / or prevented.

[0300] Reference Figure 11B , at S1160, the controller 2105 records the power applied to the heater 336 and measures and records one or more of a plurality of heating features of the heater 336 at each 1 millisecond tick (time step) during the measurement window to generate / obtain one or more heating feature waveforms of the heater 336 (e.g., the recorded resistance waveform, the applied power waveform, and / or the recorded temperature waveform). As described above, the controller 2105 may also record the air flow waveform, which can be used, for example, to compensate (or mask) interference caused in other waveforms.

[0301] More specifically, for example, to generate the recorded resistance waveform, the controller 2105 may measure the resistance of the heater 336 at each 1 ms time step based on the well-known formula and the voltage measured across the heater 336 and the current flowing through the heater 336. The measured current flowing through the heater 336 may be provided by the current measurement circuit 21258 or determined based on information provided by the current measurement circuit 21258. The measured voltage across the heater 336 may be provided by the voltage measurement circuit 21252 or determined based on information provided by the voltage measurement circuit 21252. Alternatively, the controller 2105 may continuously calculate and / or monitor the resistance of the heater 336 to generate the recorded resistance waveform.

[0302] To generate the applied power waveform, the controller 2105 may calculate the instantaneous power passing through the heater 336 at each 1 millisecond time step based on the well-known formula P = I × V and the voltage measured across the heater 336 and the current flowing through the heater 336. The voltage measured across the heater 336 and the current flowing through the heater 336 may be provided in the same or substantially the same manner as described above for resistance measurement. Alternatively, the controller 2105 may continuously calculate and / or monitor the power applied to the heater 336 to generate the applied power waveform.

[0303] To generate the temperature waveform, the controller 2105 may do so in the same manner as described above regarding Figure 8BThe temperature of heater 336 is calculated in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed for S855 at each 1 millisecond time step. Alternatively, controller 2105 may continuously calculate and / or monitor the temperature of heater 336 to generate a recorded temperature waveform.

[0304] To generate an airflow waveform, controller 2105 may record the measurements provided, for example, continuously or at each 1 millisecond time step by sensor 1248 in memory 2130.

[0305] Example heating characteristic waveforms will be discussed in more detail later.

[0306] Still referring to Figure 11B , at S1162, controller 2105 determines the power (e.g., instantaneous power) P currently applied to heater 336 APPLIED (e.g., at the next 1 millisecond time step) is below the maximum available power P MAX . In one example, when the temperature of heater 336 approaches (or reaches) the target initial preheat temperature (e.g., about 320 °C), the power applied to heater 336 may be below the maximum available power. For example, if controller 2105 determines that the temperature of heater 336 is approaching the target initial preheat temperature, then controller 2105 may begin reducing the power applied to heater 336 to an intermediate power level to avoid temperature overshoot. According to one or more example embodiments, continuing to apply the maximum available power to heater 336 may indicate that the temperature of heater 336 has not reached the target initial preheat temperature. According to at least one other example embodiment, controller 2105 may use a heater power target instead of power P in the check performed at S1162 APPLIED .

[0307] If the power applied to heater 336 is not below the maximum available power (the maximum available power is still applied to heater 336), then at S1168, controller 2105 determines whether the preheat monitoring timer has expired (or reached the maximum preheat measurement window threshold). As described above, an example length of the preheat monitoring timer (or the value of the maximum preheat measurement window threshold) may be about 7 seconds.

[0308] If the preheat monitoring timer has not expired, the process returns to S855 and continues as discussed herein.

[0309] Return to S1168. If the controller 2105 determines that the preheat monitoring timer has expired, then at S1170, the controller 2105 determines whether the capsule 100 is a valid (or genuine) capsule based on one or more recorded heating characteristic waveforms stored in the memory 2130 and one or more corresponding expected heating characteristic envelopes. The controller 2105 can determine whether the capsule is valid based on a comparison between one or more recorded characteristic waveforms and the corresponding one or more expected heating characteristic envelopes. An example implementation of the validity determination at S1170 will be discussed in more detail later in conjunction with Figure 12 for a more detailed discussion.

[0310] If the controller 2105 determines at S1170 that the capsule 100 is not a valid capsule, then at S1176, the controller 2105 terminates the power supply to the heater 336. In one example, the controller 2105 can terminate the power supply to the heater 336 in the same or substantially the same manner as the discussion of 6550 above with respect to Figure 6B in.

[0311] At S1180, the controller 2105 then outputs a fault indication through the aerosol indicator 2135. In one example, the fault indication can be in the form of sound, visual display, and / or tactile feedback. For example, the indication can be a flashing red LED, a software message containing an error code (e.g., sent via Bluetooth) to an "App" connected to a remote electronic device, any combination thereof, and so on.

[0312] Return to S1170. If the controller 2105 determines that the capsule 100 is valid, then at S1174, the controller 2105 allows continued preheating and allows aerosol generation. In this case, in response to an adult operator applying negative pressure to the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device 10 can heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the capsule 100 to generate aerosol.

[0313] Return to S1162. If the controller 2105 determines that the applied power is less than the maximum available power, then at S1164, the controller 2105 stops the maximum power timer.

[0314] At S1166, the controller 2105 then determines whether the value of the maximum power timer is within an acceptable range (e.g., between a minimum value and a maximum value). In one example, the maximum timer value may be approximately 5 seconds, while the minimum timer value may be approximately 2.5 seconds.

[0315] If the controller 2105 determines that the value of the maximum power timer is within the acceptable range (e.g., greater than or equal to the minimum timer value but less than or equal to the maximum timer value), the process proceeds to S1168 and continues as described above.

[0316] Return to S1166. If the controller 2105 determines that the value of the maximum power timer is outside the acceptable range, the process proceeds to S1176 and continues as described above.

[0317] Although the above has been described in connection with Figure 11A and 11B the case where an adult operator initiates preheating, the example embodiments can also be used before an adult operator initiates preheating (e.g., during a pre-check of the validity, authenticity, and / or integrity of the bladder 100). In this example, an authentication routine can be run autonomously (e.g., when the bladder is inserted) before indicating to the adult operator that the bladder 100 is valid and can be preheated.

[0318] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing a method for determining whether a bladder is valid (e.g., at S1170 in Figure 11B ) according to an example embodiment.

[0319] Referring to Figure 12 , at S1210, the controller 2105 determines whether one or more recorded heating characteristic waveforms are within the corresponding one or more expected heating characteristic envelopes. In one example, the controller 2105 can compare the recorded resistance waveform with an expected resistance curve envelope (defined as the upper and lower resistance for each 1 millisecond tick) to determine whether the recorded resistance value for each 1 millisecond tick is within the range of the expected resistance at the corresponding point in the expected resistance curve envelope; the controller 2105 can compare the applied power waveform with an expected power curve envelope (defined as the upper and lower power for each 1 millisecond tick) to determine whether the recorded power value for each 1 millisecond tick is within the range of the expected power at the corresponding point in the expected power curve envelope; and / or the controller 2105 can compare the recorded temperature waveform with an expected temperature curve envelope (defined as the upper and lower temperature for each 1 millisecond tick) to determine whether the recorded temperature value for each 1 millisecond tick is within the range of the expected temperature at the corresponding point in the expected temperature curve envelope.

[0320] According to an example embodiment, the length of any or all of the expected heating characteristic envelopes can be interpolated or decimated as needed to match the length of the recorded heating characteristic waveforms (e.g., to match the length of the measurement window and / or depending on the actual length of the preheating).

[0321] Still referring to Figure 12 , if at least a portion (e.g., one or more data points) of one or more (e.g., any) recorded heating characteristic waveforms exceeds the boundaries of the corresponding expected heating characteristic envelopes, the controller 2105 determines at S1240 that the bladder is invalid.

[0322] Return to S1210. If each of one or more recorded heating characteristic waveforms is within the corresponding expected heating characteristic envelope, then at S1220, the controller 2105 determines whether there are any sharp positive or negative gradients in the one or more heating characteristic waveforms.

[0323] In at least one example implementation, the controller 2105 determines whether there are any sharp positive or negative gradients in the recorded resistance waveform by comparing two resistance values separated by a given time period (referred to herein as the gradient threshold time period or measurement window). The length of the time period can be as small as one sample (e.g., about 1 millisecond), but can also include multiple samples. In one example, the time period can be 64 samples (about 64 milliseconds) to ensure that the system can detect lower gradients (although still gradients outside the normal operating system's expectations). In one example, the maximum allowable rate of change of resistance can be about 3% per 64 milliseconds. However, the example implementations should not be limited to this example. Instead, the maximum allowable rate of change of resistance can be greater than or equal to about 3%. Additionally, for different (e.g., smaller) time periods, the maximum allowable change in resistance can be less than 3% (e.g., about 1% or 2%).

[0324] If the magnitude (positive or negative) percentage change (resistance percentage change) between two resistance values separated by a period of time exceeds (is greater than) a threshold (percentage change threshold), then it is determined that there is a sharp gradient in the recorded waveform. The percentage change threshold can be set to be greater than the resistance change that can be expected due to normal heating or cooling effects (e.g., the percentage threshold can be a physically impossible value). In one example, the percentage change threshold can be about 3%. However, the example implementations should not be limited to this example.

[0325] Still referring to Figure 12 , if the controller 2105 determines that there is a sharp positive or negative gradient in the recorded resistance waveform, then the controller 2105 determines that the bladder is invalid at S1240.

[0326] Return to S1220. If the controller 2105 determines that there is no sharp positive or negative gradient in the recorded resistance waveform, then the controller 2105 determines that the bladder is valid at S1230.

[0327] Figure 11A , 11BThe example embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are discussed with respect to the initiation of inserting a cartridge into an aerosol-generating device (e.g., at S820). These example embodiments can be used with a newly inserted cartridge. According to at least some example embodiments, subsequent pre-heat verification (e.g., after a period of time between operations, such as after powering off and powering on) can be omitted because the cartridge has been verified during initial pre-heating and the aerosol-generating device has not detected that the cartridge has not been removed and a new cartridge has not been inserted. However, the example embodiments should not be limited to this example. Instead, the example embodiments can also be used to re-verify the cartridge for subsequent operations by an adult operator (e.g., after powering off and powering on). In this case, step S820 can be omitted from the process, and the method can be initiated or triggered, for example, when power is turned on.

[0328] In at least one example, for re-verification, the tolerance of the waveform can be increased (e.g., increased to about ±30%), and the allowable range of the maximum power timer at S1166 can be increased to, for example, between about 1 second and about 5 seconds. These changes may be sufficient to accommodate a cartridge that is now at least partially depleted but can still detect serious errors that occur during operation.

[0329] Alternatively, the tolerance and the rated value of the timer can be decreased in a more controlled manner (e.g., by estimating the depletion of the cartridge based on the cumulative length of operation to date or by the number of puffs by an adult operator after inserting the cartridge).

[0330] Furthermore, for re-verification, the discontinuity check at S1220 in Figure 12 can be omitted because these features may not be affected by cartridge depletion.

[0331] Figure 13 is a graph showing a recorded waveform of a valid cartridge according to an example embodiment.

[0332] Figure 14 is Figure 13 an enlarged view of a portion of the recorded waveform in Figure 14 The graph in

[0333] Reference Figure 13 and 14 , the recorded waveform includes a characteristic temperature waveform (in degrees Celsius), a characteristic resistance waveform (in mΩ), and a waveform of the applied power (in mW). As described above, the characteristic temperature waveform shows the characteristic temperature rise time and can be mathematically derived from the measured resistance value of the heater (e.g., heater 336). The characteristic resistance waveform may be affected by the heater itself and / or the organic material in contact with heater 336.

[0334] In this example, for a valid cartridge, once the preheat temperature is reached (e.g., after about 5 seconds), the resistance of the heater becomes substantially stable. The stable heater resistance may cause artifacts, as Figure 14 more clearly shown in

[0335] The applied power waveform shows the time of the maximum power (also referred to as the "maximum power time" feature or interval), which is about 4 seconds in this example. As shown, the maximum power is about 10 W. At the end of the maximum power time interval, a power drop occurs, where the power of the heater drops to a steady state (e.g., about 4 W). The power drop may be a system characteristic and may be affected by the organic substances in contact with the heater, the PID settings, the quality of the heater, etc.

[0336] Figure 15 is a graph showing the recorded waveforms of degraded cartridges and invalid cartridges according to an example embodiment.

[0337] Figure 16 is Figure 15 an enlarged view of the waveform in Figure 16 The graph in

[0338] Figure 15 and 16 The waveforms shown are examples related to degraded cartridges, where the degradation is caused by the exhaustion of organic substances through the previous operation of the aerosol generating device, resulting in a change in the thermal response. However, deviations similar to the waveforms shown in Figure 13 and 14 can be used to detect other types of invalid cartridges (e.g., incorrect organic substances, incorrect heater quality, etc.).

[0339] As Figure 15 shown, relative to the examples shown in Figure 13 and 14 the "maximum power time" interval is reduced from about 4 seconds to about 2 seconds. In addition, the power drop is more severe than the example shown in Figure 13 There is also additional noise in the applied power, indicating that the system may have an excessive thermal response (e.g., relatively small power fluctuations result in relatively large temperature changes). The resistance of the heater also stabilizes and reaches the preheat temperature within about 2 seconds, while Figure 13 the example shown in

[0340] Figure 17 is a diagram showing the recorded waveform of another example of a valid cartridge according to an example embodiment. Figure 17The waveform shown is associated with an effective cartridge when using a second preheat during an air flow (or aspiration) event.

[0341] As Figure 17 shown, an air flow event during initial preheat does not affect the applied power because the maximum available power has already been applied to the heater. However, this air flow does cool the system, which results in a decrease in resistance (e.g., a relatively small decrease). A subsequent air flow event after the power applied to the heater drops below the maximum available power (e.g., for about 4 seconds) cools the heater. Therefore, the power applied to the heater increases to maintain the temperature of the heater. This increased power continues after the air flow event ends (e.g., about 1 second later) when the system recovers from the lost energy. In one example, the system can compensate for the air flow by ignoring the feature for a duration of about twice the air flow event.

[0342] In Figure 17 the example shown, the maximum power time interval is about 2.5 seconds. Compared with Figure 13 the example shown (where the maximum power time interval is about 4 seconds), a reduction in the length of the maximum power time interval may indicate that the cartridge has been heated previously but not fully depleted, and thus is still an effective cartridge.

[0343] Figure 18 A graph showing a recorded waveform of another ineffective cartridge according to an example embodiment.

[0344] Figure 19 Is Figure 18 an enlarged view of the waveform shown. Figure 19 The graph in

[0345] Figure 18 And 19 the waveforms shown in

[0346] show an example of a sharp negative gradient in the characteristic resistance waveform due to a heater failure within the cartridge (e.g., due to an intermittent heater short). Figure 18 And 19 shown, the "maximum power time" interval is about 4 seconds, and the power drop is substantially the same as that of Figure 13 the effective cartridge shown. However, in the characteristic resistance waveform, the heater failure results in a discontinuous or sharp negative gradient (sharp drop) in the resistance measurement for a period of time. In at least some cases, this discontinuity may be more likely to occur in the initial stage of heating, e.g., due to a thermal shock to the heater.

[0347] As described above with respect to Figure 12Similar to the discussion of S1220 in [reference], discontinuities or sharp negative gradients can be detected by monitoring gradient shifts in the characteristic resistance waveform that are greater than the expected gradient shifts due to heating or cooling. In one example, a gradient shift within a single 1 millisecond sample that is greater than approximately 3% of the previous resistance value may indicate a discontinuity in the resistance waveform. In another example, a gradient shift within a 64 millisecond interval that is greater than approximately 3% of the previous resistance value may indicate a discontinuity in the resistance waveform.

[0348] One or more example embodiments provide a mechanism (e.g., during preheating of the capsule) for determining the authenticity and / or integrity (e.g., degradation) of a capsule based on thermal characteristics of the capsule (e.g., the temperature rise time of a heater indicated by the current power demand), e.g., during preheating of the capsule. Determining the authenticity and / or integrity of the capsule may also be referred to as performing an authenticity and / or integrity check. In one example, the authenticity and / or integrity check may indicate whether the capsule is constructed well enough (e.g., whether the organic material is in sufficient thermal contact with the heater) to generate an aerosol.

[0349] One or more other example embodiments provide a mechanism for detecting reuse of a capsule based on thermal characteristics of the capsule (e.g., the temperature rise time of a heater indicated by the current power demand), e.g., during preheating of the capsule. In one example, the capsule reuse detection may indicate whether the organic material (e.g., the aerosol - generating substrate) in the capsule has a sufficient volatile content to generate an aerosol. An insufficient volatile content for aerosol generation may be the result of the capsule having been previously inserted into an aerosol - generating device and the aerosol - generating substrate having been heated by the aerosol - generating device for any length of time. In one example, it may be determined that the capsule has previously been heated by the aerosol - generating device for more than a threshold time period (e.g., 1 s, 2 s, 5 s, etc.). Thus, a reused capsule may refer to a capsule that has previously been inserted into an aerosol - generating device and heated by the aerosol - generating device for any length of time.

[0350] In the case of poor construction (authenticity and / or integrity check) and pre - heating (capsule reuse detection), the proportion of energy conducted to the aerosol - generating substrate within a given time is reduced, which may cause the heater to reach the target temperature faster than expected. Figure 22 An example of this situation is shown in [reference], which shows an example comparison of the recorded power - target waveforms of a genuine and unheated capsule and a reused capsule.

[0351] As Figure 22As shown, a virgin and unheated bladder requires at least about 3 seconds at maximum power (e.g., about 10 W) to approach the temperature target, while a reused bladder exhibits a power drop from maximum power before 2 seconds because it has already approached the temperature target at this time. The temperature target can be the same or substantially the same as that discussed above.

[0352] Example embodiments of a bladder reuse detection method will now be discussed in conjunction with Figure 20 and 21 in more detail. Although the discussion will be in the context of bladder reuse detection, it should be understood that the methods shown and described herein can also be used to determine the authenticity and / or integrity of a bladder in order to detect fake and / or deteriorated bladders in the same or substantially the same manner.

[0353] For purposes of illustration, Figure 20 and 21 the example embodiments shown will be described with respect to the operations performed by the controller 2105 in Figure 3 However, the example embodiments should not be limited to these examples.

[0354] At least with respect to Figure 20 and 21 the example embodiments shown, the applied power P APPLIED can refer to a power target or a power output.

[0355] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing a bladder reuse detection method according to one or more example embodiments.

[0356] As discussed in more detail below, according to at least this example embodiment, the controller 2105 monitors an initial preheating phase to determine whether a minimum power delivery curve has been satisfied. Similar to the method described above with respect to Figure 11B the method shown in Figure 20 can be performed during preheating, Figure 11A after the operations shown in

[0357] Referring to Figure 20 after the controller 2105 starts a maximum power timer and a preheating monitor timer at S1156 in Figure 11A at S850, the controller 2105 raises the available power of the heater 336 to maximum power in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 11B (by signals VGATE, COIL_Z, and COIL_X provided to the heating engine control circuit 2127).

[0358] At S1160, in the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 11BIn the same or substantially the same manner as discussed, the controller 2105 records the power applied to the heater 336 and measures and records one or more of the plurality of heating characteristics of the heater 336 at each 1 millisecond tick (time step) during the measurement window.

[0359] At S2020, the controller 2105 determines whether the preheat monitoring timer has reached the cartridge reuse timer detection threshold T TH_R . In one example, the cartridge reuse timer detection threshold T TH_R may be approximately 2 s. However, the example embodiments should not be limited to this example. Instead, the cartridge reuse timer detection threshold T TH_R may be between approximately 2 s and 5 s.

[0360] If the preheat monitoring timer has not reached the cartridge reuse timer detection threshold T TH_R , then at S2022, the controller 2105 determines whether the power (e.g., instantaneous power) P APPLIED currently applied to the heater 336 (e.g., in the next 1 millisecond time step) is below the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 . In one example, the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 can be set to approximately 90% of the maximum applied power P MAX (e.g., approximately 9 W, i.e., 90% of P MAX of approximately 10 W). More generally, according to one or more example embodiments, the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 can be set such that (e.g., only such that) the macroscopic movement of the applied power P APPLIED triggers cartridge reuse detection.

[0361] If the applied power P APPLIED is below the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 , then the controller 2105 determines that an early drop in the applied power P APPLIED has occurred and that the cartridge is a reusable cartridge.

[0362] In response to determining that the cartridge is a reusable cartridge, at S1176, the controller 2105 terminates the application of power to the heater 336 in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 11B .

[0363] Then, the controller 2105 outputs a fault indication via the aerosol indicator 2135 at S1180 in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 11B . In another example, at S1180, the controller 2105 may control the aerosol generating device to output an "empty cartridge" indication via the aerosol indicator 2135.

[0364] According to one or more example embodiments, the early drop detection in step S2020 allows for relatively early marking of reused (and / or degraded, fake, or otherwise subpar) cartridges during the preheating process.

[0365] Returning to S2022, if the controller 2105 determines that the power P APPLIED is greater than or equal to the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 , the process returns to step S855 and continues as discussed herein.

[0366] Now returning to S2020, if the preheating monitoring timer has reached the cartridge reuse timer detection threshold T TH_R , then at S2024, the controller 2105 determines the power (e.g., instantaneous power) P currently applied to the heater 336 APPLIED is (e.g., in the next 1 millisecond time step) below the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 . In one example, the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 can be set to approximately 98% of the maximum applied power P MAX (e.g., approximately 9.8W, i.e., 98% of P MAX of approximately 10W).

[0367] If the power P APPLIED is below the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 , the controller 2105 determines that an early drop in the applied power P APPLIED has occurred and that the cartridge is a reused cartridge. The process then continues to S1176 and continues as discussed herein.

[0368] Returning to step S2024, if the power P APPLIED is greater than or equal to the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 , then at S1174, the controller 2105 allows continued preheating and allows aerosol generation in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to Figure 11B .

[0369] Although described with respect to a preheating monitoring timer, the example embodiments shown Figure 20 may use a separate timer.

[0370] According to one or more example embodiments, the cartridge reuse detection function (and / or authenticity or integrity check function) can be set to a "monitoring" mode (also referred to as a "diagnostic" mode) for diagnostic purposes. In one example, the monitoring mode can be set via the device manager at the controller 2105 (e.g., via a flag). The monitoring mode is capable of collecting diagnostic information related at least to the cartridge reuse detection of the aerosol generating device to improve the function.

[0371] Figure 21 is a flowchart showing a cartridge reuse detection method including a monitoring mode function according to one or more example embodiments. Figure 21 The method shown is similar to Figure 20 the method shown, and thus, only the differences between the example embodiments will be discussed in detail here.

[0372] Refer to Figure 21 , in this example embodiment, if the power P at S2022 APPLIED is lower than the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 , then at S2026, the controller 2105 sets a power curve failure flag (e.g., power curve failure flag = TRUE) to indicate, for example, that a reused cartridge (or a fake cartridge) has been detected. The power profile failure flag can be implemented by a flag bit.

[0373] In S2028, the controller 2105 then checks whether the aerosol generating device is set to the monitoring mode (e.g., the controller 2105 determines whether the detection mode is monitoring).

[0374] If the aerosol generating device is not set to the monitoring mode, the process continues to S1176 and continues as discussed above with respect to Figure 20 .

[0375] Returning to S2028, if the aerosol generating device is set to the monitoring mode, then at S2030, the controller 2105 stores the diagnostic information related to the detected drop in the memory. In one example, the diagnostic information can include a fault condition, such as the waveform recorded at S1160 when a reused cartridge is detected. Then, the process proceeds to S1174 and continues as discussed above with respect to Figure 20 .

[0376] Go to Figure 21 step S2024 in, in this example embodiment, if the controller 2105 determines that the power P currently applied to the heater 336 APPLIED (e.g., in the next 1 ms time step) is lower than a second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2, the process proceeds to step S2026 and continues as discussed herein.

[0377] Although Figure 20 and 21 are not shown, according to one or more example embodiments, upon detecting that the power P APPLIED is greater than or equal to the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 , the controller 2105 may also set a power curve check flag (power curve check flag = TRUE). Then, the controller 2105 may check the power curve check flag each time the preheat monitor timer reaches the cartridge reuse timer detection threshold T TH_R to determine whether to perform cartridge reuse detection. The power curve check flag can ensure that the controller 2105 performs cartridge reuse detection only during the initial preheat (e.g., before 2 seconds), and not during subsequent preheats (e.g., after aspiration using the same or similar logic and / or after activating the multiple aspiration mode) and / or prevent normal drops from being interpreted as early drops.

[0378] One or more example embodiments provide the ability to detect whether a cartridge has deteriorated in quality or has been previously heated, which can reduce the likelihood of a relatively poor experience for an adult user and / or prevent the operation of an aerosol generating device using unauthorized counterfeit products.

[0379] By detecting quality degradation shortly after the aerosol generating device starts operating (e.g., during the initial preheat), a determination can be made early and communicated to the adult user while terminating the operation of the aerosol generating device.

[0380] According to one or more example embodiments, measuring the inherent physical characteristics of a cartridge to detect its effectiveness can provide a relatively low-cost way to determine effectiveness. Since the measurement technique uses already implemented circuitry to precisely control the sensory experience of the cartridge, it can also reduce the additional cost of the aerosol generating device.

[0381] An aerosol generating device according to one or more example embodiments includes an integrated heater element and utilizes precision heater control electronics capable of measuring and monitoring a characteristic preheat curve to determine the effectiveness, authenticity, production quality, and / or consumption status of a cartridge.

[0382] One or more example embodiments are also capable of detecting unauthorized reuse of cartridges to create counterfeit cartridges.

[0383] One or more example embodiments also provide the ability to detect (e.g., via a recorded heating signature waveform and a corresponding expected heating signature envelope) unexpected, relatively short-duration artifacts within a feature warm-up curve that, while still within the bounds of an acceptable feature envelope, may indicate a production quality issue with the capsule (e.g., the heater). These artifacts may be exposed when the heater experiences a thermal shock associated with a rapid rise from room temperature to the temperature at which an aerosol is generated.

[0384] In addition to the non-limiting embodiments described herein, further details of the matrices, capsules, devices, and methods discussed herein can be found in: U.S. Application No. 16 / 451,662, filed June 25, 2019, titled "CAPSULES, HEAT-NOT-BURN (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES, AND METHODS OF GENERATING AN AEROSOL", Attorney Docket No. 24000NV-000522-US; U.S. Application No. 16 / 252,951, filed January 21, 2019, titled "CAPSULES, HEAT-NOT-BURN (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES, AND METHODS OF GENERATING AN AEROSOL", Attorney Docket No. 24000NV-000521-US; U.S. Application No. 15 / 845,501, filed December 18, 2017, titled "VAPORIZING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A COMPOUND USING THE SAME", Attorney Docket No. 24000DM-000012-US; and U.S. Application No. 15 / 559,308, filed September 18, 2017, titled "VAPORIZER FOR VAPORIZING AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT", Attorney Docket No. 24000DM-000003-US-NP. The disclosure of each of the above is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0385] Although many example embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations may exist. Such variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and all such variations that are obvious to those skilled in the art should be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An incombustible aerosol generating device, comprising: A memory storing computer-readable instructions; And A controller configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the incombustible aerosol generating device Apply power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate, Determine whether a preheat monitor timer has exceeded a preheat timer threshold, In response to the preheat monitor timer not exceeding the preheat timer threshold, determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a first threshold power level and the power applied to the heater; And In response to the preheat monitor timer having exceeded the preheat timer threshold, determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the power applied to the heater.

2. The incombustible aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising: A capsule including the aerosol-forming substrate and the heater.

3. The incombustible aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the incombustible aerosol generating device to terminate applying power to the heater in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated.

4. The incombustible aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the incombustible aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated.

5. The incombustible aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the incombustible aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated.

6. The incombustible aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the incombustible aerosol generating device to allow aerosol generation in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has not been previously heated.

7. The incombustible aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold power level is less than the second threshold power level.

8. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein, The applied power is the maximum power applied to the heater or the power target of the heater.

9. The incombustible aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the first threshold power level and the second threshold power level are based on the maximum power or the power target.

10. A method of operating an incombustible aerosol generating device, the method comprising: Apply power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate; Determine whether a preheat monitor timer has exceeded a preheat timer threshold; In response to the preheat monitor timer not exceeding the preheat timer threshold, determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a first threshold power level and the power applied to the heater; And In response to the preheating monitoring timer having exceeded the preheating timer threshold, determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the power applied to the heater.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a controller at a non-flammable aerosol generating device, cause the controller to perform a method of operating the non-flammable aerosol generating device, the method comprising: Applying power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate; Determining whether a preheating monitoring timer has exceeded a preheating timer threshold; In response to the preheating monitoring timer not exceeding the preheating timer threshold, determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a first threshold power level and the power applied to the heater; And In response to the preheating monitoring timer having exceeded the preheating timer threshold, determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the power applied to the heater.

12. A non-flammable aerosol generating device comprising: A memory storing computer-readable instructions; And A controller configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device To apply power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate within a capsule, Determine whether a preheating monitoring timer has exceeded a preheating timer threshold, In response to the preheating monitoring timer not exceeding the preheating timer threshold, determine whether the capsule is at least one of a counterfeit capsule or a deteriorated capsule based on a comparison between a first threshold power level and the power applied to the heater, and In response to the preheating monitoring timer having exceeded the preheating timer threshold, determine whether the capsule is at least one of a counterfeit capsule or a deteriorated capsule based on a comparison between a second threshold power level and the power applied to the heater.

13. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, further comprising: The capsule is a detachable capsule including the aerosol-forming substrate and the heater.

14. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein The capsule is a deteriorated capsule, and The deterioration of the capsule is due to a previous heating of the aerosol-forming substrate.

15. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to terminate applying power to the heater in response to determining that the capsule is at least one of a counterfeit capsule or a deteriorated capsule.

16. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the capsule is at least one of a counterfeit capsule or a deteriorated capsule.

17. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the capsule is at least one of a counterfeit capsule or a deteriorated capsule.

18. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to allow aerosol generation in response to determining that the capsule is not at least one of a counterfeit capsule or a deteriorated capsule.

19. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein the first threshold power level is less than the second threshold power level.

20. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein, The applied power is the maximum power applied to the heater or the power target of the heater.

21. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 20, wherein the first threshold power level and the second threshold power level are based on the maximum power or the power target.

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