Aerosol provision device

Abstract

An apparatus, computer program and method are described comprising: storing one or more battery parameters of an aerosol provision device in one or more registers of a parameter storage module (26) of the aerosol provision device; providing electrical power to an aerosol generating module (24) of the aerosol provision device from a battery (25) of the aerosol provision device; and providing access to the one or more registers to a control unit (29) of the aerosol generating module (24) over a digital bus (e.g. an inter-integrated circuit bus) connecting the parameter storage module and the control module, wherein said control module (29) is configured to generate one or more control signals for controlling an aerosol generator (28) depending, at least in part, on said battery parameters.

Description

[0001] Aerosol Provision Device

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present specification relates to control of an aerosol provision device, such as an e- cigarette.

[0004] Background

[0005] The present specification relates to controlling an aerosol provision device, such as an e-cigarette. Such products often comprise a battery for providing electrical power to an aerosol generator of the device.

[0006] Summary

[0007] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

[0008] In a first aspect, this specification describes an aerosol provision device comprising: a batteiy; a parameter storage module having one or more registers storing one or more batteiy parameters (e.g. real-time battery parameters); a control module; a digital bus (e.g. an inter-integrated circuit bus) connecting the parameter storage module and the control module; and an aerosol generating module configured to receive electrical power from said batteiy and one or more control signals from said control module. The control module may be configured to access at least some of said batteiy parameters over said digital bus and to generate said control signals depending, at least in part, on said batteiy parameters. The control signals may control an aerosol generating power of said aerosol generating module. The battery parameters may comprise an indication of a voltage level of the battery of said batteiy pack. Alternatively, or in addition, the battery parameters may comprise a temperature of said batteiy. Alternatively, or in addition, the batteiy parameters comprise an indication of an internal resistance of the battery of said batteiy pack. In some example embodiments, the battery parameters comprise a plurality of parameters. The parameter storage module may comprise: a sampling module configured to sample one or more real-time parameters of said batteiy; and a register control module for populating one or more of the registers of said parameter storage module with parameter(s) based on the sampled real-time parameters.

[0009] The aerosol provision device may comprise one or more sensors for generating realtime parameters of said battery. For example, an analog-to-digital converter may be provided for converting the generated battery parameters into batteiy parameters for storage in said register(s).

[0010] The aerosol provision device may comprise a battery management system controller configured to provide said parameter storage module. The said batteiy parameters may be generated in accordance with a matrix (e.g. a programmable matrix).

[0011] In a second aspect, this specification describes a method comprising: storing one or more battery parameters (e.g. one or more of: an indication of a voltage level of said batteiy, a temperature of said battery, and an indication of an internal resistance of said batteiy) of an aerosol provision device in one or more registers of a parameter storage module of the aerosol provision device; providing electrical power to an aerosol generating module of the aerosol provision device from a batteiy of the aerosol provision device; and providing access to the one or more registers to a control unit of the aerosol generating module over a digital bus (e.g. an inter-integrated circuit bus) connecting the parameter storage module and the control module, wherein said control module is configured to generate one or more control signals for controlling said aerosol generator depending, at least in part, on said battery parameters. The method may comprise: determining one or more real-time parameters of the batteiy; and storing one or more of said determined real time parameters as said batteiy parameters in said one or more registers.

[0012] The battery parameters may comprise a plurality of parameters. Said parameters may, for example, be generated or expressed using a matrix (e.g. a programmable matrix). At least some of said one or more battery parameters may be based on outputs of one or more sensors.

[0013] In some example embodiments, the control signals control an aerosol generating power of said aerosol generating module.

[0014] In a third aspect, this specification describes a method comprising: obtaining, using a control module of an aerosol generating module that forms part of an aerosol generating device, one or more battery parameters (e.g. one or more of: an indication of a voltage level of said batteiy, a temperature of said batteiy, and an indication of an internal resistance of said battery) of a batteiy of the aerosol generating device over a digital bus (e.g. an inter-integrated circuit bus) of the aerosol generating device, wherein said batteiy parameter(s) are stored in one or more registers of a parameter storage module of the aerosol generating device; generating one or more control signals for the aerosol generating module based, at least in part, on one or more of said batteiy parameters; and providing the generated control signal to the aerosol generating module.

[0015] The method may comprise: determining one or more real-time parameters of the batteiy; and storing one or more of said determined real time parameters as said batteiy parameters in said one or more registers.

[0016] The battery parameters may comprise a plurality of parameters. Said parameters may, for example, be generated or expressed using a matrix (e.g. a programmable matrix).

[0017] At least some of said one or more battery parameters may be based on outputs of one or more sensors.

[0018] In some example embodiments, the control signals control an aerosol generating power of said aerosol generating module.

[0019] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Example embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following schematic drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol provision device; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an aerosol provision device in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment; and FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0025] Detailed Description

[0026] As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials. According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate deliveiy of at least one substance to a user. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user. In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0027] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0028] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0029] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

[0032] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent. In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol-modifying agent. Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavourants. The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and / or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

[0033] The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosol- generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

[0034] A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0035] A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a vaiying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein. An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0036] FIG. i is a block diagram of an aerosol provision device (e.g. a non-combustible aerosol provision device), indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The device 10 may be referred to as an aerosol provision system.

[0037] The aerosol provision device 10 comprises a battery 11 (e.g. a rechargeable batteiy), a control circuit 12, and an aerosol generator 13. The aerosol generator 13 may comprise a resistive heater for heating an aerosolisable material (e.g. a film or a gel) to generate an aerosol (e.g. a vapour). The aerosolisable material is sometimes referred to an as aerosol generating material. It should be noted that the use of resistive heating of an aerosolisable material is described by way of example only. The principles described herein are applicable other aerosol provision systems (such as systems using induction heating).

[0038] In the use of the device 10, air is drawn into an air inlet of the aerosol generator 13, as indicated by arrow 16. An aerosol generated by the aerosol generator 13 exits the device at an air outlet, as indicated by arrow 17 (for example into the mouth of a user of the device 10).

[0039] In some example embodiments, the aerosol provision device 10 comprises two main components, namely a control section 2 (which may be referred to as a reusable part) and a consumable part 4 (which may be referred to as a replaceable or disposable cartridge). In the use of the aerosol provision device 10, the control section 2 and the consumable part 4 may be releasably connected at an interface 6. The consumable part 4 may be removable and replaceable (e.g. when the consumable part is used), with the control section 2 being re-used with a different consumable part.

[0040] Of course, the aerosol provision device to is provided by way of example only and is highly schematic. Many variants are possible. For example, in some example embodiments, air is drawn into an air inlet in the control section 2, passes through the interface 6, and exits the consumable part 4. Moreover, in some example embodiments, the aerosol provision device may not be separable into two parts. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an aerosol provision device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 20 comprises a battery pack 22 and an aerosol generator 24 (e.g. a non-combustible aerosol provision device). Together, the batteiy back 22 and the aerosol generator 24 form the aerosol provision device 20. The battery pack 22 and the aerosol generator 24 may be separable (in a similar way to the aerosol provision device 10 described above), but this is not essential to all example embodiments. For example, the battery pack 22 and the aerosol generator 24 may form part of the same device.

[0041] The battery pack 22 includes a battery 25 and a parameter storage module 26. The parameter storage module 26 has one or more registers storing one or more battery parameters (as discussed below); for example, a plurality of batteiy parameters may be stored. The aerosol generator 24 includes an aerosol generating module 28 and a control module 29 (e.g. in the form of a microcontroller (MCU)). The aerosol generating module 28 is configured to receive electrical power from the batteiy 25 (specifically, for example, from a positive batteiy connection (Vbat+) and an electrical ground connection (GND) of the battery 25 that are coupled to similar connections of the aerosol generator 28). The aerosol generating module 28 is also configured to receive one or more control signals from the control module 29 (for example, controlling aspects of the aerosol generating module 28, such as an aerosol generating power of said aerosol generator). The aerosol generating module 28 may take many different forms and may, for example, be a resistive heater or an inductive heater.

[0042] A digital bus 27 connects the parameter storage module 26 and the control module 29. The digital bus 27 may an inter-integrated circuit (PC) bus and provides a two-way digital connection. The control module 29 is configured to access one or more stored batteiy parameters (e.g. real-time parameters) over the digital bus 27 and to generate the control signals (for the aerosol generating module 28) depending, at least in part, on one or more of said battery parameters.

[0043] The parameters stored in the parameter storage module 26 may take many forms and may include information relating to the battery 25 of the battery pack 22, such as realtime battery parameters. Such information may include an indication of one or more of: a voltage level of the battery 25, a temperature of the batteiy 25 and an internal resistance of the batteiy 25. By way of example, the internal resistance of the batteiy may be averaged over a short period of time (e.g. one second).

[0044] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 30 may, for example, be implemented using the system 20 described above. The algorithm 30 starts at operation 32, where the control module 29 obtains one or more battery parameters of the batteiy 25 over the digital bus 27. As discussed above, the battery parameter(s) are stored in one or more registers of the parameter storage module 26 of the aerosol provision device 20. At operation 34, one or more control signals for the aerosol generating module 28 are generated (by the control module 29) based, at least in part, on one or more of said batteiy parameters (as obtained in the operation 32). The generated control signals can then be provided to the aerosol generating module 28. The control signals generated in the operation 34 can be used to control various aspects of the aerosol generating module 28, such as an aerosol generating power of said aerosol generating module.

[0045] Enabling the control module 29 to obtain parameter data from the battery pack 22 over the digital bus 27 has a number of advantages over providing analogue data. For example, digital data taken directly from the parameter storage module 26 may be more accurate. Moreover, the provision of the relevant circuitiy within the parameter storage module 26 and the control module 29 may save printed circuit board space and I / O ports and hardware components of the control module 29 when compared with some analogue solutions. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 40 is an example implementation of the battery pack 22. The system 40 includes the battery 25 of the battery pack 22 and further comprises one or more sensors 42 for generating real-time parameters of the battery 25, an analog-to- digital converter (ADC) 44 for converting the generated analogue battery parameters into digital batteiy parameters for storage (in register(s) of the parameter storage module), and a battery management system (BMS) controller in the form of a BMS integrated circuit (BMS IC) 46. The BMS IC 46 is configured to provide the parameter storage module 26 described above.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 50, in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0047] The algorithm 50 starts at operation 52, where one or more registers of a parameter storage module of an aerosol provision device are populated with data relating to one or more battery parameters. The registers may, for example, form part of the parameter storage module 26 of the batteiy pack 22 and / or the BMS IC 46 of the system 40.

[0048] A control module of an aerosol generating module of the aerosol generating device is given access to the one or more registers. For example, the control module 29 of the aerosol generator 24 may be given access to the parameter storage module 26 over the digital bus 27. Similarly, a control module may be given access to the BMS IC 46 over a similar digital bus.

[0049] At operation 54 of the algorithm 50, the relevant control module reads the relevant register(s) in order to obtain battery parameters. Thus, in this example embodiment, obtaining battery parameter(s) that are stored in the register(s) is initiated by the control module of the aerosol generator.

[0050] At operation 56 of the algorithm 50, the control module generates one or more control signals for controlling said aerosol generator depending, at least in part, on one or more of said battery parameters (as obtained in the operation 54). By way of example, the control signal generated in the operation 56 may be used to control an aerosol generating power of the relevant aerosol generating module. Other example control signals may relate to safety protection, such as cutting off power to the aerosol generator in the event of a battery problem identified based on the stored batteiy parameters (e.g. batteiy voltage being above and / or below respective voltage thresholds, a batteiy temperature being above and / or below respective temperature thresholds etc.) . Thus, the operation 34 may take action if the battery parameters indicate some sort of a problem with the batteiy 25.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 60 shows an example schematic implementation of the BMS IC 46 described above. The system 60 comprises a sampling module 62, a control module 64 and one or more registers 66. Of course, a BMS IC that may be used to implement the system 60 may include many other modules not shown in FIG. 6; moreover, one or more of the modules shown in FIG. 6 may be implemented in some other way (e.g. as part of the control module 64, rather than as a discrete module).

[0052] The sampling module 62 may be configured to sample one or more real-time parameters of the batteiy 25 and the control module 64 may be used to populate one or more of the registers 66 with parameters based on the sampled real-time parameters. Thus, the sampling module 62 and the control module 64 may be used to implement the operation 52 of the algorithm 50 described above. As discussed above, the parameters may take many forms, such as one or more of a voltage level of the respective batteiy, a temperature of said battery or an internal resistance of said batteiy.

[0053] The sampling module 62 may, for example, receive information from one or more sensors (similar to the sensor(s) 42 described above).

[0054] A control module of an aerosol generator (such as the aerosol generator 24 described above) may be provided with access to the registers 66, thereby enabling that control module to implement the operation 54 of the algorithm 50 (and the operation 56). That access may be provided over a digital bus, such as the digital bus 27.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 70, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 70 may be implemented by the system 60 described above. The algorithm 70 starts at operation 72, wherein one or more parameters (e.g. real-time parameters) of a batteiy of a battery pack of an aerosol provision device (such as the batteiy 25) are sampled by the sampling module 62. The operation 72 may, for example, include sampling outputs of one or more sensors.

[0056] The parameters obtained in the operation 72 may be processed in operation 74 in order to generate one or more parameter signal(s). In operation 76, the register(s) 66 are populated with battery parameters (e.g. as obtained in the operation 72, or as processed in the operation 74).

[0057] As discussed above, the batteiy parameters may comprise one or more of: an indication of a voltage level of the batteiy, a temperature of the batteiy, and an indication of an internal resistance of the battery. Of course, other parameters could be sampled and stored instead of, or in addition to, one or more of the battery parameters outlined above.

[0058] In some example embodiments, battery parameters may be expressed as a matrix, particularly where multiple parameters are communicated together. The matrix may be programmable, thereby providing a degree of flexibility regarding how the communication between a battery pack (such as the batteiy pack 22) and an aerosol generator (such as the aerosol generator 24) may be configured and used.

[0059] By way of example, the parameter data stored in the respective registered (and accessed over a digital bus, such as the digital bus 27) may be in the form of a matrix based on the following table:

[0060] Where Ao, Ai and A2are most recent data samples of three data points (e.g. a voltage level of the batteiy 25, a temperature of the battery 25 and an internal resistance of the batteiy 25). Bo, Bi and B2are older samples of the same data points and Co, Ci and C2are even older samples of the same data points. Of course, if only the most recent data (e.g. real-time data) is relevant, then the data Ao, Ai and A2may be all that is required. Many different data formats could be provided over the digital link 27 between the batteiy pack 22 and the aerosol generator 24 and, as noted above, such data formats may be programmable, at least to some degree.

[0061] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future. For example, although the embodiments described herein comprise non-combustible aerosol provision devices, this is not essential to all example embodiments. The principles described herein may be applied to aerosol provision devices including combustion (either in addition to, or instead of, non-combustible aerosol generation).

Claims

Claims1. An aerosol provision device comprising: a batteiy; a parameter storage module having one or more registers storing one or more batteiy parameters; a control module; a digital bus connecting the parameter storage module and the control module; and an aerosol generating module configured to receive electrical power from said batteiy and one or more control signals from said control module, wherein the control module is configured to access at least some of said batteiy parameters over said digital bus and to generate said control signals depending, at least in part, on said battery parameters.

2. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said digital bus is an inter-integrated circuit bus.

3. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said batteiy parameters comprise real-time battery parameters.

4. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein said batteiy parameters comprise an indication of a voltage level of the batteiy of said batteiy pack.

5. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said batteiy parameters comprise a temperature of said battery.

6. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said batteiy parameters comprise an indication of an internal resistance of the battery of said batteiy pack.

7. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said batteiy parameters comprise a plurality of parameters.

8. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said parameter storage module comprises: a sampling module configured to sample one or more real-time parameters of said batteiy; and a register control module for populating one or more of the registers of said parameter storage module with parameter(s) based on the sampled real-time parameters.

9. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising one or more sensors for generating real-time parameters of said batteiy.

10. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an analog- to-digital converter for converting the generated battery parameters into batteiy parameters for storage in said register(s).

11. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a battery management system controller configured to provide said parameter storage module.

12. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said batteiy parameters are generated in accordance with a matrix.

13. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said matrix is programmable.

14. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said control signals control an aerosol generating power of said aerosol generating module.

15. A method comprising: storing one or more battery parameters of an aerosol provision device in one or more registers of a parameter storage module of the aerosol provision device; providing electrical power to an aerosol generating module of the aerosol provision device from a battery of the aerosol provision device; and providing access to the one or more registers to a control unit of the aerosol generating module over a digital bus connecting the parameter storage module and the control module, wherein said control module is configured to generate one or morecontrol signals for controlling said aerosol generator depending, at least in part, on said batteiy parameters.

16. A method comprising: obtaining, using a control module of an aerosol generating module that forms part of an aerosol generating device, one or more battery parameters of a batteiy of the aerosol generating device over a digital bus of the aerosol generating device, wherein said batteiy parameter(s) are stored in one or more registers of a parameter storage module of the aerosol generating device; generating one or more control signals for the aerosol generating module based, at least in part, on one or more of said batteiy parameters; and providing the generated control signal to the aerosol generating module.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising: determining one or more real-time parameters of the battery; and storing one or more of said determined real time parameters as said battery parameters in said one or more registers.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said digital bus is an inter-integrated circuit bus.

19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said batteiy parameters comprise one or more of: an indication of a voltage level of said batteiy; a temperature of said battery; and an indication of an internal resistance of said battery.

20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein said battery parameters comprise a plurality of parameters.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein said parameters are generated or expressed using a matrix.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said matrix is programmable.

23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein at least some of said one or more battery parameters are based on outputs of one or more sensors.

24. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein said control signals control an aerosol generating power of said aerosol generating module.

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