Aerosol-generating system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising: an energy storage device; a charging interface configured for connection to a charging device for charging the energy storage device at a particular charging rate in accordance with charging parameters of a power supply specification of the charging device; and control circuitry configured to determine data indicative of the charging parameters of the power supply specification of the charging device connected to the charging interface, wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the determined data to be indicated via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of the charging rate via the user interface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the field of aerosol generation systems for generating aerosols (e.g., nicotine-containing aerosols). Specifically, this disclosure relates to an electronic aerosol generation system configured to generate aerosols, for example, by heating at least a portion of an aerosol generation article or matrix. This disclosure also relates to a method for providing an indication of the charging speed of an energy storage device of the aerosol generation system to a charging device connected to a charging interface of the aerosol generation system, and to a corresponding computer program product, which may be a computer program or a computer-readable medium storing a computer program. Background Technology

[0002] Aerosol generation systems typically include an aerosol generation device designed as a handheld device, which can be used by a user to consume or experience, for example, during one or more uses, at least a portion of an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol generation matrix or an aerosol generation article comprising such a matrix. It should be understood that the aerosol generation device can generate aerosols by other means, such as by vibration, spraying, or other methods.

[0003] Exemplary aerosol generating matrix may include a solid matrix material, such as tobacco material or tobacco cast leaf (“TCL”) material. The matrix material may, for example, be assembled with other elements or components to form a substantially rod-shaped aerosol generating article. Such a rod or aerosol generating article may be configured in shape and size to be at least partially inserted into an aerosol generating apparatus, which may include, for example, a heating element for heating the aerosol generating article and / or the aerosol generating matrix. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating matrix may include one or more liquids and / or solids, which may be supplied to the aerosol generating apparatus, for example, in the form of a cylinder or container. Exemplary aerosol generating articles may include cylinders or containers that contain or can be filled with liquid and / or solid matrix that may evaporate based on heating the matrix during a user's consumption of aerosols. Typically, such cylinders may be coupled to, attached to, and / or at least partially inserted into an aerosol generating apparatus. Alternatively, the cylinder can be fixedly mounted to the aerosol generating device and refilled by inserting liquid and / or solid matrix material into the cylinder.

[0004] To generate aerosols during use or consumption, a user typically actuates the user interface of the aerosol generation system, thereby triggering an electrical supply to one or more aerosol generating components or aerosol generators, such as one or more aerosolization elements or sources (e.g., heating elements or heat sources), for example, to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating matrix or article. At least a portion of the aerosol generating components or aerosol generators, such as at least a portion of an aerosolization element, may be arranged in an aerosol generating apparatus. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the aerosol generating components or aerosol generators, such as at least a portion of an aerosolization element, may be arranged in an aerosol generating article.

[0005] Exemplary aerosolization elements may be based on one or more of resistance heating, induction heating, and microwave heating, wherein the resistance heating, induction heating, and microwave heating utilize electrical energy supplied, drawn from, or stored in an energy storage device via an aerosol generation apparatus. Exemplary energy storage devices may include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more energy accumulators, or other types of energy storage devices.

[0006] Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generation system may be configured to supply electrical energy to one or more other aerosol generation components, aerosol machinery, or aerosol generators to generate aerosols. For example, aerosol generation apparatus and / or aerosol generation articles may include one or more vibrating elements, one or more vibrating nets, one or more spray devices, or other means for generating aerosols.

[0007] Typically, aerosol generation systems may include a charging interface for charging their energy storage devices. To reduce electronic waste, it may be desirable to use charging interfaces with standardized connectors (such as USB-C connectors) rather than proprietary charging interfaces requiring cables with proprietary connectors. Therefore, charging cables with standardized connectors that can be connected to charging interfaces in aerosol generation systems can be used for various devices and systems, such as mobile phones, cameras, or other electronic devices.

[0008] However, while the charging interface may use the same standardized connector, the capabilities of the control circuitry and energy storage devices, as well as the specific charging cables used, may differ between systems or devices. For example, the control circuitry and energy storage devices of an aerosol generation system may be able to charge the energy storage device via its charging interface at a higher charging speed than that that can be transmitted by a charging device used by a user to charge the energy storage device of their aerosol generation system. For instance, the charging cable may not be able to provide the maximum charging current that the aerosol generation system can handle. Instead, it may only be able to provide a lower charging current due to design limitations of the charging cable. Similarly, the electrical energy source of the charging device, such as a power adapter, may not be able to provide sufficient power to charge the aerosol generation system due to its design limitations compared to the capabilities of the aerosol generation system.

[0009] Therefore, providing a charging interface for aerosol generation systems with standardized sockets for receiving standardized connectors that are compatible across a variety of electronic devices carries the risk that users of the aerosol generation system may use charging devices that limit the charging speed of their system, or in other words, devices that are not optimal for charging speed. Consequently, users may not be able to fully utilize the potential of their aerosol generation system relative to the rate at which they can charge its energy storage. Users may even become frustrated by the slow charging speed and blame their aerosol generation system when in reality their charging devices are the cause of the slow charging, and their aerosol generation system could provide a faster charging speed with appropriate charging devices.

[0010] WO2015165813A1 describes an example of an aerosol generation system. When the rechargeable power supply of the charging device in the aerosol generation system is being charged, it indicates to the user which charging current is being supplied to the power supply at the current time.

[0011] However, the inventors have recognized that users can determine whether the charging device used is optimal for the current aerosol generation system. For example, a user may not be able to determine whether the charging device is optimal based on the charging speed indication of the power supply at the current time. Whether the charging device used herein is optimal can be seen relative to the charging speed that the charging device can provide given the technical capabilities of the energy storage device (specifically, the maximum charging speed or fast charging speed).

[0012] First, the inventors have discovered that this is because the charging current at the current time, or in other words, the currently supplied charging current, depends on factors affecting the charging current, making it possible that it may not accurately reflect the capabilities of the charging device. Therefore, the charging current at the current time may not be useful in determining whether the charging device is an optimal and reliable source. For example, such a factor is the current state of charge (SOC) of the power supply device, which can affect the charging current. For instance, up to a certain SOC (e.g., 80%), the charging current may be constant and / or at its maximum value, and essentially corresponds to the charging current specified by the power supply of the charging device. However, above this SOC, the charging current will typically gradually decrease. Another exemplary factor is ambient temperature, which can also affect the charging current at the current time.

[0013] Secondly, the charging equipment used may not be optimal in terms of charging speed. In this case, even if the indicated charging current is at its maximum under ideal conditions (e.g., below a certain level (e.g., 80%) of SOC and at room temperature), it may not be sufficient to determine whether the charging equipment is optimal in terms of charging speed. This is because the charging current at the current time will be less than the charging current that the aerosol generation system may be able to receive. The user may not realize this and may believe that the charging equipment used provides the maximum charging speed according to the capabilities of its aerosol generation system.

[0014] Third, even under ideal conditions, a user may need to know the capabilities of the aerosol generation system. This capability will require comparing it to the charging speed indicated under ideal conditions to determine if their charging device provides a charging speed corresponding to the (maximum) capability of the aerosol generation system, and therefore whether their charging device is optimal. This not only requires technical knowledge but is also inconvenient and cumbersome for the user.

[0015] Currently, there is no convenient and reliable solution to the problem of slow charging speeds in aerosol generation systems utilizing suboptimal charging equipment. To address this issue, users currently need to recognize the slow charging speed and therefore perform troubleshooting. This may occasionally lead them to change their charging equipment, for example, through troubleshooting guidelines in the aerosol generation system's manual. They may also realize that their previous charging equipment was not optimal due to the limited charging speed.

[0016] Therefore, it may be desirable to provide an improved aerosol generation system that overcomes or at least mitigates one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Summary of the Invention

[0017] This is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Optional features are provided by the dependent claims and the following description.

[0018] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to an aerosol generation system configured to generate, for example, an inhalable aerosol, such as a nicotine-containing aerosol, from at least a portion of an aerosol generation article or aerosol generation matrix, for example, based on supplying electrical energy to one or more aerosol generators. This disclosure also relates to a method for providing an indication of the charging speed of an energy storage device of the aerosol generation system for a charging device connected to a charging interface of the aerosol generation system, and to a corresponding computer program product, which may be a computer program or a computer-readable medium storing a computer program. Any disclosure presented herein (note that, according to this disclosure, this includes both the foregoing and the following text) with reference to aspects of this disclosure also applies to any other aspect of this disclosure.

[0019] According to an aspect of this disclosure, an aerosol generation system is provided, the aerosol generation system comprising: an energy storage device; a charging interface configured for connection to a charging device for charging the energy storage device at a specific charging rate according to charging parameters of a power supply specification of the charging device; and a control circuit system configured to determine data indicating charging parameters of a power supply specification of the charging device connected to the charging interface, wherein the control circuit system is configured to cause the determined data to be indicated via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of the charging rate via the user interface.

[0020] Therefore, the aerosol generation system of this disclosure provides the ability to indicate the charging speed via a user interface, wherein the indication of the charging speed depends on the charging parameters of the power supply specifications of the charging device, rather than the current time or the currently experienced charging speed. However, it should be noted that the indicated charging speed may accidentally be the charging speed at the current time, for example, when charging is performed under ideal or near-ideal conditions, such as at below 80% SOC, at room temperature, etc. Because the indication of the charging speed, or in other words, the indicated charging speed, is based on the charging parameters of the power supply specifications of the charging device, the charging speed can reliably indicate whether the charging device used connected to the charging interface is optimal in terms of its charging speed, i.e., whether the charging device is capable of charging the energy storage device at the rate allowed by the aerosol generation system based on its technical design.

[0021] Components of the aerosol generation system, such as, but not limited to, energy storage devices, charging interfaces, and control circuitry, can be housed in one or more devices within the aerosol generation system. Specifically, these components can be distributed partially or entirely across different devices within the aerosol generation system. The devices of the aerosol generation system can include aerosol generation devices, charging devices, and / or external devices, which can be mobile devices and / or computing devices, as further exemplarily described herein.

[0022] For example, the user interface may be part of the aerosol generation system or separate from it. Specifically, the user interface may be an aerosol generation device, a charging device, and / or an external device.

[0023] An aerosol generation system may include one or more energy storage devices. For example, an energy storage device may be incorporated into an aerosol generation apparatus. Another energy storage device may be incorporated into a charger apparatus for charging the aerosol generation apparatus. The energy storage device of the aerosol generation system charged by the charging device may be any one or both of the energy storage devices of the aerosol generation apparatus and the charger apparatus. One or more energy storage devices may be one or more batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries). For example, when the energy storage device(s) are one or more batteries, the cathode material may include lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium manganese oxide (LMO), lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), and / or lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA). For example, the anode material may include carbon (e.g., graphite), silicon, and / or lithium titanate (LTO).

[0024] The charging interface can be any suitable interface for charging the energy storage device. The charging interface can be connected to the energy storage device. The connection between the charging interface and the energy storage device can be made via a control circuitry system. Therefore, the control circuitry system can be configured to control the charging of the energy storage device. For example, the control circuitry system may include one or more units, one or more of which may be configured to control the charging of the energy storage device. The charging interface can be configured as a connector for receiving a charging cable, such as a USB-type connector, including, but not limited to, a USB-C connector. For this purpose, the charging interface may include a corresponding port, such as a USB-type corresponding port, including, but not limited to, a USB-C corresponding port. Alternatively or additionally, the charging interface can be a wireless charging interface for wirelessly connecting to a charging device.

[0025] A charging device may include one or more different components, such as, but not limited to, an electrical energy source. Furthermore, the charging device may include a charging cable that is connected to or can be connected to the electrical energy source. The charging cable may include connectors at both ends that can be connected to corresponding sockets of the electrical energy source and / or charging interface. The charging device may be configured such that it can charge an energy storage device at a specific charging speed according to charging parameters of its power supply specifications. The specific charging speed (also simply referred to herein as charging speed) may also depend on more than one charging parameter of the power supply specifications. The power supply specifications may include one or more charging parameters as design specifications relating to the power supply that can be provided by the charging device. In other words, the power supply specifications may relate to or define the design specifications or technical specifications of the charging device, which may be expressed as one or more charging parameters. Therefore, one or more charging parameters may be based on the (technical) design of the charging device. The technical design may include, or in other words, the power supply specifications may depend on various factors, such as, but not limited to, the conductive materials used in the charging device, such as the amount of copper used, the connection or charging technology (e.g., USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1), and / or the type of connector and / or socket used (e.g., USB-C or USB-A type). Therefore, power supply specifications and / or their(multiple) charging parameters can reflect the technical capabilities of the charging equipment. Thus, power supply specifications can include one or more charging parameters based on the design of the charging equipment, rather than parameters that the charging equipment can provide as charging parameters at any given time, i.e., the charging parameters currently being applied or at the current time, depending on conditions or factors different from the design specifications, such as the SOC of the energy storage device or ambient temperature, particularly the ambient temperature of the energy storage device. One or more charging parameters can be, for example, but not limited to, voltage output parameters, current output parameters (e.g., maximum charging current or fast charging current), input voltage type (AC or DC), and / or range, etc.

[0026] The power supply specifications of a charging device can be determined through communication between a control circuit system and the charging device, as further explained herein. For this purpose, the control circuit system can be operatively coupled to the energy storage device and / or the charging interface. Furthermore, the control circuit system can be configured to communicate with the charging device, particularly its control circuit system and / or charging interface, to determine data as explained herein. During such communication, one or more electrical signals can be transmitted between the control circuit system and the charging device. Determination and / or communication can include various steps, such as triggering actions, such as initiating charging of the energy storage device, negotiating with and / or testing the charging device, and / or analyzing information obtained from negotiating and / or testing the charging device. For example, the configuration of these steps can depend on several factors, such as, but not limited to, the type of charging or connection technology and the type of connector used. Moreover, the power supply specifications can be provided with or on the charging device, for example, on a datasheet printed thereon, or on a sticker affixed to that datasheet.

[0027] For example, the determined data may include or may be one or more charging parameters of the power supply specification, or the complete power supply specification, i.e., including all parameters related to the power supply and characterizing the charging device. For example, if the charging parameter is the charging current, the determined data may include the charging speed as an indication of the charging current, since it depends on the charging current. Alternatively, the determined data may include the charging current. However, the determined data is not limited to including charging parameters and / or using them as an indication of charging speed. For example, as a supplement or alternative to one or more charging parameters, the determined data may include indications in the form of, for example, charging parameter values, images, text, instructions, such as computer instructions or codes. Such indications may be directly used as indications for the user interface. For example, the indication may be displayed on the user interface, for example, when the user interface is configured as a display or includes a display. For example, the determined data may include text indicating an optimal charging device or a fast charging device for indicating the charging speed via the user interface. Where there are instructions in the determined data, the instructions may be used by the device (e.g., an external device of the aerosol generation system) to perform and thus provide an indication of the charging speed on the device (e.g., in the form of charging parameters, charging speed, values, or text).

[0028] In this example, charging parameters can indicate the charging speed of the energy storage device of the connected charging equipment. For instance, one or more charging parameters can determine or at least affect the charging speed.

[0029] In this example, the charging speed can be either a fast charging speed or a maximum charging speed. For instance, in the case of a fast charging speed, the aerosol generation system may include a fast charging mode. For example, the control circuitry and / or energy storage device may enable the fast charging mode. A fast charging mode may have one or more fast charging parameters. For example, a fast charging mode may have a fast charging current as a fast charging parameter. When the determined data indicates a fast charging speed via the user interface, the user will know that the fast charging mode is active. Therefore, the user will know that the charging device has enabled the fast charging mode. Alternatively, when the charging speed is the maximum charging speed, the user will know that the energy storage device is being charged at the maximum speed, and that the charging device is optimal in terms of charging speed, i.e., achieving the maximum charging speed. The maximum charging speed, depending on the charging parameters of the power supply specifications, indicates to the user that the charging device is optimal even if the charging speed is slower at some point, such as during periods above 80% SOC (in which case the charging speed may decrease). Depending on the configuration of the fast charging mode, the fast charging speed may be less than or equal to the maximum charging speed.

[0030] In this example, charging parameters can be independent of the state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device. Conversely, charging parameters for power supply specifications can depend on, and in particular only on, the technical power supply capability of the charging device as defined by its power supply specifications. In contrast, charging parameters at the current time depend on the SOC of the energy storage device. For example, when the energy storage device is fully discharged or at a high SOC of, for example, 80% or greater, the charging parameters and charging rate can be lower than when it is at, for example, 60% SOC.

[0031] In this example, data can be determined independently of the charging parameters at the current time of the energy storage device's charging process, particularly the charging rate or charging current at the current time. Instead, data can be determined based on power supply specifications, specifically solely on the power supply specifications. On the other hand, the charging parameters at the current time, or in other words, the charging parameters currently being applied, can be determined based on measurements of charging parameters, such as the charging current currently being transferred from electrical energy to the energy storage device. Therefore, using the charging data at the current time as an indication of charging rate is excluded, as it does not reliably allow for indications of whether the charging device is optimal relative to the charging rate.

[0032] In this example, the charging parameters may differ from those at the current time during the charging process of the energy storage device, particularly the charging rate or charging current at that time. Specifically, the charging parameters at the current time, or in other words, the charging parameters currently being applied, may be determined based on the power supply specifications, specifically only based on the power supply specifications, and thus differ from the charging parameters at the current time. For example, when the charging parameter is the maximum charging current, the determined data at any given time may indicate a maximum charging current of 2A for the power supply specifications. However, the charging parameters at the current time when charging the energy storage device will depend on the State of Charge (SOC). For example, at 90% SOC, the charging current at the current time may be only 1A or less. Therefore, using the charging parameters at the current time as an indication of the charging rate is not advisable, as it would not reliably allow indication of whether the charging equipment is always optimal.

[0033] In this example, the charging parameter can be the charging current, specifically the fast charging current or the maximum charging current. Therefore, an indication of the charging speed can be easily provided. Specifically, the charging current can be directly related to the charging speed and one of the main determinants of charging speed. The fast charging current can be the fast charging mode as described herein, and it indicates to the user that the fast charging mode is active. Depending on the configuration of the fast charging mode, the fast charging current can be less than or equal to the maximum charging current.

[0034] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to determine data based on the charging capability of the energy storage device. The charging capability can be based on the design specifications of the energy storage device. For example, the charging capability can be specified as the same type as the power supply specification of the charging equipment, but as a charging parameter specific to the energy storage device. Therefore, the charging parameters of the energy storage device can be considered when determining the data. For instance, while a charging equipment according to its power supply specification can provide 5A as a charging parameter in the form of a maximum charging current or a fast charging current, the charging capability of the energy storage device might only provide 2A as a charging parameter of the same type. Therefore, instead of determining data indicating 5A as a charging parameter, data indicating 2A can be determined. Thus, the charging speed can be accurately indicated via the user interface by the determined data. Specifically, it is possible to prevent the indication via the user interface of a charging speed based on the power supply specification of the charging equipment, which is unavailable at the aerosol generation system based on the charging capability of its energy storage device, in which case the charging capability may be technically limited compared to the charging equipment.

[0035] In this example, the charging interface can be configured to connect to a charging connector for use with the electrical energy supplied to the charging device.

[0036] In this example, the charging interface can be configured to connect to a charging cable, which serves as a charging connector. Therefore, the charging process can be provided via the charging cable. The charging cable, acting as a charging connector, may include two connectors, one at each end of the cable, as described herein.

[0037] In this example, the charging interface can be configured for wireless connection to a wireless charging connector, which serves as the charging connector. Therefore, the charging process can be wireless. The charging interface can be configured for wired charging, wireless charging, or a combination thereof. For this purpose, the charging interface can include various units, such as a connector for connecting to a charging cable, a socket for receiving electrical power, and / or a wireless unit for wirelessly receiving electrical power.

[0038] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to determine data, including first data indicating a first charging parameter specifying the power supply specifications of the charging connector and second data indicating a second charging parameter specifying the power supply specifications of the electrical energy source. For example, the first and second charging parameters can be of the same type, such as maximum charging current or fast charging current. Therefore, the first and second data can be used to distinguish between charging parameters of the same type for both the charging connector and the electrical energy source. This allows for the clear identification of suboptimal components of the charging device.

[0039] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to indicate first and second data via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of charging speed individually for the charging connector and / or the electrical power source. Therefore, when indicating the charging speed via the user interface, the charging speed can be indicated individually for the charging connector and the electrical power source. For example, when the charging connector, such as the charging cable, is optimal, but the electrical power source is not optimal (e.g., providing too little power), this can be indicated individually via the user interface as a problem with the electrical power source rather than the charging cable. For example, charging parameters or charging speed can be indicated individually for the charging connector and the electrical power source. Alternatively, text or instructions, as previously explained, can be used to provide this indication based on determined data. For example, text provided as an indication via the user interface could indicate that the electrical power source and / or charging connector, such as the power adapter, prevents faster charging, and / or that the user should replace the electrical power source and / or charging connector to achieve faster charging.

[0040] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to indicate determined data via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of charging parameters through the user interface. Charging parameters can be indicated as a supplement to or alternative to charging speed. The indication can be used for both charging parameters and charging speed. For example, charging parameters only, such as maximum charging current or fast charging current, can be indicated via the user interface. Alternatively, charging speed and charging parameters can be indicated. For example, a charging parameter in the form of maximum charging current can be indicated by, for example, an indication of 2A. Furthermore, charging speed can be indicated via text on the user interface indicating an optimal speed or similar content.

[0041] In this example, the aerosol generation system, particularly the control circuitry and / or external device, can be configured to determine an indication of the charging speed for a user interface. For example, the determined data may include charging parameters, but not the indication itself used to instruct the user on these parameters in an understandable manner, such as text, instructions, images, or similar content. Based on the determined data, an indication of the charging speed can now be determined, for example, in the form of text as previously described, so that the indication is understandable to the user, rather than simply providing the determined data, which may not be easily understood. The indication of the charging speed determined via the user interface may be included in the indication of the determined data by the control circuitry, or separately, for example, performed by another component or device (e.g., an external device of the aerosol generation system). Therefore, for example, the determination may be performed on the control circuitry and / or the external device.

[0042] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to provide determined data for indication on a user interface. Specifically, providing determined data for indication on a user interface can include the control circuitry causing the determined data to be indicated. This provision can be or includes sending the determined data and / or an indication of the determined charging speed to the user interface. The transmission can be cable-based or wireless, for example, when the user interface is on a different device than the control circuitry. For example, an indication of the charging speed can be provided on the user interface of an aerosol generating device or a charger device with an aerosol generating system, in which case the transmission can be cable-based, or on the user interface of an external device of the aerosol generating system, in which case the transmission can be wireless.

[0043] In this example, the user interface can be the aerosol generation system. The user interface can be configured to provide an indication of the charging speed. Therefore, this indication can be provided on the aerosol generation system itself.

[0044] In this example, the indication can be related to the magnitude of a charging parameter. For instance, when the indication is provided in text, the text can vary and be associated with the magnitude of the charging parameter. For example, if the charging parameter is the charging current, the text as an indication could indicate a slow charging speed associated with a slow charging parameter and a fast charging speed associated with a relatively fast charging parameter, particularly a fast charging parameter or a maximum charging parameter. Therefore, users can easily distinguish between the different indications, allowing them to be aware of when the charging device is good, particularly when it is optimal, or when it is not optimal in terms of charging speed.

[0045] In this example, the user interface may include one or more light-emitting units. For example, one or more light-emitting units may be light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Such light-emitting units are inexpensive. They can also be used to indicate the State of Charge (SOC) of an energy storage device. As a particularly inexpensive solution for user interfaces, they can be used for various purposes, namely indicating SOC and charging speed.

[0046] In this example, the instruction can be configured to cause at least one of the one or more light-emitting units to blink. Therefore, an instruction based on the instruction, or an instruction as an instruction, can be provided to the light-emitting unit or multiple light-emitting units or their control unit to cause them to blink. The specific light-emitting unit to blink, the number of light-emitting units to blink, the duration of the blinking, etc., can be defined by the instruction or instruction.

[0047] In this example, the flashing frequency can be set to be related to the magnitude of the charging parameters. Specifically, flashing can include a repetitive cycle of one or more light-emitting units being lit, or in other words, the duration of illumination and the continuous duration of one or more light-emitting units not being lit. Both or any of these durations can be set to be related to the magnitude of the charging parameters. This provides an indication of the correlation between the flashing frequency and the magnitude of the charging parameters, which is very understandable and intuitive for the user to interpret the charging speed indication.

[0048] In this example, the user interface may include multiple light-emitting units configured to indicate the state of charge (SOC) of an energy storage device. The number of illuminated light-emitting units can be set to be related to the magnitude or level of the SOC of the energy storage device. Therefore, for example, the higher the SOC of the energy storage device, the more light-emitting units can be illuminated. For example, each of the several light-emitting units may represent a specific SOC level or range of the energy storage device. For example, when four light-emitting units are present, the first light-emitting unit may represent a SOC level of 0% to 25%. The second light-emitting unit may represent a SOC level of more than 25% to 50%, the third light-emitting unit may represent a SOC level of more than 50% to 75%, and the fourth light-emitting unit may represent a SOC level of more than 75% to 100%. For example, the light-emitting units may be arranged in a row. Related to the magnitude of the SOC, the light-emitting units may be permanently illuminated or illuminated in a flashing manner during charging of the energy storage device. Therefore, an understandable and cost-effective way to indicate the State of Charge (SOC) to the user can be provided without requiring a display or other more expensive and / or power-consuming units to visually indicate the magnitude or level of the SOC. The correlation of the number of light-emitting units that are permanently illuminated can complement the correlation between the flickering of one or more light-emitting units and the charging parameters explained above. The flickering frequency of the light-emitting units related to the magnitude or level of the SOC may differ from the flickering frequency of one or more light-emitting units related to the magnitude of the charging parameters.

[0049] In an example, the indication can be configured as the flashing of a lit light-emitting unit to indicate the state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device. For instance, the flashing frequency of the light-emitting unit can be based on the indication, for example, the magnitude of the charging parameters, and the resulting illumination can be attributed to an ongoing charging process for the corresponding SOC magnitude or level. Taking the above example of four light-emitting units and a corresponding range of 25% SOC represented by the illumination of each of these units, for example, when the energy storage device is being charged at, for example, 63% SOC, the first two light-emitting units can be permanently lit or illuminated in a flashing manner (e.g., at a low frequency), while the third light-emitting unit can be illuminated in a flashing manner with a frequency related to the magnitude of the charging parameters (which can be higher than the low frequency of the other two light-emitting units), thereby indicating to the user that the energy storage device is currently charging an energy storage device somewhere between 50% and 75% SOC at a charging rate corresponding to the flashing frequency of the third light-emitting unit.

[0050] In this example, the user interface can be configured as a display. This can complement or replace any other user interface configuration mentioned herein (e.g., in the form of one or more light-emitting units). Compared to other user interfaces, a display enables more possibilities for indicating charging speed.

[0051] In this example, the indication can be configured for at least one of text, symbols, colors, and moving objects on the display. For example, a moving object could be an LED object on the display, where the rate of movement could be based on the magnitude of a charging parameter. Similarly, as previously explained, text, but additionally or alternatively, the indicated symbol or the indicated color could be associated with the magnitude of a charging parameter.

[0052] In this example, the user interface can be configured as a haptic user interface. Therefore, the indication can be provided as a tactile response to the user. For example, such an indication can be provided permanently or only when the haptic user interface (e.g., by touching the haptic user interface or aerosol generating device or charger) is triggered. Alternatively, the indication on the haptic user interface can be given only when the charging connector is connected to the charging interface. Therefore, a haptic user interface can be provided on the aerosol generating device and / or charger.

[0053] In this example, the charging speed indication can be configured as vibration of the haptic user interface. The intensity of the vibration can be set to be related to the magnitude of the charging parameters. The vibration can be applied only at the haptic user interface or transferred to other parts of the device, such as the aerosol generating device or charger, and / or charging equipment, such as the charging connector.

[0054] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to determine second data indicating the charging parameters at the current time, particularly the charging speed at the current time. This second data may supplement other determined data as previously described. The control circuitry can be configured to indicate the determined second data via a user interface, thereby providing a second indication of the charging parameters at the current time, particularly the charging speed at the current time. This second indication may be provided together with or separately from another indication based on the data determined as previously described. For example, the two indications may be provided adjacent to each other on a display, or separately, for example, on different parts of the user interface or even on different user interfaces. For example, the charging speed indication may be provided via the user interface in the form of multiple light-emitting units as previously described, and the second indication of the charging speed at the current time may be provided via a display, such as an aerosol generating device or an external device, serving as the user interface. Thus, the aerosol generating system can provide both an indication of the charging speed based on power supply specifications and a second indication of the charging speed at the current time.

[0055] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to determine a relative charging parameter indicating a relative charging speed, based on a charging parameter at the current time indicated by second data and a charging parameter indicated by data, wherein the indication is an indication of the determined relative charging parameter. For example, the relative charging parameter could be a ratio of the charging parameter at the current time to a charging parameter indicated by data, i.e., based on power supply specifications. Therefore, it is possible to provide a user-understandable indication to the user of both the charging parameter at the current time and the charging parameter based on power supply specifications (e.g., maximum charging parameter or fast charging parameter).

[0056] In an example, the indication may be an indication of the charging speed relative to the power delivery specifications of the aerosol generation system, particularly the control circuitry and / or the energy storage device. Specifically, the indication may be an indication of the charging speed relative to, for example, the fast charging speed or maximum charging speed of the energy storage device defined by the power delivery specifications. Thus, the power delivery specifications may define or include a fast charging current and / or a maximum charging current, and / or indicate a fast charging speed or a maximum charging speed. To determine such an indication of the charging speed based on the power supply specifications of the charging device relative to (particularly the same) charging parameters of the power delivery specifications of the aerosol generation system, this can be based on communication with the charging device as described herein, for example, using the control circuitry and / or other units in the analysis step. Therefore, specifically, the indication may not only indicate whether the charging device provides a relatively slow or fast charging speed, but also whether the charging speed provided by the charging device (e.g., based on the charging current) is a fast charging speed or a maximum charging speed that the aerosol generation system can experience, for example, based on an acceptable fast charging current or a maximum charging current according to the power delivery specifications of the aerosol generation system. For example, when the maximum charging current or fast charging current based on the power supply specification of the charging device is 2A and the maximum charging current or fast charging current based on the power delivery specification of the aerosol generation system is also 2A, the charging device can be indicated as optimal, for example, by text or any other indication that the maximum charging speed or fast charging speed of the aerosol generation system can be achieved by the charging device. The power delivery specification may include one or more charging parameters as design specifications relating to the power supply that can be delivered to or received by the energy storage device. In other words, the power delivery specification may relate to or define the design or technical specifications of the aerosol generation system, particularly the control circuitry system and / or the energy storage device, which may be expressed as one or more charging parameters. The power supply specification and the power delivery specification may be the same and / or different, i.e., the power supply specification defines the supply of power by one or more charging parameters, while the power delivery specification defines the delivery or reception of power by one or more charging parameters.

[0057] In this example, the indication can be configured to notify the user whether the connected charging device can be used to utilize the fast charging speed or maximum charging speed of the energy storage device. Therefore, the indication can simply inform the user whether the charging device is optimal. For example, such a notification can be in the form of a tactile, acoustic, and / or visual notification on or around a user interface. For instance, the notification could be text displayed on a display on an external device (which serves as a user interface) and / or an acoustic alarm on a user interface that serves as a speaker for an aerosol generating device.

[0058] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to trigger the charging process of the energy storage device using the connected charging equipment to determine data. Therefore, the control circuitry can initiate the previously explained communication process between the control circuitry and the charging equipment to determine one or more charging parameters of the power supply specifications.

[0059] In this example, the control circuitry system can be configured to measure electrical parameters of the charging process of the energy storage device using a connected charging device to determine data. This measurement of electrical parameters can be performed after the charging process is triggered and is considered part of the communication between the control circuitry system and the charging device, as described herein. Specifically, the measured electrical parameters can be used to negotiate and / or test the charging device, and thus determine data relating to, or in other words, indicating, the charging parameters of the power supply specification.

[0060] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to measure electrical parameters at at least one pin of the charging interface and / or at the location of the charging connector of the charging device. Specifically, depending on the charging or connection technology used, there may be one or more different pins where electrical parameters such as voltage and / or current can be measured, and based on these, the control circuitry can determine data relating to charging parameters of the power supply specifications.

[0061] In this example, the control circuitry can be configured to compare at least one measured electrical parameter with at least one electrical parameter value or range, and determine data based on the comparison. Specifically, based on the charging or connection technology used, one or more different electrical parameter values ​​or ranges can be predefined and / or stored in relation to power supply specifications, particularly in relation to different charging parameters (e.g., different charging currents). When the measured electrical parameter values ​​or ranges are compared with the predefined values ​​or ranges, it is thus easy to identify which of the one or more charging parameters (e.g., charging current) the charging device is capable of providing and therefore which is the charging parameter of its power supply specifications.

[0062] In an example, the control circuitry can be configured to identify one of at least two charging interface-compatible input source types of the charging connector based on the comparison. Depending on the charging or connection technology, this identification of the charging interface-compatible input source type can alternatively or additionally be used for the measurement and / or comparison of the electrical parameters described herein to determine data. Specific examples of the exemplary interpretations of this document regarding the determination of data according to the charging or connection technology used will be further given below in the description of the accompanying drawings.

[0063] In examples, an energy storage device may be configured to supply electrical energy to another energy storage device and / or an aerosolization element to generate aerosols from at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article. This can be accomplished, for example, by heating the aerosol-generating article. In this case, the aerosolization element may be, for example, a heating element. A heating element may refer to or represent any one or more of an induction heating element, a resistance heating element, and a microwave heating element. In other words, a heating element may be configured to heat the aerosol-generating article based on one or more of induction heating, microwave heating, and resistance heating. In examples, the heating element may be an induction heating element (e.g., including an induction coil) configured to inductively heat a sensor or sensor material disposed in the aerosol-generating article or matrix. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element may include one or more heating blades or resistance heating elements that may be at least partially inserted into the aerosol-generating article or matrix and supplied with electrical energy for generating aerosols. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element may include a microwave generator configured to heat the aerosol-generating article based on microwave heating. Alternatively, other forms, such as annular resonators, may be used. At least a portion or all of at least one aerosolization element may be arranged in the aerosol generating apparatus. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion or all of the aerosolization element may be arranged in the aerosol generating article. For example, the aerosol generating apparatus may include a heating arrangement or heating circuit including at least one heating element. Optionally, a portion of the heating element, circuit, or heating arrangement may be arranged in the aerosol generating apparatus, and another portion of the heating element, circuit, or arrangement may be arranged in the aerosol generating article. Furthermore, it should be noted that the aerosol generating apparatus and / or aerosol generating article may include multiple aerosolization elements. Therefore, any reference herein to a single aerosolization element may include multiple aerosolization elements.

[0064] In this example, the energy storage device can be located within the aerosol generating unit of the aerosol generating system or within the charger unit of the aerosol generating system, the charger unit being configured to charge the aerosol generating unit of the aerosol generating system. Specifically, both the aerosol generating unit and the charger unit can have energy storage devices. One or both of these energy storage devices can be connected to a charging device via a charging interface.

[0065] In this example, another energy storage device can be located within the charger device or the aerosol generating device.

[0066] In this example, the aerosolization element can be arranged in the aerosol generation device of the aerosol generation system.

[0067] In an example, the aerosol generation system may include a charger device for the aerosol generation apparatus, the charger device including an energy storage device, a charging interface, and / or a control circuit system. Therefore, the charger device can supply electrical energy to the aerosol generation apparatus from its energy storage device without requiring direct charging of the aerosol generation apparatus via a charging cable or similar device, although such variations may be provided alternatively.

[0068] In another example, the aerosol generation system may include an aerosol generation device, which includes an energy storage device, a charging interface, and / or a control circuit system.

[0069] In this example, the charging interface can be of the USB-C type. This specifically refers to the charging interface socket, which can be of the USB-C type and therefore can be connected to a charging cable with a corresponding connector. However, any other type of socket for the charging interface can be used alternatively or in lieu of other types, such as, but not limited to, USB-A, USB-B, and similar sockets. Specifically, any standard other than USB or proprietary charging interfaces can be used.

[0070] In this example, the control circuit system may include a charging control unit and a main control unit, wherein the charging control unit may be connected to the charging interface and the energy storage device, and wherein the main control unit may be connected to the charging control unit.

[0071] In this example, the user interface can be located on the aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating system, the charger device of the aerosol generating system, or an external device. Several user interfaces can also be provided across the aforementioned devices.

[0072] In this example, the user interface can be located on an external device, where the aerosol generation system can be configured to communicate with the external device to provide instructions on the user interface. For example, the external device can receive instructions and / or determined data. For instance, when the external device receives the determined data, it can determine instructions based on the determined data to provide on its user interface.

[0073] In this example, the charging interface may be configured to communicate with an external device, or the aerosol generation system may include a communication interface configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device. For instance, an aerosol generation system, particularly a charger device, may include a communication interface or circuitry for providing determined data and / or indications to an external device to provide indications on a user interface.

[0074] In an example, an aerosol generation system may include an aerosol generation article that can be coupled to or coupled to an aerosol generation device of the aerosol generation system to generate an aerosol based on the aerosolization of at least a portion of the aerosol generation article, particularly by heating.

[0075] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a method for providing an indication of the charging speed of an energy storage device of an aerosol generation system for use in a charging device connected to a charging interface of the aerosol generation system for charging the energy storage device at a specific charging speed according to charging parameters of the power supply specifications of the charging device, the method comprising: - Data indicating the power supply specifications of the charging device connected to the charging interface, and - The determined data is indicated via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of the charging speed via the user interface.

[0076] The method may be at least partially or entirely computer-implemented. This means that at least one, several, or all steps of the method can be performed by a computer. For example, the computer may be a processor of an external device or, for example, an external device.

[0077] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a computer program product that, when executed by an aerosol generation system, instructs the aerosol generation system to perform the methods of this disclosure.

[0078] The computer program product may be a computer program or a computer-readable medium storing the computer program, which, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to perform any of the methods according to this disclosure, as described above and below.

[0079] It should be emphasized that any features, steps, functions, elements, technical effects and / or advantages described herein with reference to one aspect of this disclosure are equally applicable to any other aspect of this disclosure.

[0080] The invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0081] Example 1: An aerosol generation system, comprising: Energy storage devices A charging interface configured to connect to a charging device for charging the energy storage device at a specific charging rate according to the charging parameters of the charging device's power supply specifications, and A control circuit system configured to determine data of charging parameters that indicate the power supply specifications of the charging device connected to the charging interface. The control circuitry is configured to indicate the determined data via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of the charging speed via the user interface.

[0082] Example 2: The aerosol generation system according to Example 1, wherein the charging parameters indicate the charging speed of the energy storage device for the connected charging equipment.

[0083] Example 3: The aerosol generation system according to Example 2, wherein the charging speed is a fast charging speed or a maximum charging speed.

[0084] Example 4: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the charging parameters are independent of the state of charge of the energy storage device.

[0085] Example 5: The data is determined based on the aerosol generation system of any of the preceding examples, wherein the charging parameters at the current time, in particular the charging rate or charging current at the current time, are independent of the charging process of the energy storage device.

[0086] Example 6: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the charging parameters are different from the charging parameters at the current time of the charging process of the energy storage device, particularly the charging rate or charging current at the current time.

[0087] Example 7: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the charging parameter is the charging current, particularly the fast charging current or the maximum charging current.

[0088] Example 8: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuit system is configured to determine the data based on the charging capability of the energy storage device.

[0089] Example 9: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the charging interface is configured to connect to a charging connector of the charging device for connection to an electrical energy source.

[0090] Example 10: The aerosol generation system according to Example 9, wherein the charging interface is configured to connect to a charging cable as a charging connector.

[0091] Example 11: The aerosol generation system according to Example 9 or 10, wherein the charging interface is configured for wireless connection to a wireless charging connector as a charging connector.

[0092] Example 12: An aerosol generation system according to any one of Examples 9 to 11, wherein the control circuit system is configured to determine the data, the data including first data indicating a first charging parameter of a power supply specification of the charging connector and second data indicating a second charging parameter of a power supply specification of the electrical energy.

[0093] Example 13: An aerosol generation system according to Example 12, wherein the control circuitry is configured to indicate the first data and the second data via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of the charging speed individually for the charging connector and / or the electrical energy source via the user interface.

[0094] Example 14: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is configured to indicate the determined data via the user interface, thereby providing an indication of the charging parameters via the user interface.

[0095] Example 15: An aerosol generation system according to any of the foregoing examples, wherein the aerosol generation system, in particular the control circuit system and / or external device, is configured to determine an indication of the charging speed for the user interface.

[0096] Example 16: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is configured to provide determined data for indication on the user interface.

[0097] Example 17: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the user interface is of the aerosol generation system, and wherein the user interface is configured to provide an indication of the charging speed thereon.

[0098] Example 18: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the indication is related to the magnitude of the charging parameter.

[0099] Example 19: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the user interface includes one or more light-emitting units, particularly light-emitting diodes.

[0100] Example 20: An aerosol generation system according to Example 19, wherein the indication is configured to flash at least one of the one or more light-emitting units.

[0101] Example 21: According to the aerosol generation system of Example 20, the frequency of the flashing is set to be related to the magnitude of the charging parameter.

[0102] Example 22: An aerosol generation system according to any one of Examples 19 to 21, wherein the user interface includes a plurality of light-emitting units configured to indicate the state of charge of the energy storage device, and The number of illuminated light-emitting units among the plurality of light-emitting units is set to be related to the magnitude of the state of charge of the energy storage device.

[0103] Example 23: An aerosol generation system according to Example 20 or 21 and according to Example 22, wherein the indicator is configured to flash the light of a light-emitting unit that is being lit to indicate the state of charge of the energy storage device.

[0104] Example 24: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the user interface is configured as a display.

[0105] Example 25: An aerosol generation system according to Example 24, wherein the indication is configured for at least one of text, symbols, colors, and moving objects on the display.

[0106] Example 26: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the user interface is configured as a tactile user interface.

[0107] Example 27: An aerosol generation system according to Example 26, wherein the indication of the charging speed is configured as vibration of the tactile user interface, wherein the vibration intensity is set to be related to the magnitude of the charging parameter.

[0108] Example 28: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuit system is configured to determine second data indicating the charging parameters at the current time, and in particular the current charging speed at the current time.

[0109] Example 29: An aerosol generation system according to Example 28, wherein the control circuit system is configured to determine a relative charging parameter indicating a relative charging speed, the relative charging parameter being based on a charging parameter at the current time indicated by the second data and a charging parameter indicated by the data, and wherein the indication is an indication of the determined relative charging parameter.

[0110] Example 30: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the indication is an indication of the charging speed relative to the power delivery specification of the aerosol generation system.

[0111] Example 31: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the indication is configured to notify the user whether the connected charging device can be used to utilize the fast charging speed or maximum charging speed of the energy storage device.

[0112] Example 32: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuitry is configured to trigger the charging process of the energy storage device using a connected charging device to determine the data.

[0113] Example 33: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuit system is configured to use a charging device connected thereto to measure electrical parameters of the charging process of the energy storage device to determine the data.

[0114] Example 34: An aerosol generation system according to Example 33, wherein the control circuitry is configured to measure the electrical parameters at the location of at least one pin of the charging interface and / or the charging connector of the charging device.

[0115] Example 35: An aerosol generation system according to Example 34, wherein the control circuit system is configured to compare at least one measured electrical parameter with at least one electrical parameter value or parameter range, and determine the data based on the comparison.

[0116] Example 36: An aerosol generation system according to Example 35, wherein the control circuitry is configured to identify one of at least two input source types compatible with the charging interface of the charging connector based on the comparison.

[0117] Example 37: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the energy storage device is configured to supply electrical energy to another energy storage device and / or an aerosolization element to generate an aerosol from at least a portion of the aerosol generation article.

[0118] Example 38: An aerosol generation system according to Example 37, wherein the energy storage device is arranged in the aerosol generation device of the aerosol generation system or in the charger device of the aerosol generation system, the charger device being configured to charge the aerosol generation device of the aerosol generation system.

[0119] Example 39: An aerosol generation system according to Example 38, wherein the other energy storage device is arranged in the charger device or the aerosol generation device.

[0120] Example 40: An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 37 to 39, wherein the aerosolizing element is arranged in the aerosol generating apparatus of the aerosol generating system.

[0121] Example 41: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol generation system includes a charger device for an aerosol generation apparatus, the charger device including the energy storage device, the charging interface and / or the control circuit system.

[0122] Example 42: An aerosol generation system according to any one of Examples 1 to 40, wherein the aerosol generation system includes an aerosol generation device, the aerosol generation device including the energy storage device, the charging interface and / or the control circuit system.

[0123] Example 43: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the charging interface is of type USB-C.

[0124] Example 44: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the control circuit system includes a charging control unit and a main control unit, wherein the charging control unit is connected to the charging interface and the energy storage device, and wherein the main control unit is connected to the charging control unit.

[0125] Example 45: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the user interface is arranged on the aerosol generation device of the aerosol generation system, the charger device of the aerosol generation system, or an external device.

[0126] Example 46: An aerosol generation system according to Example 45, wherein the user interface is disposed on the external device, and wherein the aerosol generation system is configured to communicate with the external device to provide the instructions on the user interface.

[0127] Example 47: An aerosol generation system according to Example 46, wherein the charging interface is configured to communicate with the external device, or wherein the aerosol generation system includes a communication interface configured to communicate wirelessly with the external device.

[0128] Example 48: An aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol generation system includes an aerosol generation article that can be coupled to or coupled to an aerosol generation device of the aerosol generation system to generate an aerosol based on the aerosolization of at least a portion of the aerosol generation article.

[0129] Example 49: A method for providing an indication of the charging speed of an energy storage device in an aerosol generation system for use in a charging device connected to a charging interface of the aerosol generation system for charging the energy storage device at a specific charging speed according to charging parameters of the power supply specifications of the charging device, the method comprising: - Data indicating the power supply specifications of the charging device connected to the charging interface, and - The determined data is indicated via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of the charging speed via the user interface.

[0130] Example 50: A computer program product that, when executed by an aerosol generation system, instructs the aerosol generation system to perform the method according to Example 49. Attached Figure Description

[0131] The example will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 An aerosol generation system is shown; Figure 2 Showing more details Figure 1 Aerosol generation device and charger device of aerosol generation system; Figure 3 It shows the use of... Figure 2 A graph showing the currently applied charging current and the state of charge (SOC) over time during the charging process of either the aerosol generating device or the energy storage device of the charger. Figure 4 A diagram is shown for use with connection to Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for indicating the charging speed of an energy storage device of an aerosol generation system by providing a charging device with a charging interface for the aerosol generation system; Figure 5 It shows Figure 5 A flowchart of one of the sub-steps of the method; and Figure 6 It shows Figure 2 An example of the user interface of an aerosol generating device or charger device. Detailed Implementation

[0132] The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and are not drawn to scale. In principle, identical or similar parts, elements, and / or steps are provided in the drawings using the same or similar reference numerals.

[0133] Figure 1 An exemplary aerosol generating apparatus 100 is shown. Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 100 is exemplarily shown as part of an aerosol generating system 1000, which includes optional components, such as aerosol generating articles 200, and one or more devices, such as a charger device 300 and / or (e.g., in the form of a mobile device 400 and / or a computing device 500) external devices. It should be noted that the aerosol generating device 100 can operate as a standalone device 100 without any of the optional components 200, 300, 400, 500 of the system 1000.

[0134] The aerosol generating apparatus 100 includes one or more energy storage devices 102 for storing electrical energy and / or for providing electrical energy to generate aerosols. The aerosol generating apparatus 100 may also include a charging interface 103, which can be configured to connect the aerosol generating apparatus 100 to a charger device 300 for charging the energy storage devices 102 and / or to connect the aerosol generating apparatus 100 to a charging device 600 (see [link to charging device]). Figure 2 The energy storage device 102 is charged at a specific charging speed using charging parameters according to the power supply specifications of the charging setting 600.

[0135] Figure 1 The exemplary aerosol generating apparatus 100 shown includes at least a portion of an aerosolization circuit 104 having at least one aerosolization element 106. The aerosolization circuit 104 may be a heating circuit having at least one heating element as the aerosolization element 106 for heating at least a portion of an aerosol generating article 200 that can be coupled to the aerosol generating apparatus 100 or coupled to the aerosol generating apparatus. It should be noted that the aerosolization circuit 104 and the aerosolization element 106 are optional. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion or all of the aerosolization circuit 104 and / or the aerosolization element 106 may be integrated or arranged in the aerosol generating article 200. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the aerosolization circuit 104 may be integrated into the control circuitry system 110 of the aerosol generating apparatus 100.

[0136] It should be noted that, for illustrative purposes only, the aerosolization element 106 is described in... Figure 1The element shown is an induction coil configured to inductively heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 200, such as sensor material (e.g., one or more sensors) disposed in the aerosol generating matrix 202 of the aerosol generating article 200. Alternatively or additionally, at least one aerosolizing element 106 may be configured for one or more of resistance heating and microwave heating.

[0137] In addition, it should be noted that aerosol-generating products 200 are only used in... Figure 1 The aerosol generating article 200 is exemplarily shown as having a rod-like or tubular shape and is at least partially inserted through an opening 105 in the housing 107 of the aerosol generating apparatus 100, for example, into the heating chamber 109 of the aerosol generating apparatus 100. In other exemplary designs, the aerosol generating article 200 may be formed as a container or cylinder, which may be fixedly integrated into or coupled to the aerosol generating apparatus 100.

[0138] The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a control circuitry 110 or device control circuitry 110 operatively coupled to the energy storage device 102. The control circuitry 110 may optionally include one or more processors 112 for data processing (e.g., in the form of one or more controllers and / or microcontrollers). The control circuitry 110 may include a microcontroller comprising a processor, memory, and input / output devices.

[0139] Further optionally, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 and / or control circuitry 110 include a data storage device 114 for storing data, such as, for example, data determined by the control circuitry 110 as described herein.

[0140] Alternatively or additionally, software instructions may be stored in data storage device 114, which, when executed by control circuitry system 110, instruct aerosol generating device 100 to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0141] The aerosol generating apparatus 100 optionally includes a user interface 120. The user interface 120 may alternatively or additionally be located on any of the other components 300, 400, 500 of the aerosol generating system 1000, such as the charger device 300 or any of the external devices, namely the mobile device 400 and / or the computing device 500. The user interface 120 may be configured to provide instructions as described herein. The provision or form of the instructions may take various forms, such as visual, acoustic, tactile, and / or any other means that can provide instructions to a user of the aerosol generating system 1000. The provision or form of the instructions may depend on the configuration of the user interface 120. The user interface 120 may have any configuration, such as, but not limited to, a display, one or more light-emitting units, and / or a tactile user interface. Optionally, the user interface 120 may also be configured to receive one or more user inputs from the user, for example, to operate the aerosol generating apparatus 100 to generate aerosols. The user interface 120 in Figure 1 The example shown is a button. However, as explained, any other type of user interface 120, such as an acoustic interface, haptic interface, touch interface, display, haptic interface, arrangement of one or more light-emitting units (e.g., LEDs) or other means, may optionally be included as an alternative or supplement to any other one of the components 300, 400, 500 of the aerosol generating apparatus 100 and / or aerosol generating system 1000.

[0142] Further optionally, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a communication interface or circuit system 130 for communicatively connecting the aerosol generating device 100 to one or more optional components of the aerosol generating system 1000, particularly to one or more of the charger device 300, the mobile device 400, and the computing device 500.

[0143] One or more communication interface types or communication protocols can be implemented in the aerosol generating device 100 and its communication interface or circuit system 130. Specifically, the communication interface or circuit system 130 can be configured to perform wired and wireless communication with one or more of the computing device 500, mobile device 400, and charging device 300. For example, the communication interface 130 can be based on one or more of BUS communication, cable communication, Bluetooth communication, wireless LAN communication, infrared communication, near-field communication, Internet communication, or any other suitable type of communication or communication protocol.

[0144] The aerosol generating device 100 may be optionally coupled (e.g., physically coupled to and / or at least partially inserted into) a charger device 300 for charging and / or storing energy in the energy storage device 102. Charging may be based on, for example, inductive charging or via an electrical connection through a charging interface 103.

[0145] The aerosol generating apparatus 100 and / or control circuitry 110 may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one aerosolizing element 106 to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 200 to a predetermined heating temperature for generating aerosols or above said predetermined heating temperature, as described herein.

[0146] Figure 2 An example of the physical connection between the aerosol generating device 100 and the charger device 300 as previously explained is shown. Here, the control circuit system 110 of the aerosol generating device 100 and the control circuit system of the charger device 300 responsible for charging the aerosol generating device 100 are shown in more detail and by example.

[0147] In this example of the aerosol generating apparatus 100, the control circuitry 110 includes a main control unit 116 and a charging control unit 118. The charging control unit 118 can be connected to the energy storage device 102 and the main control unit 116. The main control unit 116 can be indirectly connected to the energy storage device 102 via the charging control unit 118. The charging control unit 118 can be configured to control the charging of the energy storage device 102. The main control unit 118 can be configured to perform other functions of the aerosol generating apparatus 100, such as, but not limited to, controlling aerosol generation, controlling communication via a communication interface or circuitry 130, and causing data as defined herein to be indicated via the user interface 120 of the aerosol generating apparatus 100.

[0148] For example, it can be used as Figure 1 The control circuit system 110 provides a main control unit 116 and a charging control unit 118 as supplements to the processor 112, or one or both of these control units may be provided as part of the processor 112. For example, the main control unit 116 may be... Figure 1 The processor 112 and the charging control unit 118 may be provided separately. Alternatively, the two control units 116 and 118 may be combined into one. In any case, they may be connected to each other.

[0149] Furthermore, the aerosol generating device 100, such as its control circuit system 110, may include a fuel gauge control unit 111. The fuel gauge control unit 111 may be configured to determine charging parameters, such as charging rate, charging current, and / or similar parameters, at the current time during the charging process of the energy storage device 102. For this purpose, as... Figure 2 The resistor shown may be placed in the connection between the charging control unit 118 and the energy storage device 102, and connected in parallel with the fuel gauge control unit 111 to measure charging parameters. Alternatively, the fuel gauge control unit 111 may be configured to determine the amount of energy stored in the energy storage device 102 and / or the state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device 102 during its charging process.

[0150] Any of the control units 111, 116, and 118 may take the form of one or more controllers, microcontrollers, and / or circuits for data and / or signal processing. For example, the fuel gauge control unit 111 and / or the charging control unit 118 may be configured as a single or separate integrated circuit. For example, one or both of these units may be configured as a chip or microchip and / or comprise an assembly of electronic circuits on a small piece or flat sheet of semiconductor material (e.g., silicon). Thus, one or both of these units may remain separate from the main control unit 116.

[0151] As from Figure 2 As can be seen, the fuel gauge control unit 111, the main control unit 116, and / or the charging control unit 118 can be connected to each other. For example, such connections can be established via a bus supporting I2C (internal integrated circuit) as an onboard communication protocol on each of the control units 111, 116, and 118. The I2C bus can be described as a two-wire serial interface. It can be used as a bidirectional multipoint bus with an arrangement that allows controller devices such as the main control unit 116 to assert control and indicate that they are controlling the I2C bus (clock signals and data), whereby all other devices on the I2C bus (e.g., the fuel gauge control unit 111 and the charging control unit 118) then operate as peripheral receiving devices until the data transaction is complete. Therefore, the main control unit 116 can be configured to control the charging control unit 118 and / or the fuel gauge control unit 111.

[0152] Similar to the aerosol generating device 100, the charger device 300 may include a control circuit system 110 having a fuel gauge control unit 311, a main control unit 316, a charging control unit 318, and / or an energy storage device 302. The control units 311, 316, 318, and / or the energy storage device 302 may be configured as described above with reference to the aerosol generating device 100, including, for example, their interconnections and configurations as described herein.

[0153] Additionally, the charger device 300 may include a charging interface 303, which may be of any type for wired or wireless connection to the charging device 600. The charging interface 303 may differ from the charging interface 103 of the aerosol generating device 100. In this example, the charging interface 303 is provided, for example, as a wired connection to the charging device 600 in the form of a USB-C charging interface 303. In this exemplary case, a charging cable 604 is shown. The charging cable 604 may have a USB-C type connector. Therefore, the charging interface 303 may be configured to receive such a connector, for example, through a port having a USB-C type connector. The charging device 600 may also include an electrical energy source 602, such as a power adapter plugged into a power outlet, a mobile or stationary device, such as a laptop or computer, or any other electronic device. The electrical energy source 602 can provide electrical energy for charging any of the energy storage devices 102, 302.

[0154] For example, when the energy storage device 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 is as follows: Figure 2 When connected to the charger device 300, it can be charged by the charging device 600. This connection can be established via the charging interface 103. Figure 2 Not explicitly shown, but indicated by the connection between charging control units 118 and 318. Furthermore, a connection exists between main control units 116 and 316, which can be used for purposes beyond charging, such as controlling data communication between the two devices 100 and 300. The connection between main control units 116 and 316 can be provided, for example, via another interface independent of charging interface 103, or together with charging interface 103. Alternatively, the energy storage device 302 of the charger device 300 can be charged, for example, when the energy storage device 102 is fully charged or charged to a predefined SOC level. For example, when the charger device 300 and / or the aerosol generating device 100 are not connected to the charging device 600, but the charger device 300 is connected to the aerosol generating device 100 via charging interface 103, the energy storage device 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 can be charged by means of the energy storage device 302 of the charger device 300.

[0155] like Figure 2As further shown, the charger device 300 may optionally include a power switch 319. Such a power switch 319 may be arranged between the charging control unit 318 and an optional boost unit 317 and / or before another charging port (not shown) for connection to the charging port 103 of the aerosol generating device 100. Thus, by turning the charger device 100 on and off via the power switch 319, the user can activate or deactivate charging of the energy storage device 102 using the charger device 100. The boost unit 318 may be a DC / DC unit and is configured to provide a constant voltage to the aerosol generating device 100.

[0156] Figure 3 A graph showing the charging current at the current time and the current time and the State of Charge (SOC) over time during a charging process for charging either of the energy storage devices 102, 302 is illustrated. The charging current shown is merely an exemplary charging parameter and may alternatively be another charging parameter such as, for example, charging speed. The charging parameter may be determined by either of the fuel gauge control units 111, 311. For example, when energy storage device 302 is charged by electrical energy supplied from charging device 600, fuel gauge control unit 311 may determine the charging parameter at the current time or currently applied over time. In another example, when energy storage device 102 is charged by electrical energy supplied from charging device 600, either of the fuel gauge control units 111, 311 may determine the charging parameter at the current time or currently applied over time.

[0157] In addition to the currently applied charging current, Figure 3 The current state of charge (SOC) of the respective energy storage devices 102 and 302 being charged over time is shown. As can be seen from the two curves (the currently applied charging current (referred to herein as I.1) and the current SOC), the charging current I.1 can remain at a high level until a certain SOC level (which could be, for example, 80%), for example, corresponding to the maximum charging current (at...). Figure 3The charging current I.1 is indicated as either maximum (or fast charging current). Once the corresponding energy storage devices 102, 302 are charged to the maximum SOC level, the currently applied charging current I.1 decreases. The charging current or any other currently applied charging parameter I.1 can be indicated via user interface 120 or any other user interface of the aerosol generation system 1000. However, since charging parameters depend on the SOC of the corresponding energy storage devices 102, 302 and other factors, such as ambient temperature, such indication of charging parameters may not allow the user to conveniently and reliably identify whether their charging device 600 is optimal in terms of charging speed, for example, whether the charging device 600 allows them to charge at the maximum charging speed or fast charging speed according to the capabilities of the charger device 300 and / or the aerosol generation device 100. For example, when the current charging current I.1 is indicated after a time of 80% SOC level, the user may perceive the charging device 600 as slow and may mistakenly judge that the charging device 600 is too slow, when in fact the charging device 600 may be optimal, for example, providing a charging current that matches the charging current of either of the energy storage devices 302, 102 that can be charged at maximum or fast under ideal conditions (e.g., below 80% SOC).

[0158] like Figure 4 The exemplary method can prevent or at least mitigate the aforementioned problems. By means of Figure 4 The method and such Figure 3 As exemplarily shown, the charging current I.2 can be indicated, which depends on the power supply specifications of the charging device 600 rather than a measured value of the currently applied charging current I.1. Therefore, as... Figure 4 As seen, the charging current I.2 is independent of the currently applied charging current I.1 and the state of charge (SOC) of the corresponding energy storage devices 102, 302. Therefore, a charging current I.2 based on the power supply specifications at any given time allows indication of whether the charging device 600 is optimal, specifically regarding the charging speed at which either of the corresponding energy storage devices 102, 302 can be charged, particularly the fast charging speed or the maximum charging speed. Specifically, the control circuitry 110 of the aerosol generating device 100 or the control circuitry of the charger device 300 can be configured to determine charging parameters of the power supply specifications of the charging device 600, such as the charging current I.2.

[0159] Figure 4The method is configured to provide an indication of the charging speed of any one of the energy storage devices 102 and 302 of the aerosol generation system 1000 for charging device 600, which is connected to charging interface 303 (or the corresponding charging interface of aerosol generation device 100) for charging the respective energy storage device 102 or 302 at a specific charging speed according to charging parameters of the power supply specifications of charging device 600. For example, it can thus indicate the charging current I.2 or the charging speed derived therefrom via an indication on user interface 120, which is related to the power supply specifications of charging device 600.

[0160] In the first step S1, the method includes determining data of charging parameters that indicate the power supply specifications of the charging device 600 connected to the charging interface 303 (or the corresponding charging interface of the aerosol generating device 100). For brevity, the method is described in part with respect to the charger device 300 below. However, the method may alternatively be performed by the aerosol generating device 100.

[0161] In the second step S2, the method includes indicating the determined data via user interface 120 and / or any other user interface of aerosol generation system 1000, thereby providing an indication of the charging speed via the respective user interfaces(s).

[0162] The first step S1 may include several sub-steps S1.1, S1.2, and S1.3, such as... Figure 5 The following is an example. The details of sub-steps S1.1, S1.2, and S1.3 may depend on the exact configuration of the charging or connection technology and / or the type of connector used. Specifically, they may relate to established standards or protocols of the corresponding charging or connection technology. Therefore, the detailed description of the sub-steps is merely exemplary and non-limiting.

[0163] Typically, the first sub-step S1.1 of step S1 can be a triggering action. The triggering action can be charging of any of the energy storage devices 102, 302. For this purpose, the charger device 300 and / or the aerosol generating device 100 can detect (in the example of the wired charging device 600) that the charging cable 604 has been inserted into the charging interface 303 based on at least one voltage level determined by any of the control circuitry systems of the devices 100, 300 (e.g., the main control units 116, 316). For example, the power delivery controller IC of the charging control unit 318 and / or the main control unit 316 can be used to determine the attachment event of the charging cable 602 in the form of a USB charging cable, and then enable the VBUS path from the connector (e.g., a USB-C connector) of the charging cable 604 to the charging control unit 318. In the USB-C example, the VBUS_VS_DISCH input pin can be used to sense the presence of VBUS and monitor the VBUS voltage from the charging interface 303. When VBUS is detected and within an effective voltage range (e.g., between 3.3V and VBUS+5% to VBUS+20%, which can be configured by the user via the IC's registers), the ATTACH pin of the power delivery controller IC can be asserted high to indicate that a valid source-to-destination connection has been established. Subsequently, the VBUS_EN_SINK pin of the power delivery controller IC can be asserted low to allow VBUS power to flow through the external protection IC switch to the charging control unit 318. The main control unit 318 can locate specific voltage levels on the D+ and D- data lines between the charging interface 303 and the charging control unit 318. When the charger device 300 is connected to a USB 3.0 port capable of providing power, the voltage levels on the data lines can be detected.

[0164] Typically, sub-step S1.2 of step S1 can be performed at the start of the charging process. In this case, the charger device 300 and / or aerosol generating device 100 may negotiate and / or test the charging device 600 to determine data of one or more charging parameters (particularly the maximum charging parameters) that indicate the power supply specifications of the charging device 600.

[0165] For USB, the control circuitry of device 100 or device 300 can conform to any current USB battery charging specification, such as USB Battery Charging Specification 1.2, to detect the input source (e.g., Standard Downstream Port (SDP), Charging Downstream Port (CDP), or Dedicated Charging Port (DCP)) by connecting the charging interface 303 to the USB D+ / D- line of the charging control unit 318, for example. For example, the charging control unit 318 can enable a 7μA to 13μA current source (reference +3.3V) on D+ and monitor the D+ voltage. If D+ is open, the voltage will be logic high. If closed, D+ will read logic low, regardless of the port type. If no data pin contact is sensed after, for example, a 0.9-second timeout period, the charging control unit 318 assumes the presence of an SDP. After disabling the current source, the charging control unit 318 can then enable a 0.5V to 0.7V voltage source on D+ and a 25μA to 175μA current sink on D-. If a DCP or CDP is present, a 0.5V to 0.7V level will appear on D-. If an SDP is present, the voltage on D- will drop to zero. A comparator can then be connected, comparing D- to a 0.25V to 0.4V range. If the D- voltage is above 0.4V but below the logic low threshold of 0.8V, the charging control unit 318 can conclude that a charging port is present. After shutting off the voltage source and the current sink from the previous step, the charger IC needs to identify the CDP from the DCP. To achieve this, it can reverse the previous test. Therefore, a 0.5V to 0.7V voltage source is enabled on D-, and a 50μA current sink is enabled on D+. If a DCP is present, a 0.5V to 0.7V test voltage will appear on D+. If a CDP is present, the voltage on D+ will be zero. After input source type detection, an assertion pulse can be sent to the host microcontroller from the INT pin of the charging control unit 318, and its VBUS_STAT register can be updated to prepare for polling via the I2C bus to notify the host control unit 318 of its input source type. The INT pin can be used to notify the host control unit 318 of any of the following status updates: USB / adapter source identified, good input source detected, VBUS above the battery, VBUS below the minimum threshold, VBUS above the maximum threshold, input removed, charging complete, or any fault event. Once the host control unit 318 has retrieved the information from the charging control unit 318 register, it can analyze this data and update the user interface 120 as needed.

[0166] The process in step S1.2 could also involve the battery charging IC using the D+ / D- USB connection to determine the source capability of the USB-C. However, for USB-C, step S1.2 could also differ. For example, CC1 and CC2 could be configuration channel pins on the USB-C connector of the charging cable 604, which could be used for connection, attachment detection, and plug orientation determination. The power delivery controller CC line interface could be used to set a 5.1k pull-down termination mode on the CC pins to establish a source-to-destination connection. The sink must assert pull-down resistors on both CC pins to signal to the source that this is a valid sink connection. Furthermore, it could be used to identify the source, such as the charging device 300. Additionally, it could be used to determine cable orientation to allow external routing of USB data. Furthermore, it could monitor the CC pin voltage value related to the attachment detection threshold. The pull-up on the source and the pull-down on the sink device are connected on the CC pins. The value of the resistor on the source determines the current-carrying capacity. USB-C can currently natively support 1.5A or 3A. The DFP can declare its current-carrying capacity with a pull-up resistor of a specific value. The UFP has a fixed-value pull-down resistor, which, when connected, forms a voltage divider with the same value of the pull-up resistor. By sensing the voltage at the center tap of the voltage divider, the UFP can detect the declared current of the DFP. The power delivery controller within the PCC can have two pins that indicate the current capability of the USB power supply to the main control unit 318. The CC pin and corresponding line can be used to detect the power source and / or load or sink by detecting the different voltages at the connected device caused by different combinations of pull-up and pull-down resistors. The described pull-up / pull-down CC model is part of the USB Type-C standard. Therefore, for example, the charging current based on the power supply specifications, particularly the maximum charging current, can be determined by the charging control unit 318 based on the following table.

[0167] Typically, substep S1.3 of step S1 may include receiving and analyzing the information determined in substep S1.2. For example, based on the determined maximum charging current, it may be determined whether the maximum charging current can be classified as fast charging or a charging current that allows either of the energy storage devices 102, 302 to be charged as quickly as possible according to its capabilities. In this process, the main control unit 316 may query the registers of the charging control unit 318 as registers for the output of substep 1.2. Such registers may relate to or include the power supply specifications of the charging device 600. When determining whether the maximum charging current can be classified as fast charging or a charging current that allows either of the energy storage devices 102, 302 to be charged as quickly as possible according to its capabilities, i.e., whether the charging device 600 is optimal, thresholds may be included for the information in the registers. The capabilities of the energy storage devices 102, 302 may be defined according to power delivery specifications, which may be known from the data storage device 114 or any other data storage device or control circuitry system. Therefore, the control circuit system can be configured to compare the charging parameters (indicating fast charging speed or maximum charging speed) of the power delivery specification of the aerosol generation system 1000 with the charging parameters of the power supply specification of the charging device 600. Thus, the indication on the user interface 120 in step S.2 can be configured to notify the user whether the connected charging device 600 can utilize the fast charging speed or maximum charging speed of the corresponding energy storage devices 102, 302, i.e., whether the charging device is optimal.

[0168] Figure 6An exemplary user interface 120 is shown in the form of a series of four exemplary light-emitting units 121.1, 121.2, 121.3, 121.4 (e.g., LEDs), which provides an indication of the charging speed based on data determined by a control circuit system and as caused in step S2 of the method. This indication is exemplarily configured herein as the blinking of one of the light-emitting units 121.1, 121.2, 121.3, 121.4. Specifically, in this example, the blinking light-emitting unit 121.3 is the third light-emitting unit 121.3 when counted from left to right. The blinking frequency of the third light-emitting unit 121.3 can correspond to the magnitude of the charging parameter indicated by the determined data. Therefore, when the charging parameter is high, such as the maximum charging current, the blinking frequency will be higher, thereby indicating to the user of the aerosol generation system 1000 that the charging device 600 is optimal and charging at the maximum charging speed. In this example, the first two light-emitting units 121.1 and 12.2 from the left are permanently lit, indicating that the first two quarters of the energy storage device 302 are fully charged, that is, the energy storage device 302 is charged to above 50% SOC. The last light-emitting unit 121.4 from the left is not lit, thus indicating that the SOC level of the energy storage device 302 is below 75% SOC.

[0169] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise stated elsewhere, all figures representing quantities, quantities, percentages, etc., shall be understood to be modified in all cases by the terms “about” or “substantially”. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood to be A ± 20% of A. In this context, the number A can be considered to include a value within the general standard error for the measurement of the attribute modified by the number A. In some cases as used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate from the percentages listed above, provided that the amount of deviation from A does not significantly affect the fundamental and novel features of the claimed invention. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

[0170] While the invention has been shown and described in detail in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such showing and description are to be regarded as illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art and those practicing the claimed invention, based on a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0171] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are referenced in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation system, comprising: Energy storage devices A charging interface configured to connect to a charging device for charging the energy storage device at a specific charging rate according to the charging parameters of the charging device's power supply specifications, and A control circuit system configured to determine data of charging parameters that indicate the power supply specifications of the charging device connected to the charging interface. The control circuitry is configured to indicate the determined data via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of the charging speed via the user interface.

2. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1, wherein the charging speed is a fast charging speed or a maximum charging speed.

3. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging parameters are independent of the state of charge of the energy storage device.

4. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data is determined by charging parameters at the current time, independent of the charging process of the energy storage device.

5. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging parameter is a charging current.

6. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging interface is configured to connect to a charging connector of the charging device for connection to an electrical energy source, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine the data, the data including first data indicating a first charging parameter of a power supply specification of the charging connector and second data indicating a second charging parameter of a power supply specification of the electrical energy source.

7. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indication is related to the magnitude of the charging parameter.

8. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the foregoing examples, wherein the user interface includes one or more light-emitting units, and wherein the indication is configured to flash at least one of the one or more light-emitting units.

9. The aerosol generation system of claim 8, wherein the frequency of the flashing is set to be related to the magnitude of the charging parameter.

10. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indication is an indication of the charging speed relative to the power delivery specification of the aerosol generation system.

11. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indication is configured to notify the user whether the connected charging device can be used to utilize the fast charging speed or maximum charging speed of the energy storage device.

12. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generation system includes a charger device for the aerosol generation apparatus, the charger device including the energy storage device, the charging interface and the control circuit system.

13. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generation system includes an aerosol generation article, the aerosol generation article being connectable to or connected to an aerosol generation device of the aerosol generation system to generate an aerosol based on the aerosolization of at least a portion of the aerosol generation article.

14. A method for providing an indication of the charging speed of an energy storage device of an aerosol generation system for a charging device connected to a charging interface of the aerosol generation system for charging the energy storage device at a specific charging speed according to charging parameters of a power supply specification of the charging device, the method comprising: - Data indicating the power supply specifications of the charging device connected to the charging interface, and - The determined data is indicated via a user interface, thereby providing an indication of the charging speed via the user interface.

15. A computer program product, which, when executed by an aerosol generation system, instructs the aerosol generation system to perform the method according to claim 14.

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