Aerosol generator having an orientation sensor

Abstract

An aerosol generator having an orientation sensor. An aerosol generator (100) is disclosed. The aerosol generator includes an orientation sensor (102) configured to detect the orientation of the device, a sensor (104) configured to detect a tap event or a shake event on the device, and a controller (106) configured to enable the sensor to detect a tap or a shake when it is determined that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is within a predetermined orientation range, and to disable the sensor when it is determined that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is not within the predetermined orientation range, and the controller is further configured to operate the components of the device when the sensor is enabled and a tap or a shake is detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generator. In particular, the present invention relates to an aerosol generator having an orientation sensor for improving safety.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0002] There is a need for an aerosol generator such as an electronic cigarette with improved safety and usability. The object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generator that can address some of these requirements.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generator, which includes an orientation sensor configured to detect the orientation of the device, a sensor configured to detect a tap event or a shake event in the device, enabling the sensor to detect a tap or a shake when it is determined that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is within a predetermined orientation range, and disabling the sensor when it is determined that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is not within the predetermined orientation range, and a controller configured to further operate the components of the device when the sensor is enabled and a tap or a shake is detected.

[0004] In this way, the possibility of the sensor of the device operating unintentionally is reduced, thereby improving the safety of the device. The sensor can detect a tap or a shake of the device only when the device is facing a specific orientation. Therefore, the possibility of the device being operated unintentionally when the device is not facing the orientation associated with normal use (for example, when the device is in the user's bag or pocket) is reduced.

[0005] Preferably, the controller is configured to detect a shake including movement of the device in the horizontal direction, vertical direction, or azimuth direction.

[0006] Preferably, the controller is further configured to operate the components of the device when it identifies the direction of movement when the device is being shaken.

[0007] The controller of the device can preferably recognize shake movements in multiple directions and can thus associate these with various commands that the user might wish to give to the device. The controller may identify from the data from the sensors in which direction the device is being tapped / shaken. In this way, the user experience can be improved. For example, a vertical shake may be used to instruct the controller to turn on the heater of the device, a horizontal shake may be used to instruct the controller to turn off the heater of the device, and a shake in the azimuth direction may be used to instruct the controller to display information regarding the battery state of the device.

[0008] Preferably, the controller is configured to operate the heating function of the device when the sensor is activated and a tap or shake is detected.

[0009] Preferably, the orientation sensor includes a gyroscope. In this way, it is possible to accurately detect the orientation of the device. The orientation sensor may be a device mounted on a printed circuit board.

[0010] Preferably, the sensor includes an accelerometer. In this way, it is possible to accurately detect the movement of the device. In particular, taps or shakes of the device can be detected more precisely. This sensor may be a device mounted on a printed circuit board.

[0011] Preferably, the device includes an outer body. Preferably, the sensor is connected to the outer body. In this way, since the sensor is connected to the robust outer body, it is possible to accurately detect taps and shakes.

[0012] Preferably, the sensor is configured to detect the number of times the outer body of the device is tapped. Preferably, the sensor is configured to detect the location on the outer body where the tap occurred. In this way, the sensor can detect intentional tap inputs and shake inputs from the user, which are not likely to be accidental. Preferably, the predetermined orientation range includes orientations in which the longitudinal axis of the device is limited within a cone defined about a vertical axis. Preferably, the predetermined orientation range is bounded by the surface of a cone defined about a vertical axis, and the sensor is enabled to detect a tap or shake when it determines that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is within the boundary surface of the cone.

[0013] In this way, the sensor can be enabled when the device is oriented in the orientation that is most likely to match the orientation of the intended use. Naturally, the user may hold the aerosol generating device in various ways and may hold it in different ways depending on the situation. However, it has been found that most of the intended uses of the device correspond to the case where the device is held such that its longitudinal axis is within a cone defined about a vertical axis.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol generating device, which comprises the steps of detecting the orientation of the device using an orientation sensor; enabling the sensor to detect a tap event or a shake event using a controller when it is determined that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is within a predetermined orientation range; disabling the sensor using a controller when it is determined that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is not within the predetermined orientation range; and operating components of the device using a controller when the sensor is enabled and a tap event or a shake event is detected.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method steps defined above.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device, which comprises a motion sensor configured to detect motion of the device; a sensor configured to detect user input; and a controller configured to operate components of the device when motion of the device is detected by the motion sensor and then user input is detected by the sensor, wherein the motion of the device detected by the motion sensor corresponds to a predetermined motion.

[0017] Thus, the possibility that the components of the device operate unintentionally is reduced, and the safety of the device is improved. This is because, in order to operate its components, the device must be moved in a form of motion corresponding to a predetermined motion and then user input must be detected. The components of the device cannot operate when the device is not moved in a manner associated with normal use or when the device is substantially stationary (for example, when the device is in the user's bag or pocket).

[0018] Preferably, when the controller determines that the movement of the present device corresponds to a predetermined movement, the controller enables the sensor to detect a user input, and when the controller determines that the movement of the present device does not correspond to the predetermined movement, the controller disables the sensor from detecting a user input. Further, the controller is configured to operate components of the present device when the sensor is enabled and a user input is detected.

[0019] The sensor may be enabled when the device is moved in a manner specific to the user picking up the present device. Naturally, the user may hold the aerosol generator in a variety of manners and may hold it in different manners depending on the situation. Some users may want to operate the device while it is lying on its side. However, regardless of the preferred type of usage, typically the device is first picked up from a stationary position. This action corresponds to a predetermined movement having expected acceleration values within a Cartesian reference frame and expected rotations of yaw, pitch, and roll.

[0020] Preferably, the controller is configured to prevent the operation of components of the present device when a user input is not detected by the sensor within a predetermined time from the predetermined movement. Preferably, the controller is further configured to disable the sensor after a predetermined time from when a predetermined movement that can enable the sensor is detected. Preferably, the predetermined time is 3 seconds. In this way, the usability and safety of the present device are further improved. During movement, the present device may accidentally move in a manner that can coincide with a movement indicating that the user has picked up the present device. Preferably, the present device cannot operate unless an input is received within a certain period of time. Also, during normal use, it is common for a user input to be given within a predictable time window after the end of the predetermined movement.

[0021] Preferably, the motion sensor includes an accelerometer. In this way, it is possible to accurately detect the translational movement of the present device. The accelerometer may be a device mounted on a printed circuit board.

[0022] Preferably, the motion sensor includes a gyroscope. In this way, it is possible to accurately detect the orientation of the device. The gyroscope may be a device mounted on a printed circuit board.

[0023] In some embodiments, the sensor and the motion sensor may be exactly the same. For example, the sensor and the motion sensor may include an accelerometer. In another embodiment, the sensor and the motion sensor may be separate and independent components. For example, the sensor may be a button, and the motion sensor may include an accelerometer. In some embodiments, the sensor may include one or both of a button and an accelerometer.

[0024] The motion sensor may include one or both of an accelerometer or a gyroscope, and the motion data may include acceleration values in a Cartesian reference frame and each rotation of yaw, pitch, and roll.

[0025] Preferably, the motion sensor is configured to send motion data corresponding to the detected motion of the device to the controller, and the controller is configured to store the motion data in a data storage medium.

[0026] Preferably, the controller is configured to compare the motion data with data corresponding to a predetermined motion stored in the data storage medium.

[0027] In this way, the controller can accurately determine whether the detected motion of the device matches the predetermined motion. The data corresponding to the predetermined motion may include acceleration values in a Cartesian reference frame and each rotation of yaw, pitch, and roll. The controller may allow a certain degree of deviation between the motion data and the data corresponding to the predetermined motion. This is because the user may not always pick up the device in the same way when they want to use it.

[0028] Preferably, the predetermined movement represents the user picking up the device. In this way, the possibility that the sensor operates unintentionally is reduced. The movement representing the user picking up the device may include a movement in which the longitudinal axis of the device rotates from an approximately horizontal orientation to an approximately vertical orientation. However, other movements may be possible for other actions or scenarios of picking up.

[0029] Preferably, the motion data includes a timestamp representing the time when the movement of the device was detected by the motion sensor.

[0030] In this way, the controller can identify the time when the device was most recently picked up. Therefore, the controller can determine whether user input has been received within a predetermined time.

[0031] Preferably, the controller is configured to delete the motion data from the data storage medium when a predetermined duration has elapsed from the timestamp. Preferably, the predetermined duration is 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 1 day.

[0032] Preferably, the controller is further configured to enable the sensor to detect user input when it determines that the orientation of the device detected by the motion sensor is within a predetermined orientation range. Preferably, the controller is further configured to disable the sensor when it determines that the orientation of the device detected by the motion sensor is not within the predetermined orientation range. In this way, the possibility that the sensor of the device operates unintentionally is further reduced, and thus the safety of the device is further improved. These two conditions mean that the sensor can accept user input only when a predetermined movement is detected and the device is within the predetermined orientation range after that predetermined movement.

[0033] Preferably, the predetermined orientation range includes the orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the present device is limited within a cone defined around the vertical axis. In this way, the sensor can be activated when the device is most likely to be oriented in the orientation that matches the orientation of the intended use after the device is picked up. Naturally, the user may hold the aerosol generating device in various ways, and may hold it in different ways depending on the situation. However, it has been found that most of the intended uses of the present device correspond to the case where the device is held such that the longitudinal axis of the present device is within a cone defined around the vertical axis.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol generating device, which includes detecting the movement of the device using a motion sensor, and operating the components of the device when the movement of the device is detected by the motion sensor and then user input is detected by the sensor, wherein the movement of the device detected by the motion sensor corresponds to a predetermined movement, and the above-mentioned operating step.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product including executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method steps defined above.

[0036] The features of one aspect of the present invention may be combined with the features of any other aspect of the present invention. Further, the features of the device may be provided as the features of the corresponding method, and conversely, the features of the method may be provided as the features of the corresponding device.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. The drawings are as follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generator 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generator 100 includes an orientation sensor 102 configured to detect the orientation of the aerosol generator 100, a sensor 104 configured to detect a tap event or a shake event in the aerosol generator 100, a button 105 configured to detect user input, a controller 106, a heater 108 configured to heat a consumable 110, an outer body 112, and a data storage medium 114.

[0040] The orientation sensor 102 is configured to detect the orientation of the aerosol generator 100. More specifically, the orientation sensor 102 is configured to measure the angle formed by the longitudinal axis of the device 100 and the vertical axis based on local gravity.

[0041] The orientation sensor 102 may include one or more sensors. Examples of suitable sensors include, but are not limited to, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, or any combination thereof. The orientation sensor 102 is logically connected to the controller 106. The orientation sensor 102 is configured to supply a continuous stream of data indicating time-series orientation data to the controller 106. The frequency at which orientation data is supplied from the orientation sensor 102 to the controller 106 is a design characteristic.

[0042] The sensor 104 is configured to detect movements of the device 100, including tap events or shake events by the user on the device 100. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the sensor 104 may include one or more sensors. Examples of suitable sensors include, but are not limited to, an accelerometer, the button 105, or any combination thereof.

[0043] The sensor 104 is physically connected to the outer body 112 of the device 100. More specifically, the sensor 104 is firmly connected to the outer body 112 such that a data signal output from the sensor 104 corresponding to a detected tap event or shake event is not unduly attenuated.

[0044] The sensor 104 is capable of detecting movements of the device 100, including movements of the device in the horizontal, vertical, or azimuthal directions, as well as tap events on the outer body 112 of the device 100. The sensor 104 is configured to detect the number of times the outer body 112 of the device has been tapped and, optionally, the location on the outer body 112 that has been tapped. The orientation sensor 104 is logically connected to the controller 106. The sensor 104 provides data specific to such events to the controller 106 when various types of tap events or shake events are detected, and thus the controller 106 is capable of detecting various types of tap events or shake events.

[0045] In various embodiments of the present invention, the sensor 104 is capable of detecting translational movement of the device, as well as tap events and shake events in the device. Data from the sensor 104 and the orientation sensor 102 provides information about the overall movement of the device, including translational and orientation movement of the device, and information about user input when the sensor 104 is capable of detecting user input, to the controller 106.

[0046] The controller 106 is configured to enable the sensor 104 to detect a tap or a shake when it determines that the orientation of the device 100 detected by the orientation sensor 102 is within a predetermined orientation range, and to disable the sensor 104 when it determines that the orientation of the device 100 detected by the orientation sensor 102 is not within the predetermined orientation range. The controller 106 is further configured to operate a component of the device (e.g., the heater 108) when the sensor 104 is enabled and a tap or a shake is detected.

[0047] The controller 106 is configured to receive data from the orientation sensor 102 and the sensor 104. The controller 106 is configured to operate a component of the device (e.g., the heater 108) based on user input including the direction in which the device 100 is shaken. The controller 106 is further configured to operate a component of the device (e.g., the heater 108) corresponding to the location and / or number of times the outer body 112 of the device is tapped by the user based on data received from the sensor 104 when the sensor 104 is enabled. For example, if the controller 106 determines from the data from the sensor 104 that the device is shaken in the vertical direction, it turns on the heater 108.

[0048] The heater 108 is configured to heat a consumable 110 received from an opening (not shown), and the consumable 110 contains an aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generating substance may include a tobacco substrate that may be a solid or semi-solid that can be heated without combustion. In an alternative scenario, the consumable 110 may include other types of substrates, for example, an evaporable liquid substrate held in a reservoir.

[0049] When the aerosol generating device 100 is a non-combustion heating device, the heater 108 may further be configured to heat a solid consumable 110 received from the opening.

[0050] The solid consumable 110 may include shredded tobacco. Solid consumables known in the art may include a mouthpiece portion or simply an end from which a user can inhale an aerosol.

[0051] The heater 108 may be any of an electric resistance heater, a convection heater, an induction heater, a laser heater, or any heating device known in the art. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the heater 108 may have multiple heating stages, for example, a preheating stage and a main heating stage.

[0052] The data storage medium 114 is configured to store data regarding a predetermined orientation range. The data storage medium 114 is further configured to store data regarding a pre-programmed tap event or shake event and instructions regarding which components of the device 100 to operate based on whether such a tap event or shake event is detected by the sensor 104. The controller 106 is logically connected to the data storage medium 114 and is configured to access the data in the data storage medium 114.

[0053] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a control sequence in an embodiment of the present invention. In step 202, the orientation sensor 102 detects the orientation of the aerosol generator 100. The orientation sensor 102 is configured to supply a continuous stream of data indicating time-series orientation data to the controller 106. Data regarding the current orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is fed from the orientation sensor 102 to the controller 106. The orientation data may be provided in various formats, for example, in polar coordinates of the longitudinal axis of the device with respect to the vertical axis, or simply in terms of the angle formed by the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis of the device.

[0054] In step 204, the controller 106 receives data regarding the current orientation of the aerosol generator 100 from the orientation sensor 102. The controller 106 is configured to read data stored in the data storage medium 114. The data storage medium 114 is configured to store data including a preferred orientation range. The data stored in the data storage medium 114 indicates the boundaries of a predetermined orientation range.

[0055] In step 206, the controller 106 determines whether the detected orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is within a predetermined orientation range based on a comparison between the orientation data received from the orientation sensor 102 and the data stored in the data storage medium 114 that includes the predetermined orientation range.

[0056] If the controller 106 determines that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is not within the predetermined orientation range, it is configured to disable the sensor 104 in step 208. Once the sensor 104 is disabled, the user cannot perform a tap input or a shake input representing an instruction to operate a component (e.g., the heater 108) of the aerosol generator 100 on the device.

[0057] When the controller 106 determines that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is within a predetermined orientation range, it is configured to activate the sensor 104 in step 210. Once the sensor 104 is activated, the user can perform a tap input or a shake input representing an instruction to operate a component of the device (e.g., the heater 108) on the device.

[0058] In step 212, the sensor 104 detects a tap input or a shake input from the user. Data is fed from the sensor 104 to the controller 106. The tap data or shake data may be provided in the form of a waveform plotting the appropriate acceleration of the device, measured over time by the sensor 104.

[0059] In step 214, the controller 106 receives the tap data or shake data from the sensor 104. The controller 106 is configured to compare the tap data or shake data with the data stored in the data storage medium 114. The data stored in the data storage medium 114 represents a pre-programmed tap pattern or shake pattern (e.g., shake vertically, or tap the device twice). If the tap data or shake data matches the pre-programmed tap pattern or shake pattern, the controller 106 operates the component of the device corresponding to the tap data or shake data.

[0060] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a predetermined orientation range in an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the preferred orientation range of operation is bounded by the surface of a cone 300 centered on the vertical axis (in this case, the Y-axis). Figure 3 shows a first orientation example 302, which is within the boundary surface of the cone 300 and thus within the predetermined orientation range. Figure 3 also shows a second orientation example 304, which is outside the boundary surface of the cone 300 and thus outside the predetermined orientation range.

[0061] The data stored in the data storage medium 114 represents the boundaries of a predetermined orientation range 302. This may include storing the angles in a polar coordinate system or a cylindrical coordinate system.

[0062] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a control sequence in another embodiment of the present invention. At step 402, the sensor 104 detects the movement of the aerosol generator 100. The sensor 104 is configured to supply a continuous stream of data representing time-series motion data to the controller 106, which may include accelerometer data within a Cartesian reference frame. The movement of the aerosol generator 100 may also include changes in the orientation of the aerosol generator 100 detected by the orientation sensor 102, including yaw, pitch, and roll angular rotations. Data regarding the current movement of the aerosol generator 100 is fed from the sensor 104 to the controller 106.

[0063] At step 404, the controller 106 receives data regarding the current movement of the aerosol generator 100 from the sensor 104 and optionally also from the orientation sensor 102. The controller 106 is configured to read data stored in the data storage medium 114. The data storage medium 114 is configured to store data including a predetermined movement. The data stored in the data storage medium 114 represents the translational and orientation movements of the device within the predetermined movement.

[0064] At step 406, the controller 106 is configured to determine whether the detected movement of the aerosol generator 100 substantially matches the predetermined movement based on a comparison of the motion data received from the sensor 104 and the data including the predetermined movement stored in the data storage medium 114. The predetermined movement may include the expected movement speed, expected movement range, and minimum and maximum values of the expected angular rotation associated with a typical operation of the user picking up the device 100. Thus, the predetermined movement can provide the boundary range of all movements expected for a typical pick-up operation.

[0065] When the controller 106 determines that the detected motion of the aerosol generator 100 does not represent a predetermined motion, it is configured to disable the sensor 104 in step 408. Once the sensor 104 is disabled, the user cannot provide an input to the device that represents an instruction to operate a component of the aerosol generator 100 (e.g., the heater 108).

[0066] When the controller 106 determines that the detected motion of the aerosol generator 100 represents a predetermined motion, it is configured to enable the sensor 104 in step 410. Once the sensor 104 is enabled, the user can provide an input that represents an instruction to operate a component of the aerosol generator 100 (e.g., the heater 108).

[0067] In step 412, the controller 106 determines whether a user input has been detected by the sensor 104 within a predetermined time. The controller 106 may include a time measurement function that measures the elapsed time since the sensor 104 was enabled. Alternatively, the controller 106 may include a countdown function.

[0068] When the controller 106 detects that the sensor 104 has received a user input within a predetermined time, in step 414, it operates the component of the device that corresponds to the instruction given by the user in the user input. For example, if there is a user input to press the button 105 of the device, the controller will be instructed to operate the heater 108. This can prevent the device 100 from operating accidentally.

[0069] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control sequences shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4 are combined. In step 406 of the embodiment of FIG. 4, after the controller 106 determines that the detected motion of the aerosol generator 100 represents a predetermined motion, in step 202 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, the orientation sensor 102 detects the orientation of the aerosol generator 100.

[0070] Thereafter, steps 204 and 206 are executed, and the controller 106 is configured to disable the sensor 104 when it determines that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is not within a predetermined orientation range. Or, the controller 106 is configured to enable the sensor 104 when it determines that the detected orientation of the aerosol generator 100 is within a predetermined orientation range. After the sensor 104 is enabled in step 412, if step 412 is satisfied, step 414 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is executed.

[0071] The predetermined motion represents the user picking up the device. For example, the predetermined motion may be that the longitudinal axis of the device has rotated 90 to 180 degrees (±20 degrees) from the horizontal plane (the Z-axis or X-axis shown in FIGS. 5 to 7). To cover various ways in which the user can use for the picking-up operation, various motions may be within the range of the predetermined motion.

[0072] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are schematic views showing possible motions of the device for explaining steps 402, 404, and 406 of FIG. 4.

[0073] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the device in an embodiment of the present invention, and the orientation of the device is depicted as changing from a first starting orientation 502 to a first ending orientation 504.

[0074] The longitudinal axis of the device is in the horizontal plane (X-Z plane) at the first starting orientation 502. In step 402 of the embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 4, the sensor 104 detects that the longitudinal axis of the device has rotated 120 degrees in the negative X direction to reach the first ending orientation 504. In step 404, the controller receives data from the sensor 104 and the orientation sensor 102 over the entire movement of the device between the first starting orientation 502 and the first ending orientation 504. In step 406, the controller compares the received data of the movement of the device between the orientations 502 and 504 with the data of a predetermined movement stored in the data storage medium 114. In this scenario, the sensor 104 of the device is enabled to detect user input in step 410. This is because the longitudinal axis of the device has rotated over an angle that satisfies the conditions of the predetermined movement given in the above example (a rotation of 90 to 180 degrees (±20 degrees) from the horizontal plane).

[0075] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a device in an embodiment of the present invention, and the orientation of the device is depicted as changing from a second starting orientation 602 to a second ending orientation 604.

[0076] The longitudinal axis of the device is parallel to the Z axis in the horizontal plane at the second starting orientation 602. In step 402 of the embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 4, the sensor 104 detects that the longitudinal axis of the device has rotated 90 degrees in the positive Z direction to reach the first ending orientation 604. In step 404, the controller receives data from the sensor 104 and the orientation sensor 102 over the entire movement of the device between the second starting orientation 602 and the second ending orientation 604. In step 406, the controller compares the received data of the movement of the device between the orientations 602 and 604 with the data of a predetermined movement stored in the data storage medium 114. The sensor 104 of the device is enabled to detect user input in step 410. This is because the movement of the device has satisfied the conditions of the predetermined movement given in the above example (a rotation of 90 to 180 degrees (±20 degrees) from the horizontal plane).

[0077] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, and the orientation of the apparatus is depicted as changing from a third starting orientation 702 to a third ending orientation 704.

[0078] The longitudinal axis of the apparatus is parallel to the Z-axis in the horizontal plane at the third starting orientation 702. In step 402 of the embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 4, the sensor 104 detects that the longitudinal axis of the apparatus has rotated 60 degrees in the positive Z direction to reach the third ending orientation 704. In step 404, the controller receives data from the sensor 104 and the orientation sensor 102 over the entire movement of the apparatus between the third starting orientation 702 and the third ending orientation 704. In step 406, the controller compares the received data on the movement of the apparatus between the orientations 702 and 704 with the data on a predetermined movement stored in the data storage medium 114. The sensor 104 of the apparatus is not enabled to detect user input in step 408. This is because the movement of the apparatus does not meet the conditions of the predetermined movement in the above example (rotation of 90 to 180 degrees (±20 degrees) from the horizontal plane).

[0079] In the above example of the predetermined movement (where the longitudinal axis of the apparatus rotates 90 to 180 degrees (±20 degrees) from the horizontal plane (Z-axis or X-axis)), no constraint condition for the translational movement of the apparatus is given. The examples given in FIGS. 5 to 7 do not show the translational movement of the apparatus for the sake of simplicity of illustration. In another example of the predetermined movement, a constraint condition for the translational movement of the apparatus may also be given. For example, the predetermined movement may be a movement in which the longitudinal axis of the apparatus rotates 90 to 180 degrees (±20 degrees) from the horizontal plane (Z-axis or X-axis), and the apparatus traverses a path longer than 20 cm and shorter than 1 m, which represents the user picking up the apparatus.

[0080] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control sequence in another embodiment of the present invention. At step 802, sensor 104 detects the movement of aerosol generator 100. Sensor 104 is configured to supply a continuous stream of data indicating time-series motion data to controller 106, which may include accelerometer data within a Cartesian reference frame. The movement of aerosol generator 100 may include changes in the orientation of aerosol generator 100 detected by orientation sensor 102, and the orientation sensor may also be configured to provide time-series orientation data including angular rotations of yaw, pitch, and roll to controller 106. Data regarding the current movement of aerosol generator 100 is fed from sensor 104 to controller 106.

[0081] At step 804, controller 106 receives data regarding the current movement of aerosol generator 100 from sensor 104, or from sensor 104 and orientation sensor 102. The controller is configured to store the motion data on data storage medium 114 together with a time stamp label at the time when the motion data was detected. The time stamp label data may be given in the format of hours, minutes, and seconds (e.g., 12h:34m.56s). Data storage medium 114 is configured to store data including the detected movement of the device and the associated time stamp label at the time when the detected movement occurred. The data stored on data storage medium 114 represents the translational and orientation movements of the device.

[0082] In step 806, the sensor detects user input on the device. This may include, for example, pressing button 105 in one example. In another example, this may include tapping or shaking the device, which are detected by sensor 104. In step 808, controller 106 determines whether a user input has been detected within a predetermined time from the time stamp associated with the detected motion data stored in data storage medium 114. The predetermined time may be, for example, 3 seconds (from the time stamp). In this example, if the time stamp label of the detected motion data is 12h:34m.56s and the user input is received at 12h:34m.58s, the control sequence proceeds to step 810 assuming the condition of step 808 is satisfied. On the other hand, if the user input is received at 12h:35m.00s, the condition of step 808 is not satisfied and the control sequence returns to step 802.

[0083] In step 810, controller 106 makes a determination as to whether the detected motion data substantially matches the predetermined motion data stored in data storage medium 114, based on a comparison of the motion data received from sensor 104, or from sensor 104 and orientation sensor 102, with data including the predetermined motion. The predetermined motion may include the expected motion speed, the expected motion range, and the minimum and maximum values of the expected angular rotation associated with a typical operation of the user picking up device 100. Thus, the predetermined motion can provide the boundary range of all motions expected for a typical pick-up operation.

[0084] If controller 106 determines that the detected motion of aerosol generator 100 does not represent the predetermined motion, it blocks the operation of the component of the device corresponding to the user input, and the control sequence returns to step 802.

[0085] When the controller 106 determines that the detected movement of the aerosol generator 100 represents a predetermined movement, it operates a component of the device (e.g., the heater 108) corresponding to the user input. That is, the control sequence presents two important conditions for the operation of a component of the device (e.g., the heater). Specifically, the control sequence requires the detection of a specific predetermined movement of the device corresponding to the expected movement of the device in response to the device being picked up. Next, the control sequence requires the detection of a user input (e.g., pressing of the button 105) within a predetermined time. Thereby, a specific operation sequence corresponding to the expected operation of the device for starting the vaping session is realized. The operations such as heating are started only when this specific sequence is detected, thereby making it possible to prevent unintentional operation and improve safety, and at the same time, it is possible to reduce the user's frustration by enabling normal use.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: an orientation sensor configured to detect the orientation of the device; a sensor configured to detect a tap or shake event on the device; a controller, enabling the orientation sensor to detect a tap or a shake in response to determining that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is within a predetermined orientation range; a controller configured to disable the sensor in response to determining that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is not within a predetermined orientation range; and Equipped with The aerosol generating device, wherein the controller is further configured to activate a heating function of the device in response to a tap or a shake being detected when the sensor is enabled.

2. 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to detect a shake that involves movement of the device in a horizontal, vertical, or azimuthal direction.

3. 3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to activate the heating function of the device in response to determining directional movement when the device is shaken.

4. 4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the orientation sensor includes a gyroscope.

5. 4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer.

6. 4. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device comprises an outer body.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is connected to the outer body.

8. 7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the number of times the outer body of the device is tapped.

9. The aerosol generating device of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a tapped position on the outer body.

10. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined azimuthal range includes orientations in which the longitudinal axis of the device is confined within a cone defined about a vertical axis.

11. The aerosol generating device of claim 10, wherein the predetermined orientation range is bounded by the surface of a cone defined about the vertical axis, and the sensor is enabled to detect a tap or shake in response to determining that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is within the boundary surface of the cone.

12. 1. A method of using an aerosol generating device, comprising: detecting the orientation of the device using an orientation sensor; using a controller to enable a sensor to detect tap or shake events in response to determining that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is within a predetermined orientation range, and disabling the sensor in response to determining that the orientation of the device detected by the orientation sensor is not within the predetermined orientation range; activating a heating function of the device using the controller in response to a tap or shake event being detected when the sensor is enabled; A method comprising:

13. A computer-readable memory medium containing executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform steps comprising the method of claim 12.

14. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a motion sensor configured to detect motion of the device; a sensor configured to detect a user input; a controller configured to activate a heating function of the device when movement of the device is detected by the motion sensor and a user input is subsequently detected by the sensor, the movement of the device detected by the motion sensor corresponding to a predetermined movement; and An aerosol generating device comprising:

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