Aerosol product, aerosol generating system including the same and aerosol generating device

Abstract

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generation system also includes an aerosol product including an ink region in which ink that changes color in response to at least one of temperature and humidity changes is disposed, and an aerosol generation device including a heater that heats at least a portion of the aerosol product, a sensor that senses the ink region, and a processor that controls the supply of power to the heater based on sensory information obtained from the ink region via the sensor.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating system that detects the condition of an aerosol product. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes, such as systems that utilize an aerosol generating device to generate aerosol by heating the cigarette or aerosol-generating material, rather than by burning a cigarette to generate aerosol.

[0003] The quality of a cigarette inserted into an aerosol generating device may affect the quality of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device. Recently, various methods for improving the quality of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device have been studied in order to improve the smoking experience for users. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Cigarettes exposed to a humid environment have an increased moisture content, and when such cigarettes are heated by an aerosol generator, excessive water vapor and high-temperature aerosol are generated. Furthermore, cigarettes exposed to a high-temperature environment may have a partially altered tobacco flavor. Therefore, used cigarettes should not be reused because they do not generate enough aerosol for the user's smoking pleasure.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an aerosol generating device that can control the power supply to the heater based on the state of the cigarette.

[0006] Problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiments pertain from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the aerosol generation system also includes an aerosol product including an ink region in which ink that changes color in response to at least one of temperature and humidity changes is disposed, and an aerosol generation device including a heater that heats at least a portion of the aerosol product, a sensor that senses the ink region, and a processor that controls the supply of power to the heater based on sensory information obtained from the ink region via the sensor.

[0008] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device also includes a heater that heats at least a portion of the aerosol product, a sensor that senses the ink region of the aerosol product, and a processor that controls power supply to the heater based on sensory information obtained from the ink region via the sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, by controlling heating depending on the condition of the cigarette, it is possible to prevent user inconvenience and impediments to the satisfaction of smoking caused by hot aerosols from cigarettes that are overly humid and cigarettes that are exposed to high temperatures.

[0010] However, the effects of this embodiment are not limited to the effects described above, and any effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generation system according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram illustrating components of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of an aerosol generating device controlling operation based on sensory information related to an aerosol product. [Figure 4] 10A-10C are illustrative diagrams of ink regions corresponding to the state of an aerosol product, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is an illustrative diagram of a temperature profile of an aerosol generating device corresponding to the state of the aerosol product, according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A-1C are illustrative diagrams of user interface (UI) screens of an aerosol generating device corresponding to the status of an aerosol product, according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are illustrations of ink regions corresponding to the state of an aerosol product according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The terms used in this embodiment are currently commonly used terms, and are selected as much as possible while taking into consideration the functions of the present invention. However, they may vary depending on the intentions of engineers in the field, legal precedents, or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this invention must be defined not simply by their names, but based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention.

[0013] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain element, it does not mean excluding other elements, but also means including other elements, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, terms such as "module" and "unit" used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be realized by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0014] As used herein, when a phrase such as "at least one of," precedes an array of elements, it modifies the entire array and not each individual element in the array. For example, the phrase "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0015] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device is also a device that electrically heats a cigarette contained in the internal space to generate an aerosol.

[0016] The aerosol generating device also includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater is an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater may include a conductive track, and the heater may be heated when a current is passed through the conductive track.

[0017] Heaters may also include tubular, plate, needle or rod heating elements, and depending on the form of the heating element, may heat the interior or exterior of the cigarette.

[0018] Cigarettes also include tobacco rods and filter rods. The tobacco rods may be made from sheets, strands, or shredded tobacco. The tobacco rods may also be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0019] The filter rod may also be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters a predetermined component contained in the aerosol.

[0020] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating device is also a device that generates the aerosol using a cartridge that holds the aerosol generating material.

[0021] The aerosol generating device also includes a cartridge that holds an aerosol-generating material and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably connected to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed integrally with or incorporated into the main body, or may be fixed so that it cannot be removed by the user. The cartridge may be attached to the main body with the aerosol-generating material contained therein. However, is not limited thereto, and the aerosol-generating material may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is connected to the main body.

[0022] The cartridge may contain an aerosol-forming material in any one of a variety of states, such as a liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel state. The aerosol-forming material may also include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0023] The cartridge may be activated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to convert the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase, thereby generating an aerosol. The aerosol may refer to a gas mixture of vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material and air.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device heats a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, which can be transmitted through the cigarette to the user, i.e., the aerosol generated from the liquid composition travels along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, which airflow passage can be configured to transmit the aerosol through the cigarette to the user.

[0025] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method. In this case, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol-generating material using ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0026] The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator that generates short-period vibrations to atomize the aerosol-generating material. The vibrations generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations may be, but is not limited to, about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

[0027] The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol-generating substance. For example, the wick may be positioned to surround or contact at least a region of the transducer.

[0028] When a voltage (e.g., an AC voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the vibrator, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator can be transferred to the aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick. The aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick can be converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transferred from the vibrator, resulting in the generation of an aerosol.

[0029] For example, the heat generated by the vibrator reduces the viscosity of the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the core, and the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibrator break the reduced viscosity aerosol-generating substance into fine particles, thereby generating an aerosol, but this is not limited to this.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol product contained in the aerosol generating device using induction heating.

[0031] The aerosol generating device also includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil can apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. A magnetic field can be formed inside the coil by supplying power from the aerosol generating device to the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is also a magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field. The susceptor is located inside the coil, and the application of a magnetic field generates heat, thereby heating the aerosol product. Optionally, the susceptor can be located inside the aerosol product.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device further comprises a cradle.

[0033] The aerosol generating device may be combined with a separate cradle to form a system. For example, the cradle may charge the battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, a heater may be used to heat the aerosol generating device while the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled together.

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be embodied in the aerosol generating device of the various embodiments described above, or may be embodied and implemented in various different forms, but is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol generation system according to one embodiment.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generation system 100 according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generation device 200 and an aerosol production product 300, and the aerosol generation device 200 also includes a housing 205 into which the aerosol production product 300 can be inserted.

[0038] In one embodiment, the housing 205 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 200 and also includes an interior space (or "arrangement space") in which components of the aerosol generating device 200 can be arranged. Although only an embodiment in which the housing 205 has a semicircular cross section is shown in the drawings, the shape of the housing 205 is not limited thereto. In one embodiment (not shown), the housing 205 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism shape (e.g., a triangular prism shape or a quadrangular prism shape).

[0039] In one embodiment, the housing 205 may be provided with components for heating the aerosol product 300 inserted into the housing 205 and generating an aerosol, and components for outputting a screen related to the status of the aerosol generating device 200 to the display 210, but detailed explanations of these will be provided later.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the housing 205 also includes an opening 200h through which the aerosol product article 300 can be inserted into the housing 205. At least a portion of the aerosol product article 300 can be inserted or housed in the housing 205 through the opening 200h. For example, the aerosol product article 300 can be inserted or housed in the housing 205 through the opening 200h up to the portion where the ink region 310 is located.

[0041] An aerosol can be generated by heating the aerosol production product 300 inserted or housed inside the housing 205 inside the housing 205. The generated aerosol is discharged to the outside of the aerosol generation device 200 through the inserted aerosol production product 300 and / or the space between the aerosol production product 300 and the opening 200h, and the user can inhale the discharged aerosol.

[0042] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 further includes a display 210 on which visual information is displayed.

[0043] In one embodiment, the display 210 may be disposed such that at least a portion of the display 210 is exposed to the outside of the housing 205. For example, at least a portion of the display 210 may be exposed through a cover glass on the outside of the housing.

[0044] The aerosol generating device 200 may provide various visual information to the user via the display 210. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may display status information of the aerosol product 300, pre-heating and heating information related to the aerosol product 300, battery remaining information, time and date information, weather information, Bluetooth® connection information, etc. via the display 210. The information displayed via the display 210 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary diagram illustrating components of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0046] 2, the aerosol generating device 200 includes a processor 210, a sensor 220, a heater, and a battery 240, and the heater also includes an induction coil 230 and a susceptor 235. The components of the aerosol generating device 200 according to one embodiment are not limited thereto, and other components may be added or at least one component may be omitted according to one embodiment.

[0047] In one embodiment, the sensor 220 may sense the ink region 310 of the aerosol product 300. The ink region 310 contains ink that changes color in response to changes in temperature and / or humidity, and the sensor 220 is also an optical sensor (or "color sensor") that senses the hue of the ink region 310.

[0048] For example, the sensor 220 may irradiate the ink region 310 of the aerosol product 300 with light having RGB (red, green, blue) components and detect the hue of the ink region 310 based on the color components of the light reflected from the ink region 310. If red ink is applied to the ink region 310, the sensor 220 may detect that red ink is applied to the ink region 310 because the reflected light reflected from the ink region 310 contains red. If black ink is applied to the ink region 310, the sensor 220 may detect that black ink is applied to the ink region 310 because the reflected light reflected from the ink region 310 does not contain any hue.

[0049] In one embodiment, the ink region 310 may include at least one of a temperature-sensitive color-changing ink that changes color in response to a change in temperature and a humidity-sensitive color-changing ink that changes color in response to a change in humidity. For example, the ink region 310 may include a first ink region in which humidity-sensitive color-changing ink is disposed and a second ink region in which temperature-sensitive color-changing ink is disposed. The first ink region and the second ink region may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance (e.g., about 1 mm to about 10 mm).

[0050] The thermochromic ink is also an irreversible ink. For example, if an aerosol product 300 containing a thermochromic ink that changes color at 70°C is exposed to an ambient temperature of 70°C or higher, the thermochromic ink will maintain the changed hue even when the ambient temperature is lowered to 25°C.

[0051] That is, once an aerosol product has been used, the thermochromic ink will still exhibit the changed hue even when the ambient temperature drops, thereby preventing the aerosol product from being reused through the aerosol generating device.

[0052] Humidity-sensitive color-changing inks can be either reversible or irreversible. For example, if an aerosol product 300 containing humidity-sensitive color-changing ink that changes color at a relative humidity of 15% is exposed to an ambient humidity of 15% or higher, and then the ambient humidity is reduced to 8%, if the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink is reversible, the ink may return to its original color. Alternatively, if the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink is irreversible, the changed color may be maintained.

[0053] In one embodiment, the processor 210 may control the supply of power to the heater (or induction coil 230 ) based on sensory information regarding the ink area 310 obtained via the sensor 220 .

[0054] For example, if the sensor 220 acquires sensing information corresponding to an increase in humidity from the ink region 310, the processor 210 may control the supply of power from the battery 240 to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the increased humidity. As another example, if the sensor 220 acquires sensing information corresponding to an increase in temperature from the ink region 230, the processor 210 may output a notification corresponding to the increased temperature. This will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment to control operation based on sensory information related to an aerosol product.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, in operation 301, an aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 200 (FIG. 2)) may acquire sensory information from an ink region (e.g., ink region 310 (FIG. 2)) of an aerosol product (e.g., aerosol product 300 (FIG. 2)) via a sensor (e.g., sensor 220 (FIG. 2)).

[0057] In one embodiment, the ink region 310 may contain ink that changes color in response to at least one of temperature and humidity. For example, the ink region 310 may contain at least one of a temperature-sensitive color-changing ink that changes color when the ambient temperature reaches a set temperature and a humidity-sensitive color-changing ink that changes color when the ambient humidity reaches a set humidity. In this case, the first ink region containing the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink and the second ink region containing the temperature-sensitive color-changing ink may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Alternatively, the first ink region and the second ink region may be located substantially adjacent to each other.

[0058] According to one embodiment, in operation 303, the aerosol generating device 200 may detect whether or not first sensing information is acquired via the sensor 220. In this case, the "first sensing information" may mean that none of the inks disposed in the ink region 310 have been discolored.

[0059] For example, if the aerosol product 300 has not previously been exposed to an environment that satisfies a specific discoloration condition (e.g., a temperature of 50° C. or higher or a humidity of 15% or higher), no ink will be discolored in the ink region 310 of the aerosol product 300. In such a case, the aerosol generating device 200 may acquire first sensing information from the ink region 310 via the sensor 220.

[0060] However, if the aerosol generating device 200 detects a change in color of any one of the inks disposed in the ink region 310 via the sensor 220, the aerosol generating device 200 may proceed to operation 307 and perform subsequent operations.

[0061] In one embodiment, when first sensed information is acquired via the sensor 220, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to a heater based on a first temperature profile in operation 305. The heater may also include an induction coil (e.g., induction coil 230 (FIG. 2)) and a susceptor (e.g., susceptor 235 (FIG. 2)), and in such a case, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the induction coil 230 based on the first temperature profile.

[0062] In one embodiment, the "first temperature profile" refers to a preset temperature profile corresponding to the first sensory information. The first temperature profile may refer to a heating temperature profile optimized for the aerosol product in a normal state. For example, the first temperature profile may include a first preheating section and a first heating section.

[0063] According to one embodiment, in operation 307, the aerosol generating device 200 may detect whether second sensing information is acquired via the sensor 220. In this case, the "second sensing information" may also be sensing information that the ink disposed in the ink region 310 has changed color due to a change in humidity.

[0064] For example, if the aerosol product 300 is exposed to an environment that does not satisfy the temperature condition related to color change but satisfies the humidity condition related to color change, the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink in the ink region 310 of the aerosol product 300 may change color. In response to this, the aerosol generating device 200 may acquire second sensing information from the hue of the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink that has changed color in the ink region 310 via the sensor 220.

[0065] However, if the sensor 220 does not detect a change in color of the ink disposed in the ink region 310, the aerosol generating device 200 may proceed to operation 309 and perform subsequent operations.

[0066] In one embodiment, when second sensed information is acquired via the sensor 220, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the heater based on a second temperature profile in operation 309. The heater may also include the induction coil 230 and the susceptor 235. In such a case, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the induction coil 230 based on the second temperature profile.

[0067] In one embodiment, the "second temperature profile" is a preset temperature profile corresponding to the second sensory information. The second temperature profile is a heating temperature profile optimized for an over-humidified aerosol product. For example, the second temperature profile includes a second pre-heating section and a second heating section.

[0068] In one embodiment, the first and second temperature profiles also have different preheat times, e.g., the second preheat section of the second temperature profile is longer than the first preheat section of the first temperature profile.

[0069] When a first temperature profile associated with a normal aerosol product is applied to an overly humid aerosol product, the increased moisture content within the aerosol product may result in the production of excessive water vapor and high temperature aerosol.

[0070] In this regard, by applying a second temperature profile including a longer pre-heating time than the first temperature profile to the overly humid aerosol product, the excess moisture in the aerosol product can be partially dried during the extended pre-heating time. This can prevent the generation of excessive water vapor and high-temperature aerosol. This can reduce the disruption of smoking satisfaction and the inconvenience to the user caused by high-temperature aerosol.

[0071] According to one embodiment, in operation 311, the aerosol generating device 200 may detect whether third sensing information is acquired via the sensor 220. In this case, the "third sensing information" may also be sensing information that the ink disposed in the ink region 310 has changed color due to a temperature change.

[0072] For example, if the aerosol product 300 is previously exposed to an environment that does not satisfy the humidity condition for color change but satisfies the temperature condition for color change, the color of the thermochromic ink in the ink region 310 of the aerosol product 300 may change. In response to this, the aerosol generating device 200 may acquire third sensing information from the color of the thermochromic ink in the ink region 310 that has changed color via the sensor 220.

[0073] In one embodiment, when the third sensory information is acquired via the sensor 220, the aerosol generating device 200 may output a notification via the user interface in operation 313. In this case, the notification may include a message indicating that the aerosol product inserted into the aerosol generating device 200 has already been used and / or a message indicating that heating of the aerosol product (i.e., an unused cigarette) will not be initiated.

[0074] The user interface may also be a display (e.g., display 210 (FIG. 1)). For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may provide user notification as visual information output from the display 210. In other embodiments, the user interface may also be a haptic module and / or an audio output module. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may provide user notification as tactile information output from a haptic module and / or audio information output from an audio output module.

[0075] However, although FIG. 3 illustrates operations 303, 307, and 311 being performed sequentially, this is not limited thereto, and the order of operations 303, 307, and 311 may be changed, or operations 303, 307, and 311 may be performed in parallel.

[0076] FIG. 4 illustrates an example diagram of ink regions corresponding to the state of an aerosol product, according to one embodiment.

[0077] 4, the aerosol product 300 also includes an ink region 310 in which ink that changes color in response to changes in temperature and / or humidity is disposed. For example, the ink region 310 may include a first ink region 400 in which humidity-sensitive color-changing ink that changes color in response to changes in humidity is disposed, and a second ink region 410 in which temperature-sensitive color-changing ink that changes color in response to changes in temperature is disposed.

[0078] In one embodiment, the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink disposed in the first ink region 400 is also a reversible ink. In this case, the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink disposed in the first ink region 400 may include components such as an alcohol solvent, an indicator, a solution, a buffer solution, and a humectant, and the indicator may display different hues based on changes in pH of the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink. For example, the indicator may be at least one of methyl red, methyl yellow, methyl orange, methyl violet, thymol blue, thymolphthalein, phenol red, phenolphthalein, anthocyanin, goldenrod, alizarin red, indigo carmine, Congo red, cresol red, crystal violet, chlorophenol red, litmus, malachite green, naphtholphthalein, neutral red, and BTB (bromothymol blue), but is not limited thereto.

[0079] When the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink is applied to the first ink region 400 and then dried, the water contained in the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink evaporates. Therefore, the pH of the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink decreases, and the indicator contained in the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink displays a color (e.g., light blue) corresponding to the decreased pH.

[0080] Thereafter, when the aerosol product 300 is exposed to a humid environment, the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink in the first ink region 400 reacts with water (H2O), thereby activating the basic solution and increasing the pH of the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink, and the indicator contained in the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink may display a hue (e.g., dark blue) corresponding to the increased pH.

[0081] The humidity-sensitive color-changing ink may be, but is not limited to, a reversible ink that can display different hues corresponding to increases and decreases in ambient humidity. In other embodiments, the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink may be a non-reversible ink.

[0082] In one embodiment, the thermochromic ink disposed in the second ink region 410 is also a non-reversible ink. The thermochromic ink disposed in the second ink region 410 may also include a solvent and a thermochromic pigment. The thermochromic pigment may include a carrier that is permanently transformed by heating above a predetermined temperature, and may permanently display a different hue. For example, the thermochromic pigment may be, but is not limited to, a leuco dye.

[0083] In one embodiment, the first ink region 400 and the second ink region 410 may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance x, as shown in Figure 4(a). For example, the first ink region 400 and the second ink region 410 may be spaced apart by about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

[0084] In one embodiment, when the aerosol product 300 is exposed to humidity conditions related to color change, the first ink region 400 of the aerosol product 300 may change color as shown in Figure 4(b). For example, the humidity-sensitive color-changing ink disposed in the first ink region 400 may change from a color (e.g., light blue) to another color (e.g., dark blue), from a color to colorless, or from colorless to a color.

[0085] In one embodiment, if the aerosol product 300 is further exposed to a temperature condition related to color change (i.e., if the aerosol product 300 has already been used), the second ink region 410 of the aerosol product 300 may change color as shown in Figure 4(c). For example, the temperature-sensitive color-changing ink disposed in the second ink region 410 may change color from a color (e.g., light red) to another color (e.g., dark red), from a color to colorless, or from colorless to a color.

[0086] FIG. 5 illustrates an example diagram of a temperature profile of an aerosol generating device corresponding to the condition of the aerosol product, according to one embodiment.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 5, an aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 200 (FIG. 1)) can set a heating temperature profile for the aerosol product based on whether the state of the aerosol product inserted into the aerosol generating device 200 is normal or over-humidified.

[0088] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 5(a), when a normal aerosol product 500 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 200, the aerosol generating device 200 may acquire first sensing information from the ink region 510. The "first sensing information" may mean that none of the inks disposed in the ink region 510 have been discolored.

[0089] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 may heat the aerosol product 500 based on the acquired first sensory information. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may heat the aerosol product 500 according to a first temperature profile 540 corresponding to the first sensory information. The first temperature profile 540 may also include a first preheating section 550 and a first heating section (not shown). The first preheating section 550 may refer to a preheating time for preheating the aerosol product 500 to a target preheating temperature (e.g., 300°C).

[0090] In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5(b), when an overly humid aerosol product 520 is inserted into the aerosol generation device 200, the aerosol generation device 200 may acquire second sensing information from the ink region 530. The "second sensing information" may mean that the ink (e.g., the ink disposed at the top of the ink region) disposed in the ink region 530 changes color due to a change in humidity.

[0091] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 may heat the aerosol product 520 based on the acquired second sensory information. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may have a second temperature profile 560 corresponding to the second sensory information, which includes a second preheating section 570 and a second heating section (not shown). The second preheating section 570 may refer to a preheating time for preheating the aerosol product 520 to a target preheating temperature (e.g., 300°C).

[0092] In one embodiment, the first temperature profile 540 and the second temperature profile 560 also have different preheat times, i.e., the second preheat time section 570 of the second temperature profile 560 includes a longer preheat time than the first preheat time section 550 of the first temperature profile 540. For example, the first preheat time section 550 of the first temperature profile 540 includes a preheat time of approximately 35 seconds, and the second preheat time section 570 of the second temperature profile 560 includes a preheat time of approximately 45 seconds.

[0093] FIG. 6 illustrates an example view of a user interface (UI) screen of an aerosol generating device corresponding to the status of an aerosol product, according to one embodiment.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 200 may output a notification UI screen through the display 210 when the aerosol product inserted into the aerosol generating device 200 is a previously used product.

[0095] In one embodiment, when the used aerosol product 600 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 200, third sensing information may be acquired from the ink region 610. The "third sensing information" may mean that the ink (e.g., the ink disposed at the bottom of the ink region 610) has already changed color due to a temperature change among the inks disposed in the ink region 610.

[0096] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 may output a notification UI screen through the display 210 based on the acquired third sensing information. For example, the notification UI screen output through the display 210 may include the phrase "reused stick detected" and an icon (e.g., "!") indicating that heating cannot be initiated. However, without being limited thereto, the notification UI screen may include various types of objects embodying a notification indicating that the inserted item has already been used and / or a notification indicating that heating of the aerosol product cannot be initiated.

[0097] 6 illustrates only an embodiment in which notifications are output via the display 210, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, notifications may be output via a haptic module and / or an audio output module.

[0098] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary diagram of ink regions corresponding to the state of an aerosol product, according to another embodiment.

[0099] 7, the aerosol product 700 also includes an ink region 710 including multiple strips of ink that change color in response to a change in humidity. Each strip contains a different concentration of ink, thereby resulting in a different critical humidity for the color change. In one embodiment, an aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 200 (FIG. 1)) can sense the ink region 710 of the aerosol product 700 via a sensor (e.g., sensor 220).

[0100] In one embodiment, the ink region 710 also includes multiple strips having different ink density values, each of which may indicate a particular level of moisture content within the aerosol product 700. Although Figure 7 illustrates four strips, including a first strip 712, a second strip 714, a third strip 716, and a fourth strip 718, the number of strips is not limited thereto.

[0101] For example, the first strip 712 may have a first concentration value corresponding to a first moisture content (e.g., 9%) of the aerosol product 700, the second strip 714 may have a second concentration value corresponding to a second moisture content (e.g., 12%) of the aerosol product 700, the third strip 716 may have a third concentration value corresponding to a third moisture content (e.g., 15%) of the aerosol product 700, and the fourth strip 718 may have a fourth concentration value corresponding to a fourth moisture content (e.g., 18%) of the aerosol product 700. In this case, the first, second, third, and fourth concentration values of the multiple strips may be successively lower. As a result, the multiple strips having different concentration values may have different sensitivities to moisture content. For example, the sensitivity of the first strip 712 having the first concentration value to the moisture content may be higher than the sensitivity of the fourth strip 718 having the fourth concentration value to the moisture content.

[0102] In the above example, if the moisture content of the aerosol product 700 is approximately 10%, only the first strip 712 of the four strips may be discolored. Thus, one line (i.e., the discolored strip) is shown in the ink region 710, and the sensor 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 may sense the one line indicating that the moisture content of the aerosol product 700 is greater than or equal to 9% and less than 12%.

[0103] In such a case, power may be supplied to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the moisture content of the aerosol product 700. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the heater based on a preset temperature profile optimized for an aerosol product having a moisture content of 9% or more and less than 12%.

[0104] When the moisture content of the aerosol product 700 is approximately 16%, the first strip 712, the second strip 714, and the third strip 716 change color, while the fourth strip 718 maintains its existing color. That is, the ink region 710 displays three lines (i.e., three changed color strips), and the sensor 220 of the aerosol generation device 200 can detect the three lines, indicating that the moisture content of the aerosol product 700 is within the range of 15% or more and less than 18%.

[0105] In such a case, power may be supplied to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the moisture content of the aerosol product 700. For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may supply power to the heater based on a preset temperature profile optimized for an aerosol product having a moisture content of 15% or more but less than 18%, which is in the overly humid range.

[0106] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 800 according to another embodiment.

[0107] The aerosol generating device 800 also includes a control unit 810, a sensing unit 820, an output unit 830, a battery 840, a heater 850, a user input unit 860, a memory 870, and a communication unit 880. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 800 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 8. That is, a person skilled in the art related to this embodiment would understand that some of the components shown in Fig. 8 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 800.

[0108] The sensing unit 820 may sense the state of the aerosol generating device 800 or the state around the aerosol generating device 800 and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 810. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 810 may control the aerosol generating device 800 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 850, restricting smoking, determining whether or not to insert an aerosol product (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.), and displaying notifications.

[0109] The sensing unit 820 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 822, an insertion sensor 824, and a puff sensor 826, but is not limited thereto.

[0110] The temperature sensor 822 may sense the temperature to which the heater 850 (or the aerosol-generating substance) is heated. The aerosol-generating device 800 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 850, or the heater 850 itself may function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 822 may be disposed around the battery 840 to monitor the temperature of the battery 840.

[0111] The insertion detection sensor 824 may detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product product. For example, the insertion detection sensor 824 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may detect a change in signal due to the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product product.

[0112] The puff sensor 826 may detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or channel, such as a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, or a pressure change.

[0113] The sensing unit 820 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and an RGB (red-green-blue) sensor (illuminance sensor) in addition to the aforementioned sensors (temperature sensor 822, insertion sensor 824, and puff sensor 826). The function of each sensor can be intuitively understood by a person skilled in the art from its name, and therefore detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0114] The output unit 830 may output and provide to a user information related to the status of the aerosol generating device 800. The output unit 830 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a display unit 832, a haptic unit 834, and an audio output unit 836. When the display unit 832 and the touchpad have a layered structure and are configured as a touch screen, the display unit 832 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0115] The display unit 832 may visually provide a user with information related to the aerosol generating device 800. For example, the information related to the aerosol generating device 800 may include various information such as the charging / discharging status of the battery 840 of the aerosol generating device 800, the preheating status of the heater 850, the insertion / removal status of an aerosol generating product, or a status in which use of the aerosol generating device 800 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 832 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 832 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED). The display unit 832 may also be in the form of a light-emitting element such as an LED (light-emitting diode).

[0116] The haptic unit 834 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus and provide the user with tactile information related to the aerosol generating device 800. For example, the haptic unit 834 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0117] The acoustic output unit 836 can audibly provide the user with information related to the aerosol generation device 800. For example, the acoustic output unit 836 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0118] The battery 840 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 800. The battery 840 may supply power so that the heater 850 can be heated. The battery 840 may also supply power necessary for the operation of other components included in the aerosol generating device 800 (e.g., the sensing unit 820, the output unit 830, the user input unit 860, the memory 870, and the communication unit 880). The battery 840 may be a rechargeable battery or a single-use battery. For example, the battery 840 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0119] The heater 850 can heat the aerosol-generating material by receiving power from the battery 840. Although not shown in Fig. 8, the aerosol-generating device 800 further includes a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC (direct current) / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 840 and supplies it to the heater 850. Furthermore, when the aerosol-generating device 800 generates an aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol-generating device 800 further includes a DC / AC (alternating current) converter that converts the direct current power of the battery 840 into alternating current power.

[0120] The control unit 810, the sensing unit 820, the output unit 830, the user input unit 860, the memory 870, and the communication unit 880 may perform their functions by receiving power from a battery 840. Although not shown in FIG. 8, the device may further include a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 840 and supplies it to each component.

[0121] In one embodiment, heater 850 may be formed from any suitable electrically resistive material, such as, but not limited to, metals or metal alloys including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. Heater 850 may also be embodied as, but not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate with conductive tracks, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0122] In another embodiment, heater 850 is an induction heater, for example, heater 850 may include a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0123] The user input unit 860 may receive information input by a user or output information to a user. For example, the user input unit 860 may be, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., a contact-type capacitance type, a pressure-type resistive film type, an infrared sensing type, a surface ultrasonic conduction type, an integral tension measurement type, a piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Although not shown in FIG. 8 , the aerosol generating device 800 may further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface. The aerosol generating device 800 may be connected to another external device via the connection interface such as the USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 840.

[0124] The memory 870 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 800 and may store data processed by the control unit 810 and data to be processed by the control unit 810. The memory 870 may include at least one type of recording medium selected from the group consisting of flash memory, hard disk, micro multimedia card, card-type memory (e.g., secure digital (SD) memory or extreme digital (XD) memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. The memory 870 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 800, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the user's smoking pattern.

[0125] The communication unit 880 also includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices, such as a short-range wireless communication unit 882 and a wireless communication unit 884.

[0126] The short-range communication unit 882 may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a WLAN (wireless local area network) (Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity)) communication unit, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, an IrDA (infrared data association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra-wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, and the like.

[0127] The wireless communication unit 884 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 884 may use subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 800 within the communication network.

[0128] The control unit 810 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 800. In one embodiment, the control unit 810 also includes at least one processor. The processor can be realized by an array of multiple logic gates, or by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. It will be understood by those skilled in the art to which this embodiment pertains that the processor can also be realized by other forms of hardware.

[0129] The control unit 810 can control the temperature of the heater 850 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 840 to the heater 850. For example, the control unit 810 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of switching elements between the battery 840 and the heater 850. In another example, a heating direct circuit can control the power supply to the heater 850 in response to a control command from the control unit 810.

[0130] The control unit 810 may analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 820 and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the control unit 810 may control the power supplied to the heater 850 so that the operation of the heater 850 is started or stopped based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 820. In another example, the control unit 810 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 850 and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater 850 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 820.

[0131] The control unit 810 may control the output unit 830 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 820. For example, if the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 826 reaches a preset number, the control unit 810 may notify the user via at least one of the display unit 832, the haptic unit 834, and the audio output unit 836 that the aerosol generating device 800 will soon be shut down.

[0132] An embodiment may also be embodied in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer-readable media are any available media that can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and nonvolatile media, and both detachable and non-detachable media. Computer-readable media also include both computer recording media and communication media. Computer recording media include both volatile and nonvolatile, detachable and non-detachable media embodied in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal, such as a program module, or other transmission mechanism, and include any information delivery media.

[0133] The above description of the embodiments is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope of the claims should be construed as being within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. In an aerosol generating system, an aerosol product including an ink region in which ink that changes color in response to at least one of a temperature change and a humidity change is disposed; an aerosol generating device including a heater for heating at least a portion of the aerosol product; a sensor for sensing the ink region; and a processor for controlling power supply to the heater based on sensory information obtained from the ink region via the sensor.

2. The processor: supplying power to the heater based on a first temperature profile when first sensing information is acquired from the ink region via the sensor; The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein when second sensing information is acquired from the ink region via the sensor, power is supplied to the heater based on a second temperature profile that is distinct from the first temperature profile.

3. The aerosol generating system of claim 2 , wherein the second temperature profile includes a preheating time that is longer than the preheating time of the first temperature profile.

4. The aerosol generating system of claim 2 , wherein the first sensing information indicates that the ink is not discolored, and the second sensing information indicates that the ink is discolored.

5. the aerosol generating device further includes a user interface; The processor: The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 , wherein when third sensing information is acquired from the ink region via the sensor, a notification is output via the user interface.

6. The aerosol generating system of claim 5 , wherein the third sensing information indicates that the ink changes color due to a change in temperature.

7. 2. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the ink region includes a first ink region that changes color in response to the humidity change, and a second ink region that changes color in response to the temperature change and is spaced apart from the first ink region.

8. The aerosol generating system of claim 1 , wherein the ink region includes multiple strips of ink that change color in response to changes in humidity.

9. The plurality of strips include: a first strip having a first concentration value such that the strip changes color when the moisture content of the aerosol product increases above a first moisture content; 9. The aerosol generating system of claim 8, further comprising a second strip having a second concentration value that changes color when the moisture content of the aerosol product increases to or above a second moisture content that is higher than the first moisture content.

10. The processor: if the sensing information indicates a color change of the first strip, applying power to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the first moisture content of the aerosol product; 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein when the sensing information indicates a color change of the first strip and the second strip, power is supplied to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to the second moisture content of the aerosol product.

11. In the aerosol generating device, a heater for heating at least a portion of the aerosol product; a sensor for sensing an ink area of the aerosol product; a processor that controls power supply to the heater based on sensory information acquired from the ink region via the sensor.

12. The processor: supplying power to the heater based on a first temperature profile when first sensing information is acquired from the ink region via the sensor; The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein when second sensing information is acquired from the ink region via the sensor, power is supplied to the heater based on a second temperature profile that is distinct from the first temperature profile.

13. further comprising a user interface; The processor: The aerosol generating device according to claim 11 , wherein when third sensing information is acquired from the ink region via the sensor, a notification is output via the user interface.

14. The processor: If the first strip senses information indicating that the ink is sensed in the ink region, powering the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to a first moisture content of the aerosol product; The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein when the first strip and the second strip sense information indicating that they are sensed in the ink region, power is supplied to the heater based on a temperature profile corresponding to a second moisture content of the aerosol product.

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