Aerosol generating device and aerosol delivery system

Abstract

An aerosol generating device 10 for heating an aerosol forming substrate 41 is provided to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled during use of a session. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises control electronics 36 and an annular outer illumination region 61 surrounding an inner illumination region 62. The control electronics are coupled to the outer illumination region 61 and the inner illumination region 62 and are configured to selectively irradiate one of the outer illumination region and the inner illumination region to generate a first predetermined light emission that transmits first data indicative of the state of the aerosol generating device, and to selectively irradiate the other of the outer illumination region and the inner illumination region to generate a second predetermined light emission that transmits second data indicative of the state of the aerosol generating device, wherein the first data and the second data are different from each other. Also provided is an aerosol delivery system 100 including such an aerosol generating device 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device in which data regarding the state of the device is visually communicated to a user of the device. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol delivery system including such an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating devices configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, are known in the art. Typically, an inhalable aerosol is generated by heat transfer from a heat source to a physically separated aerosol-forming substrate or material that may be located inside, around, or downstream of the heat source. The aerosol-forming substrate can be a liquid substrate contained within a reservoir. The aerosol-forming substrate can also be a solid substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate can be part of a component of a separate aerosol-generating article configured to engage with the aerosol generating device to form an aerosol. Volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source during consumption and are entrained in the air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. The released compounds condense with cooling to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

[0003] During use of the aerosol generating device, changes in one or more parameters of the device can occur. It is desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that can efficiently communicate data regarding the state of the device to the user.

[0004] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating device" is used to denote a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating device preferably is a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into a user's lungs through the user's mouth. The aerosol generating device may be, or may include, a holder for a smoking article. The aerosol-generating article preferably is a smoking article that generates an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into a user's lungs through the user's mouth. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article is a smoking article that generates a nicotine-containing aerosol that can be directly inhaled into a user's lungs through the user's mouth. Summary of the Invention

[0005] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" means a substrate made of, or including, an aerosol-forming material having the ability to release a volatile compound upon heating in order to generate an aerosol.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled during a use session. The aerosol generating device includes control electronics. The aerosol generating device may include at least one of an annular outer illumination region and an inner illumination region. The annular outer illumination region may surround the inner illumination region. The control electronics may be coupled to at least one of the outer illumination region and the inner illumination region. The control electronics may be configured to selectively illuminate the outer illumination region or the inner illumination region to i) generate a first predetermined light emission that conveys first data indicative of a state of the aerosol generating device, and / or ii) generate a second predetermined light emission that conveys second data indicative of a state of the aerosol generating device. The first data and the second data may be different from each other.

[0007] As used herein, the term "light" refers to emissions of electromagnetic radiation that are within the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum is generally understood to encompass wavelengths in the region of approximately 380 nanometers to approximately 750 nanometers.

[0008] As used herein, the term "predetermined light emission" is light emission characterized in terms of one or more parameters of the light emission. By way of example, the one or more parameters can include the luminance level of the light emission, the spatial variation of the luminance level of the light emission with respect to one or both of an outer illumination region and an inner illumination region, the color of the light emission, the spatial variation of the color of the light emission with respect to one or both of an outer illumination region and an inner illumination region, and any of the proportions of one or both of the outer illumination region and the inner illumination region that are actuated to generate the light emission. The one or more parameters can also include variation over time of any of the parameters described in the foregoing text.

[0009] A usage session is a finite usage session, i.e., a usage session having a start and an end. The usage session may have a fixed duration. The duration of the usage session as measured by time may be affected by usage during the usage session. The duration of the usage session may have a maximum duration determined by the maximum time from the start of the usage session. If one or more monitored parameters reach a predetermined threshold prior to the maximum time from the start of the usage session, the duration of the usage session may be shorter than the maximum time. By way of example, the one or more monitored parameters may include i) the cumulative number of puffs inhaled by a user since the start of the usage session, ii) the cumulative volume of aerosol emitted from an aerosol-forming substrate since the start of the usage session, and iii) one or more of the total heating times.

[0010] As described above, by coupling the control electronics to the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area, each illumination area can provide data to the user in a visual format indicating the state of the device. By using the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area, each illumination area facilitates separately communicating different data to the user.

[0011] The outer illumination area and the inner illumination area may collectively form a common illumination array.

[0012] The common illumination array may include a plurality of illumination elements. Further, the control electronics may be configured to control a first subset of the plurality of illumination elements of the common illumination array to generate a first light emission and to control a second subset of the plurality of illumination elements of the common illumination array to generate a second light emission. The first subset and the second subset are preferably distinct from each other, meaning that none of the plurality of illumination elements is common to both the first subset and the second subset.

[0013] For the sake of convenience, the inner illumination area may comprise a single illumination element. The single illumination element may be positioned centrally within the inner illumination area.

[0014] Alternatively, the inner illumination area may include a group of illumination elements. The group of illumination elements may be arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the inner illumination area.

[0015] Preferably, either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area are translucent. As an example, the display window of either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area may be translucent. The fact that the inner illumination area and the outer illumination area or the corresponding display window are translucent enables the first predetermined light emission and / or the second predetermined light emission to be provided to the user of the device as a diffused emission.

[0016] For the sake of economy, the aerosol generating device may extend in the longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end. The outer illumination area and the inner illumination area may be provided on a lateral surface defining one of the first and second ends.

[0017] The aerosol generating device may comprise a first housing and a second housing. The first housing may be removably attachable to the second housing.

[0018] The first housing may define or comprise a holder for an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol forming substrate. The holder may comprise an induction heating device. Alternatively, the heater may comprise a resistive heating device.

[0019] The second housing may extend in the longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end. The outer illumination area and the inner illumination area may be provided on a lateral surface defining one of the first and second ends.

[0020] The second housing may comprise a power source, a control circuit for controlling the heating device, and one or more of one or more buttons accessible from outside the second housing.

[0021] When the second housing comprises one or more buttons accessible from outside the second housing, at least one of the one or more buttons may be operable to select, activate, change, pause, or stop the operating mode of the aerosol generating device. The button may also be coupled to the control electronics such that a first predetermined light emission or a second predetermined light emission indicates the operating mode selected, activated, changed, paused, or stopped by the operation of the button. The operating mode may include one or more of a preheating mode and a pause mode. The one or more buttons may consist of a first button and a second button. It will be understood that the one or more buttons may comprise three or more buttons.

[0022] Preferably, at least one of the first and second data is: a) the aerosol generator has been actuated by the user; b) selection, actuation, change, pause, stop or progression of the operating mode of the aerosol generator; c) the energy level of the power supply of the aerosol generator; d) the power supply of the aerosol generator containing sufficient energy to complete a single use session; e) the power supply of the aerosol generator containing sufficient energy to complete more than one use session; f) the power supply of the aerosol generator containing an energy level below a predetermined threshold level of energy; g) selection or actuation of one of a first predetermined heat profile and a second predetermined heat profile, each of the first and second predetermined heat profiles defining a heating profile for heating the aerosol-forming substrate by an electrical heating device over a use session, the first and second predetermined heat profiles being different from each other, selection or actuation; h) the aerosol generator is in one of a pause mode state or a restart state; i) selection or actuation of a change in the operating state of the aerosol generator; j) progression through a use session; and k) progression through a preheating stage in which the electrical heating device is heated to a predetermined target temperature. Thus, one or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area facilitate data transmission to the user in a visual form related to a given state of the device.

[0023] Preferably, the first data may be related to the progress of the operating phase of the aerosol generating device. The second data may be related to different states of the aerosol generating device. The first predetermined light emission may be a light emission of a predetermined stage progress. The second predetermined light emission may be a light emission of a predetermined state. The control electronics are configured to: i) indicate the progress of the operating phase of the aerosol generating device and, in response thereto, selectively activate one of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area to generate a light emission of a predetermined stage progress, and ii) indicate different states of the aerosol generating device and, in response thereto, selectively activate the other of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area to generate a light emission of a predetermined state. As an example, the operating phase may be a preheating phase in which an electric heating device for heating the aerosol forming substrate is heated to a predetermined target temperature, or the operating phase may be a usage session.

[0024] In a state where the progress has passed through the operating phase, the control electronics may increase or decrease any one or more of the luminance of the illumination area that generates the light emission of the predetermined stage progress and the proportion of the illumination area that is activated to generate the light emission of the predetermined stage progress.

[0025] Preferably, the control electronics may be configured to: i) selectively activate the outer illumination area to generate a light emission of a predetermined stage progress, and ii) selectively activate the inner illumination area to generate a light emission of a predetermined state. Since the outer illumination area surrounds the inner illumination area, this configuration is particularly suitable for transmitting data indicating the progress through the operating phase of the aerosol generating device to the user in the form of a light emission of a predetermined stage progress due to the geometric shape of the outer illumination area.

[0026] The control electronics may be configured to generate the light emission of the predetermined stage progress and the light emission of the predetermined state simultaneously.

[0027] Preferably, the control electronic device is configured to gradually decrease or gradually increase one of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area through the progress of the operation stage of the aerosol generator to generate a light emission with a predetermined step progression. What the "operation area" means is a part of the illumination area from which a light emission with a predetermined step progression is emitted. In this way, when the ratio of one of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area decreases or increases, it contributes to the generation of a light emission with a predetermined step progression through the progress of the operation stage. In this context, the light emission with a predetermined step progression is similar to a timer that counts down or counts up through the progress of the operation stage.

[0028] As shown in the following paragraphs, each of the illumination areas may include a plurality of light-emitting elements. The variation in the operation area or the operation length can be achieved by changing the number of the plurality of light-emitting elements in each of the illuminated areas that are activated through the progress of the operation stage.

[0029] When generating either a light emission with a predetermined step progression or a light emission in a predetermined state, the control electronic device may be configured to change the operation thickness of the annular outer illumination area with respect to time. In this way, the thickness of the annular outer illumination area irradiated in the generation of a light emission with a predetermined step progression or a light emission in a predetermined state changes with respect to time. This time-dependent variation in the operation thickness may include a gradual increase in the operation thickness followed by a gradual decrease in the operation thickness. The variation in the operation thickness may be periodic. The annular outer illumination area may include a plurality of light-emitting elements extending over the thickness of the annular illumination area, and the variation of the operation thickness with respect to time is achieved by changing the number of light-emitting elements activated over the thickness.

[0030] At least one of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area can be formed by separate first and second parts. The control electronics can be configured to gradually decrease or gradually increase the operating area of the first part over the course of a first usage session to generate light emission during the predetermined first usage session. The control electronics can also be configured to gradually decrease or gradually increase the operating area of the second part over the course of a second usage session to generate light emission during the predetermined second usage session. In this way, each of the first and second parts of each illumination area can provide data to the user in a visual format indicating the progression of the corresponding usage session. The first usage session and the second usage session are separate usage sessions. Preferably, the second usage session is the usage session immediately following the first usage session. If the aerosol generating device includes a rechargeable power source, the second usage session can preferably be carried out using all of the energy remaining in the power source after the first usage session. The separate first and second parts are preferably symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the bisector of each of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area.

[0031] The control electronics can be configured to operate a first proportion of one of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area in response to indicating that the aerosol generating device is in a first state, to generate light emission in the predetermined first state. The control electronics can be further configured to operate a second proportion of each illumination area in response to indicating that the aerosol generating device is in a second state, to generate light emission in the predetermined second state. The second proportion may be larger in size than the first proportion. In this way, each illumination area of the proportion that is operated can provide the user with a visual indication that the aerosol generating device is in one of two different states.

[0032] The aerosol generating device may further comprise a power source coupled to the control electronics. The first state may correspond to a power source containing sufficient energy to complete a single use session. The second state may correspond to a power source containing sufficient energy to complete two or more use sessions. In this way, the light emission of a given first state may indicate a power source containing a level of energy sufficient to complete only a single use session, while the light emission of a given second state will indicate a power source containing a level of energy sufficient to complete two or more use sessions.

[0033] The aerosol generating device may further comprise a power source coupled to the control electronics. The first state may correspond to the operation of the control electronics according to a first predetermined heat profile for heating the aerosol-forming substrate by means of an electric heating device over a use session. The second state may correspond to the operation of the control electronics according to a second predetermined heat profile for heating the aerosol-forming substrate by means of an electric heating device over a use session. In this way, the light emission of a given first state may indicate the selection of a first predetermined heat profile for the electric heating device over a use session, and the light emission of a given second state may indicate the selection of a second predetermined heat profile for the electric heating device over a use session. The first and second predetermined heat profiles are different from each other. The second predetermined heat profile may have a higher intensity than the first predetermined heat profile. For example, the second predetermined heat profile may be associated with a greater amount of energy supplied from the power source to the electric heating device over a use session than the first predetermined heat profile.

[0034] The power source may be in the form of a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery.

[0035] The control electronics can be configured to selectively activate different portions of one of the outer illumination region and the inner illumination region over time such that the activated portion of each illumination region moves along the illumination region over time to generate one of a predetermined progressive light emission and a light emission of a predetermined state.

[0036] For the sake of convenience, the state of the aerosol generator corresponding to the light emission of a predetermined state can be a restart state or a pause mode state. The restart state can correspond to the control electronics that control the supply of energy from the power source to the electrical heating device to heat the aerosol formation substrate at a first temperature level in the aerosol release mode. The pause mode state can correspond to the control electronics that control the supply of energy from the power source to the electrical heating device to heat the aerosol formation substrate at a second temperature level below the first temperature level.

[0037] The control electronics can be configured to gradually increase the main wavelength of the predetermined progressive light emission as the operation stage of the aerosol generator progresses. In this way, the color of the predetermined progressive light emission can be adjusted to reflect the progress through the operation stage. Advantageously, the main wavelength is in the range of 380 to 500 nanometers at the start of the operation stage and within the range of 590 to 700 nanometers at the end of the operation stage. Thus, as the operation stage progresses, the color of the predetermined progressive light emission can be adjusted from the color at the blue end of the electromagnetic spectrum to the color at the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum. When the operation stage is the preheating stage, the increase in the main wavelength towards the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum over the preheating stage will provide the user of the aerosol generator with an indication that the electrical heating device is heating up as intended.

[0038] Advantageously, a predetermined area of the inner illumination area defines a predetermined shape. The control electronics may be configured to actuate the predetermined area that defines the predetermined shape to generate either a first predetermined light emission or a second predetermined light emission. Thus, the shape of the first or second predetermined light emission can be used to provide a user with an indication of the state of the aerosol generator.

[0039] The aerosol generator may comprise a touch-actuated interface. The touch-actuated interface may be coupled to the control electronics and may include an actuation area that can be contacted by a user's finger to provide user input to the control electronics. Preferably, the touch-actuated interface may form part of either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area. The actuation area may be defined between the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area. For the sake of convenience, the touch-actuated interface may comprise a capacitive panel.

[0040] The control electronics may be configured to selectively actuate either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area at two or more brightness levels so as to vary the brightness of at least one of the first predetermined light emission and the second predetermined light emission over time. The variation of brightness over time can be particularly beneficial when the predetermined light emission indicates the progress of the operating phase of the aerosol generator.

[0041] The control electronics may be configured to selectively actuate either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area in two or more color states to vary the color of at least one of the first predetermined light emission and the second predetermined light emission over time. The variation of color over time can be particularly beneficial when the predetermined light emission indicates the progress of the operating phase of the aerosol generator. As an example, the variation of color over time can be useful when communicating data indicating a temperature change, such as a change in the temperature of an electric heating device used to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, to the user.

[0042] The control electronics can be configured to selectively activate either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area to vary at least one of a first predetermined light emission and a second predetermined light emission over time by one or more of activating, stopping, and reactivating different portions of each illumination area over time.

[0043] Preferably, each of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. However, as discussed in the preceding paragraph, the inner illumination area may have only a single illumination element. Each or different ones of the light-emitting elements of each illumination area can contribute to a first or second predetermined light emission, depending on whether the light-emitting element activated by the control electronics at a given instant is either. All or only a few of the light-emitting elements can be used to generate a first predetermined light emission or a second predetermined light emission at a given instant. The use of the light-emitting elements in the form of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is preferred due to the high energy efficiency of the LEDs. It is preferred that the aerosol generator be handheld and sized to include a power source to provide portability. As previously mentioned, the power source may, for convenience, be in the form of a rechargeable battery. In this context, due to the energy efficiency associated with LEDs, LEDs are particularly suitable for use in such a handheld portable aerosol generator having its own power source. However, alternatively, the light-emitting elements can instead be composed of one or more liquid crystal display devices, or any other electrically driven light source whose energy and size requirements are suitable for use in an aerosol generator.

[0044] The aerosol generating device may further comprise one or more waveguides configured to direct light generated by one or more of the plurality of light emitting elements towards one or more display windows of either or both of an outer illumination area and an inner illumination area for viewing a first predetermined light emission and a second predetermined light emission by a user. As used herein, the term "waveguide" refers to a structure adapted to guide electromagnetic waves of light. The one or more waveguides may, for convenience, be in the form of one or more optical fibers or light conductors. Each of the light emitting elements may, for convenience, be associated with a corresponding waveguide, such that light emitted from each light emitting element is transmitted to the display window via the corresponding waveguide.

[0045] Preferably, each one of the light emitting elements may be a light emitting diode, and the control electronics includes a control driver for the light emitting diode and a separate microcontroller. The control driver may be configured to control the electrical supply from a power source to one or more of the plurality of light emitting diodes under the control of the microcontroller to generate the first predetermined light emission and the second predetermined light emission. The control driver may be configured to control one or both of the voltage level or the current level of the electrical supply.

[0046] The plurality of light emitting diodes in each of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area may include a first set of light emitting diodes configured to emit light of a first color and a second set of light emitting diodes configured to emit light of a second color. The control driver for the light emitting diodes may be configured to activate one or more of the light emitting diodes from only the first set, or only from the second set, or from both the first and second sets of either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area, such that at least one color of the first predetermined light emission and the second predetermined light emission is controlled.

[0047] The control driver of the light-emitting diode is configured to control the supply of power from a power source to one or more of a plurality of light-emitting diodes in either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area by a type of pulse-width modulation having a predetermined resolution, such that the predetermined resolution controls the luminance of at least one of a first predetermined light emission and a second predetermined light emission that define two or more luminance levels. As an example, the resolution of the pulse-width modulation type can be 8 bits (having 256 levels), 10 bits (having 1024 levels), or 12 bits (having 4096 levels). The higher the predetermined resolution, the greater the number of discrete stationary luminance levels of light that can be generated by a given light-emitting diode. In this way, the accuracy or level of detail of the data transmitted to the user by different luminance levels can be controlled by the predetermined resolution selected for the control driver of the light-emitting diode.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol generating device according to any one of the above-described modifications and an aerosol generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0049] The aerosol generating article can extend over a length of 75 millimeters (±10%). The aerosol generating article may have a diameter of 6.7 millimeters (±10%). The aerosol generating article may have a mass of 580 mg to 620 mg. However, it is understood that the length, diameter, mass, or shape of the aerosol generating article can be selected according to the possible preferences of the intended user.

[0050] The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a solid aerosol-forming substrate. However, the aerosol-forming substrate may include both solid and liquid components. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0051] The aerosol-forming substrate preferably contains nicotine. More preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate contains tobacco. As another method or additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain a non-tobacco-containing aerosol-forming material.

[0052] When the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid aerosol-forming substrate contains one or more of herb leaves, tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, expanded tobacco, and homogenized tobacco, and may include, for example, one or more of powders, granules, pellets, fragments, twists, flakes, or sheets.

[0053] Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds, which are released upon heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain, for example, one or more capsules containing additional tobacco volatile flavor compounds or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds, and such capsules may melt during heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0054] Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of a powder, granule, pellet, fragment, twist, flake, or sheet. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited, for example, in the form of a sheet, foam, gel, or slurry on the surface of the carrier. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited over the entire surface of the carrier or, alternatively, deposited in a pattern to provide non-uniform flavor delivery during use.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate contains a homogenized tobacco material. As used herein, the term "homogenized tobacco material" refers to a material formed by aggregating particulate tobacco.

[0056] The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises an assembly of sheets of homogenized tobacco material. As used herein, the term "sheet" refers to a layered element having a width and length that are substantially greater than its thickness. As used herein, the term "assembled" is used to indicate a sheet that is substantially transversely entrained, folded, or otherwise compressed or constricted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

[0057] The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises an aerosol former. As used herein, the term "aerosol former" is used to denote any suitable well-known compound or mixture of compounds that facilitates the formation of an aerosol during use and is substantially resistant to thermal decomposition at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article.

[0058] Suitable aerosol formers are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, glycerin), esters of polyhydric alcohols (such as glycerol monoacetate, diacetate or triacetate), and aliphatic esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids (such as dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate). Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and most preferably glycerin).

[0059] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a single aerosol former. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a combination of two or more aerosol formers.

Examples

[0060] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more of the features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0061] Example 1: An aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an inhalable aerosol during a use session, comprising control electronics and an outer illumination area or an inner illumination area, optionally with the outer illumination area surrounding the inner illumination area, the control electronics being coupled to the outer illumination area and / or the inner illumination area and configured to selectively irradiate the outer illumination area and / or the inner illumination area to generate a first predetermined light emission for transmitting first data indicative of the state of the aerosol generating device and / or to generate a second predetermined light emission for transmitting second data indicative of the state of the aerosol generating device, optionally with the first data and the second data being different from each other, the aerosol generating device comprising an outer illumination area or an inner illumination area. Example 1a: An opening defined within a wall of the aerosol generating device, one or more illumination elements positioned within the aerosol generating device, and a light transmissive path optically coupling the one or more illumination elements to the opening, further comprising, the aerosol generating device according to Example 1, wherein the control electronics is configured to selectively activate at least one of the one or more illumination elements to generate one or both of the first predetermined light emission and the second predetermined light emission. Example 1b: The aerosol generating device according to Example 1a, wherein the light transmissive path comprises a diffuser or a waveguide. Example 1c: The aerosol generating device according to Example 1b, wherein the diffuser or the waveguide is mechanically coupled to an inner surface of the wall. Example 1d: The diffuser or waveguide is also the aerosol generator according to Example 1c, which is mechanically coupled to at least one of the one or more lighting elements. Example 1e: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1b to 1d, wherein no part of the diffuser or waveguide protrudes into the opening. Example 1f: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1a to 1d, wherein at least a part of the diffuser or waveguide protrudes into all or a part of the opening. Example 1g: The aerosol generator according to Example 1f, wherein the diffuser or waveguide protrudes into the opening such that the diffuser or waveguide is in the same plane as the outer surface of the wall. Example 1h: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1a to 1g, wherein the opening is an annular opening that defines an annular outer illumination region. Example 1i: The aerosol generator according to Example 1h, wherein the inner peripheral edge of the annular opening is defined by a part of a material that is impermeable to light transmission, and the annular opening surrounds a part of the material. Example 1j: The aerosol generator according to Example 1h, wherein the inner peripheral edge of the annular opening is defined by a part of a material that is completely or partially transmissive to light, the annular opening surrounds a part of the material, and the part of the material defines an inner illumination region. Example 2: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 1j, wherein the outer illumination region and the inner illumination region collectively form a common illumination array. Example 3: The common illumination array includes a plurality of lighting elements, and the control electronics is configured to control a first subset of the plurality of lighting elements of the common illumination array to generate a first light emission and a second subset of the plurality of lighting elements of the common illumination array to generate a second light emission, as described in Example 2. Example 4: The inner illumination area is the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, which includes a single illumination element. Example 5: The aerosol generating device according to Example 4, wherein the single illumination element is positioned centrally within the inner illumination area. Example 6: The inner illumination area includes a group of illumination elements, and the group of illumination elements are arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the inner illumination area. The aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 3. Example 7: The aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area are translucent. Example 7a: The aerosol generating device according to Example 7, wherein the display window of either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area is translucent. Example 8: The aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 7a, wherein the aerosol generating device extends in the major axis direction between a first end and a second end, and the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area are provided on a lateral surface defining one of the first end and the second end. Example 9: The aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the device includes a first housing and a second housing. Example 10: The aerosol generating device according to Example 9, wherein the first housing is removably connectable to the second housing. Example 11: The aerosol generating device according to either Example 9 or 10, wherein the first housing defines or includes a holder for an aerosol generating article including an aerosol forming substrate. Example 12: The aerosol generating device according to Example 11, wherein the holder includes an induction heating device. Example 12a: The aerosol generating device according to Example 11, wherein the holder includes a resistance heating device. Example 12b: The second housing extends in the major axis direction between the first end and the second end, and the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area are provided on the lateral surface defining one of the first end and the second end, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 9 to 12a. Example 13: The second housing includes a power source, a control circuit for controlling the heating device, and one or more of one or more buttons accessible from the outside of the second housing, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 9 to 12b. Example 14: At least one of the one or more buttons is operable to select, activate, change, pause, or stop the operating mode of the aerosol generating device, and the button is coupled to the control electronics such that a first predetermined light emission or a second predetermined light emission indicates the operating mode selected, activated, changed, paused, or stopped by the operation of the button, the aerosol generating device according to Example 13. Example 15: The operating mode includes one or more of a preheating mode and a pause mode, the aerosol generating device according to Example 14. Example 16: The one or more buttons consist of a first button and a second button, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 13 to 15. Example 17: The first data and the second data are: a) the aerosol generating device has been actuated by a user; b) selection, actuation, change, pause, stop or progression of the operating mode of the aerosol generating device; c) the energy level of the power supply of the aerosol generating device; d) the power supply of the aerosol generating device containing sufficient energy to complete a single use session; e) the power supply of the aerosol generating device containing sufficient energy to complete more than two use sessions; f) the power supply of the aerosol generating device containing an energy level below a predetermined threshold level of energy; g) selection or actuation of one of a first predetermined heat profile and a second predetermined heat profile, each of the first and second predetermined heat profiles defining a heating profile for heating the aerosol forming substrate by an electrical heating device over a use session, and the first and second predetermined heat profiles being different from each other; h) the aerosol generating device being in one of a pause mode state or a restart state; i) selection or actuation of a change in the operating state of the aerosol generating device; j) progression through a use session; and k) progression through a preheating phase in which the electrical heating device is heated to a predetermined target temperature, the aerosol generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 16 indicating any one of these. Example 18: The first data is related to the state of progression of the operating phase of the aerosol generating device, the second data is related to a different state of the aerosol generating device, the first predetermined light emission is a light emission of a predetermined phase progression, the second predetermined light emission is a light emission of a predetermined state, and the control electronics is configured to: i) indicate the progression of the operating phase of the aerosol generating device and, in response thereto, selectively actuate one of an outer illumination area and an inner illumination area to generate a light emission of a predetermined phase progression; and ii) indicate a different state of the aerosol generating device and, in response thereto, selectively actuate the other of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area to generate a light emission of a predetermined state, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 17. Example 19: The operation stage is the preheating stage in which the electric heating device for heating the aerosol-forming substrate is heated to a predetermined target temperature, of the aerosol generating device according to Example 18.

[0062] Example 20: The operation stage is the usage session, of the aerosol generating device according to Example 18. Example 21: The control electronics is configured to i) selectively operate the outer illumination region to generate light radiation for a predetermined stage progression, and ii) selectively operate the inner illumination region to generate light radiation for a predetermined state, of the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 18 to 20. Example 22: The control electronics is configured to simultaneously generate light radiation for a predetermined stage progression and light radiation for a predetermined state, of the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 18 to 21. Example 23: The control electronics is configured to gradually decrease or gradually increase one of the operating regions of the outer illumination region and the inner illumination region during the progression through the operation stage of the aerosol generating device to generate light radiation for a predetermined stage progression, of the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 18 to 22. Example 24: The control electronics is configured to vary the operating thickness of the annular outer illumination region with respect to time when generating either light radiation for a predetermined stage progression or light radiation for a predetermined state, of the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 18 to 23. Example 25: At least one of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area is formed of a separate first part and a second part, and the control electronics are configured to gradually decrease or gradually increase the operating area of the first part by progression through a first use session to generate light emission for a predetermined first use session, and to gradually decrease or gradually increase the operating area of the second part by progression through a second use session to generate light emission for a predetermined second use session, the aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 18 to 24. Example 26: The separate first part and second part are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the bisector of the respective outer illumination area and inner illumination area, the aerosol generator according to Example 25. Example 27: The control electronics are configured to indicate that the aerosol generator is in a first state and, in response, operate a first percentage of one of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area to generate light emission for a predetermined first state, and to indicate that the aerosol generator is in a second state and, in response, operate a second percentage of each illumination area to generate light emission for a predetermined second state, the second percentage being larger in size than the first percentage, the aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 26. Example 28: The aerosol generator according to Example 27, further comprising a power source coupled to the control electronics, the first state corresponding to a power source containing sufficient energy to complete a single use session, and the second state corresponding to a power source containing sufficient energy to complete two or more use sessions. Example 29: Further comprising a power source coupled to the control electronics, the first state corresponding to operation of the control electronics according to a first predetermined heat profile for heating the aerosol-forming substrate by the electric heating device over a usage session, and the second state corresponding to operation of the control electronics according to a second predetermined heat profile for heating the aerosol-forming substrate by the electric heating device over a usage session, the aerosol-generating device according to embodiment 27. Example 30: The control electronics are configured to selectively operate different portions of one of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area over time, such that the operating portion of each illumination area moves along the illumination area over time to generate one of a predetermined progressive light emission and a light emission of a predetermined state, the aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments 18 to 29. Example 31: The state of the aerosol-generating device corresponding to the light emission of a predetermined state is a restart state or a pause mode state, the aerosol-generating device according to embodiment 30. Example 32: The restart state corresponds to the control electronics that control the supply of energy from the power source to the electric heating device to heat the aerosol-forming substrate at a first temperature level in the aerosol release mode, and the pause mode state corresponds to the control electronics that control the supply of energy from the power source to the electric heating device to heat the aerosol-forming substrate at a second temperature level below the first temperature level, the aerosol-generating device according to embodiment 31. Example 33: The control electronics are configured to gradually increase the main wavelength of the predetermined progressive light emission over the course of the operating phase of the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments 18 to 32. Example 34: The main wavelength is in the range of 380 to 500 nanometers at the start of the operating phase and within the range of 590 to 700 nanometers at the end of the operating phase, the aerosol-generating device according to embodiment 33. Example 35: A predetermined area of the inner illumination area defines a predetermined shape, and the control electronics are configured to actuate the predetermined area that defines the predetermined shape to generate either a first predetermined light emission or a second predetermined light emission, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 34. Example 36: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 35, comprising a touch-actuated interface, the touch-actuated interface being coupled to the control electronics and having an actuation area that can be contacted by a user's finger to provide user input to the control electronics. Example 37: The aerosol generating device according to Example 36, wherein the touch-actuated interface forms part of either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area. Example 38: The aerosol generating device according to Example 36, wherein the actuation area is defined between the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area. Example 39: The aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 36 to 38, wherein the touch-actuated interface comprises a capacitance panel. Example 40: The control electronics are configured to selectively actuate either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area at two or more brightness levels so as to change the brightness of at least one of the first predetermined light emission and the second predetermined light emission over time, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 39. Example 41: The control electronics are configured to selectively actuate either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area in two or more color states to change the color of at least one of the first predetermined light emission and the second predetermined light emission over time, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 40. Example 42: The control electronic device is configured to selectively activate either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area to change at least one of a first predetermined light emission and a second predetermined light emission over time by one or more of activating, stopping, and re - activating different portions of each illumination area over time, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 - 41. Example 43: Each of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area includes a plurality of light - emitting elements, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 - 42. Example 44: The aerosol generating device according to Example 43, further comprising one or more waveguides configured to direct light generated by one or more of the plurality of light - emitting elements to one or more display windows of either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area for the user to view the first predetermined light emission and the second predetermined light emission. Example 45: Each one of the light - emitting elements is a light - emitting diode, and the control electronic device includes a control driver for the light - emitting diode and a separate micro - controller, and the control driver is configured to control the supply of power from a power source to one or more of the plurality of light - emitting diodes under the control of the micro - controller so as to generate the first predetermined light emission and the second predetermined light emission, the aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 43 or 44. Example 46: Each of the plurality of light-emitting diodes in the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area includes a first set of light-emitting diodes configured to emit light of a first color and a second set of light-emitting diodes configured to emit light of a second color. The control driver of the light-emitting diodes is configured to activate one or more of the light-emitting diodes from only the first set in either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area, or from only the second set in either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area, or from the first and second sets in either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area. As a result, at least one color of a first predetermined light emission and a second predetermined light emission is controlled. The aerosol generator according to Example 45. Example 47: The control driver of the light-emitting diodes is configured to control the supply of power from a power source to one or more of the plurality of light-emitting diodes in either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area by a type of pulse-width modulation having a predetermined resolution. As a result, the predetermined resolution defines two or more luminance levels, and at least one luminance of a first predetermined light emission and a second predetermined light emission is controlled. The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 45 or 46. Example 48: An aerosol delivery system, an aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 47, and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol delivery system. Example 49: The aerosol-generating article extends over a length of 75 millimeters (±10%). The aerosol delivery system according to Example 48. Example 50: The aerosol-generating article has a diameter of 6.7 millimeters (±10%). The aerosol delivery system according to any one of Examples 48 or 49. Example 51: The aerosol-generating article has a mass of 580 mg to 620 mg. The aerosol delivery system according to any one of Examples 48 to 50.

[0063] Here, examples will be further described with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0064]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figures 4A - 4D

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

[0065] An exemplary aerosol generator 10 is a two-piece handheld aerosol generator formed by a first housing 20 and a second housing 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are designed to be removably coupled to each other.

[0066] The first housing 20 is in the form of an elongated cylinder. The opening 21 is provided at one end of the first housing 20 (see FIG. 3) for receiving the aerosol generating article 40 within the cavity 22 defined within the first housing. In this way, the first housing 20 functions as a holder for the aerosol generating article 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the tubular susceptor element 23 defines the cylindrical wall of the cavity 22. The tubular susceptor element 23 is formed of a ferromagnetic material such as stainless steel and nickel. Also as shown in FIG. 3, the induction coil 24 surrounds the tubular susceptor element 23. The induction coil 24 is both tubular and helical and defines a circular cross-section when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the first housing 20. Both the induction coil 24 and the tubular susceptor element 23 extend along most of the length of the cavity 22 and together form an induction heating assembly for the aerosol generating device 10. The induction coil 24 is coupled to an auxiliary power source 25 provided within the first housing 20. The auxiliary power source 25 is in the form of a lithium ion battery or the like. An auxiliary control device 26 is also provided within the first housing 20 and is coupled to the auxiliary power source 25.

[0067] The second housing 30 is generally elongate and has a sidewall 31 extending between opposed first and second ends 32, 33. A cutout or recess 34 (see FIG. 1) is provided within the sidewall 31. The second housing 30 includes a primary power source 35 and a primary control device 36. The primary control device 36 includes or is operatively coupled to a memory module 36a and a lighting control driver 36b. The primary power source 35 is in the form of a lithium ion battery or the like and has an energy capacity greater than that of the auxiliary power source 25. The cutout or recess 34 is contoured with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the cylindrical sidewall of the first housing 20, thereby enabling the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 to be fitted together in a side-by-side relationship. The first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are each formed with electrical interconnections such that when the first housing 20 is received within the cutout or recess 34 of the second housing 30, an electrical interface 37 (see FIG. 3) is formed between the first housing 20 and the second housing 30. The primary power source 35 and the primary control device 36 of the second housing 30 are operatively coupled to the auxiliary power source 25 and the auxiliary control device 26 of the first housing 20 via the electrical interface 37. The first button 381 and the second button 382 are provided by cutouts defined within the sidewall 31 of the second housing 30 and project from the housing 30 so as to be accessible to a user. The first and second buttons 381, 382 are operatively coupled to the primary control device 36. A display device 60 is incorporated on a lateral end face 39 of the second housing 30. The display device 60 is formed with an annular outer illumination region 61 and an inner illumination region 62. The annular outer illumination region 61 defines a closed annular portion surrounding the inner illumination region 62. The display device 60 is operatively coupled to the primary control device 36. The features and characteristics of the display device 60 are discussed in more detail in subsequent paragraphs.

[0068] Figures 4A to 4D show examples of an embodiment of the display device 60. In these examples, the second housing 30 has an upper wall 302 provided with an opening 304 through which light is emitted. The opening 304 may be circular or elliptical. Inside the opening 304, there is a component 306 that is smaller than the opening 304. The component 306 may be circular or elliptical. A gap is formed between the outer edge of the component 306 and the inner edge of the opening 304 through which light is emitted.

[0069] Below the component 306, there is a waveguide or diffuser 308. Below the waveguide or diffuser 308, there is a printed circuit board (PCB) 310 provided with a plurality of surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 312. The primary control device 35 selectively irradiates the LEDs 312 to communicate information regarding the state of the device 10 to the user. The light from the LEDs 312 passes through the waveguide or diffuser 308 and is emitted through the gap between the outer edge of the component 306 and the inner edge of the opening 304. Further, the component 306 may be translucent or transparent so that light can be emitted therethrough.

[0070] In Figure 4A, the LEDs 312 are mechanically and optically coupled to the waveguide or diffuser 308. Further, there is a void between the outer edge of the component 306 and the inner edge of the opening 304.

[0071] In Figure 4B, the LEDs 312 are not directly mechanically coupled to the waveguide or diffuser 308. However, the LEDs are optically coupled to the waveguide or diffuser 308. Also in this case, there is a void between the outer edge of the component 306 and the inner edge of the opening 304.

[0072] In Figure 4C, the LEDs 312 are mechanically and optically coupled to the waveguide or diffuser 308. In this embodiment, the waveguide or diffuser 308 extends between the outer edge of the component 306 and the inner edge of the opening 304.

[0073] In FIG. 4D, the LED 312 is not mechanically coupled directly to the waveguide or diffuser 308. However, the LED is optically coupled to the waveguide or diffuser 308. In this embodiment, the waveguide or diffuser 308 extends between the outer edge of the component 306 and the inner edge of the opening 304.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5, an aerosol generating article 40 intended for insertion into the cavity 22 of the first housing 20 of the aerosol generating device 10 has the form of a cylindrical rod, which rod is formed by a combination of an aerosol forming substrate 41 and a filter element 42. The aerosol forming substrate 41 and the filter element 42 are aligned coaxially and enclosed in a wrapper 43 of cigarette paper. The aerosol forming substrate 41 is a solid aerosol forming substrate containing tobacco. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the aerosol forming substrate 41 can instead be a liquid aerosol forming substrate or can be formed by a combination of liquid and solid aerosol forming substrates. The filter element 42 functions as a mouthpiece of the aerosol generating article 40 and defines the downstream end of the article. The aerosol generating article 40 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cavity 22 and a length longer than the depth of the cavity 22.

[0075] The aerosol generating article 40 is inserted into the cavity 22 of the first housing 20 through the opening 21. When the aerosol generating article 40 is fully inserted into the cavity 22, the aerosol forming substrate 41 is surrounded by the susceptor element 23 and the induction coil 24, and a portion of the article 40 containing the filter element 42 extends outside the cavity 22 and can be inhaled by the user, similar to a conventional cigarette.

[0076] The combination of the aerosol generating device 10 and the aerosol generating article 40 forms an aerosol delivery system 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0077] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of one embodiment of the display device 60. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, both the annular outer illumination region 61 and the inner illumination region 62 are of a substantially circular shape. However, in other embodiments, the outer illumination region 61 and the inner illumination region 62 can be elliptical or any other shape in which the outer illumination region 61 surrounds the inner illumination region 62. The outer illumination region and the inner illumination region form part of a common illumination array. The outer illumination region 61 shown in FIG. 6 includes an annular arrangement of a plurality of light emitting diodes 611-1...m (where, for the embodiment shown, m = 16). Although the schematic view of FIG. 6 shows only a single light emitting diode over the thickness t of the annular outer illumination region 61, in other embodiments, a plurality of light emitting diodes can be arranged over the thickness of the illumination region 61. The inner illumination region 62 includes a circular arrangement of a group of light emitting diodes 621-1...n (where, n = 5), with the first diode 621-1 positioned at the center of the inner illumination region 62 and surrounded by the remaining four light emitting diodes 621-2...5. It is understood that in other embodiments, the number of light emitting diodes in the outer illumination region 61 and the inner illumination region 62 can be greater or less than the numbers shown in FIG. 6. As an example, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the display device 60 in which the inner illumination region 62 has only a single centrally located light emitting diode 621-1.

[0078] Each of the outer illumination region 61 and the inner illumination region 62 has respective display windows 612, 622 integrated into the lateral end face 39 of the second housing 30. The display windows 612, 622 are each translucent and are partially transmissive to the light emitted from the light emitting diodes 611-1...m and 621-1...n.

[0079] As will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 8, the light generated by the light emitting diodes of the outer illumination region 61 and the inner illumination region 62 is directed towards the respective display windows 612, 622 so as to be visible to the user of the aerosol generating device 10 during use.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 8, the illumination control driver 36b is coupled (via the primary control device 36) to each of the light emitting diodes 611-1...m of the outer illumination region 61 and to each of the light emitting diodes 621-1...n of the inner illumination region 62. For the outer illumination region 61, the waveguides 613-1...m are installed between the light emitting diodes 611-1...m and the display window 612. Similarly, for the inner illumination region 62, the waveguides 623-1...n are installed between the light emitting diodes 621-1...n and the display window 622. Each one of the waveguides 613-1...m, 623-1...n is associated with one of the light emitting diodes 611-1...m, 621-1...n of their respective illumination regions 61, 62. This association is defined such that each waveguide functions to direct, in use, the light generated by the associated light emitting diode to the respective display windows 612, 622. The waveguides 613-1...m, 623-1...n are in the form of separate lengths of optical fiber.

[0081] The primary control device 36 controls the supply of energy to the illumination control driver 36b. The illumination control driver 36b then individually controls the supply of electricity to each of the light emitting diodes 611-1...m, 621-1...n of the outer illumination region 61 and the inner illumination region 62 of the display device 60 such that each light emitting diode emits light 614-1...m, 624-1...n at one of a plurality of distinct stationary luminance levels under the control of the illumination control driver (see FIG. 8). Under the control of the illumination control driver 36b, the light emitted by the different illumination emitting diodes of the annular outer illumination region 61 together form a predetermined light emission from that illumination region. Similarly, under the control of the illumination control driver 36b, the light emitted by the different light emitting diodes of the inner illumination region 62 together form a predetermined light emission from that illumination region. The three different forms of cross-hatching used in FIG. 8 for the light 614-1...m, 624-1...n generated by different ones of the light emitting diodes of the outer illumination region 61 and the inner illumination region 62 of the display device 60 represent three different stationary luminance levels.

[0082] Memory module 36a includes instructions executed by primary control device 36 and lighting control driver 36b during use of device 10. The instructions stored in memory module 36a include data regarding two or more user-selectable predetermined heat profiles for susceptor element 23, criteria for determining the duration of a use session, and other data and information related to the control and operation of aerosol generator 10.

[0083] When first housing 20 and second housing 30 are coupled together via electrical interface 37, primary control device 36 supplies energy from primary power source 35 to second housing 20 to charge auxiliary power source 25 in a charging mode. Charging of auxiliary power source 25 is controlled by instructions included in memory module 36a of primary control device 36. However, in an alternative embodiment, charging is instead controlled by instructions included in auxiliary control device 26. Due to the start and progression of the charging operation mode, lighting control driver 36b operates one or both of outer lighting region 61 and inner lighting region 62 to provide a predetermined light emission visible to the user. The predetermined light emission corresponds to the charging operation mode. This predetermined light emission may vary over time during charging to indicate the progression of the charging operation mode, thereby providing the user with information about the energy level of auxiliary power source 25.

[0084] When one of buttons 381 and 382 is pressed, the primary control device 36 accesses the instructions contained in the memory module 36a, communicates with the auxiliary control device 26, and instructs the auxiliary control device 26 to supply energy from the auxiliary power supply 25 to the induction coil 24, thereby inducing a preheating stage of the operation of the susceptor element 23. One or both of the primary control device 36 and the auxiliary control device 26 may include instructions to prevent the start of the preheating stage of the operation unless and until the aerosol generating article 40 is inserted into the cavity 22. During the preheating stage of the operation, the susceptor element 23 is brought to an operating temperature sufficient to release vapor from the aerosol-forming substrate. By activating (or otherwise) the preheating stage of the operation by pressing one of buttons 381 and 382, the lighting control driver 36b operates one or both of the outer lighting area 61 and the inner lighting area 62 to provide a predetermined light emission visible to the user. This predetermined light emission corresponds to the preheating stage of the operation. This predetermined light emission may vary over time to indicate the progress of the preheating stage of the operation, thereby providing the user with information on how close the temperature of the susceptor element 23 is to a predetermined target operating temperature.

[0085] Upon completion of the preheating phase of operation, the first housing 20 can be decoupled from the second housing 30, and the user can inhale through the filter 42 of the aerosol generating article 40 and start a usage session. The auxiliary control device 26 can include sensors or other detection means to detect the smoking applied by the user so that the device 10 is a device according to requirements. With the detection of the smoking applied by the user, when the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are coupled to each other via the electrical interface 37, the auxiliary control device 26 controls the supply of energy from the auxiliary power source 25 to the induction coil 24 according to the commands previously transmitted from the primary control device 36. These commands include a predetermined heat profile that the susceptor element 23 follows over the usage session. The flow of current through the induction coil 24 induces the heating of the susceptor element 23 according to the predetermined heat profile. Then, when the susceptor element 23 is heated, the aerosol-forming substrate 41 of the aerosol generating article 40 located within the cavity 22 is heated, whereby the volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate 41 in the form of vapor. In response to each smoking applied by the user, the released vapor flows downstream through the aerosol generating article 40 towards the filter element 42, is cooled, and forms an aerosol inhaled by the user. The usage session continues during a predetermined period or a predetermined number of user-applied smokes, after which the supply of energy from the auxiliary power source 25 to the induction coil 24 is stopped and the susceptor element 23 is cooled to ambient temperature. For the described embodiment, the auxiliary power source 35 has an energy capacity sufficient to provide power to the induction coil 24 throughout the duration of the usage session. At the end of the usage session, the aerosol-forming substrate 41 is substantially depleted. Thereafter, the first housing 20 can be re-coupled to the second housing 30 and start the recharging of the auxiliary power source 25 by the primary power source 35 via the electrical interface 37. At the end of the usage session, the aerosol generating article 40 is removed from the cavity 22 and discarded.

[0086] Although not shown in the figures, in one embodiment, the wireless transceiver may be located in each of the first and second housings 20, 30 so as to be able to share information regarding the state of a component of one of the first and second housings 20, 30 with the respective control devices 26, 36 of the other of the first and second housings 20, 30. Such state information may include the display of the energy level remaining in the auxiliary power source 25, the display of progress through a given usage session, and the number of puffs applied by the user to the aerosol generating article 40 over the usage session.

[0087] Furthermore, the user may also smoke the aerosol generating article 40 without separating the first and second housings 20, 30 from each other. In this mode of operation, the electrical interface 37 may also enable sharing of information regarding the state of a component of one of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 with the respective control devices 26, 36 of the other of the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 during the usage session.

[0088] One or both of buttons 381, 382 may be configured to enable selection of a given mode or operating parameter of the aerosol generating device 10 when the first housing 20 and the second housing 30 are coupled to each other. For an illustrative embodiment, pressing button 381 twice functions to select a first predetermined heat profile, and pressing button 381 three times functions to select a second predetermined heat profile. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), an alternative user interface may be provided, whereby the user may interact to select a desired one of the first and second predetermined heat profiles. Such an alternative user interface may be in the form of a touch sensor capacitive panel, whereby the user engages a finger to select a desired one of the predetermined heat profiles, and the touch sensor panel is coupled to the primary controller 36. The touch sensor capacitive panel may be integrated into the display window 622 of the inner illumination region 62 and coupled to the primary controller 36. Thereafter, the user may touch or swipe a finger along the touch sensor capacitive panel defined by the display window 622 to provide a control input to the device 10. Alternatively, the alternative user interface may include an motion or orientation sensor coupled to the primary controller 36, where motion or gesture of the device 10 in a predetermined manner is detected by the sensor and functions as a means for selecting a particular one of the predetermined heat profiles. The first and second predetermined heat profiles have intensities different from each other, and the second predetermined heat profile has a greater intensity than the first predetermined heat profile. The second predetermined heat profile is associated with a greater amount of energy supplied from the auxiliary power source 25 to the induction coil 24 over a usage session than the first predetermined heat profile.

[0089] The figure shows an aerosol generating device 10 using an induction heating assembly (in the form of induction coil 24 and susceptor element 23), but in other embodiments, a resistance heating assembly may be used instead. Further, in other embodiments, the aerosol generating device 10 may be formed of a single housing rather than the two-part housings 20, 30 shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0090] FIG. 9 shows an example of a method in which a lighting control driver 36b controls the supply of electricity from a primary power source 35 to individual ones of the light emitting diodes 611-1...m of the outer lighting region 61 in order to generate a predetermined light emission indicating the progress through a usage session of the aerosol generating device 10. At the start of the usage session, the lighting control driver 36b controls the supply of energy from the primary power source 35 to the light emitting diodes of the outer lighting region 61 such that the entire annular portion of the lighting region 61 is illuminated in the generation of the light emission indicating the start of the usage session. FIGS. 9(a)-(e) show a method in which different diodes of the light emitting diodes 611-1...m of the outer lighting region 61 are progressively stopped in order to reduce the proportion or area of the outer lighting region that is activated as the usage session progresses. The arrow "B" in FIG. 9(b) indicates the direction in which different light emitting diodes of the outer lighting region 61 are progressively stopped over the usage session. The legend of FIG. 9 shows two different stationary luminance levels for the light emission generated by the light emitting diodes of the outer lighting region 61. These luminance levels are designated as level 1 and level 0. Level 1 represents the maximum luminance level and level 0 represents a stopped or "off" state in which no light is emitted. At the end of the usage session, all of the light emitting diodes 611-1...m of the outer lighting region 61 are stopped such that no light is emitted from the outer lighting region. Throughout the entire period of the usage session to which FIG. 9 relates, the lighting control driver 36b maintains the light emitting diodes 621-1...n of the inner lighting region 62 in a stopped or "off" state.

[0091] FIG. 10 shows an example of a method for the lighting control driver 36b to control the supply of electricity from the primary power source 35 to the individual light emitting diodes 621-1...n of the inner lighting region 62 to generate a predetermined light emission indicating the progress through the usage session of the aerosol generator 10. At the start of the usage session, the lighting control driver 36b controls the supply of energy from the primary power source 35 to the light emitting diodes of the inner lighting region 62 such that the elliptical region of the lighting region 62 is irradiated in the generation of the light emission indicating the start of the usage session. FIGS. 10(a)-(e) show how different light emitting diodes of the inner lighting region 62 are progressively stopped to reduce the proportion or area of the inner lighting region that is activated as the usage session progresses. The arrow "C" in FIG. 10(b) indicates the direction in which different light emitting diodes of the inner lighting region 62 are progressively stopped over the usage session. With respect to the embodiment of FIG. 9, the legend of FIG. 10 shows two different stationary luminance levels for the light emission generated by the light emitting diodes of the inner lighting region 62. These luminance levels are again designated as level 1 and level 0, where level 1 represents the maximum luminance level and level 0 corresponds to a stopped or "off" state where no light is emitted. At the end of the usage session, all of the light emitting diodes of the inner lighting region 62 are stopped such that no light is emitted from the inner lighting region 62. Clearly, throughout the entire period of the usage session to which FIG. 10 pertains, the lighting control driver 36b maintains the light emitting diodes of the outer lighting region 61 in a stopped or "off" state.

[0092] Figure 11 shows an example of a method by which a lighting control driver 36b controls the supply of electricity from a primary power source 35 to individual ones of light-emitting diodes 611-1...m in an outer lighting region 61 to generate a predetermined light emission indicative of the progression through the first and second use sessions of the aerosol generator 10. The second use session follows the first use session using all of the energy remaining in the auxiliary power source 25 after completion of the first use session. In this example, two separate portions of the outer lighting region 61 are controlled over their respective first and second use sessions to generate a light emission that varies in accordance with the progression through the respective use sessions. As shown in FIG. 11(a), the outer lighting region 61 defines two symmetrically disposed curved segments 61-1, 61-2, each segment extending around 180 degrees of the lighting region. Before the start of the first use session, the lighting control driver 36b controls the supply of energy from the primary power source 35 to the light-emitting diodes 611-1...m in the outer lighting region 61 such that both segments 61-1, 61-2 of the outer lighting region 61 are illuminated over their entire lengths (see FIG. 11(a)). When both segments 61-1, 61-2 are fully illuminated, the auxiliary power source 25 is fully charged and a light emission is provided indicating that there is sufficient energy to complete two use sessions. FIGS. 11(a)-(d) show how, over the progression of the first use session, different light-emitting diodes in the outer lighting region 61 are progressively deactivated to reduce the proportion or area of the first segment 61-1 that is illuminated. The arrow "E1" in FIG. 11(b) indicates the direction in which different light-emitting diodes in the outer lighting region 61 are progressively deactivated over the first use session to reduce the proportion or area of the first segment 61-1 that is illuminated. The legend in FIG. 11 shows two different static luminance levels for the light emission generated by the light-emitting diodes in the outer lighting region 61. These luminance levels are designated as level 1 and level 0. Level 1 represents the maximum luminance level and level 0 represents a stopped or "off" state where no light is emitted.At the completion of the first usage session, all of the light-emitting diodes that contributed to the illumination of the first segment 61-1 of the outer illumination region 61 are turned off, and the second segment 61-2 is illuminated over its entire length. When the second usage session is initiated, different diodes of the light-emitting diodes in the outer illumination region 61 are gradually turned off over the course of the second usage session in order to reduce the proportion or length of the second segment 61-2 that is illuminated (see FIGS. 11(d)-(g)). The arrow "E2" in FIG. 11(e) indicates the direction in which different light-emitting diodes in the outer illumination region 61 are gradually turned off over the course of the second usage session in order to reduce the proportion or area of the second segment 61-2 that is illuminated. Over the entire duration of both the first and second usage sessions to which FIG. 11 pertains, the illumination control driver 36b maintains the light-emitting diodes in the inner illumination region 62 in a stopped or "off" state.

[0093] FIG. 12 shows an example of a method by which the illumination control driver 36b controls the supply of electricity from the primary power source 35 to individual ones of the light-emitting diodes 611-1...m in the outer illumination region 61 in order to generate a predetermined light emission indicating the progress of the preheating stage of the operation of the aerosol generator 10. The legend in FIG. 12 shows five different luminance levels for the light emission generated by the light-emitting diodes in the outer illumination region 61. These luminance levels are designated in descending order of luminance as level 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0. Level 4 represents the maximum luminance level, and level 0 represents a stopped or "off" state in which no light is emitted. At the start of the preheating stage, the illumination control driver 36b controls the supply of energy from the primary power source 35 to the light-emitting diodes in the outer illumination region 61 such that the entire thickness of the illumination region 61 is illuminated. FIGS. 12(a)-(d) show that the light-emitting diodes in the outer illumination region 61 are controlled by the illumination control driver 36b to turn off and reduce the luminance levels of different light-emitting diodes over the course of the first part of the preheating stage, thereby reducing the illuminated thickness t of the illumination region 61 61And a method for reducing the overall luminance is shown. FIGS. 12(d)-(g) show that the lighting control driver 36b then gradually reactivates and increases the luminance levels of different light-emitting diodes in the outer lighting region 61 through the second part of the preheating stage, thereby increasing the irradiated thickness t of the lighting region 61 61 And a method for increasing the overall luminance is shown. FIGS. 12(a)-(g) represent a single separate lighting cycle that is repeated while the aerosol generator 10 remains in the preheating stage. In other embodiments, the lighting cycle shown in FIG. 12 may be applied to indicate that the aerosol generator 10 is in a state different from the preheating stage. For example, the lighting cycle of FIG. 12 may be applied when the device 10 is in a pause mode state or a reactivation state.

[0094] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a method in which the lighting control driver 36b controls the supply of electricity from the primary power source 35 to the individual light-emitting diodes 611-1...m of the outer lighting region 61 to generate a predetermined light emission indicating the progress through the preheating stage of the operation of the aerosol generator 10. The legend of FIG. 13 shows two different combinations of color and luminance states for the light emission generated by the light-emitting diodes of the outer lighting region 61 as a function of the progress through the preheating stage of the operation. These combined color and luminance states are designated as state 1 and state 0. State 1 represents the state of maximum luminance having a pink color, while state 0 represents the stopped or "off" state in which no light is emitted. At the start of the preheating stage, none of the light-emitting diodes of the outer lighting region 61 are operative. FIGS. 13(a)-(d) show how, as a function of the progress through the preheating stage, different ones of the light-emitting diodes of the outer lighting region 61 are progressively activated to increase the proportion or area of the outer lighting region that is activated to generate the pink light associated with state 1. The arrow "F" in FIG. 13(b) indicates the direction in which the different light-emitting diodes of the outer lighting region 61 are progressively activated over the preheating stage. At the end of the preheating stage, all of the light-emitting diodes 611-1...m of the outer lighting region 61 are activated to generate the pink light associated with state 1. Throughout the entire period of the preheating stage to which FIG. 13 relates, the lighting control driver 36b maintains the light-emitting diodes 621-1...n of the inner lighting region 62 in the stopped or "off" state.

[0095] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment which is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 11. With respect to FIG. 11, the lighting control driver 36b controls the supply of electricity from the primary power source 35 to the individual light emitting diodes 611-1...m of the outer lighting area 61 in order to generate a predetermined light emission indicating the progression through two separate first and second usage sessions of the aerosol generator 10. As shown in FIG. 14(a), the outer lighting area 61 defines two symmetrically arranged segments 61-1, 61-2, each extending around 180 degrees of the lighting area 61. Before the start of the first usage session, the lighting control driver 36b controls the supply of energy from the primary power source 35 to the light emitting diodes of the outer lighting area 61 such that both segments 61-1, 61-2 are illuminated over their entire length (see FIG. 14(a)). FIGS. 14(a) to (d) show how, by the progression during the first usage session, different light emitting diodes of the outer lighting area 61 are progressively stopped in order to reduce the proportion or area of the first segment 61-1 that is illuminated. The arrow “G1” in FIG. 14(b) indicates the direction in which different light emitting diodes of the outer lighting area 61 are progressively stopped over the first usage session in order to reduce the proportion or area of the first segment 61-1 that is illuminated. The legend of FIG. 14 shows two different static luminance levels for the light emission generated by the light emitting diodes of the outer lighting area 61. These luminance levels are designated as level 1 and 0. Level 1 represents the maximum luminance level and level 0 represents the state where no light is emitted, a stop or “off” state. During the period of the first usage session, the lighting control driver 36b controls different light emitting diodes of the inner lighting area 62 in order to illuminate two circular areas 62-1, 62-2 of the lighting area 62. The illumination of both circular areas 62-1, 62-2 indicates an auxiliary power source 25 containing sufficient energy to complete both the first and second usage sessions. At the end of the first usage session, all of the light emitting diodes that contributed to the illumination of the first segment 61-1 of the outer lighting area 61 are stopped.Also, at the completion of the first usage session, one of the circular regions 62-1 of the inner illumination region 62 is stopped, and the circular region 62-2 is illuminated. The illumination of this single circular region 62-2 of the inner illumination region 62 indicates an auxiliary power source 25 that contains only enough energy to complete one more usage session, i.e., the second usage session. When the second usage session is started, different light-emitting diodes of the outer illumination region 61 are gradually stopped over the course of the second usage session in order to reduce the ratio or area of the second segment 61-2 that is illuminated (see FIGS. 14(d)-(g)). The arrow "G2" in FIG. 14(e) indicates the direction in which different light-emitting diodes of the outer illumination region 61 are gradually stopped over the second usage session in order to reduce the ratio or area of the second segment 61-2 that is illuminated. At the completion of the second usage session, the second segment 61-2 of the outer illumination region 61 is stopped to indicate that the second usage session has been completed. Similarly, the circular region 62-2 of the inner illumination region 62 is also stopped at the completion of the second usage session, thereby visually indicating that the auxiliary power source 25 needs to be recharged or replaced in order to conduct further usage sessions.

[0096] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc. are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and any intermediate ranges therebetween, whether or not specifically enumerated herein. Thus, in this context, the number "A" is understood as "A" ± 10% of "A". Within this context, the number "A" may be considered to include numerical values within the general standard error of the measured value of the property being modified by the number "A". The number "A" may deviate by the percentages listed above in some instances as used in the appended claims, provided that the amount by which "A" deviates does not substantially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and any intermediate ranges therebetween, whether or not specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol generator for heating an aerosol-forming substrate in order to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled during a usage session, Control electronic equipment and, It comprises an annular outer illumination region surrounding an inner illumination region, The control electronic equipment is coupled to the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area, i) Selectively irradiate one of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area in order to generate a first predetermined light emission that transmits first data indicating the state of the aerosol generator, and ii) An aerosol generator configured to selectively irradiate the other of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area in order to generate a second predetermined light emission that transmits second data indicating the state of the aerosol generator, wherein the first data and the second data are different from each other.

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the outer illumination region and the inner illumination region collectively form a common illumination array.

3. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner illumination region comprises a single illumination element.

4. The aerosol generator according to claim 3, wherein the single lighting element is centrally positioned within the inner lighting area.

5. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner illumination region includes a group of illumination elements, and the group of illumination elements are arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the inner illumination region.

6. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein either or both of the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area are translucent.

7. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generator extends in the longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, and the outer illumination region and the inner illumination region are provided on a lateral surface defining one of the first end and the second end.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a first housing and a second housing.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first housing is detachably coupled to the second housing.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first housing defines or comprises a holder for an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol forming substrate.

11. The aerosol generator according to claim 8, wherein the second housing extends in the longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end, and the outer illumination area and the inner illumination area are provided on a lateral surface defining one of the first end and the second end.

12. The aerosol generator according to claim 8, wherein the second housing comprises one or more of a power supply, a control circuit for controlling a heating device, and one or more buttons accessible from the outside of the second housing.

13. The aerosol generator according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the one or more buttons is operable to select, activate, change, pause, or stop the operating mode of the aerosol generator, and the button is coupled to the control electronic equipment such that the first or second predetermined light emission indicates the operating mode to be selected, activated, changed, paused, or stopped by the operation of the button.

14. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the one or more buttons consist of a first button and a second button.

15. At least one of the first and second data mentioned above is, a) The aerosol generator was operated by the user. b) Selecting, activating, changing, pausing, stopping, or continuing the operating mode of the aerosol generator, c) Energy level of the power supply for the aerosol generator, d) Power supply for the aerosol generator containing sufficient energy to complete a single use session, e) A power supply for the aerosol generator containing sufficient energy to complete two or more usage sessions, f) Power supply of the aerosol generator containing an energy level below a predetermined threshold level, g) Selection or operation of one of a first predetermined thermal profile and a second predetermined thermal profile, wherein each of the first and second predetermined thermal profiles defines a heating profile for heating the aerosol-forming substrate by the electric heating device over the usage session, and the first and second predetermined thermal profiles are different from each other, selection or operation, h) The aerosol generator is in either a paused mode state or a restarted state. i) Selection or operation of the change in the operating state of the aerosol generator, j) Progress throughout the aforementioned session, and k) The aerosol generating article according to claim 1, wherein the electric heating device is heated to a predetermined target temperature, or the process proceeds through a preheating stage.

Images